Best IWM Podcasts (2025)

1
Thinking in Dark Times. Lessons from Ukraine. - Volodymyr Yermolenko at IWM in Vienna 1:26:46

16d ago1:26:46

1:26:46

What lessons can we draw from the Ukrainian experience? Why is Ukraine not only a place of suffering and fight, but also a place of thinking and creation? Why is the cultural renaissance so strong during the war? What does it mean to think in dark times?Lecture by Volodymyr Yermolenko, a Ukrainian philosopher, the chief editor of UkraineWorld, and …

1
Ukraine and Democracy in the Global World – with Aman Sethi 47:13

1d ago47:13

47:13

Democracy is fragile today. Yet it is not confined to a single place, a specific country, or a particular political system. The democratic promise remains far from fully realized. Still, we can find hope in the idea that when democracy retreats in one part of the world, it may grow stronger in another.This is “Thinking in Dark Times”, a podcast ser…

1
Ukrainian Media During the War – with Ola Myrovych 44:10

6d ago44:10

44:10

Does Ukraine have freedom of speech during the war? How are the media surviving under such harsh conditions? How do media perspectives within Ukraine compare to those from outside the country?Guest: Ola Myrovych, CEO of the Lviv Media Forum—one of the largest media events in Ukraine. We’re recording this conversation during the forum itself, in May…

1
Anne Applebaum on Trump, Ukraine, and Russia 46:38

8d ago46:38

46:38

We had a conversation with Anne Applebaum a few months ago on this podcast about her book "Autocracy, Inc".—be sure to check it out: https://ukraineworld.org/en/podcasts//ep-332The current episode features a public conversation on similar themes: the crisis of democracy, the rise of new autocracies, Trump’s pro-Russian stance, and Russia’s war agai…

1
Artist interview - Bushra Wakas Khan 16:26

9d ago16:26

16:26

Tigers & Dragons: India and Wales in Britain 23.05.25 - 02.11.2025Bushra Wakas Khan (b.1986)Blodeuwedd, 2025Gilding on Organza, Silk, Velvet and Swarovski CrystalsBreacan, 2025Silk and ThreadTeigrod a Dreigiau: India a Chymru ym Mhrydain 23.05.25 - 02.11.2025Bushra Wakas Khan (b.1986)Blodeuwedd, 2025Eurwaith ar organsa, sidan, melfed a chrisialau S…

1
A Brief History of Russian Imperialism – with Donnacha Ó Beacháin 1:00:25

9d ago1:00:25

1:00:25

Ukrainian resistance to the Russian invasion has once again brought to light an old topic: the cruelty of Russian imperialism—both past and present.In this episode, we explore the major historical periods and defining features of Russian imperialism since the 16th century. This conversation will help you understand that Ukraine’s experience is one …

1
Exploring Ukrainian avant-garde: Oleksandra Ekster 44:00

13d ago44:00

44:00

In this episode, we will explore the life and works of Oleksandra Ekster, a prominent Ukrainian avant-garde artist of the early 20th century. We will discuss cubofuturism, the cultural identity of Kyiv, the role of women in Ukrainian art, and the connections between Ukrainian and European avant-garde art.Our guest for this episode is Anna Lodygina,…

1
Ukraine, Sri Lanka, and the War Experience - with V. V. Ganeshananthan 48:34

20d ago48:34

48:34

We should look at wars not to build hierarchies but to understand something important about humans. Where does the violence come from? How to prevent it? What to do when it is already there? How can we defend ourselves and others? For this episode, we invited an award-winning writer V.V. Ganeshananthan. Her novel "Brotherless Night" tells a story o…

1
What matters during dark times? | Czyżewski, Shore, Pezuashvili, Yermolenko 1:57:03

22d ago1:57:03

1:57:03

Do dictators rule by death and nihilism? Do they want to make us powerless - and do they succeed? Is today’s crisis also our chance? This is an online conversation between Polish philosopher Krzysztof Czyzewski, American historian Marci Shore, Georgian writer Iva Pezuashvili, and Ukrainian philosopher Volodymyr Yermolenko. The event was held under …

