

Cold War Conversations
Ian Sanders
Experience the Cold War like never before with Cold War Conversations — an award-winning podcast recommended by The New York Times.Each week, host Ian Sanders brings you raw, firsthand accounts from the people who lived through one of history’s most tense and transformative eras — soldiers, spies, civilians, and more.These aren’t stories from textbooks. They’re unfiltered voices from the frontlines of history — emotional, gripping, and deeply human.This is Cold War history, told from the inside out.We cover subjects such as spies, spying, the Iron Curtain, nuclear weapons, warfare, tanks, jet aircraft, fighters, bombers, transport aircraft, aviation, culture, and politics.We also cover personalities such as Fidel Castro, JFK, Ronald Reagan, Nikita Khrushchev, Leonid Brezhnev, Yuri Andropov, Mikhail Gorbachev, Konstantin Chernenko, Margaret Thatcher, John F. Kennedy, Josef Stalin, Richard Nixon, Lech Walesa, General Jaruzelski, Nicolae Ceaușescu.Other subjects include Czechoslovakia, Yugoslavia, Romania, Checkpoint Charlie, Berlin, West Berlin, East Berlin, Cuban missile Crisis, Berlin Airlift, Bay of Pigs, SALT, Perestroika, Space Race, superpower, USSR, Soviet Union, DDR, GDR, East Germany, SDI, Vietnam War, Korean War, Solidarność, Fall of the Wall, Berliner Mauer, Trabant, Communist, Capitalist, Able Archer, KGB, Stasi, STB, SB, Securitate, CIA, NSA, MI5, MI6, Berlin Wall, escape, defection, Cuba, Albania, football, sport, Bulgaria, Soviet Union, Poland, China, Taiwan, Austria, West Germany, Solidarity, espionage, HUMINT, SIGINT, OSINT, IMINT, GEOINT, RAF, USAF, British Army, US Army, Red Army, Soviet Army, Afghanistan, NVA, East German Army, KAL007, T-72, T-64, Chieftain, M60The podcast is for military veterans, school teachers, university lecturers, students and those interested in Cold War history, museums, bunkers, weapons, AFVs, wargamers, planes, A Level, GCSE students studying Superpower Relations and the Cold War.
Episodes
Mentioned books

Jul 25, 2025 • 1h 19min
With the US 1st Armored Division in Cold War West Germany (414)
Doug and Mike served in CS Company, 1st Battalion, 37th Armor in the US 1st Armored Division in West Germany.
They provide vivid accounts of their basic training experiences, where they faced the rigors of military life for the first time. Doug recalls the challenges of adapting to the strict regimen and the camaraderie that formed among the recruits.
As their stories transition to life in Germany, they reflect on the unique challenges and cultural experiences they encountered while stationed overseas. From the friendships forged in the face of adversity to the unforgettable moments during training exercises, both Doug and Mike provide listeners with a glimpse into the realities of military service.
Their narratives also highlight the lasting impact of their time in the military, emphasizing how their experiences shaped their lives and careers long after their service ended. With anecdotes that range from the humorous to the poignant, this episode serves as a testament to the resilience and camaraderie that define military life.
Whether you're a veteran, a family member of someone in the service, or just curious about military life, Doug and Mike's stories are sure to resonate.
Episode extras https://coldwarconversations.com/episode414
The fight to preserve Cold War history continues and via a simple monthly donation, you will give me the ammunition to continue to preserve Cold War history.
You’ll become part of our community, get ad-free episodes, and get a sought-after CWC coaster as a thank you and you’ll bask in the warm glow of knowing you are helping to preserve Cold War history.
Just go to https://coldwarconversations.com/donate/
If a monthly contribution is not your cup of tea, we welcome one-off donations via the same link.
Find the ideal gift for the Cold War enthusiast in your life! Just go to https://coldwarconversations.com/store/
Follow us on BlueSky https://bsky.app/profile/coldwarpod.bsky.social
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Love history? Join Intohistory https://intohistory.com/coldwarpod
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Jul 22, 2025 • 16min
Cold War Short Stories Ep 1 (413)
Welcome to a new type of episode I'm calling Cold War Short Stories — a collection of stories from our listeners and social media followers. These are fascinating Cold War tales that may not fill a full episode, but are far too good to leave untold. So keep them coming!
