Podcasts about Eastern Europe

We speak about the case against Western intervention in Ukraine and Russia as a looming presence in Eastern Europe. We also speak about liberal imperialism, political pragmatism, France today, and much more. Philippe is a Ph.D. candidate in philosophy at Cornell and a research fellow at the Center for the Study of Partisanship and Ideology. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/aksubversive/message

Live from STUDIO G- in the heart of America- I'm STEVE GRUBER- saying the things you wish you could -every day-  fighting for you from the Foxhole of Freedom and defending this great nation-- this is THE STEVE GRUBER SHOW!   Here are 3 big things you need to know right now—   Number One— Another bad sign for the EV movement—as yet another battery company is teetering on the brink of failure—BUT don't worry your tax dollars are not coming back—now or ever—   Number Two— Joe Biden is so on board with The Green New Deal he is skipping the United Nations climate summit that is set to begin on Thursday in Dubai—yeah—he wants to control every appliance you own—BUT doesn't care enough to attend—   Number Three— My friends—its time to follow the money—and no I am not talking about the dirty money flowing into the Biden family—   I am talking about the millions of dollars breaking lose now and flowing into the coffers of the former President Donald Trump—it seems the naysayers and the fence-sitters have seen enough of Joe Biden and have seen the endless polls putting Trump farther and farther ahead—   There are less than 50 days now until the Iowa caucuses—and on the Republican side—it's by all measures a complete blowout—former President Donald Trump is cruising to a 50-point win—with Governor Ron DeSantis and Ambassador Nicki Haley—running far behind—with almost ZERO chance of ever catching up—   And despite the openly anti-Trump Governor over in New Hampshire, Chris Sununu—the numbers in the Granite State are great for Trump too— which he will also win going away—   In fact, the nomination by the GOP of the 45th President to become the 47th President—is becoming so likely that many mega donors that at one time had soured on him—are coming back and they are bringing their money with them too— and a whole lot of it—   I mean these are the real money men of DC—showing up with mountains of cash, because they say the idea of Joe Biden getting re-upped at the age of 106 is out of the question—they know he is already totally incompetent and incapable of doing the job today—and they know one more second of Joe Biden in The White House past January 20th of 2025 would mark the end of what's left of America—   One of those big money men leading the charge back into MAGA-Land Bliss is Bernie Marcus—the co-founder of Home Depot who previously had said he would not support Trump any longer—BUT in a shock op-ed earlier this month on Real Clear Politics, Marcus said the stakes are simply too high and that means right now the choice is simple—re-elect Donald Trump as the 47th President of the United States—   Another Mega Donor that had been on the sidelines is oil and gas tycoon Harold Hamm—who earlier this year told the Financial Times the events of January 6th simply separated a whole lot of people from Trump and that the GOP needed younger and chaos free candidates in the race—   In fact, Hamm like many others had donated to Trumps rivals like DeSantis and Haley—BUT he also came to the realization that Trump is not getting derailed—and without a legal way to prevent him from securing the nomination—he is on the road right now to secure the nomination and the Presidency—Again.   Hamm is among the Mega Donors that are coming around to the realization—the time to bicker is over and the time to get behind the Trump Train is now—   According to ABC News—a recent Mar-a-Lago event raked in over $6 million dollars and new fund raisers are getting almost $25,000 a ticket with a chance to meet the former President and have your picture taken—yeah the money train is rolling too—   Meanwhile, on the other side of the tracks—Joe Biden is struggling to spit out a coherent sentence on most days—he is mired in platitudes trying to pacify both sides in the Gaza War—watching as the country is invaded by millions of illegal aliens with no end in sight—and trying his level best to deliver gaslighting at an Olympic level while trying to tell everyone how wonderful Bidenomics is for the average American—   It is remarkable how hard they are willing to work when it comes to selling you the Bidenomics snake oil—and how great it is for all the boys and girls—   Credit card debt, defaults on mortgages and car loans are at record levels—and yet they keep right on insisting—Bidenomics is great—and its working well—   And as I keep telling you—the sales pitch keeps going—because right now what do they have to show for almost 3 years in charge?   Massive inflation—an open border—and two major wars—the first of its size in Eastern Europe since World War Two and the biggest in Israel since 1973—   And that's why—more and more the smart money is on Donald Trump to win it all!   I am telling you right now—Trump wins on November 5th 2024—BUT for that to happen—his supporters—both fierce and reluctant—MUST VOTE!    

Max Azarov created his business to meet the needs of his own children and families like his. But it was successful enough to become a major online platform – and is in the process of scaling up big time. Today on The Business of You, Max shares some of his key takeaways from scaling up and growing as an entrepreneur.  Max is the Founder of NovaKid, an online language learning platform for kids ages 4-12. Novakid has been included on the Forbes Top 500 list of America's Best Startup Employers. NovaKid is currently in the expansion phase, exploring new ways to work with older children and create group language immersion experiences. Classes are 25-45 minutes depending on childrens' ages. NovaKid employs complete immersion during classes, with no English spoken, and integrates learning games into the curriculum, making language acquisition engaging and effective. NovaKid is a Series B startup that has raised $41.5 million to date and created revenue of over $18 million in 2021. This fully remote, venture-backed business has been operating since 2017, with approximately 2,500 staff and teachers in over 20 countries. Novakid is funded by well-known venture capital firms Owl Ventures and Goodwater Capital, PortfoLion, LearnStart, Xploration Capital, Bon Angels, Leta Capital, TMT Investments, all of which support innovation businesses globally. Max has a robust background in applied mathematics, software design, and digital signal processing. He worked at Google in product development and the development of Google Maps.  Created out of need Max Azarov was frustrated. Living abroad in Eastern Europe, he was struggling to find teaching modalities for his older son to learn English. In a place where English was not widely spoken or accessible at the time, he attempted to find a teacher for him – but she ended up moving away.  While on a trip to Shanghai in 2017, Max had an epiphany when he saw families using a popular platform called VIPKid. Wondering why there was no comparable platform in Europe, he set out to research it. While there were plenty of options for adults to learn, there weren't for children. There were widespread beliefs that children could not learn online and certainly could not acquire language skills online. Fortunately, those beliefs turned out to be false.  Secrets of scaling a remote company As NovaKid extended its influence, it emerged as a prominent player in the online education sector. Max Azarov, equipped with a background in applied mathematics, software design, and experience at Google, guided NovaKid through substantial growth. Max's entrepreneurial journey, rooted in personal necessity, is a compelling illustration of how business ventures can address unmet needs and revolutionize industries, particularly in scaling online businesses and embracing remote workforces. Quotes “I was helping these big guys to help them solve a problem. That was a big moment for me – realizing that this is not just my hobby, not just my passion…it was something that I could use to make a big difference in the world.” “This was the need – how do I make them fluent in English while living in a country where English is not the first language and is not widely spoken?” “For adults, you could find a lot of choices. But for kids, there was nothing. Traditional wisdom would say that it wouldn't work for kids. But that turned out to be completely false.” “There are two things we do differently than others: We went with complete immersion! No English is spoken during the class. The second thing is that we heavily used learning games as part of the curriculum.” “It's a combination of games, to get attention, and full immersion that drives the learning.” “We are focused on deep and meaningful connections with students.” “Why do we even have language as a species? We have it to make deep, meaningful connections with each other. So we encourage that in our product as well.” “If your business model allows you to have remote workers, definitely do that!” “Without an excellent healthy culture, you cannot really build a successful company.” Links mentioned in this episode: Visit the NovaKid website at https://www.novakidschool.com  See NovaKid's feature in Forbes' list of America's Best Startup Employers: https://www.forbes.com/lists/americas-best-startup-employers/?sh=60b6d5272ad7  Connect with Max on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/in/mazarov 

In part 4 of this 7 part series from the Adventure Games Podcast, Seoirse goes on a (virtual) journey to some of the coldest and most remote locations in the world all through adventure and narrative games. In this series we will be talking about some of the most wintry narrative games that you can play from the comfort of your own home. So light the fire, grab a blanket and a hot cocoa (or beverage of your choice) and join us as this week we head to Eastern Europe.Time StampsIntro (00:00:25)Kholat (00:01:11)Torn Away (00:05:59)Alexey's Winter: Night Adventure (00:10:41)Syberia 1 & 2 (00:14:37)Games MentionedKholat Steam PageTorn Away Official SiteAlexey's Winter: Night Adventure Steam PageSyberia Official SiteSyberia 2 Official SiteAdventure Games Podcast Official SiteThis episode was edited by Jared Parisis. You can check out his podcast where he interviews indie developers at Indie Games International below and wherever you listen to podcasts!Indie Games International Apple PodcastsLinks to Jared Parisis's interview with Deliver Us The Moon anywhere you listen to podcasts and below:SpotifyAppleAudibleGoogleIf you would like to stay up to date make sure you subscribe to the podcast. You can subscribe and listen to this podcast on Itunes and Spotify and all other major Podcast Platforms! You can also subscribe to our Youtube channel for extra video content such as video reviews, video interviews, trailers and gameplay.You can also support the podcast at our PatreonYou can review this podcast here: https://ratethispodcast.com/adventuregamespodcast You can also find this podcast on our social media below:Facebook Twitter Instagram DiscordYou can also find the RSS feed here: http://www.adventuregamespodcast.com/podcast?format=rssLogo created by Siobhan. You can find her on Twitter and Instagram Music is Speedy Delta (ID 917) by Lobo Loco and can be found here:http://freemusicarchive.org/music/Lobo_Loco/Welcome/Speedy_Delta_ID_917_1724

