Best Connexions Global Network Podcasts (2024)

1
Metaphor to Direct: The History of Russian New Drama 39:04

2d ago39:04

39:04

On this episode, Nick speaks with Susanna Weygandt a scholar studying performance theories of Russian and East European theater. She discusses the work of Anatoly Vasiliev, famed Russian theater director for the Moscow School of Dramatic Arts. Thanks for listening! ABOUT THE GUEST: Elena Susanna Weygandt analyzes and documents performance theories …

1
Words Without Bars: Russian Prison Literature & the Encyclopedia of the Dog 32:18

29d ago32:18

32:18

On this episode, José Vergara (Bryn Mawr College) delves into the challenges and rewards of teaching literature in a carceral setting and his continued exploration of novels born behind bars. From the haunting prose of incarcerated writers to the innovative realms of digital humanities, Vergara shares his many projects such as the Encyclopedia of t…

1
"Dynasty Divided: A Family History of Russian and Ukrainian Nationalism" 34:51

1M ago34:51

34:51

On this episode, Misha and Cullan speak with Fabian Baumann, a research associate at the University of Heidelberg, whose latest book Dynasty Divided (2023, NIU Press) uniquely approaches the nuanced history of Ukrainian and Russian nationalism through a prominent Kievan family of journalists, scholars, and politicians. Thanks for listening! ABOUT T…

1
Cyber Crime & Punishment in the Context of the Russo-Ukrainian War 38:14

2M ago38:14

38:14

On this episode, Kseniya Yurtayeva joins Taylor and Basil to discuss her work on cyberaggression, hybrid warfare, and the difficulty of creating and enforcing cyber law in the midst of a global conflict. ABOUT THE GUEST:Kseniya Yurtayeva holds a PhD in criminal law, criminology and criminal-executive law and is a visiting scholar at the University …

1
Liberty After Liberalism: Post-Maidan Transformations in Ukrainian Media 57:51

2M ago57:51

57:51

On this episode, Taras Fedirko from the University of Glasgow joins us on the Forty Acres to share the multilayered story of post-Soviet media in Ukraine and its dramatic transformations from Kravchuk to Zelenskyy. ABOUT THE GUEST Dr. Taras Fedirko is a Lecturer in Organized Crime and Corruption at the University of Glasgow. His current research fo…

1
Through American Eyes: Citizen Diplomacy and the Post-Soviet Market Economy 51:10

2M ago51:10

51:10

On this episode, attorney and business consultant Daniel Satinsky shares about his new book, which tells the story of American participation in the dismantling of the Soviet economy and the creation of the Russian market economy in the 1990s. Creating the Post-Soviet Russian Market Economy: Through American Eyes is based on more than 100 interviews…

1
Reporting in "Relative Unfreedom": A Conversation with Pjotr Sauer of The Guardian 30:52

3M ago30:52

30:52

On this episode, Pjotr Sauer shares his firsthand experiences and reflections on reporting on Russia both before February 24, 2022 from within the country and then after, reporting from outside of the country. He elaborates on the difficulties for all journalists in navigating the challenges and constraints in Russia and expands on the plight of hi…

1
Haunted Empire: Power, Trauma, & the Uncanny in Russian Imperial Gothic Literature 47:45

3M ago47:45

47:45

On this episode, Valeria Sobol of the University of Illinois Urbana Champaigne talks with us about her 2000 book "Haunted Empire." Dr. Sobol guides us through the tapestries of Imperial Russia, where crumbling estates and eerie figures cast long shadows over the pages of history. Drawing on her meticulous research and profound insights, she unveils…

1
Ukraine and the 2024 U.S. Presidential Elections with Terrell Jermaine Starr 35:00

4M ago35:00

35:00

On this episode, independent journalist Terrell Jermaine Starr shares his experiences covering Ukraine since Russia's invasion in 2022 and explaining to Americans the importance of the nation for global security, democracy, and humanity broadly. "We all need to be invested in each other's safety and security... Ukraine is the exact place I feel tha…

1
From Empires and Kings to Hitler and Co.: Democracy and Dictatorship in Central and Eastern Europe 43:41

4M ago43:41

43:41

On this episode, renowned historian John Connelly from the University of California, Berkeley, talks with us about the growth of fascism from democracy, the roots and justification narratives of anti-semitism in Germany and elsewhere, and the development of nationalism in modern history across Europe. Thanks for listening! ABOUT THE GUEST John Conn…

