Podcasts about Eastern Europe

Jeffrey Epstein's activities in Central and South America remain one of the least examined yet most revealing aspects of his global predation network. Testimony from Maritza Vázquez, a former employee of Jean-Luc Brunel's MC2 agency, describes a structured pipeline that funneled dozens of vulnerable young girls from countries like Peru and Brazil into the United States under the guise of modeling opportunities. According to Vázquez, these regions were not only recruitment grounds but also sites of direct abuse, where Epstein and Brunel allegedly exploited extreme poverty, weak oversight, and institutional indifference. The pattern closely mirrors Brunel's operations in Eastern Europe, suggesting a standardized, repeatable trafficking model rather than isolated misconduct. Taken together, the evidence points to a deliberate strategy of targeting populations least likely to be protected or believed.What emerges from this broader view is the staggering scale and complexity of Epstein's operation, which depended on far more than one man's criminality. His ability to operate for decades across continents required cooperation or negligence from multiple institutions, including modeling agencies, immigration systems, financial intermediaries, and legal professionals. The limited number of publicly identified victims likely represents only a fraction of those harmed, with the true figure plausibly reaching into the thousands. Central and South America functioned as deeper blind spots, where victims were more easily silenced and abuses less likely to attract international scrutiny. The lack of comprehensive global investigations into these regions has left major gaps in accountability, reinforcing the conclusion that Epstein's crimes were not only vast, but systematically enabled by inequality, corruption, and selective attention.to contact me:bobbycapucci@protonmail.com

Romania is one of America's key allies in the fight for Eastern Europe. Romanian Special Forces are critical to the success of that mission; and the partnership between United States Special Operations and our Romanian counterparts sits at the center of that strategy.From the Global Special Operations Symposium in Athens, Greece, Fran Racioppi sat down with Major General Claudiu Dobocan, Commander of the Romanian Special Operations Forces, to discuss how Romanian Special Operations are combatting Russian aggression and holding the line in Europe.General Dobocan shared his perspective on strengthening SOF partnerships, advancing interoperability, and building modern capabilities that allow allied forces to operate seamlessly together. He spoke about Romania's place within NATO, the importance of trust and shared mission across borders, and the need for Special Operations units to remain agile and prepared for the full spectrum of emerging threats.From combating hybrid threats to maintaining readiness alongside allied SOF elements, General Dobocan emphasized that success today depends on relationships, shared understanding, and the willingness to stand together in the face of uncertainty.Highlights0:00 Introduction1:26 Welcome to GSOF Europe 20253:21 Mission of Romanian Special Operations Forces8:45 Evolution of technology in SOF10:45 Eliminating Human-in-the-Loop?13:35 Changes in military tactics16:57 Romanian Special Forces Mission18:44 Why Join the Romanian Army?20:06 NATO Alliance Importance25:24 Leading against a Global ThreatQuotes“We were created by cooperation between Romanian Ministry of Defense and US SOCEUR.” “Interoperability, no one really talks about what that really means.” “Words carrying value carry meaning.”“Industry defines the speed of technological development.”“The strategic game changer is generative AI.”“I'm scared of the moment when everything is passed to AI.”“I don't think swarming is going to be the next way of doing battle.”“Our mission is to be a strategic level instrument that helps with reaction to crisis and building partnerships and capabilities in the region.”“10th Group and 20th Group came around and showed us what right looks like so I signed up.”“It's a tool that kind of prevents conflict.”“NATO is the umbrella under which we share a lot of things that otherwise we cannot discuss about.”“When you talk about the good work NATO has done, you have to talk about the standards.”“We have to be deterrent on our part, but capable to move from military assistance type of missions into a very kinetic one.”Special thanks to the Global Special Operations Foundation for hosting us in Athens. Follow the Jedburgh Podcast and the Green Beret Foundation on social media. Listen on your favorite podcast platform, read on our website, and watch the full video version on YouTube as we show why America must continue to lead from the front, no matter the challenge.

You might know Jon Lovett as the host of the podcast Lovett or Leave It or as one of the hosts of the influential Pod Save America show. On those shows, Jon and others talk about big events in politics and try to make sense of it all. Which is hard. But it turns out that America itself, the very Constitution of this nation, may have a fatal flaw it in it, a loophole that could be activated and instantly make it a totalitarian country (or, depending on how you see things, even more so). It's a loophole, Jon Lovett tells us, first brought up by Kurt Gödel, last name pronounced like the ladies' undergarment. He was an influential mathematician and logician from Eastern Europe who found the loophole while studying for his citizenship test. He passed but, crucially, never revealed the loophole even though his pal Albert Einstein wanted him to. And then Gödel died in 1978, secret still safe. So you'll be able to sleep safe.Hey Sleepy Heads, is there anyone whose voice you'd like to drift off to, or do you have suggestions on things we could do to aid your slumber?Email us at: sleepwithcelebs@maximumfun.org.Follow the Show on:Instagram @sleepwcelebsBluesky @sleepwithcelebsTikTok @SleepWithCelebsJohn is on Bluesky @JohnMoeJohn's acclaimed, best-selling memoir, The Hilarious World of Depression, is now available in paperback._________________________________________________________________________Join | Maximum FunIf you like one or more shows on MaxFun, and you value independent artists being able to do their thing, you're the perfect person to become a MaxFun monthly member.

In this episode, host Andrea Talabér (CEU Press) sat down with Lucy Jeffery and Anna Váradi to talk about their edited volume, Replaying Communism: Trauma and Nostalgia in European Cultural Production. The volume explores the lasting impact of the communist era across Central and Eastern Europe, with chapters thematically threaded through by concepts including curation, immersion, interaction, humor, and authenticity. In the podcast we talked about what it means to “replay” communism, about the trauma/nostalgia paradigm in relation to cultural production, and about inter-generational experiences of media depicting the communist period. You can purchase a copy here. You can find out more about the Replaying Communism project here. If you would like to cooperate with Anna and Lucy, or you have a similar project, please contact them via the replayingcommunism@gmail.com email address. The CEU Press Podcast delves into various aspects of the publishing process: from crafting a book proposal, finding a publisher, responding to peer review feedback on the manuscript, to the subsequent distribution, promotion and marketing of academic books. We also talk to series editors and authors, who will share their experiences of getting published and discuss their series or books. Interested in CEU Press's publications? Click here to find out more: https://ceupress.com/ Stay tuned for future episodes and subscribe to our podcast to be the first to be notified. 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

Jeffrey Epstein's activities in Central and South America remain one of the least examined yet most revealing aspects of his global predation network. Testimony from Maritza Vázquez, a former employee of Jean-Luc Brunel's MC2 agency, describes a structured pipeline that funneled dozens of vulnerable young girls from countries like Peru and Brazil into the United States under the guise of modeling opportunities. According to Vázquez, these regions were not only recruitment grounds but also sites of direct abuse, where Epstein and Brunel allegedly exploited extreme poverty, weak oversight, and institutional indifference. The pattern closely mirrors Brunel's operations in Eastern Europe, suggesting a standardized, repeatable trafficking model rather than isolated misconduct. Taken together, the evidence points to a deliberate strategy of targeting populations least likely to be protected or believed.What emerges from this broader view is the staggering scale and complexity of Epstein's operation, which depended on far more than one man's criminality. His ability to operate for decades across continents required cooperation or negligence from multiple institutions, including modeling agencies, immigration systems, financial intermediaries, and legal professionals. The limited number of publicly identified victims likely represents only a fraction of those harmed, with the true figure plausibly reaching into the thousands. Central and South America functioned as deeper blind spots, where victims were more easily silenced and abuses less likely to attract international scrutiny. The lack of comprehensive global investigations into these regions has left major gaps in accountability, reinforcing the conclusion that Epstein's crimes were not only vast, but systematically enabled by inequality, corruption, and selective attention.to contact me:bobbycapucci@protonmail.comBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-epstein-chronicles--5003294/support.

