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Artwork for In the Shadows of Utopia: The Khmer Rouge and the Cambodian Nightmare

In the Shadows of Utopia: The Khmer Rouge and the Cambodian Nightmare

Lachlan Peters
Khmer Rouge
Cambodia
Vietnam War
Pol Pot
Lon Nol
Sihanouk
Prisoners Of Class
Chan Samoeun
Phnom Penh
Operation Menu
Khmer Republic
Tet Offensive
Mekong River Press
Democratic Kampuchea
Cultural Revolution
Cambodian Civil War
Vietnam
Angkor Wat
The Killing Fields
Nixon

A comprehensive, long-form history podcast about Cambodia, the Khmer Rouge and the Pol Pot Regime.

PublishesMonthlyEpisodes53Founded8 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
Places & TravelSociety & CultureHistory

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Artwork for In the Shadows of Utopia: The Khmer Rouge and the Cambodian Nightmare

Latest Episodes

How did a golden age of music emerge during the Cambodian Civil War?

How did Lon Nol survive the fallout of Chenla II?

What did the clashes between communist and government produce around Angkor?

Time Period Covered: 1972

In this episode, Lachlan... more

YouTube

Finished up a complete re-do of the Angkor episodes into a new three part series. Here to clear up whats going on with that - easiest thing is to watch the full thing on YouTube, or go back to season one and listen to parts 1-3.

Also support the sh... more

Time Period Covered: 1971 – 1973

How do you get out of a war without losing it?

What did Nixon’s opening to China have to do with Vietnam?

And how much of “peace” in 1972 was about diplomacy, and how much was about the election?

In this episode, ... more

YouTube

In this extended interview, I’m joined by historian Matt Galway, author of Global Maoism, to unpack the intellectual, ideological, and historical foundations of Maoism and Cambodian communism.

We begin with Galway’s academic background and how the K... more

YouTube

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Recent Guests

Matthew Galway
Senior lecturer at the Australian National University, focusing on modern Chinese history and Cambodian studies.
Australian National University
Episode: S3: Interview: Maoism, the Three Ghosts, and the Khmer Rouge with Matt Galway
Anonymous Khmer Rouge Doctor
A former Khmer Rouge doctor sharing his life story and experiences during the regime
Episode: S3: Bonus: A Recount of My Interview With an Ex-Khmer Rouge Doctor
Jim Laurie
A journalist active during the Cambodian and Vietnamese Civil Wars, author of The Last Helicopter.
NBC
Episode: S3: Interview: Witness to the end of the Second Indochina Wars with Jim Laurie
Matt Madden
Translator of Chan Samoeun's memoir, Prisoners of Class, and an expert on Cambodian history.
Mekong River Press
Episode: S2 Ep14: Interview: "Prisoners of Class" with Matt Madden

Hosts

Lachlan Peters
Host and creator with a focus on deep Cambodian history and the Khmer Rouge era.
Patricia Noonan
Creator and host with investigative background in Cambodian history and related investigations.

Reviews

4.9 out of 5 stars from 1.1k ratings
  • Splendid

    Amazing research

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Charlie80801
    United Statesa month ago
  • Amazing podcast

    I grew up hearing about the Khmer rouges in the news in a very shallow manner. After a visit to Cambodia I wanted to learn more about the history of the country and this podcast is more than I could hope for.

    I’m grateful to be able to learn about Cambodia from someone as passionate and knowledgeable as Lachlan.

    Thanks!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    JD1k3
    France4 months ago
  • Amazing podcast!

    A must for anyone intrested in the subject.

    Apple Podcasts
    4
    Lord Emsworth
    Sweden8 months ago
  • Really detailed. Have learned a great deal on Cambodian history - and not only about the Khmer Rouge. Keep up the excellent work!

    Podcast Addict
    5
    vasil
    8 months ago
  • An outstanding podcast with fascinating detail

    This is a wonderful podcast on the history of Cambodia in the second half of the 20th Century, with deep connections to the first and second Indochina wars, China and Laos. There’s intersections with America, the Cultural Revolution, and the Cold War - as the focus rises, with grim horror, towards the Cambodian Killing Fields.

    What sets this apart is the meticulous detail of a history I knew only in outline. Lachlan is a fine narrator, and a thoughtful and empathetic traveller through the c... more

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Sidney Roundwood
    United Kingdom9 months ago

Listeners Say

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

Listeners appreciate the depth and context beyond surface-level history.
The host is praised for meticulous research and engaging storytelling.
The show is described as immersive and highly informative, with strong narrative and production quality.

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Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

S3: Interview: Witness to the end of the Second Indochina Wars with Jim Laurie
Q: Can you give us some insight into Operation Eagle Pool?
Jim provided a heartfelt account of the American evacuation from Cambodia, expressing his shock and emotional turmoil regarding the situation.
S3: Interview: Witness to the end of the Second Indochina Wars with Jim Laurie
Q: What were your impressions, particularly of Cambodia?
Jim described his arrival in Cambodia as chaotic but lively, with a sense of disconnected optimism among the locals.
S2 Ep16: Interview: "Rendez-vous avec Pol Pot" with Elizabeth Becker
Q: What happened at the end of your trip?
Elizabeth recounts the shocking night when she was awoken to gunfire, leading to the murder of her companion, Malcolm Caldwell, and the terror of being trapped without communication.
S2 Ep16: Interview: "Rendez-vous avec Pol Pot" with Elizabeth Becker
Q: What was it like meeting Pol Pot?
Elizabeth describes Pol Pot as charming and well-groomed, sitting in a beautiful palace while delivering a two-hour lecture blaming Vietnam and discussing NATO.

Audience Metrics

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Frequently Asked Questions About This Podcast

What is This Podcast about and what kind of topics does it cover?

This long-form history show explores Cambodia's modern past, with a focus on the Khmer Rouge, Pol Pot, and the broader regional context that shaped Southeast Asia in the 20th century. Episodes frequently tie political upheaval to on-the-ground experiences—Lon Nol's regime, American involvement, and the evolving war dynamic around Phnom Penh and Angkor Wat—while also examining cultural facets like the Cambodian rock scene and the human impact of imprisonment and violence. The narrative style blends meticulous research, archival context, and first-hand accounts from historians and journalists to illuminate how political power, foreign interference, and local agency intersected to shape a nation's trauma and resilience. Notable strengths inclu... more

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These podcasts share a similar audience with this podcast:

1. Conflicted: A History Podcast
2. Who Killed Haing Ngor?
3. The Inquiry
4. Page 94: The Private Eye Podcast
5. Dan Snow's History Hit

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this podcast launched 8 years ago and published 53 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 this podcast?

Recent guests on this podcast include:

1. Matthew Galway
2. Anonymous Khmer Rouge Doctor
3. Jim Laurie
4. Matt Madden

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