1
Ukraine, Russia, and World War II 36:41

27d ago36:41

36:41

Why is Russia using World War II as its major historical anchor? Why is the end of World War II seen in Ukraine as a victory of one evil over another, rather than a victory of good over evil? What was Ukraine’s role in World War II? Host: Volodymyr Yermolenko, Ukrainian philosopher and writer, the chief editor of UkraineWorld, president of PEN Ukra…

1
Margaret Atwood on tyrannies and the fragility of freedom 48:21

29d ago48:21

48:21

Margaret Atwood is perhaps one of the greatest living writers today. Her novel "The Handmaid’s Tale" and its continuation, "The Testaments," are seen by many as prophetic.This is a conversation about dangers and hopes, about human nature, the classics, and the challenges of dark times.Host: Volodymyr Yermolenko, a Ukrainian philosopher, the chief e…

1
Looking at Ukraine from Africa and back - with Simon Allison 51:18

1M ago51:18

51:18

We have a lot to share with each other. We won’t agree on everything. Often, what is “good” for one may be “bad” for the other.And yet, this conversation is necessary — and it’s interesting. A perspective from Africa on Ukraine can offer a fresh viewpoint. Likewise, a Ukrainian perspective on Africa can do the same. At the very least, let’s try.Hos…

1
The Surprising Brilliance of Ukrainian Modernist Literature - with Rostyslav Semkiv 51:12

2M ago51:12

51:12

Ukrainian modernist literature is one of the golden ages of Ukrainian cultural history. In this episode, we’ll explore why that is—and why the questions raised during this period, spanning the late 19th and early 20th centuries, remain deeply relevant today."Explaining Ukraine" is a podcast by UkraineWorld, a multilingual media outlet focused on Uk…

1
"Inspired by Ukrainians": these Dutch writers bring vehicles to the frontline 1:14:00

2M ago1:14:00

1:14:00

They have already become our friends: Jaap Scholten and a group of courageous Dutch writers, photographers, artists, and rugby players who come regularly to Ukraine to bring vehicles to the Ukrainian soldiers.We have already had conversations with some of them: https://soundcloud.com/user-579586558/ep-287 https://soundcloud.com/user-579586558/ep-27…

1
Malevych: the Ukrainian avant-garde genius 52:02

2M ago52:02

52:02

You probably all know the Black Square, a famous avant-garde painting that has radically changed the way we think about art.You’ve probably heard that this painting was created by Kazymyr Malevych, a “Russian painter”. But he was not Russian. He comes from Polish and Ukrainian descent, and the Ukrainian sources of his creativity and thinking are hu…

1
Rethinking the 20th-century intellectual legacy - with David Rieff 1:43:14

2M ago1:43:14

1:43:14

Which 20th-century ideas should we carry with us into the 21st century? And which of them have become obsolete? We discuss these topics during a live event with David Rieff, a prominent American writer and journalist. The discussion was held on March 1st at PEN Ukraine space in Kyiv, and was organized by UkraineWorld, PEN Ukraine and Thinking in Da…

1
How new is the new world order, Margaret MacMillan? 39:21

3M ago39:21

39:21

We are witnessing changes in the world order which many thought we would never live to see. The US, long a bedrock of democracy, appears to go heading down an anti-democratic path. Traditional alliances are falling apart, while longtime enemies are drawing closer together. Meanwhile Europe, long a central player in geopolitics, seems increasingly s…

1
How Hetman Mazepa Became a Global Cultural Figure 45:10

3M ago45:10

45:10

Ivan Mazepa is a renowned Ukrainian leader who made significant contributions to the flourishing of Ukrainian culture and the Cossack state in the late 17th century. Because of his desire for Ukraine's freedom from Muscovy, Mazepa aligned himself with the Swedish king Charles XII in a war against the Russian tsar Peter I, ultimately losing the deci…

1
The global dimension of Ukrainian culture 53:00

3M ago53:00

53:00

The Russian and Soviet imperial narratives tried to persuade us that Ukrainian culture is provincial. It is not. It is very global and is enshrined in many interesting topics of the wider world. In this episode, we delve into these trajectories of ideas. Hosts: Volodymyr Yermolenko, a Ukrainian philosopher, the chief editor of UkraineWorld, the pre…

