Podcasts about Eastern Europe

Episode Summary      On January 18, 2018, in Helmand Province, Afghanistan, Green Beret combat medic Luke Sciulli stopped being the medic and became the patient. A booby-trapped building collapsed on him during a personnel-recovery operation, fracturing his C4, C5, and C6 vertebrae, both scapulas, and his pelvis, and leaving him with a spinal cord injury at C5. In this episode of WarDocs, SFC(R) Luke Sciulli walks through that day and the MEDEVAC chain that followed — forward surgical team, Kandahar, Landstuhl, and Walter Reed — and explains how living through the system he once operated permanently reshaped his view of casualty care, pain management, and patient advocacy.   SFC(R) Sciulli is candid about the recovery that nearly broke him. He describes the culture shock of moving from elite combat operations to a 30-bed spinal cord injury ward populated largely by elderly veterans, and the slow, deliberate realization that, in his words, the only person who was going to make his life better was him. He maps the framework that pulled him back — physical health, mental health, and career — and offers a direct message to wounded operators who cannot get out of bed: the discipline that earned the Beret, the Tab, or the Trident is still inside them.   The conversation then widens into the operational and strategic challenges Sciulli has tackled across an extraordinary career. He compares civilian and military trauma systems and argues that surgeons in major American cities now see more penetrating trauma than many military providers — making military-civilian partnerships essential to keeping skills sharp. He recounts building a joint, combined MEDEVAC architecture across five African nations, and embedding at forward surgical teams in Ukraine just kilometers from the front, where 60 to 90 casualties a day exposed gaps in Role 1 and Role 2 doctrine, risk tolerance, and interoperability that U.S. tabletop exercises rarely surface.   SFC(R) Sciulli also draws on his time supervising a 216-bed field hospital at Columbia University during the 2020 COVID surge and his current work with Vigilant Consulting and Valinor Enterprises advising on tactical medical technology. He makes the case for predictive analytics, wearables, and automated resuscitation systems to force-multiply providers in large-scale combat operations — while confronting the risk-acceptance and accountability questions that slow adoption. He closes with the cause he intends to define his legacy: fixing the negligent disconnect that leaves SOF medics and operators underutilized in the civilian, defense, and healthcare worlds, and expanding the transition programs that turn their hard-won skills into lives saved at home. Chapters (00:00-01:10) Cold Open and Introduction (01:10-05:30) Becoming the Casualty in Helmand Province (05:30-11:30) The Recovery That Rewired Everything (11:30-15:45) Civilian and Military Medicine, Two Ways (15:45-22:45) Distance, Mass Casualties, and Lessons from Ukraine (22:45-32:30) Field Hospitals, Tactical Technology, and Risk (32:30-36:15) Recruiting the Next Force and a SOF Medic Legacy Chapter Summaries (00:00-01:10) Introduction Dr. Soderdahl frames the journey ahead: a Green Beret combat medic who became the patient on the wrong side of an IED blast and now drives technology and policy for the next war. The standard WarDocs welcome sets up a firsthand look at military medicine from the austere edge of combat to the front lines of innovation. (01:10-05:30) Becoming the Casualty in Helmand Province SFC(R) Sciulli recounts volunteering to backfill a buddy's ODA as senior medic and the January 18, 2018 operation in which a booby-trapped building collapsed onto him. He details catastrophic injuries — broken C4-C6, a C5 spinal cord injury, fractured scapulas and pelvis — and the MEDEVAC through the forward surgical team toward higher care, including how his teammates stabilized and moved him. (05:30-11:30) The Recovery That Rewired Everything He describes six months split between Walter Reed and the Tampa VA, the jolt of moving from combat to a spinal cord injury ward, and the loss of career, health, and identity overnight. The turning point came when he accepted that no one else could make his life better, and built a deliberate framework around physical health, mental health, and career. (11:30-15:45) Civilian and Military Medicine, Two Ways Drawing on his paramedic, firefighter, and critical-care flight background plus SF service, Sciulli argues civilian surgeons now out-rep many military providers on penetrating trauma, making military-civilian partnerships essential. He also reflects on serving as senior medical provider for SEAL Teams Two and Eight and why interoperability comes down to people and personality. (15:45-22:45) Distance, Mass Casualties, and Lessons from Ukraine He explains building a joint, combined MEDEVAC system across Chad, Niger, Nigeria, Cameroon, and Libya, then scales the problem to the Indo-Pacific and Eastern Europe. Embedded at forward surgical teams in Ukraine, he saw 60 to 90 casualties a day and learned hard lessons about volume, interoperability, civilian EMS integration, and U.S. risk tolerance. (22:45-32:30) Field Hospitals, Tactical Technology, and Risk SFC(R) Sciulli describes supervising a 216-bed COVID field hospital at Columbia University and why a military-style community made it work. He then identifies penetrating and shrapnel trauma as a top killer and makes the case for wearables, predictive analytics, and automated resuscitation — confronting the risk acceptance and human trust that slow adoption. (32:30-36:15) Recruiting the Next Force and a SOF Medic Legacy Speaking to students, residents, and recruiters, Sciulli reframes the pitch: the military needs people willing to operate beyond their comfort zone and scope, not just another credential. He closes on the legacy he intends to leave — fixing the negligent disconnect that leaves SOF medics and operators underutilized after service. Take Home Messages Experiencing Care Builds the Best Advocates: Living through the casualty evacuation chain as the patient teaches lessons no provider can learn from the other side of the litter. Empathy, pain management, and patient advocacy take on new meaning once a clinician has been the one strapped to the litter. Recovery Is a Decision You Make Daily: The hardest part of catastrophic injury is mental, not physical. Progress comes from a conscious choice to get up and be better than yesterday, supported by resources but driven by personal ownership of physical health, mental health, and career. Keep Military Providers Sharp in Civilian Trauma: Civilian surgeons in major cities now see more penetrating trauma and polytrauma than many military clinicians. An integrated military-civilian system that rotates providers through high-volume civilian centers is essential to keeping wartime skills ready. Plan for Volume, Distance, and Interoperability: Future large-scale combat means moving casualties across oceans and continents while relying on host-nation, partner, and civilian systems. High casualty volumes and contested distance demand generalist skill, civilian EMS integration, and a higher tolerance for operational risk. Close the Gap Between Research and the Warfighter: Government funds enormous amounts of combat casualty research and technology that never reaches frontline providers fast enough. The mission is to translate proven findings and devices into the warfighter's hands tomorrow — not years from now.   Episode Keywords military medicine, combat medicine, Green Beret medic, 18D combat medic, special forces medic, combat casualty care, TCCC, spinal cord injury recovery, polytrauma, Helmand Province, Walter Reed, MEDEVAC, forward surgical team, Ukraine combat medicine, mass casualty, large scale combat operations, LSCO, prolonged field care, tactical medicine, medical device innovation, SOF medic, military civilian partnership, WarDocs, Luke Sciulli, veteran resilience, penetrating trauma   Hashtags #MilitaryMedicine, #CombatMedicine, #GreenBeret, #WarDocs, #CombatCasualtyCare, #SOFMedic, #VeteranResilience, #TacticalMedicine   Honoring the Legacy and Preserving the History of Military Medicine The WarDocs Mission- WarDocs exists to honor the legacy of Military Medicine, preserve its history, and inspire every generation — across all Services, Corps, and Ranks — to serve with excellence and pride. Through mentorship, coaching, and education, we equip those considering, entering, and serving in military medicine with the knowledge, connections, and community they need to thrive. We celebrate Who we are, What we do, and, most importantly, How we serve Our Patients, the DoW, and Our Nation. Find out more and join Team WarDocs at https://www.wardocspodcast.com/ Check our list of previous guest episodes at https://www.wardocspodcast.com/our-guests Subscribe and Like our Videos on our YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@wardocspodcast Listen to the "What We Are For" Episode 47. https://bit.ly/3r87Afm WarDocs- The Military Medicine Podcast is a Non-Profit, Tax-exempt-501(c)(3) Veteran Run Organization run by volunteers. All donations are tax-deductible and go to honoring and preserving the history, experiences, successes, and lessons learned in Military Medicine. A tax receipt will be sent to you. WARDOCS documents the experiences, contributions, and innovations of all military medicine Services, ranks, and Corps who are affectionately called "Docs" as a sign of respect, trust, and confidence on and off the battlefield, demonstrating dedication to the medical care of fellow comrades in arms. Follow Us on Social Media Twitter: @wardocspodcast Facebook: WarDocs Podcast Instagram: @wardocspodcast LinkedIn: WarDocs-The Military Medicine Podcast YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@wardocspodcast  

Special Tisha Ba'av Episode with an all new introduction.  The 1903 Kishinev Pogrom was a tragic massacre, with reverberations within the wider Jewish world remaining until this very day. Goaded on by antisemitic newspapers with cries of 'Death to the Jews', a blood libel was fabricated and a mob was unleashed on Easter Sunday, April 19, 1903. Leaving 49 killed, hundreds maimed and injured in its wake, Jewish property was destroyed and looted as well. Claims of complicity of the police and government were voiced in many quarters. But it was primarily the after effects of this pogrom which had a long term transformative effect on Jewish society in Russia and worldwide. The great immigration to the United States was already long underway, but it significantly intensified in the years following Kishinev and the subsequent 1905 revolution. American Jewry was galvanized to assist the victims, and this cemented the relationship US Jewry was to have with their brethren back in Eastern Europe. Within Russia, many of the Jewish youth became radicalized as a result of the massacre, joining clandestine revolutionary organizations with the goal of overthrowing the Czar. The most profound impact was felt within the nascent Zionist movement. Chaim Nachman Bialik was dispatched by the historian Shimon Dubnow to gather testimonies from survivors. Following his five week stay in Kishinev, Bialik penned 'Be'ir Hahareiga' - In the City of Death, a poem about the pogrom. Powerfully written, it also included strongly worded accusations in regards to the perceived passivity of the victims. The poem and its message was to have an immense impact, as it was published and translated and became immensely popular. Vladimir Jabotinsky's conclusion was to organize Jewish self defense, and Theodore Herzl's conclusion was the Uganda proposal at the Sixth Zionist Congress. The shadow of the Kishinev tragedy was to hover over the many subsequent, and ever greater tragedies of the bloody 20th century. Subscribe to Jewish History Soundbites Podcast on: PodBean: https://jsoundbites.podbean.com/ or your favorite podcast platform Follow us on LinkedIn, Twitter or Instagram at @Jsoundbites For sponsorship opportunities about your favorite topics of Jewish history or feedback contact Yehuda at: yehuda@yehudageberer.com

Hungary's new government is rapidly dismantling Viktor Orbán's political legacy, Ukraine is preparing another major government reshuffle, and the latest NATO summit has delivered potentially significant news for Kyiv.In this episode of the Talk Eastern Europe Weekly News Roundup, Nina Panikova, Alexandra Karppi and Adam Reichardt discuss the political transformation underway in Hungary under Péter Magyar, including the removal of President Tamás Sulyok and efforts to reform institutions shaped by years of Fidesz rule.The co-hosts also examine President Volodymyr Zelenskyy's proposed government changes and what they could mean for Ukraine's wartime management, economy and foreign policy. They assess the outcome of the NATO summit, including reports that Ukraine could receive access to technology needed to produce Patriot missiles.The discussion then turns to deteriorating Polish-Ukrainian relations, growing anti-Ukrainian sentiment in Poland and the political consequences ahead of future elections.Finally, the team looks at warnings of possible Russian provocations, cyberattacks and hybrid operations against Poland and the Baltic states and asks whether Moscow is preparing for a much longer confrontation with Europe.Talk Eastern Europe is the podcast from New Eastern Europe magazine - your trusted source for in-depth analysis and expert perspectives on Central and Eastern Europe, Russia, and the post-Soviet space. ABOUT THIS PODCASTWe publish twice weekly:· Every Tuesday: Expert Interviews featuring deep dives with leading analysts, journalists, and scholars· Every Friday: Weekly News Roundup with essential updates and commentary on the latest developmentsRead the New Eastern Europe Magazine Bimonthly publication with exclusive long-form analysis. https://neweasterneurope.eu/become-a-member-of-new-eastern-europe/ Support us on PatreonJoin our community for bonus content, early access, behind-the-scenes insights, and access to our exclusive WhatsApp group where we discuss the news in real-time.https://www.patreon.com/talkeasterneuropeSubscribe to the Brief Eastern Europe NewsletterWeekly briefing sent out every Monday with news updates, expert commentary, and our editorial picks - free toyour inbox: https://briefeasterneurope.eu/subscribeFOLLOW USInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/neweasterneuropemag/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/NewEasternEurope/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/new-eastern-europe/

