The Lion and The Sun: A Modern History of Iran
String Studios2025 Signal Award Winner: Best History Podcast
Iran’s history has been a never-ending struggle for liberty and independence. In this podcast, we tell the story of how Iran ended up where it is now and how religion, monarchy, democracy, and nationalism all played important roles in defining the lives of its people.
Book One: The Qajars How the constitutional revolution created Iran’s very first p... more
| Publishes | Twice monthly | Episodes | 34 | Founded | 2 years ago |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Category | History | ||||
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Latest Episodes
With nationalization signed and Mosaddegh in office, Britain cuts off Iran’s oil exports and moves warships into the Gulf. Secret documents expose decades of political interference, American mediation fails, and Iran finds itself in a standoff it can... more
Failed negotiations, assassination, and a vote that changed Iran’s history. As pressure builds and compromise collapses, Mohammad Mosaddegh leads a united nation towards oil nationalization. Follow us on Instagram, TikTok or X (Twitter). Support this... more
Iran’s oil had enriched Britain and left its workers in shanty towns.
When a deadly strike erupts and the Anglo-Iranian Oil Company refuses to yield, a veteran constitutionalist steps forward to fight for control of the nation’s oil. Follow us on Ins... more
As Cold War tensions rise, Iran and the United States become unlikely allies. After surviving an assassination attempt, Mohammad Reza Shah moves to consolidate power and reshape Iran’s political order. Follow us on Instagram, TikTok or X (Twitter). S... more
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Reviews
- Season 1 Ep. 1
Interesting stuff in light of recent events. Am a bit perplexed though. How was reversing the fatwah justified by its proponent? Seems like it was never about religion in the first place? Am I wrong or have I missed something?
Apple Podcasts4Bindervelt
Ireland3 months ago - Excellent and interesting history
So glad to have this clear modern history at a time when there is such an absence of knowledge about Iran that allows power hungry war mongers to fill the void with misinformation.
Apple Podcasts5Pmpfgjbncfr
United States4 months ago - A For Effort
This sounds like an undergraduate project turned podcast. The writing is commensurate with most undergrads in my courses. The historical storytelling is decent. Oriana is a bit monotone, but her pace is good. Her pronunciation of basic English words puzzles me. I can understand why some believe it’s an AI reader, but I’ve examined AI readers in depth. I’m not convinced. What I cannot understand is why, with all of the media tools available, her mispronunciations are not cleaned up in post produc... more
Apple Podcasts3ElleValdezUnited States4 months ago - Narration
I’m sorry, the subject matter is fine but after two episodes I had to drop it. The narrator, seems to be a native English speaker who was never made to read aloud at any point in her life. Reminds me of myself in grade school when I had only seen certain words in text. Sorry, wanted to like it, but just can’t listen to a mispronunciation in every sentence.
Apple Podcasts3GingaNinja_85United States4 months ago - the detail about the history is amazing.
no political agenda....just facts. great story telling that engraves facts in your mind. love this podcast. I am excited about the next session to learn more.
Audible5amyshafferUnited States4 months ago
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Apple Podcasts | #217 |  Canada/History |
Apple Podcasts | #37 |  United Arab Emirates/History |
Apple Podcasts | #195 |  Denmark/History |
Apple Podcasts | #217 |  Norway/History |
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Frequently Asked Questions About This Podcast
What is This Podcast about and what kind of topics does it cover?
The show offers a sweeping, narrative-driven exploration of Iran's modern history, with a strong emphasis on how monarchy, religion, nationalism, and modernization intersected to shape the country's trajectory. Across episodes, listeners get detailed looks at pivotal moments—from constitutional reforms and dynastic transitions to oil nationalization and Cold War geopolitics—framed through accessible storytelling, archival context, and clear chronology. A notable strength is the way it threads local and global forces into a cohesive arc, making complex history feel relevant to contemporary debates about sovereignty and identity. The series is likely to appeal to listeners who enjoy deeply researched history with memorable figures, narrative ... more
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this podcast launched 2 years ago and published 34 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.
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