1
Are the tech bros taking over the White House, Eoin Higgins? 31:02

3M ago31:02

31:02

Tech billionaires are exerting an enormous influence on the current Trump administration. It is not just Elon Musk and DOGE who are reshaping the American state. Behind the scenes, figures like Peter Thiel, Marc Andreessen, and David Sacks are pushing an anti-regulation agenda and an anti-democratic entrepreneurial vision of politics. In this conve…

1
How Ukraine can survive in the world today - with Dmytro Kuleba 32:07

3M ago32:07

32:07

How can Ukraine adapt to the new world that has emerged? Has America ceased to be its key partner? Is Europe ready to step in, and what does it need to do? Where else can Ukraine find its partners?Our guest is Dmytro Kuleba, a prominent Ukrainian diplomat and intellectual who served as Ukraine’s foreign minister from 2020 to 2024.Host: Volodymyr Ye…

1
Ukrainian intellectual tradition: key traits 1:06:33

3M ago1:06:33

1:06:33

Let's explore the Ukrainian intellectual tradition. What recurring ideas can be found in Ukrainian philosophy, literature, and historiography? What are the key topics of ongoing debates in these fields? Hosts: Volodymyr Yermolenko, a Ukrainian philosopher and the chief editor of UkraineWorld, the president of PEN Ukraine, and Tetyana Ogarkova, a Uk…

1
Friends of the Glynn Vivian Artist talk: Hetain Patel 36:54

3M ago36:54

36:54

Come As You Really Are 15 February – 27 AprilHetain Patel is a London based artist and filmmaker. His films, sculptures, live performances, paintings and photographs have been shown worldwide in galleries, theatres and on iconic public screens, including Piccadilly Circus, London, and Times Square, New York. His works have been presented at the Ven…

1
What can we learn from the Peasants' War of 1525, Lyndal Roper? 45:30

3M ago45:30

45:30

We are living through a time of immense upheaval, with geopolitical, social, and economic shifts reshaping our world every day. However, this is not the first time humanity has faced such dramatic changes. In this episode, Misha Glenny and Eva Konzett are joined by historian Lyndal Roper to take us back 500 years to the Peasants' War of 1524–25 – t…

1
Looking at war through photography - with Jérôme Barbosa 32:35

3M ago32:35

32:35

War photography is not just about capturing destruction—it is about witnessing history, shaping narratives, and conveying human resilience. What motivates a photographer to enter a war zone, and how does this experience transform their perception of the reality? The guest of the Explaining Ukraine podcast is Jérôme Barbosa, an independent photograp…

1
Russians make ordinary people suffer - with Catriona Murdoch 46:02

3M ago46:02

46:02

The humiliation of civilians is one of the widespread tactics of the Russian army. It uses starvation and deprivation as a war technique, and shells civilian targets when there are no military facilities around.We are discussing this issue with Catriona Murdoch, Vice-President of Global Rights Compliance. Catriona is an international criminal and h…

1
Is Trump preparing a constitutional coup, Mark Medish? 41:12

3M ago41:12

41:12

In this episode of Future Discontinuous, we dive deep into the political turmoil following Donald Trump’s inauguration as the 46th President of the United States. From overhauls in US domestic policy to disruptions in global diplomacy, this episode breaks down Trump‘s dramatic reshaping of the world order. Together with Mark Medish, policy consulta…

1
Ukraine will not give up - with Dmytro Natalukha, a Ukrainian MP 56:55

3M ago56:55

56:55

Feelings inside and outside Ukraine are different. Outside, most people think Ukraine is doomed. Inside, most believe Ukraine will stand and never give up. I share the inside view, as does my guest today—a very active member of the Ukrainian parliament.Host: Volodymyr Yermolenko, a Ukrainian philosopher, the chief editor of UkraineWorld, and the pr…

1
Are Ultra-Processed Foods the New Silent Killers, Rosie Boycott? 41:06

3M ago41:06

41:06

Ultra-Processed Foods lie at the heart of a global increase in a variety of chronic and fatal diseases from cancer to Type 2 Diabetes. The food industry has been pouring billions into convincing governments not to regulate these additives which make everything from baby food to burgers addictive, persuading customers to return for more. Rosie Boyco…

