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“I’M FROM IRAN, AND I HAVE A MESSAGE”

Therapy Gecko

Sun Jan 18 2026

Summary

Therapy Gecko – Episode Summary

Episode: “I’M FROM IRAN, AND I HAVE A MESSAGE”

Date: January 18, 2026
Host: Therapy Gecko (Lyle)
Guest: Arman Ahmed Arman

Overview

In this emotionally charged episode, Therapy Gecko connects with Arman, an Iranian living in Toronto, who shares his firsthand perspective on the ongoing unrest and internet shutdowns in Iran. The conversation, centering on the turmoil, economic strife, propaganda, and personal feelings of helplessness and survivor's guilt, humanizes the often-abstract news headlines about Iran. Arman’s story serves as both testimony and plea: a message from the Iranian diaspora to the wider world about what is happening to his people under the regime.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

Introduction and Arman’s Background

[02:24-04:14] Arman, originally from Tehran, lived in Iran until age 24 before moving to Canada about six to seven years ago. He currently resides in Toronto after a period in Montreal.
- Quote: "I know what the government is like, I know what the people are like..." (04:16 – Arman)
Arman is not politically active but feels compelled to speak about the situation in Iran due to the current climate and lack of communication with his family.

Life in Iran and Reasons for Emigrating

[05:21-09:27] Economic hardship was a driving force behind his emigration. Even professionals in Iran cannot cover basic needs due to currency devaluation.
- Quote: "It doesn't make sense for a white collar worker to go to their office because that doesn't pay for the cab ride there..." (08:18 – Arman)
When arriving in Canada, Arman was supported by his family and feels privileged for having the opportunity to leave.

Current Situation in Iran

[12:18-17:20] Arman is anxious due to the week-long total internet blackout in Iran, curfews, and reports of indiscriminate violence against civilians.
- Quote: "I don’t have any specific... it has been a week since I heard anything from my family members there.” (14:39 – Arman)
Communication is nearly impossible; information only comes through rare channels like Starlink.

The Reality of Protests and Government Repression

[18:24-21:42] The guest contextualizes current protests as the latest in a cycle of unrest, explaining historical precedents (2019’s protests, Woman Life Freedom protests in 2022–23).
- Quote: “It’s got to a point where people don’t have a choice anymore because... they can’t afford very basic food.” (19:49 – Arman)
Poverty is widespread; people have no alternative but to protest.

Regime Propaganda and International Perceptions

[21:52-26:45] Arman explains government narratives that blame unrest on Western interference and threaten "balkanization".
- Quote: "That's one of their instruments of terror... These people are Westerners. They're paid by the U.S." (25:13 – Arman)
The “threat” of Iran splitting into ethnic enclaves is regime propaganda to maintain control.

Structure of the Regime

[26:45-29:09] A brief primer on Iran's theocracy: false elections, a figurehead president, and real power in the hands of the Supreme Leader, Khamenei.

Personal Emotional Toll & Survivor’s Guilt

[43:37-46:30] Arman opens up about his emotional exhaustion, lack of news from family, constant anxiety, and a profound sense of survivor's guilt.
- Quote: "I wish I could do more. Yeah, I don’t know. Did you want to ask something else? I really want to talk as much as possible because... I feel like I have a duty, you know.” (46:30 – Arman)

Daily Life and Indoctrination in Iranian Schools

[51:43-59:50] Vivid details about school life:
- Gender-segregated education.
- Daily collective chanting of anti-Western slogans, regardless of comprehension.
- Emphasis on religious indoctrination, Arabic to recite Quran, little exposure to arts.
- Mandatory “defense” education focusing on guns and readiness for war.
- Quote: "They would read a bit of Quran and then they chant things like death to Israel, to America. They would chant stuff like this... to 6 year olds, 6 year olds all around Iran." (53:27 – Arman)
- Despite this, many youth see through the propaganda.

Poverty, Information Control, and Social Stratification

[61:04-65:24] Those very poor or very rich are likely to support the regime: the poor due to indoctrination and lack of access/information, the rich because it serves them materially.
- Use of VPNs is widespread among those seeking uncensored news or connection to the outside world, but many still lack awareness of life elsewhere.

