Best DDR Podcasts (2025)

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What was Cold War British Army Conscription really like? (433) 59:22

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3m ago59:22

59:22

We hear the fascinating story of Miles, a British National Service conscript during his military service in the late 1950s. I’d like to give special thanks for the Norfolk Tank Museum for highlighting Miles’ story and one of his relatives for putting me in contact with him. Miles shares vivid memories of receiving his call-up papers, the initial me…

1
The Berlin Airlift - Victories, Myths, and the Berlin Blockade (432) 1:08:35

8d ago1:08:35

1:08:35

The Berlin Blockade was one of the first major international crises of the Cold War when the Soviet Union blocked the Western Allies' railway, road, and canal access to the sectors of Berlin under Western control. I speak with Joseph Pearson, the author of “The Airlift Victories, Myths, and the Berlin Blockade. This is not your standard military hi…

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Surrounded and outnumbered 8-1 : A forgotten story of the Korean War (431) 59:43

13d ago59:43

59:43

This is the largely untold story of Task Force Faith, the U.S. Army soldiers who although outnumbered 8-1 by Chinese troops fought valiantly during the Battle of Chosin Reservoir in the Korean War. Author Steve Fogel has written a new book called A Task Force Called Faith - The Untold Story of the U.S. Army Soldiers Who Fought for Survival at Chosi…

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Shaking Hands with China’s Second Most Powerful Man (430) 54:25

23d ago54:25

54:25

Bill Hodes was an American school child in 1950s Revolutionary China and this is the second part of his story. Among many stories we hear how he had the unique opportunity to meet one of China's most revered leaders, Zhou Enlai, the first Premier of the People's Republic of China and how he played softball with US and British POWs from the Korea Wa…

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An American Childhood in 1950s Revolutionary China (429) 57:21

27d ago57:21

57:21

Bill Hodes was a red diaper baby, a baby born to Communist parents. Bill shares stories about his parents, Bob and Jane Hodes, both convinced communists who were active in civil rights movements during the McCarthy period. He recounts their life in New Orleans, his father's groundbreaking research in neurophysiology, and the family's eventual move …

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DDR E022 The Ogoni 9 59:32

1M ago59:32

59:32

On the 10th of November 1995, 9 activists of the Ogoni people in Nigeria were hanged by the Nigerian military government for their resistance to the Royal Dutch Shell oil and gas company. Their names were Ken Saro-Wiwa, Saturday Dobee, Nordu Eawo, Daniel Gbooko, Paul Levera, Felix Nuate, Baribor Bera, Barinem Kiobel, and John Kpuine.Five years late…

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The German Democratic Republic The Rise and Fall of a Cold War State (428) 1:11:47

1M ago1:11:47

1:11:47

Ned Richardson- Little has written a new book titled The German Democratic Republic: The Rise and Fall of a Cold War State. It offers a differentiated picture of the communist state with a sophisticated analysis of life under dictatorship which candidly confronts the abuses of the East German Communist Party and the Stasi. The GDR was also entangle…

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Trust but Verify: When the Soviets Came to South Dakota (427) 1:03:12

1M ago1:03:12

1:03:12

I continue chatting with Dennis Greene about his incredible journey from a challenging childhood in segregated Savannah, Georgia to a distinguished military career. Dennis is made Senior Flight Commander responsible for 50 Minuteman nuclear missiles. Dennis shares his firsthand experiences of the intense pressure, the psychological toll of nuclear …

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Help Cold War Conversations win an award 1:01

2M ago1:01

1:01

I am trying to win an award for Cold War Conversations inthe Discover Pods Awards for best history podcast 2025 and I need your nomination to get me into the finals. All I need you to do is to nominate Cold War Conversations inthe history category using this link. https://discoverpods.com/2025-podcast-awards/ Podcast Name: Cold War Conversations Po…

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From Racially Segregated Savannah to Nuclear Missile Crew Commander (426) 56:53

2M ago56:53

56:53

Dennis Greene, is a former Air Force officer, who shares his incredible journey from a challenging childhood in segregated Savannah, Georgia to a distinguished military career. He reflects on his early inspirations, the realities of growing up in a segregated South, and the lessons learned throughout his US military service. Dennis discusses the si…