Bill rambles about World Cup takes, creation, and end times.(00:00) - Thursday Afternoon Podcast(34:48) - Thursday Afternoon Throwback 7-16-26 - Bill rambles about anger relapse, Eastern Europe, and Stealing the World Cup.Thursday Afternoon Interlude: Mitch Murder - Ocean AvenuePolicy Genius: Head to http://www.PolicyGenius.com/BURR to compare life insurance quotes from top companies and see how much you could saveSimpliSafe: Right now, you can get 50% off your new system by visiting http://www.SimpliSafe.comHims: To get simple, online access to personalized, affordable care for ED, Weight Loss, and more, visit http://www.Hims.com/BURRSquarespace: Check out http://www.Squarespace.com/BURR for a free trial, and when you're ready to launch, use code BURR to save 10% off your first purchase of a website or domainShipStation: Get started with ShipStation today and get sixty days free at http://www.ShipStation.com with the code BURRFast Growing Trees: Listeners get 20% off their order with code BURR at http://www.FastGrowingTrees.comSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

The Democracy Institute Annual Conference, held inBudapest on June 25–26, under the title Imaginary Exhaustion? asked whether contemporary democracies have become trapped by fear and exhaustion, and howcollective imagination might be renewed. The panel Rethinking CEU's Legacy: Education, Engagement, and Democratic Transformations, reflected on the thirty-five years of CEU's role in democratic change across Central and Eastern Europe. Scholars from different generations formed within the CEU's framework revisited the principal moments of this history. Within this panel, Prof. István Rév discussedthe beginnings of the CEU.The CEU's forced departure from Budapest is a story well-known to the broader audience. What is perhaps less known is that one of its most remarkable affiliated institutions, the Blinken OSA Archivum, remained and continued its mission for democracy in Budapest. In the podcast following the conference, we turn ourattention to this archive. We begin by discussing the origins of OSA Archivum and the vision behind its collections. We then explore what makes the Archivum distinctive. As one of the founders of both Central European University and theBlinken Open Society Archivum, Rév reflects on how the OSA Archivum defended democratic culture by opening themselves to researchers, students, artists, and the wider public:  ”we thought that we should try to turn the archive inside out and and have a public profile and show whatever we can to the public (...)  historical revisionism started alreadyimmediately following the fall of the Berlin Wall. And since we had access to historical documents, to historical facts, we thought that it was our duty to try to confront the newly emerging official interpretations of the past withhistorical documents in all sorts of different ways: organizing exhibitions conferences, study tours for both high school and university students, even organizing concerts inviting actors to stage theatrical plays in the archive even locally designed plays based on documents in the archive.”Another point that István Rév explains is how OSA helpedform new generations of historians. In our conversation, he underlines that OSA Archivum is more than a repository of the past. Instead, it can shape how societies remember, contest, and imagine democratic futures.  In an archive, the historical evidence confronts political mythmaking. Then, we turn to the topic of historical memory. Weasked Prof. Rév how would a new chapter of his influential book Retroactive Justice would be rewritten today, 20 yearsafter its publication. Another topic discussed is why political regimes are so much fascinated by death and commemorations.

The collapse of the Berlin Wall in 1989 ushered in an era of tremendous political optimism: communism was receding and democracy was on the march in Eastern Europe, Latin America, and much of Asia. Even surviving communist regimes were adopting capitalism, and the stagflation of the 1970s and industrial strife of the1980s were in the rearview mirror.Catch Giles live - 'Let's Talk' - Monday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday - from 10.00CET...on tre.radio

It can be hard to get a clear picture, so our episode today is here to help: "How much do things cost in Morocco?"As much as there's the standard answer, "It depends," we go a little deeper than that and try to frame costs around certain standards and levels of service. Whether that means different types of accommodation, the cost of meals at sit-down restaurants, do desert camps vary greatly in price, how much are activities such as a Hot Air Balloon ride, and lots more.There are a couple of possible yet unrelated preconceptions about Morocco that we should address. For one, folks might think that Morocco is a budget travel destination akin to Thailand or El Salvador, where your dollar goes very far, decent accommodation is well under $100/night, and an amazing meal costs $5.Well, that's not the case in Morocco, our costs aren't quite that low! Secondly, costs in Morocco might simply seem unknown, with no real frame of reference. Maybe it's expensive, maybe it's not, how can you know, and what can you relate it to? And when you see the cost of something, are you getting the appropriate value for that cost?Morocco generally speaking fits in somewhere between the costs of Western Europe and Eastern Europe. Not quite as expensive as France or the UK, but not as inexpensive as maybe Albania or Poland. Similar prices to what we often see in North America, but also very good, and certainly unique value, whether it's in our distinct accommodation (riads) or our one-of-a-kind cuisine.So our goal here today is to help give you a frame of reference and ease the sticker shock that might come otherwise. And to therefore help you plan better, know what questions to ask and make an educated decision on budgeting for your trip!You can also watch the video version of this episode on our YouTube channel here: "Typical Travel Costs in Morocco" Join me for an 8-Day Boutique Moroccan Experience!https://trips.destinationsmorocco.com/Morocco-2026Step inside the hidden Morocco on this first-of-its-kind, 12-spot journey, hosted personally by Azdean.November 8-15, 2026, $1995 USD Per PersonBook Your Spot Today! Learn more about Azdean and Destination Morocco.

Is Europe losing its competitive edge? Can the EuropeanUnion remain economically strong while protecting its social model, environmental ambitions and democratic values?In this special episode of Talk Eastern Europe, recorded at the Connecting EU Seminar in Sofia, Bulgaria and organised by the European Economic and Social Committee (EESC), Adam Reichardt moderates a wide-ranging discussion on Europe's biggest economic and political challenges.Joining the discussion are:• Cillian Lohan – President, Civil Society Organisations Group (EESC)• Sandra Parthie – President, Employers' Group (EESC)• Philipp Lausberg – Senior Analyst, European Policy Centre• Florian Marin – Workers' Group (EESC)Topics include:As Europe faces growing geopolitical competition, economicfragmentation and rising security challenges, this conversation explores what the EU must do to remain prosperous—and united.This episode was produced in partnership with the European Economic and Social Committee (EESC).Learn more about the event, including recordings from the discussions here: https://www.eesc.europa.eu/en/agenda/our-events/events/defence-european-values-power-civil-societyTalk Eastern Europe is the podcast from New Eastern Europemagazine - your trusted source for in-depth analysis and expert perspectives on Central and Eastern Europe, Russia, and the post-Soviet space.Available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, YouTube and all majorplatforms.Read the New Eastern Europe Magazine Bimonthly publication with exclusive long-form analysis. https://neweasterneurope.eu/become-a-member-of-new-eastern-europe/ Support us on PatreonJoin our community for bonus content, early access, behind-the-scenes insights, and access to our exclusive WhatsApp group where we discuss the news in real-time. https://www.patreon.com/talkeasterneuropeSubscribe to the Brief Eastern Europe NewsletterWeekly briefing sent out every Monday with news updates,expert commentary, and our editorial picks - free to your inbox: https://briefeasterneurope.eu/subscribeFOLLOW USInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/neweasterneuropemag/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/NewEasternEurope/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/new-eastern-europe/

Eric and Eliot catch up for the first time in a month after returning from overseas. They break down the latest jackassery, from Graham Platner's campaign implosion to Recep Tayyip Erdoğan gifting revolvers and live, gold-plated ammunition to the heads of state at the recent NATO summit. They assess the NATO summit more broadly and note the caveats to Trump's promise to provide Ukraine a license to produce Patriot missile defense interceptors. Eric unpacks his recent Bulwark piece on the conspiracy of silence at the gathering related to Turkey's democratic backsliding. They also discuss recent investigations into China's assistance to Russia's war effort, the state of the "ceasefire" with Iran, and Rahm Emanuel's speech in Tel Aviv. Finally, they trade observations from their travels to France and Eastern Europe.Eliot's latest in the Atlantic (gift link):https://www.theatlantic.com/ideas/2026/07/america-france-enduring-relationship/687844/?gift=KGDC3VdV8jaCufvP3bRsPg9Zn56KAT0A_Vk94nJcGVU&utm_source=copy-link&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=shareEric's latest in the Bulwark:https://www.thebulwark.com/p/the-one-word-trump-wont-say-in-turkey-nato-summit-democracy-human-rights-europe-erdoganNate Swanson on Iran overplaying its hand:https://www.foreignaffairs.com/iran/iran-won-war-may-lose-peaceHoward Altman on the problems with the Ukraine Patriot licensing deal:https://www.twz.com/land/ukraine-built-patriot-missiles-wont-be-defending-the-countrys-skies-anytime-soonMichael Weiss, Roman Dobrokhotov, and Christo Grozev on China and Russia's targeting of Starlink:https://theins.press/en/inv/294635Shield of the Republic is a Bulwark podcast co-sponsored by the Miller Center of Public Affairs at the University of Virginia.

One of the most sought after weapons in the world is the Patriot air-defense system, developed by the US. It is considered to be among the most effective air defense systems having been tested in war-time situations by countries from the Middle East to Eastern Europe. In a rare move, President Trump announced at a recent NATO summit that the US will share the technology with Ukraine. The problem is that the Patriot defense system is difficult to produce, so takes a long time to get production up to speed and it is expensive. We hear what this development might mean for Ukraine's war with Russia from Seth Jones, he's the President of the Defense and Security Department at Center for Strategic and International Studies.See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for sponsorship and to manage your podcast sponsorship preferences.NPR Privacy Policy

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. Support the show

Migration is usually discussed as a question of borders, identity, or national security. This angle might obscure other more fundamental aspects. The real question to poseis not simply who moves, but how decades of marketization transformed both labor and the politics of fear. These ideas were at the heart of Atilla Melegh's presentation at the the Democracy Institute Annual Conference, held in Budapest on June 25- 26. With the title Imaginary Exhaustion?, this event asked to what extenttoday's democracies are trapped by fear and exhaustion and how we might rebuild our collective imagination to shape more hopeful democratic futures. Meleghspoke in the panel The People We Fear: Demography, Migration, and Civilizational Anxiety.His central claim is that migration has become one of the defining contradictions of our age. Whilst mobility itself is not new, decades of marketization turned labor into a global commodity. In Eastern Europe particularly, the transitionto capitalism produced social dislocation, mass emigration, which in turn lead to what he calls ” an ontological insecurity”. These transformations, rather than migration alone, created fertile ground for anti-migrant nationalism. Our conversation develops these arguments further. Firstly, Melegh situates the post-socialist transition within a broader global history of neoliberalism.Both East and West gradually abandoned the idea of reforming social institutions in favor of market fundamentalism. Then, he explains how economicanxieties were displaced onto migrants, allowing political elites to personalize structural contradictions instead of confronting them.Our conversation also examines the transformation of demography into what he calls a ”science of population management”. As a solution, we need more criticaldemography that reconnects migration, labor markets, social reproduction, and human rights. Rather than treating migration as the problem, Melegh invites usto rethink the economic institutions that have made it the central political question of our time.

The News and the Mystery of a "Sudden Illness"We begin by reflecting on the shocking news from July 11, 2026: the passing of 71-year-old Senator Lindsey Graham. While his office officially attributed his death to a "brief and sudden illness," the timeline raises significant medical questions. The Senator had just returned home from a high-stakes diplomatic trip to Ukraine on Saturday and was preparing for a national appearance on Meet the Press Sunday morning. We will set the stage by discussing the immense physical and mental pressure of his final days—balancing a rigorous international travel schedule, a recent primary victory, and his influential role in D.C.—all of which provide a critical backdrop for understanding how such a prominent figure could be active one moment and gone the next. Medical Analysis with Dr. Michael WilsonIn the second half of the episode, I am joined by cardiologist Dr. Michael Wilson to examine the likely medical culprits behind this tragedy. Specifically, we will dive into the hypothesis regarding the risks of long-haul travel, such as the development of Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT) during a flight from Eastern Europe and how that can lead to a fatal pulmonary embolism. Dr. Wilson will help us translate this high-profile case into actionable health advice for our listeners, discussing how age, sedentary travel, and cardiovascular risk factors intersect. We'll conclude with a guide on "preventative vigilance," helping listeners identify their own risk for sudden cardiac events and the steps they can take to protect their wellness during travel and high-stress periods of life.How To Reach Dr. Joe Galati and his Team:For an on-line consultation or press inquiries, contact Teresa Reyes at 713-794-0700Dr. Galati's Newsletter Sign-UpLiver Specialists of TexasGet a Copy of Dr. Galati's BookDr. Galati on FacebookMessage Dr. Galati and his team Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Video link to this episode: https://youtu.be/ixZOxV5BuCIEddy Portnoy is back by popular demand, after our wonderful discussion on the history of Yiddish language. Eddy is the exhibit curator at YIVO Institute for Jewish Research and does amazing Yiddish/Jewish curations.Today's subject is juicy but educational, eye-opening, and enlightening.We are diving into the shocking and largely forgotten story of the National Desertion Bureau, a real organization founded in New York in 1911 to track down runaway Jewish husbands who abandoned their wives and children during the great wave of Jewish immigration from Eastern Europe to North America.For more on this below.Here are some links:-My previous interview with Eddy: https://youtu.be/tq8y3KkAWTk?si=-KdfW3UJBkiMdrh_-The Yivo Exhibit: https://www.yivo.org/National-Desertion-Bureau-

