Having already been to two World Cups together, both the 2010 edition in South Africa, and Brasil in 2014, why were Colin and Mike feeling a bit uneasy about their third one in 2018 - this time in Russia? Was it simply because they hadn't been there before? Were they embarrassed that the US Men's National Team had failed to qualify for the tournament (the answer here is 'yes')? Perhaps they were unnerved by all the news about Russia's geo-political 'muscle' as of late. Or maybe it was just a lack of information on food that had them feeling 'hangry' ahead of time. Follow Colin and Mike to Moscow and St Petersburg to find out, in Episode 1 of this new podcast from FYPer Media. For more information on a variety of things heard in this episode, head over to fypermedia.com/counterspective/s1e1-this-is-counterspective.

Here in the U.S., it's not uncommon to hear "the Kremlin" referenced in a news story on Russia or the Russian government. But what exactly is it? Is it the equivalent of our White House? Is it where Parliament convenes? Is it another name for the KGB? Or, is it all of these things? Find out as Colin and Mike tour the Kremlin during their time in Moscow for the 2018 FIFA World Cup.

Colin and Mike went to Russia for the footy, but what else would they discover about other Russian sports while they were there? Would their experience be dominated by FIFA's stranglehold on the world's game? Would all their positive experiences be overshadowed by a single negative one at the hands of Russian football hooligans? Find out in Episode 2 of Counterspective, the podcast that goes beyond the 'single stories' of the people, places, and things that inundate us through the lens of mass and social media.

Ever wonder what it's like to cross the Russian border in something other than an airplane? Curious what it might be like to visit the Russian healthcare system as a tourist? Listen to this bonus episode for some insight from a pair of Swedish fans Colin and Mike met on their last night in St. Petersburg.

The FIFA World Cup is an absolute world football party! Wherever it's held, the host nation immediately becomes a place where the beer flows like wine, where beautiful women (and the most passionate footy fans) instinctively flock like the salmon of Capistrano. But Russia is known for vodka. Would that be all that Colin and Mike would find to drink? And do Russians really drink vodka with every meal? Even breakfast?! Find out in Episode 3 of Counterspective, the podcast that goes beyond the 'single stories' of the people, places, and things that inundate us through the lens of mass and social media.

To some, Russians are known for their love of vodka. But what do they eat? More importantly, how would Colin and Mike find the food in Moscow and St. Petersburg as they looked to stay fueled for their third World Cup adventure together? Find out in Episode 4 of Counterspective, the podcast that goes beyond the 'single stories' of the people, places, and things that inundate us through the lens of mass and social media.

We'll openly admit it. Visiting a country during the FIFA World Cup doesn't give you the most genuine view into what life is like in that country outside of the event. It can take effort to gain that perspective. So what do Colin and Mike do on non-match days? How did they gain a better understanding of Russian culture and its history? Find out in Episode 5 of Counterspective, the podcast that goes beyond the 'single stories' of the people, places, and things that inundate us through the lens of mass and social media.

This is Counterspective - a show that explores the other stories about the people, places, and things that command so much of our attention through the lens of mass and social media. This is a show that looks at these things from another perspective. Join Season 1 host, Colin Martin, and his esteemed travel buddy, Mike Tirone, as they recall their trip to Russia for the 2018 FIFA World Cup - as they go beyond the single story of Russia as a place of geo-political...'opportunists.' Five episodes, five stories other than geo-politics. We'll call this season: My Russian Five.