In this Dad Tangent, we dig into one of the most dramatic “you’re free… but not really” moments in Ukrainian history: the abolition of serfdom. When Tsar Alexander II ended serfdom in the Russian Empire in 1861, millions of Ukrainian peasants were technically freed—but what did that freedom actually look like? Spoiler alert: it didn’t come with land, money, or much say in the matter.

We’ll explore how life changed (and didn’t), why serfs in the Austro-Hungarian part of Ukraine got a slightly better deal, and what this “freedom on a payment plan” meant for generations to come. Oh, and yes—there will be pitchforks involved.

If you thought getting grounded was rough, try being “un-serfed” in the 1860s. Let’s break it down!

In this Dad Tangent, we explore what life was like when Ukraine was split between two very different empires: Russia in the east and Austria-Hungary in the west. It’s the 1800s, and depending on which side of the imperial border you lived on, your daily reality could be wildly different—laws, language, religion, and even your chances of publishing a poem without getting arrested.

We’ll dive into village life, schools, culture, and politics to see how two Ukraines developed side by side—and how those differences still echo today. One empire tried to erase Ukrainian identity, the other just sort of… tolerated it. Kind of.

It’s a history double feature—same people, different rules. Let’s unpack it!

In this Dad Tangent, we zoom in on the empress with big ideas and even bigger land grabs – Catherine the Great. While she’s often remembered for art collections and Enlightenment vibes, in Ukraine, her legacy hits a little differently. We’ll break down how Catherine quietly erased the Ukrainian Hetmanate, why she saw the Cossack leaders as both useful and dangerous, and how the Russian Empire expanded at the expense of Ukrainian autonomy.

Was it strategy? Was it control? Was it an imperial mic drop? You decide – but either way, the Hetmans were here one year… and gone the next.

History gets a little sneaky in this one. Let’s untangle it together!

Welcome back to History with Dad! In Episode 2, we dive into the turbulent 18th and 19th centuries, when the independent Ukrainian Cossack Hetmanate vanished under pressure from Russian imperial rule. We’ll explore how Catherine the Great pulled a political disappearing act on the Hetmans, how life in Ukraine was dramatically different under the Russian Empire versus the Austro-Hungarian Empire, and how serfdom shaped everyday life for millions. And of course, no story of Ukraine’s cultural awakening is complete without the legendary Taras Shevchenko – poet, rebel, and national icon.

It’s a century of empires, uprisings, and unexpected moustache power moves. So grab your history snacks and let’s ride through one of the most complex chapters in Ukraine’s past!

Long hair, wild mustaches, and zero interest in following rules — the Cossacks were the rockstars of the steppe. In this tangent, Dad takes you into the world of these legendary warriors, their battles, their bonfires, and what daily life was like when your job was part cowboy, part soldier, and part rebel. Saddle up — this is history with attitude.

You’ve heard of the Mongol hordes storming across the steppe, but did you know they also had the world’s fastest mail system, passport stations, and spy ponies? In this tangent, Dad explores the surprisingly advanced side of the Mongol Empire — the one with more paperwork than pillaging.

In this first Dad Tangent, we sail back to the 9th century to meet Rurik — a Viking who somehow kick-started Russian and Ukrainian history — and the fiery Princess Olga of Kyiv, who took the phrase "don’t mess with grandma" to a whole new level. These stories didn’t make it into the main episode, but they’re too wild (and too fun) to leave out. It’s history’s weird side quest — and you’re coming along for the ride.

From Viking adventurers to medieval alliances, Mongol invasions to royal betrayals — this episode dives into the tangled early history of Ukraine and Russia. Dad unpacks how Kyivan Rus, a medieval powerhouse, became the origin story both nations claim today. It’s a thousand-year saga of who ruled, who rebelled, and why the past still echoes loudly in the present.

Pull up a chair and join Dad for History with Dad — the podcast where big history meets small ears (and curious grown-ups too). In this welcome episode, Dad shares how his own love of history started, why his kids’ endless questions inspired this podcast, and what you can expect in the episodes ahead. Spoiler alert: we’re talking Vikings, Tsars, Mongols, revolutions, and plenty of “Wait, that really happened?” moments. Whether you’re 8 or 88, this podcast is for anyone who’s ever wondered how the past shaped the world we live in today — with a few dad jokes along the way.