Best AJAM Podcasts (2024)

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Ajam Podcast #42: The 2009 Green Movement and Legacies of Protest in Modern Iran 49:32

1M ago49:32

49:32

In this episode, Belle interviews Dr. Pouya Alimagham, a Lecturer at MIT, and a Faculty Affiliate at the Harvard Kennedy School’s Middle East Initiative, about his recent book, Contesting the Iranian Revolution: The Green Uprisings (Cambridge University Press, 2020). This June marks 15 years since millions of Iranians took to the street in protest …

1
Ajam Podcast #41: The Incarcerated Modern in Iran & Global Solidarity 1:13:27

3M ago1:13:27

1:13:27

In this episode, Belle interviews Golnar Nikpour, Assistant Professor of History at Dartmouth College, about her recent book, The Incarcerated Modern: Prisons and Public Life in Iran (Stanford University Press, 2024). In The Incarcerated Modern (and our podcast episode), Nikpour addresses the history of imprisonment and incarceration in Iran, and h…

1
Ajam Podcast #40: Sufism, Knowledge, and Unknowing in Contemporary Iran 47:42

3M ago47:42

47:42

In this episode, Belle interviews Seema Golestaneh, Associate Professor in Near Eastern Studies at Cornell University, about her recent book, Unknowing and the Everyday: Sufism and Knowledge in Iran (Duke University Press, 2023).By ajammc

1
Project Management Misconceptions and the Quest for Respect 32:32

4M ago32:32

32:32

Ever feel like the unsung hero in the office, tirelessly managing projects but somehow always overlooked? Step into the spotlight with us as we uncover the hidden battles of project management. With insights into why this essential discipline is often sidelined, we're tearing down the stereotypes and showcasing how vital it is to the success of any…

1
The Three Principles for Next-Gen Project Managers 32:12

4M ago32:12

32:12

Ever wondered why even the most prestigious project management certifications don't always translate into real-world success? Join me, Mounir Ajam, as I unveil the genesis of the Uruk platform and disclose how it's poised to revolutionize the way we manage projects. Our discussion traverses the three transformative principles that underpin the plat…

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Ajam Podcast #39: Persianate Verse and the Poetics of Eastern Internationalism 41:19

5M ago41:19

41:19

In this episode, Belle interviews Samuel Hodgkin, Assistant Professor of Comparative Literature at Yale University, about his recent book, Persianate Verse and the Poetics of Eastern Internationalism (Cambridge University Press, 2023).By ajammc

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What is the big picture of Project Management? 29:40

5M ago29:40

29:40

In this episode, we share our thoughts on the Big Picture of Project Management. We start by sharing our agility, resilience, and agile development story. Here, we discuss the ideas and approaches to developing products, including Big Bang, Iterative, and Incremental Development. Then, we offer our counterpoints to some of the myths and narrow thin…

1
Is it a Hybrid or ''Traditional'' Project Management? 36:00

5M ago36:00

36:00

Unlock the secrets to navigating the complex terrain of project management with a fresh perspective from our insightful host, Mounir Ajam. In our latest episode, we confront the buzzword "hybrid" in project management head-on, dissecting whether it's merely a rebranded version of traditional methods or a standalone approach. Mounir masterfully debu…

1
Ajam Podcast #38: Iran's Alternative Art Scene 47:32

5M ago47:32

47:32

In this episode, Dr. Belle Cheves interviews Pamela Karimi, Professor of Art Education, Art History & Media Studies at UMass Dartmouth, about her book, Alternative Iran: Contemporary Art and Critical Spatial Practice (Stanford University Press, 2022).By ajammc

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Four Dimensions of Project Success 29:05

5M ago29:05

29:05

Unlock the secrets to unparalleled project management success as we sit down with Mounir Ajam, the mastermind behind Uruk Project Management's revolutionary approach. Our enlightening chat traverses the intricacies of the four dimensions of project success, shedding light on how they serve as pillars for not just projects, but entire organizations …

1
How do we manage Projects in the Uruk Platform 25:39

6M ago25:39

25:39

Unlock the full potential of project management with Mounir Ajam's expert insights on the Uruk platform in our latest podcast. With over three decades of experience, Mounir delves into the transformative power of aligning project management with business operations, revealing how to tear down silos and tailor project approaches with finesse. Get re…

