El Podcast

E101: Goodbye Eastern Europe: A Conversation w/ Author Jacob Mikanowski

Episode Summary

Jacob Mikanowski, a historian and author of 'Goodbye, Eastern Europe,' discusses the economic, political, and nostalgic transformations in Eastern Europe post-communism. The conversation explores themes of economic disruption, nostalgia for communist stability, and the evolving role of surveillance from the communist era to the present. Mikanowski shares personal insights from his life in Poland and the U.S., reflects on modern parallels in surveillance and media, and offers a deep dive into the historical and cultural dynamic between Eastern and Western Europe. He concludes with travel recommendations and thoughts on Europe's future.

Episode Notes

Historian and journalist Jacob Mikanowski explores the legacy of communism, post-Soviet transitions, surveillance states, and the uncertain future of Europe.

Guest Bio: Jacob Mikanowski is a historian, cultural critic, and journalist. He is the author of Goodbye, Eastern Europe: An Intimate History of a Divided Land, which traces the complex past and present of the region through personal stories, political history, and cultural memory.

Topics Covered:

• Communist nostalgia and post-1989 transitions
• Economic shocks, privatization, and hyperinflation in Eastern Europe
• Surveillance tactics in Cold War-era regimes vs. modern digital surveillance
• Decline of legacy media and rise of decentralized information
• Fertility decline, rural depopulation, and mass emigration
• EU integration, expansion fatigue, and national resistance
• Regional identity: Western vs. Eastern vs. Central Europe
• Travel and expat life in underrated Eastern European countries like Albania and Romania
• Cultural memory, censorship, and historical erasure (e.g. Tiananmen Square)
• Living standards and quality of life comparisons between the U.S. and Europe

📺Watch the full episode on YouTube:➡️ https://youtu.be/vqcK8hsvCzI