Getting into Putin’s mind – a Psychoanalytical Assessment of Putin’s invasion of Ukraine

Getting into Putin’s mind – a Psychoanalytical Assessment of Putin’s invasion of Ukraine

Author: Mark McNamee August 28, 2025 Duration: 44:24
Why did Putin invade Ukraine? Typically the answer to this question relates to geopolitical or historical reasons. However, in this episode, we delve into Putin's psychology and fundamental personal motivations to understand his preoccupation with Ukraine and willingness to unleash horrific levels of violence, sending hundreds of thousands to their deaths (and counting). To do this, I had the immense pleasure of speaking with Professor Sheldon Solomon, an existential psychologist and philosopher known for his work related to humans' management of the awareness of their mortality.  Professor Sheldon Solomon is an American social psychologist. He is a professor of psychology and existential philosophy at Skidmore College in New York. His studies of the effects of the uniquely human awareness of death on behavior were featured in the award winning documentary film Flight from Death: The Quest for Immortality. He is co-author of The Worm at the Core: On the Role of Death in Life.  Please do listen in to hear one of the most fascinating discussions I've had in doing this podcast.   To learn more, visit: https://ubn.network/ Listen to more episodes on Mission Matters: https://missionmatters.com/author/Mark-McNamee/

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: 79

History in the Making: The War in Ukraine
Podcast Episodes
Children and the War [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 23:33
The psychological damage to children has been one of the most underreported stories of this horrific war here in Ukraine. How are children coping, especially those who have lost parents and other family members? In this…
US Elections and Ukraine: what will happen and why we should care [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:01:06
Who's going to win the US elections, and what will the impact be on Ukraine? Could we be moving towards peace in 2025? And ultimately why do we in the West need to even care about supporting Ukraine? To answer these ques…
An Enemy of the State in Russia, But a Real Patriot in Ukraine [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 50:39
Today I spoke with Roman Sulzhyk, a real Ukrainian patriot who has embraced his life's mission and decided to come back home to Ukraine to help rebuild his country. Roman has been a part of Ukraine's independence movemen…