<![CDATA[The Europeans | European news, politics and culture]]>843dd76d-1b2d-5bdf-82e7-452d2be53730Thu, 16 Apr 2026 13:58:04 +0000Captivate.fmKaty Lee and Dominic Kraemerhttps://artwork.captivate.fm/1ec4bbe2-eabd-4f12-b4a3-57723be42e3e/the-europeans-2048px-1mb.jpgThe Europeans | European news, politics and cultureKaty Lee and Dominic KraemerKaty Lee and Dominic KraemerThe Europeans is a fresh and entertaining weekly podcast about European politics and culture, recorded each week between Paris and Amsterdam with fascinating guests joining from across Europe. This multiple award-winning podcast fills you in on the major European politics stories and other European news of the week, as well as fun and quirky nuggets that have been missed by most media outlets. Hosted by Katy Lee, a journalist based in Paris, and Dominic Kraemer, an opera singer in Amsterdam, The Europeans covers everything from elections and climate policy to the best new European films and TV shows. We also produce investigative podcasts about everything from the European farming lobby to oat milk. Yes, oat milk. Katy and Dominic are old friends, and the warmth and intimacy of their conversations will soon make you feel like you’ve known them a long time too. They approach topics with a light and humorous tone that makes The Europeans stand out from other European news podcasts, while remaining journalistically rigorous and meticulously fact-checked. The Europeans has been recommended by The New York Times, The Guardian, Buzzfeed, The Financial Times, and many other outlets. Katy Lee, a British-French reporter, has written for major outlets including The Guardian, Politico Europe, Agence France-Presse (AFP), Foreign Policy and The New Statesman for more than a decade, covering French and European politics and more recently, climate change. Dominic Kraemer, a British-German opera singer, performs across Europe when he is not co-hosting The Europeans, with roles recently at the Staatsoper in Berlin, the Dutch National Opera and the Münchener Biennale. The Europeans’ team is completed by producers Katz Laszlo in Amsterdam and Wojciech Oleksiak in Warsaw. You’ll hear them joining Katy and Dominic from time to time, particularly during investigative episodes like ‘The Oatly Chronicles’ and ‘The Big-Agri Bully Boys’. The Europeans’ breezy, informal approach to covering European news has won awards such as a Covering Climate Now award for an episode about the Swiss women who sued their government at the European Court of Human Rights demanding more climate action; Germany’s prestigious CIVIS Media Prize for ‘Mohamed’, an episode that explores the everyday life of a young undocumented man in Amsterdam; and best LGBTQIA+ short at the MiraBan UK Film Awards for ‘Josh and Franco’, the coming-of-age story of a father and son, both gay. Our guests have included everyone from major figures in European politics such as Alexander Stubb, now the President of Finland, and Roberta Metsola, President of the European Parliament, to star chefs Asma Khan and Christian Puglisi, celebrated illustrator Christoph Niemann, and environmentalist George Monbiot. Since launching in 2017, we’ve talked about everything from elections in France, Italy and many more countries besides, to the politics of halloumi cheese in Cyprus, to why Donald Trump is so hard for TV interpreters to translate. We pride ourselves on covering European politics, European news and European culture from a pan-European perspective. You’ll often hear stories on The Europeans from parts of the continent that don’t usually receive enough attention from major international media outlets, especially Central, Eastern and Southern Europe. You might enjoy The Europeans if you also enjoy one of these other podcasts: The News Agents, On the Media, Today in Focus, Inside Europe, The Journal, EU Confidential, The Daily, The Globalist, Reasons to be Cheerful, The Media Show, Power Play, and The New Statesman. Whether you’re already a European news nerd, or simply someone who’d like to be better informed about what’s happening across Europe, The Europeans is the podcast for you. Support us on Patreon: https://patreon.com/europeanspodcasthttps://europeanspodcast.comfalseepisodichttps://feeds.captivate.fm/the-europeans/nopodcastSupport the show!EuropeHow did Ukrainians end up sailing in Russia's shadow fleet?How did Ukrainians end up sailing in Russia's shadow fleet?Shortly after the full-scale invasion of Ukraine began in February 2022, Elon Musk’s company SpaceX swept in to restore internet connectivity to areas that had been affected by Russian attacks. But SpaceX and its internet service, Starlink, have hardly remained indisputable forces for good in the war in Ukraine. Earlier this month, the Kyiv Independent revealed that a fleet of old, rusty ships has been transporting hundreds of millions of barrels of Russian oil… with Starlink’s help. Investigative journalist Tanya Kozyreva joins us to explain what her reporting uncovered about how Starlink is used by the Russian “shadow fleet” – and how Ukrainian sailors have found themselves onboard. We’re also joined by The Europeans’ resident Luxembourger, Nina Lamparski, to discuss a resurgence of bison in Europe and the imperiled fate of halloumi.

JOIN OUR BOOK CLUB: We’re so excited to be partnering with our friends at the European Review of Books on a new audio book club! Want to read along with us? We’ll be discussing our first pick, Vincenzo Latronico’s Perfection, on 14 May.

Resources for this episode:


If this podcast gets you singing “more, more, more!”, we’d love to introduce you to our newsletter, GOOD WEEK BAD WEEK. Same groove, different format, every Friday in your inbox. 🎵How do you like it, how do you like it?🎵

This podcast was brought to you in cooperation with Euranet Plus, the leading radio network for EU news. But it’s contributions from listeners that truly make it all possible—we could not continue to make the show without you! If you like what we do, you can chip in to help us cover our production costs at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠patreon.com/europeanspodcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ (in many different currencies), or you can gift a donation to a superfan. You can also donate via our website if you prefer. And finally: we'd also love it if you could tell two friends about this podcast. We think two feels like a reasonable number.

Produced by Morgan Childs and Katy Lee

Editorial support from Katz Laszlo

Mixing and mastering by Wojciech Oleksiak

Music by Jim Barne and Mariska Martina

The Europeans is proudly produced using Europe’s own Hindenburg.

YouTube | Bluesky | Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ | Mastodon⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ | Substack | hello@europeanspodcast.com

]]>Shortly after the full-scale invasion of Ukraine began in February 2022, Elon Musk’s company SpaceX swept in to restore internet connectivity to areas that had been affected by Russian attacks. But SpaceX and its internet service, Starlink, have hardly remained indisputable forces for good in the war in Ukraine. Earlier this month, the Kyiv Independent revealed that a fleet of old, rusty ships has been transporting hundreds of millions of barrels of Russian oil… with Starlink’s help. Investigative journalist Tanya Kozyreva joins us to explain what her reporting uncovered about how Starlink is used by the Russian “shadow fleet” – and how Ukrainian sailors have found themselves onboard. We’re also joined by The Europeans’ resident Luxembourger, Nina Lamparski, to discuss a resurgence of bison in Europe and the imperiled fate of halloumi.

JOIN OUR BOOK CLUB: We’re so excited to be partnering with our friends at the European Review of Books on a new audio book club! Want to read along with us? We’ll be discussing our first pick, Vincenzo Latronico’s Perfection, on 14 May.

Resources for this episode:


If this podcast gets you singing “more, more, more!”, we’d love to introduce you to our newsletter, GOOD WEEK BAD WEEK. Same groove, different format, every Friday in your inbox. 🎵How do you like it, how do you like it?🎵

This podcast was brought to you in cooperation with Euranet Plus, the leading radio network for EU news. But it’s contributions from listeners that truly make it all possible—we could not continue to make the show without you! If you like what we do, you can chip in to help us cover our production costs at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠patreon.com/europeanspodcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ (in many different currencies), or you can gift a donation to a superfan. You can also donate via our website if you prefer. And finally: we'd also love it if you could tell two friends about this podcast. We think two feels like a reasonable number.

Produced by Morgan Childs and Katy Lee

Editorial support from Katz Laszlo

Mixing and mastering by Wojciech Oleksiak

Music by Jim Barne and Mariska Martina

The Europeans is proudly produced using Europe’s own Hindenburg.

YouTube | Bluesky | Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ | Mastodon⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ | Substack | hello@europeanspodcast.com

]]>30b41fe2-52cd-4c00-b88e-4b6fa5a917ccThu, 16 Apr 2026 06:00:00 +020001:02:04falsefullWhere are the Zohran Mamdanis of Europe?Where are the Zohran Mamdanis of Europe?A few weeks back, we asked you to weigh in on a question that’s been on our mind a lot lately: Who are the Zohran Mamdanis of Europe, and when, pray tell, are they going to give our beloved, ailing continent a much-needed shake-up? As it turns out, that’s a complicated question. This week’s guest, Brussels-based journalist Dave Keating, says that the decks are stacked against insurgent outsiders like the New York mayor – yet we need them more than ever. We had a long-overdue chat with Dave about what might be preventing a charismatic, insurgent figure on the left from taking off in the EU, and we also talked about a few of the leaders you wrote in to share with us. (Of course, keep us posted of any changemakers cropping up in your country at hello@europeanspodcast.com.)

We’re also talking about a controversial new law in Germany introducing voluntary military service in the country for men under the age of 45. We recorded this segment a few hours before the news that young men will not have to seek permission for long stints abroad after all; you can read updated reporting here. We also unpack Netflix’s failed legal challenge to EU regulations that led to a flood of funding for European TV and film production. A burning question has now been answered: yes, the US streaming giant really does have to set aside a decent budget for francophone Belgian content.

This week’s Inspiration Station recommendations are the viral videos emerging from Zara Larsson’s tour and Juhani Karila’s book Summer Fishing in Lapland, brought to our attention by listener Monika.

Resources for this episode:


Can’t get enough of us? Of course you can’t! For more of The Europeans, subscribe to our newsletter, Good Week Bad Week. New issues land in your inbox every Friday.

This podcast was brought to you in cooperation with Euranet Plus, the leading radio network for EU news. But it’s contributions from listeners that truly make it all possible—we could not continue to make the show without you! If you like what we do, you can chip in to help us cover our production costs at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠patreon.com/europeanspodcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ (in many different currencies), or you can gift a donation to a superfan. You can also donate via our website if you prefer. And finally: we'd also love it if you could tell two friends about this podcast. We think two feels like a reasonable number.

Produced by Katy Lee and Wojciech Oleksiak

Mixing and mastering by Wojciech Oleksiak

Music by Jim Barne and Mariska Martina

The Europeans is proudly produced using Europe’s own Hindenburg.

YouTube | Bluesky | Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ | Mastodon⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ | Substack | hello@europeanspodcast.com

]]>A few weeks back, we asked you to weigh in on a question that’s been on our mind a lot lately: Who are the Zohran Mamdanis of Europe, and when, pray tell, are they going to give our beloved, ailing continent a much-needed shake-up? As it turns out, that’s a complicated question. This week’s guest, Brussels-based journalist Dave Keating, says that the decks are stacked against insurgent outsiders like the New York mayor – yet we need them more than ever. We had a long-overdue chat with Dave about what might be preventing a charismatic, insurgent figure on the left from taking off in the EU, and we also talked about a few of the leaders you wrote in to share with us. (Of course, keep us posted of any changemakers cropping up in your country at hello@europeanspodcast.com.)

We’re also talking about a controversial new law in Germany introducing voluntary military service in the country for men under the age of 45. We recorded this segment a few hours before the news that young men will not have to seek permission for long stints abroad after all; you can read updated reporting here. We also unpack Netflix’s failed legal challenge to EU regulations that led to a flood of funding for European TV and film production. A burning question has now been answered: yes, the US streaming giant really does have to set aside a decent budget for francophone Belgian content.

This week’s Inspiration Station recommendations are the viral videos emerging from Zara Larsson’s tour and Juhani Karila’s book Summer Fishing in Lapland, brought to our attention by listener Monika.

Resources for this episode:


Can’t get enough of us? Of course you can’t! For more of The Europeans, subscribe to our newsletter, Good Week Bad Week. New issues land in your inbox every Friday.

This podcast was brought to you in cooperation with Euranet Plus, the leading radio network for EU news. But it’s contributions from listeners that truly make it all possible—we could not continue to make the show without you! If you like what we do, you can chip in to help us cover our production costs at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠patreon.com/europeanspodcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ (in many different currencies), or you can gift a donation to a superfan. You can also donate via our website if you prefer. And finally: we'd also love it if you could tell two friends about this podcast. We think two feels like a reasonable number.

Produced by Katy Lee and Wojciech Oleksiak

Mixing and mastering by Wojciech Oleksiak

Music by Jim Barne and Mariska Martina

The Europeans is proudly produced using Europe’s own Hindenburg.

YouTube | Bluesky | Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ | Mastodon⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ | Substack | hello@europeanspodcast.com

]]>59f40ef8-b09a-4d6b-a68f-eed8ca5a3440Thu, 09 Apr 2026 11:35:00 +020001:08:35truefullCan a group of strangers solve Europe’s biggest problems?Can a group of strangers solve Europe’s biggest problems?If you got a knock on your door from someone inviting you to Brussels to hash out some EU policies…you’d think it was a scam, right? Us, too. At least, that was the case until last week, when our producer Wojciech went to report on a European Citizens’ Panel, an event designed to allow 150 randomly selected Europeans to weigh in on some of the EU’s thorniest problems. This week we’re taking a deep dive into the ins and outs of what seems like the nerdiest game show ever. How do these panels work? What do they actually achieve? And crucially, are they worth the cost?

Resources for this episode:


Maybe you’re tuning in this week and thinking, “Wait, where’s Good Week, Bad Week?” To that we say: Have you heard about our newsletter? GOOD WEEK BAD WEEK is available for free on Substack and offers everything you love about the podcast, plus a few extra memes and internetty things. Try it; we think you’ll like it.

This podcast was brought to you in cooperation with Euranet Plus, the leading radio network for EU news. But it’s contributions from listeners that truly make it all possible—we could not continue to make the show without you! If you like what we do, you can chip in to help us cover our production costs at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠patreon.com/europeanspodcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ (in many different currencies), or you can gift a donation to a superfan. You can also donate via our website if you prefer. And finally: we'd also love it if you could tell two friends about this podcast. We think two feels like a reasonable number.

Reported, written, and produced by Wojciech Oleksiak

Editorial support by Katy Lee and Dominic Kraemer

Audio editing by Morgan Childs

Mixing and mastering by Wojciech Oleksiak

Music by Jim Barne, Mariska Martina and Blue Dot Sessions

The Europeans is proudly produced using Europe’s own Hindenburg.

YouTube | Bluesky | Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ | Mastodon⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ | Substack | hello@europeanspodcast.com

]]>If you got a knock on your door from someone inviting you to Brussels to hash out some EU policies…you’d think it was a scam, right? Us, too. At least, that was the case until last week, when our producer Wojciech went to report on a European Citizens’ Panel, an event designed to allow 150 randomly selected Europeans to weigh in on some of the EU’s thorniest problems. This week we’re taking a deep dive into the ins and outs of what seems like the nerdiest game show ever. How do these panels work? What do they actually achieve? And crucially, are they worth the cost?

Resources for this episode:


Maybe you’re tuning in this week and thinking, “Wait, where’s Good Week, Bad Week?” To that we say: Have you heard about our newsletter? GOOD WEEK BAD WEEK is available for free on Substack and offers everything you love about the podcast, plus a few extra memes and internetty things. Try it; we think you’ll like it.

This podcast was brought to you in cooperation with Euranet Plus, the leading radio network for EU news. But it’s contributions from listeners that truly make it all possible—we could not continue to make the show without you! If you like what we do, you can chip in to help us cover our production costs at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠patreon.com/europeanspodcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ (in many different currencies), or you can gift a donation to a superfan. You can also donate via our website if you prefer. And finally: we'd also love it if you could tell two friends about this podcast. We think two feels like a reasonable number.

Reported, written, and produced by Wojciech Oleksiak

Editorial support by Katy Lee and Dominic Kraemer

Audio editing by Morgan Childs

Mixing and mastering by Wojciech Oleksiak

Music by Jim Barne, Mariska Martina and Blue Dot Sessions

The Europeans is proudly produced using Europe’s own Hindenburg.

YouTube | Bluesky | Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ | Mastodon⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ | Substack | hello@europeanspodcast.com

]]>9360f46c-9070-4e99-8834-a9badf9b11f2Thu, 02 Apr 2026 06:00:00 +020045:26falsefullThe end of Orbán?The end of Orbán?It has been 16 years since Viktor Orbán’s Fidesz party assumed power in Hungary – and it might have begun to feel like things could never change. But with a parliamentary election just around the corner, there’s now a glimmer – a hint! a twinkle! – of hope that the EU's most illiberal government could finally be on its way out.

This week, we’re devoting the entire episode to the April 12 elections: what’s certain, what remains to be seen, and most importantly, what’s at stake. And to make sense of it all, we’re joined by two Budapest-based friends of the podcast: the novelist Krisztián Marton, and Viktória Serdült, reporter at HVG, one of the last surviving bastions of independent journalism in Hungary.

  1. “At last, a figure has emerged who could wrench power from Viktor Orbán in Hungary” – Viktória Serdült for The Guardian, 18 December 2024
  2. Paul the Octopus on Wikipedia
  3. Krisztián Marton on Instagram
  4. Viktória Serdült on X

This week’s Hungary-themed Inspiration Station recommendations are the song “Tizenhat” by Elefánt, the documentary The Trap, and the FT series The Orbán System.

MISS OUR NORMAL PROGRAMMING? This week’s edition of our newsletter, Good Week Bad Week, has you covered. Subscribe over here to learn what’s been going on beyond Hungary’s borders (the good, the bad, the silly).

This podcast was brought to you in cooperation with Euranet Plus, the leading radio network for EU news. But it’s contributions from listeners that truly make it all possible—we could not continue to make the show without you! If you like what we do, you can chip in to help us cover our production costs at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠patreon.com/europeanspodcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ (in many different currencies), or you can gift a donation to a superfan. You can also donate via our website if you prefer. And finally: we'd also love it if you could tell two friends about this podcast. We think two feels like a reasonable number.

Produced by Morgan Childs, Wojciech Oleksiak and Katz Laszlo

Mixing and mastering by Wojciech Oleksiak

Music by Jim Barne and Mariska Martina

The Europeans is proudly produced using Europe’s own Hindenburg.

YouTube | Bluesky | Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ | Mastodon⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ | Substack | hello@europeanspodcast.com

]]>It has been 16 years since Viktor Orbán’s Fidesz party assumed power in Hungary – and it might have begun to feel like things could never change. But with a parliamentary election just around the corner, there’s now a glimmer – a hint! a twinkle! – of hope that the EU's most illiberal government could finally be on its way out.

This week, we’re devoting the entire episode to the April 12 elections: what’s certain, what remains to be seen, and most importantly, what’s at stake. And to make sense of it all, we’re joined by two Budapest-based friends of the podcast: the novelist Krisztián Marton, and Viktória Serdült, reporter at HVG, one of the last surviving bastions of independent journalism in Hungary.

  1. “At last, a figure has emerged who could wrench power from Viktor Orbán in Hungary” – Viktória Serdült for The Guardian, 18 December 2024
  2. Paul the Octopus on Wikipedia
  3. Krisztián Marton on Instagram
  4. Viktória Serdült on X

This week’s Hungary-themed Inspiration Station recommendations are the song “Tizenhat” by Elefánt, the documentary The Trap, and the FT series The Orbán System.

MISS OUR NORMAL PROGRAMMING? This week’s edition of our newsletter, Good Week Bad Week, has you covered. Subscribe over here to learn what’s been going on beyond Hungary’s borders (the good, the bad, the silly).

This podcast was brought to you in cooperation with Euranet Plus, the leading radio network for EU news. But it’s contributions from listeners that truly make it all possible—we could not continue to make the show without you! If you like what we do, you can chip in to help us cover our production costs at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠patreon.com/europeanspodcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ (in many different currencies), or you can gift a donation to a superfan. You can also donate via our website if you prefer. And finally: we'd also love it if you could tell two friends about this podcast. We think two feels like a reasonable number.

Produced by Morgan Childs, Wojciech Oleksiak and Katz Laszlo

Mixing and mastering by Wojciech Oleksiak

Music by Jim Barne and Mariska Martina

The Europeans is proudly produced using Europe’s own Hindenburg.

YouTube | Bluesky | Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ | Mastodon⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ | Substack | hello@europeanspodcast.com

]]>helloqg.podbean.com/20fdf54e-7de2-3242-a1dc-f13cd1f6d99dThu, 26 Mar 2026 06:00:00 +020046:00falsefullEurope's anti-ElonEurope's anti-ElonBack when Elon Musk was challenging Mark Zuckerberg to a cage fight, Eugen Rochko was building an open-source, non-problematic Twitter alternative, completely without fanfare. Last year, the Mastodon founder announced his departure from the head of the social media platform in a candid blog post, citing a growing discomfort with the role and an interest in preserving the site’s decentralised values. But Mastodon lives on, and – full disclosure – we’re all for it. This week, we spoke to Eugen about his dreams for the “fediverse” and about whether his vision for ethical, supervillain-free online communities has a promising future. In fact, we enjoyed the conversation so much that we’re releasing a longer version for supporters of the podcast.

 

Also in this episode: a compromise in Europe’s War on Veggie Burgers and the end of the decade-long Iceland-the-country-versus-Iceland-the-grocery-store dispute.

 

Resources for this episode:

 


 

This week’s Inspiration Station recommendations are the Apple TV show Drops of God and the Swiss Android app Nearby Glasses.

 

You’ve probably heard by now that we have a newsletter. And you’ve probably already subscribed. Why wouldn’t you have? You’re smart, you’re cool, you’re with the programme; you love us, you want more of us. So leaving this link here for you to sign up is purely a formality.

 

This podcast was brought to you in cooperation with Euranet Plus, the leading radio network for EU news. But it’s contributions from listeners that truly make it all possible – we could not continue to make the show without you! If you like what we do, you can chip in to help us cover our production costs at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠patreon.com/europeanspodcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ (in many different currencies), or you can gift a donation to a superfan. You can also donate via our website if you prefer. And finally: we'd also love it if you could tell two friends about this podcast. We think two feels like a reasonable number.

Produced by Morgan Childs and Wojciech Oleksiak
Mixing and mastering by Wojciech Oleksiak
Music by Jim Barne and Mariska Martina

 

The Europeans is proudly produced using Europe’s own Hindenburg.

 

YouTube | Bluesky | Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ | Mastodon⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ | Substack | hello@europeanspodcast.com

]]>Back when Elon Musk was challenging Mark Zuckerberg to a cage fight, Eugen Rochko was building an open-source, non-problematic Twitter alternative, completely without fanfare. Last year, the Mastodon founder announced his departure from the head of the social media platform in a candid blog post, citing a growing discomfort with the role and an interest in preserving the site’s decentralised values. But Mastodon lives on, and – full disclosure – we’re all for it. This week, we spoke to Eugen about his dreams for the “fediverse” and about whether his vision for ethical, supervillain-free online communities has a promising future. In fact, we enjoyed the conversation so much that we’re releasing a longer version for supporters of the podcast.

 

Also in this episode: a compromise in Europe’s War on Veggie Burgers and the end of the decade-long Iceland-the-country-versus-Iceland-the-grocery-store dispute.

 

Resources for this episode:

 


 

This week’s Inspiration Station recommendations are the Apple TV show Drops of God and the Swiss Android app Nearby Glasses.

 

You’ve probably heard by now that we have a newsletter. And you’ve probably already subscribed. Why wouldn’t you have? You’re smart, you’re cool, you’re with the programme; you love us, you want more of us. So leaving this link here for you to sign up is purely a formality.

 

This podcast was brought to you in cooperation with Euranet Plus, the leading radio network for EU news. But it’s contributions from listeners that truly make it all possible – we could not continue to make the show without you! If you like what we do, you can chip in to help us cover our production costs at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠patreon.com/europeanspodcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ (in many different currencies), or you can gift a donation to a superfan. You can also donate via our website if you prefer. And finally: we'd also love it if you could tell two friends about this podcast. We think two feels like a reasonable number.

Produced by Morgan Childs and Wojciech Oleksiak
Mixing and mastering by Wojciech Oleksiak
Music by Jim Barne and Mariska Martina

 

The Europeans is proudly produced using Europe’s own Hindenburg.

 

YouTube | Bluesky | Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ | Mastodon⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ | Substack | hello@europeanspodcast.com

]]>helloqg.podbean.com/3ea1a931-5e21-3970-af36-bf16633141cbThu, 12 Mar 2026 06:00:00 +020001:06:34falsefullHow to keep going when the world feels brokenHow to keep going when the world feels brokenThis week, we wanted to ask a question that has been in our hearts and on our minds for years: Is it possible to try to make positive change in the world, and still stay healthy and sane? Dutch writer, political philosopher, and “recovering diplomat” Nori Spauwen believes that the answer is yes – even if it’s not always easy to strike the right balance. We chatted with Nori about “healthy” activism and training yourself to feel empowered in response to difficult news. If you’ve been overwhelmed lately (has anyone not?), this is a conversation for you.

 

Also in this week’s episode: a successful European Citizens’ Initiative that will make it easier for European women to procure abortion across borders, and a very Bad Week for Greece’s former finance minister-turned-public intellectual Yanis Varoufakis stemming from a Kylie Minogue concert 36 years ago.

 

Resources for this episode:

 


 

This week’s Inspiration Station recommendations are this video recipe for Mezrab soup and Die Erweiterung by Robert Menasse.

 

SUBSCRIBE TO OUR NEWSLETTER: Get more of what you like from the podcast, delivered to your inbox each Friday. Sign up for GOOD WEEK BAD WEEK right here.

 

This podcast was brought to you in cooperation with Euranet Plus, the leading radio network for EU news. But it’s contributions from listeners that truly make it all possible—we could not continue to make the show without you! If you like what we do, you can chip in to help us cover our production costs at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠patreon.com/europeanspodcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ (in many different currencies), or you can gift a donation to a superfan. We'd also love it if you could tell two friends about this podcast. We think two feels like a reasonable number.

Produced by Katz Laszlo and Wojciech Oleksiak
Mixing and mastering by Wojciech Oleksiak
Music by Jim Barne and Mariska Martina
Record scratch sound effect by luffy via freesound.org

 

The Europeans is proudly produced using Europe’s own Hindenburg.

YouTube | Bluesky | Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ | Mastodon⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ | Substack | hello@europeanspodcast.com



]]>This week, we wanted to ask a question that has been in our hearts and on our minds for years: Is it possible to try to make positive change in the world, and still stay healthy and sane? Dutch writer, political philosopher, and “recovering diplomat” Nori Spauwen believes that the answer is yes – even if it’s not always easy to strike the right balance. We chatted with Nori about “healthy” activism and training yourself to feel empowered in response to difficult news. If you’ve been overwhelmed lately (has anyone not?), this is a conversation for you.

 

Also in this week’s episode: a successful European Citizens’ Initiative that will make it easier for European women to procure abortion across borders, and a very Bad Week for Greece’s former finance minister-turned-public intellectual Yanis Varoufakis stemming from a Kylie Minogue concert 36 years ago.

 

Resources for this episode:

 


 

This week’s Inspiration Station recommendations are this video recipe for Mezrab soup and Die Erweiterung by Robert Menasse.

 

SUBSCRIBE TO OUR NEWSLETTER: Get more of what you like from the podcast, delivered to your inbox each Friday. Sign up for GOOD WEEK BAD WEEK right here.

 

This podcast was brought to you in cooperation with Euranet Plus, the leading radio network for EU news. But it’s contributions from listeners that truly make it all possible—we could not continue to make the show without you! If you like what we do, you can chip in to help us cover our production costs at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠patreon.com/europeanspodcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ (in many different currencies), or you can gift a donation to a superfan. We'd also love it if you could tell two friends about this podcast. We think two feels like a reasonable number.

Produced by Katz Laszlo and Wojciech Oleksiak
Mixing and mastering by Wojciech Oleksiak
Music by Jim Barne and Mariska Martina
Record scratch sound effect by luffy via freesound.org

 

The Europeans is proudly produced using Europe’s own Hindenburg.

YouTube | Bluesky | Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ | Mastodon⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ | Substack | hello@europeanspodcast.com



]]>helloqg.podbean.com/6f040ff9-47f0-321f-90ae-1d8b4f2d761bThu, 05 Mar 2026 06:00:00 +020059:52falsefullHow feminist economics could change EuropeHow feminist economics could change EuropeImagine what would happen if our political, cultural, and economic leaders began to reconsider what it means to create “value” in Europe. What if we were supported to rest, to look after our families, and to enjoy ourselves and our communities as much as we’re encouraged to generate capital? What would it look like for Europe to translate its wealth into greater wellbeing?

 

These are some of the big questions raised by Emma Holten, two-time Europeans guest and author of the book Deficit: How Feminist Economics Can Change Our World, now being translated into a dizzying number of languages. This week, we’ve devoted the entire show to our conversation with Emma about what “feminist economics” means and how it could change things for the better – not just for women, but for everyone.

 

GET INSPIRED WITH US: Who are the politicians that are proposing the most exciting and hopeful policies where you live? Introduce us to the leaders who are helping to bring a brighter, more equitable Europe to life: hello@europeanspodcast.com.

 

Resources for this episode:


 

SUBSCRIBE TO OUR NEWSLETTER: On the way to building a better world, how about building a better inbox? GOOD WEEK BAD WEEK comes out most weeks and significantly improves them. Your email will thank you. Get in on the action here.

 

This podcast was paid for by our listeners. If you like what we do – and you’d like our sassy brand of independent European journalism to keep existing in the world – we’d love it if you’d consider supporting us. You can chip in to help us cover our production costs at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠patreon.com/europeanspodcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ (in many different currencies), or you can gift a donation to a superfan. We'd also love it if you could tell two friends about this podcast. We think two feels like a reasonable number.

Produced by Wojciech Oleksiak and Morgan Childs
Mixing and mastering by Wojciech Oleksiak
Music by Jim Barne and Mariska Martina

 

YouTube | Bluesky | Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ | Mastodon⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ | Substack | hello@europeanspodcast.com

]]>Imagine what would happen if our political, cultural, and economic leaders began to reconsider what it means to create “value” in Europe. What if we were supported to rest, to look after our families, and to enjoy ourselves and our communities as much as we’re encouraged to generate capital? What would it look like for Europe to translate its wealth into greater wellbeing?

 

These are some of the big questions raised by Emma Holten, two-time Europeans guest and author of the book Deficit: How Feminist Economics Can Change Our World, now being translated into a dizzying number of languages. This week, we’ve devoted the entire show to our conversation with Emma about what “feminist economics” means and how it could change things for the better – not just for women, but for everyone.

 

GET INSPIRED WITH US: Who are the politicians that are proposing the most exciting and hopeful policies where you live? Introduce us to the leaders who are helping to bring a brighter, more equitable Europe to life: hello@europeanspodcast.com.

 

Resources for this episode:


 

SUBSCRIBE TO OUR NEWSLETTER: On the way to building a better world, how about building a better inbox? GOOD WEEK BAD WEEK comes out most weeks and significantly improves them. Your email will thank you. Get in on the action here.

 

This podcast was paid for by our listeners. If you like what we do – and you’d like our sassy brand of independent European journalism to keep existing in the world – we’d love it if you’d consider supporting us. You can chip in to help us cover our production costs at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠patreon.com/europeanspodcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ (in many different currencies), or you can gift a donation to a superfan. We'd also love it if you could tell two friends about this podcast. We think two feels like a reasonable number.

Produced by Wojciech Oleksiak and Morgan Childs
Mixing and mastering by Wojciech Oleksiak
Music by Jim Barne and Mariska Martina

 

YouTube | Bluesky | Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ | Mastodon⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ | Substack | hello@europeanspodcast.com

]]>helloqg.podbean.com/db4873b8-3a8f-3d6b-815d-d22b68f043b4Thu, 26 Feb 2026 06:00:00 +020039:37falsefullWhen will Europe get the trains it deserves?When will Europe get the trains it deserves?If you’ve ever wondered where all the affordable night trains are, or struggled to book tickets for an international journey, or spent hours of your one wild and precious life petitioning for compensation for a significantly delayed trip (*takes deep breath, collects self*)... let us introduce you to Jon Worth. This prolific train watcher and commentator is behind a new European Rail Passengers’ Union that is pushing for easier cross-border transit and may even help to resolve some people’s personal cross-border nightmares. Jon thinks Europe’s train travellers deserve better, and we tend to agree.

 

Find out about the European Rail Passengers' Union here. Subscribe to his newsletter here, and check out his posts on Mastodon here. 

 

Also in this week’s episode: the latest in all those big moves to get European youth off of social media, and an Olympics opening ceremony broadcast debacle for the ages. And some crime-fighting llamas. This week’s Inspiration Station recommendations are Rosalía making a tortilla de patatas and the Spanish TV series Los Años Nuevos.

 

Resources for this episode:

 


 

Talk of social media bans getting you down? Keep the screen time going with our newsletter, GOOD WEEK BAD WEEK. We recommend it for anyone over the age of 16 looking to level up their scrolling. Subscribe here; it’s good for you!

 

This podcast was brought to you in cooperation with Euranet Plus, the leading radio network for EU news. But it’s contributions from listeners that truly make it all possible—we could not continue to make the show without you! If you like what we do, you can chip in to help us cover our production costs at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠patreon.com/europeanspodcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ (in many different currencies), or you can gift a donation to a superfan. We'd also love it if you could tell two friends about this podcast. We think two feels like a reasonable number.

Produced by Katz Laszlo and Wojciech Oleksiak
Mixing and mastering by Wojciech Oleksiak
Music by Jim Barne and Mariska Martina


YouTube | Bluesky | Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ | Mastodon⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ | Substack | hello@europeanspodcast.com

]]>If you’ve ever wondered where all the affordable night trains are, or struggled to book tickets for an international journey, or spent hours of your one wild and precious life petitioning for compensation for a significantly delayed trip (*takes deep breath, collects self*)... let us introduce you to Jon Worth. This prolific train watcher and commentator is behind a new European Rail Passengers’ Union that is pushing for easier cross-border transit and may even help to resolve some people’s personal cross-border nightmares. Jon thinks Europe’s train travellers deserve better, and we tend to agree.

 

Find out about the European Rail Passengers' Union here. Subscribe to his newsletter here, and check out his posts on Mastodon here. 

 

Also in this week’s episode: the latest in all those big moves to get European youth off of social media, and an Olympics opening ceremony broadcast debacle for the ages. And some crime-fighting llamas. This week’s Inspiration Station recommendations are Rosalía making a tortilla de patatas and the Spanish TV series Los Años Nuevos.

 

Resources for this episode:

 


 

Talk of social media bans getting you down? Keep the screen time going with our newsletter, GOOD WEEK BAD WEEK. We recommend it for anyone over the age of 16 looking to level up their scrolling. Subscribe here; it’s good for you!

 

This podcast was brought to you in cooperation with Euranet Plus, the leading radio network for EU news. But it’s contributions from listeners that truly make it all possible—we could not continue to make the show without you! If you like what we do, you can chip in to help us cover our production costs at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠patreon.com/europeanspodcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ (in many different currencies), or you can gift a donation to a superfan. We'd also love it if you could tell two friends about this podcast. We think two feels like a reasonable number.

Produced by Katz Laszlo and Wojciech Oleksiak
Mixing and mastering by Wojciech Oleksiak
Music by Jim Barne and Mariska Martina


YouTube | Bluesky | Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ | Mastodon⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ | Substack | hello@europeanspodcast.com

]]>helloqg.podbean.com/0e82a47c-ef7e-37ba-807e-eadde9709333Thu, 19 Feb 2026 06:00:00 +020059:37falsefullWhat do the Epstein files reveal about Europe’s elite?What do the Epstein files reveal about Europe’s elite?It has been an absolutely Awful Week for everyone who has been paying attention to the latest release of the Epstein files, both on this continent and around the world. We’re taking a look at what the documents reveal about Europe’s rich and powerful and whether any overdue reckonings might come out of the horrific revelations. On the brighter side: we also discuss a sitting president who does NOT want to be handed the Nobel Peace Prize. A win for us all!

 

Our guest this week is journalist Salsabil Fayed, co-author of the recent Follow the Money investigation “U.S. donors bankroll Europe’s policy ideas through think tanks”. (Gulp.) What does it mean that some of the biggest American tech companies are financing some of the work of some of the most influential think tanks on this side of the Atlantic? Salsabil spells it all out.