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DDR E021 Live: Campaign Updates and News - Palestine solidarity, Slí Eile, SOS, Shannon LNG 59:28

2M ago59:28

59:28

Protestors block Dublin port in solidarity with the Global Sumud Flotilla and the Palestinian people. Ceasefire and hostage exchange negotiations begin. Campaign updates from Safety Before LNG, Sli Eile and Save Our Sperrins.By Turning Earth

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The KGB defector who saved MI5 and changed the Cold War (425) 1:03:15

2M ago1:03:15

1:03:15

Oleg Lyalin, was a KGB officer whose actions would provide British intelligence with pivotal information during the Cold War. I speak with Richard Kerbaj, the author of a new book, 'The Defector,' which chronicles Lyalin's story. Lyalin was trained with The KGB’s Department V, which was their sabotage and assassinations department. He was …

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Cold War Kids: The Unique Life of US Military BRATs (424) 1:07:13

2M ago1:07:13

1:07:13

Author Tom Hapgood is a US military BRAT aka the child of a parent or parents serving full-time in the United States Armed Forces. He talks about his 5 years in West Germany during the Cold War. He shares the challenges of moving every few years, adapting to new cultures, and the rich tapestry of friendships formed along the way. The term "BRAT" of…

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The Cambridge Five Cold War Spy Ring: Philby, Burgess, Maclean, Blunt & Cairncross (423) 1:06:53

2M ago1:06:53

1:06:53

The incredible story of the five most damaging spies inBritish history, from their recruitment at Cambridge University to theirinfiltration of the government and the security services, all whilesuccessfully eluding prosecution. I speak with Shawnna Morris the author of a new book TheCambridge Spy Ring: The Treachery of the Five Who Got Away. We exp…

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Cold War Britain: Fifty years in the shadow of the bomb (422) 59:57

3M ago59:57

59:57

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 into a period that shaped the fabric of British society. The Cold War defined the history of Britain in the second half of the twentieth century as much as it did that of the US and the Soviet Union. Cold War Britain…

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D.B. Cooper: The Unsolved Cold War Aircraft Hijack (421) 1:02:24

3M ago1:02:24

1:02:24

On November 24, 1971, a man using the alias Dan Cooper hijacked a Northwest Airlines flight, demanding a ransom of $200,000 and four parachutes. What followed was a daring escape that has left investigators and enthusiasts puzzled for over five decades. I sit down with Pat Boland, a true crime aficionado and expert on the D.B. Cooper case. Boland s…

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A Royal Scots Dragoon Guard in Cold War Berlin (420) 1:12:20

3M ago1:12:20

1:12:20

I delve into the remarkable life of Peter Stewart, a former Royal Scots Dragoon Guard Chieftain tank driver whose experiences during the Cold War offer a unique perspective on military life. Peter's stories are filled with humour and nostalgia, particularly when he recalls his time in Berlin. His anecdotes are both entertaining and thought-provokin…

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The 2nd Most Famous Voice In Cold War Romania (419) 56:05

3M ago56:05

56:05

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 in Romania after the Communist leader Nicolae Ce…

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How Workers Can Refuse To Handle Israeli Goods with The IWU 1:04:25

3M ago1:04:25

1:04:25

What can workers do to support Palestine? What can unions do to support their workers? How can the workers movement build strength, and take power back from the compliant lapdogs that run the Irish government? The answers to all these questions and more are contained in this talk. Speakers:Alex Homits of the IWU - union.ieEoghan McNeill of The Ditc…

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Codename Sunbeam - The story of MI6’s greatest Cold War spy (418) 54:49

4M ago54:49

54:49

He was a KGB colonel. A double agent. And the most valuable spy Britain ever had. Born into a world of secrets & silence in Moscow Oleg Gordievsky’s journey takes us from the waning days of Stalin to his disillusionment with the Soviet system and his defection to MI6. He lived a secret life at the heart of Soviet intelligence — all while feeding cl…

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A 98 Year Old USAF Veteran Remembers the Berlin AIrlift (417) 49:13

