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
Dec 3, 2019 • 46min
Tales of my Father (96)
Today has been a difficult day. My Dad has just died. It was expected, but these things hit you nonetheless.He was a good father, a good man with many varied interests including art, photography, and history. All of which he passed onto me. In particular, it was history, which has ultimately resulted in this podcast.I hope my listeners will indulge me today as this episode is not about the Cold War but is a recording I made of a chat I had with my Dad way before I had any thought of Cold War Conversations, or maybe this chat was the genesis – who knows?It would be nice if it was and a fitting tribute, but anyway here’s me and my Dad chatting about his experiences during World War 2.We welcome Graham Sanders to our Cold War Conversation…More photos are on this link https://coldwarconversations.com/episode96/Support the project! https://coldwarconversations.com/donate/Follow us on Twitter https://twitter.com/ColdWarPodFacebook https://www.facebook.com/groups/coldwarpod/Instagram https://www.instagram.com/coldwarconversations/Youtube https://youtube.com/@ColdWarConversations Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Nov 30, 2019 • 57min
Alexander - A Conscript in the Soviet Navy (95)
Alexander ‘Sasha’ Goncharov was born in Leningrad but early in this life moved to Ukraine. After leaving school he was drafted into the Soviet Military and was based in Sevastopol where he worked in Naval Aviation servicing anti-ship weapons systems. At the end of this period, Sasha decided to stay in the military to make it a full-time career. He was sent to Moscow where he trained as a full-time linguist. He was posted to Syria and Libya facilitating interactions between local forces and their Soviet advisors. Now if this podcast was a magazine you wouldn’t mind paying a few quid or dollars a week so I’m asking you to support us for the bargain price of $3 a month. In the last few weeks John Newlove and Mike Hart have joined in helping to cover the show’s increasing costs and keep us on the air, plus they’ve got the sought after CWC coaster too.Just go to https://coldwarconversations.com/donate/So back to today’s episode – Alexander left the Russian military as a Lt Colonel and is the Co-Organiser of an Anglo-Russian charity which looks to bring Russians who fought in World War II to the UK to visit. We welcome Lt Colonel Alexander Goncharov to our Cold War conversation...There’s further information on this episode in our show notes, which can also be found as a link in your podcast app. https://coldwarconversations.com/episode95/If you like what you are hearing please leave reviews in Apple podcasts and share us on social media.Can’t you wait for next week’s episode? Do visit our facebook discussion group where guests and listeners continue the Cold War Conversation. https://www.facebook.com/groups/coldwarpod/Support the project! https://coldwarconversations.com/donate/Follow us on Twitter https://twitter.com/ColdWarPodFacebook https://www.facebook.com/groups/coldwarpod/Instagram https://www.instagram.com/coldwarconversations/Youtube https://youtube.com/@ColdWarConversations Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Nov 23, 2019 • 1h 6min
The Strange World of Cold War Romanian Football (94)
In this episode, we hear from Craig McCracken who spoke to us in episode 3. This time he tells us about the strange world of football in Cold War Romania and even if you are not interested in football it’s a fascinating chat about Cold War Romania.Craig runs the website, Beyond the Last Man, described as 20th century football writing and nostalgia in a skilled and cultured groove. He really knows his stuff.Are you liking the podcast and want to help? Well, for the price of a couple of coffees a month you can help cover the show’s increasing costs and keep us on the air, plus you get the sought after CWC coaster too.Just go to https://coldwarconversations.com/donate/So back to today’s episode, we talk of the early Cold War years where pre-war clubs were dissolved in favour of the big two (Steaua & Dinamo) through to the societal breakdown of the 1980s with defections, corruption, zombie clubs and an unlikely European Cup success.I’m delighted to welcome back Craig McCracken to our Cold War Conversation…As you can hear Craig really knows his stuff and I highly recommend a visit to his web site, Beyond The Last Man for numerous Cold War Football stories. We have a link to his site and various Romanian football videos in our show notes at https://coldwarconversations.com/episode94/ which will show in your podcast app. If you can’t wait for the next episode do visit our facebook discussion group where our guests and listeners like yourselves continue the Cold War Conversation. Just search Cold War Conversations.https://www.facebook.com/groups/coldwarpod/Thank you very much listening, it is really appreciated – goodbye!Support the project! https://coldwarconversations.com/donate/Follow us on Twitter https://twitter.com/ColdWarPodFacebook https://www.facebook.com/groups/coldwarpod/Instagram https://www.instagram.com/coldwarconversations/Youtube https://youtube.com/@ColdWarConversations Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Nov 16, 2019 • 1h 14min