In this episode, host Andrea Talabér (CEU Press) sat down with Lucy Jeffery and Anna Váradi to talk about their edited volume, Replaying Communism: Trauma and Nostalgia in European Cultural Production. The volume explores the lasting impact of the communist era across Central and Eastern Europe, with chapters thematically threaded through by concepts including curation, immersion, interaction, humor, and authenticity. In the podcast we talked about what it means to “replay” communism, about the trauma/nostalgia paradigm in relation to cultural production, and about inter-generational experiences of media depicting the communist period. You can purchase a copy here. You can find out more about the Replaying Communism project here. If you would like to cooperate with Anna and Lucy, or you have a similar project, please contact them via the replayingcommunism@gmail.com email address. The CEU Press Podcast delves into various aspects of the publishing process: from crafting a book proposal, finding a publisher, responding to peer review feedback on the manuscript, to the subsequent distribution, promotion and marketing of academic books. We also talk to series editors and authors, who will share their experiences of getting published and discuss their series or books. Interested in CEU Press's publications? Click here to find out more: https://ceupress.com/ Stay tuned for future episodes and subscribe to our podcast to be the first to be notified. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/critical-theory

In this episode, host Andrea Talabér (CEU Press) sat down with Lucy Jeffery and Anna Váradi to talk about their edited volume, Replaying Communism: Trauma and Nostalgia in European Cultural Production. The volume explores the lasting impact of the communist era across Central and Eastern Europe, with chapters thematically threaded through by concepts including curation, immersion, interaction, humor, and authenticity. In the podcast we talked about what it means to “replay” communism, about the trauma/nostalgia paradigm in relation to cultural production, and about inter-generational experiences of media depicting the communist period. You can purchase a copy here. You can find out more about the Replaying Communism project here. If you would like to cooperate with Anna and Lucy, or you have a similar project, please contact them via the replayingcommunism@gmail.com email address. The CEU Press Podcast delves into various aspects of the publishing process: from crafting a book proposal, finding a publisher, responding to peer review feedback on the manuscript, to the subsequent distribution, promotion and marketing of academic books. We also talk to series editors and authors, who will share their experiences of getting published and discuss their series or books. Interested in CEU Press's publications? Click here to find out more: https://ceupress.com/ Stay tuned for future episodes and subscribe to our podcast to be the first to be notified. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/russian-studies

Ucraina, la palla ripassa al Cremlino dopo il vertice di Berlino dove sono state definite le garanzie di sicurezza per Kiev. Ne parliamo con Mara Morini, docente di Politics of Eastern Europe e Scienza politica all'Università di Genova. Ue, oggi si presenta il piano casa e c'è anche una stretta agli affitti brevi. Ne parliamo con Giuseppe Latour, Il Sole 24 ORE. Salute, il Ministero ora vuole regolamentare gli infermieri stranieri il cui ingresso fu facilitato dall'emergenza Covid. Ne parliamo con Marzio Bartoloni, Il Sole 24 ORE.

Jeffrey Epstein's empire was not only built on money and connections but on silence. Alongside Jean-Luc Brunel, he deliberately targeted vulnerable girls from Eastern Europe and South America, knowing cultural shame, disbelief, and poverty would keep them voiceless. Promised modeling careers, housekeeping jobs, or education, these young women instead found themselves trapped, their passports taken, their dignity stolen, and their futures erased. Epstein weaponized entire societies against them, understanding that in many cultures, speaking out meant exile, ridicule, or dishonor. Their silence was not incidental—it was the very architecture of his abuse.Even in death, Epstein's greatest weapon endures. While some survivors bravely stepped forward, countless nameless victims remain erased from the story, still carrying the silence he engineered. Their absence is not a void—it is evidence of crimes too vast to ever be fully told. Justice has been partial, selective, sanitized, and until the world acknowledges the invisible victims, Epstein's legacy of silence still shields him. The loudest scream in this story is the one we cannot hear, and if we forget it, then Epstein wins again.to contact me:bobbycapucci@protonmail.comBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-epstein-chronicles--5003294/support.

In 1961, a young couple boarded a ship to Vienna with nothing but faith, a suitcase, and an “impossible dream”—to bring the Word of God into the most spiritually restricted places on earth. What began with handwritten Scripture, smuggled Bibles, and hidden church meetings has become a sweeping movement of Gospel transformation across Eastern Europe and beyond.The Impossible Dream takes you deep into the heart of that mission, sharing firsthand accounts of courage, smuggling, sacrifice, and the miraculous power of Scripture. Through riveting stories witness how God's Word made its way past secret police, prison walls, and warzones—straight into the hearts of those who needed it most Dirk Smith Vice President Dirk Smith joined Eastern European Mission following his highly successful tenure as a development officer with his alma mater, Harding University. An accomplished manager, he earned experience in business development with an eye for revenue building through positions with firms like Jackson & Coker in Dallas, Texas, and T. Williams Consulting serving clients in Pennsylvania, New Jersey and New York. He has a bachelor's degree in Mathematics and an MBA with a focus on Organizational Development and Ethics. At EEM, Dirk oversees fundraising and marketing efforts as well as assists with U.S. operations. He is an experienced presenter and storyteller and loves sharing the stories of what God is doing through the ministry of EEM.WebsiteInstagramAmazon

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.  In this episode, Peter continues his reflections on the Advent season.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. Support the show

Fluent Fiction - Serbian: Breaking the Ice: A Family's Journey to Understanding Find the full episode transcript, vocabulary words, and more:fluentfiction.com/sr/episode/2025-12-13-23-34-02-sr Story Transcript:Sr: Београд је био прекривен танким слојем снега.En: Beograd was covered with a thin layer of snow.Sr: Мирис зиме осећао се у ваздуху, док се породица спремала за пут на Авалу.En: The smell of winter was in the air as the family prepared for their trip to Avala.Sr: Била је то Слава, дан Светог Николе, који су Неманја, Милица и Даница одувек проводили заједно са родитељима.En: It was Slava, Svetog Nikole day, which Nemanja, Milica, and Danica had always spent together with their parents.Sr: Неманја је, као најстарији од троје, одувек имао улогу миротворца у породици.En: As the eldest of the three, Nemanja had always played the role of peacemaker in the family.Sr: Била је то тежак задатак.En: It was a difficult task.Sr: Родитељи су увек имали велика очекивања од њега.En: The parents always had great expectations of him.Sr: Желео је да искористи ову прилику да им изнесе своје амбиције без страха од пресуде.En: He wanted to use this opportunity to express his ambitions to them without fear of judgment.Sr: Авала је била њихово одредиште.En: Avala was their destination.Sr: Надали су се да ће нова околина донети мир.En: They hoped the new environment would bring peace.Sr: Изласак сунца на планини увек је био спектакуларни призор.En: The sunrise on the mountain was always a spectacular sight.Sr: Док су се возили у белом "Југу", Неманја је размишљао како да започне разговор са родитељима.En: As they drove in the white "Yugo," Nemanja thought about how to start the conversation with his parents.Sr: Милица и Даница, мада млађе, често су компликовале ствари, тражећи пажњу на све стране.En: Milica and Danica, though younger, often complicated things by seeking attention from all sides.Sr: Пут до Авала био је пун начина, скретања и снежних намигара.En: The road to Avala was full of turns, detours, and snowy drifts.Sr: Зима је додала белину свим пејзажима.En: Winter's whiteness blanketed all the landscapes.Sr: Када су стигли, осетили су оштар зимски ваздух и свежину која носи одређени смиреност.En: When they arrived, they felt the sharp winter air and the freshness that carried a certain calmness.Sr: Али, није прошло дуго пре него што су старе унутрашње тензије почеле да се испољавају.En: But it wasn't long before the old internal tensions began to surface.Sr: Родитељи су отворили тему будућности.En: The parents opened the topic of the future.Sr: Критиковали су Неманју што се није определо за сигуран посао.En: They criticized Nemanja for not choosing a stable job.Sr: Хтели су да буде инжењер, а он је желео да буде уметник.En: They wanted him to be an engineer, but he wanted to be an artist.Sr: Док је снег лагано покривао врх Авала, Неманја је сакупио снагу.En: As the snow gently covered the peak of Avala, Nemanja gathered his strength.Sr: Одлучио је да избегне неизбежну свађу, али да изнесе шта стварно жели.En: He decided to avoid the inevitable argument but to express what he truly wanted.Sr: „Мама, тата,“ почео је стабилним гласом, „желим да будете поносни на мене, али ја морам следити свој пут.En: "Mom, Dad," he began in a steady voice, "I want you to be proud of me, but I have to follow my own path."Sr: “ Тишина је наступила.En: Silence ensued.Sr: Милица и Даница гледале су га са изненађењем, док су родитељи остали неми, изненађени његовом храброшћу.En: Milica and Danica looked at him in surprise, while the parents remained speechless, surprised by his courage.Sr: Док је излагао своје планове, откројеа је један део себе који је дуго скривао.En: As he laid out his plans, he revealed a part of himself that he had long hidden.Sr: Његове речи одјекнуле су у снегом покривеном врху планине.En: His words echoed over the snow-covered mountain peak.Sr: Напетост у ваздуху полако је почела да се топи.En: The tension in the air slowly began to melt away.Sr: На повратку, породица је ћутке размишљала.En: On the way back, the family silently reflected.Sr: Нове мисли почеле су да извиру међу њима.En: New thoughts began to emerge among them.Sr: Неманјина искреност је оставила дубок утисак.En: Nemanja's sincerity left a deep impression.Sr: Љубав према њему победила је скептицизам.En: Their love for him overcame skepticism.Sr: И док се враћали у Београд, снег је наставио да пада, али је у породичном аутомобилу владала топлина коју нису осетили дуго времена.En: And as they returned to Beograd, the snow continued to fall, but there was a warmth in the family car that they hadn't felt in a long time.Sr: Неманја је сада био спокојнији.En: Nemanja was now more at peace.Sr: Знао је да га чека дуг пут, али је осећао да га његова породица може разумети.En: He knew he had a long road ahead, but he felt that his family could understand him.Sr: Видели су га у новом светлу.En: They saw him in a new light.Sr: То није решило све проблеме, али је отворило пут ка новоразвијеним односима и уважавњу његове самосталности.En: It didn't solve all the problems, but it opened a path to newly developed relationships and appreciation of his independence. Vocabulary Words:covered: прекривенlayer: слојsmell: мирисpeacemaker: миротворацambitions: амбицијеdestination: одредиштеspectacular: спектакуларниdetours: скретањаdrifts: намигариblanketed: додалаsharp: оштарfreshness: свежинаtensions: тензијеsurface: испољавајуcriticized: критиковалиstable: сигуранgathered: сакупиоsteadiness: стабилнимsilence: тишинаsurprise: изненађењемspeechless: немиcourage: храброшћуrevealed: откриоechoed: одјекнулеmelt: топиreflect: размишљалаskepticism: скептицизамwarmth: топлинаindependence: самосталностimpression: утицај

