The Cleveland Ukraine Podcast

Pryncyp lawyer and advocacy manager Anastasiia Kryshtanovych joins the show to discuss her vital work protecting human rights within the AFU, her past experience documenting war crimes, visiting America's Veterans' Affairs hospital systems and the incredible hospitality of their host the Cleveland Council on World Affairs.

Sasha Boole, an award winning Ukrainian country music singer, songwriter, podcast and novelist, shares his story of touring America, the first days of the invasion, serving in the AFU as an officer, bridging cultures through music and serving as the father of an entirely new genre with Texas flair.

Andrew Hladyshevsky, president of the Ukrainian Bandurist Chorus, joins the show to highlight the rich history of the Chorus, reflects on his parent's immigration story of escaping Stalin's oppression, advocates for the necessity of protecting Ukrainian culture during war, and reminds the world that as long as the bandura plays, Ukraine lives on.

Ukrainian Federal Credit Union CEO Oleg Lebedko highlights the importance of accessible banking for Ukrainian diaspora, immigrants and refugees, describes why he supports the Ukrainian Museum Archives to preserve Ukrainian history, shares his own immigration story while celebrating the progress Ukraine has made.

Talented young urologist Dr. Andrew Drozd details his impactful Cleveland Maidan Association-sponsored trip to Ukraine, highlights the critical importance of access to specialty urology care, describes seeing the devastation of war up close and advocates for continued medical support to Ukraine.

From Chernobyl to Donbas and everywhere in-between, documentary photographer and AFU press officer Steven Andre played a vital role in helping western journalists tell the stories of Ukrainian bravery as well as documenting Russian war crimes all throughout Ukraine. Listen in as Steven highlights the first days of the invasion all the way to the emotional liberation of Kherson.

UAI Co-Founder and Executive Director Marshall Mayer and Director of Operations Bogdan Shestopalov discuss UAI’s enduring mission of providing critical humanitarian aid to frontline Ukrainian cities, highlights their early actions during the beginning of the war, describes the need to less-discussed infrastructure aid and calls upon the world to continue to support Ukraine.

U.S. Senator Sherrod Brown discusses the importance of supporting a free and independent Ukraine, describes his immediate legislative actions taken during the first days of the invasion, advocates for welcoming Ukrainian refugees in Ohio, highlights the importance of defending the American middle class and reminds us that America is a nation of immigrants.

Re: Source Cleveland Executive Director Patrick Kearns is joined by Academic Support Coordinator Susanna Pasichnyk and Teen Response Program Coordinator Jenelle Cozza as they highlight the incredible success of the Teen Response Program, embracing Cleveland’s deep multicultural roots and supporting Ukrainian teenagers as they begin a new life in America.

I celebrate the unbelievable impact of the late Ukraine: The Latest podcast host David Knowles who passed recently and tragically. David, and the whole team at Ukraine: The Latest, served as the direct inspiration for The Cleveland Ukraine Podcast and served as a bright light to Ukrainians across the world. Thank you for all your work David and for serving as a beacon of hope to