Talking Ukraine Podcast

Yarema Bachynsky, a Ukrainian-American educator and 30-year resident of Kyiv, joins The Talking Ukraine Podcast for a conversation about Ukrainian identity, history, and the evolving relationship between Ukraine and the United States. Raised in New York's Ukrainian diaspora, Yarema reflects on his upbringing, his work teaching history at a Ukrainian Saturday school, and his travels to Ukraine in the early 1990s to teach English. He recalls arriving in a country full of possibility and excitement, and discovering somewhere he felt was an extraordinary place to live. We discuss how he and his neighbors are preparing for the upcoming winter, Vladimir Putin's distorted understanding of Ukrainian and Russian history, the exodus of Russians who might otherwise have helped bring change to their own society, and the consequences for Russia's future. We also examine the Trump administration's approach to Russia's war against Ukraine, and how Yarema separates his conservative political convictions from his criticism of the administration's handling of the conflict. A conversation spanning generations, continents, and political perspectives — exploring Ukrainian identity, historical memory, and the future of Ukraine.

Askold Lozynskyj, former President of the Ukrainian World Congress and an American attorney, joins The Talking Ukraine Podcast for a hard-hitting conversation about Ukraine’s current crisis, Donald Trump’s approach to Russia, and the absence of genuine American leadership at a critical moment. We discuss Trump’s pursuit of a deal for the United States to buy Russian diesel and the implications for Ukraine and American democracy, as well as Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s continued efforts to preserve ties with Washington without compromising Ukraine’s interests. Despite mounting pressure and uncertainty, Ukraine continues to demonstrate extraordinary innovation, resilience, and a spirit that repeatedly defies expectations. Lozynskyj argues that this war is rooted in history and imperial identity: in Moscow’s vision of itself as an empire, control of Kyiv remains fundamental. A candid conversation about Ukraine’s struggle, the consequences of a leadership vacuum at a pivotal moment, and optimism for the future of both Ukraine and America.

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.

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.

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.

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.  

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/

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.

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. 

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