Interview | Comedian Neema Naz on Iranian Par...

In this episode, Leyla sits down with Ali Banisadr, the Tehran-born, New York–based painter whose work hangs in museum collections around the world. His exhibition Temple of the Mind at the Buffalo AKG Art Museum (on view through November 8, 2026) is the museum's first-ever artis ...  Show more

In the fifth and final part of our discussion of Attar's Conference of the Birds, Leyla is joined by Omid Arabian of the YOUniversal Center for the poem's climax, as the thirty surviving birds finally reach the Simorgh and discover, through Attar's wordplay on see morgh and seemo ...  Show more

Maz Jobrani is a comedian, actor, and immigrant from Iran. He talks with Bassem about becoming an entertainer over his parents' protests, dealing with typecasting in Hollywood, and raising his own children. Do you have a question for Bassem? Tweet them at @Byoussef with the hasht ...  Show more

Today we are spotlighting Nasser Al-Rayess, a beacon of laughter and authenticity. Born in the vibrant heart of the Bay Area to a Syrian family, Nasser grew up straddling the worlds of rigorous academic expectations and his innate passion for comedy.  From his early days masterin ...  Show more

A conversation with comedian and actor Maz Jobrani about centering his Iranian American identity in his standup, toeing the line with stereotypes onstage, and immigrating to California as a child when his family fled the Iranian Revolution. Guest photo by Storm Santos. 

In this bonus episode Anna is joined by comedian and improviser Kimia Behpoornia to talk about her experiences growing up with Iranian parents in Los Angeles! They get into her joy for following the rules, dealing with her body hair, deciding to get into comedy, coming out as que ...  Show more