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PODCAST

Cold War Conversations

"Listening to even one episode of "Cold War Conversations" will make this sprawling, potentially intimidating period of history feel vivid and compelling." The New York Times Experience the Cold War like never before with Cold War Conversations — an award-winning podcast. Each week, host Ian Sanders brings you raw, firsthand accounts from the people who lived through one of history’s most tense and transformative eras — soldiers, spies, civilians, and more. These aren’t stories from textbooks

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All Episodes

60:51

When Terrorism Went Global: Plane Hijackings and...

Cold War Conversations ·

2026/01/03

In the 1970s, a network of radical extremists terrorised the West with intricately planned plane hijackings and hostage-takings. Among them was the young Leila Khaled with her jewellery made from grenade rings, the hard-drinking Carlos the Jackal in shades and designer suits, and the radical leftists of the Baader-Meinhof Gang. United by their hatred of Israel, capitalism and ‘Western imperialism’, they unleashed a series of audacious attacks that brought governments to their knees and glued the

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74:59

When East German Soldiers Dreamed of Flying Over the...

Cold War Conversations ·

2025/12/27

Andrew was a British modern languages student in 1989. He recounts the serendipitous moment when he stumbled upon an advert for a work and holiday trip to the GDR. The trip was organized by the Great Britain GDR Society, which allowed participants to experience life behind the Iron Curtain. For just £120, students could immerse themselves in a culture that was vastly different from what they knew. The only requirement was to join the society, which piqued the curiosity of our guest, who had

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87:11

Cold War Kid to Space Age Engineer via President...

Cold War Conversations ·

2025/12/20

Keith Longstreth takes us through an extraordinary life shaped by the rhythms and risks of the Cold War. Born into an Air Force family, Keith grew up on bases across the world—from Scotland to Italy to Texas, where he describes a poignant last farewell to President Kennedy before his assassination. His career in the USAF placed him behind the scenes of America’s most critical aircraft, including time at RAF Upper Heyford during the tense early 1980s. There, he lived through chemical-attack

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63:01

Eyes at the Edge of the Iron Curtain - Life in a...

Cold War Conversations ·

2025/12/13

This is the 2nd part of the story of Miles, a British National Service conscript during his military service in the late 1950s. I’d like to give special thanks for the Norfolk Tank Museum for highlighting Miles’ story and one of his relatives for putting me in contact with him. Throughout the episode, our Miles shares captivating anecdotes and the thrill of being part of a light armoured reconnaissance regiment. He vividly recounts the challenges of operating various armoured vehicles, including

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59:22

What was Cold War British Army Conscription really...

Cold War Conversations ·

2025/12/06

We hear the fascinating story of Miles, a British National Service conscript during his military service in the late 1950s. I’d like to give special thanks for the Norfolk Tank Museum for highlighting Miles’ story and one of his relatives for putting me in contact with him. Miles shares vivid memories of receiving his call-up papers, the initial medical examination, and the challenges of basic training at Catterick Camp. From the camaraderie formed among recruits to the rigours of physical

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59:43

Surrounded and outnumbered 8-1 : A forgotten story of...

Cold War Conversations ·

2025/11/22

This is the largely untold story of Task Force Faith, the U.S. Army soldiers who although outnumbered 8-1 by Chinese troops fought valiantly during the Battle of Chosin Reservoir in the Korean War. Author Steve Fogel has written a new book called A Task Force Called Faith - The Untold Story of the U.S. Army Soldiers Who Fought for Survival at Chosin Reservoir and Honor Back Home We discuss the dramatic events that unfolded on the eastern side of Chosin, contrasting the well-documented Marine

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54:25

Shaking Hands with China’s Second Most Powerful Man...

Cold War Conversations ·

2025/11/15

Bill Hodes was an American school child in 1950s Revolutionary China and this is the second part of his story. Among many stories we hear how he had the unique opportunity to meet one of China's most revered leaders, Zhou Enlai, the first Premier of the People's Republic of China and how he played softball with US and British POWs from the Korea War who had refused to return home. Bill reflects on the challenges he faced, including moments of cultural misunderstanding and the playful jabs from

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65:42

The Berlin Airlift - Victories, Myths, and the Berlin...

Cold War Conversations ·

2025/11/15

The Berlin Blockade was one of the first major international crises of the Cold War when the Soviet Union blocked the Western Allies' railway, road, and canal access to the sectors of Berlin under Western control. I speak with Joseph Pearson, the author of “The Airlift Victories, Myths, and the Berlin Blockade. This is not your standard military history. Drawing on first-hand interviews and untapped sources from both German and Anglo-American archives, Pearson interweaves personal tales into an

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57:21

An American Childhood in 1950s Revolutionary China (429)

Cold War Conversations ·

2025/11/08

Bill Hodes was a red diaper baby, a baby born to Communist parents. Bill shares stories about his parents, Bob and Jane Hodes, both convinced communists who were active in civil rights movements during the McCarthy period. He recounts their life in New Orleans, his father's groundbreaking research in neurophysiology, and the family's eventual move to China amidst political turmoil. Discover how Bill navigated this unique upbringing, filled with significant historical events, and the cultural

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71:47

The German Democratic Republic The Rise and Fall of a...

Cold War Conversations ·

2025/11/01

Ned Richardson- Little has written a new book titled The German Democratic Republic: The Rise and Fall of a Cold War State.It offers a differentiated picture of the communist state with a sophisticated analysis of life under dictatorship which candidly confronts the abuses of the East German Communist Party and the Stasi. The GDR was also entangled in international politics well beyond the rivalry between the United States and the Soviet Union. Ned offers a history of the GDR in a global

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63:12

Trust but Verify: When the Soviets Came to South...