 

This week’s Inspiration Station recommendations are Fairphone and not looking at your phone in the morning. So…go out and touch grass. (But catch up on your podcasts first.)

 

Resources for this episode:

 


 

Are you a visual learner rather than an auditory one? We got you. Here’s our new newsletter. (Almost) all of what you like from the weekly podcast, but…quieter. It’s nice. Try it.

 

This podcast was brought to you in cooperation with Euranet Plus, the leading radio network for EU news. But it’s contributions from listeners that truly make it all possible—we could not continue to make the show without you! If you like what we do, you can chip in to help us cover our production costs at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠patreon.com/europeanspodcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ (in many different currencies), or you can gift a donation to a superfan. We'd also love it if you could tell two friends about this podcast. We think two feels like a reasonable number.

Produced by Morgan Childs and Wojciech Oleksiak

Editorial support from Katy Lee
Mixing and mastering by Wojciech Oleksiak

Music by Jim Barne and Mariska Martina


YouTube | Bluesky | Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ | Mastodon⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ | Substack | hello@europeanspodcast.com

]]>It has been an absolutely Awful Week for everyone who has been paying attention to the latest release of the Epstein files, both on this continent and around the world. We’re taking a look at what the documents reveal about Europe’s rich and powerful and whether any overdue reckonings might come out of the horrific revelations. On the brighter side: we also discuss a sitting president who does NOT want to be handed the Nobel Peace Prize. A win for us all!

 

Our guest this week is journalist Salsabil Fayed, co-author of the recent Follow the Money investigation “U.S. donors bankroll Europe’s policy ideas through think tanks”. (Gulp.) What does it mean that some of the biggest American tech companies are financing some of the work of some of the most influential think tanks on this side of the Atlantic? Salsabil spells it all out.

 

This week’s Inspiration Station recommendations are Fairphone and not looking at your phone in the morning. So…go out and touch grass. (But catch up on your podcasts first.)

 

Resources for this episode:

 


 

Are you a visual learner rather than an auditory one? We got you. Here’s our new newsletter. (Almost) all of what you like from the weekly podcast, but…quieter. It’s nice. Try it.

 

This podcast was brought to you in cooperation with Euranet Plus, the leading radio network for EU news. But it’s contributions from listeners that truly make it all possible—we could not continue to make the show without you! If you like what we do, you can chip in to help us cover our production costs at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠patreon.com/europeanspodcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ (in many different currencies), or you can gift a donation to a superfan. We'd also love it if you could tell two friends about this podcast. We think two feels like a reasonable number.

Produced by Morgan Childs and Wojciech Oleksiak

Editorial support from Katy Lee
Mixing and mastering by Wojciech Oleksiak

Music by Jim Barne and Mariska Martina


YouTube | Bluesky | Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ | Mastodon⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ | Substack | hello@europeanspodcast.com

]]>helloqg.podbean.com/119578c4-1770-3b4c-8e66-89af27fe0d8eThu, 12 Feb 2026 06:00:00 +020058:00falsefull1111The Europeans: Ask Us AnythingThe Europeans: Ask Us AnythingA very special bienvenue to this very special episode of The Europeans! This week, the entire team gathered in person in a swanky studio in Paris to answer some of your burning questions, from “How do you stay sane when you’re immersed in the news?” to “Is there a favourite bird?” (i.e. the simple to the deeply complex). Plus: Wojciech’s dream of being a “failed sportsman”, the unvarnished truth about the team’s vegan/teetotaling façade, and… The Europeans Matchmaking Agency?!

 

We’ll be back with a regular episode next week. In the meantime, subscribe to our cheeky new newsletter! If you like this here, we think you’ll enjoy that there.

 

Resources for this episode:

 


 

This podcast was funded by our listeners. If you like what we do, you can chip in to help us cover our production costs at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠patreon.com/europeanspodcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ (in many different currencies), or you can gift a donation to a superfan. We'd also love it if you could tell two friends about this podcast. We think two feels like a reasonable number.

Produced by Katy Lee
Mixing and mastering by Wojciech Oleksiak
Music by Jim Barne and Mariska Martina

 

YouTube | Bluesky | Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ | Mastodon⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ | Substack | hello@europeanspodcast.com

]]>A very special bienvenue to this very special episode of The Europeans! This week, the entire team gathered in person in a swanky studio in Paris to answer some of your burning questions, from “How do you stay sane when you’re immersed in the news?” to “Is there a favourite bird?” (i.e. the simple to the deeply complex). Plus: Wojciech’s dream of being a “failed sportsman”, the unvarnished truth about the team’s vegan/teetotaling façade, and… The Europeans Matchmaking Agency?!

 

We’ll be back with a regular episode next week. In the meantime, subscribe to our cheeky new newsletter! If you like this here, we think you’ll enjoy that there.

 

Resources for this episode:

 


 

This podcast was funded by our listeners. If you like what we do, you can chip in to help us cover our production costs at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠patreon.com/europeanspodcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ (in many different currencies), or you can gift a donation to a superfan. We'd also love it if you could tell two friends about this podcast. We think two feels like a reasonable number.

Produced by Katy Lee
Mixing and mastering by Wojciech Oleksiak
Music by Jim Barne and Mariska Martina

 

YouTube | Bluesky | Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ | Mastodon⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ | Substack | hello@europeanspodcast.com

]]>helloqg.podbean.com/f4462583-760a-3938-b8ec-2513eef9abb8Thu, 05 Feb 2026 17:11:18 +020029:46falsefullA European social network for the WTF eraA European social network for the WTF eraBy popular demand (and thanks to Dominic’s singing schedule), our silly, brilliant Luxembourger-in-chief Nina Lamparski is back in the hosting chair – and she’s brought her longstanding grudge against Elon Musk with her. Musk has made a real dog’s breakfast of that app we all used to like, and his AI assistant, Grok, seems designed for maximum awfulness. Can the European-made social media platform “W” provide an ethical alternative to X? We break it down. Plus: 10 European countries have committed to building a power grid in the North Sea that would become the world’s largest reservoir of clean energy, an ambitious move that happens to come on the back of some annoying comments from the American president at Davos. Next time someone calls you a loser, just give ‘em the windmill.

 

Our guest this week is Katja Diehl, Hamburg-based mobility activist, author, and host of the German-language podcast She Drives Mobility. If you, too, believe that you should have the right to a life without cars, you’ll enjoy hearing from her just as much as we did. 

 

SEND US YOUR Qs! WE’LL GIVE YOU OUR As! Next week we’re recording a special episode of The Europeans, and we’re seeking listener questions. Got something you’re dying to know about? Drop us a line – or better yet, a voice memo – at hello@europeanspodcast.com. 

 

LISTENER SURVEY: Are you the sort of person who listens to podcasts and thinks, “I have notes”? Now’s your time to shine! Fill out our survey and give us the performance review we’ve been waiting for! (It really won’t take long, and we’ll be very grateful.)

 

This week’s Inspiration Station recommendations are That Glasgow Witch and the song “Qanoruna isigivinga?" by Greenlandic singer-songwriter Tûtu.

 

Resources for this episode:

 


 

This podcast was brought to you in cooperation with Euranet Plus, the leading radio network for EU news. But it’s contributions from listeners that truly make it all possible—we could not continue to make the show without you! If you like what we do, you can chip in to help us cover our production costs at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠patreon.com/europeanspodcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ (in many different currencies), or you can gift a donation to a superfan. We'd also love it if you could tell two friends about this podcast. We think two feels like a reasonable number.

Produced by Katz Laszlo and Morgan Childs
Mixing and mastering by Wojciech Oleksiak
Music by Jim Barne and Mariska Martina

 

YouTube | Bluesky | Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ | Mastodon⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ | Substack | hello@europeanspodcast.com

]]>By popular demand (and thanks to Dominic’s singing schedule), our silly, brilliant Luxembourger-in-chief Nina Lamparski is back in the hosting chair – and she’s brought her longstanding grudge against Elon Musk with her. Musk has made a real dog’s breakfast of that app we all used to like, and his AI assistant, Grok, seems designed for maximum awfulness. Can the European-made social media platform “W” provide an ethical alternative to X? We break it down. Plus: 10 European countries have committed to building a power grid in the North Sea that would become the world’s largest reservoir of clean energy, an ambitious move that happens to come on the back of some annoying comments from the American president at Davos. Next time someone calls you a loser, just give ‘em the windmill.

 

Our guest this week is Katja Diehl, Hamburg-based mobility activist, author, and host of the German-language podcast She Drives Mobility. If you, too, believe that you should have the right to a life without cars, you’ll enjoy hearing from her just as much as we did. 

 

SEND US YOUR Qs! WE’LL GIVE YOU OUR As! Next week we’re recording a special episode of The Europeans, and we’re seeking listener questions. Got something you’re dying to know about? Drop us a line – or better yet, a voice memo – at hello@europeanspodcast.com. 

 

LISTENER SURVEY: Are you the sort of person who listens to podcasts and thinks, “I have notes”? Now’s your time to shine! Fill out our survey and give us the performance review we’ve been waiting for! (It really won’t take long, and we’ll be very grateful.)

 

This week’s Inspiration Station recommendations are That Glasgow Witch and the song “Qanoruna isigivinga?" by Greenlandic singer-songwriter Tûtu.

 

Resources for this episode:

 


 

This podcast was brought to you in cooperation with Euranet Plus, the leading radio network for EU news. But it’s contributions from listeners that truly make it all possible—we could not continue to make the show without you! If you like what we do, you can chip in to help us cover our production costs at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠patreon.com/europeanspodcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ (in many different currencies), or you can gift a donation to a superfan. We'd also love it if you could tell two friends about this podcast. We think two feels like a reasonable number.

Produced by Katz Laszlo and Morgan Childs
Mixing and mastering by Wojciech Oleksiak
Music by Jim Barne and Mariska Martina

 

YouTube | Bluesky | Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ | Mastodon⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ | Substack | hello@europeanspodcast.com

]]>helloqg.podbean.com/e8c20dda-c313-34ea-8102-0dc72e136acaThu, 29 Jan 2026 06:00:00 +020056:30falsefullThe UK and the EU: best buds again?The UK and the EU: best buds again?You’d be forgiven for forgetting that Europe is bigger than Davos this week, but we’ve got three great stories to remind you. First up: it’s been a good week for Berliners making Kartoffelsalat, Kartoffelsuppe, Kartoffelknödel, et cetera et cetera, thanks to an initiative that is distributing more than 170 tonnes – TONNES – of potatoes across the German capital. Then we examine a newly leaked “Made in Europe“ proposal that seeks to promote industrial production in the EU (very very fun, we promise). 

 

We’re also joined by Nick Thomas-Symonds, the UK government minister pursuing a post-Brexit “reset“ in relations with the EU, about how the Labour government might help clean up some of the post-Brexit mess. This one goes out to those of you who like to email to remind us that Britain is still Europe. We see you. We read you.

 

This week’s Inspiration Station recommendations are the Norwegian film Sentimental Value and these 'tasting notes' from a water sommelier.  

 

LISTENER SURVEY: Fear not – we are still seeking responses to our listener survey! It’s not too late to help! It’s simple and really does help us make the show better. Fill it out here and pat yourself on the back afterwards.

 

Resources for this episode:

 


 

SUBSCRIBE TO OUR NEWSLETTER: Other things happened/are happening in Europe this week (🫠) and if you’d like to learn more about them, join us over at our newsletter, GOOD WEEK BAD WEEK. 

 

This podcast was brought to you in cooperation with Euranet Plus, the leading radio network for EU news. But it’s contributions from listeners that truly make it all possible—we could not continue to make the show without you! If you like what we do, you can chip in to help us cover our production costs at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠patreon.com/europeanspodcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ (in many different currencies), or you can gift a donation to a superfan. We'd also love it if you could tell two friends about this podcast. We think two feels like a reasonable number.

Produced by Morgan Childs and Wojciech Oleksiak
Mixing and mastering by Wojciech Oleksiak
Music by Jim Barne and Mariska Martina


YouTube | Bluesky | Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ | Mastodon⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ | Substack | hello@europeanspodcast.com

 

]]>You’d be forgiven for forgetting that Europe is bigger than Davos this week, but we’ve got three great stories to remind you. First up: it’s been a good week for Berliners making Kartoffelsalat, Kartoffelsuppe, Kartoffelknödel, et cetera et cetera, thanks to an initiative that is distributing more than 170 tonnes – TONNES – of potatoes across the German capital. Then we examine a newly leaked “Made in Europe“ proposal that seeks to promote industrial production in the EU (very very fun, we promise). 

 

We’re also joined by Nick Thomas-Symonds, the UK government minister pursuing a post-Brexit “reset“ in relations with the EU, about how the Labour government might help clean up some of the post-Brexit mess. This one goes out to those of you who like to email to remind us that Britain is still Europe. We see you. We read you.

 

This week’s Inspiration Station recommendations are the Norwegian film Sentimental Value and these 'tasting notes' from a water sommelier.  

 

LISTENER SURVEY: Fear not – we are still seeking responses to our listener survey! It’s not too late to help! It’s simple and really does help us make the show better. Fill it out here and pat yourself on the back afterwards.

 

Resources for this episode:

 


 

SUBSCRIBE TO OUR NEWSLETTER: Other things happened/are happening in Europe this week (🫠) and if you’d like to learn more about them, join us over at our newsletter, GOOD WEEK BAD WEEK. 

 

This podcast was brought to you in cooperation with Euranet Plus, the leading radio network for EU news. But it’s contributions from listeners that truly make it all possible—we could not continue to make the show without you! If you like what we do, you can chip in to help us cover our production costs at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠patreon.com/europeanspodcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ (in many different currencies), or you can gift a donation to a superfan. We'd also love it if you could tell two friends about this podcast. We think two feels like a reasonable number.

Produced by Morgan Childs and Wojciech Oleksiak
Mixing and mastering by Wojciech Oleksiak
Music by Jim Barne and Mariska Martina


YouTube | Bluesky | Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ | Mastodon⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ | Substack | hello@europeanspodcast.com

 

]]>helloqg.podbean.com/754b64c1-6730-3b92-b990-bf0571622b22Thu, 22 Jan 2026 06:00:00 +020057:23falsefull1010ChatGPT is ruining weddings nowChatGPT is ruining weddings nowIf you are the sort of person whose New Year’s resolutions read something like: “(1) Shoot for the moon, (2) Do what you love, (3) Change the world” – have we got a guest for you! We’re joined this week by former Icelandic prime minister Katrín Jakobsdóttir, who resigned from office in 2024 in order to run for president and is now enjoying a second life as a successful crime novelist and climate activist. Be still, our hearts. We chatted with Katrín about the security threat that climate change and the current geopolitical instability pose to Iceland; her career in politics; and why she wanted to write fiction (“Doesn’t everybody?” she asked).

 

Also in this episode: The Mercosur primer of your dreams! And the disconcertingly relatable story of a ChatGPT-informed wedding gone awry. This week’s Inspiration Station recommendations are the 10th edition of the European Review of Books and the Deutsche Welle podcast Delayland. 

 

LISTENER SURVEY: Do you have a moment to help us out? We would be so grateful to hear your thoughts about what we’re doing well and where we can improve. Fill out our short, simple survey here.

 

Resources for this episode:

 


 

SUBSCRIBE TO OUR NEWSLETTER: Although this episode came out on a Friday, we are a *Thursday* podcast, because who wants to think about the imminent World War III on a Friday? That being said, if you would like to laugh through your tears on Friday, we recommend our newsletter, GOOD WEEK BAD WEEK. It will carry you through a full weekend of existential dread.

 

This podcast was brought to you in cooperation with Euranet Plus, the leading radio network for EU news. But it’s contributions from listeners that truly make it all possible—we could not continue to make the show without you! If you like what we do, you can chip in to help us cover our production costs at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠patreon.com/europeanspodcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ (in many different currencies), or you can gift a donation to a superfan. We'd also love it if you could tell two friends about this podcast. We think two feels like a reasonable number.

Produced by Morgan Childs, Wojciech Oleksiak and Katz Laszlo
Mixing and mastering by Wojciech Oleksiak

Music by Jim Barne and Mariska Martina

 

YouTube | Bluesky | Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ | Mastodon⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ | Substack | hello@europeanspodcast.com

]]>If you are the sort of person whose New Year’s resolutions read something like: “(1) Shoot for the moon, (2) Do what you love, (3) Change the world” – have we got a guest for you! We’re joined this week by former Icelandic prime minister Katrín Jakobsdóttir, who resigned from office in 2024 in order to run for president and is now enjoying a second life as a successful crime novelist and climate activist. Be still, our hearts. We chatted with Katrín about the security threat that climate change and the current geopolitical instability pose to Iceland; her career in politics; and why she wanted to write fiction (“Doesn’t everybody?” she asked).

 

Also in this episode: The Mercosur primer of your dreams! And the disconcertingly relatable story of a ChatGPT-informed wedding gone awry. This week’s Inspiration Station recommendations are the 10th edition of the European Review of Books and the Deutsche Welle podcast Delayland. 

 

LISTENER SURVEY: Do you have a moment to help us out? We would be so grateful to hear your thoughts about what we’re doing well and where we can improve. Fill out our short, simple survey here.

 

Resources for this episode:

 


 

SUBSCRIBE TO OUR NEWSLETTER: Although this episode came out on a Friday, we are a *Thursday* podcast, because who wants to think about the imminent World War III on a Friday? That being said, if you would like to laugh through your tears on Friday, we recommend our newsletter, GOOD WEEK BAD WEEK. It will carry you through a full weekend of existential dread.

 

This podcast was brought to you in cooperation with Euranet Plus, the leading radio network for EU news. But it’s contributions from listeners that truly make it all possible—we could not continue to make the show without you! If you like what we do, you can chip in to help us cover our production costs at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠patreon.com/europeanspodcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ (in many different currencies), or you can gift a donation to a superfan. We'd also love it if you could tell two friends about this podcast. We think two feels like a reasonable number.

Produced by Morgan Childs, Wojciech Oleksiak and Katz Laszlo
Mixing and mastering by Wojciech Oleksiak

Music by Jim Barne and Mariska Martina

 

YouTube | Bluesky | Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ | Mastodon⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ | Substack | hello@europeanspodcast.com

]]>helloqg.podbean.com/9ecb86da-165a-3229-ba75-1de4a3dc1e8dFri, 16 Jan 2026 06:00:00 +020055:37falsefull2026: The year Europe gets its act together?2026: The year Europe gets its act together?We are returning from our winter holidays feeling refreshed, renewed, and optimistic about 2026. Ha ha ha ha! No, but seriously, Trump’s capture of Venezuelan president Nicolás Maduro and his wife Cilia Flores was the New Year’s gift that Europe certainly did not ask for, and it raises a host of alarming questions. Among them: Does this move grant a permission slip for Vladimir Putin to encroach even further into Europe? And what does this mean for Greenland? 

 

As we tiptoe into the year ahead with heaps of anxiety about what it might have in store, we wanted to get some perspective from Alberto Alemanno, professor of EU law, founder of The Good Lobby, and longtime friend of the podcast. Alberto always has a smart, fresh perspective on what’s happening on the continent, and despite being jetlagged this week, he certainly did not disappoint.

 

We’re also talking this week about Bulgaria’s adoption of the euro—a move that comes with some risks, but about which we are cautiously optimistic—and about the 308,000 Greek students who recently lost their student status. This week’s Inspiration Station recommendations are Rosa Balistreri’s song “Curri Cavaddu Miu”, the French-owned streaming platform Qobuz, which offers a potentially more ethical alternative to Spotify, and going to the dentist in other countries (makes more sense if you listen in).

 

Resources for this episode:


 

Stride trepidatiously into the new year with The Europeans in your inbox! Our new newsletter, Good Week Bad Week, comes out on Friday mornings. Sign up here.

 

This podcast was brought to you in cooperation with Euranet Plus, the leading radio network for EU news. But it’s contributions from listeners that truly make it all possible—we could not continue to make the show without you! If you like what we do, you can chip in to help us cover our production costs at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠patreon.com/europeanspodcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ (in many different currencies), or you can gift a donation to a superfan. We'd also love it if you could tell two friends about this podcast. We think two feels like a reasonable number.

Produced by Katz Laszlo and Morgan Childs
Mixing and mastering by Wojciech Oleksiak

Music by Jim Barne and Mariska Martina


YouTube | Bluesky | Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ | Mastodon⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ | Substack | hello@europeanspodcast.com

]]>We are returning from our winter holidays feeling refreshed, renewed, and optimistic about 2026. Ha ha ha ha! No, but seriously, Trump’s capture of Venezuelan president Nicolás Maduro and his wife Cilia Flores was the New Year’s gift that Europe certainly did not ask for, and it raises a host of alarming questions. Among them: Does this move grant a permission slip for Vladimir Putin to encroach even further into Europe? And what does this mean for Greenland? 

 

As we tiptoe into the year ahead with heaps of anxiety about what it might have in store, we wanted to get some perspective from Alberto Alemanno, professor of EU law, founder of The Good Lobby, and longtime friend of the podcast. Alberto always has a smart, fresh perspective on what’s happening on the continent, and despite being jetlagged this week, he certainly did not disappoint.

 

We’re also talking this week about Bulgaria’s adoption of the euro—a move that comes with some risks, but about which we are cautiously optimistic—and about the 308,000 Greek students who recently lost their student status. This week’s Inspiration Station recommendations are Rosa Balistreri’s song “Curri Cavaddu Miu”, the French-owned streaming platform Qobuz, which offers a potentially more ethical alternative to Spotify, and going to the dentist in other countries (makes more sense if you listen in).

 

Resources for this episode:


 

Stride trepidatiously into the new year with The Europeans in your inbox! Our new newsletter, Good Week Bad Week, comes out on Friday mornings. Sign up here.

 

This podcast was brought to you in cooperation with Euranet Plus, the leading radio network for EU news. But it’s contributions from listeners that truly make it all possible—we could not continue to make the show without you! If you like what we do, you can chip in to help us cover our production costs at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠patreon.com/europeanspodcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ (in many different currencies), or you can gift a donation to a superfan. We'd also love it if you could tell two friends about this podcast. We think two feels like a reasonable number.

Produced by Katz Laszlo and Morgan Childs
Mixing and mastering by Wojciech Oleksiak

Music by Jim Barne and Mariska Martina


YouTube | Bluesky | Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ | Mastodon⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ | Substack | hello@europeanspodcast.com

]]>helloqg.podbean.com/b86a3746-fff3-3e7f-9d7e-01ebe56f201cThu, 08 Jan 2026 06:00:00 +020059:11falsefullPavarotti is trapped in an ice rinkPavarotti is trapped in an ice rinkIt’s that time of year when we gather together with friends from near and far, indulge in seasonal treats, and take a lighthearted look at the stories that are rounding out these past 12 wild months. It’s our annual Christmas extravaganza (🎄🎁🧑‍🎄✨ etc)! And in case you weren’t able to attend the party live over Zoom, not to worry – there’s plenty of revelry to be had in this episode.

 

This week we discuss two of the lighter news items to cross our messy Q4 desks: the fact that Denmark’s national postal service, PostNord, will soon cease to send letters or postcards, and the rather awkward saga surrounding a statue of opera legend Luciano Pavarotti that has been encased in an ice rink. Then we catch up with Jim Barne, a musician who made his name composing the theme music for a little podcast called The Europeans (wink, blush) and has just opened a smash-hit Broadway show, Two Strangers (Carry A Cake Across New York). Jim and his Two Strangers co-creator, Kit Buchan, are here to answer a burning question of Dominic’s: what is it, exactly, that makes Christmas music so Christmasy?

 

In the spirit of the holidays, here’s something a little more serious: sometimes it’s hard to believe that an independent podcast like ours has been able to find so many wonderful listeners across the world who have made it possible for us to keep going and growing over the years. You can hear a bit about how far we’ve come over the course of 2025 in this episode. But suffice to say, your generosity is an enormous gift that we don’t take lightly. Thank you.

 

If you don’t yet support the podcast but you’d like to help us keep making it, you can chip in to help us cover our production costs at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠patreon.com/europeanspodcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ (in many different currencies). Or you can gift a donation to a superfan this Christmas! We'd also love it if you could tell two friends about The Europeans. We think two feels like a reasonable number.

 

This week’s Inspiration Station recommendations came from listeners! Attila recommended the recent Catalan film Molt lluny (Away), Anna loved the book When the Cranes Fly South by Swedish author Lisa Ridzén, and Stephen plugged Simon Kuper’s memoir Impossible City: Paris in the Twenty-First Century.

 

Watch Christiani Pitts and Sam Tutty performing ‘Under the Mistletoe’ here.

 

Our final newsletter of 2025 will be out tomorrow. Click here to get it in your inbox. 


Produced by Morgan Childs and Wojciech Oleksiak
Mixing and mastering by Wojciech Oleksiak
Music by Jim Barne and Mariska Martina

00:00  Light on the carp, heavy on the Lithuanian liquor
05:01  Good Christmas: Danish memorabilia collectors
15:22  Bad Christmas: An operatic ice rink blunder
22:52  The state of The Europeans' finances in December 2025
28:35  Interview: Jim Barne and Kit Buchan on the secrets of Christmas song-writing
46:46  The Inspiration Station: 'Molt lluny (Away)', 'When the Cranes Fly South' and 'Impossible City'
50:43  Happy Ending: Owls livin' it large in Spain

 

YouTube | Bluesky | Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ | Mastodon⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ | hello@europeanspodcast.com

]]>It’s that time of year when we gather together with friends from near and far, indulge in seasonal treats, and take a lighthearted look at the stories that are rounding out these past 12 wild months. It’s our annual Christmas extravaganza (🎄🎁🧑‍🎄✨ etc)! And in case you weren’t able to attend the party live over Zoom, not to worry – there’s plenty of revelry to be had in this episode.

 

This week we discuss two of the lighter news items to cross our messy Q4 desks: the fact that Denmark’s national postal service, PostNord, will soon cease to send letters or postcards, and the rather awkward saga surrounding a statue of opera legend Luciano Pavarotti that has been encased in an ice rink. Then we catch up with Jim Barne, a musician who made his name composing the theme music for a little podcast called The Europeans (wink, blush) and has just opened a smash-hit Broadway show, Two Strangers (Carry A Cake Across New York). Jim and his Two Strangers co-creator, Kit Buchan, are here to answer a burning question of Dominic’s: what is it, exactly, that makes Christmas music so Christmasy?

 

In the spirit of the holidays, here’s something a little more serious: sometimes it’s hard to believe that an independent podcast like ours has been able to find so many wonderful listeners across the world who have made it possible for us to keep going and growing over the years. You can hear a bit about how far we’ve come over the course of 2025 in this episode. But suffice to say, your generosity is an enormous gift that we don’t take lightly. Thank you.

 

If you don’t yet support the podcast but you’d like to help us keep making it, you can chip in to help us cover our production costs at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠patreon.com/europeanspodcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ (in many different currencies). Or you can gift a donation to a superfan this Christmas! We'd also love it if you could tell two friends about The Europeans. We think two feels like a reasonable number.

 

This week’s Inspiration Station recommendations came from listeners! Attila recommended the recent Catalan film Molt lluny (Away), Anna loved the book When the Cranes Fly South by Swedish author Lisa Ridzén, and Stephen plugged Simon Kuper’s memoir Impossible City: Paris in the Twenty-First Century.

 

Watch Christiani Pitts and Sam Tutty performing ‘Under the Mistletoe’ here.

 

Our final newsletter of 2025 will be out tomorrow. Click here to get it in your inbox. 


Produced by Morgan Childs and Wojciech Oleksiak
Mixing and mastering by Wojciech Oleksiak
Music by Jim Barne and Mariska Martina

00:00  Light on the carp, heavy on the Lithuanian liquor
05:01  Good Christmas: Danish memorabilia collectors
15:22  Bad Christmas: An operatic ice rink blunder
22:52  The state of The Europeans' finances in December 2025
28:35  Interview: Jim Barne and Kit Buchan on the secrets of Christmas song-writing
46:46  The Inspiration Station: 'Molt lluny (Away)', 'When the Cranes Fly South' and 'Impossible City'
50:43  Happy Ending: Owls livin' it large in Spain

 

YouTube | Bluesky | Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ | Mastodon⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ | hello@europeanspodcast.com

]]>helloqg.podbean.com/a2ea81fe-8a33-3a01-9ff6-6c314c49427dThu, 18 Dec 2025 06:00:00 +020054:26falsefullCan the EU make Poland recognise gay marriage?Can the EU make Poland recognise gay marriage?If the winter blues have got you down, these two things might lift your spirit: (1) the Christmas section at your local Lidl, and (2) the news that a same-sex marriage in one EU country must be recognised in another. But how this ruling is going to be implemented across the bloc—especially in the countries where there are no civil partnership rights—remains to be seen. This week, we unpack the manifold questions raised by this big-step-in-the-right-direction decision. We also examine the Louvre’s controversial new ticketing policy. Is giving cheaper tickets to Europeans a form of discrimination?

 

Our guest this week is Angéla Kóczé, chair of the Romani Studies programme at Central European University. Angéla recently wrote a compelling article for Verfassungsblog in response to a troubling new Hungarian law. We caught up with her to discuss Europe’s long history of anti-Roma discrimination, including decades of forcible sterilisation of Roma women.

This podcast was brought to you in cooperation with Euranet Plus, the leading radio network for EU news. But it’s contributions from listeners that truly make it all possible—we could not continue to make the show without you! If you like what we do, you can chip in to help us cover our production costs at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠patreon.com/europeanspodcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. An extra incentive to support us this week: on December 15 at 2030 CET, we'll be recording the final episode of the year on Zoom at a very fun live show just for our supporters. We'd love to have you with us!

 

This week’s Inspiration Station recommendations are the 2022 film Woman on the Roof and the very cool website Mapping Diversity, which reveals just how many streets in your European city were named after women (spoiler: probably very few).

 

ICYMI: We’ve launched a newsletter! Get a fuller picture of who’s had a good week and who’s had a bad week in Europe each Friday in GOOD WEEK BAD WEEK. You can sign up at europeanspodcast.substack.com.

 

Other resources for this episode:

 



Produced by Katz Laszlo and Morgan Childs
Editorial support from Wojciech Oleksiak
Mixing and mastering by Wojciech Oleksiak
Music by Jim Barne and Mariska Martina

 

00:46  Two radically different solutions for beating the winter blues
04:52  Good Week: A landmark gay marriage ruling in the EU
17:32  Bad Week: The Louvre's new ticketing system
33:08  Interview: Angéla Kóczé on how Roma people are experiencing the rise of the far-right
48:54  The Inspiration Station: 'Woman On The Roof' and MappingDiversity.eu
52:46  Happy Ending: Duolingo could protect you from ageing

 

YouTube | Bluesky | Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ | Mastodon⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ | Substack | hello@europeanspodcast.com

]]>If the winter blues have got you down, these two things might lift your spirit: (1) the Christmas section at your local Lidl, and (2) the news that a same-sex marriage in one EU country must be recognised in another. But how this ruling is going to be implemented across the bloc—especially in the countries where there are no civil partnership rights—remains to be seen. This week, we unpack the manifold questions raised by this big-step-in-the-right-direction decision. We also examine the Louvre’s controversial new ticketing policy. Is giving cheaper tickets to Europeans a form of discrimination?

 

Our guest this week is Angéla Kóczé, chair of the Romani Studies programme at Central European University. Angéla recently wrote a compelling article for Verfassungsblog in response to a troubling new Hungarian law. We caught up with her to discuss Europe’s long history of anti-Roma discrimination, including decades of forcible sterilisation of Roma women.

This podcast was brought to you in cooperation with Euranet Plus, the leading radio network for EU news. But it’s contributions from listeners that truly make it all possible—we could not continue to make the show without you! If you like what we do, you can chip in to help us cover our production costs at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠patreon.com/europeanspodcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. An extra incentive to support us this week: on December 15 at 2030 CET, we'll be recording the final episode of the year on Zoom at a very fun live show just for our supporters. We'd love to have you with us!

 

This week’s Inspiration Station recommendations are the 2022 film Woman on the Roof and the very cool website Mapping Diversity, which reveals just how many streets in your European city were named after women (spoiler: probably very few).

 

ICYMI: We’ve launched a newsletter! Get a fuller picture of who’s had a good week and who’s had a bad week in Europe each Friday in GOOD WEEK BAD WEEK. You can sign up at europeanspodcast.substack.com.

 

Other resources for this episode:

 



Produced by Katz Laszlo and Morgan Childs
Editorial support from Wojciech Oleksiak
Mixing and mastering by Wojciech Oleksiak
Music by Jim Barne and Mariska Martina

 

00:46  Two radically different solutions for beating the winter blues
04:52  Good Week: A landmark gay marriage ruling in the EU
17:32  Bad Week: The Louvre's new ticketing system
33:08  Interview: Angéla Kóczé on how Roma people are experiencing the rise of the far-right
48:54  The Inspiration Station: 'Woman On The Roof' and MappingDiversity.eu
52:46  Happy Ending: Duolingo could protect you from ageing

 

YouTube | Bluesky | Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ | Mastodon⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ | Substack | hello@europeanspodcast.com

]]>helloqg.podbean.com/f27f3b3f-cb4b-3935-b79e-babc64d203d8Thu, 04 Dec 2025 06:00:00 +020055:24falsefullEurope's climate vibe has shifted. Now what?Europe's climate vibe has shifted. Now what?It hasn’t been a Good Week for the climate since, er, 1820-something? And it wasn’t last week, either. But it is a good week for The Europeans, because we’re joined by Luisa Neubauer, one of Germany’s best-known climate activists. Luisa recently wrote a terrific piece for The Economist about Europe’s climate “vibe shift”. We got her insights on what has caused the greenlash and what we ought to be doing about it. It’s a thoughtful, self-reflective, heartening conversation we think you’ll enjoy. 

 

We’re also talking about Brussels’ proposed “military Schengen” agreement, which would allow EU member states to move troops and equipment across borders relatively swiftly. (You don’t want to know how sluggish things are now.) And we’re taking a look at Slovenia’s troubling new “Šutar Law”, a security bill that is widely understood to target the Roma minority.

 

In other news… The Europeans are launching a newsletter! If you want to hear more about what happened in Europe over the past week and find out what we left on the podcast-cutting-room floor, subscribe to GOOD WEEK BAD WEEK over on Substack. New issues hit inboxes on Friday mornings.

 

And someone else has a new newsletter, too. Our very own Katy Lee has just published the first issue of Millefeuille, an English-language newsletter “for Parisians who are bad at local news”. If you fall in the middle of the Europeans podcast–Francophile Venn diagram, subscribe here.

 

This week’s Inspiration Station recommendations are two newly resurfaced works by Johann Sebastian Bach (here and here) and Carlo Rovelli’s book about the physics of time, The Order of Time.  And if you, too, are in the market for a novella to help you knock out your 2025 reading goals, Dominic likes Claire Keegan’s Small Things Like These. 

 

Other resources for this episode:

 


 

This podcast was brought to you in cooperation with Euranet Plus, the leading radio network for EU news. But it’s contributions from listeners that truly make it all possible—we could not continue to make the show without you! If you like what we do, you can chip in to help us cover our production costs at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠patreon.com/europeanspodcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ (in many different currencies), or you can gift a donation to a superfan. We'd also love it if you could tell two friends about this podcast. We think two feels like a reasonable number.

Produced by Morgan Childs 
Editorial support from Katz Laszlo
Mixing and mastering by Wojciech Oleksiak
Music by Jim Barne and Mariska Martina

 

YouTube | Bluesky | Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ | Mastodon⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ | Substack | hello@europeanspodcast.com

]]>It hasn’t been a Good Week for the climate since, er, 1820-something? And it wasn’t last week, either. But it is a good week for The Europeans, because we’re joined by Luisa Neubauer, one of Germany’s best-known climate activists. Luisa recently wrote a terrific piece for The Economist about Europe’s climate “vibe shift”. We got her insights on what has caused the greenlash and what we ought to be doing about it. It’s a thoughtful, self-reflective, heartening conversation we think you’ll enjoy. 

