ep. 10 - What Comes After Crisis: A Conversation with Greg Bedian
In this episode, host Rupen Janbazian sits down in Yerevan with Greg Bedian, Director of the Foundation, for a candid conversation about commitment, timing, and responsibility.
Greg arrived in Armenia just before the 2020 Artsakh War. He witnessed the upheaval, the heartbreak, and the urgent need for action. He decided to stay.
Since then, he has helped lead a range of projects, from humanitarian support in crisis zones to long-term development in vulnerable regions like Syunik. His story reflects the complex path many in the diaspora face when deciding how and where to contribute.
🎧 In this conversation, we explore:
• What brought Greg to Armenia, and why he chose to stay
• What leadership looks like in uncertain times
• The evolving role of the diaspora in Armenia's future
• Lessons from the field in Syunik and beyond• How hope and realism can coexist in daily work
💡 This episode offers a grounded, reflective look at repatriation, development, and the choices that shape a life between worlds.
🔗 Learn more and support the work: tufenkianfoundation.org
18 Aug 2025
ep. 9 - Faith & Witness: A Conversation with Matias Perttula & David Barton
In this episode, host Rupen Janbazian sits down in Yerevan with David Barton, bestselling author and founder of WallBuilders, and Matias Perttula, Director of Save Armenia, just one day after their return from southern Armenia's Syunik Province.Fresh from visiting rural communities like Svarants and historic monasteries like Tatev, the guests share their reflections on what they witnessed—resilience, spiritual strength, and pressing concerns. The delegation they joined was organized by Save Armenia, with ground support from the Tufenkian Foundation, and included leading U.S.-based Christian advocates.🎧 In this conversation, we explore:• On-the-ground insights from Syunik's vulnerable villages• What American Christians should know about Armenia's faith and fragility• The vision of Save Armenia and the urgent need for global solidarity• Lessons from Armenia that resonate across faith and freedom movements💡 This episode offers a heartfelt, strategic look at why Armenia matters—not only to Armenians but to Christians and defenders of human rights worldwide.🔗 Learn more and support the work: tufenkianfoundation.org | savearmenia.us📌 Like, subscribe, and share to help amplify this vital conversation—it really helps us reach more people who care about Armenia's future.#SaveArmenia (https://www.youtube.com/hashtag/savearmenia) #TufenkianFoundation (https://www.youtube.com/hashtag/tufenkianfoundation) #ChristianSolidarity (https://www.youtube.com/hashtag/christiansolidarity) #Armenia (https://www.youtube.com/hashtag/armenia) #Artsakh (https://www.youtube.com/hashtag/artsakh) #FaithAndWitness (https://www.youtube.com/hashtag/faithandwitness) #ReligiousFreedom (https://www.youtube.com/hashtag/religiousfreedom) #DailyWire (https://www.youtube.com/hashtag/dailywire) #ConversationsWithTufenkian (https://www.youtube.com/hashtag/conversationswithtufenkian) #Syunik (https://www.youtube.com/hashtag/syunik) #WallBuilders (https://www.youtube.com/hashtag/wallbuilders) #DavidBarton (https://www.youtube.com/hashtag/davidbarton) #MatiasPerttula (https://www.youtube.com/hashtag/matiasperttula)
14 Jul 2025
ep. 8 - Twenty-Five Years of Impact: A Conversation with Dr. Antranig Kasbarian
In this episode, host Rupen Janbazian sits down with Dr. Antranig Kasbarian, longtime activist, academic, and Director of Development at the Tufenkian Foundation, to reflect on more than 25 years of impact, evolution, and lessons learned on the ground in Armenia and Artsakh.From rebuilding border villages in post-war Artsakh to launching a major new resettlement initiative in Syunik, the Tufenkian Foundation has remained rooted in one guiding principle: filling the gaps where others cannot or will not go.