1
Resiliency, Corruption, and Uncertainty: Assessing Ukraine's Politics and Long-Term Prospects 31:31

5M ago31:31

31:31

On this episode, poitical scientist Serhiy Kudelia of Baylor University speaks with us about multiple topics on Ukraine from the prospects for Ukraine in the long-term, depending on continued western support, to the political effects of the war on Ukrainian leadership. Dr. Kudelia discusses the likelihood of Ukraine gaining any security guarantees …

1
Demystifying Cyber: Building Resiliency in the Modern Technology Landscape 48:02

5M ago48:02

48:02

On this episode, Francesca Lockhart, cybersecurity professor at The University of Texas at Austin, talks about her unique and prescient cybersecurity clinic that she developed on the Forty Acres after leading the Homeland Security Unit at the Texas Department of Public Safety. Francesca also discusses the role of state and local security units in p…

1
"Atomic Steppe": The Soviet Nuclear Legacy and the Global Arms Race 36:19

6M ago36:19

36:19

On this episode, Dr. Togzhan Kassenova joined Taylor and Nick for a conversation about the destructive impact of Soviet nuclear testing in Kazakhstan and the figurative fallout of the dissolution of the USSR which resulted in Russia providing security guarantees to "divorced" states in exchange for the surrender of Soviet weapons of mass destructio…

1
Ballistics and Ballots: The Ukraine War in 2024 and Beyond with Michael Kofman 34:27

6M ago34:27

34:27

On this first episode of 2024, we reflect on the War in Ukraine and Ukraine's prospects for continued political and military support in 2024 and beyond with Carnegie Endowment's senior fellow and renowned military analyst Michael Kofman. ABOUT THE GUEST Michael Kofman is a senior fellow in the Russia and Eurasia Program at the Carnegie Endowment fo…

1
Mordor to Moscow, Potter to Putin: Into the Slavic Multiverse with Eliot Borenstein 42:03

6M ago42:03

42:03

On this episode, Eliot Borenstein returns for a fun conversation about the political and historical themes in pop culture and the abundance of Marvel, Harry Potter, LOTR, etc. fan fiction that emerged post-socialism. We hope you enjoy! ABOUT THE GUEST Eliot Borenstein is Professor of Russian & Slavic Studies at New York University. His most recent …

1
Battle Without Borders: Cyberwarfare and the Russian (Dis)advantage 35:21

7M ago35:21

35:21

On this episode, cyber expert Gavin Wilde joined us to talk all things cyberwarfare. He defined the term and its distinction from information warfare; shared the reasons why he believes studying Russia is important for this complex, actively developing, and hard-to-measure battlefront; and touched on the differences between the US and Russian milit…

1
Gravedigger of the Present: Memory Politics and the Weaponization of History 45:09

7M ago45:09

45:09

In this episode, Bartek Gajos discusses his in-depth research into memory politics during the Soviet period and today, specifically the weaponization of history by the Russian regime, the past's influence on present actions taken by great powers, NATO expansion and EU enlargement, the "armageddon option" taken by Western G7 leaders at Russia's inva…

1
The State of Investigative Journalism in Russia Today with Mikhail Rubin 37:46

7M ago37:46

37:46

On this episode, Taylor and Misha speak with Mikhail Rubin, journalist and co-founder of Proekt Media, the lead investigative media outlet in Russia. Thanks for listening! ABOUT THE GUEST Mikhail Rubin has covered Russian policy processes for nearly 13 years. During this period, he has had the opportunity to work as a Kremlin pool reporter for the …

1
The (Grass)roots of Illiberalism: Contemporary Authoritarianism, Identity Projects, & Culture Wars in Europe 46:24

7M ago46:24

46:24

In this episode, Nick and Eliza talk with widely respected historian and sociologist Marlène Laruelle about the concept of illiberalism and its spread across Europe. Dr. Laruelle explains how she frames the relatively new term as a cluster of ideologies that is challenging liberalism in its various forms, mostly based around two key arguments: (1) …

1
Surveillance, Liberty, & Privacy: A Conversation on National Security & Emerging Technologies with Adam Klein 43:21

7M ago43:21

43:21

On this episode, Adam Klein, director of the Strauss Center for International Security & Law, shares his insights on the concerns around security versus freedom of speech; his work covering the confluence of law, surveillance, and emerging technologies; and his unique perspectives on global affairs. PRODUCER'S NOTE: This episode was recorded on Nov…