Ralph speaks to historian Omer Bartov about his new book “Israel: What Went Wrong?” with special guest, international law expert Bruce FeinBruce Fein is a Constitutional scholar and an expert on international law. Mr. Fein was Associate Deputy Attorney General under Ronald Reagan and he is the author of Constitutional Peril: The Life and Death Struggle for Our Constitution and Democracy, and American Empire: Before the Fall.Many of the things that you describe in Israel apply in spades in the United States. We also have an administration that says we're being invaded militarily by Venezuela gangs, so we have to go kidnap their president and annex Venezuela. We've stated that Iran is an existential threat to the United States because at some future time, it's conceivable they may get one nuclear weapon. We have 5,000, Israel probably has 300 or 400. Or make the argument that we are being invaded by defenseless immigrants across the southern border. And it does seem to me that all countries—I don't think it's unique anyway to the United States or Israel, but it's generally true those in power are there to manufacture fear, to inflate fleas into elephants and say “My gosh, tomorrow the sky is falling down. We need to have national emergencies, rule by decree.” Everything is “an imminent danger”, the Communist domino theory. It's a very challenging issue. I say what you've described in Israel is not unique to Israel. We confront it every day right in the United States. And it works.Bruce FeinOmer Bartov is the Dean's Professor of Holocaust and Genocide Studies at Brown University. A historian, Professor Bartov was born on a kibbutz, grew up in Tel Aviv, and served in the Israel Defense Forces during the Yom Kippur War. He went on to become a leading scholar of the German army and the Holocaust, before turning his attention to his native country. His early research concerned the Nazi indoctrination of the Wehrmacht and the crimes it committed in World War II. He then turned to the links between total war and genocide and interethnic relations in the borderlands of Eastern Europe. His current interest is reflected in his recent books, Genocide, the Holocaust and Israel-Palestine: First-Person History in Times of Crisis, Israel: What Went Wrong?, and the forthcoming The Broken Promise: A Personal Political History of Israel and Palestine. The whole idea of creating a Jewish state (and it says so in the Proclamation of the State from May 1948) is that it would be a state for Jews—that it would be both Jewish and democratic. And that has proven to be not possible. A Jewish state can be both Jewish and democratic only if the overwhelming majority (if not all) of its citizens are Jews.Omer Bartov[Zionist zealots] believe that history is on their side—so in that sense, they are similar to Communists they're similar to Fascists they're similar to Nazis in that they believe that they can see the way forward, they know the logic of history, and the logic of history as they see it is on their side.Omer BartovIn Israel, since the 1980s (really since after the War of 1973, with the rise of the right wing in Israel in particular) the Holocaust has come to serve a particular purpose. Instead of being commemorated as an event that happened in the past that we should remember and commemorate and research, it's become a kind of image of an imminent danger to Israel. And the farther Israel has moved from the actual event of the Holocaust, and the more the Israeli army has become the military hegemon in its region, the more this alleged threat of an “Auschwitz around the corner” has been used by Israeli governments. Why has it been used? Because Israel actually needs to explain to itself and to its citizens: Why is it bossing it over millions of Palestinians? Half of the population under Israeli control are Palestinians. Two million are citizens, but they don't have equal rights, and the others have no rights at all (they're simply under arbitrary military rule). So how do you explain that? You explain that by telling your population and the rest of the world that those Palestinians—who have no power, who can never pose a threat to you—are an existential threat. And in Israel, that has worked quite well.Omer BartovBecause of the focus on Hebrew—to create Hebrew as a mother tongue for children whose mothers didn't speak Hebrew—because of that, there was a great antagonism towards speaking any other language. And the notion of having bilingual schools (that is, of having schools in Palestine where people would learn both Hebrew and Arabic, the language of the place) is not entertained by the vast majority of educators. Now, if you think about what would have been the result of having bilingual schools already in the 1920s and 30s, that children could speak each other's language and recognize each other's culture—that could have had a huge effect on how Zionism developed and how the state would have developed. But in today's Israel, the only bilingual population are the Palestinians. Palestinian citizens of Israel speak Arabic and Hebrew. Most Israelis don't speak Arabic. And most Israelis who trace themselves (quite large numbers) not to Europe, but to North Africa and the Middle East, where their parents and grandparents spoke Arabic (this was their language) have forgotten that language and were ashamed of their parents speaking it because it associated them with the Arabs. So the loss in this kind of creation of a nation around one language was the ability to imagine yourself as sharing the space with another group.Omer Bartov * Our top story concerns a progressive insurgent running in a must-win Senate race – and not the one you're thinking of. Late last week, Senate candidate Abdul El-Sayed won the endorsement of Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez. The New York Times notes that this is AOC's first Senate endorsement of this cycle, coming just about a month ahead of the August 4th Michigan primary. El-Sayed is quoted saying that he is “honored for what her support says about what this campaign is building and what we're fighting for,” adding that he thinks that “too many establishment Democrats are…afraid that I will win.” He pointedly attacked Senator Chuck Schumer, charging that the Minority Leader “doesn't want to see me on the inside of the U.S. Senate,” because El-Sayed would “call out the kind of politics where we take money from corporations and AIPAC to run milquetoast campaigns and don't say anything about the problems that everyday people are facing.” El-Sayed has announced that he will campaign with AOC and Senator Bernie Sanders in Detroit, Lansing and Grand Rapids on July 18th and 19th, per MLive.* Another earthquake occurred in the Michigan Senate race on July 5th, when State Senator Mallory McMorrow announced that she would be withdrawing from the race – turning what was a competitive three-way race into a head-to-head between El-Sayed and the Democratic establishment pick, Congresswoman Haley Stevens. The Detroit Free Press notes that this announcement “comes after absentee ballots have already been mailed out to some voters and too late to remove her name from the primary ballot,” though voters are able to rescind their absentee votes and submit new ones up through Friday, July 24th. In a video statement, McMorrow maintained that “People are crying out for change and we need to listen.” McMorrow once led her opponents in this race but saw her support collapse and was trailing in a distant third place in recent polls. Rumor also had it that outgoing Senator Gary Peters was privately calling for her to exit the race so centrists could consolidate around Stevens. While many of her supporters are expected to go to Stevens, El-Sayed is energetically courting McMorrow's voters as well. The Detroit News reports McMorrow herself has announced that she will remain neutral in the remaining days of the primary, leaving her voters to vote their own consciences.* In more Michigan news, DSA-backed congressional candidate Donavan McKinney is running strong in his primary campaign against incumbent Congressman Shri Thanedar, whom McKinney has labeled “​​Detroit's own Elon Musk,” according to the New York Post. If McKinney pulls it off, he will join the growing group of DSA members in the House, along with Claire Valdez, Darializa Avila Chevalier and AOC from New York, Chris Rabb and Melat Kiros from Pennsylvania and Colorado respectively, and Rashida Tlaib from Michigan. Another candidate endorsed by his local DSA chapter, Kyle Blomquist, is running for Congress in Michigan but even if he wins his primary he is not expected to flip the deep red 1st congressional district.* In Missouri, Cori Bush has also won the support of DSA for her comeback congressional run against Wesley Bell, who defeated her in the 2024 primary, Andrew Solender reports. Bush had already won the support of her local DSA chapter, along with many other progressive organizations, and has been endorsed by Senator Bernie Sanders, Congresswoman Rashida Tlaib, and former Congressman Jamaal Bowman. This week though, she won the support of the national DSA. In a statement, Bush wrote “I am honored to be once again endorsed by the Democratic [Socialists] of America as I campaign to return to Congress and keep building our movement to fight for economic justice, Medicare for All, abolishing ICE, and a world where everyday people have a real voice in our workplace's neighborhoods and society.” Bush also praised DSA for its “decades of organizing…[mobilizing] thousands of people across the country to demand an economy that works for all of us…[and] take on war profiteers, the for-profit healthcare industry, and the billionaire funded lobbies that subvert our democracy.” There has been little polling of this race, but what there has been appears to show the race in a statistical dead heat. One sign that Bush is being taken seriously is the new $865,000 ad buy taken out by the United Democracy Project, an AIPAC cutout.* Ironically, it would seem that American Jews have a more favorable view of the progressive left than Israel. According to the Forward, a new AP poll found that “44% of American Jews hold a favorable opinion of Zohran Mamdani, compared with 39% who view him unfavorably.” This is in contrast to the 32% of respondents who said they have a favorable opinion of Netanyahu and 59% who said they have a negative view of the Israeli PM. Perhaps more surprisingly, Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro, a “staunch supporter of Israel,” garnered only a 41% favorability rating, though far more respondents said they don't know enough about him to have an opinion than said they have a negative view.* Turning back to the Senate, the other major story this week of course is the fall of Graham Platner. Accusations of sexual assault, detailed in a POLITICO article, resulted in a deluge of opprobrium that cascaded upwards culminating in Platner's earliest and highest profile supporter, Senator Bernie Sanders, calling on him to drop out of the Senate race in Maine. In a video message released Wednesday, Platner stated that he would be suspending his campaign effective immediately, later telling staff that he plans to wait until Monday, the final possible day, to formally withdraw from the race, Axios reports. In the same video, Platner categorically denied the accusations calling them “all false,” and maintaining that the “things that have been claimed did not happen.” He implied that the scandal was orchestrated by “those in power“ who would “rather see Susan Collins win than have me be the next Senator from Maine.”* Platner's impending, late-stage withdrawal from the race has set off a chaotic blitz primary to replace him as the Democratic nominee. Numerous candidates have announced they are running including former Maine Senate president Troy Jackson, former Director of Maine's Center for Disease, Control and Prevention Nirav Shah, co-founder of Maine beer company Dan Kleban, Maine Secretary of State Shenna Bellows and state lawmaker Valli Geiger, along with Jordan Wood and Paige Loud, both of whom ran in the Maine second congressional district Democratic primary. The actual process for selecting a nominee has been the subject of debate – with many progressives arguing for caucuses – but POLITICO reports that by July 27th, “600 delegates must be selected,” including 500 from the state's 16 county parties, and these delegates will decide on a candidate to replace Platner via “an unprecedented nominating convention,” wherein all delegates come in unpledged to any candidate setting the stage for “what could be a raucous and unpredictable free-for-all.” It remains to be seen how this will all shake out, but it is notable that almost all of these candidates poll very strongly against Senator Susan Collins, with many polling higher than Platner ever did, while the Democratic Party's handpicked primary candidate, sitting Governor Janet Mills, still polls lower than Platner even since the scandal broke.* For our final Senate story, we turn to the senior Senator from Kentucky, Mitch McConnell. McConnell was recently found unconscious in his Washington, DC home and has been hospitalized since, and while Republican Senators and media figures like Scott Jennings claim to have spoken with him directly, his being sequestered away from the public has fueled rampant speculation about the severity of his condition and why it is being kept so secretive. Forbes reports that some figures on the right, including Steve Bannon, are “suggesting the Republican establishment is shielding the state of McConnell's health from the public to allow him to remain in office long enough to avoid [Kentucky Congressman Thomas] Massie running for his seat.” Former Congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Greene told TMZ, “Thomas Massie would make a great senator.” The Hill reports that Andy Beshear, the Democratic Governor of Kentucky, sent a letter to McConnell's Senate office strongly requesting an update on the Senator's health, noting that “Over the last several weeks, Kentuckians have grown increasingly concerned about the health and well-being of Sen. McConnell,” and that “Allowing speculation to continue in the media is not fair to the Senator or to Kentuckians, and my hope is that this provides him the opportunity to share the information in a transparent manner, direct from the source.”* In more positive news, AP reports former Wisconsin judge Hannah Dugan, who helped an immigrant escape ICE by ushering him through her jury room door was spared prison time in her sentencing this week. After the incident in her court room, Dugan was convicted of felony obstruction in what was widely seen as a political trial designed to exact retribution on behalf of the Trump administration. Dugan resigned her circuit judgeship under this assault; in her resignation letter, she warned that this prosecution threatened “the independence of our judiciary.” Dugan was fined $5,000.* Finally, in spiritual news, a story in the National Catholic Reporter recounts how Pope Leo XIV excommunicated thousands of clergy and followers of the far right, schismatic group, the Society of St. Pius X. While bishops and priests are judged prima facie schismatic for their consecration in the Society, lay followers of the sect will be judged schismatic if they consciously choose “adherence to the society over obedience to the pope,” and “exclusive participation in Lefebvrian ‘ecclesial' acts, without taking part in the acts of the Catholic Church,” a reference to the group's founder, Archbishop Marcel Lefebvre. The proximate cause of this excommunication was the Society creating four new bishops in open defiance of Pope Leo, essentially daring the Church to act. This piece notes that the Society “has long been a thorn in the side of Rome,” and notes that the new papal decree rolls back privileges granted to the sect under Pope Francis, including administering the sacrament of penance and solemnizing marriages.This has been Francesco DeSantis, with In Case You Haven't Heard. Get full access to Ralph Nader Radio Hour at www.ralphnaderradiohour.com/subscribe