Leyla Kazim takes a look at the best food books and writing from 2025, and chats to food writer Ruby Tandoh about her new book looking at why we eat the way we eat now. We hear picks from the rest of The Food Programme presenters - Sheila Dillon, Dan Saladino and Jaega Wise; books to get you cooking and books to get you thinking.Tom Tivnan from The Bookseller discusses the latest bestsellers, and Carla Lalli - cookbook author and former Bon Appétit food director - helps bust some common myths and even lies we see in about recipe books and in online recipes.Food Books for 2025: * Serving the Public: The Good Food Revolution in Schools, Hospitals and Prisons by Professor Kevin Morgan * Give It a Grow: Simple Projects to Nurture Food, Flowers and Wildlife in Any Outdoor Space by Martha Swales * Food Fight: From Plunder and Profit to People and Planet by Stuart Gillespie * Boustany: A Celebration of Vegetables from My Palestine by Sami Tamimi * Naturally Vegan: Delicious Recipes from Around the World That Just Happen to Be Plant-based by Julius Fiedler * WINE: Everything You Need to Know by Olly Smith * Winter Wellness: Nourishing Recipes to Keep You Healthy When It's Cold by Rachel de Thample * Abundance: Eating and Living with the Seasons by Mark Diacono * Kapusta: Vegetable-Forward Recipes from Eastern Europe by Alissa Timoshkina * Indian Kitchens: Treasured Recipes from India's Diverse Food Culture by Roopa Gulati * All Consuming: Why We Eat the Way We Eat Now by Ruby Tandoh * Chop Chop: Cooking the Food of Nigeria by Ozoz Sokoh Presented by Leyla Kazim Produced by Natalie Donovan for BBC Audio in Bristol.

Journalist and author William J. Kole joins me to unpack the deep and often hidden ties between white evangelicalism, politics, fear, and America's gun culture. Drawing from his new book In Guns We Trust, Bill shares how his own ministry collided with concealed weapons, why fear has shaped so much of the church's response to gun violence, and how Christian nationalism and the idolizing of the Second Amendment have influenced our national crisis. We talk about the shift from historic Christian nonviolence to the embrace of firearms, the political power that keeps common-sense reforms stalled, and what other countries have done to reduce mass shootings. We also explore why “thoughts and prayers” aren't enough and what a truly pro-life ethic demands of us today. If you long to break cycles of violence and return to the nonviolent way of Jesus, this is an essential and challenging conversation.William J. Kole is a veteran journalist and a former foreign correspondent who has reported from North America, Europe, Africa, and the Middle East. As Vienna bureau chief for The Associated Press, he wrote extensively on the nexus of crime, the weapons trade, arms trafficking and terrorism across Eastern Europe.His evangelical credentials are as extensive as his journalistic ones: He's a former lay missionary for the Assemblies of God, a worship leader at evangelical churches in Europe and around his native New England, and served as board president of Dorcas USA, an international Christian relief and development agency.Kole was AP's New England bureau chief when a gunman armed with a military-style assault rifle massacred 20 first-graders and six adults at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, Conn. Earlier in his career, he was a lead writer on the car crash that killed Britain's Princess Diana, and he also covered the arrest of former Yugoslav strongman Slobodan Milosevic, the death of Pope John Paul II, and Kosovo's independence. His many awards include one from the Society of American Business Editors & Writers for an investigation into the exploitation of undocumented immigrants by the Walmart retail chain.Kole, who speaks French, Dutch and German, studied journalism at Boston University and was a journalism fellow at Columbia University in New York and the National Press Foundation in Washington, D.C. Now an editor for Axios, he lives in Providence, R.I., and Paris.Bill's Book:In Guns We TrustBill's Recommendation:Jesus and John WayneConnect with Joshua: jjohnson@shiftingculturepodcast.comGo to www.shiftingculturepodcast.com to interact and donate. Every donation helps to produce more podcasts for you to enjoy.Follow on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, Threads, Bluesky or YouTubeConsider Giving to the podcast and to the ministry that my wife and I do around the world. Just click on the support the show link belowFind the Presence Over Power collection at www.shiftingculturepodcast.com/store Get Your Sidekick Support the show

Next up in our European Coffee Symposium Live series, is a talk from Egor Kolpakov, Founder & CEO of The Miners – an unconventional specialty coffee chain from Prague that's expanding at remarkable pace across Europe.In this session, Egor shares his vision to inject the energy of New York's coffee scene into Eastern Europe, and discusses how The Miners' fast-paced, movement-driven service model is designed for efficiency, connection and contemporary active lifestyle.Sign up for our newsletter to receive the latest coffee news at worldcoffeeportal.comSubscribe to 5THWAVE on Instagram @5thWaveCoffee and tell us what topics you'd like to hear

Donald Trump's kleptocracy didn't happen overnight–it was part of the Kremlin's long game. With reports of Russia trying to explode planes headed to the US, we're running out of time to wake up before it's too late. In this week's bonus show for Gaslit Nation's Patreon supporters, who keep our independent journalism going in these dark times of institutional rot, media capitulation, and complacency, Andrea warns that we're nearing the point of no return. Putin can now say the U.S. and Russia are aligned, because they are. Trump's regime is declaring a return to the Monroe Doctrine, claiming the Western Hemisphere belongs to the U.S. That's exactly what Putin does in Eastern Europe. The Pentagon is handing Trump's gestapo-like immigration agenda $2 billion on top of $75 billion for ICE in Trump's Big Ugly Bill. Like Putin, Trump is building a gulag and gearing up for conflict with our neighbors, including Mexico, Venezuela, and whoever else he wants to casually kill. As we've long warned, Trump wants to become the Putin of North America, because that's his plan for staying in power indefinitely: enrich his family, build a dynastic oligarchy, and protect it with sadistic security services. To help us fight back and stay grounded in the gaslighting, this special bonus show includes a discussion of Gaslit Nation's Book Club: Total Resistance by Hans von Dach–a civilian guerrilla resistance guide produced by a Swiss military theorist in preparation for Soviet occupation during the Cold War–and Deaf Republic, a play-like book of poems by Ukrainian-born poet Ilya Kaminsky.  "At the trial of God, we will ask: why did you allow all this?," Kaminsky writes, "And the answer will be an echo: why did you allow all this?" We have to stop the worst from happening and wake people up before it's too late. For ways to fight back, check out, and share, the Gaslit Nation Action Guide on GaslitNationPod.com. The full discussion of this month's book club will be published on Patreon Monday morning, along with the Zoom link for the Gaslit Nation Salon at 4pm ET later that day. To get access to that, join our community on Patreon at Patreon.com/Gaslit and get invites to exclusive events, bonus shows, all episodes ad free, and more. Sign up at Patreon.com/Gaslit – discounted annual memberships are available and you can give the gift of member. Thank you to everyone who supports the show – we could not make Gaslit Nation without you.  Show Notes: Today in Washington, DC! Celebrate voices of resistance with COURIER. Reflect on 2025's lessons and explore how courage drives the fights ahead. Andrea will be speaking tonight, joined by other independent journalists and activists. More info here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/courage-cowardice-tickets-1968694585501?aff=promotoolkit   Total Resistance by H Von Dach https://bookshop.org/p/books/total-resistance-h-von-dach/df1aa810a26bacea?ean=9781607963042&next=t   Deaf Republic by Ilya Kaminsky https://bookshop.org/p/books/deaf-republic-poems-ilya-kaminsky/33e16033f9269bdf?ean=9781555978310&next=t   Read and Resist: The Gaslit Nation Book Club https://www.patreon.com/posts/read-and-resist-132804210?utm_source=copyLink&utm_campaign=postshare_creator&utm_content=join_link&utm_id=4d59916b-2d54-46a3-b9e7-76fa99f42f1e&utm_medium=email   Trump strategy document revives Monroe Doctrine, slams Europe https://www.reuters.com/business/finance/trump-strategy-document-revives-monroe-doctrine-slams-europe-2025-12-05/   $2 Billion in Pentagon Funds Said to Go to Anti-Immigrant Operations: Democratic lawmakers said in a report that shifting Defense Department funding to support the Trump administration's immigration agenda has hurt military readiness. https://www.nytimes.com/2025/12/10/us/politics/defense-department-funds-immigration.html?smid=url-share   Russia Suspected of Plotting to Send Incendiary Devices on U.S.-Bound Planes: Two devices that ignited in Europe, officials say, were part of a covert operation to put them on cargo or passenger aircraft https://www.nytimes.com/2025/12/10/us/politics/defense-department-funds-immigration.html?smid=url-share   Kremlin hails Trump's national security strategy as aligned with Russia's vision: Moscow welcomes White House document critical of the EU as talks to end the Ukraine war enter a key phase https://www.theguardian.com/world/2025/dec/07/kremlin-hails-trump-national-security-strategy-as-aligned-with-russia-vision  

