CaucasTalk

Well, “all good things must come to an end,” as they say. (Even though this isn't actually true.) It has been our singular privilege and joy to bring you CaucasTalk for the last 4+ years, and we are struck to the heart to say goodbye. Our life situations have made it such that a) we … Continue reading "CT114 –

A Happy New Year note—with some news minutes—from yours truly at CaucasTalk! Tahseen from Rise'n'Glide: https://caucastalk.com/episode67

After three years of hanging in the wings just listening to CaucasTalk, Abdurahman finally steps up to the mic to represent his beautiful Dagestani people group, the Aghuls. (Thanks to some arm-twisting from Andrew

How does a truck driver from Wisconsin become a champion of local cultural developing a rural mountain valley in the North Caucasus? Matt Johnson tells us today, not only of his several and often hair-raising ascents of Mt. Elbrus one many of the six routes—including lightning storms, crevasses, and a mountain rescue—but much more about … Continue reading "CT112 – Elbrus Alpine Foundation: Matt Johnson on the West Face of Elbrus | Locally-Led Development | Lightning, Crevasses & Avalanches | Mountain Rescue | KLM Fail!"

Who are the Cossacks? And what is their connection to the North Caucasus? The fascinating history of this group of “free men” become warrior caste interweaves with the history of the whole region. Our good friend (and Chislic Festival champion) Ian Tuttle eloquently unpacks the birth, rise, and continued existence of this people and their … Continue reading "CT111 – Who Are the Cossacks? with Ian Tuttle | Military Caste | Cossack Saber Manual | Foreign Accents"

If there's one topic that gets the blood stirring of the today's young folk, it's old age! Or… not. Actually, the fact that's funny tells us in the West a whole lot about our own cultural views on this very important topic. And would you believe there are places in the world where this topic … Continue reading "CT110 – Old Age in the North Caucasus | Centenarians | Dannon Yogurt | CaucasTalk in Print!"

Education is a deeply-held value embedded in families and throughout the North Caucasus.  From early childhood through the university years, high levels of academic achievement are considered “normal,” according to our guest today. Madina from Ingushetia shares about her personal experience growing up as a student, and now as a top English tutor in Ingushetia. … Continue reading "CT109 – Education in the North Caucasus | Madina, English Teacher from Ingushetia | Tutoring | ЕГЭ & SATs | Local Languages in Schooling"

The Dargin people inhabit mainly the middle latitudes of Dagestan, from the foothills up into the mountains. As our knowledgeable and articulate guest today, Saida, shares with us, the word “Dargin” means “inside,” as in deep in the mountains, and that is where this people can be found. Their traditions range and vary from embroidery … Continue reading "CT108 – Dargin: In Their Own Words! | “My roots were calling me” | Embroidery | Ancient Armor | Child Exchanges"

Louisa the Lezginka shares today about the—you guessed it—Lezgin people! And yes, for those of you wondering (like Andrew), the word “Lezginka” refers not only to the Caucasus-wide national dance, but actually is the term for female members of the Lezgin nation. Louisa hails from the ancient and venerable city of Derbent and gives us … Continue reading "CT107 – Lezgins: In Their Own Words! | The Lezginka | Southern Dagestan | A Folk Song! | Shalbuzdag | Tasty Tea"

We've talked lots about food on this podcast, but what about the actual experience of getting it? The act of dining out in the North Caucasus brings with it a whole host of quirks, habits, and cultural expectations that may be every bit as unfamiliar as the food. Join us as we “dig in” in … Continue reading "CT106 – Dining Out in the North Caucasus | Décor | Napkins | Play Places | Pizza & Sushi | “The Button”"

When you hear the word “retirement,” what comes to mind? Collecting shells on a beach? Sitting with an armload of grandkids? To some it means a life of independence facilitated through professional care. For others, it's receiving with honor the support of children and family. Whatever the vision, our care for the elderly in our … Continue reading "CT105 – Retirement in the North Caucasus | Independent Living vs. Orphaned Parents? | Status Ascribed vs. Status Achieved"

While holidays may seem to be predictable parts of our cultures, dig a little deeper and they contain a treasure trove of insights and wonder. Holidays in the North Caucasus are no different. Today we attempt a fly-over of the 50+ primary holidays celebrated annually across the region. Some are Russian, some are religious, some … Continue reading "CT104 – Holidays in the North Caucasus | Igby | Rival Podcast?? | Shout Outs!"