Your Cold War memories, or those of a loved one, are part of history. Share them with us!
If you have a story to share, whether in text or audio form, you can send it to me at ian "at" coldwarconversations.com.
In this first edition, we’ve got a brilliant mix: a memory from the Cuban Missile Crisis, a chance encounter with a Cold War legend, a 13-year-old’s unexpected flight behind the Iron Curtain, some poignant family reflections from the Korean War, and a visitor’s eerie timing as they arrived in Ukraine just as the Chernobyl disaster was unfolding.
Links.
Robin Stock's web site https://theextraordinarylivesofordinarypeople0.wordpress.com/cuba-rockets-and-me/
Russell Phillips web site https://russellphillips.uk/
Article about Russell's story https://coldwarconversations.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/Saga-June-2000.pdf
Episode extras https://coldwarconversations.com/episode413
The fight to preserve Cold War history continues and via a simple monthly donation, you will give me the ammunition to continue to preserve Cold War history.
You’ll become part of our community, get ad-free episodes, and get a sought-after CWC coaster as a thank you and you’ll bask in the warm glow of knowing you are helping to preserve Cold War history.
Just go to https://coldwarconversations.com/donate/
If a monthly contribution is not your cup of tea, we welcome one-off donations via the same link.
Find the ideal gift for the Cold War enthusiast in your life! Just go to https://coldwarconversations.com/store/
Follow us on BlueSky https://bsky.app/profile/coldwarpod.bsky.social
Follow us on Threads https://www.threads.net/@coldwarconversations
Follow us on Twitter https://twitter.com/ColdWarPod
Facebook https://www.facebook.com/groups/coldwarpod/
Instagram https://www.instagram.com/coldwarconversations/
Youtube https://youtube.com/@ColdWarConversations
Love history? Join Intohistory https://intohistory.com/coldwarpod
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Jul 18, 2025 • 1h 14min
Korea: War Without End (412)
The Korean War is often called "the forgotten war"—a brutal, complex conflict that claimed millions of lives but has largely faded from public memory, particularly in the West. Yet its consequences are still very much with us today, shaping the geopolitical fault lines on the Korean peninsula and beyond.
In their latest book, Korea : War Without End, Richard Dannatt and Robert Lyman challenge not just the memory but the understanding of the war, arguing that much of what we believe about Korea is incomplete, misunderstood, or dangerously simplified.
They explore the war as a story of missed opportunities, strategic miscalculations, and unintended consequences—a war that was as much about domestic Korean ambitions as it was about Cold War superpower rivalry. You will hear why this war has been forgotten, why it mattered then, and why it still matters now.
Episode extras https://coldwarconversations.com/episode412
The fight to preserve Cold War history continues and via a simple monthly donation, you will give me the ammunition to continue to preserve Cold War history.
You’ll become part of our community, get ad-free episodes, and get a sought-after CWC coaster as a thank you and you’ll bask in the warm glow of knowing you are helping to preserve Cold War history.
Just go to https://coldwarconversations.com/donate/
If a monthly contribution is not your cup of tea, we welcome one-off donations via the same link.
Find the ideal gift for the Cold War enthusiast in your life! Just go to https://coldwarconversations.com/store/
Follow us on BlueSky https://bsky.app/profile/coldwarpod.bsky.social
Follow us on Threads https://www.threads.net/@coldwarconversations
Follow us on Twitter https://twitter.com/ColdWarPod
Facebook https://www.facebook.com/groups/coldwarpod/
Instagram https://www.instagram.com/coldwarconversations/
Youtube https://youtube.com/@ColdWarConversations
Love history? Join Intohistory https://intohistory.com/coldwarpod
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Jul 11, 2025 • 1h 19min
The Night a Nuclear Missile Exploded: A Firsthand Account of Survival (411)
In this gripping episode, we hear the harrowing account of Greg Devlin, a former US Air Force technician who barely survived a catastrophic explosion at a Titan II nuclear missile silo in 1980.
He shares his journey from enlisting in the Air Force, the challenges he faced, and the fateful night that changed his life forever.