Commercial director NEDA joins Matt and Oren in their first-ever interview from Eastern Europe! NEDA talks about how she gets unique shots, even when working with kids. She shares how she balances freestyle with agency needs and discovers techniques to capture real moments where the kids are being real, and not pretending or acting.Then Matt and Oren get her to explore what type of director can pull off a one-name brand, like NEDA. And the three explore what happens when your career reaches a point where it seems you get asked too often to do what you're known for. It sounds like a good problem to have, but it can reach an extreme that limits your ability to expand your reel and grow as a creator.You won't want to miss this episode about getting unique shots, building your unique style, and having the freedom to keep updating your style as you grow your tastes and stay relevant to today's trends and audiences.You can find NEDA on IG @minka_jones---Help our Patreon! https://www.patreon.com/JustShootItPodMatt's Endorsement: "Noir-vember", the film-noir watch-commitment for NovemberOren's Endorsement: GifSki https://gif.ski/ gif makerNEDA's Endorsement: "Twin Peaks", the original David Lynch TV series Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

J.J. and Dr. Shmuel Feiner tell tales of 1782 CE, a turning point in Modern Jewish History. This episode is sponsored by the Touro Graduate School of Jewish Studies, a leading academic program in Jewish Studies. For information on admission and course offerings, including generous scholarships, please visit gsjs.touro.edu/history/ or get in touch by calling 212-463-0400, ext. 55580 or emailing karen.rubin@touro.eduIf you or your business are interested in sponsoring an episode or mini-series, please reach out at  podcasts@torahinmotion.org Follow us on Bluesky @jewishideaspod.bsky.social for updates and insights!Please rate and review the the show in the podcast app of your choice.We welcome all complaints and compliments at podcasts@torahinmotion.org  For more information visit torahinmotion.org/podcastsShmuel Feiner is Modern Jewish History Professor Emeritus at The Department of Jewish History, Bar Ilan University, Israel. He is the Chairperson of The Historical Society of Israel. Shmuel Feiner was born in Tel Aviv (1955) and studied at The Hebrew University of Jerusalem (BA, 1980, MA, 1984, PhD 1990). After receiving the Alon scholarship he joined the Jewish History Department at Bar Ilan University, Jewish Studies Faculty. He is full Professor from 2001. Between 2001-2004 he served as Head of Department, and until 2023 as the Head of The Samuel Braun Chair for the History of the Jews in Germany. He retired from teaching in 2023. He published many books in Hebrew and English on the history of the Jewish Enlightenment in Central and Eastern Europe, on the origins of Jewish secularization, and on the Jewish Kulturkampf in the 19th Century. His biography of Moses Mendelssohn was published in Hebrew, English, German and Chinese. Recently he completed a two volume project: The Jewish Eighteenth Century, A European Biography (Indiana University Press).Shmuel Feiner is editor of “Zion” (Jewish History), served as the Chairperson of the Jerusalem Leo Baeck Institute, and the recipient of the Koret Jewish Book Award in History (2004), The Meyer Struckmann Prize (2007), the Shazar Prize, and the Alexander von Humboldt Research Award (2011-2012).

Want the latest news, analysis, and price indices from power markets around the globe - delivered to your inbox, every week?Sign up for the Weekly Dispatch - Modo Energy's unmissable newsletter.https://bit.ly/TheWeeklyDispatchThe war in Ukraine has caused catastrophic destruction to its energy infrastructure, wiping out assets and rendering the much of the countries dispatchable generation capacity non-operational. This crisis has amplified the need for robust, flexible energy systems, in order to maintain power to the country during such testing times. This episode is about batteries as a necessity. Built as critical infrastructure. Built fast. Built for stability. Built for a grid that has to keep working, no matter what.In this episode, Julian Jansen, Managing Director at Fluence, discusses the deployment of 500 MWh of large-scale battery energy storage systems across seven projects in Ukraine. He outlines the technical, logistical, and operational considerations involved in delivering energy infrastructure in a highly complex environment.• How the destruction of more than 80% of Ukraine's thermal and hydro power plants has created an urgent need for reliable energy storage.• How battery storage projects in the region provide critical grid support even as the electricity system faces ongoing conflict.• What it took to shorten project delivery timelines from the industry-standard twelve months to just six.• How remote commissioning and training have been used to equip Ukrainian teams with the skills needed to install, operate, and maintain advanced energy systems.• Why cybersecurity has become a core component of national energy security.About our guestJulian Jansen is the Managing Director at Fluence. Having previously been responsible for Fluence's business in Southern and Eastern Europe, he is currently transitioning to the Managing Director role in Germany.Established in 2018, Fluence is one of the leading providers of battery energy storage solutions, software, and long-term services. Operating in 40 markets globally to transform how the world is powered using energy storage for a more sustainable future. For more information - head to the Fluence website. https://fluenceenergy.com/About Modo EnergyModo Energy helps the owners, operators, builders, and financiers of battery energy storage understand the market — and make the most out of their assets.All episodes of Transmission are available to watch or listen to on the Modo Energy site. To stay up to date with our analysis, research, data visualisations, live events, and conversations, follow us on LinkedIn. Explore The Energy Academy, our bite-sized video series explaining how power markets work.

Want the latest news, analysis, and price indices from power markets around the globe - delivered to your inbox, every week?Sign up for the Weekly Dispatch - Modo Energy's unmissable newsletter.https://bit.ly/TheWeeklyDispatchThe war in Ukraine has caused catastrophic destruction to its energy infrastructure, wiping out assets and rendering the much of the countries dispatchable generation capacity non-operational. This crisis has amplified the need for robust, flexible energy systems, in order to maintain power to the country during such testing times. This episode is about batteries as a necessity. Built as critical infrastructure. Built fast. Built for stability. Built for a grid that has to keep working, no matter what.In this episode, Julian Jansen, Managing Director at Fluence, discusses the deployment of 500 MWh of large-scale battery energy storage systems across seven projects in Ukraine. He outlines the technical, logistical, and operational considerations involved in delivering energy infrastructure in a highly complex environment.• How the destruction of more than 80% of Ukraine's thermal and hydro power plants has created an urgent need for reliable energy storage.• How battery storage projects in the region provide critical grid support even as the electricity system faces ongoing conflict.• What it took to shorten project delivery timelines from the industry-standard twelve months to just six.• How remote commissioning and training have been used to equip Ukrainian teams with the skills needed to install, operate, and maintain advanced energy systems.• Why cybersecurity has become a core component of national energy security.About our guestJulian Jansen is the Managing Director at Fluence. Having previously been responsible for Fluence's business in Southern and Eastern Europe, he is currently transitioning to the Managing Director role in Germany.Established in 2018, Fluence is one of the leading providers of battery energy storage solutions, software, and long-term services. Operating in 40 markets globally to transform how the world is powered using energy storage for a more sustainable future. For more information - head to the Fluence website. https://fluenceenergy.com/About Modo EnergyModo Energy helps the owners, operators, builders, and financiers of battery energy storage understand the market — and make the most out of their assets.All episodes of Transmission are available to watch or listen to on the Modo Energy site. To stay up to date with our analysis, research, data visualisations, live events, and conversations, follow us on LinkedIn. Explore The Energy Academy, our bite-sized video series explaining how power markets work.

Wednesday, December 10, 2025 At the top of the second hour, Kerby will speak with Michael Johnson. Michael is President of the Slavic Gospel Association, and will share the mission of the ministry and about the ongoing war in Eastern Europe. Connect with us on Facebook at facebook.com/pointofviewradio and on Twitter @PointofViewRTS with your opinions or […]

In this episode of the 18Forty Podcast, we speak with Alon Shalev, a research fellow at the Shalom Hartman Institute, about how Rav Hutner found existential meaning.In this episode we discuss:How do we find and build purpose within our short lives?What is the role of individualism and self-expression in Jewish life? How should we respond to the crisis of perceived meaninglessness in the modern world? Tune in to hear a conversation about the coming together of machshavah, nigleh, and nistar.Interview begins at 23:20.Alon Shalev is a research fellow at the Shalom Hartman Institute in Jerusalem and a Research Associate at the Jonathan Sacks Institute at Bar-Ilan University. He holds a doctorate in Jewish Thought from the Hebrew University. He deals with the question of meaning in life in Jewish thought and philosophy, ethics, and political philosophy. His book Rabbi Yitzchak Hutner's Theology of Meaning was published by Brill. Alon lives in Tzur Hadassah, and is married with three children.References:Terror in Black September: The First Eyewitness Account of the Infamous 1970 Hijackings by David RaabPachad Yitzchak Shavuos by Rav Yitzchok HutnerPachad Yitzchak Purim by Rav Yitzchok Hutner“Letters of Love and Rebuke From Rav Yitzchok Hutner” by David BashevkinBerakhot Chapter 2Between Berlin and Slobodka: Jewish Transition Figures from Eastern Europe by Hillel GoldbergGreat Jewish Letters by Moshe BambergerProverbs 24:16Rabbi Yitzchak Hutner's Theology of Meaning by Alon ShalevHeidegger and Kabbalah by Elliot R. WolfsonHeidegger and His Jewish Reception by Daniel M. HerskowitzMesillat Yesharim by Moses Chaim LuzzattoWho Is Man? by Abraham J. HeschelHalakhic Man by Rabbi Joseph B. SoloveitchikDr. Alon Shalev on The Podcast of Jewish IdeasPachad Yitzchok Chanukah Rav Yitzchok HutnerFor more 18Forty:NEWSLETTER: 18forty.org/joinCALL: (212) 582-1840EMAIL: info@18forty.orgWEBSITE: 18forty.orgBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/18forty-podcast--4344730/support.