1
Bravehearts: The Real Story of the Chechens' Unending Fight for Independence (#Connexions speaker series) 55:26

8M ago55:26

55:26

On this episode, Dr. Michael Dennis, a leading expert on the Chechen Republic, tells the multifaceted story of the Chechen fight for independence, including the consequences of the Chechen Wars, the rise of the Kadyrov family, lessons learned by the Russian Army, impacts on the Putin regime's decision-making in crises, and Chechnya's role in Ukrain…

1
Yellowing Paper: Russian Journalism, the New Proletarian Elite, and an Economy of Smugglers 29:13

8M ago29:13

29:13

On this episode, we talk with Financial Times' Moscow bureau chief Max Seddon who speaks about his personal path to journalism in Putin's Russia, the state of the country's economic system, the political ineffectiveness of Russian oligarchs, and much more. Thanks for listening! ABOUT THE GUEST Max Seddon has been the FT's Moscow bureau chief since …

1
On the Wings of Russian Propaganda: Slovakia and the Decline of Democracy in Central Europe 34:28

9M ago34:28

34:28

On this episode, Slovakian politician and academic Martin Klus talks with us during a trip to Texas about the state of the Slovak Republic following the recent elections favoring a more Moscow-friendly government. Slovakia's move towards the pro-Russia camp in which Victor Orban's Hungary sits will make things difficult for its eastern neighbor Ukr…

1
A Matter of Defense: Russia's Arms Industry, Post-Soviet Wars, and American Pragmatism 48:25

9M ago48:25

48:25

On this episode, Misha talks with Ruslan Pukhov, a Russian defense analyst and the director of the Moscow-based Centre for Analysis of Strategies and Technologies (CAST). Mr. Pukhov shares about the origins of CAST during the late 90s, the state of Russia's defense economy, and his views on the current war in Ukraine. He states that neither the Ukr…

1
From Fallujah to the Forty Acres: History, Strategy, and Statecraft with Paul Edgar 40:45

9M ago40:45

40:45

On this episode, we had the opportunity to sit down with Dr. Paul Edgar, the interim executive director of the Clements Center for National Security at UT Austin. Paul spoke about how he went from the military to academia, the Russo-Ukrainian War, and his goals for the Clements Center as a leading educational institution for discourse around histor…

1
From Russia to Hollywood: Bringing Slavic Culture to the Silver Screen 37:14

9M ago37:14

37:14

On this episode, Misha and Taylor speak with Lada Egorova, a Russian filmmaker in Los Angeles who has an ambitious and timely project, creating a TV comedy about Slavic emigres to the US and their culture. The show is titled BLIN, meaning 'pancake' and explores the Russian community and its culture in Los Angeles. As Lada mentions in the episode, o…

1
There's No Business Like War Business: Prigozhin, Putin, and Weakening Partnerships 39:32

10M ago39:32

39:32

On this episode, Mark McNamee, political, economic, and intelligence analyst, talks with host Nick about a range of topics pertaining to Russia's War in Ukraine: from the late Prizoghin's mutiny to China's and Russia's relationship rooted largely in an anti-Western agenda and what this means for the continuing conflict. Thanks for listening! PRODUC…

1
Bohemian Forgery: The Legendary Czech Manuscripts and National Myth 38:28

10M ago38:28

38:28

On this episode, Cullan is joined by Dr. David Cooper, the department head and associate professor at the Department of Slavic Languages and Literatures at the University of Illinois, to speak about his recent book on two Czech Manuscripts and the story of their successful forgery and dramatic discovery in the early 19th century. Dr. Cooper elabora…

1
Post-Soviet Protests, Politics, and Premature Dismissals of Russia's Regional Governors 33:06

11M ago33:06

33:06

On this episode, Lera and Cullan chat with Tatiana Tkacheva, a research fellow at the Higher School of Economics in St. Petersburg, about the strategies of the autocrat in dealing with regional governors. In her paper, she and her co-authors attempt to answer this question by using the example of premature withdrawals and dismissals of Russia’s reg…

1
The Case of DOXA: A New Chapter in Russian Youth Repression 38:06

11M ago38:06

38:06

On this episode, Lera sits down with Anastasiya Osipova, a scholar of Soviet and contemporary Russian and Ukrainian cultures, who shares about her research on DOXA, a student journal on political harassment in academia that emerged from Higher School of Economics in Moscow in 2017. DOXA was stripped of its status as a university organization in 201…