August has always been a bad month for the Russian Empire. In this comprehensive Eastern European Gonzo brief, Kristaps Andrejsons rips through the sanitized corporate vranyo to document the real-time death rattle of a late-stage totalitarian regime. The deep rear is officially on fire.Tonight, we analyze the absolute, terminal architecture of the "Unholy Trinity" bringing down the Kremlin's vertical: a catastrophic, systemic fuel apocalypse (The Fuel-Energy Tsushima), a bleeding 8-trillion-ruble budgetary black hole, and the total unmasking of the empire's most expensive regional praetorian, Ramzan Kadyrov.From ordinary serfs weaponizing highway blockades over Euro-3 diluted naphtha to billionaire Duma deputies awarding themselves multi-million ruble bonuses to "correct social injustice"—the unwritten imperial contract is dead. The master check is bouncing. Grab your jerrycans and pull the plug on the rig.Become our patron:https://www.patreon.com/theeasternborderMerch store + another option for memberships: https://theeasternborder-shop.fourthwall.com/ Follow what's going on here in the very border of Eastern Europe: https://bsky.app/profile/theeasternborder.lv Download all episodes for free on our website; pictures accompanying certain episodes can be found there as well! http://theeasternborder.lv/ Car4Ukraine Eastern Border Summer Campaign! https://car4ukraine.com/campaigns/summer-sunshine-trucks-2026-eastern-borderSupport this show http://supporter.acast.com/theeasternborder. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Damian recaps his trip to Amsterdam for the inaugural Europe's 50 Best Bars 2026.What started as an awards ceremony quickly became a full festival of cocktails, with bar takeovers, brand activations, industry events, parties and a green-carpet ceremony bringing together some of the best bars in Europe.From Rosewood Amsterdam's stunning Advocatuur bar and the Meet the Bartenders media event, to the main Europe's 50 Best Bars ceremony at De Kromhouthal and the rooftop closing party at LuminAir, Damian gives a behind-the-scenes look at what happens when 50 Best rolls into town.He also reflects on the key themes shaping the European cocktail scene in 2026, including Athens' dominance, the continued strength of London cocktail bars and Barcelona cocktail bars, the rise of Central and Eastern Europe, and the importance of genuine hospitality alongside technical innovation.Key TakeawaysEurope's 50 Best Bars 2026 felt much bigger than a single awards night. Amsterdam became the centre of the European cocktail world, with pop-ups, parties, brand activations and some of the best bartenders in Europe gathering across the city.Athens had a huge showing, with Line taking the No.1 spot and The Bar in Front of The Bar coming in at No.2, underlining just how strong the Greek cocktail scene has become.London remains a major force in the best bars in Europe conversation, with bars including The Connaught Bar, Satan's Whiskers, Tayēr + Elementary, Panda & Sons, Waltz, Kwãnt Mayfair, Three Sheets Soho and Scarfes Bar all appearing on the list.Panda & Sons deserve a special mention, coming in at No.20 and also picking up the Siete Misterios Best Cocktail Menu Award.Barcelona continues to be one of Europe's most important cocktail cities, with Sips, Paradiso, Aldea, Boadas, Foco and others showing the depth of the city's bar scene.Central and Eastern Europe are becoming increasingly important on the cocktail map, with strong placements from bars in Bratislava, Tirana, Prague and Krakow.Sustainability, fermentation, low-waste practices, hyper-local ingredients and strong storytelling are clearly shaping modern cocktail culture.At the same time, the best cocktail bars are still the ones that combine technical skill with warmth, simplicity, personality, atmosphere and genuine hospitality.HighlightsLanding in a sun-soaked Amsterdam and heading straight into a packed few days of cocktail events.Visiting Advocatuur at Rosewood Amsterdam, a beautiful cocktail bar inside the former Palace of Justice, with thoughtful drinks, warm hospitality and a strong sense of place.Stopping by The Flying Dutchman at Sofitel Legend The Grand for a Gin Mare event with the team from Boadas Barcelona.Bumping into Simone Caporale from Sips Barcelona and lining up what will hopefully become a future episode of The Cocktail Academy Podcast.Attending The Cambridge Public House activation, complete with great drinks, a packed room, big energy and a sleeping Jack Russell in the middle of the madness.Finishing the first night at Belly of the Beast, with rum, gongs, colour and full tiki-style energy.Taking part in the Meet the Bartenders event, speaking with teams from Super Lyan, Tjoget, TAG, Aldea and Panda & Sons.Experiencing the main Europe's 50 Best Bars 2026 ceremony at De Kromhouthal, with the green carpet, packed room, brand activations, cocktails and the live countdown.Seeing Line in Athens crowned The Best Bar in Europe 2026.Celebrating Panda & Sons coming in at No.20 and winning the Siete Misterios Best Cocktail Menu Award.Ending the trip at the rooftop closing party at LuminAir, with sunshine, DJs, barbecue, sushi, cocktails and views over Amsterdam.LinksThe World's 50 Best Bars:https://www.theworlds50best.com/bars/The Cocktail Academy on Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/welovecocktails/The Cocktail Academy on Tiktok Facebook:https://www.facebook.com/welovecocktailsx/https://www.tiktok.com/@welovecocktailsxThe Cocktail Academy:https://thecocktailacademy.com/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Andy talks about the most notable surprises and snubs from the 2026 Emmy nominations (2:48). Later, he is joined by ‘Star City' cocreators Ben Nedivi and Matt Wolpert to discuss why they felt drawn to making a spy drama in the world of ‘For All Mankind,' how ‘Chernobyl' influenced the show, shooting in Eastern Europe, and more (19:06). Subscribe to the Ringer TV YouTube channel here for full episodes of The Watch and so much more! Host: Andy Greenwald Guests: Ben Nedivi and Matt Wolpert Producers: Kaya McMullen and Kai Grady Studio Production: Sarah Reddy and Jason Arreola Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit andrewsullivan.substack.comStephen is a psychoanalyst and author. He used to teach clinical technique at the Institute of Psychoanalysis, and also psychoanalytic theory at University College London. He's the author of The Examined Life: How We Lose and Find Ourselves, and his latest book is Love's Labor: How We Break and Make the Bonds of Love.For two clips of the episode — on what psychoanalysis is really for, and the benefits of friendship vs romantic love — head to our YouTube page.Other topics: born in Gary, Indiana; his birth defect requiring many surgeries; his Jewish family emigrating from Eastern Europe; college at Berkeley and Oxford; arrested at the Chicago Dem convention; befriending Anna Freud; Sigmund and his studies in hysteria; loneliness in adolescence; how falling in love is very different than love; my own psychoanalyst of 25 years; trauma from my childhood; the losses that marriage entails; breakthroughs after breakdowns; detaching from the idea of yourself; legal marriages vs psychological ones; falling back into trauma because it's familiar; the power of love's precarity; victimology; Philip Roth's “the ecstasy of sanctimony”; lessons from Othello; surrender vs submission; Esther Perel's Mating in Captivity; seeking traits in a partner that mirror a dysfunctional parent; how sex is different for men and women; gay promiscuity; male-male marriages lasting the longest; HIV and the threat of deportation; dating with HIV in the ‘90s; and how to be a better listener.Browse the Dishcast archive for an episode you might enjoy. Coming up: David Thomson on cinema in US history and culture, John O'Sullivan on conservatism, Robby George on natural law, and Megan McArdle on pretty much anything. Please send any guest recs, dissents, and other comments to dish@andrewsullivan.com.

Reports suggesting Russia may be planning a limited attack against Poland have sparked intense debate ahead of the NATO Summit. This week, Adam and Alexandra are in Sofia, Bulgaria, where they unpack the intelligence reports, discuss what they could mean for NATO deterrence, and examine thewider implications for European security.They also look at the sudden collapse of Moldova's government, what it means for the country's EU ambitions, and the growing anti-government protests in Albania, where demonstrators are now openly demanding Prime Minister Edi Rama's resignation. Finally, reporting from Sofia, Adam and Alexandra shareobservations from discussions on European security, disinformation, and the country's changing political landscape.In this episode:Reports of a possible Russian attack scenario involvingPolandWhat to expect from the NATO SummitUkraine's air defence challengesMoldova's political crisis and EU accessionAlbania's growing anti-government protestsBulgaria's political direction after joining the EurozoneEuropean security, public trust and disinformation Talk Eastern Europe is the podcast from New Eastern Europemagazine - your trusted source for in-depth analysis and expert perspectives on Central and Eastern Europe, Russia, and the post-Soviet space. Available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, YouTube and all majorplatforms. Read the New Eastern Europe Magazine Bimonthly publication with exclusive long-form analysis. https://neweasterneurope.eu/become-a-member-of-new-eastern-europe/ Support us on PatreonJoin our community for bonus content, early access, behind-the-scenes insights, and access to our exclusive WhatsApp group where we discuss the news in real-time.https://www.patreon.com/talkeasterneurope Subscribe to the Brief Eastern Europe NewsletterWeekly briefing sent out every Monday with news updates,expert commentary, and our editorial picks - free to your inbox: https://briefeasterneurope.eu/subscribe FOLLOW USInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/neweasterneuropemag/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/NewEasternEurope/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/new-eastern-europe/

In this episode, Dr Elle Wadsworth talks to Dr Nikolay Lunchenkov, medical doctor, a global health specialist, and a doctoral candidate in Global Health at the Technical University of Munich, Germany. The interview covers Nikolay's research article analysing chemsex trajectories among gay, bisexual and other men who have sex with men in Almaty, Kazakhstan.What is chemsex? [01:00]The wider context of drug use in Kazakhstan [01:58]The trajectories of chemsex [03:16] The methods used, and the use of a life course framework [05:36]The five trajectory stages developed: initiation, maintenance, escalation, dependence, and disengagement [07:30]The realistic and idealistic implications of the findings for treatment in Kazakhstan [17:00]The take-home messages [19:09]About Elle Wadsworth: Elle is an academic fellow with the Society for the Study of Addiction. She is based at the University of Bath with the Addiction and Mental Health Group and her research interests include drug policy, cannabis legalisation, and public health. Elle holds a voluntary role at The Loop, a non-profit service provider of drug checking in the UK. About Nikolay Lunchenkov: Nikolay, MD, MSc is a doctoral candidate in Global Health at the Technical University of Munich (TUM School of Social Sciences and Technology). His research focuses on HIV prevention, PrEP implementation, chemsex and harm reduction among key populations in Eastern Europe and Central Asia. His fieldwork focuses on Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan, combining qualitative and epidemiological methods to understand how marginalised communities navigate health systems under restrictive political conditions. He also teaches graduate seminars on authoritarian regimes and global health, as well as cross-cultural qualitative research methods, at TUM.Declarations of interest: None Original article: ‘Emptiness filled with love': A reflexive thematic analysis of chemsex trajectories among gay, bisexual and other men who have sex with men in Almaty, Kazakhstan, using a life course framework https://doi.org/10.1111/add.70454The opinions expressed in this podcast reflect the views of the host and interviewees and do not necessarily represent the opinions or official positions of the SSA or Addiction journal.The SSA does not endorse or guarantee the accuracy of the information in external sources or links and accepts no responsibility or liability for any consequences arising from the use of such information. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Cambridge Five did more damage to the Western Bloc than any other intelligence outfit of the Cold War. They were five Cambridge graduates who drank gin at the right clubs, moved through the right corridors of British intelligence at the height of WW2, and quietly handed Stalin the keys to post-war Europe. Kim Philby, Anthony Blunt, Donald Maclean, Guy Burgess, and John Cairncross were recruited for their sympathies to communism because they were radicalized by the wreckage of World War I and the Great Depression. They believed that Soviet communism was the only serious answer. The Five each quickly took up a place in the British government, granting them access to top-secret intelligence that they shared with the USSR, whether decrypted German intelligence obtained from Alan Turing’s Bletchley Park and the Wehrmacht’s latest troop movements, or nuclear designs fresh from Manhattan Project labs. What followed was decades of betrayal so consequential it shaped the entire postwar map of Eastern Europe. They did this not just by passing secrets, but by condemning millions of Poles, Ukrainians, Albanians, and Baltic peoples to Soviet repression when their underground resistance networks were quietly handed over to Moscow. Today’s guest is Antonia Senior, author of Stalin's Apostles, and she explains how she pieced together a story that was designed never to be found, because moles don't leave paper trails, and the Cambridge Five made sure their communications rarely entered any correspondence at all. We see that they did more to cause the Iron Curtain to descend deep into Europe than any other intelligence group.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Former Senator Jim Talent breaks down the high-stakes chess match unfolding with Iran. Talent explains why renewed U.S. strikes came after Iran resumed shooting at ships in violation of their agreement, and why he believes this is preparing the groundwork for forcing the Strait of Hormuz open once and for all to break Iran's grip on the region. He and Marc discuss Iran's efforts to rebuild missile capability and the shift toward hitting coastal and infrastructure targets. The conversation pivots to NATO, where Talent praises Germany's Chancellor Mertz for finally stepping up on defense spending while calling out Spain as an outlier facing consequences from the Trump administration. Talent sees a broader realignment coming, with U.S. forces shifting east toward committed allies in Poland and Eastern Europe. The Marc Cox Morning Show brings sharp foreign policy insight from a trusted voice. Up next: a look at AI and what guardrails should look like. Hashtags: #MarcCoxMorningShow #JimTalent #IranStrikes #StraitOfHormuz #NATO #NationalSecurity #TrumpForeignPolicy #AmericaFirst #FaithFamilyFreedom #STLNews #MissouriPolitics #STLRadio

