The Medz Mamas Podcast
Celebrating Armenian Grandmothers!
TheMedzMamas™ is a heartfelt space created to honor and celebrate our beautiful Armenian grandmothers from across the globe.
Founded in late 2020, TheMedzMamas was born from a deep desire to preserve and uplift the lives, stories, wisdom, and perspectives of Armenian grandmothers — a generation of women whose voices have so often gone undocumented, yet whose impact is immeasurable.
In 2023, we shifted from audio portraits to a podcast platform, opening the door to real conversations, richer storytelling, and moments that feel like sitting at your grandmother’s kitchen table.
At its heart, TheMedzMamas exists to amplify the voices of Armenian women, with a special focus on this cherished generation. Their resilience, humor, faith, traditions, and lived experiences form a vital thread in the fabric of Armenian identity and collective memory.
While we specifically feature Armenian grandmothers worldwide, these stories can be enjoyed by anyone. We aim to be a multi-generational experience that celebrates the value of Armenian grandmotherhood within the fabric of our collective humanity.
The Medz Mamas Podcast
Seda Ohanyan
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Welcome Medz Mama Seda Ohanyan!
Granddaughter Mariam Yeghiarzaryan is proud to pay homage to her paternal grandmother as our featured Medz Mama!
In this episode, granddaughter Mariam tenderly describes her first memories of her Medz Mama Seda’s garden. This included eating mulberries which are a favorite in Armenia, as well as in the Armenian diaspora.
Seda was born in the village of Tegher (Armenian: Տեղեր, means “medicine”). Tegher village is located in the Aragatsotn Province of Armenia, on the southern slope of Mount Aragats. In this region, a large variety of healing herbs can be found.
Medz Mama Seda often would tell stories about her childhood and village life, to her granddaughter Mariam. Tegher Monastery (Armenian: Տեղեր or Տեղերի Վանք; also Tegheri Vank) was a major religious and cultural hub for villagers and beyond. The 13th-century Armenian monastery and church are located on the southeastern slopes of Mount Aragats near the modern village of Tegher. The complex is near the gorge from the village of Byurakan in the Aragatsotn Province of Armenia.
Medz Mama Seda’s father (Mariam’s great-grandfather), was the drummer of Tegher village and passed down the importance of arts and culture to his family. The continuity of family life has been filled with warm memories, such as the big gathering Mariam shares in Dilijan, at the Dilijan Rest House. Dilijan (Armenian: Դիլիջան) is a spa town and home to notable artists, composers, and filmmakers and known for its traditional Armenian architecture.
Granddaughter Mariam is proud of her Medz Mama’s honesty and love for the Bible. Mariam shares her desire to go back in time and enjoy a walk with her Medz Mama Seda, in the mountains of Ararat. Mount Ararat * historically was located on the territory of the Armenian Highlands, today Eastern Turkey. While located right outside the border of modern Armenia, the mountain remains an iconic national symbol of Armenia.
Medz Mama Seda would be so proud of her gifted granddaughter Mariam. Imagining their walk together in the sacred mountains of Ararat is poetic.
* “Mount Ararat has always been one of the main symbols of Armenia, for historica
The Medz Mamas Podcast is a place to honor and celebrate our Armenian grandmothers all across the globe. Subscribe today and share TheMedzMamas™ with friends & family!
TheMedzMamas™ was established in late 2020 to celebrate and honor Armenian grandmothers' lives, stories, and perspectives.
TheMedzMamas™ aims to amplify the voices of Armenian women, with a focus on this particular generation of women.
While we specifically feature Armenian grandmothers worldwide, anyone can enjoy the collection of stories. We serve as a multi-generational experience that teaches the value of our unique Armenian grandmotherhood experience within the fabric of our collective humanity.