Today's double episode [re-release of episode 27A & 27B] is truly a tour de force. In this our second installment of “In Their Own Words,” our good friends Tembulat & Zalina take us on a deep dive into the very heart of Circassian / Kabardian culture. Not only musicians, this couple also hand makes instruments … Continue reading "CT103 – Kabardians: In Their Own Words! | Tembulat & Zalina Champion Circassian Culture & Language |

Rock climbing is alive and well in the North Caucasus. In an environment in which a few sports are exalted above all others, rock climbing has begun to offer an alternative activity for all ages. Teddy shares today about his involvement with On Sight rock climbing gym and community center in Nalchik, the capital of … Continue reading "CT102 – “On Sight” Climbing Gym in Nalchik: Interview with Teddy | Community Development | Undeveloped Rock Climbing | Gerontology"

Without a doubt, our most popular series has been “In Their Own Words,” in which we give you our listeners a chance to hear from the peoples of the North Caucasus directly. Not long ago we decided to try for one interview with every one of the 34 official languages of Dagestan—and some say there … Continue reading "CT101 – Tabasaran: In Their Own Words! | World's Most Complex Language | Multilingualism | Carpet making"

When you hear, “business startup,” your mind may go to Silicon Valley, Y Combinator, and high risk investments. Well now you can add to your list Dagestan's very own business accelerator, IARD — the Innovation Accelerator of the Republic of Dagestan — run by our new friend Vali. Vali shares about the incredible surge in entrepreneurship … Continue reading "CT100 – Business Accelerator IARD in Dagestan: Interview with Vali | Community Investment Funds | Lak Nation | Village Trash Clean-Up"

A young man of only 20 years, Magomed is already making lasting change for his minority Dagestani language group, the Kaitag. Most people have never heard of the 20,000 speakers of Kaitag, and yet Magomed is advocating on the international stage to get his language officially recognized. Possibly most instructive is the way Magomed has … Continue reading "CT99 – Kaitag: In Their Own Words | Endangered Languages | Dargwa Dialects of Dagestan | Achieving International Recognition of a Language"

BeyondRedSquare Virtual Tours Website In the spirit of “sticking it to Covid,” today Andrew unveils a brand new, unique offering from his tour company, Beyond Red Square: Virtual Tours! Six virtual tours are offered: Virtual Dagestan Virtual Chechnya Virtual Mt. Elbrus Climb Virtual Caucasus Mountain Adventures Virtual Soviet Vacation (Caucasus Mineral Waters Region) Virtual Moscow … Continue reading "CT96 – Announcing: Virtual Tours to the North Caucasus! | 60-minute Interactive Online Experiences | Beyond Red Square"

“Every time a language dies, it’s like someone just dropped a bomb on the Louvre.” The treasures contained in a human language cannot be overestimated, according to Dr. Daniel Wilson, linguist and language technology pioneer.  A research fellow at the University of the Free State, South Africa, and Moscow resident, Daniel has been living in … Continue reading "CT98 – Interview: Dr. Daniel Wilson on Didoi-Tsez & Sagada | XRI Institute | Language Technology"

Have you gotten the impression that the only options for sports in the North Caucasus are skiing and wrestling? We’re here today with Misha to put that misconception to rest. Misha left his profession as a lawyer to introduce tourists to the wonderful adventures awaiting the willing-hearted in the North Caucasus. Working with his wife, … Continue reading "CT97 – Top 10 Extreme Sport Adventures in the NC | Interview with Misha from M&M’s Tours | Rope Jumping | Arctic Surfing"

LINKS to MUSIC BELOW!!

