Ep 183: Shadows of Tehran: From Revolution to Resilience with Nick Berg (Part 1)

The Immigrant Experience in America

In this powerful and emotional episode of The Immigrant Experience in America, host Simone Johnson sits down with Nick Berg—author, U.S. Army veteran, and self-described "citizen of the earth"—as he shares his remarkable journey from Tehran to America.

Born to an Iranian mother and American father, Nick’s story spans continents, cultures, revolutions, and wars.

Nick Berg is an American-Iranian author and former U.S. Special Operations soldier, best known for his autobiographical novel Shadows of Tehran. His work explores themes of resilience, cultural conflict, and transformation.

In this deeply personal conversation, he opens up about growing up during the Iranian Revolution, navigating identity as a biracial, bicultural child, escaping government persecution, learning English from scratch, and ultimately serving in the U.S. Army for over a decade—including Special Operations deployments to conflict zones like Rwanda, Sierra Leone, and Bosnia.

Nick’s upcoming novel, Shadows of Tehran, is a fictionalized autobiography that captures these experiences through a gripping narrative of resilience, rebellion, and redemption.

What You’ll Hear in This Episode:

• Nick’s upbringing in Iran and the cultural shock of arriving in America

• How the Iranian Revolution upended life overnight

• What it means to be a “third culture” person—and why he never felt fully Iranian or American

• His early days in Detroit and learning to navigate America’s racial dynamics

• How the U.S. Army became both refuge and purpose

• A surprising and emotional discovery: reconnecting with his CIA-officer father decades later

• Insights into Shadows of Tehran, his upcoming book blending truth and fiction

💬 Notable Quotes:

🔥 “In Iran, I was the American boy. In America, I was the Iranian guy. I belonged nowhere—and everywhere.” 🔥 “Joining the military wasn’t just about serving. It was about trying to belong and trying to help people who couldn’t help themselves.” 🔥 “No matter where you go in the world—color, culture, class—we all want the same thing: to take care of our families and live a life of meaning.”

Connect with Nick Berg:

🌐 Official Website

• Homepage: pnberg.com

• About Nick Berg: Biography

• Contact: Reach Out

• Press & Media: Media Coverage

• Charity Work: Nick Berg Charities

• Blog: The Warrior’s Way

📚 Books by Nick Berg

• Shadows of Tehran: Forged in Conflict – From Iranian Rebel to American Soldier

• Available on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and Bookshop.org

• Other Works:

• Secrets to a Successful Commercial Software (COTS) Implementation

• The Culture of Open: Transforming Your Business Through Transparency, Truth and Trust

• Available on ThriftBooksBarnes & Noble+2Bookshop+2Amazon+2ThriftBooks

📱 Social Media Profiles

• Instagram: @nick.berg3

• Goodreads: Nick Berg

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