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Cold War Conversations

Ian Sanders
Cold War
Soviet Union
East Germany
Berlin Wall
Nuclear Weapons
Korean War
Romania
CIA
Vietnam War
Czechoslovakia
Hungary
KGB
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

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes482Founded8 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
HistoryDocumentarySociety & Culture

Listen to this Podcast

Artwork for Cold War Conversations

Latest Episodes

For decades, ordinary Swedes secretly prepared for the day Soviet forces might occupy their country. Farmers, factory workers, gamekeepers and travelling salesmen were recruited into a clandestine resistance network, trained to operate radios, use de... more

YouTube

During the Cold War, British soldiers fought a Provisional IRA insurgency in Northern Ireland. Probably the toughest location was South Armagh, where they had to travel by helicopter, while watchtowers scanned the fields, and an IRA sniper could str... more

YouTube

What happens when the man guarding the Iron Curtain decides to escape through it himself?

In 1975, Jiří Barteček was a Czechoslovak border guard, trained to track fugitives with a German shepherd and ordered to stop anyone attempting to reach Austri... more

YouTube

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

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

Toby Harnden
journalist and author of Bandit Country: The IRA and South Armagh
Episode: Bandit Country - The IRA and South Armagh (472)
Jiří Barteček
Former Czechoslovak border guard who defected to the West
None specified
Episode: A Czech Border Guard’s Daring Escape to the West (471)
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)

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
    Germany2 months 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
    4 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
#167
United States/History
Apple Podcasts
#66
United Kingdom/History
Apple Podcasts
#206
Canada/History
Apple Podcasts
#91
Australia/History
Apple Podcasts
#21
Philippines/History
Apple Podcasts
#55
New Zealand/History

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Bandit Country - The IRA and South Armagh (472)
Q: What made South Armagh stand out as a base for the IRA?
Harnden explains that the border's geography, the local, family-centered networks, and insider knowledge created an unusually cohesive and autonomous operation that could coordinate with the wider IRA while exploiting the advantage of being in a terrain that was hard for outsiders to penetrate.
A Czech Border Guard’s Daring Escape to the West (471)
Q: How did you ultimately reach the United States?
He explains applying for multiple destinations through refugee networks, choosing the United States after initial rejection from South Africa, and undergoing extensive interviews before being granted political asylum.
A Czech Border Guard’s Daring Escape to the West (471)
Q: Tell me about September 12, 1975 and the escape day.
He describes a daytime sequence where friends visited the border area, the plan was set, and the team executed the crossing with the river as a key element, relying on practiced routines to minimize prints and alarms.
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.

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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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. The Unconventional Soldier
5. True Spies: Espionage | Investigation | Crime | Murder | Detective | Politics

How many episodes of Cold War Conversations are there?

Cold War Conversations launched 8 years ago and published 482 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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Where can I see ratings and reviews for Cold War Conversations?

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What guests have appeared on Cold War Conversations?

Recent guests on Cold War Conversations include:

1. Toby Harnden
2. Jiří Barteček
3. Oana Aristide
4. Ognyan Boytchev
5. Oggy Boytchev
6. Richard Lynton
7. Michael Makatura
8. Antonia Senior

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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