Greg vividly describes how he and his colleagues struggle to contain a potentially cataclysmic situation. With gripping detail, he shares the moment the explosion occurred, the physical and emotional toll it took on him, and the surreal experiences that followed.
Greg's story is one of survival against all odds. He reflects on the aftermath of the explosion and his long road to recovery, which included numerous surgeries and the enduring effects of the hazardous materials he was exposed to.
Greg’s account highlights the dangers of military service and the importance of remembering those who served during the Cold War. It’s a powerful narrative of survival, sacrifice, and resilience.
Episode extras https://coldwarconversations.com/episode411/
The fight to preserve Cold War history continues and via a simple monthly donation, you will give me the ammunition to continue to preserve Cold War history.
You’ll become part of our community, get ad-free episodes, and get a sought-after CWC coaster as a thank you and you’ll bask in the warm glow of knowing you are helping to preserve Cold War history.
Just go to https://coldwarconversations.com/donate/
If a monthly contribution is not your cup of tea, we welcome one-off donations via the same link.
Find the ideal gift for the Cold War enthusiast in your life! Just go to https://coldwarconversations.com/store/
Follow us on BlueSky https://bsky.app/profile/coldwarpod.bsky.social
Follow us on Threads https://www.threads.net/@coldwarconversations
Follow us on Twitter https://twitter.com/ColdWarPod
Facebook https://www.facebook.com/groups/coldwarpod/
Instagram https://www.instagram.com/coldwarconversations/
Youtube https://youtube.com/@ColdWarConversations
Love history? Join Intohistory https://intohistory.com/coldwarpod
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Jul 4, 2025 • 58min
The Cold War Origins of the War in Ukraine (410)
Stephan Kieninger, a historian specializing in post-Cold War European security, discusses the ongoing impact of Cold War dynamics on the war in Ukraine. He highlights key negotiations involving Gorbachev, Yeltsin, and Putin, providing insights into NATO's expansion and Russia's desire for involvement in European security. The conversation explores critical misunderstandings that fueled tensions, the challenges of nuclear proliferation, and the inadequacies of security guarantees that failed to protect Ukraine. Kieninger's expertise sheds light on the complexities shaping today's geopolitical landscape.

Jun 27, 2025 • 1h 7min
The End of East Germany: A Communist Family’s Journey Through Change (409)
This is the story of a Communist family in East Germany whose world was turned upside down by the implosion of the GDR.
The story is told by Katja Hesse, whose father was a Vice Admiral in the Volksmarine, the East German Navy. We start the episode with Katja crossing into West Berlin on the night of 9th November 1989 and journey through the emotional landscape of certainties overturned by the opening of the Berlin Wall.
Using her father’s diaries Katja shares in detail her memories and reflections. From her father’s shock upon learning she crossed into West Berlin, to the complexities of navigating a new reality in a reunified Germany. It’s an intimate glimpse into the struggles of her family as she recounts the legacy of the GDR and the profound impact it had on her upbringing and identity.
Buy Katja's book here https://www.engelsdorfer-verlag.de/Belletristik/Romanhafte-Biografien/Ostprinzessinnen-tragen-keine-Krone::7605.html
Episode extras https://coldwarconversations.com/episode409/
Part one is here https://pod.fo/e/2f0ace
The fight to preserve Cold War history continues and via a simple monthly donation, you will give me the ammunition to continue to preserve Cold War history.
You’ll become part of our community, get ad-free episodes, and get a sought-after CWC coaster as a thank you and you’ll bask in the warm glow of knowing you are helping to preserve Cold War history.
Just go to https://coldwarconversations.com/donate/
If a monthly contribution is not your cup of tea, we welcome one-off donations via the same link.
Find the ideal gift for the Cold War enthusiast in your life! Just go to https://coldwarconversations.com/store/
Follow us on BlueSky https://bsky.app/profile/coldwarpod.bsky.social
Follow us on Threads https://www.threads.net/@coldwarconversations
Follow us on Twitter https://twitter.com/ColdWarPod
Facebook https://www.facebook.com/groups/coldwarpod/
Instagram https://www.instagram.com/coldwarconversations/
Youtube https://youtube.com/@ColdWarConversations
Love history? Join Intohistory https://intohistory.com/coldwarpod
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Jun 20, 2025 • 60min
The Spy in the KGB Archive (408)
The story of how one man—a librarian for the KGB—became a traitor to the intelligence agency, stealing the most prized Soviet-era archives and smuggling them to the West.
