Not since the cold war has the world needed to take a time-out from political posturing and the information game to get beyond the gate keepers and speak directly with these millions of people referred to as “Russia”. Not unlike back 25 years ago, we in the west are once again talking about a people as if they do not have a voice and do not have a wide range of opinions and values. And over in Russia, you can bet similar is being done in the media when referring to “the west”. Enter the power of the podcast: On today’s program I am coming to you from Moscow, the heart of the nation that so many are talking about these days with angry and confused tones. But this is not about Ukraine. Nor is it about Putin really. This is about the city, life, culture, and experience that, as my excellent guest Victor remind us, we have in common with this fascinating and important population.