At long last, the stars  aligned and not only did we record our first in-person recording session since 2019, but we brought our wonderful WIVES with us! Hollie and Cristi share from their years of mothering in the North Caucasus a taste of what it has been like for them. From birth stories to playground … Continue reading "CT93 – Our Wives Speak Out! Birth & Child-rearing in the Caucasus: Interview with Hollie & Cristi | Birth stories | Cross-Cultural Mothering"

Hava is many things—an Ingush mother, a beloved grandmother, but also an entrepreneur who has opened two 5-star hotels, a polyglot, and an artisan. Most interesting, perhaps, is her artisanal work with fish leather. Yes, you read that right—tanned fish skin. Under the tutelage of another Ingush innovator, Hava tans the skins of sturgeon, salmon, … Continue reading "CT92 – Interview with Hava: Ingush Entrepreneur | Squid Handbags | Fish Leather Lamps | 4-Star Hotels"

Welcome back to a new year of CaucasTalk! For our first episode back after our break, we were dazzled and privileged to interview three of the North Caucasus’ own female Fulbright Scholars. These young women all studied and taught for a year or more in the US and are now back in the Russia determined … Continue reading "CT91 – Interview with Three Female Fulbright Scholars from the North Caucasus | Living in the USA | “Go Hilltoppers!”"

We’ve done it! We’ve come to the end of the year, and what a year it has been. While the ride has been bumpy for all of us, we actually are grateful for growth and progress of CaucasTalk. We want to give a great, big shout out of thanks to you our listeners, Facebook commenters, … Continue reading "CT90 – End of 2020 | Year in Review | Farewell “Dame Covidia” | Newsletter Sign Up!"

Was it Bill Cosby who said that kids say the darndest things? This has always been true, and as it is our goal to give our listeners the most unfiltered view of the North Caucasus, what could be better, we thought, than hearing from our own children? Rather than sick all eight of them on … Continue reading "CT89 – Kids’ Interview! | All about Life in the North Caucasus | Favorite Foods | Playground Wrestling | Quiz"

Allow us to take you for a ride today—literally. As of the last month, both your CaucasTalk hosts have become proud car owners. This means we have gained first-hand driving experience in the North Caucasus. And this is no small thing. In fact, it’s incredible. We both feel extremely awesome and are loving the freedom … Continue reading "CT88 – Driving in the North Caucasus | “The Circles of Stress” | Bukhankas | Leaning on Local Friends"

We love to share with our listeners what life is like in the Caucasus today.  But it’s also important to hear what life was like at other times.  Elina, a Russian born and raised in pre-war Grozny, Chechnya, shares with us today what life during her childhood was like.  If you’ve only learned about Chechnya … Continue reading "CT87 – Growing Up in Grozny | Interview with Elina from Pyatigorsk on Life in Pre-War Chechnya | Big Announcement from Eli"

History was made yet again last Saturday night when Khabib Nurmagomedov defended his undefeated record as the undisputed UFC lightweight champion of the world. He choked out American interim UFC champion Justin Gaethje in the second round to bring his record to 29-0. What followed the fight was as stunning as the fight itself as … Continue reading "CT86 – UFC 254: Khabib vs. Gaethje  |  Khabib Retires | Legacy of Abdulmanap Nurmagomedov  |  Do Caucasus Men Cry?"

We give to you one of our most popular episodes ever – Music in the North Caucasus (Episode 13, December 15, 2017). It’s got some of the most listens of any of our shows. Check out the original shownotes: This episode is the proverbial tip of the iceberg. It’s a lump on the tip of … Continue reading "CT85 – Music in the North Caucasus | Local Instruments | Rasul Gamzatov | EPIC REVEAL: Andrew Sings!"

The tables are flipped this week: We want YOU to do the talking. It’s Feedback Week here at CaucasTalk and we want to hear from you. Help us direct the future of the podcast. This year has thrown so much into flux and we’ve all had to make changes. CaucasTalk is no exception. We are … Continue reading "CT84 – FEEDBACK WEEK!! | Survey & Questionnaire! | Let your voice be heard | Direct the future of the Podcast | Join the newsletter"

While religion may be a tender subject to bring up in mixed company in some parts of the world, in the North Caucasus, it’s unavoidable. Hardly a day goes by that we don’t talk religion with one friend or another. To understand the Caucasus, then, is to talk—and listen, and hear, and think—about religion. Over … Continue reading "CT83 – Religion in the North Caucasus PART 3/3 | Religion Today | Nuances | Religion & Tradition"

