Persian Girl Podcast

In this episode, PGP interviews Erin Khar whose memoir Strung Out, coming February 25, 2020 from HarperCollins | Park Row Books, about her fifteen-year battle with opiate addiction which explores the very nature of why people do drugs, casting light on the larger opiate crisis, written with the intention to destigmatize the topic of drug addiction. The three discuss her book, the shame surrounding addiction, her connection to Persian culture, their favorite Persian foods, and much more. At the end of the episode the three answer a question sent to PGP from a listener about "boy texting problems".

Her memoir can be found on amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Strung-Out-Other-Nearly-Killed/dp/0778309738 and in stores from February 25th!

In this episode, Millie and Natalie record with each other from across the country! They discuss engagements, marriage proposal planning, short term life planning and decision making (living in the present or whatever), Persian guys who got weird from doing too many drugs, mens obsession with long hair, beauty standards of the 2010s-20s, amazon ring cameras robbing daughters of their privacy lol, and taking relationship advice from parents. They also discuss the phenomenon of manifesting being asked out by someone you like by going out on other dates to trigger the sixth sense of that other person (lol). 

Is WGM the DTF for Persians? In this episode, PGP interviews their friend who is not Persian but grew up amongst Persians in Great Neck, NY. She shares her experience with her past friendships with Persians and her relationship with a Persian guy. They talk marriage centric people, kenisah (synagogue), toxic relationships, whether you should voice to your friends that you think they're in an unhealthy relationship, and breakups. 

In this week's episode, PGP interviews Kevin Nahai, a 27 year old speaker and writer who runs a mentorship program working with emotional and psychological wellness based in LA. Kevin shares his experience with the Persian community (friendships and dating), the pressures of needing to meet certain financial expectations when dating Persian women, and the confidence needed to do so as well. The three discuss the different types of Persian men, depending on when they prefer to get married and how they view their significant other in a relationship: as a partner or as a dependent. Kevin returns some questions PGP asks him, back to them: if either of them will date a Persian guy (lol) and their dating expectations in general. They also ask Kevin his thoughts on the "right" number of previous sexual partners, sleeping on the first date, behavior on social media, and much more.

In this episode, PGP interviews Samira Soro, a licensed marriage & family therapist and life coach from Los Angeles, CA. They talk about ways to cope with social media, particularly Instagram and the ways it can interfere with relationships, and how it is indicative or what it is indicative of in peoples' personalities. They also explore the dangers of the accessibility of Instagram as an outlet for porn which is being consumed more regularly and publicly as opposed to pornography which is traditionally consumed privately. Lastly, they ask Samira where to draw the line with a significant other if they are potentially borderline cheating via Instagram dm's or addicted to the app. 

Soheila Adelipour joins Persian Girl Podcast to discuss her new book, Dancing to the Darkest Light, which follows her journey from fleeing persecution in Iran to the loss of her second son in in a fire in Boston, then, a few years later, the passing of both her sister and brother after enduring long and horrific illnesses. Soheila takes us back to what life was like for her in Iran and amidst the revolution as she moved to America. PGP talks about the negative connotation Persians place behind “mahsabi” and the extremes of religions. She shares her experiences of meeting khastegars (suitors) when moving to America and her thoughts on dating today. Soheila gets into how she dealt with her emotions during the loss of her son and her two siblings. Further into the episode they discuss anti anxiety medication and particularly Soheila’s experience with them. The three discuss the problems with the Persian idea that if you’ve experienced tragedy you should never smile, dress up or dance, and how Soheila, as well as her mother’s positive attitude have gotten them where they are today. They end the episode with the story of Soheila’s mother saving a young girl from a virgin killing as a midwife and another story which was not included in the book.

Her book is available on her website and on amazon (it is sold out on amazon but will be back in stock in a few weeks).

In this episode, Millie and Natalie take a break from interviewing and discuss the much disputed topic of cheshm. Cheshm or the evil eye as known in the Persian language is a serious phenomenon within the Iranian community. Some people live by it, some think it's made up. It's also something that has ended friendships, relationships, and perhaps even marriages, not because of receiving cheshm, but because one person's practice of cheshm offending the other. Hiding certain luxuries (could be in the form of wealth, health, beauty, or success) is still commonly done and it can be seen as extremely offensive, because it implies that you think the other party will cheshm you. PGP discuss their experiences of cheshm, how they've seen it "manifest" in the Persian community, and whether if it's something we can put in the past. Also discussed is of course the subject of esfand dooding and other ways Middle Eastern cultures have historically tried to block cheshm. 

In episode 3, Millie and Natalie interview Ladan Hariri, a psychiatrist from Los Angeles, CA. Dr. Hariri is a Board-Certified psychiatrist focused on helping patients with anxiety and depression, ADHD for both adults and adolescents, and women’s health issues including peri-natal mental health, premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD) and menopause-related mood disorders. She treats patients via tele-psychiatry. 

They discuss alternative treatments to mental disorders, the nuances of panic and mood disorders, and how Dr. Hariri entered the field of psychiatry. Towards the end of the episode they discuss recovery practices for cosmetic surgeries and the abuse of fillers in the age of instagram. 

Dr. Hariri can be found at tmshealthsolutions.com and by 844-867-8444. She can also be reached by email at resultpsychiatry@gmail.com.

