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Talking Ukraine Podcast

Damian Kolodiy

This podcast is an in depth dive into various topics related to Ukraine hosted by documentary filmmaker Damian Kolodiy who has covered the Ukrainian region for over 20 years. Kolodiy has a wide network of contact and firsthand experience in and around Ukraine.

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  • 20 episodes
  • Avg 1 hr
  • English

Episodes 20

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  • #38
    September 14 · 1 hr 9 min

    Diana Berg: I Lost My Home Twice — Donetsk, Mariupol and Russia's War | Talking Ukraine Podcast #37

    Diana Berg was living an ordinary life as a designer in her native Donetsk when Russia’s aggression transformed her city in 2014. She became one of the local leaders organizing and demonstrating for a united Ukraine, but her activism made her a target, forcing her to flee Donetsk. She resettled in Mariupol, only to face the same fate again eight years later when Russia’s full-scale invasion brought the siege of Mariupol. Twice displaced from the cities she called home, Diana joins The Talking Ukraine Podcast to share her extraordinary personal story — a story of two cities, two forced escapes, and the personal cost of Russia’s war against Ukraine.

  • #37
    July 6 · 46 min

    Anastasia Bezverkha -Mnozhyna Foundation- Talking Ukraine Podcast#36

    In this episode of The Talking Ukraine Podcast, Anastasia Bezverkha of the Mnozhyna Foundation discusses the evolution of Ukrainian civil society from the Orange Revolution to today. We explore the development of Ukrainian national identity, her personal decision to return to Kyiv during wartime, and the vital role the Ukrainian diaspora continues to play in supporting Ukraine's resilience and future.

  • #36
    May 15 · 1 hr 6 min

    Peter Dickinson of "UkraineAlert" on Talking Ukraine Podcast #35

    In this episode of The Talking Ukraine Podcast, longtime Kyiv resident and Ukraine commentator Peter Dickinson reflects on his life in Ukraine since 1997 and his work in English-language media, from Business Ukraine and What's On to his current role as editor of UkraineAlert. We discuss the Orange Revolution as a turning point in Ukraine’s modern history, Russia’s recent May 9th parade, Tucker Carlson’s controversial interview with Yulia Mendel, and political turmoil in the UK — including what it could mean for continued support for Ukraine.

  • #34
    April 23 · 1 hr 6 min

    George Woloshyn: Faith, Politics, and Ukraine’s Future | Talking Ukraine Podcast #34

    In this episode of The Talking Ukraine Podcast, George Woloshyn — former FEMA Associate Director and longtime Republican insider — reflects on a life that bridges American politics and humanitarian work in Ukraine. From his early involvement in the Republican Party to years spent supporting Ukraine through faith-driven initiatives, his perspective offers a unique lens on today’s moment, and what the future of Ukraine could look like — politically, economically, and spiritually — once the war ends.

  • #33
    March 25 · 59 min

    Inside Ukraine’s Foreign Legion — An American Veteran’s Story-- Carl Larson on Talking Ukraine Podcast #33

    In this episode of The Talking Ukraine Podcast, American Iraq War veteran Carl Larson joins me to discuss his experience serving in Ukraine’s International Legion during the early days of Russia’s full-scale invasion. We talk about his time on the ground, what motivated him to join the fight, and why he believes Ukraine’s struggle matters for American and global security. Carl also shares insights into his current work supporting Ukraine through his initiatives, Defense Tech Ukraine and European Action for Ukraine, and offers perspective on emerging technologies and developments shaping the war today. https://defensetechforukraine.org/

  • #32
    March 12 · 55 min

    *Stefko Bandera* -Journalist & Translator- on Talking Ukraine Podcast #32

    In this episode of The Talking Ukraine Podcast, Canadian journalist Stefko Bandera discusses his ongoing project translating the private correspondence of his grandfather, Stepan Bandera, a central and highly debated figure in Ukraine’s 20th-century nationalist movement. Stefko discusses what it was like growing up as a descendant of a Ukrainian liberation leader with a controversial legacy, exploring efforts to better understand Bandera through primary documents, and how history is shaped by war, propaganda, and competing narratives.

