The Moscow Playbook: How Russia Used, Abused, and Transformed Sports in the Hunt for Power (443)

The Moscow Playbook: How Russia Used, Abused, and Transformed Sports in the Hunt for Power (443)

Author: Ian Sanders February 14, 2026 Duration: 1:01:34
I speak with Bruce Berglund, the author of The Moscow Playbook: How Russia Used, Abused, and Transformed Sports in the Hunt for Power, which is a fascinating journey through the world of Soviet sports and its intricate ties to politics as a means of soft power and national pride. We learn how the Soviets achieved strategic advantage through women's sports, the abuse of amateur status, the controversial topic of doping and how sports science revolutionised the performance of athletes. Listeners will also hear about the iconic "Miracle on Ice" ice hockey game in 1980, where the U.S. amateur team defeated the seasoned Soviet professionals, and how this event was perceived on both sides of the Cold War divide. Buy the book here and support the podcast Episode extras here https://coldwarconversations.com/episode443 Go to https://surfshark.com/coldwardeal or use code COLDWARDEAL at checkout to get 4 extra months of Surfshark VPN! Help me preserve Cold War history via a simple monthly donation, You’ll become part of our community, get ad-free episodes, and get a sought-after CWC coaster as a thank you and you’ll bask in the warm glow of knowing you are helping to preserve Cold War history. Just go to ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://coldwarconversations.com/donate/⁠⁠⁠⁠ If a monthly contribution is not your cup of tea, We also welcome one-off donations via the same link. Find the ideal gift for the Cold War enthusiast in your life! Just go to ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://coldwarconversations.com/store/⁠⁠⁠⁠ CONTINUE  THE COLD WAR CONVERSATION BlueSky ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://bsky.app/profile/coldwarpod.bsky.social⁠⁠⁠⁠ Threads ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.threads.net/@coldwarconversations⁠⁠⁠⁠ Twitter/X ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://twitter.com/ColdWarPod⁠⁠⁠⁠ Facebook ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.facebook.com/groups/coldwarpod/⁠⁠⁠⁠ Instagram ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/coldwarconversations/⁠⁠⁠⁠ Youtube ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://youtube.com/@ColdWarConversations⁠⁠⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

There's a human texture to history that official records often miss, the kind found in a personal recollection or a private fear. Cold War Conversations Podcast is built from those very materials, weaving a tapestry of the 20th century's defining standoff not with dry dates, but with the voices that held its weight. Host Ian Sanders acts as a careful curator, drawing out raw, firsthand accounts from an astonishing array of individuals-from soldiers who stared across the Berlin Wall to civilians who navigated the daily anxieties of the nuclear age, and even the spies whose shadows shaped events. This award-winning series, noted by The New York Times, moves beyond textbook summaries to deliver something far more compelling: intimate, often emotional testimony from the frontlines of a frozen conflict that was anything but cold for those living it. Each episode in this podcast feels like a direct conversation, pulling you into the personal dilemmas, narrow escapes, and quiet moments of defiance that defined the era. You'll hear the tension in a voice recalling a border crossing, the resolve in stories of protest, and the complex humanity behind the headlines. For anyone drawn to the profound impact of this period on global culture and society, this documentary-style podcast offers a gripping, deeply personal portal into the past, reminding us that history is ultimately a collection of individual stories waiting to be heard.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 50

Cold War Conversations
Podcast Episodes
What was Cold War British Army Conscription really like?  (433) [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 59:22
We hear the fascinating story of Miles, a British National Service conscript during his military service in the late 1950s. I’d like to give special thanks for the Norfolk Tank Museum for highlighting Miles’ story and on…
The Berlin Airlift - Victories, Myths, and the Berlin Blockade (432) [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:08:35
The Berlin Blockade was one of the first major international crises of the Cold War when the Soviet Union blocked the Western Allies' railway, road, and canal access to the sectors of Berlin under Western control. I spea…
Shaking Hands with China’s Second Most Powerful Man (430) [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 54:25
Bill Hodes was an American school child in 1950s Revolutionary China and this is the second part of his story. Among many stories we hear how he had the unique opportunity to meet one of China's most revered leaders, Zho…
An American Childhood in 1950s Revolutionary China (429) [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 57:21
Bill Hodes was a red diaper baby, a baby born to Communist parents. Bill shares stories about his parents, Bob and Jane Hodes, both convinced communists who were active in civil rights movements during the McCarthy perio…
Trust but Verify: When the Soviets Came to South Dakota (427) [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:03:12
I continue chatting with Dennis Greene about his incredible journey from a challenging childhood in segregated Savannah, Georgia to a distinguished military career. Dennis is made Senior Flight Commander responsible for…
Help Cold War Conversations win an award [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:01
I am trying to win an award for Cold War Conversations in the Discover Pods Awards for best history podcast 2025 and I need your nomination to get me into the finals. All I need you to do is to nominate Cold War Conversa…