1
The six components of a Project Management Methodology 34:11

6M ago34:11

34:11

Have you ever felt lost in the labyrinth of project management methodologies? Fear not, as we embark on an enlightening conversation with Mounir Ajam, a guru in the field with nearly four decades of experience. Together, we dissect the complex world of methods, methodologies, and frameworks, setting the record straight on their distinct roles in th…

1
Elevating Projects with a Focus on Value with Mounir Ajam 27:36

6M ago27:36

27:36

Unlock the full potential of your project management skills with insights from Mounir Ajam, a seasoned expert with over three decades of experience. This episode is your ticket to understanding the intricate dance between methods and methodologies in the realm of value delivery. We promise you'll come away with the knowledge to tailor methods that …

1
Building a Strong Foundation for Projects with Effective Systems 23:33

6M ago23:33

23:33

Unlock the competitive edge your organization has been missing with a masterclass on the strategic essence of project management. As your host, Munir Ajam, I bring nearly four decades of experience to the table, unraveling the intricacies of constructing a robust and adaptable Organizational Project Management (OPM) system. This episode is a deep d…

1
Five Project Management Levels for respecting our diversity! 28:17

6M ago28:17

28:17

Could your approach to project management unlock untapped efficiencies and effectiveness within your organization? We're peeling back the layers on how the acknowledgment of diversity within project management roles and practices can revolutionize your operations. Our discussion traverses the complex roles of project owners, providers, and customer…

1
The Case for Transforming Project Management 28:19

7M ago28:19

28:19

Are we measuring our project triumphs through a blurred lens? Join me, Mounir Ajam, as we challenge the prevailing norms in project management. With more than three decades of expertise at the helm, I dissect the perplexing reasons why many projects sink despite seemingly calm seas. We're not just discussing the metrics of success; we're redefining…

1
Introduction to the 4PM Podcast 20:54

7M ago20:54

20:54

Embark on a voyage from the heart of Houston to the ancient streets of Mesopotamia with your guide, a seasoned project management maven with three decades of experience. As we traverse time and space, I'll reveal how the innovative spirit of the Sumerians influences our contemporary quests for value delivery in project management. Houston's energy,…

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Get ready to dive into the world of Project Managemet 1:09

8M ago1:09

1:09

Embark on a thrilling journey into the dynamic realm of Project Management with '4 PM Podcast: Applied Project Management.' In this episode, get ready to explore the crucial facets that shape success in the world of project management, including transformation, performance optimization, integrating people, organizational solutions, and more. Immers…

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Ajam Podcast #37: Sufi Miracle Workers of Malaya 34:37

3+ y ago34:37

34:37

In this episode, Lindsey, Rustin, and Ali interview Dr. Teren Sevea, Assistant Professor of Islamic Studies at Harvard Divinity School about his recent book, Miracles and Material Life: Rice, Ore, Traps and Guns in Islamic Malaya (Cambridge University Press, 2020). Dr. Sevea reveals the significance of Islamic miracle workers, called pawangs or bom…

1
Ajam Podcast #36: Being Persian before Modern Iran 43:13

3+ y ago43:13

43:13

In this episode, Ali interviews Dr. Mana Kia, an Associate Professor in Columbia University’s department of Middle Eastern, South Asian, and African Studies about her book, [Persianate Selves: Memories of Place and Origin Before Nationalism](http://https://www.sup.org/books/title/?id=29033) (Stanford University Press, 2020). If contemporary notions…

1
Ajam Podcast #35: Creating India, Forgetting Hindustan 42:12

3+ y ago42:12

42:12

In this episode, Ali interviews Dr. Manan Ahmed Asif, an Associate Professor in Columbia University’s History department, about his book, [The Loss of Hindustan, the Invention of India](https://www.hup.harvard.edu/catalog.php?isbn=9780674987906) (Harvard University Press, 2020). Before nationalism—before even the European colonization of South Asia…

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Ajam Podcast #34: Finding Home through Armenian Music with Joseph Bohigian 33:30

3+ y ago33:30

33:30

In this episode, Kamyar and Rustin interview Armenian-American composer and performer Joseph Bohigian about his latest musical composition, “The Water Has Found Its Crack” (2020), which explores concepts of displacement, dispersion, and cultural preservation in Armenian music. The composition’s title refers to an anecdote shared by Turkish-Armenian…

