The Soviet Life
The Soviet Life
Podcast Description
The Soviet Life is a podcast that brings the past to life through personal stories and honest conversations about everyday experiences behind the Iron Curtain. Hosted by Kate, who grew up in 1970s–80s Belarus, the show explores how people lived, loved, worked, and endured during the final decades of the USSR — and what followed after its collapse. Featuring voices from across the former Soviet republics, the West, and beyond, each episode bridges generations and cultures to uncover the human side of history. Whether you're a former citizen, a curious learner, or a student of the Cold War, The Soviet Life offers insight, connection, and a powerful reminder of our shared humanity.
Podcast Insights
Content Themes
The show explores themes of personal stories from Soviet life, cultural identity, and historical reflections, with episodes featuring topics like childhood memories in Soviet Moscow, the impact of the Soviet collapse on personal lives, and the challenges of preserving faith under a secular regime.
The Soviet Life is a podcast that brings the past to life through personal stories and honest conversations about everyday experiences behind the Iron Curtain. Hosted by Kate, who grew up in 1970s–80s Belarus, the show explores how people lived, loved, worked, and endured during the final decades of the USSR — and what followed after its collapse. Featuring voices from across the former Soviet republics, the West, and beyond, each episode bridges generations and cultures to uncover the human side of history. Whether you’re a former citizen, a curious learner, or a student of the Cold War, The Soviet Life offers insight, connection, and a powerful reminder of our shared humanity.
In this episode of The Soviet Life, host Kate Saba speaks with Mr. Khalid, who shares his powerful story of growing up in Afghanistan during the Soviet invasion. Together, they explore the human side of the Soviet-Afghan War—its devastating toll on Afghan society, the ripple effects felt around the world, and the enduring resilience of those who lived through it. From the innocence of childhood before the war to the daily fear that followed, Khalid recounts his dangerous escape from Afghanistan, his time as a refugee in Pakistan, and his eventual resettlement in the United States. Their conversation also looks at Afghanistan today, balancing sorrow for ongoing struggles with hope for a better future and a reminder of our shared humanity.
Key Takeaways
- The Soviet-Afghan War reshaped global politics and left deep scars on Afghanistan.
- Millions of Afghans were killed or displaced during the conflict.
- The war is often seen as the USSR’s “Vietnam.”
- Childhood in Afghanistan was peaceful before the invasion.
- After the invasion, fear and oppression defined everyday life.
- Escaping Afghanistan meant facing danger at every step.
- Life as a refugee in Pakistan brought hardship but also survival.
- Resettling in the U.S. brought relief, but new challenges too.
- Family ties across borders remain emotionally complex.
- Despite decades of turmoil, hope for Afghanistan’s future endures.
Sound Bites
- “The Soviet-Afghan War had a global impact.”
- “We didn’t even know what guns were.”
- “We had to get out before dawn.”
Chapters
00:00 Introduction to the Soviet-Afghan War
01:43 The Impact of the Soviet-Afghan War
03:59 Personal Experiences of Growing Up in Afghanistan
10:43 Fleeing Afghanistan: A Journey to Safety
16:39 Life as a Refugee in Pakistan
22:48 Arriving in the United States
29:05 Reflections on Home and Family
32:53 Current State of Afghanistan and Hope for the Future
38:05 The Shared Humanity Beyond Borders
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