The Redefector

Cue some mid 80s music: Kate Bush or the Eurythmics. Or if you ware moving closer to Berlin Wall and the Soviet Block, pick Modern Talking. It is 1985, the year of the spy. KGB spy colonel Vitaly Yurchenko walks into the US embassy in Rome and defects to the United States. And, no spoiler alert here as it is in the title of the podcast, Vitaly then redefects to the Soviet Union.

Julie Cohn tells this story in a 10-part podcast that would make 80s spy novelist Frederick Forsyth proud. It is riveting and perfect for a roadtrip. I consumed it all in my drive to Tahoe this weekend.

🎧 Listen here

August 24, 2025 podcasts


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