1
Ajam Podcast #33: Muslim Narratives of the Formation of Premodern Gujarat 40:49

3+ y ago40:49

40:49

In this episode, Lindsey and Ali interview Dr. Jyoti Gulati Balachandran, Assistant Professor of History at Penn State, about her book [Narrative Pasts: The Making of a Muslim Community in Gujarat, c. 1400-1650](https://global.oup.com/academic/product/narrative-pasts-9780190123994?cc=us&lang=en) (Oxford University Press, July 2020) The Gujarat re…

1
Ajam Podcast #32: Chinese Muslims and Imperial Japan 34:13

3+ y ago34:13

34:13

In this episode, Rustin and Ali interview Dr. Kelly Anne Hammond, Assistant Professor of East Asian History in the Department of History at the University of Arkansas, about her book, China’s Muslims and Japan’s Empire: Centering Islam in World War II (University of North Carolina Press, November 2020). During World War II, Sino-Muslims (Hui Muslim…

1
Ajam Podcast #31: The Life & Times of Sufi-Flamenco Star Aziz Balouch 38:06

3+ y ago38:06

38:06

In this episode, Kamyar and Rustin welcome back Dr. Stefan Williamson Fa to talk about the extraordinary life and music of Sufi-Flamenco star, Aziz Balouch. Stefan has re-issued Balouch's EP, *Sufi Hispano-Pakastani*, originally produced in 1962, with [Death is Not the End Records ](https://deathisnot.bandcamp.com/album/sufi-hispano-pakistani) in 2…

1
Ajam Podcast #30: Histories of Migration and Exchange between Iran and the Deccan 41:58

3+ y ago41:58

41:58

In this episode, Ali and Lindsey are joined by Dr. Keelan Overton, an independent scholar in Santa Barbara, and Dr. Subah Dayal, Assistant Professor at the Gallatin School of Individualized Study at NYU, to talk about [Iran and the Deccan: Persianate Art, Culture, and Talent in Circulation, 1400-1700 (Indiana University Press, 2020)](https://iupres…

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Ajam Podcast #29: Nostalgic Desire & the Restoration of Kabul’s Darul Aman Palace 25:44

3+ y ago25:44

25:44

In this episode, Rustin interviews Dr. Huma Gupta, the Neubauer Junior Research Fellow at Brandeis University, about her 2017 article, “['Nostalgic Desire': The Restoration of Dar ul-Aman Palace in Kabul, Afghanistan"](https://www.academia.edu/41646389/_Nostalgic_Desire_The_Restoration_of_Dar_ul_Aman_Palace_in_Kabul_Afghanistan) (Thresholds Journal…

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Ajam Podcast #28: Institutionalizing Persian Literature in Iran & Afghanistan 35:19

3+ y ago35:19

35:19

In this episode, Rustin interviews Dr. Aria Fani, Professor of Persian and Iranian Studies at the University of Washington, about his upcoming book project, **Making Persian Literature: Iran and Afghanistan in the Age of Romantic Nationalism**. Dr. Fani’s research explores how literature was utilized in the nation-building process in both Iran and …

1
Ajam Podcast #27: Monsoon Mobilities in the 19th Century 41:49

3+ y ago41:49

41:49

In this episode, Lindsey is joined by Dr. Johan Mathew, Assistant Professor of History at Rutgers University, to talk about the circulation of goods and people in the 19th century Indian Ocean. He is the author of **[Margins of the Market: Trafficking and Capitalism across the Arabian Sea](https://history.rutgers.edu/people/faculty/publications/pub…

1
Ajam Podcast #26: Rüya with Murat Keyder 33:30

4y ago33:30

33:30

In this episode, Kamyar is joined by Murat Keyder, a New York City-based musician and composer, to talk about his recent album, *[Rüya](https://open.spotify.com/album/1UgDWDZVXJRKhyhH7FjBVm?highlight=spotify:track:5OqTvH0D8t0vZBnMDR7rCd)* (2019). He is also the author of *[Learning Balkan and Middle Eastern Music on Guitar](https://www.amazon.com/g…

