Sela Nazani (writer on IG @palindromepress) & GP Vahan (artist on IG @gpvahan @mythologyandbeyond) talk about two Hulu series: Shōgun (2024) and The Bear (2022-Present). There are some spoilers here, so please be sure you've watched the first season of The Bear and the first three episodes of Shogun before listening. Topics covered briefly include: Seppuku / Harakiri | Feudal Japan | Bushido | Christian Missionaries | Protestants vs. Catholics | Cosmo (Krikoryan!) Jarvis | Hiroyuki Sanada | Richard Chamberlain. Thanks for listening! —————————- We've avoided using Spotify advertising s ..read more

Sela Nazani (writer on IG @palindromepress) & GP Vahan (artist on IG @gpvahan @mythologyandbeyond) talk about the situation in Israel and Palestine. This is not an easy topic, and we are not here to solve any problems. We only hope that anyone with a conscience can speak up about the atrocities they see and realize that human lives are sacred regardless of religion, race, or ethnicity. Speak up if you notice something that feels wrong, especially if it means speaking up against your own community. Don’t stay silent when you see or hear anything that is antisemitic or anti- Arab/ Musli ..read more

Sela Nazani (writer on IG @palindromepress) & GP Vahan (artist on IG @gpvahan @mythologyandbeyond) talk about the humanitarian crisis and ethnic cleansing happening to the Armenian population of Artsakh under Azerbaijan's dictatorship. They also talk about two Hrant Dink documentaries. Topics covered in this episode include the following: Artsakh Blockade | Artsakh War | Refugees | Social Media | Racism | Hate Crimes | Armenian Unity | Prime Minister Pashinyan | Russian Influence | Azerbaijan's Dictatorship | Genocide | Sanctions | Armenian Assembly | Armenian National Committee | Sam ..read more

Sela Nazani (writer on IG @palindromepress) & GP Vahan (artist on IG @gpvahan @mythologyandbeyond) talk about their Armenia trip. A portion of this episode is in Western Armenia (from 00:29:00-00:37:06). Topics covered in this episode include the following: Yerevan | Yandex | Middle Eastern Restaurants | Cuisine | Hospitality | Turkey | Don't go to Parvana | Things to Do in Armenia | Tours | Air France | Flying | Cab Drivers | Tipping | Stray Cats & Dogs | Matenadaran | History Museum of Armenia | Geghard Monastery | Zvartnots Cathedral | Garni Temple | St Hripsime | St Gayane | L ..read more

Sela Nazani (writer on IG @palindromepress) & GP Vahan (artist on IG @gpvahan @mythologyandbeyond) talk about their upcoming Armenia trip. Topics covered in this episode include the following: Grant Applications | Vacations | Armenia Trip | Top Gun | Charlie & Stevie | Flying & Travel | Itineraries | Motorcycles (again!) | Boudica | Women in History | GG App | Khor Virap | St. Gregory the Illuminator | Vahe Berberian | Odzun, Armenia | Vineyards | Garni Temple | Real Estate | Taxes | Boston | Vote for Sela 2024 | Documentaries | Drug Abuse | Prescription Drugs vs. Illicit Drug ..read more

Sela Nazani (writer on IG @palindromepress) & GP Vahan (artist on IG @gpvahan @mythologyandbeyond) discuss three Lebanese movies: Caramel (2007 film directed by Nadine Labaki), Capernaum (2018 film directed by Nadine Labaki), and 1982 (2019 film directed by Oualid Mouaness and starring Nadine Labaki). Topics covered in this episode include the following: Beauty Salon | Women's Lives in Lebanon | Caramel - sweet or bitter | Sexual Repression | Aging | Hymenoplasty | Refugees | Child Marriage | Undocumented Workers | Human Trafficking | Elementary School | Lebanese Civil War | Young Lov ..read more

In recognition of Genocide Awareness Month, and specifically the Armenian Genocide, we are releasing this special episode on April 24. Sela Nazani (writer on IG @palindromepress) &  GP Vahan (artist on IG @gpvahan @mythologyandbeyond) discuss two movies about the Armenian Genocide. The Promise, directed by Terry George, is a historical epic war drama starring Oscar Isaac, Christian Bale, and Charlotte Le Bon. The Cut, directed by Fatih Akin, stars Tahar Rahim, Hindi Zahra, and Arsinee Khanjian. April 24 is the annual commemoration of the Armenian Genocide. We hope that you'll take the ..read more

Sela Nazani (writer on IG @palindromepress) &  GP Vahan (artist on IG @gpvahan @mythologyandbeyond) talk about negotiation, car buying, musicals, and soul searching. This is the last episode for this season. Discussion topics include: Therapy | Psychology | Negotiation Course | Harvard Law School | Budgets/ Taxes | Armenian Groups | Constantinople | The Promise (2016) | Levity | Cultures | History | Artsakh | Armenian Assembly of America | Creative Arts | Lahmajun (Armenian pizza) | Immigrant Communities | Identity | Mythology | Christianity / Paganism | Artists | Traditions | Sy ..read more

Sela Nazani (writer on IG @palindromepress) &  GP Vahan (artist on IG @gpvahan) talk about the Rolling Stone list of 200 Greatest Singers of All Time.  Sela goes through all 200 names by asking Greg if he knows them or not. This is the first time he is hearing this entire list, and you will be surprised (or not!) by who he doesn't recognize. Discussion topics include: Rolling Stone | AI | Marketing Ploys | Opposites | Michael Stipe / REM | Florence Welch / Florence & the Machine | Madonna | Celine Dion | Stevie Nicks | George Michael | Enya | IU | Jungkook |  Selena ..read more

The conversation continues ......  Sela has an intimate chat with her older sisters and mom in Armenian (with occasional Arabic, French, English, and Turkish). Make sure to listen to part 1 first before continuing to this episode.  Let us know what you think and thanks for listening! —————————- We will never use Spotify advertising! We don’t like ads!!  To support our work, make a purchase on gpvahanart.com! Podcast artwork “Bastet” by GP Vahan is now available on his website at gpvahanart.com/product/bastet/ ————Follow Sela Nazani on IG/ Twitter @PalindromePress, and Greg on IG ..read more