Creators
Sharmiin Meymandinejad: Repression, War, and Human Dignity in Iran
Sharmiin (also spelled Sharmin) Meymandinejad is an Iranian human rights defender, writer, and theatre artist who founded the Imam Ali’s Popular Student Relief Society (IAPSRS) in 1999 to combat poverty and support vulnerable children and families. Iranian authorities arrested him in 2020 and charged him with “insulting” Iran’s leaders amid a broader crackdown on independent civil society; he was held for months, including time in solitary confinement, and reportedly denied medical care. After sustained pressure, IAPSRS was ordered dissolved. Now in exile, Meymandinejad speaks on repression, public executions, social trust, and civilian harm from sanctions and war, through grassroots work.
By Scott Douglas Jacobsen5 days ago in Interview
Muhammad Zain Ul Abideen (Zain Jee). AI-Generated.
Muhammad Zain Ul Abideen, popularly known as Zain Jee, was born on 29th July 2005 in Sahiwal, Pakistan. From a young age, he showed a strong interest in performing arts and digital media. His passion for creativity and content creation laid the foundation for his later ventures into acting, singing, and social media engagement.
By Muhammad Zain7 days ago in Interview
How a Miami Superfan Became the College Football Playoff’s Most Unexpected Star
On a night meant to celebrate college football’s biggest stage, an unexpected figure stole part of the spotlight. As cameras panned across the roaring crowd during the College Football Playoff (CFP), viewers noticed a familiar face in Miami Hurricanes colors—cheering, chanting, and fully immersed in the moment. Within minutes, social media erupted. The woman in the stands was Abella Danger, one of the most recognizable stars in adult entertainment—and, as it turns out, a devoted Miami superfan.
By Dipayan Biswas9 days ago in Interview
The Real Life of Women in the Adult Film Industry
The adult film industry occupies a strange place in modern society. It is widely consumed yet rarely understood, openly discussed yet deeply stigmatized. For many viewers, adult films are reduced to moments of fantasy—carefully edited scenes designed to provoke desire and escape. What remains invisible is the reality of the women behind those performances: their lives, struggles, ambitions, and contradictions.
By Dipayan Biswas9 days ago in Interview
Center Stage with Paul Stewart. Top Story - March 2023.
*** I'm keen to republish the interviews I did for my series with Vocal creators. It's been a few years and I thought it might be nice to revisit these wonderful conversations. I'll be releasing them one at a time for a few weeks/months.
By Heather Hubler18 days ago in Interview
10 Minutes with Bill Gates
Introduction Spending 10 minutes with Bill Gates may sound brief, but even a short conversation with one of the world’s most influential innovators can offer insights that last a lifetime. As the co-founder of Microsoft, a philanthropist, an author, and a global thought leader, Bill Gates has shaped how the world uses technology and how it addresses some of its most pressing challenges. In just ten minutes, one could explore decades of experience in innovation, leadership, failure, success, and global responsibility.
By shaoor afridi21 days ago in Interview
Center Stage with Gina C.. Top Story - February 2023.
*** I'm keen to republish the interviews I did for my series with Vocal creators. It's been a few years and I thought it might be nice to revisit these wonderful conversations. I'll be releasing them one at a time for a few weeks/months.
By Heather Hubler26 days ago in Interview
T. Michael W. Halcomb on Disillusionment, Community, and Accountability in the Modern Church
T. Michael W. Halcomb is an American professor, author, podcaster, and stand-up comedian. He is the author of around 30 books, an educator with five degrees (including a PhD), and a frequent academic presenter with nearly 100 conference presentations. He co-founded GlossaHouse in 2012, a publishing house focused on language-learning resources, especially biblical languages. He gave a TEDx talk, "Silent no more: Resurrecting dead languages," in Evansville, IN in October of 2015. His comedy work has been featured in outlets such as Yahoo! Entertainment, TheWrap, and The Mirror US.
By Scott Douglas Jacobsenabout a month ago in Interview
Galyna Ostapovets on War Reporting: Verifying Peace Talks, POW Exchanges, and Operational Security
Galyna Ostapovets is a Ukrainian journalist and war reporter currently based in Kyiv. She joined the Novyny.LIVE newsroom in June 2021 and, after Russia’s full-scale invasion in February 2022, shifted from politics to reporting the war’s societal consequences, producing articles and video coverage. She writes for Novyny Live and creates videos for its YouTube channel. IJNet profiled her as “Journalist of the Month” in April 2023. She contributes to international outlets including IJNet and the Institute for War and Peace Reporting. IWPR states she was born in Ukraine’s Lviv region and graduated from the International University of Economics and Humanities.
By Scott Douglas Jacobsenabout a month ago in Interview
