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
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