Cold War Conversations By cover art

Cold War Conversations

By: Ian Sanders
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  • Summary

  • Award-winning real stories of the Cold War told by those who were there. Every week we interview an eyewitness of the Cold War. Across soldiers, spies, civilians, and others, we aim to cover the whole range of Cold War experiences. Hosts Ian Sanders, James Chilcott, and Peter Ryan bring your ears into the heart of the Cold War. Reading a history book is one thing, but hearing a human voice, with every breath, hesitation and intonation brings a whole new dimension to understanding what it was like to be there. We cover subjects such as spies, spying, the Iron Curtain, nuclear weapons, warfare, tanks, jet aircraft, fighters, bombers, transport aircraft, aviation, culture, and politics. We also cover personalities such as Fidel Castro, JFK, Ronald Reagan, Nikita Khrushchev, Leonid Brezhnev, Yuri Andropov, Mikhail Gorbachev, Konstantin Chernenko, Margaret Thatcher, John F. Kennedy, Josef Stalin, Richard Nixon, Lech Walesa, General Jaruzelski, Nicolae Ceaușescu. Other subjects include Czechoslovakia, Yugoslavia, Romania, Checkpoint Charlie, Berlin, West Berlin, East Berlin, Cuban missile Crisis, Berlin Airlift, Bay of Pigs, SALT, Perestroika, Space Race, superpower, USSR, Soviet Union, DDR, GDR, East Germany, SDI, Vietnam War, Korean War, Solidarność, Fall of the Wall, Berliner Mauer, Trabant, Communist, Capitalist, Able Archer, KGB, Stasi, STB, SB, Securitate, CIA, NSA, MI5, MI6, Berlin Wall, escape, defection, Cuba, Albania, football, sport, Bulgaria, Soviet Union, Poland, China, Taiwan, Austria, West Germany, Solidarity, espionage, HUMINT, SIGINT, OSINT, IMINT, GEOINT, RAF, USAF, British Army, US Army, Red Army, Soviet Army, Afghanistan, NVA, East German Army, KAL007, T-72, T-64, Chieftain, M60 The podcast is for military veterans, school teachers, university lecturers, students and those interested in Cold War history, museums, bunkers, weapons, AFVs, wargaming, planes, A Level, GCSE students
    © 2023 Cold War Conversations
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Episodes
  • My friend the Bridge of Spies spy - Part 1 (341)

    My friend the Bridge of Spies spy - Part 1 (341)
    Apr 12 2024
    In a riveting episode that peels back the layers of Cold War espionage, we sit down with Burt, an artist who unwittingly befriended a man better known as Colonel Abel, the infamous Bridge of Spies Spy who was exchanged for shot down US U2 pilot Gary Powers. Burt knew Abel as Emil Goldfuss but his real name was Willie Fisher from Newcastle Upon Tyne in England. Fisher was a Soviet agent deeply embedded in the fabric of New York City's bustling art scene. Burt's tale unfolds in a studio building exclusively for artists, where he first crossed paths with Fisher in an old-fashioned elevator—an encounter that would mark the beginning of an unexpected friendship. Burt reminisces about their shared moments, from the peculiar request for a cup of turpentine to late-night discussions surrounded by the haze of cigarette smoke. He reflects on the nuances of their bond, the fatherly figure he saw in Fisher, and the mutual need for companionship that transcended the spy's professional obligations. Episode extras here https://coldwarconversations.com/episode341/ Don’t miss part two of this amazing conversation next week… The fight to preserve Cold War history continues and viaa simple monthly donation, you will give me the ammunition to continue to preserve Cold War history. You’ll become part of our community, get ad-free episodes, and get a sought-after CWC coaster as a thank you and you’ll bask in the warm glow of knowing you are helping to preserve Cold War history. Just go to https://coldwarconversations.com/donate/ If a monthly contribution is not your cup of tea, we welcome one-off donations via the same link. Connect with us on social media for more Cold War content: Twitter: https://twitter.com/ColdWarPod Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/coldwarconversations/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/coldwarpod/ YouTube: https://youtube.com/@ColdWarConversations For the perfect gift for the Cold War enthusiast in your life, visit our store at https://coldwarconversations.com/store/ If you love history, check out Into History at https://intohistory.com/coldwarpod Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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    1 hr and 7 mins
  • A Diver Sapper in the Cold War Soviet Navy (340)

    A Diver Sapper in the Cold War Soviet Navy (340)
    Apr 5 2024
    Valeriy was a Soviet Navy diver sapper and was born and raised in Kyiv, Ukraine. I have used a human translator for this episode so the main voice you will hear is my translator Galina Ryabova who was kindly funded by one of my financial supporters Valeriy opens up about his childhood, the impact of the Great Patriotic War on his family, and his mother's resilience in raising him after his father's untimely death. He shares insights into his schooling, where history and geography sparked his curiosity, and his early military training which set the stage for his specialised role in the Soviet Navy. Valeriy offers a rare glimpse into the life of a Soviet Navy diver sapper, trained in both underwater firearms and explosives, tasked with clearing mines to pave the way for naval infantry. He provides revealing insights into underwater warfare during the 1980s. His unit was stationed near Kaliningrad, where he describes his equipment and the day-to-day life that included guarding, surveillance, and rigorous half-yearly military exercises. Reflecting on the broader scope of the Cold War, Valeri discusses his perceptions of the US and NATO, the political climate under Gorbachev, and the aftermath of the USSR's dissolution. The fight to preserve Cold War history continues and via a simple monthly donation, you will give me the ammunition to continue to preserve Cold War history. You’ll become part of our community, get ad-free episodes, and get a sought-after CWC coaster as a thank you and you’ll bask in the warm glow of knowing you are helping to preserve Cold War history. Just go to https://coldwarconversations.com/donate/ If a monthly contribution is not your cup of tea, We also welcome one-off donations via the same link. Find the ideal gift for the Cold War enthusiast in your life! Just go to https://coldwarconversations.com/store/ Twitter https://twitter.com/ColdWarPod Facebook https://www.facebook.com/groups/coldwarpod/ Instagram https://www.instagram.com/coldwarconversations/ Youtube https://youtube.com/@ColdWarConversations Love history? Join Intohistory https://intohistory.com/coldwarpod Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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    45 mins
  • Gymnastics and Pills: An East German Childhood (339)

