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
All content for Roqe is the property of Roqe Global Media and is served directly from their servers
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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
Roqe Ep. 396 - Samin Yoga, + New Immigration Laws and Iranians
Roqe
2 hours 12 minutes 24 seconds
1 month ago
Roqe Ep. 396 - Samin Yoga, + New Immigration Laws and Iranians
On Episode 396 of Roqe, two timely conversations that reflect the global Iranian experience.
Jian begins with Samin Pourkhalili (Samin Yoga), joining via Zoom from Missouri. Samin shares her journey from Tehran to India to the U.S., her rise as a global Farsi-language yoga instructor, and the tension between authenticity and the digital wellness industry.
Later in the program, Jian hosts an in-studio discussion on the major immigration policy changes announced by the Canadian government just days ago — including reduced temporary visa intake, flatter PR levels, and new barriers for transitioning from study and work permits to permanent residency.
Immigration consultants Vahid Babaei and Hesam Asadi break down what these changes mean for Iranians hoping to come to Canada, Iranians already here, and the broader paradox within the Iranian-Canadian community regarding immigration levels.
This episode of Roqe is presented with the support of Quasar Homes.
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
