Explore every episode of the podcast The Cleveland Ukraine Podcast

Ukrainian soccer player Yevhen Cheberko discusses playing defender for Columbus, Ohio's top MLS soccer team: Columbus Crew, his experiences during the first few days of the full scale invasion, and representing Ukraine on the field.

Taisa Kulyk, a wonderfully talented banduristka and vocalist, joins the show to highlight the Women's Bandura Ensemble of North America's upcoming spring concert series, Songs from Near and Far. Taisa shares the important history of the bandura, her advocacy work, and discusses and why protecting the sounds and culture of Ukraine is more important than ever before.

Accomplished Ukrainian journalist Natalia Yermak shares her story of surviving the first few days of the full scale invasion, writing for The New York Times, and sharing the untold stories of bravery, perseverance and fortitude of Ukrainians with The Kyiv Independent.

Yakov Gradinar, co-founder of Protez Foundation, describes his innovative work as a certified prosthetist, orthotist and chief medical officer. Gradinar shares inspirational stories of rehabilitation of Ukrainian soldiers supported with prosthetics from Protez and advocates that a strong, free Ukraine only serves to better the world.

Inna Taylor, owner of Great Awakening Coffee House and non-profit Changing the World, shares her immigration story with us, describes the process of starting her own coffee shop with her husband, highlights how her non-profit stepped up to help Ukrainians, and advocates to Americans to continue to support Ukraine now more than ever.

In a show of unity and support for Ukraine, over 700 Americans attended the "Rally for Freedom" at St. Vladimir Ukrainian Orthodox Cathedral in Parma, OH. With key speakers including Congresswoman Marcy Kaptur, State Representative Sean Brennan and Cleveland Maidan Association president Taras Mahlay, it was an unforgettable and inspirational event.

I reflect on three years of war in Ukraine, the Ukrainian-American relationship, and discuss the most important thing we have: each other.

Ukrainian director Liubomyr Levytskyi highlights the filming of his new hit film "We Were Recruits." Known as Ukraine's Michael Bay, Levytskyi describes his experiences partnering with Ukraine's 3rd Separate Assault Brigade, understanding the new Ukrainian-American relationship, creating new action heroes, and displaying the bravery shown by Ukrainians every day.

Bruce Roberts, Founder and CEO of August Mission, shares his story of service in the U.S. Army, August Mission's goals and excellence in logistics in Ukraine, what the first few days of the invasion looked like, and why Ukraine and the Ukrainian people inspired him to continued action.

Maryna Medova, co-founder of Honey Academy, highlights starting the academy to provide quality education to Ukrainian children with flexible online learning options, how the war interrupted children's education, the stories of teachers stepping up in amazing ways for their students, and why a post-war Ukraine must be known for more than war.

We delve into Ukraine's legendary elite 3rd Separate Assault Brigade with Viktoriia Kovach, head of medical service from the moment the brigade was created.

She was a part of the Ukrainian delegation on military medicine at NATO headquarters, Brussels, Belgium, and has been involved with the training of managers in the field of military medicine in Germany.

Viktoriia’s also taught military readiness and medical care in the drone era of warfare, and serves as an inspiration to many.

Volunteer military chaplain Marina Serdichenko shares her story of practicing ministry on the frontlines with her husband and fellow military chaplain Denis, preparing for a potential Russian naval invasion of Odesa, and the leading their flock at Odessa People's Church.

City of Goodness non-profit founder Marta Levchenko discusses their mission to provide a safe haven with comprehensive and compassionate support for women and children navigating challenging hardships.

City of Goodness takes in children who have been forced to evacuate because of the war, families affected by violence and domestic abuse, and children in need of palliative care or rehabilitation.

Ohio State Representative (D-Parma) Sean Brennan highlights his work on bipartisan House Bill 360 to officially recognize Ukrainian Independence Day in Ohio on August 24 each year. Additionally, Rep. Brennan discusses the importance of supporting the local Ukrainian refugee community, bridging the divide in American politics and holding elected officials to a higher standard.

Sponsored by the Peace and Development Foundation, doctors Tetiana, Anna and Konstanty sit down to discuss their tour of the American healthcare system, highlight the ongoing needs for humanitarian aid to Ukraine and express deep gratitude for overwhelming support their have received from everyday Americans during their visit.

Enjoy a short, festive episode featuring caroling from the Cleveland Maidan Association at the Ukrainian Museum Archives of Cleveland. Surrounded by pysanky, paintings and history, it serves a solemn but hopeful reminder of the sacrifices being made every day in Ukraine to preserve their heritage, culture and future.

Dr. Doug Davis discusses his role working as an ER radiologist, marrying a Ukrainian woman, shares his family's personal involvement with the filming of the 80s cult classic Red Dawn, and highlights his continued involvement with veteran led NGOs that support Ukraine.

Daniel Bilak highlights his law career with Kinstellar, non-profit work with Ukrainian Freedom Fund and service in Ukraine’s Territorial Defense Forces as he fights against Russian hybrid warfare on the world stage and on the battlefield.

A senior United Nations-sponsored governance expert, Daniel facilitated anti-corruption reforms in Ukraine while also serving as source of truth to the Western world on Ukraine’s fight for democracy and their sovereignty.

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 many. Your work will never be forgotten.

AFU Sgt. Mykola Vyuk shares his personal story of working with Revived Soldiers Ukraine throughout his physical therapy, discusses challenges amputees face and communicates the importance of supporting wounded veterans through community.

