In this episode, Leyla sits down with Hamid Rahmanian — the Iranian-American artist, filmmaker, and visionary behind some of the most ambitious Shahnameh projects of our time, including the illustrated Shahnameh: The Epic of the Persian Kings , the touring live productions Feathers of Fire and Song of the North , and most recently Rostam: Tales from the Shahnameh , a beautifully illustrated edition for younger readers. Hamid takes us back to his childhood in Tehran, where he grew up in a traditi...
May 13, 2026•1 hr 30 min•Ep. 223
In this episode, Leyla sits down with Danesh Nosirvan — the Iranian-American creator known online for identifying perpetrators of public harm and holding them accountable through the court of public opinion. What began as a comedy career took an unexpected turn in 2021, when a single video calling out a child abuser went viral and reshaped the trajectory of his work entirely. Danesh shares the story of his family's arrival in the U.S. after the revolution, growing up as one of the only Iranian k...
May 07, 2026•1 hr 18 min•Ep. 222
In the fourth part of our discussion about the Tale of Zahhak, Leyla and Dr. Sahba Shayani introduce the story of Fereydoon, who, as we already know by now, eventually kills Zahhak and rules Iran in his place. Zahhak tries in vain to prevent fate, and Fereydoon, even as a child, survives all of Zahhak's attempts to kill him.
Apr 20, 2026•22 min•Ep. 221
In this lesson, we learn from Leyla and Dr. Sahba Shayani about the nature of the evil king Zahhak's reign and the beginning of his downfall.
Apr 11, 2026•31 min•Ep. 220
In this lesson, we continue our discussion of the famous Tale of Zahhak from Ferdowsi's Shahnameh with Dr. Sahba Shayani. Here, having covered the background that led to Zahhak's rise to power, we begin to delve into Zahhak's own story in earnest.
Mar 23, 2026•23 min•Ep. 219
In this lesson, we begin our discussion of the famous Tale of Zahhak from Ferdowsi's Shahnameh with Dr. Sahba Shayani. We use the end of the story of Jamshid as a prelude and begin to learn of how Zahhak becomes an evil king.
Mar 04, 2026•29 min•Ep. 218
In this thrilling conclusion to Hafez's poem yoosofé gom gashté , we cover the words and phrases in the last four lines of the poem. Hafez concludes by acknowledging the difficulties the reader may face and reiterating his encouragement and confidence that God will help the reader overcome them.
Feb 09, 2026•20 min•Ep. 217
In this lesson, we cover the words and phrases in the next four lines of the poem yoosofé gom gashté by Hafez. In this part of the poem, Hafez provides the reader encouragement and inspiration for overcoming any difficulties they may face.
Feb 01, 2026•22 min•Ep. 216
In this lesson, we go over more words and phrases in the next four lines of the poem yoosofé gom gashté by Hafez. Here, Hafez reassures the reader regarding forces that are beyond their control.
Jan 26, 2026•18 min•Ep. 215
In this lesson, we go over the individual words and phrases in the next four lines of the poem yoosofé gom gashté by Hafez, which refer broadly to the nature of the heavens and earth.
Jan 18, 2026•16 min•Ep. 214
In this lesson, we go over the individual words and phrases in the first four lines of the poem yoosofé gom gashté by Hafez.
Jan 12, 2026•19 min•Ep. 213
In this lesson, we conclude our discussion of the section “On the Creation of the World” from Ferdowsi's Shahnameh and reflect on its implications with Dr. Omid Arabian. In this last part, Ferdowsi explains the origins and significance of human beings in more detail.
Jan 05, 2026•22 min•Ep. 211
In this introductory lesson to Hafez's poem yoosofé gom gashté , we're joined by Prof. Sahba Shayani to talk about the general theme and meaning behind this poem.
Jan 04, 2026•54 min•Ep. 212
In this lesson, we proceed to the fifth part of our discussion of the section “On the Creation of the World” from Ferdowsi's Shahnameh with Dr. Omid Arabian. In this part of the epic poem, Ferdowsi briefly concludes his discussion of the origins of plants and animals and begins explaining the origins of human beings.
