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The Naked Pravda

Медуза / Meduza
Russia
Ukraine
Vladimir Putin
European Union
Soviet Union
Putin
NATO
Alexey Navalny
Telegram
Kazakhstan
Cold War
Ethnic Germans
Human Rights
Donald Trump
Federal Security Service
United States
Georgia
Meduza
Freedom Of Speech
Identity

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

PublishesTwice monthlyEpisodes189Founded7 years ago
Category
News

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Latest Episodes

On the fourth anniversary of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, The Naked Pravda speaks with journalist and author Lucian Kim to ask the questions that still don’t have settled answers: Was this war the product of one man’s radicalization, or s... more

It’s no secret that Russia relies on high salaries and sign-on bonuses to recruit soldiers to fight in Ukraine. Despite staggering battlefield losses, an estimated 30,000 men still enlist every month. But after four years of full-scale war, the cost ... more

As the full-scale invasion of Ukraine enters its fifth year, resistance to Russian occupation has undergone a radical transformation. The public displays of defiance that defined the war’s early days — with civilians blocking tanks and holding street... more

In this week’s episode, host Kevin Rothrock sits down with RFE/RL senior international correspondent Mike Eckel to discuss his January 28 investigation into the bizarre case of Nomma Zarubina: The FSB, Lies, and Drunk Texting the FBI. A 35-year-old R... more

Key Facts

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Contact Information
Podcast Host

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Recent Guests

Lucian Kim
Journalist covering Russia and author of Putin's Revenge
International Crisis Group (Senior Ukraine Analyst)
Episode: Lucian Kim explains how a generational clash over Soviet nostalgia enabled Russia’s invasion of Ukraine
Janis Kluge
Researcher at the German Institute for International and Security Affairs in Berlin
German Institute for International and Security Affairs
Episode: Unpacking the economics behind Russia’s military recruitment machine, with researcher Janis Kluge
Jade McGlynn
Expert on Ukraine and Russia, head of the Ukraine and Russia program at the Center for Statecraft and National Security
King's College London
Episode: Russia has crushed open defiance in occupied Ukraine. Scholar Jade McGlynn explains how the resistance went underground to survive.
William Jay Risch
Professor of Russian and Eastern European History at Georgia College
Georgia College
Episode: Historian William Jay Risch looks back at Euromaidan and Ukraine’s road from ‘revolutionary euphoria to the madness of war’
Seva Gunitsky
Political science professor at the University of Toronto
Episode: Is Trump’s Venezuela operation a ‘gift to Putin,’ and what is the state of Russia’s ‘shadow fleet’?
Craig Kennedy
Russian oil industry expert at Harvard's Davis Center for Russian and Eurasian Studies
Harvard University
Episode: Is Trump’s Venezuela operation a ‘gift to Putin,’ and what is the state of Russia’s ‘shadow fleet’?
Charlie Hancock
Opinion editor of the Moscow Times
Moscow Times
Episode: Moscow Times opinion editor Charlie Hancock discusses the challenges of commissioning commentary on Russia amid the war in Ukraine
Nikolay Kononov
Journalist and author of 'The Populist: The Untold Story of Pavel Durov and Telegram'
Episode: Pavel Durov’s Russian biographer explains the tech-bro feudalism that drives Telegram
Andrei Sannikov
Belarusian pro-democracy activist and veteran opposition politician, who ran against Lukashenko in the 2010 presidential election.
Episode: Andrei Sannikov on Lukashenko’s latest gambit — and why the West keeps taking the bait

Hosts

Kevin Rothrock
Host of The Naked Pravda and senior Meduza editor, with extensive coverage of Russia and its influence; appears across many episodes.
Eilish Hart
Deputy Editor at Meduza in English; contributes as host and guest across episodes, with a focus on Russia-related journalism and policy.

Reviews

4.8 out of 5 stars from 739 ratings
  • Great podcast

    Excellent show on getting an inside view from a Russian politics

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    cwoolson
    United States3 months ago
  • I really want to love this. Meduza is a great organisation, and the pod's a great concept. But I just find it frustrating that Kevin so often interrupts the speaker and answers his own questions.

    No ill meant to him though, love their work <3

    Podcast Addict
    3
    Heinz
    7 months ago
  • See below

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

    Apple Podcasts
    2
    BlackPearlie
    United Statesa year ago
  • Where have you been ?

    Is this show discontinued?

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Shoeless Jack Johnson
    United Statesa year 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
    2 years ago

Listeners Say

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

Guests are diverse, with strong academic and policy backgrounds, offering depth beyond standard reporting.
Some listeners feel the host's questioning can be lengthy or take too long to steer topics.
The host delivers informed, balanced interviews that pull expert insights from guests.

Chart Rankings

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

Apple Podcasts
#112
Russia/News

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Unpacking the economics behind Russia’s military recruitment machine, with researcher Janis Kluge
Q: Is it possible that the federal government will have to step in to support the regions?
Yes, the federal government may need to transfer more funds as regional budgets are under severe pressure.
Unpacking the economics behind Russia’s military recruitment machine, with researcher Janis Kluge
Q: What are the main factors driving recruitment?
While financial incentives are predominant, there's also still a sense of duty to serve the country.
Unpacking the economics behind Russia’s military recruitment machine, with researcher Janis Kluge
Q: Why are hundreds of thousands of men still joining the Russian military voluntarily?
The dominant motive is the financial incentive of sign-on bonuses, often drawing in those in precarious situations.
Russia has crushed open defiance in occupied Ukraine. Scholar Jade McGlynn explains how the resistance went underground to survive.
Q: As a researcher, how do you approach conducting fieldwork on resistance in such dangerous and repressive conditions?
I focus on ensuring the safety of those involved in resistance, using qualitative methods to gather insights while avoiding direct communication that could endanger individuals in occupied territories.
Russia has crushed open defiance in occupied Ukraine. Scholar Jade McGlynn explains how the resistance went underground to survive.
Q: What is the relationship between resistance in the occupied territories and the work of Ukraine's intelligence services?
Resistance has learned from earlier experiences; while grassroots actions were present initially, now there's a more formalized structure coordinating resistance efforts.

Audience Metrics

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

Gender Skew
Location
Interests
Professions
Age Range
Household Income
Social Media Reach

Frequently Asked Questions About The Naked Pravda

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

A analytically focused show that draws on country experts, journalists, and researchers to unpack Russia- and Ukraine-related issues. Episodes cover topics from generational nostalgia driving geopolitical behavior to military recruitment economics, underground resistance in occupied territories, and shifts in Russian elite culture, often featuring high-profile academics, analysts, and veteran reporters. The breadth of guests and the depth of analysis make it a strong fit for listeners who want rigorous context, current developments, and nuanced perspectives beyondheadline coverage. A notable strength is the show's ability to pair investigative reporting with expert commentary, offering both on-the-ground insights and historical context that... more

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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. Russian Roulette
3. Geopolitics Decanted with Dmitri Alperovitch
4. Ukraine: The Latest
5. War on the Rocks

How many episodes of The Naked Pravda are there?

The Naked Pravda launched 7 years ago and published 189 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 Naked Pravda?

Recent guests on The Naked Pravda include:

1. Lucian Kim
2. Janis Kluge
3. Jade McGlynn
4. William Jay Risch
5. Seva Gunitsky
6. Craig Kennedy
7. Charlie Hancock
8. Nikolay Kononov

To view more recent guests and their details, simply upgrade your Rephonic account. You'll also get access to a typical guest profile to help you decide if the show is worth pitching.

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