The Eastern Border

Greetings, Comrades! In this episode, we talk about the Soviet side of the Space Race. It is a bit fun, a bit dark humor, a bit looking from the people side, but…it gets dark. Really, really dark. This episode includes discussing some of the most tragic deaths ever, and is definitely NOT recommended for children. It will get lighter in the future, but for now…enjoy what we can bring you. As much as you can, as the stuff becomes extremely grim, and I tried to balance it out with some fun. Also, no Alice hadn’t read the script in the info part of the show, before recording it.Today’s pictures are:Yuri Gararin, pre-launch, with the CCCP letters just painted on his helmet.The photographs, showing how Bondarenko was just…deleted.Komarov’s remains in his funeral. I seriously don’t know why they chose an open casket for this one. Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/theeasternborder. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Greetings, Comrades! If you didn’t know, we took over The Lesser Bonapartes podcast this week, by sending Glen & Daniel to Siberia, turned into a Greater Bolshevik show and spoke about weird foods and DIY vodka. (you can listen to it here: Greater Bolsheviks ) But, our reign didn’t last long, as they seem to have escaped. Curses. But, before that, the KGB investigators sent us their work – about the Pop music in the Soviet Union! And after you’ve done, go and check out our work on their podcast. The Space Race is coming soon, we had to throw a lot of the script out. Enjoy the Power of Rock’n’Roll! Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/theeasternborder. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

And here’s our collaboration work with Strange Matters podcast. Please, do check them out. Also, I’m a bit tipsy and depressed due to personal deaths in the first part, hope you won’t mind. But two episodes at the cost of one? Who wouldn’t want that. Enjoy the show, and forgive our mistakes. And check the guys out, please! Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/theeasternborder. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Greetings, Comrades!This episode covers more of Gorbachev, including his recent interviews – and historically, the events in 1986 – 1987, and how Glasnost and Perestroika influenced the Soviet culture. We’re trying something new this time, so there’s a bit of a change in format this time – we’re still trying to find that perfect recipe, so all of your comments are very appreciated.We have two images for you today:First is the famous Russian singer, Viktor Tsoi, we talk about his death on the show, thought you might like to see him.Secondly, your typical block house, in Soviet design. There are tons of those in Riga, forming most districts. We mention those in the show – they’re called “Khruschevkas”Thirdly – Here’s the link to where you can find out more about Heather’s (from Rennaisance England podcast) book, Casting the Past, in which we’re a part in, where to buy it and all the info you need to know: Casting the PastAnd if you do decide to acquire the book in one of the links provided on that site, remember to do so, using the code FQ27K to get a discount and support this show a bit.Also, some useful links – mentioned on the show, but decided to put this here:“Is it easy to be young” by Juris Podnieks, in a playlist: Here (Apparently it is legal to share this) no English subtitles here, though – but as soon as I’ll find them, I’ll post them!Кино – Закрой за мной дверь, я ухожу, Kino – Close the doors after me, I’m leaving so that those of you, who don’t know him, might learn of Tsoi’s music.Līvi – Dzimtā Valoda, Līvi – Native Language and some Līvi for you as well, so that you’d enjoy our patriotic rock of the time.And finally – our comrades from the Dark Myths collective, Strange Matters podcast with whom I’m collaborating now on the myths of Chernobyl (which you’ll hear soon) and who did today’s intro plug.Don’t forget to follow us on twitter and facebook, and if you want, support us on Patreon.com/theeasternborder! And to my patreon supporters – please, send us your e-mail address, we’ll have a gift for you soon!Do svidaniya, tovarischi! Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/theeasternborder. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Greetings, Comrades!We’ve had a rough February – and we didn’t manage to fix all of our errors in the previous podcasts, but…here we are nonetheless. This show was one of the hardest ever to make, and I really hope you’ll not only enjoy it, but will also take some time to understand the depth of the tragedy. Today’s picture is – Pripyat. Empty, irradiated and ghastly, it stands there to remind us of the evils of ignorance.Please, support us on Patreon (or here) and leave us good ratings on iTunes. And check out Lesser Bonapartes and other Dark Myths shows! Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/theeasternborder. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Greetings, Comrades!This time, we have something special for you – about an hour-long conversation (recorded through Skype) with Scott and Forrest from the Astonishing Legends podcast, about mysteries, USSR, podcasting, strange experiences, media, a bit of politics and other random things. We did edit some things out, as to not spoil their next show, though.It is an extra for you, while we’re making our Chernobyl episode, recording a new intro and fixing our mistakes. By the way, thank you for pointing out our mistakes. We’ll continue making these extra shows in the future – our Patreon supporters and paypal donaters will get their hands on them first, but they all will eventually be released to the public anyway.Also, if you don’t like me, talking with other podcasters and rambling, including making Trump jokes, feel free to skip this episode. Important note – I sound a bit weird here, as the audio recording was done by the Astonishing Legends guys, as I was in Ludza at the time, and quite ill.Today’s image is: The Astonishing Legends logoBe sure to check them out on their website – http://www.astonishinglegends.com/ iTunes, or your favourite podcast app. I hope you’ll enjoy them, while we’re working on things. Enjoy the show!Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/theeasternborder. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Greetings, Comrades! Sorry for the delay, we had some issues on this end…but we’ve now delivered, and that’s what matters, right? In this episode – Gorbachev’s Perestroika and Glasnost. And why the first privately owned businesses in the USSR were completely insane. Here’s the two pictures, related to this show:Soviet president Mikhail Gorbachev. (GERARD FOUET/AFP/Getty Images)And, the awesome and (in)famous State Mark of Quality:As always, enjoy the show – and don’t forget to give a listen to Inward Empire, and check our Dark Myths collective! Next episode in mid February! Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/theeasternborder. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Greetings, Comrades! In this episode, we talk about the death of Brezhnev and how that brought two old, sick men into power that they probably should never have had in the first place. And how they tried to take alcohol away from the USSR citizens. All of this went about as well as you could imagine.Today’s featured image, however, is a drawing that we received from the talented and beautiful Diona Nikitenko. It’s truly amazing, and you can use that for whatever you’d like.This is Yuri Andropov, the first of our old men. He who started the anti-alcohol campaign.Constantine Chernenko, the other old man – even older and sicker than Andropov. Good that he really didn’t do anything.The poster, mentioned on the show: It says “Schoolchildren who drink, study worse than those who don’t.”, followed by some statistics. Look at the age of the kids depicted – and if THEY need an anti-alcohol poster, then think about the general state of alcohol consumption in the USSR.And finally, here’s the link to the youtube video, where you can see Chernenko’s funeral in full length, as shown on the Soviet television:Chernenko’s FuneralAnd don’t forget to visit Dark Myths collective for more shows like this one, and Ben’s wonderful Wittenberg to Wesphalia: Wars of the Reformation podcast. Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/theeasternborder. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Greetings, Comrades, and Merry Christmas!Sorry for the small delay, but the new episode is finally here. All the listener questions we received are answered…and then we talk about the very depressive issue of Christmas in the Soviet Union. Special thanks goes to Lynn, from The History of The Ottoman Empire podcast, for doing the intro – and he allowed us to do his, so after you’ve done with this episode, go and check him out at https://historyoftheottomanempire.squarespace.com/We have two pictures this week! One is the Rubles that you might be getting in the following three months:And the second one is Ded Moroz and Snegurochka. Santa Claus has nothing on this!Also, you can now follow us on Twitter – @Eastern_Border. We post podcast updates, funny pictures, historical pictures, one movie link, which was really sad, and some news comments. Basically, stuff that’s at least kind of related to what we do here.Anyways…enjoy the show, I hope your questions have been answered, and..,Merry Christmas! Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/theeasternborder. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Greetings, Comrades!We are very happy to publish a new episode so soon, but we also have to apologize for the brevity of this episode – Moscow Olympics is a subject that just didn’t fit in anywhere else, so, better to publish this alone. Here are the pictures, mentioned within the show:Firstly, the Moscow Olympic emblem and the glorious bear, Misha!Then comes a typical poster for the OlympicsSoviet-made Coca-Cola and Fanta. It exists, tovarischi!And finally, Kozakiewicz, having uncontrollable muscle spasms.There are also some things I’d like to say:Firstly, huge thanks to Darryl Cooper, he’s a friend of ours, and we highly recommend you, giving his “Fear and Loathing in New Jerusalem” podcast a listen, if you haven’t done so already – it’s a dark and moving story about the history of the Jew and Arab conflict in Palestine, and it’s very good.Secondly, between the recording and publishing of this show, I managed to get into hospital. find the issue that iTunes might have with us, get out of the hospital and decide what to do with my Soviet memorabilia. That means that we still might somehow get into iTunes, which is awesome. Also, that means that as the next episode is a Christmas (in the USSR) and Q&A special, there will be prizes! I have a lot of pins, badges and all kinds of small Soviet memorabilia at my or my relative’s places, and some of that stuff is quite awesome – including some real Soviet medals for actual achievements, like “Hero of Labor” and “Work Veteran” and the like. So, we’ll be giving you stuff. Cool, old Soviet stuff. The ways to get stuff are: 1. If you have any questions you would like us to answer, so post them in the comments, send them to our e-mail, or to our facebook page (https://www.facebook.com/TheEasternBorder/ – as I know that some of you can’t find us by searching) , and we shall answer them in our next show and the author of the best question (or authors of questions, not limited to just one), shall be contacted and some interesting soviet pin or badge or a small flag will be sent to them. The time limit is the 19th of December, and the winners shall be announced on the next podcast episode, which will come out in the week after that.2. And this is a bit bigger one: We shall also choose one person among those who donate to our show during December, and send them an actual