Synopsis
Learn Persian with Chai and Conversation teaches you conversational Persian in a fun and casual manner in weekly lessons of about 15-20 minutes each. Check out our website chaiandconversation.com for more information.
Episodes
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Poetry | Hafez's yoosofé gom gashté, Part 6
09/02/2026 Duration: 20minIn this thrilling conclusion to Hafez's poem yoosofé gom gashté, we cover the words and phrases in the last four lines of the poem. Hafez concludes by acknowledging the difficulties the reader may face and reiterating his encouragement and confidence that God will help the reader overcome them.
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Poetry | Hafez's yoosofé gom gashté, Part 5
01/02/2026 Duration: 22minIn this lesson, we cover the words and phrases in the next four lines of the poem yoosofé gom gashté by Hafez. In this part of the poem, Hafez provides the reader encouragement and inspiration for overcoming any difficulties they may face.
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Poetry | Hafez's yoosofé gom gashté, Part 4
26/01/2026 Duration: 18minIn this lesson, we go over more words and phrases in the next four lines of the poem yoosofé gom gashté by Hafez. Here, Hafez reassures the reader regarding forces that are beyond their control.
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Poetry | Hafez's yoosofé gom gashté, Part 3
18/01/2026 Duration: 16minIn this lesson, we go over the individual words and phrases in the next four lines of the poem yoosofé gom gashté by Hafez, which refer broadly to the nature of the heavens and earth.
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Poetry | Hafez's yoosofé gom gashté, Part 2
12/01/2026 Duration: 19minIn this lesson, we go over the individual words and phrases in the first four lines of the poem yoosofé gom gashté by Hafez.
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Culture | Ferdowsi's Shahnameh, On the Creation of the World, Part 6
05/01/2026 Duration: 22minIn this lesson, we conclude our discussion of the section “On the Creation of the World” from Ferdowsi's Shahnameh and reflect on its implications with Dr. Omid Arabian. In this last part, Ferdowsi explains the origins and significance of human beings in more detail.
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Poetry | Hafez's yoosofé gom gashté, Introduction with Sahba Shayani
04/01/2026 Duration: 53minIn this introductory lesson to Hafez's poem yoosofé gom gashté, we're joined by Prof. Sahba Shayani to talk about the general theme and meaning behind this poem.
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Culture | Ferdowsi's Shahnameh, On the Creation of the World, Part 5
15/12/2025 Duration: 21minIn this lesson, we proceed to the fifth part of our discussion of the section “On the Creation of the World” from Ferdowsi's Shahnameh with Dr. Omid Arabian. In this part of the epic poem, Ferdowsi briefly concludes his discussion of the origins of plants and animals and begins explaining the origins of human beings.
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Culture | Ferdowsi's Shahnameh, On the Creation of the World, Part 4
08/12/2025 Duration: 18minIn this lesson, we proceed to the fourth part of our discussion of the section “On the Creation of the World” from Ferdowsi's Shahnameh with Dr. Omid Arabian. This part of the epic poem explains Ferdowsi's account of the origins of plants and animals.
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Culture | Ferdowsi's Shahnameh, On the Creation of the World, Part 3
01/12/2025 Duration: 20minIn this lesson, we proceed to the third part of our discussion of the section “On the Creation of the World” from Ferdowsi's Shahnameh with Dr. Omid Arabian. This part of the epic poem discusses the formation of the Earth.
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Culture | Ferdowsi's Shahnameh, On the Creation of the World, Part 2
24/11/2025 Duration: 20minIn this lesson, we continue our discussion of the section “On the Creation of the World” from Ferdowsi's Shahnameh with Dr. Omid Arabian. This part of the epic poem discusses the very beginnings of the universe.
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Culture | Ferdowsi's Shahnameh, On the Creation of the World, Part 1
17/11/2025 Duration: 35minIn this lesson, we begin our discussion of the section of Ferdowsi's Shahnameh called “On the Creation of the World” with Dr. Omid Arabian. We begin with a discussion of just the first two lines (the first two rhyming couplets).
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Speak Lesson 70 | Thanking a Shopowner
27/10/2025 Duration: 13minIn this lesson, we learn some more expressions for expressing thanks, particularly in the context of visiting a jewelry store or other shop and making arrangements in advance.
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Interview | Growing Up Irooni - Nilo Tabrizy on the Cost of Telling Iran’s Story
22/10/2025 Duration: 01h06minIn this episode of Growing Up Irooni, journalist Nilo Tabrizy joins Leyla Shams to talk about her groundbreaking book For the Sun After Long Nights — The Story of Iran’s Women-Led Uprising, recently long-listed for the National Book Award. Nilo reflects on what it means to love a country she can no longer return to, the emotional toll of reporting on Iran from afar, and her friendship and collaboration with Iranian journalist Fatemeh Jamalpour, who reported from inside Iran during the Women Life Freedom movement.Together they discuss:The personal cost of choosing to tell Iran’s storyThe rise of forensic journalism and verifying truth in the digital ageThe trauma and beauty of living between worldsThe responsibility and tensions within the Iranian diasporaWhy every act of defiance by Iranian women still mattersThis conversation offers a rare glimpse into the human side of reporting on revolution, identity, and belonging.
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Speak Lesson 69 | Giving Thanks
20/10/2025 Duration: 17minIn this lesson, we learn some other tārof-related expressions for expressing thanks, especially when talking to people at a party or other social gathering.
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Speak Lesson 68 | Talking with a Neighbor
13/10/2025 Duration: 17minIn this lesson, we learn a few more tārof-related expressions useful when talking with neighbors and also learn some useful phrases about gardening.
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Speak Lesson 67 | How to Talk About School
06/10/2025 Duration: 17minIn this lesson, we learn how to talk a little bit about school.
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Speak Lesson 66 | Tārof When Welcoming Guests
29/09/2025 Duration: 29minIn this lesson, we continue to explore examples of tārof relevant in situations where we have guests at our houses.
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Culture | Ferdowsi's Shahnameh, Part 5
15/09/2025 Duration: 23minIn this lesson, we cover the thrilling conclusion to the Story of Zal in the Shahnameh with Leyla and Dr. Sahba Shayani, where Zal returns with Sam to their palace in Zabulistan, where he enjoys a hero's welcome.
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Culture | Ferdowsi's Shahnameh, Part 4
08/09/2025 Duration: 19minIn this lesson, we continue our discussion of Ferdowsi's Shahnameh with Dr. Sahba Shayani to the fourth part of the Story of Zal, where Simorgh reunites Zal with his father, Sam.