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The Naked Pravda

Медуза / Meduza
Russia
Soviet Union
Ukraine
Ethnic Germans
Vladimir Putin
Georgia
Kazakhstan
European Union
Family History
Identity
Cold War
Stalin's Deportations
Boris Nadezhdin
Cuban Missile Crisis
Yom Kippur War
Ukraine War
Graphic Novels
Dagestan
Johns Hopkins University
Nikita Khrushchev

Meduza’s English-language podcast, The Naked Pravda highlights how our top reporting intersects with the wider research and expertise that exists about Russia. The broader context of Meduza’s in-depth, original journalism isn’t always clear, which is where this show comes in. Here you’ll hear from the world’s community of Russia experts, activists, and reporters about issues that are at the heart ... more

PublishesMonthlyEpisodes175Founded6 years ago
Number of ListenersCategory
News

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Latest Episodes

In recent weeks, Estonia, Poland, and Romania have reported breaches of their airspace by Russian aircraft. Just this week, Norway revealed that Russian aircraft have violated its airspace three times this year after more than a decade without such i... more

On June 25, NATO leaders agreed at their annual summit on a goal of spending five percent of their gross domestic product on defense, more than doubling the old two-percent target. It’s unclear how many members will actually reach this goal. Even the... more

Historian Benjamin Nathans joins The Naked Pravda to discuss his new book, To the Success of Our Hopeless Cause: The Many Lives of the Soviet Dissident Movement (Princeton University Press, August 2024). In the post-Stalin USSR, when the regime seeme... more

Anthropologist Jeremy Morris joins The Naked Pravda to discuss his latest book, Everyday Politics in Russia: From Resentment to Resistance (Bloomsbury, March 2025). The conversation explores Morris’s extensive fieldwork across urban, regional, and ru... more

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Recent Guests

Dr. Olga Oliker
Program director for Europe and Central Asia at Crisis Group
Crisis Group
Episode: Here’s what you do when Russia won’t stay out of your airspace
Joshua Yaffa
Journalist and writer, author of the Orwell Prize-winning book Between Two Fires.
The New Yorker
Episode: Joshua Yaffa explains how Donald Trump got NATO to pay up
Benjamin Nathans
The Alan Charles Kors Endowed Term Professor of History at the University of Pennsylvania
University of Pennsylvania
Episode: Pulitzer-winner Benjamin Nathans on the Soviet dissident movement’s ‘many lives’
Jeremy Morris
Anthropologist and author of Everyday Politics in Russia: From Resentment to Resistance
Episode: Everyday politics in Russia with Jeremy Morris
Jill Dougherty
A longtime journalist, former CNN correspondent, and author of "My Russia: What I Saw Inside the Kremlin"
CNN
Episode: Jill Dougherty’s Russia
Dr. Fyodor Tertitsky
A lecturer at Korea University and a researcher on North Korean politics
Korea University
Episode: North Korea's role in the Ukraine War
Alexandra Prokopenko
Fellow at the Carnegie Russia Eurasia Center, former columnist and senior advisor
Carnegie Russia Eurasia Center
Episode: Breaking down Russia's 2025 war budget
Ilya Shumanov
General director of Transparency International-Russia in exile
Transparency International
Episode: The North Caucasian clan warfare behind a deadly dispute at Wildberries, ‘Russia’s Amazon’
Mike Eckel
RFE RL journalist who co-authored an article regarding Russian influence operations
RFE/RL
Episode: America's expanding crackdown on RT and Moscow's covert influence operations

Host

Kevin Rothrock
Managing editor of Meduza in English and host, Kevin Rothrock engages listeners with expert insights into Russian affairs and politics, featuring in-depth discussions with guests from diverse backgrounds looking at the complexities of the region.

Reviews

4.8 out of 5 stars from 728 ratings
  • See below

    Not every writer is a good interviewer, podcaster or valuable guest.

    Apple Podcasts
    2
    BlackPearlie
    United States3 months ago
  • Where have you been ?

    Is this show discontinued?

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Shoeless Jack Johnson
    United States7 months ago
  • Consistently thought provoking and with high quality audio. If you're interested in Russia and it's influence in the world, this is a must listen

    Podcast Addict
    5
    Jojo
    a year ago
  • Essential source for English language information!

    Very grateful for the naked Pravda and Medusa’s consistency in sharing insights into the Russian world in today’s circumstances.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Dentez
    Canadaa year ago
  • Informative and Enjoyable

    A great podcast dealing in detail with current issues in Russia. Entertaining and well run by Kevin.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Freophil
    Australiaa year ago

Listeners Say

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

Many express gratitude for the English-language coverage of complex issues, highlighting the importance of these narratives in understanding global contexts.
Listeners appreciate the informative and thoughtful discussions that provide critical insights into Russian politics and society.
Some critiques refer to the host's interviewing style, suggesting improvements in clarity and focus during discussions.

Chart Rankings

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

Apple Podcasts
#210
Russia/News

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Here’s what you do when Russia won’t stay out of your airspace
Q: Are there lessons that we could take from the incident when Turkey shot down a Russian aircraft?
The lessons include that it does not lead to World War III but that escalation management is complicated.
Here’s what you do when Russia won’t stay out of your airspace
Q: What should NATO's response be to the incursions?
Dr. Oliker suggests that NATO needs to think creatively about how they respond, even if they are not naturally inclined towards creative tactics.
Here’s what you do when Russia won’t stay out of your airspace
Q: How do you view what's happened over the last few weeks?
Dr. Oliker describes it as indicative of escalatory patterns but something that has been occurring for a long time.
Joshua Yaffa explains how Donald Trump got NATO to pay up
Q: So Trump isn't going to blow up NATO, but NATO is slowly going to become a bit more European?
Indeed, NATO responsibilities are gradually shifting towards Europe as European nations ramp up their military capabilities.
Joshua Yaffa explains how Donald Trump got NATO to pay up
Q: Do you think that the Baltic state leaders, do they feel any consolation in the fact that they're generally the ones who are spending higher percentages of their GDP?
Yes, but they are still nervous about Trump's comments regarding NATO spending and protection.

Audience Metrics

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Frequently Asked Questions About The Naked Pravda

What is The Naked Pravda about and what kind of topics does it cover?

This podcast focuses on in-depth discussions surrounding Russia, blending investigative journalism with expert analysis. Notable topics include the intricacies of NATO dynamics influenced by American politics, reflections on the Soviet dissident movement, and ongoing conflicts such as the war in Ukraine. Conversations feature journalists, academics, and activists who provide a nuanced understanding of contemporary Russian society and politics. The program stands out for its commitment to bringing authentic voices from inside and outside Russia to an English-speaking audience, making it an indispensable resource for those interested in understanding the complexities of Russian and Eastern European affairs.

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How many listeners does The Naked Pravda get?

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Which podcasts are similar to The Naked Pravda?

These podcasts share a similar audience with The Naked Pravda:

1. In Moscow's Shadows
2. Что случилось
3. Радио Медуза
4. Russian Roulette
5. Что это было?

How many episodes of The Naked Pravda are there?

The Naked Pravda launched 6 years ago and published 175 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

How do I contact The Naked Pravda?

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What guests have appeared on The Naked Pravda?

Recent guests on The Naked Pravda include:

1. Dr. Olga Oliker
2. Joshua Yaffa
3. Benjamin Nathans
4. Jeremy Morris
5. Jill Dougherty
6. Dr. Fyodor Tertitsky
7. Alexandra Prokopenko
8. Ilya Shumanov

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