Recent protests in Iran have drawn renewed attention to dissent under the country's authoritarian government. The demonstrations have been met with mass arrests, internet restrictions, and even accusations of murder.
While large-scale demonstrations appear to have subsided for now, reporting from Iran describes a tense calm, a heightened security presence, and widespread "disappointment and disillusionment" among Iranians.
Today we are joined by Pouya Nikmand, an Iranian-born writer who escaped Iran at 18. He writes about how his experiences have shaped his understanding of expression, freedom, and belonging on his Substack, Outliving Iran.
Timestamps:
00:00 Intro
02:17 What's happening in Iran now?
10:47 What does life look like under an authoritarian regime?
20:33 Growing up in Iran
24:48 The influence of Western media in Iran
32:55 Escaping Iran
37:05 Life after escape
40:55 Being trafficked to Poland
54:45 Escaping captivity and coming to America
01:01:53 An immigrant's perspective on US immigration
1:07:24 Outro
Read the transcript here.
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