
Linda Jaivin
Author, cultural commentator and translator, known for writing on modern Chinese history and author of Bombard the Headquarters! China's Cultural Revolution; contributed expertise on the Cultural Revolution and Mao-era politics.
Best podcasts with Linda Jaivin
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Nov 18, 2025 • 45min
Understanding China's history is crucial for Australia
Guests Linda Jaivin, Louisa Lim, and Edward Wong dive into China's tumultuous history and its impact on contemporary Australia. Jaivin sheds light on Mao’s Cultural Revolution, exploring the chaos among Red Guard factions and propaganda's surrealism with mango cults. Lim contrasts British and Chinese narratives of Hong Kong while discussing its protest culture and the King of Kowloon. Wong compares control in Xinjiang to U.S. imperialism, revealing the continuity of power from Tiananmen to Xi Jinping, linking history to current political tensions.

Jul 23, 2025 • 54min
Mao and Stalin — did they lead the way for tyrannical leaders like Trump?
Linda Jaivin, an expert on Chinese culture, and Sheila Fitzpatrick, a historian of the Soviet Union, dive into the legacies of Mao Zedong and Joseph Stalin. They explore the frightening similarities between these historical tyrants and contemporary leaders, like Trump. Discussion includes the cult-like admiration for Mao, the tumultuous Cultural Revolution, and how their influences resonate in today's politics, particularly in Russia and China. Personal stories of generational trauma linked to these regimes highlight the enduring impact of their authoritarian legacies.


