Reviews
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“This is a fantastic podcast that is incredibly well researched and put together beautifully!
Whilst providing an unfiltered view of Russia, it also reminds the listener of a different Russia that exists and could exist. One that is often forgotten about in the current reporting on the country.”
chuckstevson via Apple Podcasts ·
Germany ·
05/27/23
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“This podcast is important as well as very engaging. If you want to understand the pulse of Russia currently and how it got to where it is today, this is a must listen. Please continue to publish more episodes.”
Jimmy Joe-bob via Apple Podcasts ·
United States of America ·
05/25/23
“I started this series because of Russian violence and war against Ukraine. It is so well done and helpful in understanding of the varied views, and concerns of some Russian people. I highly recommend this series, and hope even more people hear it. Bravo to the people involved in it, the...”Read full review »
#%^*_ via Apple Podcasts ·
United States of America ·
05/17/23
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“No other medium can do what this podcast does so well. The insight, storytelling, research and sheer entertainment of this podcast was amazing. I was literally sad when the final episode aired. Well done The Economist!!”
Peripetetic2013 via Apple Podcasts ·
Australia ·
05/16/23
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“Deeply researched, filled with insightful audio quotes collected from key figures and eyewitnesses in diaspora and inside Russia, describing a well-crafted narrative arc while letting each episode tell its separate truths, suffused with haunting music, and carried throughout by Arcady’s lyrical...”Read full review »
KPKE64 via Apple Podcasts ·
United States of America ·
05/14/23
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“I looked forward to this podcast each week - beautifully presented, informative and often deeply moving. I realise you can’t go on forever Arkady- but bring it back when you can! You added class to my podcast listening.”
Pdre via Apple Podcasts ·
Great Britain ·
05/13/23
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“Some of the highest quality narrative journalism available. Truly fantastic structure and subject knowledge. Beautiful people and stories.”
Isaacnz via Apple Podcasts ·
New Zealand ·
05/11/23
“This is by far the best podcast I have listened to in a very long time!
The reporting is sensitive, objective, eye-opening and often heart-wrenching. I especially liked the section on Mikhaïl Gorbachev, whose great achievements deserve to be celebrated in Russia today, but Putin was “too busy”...”Read full review »
DurbanOkie via Apple Podcasts ·
France ·
05/09/23
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“This podcast alone, justifies a subscription to the economist. Inspiring”
stevef via Apple Podcasts ·
Great Britain ·
05/07/23
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“This is an unparalleled podcast and journalistic tour-de-force. Such insight to the terrible things happening in Russia and the brave people who are fighting against these crimes against humanity. This is the kind of journalism that brought me on as a paid subscriber to the Economist. Will there...”Read full review »
Never clean enough via Apple Podcasts ·
United States of America ·
05/07/23
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“Absolutely unparalleled journalism!
I’ve listened to all 8 episodes, and I want more!
I can’t recommend this highly enough!”
Mataikhan via Apple Podcasts ·
United States of America ·
05/01/23
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“Amazing collection of interviews and first hand accounts about the lives affected by the Russian war against Ukraine focused on the repressed voices of Russians. A truly unique perspective.”
Dalewahl via Apple Podcasts ·
United States of America ·
04/30/23
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“Phenomenal podcast the host is a great storyteller who gives insight Russia. Additionally, the sound score was really good it highlighted key moments. I am a big serial & American life listener. I love great stories I will have to follow host to see if he puts out any other projects. Overall...”Read full review »
ealew via Apple Podcasts ·
United States of America ·
04/28/23
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“The best podcast in 2023 and maybe beyond”
Losdrumbos via Apple Podcasts ·
Iceland ·
04/28/23
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“One of the finest pieces of journalism I have encountered - thank you”
joseph.67 via Apple Podcasts ·
Great Britain ·
04/27/23
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“The whole podcast is excellent and ends with an extremely moving 8th episode. Very interesting set of characters bringing their story to form a narration that makes you hope for a better future for Russia.”
P1956at via Apple Podcasts ·
Switzerland ·
04/26/23
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“I enjoyed this podcast. My favorite episode was number 7 with the interview of Maria Eismont. This lady is amazing. Ms. Eismont is a lawyer but her role as a compassionate and humanitarian advocate is what put her apart of other characters I heard in this series. Great job!”