1
Ajam Podcast #25: Rebels, Imams, and the Problems of History in Early Islam 36:52

4y ago36:52

36:52

In this episode, Rustin and Ali are joined by Professor Najam Haider, Professor of Religion at Barnard College, to talk about his recent book, The Rebel and the Imām in Early Islam: Explorations in Muslim Historiography. The lack of contemporary sources for the first century of the Islamic period poses many challenges for historians past and presen…

1
Ajam Podcast #24: Imperial Mecca 37:48

4y ago37:48

37:48

In this episode, Lindsey is joined by Dr. Michael Christopher Low, Assistant Professor of History at Iowa State University, to talk about his new book, Imperial Mecca: Ottoman Arabia and the Indian Ocean Hajj (Columbia University Press, 2020). Dr. Low discusses the challenges the Ottomans faced in administering the province of Hijaz and the hajj in…

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Ajam Podcast #23: Anxieties of Power in the Islamic Republic 31:13

4y ago31:13

31:13

In this episode, Rustin is joined by Dr. Neda Maghbouleh and Dr. Amy Malek to interview Dr. Narges Bajoghli, Assistant Professor of Middle East Studies at the School of Advanced International Studies, Johns Hopkins University, about her new book, [“Iran Re-Framed: Anxieties of Power in the Islamic Republic.”](http://www.sup.org/books/title/?id=2966…

1
Ajam Podcast #22: Paradoxes of Dual Citizenship 26:57

4y ago26:57

26:57

In this episode, Rustin is joined by Dr. Neda Maghbouleh and Dr. Narges Bajoghli to interview Dr. Amy Malek, Assistant Professor of International Studies at the College of Charleston about her latest article, [“Paradoxes of Dual Nationality: Geopolitical Constraints on Multiple Citizenship in the Iranian Diaspora.”](http://muse.jhu.edu/article/7457…

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Ajam Podcast #21: Reimagining Baloch “Mercenaries” in the Western Indian Ocean 35:03

4y ago35:03

35:03

In this episode Lindsey interviews Ameem Lutfi, Postdoctoral Research Fellow at the Middle East Institute at the National University of Singapore. The legacy of the Baloch in Indian Ocean historiography has been confined to their role as soldiers or “mercenaries” of various rulers. Dr. Lutfi’s work is interested in interrogating what it meant for t…

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Ajam Podcast #20: Metaphysics and the Occult in Iran 31:43

4y ago31:43

31:43

In this episode, Rustin and Ali interview Alireza Doostdar, Assistant Professor of Islamic Studies and the Anthropology of Religion at the University of Chicago. He is the author of [The Iranian Metaphysicals: Explorations in Science, Islam, and the Uncanny](https://press.princeton.edu/books/hardcover/9780691163772/the-iranian-metaphysicals), publi…

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Ajam Podcast #19: A Cinematic History of Iranian Cosmopolitanism 30:38

4y ago30:38

30:38

In this episode, Rustin interviews Golbarg Rekabtalaei, an Assistant Professor of History at Seton Hall University. She is the author of [Iranian Cosmopolitanism: A Cinematic History](https://www.cambridge.org/core/books/iranian-cosmopolitanism/729C8936B157EC6DA38BE4), published by Cambridge University Press in 2019. Dr. Rekabtalaei traces how the …

1
Ajam Podcast #18: Of Gardens and Graves in Kashmir 40:26

4+ y ago40:26

40:26

In this episode, Teren Sevea, an Assistant Professor of South Asian Studies at the University of Pennsylvania, interviews Suvir Kaul, the A. M. Rosenthal Professor of English at the University of Pennsylvania. Dr. Kaul is the the author of the book: [Of Gardens and Graves: Essays on Kashmir](https://www.english.upenn.edu/publications/2015/suvir-kau…

1
Ajam Podcast #17: Framing the Indian Ocean 36:18

5y ago36:18

36:18

*The Indian Ocean series explores topics related to the Islamo-Arabic and Persianate world from the perspective of the Indian Ocean littoral and the people who traversed its waters. These conversations aim to rethink narratives of history and culture, which have been traditionally boxed in by land-based territorial demarcations and regional studies…

1
Ajam Podcast #16: Persian Gulf Modernities Before Oil 31:14

5y ago31:14

31:14

In this episode, Rustin speaks with Lindsey Stephenson, who is currently conducting postgraduate research at Princeton University, and the new host of Ajam's Indian Ocean podcast series. The Indian Ocean series explores topics related to the Islamo-Arabic and Persianate world from the perspective of the Indian Ocean littoral and the people who trav…

