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
Kenarik Adamian
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"My grandmother, Kenarik Adamian, was born in Tehran, Iran, likely in 1929, despite a birth certificate stating 1925. She was one of five children and grew up in an Armenian family, passionate about design and sewing. Taught by a French-Armenian family friend, she pursued her interests despite her education being interrupted in her teens.
At around 18 or 19, my grandmother met Vahan Zolfaghari, a wealthy man from a gold and jewelry business background. They married in a grand Armenian church ceremony. Kenarik had five children, though one son died in infancy. The surviving children were Verjik, Vahram, Hilda, and Frida. She was a dedicated stay-at-home mother who designed clothes for her children and relatives.
Tehran was westernized during Kenarik's life, and Armenians were well-regarded. Her children were educated in England, frequently traveling for vacations and school. My grandmother supported my mother Hilda's marriage to my father, an American named Michael, amidst the Iranian Revolution in 1979. She attended the wedding in England, though her husband couldn't due to health and travel fears.
Post-revolution, Kenarik returned to Iran, focusing on her ailing husband and first grandchild. The revolution isolated her from her children abroad, and she fell ill with shingles. Her husband passed away during this period, leaving her to cope alone with only Verjik nearby.
In 1986, my grandmother immigrated to America after her husband's death, settling with her children in Maryland. Despite language barriers, she adjusted quickly, bringing Persian carpets, gold, and souvenirs. She lived with her children and found renewed purpose in caring for me when I was born in 1992. Kenarik's Armenian and Persian cooking was beloved, and she shared Armenian traditions and stories, becoming a central figure in my life.
I cherish her legacy of love, strength, and resilience, feeling her presence in spirit even after her passing." -Ashley M. David
You can find Ashley, @ashdave17, on Instagram.
Special thanks to sound designer and musician Aris Buechele for creating the beautiful music for Season 2. You can find Aris @noiseship on Instagram.
To stay updated on new episodes, please give us a follow on The Medz Mamas Podcast. And if you know an incredible Medz Mama, you can contact us through Instagram @themedzmamas or go to themedzmamas.com.
Created by: Anoush Bargamian @sweetangst_art @themedzmamas
Story by: Ashley M. David
Photography: Ashley M. David's library
Music by: Aris Buechele @n
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.