Today’s conversation dwells on the multiplicity of religious influences that entered Dagestan through the ancient city of Derbent, as well as through the Western Caucasus. Judaism, Christianity, and Islam all had established presences here at various times and much architecture remains to show it. While religion may be a tender subject to bring up in … Continue reading "CT82 – Religion in the North Caucasus PART 2/3 | Mountain Jews | Derbent Juma Mosque | Sentinsky Church, Karachay-Cherkessia"

While religion may be a tender subject to bring up in mixed company in some parts of the world, in the North Caucasus it’s unavoidable. Hardly a day goes by that we don’t talk religion with one friend or another. To understand the Caucasus, then, is to talk—and listen, and hear, and think—about religion. Over … Continue reading "CT81 – Religion in the North Caucasus PART 1/3 | Overview of Religion | Focus on Islam | Star Wars and KBR"

Got a rumbling in the tummy?  Eyes aching?  Liver flagging?  Lungs languishing?  The North Caucasus region has a solution for you: stinky water.  That’s right, good old fashioned olfactory mineral water bubbling up from the depths just may have what you need to wash your ailments away.  Not only that, a whole cluster of cities … Continue reading "CT80 – The Wonderful World of Waters: Interview with Teacher and Mineral Water Enthusiast Roman! | Watery Neck-Dangling | Khabib vs. Gaethje UFC 255"

Let’s be honest: some of us like to buy books, but others of us like to actually read them. Today we hear from a true bibliophile and, what shall we say, Kavkazophile—a lover of books and the Caucasus. Ian Tuttle, once an exchange student between Hastings College in Nebraska and Pyatigorsk State University, shares with … Continue reading "CT79B – Top 10 Books on the North Caucasus | Interview with Ian Tuttle, Caucasus Fanatic and Bibliophile | PART B"

Let’s be honest: some of us like to buy books, but others of us like to actually read them. Today we hear from a true bibliophile and, what shall we say, Kavkazophile—a lover of books and the Caucasus. Ian Tuttle, once an exchange student between Hastings College in Nebraska and Pyatigorsk State University, shares with … Continue reading "CT79A – Top 10 Books on the North Caucasus | Interview with Ian Tuttle, Caucasus Fanatic and Bibliophile | PART A"

Emre Basok is a Turkish-born Circassian pursuing his PhD in Ohio.  He studies how language supports identity and heritage and has recently turned his interests to his roots. He comes in as the third of our Circassian guest this summer and brings even more depth to the textured and colorful history of the Circassian diaspora. … Continue reading "CT78 – Interview with Emre Basok, PhD. | Circassian Language Identity & Maintenance in Turkey | Bi-Literacy | Circassian Benevolent Association | UNESCO"

David Shawgen is a research fellow and guide at Circassiologia, a museum devoted to the culture, history, and future of the Circassian people. What you might not expect is that this museum is located in Israel. In fact, it is the only museum in the Circassian diaspora. David shares how his people came to exist … Continue reading "CT77 – Circassian Diaspora in Israel | Interview with David Shawgen | Research Fellow at Circassiologia | The NC’s Newest McDonalds"

Do you love driving? Do you love breathtaking vistas? How about a little adventure, a few bumps, and a lot of fun? And would you like all of that on a tour of Dagestan? Then meet Off-Road Camper, Dagestan’s only luxury off-road tour company. They put you behind the wheel of a classic Soviet-style “bukhanka,” … Continue reading "CT76 – Offroad Camper Russia with Andreas & Sveta | УАЗ Буханка / UAZ Bukhanka Car Camping in Dagestan"

Here is the continuation and conclusion of our interview with Circassian cultural champion, YouTube creator, and founder of ELAJ skincare products, Suhein Beck. ——————-Once in a while, you run across a true cultural champion. For the Circassian nation, today’s interview guest Suhein Beck is such a champion. Her nearly nomadic upbringing has produced in her … Continue reading "CT75 – Interview with Suhein Beck, Circassian Cultural Champion PART II | ELAJ Skin Care | Lezginka in the USA"