In this episode we have a returning guest who appeared back in November 2022 in episode 292 so please also to that episode to see how far Ariana Resources has come in 12 months. Click here to listen to that episode: https://rb.gy/jrndcc Kerim Sener, Managing Director at Ariana Resources who are an AIM-listed gold exploration and development company focused on epithermal gold-silver and porphyry copper-gold deposits in Turkey. We are also joined by Zack Van Coller, Special Project Geologist for Ariana Resources speaking from Zimbabwe who gives us a geological overview of their projects. Kerim is an experienced exploration geologist within the junior mining space working across many of the continents during his career where he has identified over 4Moz of gold in Eastern Europe since 2005. He us an update on Ariana Resources having been at the helm for 2 decades, their projects in Turkey and Zimbabwe and their recent strategic investments within their Asgard Fund, and a new venture into Zimbabwe in conjunction with Rockover Holdings. KEY TAKEAWAYS Ariana Resources is an AIM-listed gold exploration and development company focused on epithermal gold, silver, and porphyry copper gold deposits in Turkey. The company has a strong focus on environmental sustainability and employs various measures to minimise its environmental impact, such as reforestation and using environmentally friendly vehicles. Ariana Resources utilises advanced technology, including the BoxScan multi-sensor core scanning instrument, to analyse rock samples and improve exploration efficiency. The company has a diverse portfolio of projects, including producing assets like Kiziltepe and upcoming projects like Tavshan, which are expected to contribute to future growth and value creation BEST MOMENTS "We've chosen to hold our interests in a much more advanced portfolio than the average exploration company." "We're awaiting further work on that to complete in the coming weeks, but we hope to be at the point of another mineral resource estimate by early next year." "We're just waiting for a market window. Obviously, we want to move Venus to an IPO sooner rather than later." "Certainly, we're looking forward to seeing individuals at Mines and Money. So if anyone's around and want to chat with us, please come and see us." VALUABLE RESOURCES Website: https://www.arianaresources.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/ariana-resources-plc/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/ArianaResources Mail:        rob@mining-international.org LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rob-tyson-3a26a68/ X:              https://twitter.com/MiningRobTyson YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/DigDeepTheMiningPodcast  Web:        http://www.mining-international.org ABOUT THE HOST Rob Tyson is the Founder and Director of Mining International Ltd, a leading global recruitment and headhunting consultancy based in the UK specialising in all areas of mining across the globe from first-world to third-world countries from Africa, Europe, the Middle East, Asia, and Australia. We source, headhunt, and discover new and top talent through a targeted approach and search methodology and have a proven track record in sourcing and positioning exceptional candidates into our clients' organisations in any mining discipline or level. Mining International provides a transparent, informative, and trusted consultancy service to our candidates and clients to help them develop their careers and business goals and objectives in this ever-changing marketplace. CONTACT METHOD rob@mining-international.org https://www.linkedin.com/in/rob-tyson-3a26a68/ Podcast Description Rob Tyson is an established recruiter in the mining and quarrying sector and decided to produce the “Dig Deep” The Mining Podcast to provide valuable and informative content around the mining industry. He has a passion and desire to promote the industry and the podcast aims to offer the mining community an insight into people's experiences and careers covering any mining discipline, giving the listeners helpful advice and guidance on industry topicsThis show was brought to you by Progressive Media

This Full Moon of Gemini opposes a Sun-Mars conjunction in Sag and forms a unique t-square with Saturn @ 1* Pisces. Are you choosing to return to Source energy or are the separating forces still holding you back? Venus conjunct the south node in Libra squares Pluto in late Capricorn setting up possible power struggles in relationships. Who's in charge in my world? Neptune in Pisces and Uranus in Taurus form a waxing sextile with that Venus-South node pairing. This is a classic Yod formation whereby evolution forces some major adjustment with these archetypes. Possible manifestations include land destruction and shifting boundaries (war) or renewed progressive visions on sharing resources. Will the current "lines in the sand mentality" in the Mideast and Eastern Europe prevail or do we embark on new frontiers of peace and mutual respect? Finally, join us for the full and free Mercury Retrograde webinar Dec. 13th @ 6pm MST. Mercury Rx @ 8* Capricorn until the New Year @ 22* Sag. Get to the essence of all communications. Slow down and clarify understandings. Mercury makes aspects to 7 planets during this end of the year cycle. Now is your time to discover what is truly important on this always eventful journey to the core of the Soul.

Known for bringing about the fall of the Western Roman Empire - the Vandals have a reputation of violence, destruction, and conquering. Moving from Eastern Europe across Gaul, and eventually taking Carthage, their actions have been immortalised in Christian texts and Western Language. But what do we actually know about the Vandals, and how did their behaviour bring one of the most powerful empires of all time to an eventual collapse?In this episode Tristan welcomes Professor Andy Merrills to the podcast to help explain the important role the Vandals played in history. Looking at their long migration across the European continent, their arrival in Carthage, and the archaeological evidence discovered - who were the Vandals, and were they really as destructive as history tells us?Sign up to History Hit at historyhit.com/subscribe using code BLACKFRIDAYPOD at checkout, for $1/£1 per month for 4 months and you'll get nearly £30 off our normal monthly price over your first 4 months.You can take part in our listener survey here.

Today, I'm joined by Ihar Mahaniok from Geek Ventures, a New York-based powerhouse. In a landscape filled with exceptional VCs and Founders, Ihar caught my attention with his unique focus on immigrant entrepreneurs, particularly from Eastern Europe. Ihar and his team actively seek out talented individuals, aiding them in the relocation process and facilitating their expansion into the dynamic US market. Whether you're an aspiring immigrant entrepreneur or simply fascinated by the intricate world of venture capital, this episode has something for everyone. Ihar, a true geek in the best possible meaning of the word, shares profound insights into the nature of venture capital and offers a glimpse into the minds of investors as they navigate the growth trajectory of a company. This conversation with Ihar stands out as one of my personal favourites, and I'm confident you'll find it equally captivating.   Follow Ihar: - LinkedIn: Ihar Mahaniok - X: @mahaniok - Geek Ventures: https://geek-ventures.com/ - Geek Ventures X: @geek_ventures     -----   Dance, Don't Delay by Twin Musicom is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 license. https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ Source: http://www.twinmusicom.org/song/303/dance-dont-delay Artist: http://www.twinmusicom.org

The Ukrainian political system, like any system worldwide, isn't flawless. Nevertheless, it is possible to elevate honesty and diminish corruption levels thanks to the engaged and caring citizens. If you believe that twenty individuals can't make a difference, get ready for a surprise in the fifth episode of the English-language anti-corruption podcast UNCHAINED. Meet Vita Dumanska, coordinator of the NGO CHESNO movement. For over 12 years, this initiative have tirelessly worked to ensure the political system serves the state's development, not the illicit enrichment of its representatives. What inspired the NGO CHESNO movement, and what milestones has the team reached in over 12 years? How has Ukraine transformed since 2011? What positive changes owe their existence to CHESNO? How does the team operate amid a full-scale invasion? Tune in on Spotify, SoundCloud, Google, and Apple Podcasts – it's bound to captivate you and your friends abroad. This podcast is a collaborative effort by ACREC, EAACN, and Inna Nelles, generously supported by The International Renaissance Foundation (IRF). It is inspiring stories of successful anti-corruption efforts in Eastern Europe and Eurasia.

Portfolio Manager Peter Lampert dives into the world of emerging markets, sharing what's changed for the portfolio since last year, insights on where we're seeing new opportunities (e.g., Brazil), and the impact of geopolitical risks in Eastern Europe. He also explores why we've reduced our weight and exposure in China and what a slowdown in emerging markets might mean for investors.      Key Points from this Episode:   Main drivers behind the portfolio's rebound in performance from 2022   New additions from Brazil: Petro Rio, GPS, XP    China's increased risk profile and potential implications for emerging markets    Softening demand and slowing global growth      Links:   Mawer Investment Management

The “Post-Putin Russia”, organized by the Australian Institute of International Affairs and La Trobe University, took place in Melbourne on November 21, 2023. Among the guest speakers were leading Australian experts on Russia and Eastern Europe, as well as representatives of the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs. - В Мельбурне 21 ноября состоялась конференция «Россия после Путина», организованная Австралийским институтом международных отношений и университетом Ла Троба. На конференции выступили ведущие австралийские специалисты по России и Восточной Европе, а также сотрудники федерального департамента иностранных дел.

