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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
Prisoners Of Class
Sihanouk
Chan Samoeun
Pol Pot
Lon Nol
Operation Menu
Tet Offensive
Mekong River Press
Nixon
Khmer Republic
Operation Chandler
US Troop Withdrawal
My Lai Massacre
Cambodian Civil War
Phnom Penh
Civil War
Vietnam

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

PublishesMonthlyEpisodes46Founded8 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
Places & TravelHistorySociety & Culture

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

Latest Episodes

I’m back in Cambodia until the end of the year, researching my book on Pol Pot, visiting archives, and filming mini documentaries at places like Kraing Ta Chan prison, Pol Pot’s hometown of Prek Sbauv, and the jungles of Rattanakiri.

You can watch... more

YouTube

In this bonus podcast episode, I’ve invited veteran journalist Jim Laurie to reflect on a lifetime spent amid global upheaval. From the Nixon incursion into Cambodia to the oblivious tranquility of Phnom Penh before war erupted—Laurie shares his rema... more

YouTube

What was the political fallout from Lon Nol's Stroke?

How did race and religion become such a key theme of his regime?

What led to the worst military defeat of the Cambodian Civil War?

Time Period Covered: March - December 1971

In this ep... more

YouTube

In this episode, I talk with journalist and author Sebastian Strangio about the border tensions between Cambodia and Thailand that have escalated in July 2025. Sebastian is the Southeast Asia editor at The Diplomat and one of the region’s leading jou... more

YouTube

Key Facts

Contact Information
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Recent Guests

Jim Laurie
A journalist active during the Cambodian and Vietnamese Civil Wars, author of The Last Helicopter.
NBC
Episode: S3 Ep6: Witness to the end of the Cambodian, and Vietnamese Civil Wars - 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

Host

Lachlan Peters
Host of a comprehensive history podcast focusing on Cambodia and the Khmer Rouge, providing in-depth analysis and storytelling.

Reviews

4.9 out of 5 stars from 1k ratings
  • A captivating show, to better understand Cambodia past and present

    This podcast is a goldmine!

    The history of Cambodia is long and complex, and is not always easy to connect with when visiting the country. This show gives the context, both local and regional (and occasionally international) to understand how Cambodia ended up with the Khmer Rouge. Step by step, year or decade or century at a time, Lachlan builds up the historical narrative. With stories, sometimes wry humour, and without dryly merely going from date to date, we wind our way through time on a sp... more

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Yogithomas
    Canada21 days ago
  • Amazing Podcast

    Great podcast! Has lots of information but it’s delivered in a way that’s easy to follow. I would suggest this to anyone with interest in the history of Cambodia!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    stepsstepssteps
    Canada23 days ago
  • Fantastic

    This is without a doubt one of the most captivating podcasts I’ve ever listened to. After searching for a historical podcast based around the pacific and south east Asia this really hit the mark in more ways than I was expecting. Lachlan has a great style when presenting information and really gives a lot of context to events that are difficult to find a lot of detail on. 5 stars.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Nipple Sunshine
    Australiaa month ago
  • History made alive

    This is a phenomenal podcast that masterfully unpacks the intricacies of Cambodian history with a level of depth and clarity rarely found elsewhere. As someone who enjoys delving into historical contexts, I was especially struck by how it presents a richly layered and impressively impartial account of events — including the pivotal, and often overlooked, role of Sihanouk in steering Cambodia toward civil conflict. Rather than simply scratching the surface, it provides context that would normally... more

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    KetnM22U
    New Zealand2 months ago
  • Top Notch Sir

    Great insights into the varying aspects that despite my extensive exposure to history of SEA around this period I continue to learn new and fascinating new details. Well delivered, great voice and intonation. Especially enjoyed Lachlan’s attempts to imitate the CIA’s reports 😂

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Stoloski
    Australia3 months ago

Listeners Say

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

Listeners appreciate the thoroughly researched content and engaging storytelling style.
Some suggest it could potentially be more digestible for newcomers to the material.
Many find the podcast to be a vital resource for understanding Cambodia's complex history.
The deep dives into specific historical events and figures appeal especially to history enthusiasts.

Chart Rankings

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

Apple Podcasts
#190
Philippines/History

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

S3 Ep6: Witness to the end of the Cambodian, and Vietnamese Civil Wars - 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 Ep6: Witness to the end of the Cambodian, and Vietnamese Civil Wars - 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

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

Listeners per Episode
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Frequently Asked Questions About This Podcast

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

A comprehensive exploration of Cambodia's tumultuous past, this podcast covers a wide range of historical events surrounding the Khmer Rouge and the Pol Pot regime. Episodes focus on pivotal moments, discussing military conflicts, political intrigues, and the socio-cultural impact of the Khmer government. The host provides in-depth narratives about specific events, key figures, and the convoluted historical context, making complex topics accessible to listeners. The podcast is particularly noteworthy for its meticulous research and engaging storytelling, appealing to history enthusiasts and those interested in Southeast Asian studies.

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These podcasts share a similar audience with this podcast:

1. The Red Line
2. The Ancients
3. American History Hit
4. Lions Led By Donkeys Podcast
5. The Age of Napoleon Podcast

How many episodes of this podcast are there?

this podcast launched 8 years ago and published 46 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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Recent guests on this podcast include:

1. Jim Laurie
2. Matt Madden

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