 

We’re also talking about Brussels’ proposed “military Schengen” agreement, which would allow EU member states to move troops and equipment across borders relatively swiftly. (You don’t want to know how sluggish things are now.) And we’re taking a look at Slovenia’s troubling new “Šutar Law”, a security bill that is widely understood to target the Roma minority.

 

In other news… The Europeans are launching a newsletter! If you want to hear more about what happened in Europe over the past week and find out what we left on the podcast-cutting-room floor, subscribe to GOOD WEEK BAD WEEK over on Substack. New issues hit inboxes on Friday mornings.

 

And someone else has a new newsletter, too. Our very own Katy Lee has just published the first issue of Millefeuille, an English-language newsletter “for Parisians who are bad at local news”. If you fall in the middle of the Europeans podcast–Francophile Venn diagram, subscribe here.

 

This week’s Inspiration Station recommendations are two newly resurfaced works by Johann Sebastian Bach (here and here) and Carlo Rovelli’s book about the physics of time, The Order of Time.  And if you, too, are in the market for a novella to help you knock out your 2025 reading goals, Dominic likes Claire Keegan’s Small Things Like These. 

 

Other resources for this episode:

 


 

This podcast was brought to you in cooperation with Euranet Plus, the leading radio network for EU news. But it’s contributions from listeners that truly make it all possible—we could not continue to make the show without you! If you like what we do, you can chip in to help us cover our production costs at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠patreon.com/europeanspodcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ (in many different currencies), or you can gift a donation to a superfan. We'd also love it if you could tell two friends about this podcast. We think two feels like a reasonable number.

Produced by Morgan Childs 
Editorial support from Katz Laszlo
Mixing and mastering by Wojciech Oleksiak
Music by Jim Barne and Mariska Martina

 

YouTube | Bluesky | Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ | Mastodon⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ | Substack | hello@europeanspodcast.com

]]>helloqg.podbean.com/f0a045e4-1770-3e3b-9d57-a4c3ebc75f65Thu, 27 Nov 2025 06:00:00 +020001:01:23falsefullHow Ireland proved a basic income for artists actually worksHow Ireland proved a basic income for artists actually worksWe don’t often get to cover joyful policy news on this podcast, so this week we’re delighted to be discussing that rare thing: a European country that’s investing serious money in culture. For three years, Ireland has been experimenting with paying artists, musicians and other creative workers a basic income. And guess what? The scheme has worked so well that they’re keeping it going. But is the policy all it’s cracked up to be? This week we speak to John Baker, a co-founder of the Equality Studies Centre at University College Dublin and one of the coordinators of Basic Income Ireland, about the logic and limits of Ireland’s Basic Income for the Arts. 

 

In sillier policy news, we’re looking at why Slovakia has been regulating the speed of kids cycling on the pavement. And we’re diving into Ukraine’s massive corruption scandal: what exactly happened, and just how bad is it for Volodymyr Zelenskyy? 

 

You can read interviews with the artists who’ve been receiving Ireland’s Basic Income for the Arts here.

 

This podcast was brought to you in cooperation with Euranet Plus, the leading radio network for EU news. But it’s contributions from listeners that truly make it all possible—we could not continue to make the show without you! If you like what we do, you can chip in to help us cover our production costs at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠patreon.com/europeanspodcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ (in many different currencies), or you can gift a donation to a superfan. We'd also love it if you could tell two friends about this podcast. We think two feels like a reasonable number.

This week’s Inspiration Station recommendations: ‘Dopamine’ by Robyn, ‘Choke Enough’ by Oklou, ‘West End Girl’ by Lily Allen and ‘La symphonie des éclairs’ by Zaho de Sagazan.

 

Other resources for this episode 

 

‘The EU Parliament now has a right-wing majority’ - Gulf Stream Blues (Dave Keating’s newsletter), November 14, 2025

‘Rage, panic, and a glimmer of hope in Ukraine as corruption scandal unfolds’ - The Kyiv Independent, November 15, 2025

‘No, there is no ‘speed limit’ for pedestrians in Slovakia’ - Euractiv, October 30, 2025

‘Bratislava built under 4 km of cycle paths last year, leaving cyclists disappointed’ - The Slovak Spectator, April 1, 2025


Produced by Morgan Childs

Mixing and mastering by Wojciech Oleksiak

Music by Jim Barne and Mariska Martina

 

YouTube | Bluesky | Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ | Mastodon⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ | hello@europeanspodcast.com

]]>We don’t often get to cover joyful policy news on this podcast, so this week we’re delighted to be discussing that rare thing: a European country that’s investing serious money in culture. For three years, Ireland has been experimenting with paying artists, musicians and other creative workers a basic income. And guess what? The scheme has worked so well that they’re keeping it going. But is the policy all it’s cracked up to be? This week we speak to John Baker, a co-founder of the Equality Studies Centre at University College Dublin and one of the coordinators of Basic Income Ireland, about the logic and limits of Ireland’s Basic Income for the Arts. 

 

In sillier policy news, we’re looking at why Slovakia has been regulating the speed of kids cycling on the pavement. And we’re diving into Ukraine’s massive corruption scandal: what exactly happened, and just how bad is it for Volodymyr Zelenskyy? 

 

You can read interviews with the artists who’ve been receiving Ireland’s Basic Income for the Arts here.

 

This podcast was brought to you in cooperation with Euranet Plus, the leading radio network for EU news. But it’s contributions from listeners that truly make it all possible—we could not continue to make the show without you! If you like what we do, you can chip in to help us cover our production costs at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠patreon.com/europeanspodcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ (in many different currencies), or you can gift a donation to a superfan. We'd also love it if you could tell two friends about this podcast. We think two feels like a reasonable number.

This week’s Inspiration Station recommendations: ‘Dopamine’ by Robyn, ‘Choke Enough’ by Oklou, ‘West End Girl’ by Lily Allen and ‘La symphonie des éclairs’ by Zaho de Sagazan.

 

Other resources for this episode 

 

‘The EU Parliament now has a right-wing majority’ - Gulf Stream Blues (Dave Keating’s newsletter), November 14, 2025

‘Rage, panic, and a glimmer of hope in Ukraine as corruption scandal unfolds’ - The Kyiv Independent, November 15, 2025

‘No, there is no ‘speed limit’ for pedestrians in Slovakia’ - Euractiv, October 30, 2025

‘Bratislava built under 4 km of cycle paths last year, leaving cyclists disappointed’ - The Slovak Spectator, April 1, 2025


Produced by Morgan Childs

Mixing and mastering by Wojciech Oleksiak

Music by Jim Barne and Mariska Martina

 

YouTube | Bluesky | Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ | Mastodon⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ | hello@europeanspodcast.com

]]>helloqg.podbean.com/7199ed5b-f66f-3124-b8cf-b2f926b24fe8Thu, 20 Nov 2025 06:00:00 +020048:54falsefullHelp! My manager is an algorithm!Help! My manager is an algorithm!KATY IS BACK! And we are proud to report that her new baby no longer looks like far-right French politician Éric Zemmour. Relief all around! 

 

It’s been a hectic time in Europe, but we’re happy to be covering it all—or, you know, a sizable sliver of it—starting with Latvia’s potential withdrawal from the Istanbul Convention and the European Parliament’s call for new regulation of algorithmic tech in the workplace. Algorithmic management has made its way into all sorts of industries; we dig into whether or not that’s a good thing and how new legislation might help to protect us all.

 

Then it’s off to Paris, where tens of thousands of shoppers have already flooded the aisles of the new brick-and-mortar Shein store and thousands of others have been protesting its very existence. That’s not only because of Shein’s environmentally toxic business model but because of the recent appearance of some despicable products on its website—which has led the French government to threaten to ban the fast-fashion giant. To break it all down, we rang up Paris-based fashion journalist Dana Thomas, author of the book Fashionopolis and host of the podcast The Green Dream.

 

Mentioned in this episode:

 


 

This week's Inspiration Station recommendations are the Rosalía album Lux and the podcast series Where Is Jón?, a co-production of RTÉ in Ireland and RÚV in Iceland. 

 

We don't often have sponsors on this podcast but this week, we do: Patagonia. Three years ago, Patagonia named Earth as its only shareholder. But moving more profits to environmental causes hasn’t made them a perfect company—let alone a sustainable one. Out now is Patagonia's 2025 Work-in-Progress report: the raw truth about where they’re messing up, but also, the latest ways they’re rethinking business as usual. You can check out the report here.


This podcast was brought to you in cooperation with Euranet Plus, the leading radio network for EU news. But it’s contributions from listeners that truly make it all possible—we could not continue to make the show without you! If you like what we do, you can chip in to help us cover our production costs at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠patreon.com/europeanspodcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ (in many different currencies), or you can gift a donation to a superfan. We'd also love it if you could tell two friends about this podcast. We think two feels like a reasonable number.

01:21  Katy's back!
05:33  Bad Week: Latvian politicians
19:08  Good Week: All European workers! (Maybe)
30:48  Interview: Dana Thomas on France's threat to ban SHEIN
46:00  The Inspiration Station: 'Lux' by Rosalía and 'Where is Jón'?
50:46  Happy Ending: Europe's first major elephant sanctuary


Produced by Morgan Childs 
Editorial support from Katz Laszlo
Mixing and mastering by Wojciech Oleksiak
Music by Jim Barne and Mariska Martina


YouTube | Bluesky | Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ | Mastodon⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ | hello@europeanspodcast.com

]]>KATY IS BACK! And we are proud to report that her new baby no longer looks like far-right French politician Éric Zemmour. Relief all around! 

 

It’s been a hectic time in Europe, but we’re happy to be covering it all—or, you know, a sizable sliver of it—starting with Latvia’s potential withdrawal from the Istanbul Convention and the European Parliament’s call for new regulation of algorithmic tech in the workplace. Algorithmic management has made its way into all sorts of industries; we dig into whether or not that’s a good thing and how new legislation might help to protect us all.

 

Then it’s off to Paris, where tens of thousands of shoppers have already flooded the aisles of the new brick-and-mortar Shein store and thousands of others have been protesting its very existence. That’s not only because of Shein’s environmentally toxic business model but because of the recent appearance of some despicable products on its website—which has led the French government to threaten to ban the fast-fashion giant. To break it all down, we rang up Paris-based fashion journalist Dana Thomas, author of the book Fashionopolis and host of the podcast The Green Dream.

 

Mentioned in this episode:

 


 

This week's Inspiration Station recommendations are the Rosalía album Lux and the podcast series Where Is Jón?, a co-production of RTÉ in Ireland and RÚV in Iceland. 

 

We don't often have sponsors on this podcast but this week, we do: Patagonia. Three years ago, Patagonia named Earth as its only shareholder. But moving more profits to environmental causes hasn’t made them a perfect company—let alone a sustainable one. Out now is Patagonia's 2025 Work-in-Progress report: the raw truth about where they’re messing up, but also, the latest ways they’re rethinking business as usual. You can check out the report here.


This podcast was brought to you in cooperation with Euranet Plus, the leading radio network for EU news. But it’s contributions from listeners that truly make it all possible—we could not continue to make the show without you! If you like what we do, you can chip in to help us cover our production costs at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠patreon.com/europeanspodcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ (in many different currencies), or you can gift a donation to a superfan. We'd also love it if you could tell two friends about this podcast. We think two feels like a reasonable number.

01:21  Katy's back!
05:33  Bad Week: Latvian politicians
19:08  Good Week: All European workers! (Maybe)
30:48  Interview: Dana Thomas on France's threat to ban SHEIN
46:00  The Inspiration Station: 'Lux' by Rosalía and 'Where is Jón'?
50:46  Happy Ending: Europe's first major elephant sanctuary


Produced by Morgan Childs 
Editorial support from Katz Laszlo
Mixing and mastering by Wojciech Oleksiak
Music by Jim Barne and Mariska Martina


YouTube | Bluesky | Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ | Mastodon⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ | hello@europeanspodcast.com

]]>helloqg.podbean.com/fd91352e-3173-3ee9-aa13-f4d7ebf7d122Fri, 14 Nov 2025 06:00:00 +020053:43falsefullDrugs policy: Who Does It Best?Drugs policy: Who Does It Best?Should weed be legalised? What about heroin? Set aside any previously held opinions and prepare a far-out trip! In the final episode of 'Who Does It Best?' producer Wojciech is taking us across the landscape of Europe’s drug policies. From 90s Portugal to the coffee shops of Amsterdam to a little pit stop in Uruguay(!), we’re taking a deep dive into which policies are the sanest and safest on offer.

MASSIVE THANKS: We want to give a HUGE shoutout to everyone who made this series possible. Our generous crowdfunders hit our goal within two months, making it possible for us to do extensive reporting fully independently. Our hearts are beyond full. Thank you.

BOOST THE SHOW: If you liked the series and want to help us spread the good word, we’ve prepared some social media posts that you can download and share. Here they are! We’d be eternally grateful if you influenced your followers with our snappy graphics ✨

DON’T QUIT WHILE YOU’RE AHEAD: If you’re feeling inspired to support The Europeans’ ongoing work, please go to patreon.com/europeanspodcast. You can drop us a few euros or dollars or francs or crowns or whatever the heck ya got.

 

Additional resources for this episode: 


Written, reported and produced by: Wojciech Oleksiak

Editor: Jasmin Baoumy 

Editorial support: Dominic Kraemer, Katz Laszlo, Katy Lee, Morgan Childs

Sound design: Jesse Lou Lawson

Mixing and mastering: Wojciech Oleksiak

Music and SFX: Jim Barne, Epidemic, FreeSound.org

Artwork: RTiiiKA

 

Thanks to everyone who sat down with Wojciech to share their expertise, including Tom Decorte, Katrin Schiffer, Annika Apfel, Malu Salazar, Cedric Chervet, Adam Nowotarski, Peter Sarosi, Ferry, the De Barones crew, Reinoud van Delft, Gośka, Yahya, Leonie, AMOC clients Bouhz and Damian, Breda’s coffeeshop owners. Special thanks go to Leonie, Tom, Łukasz and Michał.

 

Stay safe out there!


YouTube | Bluesky | Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ | Mastodon⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ | hello@europeanspodcast.com

 

00:00:43 Intro: Rockstar life and drugs
00:09:55 Act I: Soft drugs, tolerance and the myth of legal weed
00:23:15 Act II: You gotta regulate that thing!
00:30:43 Act III: Total decriminalization
00:49:05 Act IV: Legalise everything, regulate everything

]]>Should weed be legalised? What about heroin? Set aside any previously held opinions and prepare a far-out trip! In the final episode of 'Who Does It Best?' producer Wojciech is taking us across the landscape of Europe’s drug policies. From 90s Portugal to the coffee shops of Amsterdam to a little pit stop in Uruguay(!), we’re taking a deep dive into which policies are the sanest and safest on offer.

MASSIVE THANKS: We want to give a HUGE shoutout to everyone who made this series possible. Our generous crowdfunders hit our goal within two months, making it possible for us to do extensive reporting fully independently. Our hearts are beyond full. Thank you.

BOOST THE SHOW: If you liked the series and want to help us spread the good word, we’ve prepared some social media posts that you can download and share. Here they are! We’d be eternally grateful if you influenced your followers with our snappy graphics ✨

DON’T QUIT WHILE YOU’RE AHEAD: If you’re feeling inspired to support The Europeans’ ongoing work, please go to patreon.com/europeanspodcast. You can drop us a few euros or dollars or francs or crowns or whatever the heck ya got.

 

Additional resources for this episode: 


Written, reported and produced by: Wojciech Oleksiak

Editor: Jasmin Baoumy 

Editorial support: Dominic Kraemer, Katz Laszlo, Katy Lee, Morgan Childs

Sound design: Jesse Lou Lawson

Mixing and mastering: Wojciech Oleksiak

Music and SFX: Jim Barne, Epidemic, FreeSound.org

Artwork: RTiiiKA

 

Thanks to everyone who sat down with Wojciech to share their expertise, including Tom Decorte, Katrin Schiffer, Annika Apfel, Malu Salazar, Cedric Chervet, Adam Nowotarski, Peter Sarosi, Ferry, the De Barones crew, Reinoud van Delft, Gośka, Yahya, Leonie, AMOC clients Bouhz and Damian, Breda’s coffeeshop owners. Special thanks go to Leonie, Tom, Łukasz and Michał.

 

Stay safe out there!


YouTube | Bluesky | Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ | Mastodon⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ | hello@europeanspodcast.com

 

00:00:43 Intro: Rockstar life and drugs
00:09:55 Act I: Soft drugs, tolerance and the myth of legal weed
00:23:15 Act II: You gotta regulate that thing!
00:30:43 Act III: Total decriminalization
00:49:05 Act IV: Legalise everything, regulate everything

]]>helloqg.podbean.com/51d2ce7f-ede0-314e-bc61-a3e59cc04389Fri, 07 Nov 2025 06:00:00 +020001:00:39falsefull99Report from Novi Sad: Can students bring down a regime?Report from Novi Sad: Can students bring down a regime?We’re taking a momentary break from “Who Does It Best?” to take a trip to Serbia with producer Wojciech Oleksiak. Wojciech was on the ground in Novi Sad last weekend to report from the massive demonstration marking the one-year anniversary of the tragic accident at the city’s railway station. 

And if you’re not following this story, you should be. Much of what’s happening in Serbia is a heartening example of how peaceful demonstrations can really move the needle, even in places where the political situation looks bleak. And Serbia’s leadership has been following a playbook that is increasingly common across Europe and the rest of the world. Even if you don’t live under an illiberal democracy…you might want to get familiar with how they take shape.

If you’re interested to hear more on this evolving story, check out our episode from earlier this year called “Is real change coming to Serbia?” 

We’ll be back with the final episode of “Who Does It Best?” on Friday. (Wojciech has had a busy week.) 

This podcast was brought to you in cooperation with Euranet Plus, the leading radio network for EU news. But it’s contributions from listeners that truly make it all possible—we could not continue to make the show without you! If you like what we do, you can chip in to help us cover our production costs at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠patreon.com/europeanspodcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ (in many different currencies), or you can gift a donation to a superfan. We'd also love it if you could tell two friends about this podcast. We think two feels like a reasonable number.

Reported, produced, mixed, and mastered by Wojciech Oleksiak. Editorial support by Dominic Kraemer and Morgan Childs. Special thanks go to Filip Djordjević and Mila Dragnić.

 

]]>We’re taking a momentary break from “Who Does It Best?” to take a trip to Serbia with producer Wojciech Oleksiak. Wojciech was on the ground in Novi Sad last weekend to report from the massive demonstration marking the one-year anniversary of the tragic accident at the city’s railway station. 

And if you’re not following this story, you should be. Much of what’s happening in Serbia is a heartening example of how peaceful demonstrations can really move the needle, even in places where the political situation looks bleak. And Serbia’s leadership has been following a playbook that is increasingly common across Europe and the rest of the world. Even if you don’t live under an illiberal democracy…you might want to get familiar with how they take shape.

If you’re interested to hear more on this evolving story, check out our episode from earlier this year called “Is real change coming to Serbia?” 

We’ll be back with the final episode of “Who Does It Best?” on Friday. (Wojciech has had a busy week.) 

This podcast was brought to you in cooperation with Euranet Plus, the leading radio network for EU news. But it’s contributions from listeners that truly make it all possible—we could not continue to make the show without you! If you like what we do, you can chip in to help us cover our production costs at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠patreon.com/europeanspodcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ (in many different currencies), or you can gift a donation to a superfan. We'd also love it if you could tell two friends about this podcast. We think two feels like a reasonable number.

Reported, produced, mixed, and mastered by Wojciech Oleksiak. Editorial support by Dominic Kraemer and Morgan Childs. Special thanks go to Filip Djordjević and Mila Dragnić.

 

]]>helloqg.podbean.com/54c91d1c-0439-3eff-a601-66cde7c3a4e9Tue, 04 Nov 2025 11:59:07 +020030:55falsefullChildcare policy: Who Does It Best?Childcare policy: Who Does It Best?Childcare policy affects all of us at some point in our lives. And depending on where you live, your country’s parental leave and early-education policies can determine everything from what you do for a living to how you divide household labor to how you plan for your future. Reporters Maja Stepančič and Uršula Zaletelj took a whirlwind trip across Europe to find out which country does childcare policy best. And even if you don’t have kids of your own, we’re pretty sure you’ll enjoy taking the journey with them.

Maja and Uršula are the hosts of the Slovenian-language parenting podcast Šala za starše, or ‘A Joke for Parents’. You can find their show here.

This series was fully funded by you, our listeners. Our generous crowdfunders hit our goal within two months, making it possible for us to do extensive reporting fully independently. We couldn’t be more grateful. If you’re feeling inspired to support The Europeans’ ongoing work, please go to patreon.com/europeanspodcast. 

Want to support us in another way? Please share this episode with one or two friends who you think might find it interesting. It’s the most effective way for us to reach people!


Additional resources for this episode: 



00:00:43 Introducing Uršula Zaletelj and Maja Stepančič

00:05:52 How childcare made this episode about childcare possible

00:13:55 How Icelandic women went on strike and brought the entire country to a halt

00:17:25 A Swedish toddler trouble

00:21:52 Is it best to raise your child in the shadow of the Eiffel Tower?

00:28:26 The longest parental leave in Europe

00:34:54 Italy: La Famiglia Mulino Bianco

00:42:39 No place like home!


Written, reported and produced by: Uršula Zaletelj and Maja Stepančič

Additional production: Katz Laszlo

Editors: Jasmin Baoumy, Katz Laszlo

Editorial support: Dominic Kraemer, Katy Lee, Morgan Childs

Sound design: Jesse Lou Lawson

Mixing and mastering: Wojciech Oleksiak

Music and SFX: Jim Barne, Epidemic, FreeSound.org

Artwork: RTiiiKA

With thanks to everyone that talked to us for this episode: Mathieu Lefèvre, Ana Marija Sikirić Simčic, Martina Pezer, Petra Klasić, Ivona Ivić Lovrenović, Mojca Dominikovič, Katarina Hovfing, Katy Lee, Stephanie Scherer, Dana Thompson, Richard Thompson, Madalina Ion, Corina Parvu, Alenka Švab, Katarina Bogataj, Carlotta Giordano, Giulia Milan, Letizia Mencarini, Maria Rosaria Gualano and Anne Wiebke Peters.

And a final, heartfelt thanks to the wonderful professionals who looked after Uršula and Maja’s children so they could work on this episode ❤️

YouTube | Bluesky | Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ | Mastodon⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ | hello@europeanspodcast.com

]]>Childcare policy affects all of us at some point in our lives. And depending on where you live, your country’s parental leave and early-education policies can determine everything from what you do for a living to how you divide household labor to how you plan for your future. Reporters Maja Stepančič and Uršula Zaletelj took a whirlwind trip across Europe to find out which country does childcare policy best. And even if you don’t have kids of your own, we’re pretty sure you’ll enjoy taking the journey with them.

Maja and Uršula are the hosts of the Slovenian-language parenting podcast Šala za starše, or ‘A Joke for Parents’. You can find their show here.

This series was fully funded by you, our listeners. Our generous crowdfunders hit our goal within two months, making it possible for us to do extensive reporting fully independently. We couldn’t be more grateful. If you’re feeling inspired to support The Europeans’ ongoing work, please go to patreon.com/europeanspodcast. 

Want to support us in another way? Please share this episode with one or two friends who you think might find it interesting. It’s the most effective way for us to reach people!


Additional resources for this episode: 



00:00:43 Introducing Uršula Zaletelj and Maja Stepančič

00:05:52 How childcare made this episode about childcare possible

00:13:55 How Icelandic women went on strike and brought the entire country to a halt

00:17:25 A Swedish toddler trouble

00:21:52 Is it best to raise your child in the shadow of the Eiffel Tower?

00:28:26 The longest parental leave in Europe

00:34:54 Italy: La Famiglia Mulino Bianco

00:42:39 No place like home!


Written, reported and produced by: Uršula Zaletelj and Maja Stepančič

Additional production: Katz Laszlo

Editors: Jasmin Baoumy, Katz Laszlo

Editorial support: Dominic Kraemer, Katy Lee, Morgan Childs

Sound design: Jesse Lou Lawson

Mixing and mastering: Wojciech Oleksiak

Music and SFX: Jim Barne, Epidemic, FreeSound.org

Artwork: RTiiiKA

With thanks to everyone that talked to us for this episode: Mathieu Lefèvre, Ana Marija Sikirić Simčic, Martina Pezer, Petra Klasić, Ivona Ivić Lovrenović, Mojca Dominikovič, Katarina Hovfing, Katy Lee, Stephanie Scherer, Dana Thompson, Richard Thompson, Madalina Ion, Corina Parvu, Alenka Švab, Katarina Bogataj, Carlotta Giordano, Giulia Milan, Letizia Mencarini, Maria Rosaria Gualano and Anne Wiebke Peters.

And a final, heartfelt thanks to the wonderful professionals who looked after Uršula and Maja’s children so they could work on this episode ❤️

YouTube | Bluesky | Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ | Mastodon⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ | hello@europeanspodcast.com

]]>helloqg.podbean.com/85f35be7-be9c-35be-ab1a-09d66af94ff8Fri, 31 Oct 2025 06:00:00 +020058:42falsefull88Housing policy: Who Does It Best? - Part 2Housing policy: Who Does It Best? - Part 2Katz goes back to the drawing board. If the housing crisis is really about wealth inequality, doesn’t the policy we need to fix it… need to address wealth inequality? We go in deep, and what Katz finds makes us wonder: are we even having the right conversation when it comes to the housing crisis? 

 

If you're curious about where you stand on your country's wealth ladder, you can find the World Bank’s calculator here, which adjusts for things like home ownership. 

 

The intergenerational wealth audit that Molly co-authored, you can find here.

 

You can find one of the OECD’s reports on housing tax in Europe here.

 

You can find Cody’s book on housing shame here.

 

Interested in hearing more radio that looks at how politics gets into our intimate lives? Journalist Anna Sale’s book and podcast “about the things we think about a lot and need to talk about more” have been a huge inspiration.

 

If you want to know your renters' rights, many countries have renters' unions that give (legal) advice. Here's the Dutch one: Woonbond.

 

And most importantly, this series was fully funded by you - our listeners! Our generous crowdfunders hit our goal within two months, and made it possible for us to do extensive reporting fully independently. We couldn’t be more grateful. If you’re feeling inspired to support our ongoing work, please go to patreon.com/europeanspodcast. You can donate as little as 3 euros, less than an overpriced cappuccino! But you can also donate plenty more ;)

 

Want to support us in another way? Please consider telling one or two friends specifically about this episode, and sharing it with them. It is the most effective way for us to reach people!



Written, reported and produced by: Katz Laszlo

Editors: Jasmin Baoumy, Katy Lee

Editorial support: Dominic Kraemer, Morgan Childs, Uršula Zaletelj, Maja Stepančič

Sound design: Jesse Lou Lawson

Mastering: Wojciech Oleksiak

Music and SFX: Jim Barne, Epidemic, FreeSound.org

Artwork: RTiiiKA


Special thanks to: Vera Vrijmoeth, Georgia Walker, Cody Hochstenbach, Molly Broome, Juha Kahila, Ton Heijdra, Marie-Jeanne Dumont, Museum Het Schip, Woonbond, and the many more friends and strangers who talked to us about housing and money.

 

YouTube | Bluesky | Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ | Mastodon⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ | hello@europeanspodcast.com

]]>Katz goes back to the drawing board. If the housing crisis is really about wealth inequality, doesn’t the policy we need to fix it… need to address wealth inequality? We go in deep, and what Katz finds makes us wonder: are we even having the right conversation when it comes to the housing crisis? 

 

If you're curious about where you stand on your country's wealth ladder, you can find the World Bank’s calculator here, which adjusts for things like home ownership. 

 

The intergenerational wealth audit that Molly co-authored, you can find here.

 

You can find one of the OECD’s reports on housing tax in Europe here.

 

You can find Cody’s book on housing shame here.

 

Interested in hearing more radio that looks at how politics gets into our intimate lives? Journalist Anna Sale’s book and podcast “about the things we think about a lot and need to talk about more” have been a huge inspiration.

 

If you want to know your renters' rights, many countries have renters' unions that give (legal) advice. Here's the Dutch one: Woonbond.

 

And most importantly, this series was fully funded by you - our listeners! Our generous crowdfunders hit our goal within two months, and made it possible for us to do extensive reporting fully independently. We couldn’t be more grateful. If you’re feeling inspired to support our ongoing work, please go to patreon.com/europeanspodcast. You can donate as little as 3 euros, less than an overpriced cappuccino! But you can also donate plenty more ;)

 

Want to support us in another way? Please consider telling one or two friends specifically about this episode, and sharing it with them. It is the most effective way for us to reach people!



Written, reported and produced by: Katz Laszlo

Editors: Jasmin Baoumy, Katy Lee

Editorial support: Dominic Kraemer, Morgan Childs, Uršula Zaletelj, Maja Stepančič

Sound design: Jesse Lou Lawson

Mastering: Wojciech Oleksiak

Music and SFX: Jim Barne, Epidemic, FreeSound.org

Artwork: RTiiiKA


Special thanks to: Vera Vrijmoeth, Georgia Walker, Cody Hochstenbach, Molly Broome, Juha Kahila, Ton Heijdra, Marie-Jeanne Dumont, Museum Het Schip, Woonbond, and the many more friends and strangers who talked to us about housing and money.

 

YouTube | Bluesky | Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ | Mastodon⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ | hello@europeanspodcast.com

]]>helloqg.podbean.com/09a90aba-dd75-3388-89d5-e1f8ce0f5fe8Fri, 24 Oct 2025 06:05:00 +020046:11falsefullHousing policy: Who Does It Best? - Part 1Housing policy: Who Does It Best? - Part 1Why is your rent so high? What are the policies that created this housing crisis, and what policies can get us out of it? This week we launch the first two parts of our new series, ‘Who Does It Best?’. At a time when many people feel like their governments are not taking care of them, we wondered: how do policies actually shape our daily lives? And are there places getting it right? 

 

In Housing Part 1, Katz takes us on a journey through Vienna, Finland, and Paris, looking for Europe’s most ambitious housing policies and what we can learn from them (and maybe even copy?!). But first, Katz and Dominic sit down to face the elephant in the room: money, housing, and inheritance.

 

If you’re curious about where you stand on your country’s wealth ladder, you can find the World Bank’s wealth calculator here. 

 

If you want to know your renters’ rights, many countries have renters’ unions that give (legal) advice. Here is the Dutch one: Woonbond.

 

Interested in hearing more radio that looks at how politics gets into our intimate lives? Journalist Anna Sale’s book and podcast “about the things we think about a lot and need to talk about more” have been a huge inspiration for this podcast.

 

And most importantly, this series was fully funded by you - our listeners! Our generous crowdfunders hit our goal within two months, and made it possible for us to do extensive reporting fully independently. We couldn’t be more grateful. If you’re feeling inspired to support our ongoing work, please go to patreon.com/europeanspodcast. You can donate as little as 3 euros, less than an overpriced cappuccino! But you can also donate plenty more ;)

 

Want to support us in another way? Please consider telling one or two friends specifically about this episode, and sharing it with them. It is the most effective way for us to reach people!



Written, reported and produced by: Katz Laszlo

Editors: Jasmin Baoumy, Katy Lee

Editorial support: Dominic Kraemer, Morgan Childs, Uršula Zaletelj, Maja Stepančič

Sound design: Jesse Lou Lawson

Mastering: Wojciech Oleksiak

Music and SFX: Epidemic & FreeSound.Org, including pneumatic drill by acclivity

Artwork: RTiiiKA


Special thanks to: Vera Vrijmoeth, Georgia Walker, Cody Hochstenbach, Molly Broome, Juha Kahila, Ton Heijdra, Marie-Jeanne Dumont, Museum Het Schip, Woonbond, and the many more friends and strangers who talked to us about housing and money.

YouTube | Bluesky | Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ | Mastodon⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ | hello@europeanspodcast.com

 

 

]]>Why is your rent so high? What are the policies that created this housing crisis, and what policies can get us out of it? This week we launch the first two parts of our new series, ‘Who Does It Best?’. At a time when many people feel like their governments are not taking care of them, we wondered: how do policies actually shape our daily lives? And are there places getting it right? 

 

In Housing Part 1, Katz takes us on a journey through Vienna, Finland, and Paris, looking for Europe’s most ambitious housing policies and what we can learn from them (and maybe even copy?!). But first, Katz and Dominic sit down to face the elephant in the room: money, housing, and inheritance.

 

If you’re curious about where you stand on your country’s wealth ladder, you can find the World Bank’s wealth calculator here. 

 

If you want to know your renters’ rights, many countries have renters’ unions that give (legal) advice. Here is the Dutch one: Woonbond.

 

Interested in hearing more radio that looks at how politics gets into our intimate lives? Journalist Anna Sale’s book and podcast “about the things we think about a lot and need to talk about more” have been a huge inspiration for this podcast.

 

And most importantly, this series was fully funded by you - our listeners! Our generous crowdfunders hit our goal within two months, and made it possible for us to do extensive reporting fully independently. We couldn’t be more grateful. If you’re feeling inspired to support our ongoing work, please go to patreon.com/europeanspodcast. You can donate as little as 3 euros, less than an overpriced cappuccino! But you can also donate plenty more ;)

 

Want to support us in another way? Please consider telling one or two friends specifically about this episode, and sharing it with them. It is the most effective way for us to reach people!



Written, reported and produced by: Katz Laszlo

Editors: Jasmin Baoumy, Katy Lee

Editorial support: Dominic Kraemer, Morgan Childs, Uršula Zaletelj, Maja Stepančič

Sound design: Jesse Lou Lawson

Mastering: Wojciech Oleksiak

Music and SFX: Epidemic & FreeSound.Org, including pneumatic drill by acclivity

Artwork: RTiiiKA


Special thanks to: Vera Vrijmoeth, Georgia Walker, Cody Hochstenbach, Molly Broome, Juha Kahila, Ton Heijdra, Marie-Jeanne Dumont, Museum Het Schip, Woonbond, and the many more friends and strangers who talked to us about housing and money.

YouTube | Bluesky | Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ | Mastodon⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ | hello@europeanspodcast.com

 

 

]]>helloqg.podbean.com/953e3348-d51e-3f97-aff8-a13ea4716dc0Fri, 24 Oct 2025 06:00:00 +020051:28falsefullWho Does It Best? - A new miniseries, coming this weekWho Does It Best? - A new miniseries, coming this weekA new mini-series from The Europeans, landing in this feed later this week. From Paris to Breda, Rome to Reykjavik, ‘Who Does It Best?’ showcases some of Europe’s most successful policies—and offers a few lessons for other countries along the way.

]]>A new mini-series from The Europeans, landing in this feed later this week. From Paris to Breda, Rome to Reykjavik, ‘Who Does It Best?’ showcases some of Europe’s most successful policies—and offers a few lessons for other countries along the way.

]]>helloqg.podbean.com/a1420d76-48fd-3fcc-926f-58cab434f51dTue, 21 Oct 2025 06:00:00 +020001:17falsetrailerBabiš is backBabiš is backIt’s been a busy week for European politics, European protests, and European wallabies. In the midst of the madness, we caught up with Kateřina Šafaříková of Czech news outlet Seznam Zprávy, who filled us in on the Czech Republic’s recent parliamentary elections. Is the probable next Prime Minister, Andrej Babiš, likely to be an Orbán-esque thorn in the EU’s side, or does he just kinda wanna text with Macron? Kateřina shares her thoughts. We also catch up on the protests that Georgia’s democratic opposition has been staging against the country’s government in Tbilisi and a grassroots victory in Lithuania.

If you’re moved to learn more about what’s going on in Georgia, check out our interview with Anna Gvarishvili in the episode “Is this the end of Georgia’s European dream?” You can also follow some of the initiatives and journalists Wojciech recommends:


You can discover more of Kateřina Šafaříková’s work over here or follow her on Instagram here.

This week's Inspiration Station recommendations are the documentary Pianoforte and the book Dream Count by Chimamanda Ngozie Adichie, courtesy of Patreon member Pia. 

Brace yourselves if you decide you do indeed want to hear the now former Lithuanian minister for culture singing on an episode of the Voice.