Historian and journalist Gordon Corera whose new book “The Spy in the Archive” tells the remarkable story of how Vasili Mitrokhin—an introverted archivist who loved nothing more than dusty archives—ended up changing the world.
As the in-house archivist for the KGB, the secrets he was exposed to inside its walls turned him first into a dissident and then a spy; a traitor to his country but a man determined to expose the truth about the dark forces that had subverted Russia, forces still at work in the country today.
Related episodes
Deep Cover Cold War Spies: How Russia’s Illegal Agents Penetrated the West https://pod.fo/e/2c6cf5
Portland Spy Ring Part 1 https://pod.fo/e/292bd
Portland Spy Ring Part 2 https://pod.fo/e/4471e
The Bridge of Spies spy https://pod.fo/e/15f244
Discovering your husband is a KGB spy https://pod.fo/e/17a1c4
I was a deep cover KGB spy Part 1 https://pod.fo/e/9c88f
I was a deep cover KGB spy Part 2 https://pod.fo/e/9e0a6
Episode extras https://coldwarconversations.com/episode408/
The fight to preserve Cold War history continues and via a simple monthly donation, you will give me the ammunition to continue to preserve Cold War history.
You’ll become part of our community, get ad-free episodes, and get a sought-after CWC coaster as a thank you and you’ll bask in the warm glow of knowing you are helping to preserve Cold War history.
Just go to https://coldwarconversations.com/donate/
If a monthly contribution is not your cup of tea, we welcome one-off donations via the same link.
Find the ideal gift for the Cold War enthusiast in your life! Just go to https://coldwarconversations.com/store/
Follow us on BlueSky https://bsky.app/profile/coldwarpod.bsky.social
Follow us on Threads https://www.threads.net/@coldwarconversations
Follow us on Twitter https://twitter.com/ColdWarPod
Facebook https://www.facebook.com/groups/coldwarpod/
Instagram https://www.instagram.com/coldwarconversations/
Youtube https://youtube.com/@ColdWarConversations
Love history? Join Intohistory https://intohistory.com/coldwarpod
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Jun 13, 2025 • 1h 16min
Memories of an East German Naval Officer's Family (407)
Katja Hesse, daughter of Vice Admiral Gustav Hesse of the East German Navy, shares her deeply personal story of growing up behind the Iron Curtain.
In this fascinating conversation, Katja provides rare insights into life in the GDR as the child of a high-ranking officer— from an idyllic childhood in privileged housing to working at the Grand Hotel Berlin.
She recounts her father’s harrowing World War 2 escape from the Sudetenland, her experiences of political indoctrination in school and life within a family loyal to the East German government. Katja also describes her work at guest houses for East Germany’s elite , where she served dignitaries including Erich Honecker and Egon Krenz.
This is a moving and revealing glimpse into a unique Cold War upbringing— and into the personal costs of German reunification for families like Katja’s.
Buy Katja's book here https://www.engelsdorfer-verlag.de/Belletristik/Romanhafte-Biografien/Ostprinzessinnen-tragen-keine-Krone::7605.html
Episode extras https://coldwarconversations.com/episode407/
Part two is here https://pod.fo/e/2e5327
The fight to preserve Cold War history continues and via a simple monthly donation, you will give me the ammunition to continue to preserve Cold War history.
You’ll become part of our community, get ad-free episodes, and get a sought-after CWC coaster as a thank you and you’ll bask in the warm glow of knowing you are helping to preserve Cold War history.
Just go to https://coldwarconversations.com/donate/
If a monthly contribution is not your cup of tea, we welcome one-off donations via the same link.