Dec 15, 2025•21 min•Ep. 210
In this lesson, we proceed to the fourth part of our discussion of the section “On the Creation of the World” from Ferdowsi's Shahnameh with Dr. Omid Arabian. This part of the epic poem explains Ferdowsi's account of the origins of plants and animals.
Dec 08, 2025•18 min•Ep. 209
In this lesson, we proceed to the third part of our discussion of the section “On the Creation of the World” from Ferdowsi's Shahnameh with Dr. Omid Arabian. This part of the epic poem discusses the formation of the Earth.
Dec 01, 2025•19 min•Ep. 208
In this lesson, we continue our discussion of the section “On the Creation of the World” from Ferdowsi's Shahnameh with Dr. Omid Arabian. This part of the epic poem discusses the very beginnings of the universe.
Nov 24, 2025•21 min•Ep. 207
In this lesson, we begin our discussion of the section of Ferdowsi's Shahnameh called “On the Creation of the World” with Dr. Omid Arabian. We begin with a discussion of just the first two lines (the first two rhyming couplets).
Nov 17, 2025•36 min•Ep. 206
In this lesson, we learn some more expressions for expressing thanks, particularly in the context of visiting a jewelry store or other shop and making arrangements in advance.
Oct 27, 2025•14 min•Ep. 205
In this episode of Growing Up Irooni , journalist Nilo Tabrizy joins Leyla Shams to talk about her groundbreaking book For the Sun After Long Nights — The Story of Iran’s Women-Led Uprising , recently long-listed for the National Book Award. Nilo reflects on what it means to love a country she can no longer return to, the emotional toll of reporting on Iran from afar, and her friendship and collaboration with Iranian journalist Fatemeh Jamalpour , who reported from inside Iran during the Women L...
Oct 22, 2025•1 hr 6 min•Ep. 204
In this lesson, we learn some other tārof -related expressions for expressing thanks, especially when talking to people at a party or other social gathering.
Oct 20, 2025•18 min•Ep. 203
In this lesson, we learn a few more tārof -related expressions useful when talking with neighbors and also learn some useful phrases about gardening.
Oct 13, 2025•17 min•Ep. 202
In this lesson, we learn how to talk a little bit about school.
Oct 06, 2025•18 min•Ep. 201
In this lesson, we continue to explore examples of tārof relevant in situations where we have guests at our houses.
Sep 29, 2025•29 min•Ep. 200
In this lesson, we cover the thrilling conclusion to the Story of Zal in the Shahnameh with Leyla and Dr. Sahba Shayani, where Zal returns with Sam to their palace in Zabulistan, where he enjoys a hero's welcome.
Sep 15, 2025•23 min•Ep. 199
In this lesson, we continue our discussion of Ferdowsi's Shahnameh with Dr. Sahba Shayani to the fourth part of the Story of Zal, where Simorgh reunites Zal with his father, Sam.
Sep 08, 2025•19 min•Ep. 198
In this lesson, we continue our discussion of Ferdowsi's Shahnameh with Dr. Sahba Shayani to the third part of the Story of Zal, where Sam begins to have dreams that inspire him to search for the son he had previously abandoned.
Sep 01, 2025•14 min•Ep. 197
In this lesson, we continue our discussion of Ferdowsi's Shahnameh with Dr. Sahba Shayani to the second part of the Story of Zal, where Simorgh spots the abandoned baby.
Aug 25, 2025•15 min•Ep. 196
In this lesson, we begin our discussion of Ferdowsi's Shahnameh with Dr. Sahba Shayani. We specifically begin covering the first part of the Story of Zal in the Shahnameh .
Aug 18, 2025•27 min•Ep. 195
In this deeply personal and wide-ranging conversation, Daniel Nayeri, author of the acclaimed autobiographical novel Everything Sad is Untrue , talks about growing up as an Iranian refugee in Oklahoma, the mythic structure of memory, and the stories we inherit—true or not. He reflects on what it means to carry generational trauma, how he began writing the book in a Brooklyn bathroom, and the long journey of learning to tell his family’s story with emotional honesty. We discuss the magic of Persi...
Aug 06, 2025•1 hr 28 min•Ep. 194