In this episode of Vienna Coffeehouse Conversations Ivan Vejvoda hosts IWM and ECFR fellow Kadri Liik for an urgent and pressing discussion of Russia's geopolitical climate as influenced by its historical trajectory and the evolving preoccupations of President Putin. The conversation navigates Russia's internal political dynamics, the country's evolving relationship with the West, and its position on global matters, especially in light of the ongoing full-scale invasion of Ukraine. Liik's perspective on Russia's future, the potential for self-correction, and its interactions with China and the European Union shed a thoughtful and engaging light on the complex fabric of Russia's foreign policy and societal structure.IWM Europe's Futures fellow Kadri Liik is also a Senior Policy Fellow at the European Council on Foreign Relations, with a focused expertise on Russia, Eastern Europe, and the Baltic region. Prior to joining the ECFR in 2012, Liik served as the Director of the International Center for Defense Studies in Estonia. Her career includes roles as a Moscow correspondent for Estonian newspapers, foreign news editor at Postimees, and editor-in-chief at the foreign affairs magazine Diplomaatia. With her experience as a journalist, including hosting the current affairs talk show Välismääraja, Liik brings a unique blend of journalistic acumen and deep policy knowledge to the discussion on Russia's global role and future prospects.For further information about Kadri Liik and her work, you can visit her ECFR profile at https://ecfr.eu/profile/kadri_liik/​​. Find Kadri on X @KadriLiik​​.Ivan Vejvoda  is Head of the Europe's Futures program at IWM implemented in partnership with ERSTE Foundation. The program is dedicated to the cultivation of knowledge and the generation of ideas addressing pivotal challenges confronting Europe and the European Union: nexus of borders and migration, deterioration in rule of law and democracy and European Union's enlargement prospects.The Institute for Human Sciences (IWM) is an institute of advanced studies in the humanities and social sciences. Founded as a place of encounter in 1982 by a young Polish philosopher, Krzysztof Michalski, and two German colleagues in neutral Austria, its initial mission was to create a meeting place for dissenting thinkers of Eastern Europe and prominent scholars from the West.Since then it has promoted intellectual exchange across disciplines, between academia and society, and among regions that now embrace the Global South and North. The IWM is an independent and non-partisan institution, and proudly so. All of our fellows, visiting and permanent, pursue their own research in an environment designed to enrich their work and to render it more accessible within and beyond academia.you can find IWM's website at:https://www.iwm.at/

In this episode we explore Operation Babylift, the historic April 1975 evacuation of more than 3,000 Vietnamese war orphans just before the fall of South Vietnam.We are joined by Thoa Bui, Vice President of Programs and Services for Holt International and Al Topping, Pan Am's Country Director for South Vietnam.This episode is a follow up to Episode 4: Evacuation of Saigon, Wings of Freedom Mission. If you haven't heard that installment, we encourage you to do so after listening to this episode. Operation Babylift was directed by U.S. President Gerald R. Ford in the final days of South Vietnam shortly before the country fell in 1975.  Pan American World Airways sent two Boeing 747 jumbo jets, one charted by Holt International and the other by American businessman Robert Macauley, to assist in the evacuation. On April 24, 2022, the Pan Am Museum partnered with Holt International and hosted a 47th anniversary celebration. In attendance were two dozen babies, now adults, and their families. They were re-united with three Pan Am flight attendants on their flights and Al Topping. Bringing these groups together for this special humanities program demonstrated the massive positive impact this one historical event had on generations of people to this day. Watch the video from this incredible event in the episode description.In future episodes we plan on exploring the stories of the children, now adults, of Operation Babylift and the Pan Am flight attendants that cared for them on those historic flights.Become a Holt sponsor! Thoa Bui is Licensed Master Social Worker and serves as Vice President of Programs and Services for Holt International. She implements Holt's vision and strategic leadership to ensure growth in Holt's programs for vulnerable children in Asia, Africa, the Caribbean, Eastern Europe, Latin America and the U.S. Pan Am veteran Al Topping is the author of the book, “Wings of Freedom: A True Story,” about his incredible experience in Saigon.  Purchase Al's book from the Museum's online store.In 1990, NBC made a movie out of Al's story called Last Flight Out starring James Earl Jones, Richard Crenna, and Rosliand Chao. Watch the full movie on  our YouTube channel!--------------------Visit Us for more Pan Am History! Support the Podcast!Donate to the Museum!Visit The Hangar online store for Pan Am gear!Become a Member! Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter!--------------------A very special thanks to Mr. Adam Aron, Chairman and CEO of AMC and president of the Pan Am Historical Foundation and  Pan Am Brands for their continued and unwavering support! Support the show

Episode 120 of the Brand X Podcast titled "Penis Flytrap," hosts Deuce and John tackle a wide range of topics and engage in their usual banter. The episode kicks off with John discussing his recent vision improvement, which allows him to see the chat while hosting the show. They then delve into a lost episode with audio issues before touching on the challenges of creating daily content and the overreach of social media platforms. The hosts share their views on the Elon Musk controversy, discuss the ethics of paid shoutouts, and crack jokes about being capitalists. They mention a listener who is drunk and talk about the various podcasts they are involved in. The conversation takes a turn towards embarrassing bathroom mishaps, with John sharing a funny incident involving clogging someone's toilet during a visit. They go on to discuss hearing problems and how loud noises in their youth have affected them. The hosts then shift gears to discuss a controversial joke from a comedian's Netflix special, debating its offensiveness and the role of comedy in addressing sensitive subjects. They touch on political issues in Hungary and Eastern Europe and express skepticism about the recent US election. The episode covers a wide array of topics, including serial killers, self-checkout systems, plumbing problems, and even Jerry Seinfeld's opinion of Bobcat Goldthwait. The hosts also explore topics like canceled comedians, objective news sources, and the state of the country. The episode ends with a discussion about the importance of finding humor in absurdity and the need for thought-provoking comedy. They recommend other independent podcasts and express concern about the dangers of being canceled. Overall, "Penis Flytrap" offers a mix of humor, poignant moments, and thought-provoking discussions. The hosts' chemistry and quick wit make for an entertaining and engaging episode.

Rivkah Milman is just one of the thousands of young women who fled their homes in Eastern Europe in the late nineteenth century, looking for better prospects in New York—where the streets, people said, would be paved with gold. In Rivkah's case, she is sixteen and pregnant, sailing to join her husband, who doesn't even bother to meet her at the docks. Rivkah struggles, raising her daughter in a tenement and keeping that shoddy roof over their heads through endless hours of sewing piecework for a sweatshop. But tough as Rivkah's life is, this is really the story of her daughter, Miriam, who through a colossal but familiar misjudgment falls under the spell of Frederick Winthrop, a rich and immoral playboy who seeks out underage girls. But with help from a family friend, Mimi succeeds in separating herself from her difficult childhood in pursuit of a better life. Miriam, who adopts the name Mimi to signal her break with the past, has always longed to become not just a seamstress but an haute couture designer. And with skill and determination, she makes progress. But the closer she comes to achieving her goals, the more contact she has with the wealthy Winthrop family. Alice Sherman Simpson keeps us on the edge of our seats as we wait to find out how these competing priorities will work themselves out. Alice Sherman Simpson is the author of Ballroom. The Winthrop Agreement (Harper Paperbacks, 2023) is her second novel. C. P. Lesley is the author of two historical fiction series set during the childhood of Ivan the Terrible and four other novels. Her latest book, The Merchant's Tale, co-written with P.K. Adams, appeared in November 2023. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/historical-fiction

Rivkah Milman is just one of the thousands of young women who fled their homes in Eastern Europe in the late nineteenth century, looking for better prospects in New York—where the streets, people said, would be paved with gold. In Rivkah's case, she is sixteen and pregnant, sailing to join her husband, who doesn't even bother to meet her at the docks. Rivkah struggles, raising her daughter in a tenement and keeping that shoddy roof over their heads through endless hours of sewing piecework for a sweatshop. But tough as Rivkah's life is, this is really the story of her daughter, Miriam, who through a colossal but familiar misjudgment falls under the spell of Frederick Winthrop, a rich and immoral playboy who seeks out underage girls. But with help from a family friend, Mimi succeeds in separating herself from her difficult childhood in pursuit of a better life. Miriam, who adopts the name Mimi to signal her break with the past, has always longed to become not just a seamstress but an haute couture designer. And with skill and determination, she makes progress. But the closer she comes to achieving her goals, the more contact she has with the wealthy Winthrop family. Alice Sherman Simpson keeps us on the edge of our seats as we wait to find out how these competing priorities will work themselves out. Alice Sherman Simpson is the author of Ballroom. The Winthrop Agreement (Harper Paperbacks, 2023) is her second novel. C. P. Lesley is the author of two historical fiction series set during the childhood of Ivan the Terrible and four other novels. Her latest book, The Merchant's Tale, co-written with P.K. Adams, appeared in November 2023. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/literature

Let's go to 2014 to revisit my conversation with my first ever internet friend Camilla Wright. Camilla is the founder an editor of the internet's longest-running, deepest-digging gossipmongers, Popbitch which has been in action since late 1999. Popbitch is easily, if not the very first internet pop culture gossip sites or gossip newsletters which set the standard of internet reporting from celebrity culture to pop culture in the new millennium. Camilla is a remarkable woman who left a career in serious political journalism covering Eastern Europe as it emerged from communism in the late 90s to start a weekly email about pop stars behaving badly.SPONSORS: Canstar - download the App here https://onelink.to/canstar-bty, then use the code BTY10, get a $10 gift card on registration.Tickets to upcoming Melbourne live shows available here: https://www.malthousetheatre.com.au/tickets/malthouse-outdoor-stage/osher-gunsberg-better-than-yesterday/Got suggestions for Better Than Yesterday? I'd love you to get involved in our listener survey! https://podcastsurvey.typeform.com/osherStay up to date by joining the mailing list here: Osher Günsberg - Better Than Yesterday Podcast | LinktreeCome check out our new Instagram handle, just for this podcast - https://instagram.com/ogbetterthanyesterdayAnything else? Come visit us on discord. Join the oshergünsberg Discord Server! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Rivkah Milman is just one of the thousands of young women who fled their homes in Eastern Europe in the late nineteenth century, looking for better prospects in New York—where the streets, people said, would be paved with gold. In Rivkah's case, she is sixteen and pregnant, sailing to join her husband, who doesn't even bother to meet her at the docks. Rivkah struggles, raising her daughter in a tenement and keeping that shoddy roof over their heads through endless hours of sewing piecework for a sweatshop. But tough as Rivkah's life is, this is really the story of her daughter, Miriam, who through a colossal but familiar misjudgment falls under the spell of Frederick Winthrop, a rich and immoral playboy who seeks out underage girls. But with help from a family friend, Mimi succeeds in separating herself from her difficult childhood in pursuit of a better life. Miriam, who adopts the name Mimi to signal her break with the past, has always longed to become not just a seamstress but an haute couture designer. And with skill and determination, she makes progress. But the closer she comes to achieving her goals, the more contact she has with the wealthy Winthrop family. Alice Sherman Simpson keeps us on the edge of our seats as we wait to find out how these competing priorities will work themselves out. Alice Sherman Simpson is the author of Ballroom. The Winthrop Agreement (Harper Paperbacks, 2023) is her second novel. C. P. Lesley is the author of two historical fiction series set during the childhood of Ivan the Terrible and four other novels. Her latest book, The Merchant's Tale, co-written with P.K. Adams, appeared in November 2023. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/new-books-network