1
Behind Black & White Frontlines: Literature Development in Wartime Ukraine, 2014-2022 41:45

12M ago41:45

41:45

On this episode, Lera and Misha sit down with Dr. Alexander Chertenko, a professor of Ukrainian literature at the University of Giessen in Germany. Dr. Chertenko is uniquely positioned to trace the wartime development of Ukrainian literature in the country since 2014. He also illuminates the usually underdiscussed topic of literature in Donetsk and…

1
The Art of Transition from Socialist to Post-Socialist Russia 38:59

1y ago38:59

38:59

On this episode, Elise Herrala takes us on a tour of the evolution of art and artists in Soviet Russia and post-Soviet Russia. Elise also gives us some insight into what is going on today in Putin's Russia in terms of state repression and renewed restriction on creative freedoms. You can check out her book here: https://www.amazon.com/Art-Transitio…

1
KAZKA: The Voice of Ukraine 51:10

1+ y ago51:10

51:10

On this special episode, Sergio and Misha get the opportunity to speak with Sasha Zaritska, the lead singer of U-pop band KAZKA, and Andriy Urenov, producer and manager of the band. Their new single "Bez Kohannya" (Without Love) is out this Friday! Listen to the end of the episode for a sneak preview. Learn more about KAZKA and check out their musi…

1
You Only Need to Die: The Secret Police of East Germany and Romania 36:59

1+ y ago36:59

36:59

On this episode, Valentina Glajar and Alison Lewis share their personal stories and research on the history of East Germany's STASI and Romania's Securitate and the dismantling of these secret police forces. Thank you for listening! You can listen to Douglas Selvage's episode here: https://www.slavx.org/listen/episode/b54c0fff/operation-denver-and-…

1
Milan Rastislav Štefánik: The Slovak National Hero and Co-Founder of Czechoslovakia 32:53

1+ y ago32:53

32:53

On this episode, Cullan talks with Professor Michal Kšiňan about his monograph on the Slovak national hero and co-founder of Czechoslovakia, Milan Rastislav Štefánik. Michal talks about Štefánik's military career and meteoric rise and the place he continues to hold in Czechoslovakia history and memory. Thanks for listening! ABOUT THE BOOK https://w…

1
"In the Storms of Transformation": History of Balkan Migration and Globalization with Ulf Brunnbauer 28:32

1+ y ago28:32

28:32

On this episode, Cullan sits down with lauded historian Ulf Brunnbauer, managing director of the Leibniz Institute for East and Southeast European Studies in Regensburg, Germany, whose research on the social history and anthropology of Southeast Europe reveals that the Balkan region is in many ways more globalized than the rest of Europe. ABOUT THE…

1
The Other: Russian-American Relations Through the Centuries with Ivan Kurilla 35:57

1+ y ago35:57

35:57

On this episode, historian Dr. Ivan Kurilla from European University in St. Petersburg shares about his research on the rich and little-known history of US-Russia relations since the 18th century. Dr. Kurilla explains how the US and Russia are "constitutive others" that have developed historically within the same political language, were both proje…

1
Compounding Conflicts: Russia in Ukraine, the Middle East, and Africa with Robert Freedman 45:02

1+ y ago45:02

45:02

On this episode, venerated political scientist Dr. Robert Freedman joins us to expound on the various wars and conflicts that Russia has gotten into, not only in Ukraine, but also in Syria, Libya, Mali, and more. Dr. Freedman articulates Putin's current goals as he sees them, touches on the liberal use of the Wagner Group by Russia, and prognostica…

1
The Reception Desk: Soviet Bureaucracy with a Human Face, 1979-1985 32:18

1+ y ago32:18

32:18

On this episode, Lera speaks with Emily Joan Elliott of H-Net about what got her interested in Soviet and post-Soviet history and her particular focus on migration to Moscow and the Priemnaia (reception desk) of the Supreme Soviet. Per Elliott's research: "the Priemnaia received thousands of complaints and petitions annually, often from individuals…

1
The Politics of Soviet Football in the 1950s and 60s 24:28

1+ y ago24:28

24:28

On this episode, Sergio talks with Yacov Zohn, football historian and former semi-professional footballer in Russia, France, and the US. Yacov's research into the development of Soviet football sheds light on the immense political pressure placed on the primary USSR team, the Sbornaya, to win each and every game--but ultimately the unrealistic aim …

