About a Boy: The Story of Vladimir Putin
Audacy Studios | Puck
The West's obsession with Vladimir Putin's KGB past often misses the biographical detail that can be captured by a single word: dvor. The word means courtyard in Russian, but to a Russian speaker, it is evocative of a whole universe. It was the space where Putin, like so many Soviet kids of his generation, grew up and learned an unforgiving, often brutal social code. Puck journalist Julia Ioffe introduces Westerners to that universe and explains why it’s critical to understanding the Russian president and what he might do next in the war against Ukraine.
Episodes
Mentioned books
Oct 25, 2023 • 45min
Chapter 5: All the World’s a Dvor
Exploring Vladimir Putin's education in the dvor, his persona as a Tsar-like figure, consequences faced by spies, power dynamics and intimidation tactics, establishing authority through strategic moves, Putin's perception of the West and the invasion of Ukraine.
6 snips
Oct 18, 2023 • 36min
Chapter 4: The Big Brother
Explore the impact of the Soviet collapse on Putin's rise to power and his connection to organized crime. Learn about loyalty and power in Putin's inner circle and the different personas of the Russian leader, including promises of fighting corruption and the realization of his own corrupt regime.
8 snips
Oct 11, 2023 • 34min
Chapter 3: The Punk
This podcast explores how Putin's childhood experiences in the urban courtyard shaped his code of conduct based on physical force. It also discusses his involvement in judo and how it helped him escape his troubled neighborhood. Additionally, the podcast explores Putin's early fascination with the KGB and his rise to power as the president of Russia.
31 snips
Oct 4, 2023 • 27min
Chapter 2: The Rat
Explore the gritty realities of postwar Soviet childhood, where millions grew up in urban courtyards, learning survival skills amid scarcity. Delve into the psychological implications of Putin's 'cornered rat' anecdote, pondering whether he recognizes himself in that metaphor. Witness the profound impact of wartime trauma on a generation shaped by loss and hardship, contrasted with the optimism of American boomers. Discover tales of communal living, daily challenges, and the social hierarchies forged in the dvor, the heart of childhood life.
30 snips
Oct 4, 2023 • 31min
Chapter 1: The Ghosts
The podcast delves into the horrors of World War II in Leningrad, including starvation, survival, and the impact on Vladimir Putin's family. It also explores the significance of Putin's Soviet upbringing and the extreme conditions endured by the civilians.
Oct 2, 2023 • 3min
About a Boy: The Story of Vladimir Putin
In the West, Russian dictator Vladimir Putin is always seen as one of two things: KGB spy or judo master. But to anyone who’s ever lived in the Soviet Union, Putin is something else entirely: a street kid. Join journalist Julia Ioffe as she explores how Putin’s childhood taught him lessons that shape his thinking and actions to this day. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices
