In this episode of Czechast, we talk to Michaela Küchler, Secretary General of the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance. She shares her family’s deep Czech roots and her work preserving the memory of the Roma and Sinti genocide. We discuss the story of the Lety camp and why remembrance matters now more than ever.

In this episode of Czechast, journalist and podcaster Julie Urbišová reflects on life between cultures—Czech, American, and Turkish. From her first glimpse of Louisiana’s flooded bayous to teaching schoolchildren how to slow down and breathe, her story is one of quiet transformation. Born in Hlučínsko, she now lives in New Orleans, where she continues to explore identity, parenting, and balance—topics at the heart of this Czechast conversation.

When Czech musician Jaroslav Škuta was denied entry to the U.S. this summer, some pointed to Trump’s stricter border controls. But his case isn’t unique. Similar incidents over many years suggest U.S. immigration checks have always been strict—no matter who’s in the White House.

Julie Urbišová is a journalist, yoga teacher, and podcaster based in New Orleans. In this episode of Czechast, she reflects on identity, motherhood, and what it's like to live in a deeply divided United States while staying connected to her Czech roots and those of her Turkish husband.

Adam Holomoucký came to the United States on a sports scholarship and recently graduated from a university in North Carolina. He and his wife now hope to stay in America — not despite its political divisions, but with eyes wide open to its diversity. In this episode of Czechast, he shares why he still believes in the opportunities the U.S. offers and why he remains proudly Czech at heart.

Peter Bísek left Czechoslovakia in the 1960s using a clever trick on a travel form. He arrived in Brooklyn with two suitcases, $180, and no plan. In this episode of Czechast, he shares how he turned exile into a mission to connect Czech-Americans through journalism.

In this episode of Czechast, we meet Martina Šmídová—a young Czech woman who has made a new life for herself in Thailand. Born after 1990, she’s part of the Millennial generation whose worldview is shaped by digital life, global mobility, and personal freedom. But as she tells us, some old clichés about her country—and even her accent—are hard to shake.

After years of debate and determined civic effort, Czechia has finally adopted postal voting for its citizens living abroad. For many, it’s not just a logistical reform, but a powerful act of recognition. In this episode of Czechast, we speak with those who helped make it happen—and those who will now benefit from the change. It’s a story of activism, identity, and democratic belonging.

In this new episode of Czechast, host Vít Pohanka meets Jean Svoboda and her partner Richard in person for the first time. Jean, an Australian with Czech and Latvian roots, is back in Czechia to continue piecing together her family history. Richard, who had never been to Europe before their first trip, joins her again and shares what this journey has meant to him. Together, they reflect on identity, heritage, and the enduring pull of ancestral memory.

In this special episode of Czechast, long-time host Vít Pohanka becomes the guest. Interviewed by his colleague Danny Bate, he reflects on the complicated Czech relationship with Russia—from wartime liberation to post-Soviet tensions and today’s polarized opinions. Drawing on personal memories and historical milestones, Pohanka unpacks how deep emotions, nostalgia, and geopolitical shifts continue to shape public opinion. The conversation explores what it means to remember, to forget, and to rethink a relationship marked by both admiration and anxiety.