🎧 In this conversation, we explore:
• The founding vision of James Tufenkian and the early years of the Foundation
• Civil society development and bottom-up change in post-Soviet Armenia
• Lessons from Artsakh: building villages, confronting war, and sustaining hope
• The aftermath of 2020 and 2025 and the new frontier of resettlement in Syunik
• Striking a balance between humility, accountability, and impact
💡 This episode offers an unfiltered look at how philanthropy, resilience, and strategic vision can shape a nation’s future, one community at a time.
🔗 Learn more and support the Foundation’s work: tufenkianfoundation.org📌 Follow the Tufenkian Foundation for more stories: @TufenkianFoundation
#TufenkianFoundation #Armenia #Artsakh #Syunik #Resettlement #CivilSociety #HumanitarianWork #ConversationsWithTufenkian #SocialImpact #NationBuilding #ArmenianDiaspora #Podcast
21 May 2025
ep. 7 - Fifteen Years of Courage: The Story of the Women's Support Center of Armenia
Host Rupen Janbazian interviews Maro Matosian, Ani Jilozian, and Lenna Garibian about the Women's Support Center of Armenia, exploring its 15-year journey of providing support, advocating for change, and shaping domestic violence laws.
7 May 2025
BONUS: James Tufenkian on Identity, Purpose, and the Birth of a Movement (PART ONE, 2018)
James Tufenkian shares his Armenian heritage and the pivotal moments that inspired him to establish a carpet company and the Tufenkian Foundation in this interview with Antranig Kasbarian.
1 Apr 2024
ep. 6 - Mira Antonyan on Supporting Artsakh Families and Building Resilience in Syunik
Mira Antonyan, President of the Armenian Association of Social Workers, discusses supporting displaced families from Artsakh and building resilience in Syunik, highlighting the challenges they face rebuilding their lives, in an interview with Bedo Demirdjian.
29 Jun 2023
ep. 5 - Alexander Chmelev on Global Law, Armenian Roots, and Giving Back
Alexander Chmelev, tax lawyer and Tufenkian Foundation trustee, explores his legal career, Armenian heritage, and philanthropic work with Bedo Demirdjian in an interview.
21 Nov 2022
ep. 4 - Joe Krikorian on Emergency Aid, Code 3 Angels, and Saving Lives Across Borders
Joe Krikorian, founder of Code 3 Angels, discusses his organization's global impact through emergency medical training and equipment delivery to vulnerable communities in an interview with Rupen Janbazian.
11 Jul 2022
ep. 3 - Judith Saryan on Zabel Yessayan, Armenian Women’s Voices, and Leaving Wall Street for Literature
Activist Judith Saryan discusses her transition from Wall Street to Armenian literature, highlighting Zabel Yessayan's work and the importance of preserving Armenian women's voices in this interview with Rupen Janbazian.
19 Apr 2022
ep. 2 - Dr. Carolann Najarian on Answering the Call of Armenia and Artsakh
Physician Carolann Najarian discusses her early experiences in Armenia and Artsakh following the 1988 earthquake and during the Artsakh Liberation War in an interview with Rupen Janbazian.
11 Apr 2022
ep. 1 - Antranig Kasbarian on the Evolution of the Tufenkian Foundation
Antranig Kasbarian, Director of Development, discusses the Tufenkian Foundation's history and its impact on shaping Armenia's future in an interview with Rupen Janbazian.
Who has been a guest on Conversations with the Tufenkian Foundation
Names identified in recent episode analyses. Showing up to five guests.
Maro Matosian
Ani Jilozian
Lenna Garibian
James Tufenkian
Mira Antonyan
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Does not typically book guests
Based on episode analysis; this does not confirm that the show is currently accepting guests.
Questions about Conversations with the Tufenkian Foundation
Who hosts Conversations with the Tufenkian Foundation?
Rupen Janbazian and Bedo Demirdjian host the show. Published by The Tufenkian Foundation.
How often do new episodes come out?
The show publishes monthly, based on its RSS feed.
Does Conversations with the Tufenkian Foundation take guests?
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