Jian continues the Iran Rises series with a timely panel discussion examining the unfolding protest movement inside Iran.
Recorded on January 8, 2026, this episode brings together four perspectives - street-level insight, security analysis, economic context, and historical framing - to better understand what is happening now and what may come next.
Guests:
Picasso Moin – Iranian activist and commentator (Istanbul)
Mahdi Ghodsi – Economist, Vienna Institute for International Economic Studies
Sepehr Vakil – Associate Professor, Northwestern University; author of Revolutionary Engineers
Shayan Samii – U.S. national security analyst and strategic communications expert
The conversation explores protest organization, regime power dynamics, economic pressure points, historical parallels, international response, and what may determine whether this moment advances or stalls.
The episode opens with Jian’s essay honoring the bravery of Iranians in the streets.
This edition of Roqe is brought to you with the support of:
Stellar Law – stellarlaw.ca
Famluxy – famluxy.com
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Jian continues the Iran Rises series with a timely panel discussion examining the unfolding protest movement inside Iran.
Recorded on January 8, 2026, this episode brings together four perspectives - street-level insight, security analysis, economic context, and historical framing - to better understand what is happening now and what may come next.
Guests:
Picasso Moin – Iranian activist and commentator (Istanbul)
Mahdi Ghodsi – Economist, Vienna Institute for International Economic Studies
Sepehr Vakil – Associate Professor, Northwestern University; author of Revolutionary Engineers
Shayan Samii – U.S. national security analyst and strategic communications expert
The conversation explores protest organization, regime power dynamics, economic pressure points, historical parallels, international response, and what may determine whether this moment advances or stalls.
The episode opens with Jian’s essay honoring the bravery of Iranians in the streets.
This edition of Roqe is brought to you with the support of:
Stellar Law – stellarlaw.ca
Famluxy – famluxy.com
A rare in-studio performance and conversation with TrioMoon - featuring Milad Derakhshani (tar), Dara Daraei (bass), and Bahar Falsafi (violin).
Visiting from Iran, the trio delivers two breathtaking instrumental pieces - a fusion of Persian classical roots, improvisation, and modern texture - followed by an intimate discussion with Jian Ghomeshi on creativity, collaboration, and the flourishing new wave of Iranian music.
Milad and Dara open up about living double musical lives - from pop and rock to sonati and fusion - and what it means to make art between worlds.
At the top of the show, Jian reflects on Toronto’s excitement as the Blue Jays head to the World Series and shares his recent streak of Persian concerts - from Alireza Ghorbani to Martik to Milad Derakhshani’s captivating Toronto performance with Trio Moon.
🎶 Featuring:
• Milad Derakhshani – Tar
• Dara Daraei – Bass
• Bahar Falsafi – Violin
🎙 Interview by Jian Ghomeshi
📍Recorded live at the Roqe Hub, Toronto
Presented with the support of @tia_immigration and @iwelcome.ca
Roqe
Jian continues the Iran Rises series with a timely panel discussion examining the unfolding protest movement inside Iran.
Recorded on January 8, 2026, this episode brings together four perspectives - street-level insight, security analysis, economic context, and historical framing - to better understand what is happening now and what may come next.
Guests:
Picasso Moin – Iranian activist and commentator (Istanbul)
Mahdi Ghodsi – Economist, Vienna Institute for International Economic Studies
Sepehr Vakil – Associate Professor, Northwestern University; author of Revolutionary Engineers
Shayan Samii – U.S. national security analyst and strategic communications expert
The conversation explores protest organization, regime power dynamics, economic pressure points, historical parallels, international response, and what may determine whether this moment advances or stalls.
The episode opens with Jian’s essay honoring the bravery of Iranians in the streets.
This edition of Roqe is brought to you with the support of:
Stellar Law – stellarlaw.ca
Famluxy – famluxy.com
