Assyrian Podcast

We are re-releasing Episode 191 in honor of Obelit “Obie” Yadgar who passed away on August 30th 2023. We are so thankful we had the opportunity to get to know Obie before he passed away. There was great strength and inspiration felt in every word that he spoke to us. Obie's legacy and impact on the world are profound. His radiant spirit, indomitable will, and the melodies of his voice continue to reverberate in the hearts of many. We deeply feel his absence, and he remains a beacon of inspiration and love in our memories.  Born in Baghdad and nurtured in Tehran, Obie made his journey to the U.S. in 1957, laying roots as a remarkable Assyrian-American radio voice in Glendale, Wisconsin. He etched his mark as a combat correspondent for the US Army's 4th Infantry Division in Vietnam between 1967-68. This episode invites listeners into Obie's poignant tales from Vietnam, his undying passion for music and radio, and the deeply personal stories of losing his cherished mother and wife. Additionally, we explore his distinctive views on the art of shaving.  

George Piro, a retired FBI special agent who led Saddam Hussein's seven-month interrogation, shares his Assyrian-Lebanese roots and career path. He discusses deploying to Iraq, building rapport during intense daily sessions, using language and cultural ties, Saddam's personality and justifications, and life after retirement including Brazilian jiu-jitsu and a forthcoming book.

Rhoda Nazanin, a former pastor turned queer activist, shares her journey of identity after moving from Iran to the U.S. alongside Bernadet Yaghobian, a therapist emphasizing mental health within the LGBTQ+ community. Chris Yonin breaks stereotypes with humor, while Andre Shamoon reveals the complexities of being a proud transman in a traditional environment. They discuss coming out experiences, family acceptance, and the interplay of their Assyrian heritage with LGBTQ+ identities, advocating for inclusivity and understanding.

Episode 1 - Missed Opportunities is the first essay from our new podcast series, Musing with My Samovar with Obie Yadgar. In this episode, Obie recalls three individuals from his past and muses on conversations that were never had: an Assyrian man he met once who had been imprisoned in Siberia, a well-dressed stranger at the airport, and his uncle Rabi Benyamin Arsenos.

Episode 195 - Mattico David is an Assyrian-American actor born and raised in Flint, MI. He is a veteran of the stage and has appeared in numerous Off-Broadway and regional theatrical productions.A graduate of the University of Michigan’s Theatre Performance program, Mattico was a founding member of the Flint City Theatre and a regular performer at Jeff Daniel’s Purple Rose Theatre Co., in Chelsea, MI. In this episode we discuss his upbringing, the audition to rehearsal process, and what working with other Assyrian artists has meant to him.

Episode 194 – Dr. George Marano. Dr. Marano is an esteemed expert in geopolitics and a distinguished writer for the South China Morning Post, Asia's premier English-language newspaper. Throughout our conversation, Dr. Marano shares his unique insights and perspectives on the complex dynamics of geopolitics. With a focus on the Assyrian experience as a dispossessed people, we explore the historical context and contemporary implications of intersecting empires. One of the central themes we discuss is the pursuit of freedom through wealth, drawing inspiration from the empowering message of self-sufficiency and empowerment embodied by movements like the Black Panther movement. Dr. Marano highlights the importance of understanding geopolitics in our quest for personal and collective liberation. Join us as we delve into this captivating conversation, shedding light on the intricate interplay between geopolitics and the Assyrian community's plight. Don't miss out on this thought-provoking episode!

Mikhail Benjamin, a passionate advocate for Assyrian rights and chairman of the Alliance of Iraqi Minorities Network, dives deep into the complex identity of Assyrians in Iraq. He discusses the crucial distinction between being an indigenous people versus a minority, emphasizing the historical significance of their land. The conversation highlights ongoing struggles for land rights, the impact of bureaucratic barriers on daily life, and the urgent need for preserving Assyrian heritage. Benjamin also shares his vision for fostering cultural awareness and political participation.

