The Slavic Connexion

Haunted Empire: Power, Trauma, & the Uncanny in Russian Imperial Gothic Literature

March 24th, 2024  |  Season 6  |  47 mins 45 secs

history, literature, politics, ukraine russia war

On this episode, Valeria Sobol of the University of Illinois Urbana Champaigne talks with us about her 2000 book "Haunted Empire." Dr. Sobol guides us through the tapestries of Imperial Russia, where crumbling estates and eerie figures cast long shadows over the pages of history. Drawing on her meticulous research and profound insights, she unveils the intricate interplay between Gothic motifs and the imperial legacy, offering a captivating exploration of power, trauma, and the uncanny in Russian literature.

Ukraine and the 2024 U.S. Presidential Elections with Terrell Jermaine Starr

March 13th, 2024  |  Season 6  |  35 mins

conflict, history, journalism, politics, ukraine russia war

On this episode, independent journalist Terrell Jermaine Starr shares his experiences covering Ukraine since Russia's invasion in 2022 and explaining to Americans the importance of the nation for global security, democracy, and humanity.

The #Connexions Experts speaker series is dedicated to providing accessible and engaging discussions for a general audience on critical issues pertaining to media, technology, and information globally.

From Empires and Kings to Hitler and Co.: Democracy and Dictatorship in Central and Eastern Europe

February 17th, 2024  |  Season 6  |  43 mins 41 secs

czechoslovakia, germany, history, nationalism, politics, romania, russia, world wars

On this episode, renowned historian John Connelly from the University of California, Berkeley, talks with us about the growth of fascism from democracy, the roots and justification narratives of anti-semitism in Germany and elsewhere, and the development of nationalism and the role of the "leader" in modern history across Europe. Thanks for listening!

"Atomic Steppe": The Soviet Nuclear Legacy and the Global Arms Race

January 14th, 2024  |  Season 6  |  36 mins 19 secs

culture, history, kazakhstan, race, soviet union, ukraine, war

On this episode, Dr. Togzhan Kassenova joined Taylor and Nick for a conversation about the destructive impact of Soviet nuclear testing in Kazakhstan and the figurative fallout of the dissolution of the USSR which resulted in Russia providing security guarantees to "divorced" states in exchange for the surrender of Soviet weapons of mass destruction. Thanks for listening!

Mordor to Moscow, Potter to Putin: Into the Slavic Multiverse with Eliot Borenstein

December 23rd, 2023  |  Season 6  |  42 mins 3 secs

history, literature, politics, pop culture, religion

On this episode, Eliot Borenstein returns for a fun conversation about the political and historical themes in pop culture and the abundance of Marvel, Harry Potter, LOTR, etc. fan fiction that emerged post-socialism. We hope you enjoy!

Gravedigger of the Present: Memory Politics and the Weaponization of History

December 9th, 2023  |  Season 6  |  45 mins 9 secs

conflict, history, politics, putin, stalin, ukraine russia war

In this episode, Bartek Gajos discusses his in-depth research into memory politics during the Soviet period and today, specifically the weaponization of history by the Russian regime, the past's influence on present actions taken by great powers, NATO expansion and EU enlargement, and the questions surrounding Polish-Ukrainian relations. Bartek appropriately quotes Nietzsche: "... the past must be forgotten if it is not to become the gravedigger of the present." Thanks for listening!

The (Grass)roots of Illiberalism: Contemporary Authoritarianism, Identity Projects, & Culture Wars in Europe

November 25th, 2023  |  Season 6  |  46 mins 24 secs

culture, dictators, france, gender politics, history, language, poland, race, russia

In this episode, Nick and Eliza talk with widely respected historian and sociologist Marlène Laruelle about the concept of illiberalism and its spread across Eastern and Central Europe. Dr. Laruelle explains how she frames the relatively new term as a cluster of ideologies that is challenging liberalism in its various forms. Thanks for listening!

Bohemian Forgery: The Legendary Czech Manuscripts and National Myth

September 2nd, 2023  |  Season 6  |  38 mins 28 secs

culture, history, literature, nationalism

On this episode, historian Dr. David Cooper from the University of Illinois shares the surprising true story of the forgery and dramatic discovery of two Czech manuscripts in the early 19th century which shaped the Czech cultural revival during "Medieval mania" in Europe. Thanks for listening!

Behind Black & White Frontlines: Literature Development in Wartime Ukraine, 2014-2022

July 8th, 2023  |  Season 5  |  41 mins 45 secs

culture, history, literature, teaching, ukraine war

On this episode, Lera and Misha sit down with Dr. Alexander Chertenko, a professor of Ukrainian literature at the University of Giessen in Germany. Dr. Chertenko is uniquely positioned to trace the wartime development of Ukrainian literature in the country since 2014. He also illuminates the usually underdiscussed topic of literature in Donetsk and Luhansk oblasts from 2014 until Russia's full-scale invasion on February 24, 2022. Thank you for listening!

The Art of Transition from Socialist to Post-Socialist Russia

June 24th, 2023  |  Season 5  |  38 mins 59 secs

cold war, culture, history, post-socialist russia

On this episode, Elise Herrala takes us on a tour of the evolution of art and artists in Soviet Russia and post-Soviet Russia. Elise also gives us some insight into what is going on today in Putin's Russia in terms of state repression and renewed restriction on creative freedoms. Thanks for listening!