4M ago49:13

49:13

The Berlin Airlift stands as one of the most significant events in Cold War history, a testament to the resilience and determination of the Allies in the face of Soviet adversity. I speak with 98 year old veteran Ralph Dionne, who played a crucial role in this monumental operation. Ralph details the story of the Berlin Airlift and shares his journe…

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DDR E.020 Day of Resistance in The Sperrins with Sli Eile and Conor McCabe 59:39

4M ago59:39

59:39

For the first time ever Turning Earth was broadcast live from the DDR studio. This month I was joined by David from Slí Eile to discuss their upcoming Day of Resistance in the Sperrin Mountains, to support to people there who have been fighting off an international mining company.We were joined as well by Conor McCabe, to bring a broader analysis t…

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DDR E019 The Free Peoples of the World: Anti-Imperialist Solidarity with Fra Hughes 59:59

4M ago59:59

59:59

An interview with Fra Hughes of Palestine Aid, discussing international solidarity work that has taken him all around the world; to Palestine, the Donbass, Venezuela and Syria. The discussion focuses on Palestine, Syria and the Donbass in particular, and debunks some of the false notions that are propagated about these places through the mainstream…

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The Atomic Bombing of Japan - The First Shots of the Cold War? (416) 1:05:57

4M ago1:05:57

1:05:57

Today is 80 years since the atomic bombing of the Japanese city of Nagasaki. I talk with Stephen Walker who is the author of Shockwave: Countdown to Hiroshima. He has spent years researching the atomic bombings and highlights how they impacted Soviet/US relations in the early Cold War as well as US relations with their Allies. We reflect on the dec…

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Berlin: A Spy’s Guide to its Cold War History (415) 58:05

4M ago58:05

58:05

In the heart of Europe, Berlin stood as a city divided not only by walls but by ideologies. I dive into the world of espionage that thrived in this divided city with Special Forces and CIA veteran James Stejskal who has written a new book Berlin: A Spy’s Guide to its Cold War History in Story & Image. We explore in some detail the intricate web of …

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With the US 1st Armored Division in Cold War West Germany (414) 1:16:53

4M ago1:16:53

1:16:53

Doug and Mike served in CS Company, 1st Battalion, 37th Armor in the US 1st Armored Division in West Germany. They provide vivid accounts of their basic training experiences, where they faced the rigors of military life for the first time. Doug recalls the challenges of adapting to the strict regimen and the camaraderie that formed among the recrui…

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Cold War Short Stories Ep 1 (413) 16:20

5M ago16:20

16:20

Welcome to a new type of episode I'm calling Cold War Short Stories — a collection of stories from our listeners and social media followers. These are fascinating Cold War tales that may not fill a full episode, but are far too good to leave untold. So keep them coming! Your Cold War memories, or those of a loved one, are part of history. Share the…

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Korea: War Without End (412) 1:11:44

5M ago1:11:44

1:11:44

The Korean War is often called "the forgotten war"—a brutal, complex conflict that claimed millions of lives but has largely faded from public memory, particularly in the West. Yet its consequences are still very much with us today, shaping the geopolitical fault lines on the Korean peninsula and beyond. In their latest book, Korea : War Without En…

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The Night a Nuclear Missile Exploded: A Firsthand Account of Survival (411) 1:16:59

5M ago1:16:59

1:16:59

In this gripping episode, we hear the harrowing account of Greg Devlin, a former US Air Force technician who barely survived a catastrophic explosion at a Titan II nuclear missile silo in 1980. He shares his journey from enlisting in the Air Force, the challenges he faced, and the fateful night that changed his life forever. Greg vividly describes …

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DDR E018 The Imperialist's Pitstop: US Military, Shannon, and the Palestinian Genocide Pt.3 21:24

5M ago21:24

21:24

Pt.3 of an episode covering the continued use of Shannon airport by the US military, in direct conflict with Ireland's military neutrality, compromising the nation's sovereignty.This third and final part is an interview with Ed Horgan of Shannonwatch. Ed is a former soldier in the Irish Army, and international election observer with the UN, and has…

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The Cold War Origins of the War in Ukraine (410) 55:51

