Reza Aslan

Reza Aslan on why Iran is winning, and why the idea of nationalism may be the next great illusion to fall. | Subscribe to Futurology! https://linkin.bio/futurology/ What does it mean for a nation to fight a war it cannot win? Iranian scholar and author Reza Aslan joins Nathan Gardels to cut through four decades of American self-deception about Iran. In this episode, Aslan argues that the war in Iran has done exactly what decades of intelligence had predicted: silenced dissent, entrenched hardline power, and destroyed the slow-burning possibility of reform taking root in Iran. He makes the case that Iran is not an unhinged theocracy, but a completely rational actor facing a waning global superpower mired in a “cosmic war mentality. Subscribe to the Berggruen Institute on YouTube to be the first to listen to new Futurology episodes: https://www.youtube.com/@Berggrueninst Catch up on the Futurology conversation with full episodes on YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLyYCSKWs8iYgjg-mhu-EuhTrG0-adrb0c Apple Podcasts https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/futurology/id1821718921 Spotify https://open.spotify.com/show/2I38HvHP6KlXrD5ysfygxk?si=XB2qyyGjT2ONMTd5XUKJAg&nd=1&dlsi=ac8cda6751834298 Mentioned in this Episode: No God but God: The Origins, Evolution, and Future of Islam — Reza Aslan (Book, 2005) Zealot: The Life and Times of Jesus of Nazareth — Reza Aslan (Book, 2013) God: A Human History — Reza Aslan (Book, 2017) Where to find Resa Aslan: https://www.rezaaslan.com/ Show ideas and feedback? Email: futurology@berggruen.org Learn more about the Berggruen Institute https://www.berggruen.org Follow Futurology! Instagram : / futurologypod Twitter/X : / futurologypod Tiktok : / futurologypod Facebook : / berggrueninst LinkedIn : / berggrueninst Bluesky : / futurologypod Credits Executive Producers: Nicolas Berggruen, Nathan Gardels, Nils Gilman, Dawn Nakagawa, & Jason Hoch Producers: Grant Slater, Alex Gardels, & Nathalia Ramos Associate Producer: Elissa Mardiney Theme Music: Marcus Bagala Audio Engineer: Aaron Bastinelli & Kyle Scott Wilson Futurology is a production of Studio B and Wavland for the Berggruen Institute in Los Angeles, California.

We’ve been looking at the war on Iran through the wrong lens, according to Iranian-American religion scholar Reza Aslan . It’s tempting to think that economic sanctions or military strikes will change Iran’s course overnight. But Reza’s words on The State of Belief challenge that assumption, revealing a deeper truth about history, identity, and the illusions we cling to. Reza shares a striking story from his book on Howard Baskerville, the American missionary who fought alongside Iranians in 1907, to the century-long struggle for freedom that defines Iran’s modern history. More than just a series of revolutions, these events are part of an enduring quest for dignity and sovereignty—a fight that has repeatedly been undermined by foreign interference and internal repression. Most surprising is how he dismantles the myth that religion uniquely dictates Iran’s actions. “Religion is just one part of identity,” he explains. “It’s used by regimes for control, but it doesn't inherently define the country’s trajectory.” That shift in perspective is illuminating. It reminds us that Iran’s complex history of democracy protests—dating back to 1905—has always been about Iranians asserting their right to shape their future. Yet, external powers have consistently interfered, from Britain in 1905 to the CIA-backed coup of 1953, and now, the current military escalation. Reza sounds a warning for those celebrating the fall of the Supreme Leader: external attacks are a most effective way to rally internal support, invoking the surge in support for George W. Bush in the immediate aftermath of 9/11 as one relatable example. He challenges us to let go of simplistic hopes that bombs or sanctions will transform Iran overnight. Real change, Reza suggests, comes from within—and it will take generations, because history is not so much context as it is fuel for ongoing resistance and conflict. MORE ABOUT REZA ASLAN: Reza Aslan is a scholar of religion, a best-selling author, a college professor, and a public intellectual who has a gift for making complex religious history accessible to broad audiences. Reza's books include Zealot: The Life and Times of Jesus of Nazareth, and Beyond Fundamentalism: Confronting Religious Extremism in the Age of Globalism. He has hosted television programs exploring religion and culture, such as Believer with Reza Aslan. Born in Iran, living in Los Angeles, Reza brings a depth of understanding to the current situation that is important to explore. The nuance he brings is expressed in a moving New York Times essay titled, The Mistake That Iranians Make About America. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Religion, Identity & the Human Story | Reza Aslan | CD13 Chandana Dixit 🎙️ Welcome to another episode of Creativity Dialogues with Chandana Dixit: A creativity podcast dedicated to exploring art, inspiration, personal growth, and the creative process in all its forms. In this conversation, Reza Aslan — internationally renowned writer, scholar of religions, professor, and bestselling author of Zealot, No God But God, and God: A Human History — joins Bollywood playback singer Chandana Dixit for a deep, challenging, and thought-provoking dialogue. What shapes our beliefs, our identities, and the stories we tell about the world? 🌍✨ In this episode of Creativity Dialogues with Chandana Dixit, we sit down with Reza Aslan, one of the most influential public thinkers on religion and culture. Reza unpacks the emotional roots of faith, the power of storytelling in shaping civilizations, and how religion functions less as belief and more as identity. Through compelling insights drawn from history, psychology, anthropology, and narrative theory, Reza invites us to rethink what we call “religion,” how myths define humanity, and why storytelling is the fundamental framework of human consciousness. His perspective is essential for creators, thinkers, educators, and anyone seeking to understand how meaning, identity, and narrative shape our lives. #CreativityDialogues #ChandanaDixit #podcast Why Watch This Episode? Religion, Identity & the Human Story | Reza Aslan | CD13 Chandana Dixit** ✔️ Learn from one of the world’s leading voices on religion, culture & identity ✔️ Discover how storytelling shapes human consciousness and society ✔️ Gain fresh insights into faith, meaning-making, and the human condition ✔️ Experience professional, high-quality podcast production for an engaging viewing experience 🎧 Whether you're seeking inspiration as an artist, tools for self-development, or a deeper look at how narratives shape humanity, this episode offers a transformative intellectual and creative journey. 🎤 About the Host Chandana Dixit is a celebrated Bollywood playback singer with a passion for meaningful conversations that inspire and empower. Through Creativity Dialogues, she connects with creative minds from across the globe to bring fresh perspectives, powerful stories, and practical wisdom to a growing audience. ✨ Stay Connected Subscribe for new episodes every week! 🔴 https://www.youtube.com/channel/@chan...

