This episode features Danesh Malmir, who was born in Iran and later came to the United States as an asylum seeker.

Introduced to host Manya Marcus through a mutual connection, Danesh shares the story of his activism against the Iranian regime and the personal cost of that work. He was shot during an anti-government protest, witnessed the IRGC kill a close friend, and was ultimately forced to flee Iran, leaving his family behind.

Unlike most guests on the show, Danesh is not Jewish. He describes himself as both an anti-regime activist and a peace-seeker, committed to the vision of a freer Iran.

That same conviction informs his support for the recent military campaign against the regime—an operation that was ongoing at the time of the interview. As of this writing, a fragile ceasefire is in place.

Credits:

Host and Creator: Manya Marcus

Editor and Producer: Ben Wallick

Associate Editor and Producer: Keren Glicksman

Editor: Alexandra Yelderman

Logo Design: Samuel Vilemar

Outro Music: "Motorchi (Dayeh Dayeh)" | Reza Saghaei

Listen on Spotify or Apple Music

When the What Came After team traveled to Israel this past February, we arrived with a plan: a slate of interviews, a full itinerary, and a clear sense of direction. But when war with the Iranian regime began on February 28th, everything changed.

In the days that followed, we continued searching for voices that could help make sense of the moment. One of them was Netta Hultqvist, whom host Manya Marcus met in the underground bomb shelter of Tel Aviv’s Ink Hotel.

Raised between Sweden and Israel, Netta describes a dramatic shift in her life after October 7th—moving from a career in finance and economics into the study of warfare, human nature, and defense technology. A veteran of the IDF, she reflects on the forces that drive violence, the possibilities for limiting harm to civilians, and why, as a secular person, she found herself turning to religious music in the aftermath of October 7th—and again now.

Credits:

Host and Creator: Manya Marcus

Managing Producer: Eli Akselrod

Editor and Producer: Ben Wallick

Associate Editor: Keren Glicksman

Editor: Alexandra Yelderman

Logo Design: Samuel Vilemar

Outro Music: "אמן" | Tandu

Listen on ⁠Spotify⁠ or ⁠Apple Music⁠

Recorded during the first days of Israel’s second war with the Iranian regime, this chapter explores the role of dark humor in moments of crisis. From bomb shelters to everyday interactions, laughter emerges as a powerful way to cope with fear, uncertainty, and life under fire.

Learn more about our podcast at https://www.whatcameafter.com/