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Artwork for Cold War Conversations

Cold War Conversations - "vivid & compelling" The NY Times

Ian Sanders
Cold War
Soviet Union
East Germany
Berlin Wall
Nuclear Weapons
Korean War
Romania
CIA
Vietnam War
Hungary
KGB
Czechoslovakia
West Germany
Stasi
Espionage
Communism
Poland
Berlin
Nicolae Ceaușescu
Australian Army

"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 an... more

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes475Founded8 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
DocumentarySociety & CultureHistory

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Artwork for Cold War Conversations

Latest Episodes

Romania in the 1980s was a country of empty shops, power cuts,

rationing and fear—but for one little girl it was also home. In this episode,

author Oana Aristide shares the remarkable childhood experiences that inspired her novel Astronaut.

From wri... more

YouTube

In 1986, Oggy Boytchev made a split-second decision that would change his life forever. Sent to Egypt by a Bulgarian shipping company, he seized an unexpected opportunity to escape communist Bulgaria, boarding a flight to London and claiming politica... more

YouTube

Oggy Boytchev is a former BBC journalist with more than three decades of experience reporting from conflict zones across the Middle East, the Balkans and the former Soviet Union.

Born in 1955, Oggy grew up under the shadow of a family secret. His fa... more

YouTube

Richard Lyntton’s life has taken him from Cold War Moscow to the deserts of the Gulf War and the shattered streets of Sarajevo.

In this powerful episode, he recalls studying in the Soviet Union during the hopeful Gorbachev years, travelling across R... more

YouTube

Key Facts

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Recent Guests

Oana Aristide
Author of Astronaut
Author
Episode: Growing Up Grey: Childhood in Cold War Romania (367)
Ognyan Boytchev
BBC World Service Bulgarian section broadcaster and defector
BBC
Episode: Defection, Spies and the Shadow of Georgi Markov (466)
Oggy Boytchev
Former BBC journalist with experience reporting from conflict zones in the Balkans and the Middle East
BBC
Episode: My Father - The Enemy of the People: A Bulgarian Family’s Cold War Story (465)
Richard Lynton
Former British Army officer, UN observer, filmmaker, and thriller writer
British Army, UN, author
Episode: Face to Face with the Srebrenica War Criminals (464)
Michael Makatura
Author of The Fightin Tenth, former USAF officer and fighter pilot
The Fightin Tenth, US Air Force
Episode: Inside a Cold War USAF Fighter Squadron (463)
Antonia Senior
Author and historian focused on The Cambridge Five
Author, Stalin's Apostles
Episode: The Cambridge Five - new files reveal untold stories (462)
Mark Thompson
Guest with firsthand RAF childhood memories
Royal Air Force family background, later IT work in civilian life
Episode: Malta & West Germany - Memories of an RAF Childhood Abroad (461)
Tony Shaw
Co-author of Cold War Football, A History in 10 Matches
University of Liverpool / Academic author
Episode: Cold War Football: A History in Ten Matches (460)
Alan McDougall
Co-author of Cold War Football, A History in 10 Matches
University of Glasgow / Academic author
Episode: Cold War Football: A History in Ten Matches (460)

Host

Ian Sanders
Host of Cold War Conversations

Reviews

4.9 out of 5 stars from 1.9k ratings
  • Great podcast BUT

    I wish Ian would use a lowcut filter like 80 Hz, 12 dB/oct. for his microphone so listening with headphones would become more pleasant.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    thumax
    Germany18 days ago
  • Fixated on Able Archer

    This guy's sympathies are revealed by bestowing 'Politboro' honors to donors of his podcast.

    Apple Podcasts
    3
    Bandboxxer
    United Statesa month ago
  • All the angles, with a talented interviewer who allows his subjects to lead. Snapshots from all manner of experts in and witnesses to a worldwide period which was formative of the time in which we live.

    Podcast Addict
    5
    JohnThunderboots
    2 months ago
  • Very interesting to me. The interlocutor allows people the space to tell the stories.