In this episode we look at how various monarchs in Eastern Europe will embrace the enlightenment while trying to maintain the institution of absolutist monarchy. Lyndeurozone.com  Patreon If you use this podcast regularly would you please consider supporting us on Patreon for as little as a dollar a month?  The Euro Simplified Podcast has no advertising revenue and is produced by a public school teacher.  We love and appreciate our supporters on Patreon as our supporters help us meet the costs associated with the production of this free resource for students. Episodes will be released on the following schedule: Unit 1 and Unit 2 - August/September Unit 3: October Unit 4: November Unit 5: November and December Unit 6: January Unit 7: Late January & February Unit 8 : March Unit 9: April   If you have any questions you can contact Robert Lynde at Lyndeurozone.com.   Instagram: @Lyndeurozone  

In this week's Insights Unlocked, we chat with Aline Thomé, a senior UX/UI designer at Raiffeisen Bank International about the challenges she faced introducing UX research to a large and established international organization, highlighting the importance of resilience. The Austrian banking group operates 13 subsidiary banks in Central and Eastern Europe and serves 16.3 million customers through more than 2,100 business outlets.  Aline has been there just over two years, but has been a UX designer since 2009. She quips that her relationship with her profession “is my most stable relationship.” “I love it, I love design. I went into this field because I love challenges and I love problem solving,” she said. “And what I really love about it is that you can make a true impact in people's lives. We are using websites, we are using apps all the time. And we have the power to make them better, to make them more intuitive, to make them more accessible.” She's developed a two-step matrix for helping her share user insights throughout the organization in a way that makes them more actionable.  The first step is to assess how critical a finding or issue discovered in the user feedback truly is. Mark it green if it is not too bad; yellow if it is medium; and red if it is really critical. The second step is to assess how much effort will be required to fix the problem. “I usually put small, medium, large and extra large,” Aline said.  For example, if you see something is red, but the effort is small then let's tackle it right away. If a finding is green and requires a large effort, addressing it can be pushed out.   “This is a game changer because you can identify quick wins very easily,” she said. “And the stakeholders also appreciate it because it helps set priorities.”

The Space Force, the sixth and newest branch of the U.S. military, was authorized by Congress and signed into law by President Donald Trump in December 2019. The initiative had been shaped within the armed forces and Congress over the previous 25 years, based on the premise that as satellite and space technologies evolved, America's military organizations had to change as well.From the start, the Space Force had detractors. Air Force officials wondered if it was necessary, while some political observers believed that it signified the start of a dangerous (and expensive) militarization of another realm. What seemed harder to argue against was how nearly every aspect of modern warfare and defense — intelligence, surveillance, communications, operations, missile detection — has come to rely on links to orbiting satellites.The recent battles in Eastern Europe, in which Russia has tried to disrupt Ukraine's space-borne communication systems, are a case in point. And yet the strategic exploitation of space now extends well beyond military concerns. Satellite phone systems have become widespread. Positioning and timing satellites, such as GPS (now overseen by the Space Force), allow for digital mapping, navigation, banking and agricultural management. A world without orbital weather surveys seems unthinkable. Modern life is reliant on space technologies to an extent that an interruption would create profound economic and social distress.For the moment, the force has taken up a problem not often contemplated outside science fiction: How do you fight a war in space, or a war on Earth that expands into space? And even if you're ready to fight, how do you make sure you don't have a space war in the first place?This story was recorded by Audm. To hear more audio stories from publications like The New York Times, download Audm for iPhone or Android.

