Shows
The Medz Mamas PodcastVartanoush Krikorian KaprielianWelcome, Medz Mama Vartanoush Krikorian Kaprielian!In this episode, Vietnam veteran and trauma psychologist Michael Manoog Kaprielian shares the story of his bond with his paternal grandmother, Vartanoush—a survivor of the Armenian Genocide. From childhood memories and living by her side to honoring her legacy through global humanitarian work and a life-changing family reunion, Manoog takes us on a journey of history, healing, and rediscovery.Vartanoush Kaprielian (1900–1986) was born in the city of Mush—known as Muş in modern-day eastern Turkey and historically part of Western Armenia. During the Armenian Genocide (1915–1923), 1.5 million Armenians...2025-07-0627 min
The Medz Mamas PodcastKenarik Adamian "My grandmother, Kenarik Adamian, was born in Tehran, Iran, likely in 1929, despite a birth certificate stating 1925. She was one of five children and grew up in an Armenian family, passionate about design and sewing. Taught by a French-Armenian family friend, she pursued her interests despite her education being interrupted in her teens.At around 18 or 19, my grandmother met Vahan Zolfaghari, a wealthy man from a gold and jewelry business background. They married in a grand Armenian church ceremony. Kenarik had five children, though one son died in infancy. The surviving children were Verjik, Vahram, Hilda, and Frida. S...2024-06-1917 min
The Medz Mamas PodcastAmalia AbramyanHey, beautiful people! Welcome back to The Medz Mamas! I'm your host, Anoush Bargamian! Today, granddaughter Violetta Sagatela honors her paternal grandmother, Amalia Abramyan."Amalia was born in 1924 in Khtsaberd, a village which was populated by an Armenian ethnic majority before 1989, before the displacement of Armenians from their ancestral land by the Azeri government. Since then, Khtsaberd has been renamed and now bears an Azeri name.Amalia was always proud of her contribution to the war effort (behind the front lines) in defeating the Nazis in 1945. She often described the day she...2024-03-2928 min
The Medz Mamas PodcastNina Djavad BaghdassarHey, beautiful people! Welcome back to The Medz Mamas!Host Anoush Bargamian is thrilled to kick off Season 2!Today, granddaughter Colette Zabo honors her maternal grandmother, Nina. From growing up in Iran to picking wild cherries in Central Park, Colette shares her grandmother's adventures.Medz Mama Nina, who Colette calls Nina Mama, grew up in Mazandaran, Iran, and moved to Glendale, California, with her family in 1977. She was the matriarch of the family and lived with her granddaughter.Nina Mama significantly impacted Colette's life, passing down heartwarming stories and family traditions, including...2023-11-2318 min
The Medz Mamas PodcastManning Avedikian Haladjian & Berjouhi Tirikian KoukoudianWelcome Medz Mama Manning Haladjian!Granddaughter Berjouhi Tirikian Koukoudian is proud to pay homage to her maternal grandmother, Manning Avedikian Haladjian, as our featured Medz Mama! As a mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother, Berjouhi shares stories about her grandmother, Manning, with love and admiration.This year, Berjouhi celebrated her 90th birthday. She understands the impact and importance of this meaningful relationship on her life. This episode offers an extended feature where Berjouhi shares her personal life journey.Medz Mama Manning was born in Erzincan, historically known as Yerznka (Arm...2023-07-0818 min
The Medz Mamas PodcastSeda OhanyanWelcome Medz Mama Seda Ohanyan!Granddaughter Mariam Yeghiarzaryan is proud to pay homage to her paternal grandmother as our featured Medz Mama!In this episode, granddaughter Mariam tenderly describes her first memories of her Medz Mama Seda’s garden. This included eating mulberries which are a favorite in Armenia, as well as in the Armenian diaspora. Seda was born in the village of Tegher (Armenian: Տեղեր, means “medicine”). Tegher village is located in the Aragatsotn Province of Armenia, on the southern slope of Mount Aragats. In this region, a large variety of healing herbs can be found. ...2023-06-0105 min
The Medz Mamas PodcastElmon Pilgian MouradianWelcome featured Medz Mama, Elmon Piligian Mouradian!Granddaughter Talar Keoseyan is proud to pay homage to her maternal grandmother Elmon Piligian Mouradian.In this episode, Granddaughter Talar beautifully describes her grandmother’s resilient, creative, and humorous nature.Elmon was born in Yenikhan in Sepastia (Sivas, Turkey). She became an orphan at the age of ten, during the Armenian Genocide.* At such a young age Elmon lost her parents, two brothers, a sister, and extended family. At the orphanage, she meets her future husband and together they have five beautiful daughters. Her journ...2023-05-1711 min
The Medz Mamas PodcastAnahit MelkonyanWelcome Medz Mama Anahit Melkonyan!Granddaughter Sona Melkonyan is proud to pay homage to her paternal grandmother as our featured Medz Mama!Our Medz Mama Anahit takes us back to her roots in the village of Khoy, (Iran), then Jermuk City, Vayots Dzor, and Yerevan, Armenia. Her fondest memories are connected with her family and the mountainous landscape of Armenia. Medz Mama Anahit recalls joyful childhood adventures with her grandfather Apo, in Jermuk City.Granddaughter Sona beautifully describes how her grandparents met on New Year’s Day. Medz Mama Anahit recalls the h...2023-05-0508 min
The Medz Mamas PodcastMariam Mikaelian AdajianWelcome featured Medz Mama, Mariam Mikaelian Adajian! Grandson Mike Adajian is proud to pay homage to his paternal grandmother Mary Adajian.Mary was born in Musa Dagh, Musa Leṛ (Armenian), “Moses Mountain” in the mountainous region near the ancient city of Antioch, which is the Hatay Province on the Mediterranean coast of Turkey. Her father was a mukhtar or the village leader of Azir, which is an offshoot of Yoghonoluk.She came from a large family and had eleven brothers. Mary and several of her brothers emigrated before the Armenian Genocide, which was planned and perpetrat...2023-04-2604 min
The Medz Mamas PodcastAnahit KarapetyanGranddaughter Anahit shares her Medz Mama from their home in Gyumri, Armenia! We are proud to present you our featured Medz Mama, Anahit Karapetyan! TheMedzMamas™ is a place to honor and celebrate our Armenian grandmothers, all across the globe. Subscribe today and share TheMedzMamas™ with friends & family!TheMedzMamas was established in late 2020 in order to celebrate and honor the lives, stories, and perspectives of Armenian grandmothers. TheMedzMamas aims to amplify the voices of Armenian women, with a focus on this particular generation of women. While we are...2023-04-2402 min
The Medz Mamas PodcastEsgouhi HajianWelcome Medz Mama Esgouhi Hajian!In this episode, we hear about Medz Mama Esgouhi's life journey, through an interview between her granddaughter Anoush and great-grandson Sevan!Meet my great-grandmother Anna (Khimatian) Mahdesian Derderian and my grandmother Esgouhi (Mahdesian) Hajian. Anna married Bedros Mahdesian, and they had four children, with Esgouhi as their second born. My medz mama Esgouhi was born in the village of Palou Baghin, Kharpet* Province, Turkey, in 1906. She was just sixteen years old when this picture was taken on Rue Cannebiere 18, Marseilles, France.Together, Anna and Esgouhi survived the Armenian...2023-04-1305 min