Palunargar via Apple Podcasts ·
United States of America ·
04/25/23
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“I have just listened to Episode 8 which I think is the last. Arkardy, this podcast is a triumph. I think Navalny and all your earlier guests are inspirational. Whist I cannot predict how I would act in their circumstances I hope that I would display the same courage of conviction. I am praying...”Read full review »
LM Gow via Apple Podcasts ·
Australia ·
04/25/23
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“Superb and moving. A hugely important series of documents, interviews and reflections by russians voices too many of us in the west rarely and never have the opportunity to hear from.
From a Canadian whose heart was broken many times listening to this beautifully written series.
Merci.
Lyse...”Read full review »
Lyse Lemieux via Apple Podcasts ·
Canada ·
04/24/23
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“Enjoyed understanding how Russian Federation operates! Very informative!”
C-town NH via Apple Podcasts ·
United States of America ·
04/24/23
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“Writing and storytelling is superb. Sound design the best out there.
Thank you”
SAGrane via Apple Podcasts ·
Norway ·
04/24/23
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“I listened to the whole thing. The interviews provide eye-opening perspective on Russia’s slide back to dictatorship just as things were looking up for the post-USSR country. A chilling reminder of how easily corruption can slide democracy into dictatorship, the power of controlling the...”Read full review »
Feuille3 via Apple Podcasts ·
United States of America ·
04/24/23
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“Amazing reporting and storytelling - with a hearth moving final though in the last 5min of episode 8…
Congratulations to the authors for creating it!”
lukasz_opk via Apple Podcasts ·
Switzerland ·
04/24/23
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“This podcast is SO good that I’m suffering withdrawal now that I’ve listened to all 8 episodes. Arkady Ostrovsky’s narratives are profoundly nuanced - so much so that I’m caught by surprise when I realize he has narrated not just the headline story but a second one that lurks beneath the surface.”
sk Chicago via Apple Podcasts ·
United States of America ·
04/24/23
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“This is currently one of the best podcasts around. The issues it explores are of critical currency, its insights are profound and the crafting of the narrative gives it great emotional heft. Arkady Ostrovsky has produced a profound piece of journalism that deserves as wide an audience as possible.”
ozindc via Apple Podcasts ·
Australia ·
04/24/23
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“From The Economist, I expected a news-oriented podcast but Arkadiy and his colleagues have created something that is both informative and beautifully poetic. Really amazing.”
Robert in Philly via Apple Podcasts ·
United States of America ·
04/24/23
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“2x2=4
I love the long form content. Wish I could get it without ads a subscriber. I also like hearing from the journalists themselves. I wonder if one of the special editions like Christmas has by-lines or biographies of the journalists.”
med student001 via Apple Podcasts ·
United States of America ·
04/23/23
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“An articulate and poignant portrait of Russia and surrounding context to the war in Ukraine. Beautifully paced and presented without exaggeration and told with sensitivity and compassion. Highly recommend.”
Timmy p C via Apple Podcasts ·
Great Britain ·
04/23/23
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“A riveting listen. Superbly written and produced. Fantastic work from Arkady and all at the Economist.”
stulen via Apple Podcasts ·
Great Britain ·
04/23/23
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“This podcast takes you into Russia and explains the evolution as you where in a thriller. Once started it is hard to stop before the end!”
jlj's via Apple Podcasts ·
Switzerland ·
04/23/23
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“Thank you! This series is so touching and real, and what a wonderful perspective with the live and past history entwined. I hope you manage to do more of them, we have loved it so much!”
aya found via Apple Podcasts ·
Australia ·
04/23/23
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“Best podcast I’ve listened to in years. Fascinating, thought provoking, skilfully put together, beautifully narrated.?”
Anoihs via Apple Podcasts ·
Australia ·
04/23/23
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“This podcast series, along with The Prince, is amazingly insightful and thought provoking work. Hats off to Arcady. This has helped me so much in my understanding and his telling of it all is so powerful in its resolute determination to to show it all to us with feeling and compassion. I wish it...”Read full review »
Henriette de Moulicent via Apple Podcasts ·
United States of America ·
04/23/23
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“When Alexei Navalny returned to Moscow despite having barely escaped death following being poisoned with nerve agent, I was stunned by his courage. I knew that the poise with which he did it would rattle Putin.
