Ari Honarvar is an award-winning writer, speaker, artist, and peacebuilder. As the founder of Rumi With A View, she uses art, music, and Persian mystical poetry to create healing spaces and build bridges between communities divided by conflict and trauma. Ari’s work has been featured in publications such as The Guardian, Teen Vogue, and The New York Times, and she serves as the Iranian Musical Ambassador of Peace.
Ari facilitates “Resilience through Joy” workshops for refugees and volunteers on both sides of the U.S.-Mexico border and in Europe. Her critically acclaimed debut novel, A Girl Called Rumi, interweaves Persian mythology with a deeply personal narrative of survival, resilience, and healing, earning accolades such as being a Nautilus Award Winner and one of Kirkus Reviews’ Best Books of 2022. Additionally, Ari is the creator of Rumi’s Gift Oracle Deck, an inspiring blend of her translations, meditations, and artwork.
In this episode of Live Free Ride Free, Rupert Isaacson reconnects with Ari after many years to explore her transformative journey. Together, they discuss the intersection of art and activism, the healing power of Persian poetry, and the unique ways Ari inspires unity in a divided world.