    Gymnastics and Pills: An East German Childhood (339)
    Mar 30 2024
    Sirka offers a comprehensive exploration of life in East Germany, detailing the experiences of growing up in Neubrandenburg, the influence of the East German state and the Stasi, and the societal impacts of Mikhail Gorbachev's policies leading up to the fall of the Berlin Wall. She also talks of her intensive gymnastics training and being given pills by her trainer... Sirka also describes the transition to reunification, highlighting the challenges of adapting to a new economic system and the mixed feelings toward sudden exposure to Western consumer culture. Additionally, it includes a reflective conversation on post-reunification life in Germany, discussing Sirka's and her family's adjustment to the changes, including the effects on employment, homeownership, and personal political histories. Video and photo extras here https://coldwarconversations.com/episode339 The fight to preserve Cold War history continues and viaa simple monthly donation, you will give me the ammunition to continue to preserve Cold War history. You’ll become part of our community, get ad-free episodes, and get a sought-after CWC coaster as a thank you and you’ll bask in the warm glow of knowing you are helping to preserve Cold War history. Just go to https://coldwarconversations.com/donate/ If a monthly contribution is not your cup of tea, we welcome one-off donations via the same link. Connect with us on social media for more Cold War content: Twitter: https://twitter.com/ColdWarPod Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/coldwarconversations/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/coldwarpod/ YouTube: https://youtube.com/@ColdWarConversations For the perfect gift for the Cold War enthusiast in your life, visit our store at https://coldwarconversations.com/store/ If you love history, check out Into History at https://intohistory.com/coldwarpod 00:00 Preview 00:22 Welcome to Cold War Conversations 00:36 Life in East Germany: An Insider's Perspective 01:50 Circa's Childhood and Family Life in Neubrandenburg 03:33 The Impact of World War II on Family Histories 05:42 Navigating Post-War East Germany 07:53 The East German Regime Through a Family's Eyes 10:31 Cultural and Educational Experiences in East Germany 23:23 The Challenges of Consumer Goods and Entertainment 25:39 School Life and Education in East Germany 34:17 Extracurricular Activities: Singing Club and Gymnastics 44:58 The Intensity of Gymnastics Training in East Germany 46:15 The Secret Gymnastics Pills 48:14 The Grueling Training Regime and Its Impact 49:46 The Power of Music and Discipline in a Regimented Society 50:38 The Harsh Realities of Military-Style Training 51:39 Life Under an Autocratic System: Acceptance and Adaptation 55:26 The Transition to College and the End of Gymnastics 55:56 Exploring Moscow: A Glimpse into the Space Race 01:03:37 Witnessing the Winds of Change: The Fall of the Berlin Wall 01:14:21 Navigating the New World: Post-Wall Challenges and Reflections 01:25:05 A Journey Back in Time: Revisiting Memories and the Stasi Files Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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    1 hr and 37 mins
World Social Sciences
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Featured Article: The Best History Podcasts of All Time


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Profile Image for J.Brock

Very interesting

I'm basing this review on the first episode, and it's a good place to start. But looking ahead the coming episodes look even more interesting as life in East Germany becomes central focus. The first episode was more an overview by an American who lived there for a time. Can't wait to see where it goes.

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Fantastic

Okay, some of the topics are more intriguing then others, however all are narrated fantastically well and for any history- or Cold War fan, these are just solid gold! 5/5!

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Profile Image for A.Vatti

Just the best Podcast about the Cold War!!!

From 1947 to 1989 an undeclared War raged around the world. Affecting millions of people and threatening the Planet as a hole with Mutually Assured Destruction shortened to MAD which it really was.
Ian takes you on a journey through this time a journey from the depths of the Barent Sea through the Air over cold North Atlantic into the Woods of the Fulda Gap further to the Dschungels of Vietnam and down the streets of Urban Dschungels like Cities form Moskau, Prag to London, New York, and Washington DC and of course the Capital of Spys Berlin. But all those places together with the man-made means of War ranging from gigantic nuclear submarines to jet Fighters and strategic bombers down to the Tanks and nuclear-tipped Missiles. All are just the Stage for the real focus of Ian's work, the People who worked, played, and sometimes fought but always lived through it. So if you ever wondered how it was to play cat and mouse white the Soviet Navy and Air Force or how a real Soviet Spy control his emotions while he had two separate families and tried not to be caught by the FBI. Or how it felt to be brought up in a closed upcountry always under watchful eyes which didn't belong to your parents. Go ahead and listen to Ian and his guest from around the Globe but be aware you will be hooked does fascinating stories. You do help to preserve this immensely important part of human history.

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