Armenian Enough

What is it like to be Jewish and Armenian? Aside from inheriting intergenerational trauma from both sides, it is also something that has provided Alyssa with a unique view of both communities. More of a New Yorker than an "American," Alyssa explores how her upbringing has provided her access to two distinct and oftentimes insular worlds, as well as how her family's history has shown her that it can be even more advantag...

Representation matters. It allows us a glimpse into the world of possibilities and rescues us from societal erasure. It's difficult to put into words how it felt to see actors on the big screen either speaking Armenian or telling the story of our ancestors who survived the Genocide... never did it cross my mind that the queer Armenian experience would also make it to the silver screen one day.

Filmmaker Natalie Shirinian tells ...

The old adage of laughter being the best medicine still holds true - laughter strengthens the immune system and boosts feel-good chemicals in our brain. Good comedy is funny because it's true... or at least, there's a healthy dose of truth in it. Through his comedy, Andy gently pokes fun at Armenian (and other) stereotypes and provides poignant social commentary. Watch it with a friend!

You can reach Andy on IG @andyken...

The passion required for sustained activism is one that is born neither of blood nor soil, but a deep inner conviction in one's soul that each of us is ultimately responsible for bringing about justice in the world. The source of righteous anger is love. It has always been love.

Hear Aram talk about his quintessentially American upbringing, the pull toward his Armenian roots, and the evolution of his activism.

You can reach Ara...

There are few life events more damaging to the soul than being a victim of sexual assault and/or rape. Survivors often struggle with feelings of shame and anger, exacerbated by a society that all too frequently places blame on victims rather than perpetrators. Sharing stories of survival is a powerful reminder that we are not in this alone.

Hear Aram Ronaldo speak candidly about sexual assault, existing in the murky trauma of its a...

What does it mean to be asexual? Aromantic? How do people who identify as Ace [asexual] establish intimate relationships which suit their needs as well as the needs of their partners? Writer Sarah Elgatian walks us through a frank and, at times, humorous discussion of sexuality, romance, identity - and the all too common struggle to be understood and accepted for who we genuinely are.

You can reach Sarah on her website at www.rahel...

Even people who never suffered from anxiety probably got to experience some over the last year. A global pandemic can do that to us! As adults, we generally have the benefit of perspective as well as a whole host of healthy and not-so-healthy coping mechanisms. But what can children do when they are the ones dealing with anxiety? Who is there to listen to their fears? And perhaps more importantly, how can we teach them constructive...

In this episode, we explore the experience of being African American and Armenian from a different vantage point than our previous episodes on this topic. As a bi-racial father raising his two daughters in a multi-ethnic family, David is uniquely equipped to guide and shape his children's sense of self and curate the cultural elements of their identity. The embodiment of goodwill and non-judgment, his perspective belies a deep ...

How much would you have to love someone to spend years in their pursuit, travel across the world during a global pandemic, and brave living in a foreign country during wartime? Mandy Breitenstein and her husband Adam, as well as their four children, did just that in October of 2020 to retrieve their fifth child, Ember, from an Armenian orphanage.

Driven by her unshakeable faith in God, Mandy and her family embody the concept of bra...

Armen Abelyan, founder of the NGO Equality Armenia, discusses the importance of embracing our LGBTQ community and its members while drawing on the rich and often forgotten history of the Armenian people. Now, perhaps more than ever before, it is clear that every single Armenian has a crucial role to play in securing the future of our culture and its continued existence.

You can reach Equality Armenia directly at www.EqualityArmenia...

Do our possessions foster a sense of happiness and peace or can over-accumulation of material goods itself lead to anxiety and discomfort? What happens to all our "stuff" when we no longer need or want it? Sustainable minimalist expert Stephanie Seferian guides us beyond superficial decluttering to consider the broader implications, both personal and global, that our consumer culture promotes.

Listen to Stephanie's Sust...

One of the least acknowledged populations in the Armenian community are Bolsahyes or Armenians from Istanbul. Armenians from Turkey are often subject to dual rejection - in Turkey, they are forced to repress their Armenian identity and in the diaspora, they must hide all aspects of Turkish culture, leaving them in a virtual "no man's land" of belonging. Tamar, whose Armenian parents hail from Turkey, discusses her confl...

The church can be a great source of comfort and support for many individuals. It forms part of a culture that we are often born into and from which we forge a sense of identity. But what happens when who you are conflicts with who you were taught you are supposed to be? For many LGBTQ folks, the church can be a source of pain and rejection. The love that is preached from the pulpits is not always, it seems, meant for every parishio...

In the midst of turbulent times, we are confronted with the reality that we neither control nor fully understand the forces of destiny. What often appears to be a time ripe for despair may in fact be the beginning of our journey towards enlightenment. In embracing the mystery and accepting all that is, we uncover the immutable truth of the universe: that we are all one.
As an intuitive energy healer, Ani weaves her compassion and s...

ARPA Film Festival Director Maral Kazazian and Jury Liaison Sonia Keshishian tell us everything we need to know about this year's festival and the not-to-be-missed films of 2020. As a departure from previous years, this year's films will be streamed online and available any time from November 12th through 22nd, with all proceeds going to Armenia Fund. So, grab some popcorn and gather the family to watch all the films in the...

Imagine the power that future generations of Armenians could harness if all aspects of their being were supported by teachers and parents alike? Join us for a deep dive into the state of Armenian private school education and how we must evolve to meet the needs of all our students and create a deeper sense of belonging in the Armenian community and beyond.

You can reach Armen at his website www.ArmenMenechyan.com and on IG at armen...

In our first official episode of Season 3, we turn the tables and allow story coach Anna Darian to interview Armenian Enough host, Lara Vanian-Green, about how she does & doesn't feel "Armenian Enough" and how her relationship with her Armenianness has changed over time. In her work as a story coach, Anna helps people utilize their personal stories to connect more meaningfully with their audience.

You can reach Anna...

Martin Luther King Jr. once famously said, "In the end, we will not remember the words of our enemies, but the silence of our friends." How can we, in the Armenian diaspora, cope with the silence of the world as our homeland is under attack? We are outnumbered, outgunned, and dealing with forces much more powerful on the world stage. Azerbaijan (and their ruthless attack on Artsakh) is backed by Turkey, whose President Erdo...

100 Years from Home, airing on PBS SoCal on September 1, 2020, is a documentary about an Armenian woman returning to her ancestral homeland on the centennial of the Armenian Genocide, to search for the house her family was forced to flee a century ago.

Filmmaker Jared White captures both the personal intensity and historical perspective of his wife, Lilit’s, journey. Hear about the challenges and the triumphs they experienced along...