In episode 2 Millie and Natalie interview comedian Sarah Fatemi. Together they discuss her web series Saffron ‘n Rose which is about two Persian girls who start an anonymous radio show discussing taboo topics. They also explore stereotypes given in the Persian community, what it’s like growing up in a non Persian community, and ahbehroo. The second half of the episode (beginning at 33 minutes) includes a rant led by Natalie and Millie about the millennial man’s fascination with Southeast Asia, Patagonia (the region), “spontaneous travel”, and whether men are “genetically programmed” to have an extreme promiscuous phase during their late adolescence/adulthood. Lastly, Millie questions what constitutes looking like an “LA Persian girl”.

In the first episode of season two, Millie and Natalie interview Nicole Nowparvar of Chaya Community, a sacred space for Jewish Iranians to experience meaningful connection and deepen their self-expression, based in LA. The three explore traditions in the Persian culture that they want to pass on to the next generation and the traditions they are not interested in passing on. 

In this episode, Natalie interviews an old friend from her home town. Together they discuss the perception of age in the Persian community as well as dating redflags and dealbreakers. 

In this episode, PGP hosts, Millie and Natalie talk about the feelings associated with birthdays and getting older (mental breakdowns), men who are "on the spectrum", and how all apps somehow encourage stalking (i.e. Venmo news feed). They also introduce a new segment: red flag or dealbreaker.

In episode 16, PGP interviews Tara, a Persian girl from Los Angeles. They discuss topics surrounding mental health; the difference between anxiety and panic attacks, the ways in which Persian households deal with mental health, and the nuances found in the values of Persian-American families depending on when they migrated to America. 

PGP chats with Melissa Shoshahi about her experience as a comedian and being the first Persian American woman to tour internationally doing standup.

In the 15th episode, Persian Girl Podcast hosts Millie and Natalie talk about the rumors that are spread about people who haven't gotten married by 30 or been in a relationship if they're "older" and the criticisms men/women face when they don't pursue a higher degree program after finishing their undergraduate degree. They also discuss what is considered "cheating" in 2019 (DMing on instagram or using dating apps secretly) and secrecy in relationships in general. 

In this episode, PGP chats with a 21 year old girl from LA. She talks about what it's like to not have a profession that has a linear path, like being a doctor or a lawyer, and how that affects her own personal feelings towards her career. They also discuss marijuana use, giving their parents a hard time, dating in LA, and parenting. 

Intro music by Siavash Ghomeyshi.

In Episode 13, Persian Girl Podcast interviews comedian Noam Shuster Eliassi
(@noam_joon on instagram). Noam talks about her upbringing in Neve Shalom (in Arabic, Wahat al-Salam), the mixed Jewish-Arab community outside of Jerusalem. She also goes into further detail of how her Middle Eastern heritage allows her to take her comedy certain places where most people cannot (literally and metaphorically). Noam tells PGP about her experience of doing standup comedy in the West Bank and how she plans to incite political change through the medium of comedy.

Noam will be doing performing in America in the Fall of 2019 as she completes a residency at Harvard University.

Find her on instagram: https://www.instagram.com/noam_joon/

Read more about her here: https://www.haaretz.com/israel-news/MAGAZINE-meet-the-jewish-activist-comedian-who-refuses-to-be-reduced-to-a-single-identity-1.6826888

In the 12th episode, PGP interviews a Persian American divorce lawyer, Jacqueline Harounian, and discuss divorce law, prenuptial agreements, and ethics, equality, domestic violence, abuse, and infidelity in marriages. They also discuss "ahberoo" in Persian community and the hypocrisies/free passes that are given to wealthier members of the community. Furthermore, Jacqueline shares her experience as a working mother who navigated law school and establishing her practice while raising four children. 

Jacqueline's information: https://www.lawjaw.com/our-attorneys/jacqueline-harounian/

The Safe Center a victims’ services agency, which has locations in Bethpage, Cedarhurst, and Little Neck. All services are confidential and free: www.TSCLI.org.  (Leslie Kraut is a social worker there who does not charge for counseling and is familiar with the Persian community. Contact: 718-225-1750. Extension 248. Email:  lkraut@comminpointqueens.org)

Long Island Crisis Center, the main Suicide Hotline for Queens and Long Island. It has many services for lgbtq youth and young people at risk through the Pride for Youth Division: https://longislandcrisiscenter.org/

In the 11th episode, PGP interviews Iman Hariri-Kia, sex and dating editor at Elite Daily. Iman discusses her career transitions, the struggles of giving up a dream, and the rewards she reaps from writing about extremely personal subjects online. The three discuss how Persian culture influences their identity as first generation Americans and the difference between the identities of Muslim Persians vs Jewish Persians. Additionally they talk about hair and hair removal, what dating a non-Persian is like, and beauty standards in Iran vs. America.

Iman's writings can be found here: https://www.elitedaily.com/profile/iman-hariri-kia-8123807 
Or here: https://www.teenvogue.com/contributor/iman-hariri-kia

In episode 10, PGP sits down and talks with prominent meme creator Sebastian Tribbie, aka Youvegotnomale on instagram. *NSFW* They discuss his experiences with Middle Eastern men, sexually and non sexually...and also doing lean with Pusha T and shitting out Juul pods. Youvegotnomale also asks PGP a few questions about their personal life. Lastly, he breaks down the difference between a Hyena and a Meerkat as well as establishing a new term, "Aardvark".