Episodes

  • Roqe Ep. 449 - IRAN RISES - Ramin Zamani

    Roqe Ep. 449 - IRAN RISES - Ramin Zamani
    Jun 25 2026
    For months, events surrounding Iran have moved at a relentless pace. In the midst of that, some remarkable conversations had to wait their turn. This is one of them. In this episode, Jian Ghomeshi welcomes acclaimed composer, producer and arranger Ramin Zamani to the Roqe studio for a fascinating discussion about music, exile, creativity, discipline and authenticity. Long before he became one of the key architects of modern Persian pop music, Ramin Zamani left Iran to pursue classical guitar and composition. His dream was not chart success but film scoring. Yet through a series of unexpected turns, including a chance encounter with Kamran of Kamran & Hooman, he found himself helping shape the sound of Persian music for a generation. The conversation explores: • Life under the Islamic Republic • Leaving Iran for artistic freedom • Classical music and creative discipline • The dream of film composition • The making of Persian pop music • Collaborations with Shahbal Shabpareh and Dariush • The role of mentorship • The creative process • Autotune and authenticity • Artificial intelligence and the future of music The episode also features Jian's opening essay: WE ARE BETWEEN CHAPTERS Sponsored by: • Stellar Law - stellarlaw.ca Hosted by Jian Ghomeshi. Produced by Roqe Media.
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    1 hr and 20 mins
  • Roqe Ep. 448 - IRAN RISES - Ehsan Karami

    Roqe Ep. 448 - IRAN RISES - Ehsan Karami
    Jun 22 2026
    Broadcaster, actor, singer and cultural commentator Ehsan Karami joins Jian Ghomeshi in studio for a special conversation in both English and Persian. Together they discuss the current state of the Iranian freedom movement, the reaction to the new memorandum of understanding between the Trump administration and the Islamic Republic, the ongoing debate surrounding Team Melli at the FIFA World Cup, and Ehsan's acclaimed theatrical production Talangor. An honest and reflective conversation about politics, culture, identity, exile, disappointment, resilience and what may come next for Iranians around the world. Sponsored by: • Quasar Homes • Avoca Chocolates
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    1 hr and 8 mins
  • Roqe Ep. 447 - Memorandom of Undermining - Shayan Sami'i, Picasso Moin, Kiarash Kian

    Roqe Ep. 447 - Memorandom of Undermining - Shayan Sami'i, Picasso Moin, Kiarash Kian
    Jun 18 2026
    A new Memorandum of Understanding between the Trump administration and the Islamic Republic has ignited outrage, disappointment, and fierce debate among many Iranians around the world. Jian Ghomeshi welcomes Shayan Samii, Picasso Moin, and Kiarash Kian for a discussion about the deal, the prospect of sanctions relief and a reported $300 billion reconstruction package, and whether the agreement represents a diplomatic success - or a major setback for those hoping to see meaningful change in Iran. The panel also examines the ongoing controversy surrounding Team Melli at the FIFA World Cup, discussing whether support for Iran's national football team can be separated from the politics of the Islamic Republic and why all three guests have chosen not to cheer for Team Melli during this tournament. Plus Jian's opening essay: "WE KNOW WHERE THE $300 BILLION WON'T GO." Guests: • Shayan Samii • Picasso Moin • Kiarash Kian Host: Jian Ghomeshi Sponsored by: • Stellar Law • Quasar Homes
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    1 hr and 25 mins
  • Roqe Ep. 446 - IRAN RISES - After the First Match - Atbin Arian, Seena Ghaznavi, Mehrdad Ahmadpour

    Roqe Ep. 446 - IRAN RISES - After the First Match - Atbin Arian, Seena Ghaznavi, Mehrdad Ahmadpour
    Jun 16 2026
    The World Cup has begun and Team Melli has finally taken the field. Following Iran's 2-2 draw with New Zealand in Los Angeles, Jian Ghomeshi is joined by Atbin Arian, Seena Ghaznavi and Mehrdad Ahmadpour to discuss the atmosphere surrounding the opening match, the presence of Lion and Sun flags inside the stadium, FIFA's role in shaping the broadcast narrative, and the complicated feelings many Iranians have toward supporting the national team under the Islamic Republic. Before the panel, Jian opens the show with an essay entitled "The Cameras Looked Away" about television, censorship, narrative control, and what happens when millions of viewers are shown one version of reality while another exists just outside the frame. Sponsored by Avoca Chocolates.
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    1 hr and 15 mins
  • Roqe Ep. 445 - IRAN RISES - The Game They're Playing - Ahmad Batebi, Shahram Kholdi

