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Cold War Conversations

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

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

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes427Founded8 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
DocumentaryHistorySociety & Culture

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Artwork for Cold War Conversations

Latest Episodes

Oleg Lyalin, was a KGB officer whose actions would provide British intelligence with pivotal information during the Cold War. I speak with Richard Kerbaj,  the author of a new book, 'The Defector,' which chronicles Lyalin's story.

Lyalin ​was traine... more

YouTube

Author Tom Hapgood is a US military BRAT  aka the child of a parent or parents serving full-time in the United States Armed Forces. He talks about his 5 years in West Germany during the Cold War. He shares the challenges of moving every few years, ad... more

YouTube

The incredible story of the five most damaging spies in

British history, from their recruitment at Cambridge University to their

infiltration of the government and the security services, all while

successfully eluding prosecution.

I speak with Shawn... more

YouTube

Fraser McCallum is the author of a new book Cold War Britain: Fifty years in the shadow of the bomb which gives a fascinating insight into a period that shaped the fabric of British society.

The Cold War defined the history of Britain in the second ... 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

Tom Hapgood
Author and US military brat sharing his personal experiences as a child of military personnel
Author of Lost Letters
Episode: Cold War Kids: The Unique Life of US Military BRATs (424)
Shawnna Morris
Author of 'The Cambridge Spy Ring, The Treachery of the Five Who Got Away'
Episode: The Cambridge Five Cold War Spy Ring: Philby, Burgess, Maclean, Blunt & Cairncross (423)
Fraser McCallum
Author of 'Cold War Britain: 50 Years in the Shadow of the Bomb'
Collins
Episode: Cold War Britain: Fifty years in the shadow of the bomb (422)
Pat Boland
True crime aficionado and expert on the DB Cooper case
Episode: D.B. Cooper: The Unsolved Cold War Aircraft Hijack (421)
Irina Nistor
Romanian translator known for voicing over banned films during the communist regime
Romanian National Television
Episode: The 2nd Most Famous Voice In Cold War Romania (419)
Ralph Dionne
98 year old veteran and participant in the Berlin Airlift
Episode: A 98 Year Old USAF Veteran Remembers the Berlin AIrlift (417)
Stephen Walker
Author of Shockwave Countdown to Hiroshima
Episode: The Atomic Bombing of Japan - The First Shots of the Cold War? (416)
Robert Lyman
Co-author of 'Korea: War Without End'
Osprey Publishing
Episode: Korea: War Without End (412)
Greg Devlin
Former US Air Force technician who survived the explosion at a Titan II nuclear missile silo.
Episode: The Night a Nuclear Missile Exploded: A Firsthand Account of Survival (411)

Host

Ian Sanders
Host known for engaging storytelling and a deep understanding of Cold War history, showcasing firsthand accounts from those who lived through the era.

Reviews

4.9 out of 5 stars from 1.7k ratings
  • 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 Kingdoma month 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 Kingdoma month 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
    Australia2 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
    2 months ago
  • Amazing Podcast

    Brilliant interviews and guests. Ian really knows how to get the real detail from his guests. Love listing to the show and always can’t wait for the next episode. Great oral preservation of history and highly educational. I have learnt so much. A must listen.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Roon10
    United Kingdom2 months ago

Listeners Say

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

The content is described as well-researched and engaging, highlighting the quality of the interviews and the host's ability to draw out interesting narratives.
Many listeners find the variety of guests and topics refreshing and enlightening, making it a go-to resource for Cold War history.
The podcast is praised for its emotional resonance, allowing listeners to connect deeply with the guests' experiences and reflections on the Cold War.
Listeners appreciate the depth of personal stories shared, which provide a unique and human perspective on historical events.
Overall, feedback indicates a strong following and regard for the podcast as a key educational tool in understanding Cold War dynamics.

Chart Rankings

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

Apple Podcasts
#232
United States/History
Apple Podcasts
#81
United Kingdom/History
Apple Podcasts
#203
Australia/History
Apple Podcasts
#92
Hong Kong/History
Apple Podcasts
#96
Austria/History
Apple Podcasts
#98
New Zealand/History

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

A Royal Scots Dragoon Guard in Cold War Berlin (420)
Q: Did you think that day was going to come more or less definitely or not?
Peter stated that he didn't think much about a potential invasion at the time because they were enjoying their experience.
A Royal Scots Dragoon Guard in Cold War Berlin (420)
Q: Did they determine what your pathway was going to be as a result of that training?
He described how training determined that he would be a tank crewman, responsible for various roles.
A Royal Scots Dragoon Guard in Cold War Berlin (420)
Q: Let's just go back to the start of your military career. Why and when did you join the Army?
Peter shared about his difficult childhood, which led him to join the Army Cadets, later pursuing a career in the military.
The 2nd Most Famous Voice In Cold War Romania (419)
Q: Did you realize the impact that you were having on people's lives?
Irina felt amazed and proud that she brought some color and Western moments into the lives of those living under a difficult regime.
The 2nd Most Famous Voice In Cold War Romania (419)
Q: How did you end up working for Romanian TV?
Irina was introduced to a film critic who later helped her secure a position as a translator for Romanian television.

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?

Focusing on firsthand narratives from individuals who experienced the Cold War, this podcast presents a unique lens into the period's military, political, and cultural dynamics. Each episode features deeply personal accounts from a diverse range of guests, including soldiers, spies, and civilians who share their emotional, gripping stories about the era's most significant events, from the Berlin Wall to the complex interplay of superpowers. The content is broad, covering intricate details of espionage, nuclear threats, important political figures, and everyday life under communist regimes, making it an invaluable resource for history enthusiasts, educators, and anyone interested in understanding how this tumultuous period shaped modern soci... more

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How many episodes of Cold War Conversations are there?

Cold War Conversations launched 8 years ago and published 427 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. Tom Hapgood
2. Shawnna Morris
3. Fraser McCallum
4. Pat Boland
5. Irina Nistor
6. Ralph Dionne
7. Stephen Walker
8. Robert Lyman

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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