This podcast was brought to you in cooperation with Euranet Plus, the leading radio network for EU news. But it’s contributions from listeners that truly make it all possible—we could not continue to make the show without you! If you like what we do, you can chip in to help us cover our production costs at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠patreon.com/europeanspodcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ (in many different currencies), or you can gift a donation to a superfan. We'd also love it if you could tell two friends about this podcast. We think two feels like a reasonable number.

00:00:47 Bentornato!
00:04:08 Good Week: Lithuania’s cultural sector
00:15:15 Bad Week: Georgian democratic opposition 
00:28:11 Interview: Journalist Kateřina Šafaříková on last week’s Czech elections
00:47:34 The Inspiration Station: The documentary Pianoforte and the book Dream Count by Chimamanda Ngozie Adichie
00:52:40 Happy Ending: Massive Der Spiegel wallaby scoop!

Producers: Morgan Childs and Wojciech Oleksiak
Mixing and mastering: Wojciech Oleksiak

]]>It’s been a busy week for European politics, European protests, and European wallabies. In the midst of the madness, we caught up with Kateřina Šafaříková of Czech news outlet Seznam Zprávy, who filled us in on the Czech Republic’s recent parliamentary elections. Is the probable next Prime Minister, Andrej Babiš, likely to be an Orbán-esque thorn in the EU’s side, or does he just kinda wanna text with Macron? Kateřina shares her thoughts. We also catch up on the protests that Georgia’s democratic opposition has been staging against the country’s government in Tbilisi and a grassroots victory in Lithuania.

If you’re moved to learn more about what’s going on in Georgia, check out our interview with Anna Gvarishvili in the episode “Is this the end of Georgia’s European dream?” You can also follow some of the initiatives and journalists Wojciech recommends:


You can discover more of Kateřina Šafaříková’s work over here or follow her on Instagram here.

This week's Inspiration Station recommendations are the documentary Pianoforte and the book Dream Count by Chimamanda Ngozie Adichie, courtesy of Patreon member Pia. 

Brace yourselves if you decide you do indeed want to hear the now former Lithuanian minister for culture singing on an episode of the Voice.

This podcast was brought to you in cooperation with Euranet Plus, the leading radio network for EU news. But it’s contributions from listeners that truly make it all possible—we could not continue to make the show without you! If you like what we do, you can chip in to help us cover our production costs at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠patreon.com/europeanspodcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ (in many different currencies), or you can gift a donation to a superfan. We'd also love it if you could tell two friends about this podcast. We think two feels like a reasonable number.

00:00:47 Bentornato!
00:04:08 Good Week: Lithuania’s cultural sector
00:15:15 Bad Week: Georgian democratic opposition 
00:28:11 Interview: Journalist Kateřina Šafaříková on last week’s Czech elections
00:47:34 The Inspiration Station: The documentary Pianoforte and the book Dream Count by Chimamanda Ngozie Adichie
00:52:40 Happy Ending: Massive Der Spiegel wallaby scoop!

Producers: Morgan Childs and Wojciech Oleksiak
Mixing and mastering: Wojciech Oleksiak

]]>helloqg.podbean.com/cd8bc0bc-6402-3b63-a975-f653f80df01fThu, 09 Oct 2025 00:06:04 +020056:48falsefull77Are we all trapped in a transatlantic Truman Show?Are we all trapped in a transatlantic Truman Show?Can we talk about Trump’s culture war, Putin’s war on inclusivity, and just about everyone’s unwillingness to pay teachers fair wages—and giggle throughout? You better believe it. Nina Lamparski is back in the hosting chair, and strap in, listeners, because this week’s show is a *ride.*

Our guest this week is the delightful and incisive political analyst Paweł Zerka of the European Council on Foreign Relations. Paweł returns to the podcast to tell us why Europe is living in a Truman-Show-style universe directed by Donald Trump and his international team. We pick Paweł’s terrific brain about what our leaders can do to build upon the growing pro-European sentiment (really!) and engage with the US as its peer, not its lackey. Plus: Nina raises a glass of crémant to Luxembourgish teachers, who had what seems to us like a very swanky Good Week. And Dominic awards Bad Week to Eurovision, which seems to be crumbling whilst Russia’s Intervision is back and creepier than ever.

Mentioned in this episode: 


This week's Inspiration Station recommendations are Twelve Months of Monastery Soups, a cookbook by Brother Victor-Antoine d’Avila-Latourrette, and Rejected: Designs for the European Flag by Jonas von Lenthe.

This podcast was brought to you in cooperation with Euranet Plus, the leading radio network for EU news. But it’s contributions from listeners that truly make it all possible—we could not continue to make the show without you! If you like what we do, you can chip in to help us cover our production costs at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠patreon.com/europeanspodcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ (in many different currencies), or you can gift a donation to a superfan. We'd also love it if you could tell two friends about this podcast. We think two feels like a reasonable number.

00:00:47 This podcast is co-hosted by a bionic woman
00:04:45 Good Week: Luxembourgish teachers
00:12:18 Bad Week: Eurovision
00:29:09 Interview: Paweł Zerka of the European Council on Foreign Relations
00:43:50 The Inspiration Station: The books Twelve Months of Monastery Soups and Rejected: Designs for the European Flag
00:50:14 Happy Ending: Central Europe adopts elk mascot

Producers: Morgan Childs and Wojciech Oleksiak
Mixing and mastering: Wojciech Oleksiak
Music: Jim Barne and Mariska Martina

YouTube | Bluesky | Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ | Mastodon⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ | hello@europeanspodcast.com

]]>Can we talk about Trump’s culture war, Putin’s war on inclusivity, and just about everyone’s unwillingness to pay teachers fair wages—and giggle throughout? You better believe it. Nina Lamparski is back in the hosting chair, and strap in, listeners, because this week’s show is a *ride.*

Our guest this week is the delightful and incisive political analyst Paweł Zerka of the European Council on Foreign Relations. Paweł returns to the podcast to tell us why Europe is living in a Truman-Show-style universe directed by Donald Trump and his international team. We pick Paweł’s terrific brain about what our leaders can do to build upon the growing pro-European sentiment (really!) and engage with the US as its peer, not its lackey. Plus: Nina raises a glass of crémant to Luxembourgish teachers, who had what seems to us like a very swanky Good Week. And Dominic awards Bad Week to Eurovision, which seems to be crumbling whilst Russia’s Intervision is back and creepier than ever.

Mentioned in this episode: 


This week's Inspiration Station recommendations are Twelve Months of Monastery Soups, a cookbook by Brother Victor-Antoine d’Avila-Latourrette, and Rejected: Designs for the European Flag by Jonas von Lenthe.

This podcast was brought to you in cooperation with Euranet Plus, the leading radio network for EU news. But it’s contributions from listeners that truly make it all possible—we could not continue to make the show without you! If you like what we do, you can chip in to help us cover our production costs at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠patreon.com/europeanspodcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ (in many different currencies), or you can gift a donation to a superfan. We'd also love it if you could tell two friends about this podcast. We think two feels like a reasonable number.

00:00:47 This podcast is co-hosted by a bionic woman
00:04:45 Good Week: Luxembourgish teachers
00:12:18 Bad Week: Eurovision
00:29:09 Interview: Paweł Zerka of the European Council on Foreign Relations
00:43:50 The Inspiration Station: The books Twelve Months of Monastery Soups and Rejected: Designs for the European Flag
00:50:14 Happy Ending: Central Europe adopts elk mascot

Producers: Morgan Childs and Wojciech Oleksiak
Mixing and mastering: Wojciech Oleksiak
Music: Jim Barne and Mariska Martina

YouTube | Bluesky | Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ | Mastodon⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ | hello@europeanspodcast.com

]]>helloqg.podbean.com/2809402f-2b95-3fc6-b8d6-905449d09109Thu, 25 Sep 2025 06:00:00 +020054:23falsefullShould we be worried about Russian drones in NATO’s skies?Should we be worried about Russian drones in NATO’s skies?There’s no denying it’s been a pretty dark week, but we’ve got a couple of bright spots for you. What could be a better job than dreaming up ways that Europe could be improved? That’s what this week’s guest, Johanna Fabrin, does each day at the Copenhagen think tank 21st Europe. Ahead of our miniseries Who Does It Best, Dominic sat down with Johanna to talk about the group’s “blueprints” for the continent, the importance of optimism, and who, exactly, is going to pay for a fantasy train system that links all of Europe together like a massive metro line. 

And not to be too negative, but…we decided it was a pretty Bad Week for basically all of the western world, thanks to the Russian drone incursion into Poland and Romania. But! It was a Good Week (er, a marginally, “meekly” better week) for the European Union, which is finally—finally—taking some overdue action regarding the war in Gaza. Did Ursula von der Leyen tune into our episode from a couple of weeks ago? We suspect yes. 

You can learn more about what 21st Europe is up to on their website and on Instagram. Also mentioned in this episode: Simply Shada, the new Substack created by the brilliant former Europeans guest Shada Islam and the interview with Finland's President Alexander Stubb. 

This week's Inspiration Station recommendations are visiting countries in transition/The Wojciech Oleksiak Dua Lipa Tour of Pristina* and the David Szalay novel Flesh. *Restrictions apply, see Wojciech for details

This podcast was brought to you in cooperation with Euranet Plus, the leading radio network for EU news. But it’s contributions from listeners that truly make it all possible—we could not continue to make the show without you! If you like what we do, you can chip in to help us cover our production costs at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠patreon.com/europeanspodcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ (in many different currencies), or you can gift a donation to a superfan. We'd also love it if you could tell two friends about this podcast. We think two feels like a reasonable number.

Timestamps

00:00:47 Intro: Is it just us or are we all feeling like half-deflated balloons?
00:03:17 Bad Week: Russian drone incursion
00:18:05 Good Week: The EU steps up in Gaza war
00:32:21 Interview: Johanna Fabrin of 21st Europe
00:44:11 The Inspiration Station: Wojciech’s tour of Kosovo and David Szalay’s novel Flesh
00:47:41 Happy Ending: Austrian nun convent break-in


Producers: Morgan Childs and Wojciech Oleksiak
Mixing and mastering: Wojciech Oleksiak
Music: Jim Barne and Mariska Martina

YouTube | Bluesky | Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ | Mastodon⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ | hello@europeanspodcast.com

]]>There’s no denying it’s been a pretty dark week, but we’ve got a couple of bright spots for you. What could be a better job than dreaming up ways that Europe could be improved? That’s what this week’s guest, Johanna Fabrin, does each day at the Copenhagen think tank 21st Europe. Ahead of our miniseries Who Does It Best, Dominic sat down with Johanna to talk about the group’s “blueprints” for the continent, the importance of optimism, and who, exactly, is going to pay for a fantasy train system that links all of Europe together like a massive metro line. 

And not to be too negative, but…we decided it was a pretty Bad Week for basically all of the western world, thanks to the Russian drone incursion into Poland and Romania. But! It was a Good Week (er, a marginally, “meekly” better week) for the European Union, which is finally—finally—taking some overdue action regarding the war in Gaza. Did Ursula von der Leyen tune into our episode from a couple of weeks ago? We suspect yes. 

You can learn more about what 21st Europe is up to on their website and on Instagram. Also mentioned in this episode: Simply Shada, the new Substack created by the brilliant former Europeans guest Shada Islam and the interview with Finland's President Alexander Stubb. 

This week's Inspiration Station recommendations are visiting countries in transition/The Wojciech Oleksiak Dua Lipa Tour of Pristina* and the David Szalay novel Flesh. *Restrictions apply, see Wojciech for details

This podcast was brought to you in cooperation with Euranet Plus, the leading radio network for EU news. But it’s contributions from listeners that truly make it all possible—we could not continue to make the show without you! If you like what we do, you can chip in to help us cover our production costs at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠patreon.com/europeanspodcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ (in many different currencies), or you can gift a donation to a superfan. We'd also love it if you could tell two friends about this podcast. We think two feels like a reasonable number.

Timestamps

00:00:47 Intro: Is it just us or are we all feeling like half-deflated balloons?
00:03:17 Bad Week: Russian drone incursion
00:18:05 Good Week: The EU steps up in Gaza war
00:32:21 Interview: Johanna Fabrin of 21st Europe
00:44:11 The Inspiration Station: Wojciech’s tour of Kosovo and David Szalay’s novel Flesh
00:47:41 Happy Ending: Austrian nun convent break-in


Producers: Morgan Childs and Wojciech Oleksiak
Mixing and mastering: Wojciech Oleksiak
Music: Jim Barne and Mariska Martina

YouTube | Bluesky | Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ | Mastodon⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ | hello@europeanspodcast.com

]]>helloqg.podbean.com/bb16bc62-1ff5-38c4-b1dd-25d39a33a0f0Thu, 18 Sep 2025 06:00:00 +020051:04falsefull66Terrible week for ABBATerrible week for ABBAThe music industry is reeling due to what’s being called the 'largest intellectual property theft in history' — we’ll dig into the fight between Big Tech and the people who make the music. Meanwhile, Sweden’s new cultural canon has people fuming — not least because it leaves out ABBA.

We’ll also hear from Der Spiegel’s Gunter Latsch about his chilling investigation into the shadowy world of organ trafficking. And we’ll finish, as always, with something a little lighter: archaeologists in Denmark have been uncovering a kind of Stone Age Atlantis beneath the sea and they’ve been using a funky underwater vacuum to do so.

This week's Inspiration Station recommendations: Addison Rae - 'Headphones On' | Behind the Song and Love in Five Acts by Daniela Krien (translated by Jamie Bulloch)

 

This podcast was brought to you in cooperation with Euranet Plus, the leading radio network for EU news. But it’s contributions from listeners that truly make it all possible—we could not continue to make the show without you! If you like what we do, you can chip in to help us cover our production costs at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠patreon.com/europeanspodcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ (in many different currencies), or you can gift a donation to a superfan. We'd also love it if you could tell two friends about this podcast. We think two feels like a reasonable number.

 

Other resources for this week's episode:

No Abba, no meatballs? Sweden’s new cultural canon is a listicle that will soon be forgotten:

https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2025/sep/04/sweden-cultural-canon-abba-ikea-meatballs

 

Since we recorded this episode, a US federal judge has postponed approval of the $1.5 billion Anthropic copyright deal: https://news.bloomberglaw.com/ip-law/anthropic-judge-blasts-copyright-pact-as-nowhere-close-to-done

 

Taskforce recommends prosecution of Mishra for alleged organ trafficking:

https://www.standardmedia.co.ke/health/health-science/article/2001525127/taskforce-recommends-prosecution-of-mishra-for-alleged-organ-trafficking 

 

00:00:47 Introduction: Emoji fuelled marital strife

00:04:26 Good Week: Sweden’s controversial ’cultural canon’

00:13:31 Bad Week: The fight between AI and musicians

00:27:05 Interview: Gunther Latch on Germans going abroad for kidneys

00:40:51 Inspiration Station: ’Headphones On’ and ’Love in Five Acts’

00:46:01 Happy Ending: Denmark’s Stone Age Atlantis

 

Producers: Katz Laszlo, Morgan Childs and Wojciech Oleksiak

Mixing and mastering: Wojciech Oleksiak

Music: Jim Barne and Mariska Martina

Hosts: Nina Lamparski and Dominic Kraemer

 

YouTube | Bluesky | Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ | Mastodon⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ | hello@europeanspodcast.com    

]]>The music industry is reeling due to what’s being called the 'largest intellectual property theft in history' — we’ll dig into the fight between Big Tech and the people who make the music. Meanwhile, Sweden’s new cultural canon has people fuming — not least because it leaves out ABBA.

We’ll also hear from Der Spiegel’s Gunter Latsch about his chilling investigation into the shadowy world of organ trafficking. And we’ll finish, as always, with something a little lighter: archaeologists in Denmark have been uncovering a kind of Stone Age Atlantis beneath the sea and they’ve been using a funky underwater vacuum to do so.

This week's Inspiration Station recommendations: Addison Rae - 'Headphones On' | Behind the Song and Love in Five Acts by Daniela Krien (translated by Jamie Bulloch)

 

This podcast was brought to you in cooperation with Euranet Plus, the leading radio network for EU news. But it’s contributions from listeners that truly make it all possible—we could not continue to make the show without you! If you like what we do, you can chip in to help us cover our production costs at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠patreon.com/europeanspodcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ (in many different currencies), or you can gift a donation to a superfan. We'd also love it if you could tell two friends about this podcast. We think two feels like a reasonable number.

 

Other resources for this week's episode:

No Abba, no meatballs? Sweden’s new cultural canon is a listicle that will soon be forgotten:

https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2025/sep/04/sweden-cultural-canon-abba-ikea-meatballs

 

Since we recorded this episode, a US federal judge has postponed approval of the $1.5 billion Anthropic copyright deal: https://news.bloomberglaw.com/ip-law/anthropic-judge-blasts-copyright-pact-as-nowhere-close-to-done

 

Taskforce recommends prosecution of Mishra for alleged organ trafficking:

https://www.standardmedia.co.ke/health/health-science/article/2001525127/taskforce-recommends-prosecution-of-mishra-for-alleged-organ-trafficking 

 

00:00:47 Introduction: Emoji fuelled marital strife

00:04:26 Good Week: Sweden’s controversial ’cultural canon’

00:13:31 Bad Week: The fight between AI and musicians

00:27:05 Interview: Gunther Latch on Germans going abroad for kidneys

00:40:51 Inspiration Station: ’Headphones On’ and ’Love in Five Acts’

00:46:01 Happy Ending: Denmark’s Stone Age Atlantis

 

Producers: Katz Laszlo, Morgan Childs and Wojciech Oleksiak

Mixing and mastering: Wojciech Oleksiak

Music: Jim Barne and Mariska Martina

Hosts: Nina Lamparski and Dominic Kraemer

 

YouTube | Bluesky | Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ | Mastodon⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ | hello@europeanspodcast.com    

]]>helloqg.podbean.com/b4d622c1-ecd3-3e7f-91b8-2de50c42c362Thu, 11 Sep 2025 06:00:00 +020049:11falsefullWhy is the EU not acting on Gaza?Why is the EU not acting on Gaza?This week, we’re dedicating the entire episode to Gaza. We have a lot of questions about the EU’s role in what’s happening there: Why is the EU not suspending trade with, or at the very least banning weapon sales to, Israel? Why is Israel being treated differently than the way Russia has been? And what will inaction mean for the credibility of the EU? 

We put those questions to two esteemed guests: Sven Kühn von Burgsdorff, who served as the EU’s representative to Palestine from 2020 until July 2023, and Shada Islam, Lahore-born, Brussels-based commentator who has recently written some incredibly moving and thought-provoking pieces about the EU’s complicity in the war in Gaza. And we round out the episode with a brief Inspiration Station recommendation: the book Enter Ghost by British-Palestinian author Isabella Hammad.

This podcast was brought to you in cooperation with Euranet Plus, the leading radio network for EU news. But it’s contributions from listeners that truly make it all possible—we could not continue to make the show without you! If you like what we do, you can chip in to help us cover our production costs at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠patreon.com/europeanspodcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ (in many different currencies), or you can gift a donation to a superfan. We'd also love it if you could tell two friends about this podcast. We think two feels like a reasonable number.

00:00:46 Introduction: The cucumber season is over
00:02:53 What’s been happening in Gaza for the past two years
00:06:45 Interview: Sven Kühn von Burgsdorff
00:29:00 Interview: Shada Islam
00:46: 16 The Inspiration Station: the book Enter Ghost by Isabella Hammad

Producers: Morgan Childs and Wojciech Oleksiak
Editorial support: Katz Laszlo
Mixing and mastering: Wojciech Oleksiak
Music: Jim Barne, Mariska Martina and Morrisella by Blue Dot Sessions (www.sessions.blue).
YouTube | Bluesky | Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ | Mastodon⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ | hello@europeanspodcast.com

 

]]>This week, we’re dedicating the entire episode to Gaza. We have a lot of questions about the EU’s role in what’s happening there: Why is the EU not suspending trade with, or at the very least banning weapon sales to, Israel? Why is Israel being treated differently than the way Russia has been? And what will inaction mean for the credibility of the EU? 

We put those questions to two esteemed guests: Sven Kühn von Burgsdorff, who served as the EU’s representative to Palestine from 2020 until July 2023, and Shada Islam, Lahore-born, Brussels-based commentator who has recently written some incredibly moving and thought-provoking pieces about the EU’s complicity in the war in Gaza. And we round out the episode with a brief Inspiration Station recommendation: the book Enter Ghost by British-Palestinian author Isabella Hammad.

This podcast was brought to you in cooperation with Euranet Plus, the leading radio network for EU news. But it’s contributions from listeners that truly make it all possible—we could not continue to make the show without you! If you like what we do, you can chip in to help us cover our production costs at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠patreon.com/europeanspodcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ (in many different currencies), or you can gift a donation to a superfan. We'd also love it if you could tell two friends about this podcast. We think two feels like a reasonable number.

00:00:46 Introduction: The cucumber season is over
00:02:53 What’s been happening in Gaza for the past two years
00:06:45 Interview: Sven Kühn von Burgsdorff
00:29:00 Interview: Shada Islam
00:46: 16 The Inspiration Station: the book Enter Ghost by Isabella Hammad

Producers: Morgan Childs and Wojciech Oleksiak
Editorial support: Katz Laszlo
Mixing and mastering: Wojciech Oleksiak
Music: Jim Barne, Mariska Martina and Morrisella by Blue Dot Sessions (www.sessions.blue).
YouTube | Bluesky | Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ | Mastodon⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ | hello@europeanspodcast.com

 

]]>helloqg.podbean.com/fb0ad27b-23b0-3eb5-b4d1-0949af22ac17Fri, 05 Sep 2025 11:38:27 +020049:36falsefullThree Rivers and a Sausage FightThree Rivers and a Sausage FightIt’s our second week of “cucumber season” programming, and fair warning: we’re really leaning into the late-summer goofiness. This week, we go hard on German gastronomy, with a deep dive into Europe’s declining alcohol consumption and a recap of the utterly absurd row over the origins of Bratwurst.

Because we don’t want you to think we’ve totally lost the plot, we also had a perfectly civilised conversation with Robert Winder, the prolific author and sometime editor of The Independent and Granta whose new book, Three Rivers, comes out next week. Robert spoke with our producer Katz about the waterways that shape Europe as we know it—and about their future in a warming climate. You can purchase the book here on 28 August. 

This week's Inspiration Station recommendations are the Danish film The Guilty and the audio recordings of Colm Tóibín’s novels Brooklyn and Long Island. Our Happy Ending comes from Helsinki, which managed to go an entire year with no traffic fatalities! You can read more about the milestone achievement here and how they did it here.

This podcast was brought to you in cooperation with Euranet Plus, the leading radio network for EU news. But it’s contributions from listeners that truly make it all possible—we could not continue to make the show without you! If you like what we do, you can chip in to help us cover our production costs at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠patreon.com/europeanspodcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ (in many different currencies), or you can gift a donation to a superfan. We'd also love it if you could tell two friends about this podcast. We think two feels like a reasonable number.

00:00:47 Welcome back to cucumber season!
00:03:09 Good Week: European livers
00:16:29 Bad Week: Bratwurst ensnared in national feud
00:31:16 Interview: Robert Winder reconnects us with the poetry of rivers
00:44:00 The Inspiration Station: the film The Guilty and Colm Tóibín’s novels Brooklyn and Long Island 
00:49:11 Happy Ending: Helsinki successfully stamps out road deaths

Producers: Morgan Childs, Katz Laszlo, and Wojciech Oleksiak
Mixing and mastering: Wojciech Oleksiak
Music: Jim Barne and Mariska Martina

YouTube | Bluesky | Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ | Mastodon⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ | hello@europeanspodcast.com

]]>It’s our second week of “cucumber season” programming, and fair warning: we’re really leaning into the late-summer goofiness. This week, we go hard on German gastronomy, with a deep dive into Europe’s declining alcohol consumption and a recap of the utterly absurd row over the origins of Bratwurst.

Because we don’t want you to think we’ve totally lost the plot, we also had a perfectly civilised conversation with Robert Winder, the prolific author and sometime editor of The Independent and Granta whose new book, Three Rivers, comes out next week. Robert spoke with our producer Katz about the waterways that shape Europe as we know it—and about their future in a warming climate. You can purchase the book here on 28 August. 

This week's Inspiration Station recommendations are the Danish film The Guilty and the audio recordings of Colm Tóibín’s novels Brooklyn and Long Island. Our Happy Ending comes from Helsinki, which managed to go an entire year with no traffic fatalities! You can read more about the milestone achievement here and how they did it here.

This podcast was brought to you in cooperation with Euranet Plus, the leading radio network for EU news. But it’s contributions from listeners that truly make it all possible—we could not continue to make the show without you! If you like what we do, you can chip in to help us cover our production costs at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠patreon.com/europeanspodcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ (in many different currencies), or you can gift a donation to a superfan. We'd also love it if you could tell two friends about this podcast. We think two feels like a reasonable number.

00:00:47 Welcome back to cucumber season!
00:03:09 Good Week: European livers
00:16:29 Bad Week: Bratwurst ensnared in national feud
00:31:16 Interview: Robert Winder reconnects us with the poetry of rivers
00:44:00 The Inspiration Station: the film The Guilty and Colm Tóibín’s novels Brooklyn and Long Island 
00:49:11 Happy Ending: Helsinki successfully stamps out road deaths

Producers: Morgan Childs, Katz Laszlo, and Wojciech Oleksiak
Mixing and mastering: Wojciech Oleksiak
Music: Jim Barne and Mariska Martina

YouTube | Bluesky | Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ | Mastodon⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ | hello@europeanspodcast.com

]]>helloqg.podbean.com/8ae0ef3a-0206-3993-bed5-9c76a42ef709Fri, 22 Aug 2025 06:00:00 +020052:51falsefullSave the games! Preserve the bread! Guard your rabbits!Save the games! Preserve the bread! Guard your rabbits!Welcome back! We’re easing back into the swing of things after our summer holidays with a bit of “cucumber season” fare. It’s our regularly scheduled programming, just a little bit…sillier. 

This week, we take a peek into the world’s first “sourdough library” with Karl De Smedt, head of the Puratos Sourdough Institute. Karl gives us a taste of his unconventional career preserving breadmaking biodiversity and explains why the starters in his library are a little like Europeans themselves. Plus: we learn why the Aalborg Zoo in Denmark is encouraging people to bring in unwanted pets and how Dominic “gave” Daniel Radcliffe his career(!).

You can take a virtual tour of the Puratos sourdough library here and check out Karl on Instagram here.

And if you want to find out more about the Stop Killing Games campaign, watch this video.

This podcast was brought to you in cooperation with Euranet Plus, the leading radio network for EU news. But it’s contributions from listeners that truly make it all possible—we could not continue to make the show without you! If you like what we do, you can chip in to help us cover our production costs at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠patreon.com/europeanspodcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ (in many different currencies), or you can gift a donation to a superfan. We'd also love it if you could tell two friends about this podcast. We think two feels like a reasonable number.

This week's Inspiration Station recommendations are two books, Patrick Radden Keefe’s spellbinding history of the Troubles, “Say Nothing,” and the novel “Second Best” by French author David Foenkinos.

00:00:00 First things first: WTF is up with strawberry pasta in Poland?
00:04:25 Good Week: The Stop Killing Games movement
00:16:01 Bad Week: The pets of Aalborg, Denmark
00:25:47 Interview: Karl De Smedt gives us permission to eat more bread
00:41:50 The Inspiration Station: “Say Nothing” by Patrick Radden Keefe and “Second Best” by David Foenkinos
00:46:57 Happy Ending: Jellyfish believed extinct makes Scottish comeback

Producers: Morgan Childs and Wojciech Oleksiak
Mixing and mastering: Wojciech Oleksiak
Music: Jim Barne and Mariska Martina

YouTube | Bluesky | Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ | Mastodon⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ | hello@europeanspodcast.com

 

]]>Welcome back! We’re easing back into the swing of things after our summer holidays with a bit of “cucumber season” fare. It’s our regularly scheduled programming, just a little bit…sillier. 

This week, we take a peek into the world’s first “sourdough library” with Karl De Smedt, head of the Puratos Sourdough Institute. Karl gives us a taste of his unconventional career preserving breadmaking biodiversity and explains why the starters in his library are a little like Europeans themselves. Plus: we learn why the Aalborg Zoo in Denmark is encouraging people to bring in unwanted pets and how Dominic “gave” Daniel Radcliffe his career(!).

You can take a virtual tour of the Puratos sourdough library here and check out Karl on Instagram here.

And if you want to find out more about the Stop Killing Games campaign, watch this video.

This podcast was brought to you in cooperation with Euranet Plus, the leading radio network for EU news. But it’s contributions from listeners that truly make it all possible—we could not continue to make the show without you! If you like what we do, you can chip in to help us cover our production costs at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠patreon.com/europeanspodcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ (in many different currencies), or you can gift a donation to a superfan. We'd also love it if you could tell two friends about this podcast. We think two feels like a reasonable number.

This week's Inspiration Station recommendations are two books, Patrick Radden Keefe’s spellbinding history of the Troubles, “Say Nothing,” and the novel “Second Best” by French author David Foenkinos.

00:00:00 First things first: WTF is up with strawberry pasta in Poland?
00:04:25 Good Week: The Stop Killing Games movement
00:16:01 Bad Week: The pets of Aalborg, Denmark
00:25:47 Interview: Karl De Smedt gives us permission to eat more bread
00:41:50 The Inspiration Station: “Say Nothing” by Patrick Radden Keefe and “Second Best” by David Foenkinos
00:46:57 Happy Ending: Jellyfish believed extinct makes Scottish comeback

Producers: Morgan Childs and Wojciech Oleksiak
Mixing and mastering: Wojciech Oleksiak
Music: Jim Barne and Mariska Martina

YouTube | Bluesky | Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ | Mastodon⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ | hello@europeanspodcast.com

 

]]>helloqg.podbean.com/f0efe480-a288-3cb8-a18c-1908b32d0ca1Thu, 14 Aug 2025 06:00:00 +020050:48falsefullHungary's Pride ban goes up in smoke (and glitter)Hungary's Pride ban goes up in smoke (and glitter)This year’s Budapest Pride was banned in March under the Orbán government’s contentious “child protection” law. Demonstrators were threatened with hefty fines for participating, and the government said it would employ facial-recognition technology to identify and potentially prosecute those who turned out to take part at the march on 28 June.

Did the ban work? Not in the slightest. In fact, more people than ever in the 30-year history of Budapest Pride showed up to celebrate their rights as LGBTQ+ human beings. 

The massive Pride march brought a glimmer of hope to some Hungarian citizens, including this week’s guest, writer Krisztián Marton. We spoke with Krisztián about the lead-up to the event, the thrill of being on the ground last Saturday, and what might be next for Hungary, now that Viktor Orbán finally has a formidable challenger in Péter Magyar. We also chatted with Dominic’s husband, Thomas Lamers, a philosopher and dramaturg who hit the streets for us, mic in hand. (Thanks, Thomas, we owe you!)

Krisztián Marton is a screenwriter and novelist. You can follow him on Instagram here and read an excerpt in English of his Margó Prize-nominated novel Crybaby here. You can donate to Thomas’s fundraiser to pay some of the fines that may be incurred by Pride attendees here. 

This podcast was brought to you in cooperation with Euranet Plus, the leading radio network for EU news. But it’s contributions from listeners that truly make it all possible—we could not do it without you. If you like what we do, you can chip in to help us cover our production costs at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠patreon.com/europeanspodcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ (in many different currencies!), or you can gift a donation to a superfan. We'd also love it if you could tell two friends about this podcast. We think two feels like a reasonable number.

This week's Inspiration Station recommendations: the recent episode of Zakia Sewell’s Radio 6 series Dream Time, “Solstice selections…with Zakia,” and the Ukrainian band The Sixsters, winners of the European Emerging Bands Contest.

00:00:46 A sweltering hello and a tick PSA
00:03:44 Bad Week: Venetians overrun by billionaire wedding
00:11:45 Good Week: Owners of Danish faces (and their copyrights)
00:21:13 Interview: Thomas Lamers on Budapest Pride and Krisztián Marton on the present and future for LGBTQ+ people in Hungary
00:49:57 The Inspiration Station: the BBC Radio 6 Dream Time episode “Solstice selections…with Zakia” and the Ukrainian band The Sixsters.
00:53:12 Happy Ending: Cannes caps cruise-ship tourism

Producers: Morgan Childs and Wojciech Oleksiak
Mixing and mastering: Wojciech Oleksiak
Music: Jim Barne and Mariska Martina

YouTube | Bluesky | Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ | Mastodon⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ | hello@europeanspodcast.com

]]>This year’s Budapest Pride was banned in March under the Orbán government’s contentious “child protection” law. Demonstrators were threatened with hefty fines for participating, and the government said it would employ facial-recognition technology to identify and potentially prosecute those who turned out to take part at the march on 28 June.

Did the ban work? Not in the slightest. In fact, more people than ever in the 30-year history of Budapest Pride showed up to celebrate their rights as LGBTQ+ human beings. 

The massive Pride march brought a glimmer of hope to some Hungarian citizens, including this week’s guest, writer Krisztián Marton. We spoke with Krisztián about the lead-up to the event, the thrill of being on the ground last Saturday, and what might be next for Hungary, now that Viktor Orbán finally has a formidable challenger in Péter Magyar. We also chatted with Dominic’s husband, Thomas Lamers, a philosopher and dramaturg who hit the streets for us, mic in hand. (Thanks, Thomas, we owe you!)

Krisztián Marton is a screenwriter and novelist. You can follow him on Instagram here and read an excerpt in English of his Margó Prize-nominated novel Crybaby here. You can donate to Thomas’s fundraiser to pay some of the fines that may be incurred by Pride attendees here. 

This podcast was brought to you in cooperation with Euranet Plus, the leading radio network for EU news. But it’s contributions from listeners that truly make it all possible—we could not do it without you. If you like what we do, you can chip in to help us cover our production costs at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠patreon.com/europeanspodcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ (in many different currencies!), or you can gift a donation to a superfan. We'd also love it if you could tell two friends about this podcast. We think two feels like a reasonable number.

This week's Inspiration Station recommendations: the recent episode of Zakia Sewell’s Radio 6 series Dream Time, “Solstice selections…with Zakia,” and the Ukrainian band The Sixsters, winners of the European Emerging Bands Contest.

00:00:46 A sweltering hello and a tick PSA
00:03:44 Bad Week: Venetians overrun by billionaire wedding
00:11:45 Good Week: Owners of Danish faces (and their copyrights)
00:21:13 Interview: Thomas Lamers on Budapest Pride and Krisztián Marton on the present and future for LGBTQ+ people in Hungary
00:49:57 The Inspiration Station: the BBC Radio 6 Dream Time episode “Solstice selections…with Zakia” and the Ukrainian band The Sixsters.
00:53:12 Happy Ending: Cannes caps cruise-ship tourism

Producers: Morgan Childs and Wojciech Oleksiak
Mixing and mastering: Wojciech Oleksiak
Music: Jim Barne and Mariska Martina

YouTube | Bluesky | Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ | Mastodon⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ | hello@europeanspodcast.com

]]>helloqg.podbean.com/b1f464b3-616e-3283-b558-18e5d3f47c01Thu, 03 Jul 2025 06:00:00 +020055:50falsefullToxic chemicals, abortion rights, and a Nazi-era train lawToxic chemicals, abortion rights, and a Nazi-era train lawDepending on where you are in Europe, your right to a safe abortion — and reproductive care in general — can vary dramatically. This week, we speak to pioneering abortion activist Rebecca Gomperts about why she's hopeful that we can fight back against these inequalities as well as crackdowns on abortion access in other parts of the world. We're also talking about a rebel campaign in Germany to defeat a draconian Nazi-era law, and some disturbing research into the weedkillers used by many of the farmers who grow our foods.

 

Note: We updated this episode's audio on June 20, 2025. The original version incorrectly stated that glyphosate is sprayed directly on many European crops, which is not the case.

