Her Service: the Cold War

Her Service: the Cold War dives into the 44-year history of the Cold War, a tense standoff between two global superpowers. Host Jonathan Kaupanger uses a mix of historical facts, unconventional analogies, and humor to describe this era as a "white-knuckled staring contest." The episode, featuring military historian and retired U.S. Army Colonel Christine Cook, shines a spotlight on the often-overlooked but vital contributions of American women veterans. Cook discusses the careers of Generals Mary Clarke and Elizabeth P. Hoisington, trailblazers who challenged gender norms and carved out new roles for women in the military. Additionally, the podcast explores the stories of intelligence heroes like Juanita Moody, a key figure in averting the Cuban Missile Crisis, and the women of the top-secret Venona project, who were crucial to exposing Soviet spies. Ultimately, the episode reveals how these women's quiet bravery and intellectual prowess were instrumental in shaping the course of the Cold War and securing a safer future.