Zach Nelson, program director at Global Cleveland, shares his fascinating story of studying in Russia before the war, feeling the eyes of FSB surveillance, deciphering the tightly controlled Russian disinformation space, falling in love with Kyiv and most importantly his top borscht recommendations.

Fr. Mykhailo Drozdovskyi highlights Pokrova Ukrainian Catholic Church’s recent Ukrainian festival, how lessons from faith provide strength during times of war, why his parish supports refugees and the important similarities between American and Ukrainian families.

Translation provided by Yuliya Lozynska.

Becky Gibson, co-founder of The Kolya Project, joins the show to highlight the amazing journey of rescuing and resettling a Ukrainian family in Ohio, depicts the less discussed challenges Ukrainian immigrants face when starting a new life in America and describes how similar Ukrainian and American families truly are.

Putting democracy first and going against many of his fellow Republican's stance on Ukraine aid, U.S. Congressman Max Miller shares why he supports Ukraine's fight for freedom and why an investment in Ukraine is an investment in America's security.

Irina Ihnatenko highlights the amazing work of U4UKids, a Ukrainian non-profit that provides Ukrainian children who lost fathers during the war a free trip to America through American foster families.

Incredibly brave 12 year old Solomiia is also featured on this week's episode as she inspires other children to be brave during times of war and provides a testimonial as to the positive impact of U4UKids.

During 2024 Pierogi Fest at Holy Trinity Ukrainian Church in North Royalton, Ohio, we sit down with Fr. Roman Zagurski to delve into the role of faith, community and resiliency during times of war with translation provided by Lev Kulchytsky.

Former USMC EOD Tech and Invictus Global Response Director Michael Montoya discusses Invictus' enduring global mission of capacity building and demining operations throughout the world. With a special focus on clearing Ukrainian minefields, Michael highlights his work in Ukraine, surviving a near-death experience and the future goals of Invictus.

Manus McCaffery, a former U.S. Army Ranger who participated in the U.S. Afghanistan withdrawal, tells his story of joining the International Legion for the Defense of Ukraine, seeing first hand the war crimes of the Russian military in Bucha, surviving a near-death injury in the heat of battle and how he continues to support Ukraine through The Victory Team.

Sr. Lt. Mykolai Sierga shares his inspirational story of using music, psychology and the arts to inspire his fellow soldiers by establishing the Cultural Forces of the Armed Forces of Ukraine to spread Ukrainian culture at home and abroad.

Former Cleveland Maidan Association coordinator Nataliya Duzianyi shares her story of coming to America as a child, supporting her Ukrainian family during the invasion, a recent passion for theater and her hopes for Ukraine.

From Irpin to Kharkiv, Ukrainian Presidential Brigade Lt. Myroslav Pylypchuk shares his story of frontline battles, surviving a near death injury and starting a new life in Cleveland after receiving a prosthetic leg allowing for regained mobility.

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Myroslav has been integrally involved with the Cleveland Maidan Association, his story serves as a stalwart reminder that freedom isn't free and the cost is being paid by the brave men and women in the AFU every day.

We also want to give a very special thank you to Zach Nelson, program director at Global Cleveland, for providing translation.

Global Cleveland president and CEO Joe Cimperman joins the show to highlight their support of the Ohio Ukrainian community and Global Cleveland's mission of growing Northeast Ohio’s economy by welcoming and connecting international people to opportunities and fostering a more inviting community for those seeking a place to call home.

Anastasiia Sliusarenko, a public engagement coordinator with Razom for Ukraine, visits the Cleveland area to highlight her current projects.

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Razom, which means “together” in Ukrainian, is dedicated to upholding the principles of the Revolution of Dignity (Maidan) and actively contributing to the establishment of a secure, prosperous, and democratic Ukraine. They achieve this by creating, inspiring, and collaborating on initiatives that motivate people to think, partner and do.

Nadia Tarnawsky, an accomplished Ukrainian folk vocalist and recipient of a Fulbright Award, details her life's work of preserving Ukrainian folk music and sharing it with the world. From rural Appalachia to the wheat fields of Ukraine, Nadia illuminates how music unites, inspires and paves the road to victory.

Grammy-Nominated Kyiv Virtuosi Symphony Orchestra conductor Dmitry Yablonsky highlights their upcoming performance in Akron, Ohio on March 12 before they perform at Carnegie Hall.

-- Featuring works by Mendelssohn and Beethoven along with Ukrainian composer Myroslav Skoryk - and will also solo on a cello concerto by Israeli composer Baruch Berliner.

Based in Ukraine's capital and now in residence in Italy, the ensemble unites talented musicians from throughout Ukraine, most of whom are competition winners.

Joining the orchestra in Akron are piano soloist Alon Kariv and members of the MultiPiano Ensemble, all from Israel.

The Cleveland Ukraine Podcast attended the Vigil of Remembrance at St. John the Evangelist Cathedral in downtown Cleveland where we captured voices from the Ukrainian community after two years of war.

Seasoned former internist, long time Ukraine supporter, passionate bandurist and president of both the Ukrainian Museum Archives and Cleveland Maidan Association, Dr. Taras Mahlay highlights the lifesaving work of Maidan, reveals the devastation Russia's war on Ukraine's medical facilities and how you can help save the lives of a generation traumatized by war.

Director of the Ukrainian Museum-Archives in Cleveland Andy Fedynsky unveils the unbelievable wealth of Ukrainian history stored within the museum.

From Ukrainians first arriving to America to Ukraine's ongoing battle against a brutal Russian invasion, Andy discusses the deep roots of the Cleveland Ukrainian community and importantly cements the fact that the Museum is not just a Ukrainian museum, it's an American museum.