Soviet Medal. An authentic medal, given to people for real achievements. (Achievements may be possibly pointless.) You can feel like Brezhnev, while wearing this to work, basking in the adoration of your capitalist colleagues. Yes, this is a bit of a fundraising scheme, but the size of the donation has zero impact on who gets to be the new owner of a Soviet medal, and we feel that this is the fairest means of doing one. We can’t really afford to send more than one, though, because a lot of you don’t live in Europe, which means that the shipping costs limit us. Also, the time limit for this one, is all of December, and we shall announce the winner of a genuine Soviet Medal in the first episode we make in January. Important note: this will be a civilian medal, not a military one. We at The Eastern Border believe that military medals should only be worn by those who earned them, and that giving away such medals randomly is morally wrong.The photos of the actual stuff that you’ll be getting will be posted on our webpage and our Facebook page at about 15th of December.And, as always – enjoy the show! Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/theeasternborder. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Greetings again, comrades!Sorry for being so late with this episode, but as you’ll hear in it, I’ve run into some issues with my life. Some of you wrote me e-mails asking me, if I’ll be making any new episodes – and yes, I will. This is Eastern Border, we love it here, and we don’t intend to stop anytime soon. Huge “thank you” to everyone who donates, writes comments, sends e-mails or just listens to our show. You’re all awesome.Now, about this episode a bit: this one is a more serious, more emotional episode than usual. It was also a bit harder for me to make, due to having to do some quote translations on the fly, as I would have taken an eternity more, if I’d scripted everything – so, I apologize for some parts of the show, that might sound a bit worse than you would expect. Otherwise, I’m actually really happy about how this turned out, especially considering my situation – so I hope you’ll enjoy it.The picture, for this time, is one of the infamous Zinc coffins – in which the soldiers were sent home during the Afghanistan war.Also, don’t forget to check out this episodes podcast recommendation – the Historical Intentions podcast, by Joseph Newton!Edit: Also, for those who like the accent – I don’t really notice it, that’s just how I speak in English. I imagine it sounds a bit weird for you. Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/theeasternborder. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

We’re back with a vengeance! And small land and medals, and spring. In Prague! In all seriousness, I had some serious health issues, so I wasn’t able to make the episode in time, but I promise that such things will not happen in the future. I have to add that I made a small mistake in the episode, Daugavpils is in the south-eastern part of Latvia, not in the southern part. Well, it IS in the south, but it’s also very to the east, so I should add that. To add to your listening experience, here’s a picture of what happened in Prague, 1968:Soviet invasion and protests in Prague, 1968Also, this time’s recommendation is Wittenberg to Westphalia: The wars of the reformation podcast. It is awesome, and you should pay them a visit, if you care about what and when happened during the reformation in Europe. Link: wittenbergtowestphaliapodcast.weebly.com Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/theeasternborder. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Greetings, Tovarischi! In this episode I’ll try to introduce you to the basics of the Soviet culture life. And don’t worry, I will return to this subject sometime in the future I well. I hope you’ll enjoy the show.Also, the word “tovarisch” is a latinized spelling of the word “Товарищ” meaning “Comrade” – and the way of me, pronouncing in the show is the proper Russian pronunciation of it. I received a question about the meaning of this from a listener, and as the answer isn’t included in the show, I thought I should post it here. Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/theeasternborder. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Greetings, Tovarischi! This episode is about the Soviet army, it’s military might and the trials and tribulations of the common soldier – as heard from those very common soldiers. (And, of course, historical background and information on this as well.) Leave your comments below, and don’t forget to tell everyone about this podcast. Also, I recommend you to go and listen to the Naval History Podcast, by Buckner F. Melton jr. because that podcast really deserves more attention. You can do that here: http://navalhistorypodcast.com/And to make the lawyers happy: The intro music is a fragment from “My Army” by the Red Army Choir, and the epilogue is from “She thinks herself immortal” by Jim Rooster, used under the Creative Commons licence. Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/theeasternborder. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Greetings, Tovarischi! In this episode: The economy of the USSR, craziness of Khruschev and plans for the future episodes. Leave your comments below, and don’t forget to tell everyone you know about this podcast! Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/theeasternborder. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode, I explain what all of this is going to be about, while I work on my first, real episode about M. Gorbatchev’s book on perestroika and work with all of my written material about the life in the USSR. This is the second iteration of the intro – so we spend some time explaining for our new listeners how the podcast has improved and evolved over time. Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/theeasternborder. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.