Steppe by Steppe: Journey Through the Heart of Central Asia (Kazakh, Kyrgyz, Tajiki, Uzbek, Mongol)

John in Almaty

"Steppe by Steppe," takes you on a journey through the landscapes, histories, and cultures of Central Asia. Hosted by an American expat living in Kazakhstan, this show offers a unique blend of insider knowledge and outsider perspective on this fascinating region. Each episode brings you authentic experiences and insights as your host navigates daily life in Kazakhstan while exploring the broader "Stans" – Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Mongolia, Uzbekistan and all the neighbors.

About PodLP

PodLP is the leading podcast app for feature phones. With 10M+ installs in nearly every country, PodLP is available for KaiOS on the KaiStore and JioStore, as well as Cloud Phone and Android. If you're interested in promoting "Steppe by Steppe: Journey Through the Heart of Central Asia (Kazakh, Kyrgyz, Tajiki, Uzbek, Mongol)" on PodLP, contact sales@podlp.com.

Screenshots are mockup renders of PodLP for KaiOS. Actual design may vary based on platform, operating system, and app version.

Steppe by Steppe: Journey Through the Heart of Central Asia (Kazakh, Kyrgyz, Tajiki, Uzbek, Mongol)

Episodes (35)

Jan 13th E34 - Against the Grain: The Virgin Lands Campaign in Kazakhstan
Jan 5th E33 - 🧀 Qurt - The Savory Soul of the Kazakh Steppe
Dec 31, 2025 E32 -⛷️ Tien Shan-anigans: Steppe-ing into the Sweet History of Kyrgyzstan’s Sugar ❄️

Steppe by Steppe: Journey Through the Heart of Central Asia (Kazakh, Kyrgyz, Tajiki, Uzbek, Mongol)

Jan 13, 2026
12 minutes
22 MB

Following the death of Stalin, Nikita Khrushchev launched the Virgin Lands Campaign to solve the Soviet Union’s chronic food shortages by farming millions of hectares of uncultivated territory. While the initiative initially produced record-breaking harvests, it eventually faltered due to harsh climates, a lack of proper infrastructure, and Khrushchev's rigid insistence on planting corn in unsuitable regions. This ambitious project significantly altered the demographics of Central Asia and caused lasting environmental damage, such as soil erosion. Ultimately, the program’s failure to provide long-term food security weakened Khrushchev’s political standing, contributing to his removal from power in 1964. Despite its shortcomings...

Steppe by Steppe: Journey Through the Heart of Central Asia (Kazakh, Kyrgyz, Tajiki, Uzbek, Mongol)

E34 - Against the Grain: The Virgin Lands Campaign in Kazakhstan

John in Almaty

00:00 -11:44