5M ago55:51

55:51

The legacy of the Cold War in Europe continues to impact present day events, most notably in Ukraine. In this episode I speak with author Stephan Kieninger about his new book Securing Peace in Europe - Strobe Talbott, NATO, and Russia After the Cold War. Talbott was a key figure in US President Clinton’s administration playing a pivotal role in sha…

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The End of East Germany: A Communist Family’s Journey Through Change (409) 1:04:41

5M ago1:04:41

1:04:41

This is the story of a Communist family in East Germany whose world was turned upside down by the implosion of the GDR. The story is told by Katja Hesse, whose father was a Vice Admiral in the Volksmarine, the East German Navy. We start the episode with Katja crossing into West Berlin on the night of 9th November 1989 and journey through the emotio…

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DDR E018 The Imperialist's Pitstop: US Military, Shannon, and the Palestinian Genocide Pt.2 21:23

6M ago21:23

21:23

Pt.2 of an episode covering the continued use of Shannon airport by the US military, in direct conflict with Ireland's military neutrality, compromising the nation's sovereignty.You will hear a conversation with Sinéad of Palestine Action Éire, discussing actions recently taken at Shannon airport to disrupt the flagrant abuse of our sovereignty by …

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DDR E018 The Imperialist's Pitstop: US Military, Shannon, and the Palestinian Genocide Pt.1 35:23

6M ago35:23

35:23

Pt.1 of an episode covering the continued use of Shannon airport by the US military, in direct conflict with Ireland's military neutrality, compromising the nation's sovereignty.First you will hear from Eoghan McNeill of the Ditch, who have been exposing the extent of the Irish state's corruption and entanglements with the arms industry. In the fol…

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The Spy in the KGB Archive (408) 57:44

6M ago57:44

57:44

The story of how one man—a librarian for the KGB—became a traitor to the intelligence agency, stealing the most prized Soviet-era archives and smuggling them to the West. Historian and journalist Gordon Corera whose new book “The Spy in the Archive” tells the remarkable story of how Vasili Mitrokhin—an introverted archivist who loved nothing more t…

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Memories of an East German Naval Officer's Family (407) 1:13:32

6M ago1:13:32

1:13:32

Katja Hesse, daughter of Vice Admiral Gustav Hesse of the East German Navy, shares her deeply personal story of growing up behind the Iron Curtain. In this fascinating conversation, Katja provides rare insights into life in the GDR as the child of a high-ranking officer— from an idyllic childhood in privileged housing to working at the Grand Hotel …

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Gorbachev - The Man Who Ended An Empire (406) 1:08:28

6M ago1:08:28

1:08:28

In the annals of history, few leaders have faced the monumental challenges that Mikhail Gorbachev encountered when he rose to power in the Soviet Union in 1985. His ascent came at a time when the nation was grappling with stagnation, disillusionment, and an economy on the brink of collapse. Gorbachev, the youngest General Secretary in Soviet histor…

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Policing the Berlin Wall with the Royal Military Police (405) 1:22:06

6M ago1:22:06

1:22:06

Simon Wood served in the British Army’s Royal Military Police in Berlin during the1980s. He describes the unique challenges he faced patrolling the Berlin Wall and policing British troops in the divided city. Discover the political tensions, the camaraderie with fellow soldiers, and the surreal moments such as being present at the post-mortem of Hi…

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"The aircraft exploded and the cockpit filled with fire" - Korean skies to the brutal Vietnam War (404) 1:26:05

7M ago1:26:05

1:26:05

Colonel Robert J. Graham, USAF (Ret.), was more than a fighter pilot—he was a leader, a warrior, and a witness to one of the most complex conflicts in modern history. From the chaotic early days of guerrilla warfare in Vietnam to the bureaucratic maze that engulfed the later years, Colonel Graham's four combat tours reveal the triumphs and tragedie…

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Childhood Memories of the 1989 Romanian Revolution (403) 1:01:24

7M ago1:01:24

1:01:24

Traian grew up in Romania during the tumultuous 1980s under the shadow of the communist regime of Nicolae Ceaușescu. We learn about the harsh realities of life under communism, where shortages of basic goods were commonplace. He shares the clever tactics he and his family employed to navigate these challenges, including trading items with tourists …