In this episode of Personally Speaking, Msgr. Jim Lisante is joined by Msgr. Peter Vaccari. Msgr. Vaccari is a priest of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Brooklyn. He is president of the “Catholic Near East Welfare Association” and the president of its operating agency in the Middle East, the “Pontifical Mission for Palestine”. Msgr. Vaccari was the rector and president of St. Joseph's Seminary in Yonkers, New York, the seminary of the Archdiocese of New York and the dioceses of Brooklyn and Rockville Centre.  Before serving at St. Joseph's, he was rector of the Seminary of the Immaculate Conception in Huntington, Long Island. Msgr. Vaccari talks about his life, his vocation journey, how he has served the church of greater New York in a variety of capacities, and his insight into the humanitarian crisis facing vulnerable communities across the Middle East, Northeast Africa, India and Eastern Europe.Support the show

In this episode of Peace Matters, we discuss the historic opening of EU accession negotiations with Ukraine and Moldova in 2026 and the dramatic shift in the European Union's approach to enlargement.For years, the expansion of the Union was stalled by hesitation and "enlargement fatigue," but the geopolitical realities of 2026 have forced a breakthrough. Now, the EU faces the unprecedented challenge of integrating a nation still at war, raising fundamental questions about security guarantees, legal borders, and the very definition of European sovereignty.How can Ukraine realistically reform its judiciary and strengthen the rule of law under the constraints of martial law? We also examine the "veto problem" and how political shifts in Hungary, Slovakia, and the Czech Republic are reshaping the path to membership. Finally, we explore the future of millions of Ukrainian refugees and whether Kyiv is prepared to accept a "phased" membership in exchange for a faster seat at the table.Guests:Anastasiia Hraur is a Ukrainian professional specializing in international relations, political science, project management, and international education. She holds a Bachelor's degree in Social Work from the National University of Kyiv-Mohyla Academy and a Master's degree in International Relations from Andrássy University Budapest. She is currently pursuing a PhD in Political Science at Andrássy University Budapest and the University for Continuing Education Krems.Her professional experience includes work in government institutions, international organizations, research centres, and the private sector. She has worked with the Ministry of Veterans Affairs of Ukraine, Eurac Research, the United Nations Secretariat of the Carpathian Convention, and Hoffmann-La Roche. In 2026, she completed an internship at the Permanent Mission of Ukraine to the International Organizations in Vienna.Since 2025, Anastasiia has worked as a Credential Officer at ENIC NARIC Austria within OeAD, where she assesses foreign higher education qualifications and analyses international education systems. Stepan Rusyn is the Coordinator of the German-Ukrainian Partnership Program at the Transatlantic Dialogue Center. In this role, he manages projects that promote German-Ukrainian cooperation, organizes visits by German politicians, analysts, journalists, youth activists, and business leaders to Ukraine, and coordinates advocacy events in Germany. He also contributes to the Center's research activities on German foreign and internal policy, transatlantic relations, and European security.Before joining the Center, he worked at the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister of Ukraine for European and Euro-Atlantic Integration, the Directorate-General for Rendering Services to Diplomatic Missions under the Office of the President of Ukraine, and the Office of the OSCE Project Coordinator in Ukraine. He also completed an internship at the NATO Representation to Ukraine.His analyses have been published by leading German think tanks, including Zentrum Liberale Moderne, Deutsche Atlantische Gesellschaft, German Council on Foreign Relations, and Heinrich-Böll-Stiftung. He has provided commentary for German-language media outlets such as Die Zeit, Neue Zürcher Zeitung, Table.Briefings, Behörden Spiegel, RedaktionsNetzwerk Deutschland, and Europäische Sicherheit & Technik.He is currently based in Germany, where he is pursuing his doctorate at European University Viadrina in Frankfurt (Oder), focusing on Germany's foreign policy towards Central and Eastern Europe. He holds a BA and an MA in International Relations, with a specialization in Strategic and Security Studies, from Taras Shevchenko National University of Kyiv.Moderation:Gjergj Loka, Project Coordinator at the IIP. This episode was recorded on 26 June 2026.

The software patches on the Kremlin's digital autocracy have officially failed, and the nineteenth-century Tsarist operating system underneath is throwing rods in real time.In this massive, deep-dive episode of The Eastern Border, we map the exact, radioactive parallels between the catastrophic hubris of the 1904 Russo-Japanese War and the structural collapse unfolding across the Russian Federation in July 2026. From Saudi Arabia delivering an eleven-dollar macroeconomic sledgehammer to crowd out Urals crude from Asia, to Ukrainian strike drones casually cruising unhindered over strategic refinery networks in Tatarstan, Saratov, and Bashkiria—the carotid artery of the Russian war economy is being systematically severed.We tear through the sanitized vranyo of official state data to expose a brutal, street-level reality: a systemic 25,000-ton daily gasoline deficit, a 72-hour starvation clock on fresh food logistics, Alexander Lukashenko's breathtaking capital strike and fuel extortion against Moscow, and the state-approved chemical execution of the civilian vehicle fleet via toxic, high-sulfur fuel substitutes.Worse still, the macroeconomic void has expanded to an astronomical 20 to 25 trillion rubles when accounting for regional deficits and a forty-five trillion ruble consumer debt trap forcing millions into payday loans and pawnshops. Meanwhile, the corrupt Ponyatiya system continues to reward bloody military failure—exemplified by the "Muradov Paradox"—while the sports bureaucrats in Moscow commit the ultimate "Tracksuit Treason," legally signing away the annexed territories to secure a VIP pass to the Los Angeles 2028 Olympics.History doesn't just repeat itself... it rhymes. And right now, the final verses are being written in the ashes of the post-Soviet resource empire.Become our patron:https://www.patreon.com/theeasternborderMerch store + another option for memberships:https://theeasternborder-shop.fourthwall.com/Follow what's going on here in the very border of Eastern Europe:https://bsky.app/profile/theeasternborder.lvDownload all episodes for free on our website; pictures accompanying certain episodes can be found there as well!http://theeasternborder.lv/Car4Ukraine Eastern Border Summer Campaign!https://car4ukraine.com/campaigns/summer-sunshine-trucks-2026-eastern-borderSupport this show http://supporter.acast.com/theeasternborder. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Today, we're joined by historian Jonathan Gill to talk about the amazing life of Boris Morros. After the Russian Revolution, Morros immigrated to America from Eastern Europe and became a big-time Hollywood filmmaker.  To an outside observer, his life would have seemed all glitz and glam, but what the public didn't know was that Morros was risking his neck every day as a double agent, spying for both the Soviets and the Americans throughout the 1940s. If you'd like to support the show, please consider becoming a patron at www.patreon.com/artofcrimepodcast. 

STREAMING THE MAKING OF THE JOHN BATCHELOR SHOW,  FEATURING BILL ROGGIO AND SAMUEL BEN-UR, 7-6-2026.1936 SCOTUS CONSTRUCTION.This transcript features a behind-the-scenes look at a broadcast production involving John Batchelor and Bill Roggio, focusing on complex geopolitical conflicts. The dialogue transitions from technical troubleshooting regarding streaming software to a structured news analysis of the Middle East and Eastern Europe. Key discussions center on Iran's strategic control of the Strait of Hormuz and the ongoing military capabilities of Hamas within the Gaza Strip. The participants also examine the influence of regional players like Pakistan and Syria, questioning the legitimacy of proposed peace committees and diplomatic efforts. Ultimately, the text highlights the interconnected nature of modern warfare, ranging from drone attacks in Ukraine to shifting maritime laws.

As the Iron Curtain descends across Eastern Europe, the West is determined to roll back the march of Communism - starting with Albania. Historian Stephen Long is your guide to Operation BGFiend/Valuable - the joint MI6-CIA operation that laid the groundwork for 40 years of Cold War. From SPYSCAPE, the home of secrets. A Cup And Nuzzle production. Series producer: Joe Foley. Produced by Max Bower. Stephen Long is the author of A Rich Harvest of Bitter Fruit: CIA–MI6 Covert Action in Communist Albania at the Birth of the Cold War Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

