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PODCAST

Cold War Conversations Podcast

Experience the Cold War like never before with Cold War Conversations — an award-winning podcast recommended by The New York Times. 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. They’re unfiltered voices from the frontlines of history — emotional, gripping, and deeply human. This is Cold War history, told from

history documentary

All Episodes

64:05

Letters across the Iron Curtain - Unseen Cold War...

Cold War Conversations Podcast ·

2025/01/25

In the tense years of the early Cold War, American and Soviet women conducted a remarkable pen-pal correspondence that enabled them to see each other as friends rather than enemies.In a compelling new perspective on the early Cold War, prizewinning historian Alexis Peri’s new book “Dear Unknown Friend” explores the correspondence between American and Soviet women beginning in the last years of World War II and continuing into the 1950s. Previously unexamined, the women’s letters movingly

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72:00

From Cold War Berlin to Belfast – A Paratrooper’s...

Cold War Conversations Podcast ·

2025/01/18

David Mackay is a former Cold War special forces officer and author of Bubbleheads, SEALs and Wizards: America's Scottish Bastion in the Cold War. He continues his unvarnished anecdotes about his Cold War career as an officer in the Parachute Regiment. The conversation extends to further experiences in East Berlin, West Germany, Nigeria, and Northern Ireland, highlighting the varied roles and military duties he undertook—from Flag Patrols in East Berlin to being shot by the IRA with many stops in

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62:35

Bombs, Berlin & Peacekeeping: A Paratrooper's Cold...

Cold War Conversations Podcast ·

2025/01/11

David Mackay is a former Cold War special forces officer and author of Bubbleheads, SEALs and Wizards: America's Scottish Bastion in the Cold War. He returns by popular demand to share his compelling journey through military service in the British Army's Parachute Regiment. From his humble beginnings in Scotland to his experiences in the Parachute Regiment, David recounts tales of courage, leadership, and the harsh realities of conflict. Hear about his time in Northern Ireland, the challenges

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68:19

Watching the Jackals: Prague's Covert Liaisons with...

Cold War Conversations Podcast ·

2025/01/04

Author Daniela Richterova new book "Watching the Jackals" tells the untold history of Czechoslovakia's complex relations with Middle Eastern terrorists and revolutionaries during the closing decades of the Cold WarIn the 1970s and 1980s, Prague became a favourite destination for the world's most prominent terrorists and revolutionaries. They arrived here to seek refuge, enjoy recreation, or hold secret meetings aimed at securing training, arms, and other forms of support. While some were welcomed

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58:13

The Truth about the Gulf of Tonkin incident that...

Cold War Conversations Podcast ·

2024/12/28

The Gulf of Tonkin incident, was a pivotal moment that escalated U.S. involvement in the Vietnam War.I talked with US Marine Veteran John F. Davies, who researched the Gulf of Tonkin Incident. He shares a personal connection and insights on the political and military decisions that led to one of America's most controversial conflicts. Discover the intricate dance of diplomacy, military strategy, and political manoeuvring that shaped this critical historical period. All our combat episodes in

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46:48

Under Fire: A Journalist's Story of the 1989 Romanian...

Cold War Conversations Podcast ·

2024/12/21

Today we are transported back to a pivotal moment in history that occurred 35 years ago this month - the Romanian Revolution of 1989. This episode is from our archive and features, Mark Brayne, a former Reuters and BBC journalist, who provides a gripping first-hand account of the tumultuous events that led to the fall of Nicolae Ceausescu. As Mark recounts his experiences, listeners are given a rare glimpse into the life of a journalist reporting from a war zone. He embarks on a perilous journey

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94:33

Foes to Friends: Cold War British and East German...

Cold War Conversations Podcast ·

2024/12/14

Join our East-West tank crew reunion that offers a rare glimpse into the lives of those who served on opposite sides of the Iron Curtain. The episode features Al and Mick, former Chieftain tank crew members from the British Army, alongside Dag, an ex-East German T72 tank commander. Together, they delve into their personal experiences, providing insights into the military strategies, challenges, and camaraderie that defined their service during the Cold War. As the discussion unfolds, the trio

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70:38

From Vulcan Bases to Communist Bucharest: A Tale of...

Cold War Conversations Podcast ·

2024/12/07

Ron Mackay further recounts his experiences in Romania, a country teetering between Soviet influence and a desire for independence, offering a fascinating glimpse into a time of uncertainty and intrigue.Among many stories, Ron visits an RAF base in the UK where his brother was a crew member of a Vulcan bomber, Britain’s nuclear deterrent at the time. The RAF quizzes Ron in detail about the locations he has visited in Romania. Back in Romania Ron navigates the intricacies of its society and shares

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63:48

Surveillance and shortages: A British teacher in...

Cold War Conversations Podcast ·

2024/11/30

In 1967 a young British professor found himself in Bucharest, Romania, under the most intriguing circumstances. Ron Mackay shares his fascinating experiences as he navigated life and teaching in a communist country. When he set foot on Romanian soil, he was met with challenges and intrigue. The stark realities of life under a communist regime painted a picture of a world vastly different from his own. Yet, amidst the restrictions, he found beauty in the Romanian culture, architecture, and the

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49:06

Mission Iran: Special Forces Berlin & Operation Eagle...

Cold War Conversations Podcast ·

2024/11/23

Few operations in Cold War history capture the imagination quite like Operation Eagle Claw. I have the privilege of welcoming back James Stejskal, a Special Forces veteran, to delve into the intricacies of this audacious mission. Operation Eagle Claw, was conceived as a daring rescue mission to free 52 US embassy staff being held hostage held in Iran. James was a member of Detachment A, a clandestine unit tasked with gathering intelligence and preparing for the mission. James reveals the

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43:56

Den of Spies: The October Surprise - A Covert Cold...

