Assyrian Podcast

Episode 23 - Reine Hanna is a Co-Founder and Director of the Assyrian Policy Institute. Together with a dedicated team at the policy institute, Reine helps raise awareness of Assyrian issues, and advocates for the Assyrian homeland by guiding and influencing U.S policy. Much of that advocacy began when Reine co-authored the human rights report “Erasing Assyrians,” which catalogued -  in detail - her trip to Iraq in 2016 and 2017. In May, 2018 the first ever Assyrian Policy Conference took place in Washington D.C. Reine now splits her time between her hometown of Skokie, IL and working with policy makers in Washington D.C. https://www.assyrianpolicy.org Twitter: @AssyrianPolicy Instagram: @AssyrianPolicy Facebook: Assyrian Policy Institute

Episode 22 - This week we hear from Dr. Nicholas Al-Jeloo, the founder of The Assyria Institute (www.facebook.com/AssyriaInstitute). You’ll learn about his journey in pursuing a PhD in Syriac Studies at the University of Sydney, what The Assyria Institute aims to do, as well as his findings and experiences in traveling to the Middle East and documenting precious parts of Assyrian history. You can connect with him at nicholas.aljeloo@gmail.com

Episode 21 - Ben Eil Dariush! The Assyrian Lion, Beneil Khobier Dariush is an Iranian-born Assyrian-American professional mixed martial artist who competes in the Lightweight division of the Ultimate Fighting Championship. Dariush began training Brazilian jiu-jitsu in 2007, earning his black belt in just five years. He was a highly decorated competitor, becoming a no gi world champion as a blue, purple and brown belt. During the first three and a half years of his career, he went undefeated with six wins and no losses. He finished all but one of those wins.   http://www.sherdog.com/fighter/Beneil-Dariush-56583 https://twitter.com/beneildariush?lang=en https://www.instagram.com/beneildariush/?hl=en https://www.facebook.com/beneildariushmma/

Episode 20 - This week we hear from Reni Stephan, an Assyrian artist, from the Metro Detroit area. Reni focuses on sculptures and oil paintings and he is responsible for the art work displayed inside Ishtar Restaurant in Sterling Heights, MI. You’ll hear Reni talk about his inspirations, past projects, and dreams for the Assyrian arts and the community of artists in this episode. You can learn more about his work via his Facebook page www.facebook.com/reni.stephan Finally, a thank you to our sponsor John Oushana from HomeSmart. Whether you are thinking about purchasing or selling your home either in Arizona or California, contact John Oushana Real Estate Professional at 209-968-9519, on Facebook @JohnOushanaRealtor, or @John.Oushana on Instagram.

Episode 19 - This week we hear from Dr. Evette Haddad, the president of the Bet Nahrain Assyrian Heritage Centre (www.betnahrainahc.com). You'll learn about her PhD research, her work in the Assyrian community, and her experience raising a bicultural family. You can connect with Evette at evette@betnahrainahc.com.

Episode 18 - Dr. Andrew Davoodian, MD, MBA, was born in Los Angeles and raised in Central California in the Assyrian-dense city of Turlock. He completed his undergraduate studies in Integrative Biology with an emphasis on Human Biology at the University of California, Berkeley. At UC Berkeley, he created, lectured and directed courses in Modern Assyrian Culture, Introduction to Neo-Assyrian/Neo-Aramaic (INANA), and Assyrian Dance–the first such courses on Modern Assyrian Studies at a major academic research university. He also helped advance an “Assyrian/Chaldean” checkbox for the world’s largest educational system, the University of California admissions application, making for the largest-scale state demographic recognition of the Assyrian identity. He then earned his Masters in Business Administration at the Johnson Graduate School of Management with a graduate minor in Real Estate at The School of Hotel Administration at the SC Johnson College of Business at Cornell University in New York. He then earned

Episode 17 - Born in Madison Heights, MI, Sargon “Seggie” Isho attended Indiana University as a trumpet player. He joined Straight No Chaser, an a cappella singing group associated with the University. In 2009, Straight No Chaser was signed with Atlantic Records, which has been home to artists like Aretha Franklin, Led Zepplin, Bruno Mars, and Ed Sheeran. With 6 studio albums, Straight No Chaser has toured the world and performed on The Today Show as well as Late Night with Jimmy Fallon. For information about tour dates and performances, you can visit www.sncmusic.com

Episode 16 - This week we hear from Aneki Nissan, the founder of the Centre for Canadian-Assyrian Relations (www.ccarofficial.com). You’ll learn more about the work he and the CCAR are doing, including a documentary titled, "The Forgotten Assyrians of Canada." You can connect with Aneki at anissan@gmail.com. If you like what you are hearing on the Assyrian Podcast, please subscribe and review wherever you listen to the podcast. Also, a shout out to our sponsor John Oushana from HomeSmart. Whether you are thinking about purchasing or selling your home either in Arizona or California, contact John Oushana Real Estate Professional at 209-968-9519, on Facebook @JohnOushanaRealtor, or @John.Oushana on Instagram. www.assyrianpodcast.com 