In this episode, meet primatologist Christine Webb, writer and poet Jim Reese, and writer and Emmy-nominated producer, Reza Aslan. Hear Christine Webb on the dangers of human exceptionalism and what we can do about them, Jim Reese on the intensity of the audiobook studio, and Reza Aslan on what he’s most excited for listeners to hear in this 20th anniversary edition of his book. The Arrogant Ape by Christine Webb: https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/717436/the-arrogant-ape-by-christine-webb/audio/ Coming to a Neighborhood Near You by Jim Reese: https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/796877/coming-to-a-neighborhood-near-you-by-jim-reese/audio No god but God by Reza Aslan: https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/5837/no-god-but-god-by-reza-aslan/audio/

Today I'm publishing an archival episode with Reza Aslan, who called my book Exvangelical & Beyond " [a]n insightful exploration of faith, identity, and activism in a nation at the crossroads of religious fervor and social change…At once alarming and hopeful, this is a book that every American must read, regardless of religious affiliation.” Exvangelical & Beyond is available in stores now! Check out my newsletter, which links to all my recent appearances . In the season 1 finale of Powers & Principalities (originally published on 11/30/2020), I spoke with Reza Aslan about what we've learned about the United States during the Trump administration. In particular, we discussed what it means that 70 million Americans voted for Trump to be re-elected, the cult-like characteristics of Trumpism, the 'geography of identity' of Trumpism, the role of the media, and much more. Reza Aslan is author of several books, including God: A Human History , Zealot: The Life and Times of Jesus of Nazareth , and Beyond Fundamentalism . He is also Professor of Creative Writing at the University of California, Riverside and executive producer of Rough Draft with Reza Aslan and the CNN documentary series, Believer . Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://www.postevangelicalpost.com/about