Episode 192 - William D.S. Daniel can be considered an Assyrian icon in our modern day history. He was a prolific Assyrian writer, musician, and composer, credited with creating some of the earliest original Assyrian music and responsible for the artistic and cultural advancement of his people. He also created the “Epic of Kateeni Gabbara” that not only revived a dying Assyrian epic, but also exposed the beauty and potentiality of the modern Assyrian language as a medium of poetry and dramatic expression. The epic is written in three volumes and contains over 7,000 verses. In this episode, Dr. Arianne Ishaya, the author of William Daniel’s biography, “William Daniel, the Portrait of an Assyrian Icon”, takes us through the journey of his life and legacy.  About the guest:  Dr. Arianne Ishaya was born in Urmia - a town in Northwestern Iran with a large Assyrian population.  She obtained her master’s degree in Anthropology from the University of Manitoba, and her Ph.D. from UCLA in Cultural Anthropology. Her publications include: “New Lamps for Old”, which documents the remarkable history of the Assyrian colony in North Battleford, Saskatchewan, Canada. The Assyrians were among the very first settlers of the region. The family histories in this book reveal the success story of a people who built a human chain across thousands of miles and gradually reunited separated husbands and wives, parents and offspring, and reconstituted their families.    The detailed family histories in another of her publications, “Familiar Faces in Unfamiliar Places” take the reader to the world at large from where the members of this dispersed refugee nation have come together to form the Turlock-Modesto colony in the heartland of California. It contains poignant accounts of a people who started out with modest beginnings; but whether they came as penniless hopefuls in search of farmland, or traumatized refugees from the Middle East, they worked hard and were able to establish themselves as a stable and even well-to-do part of the Turlock-Modesto community.   She wrote the biography of William Daniel titled “William Daniel, Portrait of An Assyrian Icon” published in 2015. Her most recent works are a reprint of the three volumes of “Kateeni Gabbara”, and “Discourse on the Spelling Method in The Assyrian Language” by William Daniel published in 2022. She also translated “The Last Days of Atla Kandi” by Eddie Davoud from Farsi into English published in 2022. Currently, she is working on documenting the post-World War I history of Assyrians in the two towns of Hamadan and Kermanshah, Iran.   You can connect with Dr. Arianne Ishaya at arian_ishaya@yahoo.com    To inquire about purchasing William Daniel’s poetry books, “The Epic of Kateeni Gabbara”, “William Daniel, Portrait of An Assyrian Icon”, and/or others, please reach out to info@aaasj.org.  Episode musical references:  Kubelik: Dvorak - Symphony No. 9 "From the New World"  William Daniel’s, “Spinning Wheel” sung by Lorraine Davis William Daniel’s, “Nineveh” sung by Janelle Yausif   Audio of the Epic of Kateeni Gabbara   Outro:  Tribute to William Daniel: speech by William Daniel (1986) William Daniel’s, “Marganita” sung by Albert Shahbaz William Daniel’s “Lullaby” sung by Christina (Tina) Boosahda Harrell William Daniel’s, “Shara” sung by Water Aziz  Other resources: https://www.assyrianfoundation.org/files/2003-1new.pdf  https://www.qeenatha.com/artists/WilliamDaniel/92/  https://www.assyrianfoundation.org/files/2000-3.pdf 

Episode 191 - Obelit “Obie” Yadgar is an Assyrian-American radio personality from Glendale, Wisconsin. He was born in Baghdad, Iraq. Raised in Tehran, he moved to the United States in 1957. He was drafted into the US Army's 4th Infantry Division, serving as a combat correspondent in Vietnam in 1967 and 1968. In this episode we talk about his time in Vietnam, his connection to music and the radio, the loss of his mom and wife, and the art of shaving.

Episode 190 - Rachel Sarah Thomas is an Assyrian American singer and songwriter hailing from the Windy City of Chicago, Illinois. Born to Assyrian parents, she was raised with a deep appreciation for her cultural roots, and grew up speaking and writing in Neo-Aramaic - a language that most people believe is extinct. Immersed in the dance, liturgical, and folk music traditions of her Assyrian family, she soon discovered her passion for music. Thomas spent years exploring her musical identity in the vibrant independent music scene of Chicago. She embarked on her electrifying pop project, KSRA, and collaborated with esteemed artists such as Thelonious Martin and NYLO, and even worked with rap legend Talib Kweli. She also produced a record with the Grammy-winning duo, Tha Bizness. Despite her success, she realized there wasn't a space where she felt fully represented. So, she created her newest project, Sheekar, a bold and dynamic collection of Assyrian folkloric and pop music from Iraq, Iran, and Syria, fused with American musical traditions such as funk, soul, and rock n' roll. Sheekar (pronounced She Cɛr) is a celebration of Rachel's blended identity, a powerful East-meets-West fusion that proudly showcases the beauty and richness of her culture. Her music is a testament to the shared experiences of people from different backgrounds, and she hopes to inspire non-Assyrian people to appreciate and enjoy her culture while also introducing Assyrian people to a fresh and exciting take on their own music. Rachel's first single, "Shara," from her upcoming EP Sheekar, is set to be released in May of 2023 IG: therealrachelsarah Spotify & FB: Rachel Sarah Thomas