When Russia then started amassing troupes on the Ukrainien border to me it was an...”Read full review »
colliewobbles73 via Apple Podcasts ·
Switzerland ·
04/22/23
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“Excellent show to understand about Russia.”
Bantam425 via Apple Podcasts ·
United States of America ·
04/22/23
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“I search for Russian voices that focus on morality and ethics, accountability and responsibility. I search for a deep ethical and moral appreciation from Russians themselves, of how their colonialism and exceptionalism is responsible for this criminal attack on a neighbour (and all the criminal...”Read full review »
L McFarlane (Melnychuk) via Apple Podcasts ·
Australia ·
04/21/23
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“I’m Ukrainian and I’m thrilled that this podcast was made. Thank you, Arkadiy!”
tinidze via Apple Podcasts ·
United States of America ·
04/17/23
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“Brilliant work. Thank you.”
Brussles listener via Apple Podcasts ·
Belgium ·
04/16/23
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“Heartbreaking and somehow faintly optimistic at the same time.”
Scott675 via Apple Podcasts ·
United States of America ·
04/16/23
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“Thoughtful, truthful, terrific”
JSB2013-June via Apple Podcasts ·
Great Britain ·
04/16/23
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“Such a brilliantly made podcast. A fascinating insight into Russian opposition to the war which is also incredibly well made. Pitch perfect manner of telling these stories of brave Russians. Humbling.”
Doctor NAP via Apple Podcasts ·
Great Britain ·
04/15/23
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“I hope Arkady Ostrovsky will be nominated for some journalism/podcast awards. Magnificent work. This deserves as wide an audience as possible.”
Rossek Angol 85 via Apple Podcasts ·
Great Britain ·
04/15/23
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“Arcady brings a pace and quality of questioning and listening to interviews with very interesting interviewees. I am learning about past, present and future from well chosen guests who share thoughts, feelings and insights that illuminate thanks to the approach.”
hopefullpete via Apple Podcasts ·
Great Britain ·
04/15/23
“Absolutely outstanding window into the backstory of how Russians are absorbing the war in Ukraine. Stories are told from historical, urgency and loving perspectives. I am deeply appreciative of the risks involved for all those interviewing and interviewed.
THIS IS WHY I SUBSCRIBE TO THE ECONOMIST.”
persjkp via Apple Podcasts ·
United States of America ·
04/15/23
“Arkady Ostrovsky and his team have done a really good job. Thanks! A brilliant illustration showing us what Russia’s educated MINORITY (the “intelligentsia” of Moscow, SpB, Nizhnyi, Ye-burg, the so called 20%) thinks.
It also tells us how during the last decades this intelligensia has “lost”...”Read full review »
ZeniuX via Apple Podcasts ·
Great Britain ·
04/14/23
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“Interested in the war in Ukraine? Then this podcast gives unparalleled insights. Superbly crafted. Moving at times. Keep the good work up Arkadi cs!”
FransH via Apple Podcasts ·
Netherlands ·
04/13/23
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“Wonderful, in-depth analysis of a new Russian diaspora, whose only way to protest in nowadays Russia is to uproot themselves and their children and find a way to perpetuate their values abroad and cope with their shame. Both on the journalists’ and interviewees’ part, an array of honesty,...”Read full review »
D-Reilly via Apple Podcasts ·
France ·
04/11/23
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“This is as good as a podcast can possibly get: extremely captivating and well researched and narrated. I hope there will be more episodes in the future, as difficult it may be for Russia, but also for the wider world.”
ken-ji via Apple Podcasts ·
Germany ·
04/10/23
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“I love this window into the Russian mind and the internal debates. Brilliant and rewarding. I am hooked and will stay with the series to the end.”
Burkean Thinker via Apple Podcasts ·
United States of America ·
04/10/23
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“I listen to a lot of podcasts on international affairs and this is one of the best I’ve listened to. Top notch.”
Alex19463616 via Apple Podcasts ·
United States of America ·
04/10/23
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