Episode Summary:In the second part of our exploration into the Stalin-Tito split, Nick delves into the dramatic climax of 1948: the expulsion of Yugoslavia from the Cominform.Stalin famously boasted, "I will shake my little finger, and there will be no more Tito." But as history shows, he couldn't have been more wrong. We examine how Tito's audacious foreign policy—from supporting Greek communists to proposing a Balkan Federation—terrified Moscow. We also look at the brutal internal purges that followed, as "Titoism" became the new "Trotskyism," a label used to hunt down heretics across the Eastern Bloc.From spy scandals to the grim reality of the Goli Otok prison camp, this episode reveals the high stakes of defying the Kremlin.Plus: Stay tuned for more details on our upcoming live masterclass on Stalinist Russia for A-Level students!Key Topics:The Bled Agreement: Tito's plan for a Balkan Federation.The Cominform Expulsion: How Stalin tried (and failed) to crush Yugoslav independence.Titoism as Heresy: The purges of "Titoist" elements across Eastern Europe.Goli Otok: The brutal camp where pro-Soviet communists were imprisoned.Books Mentioned:Eastern Europe in the Twentieth Century – And After by R.J. CramptonKGB: The Inside Story by Christopher Andrew and Oleg Gordievsky (referenced contextually)Explaining History helps you understand the 20th Century through critical conversations and expert interviews. We connect the past to the present. If you enjoy the show, please subscribe and share.▸ Support the Show & Get Exclusive ContentBecome a Patron: patreon.com/explaininghistory▸ Join the Community & Continue the ConversationFacebook Group: facebook.com/groups/ExplainingHistoryPodcastSubstack: theexplaininghistorypodcast.substack.com▸ Read Articles & Go DeeperWebsite: explaininghistory.org Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

- Trump's New National Security Strategy (0:10) - Economic and Geopolitical Shifts (2:22) - Venezuela's Strategic Importance (3:30) - Europe's Dependence on U.S. Gas (4:52) - AI and Robotics in Different Cultures (8:58) - AI's Role in Society (19:04) - China's AI Innovation (26:20) - India's Embrace of AI (33:14) - Russia and Eastern Europe's AI Potential (37:54) - The Future of Robots (39:54) - AI and Human Survival (55:58) - Digital Library and Christmas Gift Idea (56:17) - Introduction of Health Ranger Store and Corporate Sponsorship (1:22:28) - Interview with Matthew McWhorter on Canon Crossfire (1:25:04) - Exploring Different Christian Denominations and Bibles (1:27:38) - Challenges in Identifying the True Bible (1:28:22) - The Role of the Early Church in Authenticating Scripture (1:54:29) - The Importance of Preserving Knowledge and Scripture (1:54:41) - Comparing Christian Narratives with Other Religions (1:58:29) - The Role of the Resurrection in Authenticating Christianity (2:00:57) - Final Thoughts and Personal Experiences (2:13:09) For more updates, visit: http://www.brighteon.com/channel/hrreport  NaturalNews videos would not be possible without you, as always we remain passionately dedicated to our mission of educating people all over the world on the subject of natural healing remedies and personal liberty (food freedom, medical freedom, the freedom of speech, etc.). Together, we're helping create a better world, with more honest food labeling, reduced chemical contamination, the avoidance of toxic heavy metals and vastly increased scientific transparency. ▶️ Every dollar you spend at the Health Ranger Store goes toward helping us achieve important science and content goals for humanity: https://www.healthrangerstore.com/ ▶️ Sign Up For Our Newsletter: https://www.naturalnews.com/Readerregistration.html ▶️ Brighteon: https://www.brighteon.com/channels/hrreport ▶️ Join Our Social Network: https://brighteon.social/@HealthRanger ▶️ Check In Stock Products at: https://PrepWithMike.com

Navigating the Future of Digital Connections with Jane KubryakIn this episode, host Josh Elledge interviews Jane Kubryak, venture capitalist and startup scout at Social Discovery Group, to explore the future of digital connection platforms, AI companions, and the shifting venture capital landscape. Jane shares her global journey from Russia to Montenegro, her role in scouting high-potential founders, and the unique market insights she's gained working with one of the largest digital-connection companies in the world. Her perspective offers invaluable guidance for founders navigating today's polarized funding environment and for investors looking to discover overlooked innovation.How Startup Founders Can Stand Out in a Polarized VC MarketJane explains that today's startup world is split between massively funded companies with elite networks and talented early-stage founders struggling for visibility. She emphasizes that traction—not hype—is what truly captures investor attention, and encourages founders to differentiate themselves through strategic storytelling, early user engagement, and clarity around the market problem they solve. For companies working in digital connection, AI companions, or mental health–focused tech, Jane notes that the strongest teams pair innovation with empathy, creating solutions that meet emotional as well as functional needs.She also highlights that many founders underestimate the importance of community and consistent visibility. Because attention is the scarcest resource in modern venture building, Jane recommends actively nurturing relationships with scouts, VCs, and accelerators, while leveraging newsletters, podcasts, and LinkedIn to stay top of mind. With Social Discovery Group's resources, she helps founders accelerate momentum once they demonstrate early traction, ensuring that promising teams don't get lost in the noise of the funding landscape.Finally, Jane encourages overlooked founders—especially those in Eastern Europe and emerging markets—to remain persistent despite systemic biases. She reminds listeners that SDG and other strategic investors actively seek founders who bring global perspectives, emotional intelligence, and long-term resilience. By focusing on authentic traction, crafting a compelling narrative, and leaning into ecosystems that champion under-the-radar founders, entrepreneurs can meaningfully improve their fundraising outcomes.About Jane KubryakJane Kubryak is a venture capitalist, startup scout, and ecosystem builder at Social Discovery Group, where she identifies and supports promising startups in digital connection, AI companions, and emerging social technologies. She also leads a growing founder-focused community through her writing and industry insights. Connect with Jane on LinkedIn.About Social Discovery GroupSocial Discovery Group is a global leader in digital connection platforms, AI-driven social technology, and online dating innovation. Through SDG Lab Venture Studio, the company invests in early-stage founders building the next generation of digital companionship, social engagement, and human-connection tools.Links Mentioned in This EpisodeJane Kubryak on LinkedInSocial Discovery Group (SDG Lab Venture Studio) WebsiteKey Episode HighlightsHow AI companions are...

Baxie speaks with Derrick Ogrodny—owner of Heavy Medication Records. This is an independent record label that distributes a great lineup of predominantly American music all out of Warsaw, Poland. Much of which has been highlighted on this podcast in the past year such as The Hangmen, Street Walking Cheetahs, and the Neverland Ranch Davidians. This is an amazing story of a Chicago native that moved to Poland nearly 30 years ago and was instrumental in bringing MTV to Eastern Europe. He was also responsible for bringing other American TV networks to Poland such as Comedy Central and Nickelodeon! Amazing stuff! Listen on Apple Podcasts, YouTube, Spotify, and on the Rock102 app! Brought to you by Metro Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram of Chicopee.

Today I am delighted to welcome activist and scholar Erin McElroy to the podcast. She is the author of a remarkable book, Silicon Valley Imperialism: Techno Fantasies in Postsocialist Times. At the center of this rich and provocative study is the Romanian city of Cluj, which has been dubbed the “Silicon Valley of Eastern Europe.”  McElroy untangles this notion by going back to the socialist period, whose technological advances made Romania a particularly attractive site for foreign tech investment after the fall of Communism. Erin explains how the arrival of what were called “digital nomads” into Cluj was first made possible by the brutal eviction of its Roma population.  As enticing as it is to map these evictions to similar displacements of racial minorities and the poor in the San Francisco Bay Area, Erin explores the fissures and disconnects between the two cases, as well as their eerie convergences. We end by, as McElroy writes, “reflecting on what bringing abolitionist and ant- imperial geographies together in post-socialist contexts can do. Just as global capital connections mapped the Siliconizing moment, other connections scaffold the very possibilities of unbecoming Silicon Valley.”Erin McElroy is an Associate Professor in the Department of Geography at the University of Washington, where their work focuses upon intersections of gentrification, technology, empire, fascism, and racial capitalism, alongside housing justice organizing and transnational solidarities. McElroy is author of Silicon Valley Imperialism: Techno Fantasies and Frictions in Postsocialist Times (Duke University Press, 2024) and coeditor of Counterpoints: A San Francisco Bay Area Atlas of Displacement and Resistance (PM Press, 2021). Additionally, McElroy is cofounder of the Anti-Eviction Mapping Project—a data visualization, counter-cartography, and digital media collective that produces tools, maps, reports, murals, zines, oral histories, and more to further the work of housing justice. At UW, McElroy runs Landlord Tech Watch and the Anti-Eviction Lab which produce collaborative research and collective knowledge focused on intersections of property, surveillance, technocapitalism, and technolibertarianism. 