Cold War Conversations Podcast ·

2024/11/16

In the late 1970s, the United States found itself at the centre of a crisis where 52 US Embassy staff were held hostage in Iran.Our latest episode takes you on a journey through the tumultuous events of 1980, exploring the covert operation known as the “October Surprise” that allegedly influenced the outcome of the U.S. presidential election. William Casey is at the heart of this story, a brilliant yet enigmatic figure who played a pivotal role in the Reagan campaign. Described as a master spy,

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85:17

Surrounded and captured in the Korean War (374)

Cold War Conversations Podcast ·

2024/11/11

Today is Veterans Day in the US and Armistice Day in the UK and to commemorate I’ve gone back into the archive to remember and share vivid testimony from Korean War veteran Tommy Clough who sadly passed away a couple of weeks ago.The Korean War was among the most destructive conflicts of the modern era, and one of the few times when the Cold War turned hot. There were approximately 3 million war fatalities and a larger proportional civilian death toll than World War II or the Vietnam War. Tommy

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74:34

Interview with an East German Border Guard (373)

Cold War Conversations Podcast ·

2024/11/09

Today is the 35th anniversary of the Berlin Wall and East German border opening in the autumn of 1989. In this riveting episode, I speak with Dietmar Schultke, a member of the Grenztruppen, the East German Border Guards and delve into the life of those responsible for preventing escapes over the Berlin Wall and the East German Border. Dietmar opens up about his life in the GDR, sharing personal stories of his recruitment into the border troops, the rigorous training he endured, and the

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58:54

From Vulcan to Gannet: A Cold War career in the Royal...

Cold War Conversations Podcast ·

2024/11/02

This episode is brought to you by the Avro Heritage Museum at Woodford near Manchester where I am a volunteer. Trevor Jackson is also one of the volunteers, but unlike me he’s a former Vulcan pilot who shares with me his extraordinary career. From his early days with the Royal Air Force Cadet Force to flying iconic aircraft like the BAC Jet Provost, Folland Gnat , Vulcan, Gannett, and Canberra, Trevor provides fascinating insights into the life of a military aviator. Discover the challenges and

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83:44

Doorsteps of Hell - a US Marine platoon commander in...

Cold War Conversations Podcast ·

2024/10/25

As Tom Williams fought the enemy, every day, without fail, he would record the day’s events in his diary. It is these diaries (which Tom has to this day), that enable him to tell the story of Vietnam in the late sixties/early seventies, like it really was.I talk with Tom about his book “Doorsteps of Hell” where he offers an honest, unembellished account of a new officer in the US Marines - fighting and surviving in the mud-sucking rice paddies and leech-infested jungles of Vietnam. In my

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44:17

How the Cold War almost destroyed European Football...

Cold War Conversations Podcast ·

2024/10/18

In the late 1960s European club football competitions were thriving However unexpected events in 1968 threatened its survival.I delve into the fascinating world of European football during the Cold War era with Craig McCracken, a self-described peddler and purveyor of quasi obscure retro football nostalgia via the 'Beyond The Last Man' blog. We explore the political tensions that influenced European football in the 1960s, and the dramatic events of 1968 when the Prague Spring was crushed by

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71:06

Nuclear Missions - a Canadian CF104 Starfighter...

Cold War Conversations Podcast ·

2024/10/11

Flying at high speed and low level, RCAF pilot Allen French was at the sharp end of potential nuclear bombing missions during the Cold War. Born at the dawn of the baby boomer era, Allen delves into his early inspirations, his father's service in the Royal Canadian Air Force, and the pivotal moments that led him to join the Air Force. From training on the Canadair CT-114 Tutor to flying the iconic F-86 Sabre and CF-104 Starfighter, Allen shares firsthand accounts of Cold War tensions, nuclear

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64:21

The KGB Spies Next Door (368)

Cold War Conversations Podcast ·

2024/10/04

In the sleepy suburb of Ruislip in London during the late 1950s, life was anything but exciting for Gay Search, a 15-year-old girl. Little did she know, her mundane existence was about to be shattered by a shocking revelation that would turn her world upside down.This is the gripping tale of suburban espionage, the story begins with the seemingly ordinary Kroger family—Helen and Peter—who live just a stone's throw away from Gay. However, beneath their friendly facade lay a dark secret. The

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79:55

From Sydney to the Vietnam War: An Australian...

Cold War Conversations Podcast ·

2024/09/27

In this gripping episode of Cold War Conversations, we hear the remarkable first-hand account of John Brooker, an Australian veteran who takes us on a journey from the streets of Sydney to the battlefields of Vietnam. John shares his experiences from joining the Citizens Military Force (CMF) to his deployment with the Royal New South Wales Lancers and the regular army. He provides vivid details of the Tet Offensive of 1968, the intense firefights, and the harrowing experience of being mortared

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82:00

Unveiling Cold War Secrets: Hack Green Regional Seat...

Cold War Conversations Podcast ·

2024/09/20

It's 40 years since the film Threads was shown on British TV. It portrayed the effects of a nuclear attack on the city of Sheffield, England and the eventual long-term effects of nuclear war on civilization. It therefore seems apt to publish a tour I had of the Hack Green Regional Seat of Government Bunker museum.Nestled in the heart of Cheshire, Hack Green Nuclear Bunker is a hidden gem that offers a fascinating glimpse into the Cold War era. I had the pleasure of exploring this historical site

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445 results

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