  You can find out more about Women on Waves here and Women on Web here. Read about the mifepristone study here.   Thanks for listening! If you enjoy our podcasts, we'd love it if you'd consider supporting our work. You can chip in to help us cover the weekly research and production of The Europeans at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠patreon.com/europeanspodcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ (many currencies are available), or gift a donation to a super fan here. We'd also love it if you could tell two friends about this podcast!   This podcast was brought to you in cooperation with Euranet Plus, the leading radio network for EU news.   This week's Inspiration Station recommendations: Secrets We Keep (Reservatet) and The Outlaw Ocean Podcast. Bonus entries: Vessel, a 2014 documentary about Women on Waves; A Sense of Quietness, Eleanor McDowall's audio documentary about abortion in Ireland; and Tending Grief by Camille Sapara Barton.

Other resources for this episode:
  'Carcinogenic effects of long-term exposure from prenatal life to glyphosate and glyphosate-based herbicides in Sprague–Dawley rats' - Environmental Health, June 10, 2025   'Revealed: Monsanto’s secret funding for weedkiller studies' - The Guardian, March 12, 2020   'Europe likely to miss most green targets for 2030' - Politico Europe, February 20, 2025

 

'EWG’s 2025 Shopper’s Guide to Pesticides in Produce' (USA) - Environmental Working Group, June 11, 2025

 

'Here’s why some people still evade public transport fares – even when they’re 50 cents' - The Conversation, February 13, 2025

 

00:00:46  Is it a Smörgåsbord? Is it a charcuterie board? No, it's The Europeans
00:04:56  Bad Week: Glyphosate
00:21:41  Good Week: Germany's freed fare-dodgers
00:35:22  Interview: Rebecca Gomperts on the state of reproductive rights in Europe
01:01:46  The Inspiration Station: Secrets We Keep and The Outlaw Ocean Podcast
01:07:10  Happy Ending: Beavers are back in Portugal

  Producers: Morgan Childs and Wojciech Oleksiak
Mixing and mastering: Wojciech Oleksiak
Music: Jim Barne and Mariska Martina

YouTube | Bluesky | Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ | Mastodon⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ | hello@europeanspodcast.com ]]>Depending on where you are in Europe, your right to a safe abortion — and reproductive care in general — can vary dramatically. This week, we speak to pioneering abortion activist Rebecca Gomperts about why she's hopeful that we can fight back against these inequalities as well as crackdowns on abortion access in other parts of the world. We're also talking about a rebel campaign in Germany to defeat a draconian Nazi-era law, and some disturbing research into the weedkillers used by many of the farmers who grow our foods.

 

Note: We updated this episode's audio on June 20, 2025. The original version incorrectly stated that glyphosate is sprayed directly on many European crops, which is not the case.

  You can find out more about Women on Waves here and Women on Web here. Read about the mifepristone study here.   Thanks for listening! If you enjoy our podcasts, we'd love it if you'd consider supporting our work. You can chip in to help us cover the weekly research and production of The Europeans at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠patreon.com/europeanspodcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ (many currencies are available), or gift a donation to a super fan here. We'd also love it if you could tell two friends about this podcast!   This podcast was brought to you in cooperation with Euranet Plus, the leading radio network for EU news.   This week's Inspiration Station recommendations: Secrets We Keep (Reservatet) and The Outlaw Ocean Podcast. Bonus entries: Vessel, a 2014 documentary about Women on Waves; A Sense of Quietness, Eleanor McDowall's audio documentary about abortion in Ireland; and Tending Grief by Camille Sapara Barton.

Other resources for this episode:
  'Carcinogenic effects of long-term exposure from prenatal life to glyphosate and glyphosate-based herbicides in Sprague–Dawley rats' - Environmental Health, June 10, 2025   'Revealed: Monsanto’s secret funding for weedkiller studies' - The Guardian, March 12, 2020   'Europe likely to miss most green targets for 2030' - Politico Europe, February 20, 2025

 

'EWG’s 2025 Shopper’s Guide to Pesticides in Produce' (USA) - Environmental Working Group, June 11, 2025

 

'Here’s why some people still evade public transport fares – even when they’re 50 cents' - The Conversation, February 13, 2025

 

00:00:46  Is it a Smörgåsbord? Is it a charcuterie board? No, it's The Europeans
00:04:56  Bad Week: Glyphosate
00:21:41  Good Week: Germany's freed fare-dodgers
00:35:22  Interview: Rebecca Gomperts on the state of reproductive rights in Europe
01:01:46  The Inspiration Station: Secrets We Keep and The Outlaw Ocean Podcast
01:07:10  Happy Ending: Beavers are back in Portugal

  Producers: Morgan Childs and Wojciech Oleksiak
Mixing and mastering: Wojciech Oleksiak
Music: Jim Barne and Mariska Martina

YouTube | Bluesky | Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ | Mastodon⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ | hello@europeanspodcast.com ]]>helloqg.podbean.com/1d4f2855-bd3c-39c2-a3a9-948844511ac0Thu, 19 Jun 2025 06:00:00 +020001:12:53falsefullCould Europe switch off big tech's algorithms?Could Europe switch off big tech's algorithms?The EU supposedly has some of the world's toughest laws regulating big tech. So why does it still feel like Europeans are being sucked into increasingly polarised online communities, and manipulated during our elections? Can we do anything about it? This week's guest, the Irish internet campaigner Johnny Ryan, argues that a pretty radical solution is within the EU's reach. We're also talking about the Dutch government's collapse, and why bear meat may soon be on the menu in Slovakia. 

  Johnny is the Director of Enforce. You can follow him on Bluesky here and read his article calling on the EU to switch off social media's algorithms here in The Guardian. A longer version of our interview with Johnny is available on our YouTube channel.   Thanks for listening! If you enjoy our podcasts, we'd love it if you'd consider supporting our work. You can chip in to help us cover the weekly research and production of The Europeans at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠patreon.com/europeanspodcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ (many currencies are available), or gift a donation to a super fan here. We'd also love it if you could tell two friends about this podcast!   This podcast was brought to you in cooperation with Euranet Plus, the leading radio network for EU news.   This week's Inspiration Station recommendations: Last One Laughing UK, LOL: Qui rit, sort, and 'The Mars House' by Natasha Pulley. Bonus: our interview in February with Jean Chalaby about the international TV format trade.

Other resources for this episode:

'Bears stray into political territory in Romania and Slovakia' - BalkanInsight, April 21, 2025
00:00:46  People, politics and peculiarities
00:02:45  Good Week: Dutch leftwing and centrist parties?
00:22:01  Bad Week: Bear meat on the menu in Slovakia
00:36:43  Interview: Johnny Ryan on why Europe's supposedly tough tech regulation isn't nearly tough enough
00:55:53  The Inspiration Station: Last One Laughing UK, Qui rit sort and 'The Mars House' by Natasha Pulley
01:00:52  Happy Ending: A condom masterpiece

Producers: Morgan Childs and Wojciech Oleksiak
Mixing and mastering: Wojciech Oleksiak
Music: Jim Barne and Mariska Martina

YouTube | Bluesky | Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ | Mastodon⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ | hello@europeanspodcast.com   ]]>The EU supposedly has some of the world's toughest laws regulating big tech. So why does it still feel like Europeans are being sucked into increasingly polarised online communities, and manipulated during our elections? Can we do anything about it? This week's guest, the Irish internet campaigner Johnny Ryan, argues that a pretty radical solution is within the EU's reach. We're also talking about the Dutch government's collapse, and why bear meat may soon be on the menu in Slovakia. 

  Johnny is the Director of Enforce. You can follow him on Bluesky here and read his article calling on the EU to switch off social media's algorithms here in The Guardian. A longer version of our interview with Johnny is available on our YouTube channel.   Thanks for listening! If you enjoy our podcasts, we'd love it if you'd consider supporting our work. You can chip in to help us cover the weekly research and production of The Europeans at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠patreon.com/europeanspodcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ (many currencies are available), or gift a donation to a super fan here. We'd also love it if you could tell two friends about this podcast!   This podcast was brought to you in cooperation with Euranet Plus, the leading radio network for EU news.   This week's Inspiration Station recommendations: Last One Laughing UK, LOL: Qui rit, sort, and 'The Mars House' by Natasha Pulley. Bonus: our interview in February with Jean Chalaby about the international TV format trade.

Other resources for this episode:

'Bears stray into political territory in Romania and Slovakia' - BalkanInsight, April 21, 2025
00:00:46  People, politics and peculiarities
00:02:45  Good Week: Dutch leftwing and centrist parties?
00:22:01  Bad Week: Bear meat on the menu in Slovakia
00:36:43  Interview: Johnny Ryan on why Europe's supposedly tough tech regulation isn't nearly tough enough
00:55:53  The Inspiration Station: Last One Laughing UK, Qui rit sort and 'The Mars House' by Natasha Pulley
01:00:52  Happy Ending: A condom masterpiece

Producers: Morgan Childs and Wojciech Oleksiak
Mixing and mastering: Wojciech Oleksiak
Music: Jim Barne and Mariska Martina

YouTube | Bluesky | Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ | Mastodon⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ | hello@europeanspodcast.com   ]]>helloqg.podbean.com/74bf0865-c132-3e9a-bcc8-1acfdfe1fe22Thu, 12 Jun 2025 06:00:00 +020001:03:35falsefullIs real change coming to Serbia?Is real change coming to Serbia?Serbia’s government has come under intense pressure since a deadly disaster at Novi Sad’s main railway station last November. Student-led protests have spiralled into a nation-wide resistance movement and for months, Serbians have been speaking out against corruption, a lack of accountability, and a culture of impunity in Aleksandar Vučić’s regime. But if you’re listening to this from Western Europe, or indeed much of the rest of the world, the odd headline is probably all you’ve seen. 

 

What are these protests really about? And what makes them different? This week, an in-depth conversation about what it’s like to be living through a potential turning point in Serbian history.

 

Thanks for listening. If you enjoy our podcasts, we'd love it if you'd consider supporting our work. You can chip in to help us cover the weekly research and production of The Europeans at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠patreon.com/europeanspodcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ (many currencies are available), or gift a donation to a super fan here. We'd also love it if you could tell two friends about this podcast!

 

This podcast was brought to you in cooperation with Euranet Plus, the leading radio network for EU news.

 

Co-hosts: Wojciech Oleksiak and Katy Lee

Editorial support: Morgan Childs, Dominic Kraemer and Katz Laszlo

Production, scoring and mixing: Wojciech Oleksiak 

Music by Jim Barne, Mobygratis and Epidemic Sounds

With thanks to Nikola Radić


YouTube | Bluesky | Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ | Mastodon⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ | hello@europeanspodcast.com

]]>Serbia’s government has come under intense pressure since a deadly disaster at Novi Sad’s main railway station last November. Student-led protests have spiralled into a nation-wide resistance movement and for months, Serbians have been speaking out against corruption, a lack of accountability, and a culture of impunity in Aleksandar Vučić’s regime. But if you’re listening to this from Western Europe, or indeed much of the rest of the world, the odd headline is probably all you’ve seen. 

 

What are these protests really about? And what makes them different? This week, an in-depth conversation about what it’s like to be living through a potential turning point in Serbian history.

 

Thanks for listening. If you enjoy our podcasts, we'd love it if you'd consider supporting our work. You can chip in to help us cover the weekly research and production of The Europeans at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠patreon.com/europeanspodcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ (many currencies are available), or gift a donation to a super fan here. We'd also love it if you could tell two friends about this podcast!

 

This podcast was brought to you in cooperation with Euranet Plus, the leading radio network for EU news.

 

Co-hosts: Wojciech Oleksiak and Katy Lee

Editorial support: Morgan Childs, Dominic Kraemer and Katz Laszlo

Production, scoring and mixing: Wojciech Oleksiak 

Music by Jim Barne, Mobygratis and Epidemic Sounds

With thanks to Nikola Radić


YouTube | Bluesky | Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ | Mastodon⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ | hello@europeanspodcast.com

]]>helloqg.podbean.com/d313573e-ff5c-3a68-b5ca-655885b9668cThu, 05 Jun 2025 06:00:00 +020043:08falsefull55Hungary's plight, kids' rights, and SpargelzeitHungary's plight, kids' rights, and SpargelzeitAsparagus, lesbian family rights and Viktor Orbán’s latest power plays: like all good meals, this podcast episode is perfectly balanced. German food writer Ursula Heinzelmann joins us to explain the ‘Spargelzeit’ phenomenon that sees foodies going nutty for asparagus at this time of year. We’re also taking a look at LGBTQ rights in Italy and unpacking the Hungarian government’s plans to ‘starve and strangle’ civil society. Can Orbán be stopped?

 

You can find out more about Ursula’s work on her website and follow her on Instagram here.

 

Thanks for listening. If you have any spare cash this week, please consider donating to Hungarian civil society groups and independent media outlets before the planned passing of the ‘starve and strangle’ law in mid-June. UNITED for Intercultural Action, the NGO run by our former guest Philip Pollák, would be extremely grateful for your donations; you can also donate to any of the organisations on this list of Hungarian NGOs (get in touch if you have ideas of organisations to add to this list).

 

Still got some spare cash? If you enjoy our podcasts, we'd love it if you'd consider supporting our work. You can chip in to help us cover the weekly research and production of The Europeans at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠patreon.com/europeanspodcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ (many currencies are available), or gift a donation to a super fan here. We'd also love it if you could tell two friends about this podcast!

 

This podcast was brought to you in cooperation with Euranet Plus, the leading radio network for EU news.

 

This week's Inspiration Station recommendations: Rita Payés’ Tiny Desk Concert and CMAT.

 

Other resources for this episode:

 

The Convention on the Rights of the Child - United Nations, November 20, 1989

 

Sentenza 68/2025 (Italy’s constitutional court ruling on lesbian couples and IVF) - Corte Constituzionale - May 22, 2025

 

‘A Threat to the Core: Why the New Hungarian Transparency Bill is an Attack on the Foundations of the European Union’ - Verfassungsblog, May 21, 2025

 

00:46 The Europeans: Pouring asparagus straight into your ears

02:49 Good Week: Lesbian mothers in Italy

12:47 Bad Week: Hungary's 'starve and strangle' law

37:10 Interview: Ursula Heinzelmann on the magic of Spargelzeit

49:58 The Inspiration Station: Rita Payés and CMAT

54:10 Happy Ending: Portugal's clever teen media strategy


Producer: Morgan Childs
Mixing and mastering: Wojciech Oleksiak
Music: Jim Barne and Mariska Martina

YouTube | Bluesky | Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ | Mastodon⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ | hello@europeanspodcast.com

]]>Asparagus, lesbian family rights and Viktor Orbán’s latest power plays: like all good meals, this podcast episode is perfectly balanced. German food writer Ursula Heinzelmann joins us to explain the ‘Spargelzeit’ phenomenon that sees foodies going nutty for asparagus at this time of year. We’re also taking a look at LGBTQ rights in Italy and unpacking the Hungarian government’s plans to ‘starve and strangle’ civil society. Can Orbán be stopped?

 

You can find out more about Ursula’s work on her website and follow her on Instagram here.

 

Thanks for listening. If you have any spare cash this week, please consider donating to Hungarian civil society groups and independent media outlets before the planned passing of the ‘starve and strangle’ law in mid-June. UNITED for Intercultural Action, the NGO run by our former guest Philip Pollák, would be extremely grateful for your donations; you can also donate to any of the organisations on this list of Hungarian NGOs (get in touch if you have ideas of organisations to add to this list).

 

Still got some spare cash? If you enjoy our podcasts, we'd love it if you'd consider supporting our work. You can chip in to help us cover the weekly research and production of The Europeans at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠patreon.com/europeanspodcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ (many currencies are available), or gift a donation to a super fan here. We'd also love it if you could tell two friends about this podcast!

 

This podcast was brought to you in cooperation with Euranet Plus, the leading radio network for EU news.

 

This week's Inspiration Station recommendations: Rita Payés’ Tiny Desk Concert and CMAT.

 

Other resources for this episode:

 

The Convention on the Rights of the Child - United Nations, November 20, 1989

 

Sentenza 68/2025 (Italy’s constitutional court ruling on lesbian couples and IVF) - Corte Constituzionale - May 22, 2025

 

‘A Threat to the Core: Why the New Hungarian Transparency Bill is an Attack on the Foundations of the European Union’ - Verfassungsblog, May 21, 2025

 

00:46 The Europeans: Pouring asparagus straight into your ears

02:49 Good Week: Lesbian mothers in Italy

12:47 Bad Week: Hungary's 'starve and strangle' law

37:10 Interview: Ursula Heinzelmann on the magic of Spargelzeit

49:58 The Inspiration Station: Rita Payés and CMAT

54:10 Happy Ending: Portugal's clever teen media strategy


Producer: Morgan Childs
Mixing and mastering: Wojciech Oleksiak
Music: Jim Barne and Mariska Martina

YouTube | Bluesky | Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ | Mastodon⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ | hello@europeanspodcast.com

]]>helloqg.podbean.com/4132682f-f61d-399a-a98f-0cff2ef5706fThu, 29 May 2025 06:00:00 +020056:59falsefull44What the hell just happened in Romania (and at Eurovision)?What the hell just happened in Romania (and at Eurovision)?Romania, Poland, Portugal... and of course, most importantly of all (?), Eurovision. It's been a huge week of voting across Europe! This week we're mostly diving into Romania's election drama with Codruţa Simina, a journalist with an extremely helpful specialism in online misinformation and disinformation. We're also tackling the controversy over Israel's continued participation in Eurovision, as well as the Pfizergate scandal: will we ever get to read the text messages Ursula von der Leyen sent to one of the world's most powerful pharmaceutical bosses? 

  Codruţa's excellent newsletter, Misreport, can be found here.   Thanks for listening. If you enjoy our podcasts, we'd love it if you'd consider supporting our work. You can chip in to help us cover the weekly research and production of The Europeans at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠patreon.com/europeanspodcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ (many currencies are available), or gift a donation to a super fan here. We'd also love it if you could tell two friends about this podcast!   This podcast was brought to you in cooperation with Euranet Plus, the leading radio network for EU news.   This week's Inspiration Station recommendations: The EU's personal carbon footprint calculator and 'Apeirogon' by Column McCann. You can find McCann's conversation with Bassam Aramin and Rami Elhanan, recorded in November 2023, here.   Other resources for this episode:    'Politics by WhatsApp? Even "Pfizergate" won’t end that' - Politico Europe, May 14, 2025   'The maths behind the public votes at Eurovision 2025' - RTE, May 18, 2025   'Wasted love?: broadcasting and fandom at a crossroads after Eurovision 2025' - Catherine Baker, May 18, 2025   'Why doesn't the EBU kick Israel out of Eurovision?' - Overthinking It, May 8, 2025   'Coal produces less than half of Poland’s power for first time' - Notes from Poland, May 13, 2025   00:00:46  An election bonanza hangover
00:06:58  Bad Week: Pfizergate
00:21:50  Good Week (?): Austrian Eurovision winner JJ
00:45:12  Interview: Codruţa Simina on Romania's election drama
01:02:51  The Inspiration Station: The EU's personal carbon footprint calculator, and 'Apeirogon' by Colum McCann
01:07:00  Happy Ending: Is Poland finally kicking its coal habit?  

Producers: Morgan Childs and Wojciech Oleksiak
Mixing and mastering: Wojciech Oleksiak
Music: Jim Barne and Mariska Martina

YouTube | Bluesky | Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ | Mastodon⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ | hello@europeanspodcast.com

  ]]>Romania, Poland, Portugal... and of course, most importantly of all (?), Eurovision. It's been a huge week of voting across Europe! This week we're mostly diving into Romania's election drama with Codruţa Simina, a journalist with an extremely helpful specialism in online misinformation and disinformation. We're also tackling the controversy over Israel's continued participation in Eurovision, as well as the Pfizergate scandal: will we ever get to read the text messages Ursula von der Leyen sent to one of the world's most powerful pharmaceutical bosses? 

  Codruţa's excellent newsletter, Misreport, can be found here.   Thanks for listening. If you enjoy our podcasts, we'd love it if you'd consider supporting our work. You can chip in to help us cover the weekly research and production of The Europeans at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠patreon.com/europeanspodcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ (many currencies are available), or gift a donation to a super fan here. We'd also love it if you could tell two friends about this podcast!   This podcast was brought to you in cooperation with Euranet Plus, the leading radio network for EU news.   This week's Inspiration Station recommendations: The EU's personal carbon footprint calculator and 'Apeirogon' by Column McCann. You can find McCann's conversation with Bassam Aramin and Rami Elhanan, recorded in November 2023, here.   Other resources for this episode:    'Politics by WhatsApp? Even "Pfizergate" won’t end that' - Politico Europe, May 14, 2025   'The maths behind the public votes at Eurovision 2025' - RTE, May 18, 2025   'Wasted love?: broadcasting and fandom at a crossroads after Eurovision 2025' - Catherine Baker, May 18, 2025   'Why doesn't the EBU kick Israel out of Eurovision?' - Overthinking It, May 8, 2025   'Coal produces less than half of Poland’s power for first time' - Notes from Poland, May 13, 2025   00:00:46  An election bonanza hangover
00:06:58  Bad Week: Pfizergate
00:21:50  Good Week (?): Austrian Eurovision winner JJ
00:45:12  Interview: Codruţa Simina on Romania's election drama
01:02:51  The Inspiration Station: The EU's personal carbon footprint calculator, and 'Apeirogon' by Colum McCann
01:07:00  Happy Ending: Is Poland finally kicking its coal habit?  

Producers: Morgan Childs and Wojciech Oleksiak
Mixing and mastering: Wojciech Oleksiak
Music: Jim Barne and Mariska Martina

YouTube | Bluesky | Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ | Mastodon⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ | hello@europeanspodcast.com

  ]]>helloqg.podbean.com/4437b9f1-ba61-3ced-8177-ea0bf4579b03Thu, 22 May 2025 06:00:00 +020001:09:10falsefullEurope, an unfinished love storyEurope, an unfinished love storyThis week, a not-so-classic 'girl meets boy' story. Başak Layic, storyteller extraordinaire, reflects on what the European Dream looks like from the outside. 

 

This story was recorded live at SPUI25 in Amsterdam as part of 'Europe Up For Grabs?', an event organised for Europe Day 2025 by DutchCulture and the European Cultural Foundation. You can watch a livestream of the whole event here.

 

You can find out more about Başak's work on her website and follow her on Instagram here.

Thanks for listening. If you enjoy our podcasts, we'd love it if you'd consider supporting our work. You can chip in to help us cover the weekly research and production of The Europeans at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠patreon.com/europeanspodcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ (many currencies are available), or gift a donation to a super fan here. We'd also love it if you could tell two friends about this podcast!

 

This podcast was brought to you in cooperation with Euranet Plus, the leading radio network for EU news.

  
Producers: Morgan Childs and Katy Lee

Mixing and mastering: Wojciech Oleksiak

Music: Jim Barne 

 

 

YouTube | Bluesky | Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ | Mastodon⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ | hello@europeanspodcast.com ]]>This week, a not-so-classic 'girl meets boy' story. Başak Layic, storyteller extraordinaire, reflects on what the European Dream looks like from the outside. 

 

This story was recorded live at SPUI25 in Amsterdam as part of 'Europe Up For Grabs?', an event organised for Europe Day 2025 by DutchCulture and the European Cultural Foundation. You can watch a livestream of the whole event here.

 

You can find out more about Başak's work on her website and follow her on Instagram here.

Thanks for listening. If you enjoy our podcasts, we'd love it if you'd consider supporting our work. You can chip in to help us cover the weekly research and production of The Europeans at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠patreon.com/europeanspodcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ (many currencies are available), or gift a donation to a super fan here. We'd also love it if you could tell two friends about this podcast!

 

This podcast was brought to you in cooperation with Euranet Plus, the leading radio network for EU news.

  
Producers: Morgan Childs and Katy Lee

Mixing and mastering: Wojciech Oleksiak

Music: Jim Barne 

 

 

YouTube | Bluesky | Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ | Mastodon⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ | hello@europeanspodcast.com ]]>helloqg.podbean.com/4701ec50-d532-38f3-9801-01af5884a013Thu, 15 May 2025 06:00:00 +020017:53falsefullIs a pregnant nun about to crash Poland's election?Is a pregnant nun about to crash Poland's election?In theory, the government's guy looks set to win Poland's presidential election, making life a hell of a lot easier for Donald Tusk as he attempts to undo eight years of destructive authoritarian rule under the previous rightwing populists. But might a pregnant nun swoop in and change everything at the last minute? For an explanation of this metaphor (and yes, it is just a metaphor), listen in to this week's great interview with Poland's best political YouTubers, Dominika Sitnicka and Agata Szczęśniak. We're also digging into Sweden's plans to crack down on porn influencers, and celebrating the sweeter side of last week's mass blackouts in Spain and Portugal. 

  Dominika and Agata are reporters at OKO.PRESS and co-hosts of its YouTube show, Program Polityczny (which can be watched with English auto-subtitles).   Thanks for listening. If you enjoy our podcasts, we'd love it if you'd consider supporting our work. You can chip in to help us cover the weekly research and production of The Europeans at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠patreon.com/europeanspodcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ (many currencies are available), or gift a donation to a super fan here. We'd also love it if you could tell two friends about this podcast!   This podcast was brought to you in cooperation with Euranet Plus, the leading radio network for EU news.   This week's Inspiration Station recommendations: Terry Pratchett's 'Discworld' (especially the Ankh-Morpork City Watch series), and Carême. Bonus recommendations: 'The Butterfly Effect' and 'The Last Days of August'.   We'll be at two events in Amsterdam for Europe Day on May 9! You can buy a ticket to EuropaNacht at Paradiso here; tickets to the earlier event, at SPUI25, are available here. With many thanks to our friends at the European Cultural Foundation, DutchCulture and De Kiesmannen.   Other resources for this episode:    'In the Madrid power cuts, I saw patience and common sense – but we were woefully unprepared' - María Ramírez, The Guardian, April 29, 2025 https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2025/apr/29/madrid-power-cuts-blackout-radio-internet    'In case of crisis or war' - Swedish Civil Contingencies Agency (MSB), November 2024 https://rib.msb.se/filer/pdf/30874.pdf   'The EU Commission's survival kits - fearmongering or necessary preparedness?' - Euronews, April 2, 2025 https://www.euronews.com/my-europe/2025/04/02/the-eu-commissions-survival-kits-fearmongering-or-necessary-preparedness   00:00:46 Smoke, bureaucracy and extra outfits: get ready for May in Europe
00:03:51 Good Week: Blackout behaviour
00:22:22 Bad Week: OnlyFans influencers in Sweden
00:38:20 Interview: Dominika Sitnicka and Agata Szczęśniak on Poland's upcoming presidential election
01:03:14 The Inspiration Station: Terry Pratchett's 'Discworld' and Carême
01:07:51 Happy Ending: An off-the-pitch win for Norway's women's team  

Producers: Morgan Childs and Katy Lee

Mixing and mastering: Wojciech Oleksiak
Music: Jim Barne 

 

YouTube | Bluesky | Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ | Mastodon⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ | hello@europeanspodcast.com   ]]>In theory, the government's guy looks set to win Poland's presidential election, making life a hell of a lot easier for Donald Tusk as he attempts to undo eight years of destructive authoritarian rule under the previous rightwing populists. But might a pregnant nun swoop in and change everything at the last minute? For an explanation of this metaphor (and yes, it is just a metaphor), listen in to this week's great interview with Poland's best political YouTubers, Dominika Sitnicka and Agata Szczęśniak. We're also digging into Sweden's plans to crack down on porn influencers, and celebrating the sweeter side of last week's mass blackouts in Spain and Portugal. 

  Dominika and Agata are reporters at OKO.PRESS and co-hosts of its YouTube show, Program Polityczny (which can be watched with English auto-subtitles).   Thanks for listening. If you enjoy our podcasts, we'd love it if you'd consider supporting our work. You can chip in to help us cover the weekly research and production of The Europeans at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠patreon.com/europeanspodcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ (many currencies are available), or gift a donation to a super fan here. We'd also love it if you could tell two friends about this podcast!   This podcast was brought to you in cooperation with Euranet Plus, the leading radio network for EU news.   This week's Inspiration Station recommendations: Terry Pratchett's 'Discworld' (especially the Ankh-Morpork City Watch series), and Carême. Bonus recommendations: 'The Butterfly Effect' and 'The Last Days of August'.   We'll be at two events in Amsterdam for Europe Day on May 9! You can buy a ticket to EuropaNacht at Paradiso here; tickets to the earlier event, at SPUI25, are available here. With many thanks to our friends at the European Cultural Foundation, DutchCulture and De Kiesmannen.   Other resources for this episode:    'In the Madrid power cuts, I saw patience and common sense – but we were woefully unprepared' - María Ramírez, The Guardian, April 29, 2025 https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2025/apr/29/madrid-power-cuts-blackout-radio-internet    'In case of crisis or war' - Swedish Civil Contingencies Agency (MSB), November 2024 https://rib.msb.se/filer/pdf/30874.pdf   'The EU Commission's survival kits - fearmongering or necessary preparedness?' - Euronews, April 2, 2025 https://www.euronews.com/my-europe/2025/04/02/the-eu-commissions-survival-kits-fearmongering-or-necessary-preparedness   00:00:46 Smoke, bureaucracy and extra outfits: get ready for May in Europe
00:03:51 Good Week: Blackout behaviour
00:22:22 Bad Week: OnlyFans influencers in Sweden
00:38:20 Interview: Dominika Sitnicka and Agata Szczęśniak on Poland's upcoming presidential election
01:03:14 The Inspiration Station: Terry Pratchett's 'Discworld' and Carême
01:07:51 Happy Ending: An off-the-pitch win for Norway's women's team  

Producers: Morgan Childs and Katy Lee

Mixing and mastering: Wojciech Oleksiak
Music: Jim Barne 

 

YouTube | Bluesky | Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ | Mastodon⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ | hello@europeanspodcast.com   ]]>helloqg.podbean.com/ab55decc-f99a-3407-aae4-8b9039c5b299Thu, 08 May 2025 06:00:00 +020001:12:58falsefullHow to make sense of Europe's place in the world right nowHow to make sense of Europe's place in the world right nowhere.   We'll be at two events in Amsterdam for Europe Day on May 9! We've got two pairs of tickets to give away to the late-night EuropaNacht event at Paradiso. Email hello@europeanspodcast.com for a chance to win them. If you're too late, you can buy a ticket here; tickets to the earlier event, at SPUI25, are available here. With many thanks to our friends at the European Cultural Foundation, DutchCulture and De Kiesmannen.   Thanks for listening. If you enjoy our podcasts, we'd love it if you'd consider supporting our work. You can chip in to help us cover the weekly research and production of The Europeans at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠patreon.com/europeanspodcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ (many currencies are available), or gift a donation to a super fan here. We'd also love it if you could tell two friends about this podcast!   This podcast was brought to you in cooperation with Euranet Plus, the leading radio network for EU news.   Producers: Wojciech Oleksiak and Morgan Childs
Mixing and mastering: Wojciech Oleksiak
Music: Jim Barne    YouTube | Bluesky | Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ | Mastodon⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ | hello@europeanspodcast.com ]]>here.   We'll be at two events in Amsterdam for Europe Day on May 9! We've got two pairs of tickets to give away to the late-night EuropaNacht event at Paradiso. Email hello@europeanspodcast.com for a chance to win them. If you're too late, you can buy a ticket here; tickets to the earlier event, at SPUI25, are available here. With many thanks to our friends at the European Cultural Foundation, DutchCulture and De Kiesmannen.   Thanks for listening. If you enjoy our podcasts, we'd love it if you'd consider supporting our work. You can chip in to help us cover the weekly research and production of The Europeans at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠patreon.com/europeanspodcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ (many currencies are available), or gift a donation to a super fan here. We'd also love it if you could tell two friends about this podcast!   This podcast was brought to you in cooperation with Euranet Plus, the leading radio network for EU news.   Producers: Wojciech Oleksiak and Morgan Childs
Mixing and mastering: Wojciech Oleksiak
Music: Jim Barne    YouTube | Bluesky | Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ | Mastodon⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ | hello@europeanspodcast.com ]]>helloqg.podbean.com/23917ab6-04b9-3bf0-a86e-5ca4452be0ffThu, 01 May 2025 06:00:00 +020046:52falsefullHungary's Pride crackdown, Ukrainian sleuths, and 158 barrels of poopHungary's Pride crackdown, Ukrainian sleuths, and 158 barrels of poopMolfar Intelligence Institute. You can find out about the wider Molfar company on their website and read their investigations here.   This week's Inspiration Station offerings: LA NIÑA and Den stora älgvandringen ('The Great Moose Migration' on Sweden's STV).   Thanks for listening. If you enjoy our podcasts, we'd love it if you'd consider supporting our work. You can chip in to help us cover the weekly research and production of The Europeans at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠patreon.com/europeanspodcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ (many currencies are available), or gift a donation to a super fan here. We'd also love it if you could tell two friends about this podcast!        This podcast was brought to you in cooperation with Euranet Plus, the leading radio network for EU news.   Other resources for this episode   'Hungary's ban on Pride has little to do with being gay' - BalkanInsight, March 27, 2025 https://balkaninsight.com/2025/03/27/hungarys-ban-on-pride-has-little-to-do-with-being-gay/   'Anti-spying phone pouches offered to EU lawmakers for trip to Hungary' - Politico Europe, April 16, 2025 https://www.politico.eu/article/lawmakers-offered-anti-espionage-phone-pouches-in-hungary/   00:00:46  Welcome to Europe, land of toxic eggs and tomatoes
00:06:50  Bad Week: Hungary gives constitutional backing to its Pride ban
00:22:59  Good Week (?) for Guatemala-bound tourists
00:44:51  Interview: Daria Verbytska on how OSINT is being used to help Ukraine's fightback against Russia
00:59:55  The Inspiration Station:  LA NIÑA and Den stora älgvandringen ('The Great Moose Migration')
01:03:07  Happy Ending: The amazing cross-border teenagers tackling antibiotic resistance   Producers: Morgan Childs and Wojciech Oleksiak
Mixing and mastering: Wojciech Oleksiak
Music: Jim Barne and Mariska Martina   YouTube | Bluesky | Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ | Mastodon⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ | hello@europeanspodcast.com        ]]>Molfar Intelligence Institute. You can find out about the wider Molfar company on their website and read their investigations here.   This week's Inspiration Station offerings: LA NIÑA and Den stora älgvandringen ('The Great Moose Migration' on Sweden's STV).   Thanks for listening. If you enjoy our podcasts, we'd love it if you'd consider supporting our work. You can chip in to help us cover the weekly research and production of The Europeans at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠patreon.com/europeanspodcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ (many currencies are available), or gift a donation to a super fan here. We'd also love it if you could tell two friends about this podcast!        This podcast was brought to you in cooperation with Euranet Plus, the leading radio network for EU news.   Other resources for this episode   'Hungary's ban on Pride has little to do with being gay' - BalkanInsight, March 27, 2025 https://balkaninsight.com/2025/03/27/hungarys-ban-on-pride-has-little-to-do-with-being-gay/   'Anti-spying phone pouches offered to EU lawmakers for trip to Hungary' - Politico Europe, April 16, 2025 https://www.politico.eu/article/lawmakers-offered-anti-espionage-phone-pouches-in-hungary/   00:00:46  Welcome to Europe, land of toxic eggs and tomatoes
00:06:50  Bad Week: Hungary gives constitutional backing to its Pride ban
00:22:59  Good Week (?) for Guatemala-bound tourists
00:44:51  Interview: Daria Verbytska on how OSINT is being used to help Ukraine's fightback against Russia
00:59:55  The Inspiration Station:  LA NIÑA and Den stora älgvandringen ('The Great Moose Migration')
01:03:07  Happy Ending: The amazing cross-border teenagers tackling antibiotic resistance   Producers: Morgan Childs and Wojciech Oleksiak
Mixing and mastering: Wojciech Oleksiak
Music: Jim Barne and Mariska Martina   YouTube | Bluesky | Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ | Mastodon⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ | hello@europeanspodcast.com        ]]>helloqg.podbean.com/bc96cf11-e0b8-3c15-8f87-109f678aed0eThu, 24 Apr 2025 06:00:00 +020001:06:27falsefullInside Europe: Exploring GriefInside Europe: Exploring GriefOn this special edition of DW's weekly podcast Inside Europe, the team takes a break from the news to explore grief as a lens for understanding global events. Author Sarah Jaffe joins host Kate Laycock to unpack how loss — from COVID to deindustrialisation — shapes politics, protest, and our shared humanity. A powerful journey through mourning, memory, and hope.   You can find Inside Europe at pod.link/insideeurope.   The Europeans will be back next week. If you enjoy our podcasts, we'd love it if you'd consider supporting us. You can chip in to help us cover the weekly research and production of The Europeans at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠patreon.com/europeanspodcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ (many currencies are available), or gift a donation to a super fan here.    YouTube | Bluesky | Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ | Mastodon⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ | hello@europeanspodcast.com     ]]>On this special edition of DW's weekly podcast Inside Europe, the team takes a break from the news to explore grief as a lens for understanding global events. Author Sarah Jaffe joins host Kate Laycock to unpack how loss — from COVID to deindustrialisation — shapes politics, protest, and our shared humanity. A powerful journey through mourning, memory, and hope.   You can find Inside Europe at pod.link/insideeurope.   The Europeans will be back next week. If you enjoy our podcasts, we'd love it if you'd consider supporting us. You can chip in to help us cover the weekly research and production of The Europeans at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠patreon.com/europeanspodcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ (many currencies are available), or gift a donation to a super fan here.    YouTube | Bluesky | Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ | Mastodon⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ | hello@europeanspodcast.com     ]]>helloqg.podbean.com/7b9d866b-f3e6-3243-b960-2c7bd28119c7Thu, 17 Apr 2025 06:00:00 +020054:31falsefullTesla, Turkey, and unnecessary trashTesla, Turkey, and unnecessary trash
Thanks for listening. After some rather troubling financial news, this independent podcast needs your support more than ever. If you enjoy our work, we'd love it if you'd consider supporting us. You can chip in to help us cover the weekly research and production of The Europeans at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠patreon.com/europeanspodcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ (many currencies are available), or gift a donation to a super fan here. We'd also love it if you could tell two friends about this podcast!   
This podcast was brought to you in cooperation with Euranet Plus, the leading radio network for EU news.   This week's Inspiration Station recommendations: 'Criminal Record' and 'Rural Fictions', an essay in The Dial by Bartolomeo Sala. Nina's bonus recommendations: 'Inspector Ellis' and 'The Bay'.