Service courtesies in the country of Philashire.By AnonymousPerv – Listen to the Podcast at Steamy Stories.“So how long have you been dating? Or did you already tell me that?” asked the beautiful girl sitting across from me, at the restaurant.I really liked this one. She was a brunette, short and cute, but with a nice set of cans (if I can be so crass). Not super thin, but definitely curves and hips. It was her bubbly disposition that beat it all, though.“I think I told you on our first date,” I laughed. “After the divorce, I wanted to take a year off of women. That, unfortunately, turned into two years, before I finally got the courage to ask a girl out from the office. We went on a few dates, but discovered we aren’t very compatible.”“And I’m your first internet date. Is that right, Scott?”“Well, this is our second date,” I retorted. “That counts for something, doesn’t it?”“Exactly,” she laughed, just before greeting Jonas, their waiter & taking a knee in front of Jonas, then flipping up his kilt to put his cock into her mouth. His was pretty big, perhaps even bigger than me, and Crystal worked it like any experienced woman.“Your menus, sir?” he offered us. Or did you already know what you want?“I believe she said she wants the duck with rice. I’ll have the pork loin.”Already, the waiter’s cock was stiff as stone, while my date expressed her gratitude to him. She apparently worked him up quickly. I’d seen her do it twice before on our last date. ‘Too bad that couldn’t be me; at least, not yet, anyway,’ I thought.“Did you want anything else, Crystal?” I asked.She moaned, shaking her head as she continued stuffing Jonas's rod deep inside.The waiter turned his head to me, “Sir, I just arrived to work. I think I’d like to take a moment to finish.”“Of course,” I said.It was totally understandable. On the cab ride over, I had Heidi, the cab driver suck me to completion. She was pretty hot for an older woman, and her skills were about an 11 on a scale of ten. I don’t normally think of “sex” when getting this kind of blowjob, but it had been some time since I got off, and that woman was definitely experienced. It seemed my date, Crystal, might give her a run for the money, though.Old World Baltic CustomsI know some cultures take issue with our little paradise in Eastern Europe. Philashire is a small island country in the Baltic Sea. Under a quarter million of us; Hell, most people don’t even know we’re on the map, but we have all the same amenities as any other advanced cultures. We even dress and primp in much the same ways. We’re not savages or hedonists. We were spared from the Soviet expansion that consumed Estonia, in the last century. But here we sit, between Sweden, Finland, & Estonia. Living in a culture that hasn't been co-opted by the decadent West or repressive Slavic societies.We do, however, have a few customs that may shock some people. Since the dawn of our history - our culture has original customs of greeting those whom we intend to serve, on an individual basis. We don't kiss them on both cheeks, like the French, or bow like the Japanese. Our society holds to the clear old fashion identities of men & women, since the Garden of Eden. Women take great pride & identity in their powers to please men and leave them contented. To this end, the culture of Philashire has established Phillatio (the act of oral ministrations) And we don’t even call it sex act in this regard, as to be treated as an act of trust, honor, and dedication between individuals conducting any services or business. It’s often used when employing someone’s services (or they, yours), like getting your tires changed, or buying a coffee from the local barista. By this attention to man's needs, a woman curries favor and trust for all commencing interactions to follow.Sucking them is considered an act of good-will. It’s a display of trust, of trusting them to handle your needs, to the point you are willing to swallow their seed to prove it. It’s like saying “Thank you,” or “Hello,” or a handshake in most other cultures. Sure, it isn’t necessary at every exchange, but it is very often used when services are exchanged between a man and woman. You really have to be from Philashire to understand. It is a distinctly feminine commitment to assure a man that she is going to make the rest of the dealings pleasureable.Because of this custom, women have long dominated the services industries, for obvious reasons. This has left men in our society to advance the manufacturing and agricultural sectors. It has also been credited for a society with almost no rape or other sex crimes.Our customary dress for men is usually a woolen knit sweater and woven kilt (a Scottish innovation we adopted).Women traditionally wear a Bodicio. A dress that is similar to the Bavarian Dirndl, but slightly different from the original Bavarian inspiration. Our version of the dress has a shorter skirt (just above the knees) The bodice features the dirndl-style breast wrap which provides all the support and containment of a French brazziere, but is adjustable with a simple drawstring tie in the front. Once the bow is untied, the breasts drop & are free to roam openly, but when tightly cinched, it will far surpass any ‘pushup bra' for uplift and cleavage enhancement.It is always the male receiving. That’s the custom exchange, no matter who is the ‘patron' and who is the ‘proprietor', as it were. Anything else is considered taboo or perverse.Crystal worked at a sporting goods store. If I had ever visited, I suppose I may have had the pleasure of having my cock sucked by her. However, we met online, starting the relationship on a formal note. I didn’t even get a kiss at the end of our first date.She later texted and let me know I should have tried, and that gave me the courage to ask her out a second time. And here we are. I spoke, “You’re a lot more interesting than the other girl I dated. She was kind of a bore.” The last gal I dated was about as interesting as paper, with a figure not much different.Crystal looked at me and smiled, as the waiter unloaded his first wave of spunk into her mouth. Without skipping a beat, Crystal bore down into it, gulping down the incoming fluid. Twenty seconds or so later, she pulled back off, smiling, nodding at the young man.“Thank you, ma'am. I assure you I’ll do my part to make this evening special, for you and the gentleman.” He quickly zipped up, and took the menus away.Crystal giggled, taking a cloth napkin to her chin. “That’s the third time today, Scott.”“Oh, yeah? That ain’t too many, is it?” I asked. I have this fear that she'll grow tired of her skills before I can experience her charms.“I mean, third time I have had to finish someone off. I’ve had five encounters today, total. That’s about right, considering the time, but most guys don’t finish. Do you?”I had to think about it. The girl at the post office, the girl at the Courthouse, and then the cab driver. I had only used the driver to ejaculate, the others I tapped to stop after their 'passing blow’ as it’s known. In fact, most days, I rarely finish. It would take too much time.“I have to admit. You look pretty amazing at it. I can see why guys would be tempted to finish.” I told her with obvious admiration for her feminine charms.“It’s not like I’m their girlfriend, though. Isn’t finishing it usually only expected when it's in a sexual relationship?” I mean, A guy should only feel entitled to being swallowed by a gal whose committed to him?“You have me hoping,” I smiled.“Oh, that’s sweet of you to say. Maybe one day, Scott. I need to get to know you better.”“I was thinking I could always swing by your store.”Now Crystal looked offended, scolding; “You know it is very wrong to do that with people you date. Any transaction we partake in, would not be considered authentic.”She was right. It was a social taboo in our country. People who shared formal, familial, or close relationships don’t engage in this act, as (at that point in the relationship) you were either already doing it, or had established a platonic relationship… or in our case, if you’re dating. Doing the trust-blowjob for a transaction negates the trust factor, if you’re already in an established relationship. I know, if you aren’t familiar with our culture, you may find all this very confusing. Think of it this way. In some cultures, some people get very upset if the salad fork is in the wrong place. Other cultures condemn a man for wearing a hat indoors. You decide which rules are sillier.I tried to lighten the mood, to show her I was joking. “I mean, come on, Crystal. I have to admit you look like you're amazing at it. But I would never stoop that low,” I said, laughing it off.“Oh, you are a bit naughty, aren’t you? How about we get to that first kiss, and then take it from there; at a reasonable speed. If I suck you off, I want it to be very, very special.”We spent the rest of the dinner engaged in fun and light conversation, before I finally offered to take her home. “The valet will call a cab for us,” I said.Before leaving, I called the waiter over and paid the bill. Crystal pulled out his cock, licking it a few times. He smiled, appreciatively. When we stepped outside a moment later, Phoebe the valet approached. “Car or service?” she inquired, dropping to her knees.“We need a taxi service, please,” I replied, as she reached under my kilt & pulled my limp penis out, right in front of Crystal. The valet took it in, working her tongue under the shaft, soaking it fast. My cock was half hard, when she pulled off, and touched a button on her phone. “There will be one here in just a moment, sir. Can I continue until he arrives?”“Of course,” I said.Crystal came up beside me. “Thanks for dinner, Scott. I really enjoy your company.”“Thanks for being so easy to talk to, it’s uh, been a while for me.”“Not since your wife, huh?”“Even then, the last year or so with her wasn’t comfortable. I’m comfortable with you.” I said.I found it easy to be candid with Crystal, as the valet got my cock to full stiffness. If the cab was going to take long, I might bust a nut in her mouth. I suppose it didn’t matter.“I’m glad, Scott. I like you, too.” Finally, Crystal looked down at the situation. The valet had things well in hand. “And believe me, I’d like to do that, too.”“Tell ya what, will you consider it on our third date?” I was shocked I was asking. Was I nuts being so bold?Crystal laughed. “I already decided I’d kiss you goodnight, so sure, I’ll keep my options open on date number three.”Good, there was going to be a third date. That made me very happy. But then I was surprised, as Crystal moved in and turned my head, & gave me a deep kiss, pulling me into her. It was somewhat awkward with the valet still sucking on my hose, but for whatever reason, it aroused me more. Just as Crystal let me go, with her lips departing mine, I ejaculated into Valet Phoebe's mouth. It was with more force than the waiter had done on Crystal, and the poor woman struggled to get it all down.“Thank you, sir!” she insisted, as she licked remnants off my shaft. “Thank you. Very nice of you to cum in my mouth.”I nodded, giving Crystal's ear a nibble, whispering, “But I’ll bet you’re better.”The ride home went unmolested, save for when Tom, the driver opened the back door of the Taxi for us. Crystal Phillatioed driver Tom for a few seconds, just as she got out. We said our goodbyes and agreed to meet the following week, but I just couldn’t get her out of my mind.By Tuesday, I had hatched a plan, that I hoped Crystal would find very cute. I called Hank and Pete, my old college buddies, and told them to meet me at Crystal’s place of work the following morning. We walked in together, finding her near the tennis equipment, which was perfect for our needs. I walked up to her.“Hey, Crystal.”“Scott! What are you doing here?”“Well, it just so happens that I’m taking up tennis, and”“You should have gone somewhere else. You know it’s not cool to entrust me to service you this way, when we’re dating. I told you that!”“Of course, of course, but the thing is, me and my two friends are all doing it together. So I thought, why not bring them to you, to let you get the sales. I can always go somewhere else, but Hank said he’d buy me whatever I need, based on any recommendations.”“Well, uh, I suppose he could be asking for his friend, that’s true,” replied Crystal. “So like racquets, balls, gloves and whatnot?”“The works,” I said, “But don’t talk to me. I just came to introduce you to the guys.” Crystal dropped to her knees and flipped Hank's kilt, pulling his penis out. “I trust you will service them well.”Crystal turned to me, before taking Hank’s penis in, “You can stick around, if you just want to visit. We are, dating, after all. I just can’t sell you anything. Inappropriate.” Crystal then began working her magic on Hank’s stiffening rod. He nodded his head to her.“Thanks for helping us today. As for a racquet, I want something light, but also something I can really grip hard. I hold them a bit funny.”Crystal nodded, taking note as she reached for Peter’s cock, too, who was standing nearby. Soon, she was stroking it, while making Hank climb higher in her mouth. Before he got all the way, she pulled off, turning to Pete, giving him a few licks. Finally, she stood up again, pulling her bodice tie, exposing her breasts, and holy shit, were they amazing.“I will be happy to help you folks,” smiled Crystal.OK, I need to step back a bit. Showing breasts is like the ultimate compliment to a guy. It’s like saying “You could have all of me, if we were a thing, ya know.” Like the woman that takes an extra pause when touching you, in other cultures. It’s just a way people flirt around here. Hank blushed from the compliment. I was even a bit envious, but then I realized, Crystal was probably trying to egg me on. She knew I’d come in hopes that she might at least give me as much attention as she had Hank or Pete, but instead she turned the tables. Clever girl.She called me out on it on our third date, while we at the movies. Just before the show started, I’d gotten popcorn. The girl at the ticket stand took longer with me than most, while she stroked and licked on my shaft, and Crystal kind of gave me that, “Oh, I bet you wish that was me,” look.“Thanks for bringing your friends to me, by the way,” she said, as we settled in , popcorn in hand. “I got a terrific commission off of that. But you didn’t have to come with them. I know you were hoping I’d break the rules.”“A man can dream,” I said.“Let’s just say, you better hope this movie is good.”“It’s a rom-com,” I insisted. “If it sucks, you should at least give me a pity blowjob for trying. Most guys would do action movies.”Crystal laughed, patting me. “Okay, maybe I’ll consider it.”I really was feeling lucky. Getting Phillatio from someone you do business with, or the kid's preschool teacher, is different than with your spouse or girlfriend. And you can do other things, too. To know Crystal was giving me her all, for the sake of genuine, unadulterated sex, was very hot to me. Then, she asked. “Bet you never thought I would flash my tits, did you?”“I admit, that caught me off guard.”Giggling, she said, “I just wanted to tease you.”“It worked,” I whispered.There were a few couples seated below us, but we were at the far back, nearest the rear wall.“I have something to tell you,” she whispered."Okay,” I said.“I uh, I do that, more often than most girls.” She blushed.“No? Really?” I was sincere. It was surprising to hear. As I said before, the act is considered very rare.“Not because I mean much by it. Like, I wouldn’t invite a relationship with someone, I just really like, well, showing my tits.”“Really?” I was astonished. “You do have a great pair,” I nodded.Crystal cackled. “Well, thank you. I just wanted you to know I do that more for me, than them. I really want you to know.”“Fair enough. I’ll keep it in consideration.”She continued, “In fact, I’ve always wanted to go somewhere completely naked. Expose myself to everyone.”“Crystal!” I whisper-shouted.“Hey, you said it. You’re easy to talk to. Are you okay with this?”“Well, yes. I just have to feign that this shocks me, right?” In truth, some of it did shock me, but I didn’t find it offensive in the least.Crystal smiled. “Good. I just.. I just think you are the kind of guy that could be fun. Considering what you pulled yesterday, being an example. I wanted to tell you more about me.”“Why don’t you strip naked while you tell me,” I said.Crystal gasped, looking up and around. “Are you serious? The movie hasn’t even started.”“So?”“More people could come in.”“And?” I said with a straight face.She paused for only a moment, before exploding in quiet joy. In seconds, Crystal - my date - was sitting back, stark naked in the movie theater next to me. I don’t think I have ever witnessed a happier face. I leaned into her. “Can I ask you something?”“Sure,” she said.“Does swallowing strangers’ cum ever get you horny? Like, do you ever think, ‘I wish i were sucking off so-and-so' and fantasize doing that, while sucking someone else off?”Crystal almost seemed to blush. “You mean, when I sucked off the waiter, did I wish I was sucking you off instead?”“Yes.”“Of course. I’ve thought about it a lot. Especially after I watched that valet hottie Phillatio you. I can do better than that. And I want to.”I noticed Crystal reaching down with her left hand, rubbing her crotch while holding my left hand with her right hand. She winked to me.I smiled as I said; “And I intend to let you prove it.”By AnonymousPerv for Literotica

