In this episode, we're taking listeners back to the Cold War, covering everything from '80s pop culture to perestroika.

We were joined from Berlin by The Guardian's bureau chief, Philip Oltermann, to discuss his fascinating new book, 'The Stasi Poetry Circle.' This unique Cold War story charts the history of East Germany's brutal secret police through their unlikely monthly poetry club. What sounds like a Monty Python sketch is revealed to be a complex and elaborate scheme likely designed to equip spies with the necessary tools to decode works of East German literature for material that ran counter to the prevailing Marxist-Leninist ideology. We also discuss Oltermann's experiences tracking down these men today to see what has become of their lives since the wall came down.

Mr. Gorbachev, turn up this podcast.

Hosted by Ryan Edgington and Matt Hennessey.