00:33  Moien, a wëllkomm bei den Europäer
05:09  Bad Week: Tesla in Europe
19:28  Good Week: Spain's new food waste law
33:03  Interview: Ezgi Başaran on Turkey's protests
49:25  The Inspiration Station: Criminal record and Bartolemo Sala's essay on farming in European fiction
54:33  Happy Ending: Hooray for shingles vaccines

Producers: Katy Lee and Wojciech Oleksiak  Mixing and mastering: Wojciech Oleksiak Music: Jim Barne and Mariska Martina   YouTube | Bluesky | Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ | Mastodon⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ | hello@europeanspodcast.com     ]]>
Thanks for listening. After some rather troubling financial news, this independent podcast needs your support more than ever. If you enjoy our work, we'd love it if you'd consider supporting us. You can chip in to help us cover the weekly research and production of The Europeans at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠patreon.com/europeanspodcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ (many currencies are available), or gift a donation to a super fan here. We'd also love it if you could tell two friends about this podcast!   
This podcast was brought to you in cooperation with Euranet Plus, the leading radio network for EU news.   This week's Inspiration Station recommendations: 'Criminal Record' and 'Rural Fictions', an essay in The Dial by Bartolomeo Sala. Nina's bonus recommendations: 'Inspector Ellis' and 'The Bay'.

00:33  Moien, a wëllkomm bei den Europäer
05:09  Bad Week: Tesla in Europe
19:28  Good Week: Spain's new food waste law
33:03  Interview: Ezgi Başaran on Turkey's protests
49:25  The Inspiration Station: Criminal record and Bartolemo Sala's essay on farming in European fiction
54:33  Happy Ending: Hooray for shingles vaccines

Producers: Katy Lee and Wojciech Oleksiak  Mixing and mastering: Wojciech Oleksiak Music: Jim Barne and Mariska Martina   YouTube | Bluesky | Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ | Mastodon⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ | hello@europeanspodcast.com     ]]>helloqg.podbean.com/59ec1a00-bc8b-3431-b782-8c2a826dae11Thu, 10 Apr 2025 06:00:00 +020056:46falsefullRockets, recipes and Le Pen(itentiary)Rockets, recipes and Le Pen(itentiary)here, or wherever you're listening to this.    Thanks for listening. After some rather troubling financial news this week, this independent podcast needs your support more than ever. If you enjoy our work, we'd love it if you'd consider supporting us. You can chip in to help us cover the weekly research and production of The Europeans at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠patreon.com/europeanspodcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ (many currencies are available), or gift a donation to a super fan here. We'd also love it if you could tell two friends about this podcast!      This podcast was brought to you in cooperation with Euranet Plus, the leading radio network for EU news.   This week's Inspiration Station recommendations: @forkranger on Instagram and 'How Stockholm Stuck' from Radiolab.   00:33 Damn clocks
03:43 Good Week: Marine Le Pen's enemies
20:36 Bad Week (?): The Spectrum rocket launch
33:59 Interview: Thom Ntinas on what the Ancients ate
46:27 The Inspiration Station: @forkranger and 'How Stockholm Stuck'
49:55 Happy Ending: The best place to lose your wallet   Producers: Morgan Childs and Wojciech Oleksiak  Mixing and mastering: Wojciech Oleksiak Music: Jim Barne and Mariska Martina   YouTube | Bluesky | Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ | Mastodon⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ | hello@europeanspodcast.com       ]]>here, or wherever you're listening to this.    Thanks for listening. After some rather troubling financial news this week, this independent podcast needs your support more than ever. If you enjoy our work, we'd love it if you'd consider supporting us. You can chip in to help us cover the weekly research and production of The Europeans at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠patreon.com/europeanspodcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ (many currencies are available), or gift a donation to a super fan here. We'd also love it if you could tell two friends about this podcast!      This podcast was brought to you in cooperation with Euranet Plus, the leading radio network for EU news.   This week's Inspiration Station recommendations: @forkranger on Instagram and 'How Stockholm Stuck' from Radiolab.   00:33 Damn clocks
03:43 Good Week: Marine Le Pen's enemies
20:36 Bad Week (?): The Spectrum rocket launch
33:59 Interview: Thom Ntinas on what the Ancients ate
46:27 The Inspiration Station: @forkranger and 'How Stockholm Stuck'
49:55 Happy Ending: The best place to lose your wallet   Producers: Morgan Childs and Wojciech Oleksiak  Mixing and mastering: Wojciech Oleksiak Music: Jim Barne and Mariska Martina   YouTube | Bluesky | Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ | Mastodon⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ | hello@europeanspodcast.com       ]]>helloqg.podbean.com/082e57b0-933d-34f6-aab3-d32a7812fdd1Thu, 03 Apr 2025 06:00:00 +020053:30falsefullHow would Europe's €800 billion defence plan actually work?How would Europe's €800 billion defence plan actually work?Europe is set to spend an eye-wateringly huge amount of money on building up its militaries over the next few years, after That Guy In The White House signalled he's no longer that interested in helping us defend ourselves against Russia. But where is all this money supposed to come from? And does it matter if some countries are more enthusiastic about this plan than others? This week we call defence expert Marina Henke to figure out what this spending bonanza actually involves. We're also talking about a Czech-led plan to save Radio Free Europe from Trump's cuts, and why ChatGPT falsely accused a Norwegian man of murder.

  Marina is a professor of international Relations at the Hertie School in Berlin and director of the Centre for International Security. You can watch the full version of her interview here on our YouTube channel and follow her on Bluesky here.   Thanks for listening. If you enjoy our podcasts, we'd love it if you'd consider supporting our work. You can chip in to help us cover the weekly research and production of The Europeans at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠patreon.com/europeanspodcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ (many currencies are available), or gift a donation to a super fan here. We'd also love it if you could tell two friends about this podcast!      This podcast was brought to you in cooperation with Euranet Plus, the leading radio network for EU news.   This week's Inspiration Station recommendations: 'And Then We Danced' and The Bittersweet Life.    Other resources for this week's episode    'Trump’s decision to cut Radio Free Europe comes at a great cost to democracy' - Muhammad Tahir, editorial for MSNBC, March 24, 2025 https://www.msnbc.com/opinion/msnbc-opinion/trump-voice-of-america-radio-free-europe-rcna197367    'Malfunction: the Hungarian Radio (Silence) on Chernobyl' - Archivum, April 26, 2021 https://www.archivum.org/entries/blog/malfunction-the-hungarian-radio-silence-on-chernobyl    'EU privacy body weighs in on some tricky GenAI lawfulness questions' - TechCrunch, December 18, 2024 https://techcrunch.com/2024/12/18/eu-privacy-body-weighs-in-on-some-tricky-genai-lawfulness-questions/

 

The EU's White Paper for European Defence: Readiness 2030 - March 19, 2025 https://ec.europa.eu/commission/presscorner/detail/en/ip_25_793

 

00:34 Deep breath: it's time for another episode of The Europeans
04:47 Good Week: Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty
18:41 Bad Week: The Norwegian man who ChatGPT falsely accused of murder
31:41 Interview: Marina Henke on Europe's huge new defence plan
56:23 The Inspiration Station: 'And Then We Danced' and 'The Bittersweet Life'
59:45 Happy Ending: Petko Gantsjev Is Very Much Alive

 

Producers: Morgan Childs and Wojciech Oleksiak
Mixing and mastering: Wojciech Oleksiak
Music: Jim Barne and Mariska Martina

 

  YouTube | Bluesky | Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ | Mastodon⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ | hello@europeanspodcast.com      ]]>Europe is set to spend an eye-wateringly huge amount of money on building up its militaries over the next few years, after That Guy In The White House signalled he's no longer that interested in helping us defend ourselves against Russia. But where is all this money supposed to come from? And does it matter if some countries are more enthusiastic about this plan than others? This week we call defence expert Marina Henke to figure out what this spending bonanza actually involves. We're also talking about a Czech-led plan to save Radio Free Europe from Trump's cuts, and why ChatGPT falsely accused a Norwegian man of murder.

  Marina is a professor of international Relations at the Hertie School in Berlin and director of the Centre for International Security. You can watch the full version of her interview here on our YouTube channel and follow her on Bluesky here.   Thanks for listening. If you enjoy our podcasts, we'd love it if you'd consider supporting our work. You can chip in to help us cover the weekly research and production of The Europeans at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠patreon.com/europeanspodcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ (many currencies are available), or gift a donation to a super fan here. We'd also love it if you could tell two friends about this podcast!      This podcast was brought to you in cooperation with Euranet Plus, the leading radio network for EU news.   This week's Inspiration Station recommendations: 'And Then We Danced' and The Bittersweet Life.    Other resources for this week's episode    'Trump’s decision to cut Radio Free Europe comes at a great cost to democracy' - Muhammad Tahir, editorial for MSNBC, March 24, 2025 https://www.msnbc.com/opinion/msnbc-opinion/trump-voice-of-america-radio-free-europe-rcna197367    'Malfunction: the Hungarian Radio (Silence) on Chernobyl' - Archivum, April 26, 2021 https://www.archivum.org/entries/blog/malfunction-the-hungarian-radio-silence-on-chernobyl    'EU privacy body weighs in on some tricky GenAI lawfulness questions' - TechCrunch, December 18, 2024 https://techcrunch.com/2024/12/18/eu-privacy-body-weighs-in-on-some-tricky-genai-lawfulness-questions/

 

The EU's White Paper for European Defence: Readiness 2030 - March 19, 2025 https://ec.europa.eu/commission/presscorner/detail/en/ip_25_793

 

00:34 Deep breath: it's time for another episode of The Europeans
04:47 Good Week: Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty
18:41 Bad Week: The Norwegian man who ChatGPT falsely accused of murder
31:41 Interview: Marina Henke on Europe's huge new defence plan
56:23 The Inspiration Station: 'And Then We Danced' and 'The Bittersweet Life'
59:45 Happy Ending: Petko Gantsjev Is Very Much Alive

 

Producers: Morgan Childs and Wojciech Oleksiak
Mixing and mastering: Wojciech Oleksiak
Music: Jim Barne and Mariska Martina

 

  YouTube | Bluesky | Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ | Mastodon⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ | hello@europeanspodcast.com      ]]>helloqg.podbean.com/2ac85ccd-bdea-3ce2-a2a6-6b0e4cb45e4dThu, 27 Mar 2025 06:00:00 +020001:02:47falsefullShould Canada join the EU?Should Canada join the EU?Europe and Canada have a lot in common, from their headaches over Donald Trump to a shared belief in welfare states. If Australia can be a part of Eurovision, is there anything stopping us from welcoming our Canadian friends into the EU?! This week we talk to Stanley Pignal, The Economist's semi-Canadian Brussels bureau chief, about what would be in it for both sides. We're also looking at the escalating political crisis in Bosnia, and the places in Europe where you're likely to live the longest. 

  You can read Stanley's article about the case for Canadian EU membership here and find his Charlemagne column on European politics here. He posts on Bluesky here.   Thanks for listening. If you enjoy our podcasts, we'd love it if you'd consider supporting our work. You can chip in to help us cover the weekly research and production of The Europeans at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠patreon.com/europeanspodcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ (many currencies are available), or gift a donation to a super fan here. We'd also love it if you could tell two friends about this podcast!      This podcast was brought to you in cooperation with Euranet Plus, the leading radio network for EU news.   This week's Inspiration Station recommendations: 'The Agency' and writing a letter to a Russian political prisoner via OVD-Info (an initiative discovered via this essay in The Dial by Francesca Mastruzzo).   Other resources for this week's episode    'The Economics Show' podcast by the Financial Times: 'Can societies age gracefully?' - January 13, 2025 https://www.ft.com/content/8ce0571d-06f0-40de-8579-4446d1fb07f3    'The EU needs a proactive approach in Bosnia' - editorial in Politico Europe by Arminka Helić, March 17, 2025 https://www.politico.eu/article/eu-bosnia-western-balkans-europe-war-bih-crisis-serbia/   00:34  Spring Is Real
02:50  Good Week: Europeans are living longer
15:00  Bad Week: Bosnia and Herzegovina
28:54  Interview: Stanley Pignal on the case for Canadian EU membership
45:38  The Inspiration Station: The Agency and letters to Russian political prisoners
50:46  Happy Ending: Germany's economy could be wurst   Producers: Morgan Childs and Wojciech Oleksiak

Mixing and mastering: Wojciech Oleksiak
Music: Jim Barne and Mariska Martina

  YouTube | Bluesky | Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ | Mastodon⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ | hello@europeanspodcast.com     ]]>Europe and Canada have a lot in common, from their headaches over Donald Trump to a shared belief in welfare states. If Australia can be a part of Eurovision, is there anything stopping us from welcoming our Canadian friends into the EU?! This week we talk to Stanley Pignal, The Economist's semi-Canadian Brussels bureau chief, about what would be in it for both sides. We're also looking at the escalating political crisis in Bosnia, and the places in Europe where you're likely to live the longest. 

  You can read Stanley's article about the case for Canadian EU membership here and find his Charlemagne column on European politics here. He posts on Bluesky here.   Thanks for listening. If you enjoy our podcasts, we'd love it if you'd consider supporting our work. You can chip in to help us cover the weekly research and production of The Europeans at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠patreon.com/europeanspodcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ (many currencies are available), or gift a donation to a super fan here. We'd also love it if you could tell two friends about this podcast!      This podcast was brought to you in cooperation with Euranet Plus, the leading radio network for EU news.   This week's Inspiration Station recommendations: 'The Agency' and writing a letter to a Russian political prisoner via OVD-Info (an initiative discovered via this essay in The Dial by Francesca Mastruzzo).   Other resources for this week's episode    'The Economics Show' podcast by the Financial Times: 'Can societies age gracefully?' - January 13, 2025 https://www.ft.com/content/8ce0571d-06f0-40de-8579-4446d1fb07f3    'The EU needs a proactive approach in Bosnia' - editorial in Politico Europe by Arminka Helić, March 17, 2025 https://www.politico.eu/article/eu-bosnia-western-balkans-europe-war-bih-crisis-serbia/   00:34  Spring Is Real
02:50  Good Week: Europeans are living longer
15:00  Bad Week: Bosnia and Herzegovina
28:54  Interview: Stanley Pignal on the case for Canadian EU membership
45:38  The Inspiration Station: The Agency and letters to Russian political prisoners
50:46  Happy Ending: Germany's economy could be wurst   Producers: Morgan Childs and Wojciech Oleksiak

Mixing and mastering: Wojciech Oleksiak
Music: Jim Barne and Mariska Martina

  YouTube | Bluesky | Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ | Mastodon⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ | hello@europeanspodcast.com     ]]>helloqg.podbean.com/893d4add-5553-3072-bd99-ab6c5f04250dThu, 20 Mar 2025 06:00:00 +020053:36falsefullPutin's African antics, the death of Skype, and a Eurovision c-bombPutin's African antics, the death of Skype, and a Eurovision c-bombhere on Bluesky and here on Mastodon. Check out our full conversation with Beverly on our YouTube channel.   Thanks so much for listening. If you enjoy our podcasts, we'd love it if you'd consider supporting our work. You can chip in to help us cover the weekly research and production of The Europeans at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠patreon.com/europeanspodcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ (many currencies are available), or gift a donation to a super fan here. We'd also love it if you could tell two friends about this podcast!      This podcast was brought to you in cooperation with Euranet Plus, the leading radio network for EU news.   This week's Inspiration Station recommendations: Codenames and The Economist's Glass Ceiling Index.    Other resources for this week's episode   European Alternatives - euro-companies making all kinds of digital products: https://european-alternatives.eu/   Jitsi, the great Zoom alternative created by a swing-dancing Erasmus student: https://jitsi.org/   'The Brussels Effect: How the European Union Rules the World' by Anu Bradford: https://academic.oup.com/book/36491   Fact-check: Does the EU really buy 80% of its weapons from overseas? (No, no it doesn't.) Bluesky thread by The Economist's Stanley Pignal, March 9, 2025: https://bsky.app/profile/spignal.bsky.social/post/3ljxd4r4cos25   Miriana Conte - Kant (‘Singing’); National Final Performance, Eurovision Song Contest 2025: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8qNK1tt6L5k   00:33  Smellovision and feminist babies
03:32  Bad Week: Skype
25:19  Good Week: Language prudes
37:39  Interview: Beverly Ochieng on Russia's African antics
53:40  The Inspiration Station: Codenames and The Economist's Glass Ceiling Index
56:44  Happy Ending: Easier breathing for Londoners   Producers: Morgan Childs and Wojciech Oleksiak Mixing and mastering: Wojciech Oleksiak Music: Jim Barne and Mariska Martina   YouTube | Bluesky | Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ | Mastodon⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ | hello@europeanspodcast.com     ]]>here on Bluesky and here on Mastodon. Check out our full conversation with Beverly on our YouTube channel.   Thanks so much for listening. If you enjoy our podcasts, we'd love it if you'd consider supporting our work. You can chip in to help us cover the weekly research and production of The Europeans at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠patreon.com/europeanspodcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ (many currencies are available), or gift a donation to a super fan here. We'd also love it if you could tell two friends about this podcast!      This podcast was brought to you in cooperation with Euranet Plus, the leading radio network for EU news.   This week's Inspiration Station recommendations: Codenames and The Economist's Glass Ceiling Index.    Other resources for this week's episode   European Alternatives - euro-companies making all kinds of digital products: https://european-alternatives.eu/   Jitsi, the great Zoom alternative created by a swing-dancing Erasmus student: https://jitsi.org/   'The Brussels Effect: How the European Union Rules the World' by Anu Bradford: https://academic.oup.com/book/36491   Fact-check: Does the EU really buy 80% of its weapons from overseas? (No, no it doesn't.) Bluesky thread by The Economist's Stanley Pignal, March 9, 2025: https://bsky.app/profile/spignal.bsky.social/post/3ljxd4r4cos25   Miriana Conte - Kant (‘Singing’); National Final Performance, Eurovision Song Contest 2025: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8qNK1tt6L5k   00:33  Smellovision and feminist babies
03:32  Bad Week: Skype
25:19  Good Week: Language prudes
37:39  Interview: Beverly Ochieng on Russia's African antics
53:40  The Inspiration Station: Codenames and The Economist's Glass Ceiling Index
56:44  Happy Ending: Easier breathing for Londoners   Producers: Morgan Childs and Wojciech Oleksiak Mixing and mastering: Wojciech Oleksiak Music: Jim Barne and Mariska Martina   YouTube | Bluesky | Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ | Mastodon⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ | hello@europeanspodcast.com     ]]>helloqg.podbean.com/4b25ffda-59ce-35d7-bc5f-6b1e2cc7ef00Thu, 13 Mar 2025 06:00:00 +020001:00:03falsefullBig news for The Europeans!Big news for The Europeans!here.   And you can read all about our crowdfunded mini-series 'Who Does It Best?' — and contribute, if you'd like! — here.   Maja and Uršula's show, Šala za starše, can be found here and you can find Jasmin's work here.   Thanks so much for listening. If you enjoy our podcasts, we'd love it if you'd consider supporting our work. You can chip in to help us cover the weekly research and production of The Europeans at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠patreon.com/europeanspodcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ (many currencies are available), or gift a donation to a super fan here.      Producer: Katy Lee Mixing and mastering: Wojciech Oleksiak Music: Jim Barne   YouTube | Bluesky | Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ | Mastodon⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ | hello@europeanspodcast.com     ]]>here.   And you can read all about our crowdfunded mini-series 'Who Does It Best?' — and contribute, if you'd like! — here.   Maja and Uršula's show, Šala za starše, can be found here and you can find Jasmin's work here.   Thanks so much for listening. If you enjoy our podcasts, we'd love it if you'd consider supporting our work. You can chip in to help us cover the weekly research and production of The Europeans at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠patreon.com/europeanspodcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ (many currencies are available), or gift a donation to a super fan here.      Producer: Katy Lee Mixing and mastering: Wojciech Oleksiak Music: Jim Barne   YouTube | Bluesky | Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ | Mastodon⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ | hello@europeanspodcast.com     ]]>helloqg.podbean.com/ca427628-b8f9-395a-9580-f00c45e059f4Tue, 11 Mar 2025 06:00:00 +020017:21falsefullGermany's elections: should we freak out or not?Germany's elections: should we freak out or not?Tarik is a professor of European politics at the University of Oxford. You can follow him on Bluesky here.   You can find out more about Emilia's work here and follow her on Instagram here.   Thanks for listening! If you enjoy our podcasts, we'd love it if you'd consider supporting our work in 2025. You can chip in to help us cover the weekly research and production of The Europeans at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠patreon.com/europeanspodcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ (many currencies are available), or gift a donation to a super fan here.      Producers: Morgan Childs and Wojciech Oleksiak Mixing and mastering: Wojciech Oleksiak Music: Jim Barne and Mariska Martina   03:50 Tarik Abou-Chadi untangles the German election results for us
27:34 Emilia Roig on how to think about the fight against the far-right   YouTube | Bluesky | Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ | Mastodon⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ | hello@europeanspodcast.com     ]]>Tarik is a professor of European politics at the University of Oxford. You can follow him on Bluesky here.   You can find out more about Emilia's work here and follow her on Instagram here.   Thanks for listening! If you enjoy our podcasts, we'd love it if you'd consider supporting our work in 2025. You can chip in to help us cover the weekly research and production of The Europeans at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠patreon.com/europeanspodcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ (many currencies are available), or gift a donation to a super fan here.      Producers: Morgan Childs and Wojciech Oleksiak Mixing and mastering: Wojciech Oleksiak Music: Jim Barne and Mariska Martina   03:50 Tarik Abou-Chadi untangles the German election results for us
27:34 Emilia Roig on how to think about the fight against the far-right   YouTube | Bluesky | Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ | Mastodon⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ | hello@europeanspodcast.com     ]]>helloqg.podbean.com/dd5b8922-d8d1-3a4b-95d2-4c02d554117eThu, 27 Feb 2025 06:00:00 +020045:17falsefullEuro-defence, euro-booze and euro-TVEuro-defence, euro-booze and euro-TVThis week, the great transatlantic break-up. How can we make sense of the seismic shift in Europe's relationship with the US since Trump took power? What does it mean for Ukraine, and Europe's ability to defend itself from Russia? As a palate-cleanser, we're also hearing all the secrets of the international TV trade. Why do people in so many countries end up watching national versions of the same reality and game shows? Jean Chalaby joins us to explain how this fascinating industry works. Plus, Europe's changing relationship with booze. 

  Thanks for listening! If you enjoy our podcasts, we'd love it if you'd consider supporting our work in 2025. You can chip in to help us cover the weekly research and production of The Europeans at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠patreon.com/europeanspodcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ (many currencies are available), or gift a donation to a super fan here.    Jean is a professor of international communication at City University London, and the author of The Format Age.   This week's Inspiration Station recommendations: 'Prezidentka' and 'The Taste of Things' ('La Passion de Dodin Bouffant').   Other resources for this week's episode   'I Really Believe That Time Has Come: The Armed Forces of Europe Must Be Created – Speech by the President at the Munich Security Conference' - Website of the Ukrainian Presidency, February 15, 2025 https://www.president.gov.ua/en/news/viryu-sho-cej-chas-nastav-neobhidno-stvoriti-zbrojni-sili-ye-96089   'Vance uses half-truths to lecture a European audience well aware of the threat of authoritarian rule' - CNN, February 14, 2025 https://edition.cnn.com/2025/02/14/world/vances-speech-upsets-european-leaders-intl-latam/index.html   'Alcohol labels should warn of cancer risk, says new WHO/Europe report' - World Health Organization, February 14, 2025 https://www.who.int/europe/news-room/14-02-2025-alcohol-labels-should-warn-of-cancer-risk--says-new-who-europe-report   'Secret love lives of crickets revealed' - The Slovenia Times, February 14, 2025 https://sloveniatimes.com/42509/secret-love-life-of-crickets-revealed   Producers: Morgan Childs and Katy Lee Mixing and mastering: Wojciech Oleksiak Music: Jim Barne and Mariska Martina   00:00:22 Don't be koi
00:03:15 Bad Week: Transatlantic relations
00:28:52 Good Week: Our livers
00:40:38 Interview: Jean Chalaby on the secrets of the TV format trade
00:57:01 The Inspiration Station: 'Prezidentka' and 'The Taste of Things'
01:02:22 Happy Ending: Sexy vibracoustics   YouTube | Bluesky | Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ | Mastodon⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ | hello@europeanspodcast.com    ]]>This week, the great transatlantic break-up. How can we make sense of the seismic shift in Europe's relationship with the US since Trump took power? What does it mean for Ukraine, and Europe's ability to defend itself from Russia? As a palate-cleanser, we're also hearing all the secrets of the international TV trade. Why do people in so many countries end up watching national versions of the same reality and game shows? Jean Chalaby joins us to explain how this fascinating industry works. Plus, Europe's changing relationship with booze. 

  Thanks for listening! If you enjoy our podcasts, we'd love it if you'd consider supporting our work in 2025. You can chip in to help us cover the weekly research and production of The Europeans at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠patreon.com/europeanspodcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ (many currencies are available), or gift a donation to a super fan here.    Jean is a professor of international communication at City University London, and the author of The Format Age.   This week's Inspiration Station recommendations: 'Prezidentka' and 'The Taste of Things' ('La Passion de Dodin Bouffant').   Other resources for this week's episode   'I Really Believe That Time Has Come: The Armed Forces of Europe Must Be Created – Speech by the President at the Munich Security Conference' - Website of the Ukrainian Presidency, February 15, 2025 https://www.president.gov.ua/en/news/viryu-sho-cej-chas-nastav-neobhidno-stvoriti-zbrojni-sili-ye-96089   'Vance uses half-truths to lecture a European audience well aware of the threat of authoritarian rule' - CNN, February 14, 2025 https://edition.cnn.com/2025/02/14/world/vances-speech-upsets-european-leaders-intl-latam/index.html   'Alcohol labels should warn of cancer risk, says new WHO/Europe report' - World Health Organization, February 14, 2025 https://www.who.int/europe/news-room/14-02-2025-alcohol-labels-should-warn-of-cancer-risk--says-new-who-europe-report   'Secret love lives of crickets revealed' - The Slovenia Times, February 14, 2025 https://sloveniatimes.com/42509/secret-love-life-of-crickets-revealed   Producers: Morgan Childs and Katy Lee Mixing and mastering: Wojciech Oleksiak Music: Jim Barne and Mariska Martina   00:00:22 Don't be koi
00:03:15 Bad Week: Transatlantic relations
00:28:52 Good Week: Our livers
00:40:38 Interview: Jean Chalaby on the secrets of the TV format trade
00:57:01 The Inspiration Station: 'Prezidentka' and 'The Taste of Things'
01:02:22 Happy Ending: Sexy vibracoustics   YouTube | Bluesky | Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ | Mastodon⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ | hello@europeanspodcast.com    ]]>helloqg.podbean.com/d8baff2d-96c9-31bf-be36-14ef1d9b748dThu, 20 Feb 2025 06:00:00 +020001:07:18falsefullDark skies, cheap shopping and an EU laser showDark skies, cheap shopping and an EU laser showhere.   This week's Inspiration Station recommendations: 'The Day of the Jackal' and 'Italia Express' from Radiooooo.   Thanks for listening! If you enjoy our podcasts, we'd love it if you'd consider supporting our work in 2025. You can chip in to help us cover the weekly research and production of The Europeans at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠patreon.com/europeanspodcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ (many currencies are available), or gift a donation to a super fan here.    Other resources for this week's episode   'Baltic Energy Independence Day' aka the amazing EU laser show - European Commission livestream, February 8, 2025 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GeU829DcoKQ&t=24s     'EU toolbox for safe and sustainable e-commerce' aka the EU's proposed crackdown on cheap shopping websites, February 5, 2025 https://digital-strategy.ec.europa.eu/en/library/e-commerce-communication-comprehensive-eu-toolbox-safe-and-sustainable-e-commerce    DarkSky International: All international Dark Sky Places https://darksky.org/what-we-do/international-dark-sky-places/all-places   '"Must-have genre" for uncertain times: why spy thrillers have taken over TV' - The Guardian, February 2, 2025 https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2025/feb/02/spy-thrillers-television-must-have-genre-uncertain-world     'Beavers build planned dams in protected landscape area, while local officials still seeking permits' - Radio Prague International, January 31, 2025 https://english.radio.cz/beavers-build-planned-dams-protected-landscape-area-while-local-officials-still-8841536    Producers: Morgan Childs and Wojciech Oleksiak  Mixing and mastering: Wojciech Oleksiak Music: Jim Barne and Mariska Martina   00:22 Is Dominic ok?
03:48 Good Week: The Big Baltic Electricity Switch
13:58 Bad Week: Chinese e-commerce giants
26:19 Interview: Anna Levin on the magic of Europe's dark skies
44:42 The Inspiration Station: 'The Day of the Jackal' and 'Italia Express' by Radiooooo
49:01 Happy Ending: Industrious Czech beavers   Bluesky | Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ | Mastodon⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ | hello@europeanspodcast.com  ]]>here.   This week's Inspiration Station recommendations: 'The Day of the Jackal' and 'Italia Express' from Radiooooo.   Thanks for listening! If you enjoy our podcasts, we'd love it if you'd consider supporting our work in 2025. You can chip in to help us cover the weekly research and production of The Europeans at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠patreon.com/europeanspodcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ (many currencies are available), or gift a donation to a super fan here.    Other resources for this week's episode   'Baltic Energy Independence Day' aka the amazing EU laser show - European Commission livestream, February 8, 2025 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GeU829DcoKQ&t=24s     'EU toolbox for safe and sustainable e-commerce' aka the EU's proposed crackdown on cheap shopping websites, February 5, 2025 https://digital-strategy.ec.europa.eu/en/library/e-commerce-communication-comprehensive-eu-toolbox-safe-and-sustainable-e-commerce    DarkSky International: All international Dark Sky Places https://darksky.org/what-we-do/international-dark-sky-places/all-places   '"Must-have genre" for uncertain times: why spy thrillers have taken over TV' - The Guardian, February 2, 2025 https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2025/feb/02/spy-thrillers-television-must-have-genre-uncertain-world     'Beavers build planned dams in protected landscape area, while local officials still seeking permits' - Radio Prague International, January 31, 2025 https://english.radio.cz/beavers-build-planned-dams-protected-landscape-area-while-local-officials-still-8841536    Producers: Morgan Childs and Wojciech Oleksiak  Mixing and mastering: Wojciech Oleksiak Music: Jim Barne and Mariska Martina   00:22 Is Dominic ok?
03:48 Good Week: The Big Baltic Electricity Switch
13:58 Bad Week: Chinese e-commerce giants
26:19 Interview: Anna Levin on the magic of Europe's dark skies
44:42 The Inspiration Station: 'The Day of the Jackal' and 'Italia Express' by Radiooooo
49:01 Happy Ending: Industrious Czech beavers   Bluesky | Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ | Mastodon⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ | hello@europeanspodcast.com  ]]>helloqg.podbean.com/afd00223-d34d-33ff-898f-31d39f0452e1Thu, 13 Feb 2025 06:00:00 +020051:40falsefullButterflies and bullied protestersButterflies and bullied protestersKiril Arsovski Przo, one of the scientists behind an investigation into this troubling legal loophole. We're also talking about the farcical election in Belarus and Britain's crackdown on climate protesters.    You can watch 'Nature for Sale' here and read more about the investigation here.    Thanks for listening! If you enjoy our podcasts, we'd love it if you'd consider supporting our work in 2025. You can chip in to help us cover the weekly research and production of The Europeans at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠patreon.com/europeanspodcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ (many currencies are available), or gift a donation to a super fan here.    This week's Inspiration Station recommendations: 'Earnest Cole: Lost and Found' and 'Murder Mindfully' (Achtsam Morden).    Other resources for this week's episode   'Hope for our rarest UK bat' - Bat Conservation Trust, January 27, 2025 https://www.bats.org.uk/news/2025/01/hope-for-our-rarest-uk-bat   Zeno Siemens and Jacco Prantl - 'Learning to listen with Gordon Hempton' https://soundcloud.com/thecorrespondent/zeno-siemens-and-jacco-prantl-learning-to-listen-with-gordon-hempton    Invisibilia - 'The Last Sound' https://open.spotify.com/episode/2vPX641oHRo1vetDVl7CeH?si=qu4otcOPTeS4hGyimw5Snw    Producers: Morgan Childs and Wojciech Oleksiak  Mixing and mastering: Wojciech Oleksiak Music: Jim Barne and Mariska Martina   00:23 Cold dips and the future of memory culture
04:27 Good Week: Aleksandr Lukashenko
12:08 Bad Week: Freedom to protest in the UK
32:11 Interview: Kiril Arsovski Przo on the legal loophole threatening Europe's most endangered butterfly
47:31 The Inspiration Station: 'Earnest Cole: Lost and Found' and 'Murder Mindfully' (Achtsam Morden)
50:59 Happy Ending: Company for the world's loneliest bat   Bluesky | Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ | Mastodon⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ | hello@europeanspodcast.com   ]]>Kiril Arsovski Przo, one of the scientists behind an investigation into this troubling legal loophole. We're also talking about the farcical election in Belarus and Britain's crackdown on climate protesters.    You can watch 'Nature for Sale' here and read more about the investigation here.    Thanks for listening! If you enjoy our podcasts, we'd love it if you'd consider supporting our work in 2025. You can chip in to help us cover the weekly research and production of The Europeans at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠patreon.com/europeanspodcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ (many currencies are available), or gift a donation to a super fan here.    This week's Inspiration Station recommendations: 'Earnest Cole: Lost and Found' and 'Murder Mindfully' (Achtsam Morden).    Other resources for this week's episode   'Hope for our rarest UK bat' - Bat Conservation Trust, January 27, 2025 https://www.bats.org.uk/news/2025/01/hope-for-our-rarest-uk-bat   Zeno Siemens and Jacco Prantl - 'Learning to listen with Gordon Hempton' https://soundcloud.com/thecorrespondent/zeno-siemens-and-jacco-prantl-learning-to-listen-with-gordon-hempton    Invisibilia - 'The Last Sound' https://open.spotify.com/episode/2vPX641oHRo1vetDVl7CeH?si=qu4otcOPTeS4hGyimw5Snw    Producers: Morgan Childs and Wojciech Oleksiak  Mixing and mastering: Wojciech Oleksiak Music: Jim Barne and Mariska Martina   00:23 Cold dips and the future of memory culture
04:27 Good Week: Aleksandr Lukashenko
12:08 Bad Week: Freedom to protest in the UK
32:11 Interview: Kiril Arsovski Przo on the legal loophole threatening Europe's most endangered butterfly
47:31 The Inspiration Station: 'Earnest Cole: Lost and Found' and 'Murder Mindfully' (Achtsam Morden)
50:59 Happy Ending: Company for the world's loneliest bat   Bluesky | Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ | Mastodon⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ | hello@europeanspodcast.com   ]]>helloqg.podbean.com/2e25d63d-8539-333a-a4bc-20aab32f6199Thu, 30 Jan 2025 06:00:00 +020056:18falsefull33The world needs more drag cowsThe world needs more drag cows⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠patreon.com/europeanspodcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ (many currencies are available), or gift a donation to a super fan here.    You can follow Soya the Cow here and find out more about Daniel's work here.    This week's Inspiration Station recommendations: 'The Outrun', Danish spruce cookbook 'Mad med gran', and European TikTok.    Other resources for this episode 

'Što društvo može napraviti da spriječi porast nasilja?' (What can society do to prevent the rise in violence?') - HRT, January 16, 2025 https://vijesti.hrt.hr/hrvatska/otvoreno-659-11963849
'A Brit Explains Wagatha Christie To An American' - Bustle, October 19, 2023 https://www.bustle.com/entertainment/wagatha-christie-explained-by-a-brit-to-an-american   Producers: Morgan Childs and Wojciech Oleksiak  Mixing and mastering: Wojciech Oleksiak Music: Jim Barne and Mariska Martina   00:23 An (attempted) orange-man free zone
03:08 Good Week: Ursula von der Leyen
10:32 Bad Week: Croatia's government
21:40 Interview: Daniel Hellmann (Soya the Cow) on the case for joyful activism
39:05 The Inspiration Station: 'The Outrun', 'Mad men gran', and European TikTok
44:23 Happy Ending: A social network making a good decision, for once?!   Bluesky | Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ | Mastodon⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ | hello@europeanspodcast.com  ]]>⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠patreon.com/europeanspodcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ (many currencies are available), or gift a donation to a super fan here.    You can follow Soya the Cow here and find out more about Daniel's work here.    This week's Inspiration Station recommendations: 'The Outrun', Danish spruce cookbook 'Mad med gran', and European TikTok.    Other resources for this episode 

'Što društvo može napraviti da spriječi porast nasilja?' (What can society do to prevent the rise in violence?') - HRT, January 16, 2025 https://vijesti.hrt.hr/hrvatska/otvoreno-659-11963849
'A Brit Explains Wagatha Christie To An American' - Bustle, October 19, 2023 https://www.bustle.com/entertainment/wagatha-christie-explained-by-a-brit-to-an-american   Producers: Morgan Childs and Wojciech Oleksiak  Mixing and mastering: Wojciech Oleksiak Music: Jim Barne and Mariska Martina   00:23 An (attempted) orange-man free zone
03:08 Good Week: Ursula von der Leyen
10:32 Bad Week: Croatia's government
21:40 Interview: Daniel Hellmann (Soya the Cow) on the case for joyful activism
39:05 The Inspiration Station: 'The Outrun', 'Mad men gran', and European TikTok
44:23 Happy Ending: A social network making a good decision, for once?!   Bluesky | Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ | Mastodon⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ | hello@europeanspodcast.com  ]]>helloqg.podbean.com/3f24c00a-3b06-3a20-97b1-6bc59e58eb42Thu, 23 Jan 2025 06:00:00 +020047:30falsefullRussia's gas gamesRussia's gas gamesThere's been a weird loophole in the war in Ukraine up until now. Nearly three years after Russia's full-scale invasion, Ukraine was still being paid to transport Russian gas for sale to Europe, all while Moscow continued to kill its people. What does the end of this strange deal mean? This week we ring up energy expert Szymon Kardaś to ask how Putin's regime might seek to use the new situation to his advantage, and to what extent Europe has really managed to wean itself off Russian fossil fuels. We're also talking about the new challenge to Serbia's President Aleksandar Vučić, and whether or not it's a good idea to eat your Christmas tree. 

