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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
Operation Menu
Phnom Penh
Tet Offensive
Mekong River Press
Democratic Kampuchea
Cambodian Civil War
Cultural Revolution
Vietnam
The Killing Fields
Nixon
Khmer Republic
US Troop Withdrawal

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

PublishesTwice monthlyEpisodes51Founded8 years ago
Categories
HistorySociety & CulturePlaces & Travel

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

Latest Episodes

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

Check out my visit to M13 at YouTube or www.patreon.com/

Time Period Covered: 1971 - 1972

Why would someone join the Khmer Rouge?

How would people view the parts of the country that were now being run by the communists?

What was M13 and w... more

YouTube

This episode is a follow-up to the two-hour discussion I had with historian Henri Locard. The video of that full conversation is available for free on Patreon right here (or just go to www.patreon.com/shadowsofutopia) - no sign up required.

more

YouTube

Key Facts

Accepts Guests
Contact Information
Podcast Host

Similar Podcasts

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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

Host

Lachlan Peters
Host and creator of the series, focused on Cambodian history and the Khmer Rouge era.

Reviews

4.9 out of 5 stars from 1.1k ratings
  • 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
    Francea month ago
  • Amazing podcast!

    A must for anyone intrested in the subject.

    Apple Podcasts
    4
    Lord Emsworth
    Sweden5 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
    6 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 Kingdom7 months ago
  • Incredible

    Protect Lachlan at all costs - the man is a multinational treasure! It's not so much as a podcast as it is a fascinating graduate degree in Cambodian history. Did I care about Cambodian history before this podcast? Nope - I came here for some salacious stories about Pol Pot. Instead, I encountered Lachlan's earnest passion for Cambodia, its people, and its history, and it has been wonderful to witness and learn from. A billion stars for Lachlan and his research and his ability to contextualize w... more

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Cynthia43209
    United States7 months ago

Listeners Say

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

Appeals to long-form history enthusiasts and researchers who want context beyond surface-level narratives.
Fans value the nuanced, carefully sourced history, noting it as a valuable educational resource.
Listeners praise the host for depth, research rigor, and empathetic storytelling.

Chart Rankings

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

Apple Podcasts
#85
Switzerland/History
Apple Podcasts
#215
Singapore/History

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

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

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Household Income
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Frequently Asked Questions About This Podcast

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

This show provides long-form history deep-dives into Cambodia, the Khmer Rouge, and the Pol Pot era, weaving political, social, and international dimensions across decades. Episodes blend archival context, on-the-ground reporting, and interviews with researchers, journalists, and eyewitnesses to illuminate how Cambodia's past informs its present. A standout feature is the host's immersive storytelling, rigorous sourcing, and willingness to tackle sensitive topics through nuanced discussion and field reporting, making it a strong fit for listeners who crave comprehensiveness and historical context over quick takes.

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1. The Rest Is History
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4. You're Dead to Me
5. The Rest Is Politics: Leading

How many episodes of this podcast are there?

this podcast launched 8 years ago and published 51 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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