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The Eurasian Knot

The Eurasian Knot
Soviet Union
Russia
Ukraine
Cold War
Russian History
Climate Change
Migration
Communism
Russian Revolution
Cultural Identity
World War II
Ukraine War
Eurasia
United States
Post-Soviet Russia
Anti-Semitism
San Francisco
Stalinism
Russians In Latvia
Russian-Speaking Latvians

To many, Russia, and the wider Eurasia, is a riddle, wrapped in a mystery, inside an enigma. But it doesn’t have to be. The Eurasian Knot dispels the stereotypes and myths about the region with lively and informative interviews on Eurasia’s complex past, present, and future. New episodes drop weekly with an eclectic mix of topics from punk rock to Putin, and everything in-between. Subscribe on you... more

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes386Founded14 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
HistorySociety & Culture

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Artwork for The Eurasian Knot

Latest Episodes

"I wrote not to be fed but to be famous." This is one of the many, many humorous and whimsical sayings attributed to the writer Laurence Sterne. This Anglican cleric became a sensation in mid-18th century Britain after publishing his irreverent, stre... more

They go by many names. Xiao mai. Samosa. Momo. Mani. Pelmeni. Vareniki. Khinkali. That’s right, dumplings! That delicious meat-wrapped-in-dough dish! The dumpling is one of the most transhistorical foods on the planet. Almost every culture has its ow... more

The history of Chechens, or Nokhchi, is defined by war, occupation, and ethnic cleansing. Yet despite these repeated traumas, the Nokhchi have persisted, resisted and survived. But how? Chechens comprise such a relatively small population, almost 2 m... more

Maya, the heroine of Svetlana Satchkova’s The Undead: A Novel of Modern Russia, is an aspiring Russian filmmaker. And after fits and starts she finally gets a break when the producer Belov greenlights her project. Maya’s film is an art-house horror f... more

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Recent Guests

Helen Faller
Anthropologist specializing in Russia and Central Asia, author of Nation, Language, Islam: Tatarstan's Sovereignty Movement
Episode: Dumplings!
Marat Iliyasov
Visiting assistant professor at the College of the Holy Cross; author of Reproducing Resistance, Chechen Demography in Times of War
College of the Holy Cross
Episode: Marriage and Family in Chechnya
Svetlana Satchkova
Russian-born journalist and novelist
Self-employed writer/journalist; author of The Undead
Episode: A Novel of Modern Russia
Harry Merritt
Professor of History, Rhode Island College; author
Rhode Island College
Episode: Latvian Soldiers in WWII
Andrew Jenks
Professor of history at California State University, Long Beach
California State University, Long Beach
Episode: Los Rusos
Michael Kimmage
Director of the Kennan Institute; historian of international affairs
Kennan Institute, Catholic University of America
Episode: The Origins of the Ukraine War
Yana Skorobogatov
Gladys and Roland Harriman Assistant Professor of Russian and Soviet History, Columbia University
Columbia University
Episode: The Soviet Death Penalty
Miriam Dobson
Reader in modern history, University of Sheffield
University of Sheffield
Episode: Soviet Protestants
Olga Brindar
High school teacher; immigrant from Russia who grew up in the United States
Self-described as educator and Russian identity advocate
Episode: Thresholds Part 7: Olga

Hosts

Sean Guillory
Co-host and producer; affiliated with the university center focusing on Russian East European and Eurasian Studies.
Jojo Ellis
Co-host and producer; associated with REES center, providing interview facilitation.
Rusana Novikova
Co-host; long-running contributor with focus on Eurasian studies.

Reviews

4.8 out of 5 stars from 464 ratings
  • Well Done, Insightful, Entertaining

    I listened to the episode on Latvian soldiers in WWII and was immediately hooked. For folks interested in the history of Eastern Europe, Russia, and the “Post-Soviet World,” this podcast is absolute dynamite. I appreciate the more “niche” episodes that focus in on topics that aren’t as frequently covered in American media. Another example is the episode on Russian immigration to Mexico. Wonderful show.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    The Most Dapper Cadaver
    United Statesa month ago
  • Shame about the TDS

    I mean I listen because the interviews are very interesting so it’s a shame about the continual political signalling.

    Not sure what the female co-host brings. Today she proudly announced she didn’t have ANY conservative friends. It seemed very strange. Is this just a given in academia these days? Why is she so happy with herself for this? It’s such an immature and intellectually limiting attitude to cosset yourself with only those who you agree with politically.