This week’s episode of The Archive Project features Reza Aslan discussing his new book, An American Martyr in Persia: The Epic Life and Tragic Death of Howard Baskerville . Aslan was interviewed by Literary Arts executive director Andrew Proctor at the 2022 Portland Book Festival, presented by Bank of America, which took place on Saturday, November 5 in downtown Portland. Iran has been in the news this fall for a new wave of protests in reaction to the death of 22-year-old Mahsa Amini, who was arrested by the morality police for not wearing her hijab “properly” and died while in police custody. The protests have been remarkably widespread, and the government response severe. Aslan asserts this current movement is a fourth Iranian revolution, after 1979, 1953, and the 1906 constitutional revolution his book focuses on. In An American Martyr in Persia , Aslan describes the events of that 1906 revolution through the story of Howard Baskerville, the son of a preacher and a student of Woodrow Wilson, who found himself in Tabriz, Iran in 1907, working as a Presbyterian minister and teacher. What happened next is well-known to Iranians but almost totally unknown to Americans. “People ask me, ‘What can we do to help the people of Iran?’ Well, when you ask the people of Iran, ‘What do you need?’ they say, ‘Pay attention, that’s what we need.’ We have the ability to say, ‘We hear you. We’re paying attention. We’re going to shine a light on this for as long as it takes.’ That is far, far more powerful and valuable than you think it is.” Find your copy of An American Martyr in Persia through the Literary Arts page on Bookshop.org. Reza Aslan is an acclaimed writer and scholar of religions. He is the author of the #1 New York Times bestseller Zealot , No God but God , and editor of Tablet & Pen: Literary Landscapes from the Modern Middle East . He lives in Los Angeles, California. Andrew Proctor has been the director of Literary Arts since 2009. Born and raised in Canada, Proctor, earned a bachelor’s degree in English and Music at Concordia University in Montreal, and later worked in London for the Cultural Attaché to the Canadian High Commission. In the UK, he also earned an MA in English Literature at the University of East Anglia under the supervision of England’s then Poet Laureate, Andrew Motion. From 2000-2004 Proctor worked as an editor for HarperCollins in New York City and then as the Membership and Operations Director of the PEN American Center, a global literary and human rights organization focused on the welfare of writers and editors. In total, Proctor has worked in the literary world for over twenty years in the governmental, for profit and nonprofit sectors.

In this episode, Patrick Bet-David is joined by Adam Sosnick & Reza Aslan. He is an Iranian-American scholar of sociology of religion, writer, and television host. In this episode they discuss America, the constitution & much more TOPICS Why Reza Islan escaped from Iran Did Teddy Roosevelt’s grandson overthrow the prime minister of Iran Reza Aslan Reveals why he Stopped Believing In Christianity What was radical with Jesus’s messaging? Did Mary give birth to Jesus? Reza Aslan explains why he’s not an Atheist If you were to start a new country, what religion would you practice? Reza Aslan on raising his kids Patrick Bet-David and Reza Aslan debate Iran Protect and secure your retirement savings now with this complimentary precious metals guide. Go to http://goldco.com/pbd 855-594-2758 FaceTime or Ask Patrick any questions on https://minnect.com/ Want to get clear on your next 5 business moves? https://valuetainment.com/academy/ PBD Podcast Episode 222. Purchase Reza's book An American Martyr in Persia: https://bit.ly/3VEPYUY For more info, go to RezaAslan.com: https://bit.ly/3VEPYUY Join the channel to get exclusive access to perks: https://bit.ly/3Q9rSQL Download the podcasts on all your favorite platforms https://bit.ly/3sFAW4N Text: PODCAST to 310.340.1132 to get added to the distribution list Patrick Bet-David is the founder and CEO of Valuetainment Media. He is the author of the #1 Wall Street Journal bestseller Your Next Five Moves (Simon & Schuster) and a father of 2 boys and 2 girls. He currently resides in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida.

This week’s episode of The Archive Project features Reza Aslan discussing his new book, An American Martyr in Persia: The Epic Life and Tragic Death of Howard Baskerville . Aslan was interviewed by Literary Arts executive director Andrew Proctor at the 2022 Portland Book Festival, presented by Bank of America, which took place on Saturday, November 5 in downtown Portland. Iran has been in the news this fall for a new wave of protests in reaction to the death of 22-year-old Mahsa Amini, who was arrested by the morality police for not wearing her hijab “properly” and died while in police custody. The protests have been remarkably widespread, and the government response severe. Aslan asserts this current movement is a fourth Iranian revolution, after 1979, 1953, and the 1906 constitutional revolution his book focuses on. In An American Martyr in Persia , Aslan describes the events of that 1906 revolution through the story of Howard Baskerville, the son of a preacher and a student of Woodrow Wilson, who found himself in Tabriz, Iran in 1907, working as a Presbyterian minister and teacher. What happened next is well-known to Iranians but almost totally unknown to Americans. “People ask me, ‘What can we do to help the people of Iran?’ Well, when you ask the people of Iran, ‘What do you need?’ they say, ‘Pay attention, that’s what we need.’ We have the ability to say, ‘We hear you. We’re paying attention. We’re going to shine a light on this for as long as it takes.’ That is far, far more powerful and valuable than you think it is.” Find your copy of An American Martyr in Persia through the Literary Arts page on Bookshop.org. Reza Aslan is an acclaimed writer and scholar of religions. He is the author of the #1 New York Times bestseller Zealot , No God but God , and editor of Tablet & Pen: Literary Landscapes from the Modern Middle East . He lives in Los Angeles, California. Andrew Proctor has been the director of Literary Arts since 2009. Born and raised in Canada, Proctor, earned a bachelor’s degree in English and Music at Concordia University in Montreal, and later worked in London for the Cultural Attaché to the Canadian High Commission. In the UK, he also earned an MA in English Literature at the University of East Anglia under the supervision of England’s then Poet Laureate, Andrew Motion. From 2000-2004 Proctor worked as an editor for HarperCollins in New York City and then as the Membership and Operations Director of the PEN American Center, a global literary and human rights organization focused on the welfare of writers and editors. In total, Proctor has worked in the literary world for over twenty years in the governmental, for profit and nonprofit sectors.