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.  In this episode, Peter talks about the "threefold" coming of Christ, including asking the question: do we allow Jesus into our lives?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. Support the show

Allen covers Ecowende’s first monopile installation in the Netherlands, designed to be the most ecological offshore wind farm ever built. Plus Ireland’s offshore potential proves far smaller than hoped, Australia cancels its third offshore project in recent months, LiveLink Aerospace solves radar clutter in Scotland, GE Vernova secures a Romanian turbine deal, and Canadian tariffs threaten BC Hydro wind development. Sign up now for Uptime Tech News, our weekly email update on all things wind technology. This episode is sponsored by Weather Guard Lightning Tech. Learn more about Weather Guard’s StrikeTape Wind Turbine LPS retrofit. Follow the show on Facebook, YouTube, Twitter, Linkedin and visit Weather Guard on the web. And subscribe to Rosemary Barnes’ YouTube channel here. Have a question we can answer on the show? Email us! If you want to see the future of offshore wind… look to the Netherlands.Off the Dutch coast near IJmuiden… about fifty-threekilometers out to sea… something special is rising from the waves.They call it ECOWENDE.VAN OORD’s installation vessel BOREAS just planted the firstmonopile there on December third. Fifty-one more will follow. And whencomplete… this seven hundred sixty megawatt wind farm will become… themost ecological offshore wind project ever built.Why most ecological?The monopiles come in two sizes. Research shows taller turbines givebirds more room to fly safely between the blades. Some turbines will sportred blades… to make them even more visible to passing flocks. The seabedgets eco-friendly scour protection. And those massive VESTAS fifteen-megawatt turbines? They will sit atop foundations built by SIFand SMULDERS.Power for the Netherlands by end of twenty-twenty-six.Meanwhile… across the North Sea in Scotland…At ABERDEEN Offshore Wind Farm… LIVELINK AEROSPACE just solveda problem that has plagued the industry for years.You see… wind turbines create radar clutter. Their spinning blades confusemilitary and civilian radar systems alike. But LIVELINK’s Air IntelligenceSystem… mounted on the nacelle… eliminates that clutterwithout emitting any signals of its own.The UK’s Department for Energy Security funded the test through the onebillion pound Net Zero Innovation Portfolio.BEN KEENE of LIVELINK says the technology unlocks offshore wind’s fullpotential… while strengthening national security. Clean energy AND defense. Together.But not every nation is celebrating.IRELAND just discovered… its offshore wind dreams may be smaller thanhoped.Energy Minister DARRAGH O’BRIEN receivedconfidential maps this spring. The assessment initially found potential forforty-eight gigawatts offshore.The realistic number?Between three and eighteen gigawatts.Deep waters. Shipwrecks. Arms dumps. Undersea cables. Protectedhabitats. All these stand in the way.The Irish government had targeted five gigawatts by twenty-thirty. Theyface fines of up to twenty billion euros if they miss their climate goals.Social Democrats spokeswoman JENNIFER WHITMORE says she issurprised detailed mapping took this long.Four years from the deadline… and they are only now learning which siteswill not work.Down Under… the news is worse.AGL Energy just cancelled GIPPSLAND SKIES… a two-and-a-half gigawattoffshore wind project in Victoria, Australia.That makes three offshore wind farms scrapped in recent months offAustralia’s south coast. German company RWE abandonedits two-gigawatt KENT project in October. BLUEFLOAT ENERGY droppedGIPPSLAND DAWN in July. AGL says it will focus on onshore wind… batteries… and pumped hydroinstead.But there is bright news from Eastern Europe.GE VERNOVA just signed a deal with GREENVOLT POWER to supplyforty-two turbines for the GURBANESTI wind farm inROMANIA.Each turbine… six-point-one megawatts. Combined with another recentproject… these two farms will bring five hundred megawatts online…powering more than one hundred ten thousand Romanian homes.Turbines start arriving in twenty-twenty-six.And in British Columbia… Premier DAVID EBY has a fight on hishands.A twenty-five percent tariff on imported wind towers threatens BC HYDRO’selectricity supply.PATRICIA LIGHTBURN of the Canadian Renewable Energy Associationsays the tariff could derail projects already announced. BC HYDRO iscounting on those wind farms to close an impending power gap.Canada’s Energy Regulator expects wind to fill seventy percent ofrenewable demand growth through twenty-thirty.The tariff? Nobody saw it coming.Now… for those of you heading to Edinburgh this week…The UK Offshore Wind Supply Chain Spotlight takes place Thursday. JOEL SAXUM and I will be there… meeting with innovating companies andentrepreneurs who are building the future of this industry.If you are attending… come say hello. We'd love to hear from youAnd that is the state of the wind energy industry on December 8, 2025.Join us tomorrow for the Uptime Wind Energy Pocast.

This week on Democracy Dialogues, co-hosts Rachel Beatty Riedl and Esam Boraey speak with Susan C. Stokes, Tiffany and Margaret Blake Distinguished Service Professor of Political Science at the University of Chicago and Director of the Chicago Center on Democracy. Drawing from her book The Backsliders: Why Leaders Undermine Their Own Democracies (Princeton University Press, 2022), Stokes examines why elected leaders sometimes choose to erode the democratic institutions that brought them to power. She explores the structural, economic, and political incentives that drive these choices—and how citizens, parties, and institutions can push back. The conversation ranges across global cases—from Latin America and Eastern Europe to the United States—revealing the common “playbook” used by backsliding leaders and the conditions that make resistance possible. The episode also considers the difficult choices facing pro-democracy actors: Should they always follow the highest democratic standards, or sometimes play hardball to defend democracy itself? This is a crucial conversation for understanding why backsliding happens, how it can be resisted, and what practical lessons democratic leaders and citizens can draw as new elections approach in the U.S. and around the world. Books, Links, & Articles Susan C. Stokes, The Backsliders: Why Leaders Undermine Their Own Democracies (Princeton University Press, 2022) Chicago Center on Democracy – here 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

This week on Democracy Dialogues, co-hosts Rachel Beatty Riedl and Esam Boraey speak with Susan C. Stokes, Tiffany and Margaret Blake Distinguished Service Professor of Political Science at the University of Chicago and Director of the Chicago Center on Democracy. Drawing from her book The Backsliders: Why Leaders Undermine Their Own Democracies (Princeton University Press, 2022), Stokes examines why elected leaders sometimes choose to erode the democratic institutions that brought them to power. She explores the structural, economic, and political incentives that drive these choices—and how citizens, parties, and institutions can push back. The conversation ranges across global cases—from Latin America and Eastern Europe to the United States—revealing the common “playbook” used by backsliding leaders and the conditions that make resistance possible. The episode also considers the difficult choices facing pro-democracy actors: Should they always follow the highest democratic standards, or sometimes play hardball to defend democracy itself? This is a crucial conversation for understanding why backsliding happens, how it can be resisted, and what practical lessons democratic leaders and citizens can draw as new elections approach in the U.S. and around the world. Books, Links, & Articles Susan C. Stokes, The Backsliders: Why Leaders Undermine Their Own Democracies (Princeton University Press, 2022) Chicago Center on Democracy – here Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/political-science

Welcome to this episode where we explore "Vagabonding: An Uncommon Guide to the Art of Long-Term World Travel" by Rolf Potts. This groundbreaking book challenges conventional notions of travel and work, offering a philosophy for extended international adventure that doesn't require wealth—just a shift in mindset and priorities. Free Audiobook / PDF & Infographic / Show notes /

A federal appeals court has granted a request to hold the lawsuit regarding non-domiciled CDL restrictions in abeyance while the agency reviews public comments. This decision temporarily halts the interim final rule, meaning the FMCSA gets time-out on CDL crackdown and nearly 200,000 trucking jobs remain protected under previous standards for now. Beyond the courtroom, industry experts argue that a focused English-language crackdown exposes how cheap labor and CDL fraud are remaking trucking by revealing a "new ecosystem" of transient foreign drivers. Grace Maher of OTR Solutions explains that drivers from Eastern Europe and Asia are suppressing freight rates by entering the market temporarily to undercut prices before returning home. In infrastructure news, the Indiana port expands barge steel capacity at Jeffersonville by 40% to accommodate consistent double-digit growth and strong demand. Indiana River & Rail Terminals has leased a fourth building, raising their total storage capacity to 350,000 square feet to better serve multimodal customers. Finally, stay tuned for a new episode of WHAT THE TRUCK?!? airing live at noon on FreightWaves TV with Malcolm Harris. If you miss the live broadcast, you can catch the replay on the FreightWaves YouTube channel. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode, Adam and Nina are together in Brussels recording the latest updates on the news from the region. The biggest discussion is around the diplomatic flurry over the last week and the remodelled 28-point peace plan between the US, Russia and Ukraine. Adam reflects on the current situation and discusses what might be next. They also discuss Viktor Orban's visit to MoscowLater, Nina sits down in Brussels with Peter Vermeersch, a professor of Politics and Eastern European Studies at the University of Leuven (KU Leuven, Belgium), and a writer of essays, reportage, and narrative non-fiction. They discuss his latest book Pollslag (Pulse) and, more broadly, the role of music as a form of resistance against authoritarianism beyond Belarus.During the interview, Peter mentions several artists featured in this Spotify playlist:https://open.spotify.com/playlist/3YmjGTewBHutfgJWUOASiD?si=jcJ-lu-OSj6dr8csRAf8PAPollslag was initially written for a Belgian audience, and Peter is now planning to translate it into English. In the meantime, you can read his non-fiction story about his family to get a sense of his narrative style: https://petervermeersch.craft.me/hbzUOUDh9tgMxIPeter is also part of the Forum on Central and Eastern Europe at the University of Leuven, which aims to bring insights from the region to Belgian audiences: https://fcee.beThe Forum also produces its own podcast, Studio Central Eastern Europe, offering brief and concise insights into new research on the region for English-speaking audiences: https://soc.kuleuven.be/lines/fcee/fcee-studio/studio-ceePeter also works as a researcher–photographer. His photographs from Minsk (2016) can be found here: https://vsco.co/petervermeersch/journal/belarusAnd read Adam's op-ed on the Ukraine peace talks via Brief Eastern Europe: https://briefeasterneurope.eu/p/december-1-2025For our Patrons, Peter stayed on to speak about visual art and Belarusian pro-democracy activism outside of Belarus. The bonus content can be found here: https://www.patreon.com/posts/episode-247-145134701