1
Ajam Podcast #15: In Defense of Satan 28:10

5y ago28:10

28:10

In this episode, Rustin speaks with Mohammed Rustom, Associate Professor of Islamic Studies at Carleton University. He is the author of The Triumph of Mercy: Philosophy and Scripture in Mulla Sadra (State University of New York Press, 2012). Dr. Rustom sheds light on the figure of Iblis (or Satan) in the writings of 'Ayn al-Quzat Hamadani, the 12th…

1
Ajam Podcast #14: Reformist Political Thought in Iran 28:08

5y ago28:08

28:08

In this episode, Rustin speaks with Eskandar Sadeghi-Boroujerdi, Lecturer in Comparative Political Theory at Goldsmiths, University of London. He is the author of [Revolution and its Discontents: Political Thought and Reform in Iran (Cambridge University Press, 2019).](https://www.cambridge.org/ge/academic/subjects/history/middle-east-history/revol…

1
Ajam Podcast #13: Saving Baku's Salaam Cinema 17:47

5y ago17:47

17:47

In this episode, Rustin speaks with Leyli Gafarova, an independent filmmaker and the co-creator of Salaam Cinema, a community-driven independent cinema space showcasing non-commercial, locally-made, and historical films in Baku, Azerbaijan’s capital. Named after Mohsen Makhmalbaf’s [1995 movie of the same name](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hello_C…

1
Ajam Podcast #12: The Rise & Fall of Khoqand 36:15

5+ y ago36:15

36:15

Central Asianists rejoice! In this episode, Rustin speaks with Scott Levi, Professor and Chair of History at Ohio State University. He is the author of [The Rise and Fall of Khoqand, 1709-1876: Central Asia in the Global Age (University of Pittsburgh Press, 2017)](https://www.upress.pitt.edu/books/9780822965060/) Dr. Levi gives an overview of the h…

1
Ajam Podcast #11: Nowruz Reflections 55:12

5+ y ago55:12

55:12

Happy Nowruz/Nawriz/Navruz/Novruz/Newroz everyone! Nowruz is an ancient festival marking the arrival of Spring, celebrated across the Middle East, Central Asia, the Caucasus, South Asia, and the Balkans. Dating back at least 3,000 years, Nowruz is a celebration of rebirth and renewal, of the end of winter and the flowering of the Earth that warm we…

1
Ajam Podcast #10: Between Iran and Zion 26:36

5+ y ago26:36

26:36

In this episode, Rustin speaks with Lior Sternfeld, Professor of History and Jewish Studies at Penn State University. Dr. Sternfeld is another alumnus from the Emerging Scholarship podcast, when he joined us for a conversation about [Polish Jewish Refugees in Iran during World War II](https://ajammc.com/2015/01/22/lior-sternfeld-polish-refugees-ira…

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Ajam Podcast #9: Soundtrack of the Revolution 1:00:29

5+ y ago1:00:29

1:00:29

In this episode, Kamyar and Rustin reunite in New York to speak with Nahid Siamdoust, Postdoctoral Associate and Lecturer and the Ehsan Yarshater Fellow at Yale University. She is the author of [Soundtrack of the Revolution: the Politics of Music in Iran (Stanford University Press, 2017) ](https://www.sup.org/books/title/?id=24949) Nahid gives an o…

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Ajam Podcast #8: Iranian Internationalism and Student Groups in the United States 38:52

5+ y ago38:52

38:52

In this episode, Rustin is joined by Manijeh Nasrabadi, Professor of Women’s, Gender and Sexuality Studies at Barnard College. She is the author of the forthcoming book, Neither Washington, Nor Tehran: Iranian Internationalism in the United States (Duke University Press, 2020). Manijeh speaks about her research on the Iranian Students Association, …

1
Ajam Podcast #7: The Limits of Whiteness 33:18

5+ y ago33:18

33:18

In this episode, Rustin is joined by Neda Maghbouleh, Assistant Professor of Sociology at University of Toronto. She is the author of [The Limits of Whiteness: Iranian Americans and the Everyday Politics of Race (Stanford University Press, 2017).](https://www.sup.org/books/title/?id=24756) Neda is a long-time friend of Ajam and an early guest of th…

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