Reza Aslan is a leading expert in world religions and his bestselling books have touched on a range of issues related to history, extremism and spirituality. His latest work, An American Martyr in Persia , challenges us to look at how seriously we take our ideals of constitutional democracy and whose freedom do we support. Aslan illuminates these issues by exploring the real-story of Howard Baskerville, a 22-year-old Christian missionary from South Dakota who traveled to Persia (modern-day Iran) in 1907 for a two-year stint teaching English and preaching the gospel. Baskerville arrived in the midst of a democratic revolution led by a group of brilliant young firebrands committed to transforming their country into a fully self-determining, constitutional monarchy, one with free elections and an independent parliament. In death, Baskerville became a martyr who spurred the revolutionaries to remove the shah from power, signing a new constitution and rebuilding parliament in Tehran. At this critical time when many people are questioning it, Aslan's new work offers a powerful parable about the universal ideals of democracy―and to what degree Americans are willing to support those ideals in a foreign land, Iran, a country frequently demonized and misunderstood in the West. Aslan along with Ray Suarez will explore how one person can still make a difference when freedom is at stake. NOTES In association with World Affairs. SPEAKERS Reza Aslan Author, An American Martyr in Persia: The Epic Life and Tragic Death of Howard Baskerville ; Twitter @rezaaslan In Conversation with Ray Suarez Host, "World Affairs" on KQED In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, we are currently hosting all of our live programming via YouTube live stream. This program was recorded via video conference on October 24th, 2022 by the Commonwealth Club of California. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Pub Date is a podcast dedicated to the love of books, and the authors who bring them into the world! In today’s episode, Copper Founder & CEO, Allison Trowbridge, sits down with author, producer, and professor– Reza Aslan! Reza’s new book, ‘An American Martyr in Persia: The Epic Life and Tragic Death of Howard Baskerville’ just launched into the world and it is a fascinating biography of a life that will have you saying, “I can’t believe this is a true story!” In this episode, Reza breaks down what he found extraordinary enough about Howard Baskerville’s life that as an author, Reza decided to devote years of his life to getting this story down in the form of a book– even though his original plan was to write it as a screenplay! Reza also reveals that he tells his creative writing students that there are only ‘2 genres’ of writing… listen in to find out what they are. Reza dives into his researching process, why he believes this book is more important than ever, and how he sees history coming full circle in our current social and political moment. Today’s episode is for you if you’re a history buff ready to dive into an amazing biography, or an aspiring author looking to get into writing such a work! Reza is a masterful storyteller who helps us to remember how connected we are to each other, both through a historical lens and through the ways our stories are intertwined even now. This encouraging episode will definitely make you think, and we’d be willing to bet that you’re going to learn something new! Plus, Reza considers this book the most personal book he’s ever written; the powerful reasoning behind that sentiment will have you sitting down to write and make a major impact of your own. You can get your copy of Reza’s new book here , and you can follow Reza on social media at @rezaaslan. Learn more about Copper Books by clicking here , and follow @copper.books and your hosts @alliebridge and @a_hudge on Instagram! To download a FREE version of AJ & Rory Vaden's audiobook, "Wealthy and Well Known," click here . You can keep up with AJ Vaden on social media here: https://www.instagram.com/aj_vaden Download the Copper Books App: https://author.love/app Learn more about Copper Books: www.copperbooks.com Apply to publish with Copper: https://admin.typeform.com/form/zqBcs2sM/create?block=01HRZD9J9B8XV7VDN759VWM2RT Follow Copper Books on Instagram: https://instagram.com/copper.books Follow Allison Trowbridge on Instagram: https://instagram.com/alliebridge