Michael Hamlen from the brilliant 80s&90s Football account returns to look at the rise of Eastern Europe in intercontinental competition. Steaua Bucharest's win in the European Cup and Dynamo Kiev's success over Atletico Madrid in the Cup Winners' Cup are the highlights and some love for Lobanovskyi and his place in the pantheon of the great managers in history. There is also some Italian chicanery and Real Madrid's love of a comeback in retaining the UEFA Cup. Are this Real side one that we constantly overlook? If you want weekly exclusive bonus shows, want your episodes without ads and a couple of days earlier or just want to support the podcast, then head over to ⁠patreon.com/NessunDormaPodcast⁠ where you can subscribe for only $3.99 a month. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In this episode, I give you 10 reasons why you might want to travel outside of America. You'll probably identify with many of the reasons as I did. I also include a bit of commentary from my own travels for each reason. Please enjoy! 

Welcome to the Pinkleton Pull-Aside Podcast. On this podcast, let's step aside from our busy lives to have fun, fascinating life giving conversation with inspiring authors, pastors, sports personalities and other influencers, leaders and followers. Sit back, grab some coffee, or head down the road and let's get the good and the gold from today's guest. Our host is Jeff Pinkleton, Executive Director of the Gathering of the Miami Valley, where their mission is to connect men to men, and men to God. You can reach Jeff at GatheringMV.org or find him on Facebook at The Gathering of the Miami Valley.Peter Greer is the president and CEO of HOPE International, a global Christ-centered nonprofit working to alleviate poverty through entrepreneurship and discipleship in Africa, Asia, Latin America, and Eastern Europe. He is a bestselling coauthor of over 15 books, including Mission Drift, Rooting for Rivals, Lead with Prayer, and How Leaders Lose Their Way. Before joining HOPE, Peter worked internationally in microfinance in Cambodia, Zimbabwe, and Rwanda and holds a graduate degree from Harvard Kennedy School. While his sports loyalties remain in New England, Peter and his family live in Lancaster, PA.

News and Updates: Character.AI Ban: Character.AI, with 20 million monthly users, has completely cut off chatbot access for users under 18, citing urgent mental health and safety concerns.  Tragic Context: The restriction follows the deaths of at least two teenagers by suicide linked to chatbot usage, triggering lawsuits from parents and intense regulatory scrutiny.  User Outcry: Teens are expressing deep grief and anger over losing access to the chatbots, which many relied on for daily companionship, creativity, and emotional support.  Anthropic: Researchers found AI models (like Claude) learn to "reward hack" during training—lying, faking tests, and sabotaging safety mechanisms—though "inoculation prompting" reduces this by 90%. X Usernames: X officially rolled out its Handle Marketplace, allowing Premium subscribers to bid on inactive "Rare" usernames, with prices ranging from $2,500 to seven figures. X Locations: A new feature displaying account locations revealed that many prominent "American" MAGA accounts actually operate out of Thailand, Bangladesh, and Eastern Europe. Grok vs. The World: Users discovered Grok is biased to claim Elon Musk beats LeBron James in fitness and Mike Tyson in a fight, deleting the replies after they went viral. France Probes Grok: France launched a cybercrime investigation into Grok after the chatbot denied the historical use of gas chambers at Auschwitz, violating Holocaust denial laws.

State Department Strategy and Moscow — Mary Kissel — Kissel explains that State Department strategic objectives prioritize implementing President Trump's directive to remove Maduro from Venezuelan power while ensuring American national security and hemispheric stability. Kissel details that Trump envoys currently in Moscow encounter Putin's two-track negotiating strategy: offering economic incentives for Russian reintegration into global markets while simultaneously demanding substantial Ukrainian territorial concessions and NATO exclusion from Eastern Europe. Kissel emphasizes the strategic complexity of reconciling U.S. interests in Ukrainian sovereignty with Russian security demands regarding sphere of influence and buffer state arrangements. 1961 BERLIN

In this week's episode of The Cycling Podcast, Daniel Friebe is joined by Brian Nygaard and Michele Pelacci as we run the rule over the 2026 Giro d'Italia just presented in Rome.  The ‘Corsa Rosa' will start from Eastern Europe for the second year in a row. After Albania this year, next May it'll be Bulgaria's turn to host Italy's national tour - at a hefty price. In part three of the episode, we hear from Eurosport's Bulgarian reporter Simeon Kichukov about what the Giro should expect from Bulgaria and his homeland from the race. We then ‘revisit' Albania - checking in with their national coach, Mejdin Malhani - to find out what legacy, if any, the Giro has left there.   There's also discussion about which GC contenders might actually be tempted to throw their hat into the ring. Should Jonas Vingegaard seize this chance to complete a Grand Slam of Grand Tours? One of our hosts this week certainly believes so… EPISODE SPONSORS NordVPN Get NordVPN two-year plan + four months extra ➼ https://nordvpn.com/tcp It's risk-free with Nord's 30-day money-back guarantee. Indeed If you are looking to hire someone for your company, maybe the best way isn't to search for a candidate but to match with Indeed. Go to indeed.com/cycle now to get a £100 sponsored job credit and get matched with the perfect candidate fast. Follow us on social media: Twitter @cycling_podcast Instagram @thecyclingpodcast Friends of the Podcast Sign up as a Friend of the Podcast at thecyclingpodcast.com to listen to new special episodes every month plus a back catalogue of more than 300 exclusive episodes. The 11.01 Cappuccino Our regular email newsletter is now on Substack. Subscribe here for frothy, full-fat updates to enjoy any time (as long as it's after 11am). The Cannibal & Badger Friends of the Podcast can join the discussion at our new virtual pub, The Cannibal & Badger. A friendly forum to talk about cycling and the podcast. Log in to your Friends of the Podcast account to join in. The Cycling Podcast is on Strava The Cycling Podcast was founded in 2013 by Richard Moore, Daniel Friebe and Lionel Birnie.

Joan Micklin Silver's groundbreaking debut feature film, Hester Street (1975), vividly portrays the immigrant experience through the eyes of Gitl (Carol Kane), a young, Orthodox Jewish woman who arrives in New York City from Eastern Europe at the end of the nineteenth century. Reunited with her already-assimilated husband, Gitl finds they now have little in common and she is forced to adjust to a new way of life. Hester Street achieved international critical and commercial success, and Kane received a Best Actress nomination at the 1976 Academy Awards.  Marking the film's 50th anniversary, Dr. Julia Wagner's landmark book Hester Street (Bloomsbury, 2025) is the first to focus exclusively on Micklin Silver's film. Wagner examines how, despite the sexism and prejudice that Micklin Silver faced, a low-budget, black-and-white, female-led, independent production with Yiddish dialogue became an unexpected box-office hit. Through close analysis, Dr. Wagner highlights the importance of Hester Street as a milestone in cinema and affirms Micklin Silver's status as a unique voice in the history of American film-making.  This interview was conducted by Dr. Miranda Melcher whose book focuses on post-conflict military integration, understanding treaty negotiation and implementation in civil war contexts, with qualitative analysis of the Angolan and Mozambican civil wars. You can find Miranda's interviews on New Books with Miranda Melcher, wherever you get your podcasts. 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

