What does it mean to speak freely in a society that punishes dissent — especially if you are a woman?

In this powerful episode, we explore the female experience in post-revolutionary Iran through three deeply personal, politically charged books.

We begin with The Lion Women of Tehran by Marjan Kamali, a coming-of-age novel about two girls whose friendship is shaped by class, ambition, and the shattering forces of political change. Their bond is tested as one is pulled toward conformity, and the other toward resistance — and both must decide how to live with the consequences.

Next, we turn to Reading Lolita in Tehran by Azar Nafisi, a memoir of clandestine literature classes that offered not just escape, but survival. In a place where imagination itself was considered dangerous, reading became a radical act — and literature, a lifeline.

Finally, we examine Until We Are Free by Nobel Peace Prize winner Shirin Ebadi, a firsthand account of a human rights lawyer who risked everything to challenge systemic injustice. From threats to exile, Ebadi’s story underscores the cost — and necessity — of courage.

Together, these books offer a vivid portrait of women who dare to speak, write, and act in the face of repression. They remind us that even under surveillance, resistance can bloom — and truth can endure.