Reflections on Ignorance vs. Awareness

[67:54-70:10] Arman compares the pain and anxiety of awareness (e.g., after reading '1984') to the comparative “comfort” of ignorance, but affirms knowledge is ultimately a privilege and a responsibility.
- Quote: "If I didn’t have the education that I’ve had, I wouldn’t have a chance and a privilege to stand up for people... because, you know, the knowledge, even if it brings pain with it, it’s still a privilege." (70:10 – Arman)

Closing Message & Call to Listeners

[73:36-75:59] Arman directly addresses the audience, urging them to share information about Iran and not let the suffering become invisible.
- Quote: "If you can spread the word, I would be personally grateful to you... You don’t have to take my word for it. You can do your own research." (74:09 – Arman)
He also reflects on the possible benefits and risks of foreign intervention and the importance of keeping the plight of Iranians in public consciousness.

Notable Quotes & Moments

On economic hopelessness:
“Even white collar workers, it doesn’t make sense for them to work anymore because they can’t afford the cab to their workplace.” (08:18 – Arman)
On government repression:
"People are being shot at if they’re outside... there’s just no discrimination." (13:10 – Arman)
On propaganda:
"They keep telling people, oh, these people are Westerners. They're paid by the U.S. They're paid by outside forces." (25:53 – Arman)
On survivor's guilt:
"It could be me who's unemployed, who can’t afford anything, who dreams about having a car or even phone. It could be me there, and now. It could be me fighting for my life, fighting for food..." (45:21 – Arman)
On knowledge vs. ignorance:
"Even if it brings pain with it, [knowledge] is still a privilege." (70:10 – Arman)
On the power of testimony:
"Your just sharing of your lived experience is, I think, a lot more powerful than you having some kind of savviness over the complex information..." (47:51 – Therapy Gecko)

Important Timestamps

[02:24] — Arman introduces himself and shares his background.
[05:21] — Discusses the economic collapse and life in Tehran.
[14:39] — Shares the pain of not hearing from family during the internet blackout.
[18:24] — Historical context of protests in Iran.
[21:52] — Details about propaganda and Western “incitement.”
[29:09] — Explains Iran’s regime and Supreme Leader.
[43:37] — Opens up about exhaustion, worry, and survivor's guilt.
[51:43] — Describes indoctrination and life in Iranian schools.
[61:04] — On poverty, lack of information, and VPN use in Iran.
[67:54] — Reflection on awareness and the pain of knowledge.
[73:36] — Arman’s closing appeal to the audience.

Episode Tone

The episode is raw, earnest, and somber, with the host exhibiting deep empathy and curiosity. Arman speaks with a mixture of urgency, heartbreak, and cautious hope—both for Iran’s future and for international awareness.

Takeaway

This episode provides a rare, unfiltered perspective from within the Iranian diaspora, highlighting not only the macro-political and economic crises, but the intensely personal consequences—family separation, fear, indoctrination, and guilt. Arman’s central message is clear: the Iranian struggle is not abstract, but real, personal, and ongoing. Listeners are called upon to witness, to remember, and to amplify the voices under threat.

"This last few minutes has been my story and it has been the story of a lot of people in Iran, and [they] are suffering a lot more."
— Arman, [74:09]

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Transcript

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Arman Ahmed Arman (18:24)

