Rad History

In Part Two of The End of the Cold War, the pace accelerates as reform collides with reality. From Reagan and Gorbachev’s historic summits to the near-breakthrough at Reykjavik, détente begins to reshape the superpower rivalry. But inside the Soviet Union, perestroika and glasnost unleash forces no one can control—economic chaos, political upheaval, and rising nationalism. As Eastern Europe begins to slip from Moscow’s grasp and movements like Solidarity shatter communist authority, the old order starts to crumble in real time. The Cold War isn’t just ending—it’s unraveling. And the consequences will be irreversible.Books I read for this series:Collapse: The Fall of the Soviet Union by Vladislav M. Zubok (2021)The Collapse: The Accidental Opening of the Berlin Wall by Mary Elise Sarotte (2015)Beyond the Wall: A History of East Germany by Katja Hoyer (2023)The Last Empire: The Final Days of the Soviet Union by Serhii Plokhy (2014/2015) Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In Part One of The End of the Cold War, we begin inside a Soviet Union already in decline. From Brezhnev’s stagnation to the brief rules of Andropov and Chernenko, this episode traces how corruption, economic decay, gerontocracy, and Cold War pressure left the USSR brittle by the mid-1980s. Then enters Mikhail Gorbachev: young, energetic, idealistic, and convinced socialism could still be saved. This is the story of the crumbling inheritance he received in 1985—and the deep contradictions that made reform both necessary and potentially catastrophic. The seeds of the Soviet collapse were already planted. Books I read for this series:Collapse: The Fall of the Soviet Union by Vladislav M. Zubok (2021)The Collapse: The Accidental Opening of the Berlin Wall by Mary Elise Sarotte (2015)Beyond the Wall: A History of East Germany by Katja Hoyer (2023)The Last Empire: The Final Days of the Soviet Union by Serhii Plokhy (2014/2015) Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The sad saga of the breakup of The Smiths. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The story of The Smiths through their artistic apex. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Part one of our 3-part episode on The Smiths. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The making and legacy of the classic NES game Duck Hunt. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Continuing our tribute to Rob Reiner's career, by telling the behind the scenes making of: A Few Good Men. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Remembering Rob Reiner by telling the behind the scenes story of the making of the classic 80s movie Stand By Me. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Dive into the nostalgic world of a beloved childhood retail giant. Explore the sensory joy of visiting Toys R Us and how it redefined retail with its supermarket model. Discover the rise of its iconic branding, including Jeffrey the giraffe and the catchy jingle. Learn about its downfall due to fierce competition and a failed e-commerce strategy. Finally, witness how the brand tries to reclaim its legacy with new partnerships and pop-up stores while reflecting on the love lost for toys.

Discover the origins of a holiday classic inspired by Gene Shepard's radio tales and how director Bob Clark brought it to life. Learn about the unique casting choices, including the iconic roles of Ralphie and The Old Man. Explore the challenges of filming in Cleveland, complete with faux snow effects and memorable gags like the vacuum-flagpole. Uncover the film's journey from modest release to cultural phenomenon through TV marathons and merchandise. Dive into its lasting legacy and subsequent sequels that keep the spirit alive!