https://youtu.be/kiaY0bw-4KQ Vasily Petrenko, CEO of Another World, is passionate about making immersive free-roam virtual reality accessible to everyone. Guided by Why-Who-What-How Management, a scientific mindset, and a relentless pursuit of continuous improvement, Vasily has grown Another World from a university escape room startup into a global VR entertainment company with more than 400 signed locations across 50 countries.  We explore Vasily’s Scientific Entrepreneurship Framework: Learn How to Delegate, Hire People Better Than You, Figure Out Your Sales Formula, Grasp the Big Picture and Manage the Why, Who, What & How. Vasily explains why entrepreneurs should treat business like a scientific experiment, using failures as data to improve future decisions, and why delegation is essential to overcoming founder bottlenecks. He also shares how hiring specialists who outperform you accelerates growth, why scalable communication systems are critical for global teams, how Another World is democratizing immersive VR for communities of every size, and his vision for partnering with major entertainment brands to create the next generation of immersive experiences. — Why-Who-What-How Management with Vasily Petrenko  Good day. Steve Preda here with the Management Blueprint Podcast, and today my guest is Vasily Petrenko, the CEO of Another World, a company that offers a solution for opening VR arenas all around the world. Vasili, welcome to the show.  Hello. Thank you for the invitation. Yep.  Yeah, it’s awesome to have you. You’re calling in from Miami, and you just showed me through the window the beautiful weather and the skyline, which is quite impressive. So what’s your story? How did you end up here, on this side of the ocean?  Yeah, thank you for asking. Actually, I started my first business in 2014 with my friends. We were thinking about starting something new, some fresh idea, and we thought about what we could do. At that time, we were writing different scenarios, participating in comedy shows, and searching for different business ideas. We found out that, at that time, classical escape rooms were very popular. We thought, “Wow, it’s entertaining people. It’s something about puzzles.” We were studying at the university at that time, and we were like, “Okay, it’s something scientific.  Make some electronics, puzzles, and so on. You need to think, you need to be smart, you need to be funny.” So it was a perfect match between me, my friends, and the business idea. The thing is, we built our first escape room, and all the money that we collected from our parents and friends—we got back all of the investment in two months. I cannot imagine a business right now where you invest money and get all of that back in two months. The thing is, that’s the main thing that allowed us to evolve in the future: we did not stop at that moment. We decided that we would invest all this money back into the business, and we started searching for new ideas.  First of all, we continued to build the best escape rooms in our city and in our country. Other owners saw that and were like, “Oh, we see your success. We want that too.” So they started calling us, like, “Can you build that business for us in another city?” So from one little business, we opened another one at the same time, which was the B2B solution—opening this type of business for others. Again, we were searching for new ideas, for new products.  Two years later, we thought, “Okay, let’s add a new product: virtual reality.” It wasn’t trending at that moment. The thing is, we hadn’t found anything that would be good for us. We were like, “Wow, this is low quality. We don’t like this.” Basically, there were so many dislikes about everything on the market that we decided we needed to make our own product. It took us about two more years to think about this idea, and in 2018 we came up with the idea of a free-roam virtual reality arenas.Share on X  So I want to correct you a little bit here. In the introduction, you said Another World VR arcades. It’s not exactly arcades. It is virtual reality arenas. And free roam, for those who might not know, means that you don’t have any limitation with wires. So it’s not like playing VR at home, where you put on the headset, sit on the couch, and play. No. Our VR arenas are from 1,000 to 2,000 square feet, and the player can explore the whole arena from one corner to another. They can run, they can jump, they can interact with each other, and there can be up to 20 players simultaneously. We started this business in 2018 as an additional product for our escape room owners. It was an additional game for them. But again, over time, more and more of our partners—and we realized this ourselves—decided that this could be a separate business. Not the escape room, but the VR arena could be a business by itself. And we started doing that.  We did a rebranding, and we started providing not only the best games in the world for our partners, but also the design, brand, website, booking system, and all of that.Share on X So basically, we packed our product into the franchise. By now, this year will be the eighth year of the company, and we have 400 signed contracts all around the world in 50 countries. That means our partners either already own and operate our locations or they’re in the process of opening. They’re doing the construction and opening the business, and we’re helping them with that. So yeah, that’s the story.  That’s fantastic. So are you a licensing business, or are you a franchise business? That’s a really good question. Right now, we’re registering the franchise. I know that in some countries there are strict regulations. So today, we’re licensing our technology and games to our partners. But we want to become an official franchise, so we’re working on that right now and preparing everything for it.  That’s super exciting. So let me ask you my favorite question. What is your personal “why,” and how are you manifesting it in this business?  This is a really good question. For anything that you do, for any of your daily tasks, you should ask yourself: “Why am I doing this and not that?” So why will this idea work? It’s a really good question for you to ask yourself all the time. I’m kind of, in this case, a perfectionist. That’s both the good and the bad side of my personality. I’m also into marathons and triathlons. I’ve already done many ultras. So the good side is that I'm very intense when it comes to working hard. I will do everything so that my business succeeds. I will do everything so that I finish this marathon.Share on X  But after I finish the marathon, the next second I’m asking myself, “Where can I be better? Why did I do this or that?” It’s always about balance. It’s not about work-life balance, but even inside your work, you need to find the right balance between good and bad. I’ve been learning that over the past few years, trying to get better at it. So I think that’s the question. But still, asking yourself, “Why am I doing this and not that?” is always important, in my opinion. So your “why” is to always get better?  I would say yes. Well, okay, let me also add to that. To get better—and there’s no ideal—but there is a way to get on that path. So that’s the first thing. The second thing is that your “why” also describes how you feel about what you’re doing. It might be your work, it might be your business, it might be whatever you’re doing. Actually, my graduation was absolutely not about business. I started at the university studying cytology and genetics. So I used to be in molecular biochemistry, biology, and all of that. I was the kind of guy who was doing research for PCR tests. You might be familiar with them from the Covid..  Oh, yeah. Yeah, the Covid era of those PCR tests. So I was developing stuff like that. I know how to do that. I know all of that. But right now I’m in the entertainment business. The thing is that I really like to consider business with a scientific approach. What I mean is that business is also something where you don’t know exactly what’s going to happen. So there are a lot of hypotheses. There are a lot of ideas that you get when you’re brainstorming, alone or with your team. The thing is, first of all, there might be mistakes. There will be mistakes, and that’s absolutely normal.  Like we say in science, a negative result is also a result. So it’s all about experiments. You change one factor, you test one hypothesis, you run the experiment, you see the result, and you make a conclusion from that. If it’s a negative result, okay, don’t do that anymore. If it’s a positive result, okay, how do we scale that and do it better? Again, we might consider that as a “why” question. 342: Why-Who-What-How Management with Vasily PetrenkoShare on X  Yeah. I saw your post about the five things that you learned as an entrepreneur. That was pretty interesting. It kind of shows your scientific way of thinking about business as well. So, talking more about the science of business, this podcast is called The Management Blueprint, and what I’m looking for in every conversation is a framework that you’ve discovered while building your business that you could share with the audience, so they can maybe apply it to their own business. So think of something like three to five steps, or a mental model, or a way of thinking about things. Anything come to mind?  Yeah, actually, as I said, first of all, the scientific approach—and don’t be afraid of mistakes. I think this is mostly for young entrepreneurs. Even right now, my little kids are going to some sports, and sometimes they’re upset if something goes wrong, right? I’m trying to teach them not to be afraid. If something goes wrong, it’s just a way for you to get better. That’s the first thing. The second thing is, when you’re trying to scale, I know it’s also a mistake that many entrepreneurs or managers make.  You always think you know better how to do something, and you’re afraid to let someone else do it. I know that from my own experience. As I said, I’m a perfectionist, and if I see some task, I’m thinking, “Okay, nobody will do that better.” So first of all, try to teach yourself how to delegate. Because without that, you cannot evolve. You cannot scale. If you're doing everything by yourself, you'll be a solo entrepreneur.Share on X  You can do only one thing, and that might be enough for somebody, but you cannot build a big business that way. At some point, I realized that if I hire people and they do those challenges—those tasks that I’m giving them—even if they do them at 70% of my ideal, it will still be okay. Because five of them will do five different challenges. I’ll just check their work, save tons of my time, and give them feedback. Yes, maybe it won’t be 100% ideal in the end, but it will get closer to 80% or 90%, which is already very good. For me, it would take weeks to finish those five challenges by myself. With five different employees, it will be five times faster. Okay. So learning to delegate—that’s important. So what else is in your framework?  About delegation, the other thing I learned is to hire professionals. That’s the next step: hire those people who know better than you. Why would you hire somebody who knows less than you? Hire professionals in their areas so that they can bring value into your company. So that’s the second step after delegation. Again, for me, it’s always about finding a new idea, experimenting, and if it’s a positive result, scaling it. Then back again to a new idea. So it’s always constant loop of coming up with new hypotheses. Again, don’t sit in one place just doing what you’re already doing.  Okay. So experiment and scale what works. That’s great. That’s it? So: delegate, hire people… technicians, I think you called them? Or specialists?  Not only technicians. I mean, it could be in marketing, it could be in sales, it could be in tech… So yeah, there are so many people in my company right now who know better than I do. I don’t know how to set up a CRM system. I don’t know how to set up a Google campaign. I know, in general, some of those things, especially at the beginning when you’re hiring your first people.  You might need to dig a little bit into the area. But after some time, you just need to… I remember there was a movie—I think it was about the financial crisis of 2008—and I remember one scene. The first employee who found the problem was explaining it to his boss with too many parameters, saying, “Oh, we have an apocalypse here. That’s a crash.” His boss was like, “Oh yeah, that’s a crash.” Then his boss went to his manager and explained it in, like, three sentences. Then the top manager explained it to the CEO in two words, and the CEO was like, “Okay, I got it.”  So it’s pretty much the same thing. It’s always like that. I really like that idea of how it’s structured. In our case, again, I don’t know exactly how everything is arranged in the details, but in general, I keep it all in mind.  You see the big picture. You see the big picture, and you can communicate it.  Exactly.  Maybe that’s also another step: grasp and communicate the big picture. From that idea, I just realized one more thing—the environment for your employees, your staff, your partners. It’s really important to give them the proper instruments for how they’re going to work. Actually, you can describe the structure of the company this way: The first employees know how to do things.  The next level asks, “What are we doing?” The CEO asks, “Who is doing that?” So at some point, as the CEO, you’re deciding who will be doing those things. Top managers are thinking about what we’re going to do. Employees are thinking about how to do it and working with the tools. In this case, it’s really important to put all of this into a workable… I don’t know how to describe it… an environment that will be feasible for everybody.  If your company is growing, you need to work on the communication between different departments, between different people, and so on. Because there might be a mistake in the tech department or on the website that doesn’t allow sales or marketing to develop future things, and so on. So you need to give your team the appropriate instruments to work with. As you asked me at the beginning, yes, my team right now is around 70 or 80 people. I don’t know the exact number right now. The thing is, about half of them I don’t know personally.  I haven’t seen them in person, or even online, and they’re in different countries and different cities. So we’re working hard to make sure that, for these tasks, we have this type of CRM system. For this one, we have this type of platform. It might also be different depending on what your team is doing. For the sales department, we have one set of needs. For our tech team, it’s absolutely different. So yeah, that also matters.  Yeah. So I was thinking about what you explained—the who. The person at the top decides who will do it, then the who decides the what, and the what people decide the how. But I would say maybe above the who, you have the why.  Why. Yeah, that’s good. Why are we doing it? So this is about the mission of the company, the initial idea. So this is something, okay, maybe not the CEO. This is something the board of directors, the investors—they’re thinking, “Why are we doing that? Why are we investing our time and money into that?” So that’s absolutely true. That’s absolutely right.  Yeah. Love it. Let me switch gears here. So what drives growth in your particular company, Vasily?  We are family-friendly, so we are spreading joy and fun for people. Actually, this was one of our ideas at the very beginning when we started thinking about VR.Share on X We saw that there were some competitors, and they were doing a pretty similar product. But the thing is, they were selling their franchise for millions of dollars. Moreover, just the equipment they were using to build their arena cost hundreds of thousands of dollars. We looked at that and realized, okay, this type of business is still a business. You need to earn money. Of course, it’s fun to give people joy, but it’s a business, and a business should earn money, right?  We realized that if we made a product like that, then you could open it only in major cities like New York or Los Angeles because only there would you have enough customer traffic, market size, and money for people to get their investment back. So that’s millions of dollars of investment that you would eventually recover from this type of park or arena. We realized that our mission would be to make the same quality product—high-end, immersive virtual reality.  Virtual reality is still something that not many people have even tried, so it still looks futuristic to a lot of people. Our mission is for every kid and every adult in the world to have the opportunity to play this type of experience.Share on X How do we do that? Basically, by opening locations not only in Los Angeles and New York, but also in smaller cities. So we had to find a way for business owners to open our business. Not for millions of dollars, but for tens of thousands, or $100,000 to $200,000. That could be opened in any city—even a small city—with a little arena, a little family entertainment center (FEC), where people come, have fun, celebrate birthday parties, hold corporate events, and spend time together. What still drives us—and I’ll be honest with you—is when we get a new opening.  Just today, I had a call from Vietnam. I had a call from China. People there want to open our locations, and I’m happy about it. Not only because it helps us grow the business. The bigger the market we have, the more games we can develop, and the better we can make our product. But it’s also another point on the map. We can see, “Oh, we’re getting there.” So that’s the first thing—that more people can experience highly immersive, high-end entertainment. The other thing is, from the very beginning, I remember it was my dream that someday we would work with huge companies like Disney and Warner Bros., and develop games based on their IPs.  Just imagine creating a Harry Potter game. That would be a different level, right? That was my dream, and it still is. Only now am I getting closer to those companies and having some negotiations. That’s what drives me personally. That’s what drives us emotionally to wake up every day and do this business—for me, my employees, and everyone else. I don’t know if this question was about that…  I think that’s more of the “why” question that I asked you earlier.  Okay. So that’s the why for the company, and that’s very exciting. You’re basically democratizing this whole experience. You’re bringing it to people in smaller cities, and that’s always a huge idea. I had a client years ago who was in the floor-covering and home-decoration business. That was in Eastern Europe as well—in Hungary, Romania, and Slovakia.  He figured out a way to franchise it to people who didn’t even own real estate, who were just family businesses. He figured out a way to lease them the location and make it a viable franchise in towns with only 10,000 people. He basically cornered the market in that segment. So that’s super exciting. So, Vasily, let me ask you: What’s the one thing that you’re trying to figure out in your business right now? As I said, this big challenge of getting a famous IP… I just came back from Licensing Expo in Las Vegas, and I had a few productive meetings there with some companies. So I see a lot of business opportunities there, but it also makes me feel… I mean, when we make this kind of game, I feel proud. I feel that little Vasily—the little boy inside of me—feels like, “Oh…” If somebody had told me 20 or 25 years ago that I would be making computer games, VR games, and especially a game based on a famous Disney or other IP, I would not have believed it.  And this is what I really love. I mean, for some people it might sound like a dream. For me, it’s still a dream, even though I’m getting closer to it. So that’s my main challenge right now, to be honest. But also, I’m doing a lot of other stuff in the company. So yeah, distribution is another big challenge. Also, new markets. There are pros and cons. We’ve been growing rapidly. It’s great to have 50 countries on the map with our locations.  But just imagine that each country has a different language, mentality, and everything that comes with it. So you need to prepare additional websites, tools, CRM systems, marketing materials, videos, training—everything. It’s crazy. First of all, we need to help our partners in all of those countries grow their businesses. That’s important. Also, when I get calls and requests from new countries and new regions—like Latin America right now—we have a distributor in Latin America, so that’s a new market for us.  Of course, we’re not starting from scratch. We have some background, right? But still, in that particular territory, you need to build the business from zero. So that’s also a challenge. I gave you a few, but those are the things I’m working on every day.  Yeah, that’s fantastic. So what’s something that you would like our listeners to learn about your company, or maybe do and explore around what you’re doing? First of all, Google Another World VR. Find a location in your city or nearby. Come and try our games. Your kids will love them. I know that not all adults are gamers or whatever, so it depends on the person. But everybody should definitely try it. I’ve seen a lot of people in their 20s, 30s, 40s, and 50s playing our games multiple times and having a lot of fun. We have PvE games, which means player versus environment, where you’re on one team. For example, you and I are in one squad, and we’re killing zombies or aliens, trying to survive.  We also have PvP games, or player versus player, where we’re on different teams competing against each other. That’s a lot of fun. It’s also very competitive. We also have features like playing against other locations. Just imagine that a location in Toronto, Canada, can play against Atlanta, Georgia. We have a location there. We already have that technical feature, and we’re adding tournaments. So you can participate in tournaments locally and then play internationally. So yeah, first of all, Google our company and try our games.  You’ll love them. As I said, we’re already in 50 countries, so I think you might find a location near you—or one will be opening soon. The other thing is, if you’re a business owner looking for something to invest in, or you’re looking for new ideas, contact me or contact our company, and we’ll show you what our business consists of. Yeah, we have something to offer you. And the last thing: if you’re in the industry and you’re connected to the big players in entertainment—companies like Netflix and others—call me as well.  We’ll find a way to collaborate, cooperate, and make the best game based on those IPs and trademarks, so everybody benefits. The people who want to play our games will have even more fun playing their favorite characters. That’s what it’s all about.  Yeah, that’s amazing. So, Vasily Petrenko, CEO of Another World. Google Another World VR, check out the locations, and try these VR games. I definitely think the wind is in your sails because the younger generations grew up with games. I was on a Commodore 64 when I was a kid, but the younger generations actually grew up with VR games. So it’s going to be a great experience for all of you. And those of you listening, if you liked the show, make sure you follow us on YouTube, subscribe, and leave us a review, because every week I bring an amazing entrepreneur like Vasily onto the show. So thanks for coming, and thanks for listening. Important Links: Vasily's LinkedIn Vasily's Website