You cannot understand the historic events of 2022 without understanding Volodymyr Zelensky. But the Zelensky effect is less about the man himself than about the civic nation he embodies: what makes Zelensky most extraordinary in war is his very ordinariness as a Ukrainian. ‘The Zelensky Effect' by Olga Onuch and Henry E. Hale tells the story of Ukraine through the journey of the man who has come to symbolise his country. In this episode, listen to Henry in conversation with Shaun Walker, the Guardian's Central and Eastern Europe correspondent and writer, as they discuss how its now-iconic president reflects the hopes and frustrations of Ukraine's first ‘independence generation'.

Please welcome Scott Edelman back to our Courageous Leadership with Virginia Prodan Podcast. Scott Edelman - we talk this time with us about antisemitism in US. Colleges. Mr. Edelman retired from the United States Foreign Service (diplomatic corps) within the U.S. Department of State in 2015 following 35 years of service largely focused on the Middle East and intelligence analysis. Mr. Edelman entered government service in 1980 as an intelligence analyst at the Central Intelligence Agency. In that capacity, he followed and analyzed political developments in East Africa (1980-83) and Eastern Europe (1986-89), receiving an Exceptional Performance Award upon his departure. He also worked on loan to the State Department as a political officer at the United States Embassy in Bucharest, Romania (1984-86). After joining the Foreign Service in 1989, he served overseas as a consular and political officer in Poland (1990-92), commercial attaché in the Bahamas (1992-94), political officer in the United Arab Emirates (1997-2000), deputy consul at the U.S. consulate in Adana, Turkey (2001-02), U.S. consul in Izmir, Turkey (2002-04) and as the State Department advisor (POLAD) to the U.S. Navy's Fifth Fleet at its headquarters in Bahrain (2010-13). He also served as the political officer at the U.S. liaison mission in Mogadishu, Somalia during Operation Restore Hope (1993) and as a civilian observer with the international peacekeeping force in the Sinai, Egypt (1994-95). During the course of these assignments, he received two Superior Honor awards and a Meritorious Honor award. From 2004 to 2006, he was the analyst for Turkish affairs in the Department's Intelligence and Research Bureau (INR), receiving INR's Best New Analyst award in 2005. From 2009-10, he returned to INR as its sole (later senior) analyst for Iraq, receiving special recognition for his contributions to the 2010 National Intelligence Estimate (NIE) on Iraq. From 2006-08, he was an Assistant Professor of Political Science at the U.S. Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs, CO (serving as the State Department's “diplomat in residence.”) Born in New York in 1955, Mr. Edelman received his BA in Politics (with a focus on Near Eastern studies) at Brandeis University, a law degree from the University of Connecticut, and pursued graduate studies in Government (National Security Studies) at Georgetown University. He speaks, at varying degrees of fluency, Hebrew, Arabic, French, Romanian, Polish and Turkish. His hobbies and interests include travel, history and photography. He is married and has one son. Follow Courageous Leadership with Virginia Prodan Podcast at: Edifi: https://edifi.app/podcasts/courageous-leadership-with-virginia-prodan-26927/ Or Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/7kHPeoAgbkAHCg2C6RApEZ - to hear encouraging & inspiring messages each Wednesday & Saturday at 10:00 a.m. CST‬. We love to hear your comments, questions or share what you have learned from this podcast. To apply for our training and coaching sessions - go to: https://www.virginiaprodanbooks.com/freedom-coaching Order your autographed copy(s) of #SavingMyAssassin by Virginia Prodan - directly here: https://virginiaprodanbooks.com/product/book/ Invite Virginia Prodan to speak at your events -: https://virginiaprodanbooks.com/invite-virginia/ Follow Virginia Prodan on: Twitter : https://twitter.com/VirginiaProdan Face Book: https://www.facebook.com/virginia.prodan.1 LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/in/virginia-prodan-0244581b/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/virginiaprodan/ Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/user/VirginiaProd Courageous Leadership with Virginia Prodan Podcast at Edifi: https://edifi.app/podcasts/courageous-leadership-with-virginia-prodan-26927/ Or - On Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/7kHPeoAgbkAHCg2C6RApEZ Donate to Virginia Prodan Ministries - here: https://www.virginiaprodan.com/donate/  

Hi WitchesI have veered off track this week and will explain why on the podcast, this week in a strange turn of events we are looking at the documentary The Unbinding, Mokosh and the Kikimora.Our book review is You Are a Goddess by Sophie BashfordWebsites references - Kikimora – OCCULT WORLD (occult-world.com)The Goddess Mokosh by Laura Shannon (feminismandreligion.com)Mokosh: Slavic Mother Goddess — Celebrate Pagan HolidaysBook - A Study of Household Spirits of Eastern Europe by Ronesa Aveela My new website - The White Witch PodcastSign up to my Patreon - The Witches Institute - The Witches Institute | creating Podcast episodes, Online Workshops, Grimoire Sheets | PatreonEach month I release either a folklore tale, ghost story or give you the story of a historical haunted or witchy location.I release three Hedge Witch Studies per month with grimoire sheets for you to add to your book of shadows covering a power animal, crystal and plant/tree.Each month I post an exclusive Patreon podcast episode, You will receive grimoire sheets for The White Witch Podcast also.We also have The Literary Witch's Coven, this is optional but within this we read a book together each month and have a meeting to discuss and share our reviews on it. We also have our amazing witchy community to interact with, our Patreon has been running for over a year so if you join now you will have access to a ton of witchy content in our back catalogue. Its just £6 per month please check out our link to find out more and sign up!Find the Yule zine and others here - Etsy - TheWhiteWitchCompany - Etsy UKThe White Witch's Book of Healing: The White Witch's Book of Healing: Weaving Magickal Rituals throughout your Craft for Sacred Healing and Reclamation of the Wild Witch Within: Amazon.co.uk: Rose, Carly: 9781914447266: BooksThank you for listening.Lots of loveCarly xxSupport this show http://supporter.acast.com/the-white-witch-podcast. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Debby's Top CliftonStrengths are:  Futuristic, Maximizer, Individualization, Positivity  & Learner   Debby Thompson and her husband, Larry, have served in global missions with Cru® (CampusCrusade for Christ International) since 1974, and are counted among the pioneering Western missionaries who lived covertly behind the Iron Curtain in Communist-controlled Poland. In total, the Thompsons spent 33years serving in Eastern Europe, ultimately leading Cru's work in 20 European nations. Together with their three children, they were witnesses to a period of dramatic social, political, and spiritual change. Now with Church Movements and living in Cincinnati, Ohio, Debby, an active grandmother of seven, is an award-winning author, a speaker, and a mentor for women around the world. In her newest book, Pulling Back the Iron Curtain: Stories From a Cold War Missionary, she takes the reader on a riveting journey to experience the personal challenges of a missionary's life in the communist world during the Cold War. M'Cheyne Reading Plan Subscribe to Debby's blog, Living with Eternal Intentionality®, at DebbyThompson.com  and follow her on Twitter at @Debbythompson17. To contact her directly, email: Debby.thompson@cru.org Find out your strengths by taking the CliftonStrengths Top 5 Assessment   Workshops and Coaching with Barbara Culwell Subscribe & Leave a Review on Embrace Your Strengths

It's impossible not to admire somebody who is willing to stand up for their country, for freedom and democracy, for the idea that Russians should be able to chart their own future and have a say in what their government looks like.David HerszenhornAccess Bonus Episodes on PatreonMake a one-time Donation to Democracy Paradox.A full transcript is available at www.democracyparadox.com.David Herszenhorn is the Russia, Ukraine, and Eastern Europe editor at The Washington Post and was a correspondent for Politico Europe and The New York Times. He is the author The Dissident: Alexey Navalny: Profile of a Political Prisoner.Key HighlightsIntroduction - 0:44Navalny as a Political Figure - 3:13Navalny and the State - 21:26Navalny and Russian Repression - 34:41Politician or Dissident? 42:45Key LinksThe Dissident: Alexey Navalny: Profile of a Political Prisoner by David Herszenhorn"Alexey Navalny Never Wanted to Be a Dissident" in Politico by David Herszenhorn"For Putin foe Alexey Navalny, Ukraine has long been a volatile issue" in The Washington Post by David HerszenhornDemocracy Paradox PodcastOlga Onuch and Henry Hale Describe the Zelensky EffectMichael McFaul and Robert Person on Putin, Russia, and the War in UkraineMore Episodes from the PodcastMore InformationApes of the State created all MusicEmail the show at jkempf@democracyparadox.comFollow on Twitter @DemParadox, Facebook, Instagram @democracyparadoxpodcast100 Books on DemocracySupport the show