1
"Budapest's Children: Humanitarian Relief in the Aftermath of the Great War" 27:54

1+ y ago27:54

27:54

On this episode, Friederike Kind-Kovács visits with us in Austin, Texas, to talk about her latest book which explores the ways in which migration, hunger, and destitution affected children's lives, casting light on their particular vulnerability in times of distress. You can find her book "Budapest's Children" (published by Indiana University Press…

1
Russian Law: "Is There Any?" with Will Pomeranz 36:39

1+ y ago36:39

36:39

On this episode, recorded in-person at the ASEEES 2022 Convention in Chicago, Lera and Taylor sit down with Will Pomeranz, the director of the Wilson Center's Kennan Institute, to talk about his experience practicing Russian law in Russia, the work of the Kennan Institute, the evolution (and devolution) of Russian law from the tsarist period throug…

1
"The Demise of the Multiethnic Soviet Union" with Brigid O'Keeffe 46:49

1+ y ago46:49

46:49

On this episode, author and historian Brigid O'Keeffe joins Sergio and Misha to discuss her research and newly released work on the rise and fall of the multiethnic Soviet Union. The social histories which Dr. O'Keeffe mentions are: Jeff Sahadeo's Voices from the Soviet Edge https://www.cornellpress.cornell.edu/book/9781501738203/voices-from-the-so…

1
"Oil, the State, and War" with Emma Ashford 39:34

1+ y ago39:34

39:34

To continue our discussion on the effects of the War in Ukraine on the energy sector, Foreign Policy columnist and Stimson Center senior fellow Dr. Emma Ashford joins us to share about her book "Oil, the State, and War: Foreign Policy of Petrostates." You can find more about this comprehensive guide to understanding petrostates and the significant …

1
Shifting Sands: The Middle East and North Africa in Russia's War in Ukraine 40:27

1+ y ago40:27

40:27

On this episode, Misha speaks with Middle East expert Nicole Robinson who expounds on how MENA countries have responded to Russia's War in Ukraine and the reasons why. Ms. Robinson sheds some light on the future of the region as the conflict evolves and Russia's capacity to arm and feed its regional allies dwindles. Furthermore, she suggests that R…

1
"Ingredients of Change": History of Food in Bulgaria with Mary Neuburger 42:23

1+ y ago42:23

42:23

On this episode, Taylor talks with the director of CREEES, Dr. Mary Neuburger, about her latest book entitled Ingredients of Change: The History and Culture of Food in Modern Bulgaria. Thanks for listening! From the publisher: Ingredients of Change explores modern Bulgaria's foodways from the Ottoman era to the present, outlining how Bulgarians dom…

1
"The Fastest Game in the World" with Bruce Berglund 48:09

1+ y ago48:09

48:09

On this episode, Eliza talks with sports historian Bruce Berglund who shares about his personal love of hockey, the global development of the sport, the rise of hockey in Eastern Europe and the Soviet Union, and its role of hockey in the expression of national identity on the international stage. Thanks for listening! We encourage you to check out …

1
Putin's War in Ukraine: Mobilization, Annexation, and the Coming Winter 42:13

1+ y ago42:13

42:13

On this episode, Lera and Taylor speak with returning guest Leonid Ragozin who candidly updates us on the war in Ukraine and helps us make sense of the fog of this conflict and the continual stream of headline-making actions from the Kremlin. They discuss Putin's mobilization orders, the West's response to Russians fleeing the draft, an unseen stru…

1
Putting Poland, Ukraine, and Russia in Context with Norman Davies 34:33

2y ago34:33

34:33

On this episode, luminary historian Professor Norman Davies joins us to talk about the state of Polish studies, the deep history of Ukraine when it was ruled from Warsaw and Krakow, and the importance of broadening European and Slavic studies as taught in academic spaces. This episode was all about historical context, so we hope you enjoy. Thanks f…

1
"Black Garden Aflame": The Nagorno-Karabakh Conflict with Artyom Tonoyan 56:10

2y ago56:10

56:10

On this first episode of season 5, Lera and Zack talk with Dr. Artyom Tonoyan about the ongoing Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, delving into the history of tensions between Armenia and Azerbaijan, Russia's role and presence as mediator, and the various geopolitical vectors in the region. Thanks for listening! From the publisher: "East View Press aims to…

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