The Berlin Wall - Frederick Taylor (93)
Our interview today is with Frederick Taylor, the author of one of my favourite books on the Berlin Wall. Using official history, archive research and personal stories he has produced one of the definitive books on the Berlin Wall.BUY THE BOOK AND SUPPORT THE PODCAST HERENow if you like the podcast you can help to support us for the price of a couple of coffees a month. You’ll be helping to cover the show’s increasing costs and keep us on the air, plus you get the sought after CWC coaster too.Just go to https://coldwarconversations.com/donate/So back to today’s episode - James speaks with Fred who provides some great accounts of his personal experiences in Berlin as well as the story of the Berlin Wall and its eventual destruction. We welcome Fred Taylor to our Cold War conversation…There’s further information on this episode in our show notes, which can also be found as a link in here your podcast app. https://coldwarconversations.com/episode93/If you like what you are hearing sign up to our email list at https://coldwarconversations.com/Radio GDRIf you are interested in East Germany we can highly recommend our friends over at Radio GDR.Support the project! https://coldwarconversations.com/donate/Follow us on Twitter https://twitter.com/ColdWarPodFacebook https://www.facebook.com/groups/coldwarpod/Instagram https://www.instagram.com/coldwarconversations/Youtube https://youtube.com/@ColdWarConversations Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Nov 11, 2019 • 28min
Gillian - A US Student at the opening of the Berlin Wall (92)
We speak again with Gillian, who was our guest in episodes 42 & 48. Gillian was in Berlin the night of 9th November 1989 and describes what she saw.Now if you like the podcast you can help to support us for the price of a couple of coffees a month. You’ll be helping to cover the show’s increasing costs and keep us on the air, plus you get the sought after CWC coaster too.Just go to https://coldwarconversations.com/donate/So back to today’s episode – Gillian gives us the viewpoint of a US student in Berlin on that pivotal night on 20th Century history. She tell us of her first discovery that this was going to be a night to remember and the sights and sounds of that night. We welcome Gillian back to our Cold War conversation…We have further photos and information on this episode in our show notes which will show as a link in your podcast app. https://coldwarconversations.com/episode92/Support the project! https://coldwarconversations.com/donate/Follow us on Twitter https://twitter.com/ColdWarPodFacebook https://www.facebook.com/groups/coldwarpod/Instagram https://www.instagram.com/coldwarconversations/Youtube https://youtube.com/@ColdWarConversations Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Nov 10, 2019 • 1h 6min
Alastair Witnesses the Wende (91)
Alastair took up a teaching post in Halle, East Germany in August 1989 and continued to work in Halle for the next 9 years, seeing the unraveling of the GDR first hand. Now if you like the podcast you can help to support us for the price of a couple of coffees a month. You’ll be helping to cover the show’s increasing costs and keep us on the air, plus you get the sought after CWC coaster too.Just go to https://coldwarconversations.com/donate/So back to today’s episode – Alastair arrived just in time to see the early protests and the opening of the border with West Germany. He recounts the Wende with some great stories detailing the impact of the Wende and the effects of reunification.We welcome Alastair to our Cold War conversation… If you like what you are hearing sign up to our email list at coldwarconversations.com.We have further photos and information on this episode in our show notes which will show as a link in your podcast app here. https://coldwarconversations.com/episode91Radio GDRIf you are interested in East Germany we can highly recommend our friends over at Radio GDR. Support the project! https://coldwarconversations.com/donate/Follow us on Twitter https://twitter.com/ColdWarPodFacebook https://www.facebook.com/groups/coldwarpod/Instagram https://www.instagram.com/coldwarconversations/Youtube https://youtube.com/@ColdWarConversations Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Nov 9, 2019 • 39min
The Opening of the Berlin Wall (90)
