Case file 01
March 9, 2026
17 min
ShapeShifter
The episode that started it all: the story of a Soviet aviator who helped organize an all-female bomber regiment that terrified the Nazi forces they flew against.
Identity confirmed
Marina Raskova
The very first episode of the show tells the story of a Soviet aviator and navigator who helped push for and organize all-female air regiments during the Second World War — units that would go on to earn the nickname "Night Witches" from the forces they targeted.
This episode was also the show's own first flight: an origin story about resilience, both for its subject and for the podcast itself.
Episode references
- National WWII Museum — Night Witches: the Soviet women pilots who terrified Nazi soldiers
- Wright Museum — The Soviet Night Witches
Compiled from the show's publicly listed episode notes.
Listen to this episode
Available on Apple Podcasts and Spotify.