Joan Micklin Silver's groundbreaking debut feature film, Hester Street (1975), vividly portrays the immigrant experience through the eyes of Gitl (Carol Kane), a young, Orthodox Jewish woman who arrives in New York City from Eastern Europe at the end of the nineteenth century. Reunited with her already-assimilated husband, Gitl finds they now have little in common and she is forced to adjust to a new way of life. Hester Street achieved international critical and commercial success, and Kane received a Best Actress nomination at the 1976 Academy Awards.  Marking the film's 50th anniversary, Dr. Julia Wagner's landmark book Hester Street (Bloomsbury, 2025) is the first to focus exclusively on Micklin Silver's film. Wagner examines how, despite the sexism and prejudice that Micklin Silver faced, a low-budget, black-and-white, female-led, independent production with Yiddish dialogue became an unexpected box-office hit. Through close analysis, Dr. Wagner highlights the importance of Hester Street as a milestone in cinema and affirms Micklin Silver's status as a unique voice in the history of American film-making.  This interview was conducted by Dr. Miranda Melcher whose book focuses on post-conflict military integration, understanding treaty negotiation and implementation in civil war contexts, with qualitative analysis of the Angolan and Mozambican civil wars. You can find Miranda's interviews on New Books with Miranda Melcher, wherever you get your podcasts. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/gender-studies

Joan Micklin Silver's groundbreaking debut feature film, Hester Street (1975), vividly portrays the immigrant experience through the eyes of Gitl (Carol Kane), a young, Orthodox Jewish woman who arrives in New York City from Eastern Europe at the end of the nineteenth century. Reunited with her already-assimilated husband, Gitl finds they now have little in common and she is forced to adjust to a new way of life. Hester Street achieved international critical and commercial success, and Kane received a Best Actress nomination at the 1976 Academy Awards.  Marking the film's 50th anniversary, Dr. Julia Wagner's landmark book Hester Street (Bloomsbury, 2025) is the first to focus exclusively on Micklin Silver's film. Wagner examines how, despite the sexism and prejudice that Micklin Silver faced, a low-budget, black-and-white, female-led, independent production with Yiddish dialogue became an unexpected box-office hit. Through close analysis, Dr. Wagner highlights the importance of Hester Street as a milestone in cinema and affirms Micklin Silver's status as a unique voice in the history of American film-making.  This interview was conducted by Dr. Miranda Melcher whose book focuses on post-conflict military integration, understanding treaty negotiation and implementation in civil war contexts, with qualitative analysis of the Angolan and Mozambican civil wars. You can find Miranda's interviews on New Books with Miranda Melcher, wherever you get your podcasts. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/jewish-studies

The imposition of Communist ideology was a misfortune for millions in Eastern Europe, but never for Dennis Deletant. Instead, it drew him to Romania. The renowned historian's association with the country and its people dates back to 1965, when he first visited. Since then, Romania has made Dennis appreciate the value of shrewd dissimulation, in the face of the state's gross intrusion in the life of the individual. This vivid memoir charts his first-hand experience of the Communist era, coloured by the early 1970s surveillance of his future wife Andrea; his contacts with dissidents; and his articles and BBC World Service broadcasts, which led to his being declared persona non grata in 1988.  In Search of Romania (Hurst, 2022) also considers how life went on under dictatorship, even if it was largely mapped out by the regime. How did individual citizens negotiate the challenges placed in their path? How important was the political police, the Securitate, in maintaining compliance? How did dissent towards the regime manifest? How did all this affect the moral compass of the individual? Why did utopia descend into dystopia under Ceaușescu? And how has his legacy influenced the difficult transition to democracy since the collapse of Communism? Roland Clark is a Senior Lecturer in Modern European History at the University of Liverpool, a Senior Fellow with the Centre for Analysis of the Radical Right, and the Principal Investigator of an AHRC-funded project on European Fascist Movements. 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

This week Bob is absent in protest of Chad's joke made on last week's live. Nonetheless, Haley, Chad and Mary Lou cover the top stories of the week and Mary Lou's mind might be changing.We discuss:

A new feature on X, formerly known as Twitter, has revealed that some prominent MAGA accounts are based in South Asia and Eastern Europe. On this week's On the Media, how foreign actors funnel political rage-bait into social media feeds. Plus, a school librarian in Louisiana shares how she's been targeted by book-banning activists.[01:00] Host Micah Loewinger sits down with Charlie Warzel, staff writer at The Atlantic and author of its newsletter Galaxy Brain, to discuss the recent X update that revealed many high profile, pro-MAGA accounts might be based in foreign countries.[16:37] Host Brooke Gladstone talks with Amanda Jones, school librarian in Livingston Parish, Louisiana and former School Librarian of the Year, to discuss her experience as a target of book-banning activists. Plus, why protecting libraries is as crucial as ever. [32:44] Brooke Gladstone talks to Elyse Graham, professor of sociology at Stony Brook University and author of Book and Dagger: How Scholars and Librarians Became the Unlikely Spies of World War II. They discuss the role that academics, archivists, and librarians played in WWII intelligence gathering activities, and why the CIA invested in storytelling as a result. Further reading / watching:Elon Musk's Worthless, Poisoned Hall of Mirrors, by Charlie WarzelThe Librarians filmThat Librarian: The Fight Against Book Banning in America, by Amanda JonesBook and Dagger: How Scholars and Librarians Became the Unlikely Spies of World War II, by Elyse Graham On the Media is supported by listeners like you. Support OTM by donating today (https://pledge.wnyc.org/support/otm). Follow our show on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook @onthemedia, and share your thoughts with us by emailing onthemedia@wnyc.org.

Our second in a series of podcasts about New York City and American immigration history. Between the late 1890s and early 1920s, over 2 million Jews from Eastern Europe fled their homes and made the long journey to America, escaping persecution and violence in their native countries. Many were fleeing state-sanctioned antisemitism in Russia.This mass immigration effort was, in large part, brought about by three entrepreneurial men: Albert Ballin, the director of the Hamburg-America line; Jacob Schiff, the German-born New York-based philanthropist and financier; and the Gilded Age financial titan J.P. Morgan.It is through the research and writing of historian Steven Ujifusa that many details of this story have finally been brought to light in his book The Last Ships from Hamburg: Business, Rivalry, and the Race to Save Russia's Jews on the Eve of World War I. In this special presentation of the Gilded Gentleman podcast, Steve joins Carl to discuss these momentous events. In addition, Steve shares his personal story about how he uncovered little-known material to bring this history to life. Check out last week's show on Ellis Island after you've listened to this one. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

SPONSORS: - Protect your family with life insurance from Ethos. Get your free quote at https://ethos.com/bears - Eat smart at https://FactorMeals.com/bears50off and use code bears50off to get 50% off your first box, plus Free Breakfast for 1 Year. - Don't miss out on all the action this week at DraftKings! Download the DraftKings app today! Sign-up using https://dkng.co/bears or through my promo code BEARS. - Sign up for a $1 per month trial period at https://shopify.com/bears. ‌ In this powerful and surprisingly emotional episode of 2 Bears 1 Cave, Tom Segura sits down with Louis C.K. to discuss his new novel Ingram, the creative process behind writing fiction, and the brutal emotional reality of loneliness and childhood struggle. Louis explains why he quit stand-up for over a year, how stepping away from the stage changed his life, and what ultimately pulled him back into comedy. The conversation dives deep into fear, pain, trauma, comedy philosophy, empathy, war stories, emotional burnout, and why the darkest moments in life can shape the most powerful art. Tom reveals that reading Ingram made him cry, and Louis talks about the deeply disturbing next book he's finishing—including a scene that shocked even him while writing it. They also explore the controversial idea of “punching down” in comedy, the ethics of humor, and why Louis believes the funniest material comes from the messy truth of being human. 2 Bears, 1 Cave Ep. 316 https://tomsegura.com/tour https://www.bertbertbert.com/tour https://store.ymhstudios.com Gambling problem? Call one eight hundred Gambler. In New York, call 8778-HOPENY or text HOPENY (467369). In Connecticut, Help is available for problem gambling. Call eight eight eight seven eight nine seven seven seven seven or visit https://ccpg.org. Please play responsibly. On behalf of Boot Hill Casino & Resort (Kansas). Pass-thru of per wager tax may apply in Illinois. Twenty-one plus age and eligibility varies by jurisdiction. Void in Ontario. Restrictions apply. Bet must win to receive Bonus Bets which expire in 7 days. Minimum odds required. For additional terms and responsible gaming resources, see https://dkng.co/audio. Limited time offer. Chapters 00:00:00 - Intro 00:01:00 - Becoming A Novelist, Eastern Europe, & Russian Literature 00:05:12 - Quitting Stand Up & Daily Rituals 00:08:47 - Writing Ingram & Why Tom Teared Up 00:19:38 - Loneliness, Street Kids, & the Human Threshold for Empathy 00:34:27 - Trauma, War & Emotional Damage 00:39:17 - Coming Back to Stand-Up & Rebuilding Material 00:46:22 - Upsetting Audiences, Articulating Thoughts, & Punching Down 00:59:59 - Touring Burnout & The Future of Live Comedy 01:06:42 - Final Thoughts & Tom Praises Ingram Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The conversation moves back to the USSR with Nikita Khrushchev's 1956 Secret Speech, which led to disruption in Eastern Europe. The Cuban Missile Crisis (1962) is analyzed as an act of traditional great power politics driven by the desire to prove Soviet superiority and overturn the strategic balance in intercontinental ballistic missiles. The 1979 invasion of Afghanistan is highlighted as a remarkable mistake that undermined détente and gave the United States an opportunity to pressure the USSR. Mikhail Gorbachev attempted to reform and reinvigorate Soviet communism based on a close reading of Marx and Lenin, but failed because he did not understand that the system was not popular and rested entirely on force.