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“Sir, I’m not going to start World War Three for you” - The NATO Russian confrontation in 1999 at Pristina Airport (402) 1:33:53

7M ago1:33:53

1:33:53

In this gripping episode, we hear a detailed account from an eyewitness right at the heart of the tense NATO and Russian confrontation in Kosovo in 1999 at Pristina Airport. NATO General Wesley Clark had ordered the British to use force to remove Russian forces, however British General Mike Jackson refused with the immortal words “Sir, I’m not goin…

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“Houston, we’ve had a problem” interview with Fred Haise, Apollo 13 astronaut (401) 1:30:08

7M ago1:30:08

1:30:08

This is a repeat of an episode published in September 2022. 55 years ago last month Fred Haise was one of the three astronauts on the ill-fated Moon mission when a design fault caused an oxygen tank to explode mid-mission putting the Apollo 13 crew in mortal danger on April 13th, 1970. This was the seventh crewed mission in the Apollo space program…

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Doped, Abused and Abandoned: Growing Up in East Germany’s Sports System (400) 1:14:04

8M ago1:14:04

1:14:04

This episode covers themes of physical and emotional abuse as well as suicide. If you need support please follow the links below. UK https://www.samaritans.org/how-we-can-help/contact-samaritan/ Rest of the World https://findahelpline.com/i/iasp Kerstin recounts her harrowing childhood and life experiences in East Germany. She was identified at a y…

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Whispers of Freedom: Portraying the Story of the last person shot at the Berlin Wall (399) 48:42

8M ago48:42

48:42

Chris Gueffroy, was the last person to be shot dead at the Berlin Wall and a new short film called “Whispers of Freedom” portrays his story. I speak with the film’s director Brandon Ashplant who shares the challenges of accurately portraying real individuals with deep personal histories. Actors Cameron Ashplant (Chris) and Wendy Makkena (Karin) ref…

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Submerged: Life on a Fast Attack Submarine in the Last Days of the Cold War (398) 1:03:16

8M ago1:03:16

1:03:16

Former US Navy Commander Henry Rausch is the author of Submerged: Life on a Fast Attack Submarine in the Last Days of the Cold War. Henry shares his experiences from training to life aboard a submarine, emphasising the challenges, mishaps, and the camaraderie among the crew. He provides vivid descriptions of the rigorous training, the psychological…

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Deep Cover Cold War Spies: How Russia’s Illegal Agents Penetrated the West (397) 1:09:26

8M ago1:09:26

1:09:26

In 2010, two decades after the Cold War had ended, ten Russian spies were arrested in America, having hidden their true identities from their friends, neighbours and even their children. They were part of a spy programme that had begun nearly a century earlier, when the revolutionary Bolshevik government began sending Soviet citizens abroad to pose…

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A Black US Basketball Virtuoso in Cold War Poland (396) 1:23:46

8M ago1:23:46

1:23:46

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. Stepping off the plane in Poland, Kent was immediately struck by how different everything felt. Yet, i…

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DDR E017 James Connolly: Scientific Revolutionist Pt. 2 1:00:00

8M ago1:00:00

1:00:00

Pt.2 of an Interview with Marxist historian Dr. Conor McCabe on the legacy of the great Irish revolutionary socialist James Connolly. Conor recently published, with Iskra books, a collection of "The Lost and Early Writing of James Connolly":www.iskrabooks.org/lost-and-early-writingsListen to Part 1 here:https://soundcloud.com/turningearthradio/ddr-…

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Agent Zo - From War Hero to Enemy: When Cold War Poland Turned on Its Own (395) 1:00:41

9M ago1:00:41

1:00:41

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 Mulley about her book Agent Zo: the Untold Story of a fearless World War II resistance fighter. From the first day of the war to the German surrender, Zo organised efforts…

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In Conversation with Margot Honecker (394) 30:38

8M ago30:38

30:38

I speak with Jon Benjamin who recounts his meetings with Margot Honecker, the unrepentant architect of East Germany’s education system and widow of GDR leader Erich Honecker then living in exile in Chile. In 2012 and 2013, when Jon was British Ambassador to Chile, he had three long meetings with Margot Honecker, third wife of longtime East German l…