  • #31
    February 26 · 49 min

    -Christine Paschyn- Filmmaker- Talking Ukraine #31

    In this episode of The Talking Ukraine Podcast, filmmaker Christina Paschyn joins me to discuss her powerful new documentary, Etched in Memory. The film highlights the stories of several Crimean Tatars as they struggle to live freely on their ancestral homeland — a land marked by deportation, repression, and renewed occupation. We explore the film’s production process, the challenges of documenting this story, and the broader significance of the Crimean Tatar fight for identity, rights, and justice under Russian occupation.

  • #30
    February 19 · 55 min

    Talking Ukraine Podcast 30- Ivan Rodichenko- Volunteer + Fixer

    Ten years ago, filmmaker Damian Kolodiy and Ukrainian volunteer activist Ivan Rodichenko traveled into the Donbas to screen Freedom or Death, Kolodiy’s documentary on the Revolution of Dignity. Their journey took them to frontline cities — Sloviansk, Kramatorsk, Kostiantynivska, and Mariupol — places that were already feeling the first tremors of a war that would reshape Ukraine. In this episode, they look back on that 2015 trip: the audiences they met, the mood in the east, and the sense of uncertainty that hung in the air. A decade later — with some of those same cities scarred or destroyed — they reflect on what that moment meant, and how the spirit of the Revolution continues to echo on the front lines today. Ten years ago those screenings felt like small acts of solidarity in uncertain times. Today, their meaning feels even clearer. The spirit of the Revolution of Dignity — the belief in freedom, agency, and national self-determination — didn’t fade. It endured. "Freedom or Death in Donbas: a Journey to Ukraine's Eastern Front" a behind the scenes documentary can be viewed at: https://youtu.be/X-7PMCC_UDQ?si=mWWLj3P5kdl9EGFe

  • #29
    February 3 · 43 min

    Talking Ukraine Podcast#29 -Olexander Kulabuhov- Kyiv Resident +Activist

    In this episode, I speak with Olexander, a resident of Kyiv living through another winter of intermittent heating and electricity caused by Russia’s attacks on Ukraine’s power grid. He describes daily life under these conditions and shares the mood on the streets — how ordinary Ukrainians are coping, adapting, and thinking about the war.

  • #28
    Dec 12, 2025 · 1 hr 14 min

    Mychailo Wynnyckyj- "Ukraine Manifesto- Co-Author" on Talking Ukraine #28

    In this episode, social scientist and public intellectual Myhailo Wynnyckyj—Associate Professor at Kyiv-Mohyla Academy—joins me to discuss the newly released Ukraine Manifesto, a sustainable peace plan for Ukraine he recently co-authored detailing what a minimum and maximum victory could look like. We also revisit the early days of the full-scale invasion reflected in his widely read Thoughts from Kyiv blog during the invasion’s first days—and what Ukrainian resilience means today. Full Manifesto here:

  • #27
    Nov 28, 2025 · 1 hr 2 min

    -Adrian Karatnycky- Ukraine Expert on Talking Ukraine# 27

    In this episode, Ukraine analyst Adrian Karatnycky breaks down the implications of the so-called “peace plan,” and why robust support for Ukraine is in America's interest. We also explore the Ukrainian government’s response to the recent corruption scandal — and what it reveals about Ukraine’s internal dynamics at a critical moment.

  • #26
    Nov 13, 2025 · 59 min

    -Neil Hauer- Journalist, Talking Ukraine #26

    In this episode, Canadian journalist Neil Hauer reflects on his eigth reporting trip to Ukraine and shares vivid insights from covering the war since its onset in February 2022 — including his firsthand experience of the invasion’s first days.

