Hearing Hafez
A father-son collaboration bringing the beauty and wisdom of Hafez’s poetry to English.
Episodes
Ep. 40 - Breath of Longing
New mics
Ep. 39 - Rim of the Jar
If you want to understand why we do this podcast, you have to understand the history of Iran. Learn it. Study it.به افتخار مردم ایران
Ep. 38 - Pomegranates
Five years of Hearing Hafez! (And we just now got around to discussing pomegranates)
Extra: Farhang Sharif
We recently stumbled upon an old piece of podcast gold that never got released. In 2024, after recording an episode, we left the mics hot and put on our favorite Tar player, Farhang Sharif.Also, Hearing Hafez does not own any of the music on this extra.
Ep. 37 - Counting My Breaths
You can stop holding your breath! Finally, after 7 months, a Hafez poem for a Hearing Hafez episode.
Ep. 36 - When In Doubt…Khayyam
After a 6-month hiatus, Yadi and I were so excited to read more Hafez! And then we realized we had prepared a poem that we already analyzed (Ep. 13 - The Trail to You), so we improvised by reading some Khayyam instead.
Ep. 35 - Listen Up
Happy Norooz! This year, we read the most comprehensive Hafez poem yet. Plus stories from Yadi’s childhood celebrating the new year.
Ep. 34 - Well-Content
It's Yalda Night, which means it's been four years since we started the podcast! And in those four years, Hafez is still figuring out what life is worth and how to be content.
Ep. 33 - Two-Faced Cloak
“You can’t sit with us!”What does Hafez say when he gets the Mean Girl treatment?
Ep. 32 - Empty-Handed
We took so long between episodes that we ended up recording this with iPads! But we have a very special subject, because in this poem, Hafez talks to a wine-vendor! And in doing so, cuts straight to the heart of his philosophy on life, which is itself a reflection of one of the most enduring realities of Iran’s existence.
Ep. 31 - Another World
The most grand and quintessential Hafez poem we’ve read.
Ep. 30 - Daughter of Grape
Happy Norooz 1403!!! This one is dedicated to our friend Jamshid.
Ep. 29 - My Clothes
Swamps, nightingales, and mythical kings. Even in exile, Hafez is ready to serve up some wicked bars. (Recorded during an atmospheric river)
Ep. 28 - Stone-hearted
I know we’re publishing this very late but Happy New Year! Happy Yalda! Happy Holidays! And happy 3-year anniversary of Hearing Hafez!
Ep. 27 - The Lonely Zealot
Happy Thanksgiving! This was a tough one to decode, but that’s what we would expect for a poem that explains the evolution of Hafez’s philosophy in life.
Ep. 26 - Broken
What did the red flower say to the purple flower?
Ep. 25 - Sayeh
Yadi and I are casual fans of Hafez, but in this episode we discuss one of the eminent Hafez scholars of the 20th and 21st century, Houshang Ebtehaj. Better known by his pen name “Sayeh”.
Ep. 24 - Rudaki
In this episode, Yadi and I take a detour from Hafez to talk about one of his predecessors and influences, the legendary poet Rudaki. Plus, hang around until the end of the episode for a treat.
Ep. 23 - Black Eyes
In this poem, Hafez reconciles with the loss of a loved one and offers perspective on the things we can’t always change, such as ourselves.
Ep. 22 - Curled Bangs
Happy (Late) Yalda! In this episode, Hafez talks to us about how it feels to outlast the night and the love that awaits on the other side. Plus (a podcast first) Yadi finally reads us one of his own poems!
Ep. 21 - I Don’t Tell You to Release Me From the Cage
زن، زندگی، ازادی
Ep. 20 - Bride of the World
Happy Father’s Day! Coming to you from the picnic table in Kia’s Corner, Hafez has us discuss the physics and philosophy of what it means to “get close”.
Ep. 19 - Beheaded
Ever lose your head over someone?
Ep. 18 - Good News
Happy Norooz! Today we read a random poem by Hafez and, in typical Norooz tradition, divine a good omen for the new year.
Ep. 17 - Omar Khayyam
We take a quick break from Hafez to sneak a peek into the perplexing perspectives and existential wisdom of Omar Khayyam’s rubaiyats.
Ep. 16 - Wake Up
Recorded on Zoom
Ep. 15 - When the Time Comes
Happy Yalda! Thanks to all of our listeners for following along with us. We made it to our one-year anniversary!
Ep. 14 - Venus’s Song
Hafez gets the “mean girls” treatment and Jesus busts a move. Tune in to learn more.
Ep. 13 - The Trail to You
Hafez doles out some absolutely effusive lines for a special someone.
Ep. 12 - Freedom’s Feet
Fixed some bugs. And yeah, we’re pretty sure Hafez was in love with Shah Shoja.
Ep. 11 - Lines on the Jar
Flip cup? Rage cage? How about Jamshid’s Jar?
Ep. 10 - Let’s Do Something
Mystic birds, shadows, and wine? Hafez gives us the sparknotes on political activism. Also, Attar came first.
Ep. 9 - Running Tears
Take away his wine and Hafez will dish out some poetically political burns.
Ep. 8 - Not Necessarily
IYKYK
Ep. 7 - A Breath of the Cool Breeze
Happy Norooz! Sorry we’re getting this out late, but we just couldn’t resist the weather on Persian New Year. If you too feel a deep longing for springtime make sure to give this episode a listen!
Ep. 6 - A Turn of the Compass
What do Hafez and Taylor Swift have in common? Tune in to find out.
Ep. 5 - My Love
Magicians, flying horses, and eyebrow pencils. Plus, Yadi tries to answer the age old question: What is love?
Ep. 4 - Bleeding Hearts
If you’ve been eagerly waiting for the next episode then look no further! We spent extra time working on this one because in this poem Hafez delves into one of his favorite topics...wine.
Ep. 3 - When We Were Together
In this poem, Hafez helps us unpack that feeling of longing we all get for the friends and family we miss.
Ep. 2 - Expectations of Friendship
It’s Yadi and Kia, back for Episode #2 of Hearing Hafez! This time we’re reading a poem in which Hafez discusses the complicated nature of the expectations we have for our friendships.
Ep. 1 - Overcoming Sadness
We figured Yalda Night would be perfect to kickoff this new podcast. So here we are! Featuring a poem Hafez wrote about Yalda Night.
Welcome to Hearing Hafez
Hello! Glad to have you join us as we explore the poetic beauty and wisdom of Hafez’s writing. Tea and sweets are highly recommended while listening. Stay tuned for a new poem every episode!
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