    Roqe Ep. 445 - IRAN RISES - The Game They're Playing - Ahmad Batebi, Shahram Kholdi
    Jun 11 2026
    As the FIFA World Cup gets underway, many people around the world are focused on football. But many Iranians are focused on something else entirely. Jian Ghomeshi welcomes former political prisoner and activist Ahmad Batebi and historian and political analyst Dr. Shahram Kholdi for a discussion about the World Cup, Team Melli, the Islamic Republic's attempts to shape narratives on the global stage, and how the Iranian diaspora can use this moment to keep attention focused on the struggle for freedom in Iran. The panel also examines rising tensions between Iran and the United States, new threats from President Donald Trump, and whether recent developments point to growing regime vulnerability or simply another turn in a familiar geopolitical cycle. But first, Jian opens the show with an essay entitled "WE KNOW THE GAME," reflecting on football, politics, propaganda, and why so many Iranians have become deeply skeptical of the competing agendas surrounding major international events. This episode is brought to you by Stellar Law and Quasar Homes.
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    1 hr and 24 mins
  • Roqe Ep. 444 - IRAN RISES - The FIFA Follies - Atbin Arian, Shayan Sami’i

    Roqe Ep. 444 - IRAN RISES - The FIFA Follies - Atbin Arian, Shayan Sami’i
    Jun 4 2026
    The FIFA World Cup begins in just one week, and once again the debate is underway. Will politics overshadow the football? Or will the football eventually overshadow the politics? On this episode of Roqe, Jian Ghomeshi welcomes Atbin Arian and Shayan Sami’i for a conversation about the upcoming World Cup, FIFA’s contradictions, the controversy surrounding the Lion and Sun flag, Team Melli, nationalism, identity, free expression, and the difficult questions many Iranians continue to wrestle with whenever international sport and Iranian politics collide. Will Iranian fans support Team Melli? Has FIFA’s handling of the Lion and Sun flag created more controversy rather than less? And when the first whistle blows, will football once again reclaim center stage? But first, Jian opens the show with an essay entitled “They Always Tell Us To Keep Politics Out Of It”, exploring why so many people are told to separate politics from culture and sport, and why that separation is often easier said than done. Guests: Atbin Arian Shayan Sami’i Sponsors: Stellar Law Quasar Homes Recorded June 4, 2026.
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    1 hr and 8 mins
  • Roqe Ep. 443 - IRAN RISES - Who Let the Mullahs In? - Sadeq Bigdeli, Mehran Aminian, Avideh Motmaenfar

    Roqe Ep. 443 - IRAN RISES - Who Let the Mullahs In? - Sadeq Bigdeli, Mehran Aminian, Avideh Motmaenfar
    May 28 2026
    Canada officially lists the IRGC as a terrorist entity. So why do reports continue surfacing about regime-connected figures, insiders, and individuals allegedly tied to the Islamic Republic entering Canada? On this episode of Roqe, Jian Ghomeshi moderates a timely and provocative panel discussion examining immigration, ideology, western political culture, security concerns, and whether Canada has failed to meaningfully confront the nature of the Islamic Republic regime. Featuring: Sadeq Bigdeli - lawyer and Iranian human rights advocate (Toronto) Mehran Aminian - artist, activist, and immigration consultant (Toronto) Avideh Motmaenfar - osteopathic practitioner, political commentator, and a President of the Council of Iranian Canadians (Oakville) But first, Jian opens the episode with an essay entitled “Who Let the Mullahs In?” - a sharp and poetic reflection on power, influence, ideology, and the growing concern among many Iranian Canadians that the regime they fled may now be finding comfort inside the very democracies built on freedom. This episode is supported by: Stellar Law - stellarlaw.ca Famluxy - famluxy.com
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    1 hr and 5 mins
  • Roqe Ep. 442 - IRAN RISES - It's Okay to Laugh - Amir Arfa, Pouya Comedy

    Roqe Ep. 442 - IRAN RISES - It's Okay to Laugh - Amir Arfa, Pouya Comedy
    May 25 2026
    In the midst of revolution, repression, emotional exhaustion, and political uncertainty, is it still okay to laugh? On this edition of Roqe, Jian sits down with two Iranian content creators and comedians who have built large audiences through satire, parody, viral videos, standup, and social media commentary while also openly supporting the Lion and Sun Revolution against the Islamic Republic regime. Joining Jian are: Amir Arfa - political satirist and creator behind @expatsunleashed - from Los Angeles Pouya Comedy - Iranian standup comic and online creator - from Zurich, Switzerland Together they discuss the role of humour during times of crisis, why tyrants fear satire, whether comedy can become resistance, how Iranian audiences have changed over the past year, and the challenge of balancing outrage, grief, identity, and laughter in the Iranian diaspora right now. But first, Jian opens the episode with an essay titled “DEAL OR NO DEAL - We Will Not Stop” - reflecting on the breaking reports of a possible Trump-Islamic Republic agreement and why, regardless of geopolitics or diplomacy, supporters of freedom and democracy in Iran must continue speaking out and reminding the world exactly what the Islamic Republic regime is. This episode is supported by: Quasar Homes Avoca Chocolates
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    58 mins