In this second part of our special two-part series on Serbia's protest movement, we speak with Mila Pajić, activist with STAV (Students Against Authoritarian Rule) and the Youth Initiative for Human Rights, about the movement that emerged after the deadly Novi Sad railway station canopy collapse.Mila explains how a tragedy became a nationwide movement, why students became the driving force behind the protests, and how government pressure escalated from intimidation to criminal charges against activists.After authorities accused her and several colleagues of attempting to overthrow the constitutional order, Mila fled Serbia and now remains in exile.In this conversation we discuss:- What happened after the Novi Sad tragedy- Why the student movement became so powerful- Government repression against activists- Life in political exile- The future of democracy in Serbia- Whether snap elections can be free and fair Talk Eastern Europe is the podcast from New Eastern Europe magazine - your trusted source for in-depth analysis and expert perspectives on Central and Eastern Europe, Russia, and the post-Soviet space. ABOUT THIS PODCASTWe publish twice weekly:- Every Tuesday: Expert Interviews featuring deep dives withleading analysts, journalists, and scholars- Every Friday: Weekly News Roundup with essential updatesand commentary on the latest developmentsAvailable on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, YouTube and all majorplatforms.Read the New Eastern Europe Magazine Bimonthly publication with exclusive long-form analysis.https://neweasterneurope.eu/become-a-member-of-new-eastern-europe/Support us on PatreonJoin our community for bonus content, early access,behind-the-scenes insights, and access to our exclusive WhatsApp group where we discuss the news in real-time.https://www.patreon.com/talkeasterneuropeSubscribe to the Brief Eastern Europe NewsletterWeekly briefing sent out every Monday with news updates,expert commentary, and our editorial picks - free to your inbox: https://briefeasterneurope.eu/subscribeFOLLOW USInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/neweasterneuropemag/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/NewEasternEurope/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/new-eastern-europe/

Welcome back to the edge of the empire. In Episode 2.42, the grand illusion of the "Long War" officially crashes into a 69-hour line for gasoline.The balkanization of the Russian Federation is no longer theoretical; it is happening at the local pumps. We track the total collapse of the fuel supply, where acid-laced Euro-3 sludge is melting the paint off civilian cars, and Kuban Cossacks are physically blockading Crimeans from buying gas. Meanwhile, the military Vranyo reaches fatal levels of absurdity: generals are faking the capture of Konstantinovka to get medals, while their surviving stormtroopers are openly fragging their own Military Police in the mud.As Herman Gref and Elvira Nabiullina scream at each other over a suffocating 14.25% interest rate, the state loses its monopoly on violence, reverting to corporate warlordism and releasing thousands of violent criminals back into the civilian population. And looming over all of this is the August 2026 Convergence—the moment the Tsar's teflon cracks and the imperial machine runs completely out of runway.Become our patron: https://www.patreon.com/theeasternborderMerch store + another option for memberships: https://theeasternborder-shop.fourthwall.com/Follow what's going on here in the very border of Eastern Europe: https://bsky.app/profile/theeasternborder.lvDownload all episodes for free on our website; pictures accompanying certain episodes can be found there as well! http://theeasternborder.lv/Car4Ukraine Eastern Border Summer Campaign! https://car4ukraine.com/campaigns/summer-sunshine-trucks-2026-eastern-borderSupport this show http://supporter.acast.com/theeasternborder. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This Monday edition of the Closing Market Report highlights a major, post-holiday surge across the agricultural commodity markets, driven primarily by an adverse late-summer weather forecast and renewed export interest from China. Host Todd Gleason reports substantial gains in corn, soybean, and wheat futures following recent contract lows. Market analyst Curt Kimmel of AgMarket.net discusses the logistical significance of China picking up soybean cargoes off the Pacific Northwest and the Gulf, noting that while the technical fundamentals haven't shifted, the buying enthusiasm provides critical support ahead of Friday's upcoming USDA WASDE report. In agricultural news, farm groups are actively pushing back against Bayer's request for anti-dumping duties on Chinese glyphosate imports due to concerns over narrowing farmer margins. Additionally, University of Illinois Extension entomologist Nick Seiter warns producers to actively scout for corn leaf aphids as crops enter their vulnerable tasseling stage, and Senate Agriculture Chair John Boozman expresses hope to transition foreign food aid programs back under the jurisdiction of the USDA via a new farm bill.The program also features an in-depth economic perspective from University of Minnesota Extension economist Ed Usset, who views the current market rally as a classic post-July 4th weather market. While acknowledging the bump from hot, dry domestic forecasts and extreme heat hitting crops in France, Usset reminds producers that this rally serves as an excellent "second chance" to clean out remaining old crop inventories and execute scale-up sales on new crop corn and soybeans before defensive seasonal trends potentially return. Finally, Mark Russo of EverStream Analytics breaks down the broader global weather patterns, noting that while the core U.S. Midwest looks secure, a highly intense ridge of high pressure will bring crop-stressing heat to western plains states like Nebraska, Kansas, and South Dakota next week. Internationally, Russo reports a disastrous third heat wave accelerating crop deterioration for  corn in France and parts of Eastern Europe, while unseasonal winter rains slightly slow the safrinha corn harvest in southern Brazil.01:35 Ag Markets with Curt Kimmel, AgMarket.net07:20 Bayer Requests Glyphosate Import Protections08:00 Scout for Corn Aphids09:12 Farm Bill Legislation May Attempt to Move Foreign Food Aid10:54 Commodity Market Discussion with Ed Usset, University of Minnesota18:04 Ag Weather with Mark Russo, EverStream Analytics ★ Support this podcast ★

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. Support the show

Molly Crabapple joins Michael Stauch to discuss the history of the Jewish Labor Bund, the subject of her new book, Here Where We Live Is Our Country: The Story of the Jewish Bund (Random House, 2026). Once the most influential Jewish political force in Eastern Europe, the Bund was secular, socialist, and uncompromisingly anti-Zionist. The Bundists fought for dignity and equality, not in an imagined homeland in Palestine but “here where we live.” In the first popular history of the Bund, Crabapple re-creates their extraordinary world through dramatic portraits of insurgent poets and antireligious rebels, clandestine revolutionaries and lovers on the barricades. The Bundists live deeply within this violent, volatile, and somehow hopeful period, as their stories interweave with the Russian Revolution and the Holocaust. The Bund's rise and fall raises the vital question: What can we learn from a movement that, for all its toughness, imagination, and moral clarity, was largely destroyed? Highlights include: Crabapple's personal connection to the Bund through her great-grandfather, Sam Rothbort; How the Bund built a vibrant youth counterculture amid harsh anti-Semitism in Eastern Europe; The significance of “Hereness” to the Bund's politics and how it distinguished the group from Zionist groups advocating the colonization of Palestine; A discussion of “theory-pilled nerds” and how Crabapple's activism and journalism since Occupy Wall Street shaped her insights into the inner life of the Bund; The future of anti-Zionism in the context of Israel's ongoing destruction of Palestine. Molly Crabapple is an artist and writer based in New York. She is the author of two books, Drawing Blood and Brothers of the Gun (with Marwan Hisham), which was longlisted for a National Book Award. She was a 2020 New America Fellow and her reportage is the winner of the Bernhard Labor Journalism Award, and has been published in The New York Times, New York Review of Books, The Paris Review, Vanity Fair, The Guardian, Rolling Stone, The New Yorker, and elsewhere. Her animations have won two Emmys and an Edward R. Murrow Award. Her art is in the permanent collections of the Museum of Modern Art. Michael Stauch is an associate professor of history at the University of Toledo and the author of Wildcat of the Streets: Detroit in the Age of Community Policing, published by the University of Pennsylvania Press in 2025. 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

Molly Crabapple joins Michael Stauch to discuss the history of the Jewish Labor Bund, the subject of her new book, Here Where We Live Is Our Country: The Story of the Jewish Bund (Random House, 2026). Once the most influential Jewish political force in Eastern Europe, the Bund was secular, socialist, and uncompromisingly anti-Zionist. The Bundists fought for dignity and equality, not in an imagined homeland in Palestine but “here where we live.” In the first popular history of the Bund, Crabapple re-creates their extraordinary world through dramatic portraits of insurgent poets and antireligious rebels, clandestine revolutionaries and lovers on the barricades. The Bundists live deeply within this violent, volatile, and somehow hopeful period, as their stories interweave with the Russian Revolution and the Holocaust. The Bund's rise and fall raises the vital question: What can we learn from a movement that, for all its toughness, imagination, and moral clarity, was largely destroyed? Highlights include: Crabapple's personal connection to the Bund through her great-grandfather, Sam Rothbort; How the Bund built a vibrant youth counterculture amid harsh anti-Semitism in Eastern Europe; The significance of “Hereness” to the Bund's politics and how it distinguished the group from Zionist groups advocating the colonization of Palestine; A discussion of “theory-pilled nerds” and how Crabapple's activism and journalism since Occupy Wall Street shaped her insights into the inner life of the Bund; The future of anti-Zionism in the context of Israel's ongoing destruction of Palestine. Molly Crabapple is an artist and writer based in New York. She is the author of two books, Drawing Blood and Brothers of the Gun (with Marwan Hisham), which was longlisted for a National Book Award. She was a 2020 New America Fellow and her reportage is the winner of the Bernhard Labor Journalism Award, and has been published in The New York Times, New York Review of Books, The Paris Review, Vanity Fair, The Guardian, Rolling Stone, The New Yorker, and elsewhere. Her animations have won two Emmys and an Edward R. Murrow Award. Her art is in the permanent collections of the Museum of Modern Art. Michael Stauch is an associate professor of history at the University of Toledo and the author of Wildcat of the Streets: Detroit in the Age of Community Policing, published by the University of Pennsylvania Press in 2025. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/jewish-studies

Molly Crabapple joins Michael Stauch to discuss the history of the Jewish Labor Bund, the subject of her new book, Here Where We Live Is Our Country: The Story of the Jewish Bund (Random House, 2026). Once the most influential Jewish political force in Eastern Europe, the Bund was secular, socialist, and uncompromisingly anti-Zionist. The Bundists fought for dignity and equality, not in an imagined homeland in Palestine but “here where we live.” In the first popular history of the Bund, Crabapple re-creates their extraordinary world through dramatic portraits of insurgent poets and antireligious rebels, clandestine revolutionaries and lovers on the barricades. The Bundists live deeply within this violent, volatile, and somehow hopeful period, as their stories interweave with the Russian Revolution and the Holocaust. The Bund's rise and fall raises the vital question: What can we learn from a movement that, for all its toughness, imagination, and moral clarity, was largely destroyed? Highlights include: Crabapple's personal connection to the Bund through her great-grandfather, Sam Rothbort; How the Bund built a vibrant youth counterculture amid harsh anti-Semitism in Eastern Europe; The significance of “Hereness” to the Bund's politics and how it distinguished the group from Zionist groups advocating the colonization of Palestine; A discussion of “theory-pilled nerds” and how Crabapple's activism and journalism since Occupy Wall Street shaped her insights into the inner life of the Bund; The future of anti-Zionism in the context of Israel's ongoing destruction of Palestine. Molly Crabapple is an artist and writer based in New York. She is the author of two books, Drawing Blood and Brothers of the Gun (with Marwan Hisham), which was longlisted for a National Book Award. She was a 2020 New America Fellow and her reportage is the winner of the Bernhard Labor Journalism Award, and has been published in The New York Times, New York Review of Books, The Paris Review, Vanity Fair, The Guardian, Rolling Stone, The New Yorker, and elsewhere. Her animations have won two Emmys and an Edward R. Murrow Award. Her art is in the permanent collections of the Museum of Modern Art. Michael Stauch is an associate professor of history at the University of Toledo and the author of Wildcat of the Streets: Detroit in the Age of Community Policing, published by the University of Pennsylvania Press in 2025. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/middle-eastern-studies

