From Cleveland to Ukraine - how one chef decided to help many with food

From Cleveland to Ukraine - how one chef decided to help many with food

Author: Mark McNamee January 29, 2026 Duration: 22:39
It's always nice to meet and speak with like-minded, passionate, empathetic people who dedicate their lives to something bigger than themselves. And that's what this podcast was all about. I had the great pleasure of speaking with a proud Ukraine supporter, who also comes from my hometown of Cleveland!  Brandon Chrostowski has travelled multiple times to Ukraine to help, not because of his heritage (he's not Ukrainian) but just because it's the right thing to do and he has a skill that can contribute to some good. Listen in for some inspiration from a guy who is doing great stuff for the people of Ukraine, those in other conflict zones, as well as those in Cleveland.  About the Guest Brandon Chrostowski, Chef, Restaurateur, and Politician residing in Cleveland, Ohio. He is the founder, president, and CEO of EDWINS Leadership and Restaurant Institute, an NGO that acts as both a French restaurant and culinary institute training former prison inmates. Chrostowski is also a certified sommelier and a fromager, and ran for mayor of Cleveland in 2017. He has visited Ukraine (and other conflict zones) multiple times, bringing food, conducting cooking classes,  and rebuilding a children's hospital, while also providing financial support to those suffering from the war. To connect and message with Mark on LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/mark-mcnamee-58950910 To learn more, visit: https://ubn.network/ Listen to more episodes on Mission Matters: https://missionmatters.com/author/Mark-McNamee/ If you found this episode valuable, follow the podcast and share it with someone who wants to better understand the war in Ukraine.

We are living through events that will define our century, and History in the Making: The War in Ukraine is an attempt to make sense of them as they unfold. Host Mark McNamee brings his deep knowledge of Eastern Europe to the fore, not just to recount headlines, but to untangle the complex historical, cultural, and political threads that led to this moment. This isn't a dry recitation of facts; it's a grounded exploration of how a conflict reshapes a nation's identity and the global order. Each episode moves between the sweeping strategic picture and the intimate, human stories of those living through the war, highlighting a profound resilience. You'll hear analysis that connects past empires to present-day battles, and conversations that reveal the personal cost and extraordinary fortitude within Ukraine. The goal of this podcast is to provide context and clarity, offering a nuanced perspective that goes beyond the news cycle. By focusing on the people, the history, and the on-the-ground reality, Mark creates a vital record of a world changing in real time. Tune in for a thoughtful, comprehensive guide to understanding not just what is happening, but why it matters for all of us.
Author: Language: en-us Episodes: 50

History in the Making: The War in Ukraine
Podcast Episodes
What the Head of the UN in Ukraine Is Seeing on the Ground [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

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Military developments, diplomacy and geopolitics dominate discussion of the war in Ukraine. But behind every missile strike and frontline shift are millions of civilians whose lives have been fundamentally transformed by…
Putin's next move: A risky mobilization or a ceasefire? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

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Vladimir Putin is likely approaching one of the most consequential decisions of the war and in fact of his entire reign: escalate further through another major mobilization, or accept some form of ceasefire. Or can he co…
The Deep History Behind America's Political Divide [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

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If you've ever wondered why the US seems so divided, this conversation offers one of the most compelling explanations you'll hear. For many outside the US (and for many it in too), American politics can seem increasingly…
Hope for Ukraine's Future: Speaking with 16 Year-Old Nikol Makhovka [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

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In this episode, I was happy to host by far the youngest guest I've had on my show. This episode is about Ukraine’s future. Not what’s happening today in the war, or the war outlook, or looking at historical drivers and…
US Army Veteran Finds Purpose and Meaning in Ukraine [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

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I had the pleasure of interviewing Ryan Hendrickson, a former US Army Green Beret who spent years in Afghanistan, lost a leg, and has now devoted the last several years of his life to helping Ukraine. As so many veterans…