KATHLEEN HANNA launches Naz Riahi

LaunchLeft

Today on the podcast Rain is joined by writer and musician, Kathleen Hanna. Their conversation travels from shared memories of being in bands in the 90’s, Kathleen’s thoughts on feminism today, how anger can motivate and harm creativity, the importance of self care and why it’s best to ditch toxic relationships. Kathleen’s memoir REBEL GIRL is out now. We then hear from the incredibly inspiring writer and filmmaker Naz Riahi, who shares what it was like to work with Kathleen on Rebel Girl, how music found her in Iran as a child, what inspires her, and what’s next for her creatively. Tune in to this power hour of conversation at LaunchLeft.com/podcast.

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LaunchLeft Podcast hosted by Rain Phoenix is an intentional space for Art and Activism where famed creatives launch new artists. LaunchLeft is an alliance of left-of-center artists, a curated ecosystem that includes a podcast, label and NFT gallery.

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IN THIS EPISODE:

• [5:25] How much has feminism changed since the 80s? What is the state of feminism today?
• [10:54] What is an internal positive belief that has stayed with Kathleen since childhood that she still draws upon?
• [12:24] Are all art forms the same or different in the process of creating?
• [18:26] Does anger motivate Kathleen when she is writing?
• [29:03] What does Kathleen do for self care while on the road?
• [37:44] What is Kathleen’s advice for young women?
• [41:05] How did music find Kathleen?
• [43:20] Kathleen introduces Naz Riahi and explains why she tipped her hat to Naz.
• [49:31] Naz joins the show and shares about what it was like working with Kathleen.
• [52:52] What about working with Kathleen influenced Naz’s own work or inspired her as a writer?
• [56:16] How did music find Naz?
• [58:36] What is next for Naz?

KEY TAKEAWAYS:

• [24:47] We’re all creators, we all have the ability. We’re creating every day by being alive, we are creating our reality, we’re creating the future of what we want to be and say and do in the world.
• [38:12] If you find yourself in a toxic relationship with someone, whether that be a friend, family or lover, step away. Those toxic people are standing in the way of other people who are waiting for an opportunity to be in your life.
• [55:11] Take chances to try new things and allow opportunities into your life, but if you are finding those things take away from your energy to do the things you love, then you know those are not for you.

RESOURCE LINKS:

LaunchLeft Podcast Smart Link

Links for Kathleen Hanna:

Kathleen Hanna's Website

Kathleen Hanna's Instagram

Kathleen Hanna's TikTok

Bikini Kill Website

Bikini Kill Instagram

Bikini Kill Twitter

Bikini Kill Bandcamp

Bikini Kill YouTube

Le Tigre World Instagram

Le Tigre World Facebook

Links for Naz Riahi

Naz Riahi's Website

Naz Riahi's Instagram

BIOGRAPHIES:

Katheleen Hanna:

Kathleen Hanna is a punk singer, artist, and the front-woman of the influential bands Bikini Kill and Le Tigre. Hanna is a staple in feminist publications, from college curriculums to bestselling books, and a leading voice in the punk feminist movement. She has been named one of the best live performers of our time, earning acclaim from Rolling Stone, The New York Times, NPR, Interview Magazine, V Magazine, Vogue, Entertainment Weekly, BUST Magazine, NYLON and Los Angeles Times, to name a few.

Naz Riahi:

Naz Riahi (she/her) is a filmmaker, writer and artist. Much of her work explores the spaces, emotions and opportunities and humor of reaching for connection, informed by her experiences as an immigrant from Iran.

She was named one of Filmmaker Magazine’s 25 New Faces of Independent Film. Her short film Sincerely, Erik received a Vimeo Staff Pick and won a Vimeo Best of the Year Award and was named a NoBudge Best Film of the Year. It has garnered praise from Brooklyn Academy of Music (BAM), The New York Times T Magazine and Fast Company among numerous publications and cultural institutions.

Her essays, journalism and fiction have been published widely in outlets such as Harper’s Bazaar, Oldster, Pipe Wrench, Food & Wine, Los Angeles Review of Books, Longreads, Catapult, The Fader, Guernica and more.

Naz has performed original works at MoCA (Museum of Contemporary Art Los Angeles) and at Dynasty Handbag’s Weirdo Night.

She was the creator of the dialogical art project, Bitten. In recognition of Bitten, Naz was invited to SXSL at the Obama White House. An essay she wrote about the experience received public praise from President Obama.

Her collection of short stories, Vibrations, will be published by Dopamine Press in 2025.

Naz holds an MFA from the New School and is the recipient of a NYFA City Artist Corps Grant.