Molly Crabapple joins Michael Stauch to discuss the history of the Jewish Labor Bund, the subject of her new book, Here Where We Live Is Our Country: The Story of the Jewish Bund (Random House, 2026). Once the most influential Jewish political force in Eastern Europe, the Bund was secular, socialist, and uncompromisingly anti-Zionist. The Bundists fought for dignity and equality, not in an imagined homeland in Palestine but “here where we live.” In the first popular history of the Bund, Crabapple re-creates their extraordinary world through dramatic portraits of insurgent poets and antireligious rebels, clandestine revolutionaries and lovers on the barricades. The Bundists live deeply within this violent, volatile, and somehow hopeful period, as their stories interweave with the Russian Revolution and the Holocaust. The Bund's rise and fall raises the vital question: What can we learn from a movement that, for all its toughness, imagination, and moral clarity, was largely destroyed? Highlights include: Crabapple's personal connection to the Bund through her great-grandfather, Sam Rothbort; How the Bund built a vibrant youth counterculture amid harsh anti-Semitism in Eastern Europe; The significance of “Hereness” to the Bund's politics and how it distinguished the group from Zionist groups advocating the colonization of Palestine; A discussion of “theory-pilled nerds” and how Crabapple's activism and journalism since Occupy Wall Street shaped her insights into the inner life of the Bund; The future of anti-Zionism in the context of Israel's ongoing destruction of Palestine. Molly Crabapple is an artist and writer based in New York. She is the author of two books, Drawing Blood and Brothers of the Gun (with Marwan Hisham), which was longlisted for a National Book Award. She was a 2020 New America Fellow and her reportage is the winner of the Bernhard Labor Journalism Award, and has been published in The New York Times, New York Review of Books, The Paris Review, Vanity Fair, The Guardian, Rolling Stone, The New Yorker, and elsewhere. Her animations have won two Emmys and an Edward R. Murrow Award. Her art is in the permanent collections of the Museum of Modern Art. Michael Stauch is an associate professor of history at the University of Toledo and the author of Wildcat of the Streets: Detroit in the Age of Community Policing, published by the University of Pennsylvania Press in 2025. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/russian-studies

Max Weinreich spent the entirety of his adult life building YIVO and the field of Yiddish Studies. A 'convert' to the cause of Yiddishism in his adolescence, he pursued a doctorate in German philology in Weimar Germany with the explicit goal of returning to Eastern Europe to contribute to the project of building a modern, secular Yiddish culture. His study visits to Yale University and Vienna in the early 1930s proved transformational in broadening and revising his understanding of the role of the social sciences in Jewish life as a tool for strengthening Jews' psychological and material resources. The destruction of the traditional Yiddish heartland in Eastern Europe and his experiences leading YIVO in post-WWII New York City added yet another dimension to Weinreich's conception of the importance of both Yiddish and Jewish Studies for the future of American and world Jewry. Would Max Weinreich recognize Yiddish studies today? Moderated by Kalman Weiser and featuring Naomi Seidman, Kenneth Moss, and Jeffrey Shandler, this panel will examine Weinreich's evolving understanding of the meaning of Yidishe visnshaft (Yiddish studies) and the role of Yiddish in Jewish life throughout his career. This panel discussion originally took place on June 15, 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

Serbia is heading towards snap elections after President Aleksandar Vučić announced he will resign within weeks, but will this lead to real political change or simply reinforce the ruling party's grip on power?In this week's Talk Eastern Europe News Roundup, AlexandraKarppi and Nina Pániková unpack the latest developments in Serbia, including growing pressure on civil society, the renewed investigation into the alleged use of a sonic weapon against protesters, and what early elections could mean for the country's democratic future.They also discuss Ukraine's newly announced pressure campaign against Russia, constitutional tensions ahead of the NATO summit in the Czech Republic, growing concerns over democratic backsliding in Slovenia, and one piece of encouraging news from Hungary as the controversial Sovereignty Protection Office is finally dismantled.

Max Weinreich spent the entirety of his adult life building YIVO and the field of Yiddish Studies. A 'convert' to the cause of Yiddishism in his adolescence, he pursued a doctorate in German philology in Weimar Germany with the explicit goal of returning to Eastern Europe to contribute to the project of building a modern, secular Yiddish culture. His study visits to Yale University and Vienna in the early 1930s proved transformational in broadening and revising his understanding of the role of the social sciences in Jewish life as a tool for strengthening Jews' psychological and material resources. The destruction of the traditional Yiddish heartland in Eastern Europe and his experiences leading YIVO in post-WWII New York City added yet another dimension to Weinreich's conception of the importance of both Yiddish and Jewish Studies for the future of American and world Jewry. Would Max Weinreich recognize Yiddish studies today? Moderated by Kalman Weiser and featuring Naomi Seidman, Kenneth Moss, and Jeffrey Shandler, this panel will examine Weinreich's evolving understanding of the meaning of Yidishe visnshaft (Yiddish studies) and the role of Yiddish in Jewish life throughout his career. This panel discussion originally took place on June 15, 2023. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/jewish-studies

Dave Patty is the founder and president of Josiah Venture, a mission organization focused on training next-generation leaders throughout Eastern Europe. Dave has lived with his family in the Czech Republic for over 25 years and is well-known in the region for his practical Bible teaching. A second-generation missionary, Dave was born in the Philippines and served in Germany before launching what has become one of the largest leadership training organizations in Central and Eastern Europe.

LIVE From Ukraine: LGBTQ Rights Are Under Attack Worldwide | This Gay Week What happens when you discuss LGBTQ rights while ballistic missiles are falling nearby? This week on This Gay Week, Scott Jacobsen joins me live from Ukraine to examine the biggest LGBTQ stories from around the world—including the realities of living in a war zone while continuing to fight for equality. This week's stories include: • Russia's crackdown on LGBTQ people reaches absurd new levels, with even SpongeBob SquarePants caught in the Kremlin's culture war. • A Russian bar owner and two employees are arrested simply for allowing LGBTQ people to gather. • Ukrainian LGBTQ soldiers risk their lives defending their country, only to return home still fighting for equal rights. • Bulgaria holds a government-supported “Family March” on the same day as Pride, raising new questions about LGBTQ equality in Eastern Europe. • New setbacks for transgender rights in the United States spark concern over whether similar policies could spread around the world. These stories aren't isolated—they're part of a growing global struggle over equality, freedom, and human rights. Join us for thoughtful conversation, analysis, and perspectives you won't hear on most mainstream news programs.

Lesley Groff, Jeffrey Epstein's longtime assistant, was questioned by House Oversight lawmakers about Epstein's use of American Express to book travel for multiple women or girls. CBS reported that Epstein used Amex's Centurion travel service and a Black Card to arrange hundreds of itineraries, many involving women or girls from Eastern Europe, and that Groff was a key point of contact in those bookings. Groff told lawmakers she did not believe she ever arranged travel for anyone under 18 and said she understood the women to be “traveling assistants” who worked for Epstein. She also denied knowing that any of the travel was connected to sexual activity involving Epstein or anyone in his network.Lawmakers pressed Groff on records that appeared to show “decoy flights,” including a 2016 email where she asked Amex to hold a fake Rome-to-London itinerary for a redacted person who would actually be traveling to Miami to see Epstein. Groff said the woman wanted to hide the real trip from her parents, not obtain a visa, while her attorney pushed back on the idea that the booking was visa-related. In another 2012 exchange, an Amex employee flagged that holding a refundable itinerary for visa purposes was against company policy, but Groff later told lawmakers she was simply arranging a ticket and hotel reservation for someone who needed a visa. American Express declined to comment on Groff's testimony, but previously said it regretted having Epstein as a customer and terminated his account after federal charges were filed.to contact me:bobbycapucci@protonmail.comsource:Epstein's longtime assistant grilled by U.S. lawmakers over Amex travel booked for women or girls - CBS News

Dr. Alia Bojilova is a registered psychologist with a focus on resilience. She grew up in Eastern Europe during some of the most tumultuous times in recent history before immigrating to New Zealand at age 17. During her service with the New Zealand Defense Force, she worked as the Lead Psychologist and an Officer with the SAS. While serving as a UN military observer in Syria, Alia and her team were taken hostage, and she negotiated the release of herself and her team. She holds a PhD from the University of Waikato and studied the link between curiosity and resilience in special operations forces. Since leaving the military, Alia has served as coach and advisor to leaders and teams around the world, and across a wide range of sectors, including government, venture capital, elite-level sports, corporate services, and creative industries.She's the author of The Resilience Toolkit, available on Amazon.More about Alia:LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/alexandrina-alia-bojilova/Resilience Toolkit - https://amzn.to/4fa9DZHTimestamps:00:22  Introduction to Alia Bojilova01:21 Lead Psychologist for New Zealand SAS05:35 The Link Between Curiosity and Resilience07:51 Resilience in Special Operators12:38 Time of Service and Involvement in SAS14:51 What Does "Military Observer" Mean?17:04 Assessing for Curiosity in Training19:22 Curiosity's Distinction from Openness31:40 Common Signifiers of a Resilient, Curious Mindset35:40 Olympic Athletes and Special Operators37:13 The Phenomenal Gift of Being Taken Captive in Syria54:01 One or Two Books Everyone Should Read55:18 Best and Worst Advice Ever Received56:31 OutroSend us a message

Dave Patty is the founder and president of Josiah Venture, a mission organization focused on training next-generation leaders throughout Eastern Europe. Dave has lived with his family in the Czech Republic for over 25 years and is well-known in the region for his practical Bible teaching. A second-generation missionary, Dave was born in the Philippines and served in Germany before launching what has become one of the largest leadership training organizations in Central and Eastern Europe.

This week on Theology Simply Profound Bob talks with Pastor Imre Szoke and Deacon Akos Szolosi of the Reformed Presbyterian Church of Central and Eastern Europe. These brothers were in the Midwest to join with the OPC's Diaconal Summit.Mentioned in this episode:Join Us In Person: Four Upcoming Reformed Forum EventsBefore today's episode, Camden Bucey shares four opportunities to gather with Reformed Forum in person over the coming months: Apologetics and Evangelism Seminar — August 4–5, 2026, Greenville Presbyterian Theological Seminary, Taylors, SC. Camden Bucey and Carlton Wynne lecture on apologetics and evangelism for the pastor at the GPTS Summer Seminar. Details: https://reformedforum.org/event/apologetics-and-evangelism-seminar-greenville-sc/ Discovering Christ in All of Scripture — August 28–29, 2026, Cahaba Park Presbyterian Church, Birmingham, AL. A Friday evening and Saturday morning seminar exploring how every part of Scripture reveals God's redemptive plan in Jesus Christ. Details: https://reformedforum.org/event/birmingham-alabama-seminar/ 2026 Annual Theology Conference — September 25–26, 2026, Lakeland Church, Gurnee, IL. The Covenant of Grace: One Savior, One People, One Purpose, featuring Dr. G. K. Beale. Early-bird pricing ends August 31. Register: https://rf26.reformedforum.org/ Christ the Center 1000th Episode Celebration — February 19–20, 2027, Hilton Austin, Austin, TX. A live recording of episode 1,000, a shared dinner, and conversations with longtime friends of the ministry. Details: https://reformedforum.org/event/christ-the-center-1000th-episode-celebration/ Seats are limited — register today at https://reformedforum.org/events

This week on Theology Simply Profound Bob talks with Pastor Imre Szoke and Deacon Akos Szolosi of the Reformed Presbyterian Church of Central and Eastern Europe. These brothers were in […]

The Russian state isn't just collapsing; it's being quietly appraised for a corporate buyout. In Episode 2.41, we dive into the terminal loop of the imperial engine. While British Storm Shadows vaporize the Voronezh Semiconductor Plant and the 31st Air Defense Division gets systematically wiped off the map in Crimea, the Kremlin elite are complaining about diplomatic visas and banning the word "restriction" at the gas pump. All Hail Hypnotoad.We break down the visceral, physical reality of the Russian fuel death spiral, where farmers are paying double for diesel and civilian cars are dying on the highway from toxic "Euro-3" sludge. We track the $103 billion federal budget crater, the 1.5 million empty concrete apartments dragging down the Russian middle class, and the terrifying realization among Z-patriots that Beijing is quietly deploying unmarked corporate armies into Siberia to foreclose on the empire. From nineteenth-century Maxim guns mounted on pickup trucks to $65 payouts for amputee veterans, the social contract is dead. The rats aren't just fleeing the ship—they're negotiating with the iceberg.Become our patron:https://www.patreon.com/theeasternborderMerch store + another option for memberships:https://theeasternborder-shop.fourthwall.com/Follow what's going on here in the very border of Eastern Europe:https://bsky.app/profile/theeasternborder.lvDownload all episodes for free on our website; pictures accompanying certain episodes can be found there as well!http://theeasternborder.lv/Car4Ukraine Eastern Border Summer Campaign!https://car4ukraine.com/campaigns/summer-sunshine-trucks-2026-eastern-borderSupport this show http://supporter.acast.com/theeasternborder. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Bruce Springsteen once said we can be an ancestor for our children, or a ghost. Father's Day is a good time to ask which one we're becoming. In today's episode, Ryan talks with Lieutenant General Mark Hertling about the lessons we hope our children inherit from us. Mark's book, If I Don't Return: A Father's Wartime Journal, began as a way to pass down guidance to his sons during a deployment he knew he might not come home from. Ryan and Mark discuss the idea of an ethical will, the responsibility parents have to talk openly about failure, and the importance of teaching children what our own scar tissue has taught us. Lieutenant General (Ret.) Mark Hertling served 38 years in the U.S. Army, rising from tank platoon leader to commander of U.S. Army Europe and the Seventh Army. His career included combat tours in Desert Storm and Iraq, where he commanded the 1st Armored Division, prepared U.S. and allied forces for deployment, and helped support military transformation across Eastern Europe.