 

Thanks for listening! If you enjoy our podcasts, we'd love it if you'd consider supporting our work in 2025. You can chip in to help us cover the weekly research and production of The Europeans at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠patreon.com/europeanspodcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ (many currencies are available), or gift a donation to a super fan here.      Szymon is a senior policy fellow at the European Council on Foreign Relations and an assistant professor at the University of Warsaw. You can read his tweets here.    This week's Inspiration Station recommendations: The European Journalism Centre's Journalism Innovation Podcast and 'Beyond the Wall' by Katja Hoyer.    Other resources for this episode  

Ghent city hall's guide to reducing post-holiday waste  — now with added disclaimer: https://stad.gent/nl/groen-milieu/nieuws-evenementen/na-de-feestdagen-wat-met-de-restjes#je-kerstboom 

'Sweden says Christmas tree needles safe to eat — after Belgian warning'. AFP / France 24, January 8, 2025 https://www.france24.com/en/live-news/20250108-sweden-says-christmas-tree-needles-safe-to-eat-after-belgian-warning   Producers: Morgan Childs and Wojciech Oleksiak  Mixing and mastering: Wojciech Oleksiak Music: Jim Barne and Mariska Martina   00:22 Polish apple facts, and some amazing news
05:05 Bad Week: Aleksandar Vučić
17:02 Good week: Adventurous chefs
26:44 Interview: Szymon Kardaś on what the Russia-Ukraine gas pipeline shutdown means for Europe
42:31 The Inspiration Station: The European Journalism Centre's Journalism Innovation Podcast, and 'Beyond the Wall'
46:12 Happy Ending: From Thiberville to Thiberville, with love     Bluesky | Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ | Mastodon⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ | hello@europeanspodcast.com   ]]>There's been a weird loophole in the war in Ukraine up until now. Nearly three years after Russia's full-scale invasion, Ukraine was still being paid to transport Russian gas for sale to Europe, all while Moscow continued to kill its people. What does the end of this strange deal mean? This week we ring up energy expert Szymon Kardaś to ask how Putin's regime might seek to use the new situation to his advantage, and to what extent Europe has really managed to wean itself off Russian fossil fuels. We're also talking about the new challenge to Serbia's President Aleksandar Vučić, and whether or not it's a good idea to eat your Christmas tree. 

 

Thanks for listening! If you enjoy our podcasts, we'd love it if you'd consider supporting our work in 2025. You can chip in to help us cover the weekly research and production of The Europeans at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠patreon.com/europeanspodcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ (many currencies are available), or gift a donation to a super fan here.      Szymon is a senior policy fellow at the European Council on Foreign Relations and an assistant professor at the University of Warsaw. You can read his tweets here.    This week's Inspiration Station recommendations: The European Journalism Centre's Journalism Innovation Podcast and 'Beyond the Wall' by Katja Hoyer.    Other resources for this episode  

Ghent city hall's guide to reducing post-holiday waste  — now with added disclaimer: https://stad.gent/nl/groen-milieu/nieuws-evenementen/na-de-feestdagen-wat-met-de-restjes#je-kerstboom 

'Sweden says Christmas tree needles safe to eat — after Belgian warning'. AFP / France 24, January 8, 2025 https://www.france24.com/en/live-news/20250108-sweden-says-christmas-tree-needles-safe-to-eat-after-belgian-warning   Producers: Morgan Childs and Wojciech Oleksiak  Mixing and mastering: Wojciech Oleksiak Music: Jim Barne and Mariska Martina   00:22 Polish apple facts, and some amazing news
05:05 Bad Week: Aleksandar Vučić
17:02 Good week: Adventurous chefs
26:44 Interview: Szymon Kardaś on what the Russia-Ukraine gas pipeline shutdown means for Europe
42:31 The Inspiration Station: The European Journalism Centre's Journalism Innovation Podcast, and 'Beyond the Wall'
46:12 Happy Ending: From Thiberville to Thiberville, with love     Bluesky | Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ | Mastodon⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ | hello@europeanspodcast.com   ]]>helloqg.podbean.com/c8888b44-6597-3c65-aaaa-4d688f09bb3bThu, 16 Jan 2025 06:00:00 +020050:31falsefullDemocratic salami and boiling frogsDemocratic salami and boiling frogshere, and follow him on Bluesky here.    This week's Inspiration Station recommendations: 'My Favourite Cake' and 'La Chimera'.    Thanks for listening! If you enjoy our podcasts, we'd love it if you'd consider supporting our work in 2025. You can chip in to help us cover the weekly research and production of The Europeans at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠patreon.com/europeanspodcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ (many currencies are available), or gift a donation to a super fan here.    We're also crowdfunding our new series, 'Who Does It Best?', which will delve into the most imaginative policies around Europe. We're 96% of the way there! You can find out all about our plans for the series, and help us start making it, at https://4fund.com/z/europeanspodcast.    Other resources for this episode:   

Double Dutch on Instagram and TikTok 

Ada Colau's amazing Instagram post   Producers: Katy Lee and Wojciech Oleksiak  Mixing and mastering: Wojciech Oleksiak Music: Jim Barne and Mariska Martina   00:23 The headwinds of 2025
02:48 Bad Week: Fireworks
11:50 Good Week: Greenland's pro-independence movement
22:31 Interview: Tom Theuns on protecting Europe's democracies
38:01 The Inspiration Station: 'My Favourite Cake' and 'La Chimera'
43:13 Happy Ending: Ada Colau's amazing Instagram post   Bluesky | Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ | Mastodon⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ | hello@europeanspodcast.com]]>here, and follow him on Bluesky here.    This week's Inspiration Station recommendations: 'My Favourite Cake' and 'La Chimera'.    Thanks for listening! If you enjoy our podcasts, we'd love it if you'd consider supporting our work in 2025. You can chip in to help us cover the weekly research and production of The Europeans at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠patreon.com/europeanspodcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ (many currencies are available), or gift a donation to a super fan here.    We're also crowdfunding our new series, 'Who Does It Best?', which will delve into the most imaginative policies around Europe. We're 96% of the way there! You can find out all about our plans for the series, and help us start making it, at https://4fund.com/z/europeanspodcast.    Other resources for this episode:   

Double Dutch on Instagram and TikTok 

Ada Colau's amazing Instagram post   Producers: Katy Lee and Wojciech Oleksiak  Mixing and mastering: Wojciech Oleksiak Music: Jim Barne and Mariska Martina   00:23 The headwinds of 2025
02:48 Bad Week: Fireworks
11:50 Good Week: Greenland's pro-independence movement
22:31 Interview: Tom Theuns on protecting Europe's democracies
38:01 The Inspiration Station: 'My Favourite Cake' and 'La Chimera'
43:13 Happy Ending: Ada Colau's amazing Instagram post   Bluesky | Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ | Mastodon⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ | hello@europeanspodcast.com]]>helloqg.podbean.com/0c012d0f-8e3f-32a4-aaae-dc9e52035fc5Thu, 09 Jan 2025 06:00:00 +020047:35falsefullCold water, warm heartsCold water, warm hearts⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠patreon.com/europeanspodcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ (many currencies are available), and even gift a donation to a super fan of The Europeans here.    We're also crowdfunding our new series, 'Who Does It Best?', which will delve into the most imaginative policies around Europe. We're 80% of the way there! You can find out all about our plans for the series, and help us start making it, at https://4fund.com/z/europeanspodcast.    You can follow Katharina on Instagram here and learn more about the Deurnese IJsberen here.    The BBC article Dominic mentioned on the environmental impact of Christmas trees can be found here.   This week's Inspiration Station offerings: 'The Bee Sting' by Paul Murray and Jazz Station in Brussels.   Listeners' other recommendations: 
- 'Opinci'. Irina says: 'A wonderful 20-minute animation about the story of a Romanian man who in 1910 attempted to circumnavigate the world on foot. It's beautiful and I think you would really enjoy it.' - Frederik recommends 'Schwarze Früchte' from Germany's ARD. 'It's about growing up queer and black.' - 'Somebody Somewhere' - 'Really worth watching,' says Juliette. - Owen recommends his new book of poetry, 'Nature Is Real And So Am I'. 'It’s about my relationship with the four seasons of natural landscape around me on the Isle of Man.'   Producer: Katy Lee  Mixing and mastering: Wojciech Oleksiak Music: Jim Barne and Mariska Martina   00:22 Winter tea and Swedish gnomes
04:40 Good Week: Greece's Christmas shopping basket
12:50 Bad Week: The Green Giant of Trentino
27:29 Interview: Katharina Smets' guide to cold swimming in Europe
49:42 The Inspiration Station: 'The Bee Sting' by Paul Murray and Jazz Station in Brussels
53:56 Happy Ending: The best Christmas market in Europe... or is it?   Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ | Bluesky | Mastodon⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ | Twitter | ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠hello@europeanspodcast.com ]]>⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠patreon.com/europeanspodcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ (many currencies are available), and even gift a donation to a super fan of The Europeans here.    We're also crowdfunding our new series, 'Who Does It Best?', which will delve into the most imaginative policies around Europe. We're 80% of the way there! You can find out all about our plans for the series, and help us start making it, at https://4fund.com/z/europeanspodcast.    You can follow Katharina on Instagram here and learn more about the Deurnese IJsberen here.    The BBC article Dominic mentioned on the environmental impact of Christmas trees can be found here.   This week's Inspiration Station offerings: 'The Bee Sting' by Paul Murray and Jazz Station in Brussels.   Listeners' other recommendations: 
- 'Opinci'. Irina says: 'A wonderful 20-minute animation about the story of a Romanian man who in 1910 attempted to circumnavigate the world on foot. It's beautiful and I think you would really enjoy it.' - Frederik recommends 'Schwarze Früchte' from Germany's ARD. 'It's about growing up queer and black.' - 'Somebody Somewhere' - 'Really worth watching,' says Juliette. - Owen recommends his new book of poetry, 'Nature Is Real And So Am I'. 'It’s about my relationship with the four seasons of natural landscape around me on the Isle of Man.'   Producer: Katy Lee  Mixing and mastering: Wojciech Oleksiak Music: Jim Barne and Mariska Martina   00:22 Winter tea and Swedish gnomes
04:40 Good Week: Greece's Christmas shopping basket
12:50 Bad Week: The Green Giant of Trentino
27:29 Interview: Katharina Smets' guide to cold swimming in Europe
49:42 The Inspiration Station: 'The Bee Sting' by Paul Murray and Jazz Station in Brussels
53:56 Happy Ending: The best Christmas market in Europe... or is it?   Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ | Bluesky | Mastodon⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ | Twitter | ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠hello@europeanspodcast.com ]]>helloqg.podbean.com/0b0f8e30-459b-3ee5-80d1-e24dac1d5d67Wed, 11 Dec 2024 06:00:00 +020059:00falsefullThe manosphere, the 'TikTok messiah', and 132 hamstersThe manosphere, the 'TikTok messiah', and 132 hamstersEuropean Institute for Gender Equality. You can find out all about the Gender Equality Forum 2024, and sign up to attend online, here.   You can follow Andrei on Twitter here and Bluesky here.   Thanks for listening! If you enjoy our podcast, we'd love it if you'd consider supporting our work. You can chip in to help us cover the weekly research and production of the show at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠patreon.com/europeanspodcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ (many currencies are available), and even gift a donation to a super fan of The Europeans here! 

We're also crowdfunding our new series for 2025, 'Who Does It Best?', which will delve into the most imaginative policies around Europe. We're three-quarters of the way there! You can find out all about our plans for the series, and help us start making it, at https://4fund.com/z/europeanspodcast.

This week's Inspiration Station offerings: 'Nature Manifesto' by Björk and Aleph; lohikeitto.   Other resources for this episode    Anna Sale - 'Let's Talk About Hard Things   'Capturados hamsters que pararam avião da TAP' - Correio da Manhã, November 18, 2024 (video at the bottom)   Producers: Morgan Childs and Katz Laszlo  Mixing and mastering: Wojciech Oleksiak Music: Jim Barne and Mariska Martina
00:23 Which country's got quiet, boring politics right now?
02:42 Good Week, Romania, Bad Week, Romania
20:52 Interview: Siloé Musoke, Goda Skiotytė and Chris Ntonis on the rising divide over feminism in young Europeans
46:08 The Inspiration Station: 'Nature Manifesto' by Björk and Aleph at the Centre Pompidou; lohikeitto
50:53 Happy Ending: Hamsters on a plane   Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ | Bluesky | Mastodon⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ | Threads⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ | Twitter | ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠hello@europeanspodcast.com ]]>European Institute for Gender Equality. You can find out all about the Gender Equality Forum 2024, and sign up to attend online, here.   You can follow Andrei on Twitter here and Bluesky here.   Thanks for listening! If you enjoy our podcast, we'd love it if you'd consider supporting our work. You can chip in to help us cover the weekly research and production of the show at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠patreon.com/europeanspodcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ (many currencies are available), and even gift a donation to a super fan of The Europeans here! 

We're also crowdfunding our new series for 2025, 'Who Does It Best?', which will delve into the most imaginative policies around Europe. We're three-quarters of the way there! You can find out all about our plans for the series, and help us start making it, at https://4fund.com/z/europeanspodcast.

This week's Inspiration Station offerings: 'Nature Manifesto' by Björk and Aleph; lohikeitto.   Other resources for this episode    Anna Sale - 'Let's Talk About Hard Things   'Capturados hamsters que pararam avião da TAP' - Correio da Manhã, November 18, 2024 (video at the bottom)   Producers: Morgan Childs and Katz Laszlo  Mixing and mastering: Wojciech Oleksiak Music: Jim Barne and Mariska Martina
00:23 Which country's got quiet, boring politics right now?
02:42 Good Week, Romania, Bad Week, Romania
20:52 Interview: Siloé Musoke, Goda Skiotytė and Chris Ntonis on the rising divide over feminism in young Europeans
46:08 The Inspiration Station: 'Nature Manifesto' by Björk and Aleph at the Centre Pompidou; lohikeitto
50:53 Happy Ending: Hamsters on a plane   Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ | Bluesky | Mastodon⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ | Threads⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ | Twitter | ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠hello@europeanspodcast.com ]]>helloqg.podbean.com/d44ed2fc-0493-387a-83b5-34bab0ca2fa1Thu, 05 Dec 2024 06:00:00 +020054:29falsefullHas Donald Tusk fixed Poland?Has Donald Tusk fixed Poland?It's been a year since Donald Tusk took power, filling liberals and progressives in Poland with hope as eight years of rightwing populist rule came to an end. But how much has Tusk's coalition really improved things? This week Dominika Lasota of Wschód, an increasingly influential force that has been holding Tusk's government to account, joins us to discuss what still needs to change. We're also talking about Ursula von der Leyen's new squad, and why you might no longer need your passport for trips to Romania or Bulgaria. 

It's seven years today since we published the first episode of The Europeans! If you'd like to send us a little birthday present, we'd love it if you'd consider funding our work. We're crowdfunding a new mini-series at https://4fund.com/z/europeanspodcast, and you can also support the weekly running of The Europeans via Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/c/europeanspodcast. Thank you so much to everyone who makes our independent European journalism possible.    This week's Inspiration Station offerings: The World In Maps and My Voice, My Choice. 
Other resources for this episode:    David Gilmour - Rattle That Lock (Official Music Video)

'Schengen in Sights, EU and Frontex Overlook Violent Bulgarian Pushbacks' - Balkan Insight, February 26, 2024


00:22 Dominic's SNCF jingle trauma
04:02 Bad Week: The European left
15:09 Good Week: Romania and Bulgaria's Schengen bid
28:07 Interview: Dominika Lasota on one year of Donald Tusk's government in Poland
49:29 The Inspiration Station: The World In Maps and My Voice, My Choice
53:46 Happy Ending: Dominic's Barcelona metro challenge

Producers: Katz Laszlo and Wojciech Oleksiak  Mixing and mastering: Wojciech Oleksiak Music: Jim Barne and Mariska Martina   Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ | Bluesky | Mastodon⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ | Threads⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ | Twitter | ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠hello@europeanspodcast.com   ]]>It's been a year since Donald Tusk took power, filling liberals and progressives in Poland with hope as eight years of rightwing populist rule came to an end. But how much has Tusk's coalition really improved things? This week Dominika Lasota of Wschód, an increasingly influential force that has been holding Tusk's government to account, joins us to discuss what still needs to change. We're also talking about Ursula von der Leyen's new squad, and why you might no longer need your passport for trips to Romania or Bulgaria. 

It's seven years today since we published the first episode of The Europeans! If you'd like to send us a little birthday present, we'd love it if you'd consider funding our work. We're crowdfunding a new mini-series at https://4fund.com/z/europeanspodcast, and you can also support the weekly running of The Europeans via Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/c/europeanspodcast. Thank you so much to everyone who makes our independent European journalism possible.    This week's Inspiration Station offerings: The World In Maps and My Voice, My Choice. 
Other resources for this episode:    David Gilmour - Rattle That Lock (Official Music Video)

'Schengen in Sights, EU and Frontex Overlook Violent Bulgarian Pushbacks' - Balkan Insight, February 26, 2024


00:22 Dominic's SNCF jingle trauma
04:02 Bad Week: The European left
15:09 Good Week: Romania and Bulgaria's Schengen bid
28:07 Interview: Dominika Lasota on one year of Donald Tusk's government in Poland
49:29 The Inspiration Station: The World In Maps and My Voice, My Choice
53:46 Happy Ending: Dominic's Barcelona metro challenge

Producers: Katz Laszlo and Wojciech Oleksiak  Mixing and mastering: Wojciech Oleksiak Music: Jim Barne and Mariska Martina   Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ | Bluesky | Mastodon⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ | Threads⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ | Twitter | ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠hello@europeanspodcast.com   ]]>helloqg.podbean.com/bbdd41d7-8a98-3ef9-a3d0-43d2e705c7b8Thu, 28 Nov 2024 06:00:00 +020057:23falsefullThe perils of standing up to Iran from EuropeThe perils of standing up to Iran from EuropeOn Spec.    We're crowdfunding a new series! You can find out all about it in the special announcement on our feed, as well as on the crowdfunding page itself: https://4fund.com/z/europeanspodcast. You can also support the weekly running of The Europeans via Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/c/europeanspodcast. Thank you so much to everyone who makes our independent European journalism possible.    This week's Inspiration Station offerings: Bluesky (here's the Sky Follower Bridge) and 'Metrokosmos' on Arte.   00:23 Hot and fresh in your ear canals
04:52 Good Week: Denmark's huge rewilding plan
11:28 Bad Week: Slovakia's Hungarian minority
24:15 Interview: Fariba Nawa on Iran's hunting of its citizens abroad
40:09 The Inspiration Station: Bluesky and 'Metrokosmos'
45:32 Happy Ending: Granny's revenge on the phone scammers   Producers: Morgan Childs and Wojciech Oleksiak  Mixing and mastering: Wojciech Oleksiak Music: Jim Barne and Mariska Martina   Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ | Bluesky | Mastodon⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ | Threads⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ | Twitter | ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠hello@europeanspodcast.com ]]>On Spec.    We're crowdfunding a new series! You can find out all about it in the special announcement on our feed, as well as on the crowdfunding page itself: https://4fund.com/z/europeanspodcast. You can also support the weekly running of The Europeans via Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/c/europeanspodcast. Thank you so much to everyone who makes our independent European journalism possible.    This week's Inspiration Station offerings: Bluesky (here's the Sky Follower Bridge) and 'Metrokosmos' on Arte.   00:23 Hot and fresh in your ear canals
04:52 Good Week: Denmark's huge rewilding plan
11:28 Bad Week: Slovakia's Hungarian minority
24:15 Interview: Fariba Nawa on Iran's hunting of its citizens abroad
40:09 The Inspiration Station: Bluesky and 'Metrokosmos'
45:32 Happy Ending: Granny's revenge on the phone scammers   Producers: Morgan Childs and Wojciech Oleksiak  Mixing and mastering: Wojciech Oleksiak Music: Jim Barne and Mariska Martina   Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ | Bluesky | Mastodon⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ | Threads⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ | Twitter | ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠hello@europeanspodcast.com ]]>helloqg.podbean.com/e29d57e9-7690-35b7-9e80-c4649a43a420Thu, 21 Nov 2024 06:00:00 +020048:30falsefullA special announcement from The EuropeansA special announcement from The EuropeansProducers Katz and Wojciech join Katy and Dominic for a very special announcement from The Europeans. 

 

We’re incredibly excited to make this series for you. Please help us turn it into a reality! Sign up to support this project here: https://4fund.com/z/europeanspodcast 

 

Got ideas for places we need to go or people we need to interview for this series? Email us at hello@europeanspodcast.com. 

 

Thank you, as always, for listening. 


Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ |⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Threads⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ |⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠Twitter⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ | ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Mastodon⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ | ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠europeanspodcast.com

]]>Producers Katz and Wojciech join Katy and Dominic for a very special announcement from The Europeans. 

 

We’re incredibly excited to make this series for you. Please help us turn it into a reality! Sign up to support this project here: https://4fund.com/z/europeanspodcast 

 

Got ideas for places we need to go or people we need to interview for this series? Email us at hello@europeanspodcast.com. 

 

Thank you, as always, for listening. 


Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ |⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Threads⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ |⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠Twitter⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ | ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Mastodon⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ | ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠europeanspodcast.com

]]>helloqg.podbean.com/dc5c0ac9-4128-35b3-9448-96fade151cf5Thu, 14 Nov 2024 06:00:00 +020015:55falsefullSpain's floods, Moldova's election, and what the kids of Europe are watchingSpain's floods, Moldova's election, and what the kids of Europe are watching Anne Schultka is the project manager of KIDS Regio, which campaigns for the children's film industry in Europe. Rikke Flodin is a partner at PUBLIKUM. You can download the report, 'European Children's Film in Focus', here.   This week's Inspiration Station offerings: 'Kapsalon Romy' ('Romy’s Salon') and 'Leto kada sam naucila da letim' ('How I Learned To Fly').   Thanks for listening! If you enjoy our podcast, we'd love it if you'd consider chipping in a few bucks a month at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠patreon.com/europeanspodcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ (many currencies are available). You can also help new listeners find the show by ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠leaving us a review⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ or giving us five stars on Spotify.        Other resources for this episode:    'Valencian president downplayed floods while Spain’s rivers rose' - Politico Europe, November 1, 2024 https://www.politico.eu/article/spain-valencia-floods-death-toll-carlos-mazon/

 

'Pumpkin paddling season: Kasterlee's giant pumpkin regatta' - DW News, October 28, 2024 https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=2701632486675304   00:22 A non-US election podcast
04:48 Bad Week: Spain's floods
24:39 Good Week: Maia Sandu
37:26 Interview: Anna Schultka and Rikke Flodin on what the kids of Europe are watching
55:00 The Inspiration Station: 'Romy's Salon' and 'How I Learned To Fly'
58:19 Happy Ending: Belgium's pumpkin kayak race   Producers: Morgan Childs and Katz Laszlo  Mixing and mastering: Wojciech Oleksiak Music: Jim Barne and Mariska Martina   Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ |⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Threads⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ |⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠Twitter⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ | ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Mastodon⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ | ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠hello@europeanspodcast.com ]]> Anne Schultka is the project manager of KIDS Regio, which campaigns for the children's film industry in Europe. Rikke Flodin is a partner at PUBLIKUM. You can download the report, 'European Children's Film in Focus', here.   This week's Inspiration Station offerings: 'Kapsalon Romy' ('Romy’s Salon') and 'Leto kada sam naucila da letim' ('How I Learned To Fly').   Thanks for listening! If you enjoy our podcast, we'd love it if you'd consider chipping in a few bucks a month at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠patreon.com/europeanspodcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ (many currencies are available). You can also help new listeners find the show by ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠leaving us a review⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ or giving us five stars on Spotify.        Other resources for this episode:    'Valencian president downplayed floods while Spain’s rivers rose' - Politico Europe, November 1, 2024 https://www.politico.eu/article/spain-valencia-floods-death-toll-carlos-mazon/

 

'Pumpkin paddling season: Kasterlee's giant pumpkin regatta' - DW News, October 28, 2024 https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=2701632486675304   00:22 A non-US election podcast
04:48 Bad Week: Spain's floods
24:39 Good Week: Maia Sandu
37:26 Interview: Anna Schultka and Rikke Flodin on what the kids of Europe are watching
55:00 The Inspiration Station: 'Romy's Salon' and 'How I Learned To Fly'
58:19 Happy Ending: Belgium's pumpkin kayak race   Producers: Morgan Childs and Katz Laszlo  Mixing and mastering: Wojciech Oleksiak Music: Jim Barne and Mariska Martina   Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ |⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Threads⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ |⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠Twitter⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ | ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Mastodon⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ | ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠hello@europeanspodcast.com ]]>helloqg.podbean.com/06792acf-0791-3769-95a5-2f7907a17ef8Thu, 07 Nov 2024 06:00:00 +020001:03:01falsefull22Is this the end of Georgia's European dream?Is this the end of Georgia's European dream?Georgia's pro-Russian ruling party claims to have won last weekend's election — a fraudulent election, according to a mounting pile of evidence. A country that was once on the path to EU membership is now veering much closer to the Kremlin. Is there any hope left? We ring Anna Gvarishvili, Tbilisi-based journalist and head of the Investigative Media Lab, to unpack what just happened and what might happen next. We're also discussing two suitably scary topics in this Halloween episode: France's money problems, and the noxious substances spewing out of your gas cooker. 

  This episode was recorded before Wednesday's devastating floods in Spain. You can donate to the Cruz Roja (Spanish Red Cross) relief efforts here.   Thanks for listening. If you enjoy our podcast, we'd love it if you'd consider chipping in a few bucks a month at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠patreon.com/europeanspodcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ (many currencies are available). If you're short on cash but still want to support us, it would be amazing if you could leave us five juicy stars, as Dominic put it, on Pocket Casts: https://pocketcasts.com/ratings.   This week's Inspiration Station picks: fave dei morti (recipe here) and the Swiss video game Mundaun.    Other resources for this episode   Search Engine: 'Why is it so hard to tax billionaires? (Part 1)', October 18, 2024 https://www.searchengine.show/listen/search-engine-1/why-is-it-so-hard-to-tax-billionaires-part-1    'They will protest ketchup': Hugh Vuillier's Europe Letter newsletter, October 3, 2024 https://hughvuillier.substack.com/p/french-budget-not-good    Universitat Jaume I's study on the health impact of gas stoves, October 28, 2024 https://repositori.uji.es/items/156fbd65-070d-4ca4-9856-9415513d505f    00:23 It's Halloween, but we won't be talking about He Who Must Not Be Named
02:15 Good Week: French efforts to tax the super-rich
16:42 Bad Week: Gas stove fans
24:55 Please rate us on Pocket Casts!
26:06 Interview: Anna Gvarishvili on Georgia's elections
43:26 The Inspiration Station: Fave dei morti and 'Mundaun'
46:08 Happy Ending (?): Norway's teen social media ban   Producers: Morgan Childs and Wojciech Oleksiak  Mixing and mastering: Wojciech Oleksiak Music: Jim Barne and Mariska Martina   Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ |⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Threads⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ |⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠Twitter⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ | ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Mastodon⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ | ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠hello@europeanspodcast.com ]]>Georgia's pro-Russian ruling party claims to have won last weekend's election — a fraudulent election, according to a mounting pile of evidence. A country that was once on the path to EU membership is now veering much closer to the Kremlin. Is there any hope left? We ring Anna Gvarishvili, Tbilisi-based journalist and head of the Investigative Media Lab, to unpack what just happened and what might happen next. We're also discussing two suitably scary topics in this Halloween episode: France's money problems, and the noxious substances spewing out of your gas cooker. 

  This episode was recorded before Wednesday's devastating floods in Spain. You can donate to the Cruz Roja (Spanish Red Cross) relief efforts here.   Thanks for listening. If you enjoy our podcast, we'd love it if you'd consider chipping in a few bucks a month at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠patreon.com/europeanspodcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ (many currencies are available). If you're short on cash but still want to support us, it would be amazing if you could leave us five juicy stars, as Dominic put it, on Pocket Casts: https://pocketcasts.com/ratings.   This week's Inspiration Station picks: fave dei morti (recipe here) and the Swiss video game Mundaun.    Other resources for this episode   Search Engine: 'Why is it so hard to tax billionaires? (Part 1)', October 18, 2024 https://www.searchengine.show/listen/search-engine-1/why-is-it-so-hard-to-tax-billionaires-part-1    'They will protest ketchup': Hugh Vuillier's Europe Letter newsletter, October 3, 2024 https://hughvuillier.substack.com/p/french-budget-not-good    Universitat Jaume I's study on the health impact of gas stoves, October 28, 2024 https://repositori.uji.es/items/156fbd65-070d-4ca4-9856-9415513d505f    00:23 It's Halloween, but we won't be talking about He Who Must Not Be Named
02:15 Good Week: French efforts to tax the super-rich
16:42 Bad Week: Gas stove fans
24:55 Please rate us on Pocket Casts!
26:06 Interview: Anna Gvarishvili on Georgia's elections
43:26 The Inspiration Station: Fave dei morti and 'Mundaun'
46:08 Happy Ending (?): Norway's teen social media ban   Producers: Morgan Childs and Wojciech Oleksiak  Mixing and mastering: Wojciech Oleksiak Music: Jim Barne and Mariska Martina   Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ |⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Threads⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ |⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠Twitter⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ | ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Mastodon⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ | ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠hello@europeanspodcast.com ]]>helloqg.podbean.com/dbeffb39-495b-3ce9-9448-1f711d6f0058Thu, 31 Oct 2024 06:00:00 +020050:03falsefullNaughty, naughty SwitzerlandNaughty, naughty SwitzerlandWine fraud, migration policy and climate litigation: there's something for everyone this week. Back in April, Switzerland's government lost a groundbreaking European court case and was ordered to rewrite its climate policy. Has it actually done that? No, no it has not. We speak to Geneva-based climate lawyer Seb Duyck about whether Switzerland can be forced to change its tune. We're also talking about offshore migrant detention centres, a full-bodied fraud case and the latest sign that AI is coming for podcasters' jobs. 

  Thanks for listening! If you enjoy our podcast, we'd love it if you'd consider chipping in a few bucks a month at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠patreon.com/europeanspodcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ (many currencies are available). You can also help new listeners find the show by ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠leaving us a review⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ or giving us five stars on Spotify.      Seb is a senior attorney at the Center for International Environmental Law. You can follow him on Twitter here.   You can listen to our award-winning 2023 episode about the KlimaSeniorinnen case, 'The Biggest Climate Case That Ever Was', here and find the follow-up interview with Molly Quell here.   This week's Inspiration Station offerings: 'Swimming in the Dark' by Tomasz Jędrowski, translated by Robert Sudół; 'World Without End' by Christophe Blain and Jean-Marc Jancovici, translated by Edward Gauvin.   Other resources for this episode:    Ursula von der Leyen's letter to EU leaders on migration, October 14, 2024 https://www.politico.eu/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/15/October-2024-EUCO-Migration-letter.pdf  'What is refugee rentierism? An explainer'. The New Humanitarian, August 14, 2024 https://www.thenewhumanitarian.org/analysis/2024/08/14/what-refugee-rentierism-explainer    00:22 Katy's parents made a podcast
06:18 Good Week: Pedro Sánchez
19:48 Bad Week: Rich wine-drinkers
29:14 Interview: Seb Duyck on Switzerland's failed response to the KlimaSeniorinnen ruling
46:26 Inspiration Station: 'Swimming In The Dark' and 'World Without End'
51:02 Happy Ending: Luka Modrić, an inspiration for all people in their late thirties   Producers: Katz Laszlo and Wojciech Oleksiak  Mixing and mastering: Wojciech Oleksiak Music: Jim Barne and Mariska Martina  

Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ |⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Threads⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ |⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠Twitter⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ | ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Mastodon⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ | ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠hello@europeanspodcast.com⁠

]]>Wine fraud, migration policy and climate litigation: there's something for everyone this week. Back in April, Switzerland's government lost a groundbreaking European court case and was ordered to rewrite its climate policy. Has it actually done that? No, no it has not. We speak to Geneva-based climate lawyer Seb Duyck about whether Switzerland can be forced to change its tune. We're also talking about offshore migrant detention centres, a full-bodied fraud case and the latest sign that AI is coming for podcasters' jobs. 

