About Our Podcast

The Lion and the Sun is a narrative non-fiction podcast that delves deep into the modern history of Iran. In this series, we’re seeking to bring context to Iran’s never-ending fight for freedom by embarking on a journey spanning 200 years and three distinct political systems. Our mission is to share Iran’s captivating story, exploring the roles of religion, monarchy, democracy, and nationalism in shaping the lives of its people throughout different centuries.

Iran’s history is intricate and complex, with numerous events and key players. For the sake of convenience and easy understanding, we strive to focus on the main events and key figures, without compromising the essence of the story. Each season of The Lion and the Sun will be focused on one dynasty, from the fall of the Qajar empire to the formation of the Pahlavi dynasty and the shaping of the Islamic Republic. 

It is important to note that we are not historians; we are simply a group of friends a keen interest in history. We do our best to ensure that everything you hear on this podcast is fact-checked, neutral, and historically accurate. However, this history is told through our eyes and may be subject to some mistakes, mispronunciations, and personal interpretations. We welcome your input and perspective, as long as it is respectful and constructive.

This project is created by Shahin Nezhad and Oriana Coburn. This podcast is completely independent of any groups related to the politics of Iran and does not advocate for any specific ideology or political party. Our sole purpose is to share an unbiased account of Iran’s fascinating history. This project is and will always remain free, with new episodes published every two weeks.

Join us on this enthralling journey through Iran’s modern history, and let us together unveil the captivating stories that have shaped this remarkable nation.