Cold War Conversations ·

2025/10/24

I continue chatting with Dennis Greene about his incredible journey from a challenging childhood in segregated Savannah, Georgia to a distinguished military career.Dennis is made Senior Flight Commander responsible for 50 Minuteman nuclear missiles. Dennis shares his firsthand experiences of the intense pressure, the psychological toll of nuclear readiness, and the groundbreaking integration of women into the Minuteman 2 system. He recounts pivotal moments, from the deactivation of nuclear

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1:01

Help Cold War Conversations win an award

Cold War Conversations ·

2025/10/22

I am trying to win an award for Cold War Conversations inthe Discover Pods Awards for best history podcast 2025 and I need your nomination to get me into the finals. All I need you to do is to nominate Cold War Conversations in the history category using this link. https://discoverpods.com/2025-podcast-awards/ Podcast Name: Cold War Conversations Podcast Website coldwarconversations.com Podcast Category: History With all your help we can hopefully make it to the finals

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56:53

From Racially Segregated Savannah to Nuclear Missile...

Cold War Conversations ·

2025/10/17

Dennis Greene, is a former Air Force officer, who shares his incredible journey from a challenging childhood in segregated Savannah, Georgia to a distinguished military career. He reflects on his early inspirations, the realities of growing up in a segregated South, and the lessons learned throughout his US military service. Dennis discusses the significance of teamwork, overcoming adversity, and the pivotal moments that shaped his life, including his experiences in boot camp, missile training,

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63:15

The KGB defector who saved MI5 and changed the Cold...

Cold War Conversations ·

2025/10/10

Oleg Lyalin, was a KGB officer whose actions would provide British intelligence with pivotal information during the Cold War. I speak with Richard Kerbaj, the author of a new book, 'The Defector,' which chronicles Lyalin's story.Lyalin was trained with The KGB’s Department V, which was their sabotage and assassinations department. He was sent to the UK under the guise of a trade official, where he was tasked with gathering intelligence and plotting assassinations of British

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67:13

Cold War Kids: The Unique Life of US Military BRATs...

Cold War Conversations ·

2025/10/03

Author Tom Hapgood is a US military BRAT aka the child of a parent or parents serving full-time in the United States Armed Forces. He talks about his 5 years in West Germany during the Cold War. He shares the challenges of moving every few years, adapting to new cultures, and the rich tapestry of friendships formed along the way.The term "BRAT" often carries a negative connotation, but Tom sheds light on its origins, suggesting a more nuanced history tied to military families. The stories shared

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66:53

The Cambridge Five Cold War Spy Ring: Philby,...

Cold War Conversations ·

2025/09/26

The incredible story of the five most damaging spies inBritish history, from their recruitment at Cambridge University to their infiltration of the government and the security services, all while successfully eluding prosecution. I speak with Shawnna Morris the author of a new book The Cambridge Spy Ring: The Treachery of the Five Who Got Away. We explore the backgrounds, motivations, and the intricate web of espionage that defined the lives of Kim Philby, Donald McLean, John Cairncross, Guy

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59:57

Cold War Britain: Fifty years in the shadow of the...

Cold War Conversations ·

2025/09/19

Fraser McCallum is the author of a new book Cold War Britain: Fifty years in the shadow of the bomb which gives a fascinating insight into a period that shaped the fabric of British society.The Cold War defined the history of Britain in the second half of the twentieth century as much as it did that of the US and the Soviet Union. Cold War Britain is an exploration into the multifaceted dimensions of Britain’s experience during the Cold War era. By weaving together history, politics, literature,

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62:24

D.B. Cooper: The Unsolved Cold War Aircraft Hijack (421)

Cold War Conversations ·

2025/09/12

On November 24, 1971, a man using the alias Dan Cooper hijacked a Northwest Airlines flight, demanding a ransom of $200,000 and four parachutes. What followed was a daring escape that has left investigators and enthusiasts puzzled for over five decades.I sit down with Pat Boland, a true crime aficionado and expert on the D.B. Cooper case. Boland shares her deep dive into the many theories surrounding this infamous hijacking, which remains the only unsolved case of its kind in U.S. history. She

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72:20

A Royal Scots Dragoon Guard in Cold War Berlin (420)

Cold War Conversations ·

2025/09/05

I delve into the remarkable life of Peter Stewart, a former Royal Scots Dragoon Guard Chieftain tank driver whose experiences during the Cold War offer a unique perspective on military life. Peter's stories are filled with humour and nostalgia, particularly when he recalls his time in Berlin. His anecdotes are both entertaining and thought-provoking. Peter shares tales of training that tested the limits of his physical endurance, the friendships forged in the face of adversity, and the lessons

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56:05

The 2nd Most Famous Voice In Cold War Romania (419)

Cold War Conversations ·

2025/08/29

Irina Nistor worked as a translator of TV programs in Romania under the Communist regime, and is known for secretly voicing over thousands of banned movie titles on VHS tapes smuggled in from the West in the four years between 1985 and the revolution. She was reckeoned to be the 2nd most famous voice in Romania after the Communist leader Nicolae Ceaușescu. In a basement with two TVs, a VCR, and a microphone, she voiced four to six films a night, from Doctor Zhivago to cartoons her children

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