    The interview in the same e... more

    Apple Podcasts
    4
    Mribbo675744
    United Kingdom4 months ago
  • Great info and podcast - lacks objectivity at times

    As a years-long “In Moscows Shadows” listener, getting into this show took a little time. Their approach to the shows opening is different, but slowly grew on me. I love the passion that Rusana & Sean have for this field and topic and the hard work they put into this show. My only gripe is that sometimes their STRONG political bias takes center-stage and spirals in that direction, this tends to undermine the overall fact-based feel of the show. Wish there was more acknowledgment that peoples lif... more

    Apple Podcasts
    4
    Johnboi1234
    United States7 months ago
  • Good information but why the potty-mouth talk?

    Podcast Addict
    3
    gzolson2000@yahoo.com
    8 months ago
  • Excellent and accessible

    The podcast is truly a gem. Two interesting hosts passionate and extremely knowledgable about Russia and the Soviet Period, with fascinating and engaging guests! Please give it a listen, if you are at all interested in Russian history it is a massive treat!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Maxtonator
    United States8 months ago

Listeners Say

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

critics note occasional perceived biases in host commentary.
some feedback highlights strong academic guests and thoughtful interviewing.
appreciation for accessible delivery of niche topics and archival context.
listeners praise rigorous, in-depth exploration of Eurasian history.

Chart Rankings

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

Apple Podcasts
#118
Saudi Arabia/History
Apple Podcasts
#172
Russia/History
Apple Podcasts
#174
New Zealand/History
Apple Podcasts
#242
Ukraine/History

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Dumplings!
Q: What are these two conflicting beliefs, and how does it relate to this question, your interest in dumplings as a cultural phenomenon?
Faller describes a strong tradition of hospitality and abundant food, shaped in part by memories of famine, alongside pressure on women to stay thin and meet demanding expectations around beauty, work, education, and household responsibilities.
Dumplings!
Q: Are dumplings traditionally made in this collective way? Or is that a standard way to do it, to have a group making them?
Faller says people commonly make dumplings in groups. The shared work spreads out the labor and often creates a sense of community.
A Novel of Modern Russia
Q: Why did you choose to write in English for this story, and how did you navigate translating the Russian context for an American audience?
Writing in English required careful balancing of context so the book would be accessible without becoming an instructional guide. I aimed to avoid exoticizing Russia while ensuring readers could understand the social and political pressures without needing a separate glossary, relying on character experience rather than didactic exposition.
A Novel of Modern Russia
Q: What inspired the setting and the idea of a zombie movie within the novel, especially with Lenin returning from the dead as a metaphor for societal decay?
The zombie movie in Maya's project is a humorous device that evolves into a metaphor for how a society unravels when politics intrudes into daily life. It allowed me to explore how people cope with a system that remains powerful even as ordinary life continues.
A Novel of Modern Russia
Q: And before we get into the book and the story and what its implications for us are, I'd like to just have you introduce yourself and tell our audience about yourself and what you do.
I'm Svetlana Satchkova, a Russian-born journalist and novelist. The Undead is my English-language debut, rooted in my experience in Moscow's film industry and my transition to writing in English after moving to the United States.

Audience Metrics

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Frequently Asked Questions About The Eurasian Knot

What is The Eurasian Knot about and what kind of topics does it cover?

The show consistently pairs deep historical scholarship with contemporary Eurasian analysis, delivering long-form interviews that unpack complex topics from immigration, nationalism, and revolutions to informal governance and cultural exchange. Episodes span Russia, Eastern Europe, the Caucasus, and Central Asia, often featuring historians, political scientists, and regional specialists who illuminate how past events shape today's politics, society, and identities. A notable strength is the thoughtful balance between archival context, expert interpretation, and accessible storytelling, making highly specialized subjects engaging for curious listeners while remaining rigorous enough for academics. The format frequently blends intimate interv... more

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Which podcasts are similar to The Eurasian Knot?

These podcasts share a similar audience with The Eurasian Knot:

1. In Moscow's Shadows
2. Russian Roulette
3. Ones and Tooze
4. The Rachman Review
5. War on the Rocks

How many episodes of The Eurasian Knot are there?

The Eurasian Knot launched 14 years ago and published 386 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 The Eurasian Knot?

Recent guests on The Eurasian Knot include:

1. Helen Faller
2. Marat Iliyasov
3. Svetlana Satchkova
4. Harry Merritt
5. Andrew Jenks
6. Michael Kimmage
7. Yana Skorobogatov
8. Miriam Dobson

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