Find the ideal gift for the Cold War enthusiast in your life! Just go to https://coldwarconversations.com/store/
Follow us on BlueSky https://bsky.app/profile/coldwarpod.bsky.social
Follow us on Threads https://www.threads.net/@coldwarconversations
Follow us on Twitter https://twitter.com/ColdWarPod
Facebook https://www.facebook.com/groups/coldwarpod/
Instagram https://www.instagram.com/coldwarconversations/
Youtube https://youtube.com/@ColdWarConversations
Love history? Join Intohistory https://intohistory.com/coldwarpod
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Jun 6, 2025 • 1h 10min
Gorbachev - The Man Who Ended An Empire (406)
In the annals of history, few leaders have faced the monumental challenges that Mikhail Gorbachev encountered when he rose to power in the Soviet Union in 1985.
His ascent came at a time when the nation was grappling with stagnation, disillusionment, and an economy on the brink of collapse. Gorbachev, the youngest General Secretary in Soviet history, was thrust into a leadership role that demanded not only a vision for reform but also the courage to confront an entrenched bureaucracy resistant to change.
In a new format I explore the life of Mikhail Gorbachev without a guest.
Recommended episodes
Face to face with the Soviets at the Cold War Reykjavik Summit between President Reagan and Mikhail Gorbachev https://pod.fo/e/244e66
On the Streets of Cold War Estonia fighting for Independence https://pod.fo/e/222e82
Eyewitness to the 1991 Soviet Coup https://pod.fo/e/f7f7
Episode extras https://coldwarconversations.com/episode406/
The fight to preserve Cold War history continues and via a simple monthly donation, you will give me the ammunition to continue to preserve Cold War history.
You’ll become part of our community, get ad-free episodes, and get a sought-after CWC coaster as a thank you and you’ll bask in the warm glow of knowing you are helping to preserve Cold War history.
Just go to https://coldwarconversations.com/donate/
If a monthly contribution is not your cup of tea, we welcome one-off donations via the same link.
Find the ideal gift for the Cold War enthusiast in your life! Just go to https://coldwarconversations.com/store/
Follow us on BlueSky https://bsky.app/profile/coldwarpod.bsky.social
Follow us on Threads https://www.threads.net/@coldwarconversations
Follow us on Twitter https://twitter.com/ColdWarPod
Facebook https://www.facebook.com/groups/coldwarpod/
Instagram https://www.instagram.com/coldwarconversations/
Youtube https://youtube.com/@ColdWarConversations
Love history? Join Intohistory https://intohistory.com/coldwarpod
00:00:00 Introduction
0:01:10 The Man from Stavropol
0:06:35 Acceleration and the Mirage of Momentum
0:13:15 The Opening to the West
0:20:26 Opening the Gates
0:28:08 Signing Away the Missiles
0:34:37 Nations within a Nation
0:40:36 The Centre Cannot Hold
0:46:51 The Coup that Failed
0:58:00 The Weight of Legacy
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May 30, 2025 • 1h 24min
Policing the Berlin Wall with the Royal Military Police (405)
Simon Wood served in the British Army’s Royal Military Police in Berlin during the1980s. He describes the unique challenges he faced patrolling the Berlin Wall and policing British troops in the divided city.
Discover the political tensions, the camaraderie with fellow soldiers, and the surreal moments such as being present at the post-mortem of Hitler’s deputy Rudolf Hess.
We also hear about life at Checkpoints Charlie and Bravo, interactions with East German forces, and taking part in Flag Tours in East Berlin which resulted in various confrontations with Soviet troops.
Episode extras https://coldwarconversations.com/episode405/
The fight to preserve Cold War history continues and via a simple monthly donation, you will give me the ammunition to continue to preserve Cold War history.
You’ll become part of our community, get ad-free episodes, and get a sought-after CWC coaster as a thank you and you’ll bask in the warm glow of knowing you are helping to preserve Cold War history.
Just go to https://coldwarconversations.com/donate/
If a monthly contribution is not your cup of tea, we welcome one-off donations via the same link.
Find the ideal gift for the Cold War enthusiast in your life! Just go to https://coldwarconversations.com/store/
Follow us on BlueSky https://bsky.app/profile/coldwarpod.bsky.social
Follow us on Threads https://www.threads.net/@coldwarconversations
Follow us on Twitter https://twitter.com/ColdWarPod
Facebook https://www.facebook.com/groups/coldwarpod/
Instagram https://www.instagram.com/coldwarconversations/
Youtube https://youtube.com/@ColdWarConversations
Love history? Join Intohistory https://intohistory.com/coldwarpod
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