Rephonic
Artwork for Cold War Conversations Podcast

Cold War Conversations Podcast

Ian Sanders
Cold War
East Germany
Australian Army
Hungary
Czechoslovakia
Willie Fisher
Leopard AS1 MBT
Poland
Espionage
West Germany
Inner German Border
Romania
Berlin
Stasi
Vietnam War
Travel
Burt Abel
Colonel Abel
Volksmarine
The Lives Of Others

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 frontli... more

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes444Founded8 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
Society & CultureDocumentaryHistory

Listen to this Podcast

Artwork for Cold War Conversations Podcast

Latest Episodes

I explore the remarkable journey of a CIA operations officer who transitioned from a quiet childhood in California to the thrilling world of espionage.

What began as a joke application to the CIA turned into a life-changing opportunity.

The episode... more

This special episode was recorded in front of a live audience at the Imperial War Museum London, in October 2025.

I speak with Colin Ferguson, a veteran from the British Army‘s covert Special Observation Post Troop.

This "stay behind" Special OP T... more

YouTube

What would you risk to escape a totalitarian state—and how long would you be willing to wait?

In this gripping episode, Peter Kasl, author of Escaping the Grip of Eastern European Communism, tells the extraordinary true story of his family’s escape ... more

The US invasion of Grenada in 1983 remains a pivotal event in both Caribbean and Cold War history.

President Reagan, fearing the spread of communism in the Caribbean and the safety of US citizens, initiated military action.

US forces launched a swi... more

YouTube

Key Facts

Accepts Guests
Accepts Sponsors
Contact Information
Podcast Host
Number of Listeners
Find out how many people listen to this podcast per episode and each month.

Recent Guests

Susan Miller
Former CIA Operations Officer sharing her experiences in espionage
CIA
Episode: Dead Drops and Disguises - A Female CIA Officer in 1980s Moscow (441)
Colin Ferguson
A veteran from the British Army's Covert Special Observation Post Troop.
British Army
Episode: Cold War British Army "stay behinds" - Live at the Imperial War Museum London (440)
Peter Kasl
Author of 'Escaping the Grip of Eastern European Communism'
Episode: Planning an Escape for 13 Years: How One Family Outsmarted the Iron Curtain (439)
Leila Khaled
Iconic figure involved in early Palestinian hijackings
PFLP
Episode: When Terrorism Went Global: Plane Hijackings and Violence in the 1970s (437)
Miles Cavin
British National Service conscript who served in the 1950s.
Episode: Eyes at the Edge of the Iron Curtain - Life in a 1960s British Reconnaissance Regiment (434)
Miles Cavern
A British National Service conscript sharing his experiences during military service in the late 1950s.
Episode: What was Cold War British Army Conscription really like? (433)
Joseph Pearson
Historian and author specializing in the Berlin Airlift
Episode: The Berlin Airlift - Victories, Myths, and the Berlin Blockade (432)
Steve Fogel
Author of A Task Force Called Faith
Episode: Surrounded and outnumbered 8-1 : A forgotten story of the Korean War (431)
Bill Hodes
American school child in revolutionary China with experiences in the Mississippi Freedom Summer.
Episode: Shaking Hands with China’s Second Most Powerful Man (430)

Host

Ian Sanders
Host who engages deeply with guests to uncover personal accounts and insights related to Cold War history.

Reviews

4.9 out of 5 stars from 1.8k ratings
  • Excellent!

    Wow! I have been searching for information on this subject. It’s surprisingly difficult to get detailed information. This podcast is a hidden gem! Grateful for the deep dive!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    PurplePianoCat
    Canada3 months ago
  • Memories

    I love listening to Ian’s podcasts as it brings back great memories about one of the best times of my life having been stationed there during the Cold War.

    It is even better when you know some of the people being interviewed.

    Slip back in time and learn what it was like in a divided Germany.