Episode 15 - Joseph Hermiz is a first-generation Assyrian-American. Both of Joseph's parents left the Middle East as refugees in the midst of persecution and political upheaval. He attended Arizona State University and graduated with a BA in History and Religious Studies. He served on the board of the Assyrian American Cultural Organization of Arizona from December 2012 to September 2014. He is currently a second-year PhD student in the Department of Near Eastern Languages & Civilizations at the University of Chicago. His research focuses on Assyrians in the late Ottoman Empire (18th to early 20th century) and in Modern Middle Eastern history. Joseph completed his Masters degree at the University of Chicago in 2016, writing on the development of modern Assyrian identity in the 19th century. Arianne Ishaya's book: https://www.amazon.com/Familiar-Faces-Unfamiliar-Places-California-ebook/dp/B079JP7PXF/ref=sr_1_1?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1527571485&sr=1-1  The Wilsonian Moment: https://www.ama

Episode 14 - Nathan Kalasho, a Michigan resident, who at the age of 31 is the founder of KEYS, which stands for Kalasho Empowerment of Young Scholars. Nathan and his family opened KEYS Grace Academy in Madison Heights, MI in 2015, and this school is special because in addition to core subjects, it offers an Assyrian language class and it incorporates various cultural components in its classrooms. This is the only K-12 school of its kind in the United States, and you’ll hear Nathan talk about the future plans for KEYS in terms of expansion across Michigan as well as other states.   Like what you're hearing? Rate and reviews on the iTunes or Google Play store. Don't forget to subscribe and tell a friend.

Episode 13 - This week we hear from May Ishak, the wife of the Assyrian martyr, Youbert Benyamin. You’ll hear about her life growing up in Iraq and later fleeing oppression to create a new life in Canada.   Like what you're hearing? Rate and reviews on the iTunes or Google Play store. Don't forget to subscribe and tell a friend. 

Episode 12 - Born in London, England in 1982, he and his family emigrated to Los Angeles when he was 7 years old. He earned his Juris Doctor at Loyola University Law School in Los Angeles and a Bachelor’s Degree in Economics from the University of California Berkeley.  For the past several years, he worked as an attorney at a boutique litigation firm in downtown Los Angeles.  In the next month, he will be launching his own private law practice out of Los Angeles. Previously, he had served as Vice President of the Assyrian American Association of Southern California from 2014-2016 and as a volunteer in different Assyrian projects. He was elected President of the Association in 2016 and was re-elected to a second term in January 2018.  Founded on August 1964, the Assyrian American Association of Southern California is a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization whose broad mission is to serve and advance the Assyrian-American community by concentrating on a wide spectrum of areas such as cultural and linguistic ident

Episode 11 - This week we hear from Michael Youash, a PhD candidate in Political Science at the University of Toronto. He is part of the Assyrian Global (Self) Governance Mandate and is the Secretary for the Nineveh Plain Defense Fund (https://ninevehplaindefensefund.org/).  You'll learn more about his life in politics and current projects, as well as his experience raising a bi-cultural family. You can connect with Michael at myouash@gmail.com

Episode 10 - Kevin Markarian joins the Assyrian Podcast and tells us all about his journey. Founded in 2014, Marker Real Estate achieved rapid success as one of the nation’s most innovative companies. Word is spreading in industry circles about Marker’s unique approach to digital marketing communications via a transparent, inclusive client-focused strategy. Email Kevin here:  kevinmarkarian@markersf.com or look him up on social media! 

Episode 9 - This week we hear from Nadia Younan, a PhD candidate at the University of Toronto in Ethnomusicology looking at Assyrian music. You’ll learn about how she selected her PhD topic, her findings thus far, and how it has been like growing up first-generation Canadian with Assyrian & Italian heritage. You can connect with her at nadia.younan@mail.utoronto.ca.

Episode 8 - On this week's episode we get to meet Ray Markarian in the Assyrian trunks (boxing). Ray grew up in Modesto California and currently live in San Francisco where he is a Real Estate Agent, writer, producer, and LOVES boxing! Ray has written for the Sweet Science and also the Bleacher report. We had a great time getting to know Ray and we know you will too. Find him on twitter or instagram @raymarkarian. 

Episode 7 - This week’s episode we hear from Rosemary Georges who is of the Syriac Orthodox faith and her journey coming to the Assyrian identity, the challenges she’s faced with marrying someone of a different Christian sect, and about her dissertation covering mental health in the midst of the Syria conflict. You can connect with her on Facebook at Rosemary Georges or through email at rosieyachouh@gmail.com. 

Episode 6 - This week we hear from Mar Awa Royel, Bishop of the Assyrian Church of the East overseeing California. I had a blast at his home, getting to know him better and I know you'll enjoy as well. Add him on social media: https://www.facebook.com/marawa.royel   

Episode 5 - This week we hear from Lidia Bit-Yunan, Co-founder and COO of Set Scouter (https://www.setscouter.com/). You’ll learn about how she co-founded her company, growing up in Kazakhstan, and how she rekindled her love for being Assyrian. You can connect with her on any social media outlets at: Lidia Bit-Yunan or lidiabityunan@gmail.com  Find Lidia @lidiabetyunan @setscouter 

Episode 4 - Get to know the Assyrian activist Savina Dawood. You'll get to hear more about her story and also the etuti institute which provides opportunities in the Assyrian homeland. Check out www.etuti.org