AWWA Podcast: Armenian Voices

Writing Her Roots: Kristel Kardashian’s Journey Through Poetry and Heritage

Kristel Kardashian is a fourth-generation Armenian American whose connection to her heritage continues to deepen with every story she uncovers. Born and raised in Souther

Dancing Across Generations: Lilian Tahmasian’s Armenian Story from Australia

Lilian Tahmasian’s connection to her Armenian identity has been shaped through rhythm, movement, and tradition. Raised in Australia, she grew up immersed in Armenian cult

Open Doors, Open Hearts: Narine Minasyan on Armenian Hospitality and Identity

Born and raised in Glendale, Narine Minasyan grew up in a home that was always full—of family, food, music, and celebration. As a first-generation Armenian-American, her

The Taste of Being Armenian: Kristel Arabian on Food, Memory, and Identity

For Kristel Arabian, being Armenian is deeply connected to hospitality, family, and the flavors of childhood. Born into an Armenian family in Beirut and raised in a cultu

From Law Offices to Forests: Jean-Marie Papelian’s Journey with Armenia Tree Project

Jean-Marie Papelian’s path to environmental impact began far from Armenia’s forests. Raised in Milford, Massachusetts, in a close-knit Armenian-American community, his ea

From Yeghegnadzor to Game Worlds: Arsine Mkrtchyan’s Digital Heritage

Raised in Yeghegnadzor and now studying Game Art at Ringling College of Art and Design, Arsine Mkrtchyan is building new worlds while staying rooted in ancient ones. A UW

From Abkhazia to America: Building Roots, Systems, and Self

Born in Sochi, raised in Cherkasy, with family roots in Abkhazia and an Armenian heritage that spans borders, Andrei’s story is one of constant movement and intentional g

Coming Home to Heal: Anna’s Medical Journey from Syunik to the World

Born in Vanadzor and shaped by years spent in Goris, Yerevan, and Syunik, Anna’s path in medicine is deeply connected to place, purpose, and service. A graduate of Yereva

Diaspora Dreams in Sound: Krista Marina’s Musical Language

Krista Marina is an alternative pop/R&B singer, songwriter, and producer whose sound blends jazz, blues, and the Middle Eastern soul she grew up with—creating music that

Between Language, Lens, and Stage: Nare Navasardyan’s Creative Inquiry

Born and raised in Yerevan, Nare Navasardyan works at the intersection of storytelling, language, and civic thought. As a co-author of the documentary Pasaran, a translat

Building Homes, Building Power: The Armenian-American Journey of Davit Melikian

Born in Gyumri and raised in North Carolina, Davit Melikian has spent his life navigating the space between heritage and homeland. A custom home builder, entrepreneur, an

Where the Homeland Lives: Marine Jarchafjian’s Path of Culture, Family, and Survival

Born in the village of Sardarapat, Marine Jarchafjian has shaped her life around language, culture, and the enduring heartbeat of Armenian identity. After graduating from

Listening to the Quiet: Lilit Movsisyan’s Art of Memory

Born in Gyumri and trained in Yerevan, Lilit Movsisyan uses storytelling as a way to document and preserve what others often overlook. Her first book, A Mother’s Conversa

Bridging Worlds Through Sound: Kyle Kalebdjian Clark’s Musical Journey

Kyle Kalebdjian Clark is an Amsterdam-based guitarist and composer whose music has been described as an Eastern soul playing a Western instrument. A recent graduate of Th

Rooted in Spirit: Ani Carla’s Armenian Journey

Ani Carla offers a heartfelt reflection on life within the Armenian diaspora, shaped by her experiences in Los Angeles and the San Francisco Bay Area. Her story is one of

Finding Home Through Heritage: Jessica Damerjian’s Story

Jessica Damerjian’s journey begins in Gyumri, Armenia, where she was born and adopted as a baby. Now a college student at Drexel University in Philadelphia studying Const

Simone Rizkallah: A Cultural Gypsy with Armenian-Egyptian Roots

Simone Rizkallah is a Catholic speaker and writer who helps people discover a deeper and more meaningful existence. As a first-generation American of Egyptian-Armenian de

Telling Stories of Resilience and Identity: Susanna Semerdzhyan’s Voice

Susanna Semerdzhyan is an Armenian-American writer and ESL instructor based in Los Angeles. A proud child of immigrants and a descendant of Armenian Genocide survivors, s

Breathing Wellness Into the World: Susan Terzian Aran’s Journey

Susan Terzian Aran is a proud Armenian mother, Nutrition Educator, Holistic Health Coach, Yoga Teacher, Entrepreneur, and founder of Radiate Kombucha. Grounded in her her

Keeping Armenian Voices Alive: Lilly Torosyan’s Work in Journalism and Culture

Lilly Torosyan is an Armenian-American writer and editor whose work centers on celebrating and preserving Armenian culture. As the editor of The Armenian Weekly, she cura