Radio Without Borders - How Online Radio Sparked Change in the South Caucasus (Georgia, Armenia, Azerbaijan)
An Englishman in the Balkans
08/03/25
•34m
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In this special reflective episode, I step beyond the familiar landscapes of the Balkans to the vibrant and complex South Caucasus.
Originally recorded in Tbilisi, Georgia nearly a decade ago, in 2015, this reflective and timely story explores how online radio became a revolutionary tool for connection, culture, and civil change.
Join me on the ground with media teams from Georgia, Armenia, and Abkhazia under the visionary “Radio Without Borders” project.
Hear how independent voices are harnessing digital airwaves to promote women’s rights, civil society, and even introduce the world to Georgian reggae.
Through candid conversations and powerful personal stories, you’ll meet resilient broadcasters and activists pushing back against censorship, overcoming geopolitical tension, and using media to bridge seemingly impossible divides.
💬 Topics include:
The role of online radio in conflict zones
Women-led media innovation in the Caucasus
Georgian reggae: yes, really!
Youth media empowerment in Armenia and Azerbaijan
Why independent voices matter—then and now
Whether you’re passionate about media freedom, international collaboration, or simply want to hear stories of hope in unlikely places, this episode will leave you inspired by the power of sound and the spirit of solidarity.
🎧 Tune in, and discover the radio revolution you probably never heard about.
Thanks for listening. If you enjoyed this episode, you can support the podcast by leaving a review or buying me a coffee, it really does help keep things going.
Want to hear more or catch up on past episodes? Visit anenglishmaninthebalkans
For a deeper look into life here in the Balkans, check out my Blog at Coffee and Rakija.
Find us on ALL podcatchers at: PODLINK
Until next time — stay curious.
Previous Episode
The Truth About Podcasting in Bosnia
August 1, 2025
•3m
In this episode, I pull back the curtain on what it’s really like to podcast from a rural village in Bosnia and Herzegovina.
From power cuts and patchy internet to roosters interrupting my recordings, this is the unfiltered truth about trying to create meaningful audio content in a place where podcasting is still unfamiliar to most people.
But despite the setbacks, I keep going, and in this episode, I explain why.
Whether you’re a fellow content creator, a podcast listener curious about Balkan life, or someone thinking of starting your own show from a remote location, this is an honest reflection on the joys and frustrations of podcasting from the edge of Europe.
🧭 What You’ll Hear in This Episode:
The surprising challenges of podcasting from Bosnia
Why podcast culture isn’t mainstream here (yet)
The emotional rollercoaster of podcasting in isolation
What makes it all worth it
Encouragement for creators off the beaten path
🗣️ Join the Conversation:
Have you ever tried creating something in a place that didn’t make it easy? What kept you going?
Drop me a comment on Substack, reply to this episode, or find me on YouTube.
🙌 Support the Podcast:
If you enjoy the show and want to help keep it going, you can:
→ Share the episode
→ Leave a review
→ Or tip a coffee via Buy Me a Coffee
This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.coffeeandrakija.com/subscribe
Next Episode
Radio Without Borders
August 4, 2025
•33m
In this special reflective episode, I step beyond the familiar landscapes of the Balkans to the vibrant and complex South Caucasus.
Originally recorded in Tbilisi, Georgia nearly a decade ago, in 2015, this reflective and timely story explores how online radio became a revolutionary tool for connection, culture, and civil change.
Join me on the ground with media teams from Georgia, Armenia, and Abkhazia under the visionary “Radio Without Borders” project.
Coffee and Rakija is a reader/listener/viewer-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a paid subscriber.
Hear how independent voices are harnessing digital airwaves to promote women’s rights, civil society, and even introduce the world to Georgian reggae.
Through candid conversations and powerful personal stories, you’ll meet resilient broadcasters and activists pushing back against censorship, overcoming geopolitical tension, and using media to bridge seemingly impossible divides.
🧭 What You’ll Hear in This Episode:
The role of online radio in conflict zones
Women-led media innovation in the Caucasus
Georgian reggae: yes, really!
Youth media empowerment in Armenia and Azerbaijan
Why independent voices matter, then and now
Whether you’re passionate about media freedom, international collaboration, or simply want to hear stories of hope in unlikely places, this episode will leave you inspired by the power of sound and the spirit of solidarity.
🎧 Tune in—and discover the radio revolution you probably never heard about.
Update – A Year Later in Tbilisi
Since first sharing my reflections on media training in Georgia back in 2015, I’ve had the chance to find another podcast episode that was recorded during a follow-up visit in 2016, where I reconnected with some of the original participants and met new voices shaping the future of digital media across the region. Their stories offer a raw and hopeful glimpse into grassroots media activism in the South Caucasus. I thought it only fitting to include it here as a companion to the original episode.
From Tbilisi to Baku. Stories of activism, hope, and media freedom in Azerbaijan and Georgia.
Behind the Scenes Content ⬇️ (from July 2015)
🗣️ Join the Conversation:
“How do you think online radio or independent media can make a difference in regions facing conflict or limited press freedom?”
Drop me a comment on Substack, reply to this episode, or find me on YouTube.
🙌 Support the Podcast:
If you enjoy the show and want to help keep it going, you can:
→ Share the episode
→ Leave a review
→ Or tip a coffee via Buy Me a Coffee
This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.coffeeandrakija.com/subscribe
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