The wars in Eastern Europe and the Middle East shattered illusions. Russia's unprovoked invasion of Ukraine, now in its twenty-first month, dispelled the notion that major land wars between European states were a thing of the past. Hamas' savage attack on Israel on Oct. 7, which was meant to provoke massive retaliation in the tiny Gaza strip, destroyed the idea that Israel's strategy of deterrence could be sustained indefinitely. Moreover, both conflicts are offering hourly reminders that civilians pay the heaviest price when governments choose war instead of peace. In this episode, acclaimed military historian Andrew Roberts discusses his new book, co-written with Gen. David Petraeus, “Conflict: The Evolution of Warfare from 1945 to Ukraine.” Roberts applies his argument about the importance of strategic leadership to the conflicts in Ukraine, a mostly conventional war involving huge numbers of infantry, and Gaza, where the Israeli Defense Forces are facing a guerrilla army in a densely populated urban environment. Effective leadership is just as important today as when the Allies conquered Germany and Japan, whether wars are fought in jungles, deserts, packed city streets, or cyberspace. Russian president Vladimir Putin failed the leadership test in Ukraine. Israel is trying to destroy Hamas in Gaza. How should we define success?

Vice President of Eastern European Mission, Dirk Smith, provided an update regarding the enormous number of requests from Eastern Europe, including Ukraine and shared the importance of the ministry bringing hope to the areas in which it ministers. You can learn more at eem.org. 

10:05 – 10:15 (10 mins) Ward Clark /RedState.com DarkTimes, Dark Outlooks in America: Is the Biden Administration Ruining Us?There can be no denying that we live in interesting times, as references the supposed (but not really) ancient Chinese curse. As we have seen all too vividly here at RedState and in other news outlets over the last month, the world's tension level has spiked, with wars now not only in Eastern Europe but also in the Middle East; Israel recently suffered an unprovoked attack in which the radical Islamic terror group Hamas committed some of the worst atrocities ever seen in the history of the modern world.  10:41 – 10:56 (15mins) Weekly: "Vic Porcelli's East Coast Report with Douglas Blair"  @DouglasKBlair - Formerly @DailySignal and @Heritage Words @townhall @contrepoints @FDRLST Proud Oregonian!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Paulina Porizkova, who was a supermodel in the 80s, has one of those rags to riches stories which she talked with me about on “Now What?” in December 2022. That conversation has just been honored with a Clarion award for Best Podcast given by the Association of Women in Communications. Life has not always been star turns for Paulina who was born in Eastern Europe. She began modeling in Paris at the age of 15. When she was 19, she met her future husband Ric Ocasek, lead singer of the Cars. We talk about Paulina's memoir Unfiltered: The Good, the Bad and the Beautiful and what it takes to reinvent yourself when you're in your 50s. “Now What?” is produced with the help of Steve Zimmer, Lucy Little and Jackie Schwartz. Audio production is by Nick Ciavatta. *Photo By David Sedlecký  

Our current context of active wars in Eastern Europe, the Middle East, and on the African continent makes it fitting to reflect on the prophet Isaiah's exhortation to live now like people who hope for God's peace to fill the nations. Dr. Andrew Abernethy is Professor of Old Testament and Director of the M.A. in Biblical Exegesis at Wheaton Graduate School. His most recent book is Savoring Scripture: A Six-Step Guide to Studying the Bible. Biblical Exegesis MA: https://bit.ly/3SwRdHT Classical Languages (Greek, Hebrew, Latin) BA: https://bit.ly/47290uO

Andrew Neille decided to travel through Eastern Europe in a yellow MG Midget Sports car, a ​car ​that's ​going ​to ​stand ​out ​no ​matter ​where you are! He recalls his adventures travelling through East Germany, Poland, Czechoslovakia, Bulgaria, Romania, and Yugoslavia He talks about the warmth and friendliness of people, challenges with petrol quality, and an accidental visit to a nudist beach. Peter Ryan is your host today and I'm delighted to welcome Andrew Neille to our Cold War Conversation… 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/ 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? Check out Into History at this link https://intohistory.com/coldwarpod Episode cover photo by kind permission of Oxyman https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:MG_Midget_Orange_S.jpg 0:00 Introduction and overview of the episode's guest, Andrew Nielle 0:31 Andrew's journey through Eastern Europe in a yellow MG midget sports car 4:21 Reaction of Andrew's family and friends to his travel plans 7:13 Planned itinerary for the journey through Eastern Europe and Turkey 10:01 Describing the border crossing experience into the East Bloc from Germany 16:05 Reflections on the separation between East and West Germany and the construction of the Berlin Wall 24:25 Unexpected nudist beach experience in Romania 28:12 The challenges of travelling by car in Eastern Europe 32:19 Favourite country visited during the road trip: Czechoslovakia 35:57 Relief of returning to the West and impressions on Soviet rule 37:11 Closing remarks Table of contents powered by PodcastAI✨ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Dr. Terry Mortenson holds an MDiv and a PhD in the history of geology. He has lectured in 35 countries and formerly served for 26 years with Campus Crusade for Christ in the United States and in Eastern Europe. He now serves as an author, speaker, and researcher with Answers in Genesis. In this interview, we talk about the case for a Young Earth. More Info about Dr. Mortensen: https://answersingenesis.org/bios/terry-mortenson/ Answers in Genesis: https://answersingenesis.org/ -------------------------------- GIVING -------------------------------- Please consider becoming a Patron! Patreon (Thanks!): https://www.patreon.com/AdherentApologetics YouTube Membership: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCO8jj_CQwrRRwwwXBndo6nQ/join

Professor Tadeusz Rutkowski discusses "People's Poland towards Oskar Halecki and his works (1945 - 1990)." This lecture is part of the 16th annual Kościuszko Chair Conference and the 4th Oskar Halecki Symposium. About the Speaker Tadeusz Paweł Rutkowski is a historian of modern history, professor at the University of Warsaw. He specializes in the history of Poland and Eastern Europe in the 20th century, including science policy and the history of historiography. Author, among others, „Nauki historyczne w Polsce 1944 – 1970. Zagadnienia politycznej i organizacyjne”, ("Historical sciences in Poland 1944 - 1970. Political and organizational issues"), Warsaw 2007, „Adam Bromberg i „Encyklopedyści”. Kartka z dziejów inteligencji polskiej w PRL”, ("Adam Bromberg and "Encyclopedists". A page from the history of the Polish intelligentsia in the Polish People's Republic"), Warsaw 2010, „Pańska, szlachecka, faszystowska. Polska w sowieckiej propagandzie, kulturze i historiografii 1917 – 1945” („Pańska”, noble's, fascist. Poland in Soviet propaganda, culture and historiography 1917 – 1945”), Warsaw 2020. About the Symposium This virtual joint symposium is organized by The Institute of World Politics, in Washington, D.C., USA, and The Oskar Halecki Institute in Ottawa, ON, Canada to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the passing away of Professor Oskar Halecki. Sponsors The Institute of World Politics, Washington, D.C., United States The Oskar Halecki Institute, Ottawa, ON, Canada Co-Sponsors Institute of History of the Polish Academy of Sciences (IH PAN) Institute of Heritage of the Polish National Thought (IDMN) Instytut Historii USKW (Stefan Cardinal Wyszynski University) ***Learn more about IWP graduate programs: https://www.iwp.edu/academic-programs/ ***Make a gift to IWP: https://interland3.donorperfect.net/weblink/WebLink.aspx?name=E231090&id=18

We talk denials that an election outcome could spark war with China, plans to legalize surrogacy, a trip to Eastern Europe and more.

Bootleg is joined by a motley crew to debate fundamentals of the #liberty movement and international policy (especially the very spicy Middle East and Eastern Europe). Bonus content: it's Roger's first activity with two women and Forest Mommy is fresh of her campaign - will discuss. #Israel #hamas #libertarian #mommyissues --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/notarealpodcast1776/message

Peter Herbeck is the Vice President and Director of Missions for Renewal Ministries. Peter oversees the work of lay mission teams throughout the world who work to equip Catholic lay people, bishops, priests, and religious to respond to Blessed Pope John Paul II's call for a new evangelization. He has traveled extensively in the U.S., Canada, Africa, and Eastern Europe for the past thirty years, assisting and training local churches in proclaiming the gospel of Jesus Christ and ministering through the exercise of spiritual gifts. Fire On the Earth Airs weekdays at 5am and 2pm Pacific Time go to Spiritfilledevents.com you can also get our free app for your Android and Apple devices. Search Spirit Filled Radio to access our radio app.

We return to the dark foothills of the Carpathians in our continuing history of Transylvania. This episode focuses on Europe's most infamous countess, Elizabeth Bathory, accused of torturing and killing up to 600 hundred young girls gathered from across Central Europe. While it's now agreed that Elizabeth Bathory was not a vampire, and didn't even bathe in anyone's blood, whether or not she was a serial killer has led to some interesting debate. Join us as we lay out the facts of the Bathory case and decide for yourself if this enigmatic nobleman woman was Transylvania's Jeffrey Dahmer or the innocent victim of a Habsburg conspiracy. Afterward, we chart the the development of the 19th century interest in both vampires and Eastern Europe, beginning with Lord Byron and culminating in Bram Stoker's 1897 masterpiece Dracula—not only one of the most influential novels ever composed, but also an amazing window into the imperial anxieties of late Victorian Britain. Protect your neck, kid! We're back to Transylvania.