1
Is Europe ready to defend itself? - with Nicu Popescu 52:29

3M ago52:29

52:29

Trump made Europe lonely. Europe feels abandoned and perplexed in its geopolitical solitude. What it does not yet fully understand, though, is how insecure it has become. And how it should now learn from Ukraine, and not only teach it. Only if Europe understands that Ukraine is not its problem, but part of its solution, and that defending Ukraine m…

1
Russian war crimes in Syria and Ukraine: similar patterns? 41:12

4M ago41:12

41:12

There is a striking parallel between the Russian war crimes in Syria and Ukraine. In both cases, the Russian army has been using extreme violence not to achieve military means, but to intimidate people and impose a tyrannical power over them through fear. Our guest today is Raji Abdul Salam, a legal data archive analyst with experience in documenti…

1
Out of this World talk: Rebecca Newell, IWM Head of Art 52:17

4M ago52:17

52:17

Flight and aerial warfare have inspired new artistic perspectives throughout the 20th and 21st centuries. Taking as a starting point, the IWM collection artworks selected by Heather Phillipson for display alongside Out of This World, Rebecca Newell considers how artists have grappled with seen and unseen threats from the sky – and with aircraft, pa…

1
Edmund Clark on Controlled Environments 32:45

4M ago32:45

32:45

How do modern conflicts change the way artists respond to warfare? In this bonus episode, Edmund Clark discusses his experiences of depicting life for those who are living in controlled environments. In this wide-ranging conversation with Rebecca Newell, Head of Art at Imperial War Museums, we touch on many of the themes explored over series three,…

1
Who has a plan for peace in the Middle East, Dahlia Scheindlin? 49:12

4M ago49:12

49:12

The flood of headlines about the war in Israel and Gaza can feel overwhelming. Season two of Future Discontinuous kicks off with an episode examining the current state of the conflict, highlighting geopolitical dynamics and influential players. In conversation with Dahlia Scheindlin, hosts Eva Konzett and Misha Glenny explore Israeli public opinion…

1
Key trends on the frontline - with Gustav Gressel 59:58

4M ago59:58

59:58

What is happening on the frontline of the Russo-Ukrainian war? How is the war changing technologically? What does Ukraine need from its partners? Why is Europe slow and indecisive - and why is it wrong?The guest of the Explaining Ukraine podcast is Gustav Gressel, an Austrian political and military analyst, former Senior Fellow at the European Coun…

1
On freedom: Timothy Snyder in Kyiv 1:22:47

4M ago1:22:47

1:22:47

Timothy Snyder came to Kyiv, Ukraine’s capital, to present his book "On Freedom".We have had several conversations about the ideas of this book before (in Kyiv and Kharkiv), and you can find links to the podcast episodes featuring these discussions in the description.However, this was the first time we talked about this book after its publication.W…

1
Sanjeev Bhaskar on Dreams and Nightmares 30:36

4M ago30:36

30:36

How do we begin to understand how civilians felt in a time of war? We often look to diaries and poetry - but today we look to the surrealist artists that sought to make sense of the most extreme times imaginable. Actor Sanjeev Bhaskar is taken on a specially curated tour of the Blavatnik Art, Film and Photography Gallery by Iris Vasey - to discover…

1
Geoff Norcott on Technology & Innovation 33:12

4M ago33:12

33:12

What did it take to capture 20th Century warfare on film - and how were they used in the war effort? Geoff Norcott joins curator James Taylor for a personalised tour of the artworks on display at the Imperial War Museum, London. From reconnaissance missions by air to the cameramen risking their lives on the ground, images from this time have endure…

1
Rachel Parris on Protest and Propaganda 35:44

4M ago35:44

35:44

Is there anything new in modern propaganda? Comedian Rachel Parris discovers how governments and protesters have always pulled on the public's emotional heartstrings across the 20th and 21st centuries. From shock tactics to satire, art curator Sarah Holdaway guides Rachel on a personalised tour of the Blavatnik Art, Film and Photography Gallery - a…

1
Carl Miller on The War Dead and Wounded 43:15

5M ago43:15

43:15

What did artists and photographers choose to show us of the horrors of the front line? And how did Governments seek to curb what its citizens could see? Carl Miller (The Kill List) travels from the trenches of France to modern day Iraq, via the paintings and photography on display at the Blavtnik Art, Film and Photography Galleries at Imperial War …