    An excellent podcast, well produced.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Trooper Stewart
    United Kingdom5 months ago
  • Best podcast

    I love the Cold War conversations podcast it’s so interesting and engaging thank you Ian for telling us about everything that happened during the Cold War

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Lo Fothers
    United Kingdom5 months ago
  • My favourite podcast

    Genuinely fascinating podcast. Well researched and engagingly presented. I especially enjoy the variety of stories that are presented, from everyday life through to accounts of some of the most iconic Cold War moments by people who were there. I’m totally hooked.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Padmiller
    Australia5 months ago
  • The only podcast I regularly listen to - and I still haven't heard all the episodes. I lived through the cold war, sometimes very close to the sharp end, and I love the stories.

    The accounts of military speakers - pilots, commanders of tanks and submarines or just ordinary people doing their compulsory service . . . are revealing and often fascinating, thrilling. The stories of civilians, making sense and purpose of lives governed by fantastic, illogical and mendacious authorities, ring so true... more

    Podchaser
    Alan Jones
    6 months ago

Listeners Say

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

Listeners appreciate the deep, personal stories that bring Cold War history to life.
Host Ian Sanders is praised for his interview style that allows guests to share their stories authentically.
The show serves as an excellent resource for both learning and reminiscing about the Cold War era.
Episodes offer well-researched content that is both informative and engaging.

Chart Rankings

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

Apple Podcasts
#199
United States/History
Apple Podcasts
#55
United Kingdom/History
Apple Podcasts
#172
Canada/History
Apple Podcasts
#67
Australia/History
Apple Podcasts
#151
Germany/History
Apple Podcasts
#208
Italy/History

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Cold War British Army "stay behinds" - Live at the Imperial War Museum London (440)
Q: What equipment do you need for operations in Yugoslavia?
Colin discusses the request for equipment to gather intelligence on organized crime, indicating the evolution of military operations.
Cold War British Army "stay behinds" - Live at the Imperial War Museum London (440)
Q: How long would it take to dig one of those out?
Colin states that digging out a MEXI shelter could take four or five days due to its size and the care needed to avoid collapses.
Cold War British Army "stay behinds" - Live at the Imperial War Museum London (440)
Q: What was the selection course like for this?
Colin describes the secretive and intense six-day selection process designed to assess various skills under different situations.
Cold War British Army "stay behinds" - Live at the Imperial War Museum London (440)
Q: How did you get recruited into this select band?
Colin explains that he was bored in his initial posting and sought out the Special OP Troop, which was led by sergeants and had no officers, appealing to his desire for a different kind of soldiering.
Dead Drops and Disguises - A Female CIA Officer in 1980s Moscow (441)
Q: What was that initial training like?
Susan describes her initial training at CIA headquarters that included a rigorous paramilitary training course.

Audience Metrics

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

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

Frequently Asked Questions About Cold War Conversations Podcast

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

Expect an engaging exploration of the Cold War through firsthand accounts from those who experienced it firsthand. The content focuses on the stirring narratives of soldiers, civilians, and spies, sharing emotional stories that transcend the typical textbook approach. Broad themes include espionage, significant political figures, cultural impacts, and pivotal historical events such as the Berlin Wall and the Cuban Missile Crisis. The unique approach combines personal anecdotes with a deep dive into the political and social dynamics of the era, making history feel immediate and personal. The emphasis on in-depth, intimate storytelling makes the exploration of Cold War history both educational and captivating for listeners who are keen on und... more

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Which podcasts are similar to Cold War Conversations Podcast?

These podcasts share a similar audience with Cold War Conversations Podcast:

1. SPYCRAFT 101
2. SpyCast
3. Secrets and Spies Podcast: Espionage | Global Issues | Current Affairs
4. True Spies: Espionage | Investigation | Crime | Murder | Detective | Politics
5. Battleground

How many episodes of Cold War Conversations Podcast are there?

Cold War Conversations Podcast launched 8 years ago and published 444 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 Podcast?

Recent guests on Cold War Conversations Podcast include:

1. Susan Miller
2. Colin Ferguson
3. Peter Kasl
4. Leila Khaled
5. Miles Cavin
6. Miles Cavern
7. Joseph Pearson
8. Steve Fogel

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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