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Why we’re still mesmerized by the myth of Rasputin

Photographic portrait of Grigori Rasputin (1869-1916) a Russian mystic and self-proclaimed holy man who befriended the family of Tsar Nicholas II and gained considerable influence in late imperial Russia. Dated 20th century.
Universal History Archive/Universal Images Group via Getty
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Universal Images Group Editorial
Grigori Rasputin (1869–1916).

In the century since Russia’s “Mad Monk” was poisoned, we’ve come to believe a lot of things: he was mystical, he was evil, he was the world’s greatest lover.

This hour: Rasputin — the all-too-human peasant who found his way to friendship with the Romanovs and the comical, absurd version of him that just won’t die.

Plus, a look at "."

GUESTS:

  • Douglas Smith: Historian and author of 
  • Anne Applebaum: Staff writer at , Senior Fellow at the SNF Agora Institute at Johns Hopkins University and the School of Advanced International Studies, author of books including

The Colin McEnroe Show is available as a podcast on , , , , , or wherever you get your podcasts. Subscribe and never miss an episode.

Join the conversation on and .

Colin McEnroe, Jonathan McNicol, Cat Pastor, and Dylan Reyes contributed to this show, parts of which originally aired May 3, 2022.

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Julia Pistell is a freelance producer for ǻ Radio, the host of the podcast 'Literary Disco,' and the Managing Director of Sea Tea Improv. She also worked on ǻ Radio's 'The Radius Project,' an exploration of history and culture in Hartford's neighborhoods.
Lily is the senior producer for The Colin McEnroe Show. She's also a producer of the podcast 'Generation Barney.' She first worked at ǻ as an intern in 2014. She has previously worked for WBUR, KUNC and as a producer for the New England News Collaborative's weekly show Next. Lily can be reached at ltyson@ctpublic.org.