    Podcast Addict
    5
    Red Flag
    2 months ago
  • Race-baiting and shtlib politics

    The host implored listeners in the latest episode to rate and review the podcast. Well, here is my review: 3 very reluctant stars, for the host’s race-baiting with regards to the alleged lack of black witnesses interviewed by police after Kennedy was shot, and for the guest celebrating that Kamala Harris did well in one county in Texas. I don’t listen to podcasts about the Cold War because I want to endure 2020s shtlib political commentary.

    Apple Podcasts
    3
    JoeP001
    United States3 months ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

Diverse guest roster keeps coverage broad and engaging.
Some criticism about loud ad breaks and occasional political commentary affecting pace.
Deep research and calm interviewing style praised by listeners.
Vivid, centering on firsthand memories that bring the era to life.

Chart Rankings

How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.

Apple Podcasts
#165
United States/History
Apple Podcasts
#67
United Kingdom/History
Apple Podcasts
#185
Canada/History
Apple Podcasts
#113
Australia/History
Apple Podcasts
#165
Germany/History
Apple Podcasts
#71
South Africa/History

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Defection, Spies and the Shadow of Georgi Markov (466)
Q: What was it like transitioning from Bulgaria to the BBC world and dealing with the shadow of Markov's murder?
He explains the chilling atmosphere in the Bulgarian section, the caution around discussing Markov, and how interviews with sources like Gordievsky framed the murder within a larger espionage narrative.
Defection, Spies and the Shadow of Georgi Markov (466)
Q: How did you manage the decision to defect and seek asylum with so much risk involved?
The guest describes a calculated move during a shipping assignment, realizing Bulgaria offered no future and choosing London, aided by a chance to fly via Egypt and a sequence of quick, decisive steps that culminated in seeking political asylum.
Inside a Cold War USAF Fighter Squadron (463)
Q: What does JD get you started with as a newly minted second lieutenant?
JD helps Makatura acclimate to squadron life and German economy; he acts as a mentor while not giving daily operational guidance.
My Father - The Enemy of the People: A Bulgarian Family’s Cold War Story (465)
Q: What point in your life made you realize the regime's grip was loosening?
The assassination of Georgi Markov and the subsequent public conversations about it signaled to many Bulgarians that the regime's censorship could no longer contain open discussion, even among staunch supporters.
Malta & West Germany - Memories of an RAF Childhood Abroad (461)
Q: What were your experiences like at the Malta school and in the German bases?
Mark describes Malta's Safi and Kalafrana as happy but formative, with strong memories of outdoor play and naval-related recreation, while in Germany (Laarbrück and Bruggen) he recalls the insular RAF family environment, the influx of American bases, and the social dynamics including post-war attitudes toward German locals and the experience of being an RAF kid on base.

Audience Metrics

Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.

Listeners per Episode
Gender Skew
Location
Interests
Professions
Age Range
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Social Media Reach

Frequently Asked Questions About Cold War Conversations

What is Cold War Conversations about and what kind of topics does it cover?

Tapping into first-hand Cold War memories, this show gathers soldiers, spies, civilians, and experts to recount real-life experiences from across alliances and theaters. Episodes cover a wide swath of topics—from conscription in West Germany and nuclear-sharing dynamics to propaganda, espionage, submarine patrols, and urban upheavals behind the Iron Curtain. The format favors vivid, human-centered narratives, deep archival context, and nuanced discussions that connect personal memory with broader geopolitics. Listeners likely value rigorous research, captivating storytelling, and access to voices rarely heard in textbooks. A notable strength is the breadth of guests, spanning military personnel, historians, journalists, and authors, which k... more

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Which podcasts are similar to Cold War Conversations?

These podcasts share a similar audience with Cold War Conversations:

1. SpyCast
2. SPYCRAFT 101
3. Secrets and Spies Podcast: Espionage | Global Issues | Current Affairs
4. Battleground
5. The Rest Is Classified

How many episodes of Cold War Conversations are there?

Cold War Conversations launched 8 years ago and published 475 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

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What guests have appeared on Cold War Conversations?

Recent guests on Cold War Conversations include:

1. Oana Aristide
2. Ognyan Boytchev
3. Oggy Boytchev
4. Richard Lynton
5. Michael Makatura
6. Antonia Senior
7. Mark Thompson
8. Tony Shaw

To view more recent guests and their details, simply upgrade your Rephonic account. You'll also get access to a typical guest profile to help you decide if the show is worth pitching.

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