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Wavemaker Conversations: A Podcast for the Insanely CuriousAuthor: Michael Schulder
In-depth conversations with the most creative thinkers, respected leaders, and preeminent authors in a wide variety of fields including sports, the arts, parenting, psychology, medicine & more -- conversations that take us to places where curiosity meets hope. For regular updates, please subscribe to the Wavemaker Conversations Newsletter: https://michaelschulder.substack.com/subscribe Language: en-us Genres: Society & Culture Contact email: Get it Feed URL: Get it iTunes ID: Get it |
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Azar Nafisi: Reclaiming Iran's Identity
Saturday, 7 March, 2026
Azar Nafisi, author of the internationally acclaimed memoir Reading Lolita in Tehran, addresses the question: Where do Iranians who have stood up to their ruthless government get their courage?I reached out to Nafisi following Iran’s traditional 40-day mourning period for the thousands of people killed by the ruling clerics’ enforcers during nationwide demonstrations against the regime.It seemed incredible that on the 40th day – after seeing the regime’s use of widespread violence – Iranians would come out yet again. I wanted to know – is there something about that 40-day tradition, that generates courage?Nafisi grew up in Iran’s capital, studied in the U.S. in the 1970s, and returned to her homeland after the revolution – for 18 years – to teach western literature to Iranian college students. Her insights on courage come from her personal experience and from a deep understanding of Iranian and Persian history and culture. We had this conversation three days before the war began. Nafisi’s insights will be highly relevant for a long time to come.