1
Susan Wokoma explores The Home Front 33:25

5M ago33:25

33:25

How did British society react to the sudden increase of women in the workforce during the First World War? Or the thousands of colonial volunteers brought over to fight Nazism? Susan Wokoma (Chewing Gum, Cheaters) is given a personal guided tour by IWM curator Geoff Spender, as the actor discovers the artists and photographers behind those stories …

1
Helen Lewis on Destruction and Reconstruction 43:33

5M ago43:33

43:33

How have artists, filmmakers and photographers shaped our understanding of wars and conflict? Journalist and writer Helen Lewis explores the recently-opened Blavatnik Art, Film and Photography Galleries at Imperial War Museum, London. From No Man's Land to mushroom clouds, Helen discovers the people that have interpreted over a hundred years of con…

1
Conflict Of Interest is back 1:22

5M ago1:22

1:22

More conflicts explained in a brand new series focusing on the role of art, film and photography in depicting warfare across the Twentieth Century. This time featuring: Broadcaster Helen Lewis Actor Sanjeev Bhaskar Comedian Rachel Parris Writer Carl Miller (‘The Kill List’) Actor Susan Wokoma Comedian Geoff Norcott New episodes from 3rd January - i…

1
Ukraine in 2024: An Overview - with Tetyana Ogarkova 47:06

5M ago47:06

47:06

What have we learned from the year 2024 in Ukraine? What have been the key trends on the frontline? What does Ukraine need to defend its sovereignty? What are Russia’s goals in this war, and what are the keys to achieving sustainable peace? In this episode of the Explaining Ukraine podcast, the guest is Tetyana Ogarkova, a Ukrainian intellectual, l…

1
Do we have to destroy the environment to save it, Julie Klinger? 41:18

6M ago41:18

41:18

It is no news that humanity will have to extract enormous amounts of rare earths and other critical raw materials to move away from carbon-based economies. In episode four of Future Discontinuous, hosts Misha and Eva invite Julie Klinger, who studies the geopolitics of resource usage, to discuss the pitfalls of the green energy transition, whether …

1
Can Trump Stop the War? – with Fredrik Wesslau 45:39

6M ago45:39

45:39

Trump wants to stop Russia’s war against Ukraine, but what difficulties will he face? Why must he genuinely engage with Ukraine and the EU to achieve this goal? What leverage does he have to encourage Putin to negotiate? Why does any peace in this context need to be sustainable?In this episode of the Explaining Ukraine podcast, the guest is Fredrik…

1
What does the fall of Assad mean for Russia, Mark Galeotti? 41:44

6M ago41:44

41:44

Making sense of the current geopolitical moment is no easy undertaking. In the third episode of Future Discontinuous, hosts Misha Glenny and Eva Konzett invite prolific author, historian, and Russia expert Mark Galeotti on the podcast. Together with their guest, they try to illuminate the murky waters of Russia’s foreign policy, the repercussions o…

1
Brazil and Ukraine: Unexpected Connections 1:11:15

6M ago1:11:15

1:11:15

Brazil has the 3rd largest Ukrainian community in the Americas. Over half a million Brazilians have Ukrainian origins, with most of them descendants of 19th century labor migrants. In this episode, we navigate through the unexpected links between the two countries, and analyze why relations between Brazil and Ukraine are difficult today. The Explai…

1
Why do we need a world government, Nils Gilman? 41:31

6M ago41:31

41:31

In the second episode of Future Discontinuous, hosts Misha Glenny and Eva Konzett are joined by historian Nils Gilman, COO of the Berggruen Institute in Los Angeles. Together with their guest, they take a deep dive into the national, the global, and the planetary, and discuss how the outbreak of the Black Death in the 1300s differed from COVID-19, …

1
Timothy Snyder in Kharkiv: A Conversation about Freedom - with Volodymyr Yermolenko 54:25

6M ago54:25

54:25

Timothy Snyder came to Kharkiv on September 8th, 2024, despite regular strikes on the city by Russian bombs, missiles, and drones. Our conversation was focused on freedom and values, which are the key topics of his latest book, "On Freedom", published on September 17th. https://www.penguin.co.uk/books/460254/on-freedom-by-snyder-timothy/97818479280…

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