Once in a while, you run across a true cultural champion. For the Circassian nation, today’s interview guest Suhein Beck is such a champion. Her nearly nomadic past produced in her an eclectic present. From media production to skin care products, Beck brings her heritage to bear on life today, remixing ancient traditions with current … Continue reading "CT74 – Interview with Mover and Shaker Suhein Beck PART I | Circassian Cultural Champion | Migration from Syria to Turkey to USA"

***SEE VIDEOS ON CAUCASTALK WEBSITE***Summer is nearly here, and in the North Caucasus one thing that means is weddings. (Well, usually it does. Not so much these days.)  Lines of white cars decked with flowers and ribbons careening through the city, horns blaring.  Massive gatherings around massive piles of food.  Fiery Lezginka dancing, tons of … Continue reading "CT73 – Weddings in the North Caucasus | Life Cycle Events | Videos"

Today’s episode comes to you out of the same quarantine many of you our listeners are in. Responses to COVID have varied significantly across the North Caucasus.  Some republics are getting hit much harder than others.  But amid the struggles, we share about good-will relief projects popping up everywhere.  We share about how our local … Continue reading "CT72 – COVID in the Caucasus | Local Relief Projects | Airplane Food at Home | Man Runs Marathon in Bedroom"

Next month marks 75 years since the end of WWII. Its devastating effects touched every corner of Europe, but many are surprised to learn that the North Caucasus are no exception. Nazi forces aimed as far as oil fields in Chechnya in the east to fuel their forces as well as the ports of the … Continue reading "CT71 – Commemorating WWII in the North Caucasus | Nazis on Mt. Elbrus | Santa Claus in the Caucasus"

***PLEASE CONSIDER SUPPORTING OUR GOFUNDME CAMPAIGN TO SUPPORT CAUCASUS FAMILIES IN NEED*** https://www.gofundme.com/f/coronavirus-in-the-north-caucasus We often find ourselves explaining to people that we are not the only foreigners living here in the North Caucasus, or in Russia, for that matter. Since last year we’ve been corresponding with our now friend, Felix, a writer, traveler, and scholar … Continue reading "CT70 – Interview with Trekker, Scholar, Writer Felix Light | Expats in Moscow | GoFundMe for Local Families in Need"

Whether you live in Dagestan or Denver, Dubai or Des Moines, being a dad takes some special skills and wisdom. Andrew and Eli combine their collective years of experience “dadding” to bring you insider tips and tricks needed for sparkling success parenting in the North Caucasus. As with the rest of everyday life, the mundane … Continue reading "CT69 – A Day in the Caucasus Life #5: Dadding in Dagestan | Tools, Skills, & Special Abilities"

Just when you thought daily life couldn’t get more interesting—we bring you our fourth installment of “A Day in the Caucasus Life.” It’s a truism that you can’t see what you can’t see—that is, until you look. This couldn’t be truer of culture. So much is hidden in plain sight, if we’ll only have the … Continue reading "CT68 – A Day in the Caucasus Life #4: Things People Say | How to Become an Ethnographer | Ingush Wedding Story"

One thing we love about living in the North Caucasus is meeting other foreigners connected to the region. Most who we meet have real passion and interest in this place and its peoples. Today we talk with one man with unusually strong commitment for Dagestan. Tahseen is the founder of Rise ’N Glide, the first-ever … Continue reading "CT67 – Rise ‘N Glide: American Sports Tourism in Dagestan | CT Back for 2020 | Announcement!"

Dear Listeners, what a year! Thank you for journeying with us for our third calendar year! We have some exciting Patreon news to share, plus Andrew unveils brand new, hot-off-the-presses custom tours with Beyond Red Square. And as rest is a part of work, we are taking January and February of 2020 totally off from … Continue reading "CT 2019 Year-End Wrap Up! Patreon Update | BRS Custom Tours for 2020 | Happy New Year from CaucasTalk!!"

If you can’t find Adygea (Adyghea/Adygheya) on a map, or if you never knew that sub-tropical forests grow in the North Caucasus, you’re not alone! Looking for soft rolling forests, deep caves, train rides, and famous cheese? Consider Adygea. One of the most remote republics in the region, it stretches from the north side of … Continue reading "CT66 – Travel Tips: Adygea! Sub-Tropical Hikes | Caverns | Cheese"