Fireside Chats, Episode 44: Growing Up Iraqi

Yeah, dude! It all worked out. Thank you for listening.

Colin Moriarty

Thank you! <3

Colin Moriarty

Just listened to this episode today and loved it. I always enjoy when I get to peek over the fence and see what’s on the other side. Great Topic and great guest. I was at first hesitant cause I thought this was gonna be a sad episode but it turned out to be a super interesting story with what I see as a happy ending.

Anthony Flarida

Fascinating interview, keep up the great work.

Brian Fagan

Thanks. =)

Colin Moriarty

Glad you liked it!

Colin Moriarty

Thank you! I'm trying to elevate "normal" people with "extraordinary" stories on Fireside Chats.

Colin Moriarty

I'd love to do an episode on Katrina. That'd be awesome.

Colin Moriarty

Brilliant questions too, Colin. Perfect.

Aaron Treble

What an amazing episode. Imagine having such a spirit after going through a war. Good on you, Mason. Thank you for appearing as a guest. This is fascinating.

Aaron Treble

I just wanted to say I really love this one, the one with the mayor, and the one about Tourette’s. These were particularly memorable as they were about people with especially unique lives.

Abhi

Great episode! It made me think that a Katrina episode could be interesting. I was living in New Orleans when Katrina hit, but my story isn’t as harrowing as others. Me and my family left the area a week ahead of the storm to visit family in Texas. We were displaced in Austin for a year and then we moved back. It was difficult not being able to return immediately following the storm, but we were lucky. We didn’t lose any family or property during the storm. I know someone in the CLS community has a story to share. Keep up the amazing work!

David Becerril

No problem whatsoever. Thanks for watching!

Colin Moriarty

I do need to get on that, don't I. I'll see what I can do this week.

Colin Moriarty

Hey Colin, I just wanted to see if you could post the next set of Fireside chats on Youtube anytime soon. I really appreciate it and keep up the awesome work.

Forbes

One of the best interviews so far. It's great to hear things from a different perspective from just a normal guy on this issue. Thank you for interviewing him Colin.

Jimmy Valentine

Yeah, there is a certain sadness to that, but I get it.

Colin Moriarty

You're very welcome!

Colin Moriarty

I concur.

Colin Moriarty

I'm pleased to hear that. Thank you for listening!

Colin Moriarty

I'd be totally open to having someone else on to talk about this. I actually lived with an illegal immigrant in San Francisco for a couple of years, so I gained some insight from that, too.

Colin Moriarty

This was a really insightful discussion. I'm very sorry you're not proud of your heritage Mason - I wear mine like a badge of honour and it's an integral part of my everyday life. Given what you've experienced it's very understandable though. Thanks for the podcast gentlemen!

Phillip Guglielmo

This was absolutely fantastic, Colin and Mason!! Thank you!

Megan Gierlach

Mason, you're the man! Great podcast, with a super fascinating story. I love this dudes love for America. Great to hear things moved in such a positive direction!

Terrific podcast. I love getting a perspective I normally would not get.

Peter Campbell

This episode was one of my "wish lists", since it is always enriching to many people when we talk about immigration, the whole process and how people don't just "pour in". My suggestion would be bringing more people to talk about their own story, since an Iraqi immigrant has a very different situation than a Central American, Canadian, or European person, even though we all become American by heart... Thanks Colin!

Lucas Gremista

It's unimaginable.

Colin Moriarty

Thank you. =)

Colin Moriarty

Thanks for coming on!

Colin Moriarty

Al Qaeda? Sounds like Iraq. That's harrowing shit.

Colin Moriarty

Wow, this is really awesome. It must have been so crazy to experience the war as an Iraqi civilian.

desperateLuck

yeah, I never thought he was lying to me which I guess my original post might make it seem that way. He was a great guy. It's just a crazy story because he was a dentist, his wife was a dentist so I guess they made decent money living in Iraq? I don't know. I think he told me that he was pretty much at the will at the government/military as a dentist and pretty much had to do whatever they wanted but they were happy until he woke up to the note. Do you have any more information about that topic? Al Qaeda or whoever living notes on peoples doors?

Andrew

Great interview

Rodrigo

Not a big fan of the flag, I feel someone is gonna yell what’s written on it and explode lol just kidding. Hope you guys enjoy it, I certainly did talking about it.

Mason M

Sounds very true, heard of those stories regularly back in the day.

Mason M

I'm really interested in listening to this. I used to work with someone from either Iraq or Iran, that claimed he woke up one morning with a letter nailed to his front door from apparently Al Qaeda or something threatening to kill him, his wife and children if they didn't leave within 24 hours... I think they were babies at the time... He immediately packed his things and fled the country and came to Canada as a refugee once he went through the process. He told me that he had relatives in Canada that helped him go through the process? I don't remember the exact details. He was a dentist back in his country, and told me stories about how they used Canadian and American textbooks in "university" there to learn. Anyways, I'm rambling. I can't wait to listen to this.

Andrew

Thank you for your support. Sounds like you have a lot of CLS to binge on. =) As for the circle jerk... well, who gives a shit? Let them wallow. They're good at it.

Colin Moriarty

But....but.....Colin, this defies the narrative that you’re a bigoted racist. What will the circle jerk think? In all seriousness, it’s fucking awesome that you’re using your platform for people like this to have a voice. Thank you. I listened to the first 10 minutes but I’m going to save it for my 6 hour drive on Friday. You, Dagan and Chris Ray Gun are going to make that a good journey for me. Legend.

Russell Garrett

I agree. Thank you. =)

Colin Moriarty

Thank you so much! I'll keep doing my best.

Colin Moriarty

Thank you! I like to deliver my content in a regular and predictable way, so you guys and gals know you can rely on it. =)

Colin Moriarty

I hope you enjoy. Happy 4th!

Colin Moriarty

Honestly, they're finding me. I just let them talk. =)

Colin Moriarty

Wow! I’m very excited to listen to this! We need more of this! Not just here specifically, but everywhere. Actually taking the time to talk to people from different cultures and learn and grow. Love this, Colin.

Marius Skarsem Pedersen

Excellent discussion Colin and Mason, keep up the good work with conversations like this.

Josh Sheppard

You are working way too hard Colin!! I don't even have time to listen to all your podcasts let alone make them like you do. Your quality never drops either. You are truly one of a kind sir and continue to impress with me with your amazing work ethic!

strawhatninja

Agree with Michal. Sounds like an awesome listen. Excited to get to it. Happy 4th of July Colin!

Jimmy Valentine

HOW THE HELL do you keep bringing these people with utterly fascinating and vastly different stories on the show? Kudos

Michal Dudic