Our interview today is in a different format. Cold war Conversations is working with the Imperial War Museum on a project called Voices of the Wall. We will be capturing personal testimonies of people’s experiences of the Cold War which will later become part of the podcast.Therefore, this episode is a composite of previous and unheard interviews of how people heard about the momentous opening of the Berlin Wall 30 year to the date this podcast is published.Now I can see a large increase in listeners of late with some of you binge listening the entire back catalogue. If this podcast was a magazine you wouldn’t mind paying a few quid or dollars a week so I’m asking you to support us for the bargain price of $3 a month. In the last few weeks Anders Ollson, Gregory Morrow, Michael Noble, Bernd Wagegg Mark Wiegers, Brian Carroll, and Scott Gregory have joined in helping to cover the show’s increasing costs and keep us on the air, plus they’ve got the sought after CWC coaster too.Just go to https://coldwarconversations.com/donate/So back to today’s episode – We have some great some stories from that momentous day in 1989 Welcome to our Cold War conversation There’s further information on this episode and other other Berlin Wall episodes in our show notes, which can also be found as a link in your podcast app. https://coldwarconversations.com/episode90/Support the project! https://coldwarconversations.com/donate/Follow us on Twitter https://twitter.com/ColdWarPodFacebook https://www.facebook.com/groups/coldwarpod/Instagram https://www.instagram.com/coldwarconversations/Youtube https://youtube.com/@ColdWarConversations Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Nov 7, 2019 • 1h
Checkpoint Charlie: The Berlin Wall and the most dangerous place on Earth (89)
Our interview today is with Iain MacGregor, the author of a new book on Checkpoint Charlie. Weaving together personal testimonies, this book is described as a gripping narrative with vivid interviews with those on all sides whose lives were directly affected by that grim symbol of the East-West divide that poisoned Europe for almost half a century.BUY THE BOOK AND SUPPORT THE PODCAST HERENow if you like the podcast you can help to support us from $3 a month. You’ll be helping to cover the show’s increasing costs and keep us on the air, plus you get the sought after CWC coaster too.Just go to https://coldwarconversations.com/donate/So back to today’s episode – Iain MacGregor tells us about some great stories from the history of Checkpoint Charlie featuring a number of guests from the podcast as well as a number of stories unknown to me. We welcome Iain Macgregor to our Cold War conversation…There’s further information on this episode in our show notes, which can also be found as a link in your podcast app here https://coldwarconversations.com/episode89Radio GDRIf you are interested in East Germany we can highly recommend our friends over at Radio GDR.Support the project! https://coldwarconversations.com/donate/Follow us on Twitter https://twitter.com/ColdWarPodFacebook https://www.facebook.com/groups/coldwarpod/Instagram https://www.instagram.com/coldwarconversations/Youtube https://youtube.com/@ColdWarConversations Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Nov 2, 2019 • 45min
Life as a Soviet Child Refugee in West Germany (88)
In this episode, we continue Andrej’s story with his sometimes, harrowing memories of how he became a child refugee in West Germany. Now if you like what your hearing then for the price of a couple of coffees a month you’ll be helping to cover the show’s increasing costs and keep us on the air, plus you get the sought after CWC coaster too.Just go to https://coldwarconversations.com/donate/So back to today’s episode – Andrej starts with the gradual building of unrest in East Germany and his family’s dramatic move to West Germany. It’s a sad story in parts, but ultimately you hear of Andrej’s triumph over adversity working for the US Forces in Germany.We welcome back Andrej to our Cold War conversation…I do hope you found Andrej’s story interesting. We have further photos and information in our show notes which are at https://coldwarconversations.com/episode88/ or will show as a link in some podcast apps. Support the project! https://coldwarconversations.com/donate/Follow us on Twitter https://twitter.com/ColdWarPodFacebook https://www.facebook.com/groups/coldwarpod/Instagram https://www.instagram.com/coldwarconversations/Youtube https://youtube.com/@ColdWarConversations Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Oct 30, 2019 • 1h 9min
British Forces in Germany: The Lived Experience 1945-2019 (87)
Dr Peter Johnston is the Head of Collections Research and Academic Access at the National Army Museum in London and the author of a lavishly illustrated military and social history of the British forces in Germany during the Cold War.BUY THE BOOK AND SUPPORT THE PODCAST HERENow if you like the podcast you can help to support us for the price of a couple of coffees a month. You’ll be helping to cover the show’s increasing costs and keep us on the air, plus you get the sought after CWC coaster too.Just go to https://coldwarconversations.com/donate/So back to today’s episode - James speaks with Peter who provides some great accounts of the experiences of British soldiers Germany.We welcome Peter to our Cold War conversation…We have further photos, videos and information on this episode in our show notes here https://coldwarconversations.com/episode87/Support the project! https://coldwarconversations.com/donate/Follow us on Twitter https://twitter.com/ColdWarPodFacebook https://www.facebook.com/groups/coldwarpod/Instagram https://www.instagram.com/coldwarconversations/Youtube https://youtube.com/@ColdWarConversations Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