  • S2 · E25
    Oct 16, 2025 · 1 hr 21 min

    -Ben Goldhagen - Filmmaker "The Steel Porcupine" on Talking Ukraine Podcast #25

    In this episode, we talk with Benjamin Goldhagen — the mind behind “To the Zero Line” and “The Steel Porcupine” — about what it takes to film on the edge of a war zone, finding humanity amid destruction, and why Ukraine’s story needs to be told now. Goldhagen shares his experiences filming on the frontlines of Ukraine — capturing resilience, trauma, and the human stories behind the headlines. www.thesteelporcupine.com 🎥 Keywords: Ukraine documentary, Benjamin Goldhagen interview, Ukrainian war, frontline filmmaking, Ukrainian culture, documentary podcast.

  • #24
    Oct 2, 2025 · 58 min

    Jonas VM - Ukraine Front Line Supplier- on Talking Ukraine Episode 24

    Jonas is a former Swedish Marine who when Russia invaded Ukraine, decided that he must act to support Ukraine. For almost 4 years he drives once a month to the front lines in Ukraine donating various supplies purchased by Swedish donors. Join us for his insights into the war from both an "on the ground" and Swedish perspective.

  • #23
    Aug 8, 2025 · 57 min

    Talking Ukraine Podcast#23 -Hanna Shelest- Director of Security Programs at "Ukrainian Prism"

    Hanna Shelest is the Director of Security Programmes at Foreign Policy Council “Ukrainian Prism”, one of the top Ukrainian think-tanks. A native of Odessa, we discuss how her city and people have managed during the war, Hanna's expert perspective of the global stage vis a vis Ukraine, Russia's psychological mind games, and the various technology and techniques used by Ukraine to counter Russia's invasion.

  • #22
    Jul 18, 2025 · 1 hr 20 min

    Talking Ukraine Podcast#22 - OLENA TREHUB -Anti-Corruption & Defense Expert-

    Olena Trehub is the founder and Secretary General of NAKO - the Independent Anti-Corruption Commission, established in Ukraine in cooperation with Transparency International in 2017. NAKO focuses on promoting good governance in the defense sector, anti-corruption reform in areas critical for national security, and due diligence in the defense industry. Olena is currently serving her second term on the Anti-Corruption Council of the Ministry of Defence of Ukraine. She also works with the International Center for Ukrainian Victory, advocating for strong international support for Ukraine. Previously, Olena served as Director at Ukraine's Ministry of Economic Development and Trade, managing over $12 billion in international development projects. She is a graduate of the Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy (Tufts) and Central European University. She has received multiple awards for her reform work and was named one of Ukraine's 100 most influential women by New Time Magazine.

  • #21
    Jul 10, 2025 · 47 min

    Talking Ukraine Podcast #21 Vladyslav Stadnyk -The Metal Pilgrim-

    Since the time of Covid, Vladyslav created his YouTube channel "The Metal Pilgrim" commenting on the latest happenings in the world of heavy metal music. The slick production, sharp editing combined with his insightful commentary and passion for the music grew his audience quickly. When the full scale invasion of Ukraine started in 2022, Vladyslav, who is based in Kyiv, began to fundraise to buy supplies and then move them to the front lines. He kept his audience informed on what was happening on the ground in Ukraine, and later worked with both metal musicians and fans to fundraise for his non profit, -Сталеві Крила / Steel Wings Foundation -

  • #19
    May 30, 2025 · 1 hr 3 min

    Talking Ukraine Podcast#19 -Brian Bonner- Former Editor Kyiv Post

    Brian Bonner was Chief Editor of the Kyiv Post from 2008-2021. Join us as we catch up with Brian as to what he is doing now, his reflections on journalism both in Ukraine and the US, and a general conversation about the state of recent events on the political arena.

  • #18
    May 9, 2025 · 56 min

    Talking Ukraine #18 *John Shmorhun* Founder "MoveUkraine"

    John Shmorhun is a Ukrainian-American with over 30 years experience working in Ukraine. Shortly after Russia's full scale invasion of Ukraine in early 2022, he and his wife, Patricia, founded "Move Ukraine", an organization dedicated to supporting internally displaced Ukrainians within Ukraine by providing both housing and rehabilitation services. Join us for in depth conversation on this initiative and John's reflections on the current situation.

Showing 1–20 of 20 episodes