Best Czech Studies Podcasts (2024)

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

8d 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

19d 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

1M 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

3M 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

4M 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

5M 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
Goodbye, Jane 1:20:43

5M ago1:20:43

1:20:43

As two wonderful years come to an end, Piper and Lillian reflect on what we've learned from Jane Eyre. Thank you for joining us on this journey. Happy Jane Eyre reading and watching.

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
Stuffies For Broccoli: The 1963 Mini Series & Versions We Didn't See 1:07:36

6M ago1:07:36

1:07:36

In the style of an edgy live-action Disney movie of the 2010s, Lillian and Piper come up with a sympathetic back story for Brocklehurst. He's waaaaay more relatable now. Trust us! We also discuss the adaptations we didn't get to review, including silent films, radio dramas and plays. Happy New Year!

1
Hero or Villain? A Character Study of Edward Rochester 1:22:23

6M ago1:22:23

1:22:23

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays!!! When it comes to character studies, we saved the best for last. So, in the spirit of giving, here's our gift to you. The one. The only. Edward. Fairfax. Rochester.

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
Jane & Edward (2023): An Interview with Author Melodie Edwards 1:00:03

6M ago1:00:03

1:00:03

We talk to Author Melodie Edwards about her reimagining of Jane and Edward's love story in modern-day Toronto. We talk about what inspired this story, what was easy to adapt, and which plot points were harder to figure out in this new setting. You can find all of Melodie's work here: https://melodieedwards.com/ Pre-order her next novel reimagining …

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

6M 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
Analyzing Nature in Jane Eyre 1:33:10

6M ago1:33:10

1:33:10

Nature plays such an important role in this novel and we were so excited to talk about it this week. Join us as we explore the poetry, metaphors and themes of the natural world through Charlotte's writing.

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

6M 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
It's Czech to me: The 1972 Czech Mini Series 1:07:57

7M ago1:07:57

1:07:57

It's our final foreign language adaptation! Without subtitles to guide us, Piper and Lillian spend a lot of time discussing what-ifs with some of the major story beats.

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

6M 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
Palate Cleanser: A Christmas Carol the 1984 Movie 1:01:41

7M ago1:01:41

1:01:41

Thanksgiving is over which means we're technically allowed to talk about Christmas. So to cleanse our palates, we chose the George C. Scott Christmas Carol! The story is way spookier than Lillian remembered.

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
And Now a Word from Us Authors! Talking About Each Other's Fanfics 53:29

7M ago53:29

53:29

Back in March, Lillian and Piper read and reviewed a handful of Jane Eyre Fanfiction. They also wrote some of their own. Selections from each story is read on air, but you can read the full fics here: Meeting on the Road by Lillian Cotter: https://eyrebuds.weebly.com/meeting-on-the-road.html Through Your Eyes by Piper Cleaveland: https://eyrebuds.w…

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

7M 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
Rewatching the 1943 Movie with Guest Patrick Cotter 1:02:13

7M ago1:02:13

1:02:13

One of the best things about younger siblings is they have to do what you say, like watch Jane Eyre from 1943 and then talk about it with you on your podcast! This week, Piper and Lillian get a fresh perspective on an old classic, with Lillian's bother, Petrie -I mean- Patrick.

1
Seeing the Brontes: To Walk Invisible the 2016 Mini Series 1:04:44

8M ago1:04:44

1:04:44

This show was as good as everyone said it was. Also Branwell is Eminem. His forehead is sweaty, knees week, arms are heavy, he has vomit on his sweater already, not-mom's spaghettis. -Ope! There goes gravity!

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
Happy Halloween! Discussing the Gothic Elements of Jane Eyre 1:04:19

8M ago1:04:19

1:04:19

Have you been locked in a room where your uncle died? Woken in the middle of the night to find your bed engulfed in flames? Dragged to a foreign country and forced to live in an attic for the rest of your life? You or your loved ones may be entitled to a gothic settlement.

1
Don't Say Macbeth!: The 1856 Play 56:01

8M ago56:01

56:01

The Ingrams perform a comedy of manners, John and Grace are the odd couple, oh, and Jane and Rochester are there too.

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

8M 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
Palate Cleanser: The Corpse Bride 2005 1:01:37

8M ago1:01:37

1:01:37

It's a beautiful day -it's' a rather nice day- a day for a glorious podcast!

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

8M 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
Steak and Milk: Re-Watching the 1970 Movie 1:10:03

8M ago1:10:03

1:10:03

George C. Scott is a big, burly man with a soft squishy heart and we love him.

1
Adaptions Through the Decades: The Brontes at the BBC (2016) 1:01:24

9M ago1:01:24

1:01:24

In this week's episode, Lillian swims across the Atlantic with Piper on her back! It's very impressive. We also talk about a 2016 BBC documentary about the many times the BBC adapted the Brontes work and why. Not as impressive, but still worth talking about.

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
St. John the "Nice Guy": The 1961 Made for TV Movie 1:02:51

9M ago1:02:51

1:02:51

This adaptation was recently released from the vault for American audiences, giving Lillian and Piper more fodder for their mania and analysis.

1
A "Character Study" of Thornfield Hall 1:05:03

9M ago1:05:03

1:05:03

A gentleman's manor house, a cold and gothic asylum, a place to call home. Thornfield Hall means different things to different people and in this week's episode Lillian and Piper discuss the many faces and personas of this iconic place.

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

9M 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
Update for Non-Spotify Listeners 2:16

9M ago2:16

2:16

This week's episode is exclusive to Spotify since we re-built the episode through their music + talk platform. Search Eyre Buds on Spotify to listen to this week's episode. Or donate $3 to Patreon to listen to the original Master of Thornfield Radio Hour with the full songs: https://www.patreon.com/eyrebuds Or listen along with the musical playlist…

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

9M 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
Palate Cleanser: Wuthering Heights 1992 1:06:04

10M ago1:06:04

1:06:04

We are finally sampling another Brontë's work with Emily Brontë's classic gothic tale, Wuthering Heights. Somethings you need a happily ever after. Sometimes you're glad both of the main characters die in the end. Heathcliff does a great job of making Rochester look like a nice guy in this dramatic tale of two people whose love is causing them pain…

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

10M 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
Reader, I Murdered Him: An Interview with Author Betsy Cornwell 48:24

11M ago48:24

48:24

Adele takes center stage in a story about a young woman whose life takes her down a winding path with a very Jane Eyre balance of gothic and romance. Lillian & Piper sit down with Author Betsy Cornwell to talk about the who, what, how, and why of her incredible novel inspired by the characters of Jane Eyre.…

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
La Casa De Thornfield: The 1971 Spanish Series 56:25

11M ago56:25

56:25

Lillian and Piper go back to their roots, reviewing an adaptation of Jane Eyre. This time we're headed to Spain, where the hair is voluminous, the shirts are frilly and 9 random dudes attend your almost-wedding.

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