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The Eurasian Knot

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

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

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes378Founded14 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
HistorySociety & Culture

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Artwork for The Eurasian Knot

Latest Episodes

We tend to think of the 1990s when it comes to Protestantism in Russia. It was then that evangelicals descended on Russia to shine Jesus’ light into the post-Soviet void. Yet, the Soviet Union, despite its best efforts, was a multiconfessional state.... more

Over the last century, tens of millions of people quit Eastern Europe for the United States. The push-pull factors were many—war, poverty, instability, persecution at home and opportunity, refuge, and liberty abroad. But manna didn’t simply fall from... more

Over the last century, tens of millions of people quit Eastern Europe for the United States. The push-pull factors were many—war, poverty, instability, persecution at home and opportunity, refuge, and liberty abroad. But manna didn’t simply fall from... more

Over the last century, tens of millions of people quit Eastern Europe for the United States. The push-pull factors were many—war, poverty, instability, persecution at home and opportunity, refuge, and liberty abroad. But manna didn’t simply fall from... more

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Recent Guests

Claudia Sadowski-Smith
Associate professor of English; author of The New Immigrant Whiteness, Race, Neoliberalism, and Post-Soviet Migration to the United States
Arizona State University
Episode: Thresholds Part 4: New Immigrants
David Roediger
Foundation Professor of American Studies at the University of Kansas; author on whiteness and immigration
University of Kansas
Episode: Thresholds Part 2: Becoming White
Tara Zahra
Hannah Holborn Gray Professor of East European History
University of Chicago
Episode: Thresholds Part 1: Leaving the Old Country
Stephen Jones
Professor of Georgian modern history
Ilia State University
Episode: The Rise and Fall of the Georgian Democratic Republic
Jonathan Daly
Historian; Professor of Russian, European and World History at the University of Illinois Chicago
University of Illinois Chicago
Episode: The Man Who Knew Russia
Mikhail Fishman
One of Russia's leading independent journalists, liberal thinker, and political commentator
Author of The Successor, Boris Nemtsov, Vladimir Putin, and The Decline of Modern Russia
Episode: Boris Nemtsov
Alexander Rabinowitch
Professor emeritus of history, Indiana University
Indiana University
Episode: Remembering Alexander Rabinowitch
Pietro A. Shakarian
Historian of Russia and the Soviet Union; Lecturer at the American University of Armenia in Yerevan; Author of a book on Mikoyan
American University of Armenia; Indiana University Press
Episode: Anastas Mikoyan
Harriet Murav
Center for Advanced Study Professor Emerita, University of Illinois
University of Illinois
Episode: Soviet Holocaust Literature

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 460 ratings
  • 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 Kingdoma month 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 States4 months ago
  • Good information but why the potty-mouth talk?

    Podcast Addict
    3
    gzolson2000@yahoo.com
    6 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 States6 months ago
  • One of the best

    One of the best podcasts out there. I’m addicted to podcasts and I listen to many episodes every week but this is definitely one of the best. One never gets bored. Incredible topics every time and excellent hosts. Thank you!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Laura Inn
    Italy7 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
#36
Chile/History
Apple Podcasts
#85
Ukraine/History
Apple Podcasts
#208
India/History

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Thresholds Part 1: Leaving the Old Country
Q: How do race, whiteness, and eugenics figure into emigration and immigration policy in this historical context?
Racial anxieties and the desire to preserve whiteness influenced immigration debates both in sending countries and in the United States, with policies and social attitudes aiming to manage who could emigrate or be admitted; eugenics-era discrimination against people deemed 'feeble minded' or otherwise unfit also shaped exclusionary practices, reflecting broader global labor and racial ideologies of the era.
Thresholds Part 1: Leaving the Old Country
Q: What are the main push and pull factors behind Eastern European migration to the United States according to the episode?
The push factors include overpopulation, underemployment, and land scarcity within parts of the Austro-Hungarian Empire, while pull factors center on the demand for labor in the United States, higher wages, and opportunities for better futures; personal motivations and family dynamics also played a significant role in decisions to migrate.
Anastas Mikoyan
Q: What are some of Mikoyan's key contributions during the thaw?
Mikoyan pushed for rehabilitation of political prisoners, advocated nationalities reform, opposed coercive assimilation, and supported decentralization within the union, shaping the post-Stalin policy landscape.
Anastas Mikoyan
Q: What drew you to Mikoyan?
The interviewer explains a long-standing interest in the history of Soviet Armenia and personal family connections, while the guest emphasizes Mikoyan's dual identity as Armenian within the Soviet system and his role in the thaw and de-Stalinization.
Soviet Holocaust Literature
Q: Did you use existing Russian translations to inform your translations, and how did that influence your work?
Yes, Russian translations were consulted as a guide in tonal decisions and to understand ambiguous elements, but the final English translation aimed to stay faithful to the original Yiddish or Russian texts while preserving voice.

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. The Foreign Affairs Interview
4. ChinaTalk
5. The LRB Podcast

How many episodes of The Eurasian Knot are there?

The Eurasian Knot launched 14 years ago and published 378 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. Claudia Sadowski-Smith
2. David Roediger
3. Tara Zahra
4. Stephen Jones
5. Jonathan Daly
6. Mikhail Fishman
7. Alexander Rabinowitch
8. Pietro A. Shakarian

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