Please visit https://thebookvoice.com/podcasts/1/audiobook/615281 to listen full audiobooks. Title: An American Martyr in Persia: The Epic Life and Tragic Death of Howard Baskerville Author: Reza Aslan Narrator: Reza Aslan Format: Unabridged Audiobook Length: 10 hours 2 minutes Release date: October 11, 2022 Ratings: Ratings of Book: 4 of Total 1 Genres: History & Culture Publisher's Summary: In this erudite and piercing biography, best-selling author Reza Aslan proves that one person’s actions can have revolutionary consequences that reverberate the world over.Little known in America but venerated as a martyr in Iran, Howard Baskerville was a twenty-two-year-old Christian missionary from South Dakota who traveled to Persia (modern-day Iran) in 1907 for a two-year stint teaching English and preaching the gospel. He arrived in the midst of a democratic revolution—the first of its kind in the Middle East—led by a group of brilliant young firebrands committed to transforming their country into a fully self-determining, constitutional monarchy, one with free elections and an independent parliament.The Persian students Baskerville educated in English in turn educated him about their struggle for democracy, ultimately inspiring him to leave his teaching post and join them in their fight against a tyrannical shah and his British and Russian backers. “The only difference between me and these people is the place of my birth,' Baskerville declared, “and that is not a big difference.”In 1909, Baskerville was killed in battle alongside his students, but his martyrdom spurred on the revolutionaries who succeeded in removing the shah from power, signing a new constitution, and rebuilding parliament in Tehran. To this day, Baskerville’s tomb in the city of Tabriz remains a place of pilgrimage. Every year, thousands of Iranians visit his grave to honor the American who gave his life forIran.In this rip-roaring tale of his life and death, Aslan gives us a powerful parable about the universal ideals of democracy—and to what degree Americans are willing to support those ideals in a foreign land. Woven throughout is an essential history of the nation we now know as Iran—frequently demonized and misunderstood in the West. Indeed, Baskerville’s life and death represent a “road not taken” in Iran. Baskerville’s story, like his life, is at the center of a whirlwind in which Americans must ask themselves: How seriously do we take our ideals of constitutional democracy and whose freedom do we support?

Rainn Wilson and Reza Aslan are my guests on today’s Dear Gabby. These brilliant guys cohost Metaphysical Milkshake … and that’s an apt description for our Big Talk! We cover so much ground here, including how to infuse spirituality into every aspect of your life, how to be your own guru, and how to make joy the throughline that integrates everything you do. From philosophy to religion to the spiritual side of Dwight Schrute, it’s all in this Big Talk. This Big Talk covers so much ground. You’ll hear us talk about: Using joy as a throughline to integrate every part of your life—even if you’re on a slightly scary Uber ride. I’ll share how I turned an uncomfortable moment into an opportunity for joy. Demystifying what it means to be a person of faith. As Reza said, “Living a spiritual life is an active choice—there’s nothing magical about it. Being a person of faith is a decision that you make.” The power of humility. I love what Rainn said about humbling ourselves to pray: “Prayer is an ability to say I need help. And there is a beautiful, bountiful, power coursing through this Universe that can help me along my journey—if I attune to it.” How to approach therapy as a spiritual practice. (I LOVE what Rainn had to say about this!) Why service to others is integral to spiritual growth. “You can't just sit in your walled garden and become more spiritual staring at a tree or a crystal with some incense burning,” Rainn said. True spirituality also means “Serving others, connecting with others, trying to make the world a better place,” RESOURCES The following are helpful resources and books I mention in the episode. ABOUT RAINN WILSON & REZA ASLAN: Rainn Wilson is an actor (you might know him as Dwight Schrute from The Office), a comedian, and the New York Times bestselling author of The Bassoon King: My Life in Art, Faith, and Idiocy. He’s also the founder of the YouTube Channel SoulPancake , and the cohost of the Metaphysical Milkshake podcast. Reza Aslan is also a host of Metaphysical Milkshake ! He’s an Emmy-nominated producer, a scholar of religions, a commentator, a profressor, and the author of three books, including the #1 New York Times bestseller Zealot: The Life and Times of Jesus of Nazareth . MIRACLE MEMBERSHIP: Want even more support? I created the Miracle Membership to help you design a spiritual practice you can stick to—so you can feel connected, supported and inspired every day. Each week I deliver lessons, guided meditations and community connection. I also have a 21-day challenge planned for you each quarter! The Miracle Membership is easy to access on your phone, computer or tablet. Click here to join : https://bit.ly/3oW93of My new book, Happy Days, the Guided Path from Trauma to Profound Peace and Inner Wisdom , is available for preorder! I’d suggest getting your copy stat! If you order the book before February 7, you’ll get a V.I.P. ticket to my Live Online Event Experience on February 26, 2022 …. This is the first live event I’ve hosted in two years! DearGabby.com/HappyDays MENTAL HEALTH RESOURCES: </