So just to be clear, there have been protests going on in Iran for quite a while now. I wish I was a little more educated on these matters. I know the latest protests in Iran were in the latest video protest in Iran that became international News were in 2022 and 23 about Naha Nini protest. And that was the Woman Life Freedom protest. And again, thousands of people died in those protests. A lot of people were arrested. Again, the Internet was shut down. Before that. It was in 2019, there were massive protests in Iran because the regime, as they say, by mistake, they shot down a plane, a passenger plane in Tehran, and people came to the street. There were massive protests, and that was the first huge Internet shutdown back in 2019. So these protests have been going on for years. But to answer your question specifically, right now, people are fed up with a lot of things. They want freedom, they want their voices heard. They want basic civil rights, human rights that they've been deprived of. But it's got to a point where people don't have a choice anymore because the majority of people are so poor that they can't afford very basic fruit food. Stuff like they can't afford eggs, they can't afford. On a regular. On a regular income. You can't afford eggs or tuna for your family. You can't afford a basic vegetable street. And that's just food. I'm not talking about the price of gas or your rent or, or whatever. So this is a. This is a huge. This is a huge issue for the Iranian people especially because when I, when I was living in Iran, this wasn't the situation. You know, there was some poverty, but it wasn't so widespread. I can't put a number to it. I can't Put a percentage to it. But I know that at this point, at least judging by something that heard from the Iranian government themselves, at least like 80% of the people are in poverty. So the thing is they don't have a choice anymore because if they stay home at the end of the month, they're still going to perish at this point. So it is, I don't know if this is being said in the news, but they run in. People really don't have a choice anymore. They're, they're fighting for their survival, not for, not for anything else. You know, I hear a lot of people saying that they're being incited by the west or by Israel or whoever.

Arman Ahmed Arman (43:37)

Frankly, I'm I'm very tired. I you know, I haven't had a call in a week from anyone inside here on so at this point, because I'm at a depot, I don't know if everybody has had a call with some of the people I talk to and whatever day I've had calls from Yuan. So now that I haven't been contacted by anybody, I'm wondering if somebody has died and they are not calling me because if they do, they would have to go. And that is very difficult. And well, a lot of scary stuff is also happening there. So I just, yeah, I've just been very tired. I, I've been reading news non stop and I've been trying to, you know, be active on social media. There's nothing else I can do and I just wanted to get on here and talk to people because maybe you haven't had, maybe you haven't seen a lot of political views online, but you, you might see it in the future. And I just want people to know that there are lives that staking Iran, there are people who are suffering and I feel like this is the least I can do to just tell people what's going on. And whatever political stuff is going on out there, the people are still, you know, they're suffering, they're dying, they're getting arrested, they're having their basic human rights pummeled. And I, I just wish I could do more. Yeah, I, I, I don't know, I don't know. Did you want to ask something else? I, I, I, I really want to talk as much as possible because I think, I feel like I have a, I have a duty, you know, I, I'm not sure, I'm sure you guys have heard of like survivor's guilt. I feel a little bit of survivor's guilt and I had been feeling that for, since I moved to Canada because I have been in contact with people in Iran and a lot of them are doing very, very poorly. And that could be me. You know, I keep telling myself that could be me. Sure, sure, sure. And it could be me who's unemployed, it could be me who's, who can't afford anything. It could be me who, who dreams about having a car or even phone. It could be me there and now. It could be me fighting for my life, fighting for food and things like these. Don't know any political agenda. You know, when people are hungry, that's at the end of the line. And I think it's very important for me to be the voice of my people. And. I just wish I was more eloquent. I wish I was more politically savvy. I wish I knew more, I wish I had studied more so that I could say more or what I know.

Arman Ahmed Arman (53:27)