Nov 7, 2023 – The geopolitical situation has become more volatile in recent years. We now see wars being actively fought in Eastern Europe and now in the Middle East with a variety of areas also facing increasing tension. Because of this...

Hey Jeans it's another episode of YMH with Todd and Christine! This week, Tom Segura and Christina P discuss upcoming holiday plans and how gross turkey is. They dive into the "origin of hate" and why Christina's forklift certified dad did not care for the nomads of Eastern Europe. We keep it proto and talk morning routines and what the son of a Buc-ee's co-founder has been doing in bathrooms. We also get a major DENTAL UPDATE!Rapper Eso of the hip hop group Czarface joins the Main Mommies to discuss his album Czarmageddon, his collaborator Inspectah Deck, big words you can't say on stage, rhyming from the pocket, scary dogs , some “Horrible or Hilarious” clips, plus Christina shares a story about an encounter with a Texas man who hunted down a hit and run driver for her!https://tomsegura.com/tourhttps://christinaponline.com/tour-dateshttps://store.ymhstudios.com/https://www.reddit.com/r/yourmomshousepodcast

In this enlightening podcast episode, we had the privilege of hosting Lesya Arnold, the CEO and Founder of A-Players, a pioneering recruitment agency on a mission to transform the world's money-first culture into an impact-first one. With a keen focus on hiring A-Players, the top 5% of talent, for mission-driven companies such as Grammarly, Wix, Mindvalley, Veriff, and numerous early-stage startups, Lesya brings a wealth of knowledge and insights to the table.The conversation delves deep into the realm of hiring and team-building, exploring topics such as the "Price of Hiring Mistakes" and how you can significantly reduce the chances of making them. Lesya makes a compelling case for A-Players, explaining who they are and why companies benefit immensely from having them on board.In this captivating podcast episode, you'll gain profound insights into:1. The staggering "Price of Hiring Mistakes" and how to minimise them drastically.2. The defining characteristics of A-Players and their immense impact on company success.3. Strategies to optimise your hiring process and attract A-Players with precision.4. The art of managing A-Players and empowering them to drive your business forward.5. The economic benefits of hiring talent from Eastern Europe without compromising quality.Lesya's expertise and practical advice will equip you with the tools and strategies to transform your hiring game and cultivate high-impact teams that propel your organisation to unprecedented heights.If you're ready to elevate your company's culture, enhance your hiring practices, and unleash the power of A-Players, this podcast episode is a valuable resource. Join us as we unlock the secrets to achieving remarkable success in your business.Connect with Mudassir

Mark Elliott is a retired professor of history, having taught at Asbury University, Wheaton College, Samford University, and Southern Wesleyan University. Dr. Elliott has a remarkably deep global perspective with particular expertise in East-West Christian studies. He has traveled extensively in Russia, Ukraine, Central Asia, and Central and Eastern Europe. And he brings all this experience and a well-honed mind for history to the work of chronicling the Asbury outpouring. We are thrilled to have his wisdom, perspective, and experience in this conversation about just what happened in Wilmore in February, 2023. 

THE WAR in Israel is not unconnected to the one in Ukraine.We revisit a program that originally aired in April of 2022, where we discussed the influence of “Putin's Rasputin,” Aleksandr Dugin, who believes Russia is destined to control the “world island,” Eurasia—by which he means everything from Ireland to Kamchatka.The conflict in Ukraine may—especially if it widens to include other nations in Eastern Europe, and almost certainly if that happens while war spreads across the Middle East—be seen as the war of Gog and Magog described in chapters 38 and 39 of Ezekiel. We think this is just what Satan and his colleagues are hoping for. When Israel emerges from this conflict victorious, as we believe Psalm 83 foretells, religious Jews may be inclined to see the political and/or military leader responsible for the destruction of Israel's enemies as the Messiah—a devilishly devious deception.

#245.** In memory of Prof. Gershon David Hundert A'H****To support the podcast or to sponsor an episode: https://seforimchatter.com/support-seforimchatter/ or email seforimchatter@gmail.com (Zelle/QP this email address)**** Sponsored by Mosaica Press. Check out Dimensions in Chumash, by Rabbi Immanuel Bernstein, takes key topics and episodes from the Chumash, and based on a vast array of famous commentators, guides readers to a new level of understanding, illumination, and inspiration.​To purchase Bereishis-Shemos: https://amzn.to/3shCcPrTo purchase Vayikra-Bamidbar-Devarim: https://amzn.to/49oAexuTo purchase the 2 Volume set: https://mosaicapress.com/product/dimensions-in-chumash/**** Sruly Tress has undertaken to republish a momentous work that delves deeply into the fiery controversy surrounding machine-made matzoh in 1850s Galicia, Poland. This painstaking endeavor involves the meticulous recreation and annotation of treasured kuntresim, complemented by a bounty of supplementary materials and subsequent writings that further illuminate the subject matter. These included such Rabbonim as the venerable Rov of Brody, Reb Shlomo Kluger; the renowned Shoel Uneishiv (Rav Yosef Shaul Nathanson) and esteemed Rebbes of Ger and Tzanz, among many other luminaries.He is trying to crowdfund the remaining money needed to publish this work, and all donations above 2600 will get a full zechar nishmas page in the sefer. I am not personally affiliated with this project, so any additional questions should please be sent to seforimredone@gmail.com.To donate: https://pay.banquest.com/sbmvly**• With Prof. Gershon David Hundert A'H discussing Dov Ber (Birkenthal) of Bolechów's (1723 - 1805) memoirs • We discussed a general overview of Polish Jewry in the 18th centruy, Dov Ber of Bolechòw's background, life as a wine merchant, qhy he wrote Divrei Binah and a memoir, style history book/memoir, various examples from his work (including: Encounter with Kazimierz Pulaski -  An American Revolutionary war hero -, his encounter with an illuminated Bible, his comments on Chasidim, remarks on the early career of the Kalever Rebbe, mother and wife, comments on SZ and the Frank movement, and much more), his purported role in the 1759 disputation in Lviv (Lemberg) with the Frankist movement and Rav Chaim HaKohen Rappaport, the manuscript and publication history of the work, and much more.• To purchase Prof. Hundert's new edition of Divrei Binah/Zichronos: https://www.bialik-publishing.co.il/index.php?dir=site&page=catalog&op=item&cs=6234• To purchase, "The Jews in a Private Polish Town: The case of Opatòw in the Eighteenth Century": https://amzn.to/49oA35i• To purchase, "Jews in Poland-Lithunia in the Eighteenth Century": https://amzn.to/47njAwl• To purchase, "The YIVO Encyclopedia of Jews in Eastern Europe": https://amzn.to/3snzUOL• To access the Encyclopedia free online: https://yivoencyclopedia.org/

Ana Megrelishvili is the founder of Christian Professionals of Atlanta, a networking organization focused on bringing Atlanta's leaders together to achieve a positive impact on the community through service. Ana's passion for making a positive impact on the world has taken her on the path of working with non-profits when she became board member of Gift-Wrapping Stars for Children and gala committee chair for Saprea. Ana helps adults find their own path to positive change in their lives through her coaching business, Find Courage to Change. As a thriving adult of childhood abuse, Ana is making efforts to educate people about her healing journey and spread a message of hope to people she encounters who also went through similar experiences. She documents her journey to healing in her book “Finding Courage to Change”.Ana documents her journey of moving to the United States from Republic of Georgia in Eastern Europe in the book “Powerful Female Immigrants: Volume 3”.Ana holds a BS in business management from Berea College and an MBA from the University of Kentucky. She enjoys Latin dancing, volunteering, and creating new recipes in her free time.Learn more at: www.findcouragetochange.comwww.cpofatl.com

On NATO expansion and the end of neutrality   [Patreon Exclusive - for the full episode, sign up @ patreon.com/bungacast]   Lily Lynch is back on the pod to talk about Northern and Eastern Europe and growing hawkishness. We discuss: Why did Sweden and Finland give up decades of neutrality - and why now? What happens with an enlarged alliance in light of the conflict in Ukraine? How does the current moment compare to the apogee of the Non-Aligned Movement? Why were the realists right? How is tech mythology helping to build 'digital nationalism'? Why is there beef over grain between Poland and Ukraine? And what the hell are the "skin suit of social democracy" and the "Waluigi of neutrality"? Links: Joining the West, Lily Lynch, Sidecar The realists were right, Lily Lynch, New Statesman The EU's great power delusions, Lily Lynch, New Statesman Guns, grain, and history, Lily Lynch, New Statesman Tech-Mythologies, Lily Lynch, Sidecar Imperfect Unity, Lily Lynch, Sidecar

At a time of year when, according to some cultures, the worlds of the living and the dead come a little closer together, a historian joins us to explain how vampire stories arose from eastern European legends of the "un-dead." Then Irish writer Fintan O'Toole describes the role of the supernatural in Celtic traditions and in more recent Irish literature. And listeners describe eerie encounters they've experienced while traveling in Europe. For more information on Travel with Rick Steves - including episode descriptions, program archives and related details - visit www.ricksteves.com.