The Revolution She Couldn’t Stay Silent About | Sara Seyed | Iranian Actor & Human Rights Advocate

Sara Seyed grew up in Iran, where she saw firsthand what happens when women are silenced, rights are stripped away, and power is used as a weapon. Now based in LA, she’s using her voice and platform to amplify the revolution happening in her home country. A former human rights lawyer turned actor, Sara shares what it means to live with purpose, speak up even when it’s risky, and turn grief into fuel. This episode goes deep into her personal story and what she wants the world to understand about Iran today. Chapters 00:00 Why I became an actor 01:45 Meet Sara Seyed 03:00 Mahsa Amini and the morality police 06:00 What sparked Iran’s most recent uprising 09:00 Women’s education, unemployment, and lack of opportunity 12:00 Why past reform efforts failed 14:00 How daily life is changing under protest 17:00 Childhood memories of state surveillance 19:00 How schools indoctrinate children 21:00 Smuggling Backstreet Boys and Britney Spears 23:00 Internalized guilt and early shame 24:00 Iran’s crackdown on freedom of speech 27:00 How the regime uses religion as a control mechanism 30:00 What international law can’t fix 32:00 Why she left law for acting 35:00 Losing her right to go home 38:00 Honoring her grandmother 41:00 Why change is inevitable 44:00 Mourning Iran’s lost future leaders 46:00 Where her power comes from 51:00 Small actions that matter 53:00 Finding hope in collective struggle 56:00 How to help: VPNs, petitions, and pressure 58:00 Final thoughts from Sara The Powerful Ladies podcast, hosted by business coach and strategist Kara Duffy features candid conversations with entrepreneurs, creatives, athletes, chefs, writers, scientists, and more. Every Wednesday, new episodes explore what it means to lead with purpose, create with intention, and define success on your own terms. Whether you're growing a business, changing careers, or asking bigger questions, these stories remind you: you're not alone, and you're more powerful than you think. Explore more at thepowerfulladies.com and karaduffy.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices