Cold War Conversations

By: Ian Sanders
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  • Summary

  • Experience the Cold War like never before through award-winning, real-life stories told by those who lived it. Each week, we bring you firsthand accounts from soldiers, spies, civilians, and more, capturing the full spectrum of Cold War experiences. Host Ian Sanders takes you beyond the history books, delivering raw, personal stories where every breath, pause, and emotion adds depth to understanding this pivotal era. This is Cold War history, told from the inside. 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, M60 The podcast is for military veterans, school teachers, university lecturers, students and those interested in Cold War history, museums, bunkers, weapons, AFVs, wargaming, planes, A Level, GCSE students
    © 2024 Cold War Conversations
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Episodes
  • Doorsteps of Hell - a US Marine platoon commander in the Vietnam War (371)

    Doorsteps of Hell - a US Marine platoon commander in the Vietnam War (371)
    Oct 25 2024
    As Tom Williams fought the enemy, every day, without fail, he would record the day’s events in his diary. It is these diaries (which Tom has to this day), that enable him to tell the story of Vietnam in the late sixties/early seventies, like it really was. I talk with Tom about his book “Doorsteps of Hell” where he offers an honest, unembellished account of a new officer in the US Marines - fighting and surviving in the mud-sucking rice paddies and leech-infested jungles of Vietnam. In my conversation Tom brings to life the camaraderie, leadership, and the very essence of military expertise. Tom’s book is available at heartofamarineseries.com . Episode extras https://coldwarconversations.com/episode371 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. All our combat episodes in one convenient playlist https://open.spotify.com/playlist/6j6YJmRWzt42kYiPGkcFfa?si=95e5366e4ad945a3 Find the ideal gift for the Cold War enthusiast in your life! Just go to https://coldwarconversations.com/store/ 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
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    1 hr and 24 mins
  • How the Cold War almost destroyed European Football (370)

    How the Cold War almost destroyed European Football (370)
    Oct 18 2024
    In the late 1960s European club football competitions were thriving However unexpected events in 1968 threatened its survival. I delve into the fascinating world of European football during the Cold War era with Craig McCracken, a self-described peddler and purveyor of quasi obscure retro football nostalgia via the 'Beyond The Last Man' blog. We explore the political tensions that influenced European football in the 1960s, and the dramatic events of 1968 when the Prague Spring was crushed by Soviet and Warsaw Pact forces. Discover how these geopolitical events impacted clubs like Celtic, the Milan clubs, and Real Madrid, and the unprecedented decisions UEFA had to make. This episode is a gripping tale of football, politics, and the power struggles that shaped the beautiful game. Episode extras https://coldwarconversations.com/episode370 Craig's excellent blog https://beyondthelastman.com/ All our Cold War Sport episodes in one convenient playlist https://open.spotify.com/playlist/2OoAtLN7sHYdCgCNhms1Kl?si=da05732a422a41f8 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 also 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/ Support the project! https://coldwarconversations.com/donate/ 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
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    44 mins
  • Nuclear Missions - a Canadian CF104 Starfighter Pilot's Story (369)

    Nuclear Missions - a Canadian CF104 Starfighter Pilot's Story (369)
    Oct 11 2024
    Flying at high speed and low level, RCAF pilot Allen French was at the sharp end of potential nuclear bombing missions during the Cold War. Born at the dawn of the baby boomer era, Allen delves into his early inspirations, his father's service in the Royal Canadian Air Force, and the pivotal moments that led him to join the Air Force. From training on the Canadair CT-114 Tutor to flying the iconic F-86 Sabre and CF-104 Starfighter, Allen shares firsthand accounts of Cold War tensions, nuclear deterrence strategies, and the challenges of high-speed, low-level navigation across Europe. Around 50% of over 200 Canadian Starfighters were lost in accidents. You’ll hear about Allen’s near-death experience at a West German airbase and many other personal anecdotes that bring history to life. Thanks to Bernardo Scheliga who put me in contact with Allen. He and Allen are volunteers at the Canadian Museum of Flight. You can find details here https://canadianflight.org/ Episode extras https://coldwarconversations.com/episode369 All our air power episodes in one convenient playlist https://open.spotify.com/playlist/4QVY3bWNLFSd62iBkPzRh9?si=31342ec59eb54762 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 also 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/ Support the project! https://coldwarconversations.com/donate/ 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
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    1 hr and 11 mins

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Profile Image for exile71

Excellent

These are great episodes, very diverse ranging from sport to military intelligence during the Cold War period. I’m learning a lot. Thank you!

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Profile Image for Margaret Langdon

Fantastic

Just really a thank you to Ian for investing so much time into bringing these stories to life and let them be heard.

Tremendous

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Profile Image for Lord Flashart

awe inspiring stories

What a find. Ian does a fantastic job of teasing out some amazing accounts of cold war history as told by those that lived the experience. stories from both sides of the iron curtain and from units I didn't know even existed. The civilian aspect is also covered from both sides and what serving personnel got upto is both sobering and hilarious in equal measure. Thats the drive to/ from work sorted for the next year...how many conversations! 5 Stars somehow doesn't do this series justice. one day the people who lived these times will be gone so well done preserving them.

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Profile Image for Anonymous User

We need to hear these voices!

It's so important that history is remembered, and what better way to understand history than by listening to those who were there making it. Ian is doing a superb job of putting together these stories for present and future generations to really understand what happened. A must listen!

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