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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
Poland
Communism
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

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes479Founded8 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
HistoryDocumentarySociety & Culture

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Artwork for Cold War Conversations

Latest Episodes

For twenty-six years, war, exile and the Iron Curtain kept one Polish family apart. Torn from his homeland and sent into Stalin’s labour camp system, Aleksander Jablonski survived hunger, forced labour and a wartime journey through Russia, Iran and I... more

YouTube

I’m delighted to tell you about Cold War Conversations History Tours

I'm exploring the idea of hosting a Cold War history tour via a specialist tour company, and I'd like your help working out what it

should be.

There are several directions it cou... more

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After German reunification, former East German Air Force officer Roland faced an extraordinary transformation: joining the military alliance he had once been trained to fight.

Roland recounts his difficult passage from the East German military into ... more

YouTube

What did it mean to train as an officer in the East German Air Force, where technical skill, military discipline and socialist ideology were inseparable?

Roland recalls his journey into the air arm of the Nationale Volksarmee, from dreams of flying ... 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

Oana Aristide
Author of Astronaut
Author
Episode: Growing Up Grey: Childhood in Cold War Romania (467)
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
    Germanya month 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 States2 months 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
    3 months ago
  • Very interesting to me. The interlocutor allows people the space to tell the stories.

    Podcast Addict
    5
    Red Flag
    3 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 States4 months ago

Listeners Say

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

Listeners praise deep archival history and first-hand storytelling.
Some listeners note loud or disruptive ads in a few episodes.
Guests are described as varied and engaging, with strong interviewer Skill.
The host is commended for neutrality and letting guests tell their stories.

Chart Rankings

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

Apple Podcasts
#194
United States/History
Apple Podcasts
#94
United Kingdom/History
Apple Podcasts
#233
Canada/History
Apple Podcasts
#105
Australia/History
Apple Podcasts
#237
Germany/History
Apple Podcasts
#71
Taiwan/History

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Between Two Air Forces: From East German Officer to German Captain (469)
Q: What prompted you to pursue a career continuing in the military after reunification?
Important factors included completing decades of education and training in aeronautics, a desire to provide for family, and the opportunity to apply my experience with Russian aircraft within a new German system; the decision was also influenced by the lack of immediate unemployment and the chance to continue serving in a meaningful role.
Between Two Air Forces: From East German Officer to German Captain (469)
Q: What was the moment like when the Berlin Wall opened, and how did it affect you personally?
It was a pivotal moment that forced rapid re-evaluation of loyalties and duties; orders and routines shifted overnight as the possibility of visiting West Berlin emerged, creating a mix of astonishment and responsibility to adapt.
MiGs, Helicopters and Ideology: Life as an East German Air Force Officer (468)
Q: How did the political environment affect you as the GDR began to change?
You felt the pressure of indoctrination but also observed growing discussions and signs of reform, especially after contact with West Germans and returning military personnel with new ideas.
MiGs, Helicopters and Ideology: Life as an East German Air Force Officer (468)
Q: What was daily life like as a helicopter officer at Brandenburg Air Base?
A six-day flying and training schedule, leading a small crew, overseeing maintenance, and ensuring readiness of four helicopters, with regular shifts and family separation.
MiGs, Helicopters and Ideology: Life as an East German Air Force Officer (468)
Q: What motivated you to join the NVA Air Force? Was it about flying or serving your country?
The dream of flying jets was strong, but once practical limits emerged (health checks) I accepted training to become an Air Force engineer and officer, with a desire to protect my country.

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

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

Vivid, firsthand accounts from people who lived through the Cold War drive this history-driven series. Each episode centers on personal memories—from veterans and spies to civilians and journalists—delivering a human, on-the-ground perspective on topics like espionage, diplomacy, military aviation, and major crises. The show stands out for its calm, respectful interviewing and its ability to turn complex geopolitics into intimate stories that reveal everyday life behind the headlines. It's likely to appeal to educators, students, veterans, and history enthusiasts who want well-researched context, archival insights, and memorable human moments rather than textbook summaries.

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How many listeners does Cold War Conversations get?

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To see how many followers or subscribers Cold War Conversations has on Spotify and other platforms such as Castbox and Podcast Addict, simply upgrade your account. You'll also find viewership figures for their YouTube channel if they have one.

Which podcasts are similar to Cold War Conversations?

These podcasts share a similar audience with Cold War Conversations:

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

How many episodes of Cold War Conversations are there?

Cold War Conversations launched 8 years ago and published 479 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

How do I contact Cold War Conversations?

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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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