What happens when a country is discussed constantly, but rarely understood?Bobak Kalhor brings a filmmaker’s eye, an Iranian-American life story, and a historian’s discipline to a conversation that moves from Iran’s revolutionary past to the unconscious forces shaping humanity’s future. Having left Iran as a child during the revolution, Bobak speaks from both personal memory and years of historical inquiry, including his documentary A Dying King: The Shah of Iran.This conversation does not reduce Iran to headlines, regimes, or slogans. It asks what the West often fails to understand: that Iranians may argue, divide, and oppose one another internally, but that external attacks can quickly transform division into unity.From there, the conversation turns inward. Bobak reflects on Dr. Bernard Bail’s dream work, the mother’s imprint, and the question of who we are before fear, anxiety, trauma, and history imprint themselves on us. He describes the search for the authentic self as difficult work — but the kind of work that opens more doors the deeper it goes.The episode ultimately returns to love: not as sentiment, but as the internal tool humanity has neglected. Technology may advance, wars may grow more sophisticated, and political systems may change, but Bobak argues that what we build inwardly may be the only thing we truly take with us.

Cynthia Marks of the And Now Love Podcast sits down with guests from Compton Junior Equestrians, a Richland Farms youth horse program dedicated to helping children grow through mentorship, education, responsibility, and connection with horses.

Founded by Maisha Akbar, the program gives young people a safe and meaningful place to learn discipline, emotional awareness, confidence, and care. In this episode, the guests share how horses can become powerful non-judgmental companions, helping children and adults calm their minds, process emotions, and reconnect with themselves.

The conversation explores the healing presence of horses, the importance of education, the use of tools like the feelings wheel, and the life-changing impact of mentorship. The guests also discuss the real cost of caring for horses, the need for community support, and how Compton Junior Equestrians continues to create opportunities for young people in Compton and beyond.

This episode highlights a program rooted in love, responsibility, and hope—showing how horses can help young people find purpose, stability, and a stronger sense of self.

Learn more or support the program: comptonjrequestrians.org

Cynthia Marks, host of And Now Love and head of the Holistic Psychoanalysis Foundation, speaks with Brandon Dean Johnson, CEO of Create Now, about the power of art to open doors for underserved youth across Los Angeles. Brandon shares how a love of animation began at age eight, how he pursued graphic design and fine arts at Elizabeth City State University despite early discouragement, and how his path took him from teaching art in Europe to rebuilding after a brief period of homelessness in Los Angeles.

He also reflects on his six years as a volunteer with Create Now before becoming CEO in 2021, and discusses how he continues to develop his own creative projects while leading the organization forward.

In this episode, Brandon explains the origins of Create Now under founder Jill Gurr and its mission since 1996 to provide free arts programming for young people up to age 24 through more than 150 partner schools, shelters, and community agencies across LA County. He also speaks about the realities of nonprofit work, including funding challenges and the impact of crises such as wildfires and ICE raids on the communities they serve.

From tailored classes and cultural field trips to career fairs and partnerships with organizations like Discovery Cube and the LA Clippers, this conversation highlights how Create Now is using creativity not just as expression, but as access, support, and possibility.