The world is watching Iran. Our daughter is shaped by a father it shaped first.

In this episode of "We Love Our Family, But Damn," Kristen interviews her husband Roger about his Armenian-Iranian heritage and how his family's history of war and immigration shaped their family dynamics and values. Roger shares the anxiety and strictness he experienced growing up, influenced by his parents' struggles and cultural norms that discouraged vulnerability, especially among men. He reflects on his father's passivity and his mother's heavy responsibilities, and how these patterns affect his own approach to fatherhood. They discuss the importance of conscious parenting, breaking emotional and financial cycles, and creating a stable home environment for their daughter. The conversation also addresses cultural pressures around status and appearances in Armenian and Iranian communities, linking them to insecurity and survival. Roger expresses pride in the courage of Iranian youth protesting for freedom and gratitude to his parents for their sacrifices, emphasizing the goal of fostering a legacy of acceptance and authenticity for their daughter. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit bykristenlee.substack.com