Probably the principal, yes. Sorry again, this is my second language. The principal would get up on echoing and he would start chanting things and chanting religious stuff. And depending on what time of the year it is, there was a specific religious. I wouldn't call it holidays but there it would be like the death of my mom or somebody and they would change things for that and they would read a bit of Quran and then they chant things like death to Israel, to America. They would change stuff like this, this is the exact thing in the school. Yes. To 6 year olds, 6 year olds all around Iran and we wouldn't know what it means. But I remember the US was, you know, when you're talking to a six year old, the six year old doesn't know where. You know, if you talk to a 6 year old in the US they might not know where. I don't know for example where Minnesota is. No, they wouldn't even have a clear idea. They might not even have a clear idea of what a country is and whether the US is in for example, Minnesota. I remember when I was a kid I, I think at some point I thought that Iran was a place in Tehran because I was a kid, like I didn't know any, anything Right, right. So. But at that age, they would make you tense and like this, to this, this entity and that entity. And you know, it's just very. When people talk about indoctrination, that's, that's really what it is. And I just want to make it clear that doesn't mean that everybody in Iran is indoctrinated or against all Western entities or whatever, especially now, because, you know, now is the age of Internet. When I was a kid, we didn't have Internet. The Internet was just coming around. You know, we're about the same age. So, you know, I remember, I remember Google coming around. Like, I, I remember Marcus of 98. And back then people didn't know, like, they didn't have all that information that they have now. They don't have access to social media. But now people know and still they, they chance these things at that level. And when I was a kid, you know, you have music classes at school, you have, I don't know, let's start with music classes. We don't, we didn't have any sort of art classes. I remember one year in middle school, we have, we had a sort of painting class, drawing sort of class, and that was the only, only year I had that. And we had shop for one year, as in, you know, workshop, where you do woodworking or whatever. And that was it. Those were my two classes. Instead we had things like religious studies and we had Arabic. I mean, Arabic, it's, it's language. There's nothing wrong with Arabic. I'm, you know, if you're interested in studying it, more power to you. It has, It's a beautiful language, is a history, whatever. But we would study Arabic specifically to study the Quran. And we would have, so we would have Arabic, we would have a separate class for Quran, he would have a separate class for religious studies. And then when I got to high school, we had a class called defense, Defense preparation, something like that. It's hard. I'm trying to translate here. And that might not be the exact thing, but this, this book, this textbook was basically all about guns, all about, you know, how to be prepared for a foreign attack. And this is, this was a textbook at school, at high school level. And obviously, like when I was growing up, even this was back in 2010, let's say we didn't really buy it. Like, everyone in my class knew that this was nonsense. Like, this was propaganda, really.

Therapy Gecko (Podcast Host) (76:04)

Bless you, brother. That was a really good conversation. Thank you again. Thank you again, Armin, for taking time out of what I'm sure is a really stressful period of time for you to get on here and share your story with us for an hour. That was. I, I was, I really enjoyed getting to talk to you and hear your perspective on things. I was just thinking about how five and a half years ago I was taking phone calls about diarrhea ing in the Lazy river, and now we're into geopolitics and gotten good for it. Glad for it. Glad for it. No, that was, that was really powerful. I have, I got, I need a second. I need a second after that. Yeah, you know what I was thinking too is like, dude, here's another thing I was saying is like that, that guy Armin that we just talked to, who had like this powerful story and this great character and, and this, all this stuff, like, you know, he was working at Subway and I was thinking, I'm like, do I think about this now? Like, if I'm at Subway or whatever, I'll just be like, looking at the, like whoever's behind the count, I'll just be like, what's, what's, what would my hour long conversation with this person be? You know, where hat we have this weird crossing where I buy A sandwich from them. What would an hour long conversation with them be like? You know, you just know. You never know. Do I have anything else to say? I don't know if I do. I think we'll call it there. Thank you guys for listening to this. Yeah, yeah. I don't know, I've been getting, I don't know, I've been thinking about. That's. We don't, we don't usually talk about like intense geopolitical things or, you know, domestic political things. I think about them a lot. I like talking, I like talking about them with my friends and family. I don't, I think in just certain, in certain situations I'm, you know, I like talking about them on the podcast. But yeah, I appreciate Armin for sharing his story with us and sending blessings to him and his family in Iran. Maybe I'll go there one day. I was, I made that video in Iraq and the, you know, the whole thing, I think. And, and by the way, this is not me throwing shade to anyone because I'm, I'm like this, I was like this before I actually went there, but I was like, Americans, I think, just have a thing where like, all. They just view all countries in the Middle east as the same. Like, I, There was a guy, I passed by, a guy at this office that I make my videos out of, and he was like, yolis, I liked your Afghanistan video. And it was like my gut, my gut instinct was like, it's Iraq, not Afghanistan. And then I was like, you know, a year ago I would also, I think, not have enough information where I knew the difference. You know, because you start out six years old, you don't know what a country is, then you find out what your own country is, then you find out what Minnesota is. And then at a certain point, you have to manually move the needle on your own ignorance. But yeah, yeah, I'd like to go to Iran someday. I think that that would be, that'd be interesting. I mean, I, every, every, every time I go to a place, I'm always feeling like I'm meeting lots of lovely people and learning more about the things that we have in common.