Shaking Hands with China’s Second Most Powerful Man

 Listen on Apple PodcastsListen on SpotifyListen on YouTubeListen on Amazon MusicListen on Podcast AddictBecome a Patron!   Bill Hodes was an American school child in 1950s Revolutionary China and this is the second part of his story.  You can listen to episode 1 here. Among many stories we hear how he had the unique … Read more

New Orleans to Beijing: An American Childhood in 1950s Revolutionary China

 Listen on Apple PodcastsListen on SpotifyListen on YouTubeListen on Amazon MusicListen on Podcast AddictBecome a Patron!   Bill Hodes life was steeped in the complexities of Cold War politics. Born to Communist parents in the United States, Bill’s early years were anything but ordinary. Growing up in a politically active household, he was surrounded … Read more

Cold War Britain: Fifty years in the shadow of the bomb

  Listen on Apple PodcastsListen on SpotifyListen on YouTubeListen on Amazon MusicListen on Podcast AddictBecome a Patron! British history, politics, literature and popular culture that defined the Cold War era. Fraser McCallum is the author of a new book Cold War Britain: Fifty years in the shadow of the bomb which gives a fascinating insight … Read more

The 2nd Most Famous Voice In Cold War Romania

 Irina Nistor worked as a translator of TV programs in Romania under the Communist regime, and is known for secretly voicing over thousands of banned movie titles on VHS tapes smuggled in from the West in the four years between 1985 and the revolution. She was reckeoned to be the 2nd most famous voice … Read more

Cold War Short Stories Episode 1

Listen on Apple PodcastsListen on SpotifyListen on YouTubeListen on Amazon MusicListen on Podcast AddictBecome a Patron! Cold War Short Stories is a series of short tales from our listeners and social media followers. These are fascinating Cold War stories that may not fill a full episode, but are far too good to leave untold… Your … Read more

Childhood Memories of the 1989 Romanian Revolution

Traian grew up in Romania during the tumultuous 1980s under the shadow of the communist regime led by Nicolae Ceaușescu. Listen on Apple PodcastsListen on SpotifyListen on YouTubeListen on Amazon MusicListen on Podcast AddictBecome a Patron! We learn about the harsh realities of life under communism, where shortages of basic goods were commonplace. He shares … Read more

A Black US Basketball Virtuoso in Cold War Poland

  The Communist Polish press called it “Kentomania!”—the excitement surrounding a 23-year-old, called Kent Washington who made history as the first American—and the first Black American—to sign a professional sports contract behind the Iron Curtain. Listen on Apple PodcastsListen on SpotifyListen on YouTubeListen on Amazon MusicListen on Podcast AddictBecome a Patron! Stepping off the plane … Read more

Agent Zo – From War Hero to Enemy: When Cold War Poland Turned on Its Own

Listen on Apple PodcastsListen on SpotifyListen on YouTubeListen on Amazon MusicListen on Podcast AddictBecome a Patron! ​In a world where history often overlooks the contributions of women, ​the story of ​Agent ​Zo stands out as a beacon of bravery and resilience. ​I spoke with ​Claire ​Mully about her book ​Agent ​Zo: the ​Untold ​Story of a fearless ​World ​War ​II ​resistance fighter. ​ From the first day of the … Read more

Surviving the Fastnet Sailing Disaster with a British Prime Minister

David recounts his experiences sailing with former British Prime Minister Edward Heath, offering a unique glimpse into the life of a man who once led a nation. Listen on Apple PodcastsListen on SpotifyListen on YouTubeListen on Amazon MusicListen on Podcast AddictBecome a Patron! From the camaraderie on board to the challenges faced during the races, … Read more

A Cold War Time Capsule – The Nottingham War Rooms

Last year I was given the unique opportunity to visit the Nottingham War Rooms. The site is about to be re-developed so it was a rare chance to see a British Regional Seat of Government bunker that has lain relatively untouched since the end of the Cold War. Listen on Apple PodcastsListen on SpotifyListen on … Read more