Jacob Mikanowski, GOODBYE EASTERN EUROPE & Michael Lerner Remembered

Writer's Voice with Francesca Rheannon

In this episode of Writer’s Voice, host Francesca Rheannon speaks with historian Jacob Mikanowski about his book Goodbye Eastern Europe: An Intimate History of a Divided Land.

Mikanowski explores the rich, complex, and often overlooked history of Eastern Europe—a region shaped by centuries of empires, revolutions, and diverse cultures. From the enduring impact of the Ottoman Empire to the shifting borders of Poland, Hungary, and the Baltics, Mikanowski sheds light on how these lands became the cradle of both cultural richness and conflict.

Then we remember activist, rabbi and champion of revolutionary love, Michael Lerner. He died August 28. We play our 2020 interview with Lerner about his book, Revolutionary Love: A Political Manifesto to Heal and Transform the World.

Writers Voice— in depth conversation with writers of all genres, on the air since 2004.

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Key words: Eastern Europe history, Jacob Mikanowski, Michael Lerner, Francesca Rheannon, podcast, history, politics

Key Highlights:

• Goodbye Eastern Europe: A region that “doesn’t exist” yet is deeply real, diverse, and complex.
• How centuries of empire-building—from the Austro-Hungarian to the Ottoman—shaped the unique history of Eastern Europe.
• The tension between unity and diversity in the region’s cultural and religious makeup.
• Mikanowski’s personal connection to the subject, weaving his family history into the broader narrative.

About the Author

Jacob Mikanowski is a historian, a freelance journalist and a critic. His writing has appeared in The Atlantic, The Guardian, The New York Times and elsewhere.

Read An Excerpt

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Remembering Rabbi Michael Lerner

We revisit a powerful conversation with Rabbi Michael Lerner about his 2020 book, Revolutionary Love: A Political Manifesto to Heal and Transform the World. Lerner discusses how love can be the foundation for radical social change, focusing on kindness, empathy, and environmental stewardship. He passed away August 28, 2024.