  Thanks for listening! If you enjoy our podcast, we'd love it if you'd consider chipping in a few bucks a month at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠patreon.com/europeanspodcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ (many currencies are available). You can also help new listeners find the show by ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠leaving us a review⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ or giving us five stars on Spotify.      Seb is a senior attorney at the Center for International Environmental Law. You can follow him on Twitter here.   You can listen to our award-winning 2023 episode about the KlimaSeniorinnen case, 'The Biggest Climate Case That Ever Was', here and find the follow-up interview with Molly Quell here.   This week's Inspiration Station offerings: 'Swimming in the Dark' by Tomasz Jędrowski, translated by Robert Sudół; 'World Without End' by Christophe Blain and Jean-Marc Jancovici, translated by Edward Gauvin.   Other resources for this episode:    Ursula von der Leyen's letter to EU leaders on migration, October 14, 2024 https://www.politico.eu/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/15/October-2024-EUCO-Migration-letter.pdf  'What is refugee rentierism? An explainer'. The New Humanitarian, August 14, 2024 https://www.thenewhumanitarian.org/analysis/2024/08/14/what-refugee-rentierism-explainer    00:22 Katy's parents made a podcast
06:18 Good Week: Pedro Sánchez
19:48 Bad Week: Rich wine-drinkers
29:14 Interview: Seb Duyck on Switzerland's failed response to the KlimaSeniorinnen ruling
46:26 Inspiration Station: 'Swimming In The Dark' and 'World Without End'
51:02 Happy Ending: Luka Modrić, an inspiration for all people in their late thirties   Producers: Katz Laszlo and Wojciech Oleksiak  Mixing and mastering: Wojciech Oleksiak Music: Jim Barne and Mariska Martina  

Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ |⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Threads⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ |⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠Twitter⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ | ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Mastodon⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ | ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠hello@europeanspodcast.com⁠

]]>helloqg.podbean.com/35592281-44e3-3ad3-8ec2-9ae96d6e4286Thu, 24 Oct 2024 06:00:00 +020053:53falsefullRussia's mysterious sabotage campaignRussia's mysterious sabotage campaign⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠patreon.com/europeanspodcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ (many currencies are available). You can also help new listeners find the show by ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠leaving us a review⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ or giving us five stars on Spotify.      "‘Make a Molotov Cocktail’: How Europeans Are Recruited Through Telegram to Commit Sabotage, Arson, and Murder". You can read the investigation by Delfi, Der Standard, Paper Trail Media and the Organized Crime and Corruption Reporting Project here.   This week's Inspiration Station offering, sponsored by the European Cultural Foundation: Liquid Becomings.    Other resources for this episode:  Trailer: SANCTA | Staatsoper Stuttgart Talk Eastern Europe: Spies, sabotage and Russia-West relations   00:22 The week EU politics got spicy
03:22 Bad Week: Unwell opera-goers
13:54 Good Week: France's mystery treasure-hunt winner
24:38 Interview: Marta Vunš on Russia's shady Telegram recruitment
38:46 The Inspiration Station - The European Cultural Foundation presents: Liquid Becomings
42:45 Happy Ending: Phew! Art saved from the garbage can  

Producers: Morgan Childs and Wojciech Oleksiak 
Mixing and mastering: Wojciech Oleksiak
Music: Jim Barne and Mariska Martina

Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ |⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Threads⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ |⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠Twitter⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ | ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Mastodon⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ | ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠hello@europeanspodcast.com⁠

]]>⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠patreon.com/europeanspodcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ (many currencies are available). You can also help new listeners find the show by ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠leaving us a review⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ or giving us five stars on Spotify.      "‘Make a Molotov Cocktail’: How Europeans Are Recruited Through Telegram to Commit Sabotage, Arson, and Murder". You can read the investigation by Delfi, Der Standard, Paper Trail Media and the Organized Crime and Corruption Reporting Project here.   This week's Inspiration Station offering, sponsored by the European Cultural Foundation: Liquid Becomings.    Other resources for this episode:  Trailer: SANCTA | Staatsoper Stuttgart Talk Eastern Europe: Spies, sabotage and Russia-West relations   00:22 The week EU politics got spicy
03:22 Bad Week: Unwell opera-goers
13:54 Good Week: France's mystery treasure-hunt winner
24:38 Interview: Marta Vunš on Russia's shady Telegram recruitment
38:46 The Inspiration Station - The European Cultural Foundation presents: Liquid Becomings
42:45 Happy Ending: Phew! Art saved from the garbage can  

Producers: Morgan Childs and Wojciech Oleksiak 
Mixing and mastering: Wojciech Oleksiak
Music: Jim Barne and Mariska Martina

Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ |⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Threads⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ |⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠Twitter⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ | ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Mastodon⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ | ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠hello@europeanspodcast.com⁠

]]>helloqg.podbean.com/4a89b800-b2a4-3f2c-86a3-d24453c8ea15Thu, 17 Oct 2024 06:00:00 +020045:56falsefullUsing grandma to make people cry about climate changeUsing grandma to make people cry about climate change⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠patreon.com/europeanspodcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ (many currencies are available). You can also help new listeners find the show by ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠leaving us a review⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ or giving us five stars on Spotify.      You can find out more about Andri's work here and watch Emergence Magazine's documentary, 'The Last Ice Age', here.   This week's Inspiration Station offerings: 'When I Lived In Modern Times' by Linda Grant and 'Kneecap'.   

Other resources for this episode

'Finance minister responds to book VAT backlash, cuts the rate on books' - The Slovak Spectator, 26/09/2024 

'«Onion is tasty». Political prisoners work on an onion plantation owned by AfD MP Jörg Dornau' - Reform News, 24/09/2024

'Hanna' - The Europeans, 02/06/2022

'Germany’s far right loves one migrant group: Russian Germans' - Politico Europe, 29/09/24

'Cruinniú na nÓg 2024 - The Spark' - Creative Ireland 

'How Germany outfitted half a million balconies with solar panels' - Canary Media, 27/09/2024   00:22 Good job, Slovakia!
02:42 Good Week: Mediterranean turtles
12:38 Bad Week: Jörg Dornau
24:03 Interview: Andri Snær Magnason on how to talk about climate change in a way that makes people Actually Feel Something 
44:12 The Inspiration Station: 'When I Lived In Modern Times' and 'Kneecap'
48:30 Happy Ending: Germany's mini solar panel bonanza


Producers: Morgan Childs and Katz Laszlo
Mixing and mastering: Wojciech Oleksiak
Music: Jim Barne and Mariska Martina

Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ |⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Threads⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ |⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠Twitter⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ | ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Mastodon⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ | ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠hello@europeanspodcast.com⁠

 

]]>⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠patreon.com/europeanspodcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ (many currencies are available). You can also help new listeners find the show by ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠leaving us a review⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ or giving us five stars on Spotify.      You can find out more about Andri's work here and watch Emergence Magazine's documentary, 'The Last Ice Age', here.   This week's Inspiration Station offerings: 'When I Lived In Modern Times' by Linda Grant and 'Kneecap'.   

Other resources for this episode

'Finance minister responds to book VAT backlash, cuts the rate on books' - The Slovak Spectator, 26/09/2024 

'«Onion is tasty». Political prisoners work on an onion plantation owned by AfD MP Jörg Dornau' - Reform News, 24/09/2024

'Hanna' - The Europeans, 02/06/2022

'Germany’s far right loves one migrant group: Russian Germans' - Politico Europe, 29/09/24

'Cruinniú na nÓg 2024 - The Spark' - Creative Ireland 

'How Germany outfitted half a million balconies with solar panels' - Canary Media, 27/09/2024   00:22 Good job, Slovakia!
02:42 Good Week: Mediterranean turtles
12:38 Bad Week: Jörg Dornau
24:03 Interview: Andri Snær Magnason on how to talk about climate change in a way that makes people Actually Feel Something 
44:12 The Inspiration Station: 'When I Lived In Modern Times' and 'Kneecap'
48:30 Happy Ending: Germany's mini solar panel bonanza


Producers: Morgan Childs and Katz Laszlo
Mixing and mastering: Wojciech Oleksiak
Music: Jim Barne and Mariska Martina

Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ |⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Threads⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ |⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠Twitter⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ | ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Mastodon⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ | ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠hello@europeanspodcast.com⁠

 

]]>helloqg.podbean.com/a4f67713-119b-3e36-bd72-959cbf2eb1e4Thu, 03 Oct 2024 06:00:00 +020051:27falsefullWhat do the European Union and Barbie have in common?What do the European Union and Barbie have in common?⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠patreon.com/europeanspodcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ (many currencies are available). You can also help new listeners find the show by ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠leaving us a review⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ or giving us five stars on Spotify.      You can read Paweł's report here. The European Sentiment Compass is a joint initiative of the European Council on Foreign Relations and the European Cultural Foundation.    Kate is the presenter of DW's Inside Europe. You'll be able to catch Katy and Dominic on the show next week!    Inspiration Station offerings: 'What language does your inner child speak?' - The First 1,000 Days  'How Libraries Thrive' - you can read the whole book online here    Other resources for this episode:  'German far-right AfD song calls for deporting millions - DW News 'Elderly Romanian woman used amber nugget worth over $1 million as a doorstop for decades' - El País   00:22 Insure yourselves, people!
04:07 Good Week: Dietmar Woidke (Special edition with Kate Laycock from Deutsche Welle)
12:24 Bad Week: Book-lovers in Slovakia and the Netherlands
22:00 Interview: Paweł Zerka on the Barbie-like European Union
39:13 The Inspiration Station: 'The First 1,000 Days' and 'How Libraries Thrive'
43:45 Happy Ending: The world's fanciest door-stop?  

Producers: Morgan Childs and Wojciech Oleksiak 
Mixing and mastering: Wojciech Oleksiak
Music: Jim Barne and Mariska Martina

 

Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ |⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Threads⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ |⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠Twitter⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ | ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Mastodon⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ | ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠hello@europeanspodcast.com⁠

]]>⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠patreon.com/europeanspodcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ (many currencies are available). You can also help new listeners find the show by ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠leaving us a review⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ or giving us five stars on Spotify.      You can read Paweł's report here. The European Sentiment Compass is a joint initiative of the European Council on Foreign Relations and the European Cultural Foundation.    Kate is the presenter of DW's Inside Europe. You'll be able to catch Katy and Dominic on the show next week!    Inspiration Station offerings: 'What language does your inner child speak?' - The First 1,000 Days  'How Libraries Thrive' - you can read the whole book online here    Other resources for this episode:  'German far-right AfD song calls for deporting millions - DW News 'Elderly Romanian woman used amber nugget worth over $1 million as a doorstop for decades' - El País   00:22 Insure yourselves, people!
04:07 Good Week: Dietmar Woidke (Special edition with Kate Laycock from Deutsche Welle)
12:24 Bad Week: Book-lovers in Slovakia and the Netherlands
22:00 Interview: Paweł Zerka on the Barbie-like European Union
39:13 The Inspiration Station: 'The First 1,000 Days' and 'How Libraries Thrive'
43:45 Happy Ending: The world's fanciest door-stop?  

Producers: Morgan Childs and Wojciech Oleksiak 
Mixing and mastering: Wojciech Oleksiak
Music: Jim Barne and Mariska Martina

 

Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ |⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Threads⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ |⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠Twitter⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ | ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Mastodon⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ | ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠hello@europeanspodcast.com⁠

]]>helloqg.podbean.com/7e9b630f-c9c5-3bdf-8c6d-e3de82feb538Thu, 26 Sep 2024 06:00:00 +020047:23falsefullMussolini, testicles, and the Schengen zoneMussolini, testicles, and the Schengen zonehere and follow him on Instagram here. You can read Paul's article about heat-based contraception for VICE Belgium here and find out more about Samuel Flambard's workshops here.   This week's Inspiration Station offerings: 'Another Round' and 'The Gullspång Miracle' (available here via the BBC and here via DR).    Thanks for listening! If you enjoy our podcast, we'd love it if you'd consider chipping in a few bucks a month at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠patreon.com/europeanspodcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ (many currencies are available). You can also help new listeners find the show by ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠leaving us a review⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ or giving us five stars on Spotify.      00:23 Not sponsored by any kind of nasal irrigation device
03:02 Good Week: Standing up to the far-right in Italy
09:50 Bad Week: The Schengen Zone
21:19 Interview: Paul Labourie's primer on thermal contraception
35:19 The Inspiration Station: 'Another Round' and 'The Gullspång Miracle'
38:38 Happy ending: Fewer screens, more desserts  

Producers: Morgan Childs and Wojciech Oleksiak 
Mixing and mastering: Wojciech Oleksiak
Music: Jim Barne and Mariska Martina

 

Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ |⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Threads⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ |⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠Twitter⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ | ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Mastodon⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ | ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠hello@europeanspodcast.com⁠

  ]]>here and follow him on Instagram here. You can read Paul's article about heat-based contraception for VICE Belgium here and find out more about Samuel Flambard's workshops here.   This week's Inspiration Station offerings: 'Another Round' and 'The Gullspång Miracle' (available here via the BBC and here via DR).    Thanks for listening! If you enjoy our podcast, we'd love it if you'd consider chipping in a few bucks a month at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠patreon.com/europeanspodcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ (many currencies are available). You can also help new listeners find the show by ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠leaving us a review⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ or giving us five stars on Spotify.      00:23 Not sponsored by any kind of nasal irrigation device
03:02 Good Week: Standing up to the far-right in Italy
09:50 Bad Week: The Schengen Zone
21:19 Interview: Paul Labourie's primer on thermal contraception
35:19 The Inspiration Station: 'Another Round' and 'The Gullspång Miracle'
38:38 Happy ending: Fewer screens, more desserts  

Producers: Morgan Childs and Wojciech Oleksiak 
Mixing and mastering: Wojciech Oleksiak
Music: Jim Barne and Mariska Martina

 

Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ |⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Threads⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ |⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠Twitter⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ | ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Mastodon⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ | ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠hello@europeanspodcast.com⁠

  ]]>helloqg.podbean.com/d3c1ef95-e2f6-3416-b8d9-8caf9303dcb5Thu, 19 Sep 2024 06:00:00 +020041:00falsefullSwedish authorities say it's fine if you listen to this podcastSwedish authorities say it's fine if you listen to this podcastWe're back from our summer break! Rym Momtaz, the new editor-in-chief of the Strategic Europe blog, is here to catch us up on the main political developments we missed over the summer, from Ukraine to France. We're also talking about Sweden's suggestions for cutting kids' screen time, and a possible crackdown on outrageous concert ticket prices. 

  Thanks for listening! If you enjoy our podcast, we'd love it if you'd consider chipping in a few bucks a month at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠patreon.com/europeanspodcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ (many currencies are available). You can also help new listeners find the show by ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠leaving us a review⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ or giving us five stars on Spotify.   

Strategic Europe is a blog from the Carnegie Europe think-tank. You can find it here, and follow Rym on Twitter here.

 

This week's Inspiration Station picks: 'Evenings and Weekends' by Oisín McKenna and 'Berlin' by Andris Kuprišs, translated by Ian Gwin.

 

Other resources for this episode:   'A Different Way to Look at Screen Time' - ParentData, April 2024 If you're feeling brave, you can download Mario Draghi's competitiveness report here. If you're short on time because you're contributing to European productivity, you can read his summary here. Waldrapteam, the conservationists working with the northern bald ibis, can be found on Instagram here. You can follow their progress here.   03:10 Bad Week: Ticketmaster
14:23 Good Week: Swedish kids
26:40 Interview: Rym Momtaz catches us up on the main European political developments of the summer
47:44 The Inspiration Station: 'Evenings and Weekends' by Oisín McKenna; 'Berlin' by Andris Kuprišs
50:24 Happy Ending: The return of the northern bald ibis  

Producers: Morgan Childs and Wojciech Oleksiak 

Mixing and mastering: Wojciech Oleksiak

Music: Jim Barne and Mariska Martina

 

Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ |⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Threads⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ |⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠Twitter⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ | ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Mastodon⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ | ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠hello@europeanspodcast.com⁠

  ]]>We're back from our summer break! Rym Momtaz, the new editor-in-chief of the Strategic Europe blog, is here to catch us up on the main political developments we missed over the summer, from Ukraine to France. We're also talking about Sweden's suggestions for cutting kids' screen time, and a possible crackdown on outrageous concert ticket prices. 

  Thanks for listening! If you enjoy our podcast, we'd love it if you'd consider chipping in a few bucks a month at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠patreon.com/europeanspodcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ (many currencies are available). You can also help new listeners find the show by ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠leaving us a review⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ or giving us five stars on Spotify.   

Strategic Europe is a blog from the Carnegie Europe think-tank. You can find it here, and follow Rym on Twitter here.

 

This week's Inspiration Station picks: 'Evenings and Weekends' by Oisín McKenna and 'Berlin' by Andris Kuprišs, translated by Ian Gwin.

 

Other resources for this episode:   'A Different Way to Look at Screen Time' - ParentData, April 2024 If you're feeling brave, you can download Mario Draghi's competitiveness report here. If you're short on time because you're contributing to European productivity, you can read his summary here. Waldrapteam, the conservationists working with the northern bald ibis, can be found on Instagram here. You can follow their progress here.   03:10 Bad Week: Ticketmaster
14:23 Good Week: Swedish kids
26:40 Interview: Rym Momtaz catches us up on the main European political developments of the summer
47:44 The Inspiration Station: 'Evenings and Weekends' by Oisín McKenna; 'Berlin' by Andris Kuprišs
50:24 Happy Ending: The return of the northern bald ibis  

Producers: Morgan Childs and Wojciech Oleksiak 

Mixing and mastering: Wojciech Oleksiak

Music: Jim Barne and Mariska Martina

 

Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ |⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Threads⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ |⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠Twitter⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ | ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Mastodon⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ | ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠hello@europeanspodcast.com⁠

  ]]>helloqg.podbean.com/842974e8-032f-33f5-a156-7acd7046b252Thu, 12 Sep 2024 06:00:00 +020056:12falsefullThis Is What A Generation Sounds Like: KingaThis Is What A Generation Sounds Like: KingaThis week, we're re-releasing another of our all-time favourite episodes to entertain your ears during our summer break. First aired in 2022, it's a story from our long-running series, 'This Is What A Generation Sounds Like', and it takes us to Georgia.  

Thanks for listening! We'll be back in September. If you enjoy our podcast, we'd love it if you'd consider chipping in a few bucks a month at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠patreon.com/europeanspodcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ (many currencies are available). You can also help new listeners find the show by ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠leaving us a review⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ or giving us five stars on Spotify. 


Producers: Wojciech Oleksiak and Kinga Goc
Mixing, mastering and sound design: Wojciech Oleksiak
Editorial support: Katz Laszlo, Katy Lee and Dominic Kraemer
Music by Casletila. Theme music by Jim Barne

You can find a beautiful visual version of this podcast, produced by our friends at Are We Europe, here.

This series was co-produced with Are We Europe and made in cooperation with the Allianz Foundation.


Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ |⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Threads⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ |⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠Twitter⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ | ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Mastodon⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ | ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠hello@europeanspodcast.com⁠

]]>This week, we're re-releasing another of our all-time favourite episodes to entertain your ears during our summer break. First aired in 2022, it's a story from our long-running series, 'This Is What A Generation Sounds Like', and it takes us to Georgia.  

Thanks for listening! We'll be back in September. If you enjoy our podcast, we'd love it if you'd consider chipping in a few bucks a month at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠patreon.com/europeanspodcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ (many currencies are available). You can also help new listeners find the show by ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠leaving us a review⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ or giving us five stars on Spotify. 


Producers: Wojciech Oleksiak and Kinga Goc
Mixing, mastering and sound design: Wojciech Oleksiak
Editorial support: Katz Laszlo, Katy Lee and Dominic Kraemer
Music by Casletila. Theme music by Jim Barne

You can find a beautiful visual version of this podcast, produced by our friends at Are We Europe, here.

This series was co-produced with Are We Europe and made in cooperation with the Allianz Foundation.


Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ |⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Threads⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ |⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠Twitter⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ | ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Mastodon⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ | ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠hello@europeanspodcast.com⁠

]]>helloqg.podbean.com/d4cca898-9456-3656-b8b6-d1604694b51cThu, 15 Aug 2024 06:00:00 +020032:25falsefullThis Is What A Generation Sounds Like: SaraThis Is What A Generation Sounds Like: SaraWe're away on our summer break until September, but this week and next week we're re-releasing two of our favourite episodes from The Europeans' award-winning series, 'This Is What A Generation Sounds Like. 

This week, a story that spans three generations of women: Sara, her mother, and her grandmother. In their collective lifetimes, Albania entered a communist dictatorship; the regime fell; and then there was a transition. And through it all, there was a dish: trahana. 

This episode first aired in 2021. You can find a beautiful visual version of this podcast, produced by our friends at Are We Europe, here.

This series was co-produced with Are We Europe and made in cooperation with the Allianz Foundation.

Producers: Katz Laszlo and Sara
Assistant producer: Priyanka Shankar
Editor: Katy Lee
Sound design: Katz Laszlo
Editorial support: Dominic Kraemer, Katy Lee and Wojciech Oleksiak

Music: Era e Feminise, by Elina Duni; Song of Emigration, by Women’s Choir from Permet; Tana, by Saziso; Ka Nje mot e gjysem viti, by Elina Duni Quartet; Jonuzi Me Shoket by Vaome Kaba; Ballerina by Yehezkel Raz; Mëmëdheu by the Peter Pan Quartet; Jim Barne. SFX from Freesound.org.

 

Thanks for listening! If you enjoy our podcast, we'd love it if you'd consider chipping in a few bucks a month at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠patreon.com/europeanspodcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ (many currencies are available). You can also help new listeners find the show by ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠leaving us a review⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ or giving us five stars on Spotify. 


Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ |⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Threads⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ |⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠Twitter⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ | ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Mastodon⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ | ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠hello@europeanspodcast.com⁠

]]>We're away on our summer break until September, but this week and next week we're re-releasing two of our favourite episodes from The Europeans' award-winning series, 'This Is What A Generation Sounds Like. 

This week, a story that spans three generations of women: Sara, her mother, and her grandmother. In their collective lifetimes, Albania entered a communist dictatorship; the regime fell; and then there was a transition. And through it all, there was a dish: trahana. 

This episode first aired in 2021. You can find a beautiful visual version of this podcast, produced by our friends at Are We Europe, here.

This series was co-produced with Are We Europe and made in cooperation with the Allianz Foundation.

Producers: Katz Laszlo and Sara
Assistant producer: Priyanka Shankar
Editor: Katy Lee
Sound design: Katz Laszlo
Editorial support: Dominic Kraemer, Katy Lee and Wojciech Oleksiak

Music: Era e Feminise, by Elina Duni; Song of Emigration, by Women’s Choir from Permet; Tana, by Saziso; Ka Nje mot e gjysem viti, by Elina Duni Quartet; Jonuzi Me Shoket by Vaome Kaba; Ballerina by Yehezkel Raz; Mëmëdheu by the Peter Pan Quartet; Jim Barne. SFX from Freesound.org.

 

Thanks for listening! If you enjoy our podcast, we'd love it if you'd consider chipping in a few bucks a month at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠patreon.com/europeanspodcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ (many currencies are available). You can also help new listeners find the show by ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠leaving us a review⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ or giving us five stars on Spotify. 


Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ |⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Threads⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ |⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠Twitter⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ | ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Mastodon⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ | ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠hello@europeanspodcast.com⁠

]]>helloqg.podbean.com/554acfc9-08d7-3376-8101-5bd7438e892bThu, 08 Aug 2024 06:00:00 +020027:13falsefullA Q&A with The EuropeansA Q&A with The EuropeansIt’s our first ever Q&A episode! Katy, Dominic, Katz and Wojciech answer listeners’ questions – from how we make the show, to the episodes we’d make if we were gazillionaires. 

 

We’ve saved a couple of our answers for supporters of the podcast. If you’d like to hear them, we’d love it if you could send a few bucks our way at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠patreon.com/europeanspodcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ (many currencies are available). Thanks so much to everyone who makes our show possible by helping us cover our production costs! 

 

You can also help new listeners find the show by ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠leaving us a review⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ or giving us five stars on Spotify. 


Producer: Katz Laszlo 

Mixing and mastering: Wojciech Oleksiak

Music: Jim Barne

 

Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ |⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Threads⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ |⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠Twitter⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ | ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Mastodon⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ | ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠hello@europeanspodcast.com⁠

 ]]>It’s our first ever Q&A episode! Katy, Dominic, Katz and Wojciech answer listeners’ questions – from how we make the show, to the episodes we’d make if we were gazillionaires. 

 

We’ve saved a couple of our answers for supporters of the podcast. If you’d like to hear them, we’d love it if you could send a few bucks our way at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠patreon.com/europeanspodcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ (many currencies are available). Thanks so much to everyone who makes our show possible by helping us cover our production costs! 

 

You can also help new listeners find the show by ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠leaving us a review⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ or giving us five stars on Spotify. 


Producer: Katz Laszlo 

Mixing and mastering: Wojciech Oleksiak

Music: Jim Barne

 

Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ |⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Threads⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ |⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠Twitter⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ | ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Mastodon⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ | ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠hello@europeanspodcast.com⁠

 ]]>helloqg.podbean.com/15584582-5d92-3e26-b56c-3dca39212986Thu, 01 Aug 2024 06:00:00 +020043:25falsefull'Luca''Luca'One Hungarian family. One piece of land. Two very different visions. 

 

This is the final episode in our long-running series This Is What A Generation Sounds Like, made in cooperation with the Allianz Foundation. You can find the other episodes in the series here.

 

Thanks, as ever, to the listeners who support this podcast so that we can keep making it. You can chip in at patreon.com/europeanspodcast.

 

Producers: Katz Laszlo and Luca Borsos

Sound design: Katz Laszlo

Editors: Dominic Kraemer and Katy Lee  

Mixing and mastering: Wojciech Oleksiak 

 

Music: Odú, 777, Fa Lenni and O, by Deva; Palinka, by Mónika Lakatos and Hangok Cigány; Zenebuddhizmus by Akkezdat Phiai; Marsh Warbler by Cosmo Sheldrake; Arcade Ride by Vens Adams; BlueDot Sessions and of course our theme music by Jim Barne. SFX from Freesound.org


Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ |⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Threads⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ |⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠Twitter⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ | ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Mastodon⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ | ⁠Bluesky⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠hello@europeanspodcast.com⁠

]]>One Hungarian family. One piece of land. Two very different visions. 

 

This is the final episode in our long-running series This Is What A Generation Sounds Like, made in cooperation with the Allianz Foundation. You can find the other episodes in the series here.

 

Thanks, as ever, to the listeners who support this podcast so that we can keep making it. You can chip in at patreon.com/europeanspodcast.

 

Producers: Katz Laszlo and Luca Borsos

Sound design: Katz Laszlo

Editors: Dominic Kraemer and Katy Lee  

Mixing and mastering: Wojciech Oleksiak 

 

Music: Odú, 777, Fa Lenni and O, by Deva; Palinka, by Mónika Lakatos and Hangok Cigány; Zenebuddhizmus by Akkezdat Phiai; Marsh Warbler by Cosmo Sheldrake; Arcade Ride by Vens Adams; BlueDot Sessions and of course our theme music by Jim Barne. SFX from Freesound.org


Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ |⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Threads⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ |⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠Twitter⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ | ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Mastodon⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ | ⁠Bluesky⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠hello@europeanspodcast.com⁠

]]>helloqg.podbean.com/9f3607bc-1262-3b7f-b21a-929c39d7e7fbThu, 18 Jul 2024 06:00:00 +020039:18falsefullWhat happens after France's surprise swing to the left?What happens after France's surprise swing to the left?A surprise left-wing election win? In Europe? In 2024? This week, we turn to our resident Parisian journalist to try to get our heads around what just happened in France, as well as what might happen next. We’re also looking at the other big left-wing winners of the week: the UK Labour Party. What might their new government mean for Britain’s relationship with Europe? Plus, Barcelona’s anti-tourist revolt and what may be the world’s toughest crackdown on Airbnb. 

Thanks for listening! If you enjoy our podcast, we'd love it if you'd consider chipping in a few bucks a month at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠patreon.com/europeanspodcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ (many currencies are available). You can also help new listeners find the show by ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠leaving us a review⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ or giving us five stars on Spotify. 

 

This week's Inspiration Station picks: BBC Assignment: 'Germany's AI detectives' and The Europeans on YouTube. 
Other resources: 
'El malestar por el turismo masivo se traslada a las calles de Barcelona' - La Vanguardia, July 6, 2024
'Quelle coalition ? Composez votre majorité absolue avec notre simulateur de coalitions exclusif' - Le Grand Continent, July 7, 2024

00:22 The return of human co-host Dominic Kraemer
03:51 Good Week: Britain's relationship with the EU
15:02 Bad Week: Tourists in Barcelona
28:16 Interview: Katy on France's surprise election results and what might happen next
48:33 Isolation Inspiration: 'Germany's AI detectives' and The Europeans on YouTube
51:24 Happy Ending: Climate-resilient cacao

Producers: Wojciech Oleksiak and Katy Lee

Mixing and mastering: Wojciech Oleksiak

Music: Jim Barne and Mariska Martina

 

Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ |⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Threads⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ |⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠Twitter⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ | ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Mastodon⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ | ⁠Bluesky⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠hello@europeanspodcast.com⁠

 ]]>A surprise left-wing election win? In Europe? In 2024? This week, we turn to our resident Parisian journalist to try to get our heads around what just happened in France, as well as what might happen next. We’re also looking at the other big left-wing winners of the week: the UK Labour Party. What might their new government mean for Britain’s relationship with Europe? Plus, Barcelona’s anti-tourist revolt and what may be the world’s toughest crackdown on Airbnb. 

Thanks for listening! If you enjoy our podcast, we'd love it if you'd consider chipping in a few bucks a month at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠patreon.com/europeanspodcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ (many currencies are available). You can also help new listeners find the show by ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠leaving us a review⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ or giving us five stars on Spotify. 

 

This week's Inspiration Station picks: BBC Assignment: 'Germany's AI detectives' and The Europeans on YouTube. 
Other resources: 
'El malestar por el turismo masivo se traslada a las calles de Barcelona' - La Vanguardia, July 6, 2024
'Quelle coalition ? Composez votre majorité absolue avec notre simulateur de coalitions exclusif' - Le Grand Continent, July 7, 2024

00:22 The return of human co-host Dominic Kraemer
03:51 Good Week: Britain's relationship with the EU
15:02 Bad Week: Tourists in Barcelona
28:16 Interview: Katy on France's surprise election results and what might happen next
48:33 Isolation Inspiration: 'Germany's AI detectives' and The Europeans on YouTube
51:24 Happy Ending: Climate-resilient cacao

Producers: Wojciech Oleksiak and Katy Lee

Mixing and mastering: Wojciech Oleksiak

Music: Jim Barne and Mariska Martina

 

Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ |⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Threads⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ |⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠Twitter⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ | ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Mastodon⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ | ⁠Bluesky⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠hello@europeanspodcast.com⁠

 ]]>helloqg.podbean.com/2ef36fe8-4d66-35bf-bc74-a6a46e1e65b0Thu, 11 Jul 2024 06:00:00 +020054:02falsefullWhy is European cinema so different from Hollywood?Why is European cinema so different from Hollywood?KIDS Regio. Thanks so much to project manager Anne Schultka for joining us, along with Tamara Kolarić, assistant professor in social sciences at SALIS, Dublin City University. 

Thanks for listening! If you enjoy our podcast, we'd love it if you'd consider chipping in a few bucks a month at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠patreon.com/europeanspodcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ (many currencies are available). You can also help new listeners find the show by ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠leaving us a review⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ or giving us five stars on Spotify. 

 

This week's Inspiration Station picks: Euro 2024 and Search Engine: 'Why didn't Chris and Dan get into Berghain?' Parts 1 and 2   Other resources:    'The Hungarian presidency: Let the games begin' - Politico Europe, June 25, 2024


00:22 Hot in Warsaw, even hotter in Paris
02:45 Good Week: Kaja Kallas (and her replacement)
12:40 Bad Week: The Mainstream
26:05 Interview: Anne Schultka and Tamara Kolarić on how money shapes Europe's film industry
43:56 The Inspiration Station: Something called 'football', and Search Engine: 'Why didn't Chris and Dan get into Berghain?' Parts 1 and 2
48:58 Happy Ending: Dominic's holiday voice note  

Producers: Morgan Childs and Katy Lee

Mixing and mastering: Wojciech Oleksiak

Music: Jim Barne and Mariska Martina

]]>KIDS Regio. Thanks so much to project manager Anne Schultka for joining us, along with Tamara Kolarić, assistant professor in social sciences at SALIS, Dublin City University. 

Thanks for listening! If you enjoy our podcast, we'd love it if you'd consider chipping in a few bucks a month at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠patreon.com/europeanspodcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ (many currencies are available). You can also help new listeners find the show by ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠leaving us a review⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ or giving us five stars on Spotify. 

 

This week's Inspiration Station picks: Euro 2024 and Search Engine: 'Why didn't Chris and Dan get into Berghain?' Parts 1 and 2   Other resources:    'The Hungarian presidency: Let the games begin' - Politico Europe, June 25, 2024


00:22 Hot in Warsaw, even hotter in Paris
02:45 Good Week: Kaja Kallas (and her replacement)
12:40 Bad Week: The Mainstream
26:05 Interview: Anne Schultka and Tamara Kolarić on how money shapes Europe's film industry
43:56 The Inspiration Station: Something called 'football', and Search Engine: 'Why didn't Chris and Dan get into Berghain?' Parts 1 and 2
48:58 Happy Ending: Dominic's holiday voice note  

Producers: Morgan Childs and Katy Lee

Mixing and mastering: Wojciech Oleksiak

Music: Jim Barne and Mariska Martina

]]>helloqg.podbean.com/51850ce7-30ba-3951-b0d0-70498634aef2Thu, 04 Jul 2024 06:00:00 +020052:46falsefullPigeon murders, the nature restoration law, and Scandinavian family therapyPigeon murders, the nature restoration law, and Scandinavian family therapyEnough politics: we’ve got a nature-themed episode for you this week. Producer Katz Laszlo joins Katy to explain how Austria’s environment minister went rogue to save the EU’s hugely important nature restoration law; we’re also talking about the German town that just voted to kill all its pigeons. And in the human world: the podcast that brings Scandinavians together in their own languages. Hilde Sandvik takes us behind the scenes of ‘Norsken, svensken og dansken’, a show described as family therapy for neighbouring nations. 

 

Thanks for listening! If you enjoy our podcast, we'd love it if you'd consider chipping in a few bucks a month at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠patreon.com/europeanspodcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ (many currencies are available). You can also help new listeners find the show by ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠leaving us a review⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ or giving us five stars on Spotify. 

 

Hilde is one of the board members of NORD 55, an initiative seeking to build public debate in the Nordic region. You can listen to ‘Norsken, svensken og dansken’ here via NRK.  

 

This week’s Inspiration Station picks: Garden to Grill and ‘Midsummer Night’. 

 

Other resources: 

‘Pigeon problems: German town votes to have birds killed, outraging animal rights’ activists’ - Euronews, July 12, 2024 

‘How do we survive the media apocalypse?’ - Search Engine, March 15, 2024

 

00:22 Summer plunges and untranslatable words

04:19 Good Week: Europe's plants and animals

16:17 Bad Week: The pigeons of Limburg

28:43 Interview: Hilde Sandvik on creating Scandinavia's cross-border, multilingual podcast

41:03 The Inspiration Station: 'Garden to Grill' and 'Midsummer Night'

44:52 Happy Ending: Wild times for Windy

 

Producers: Katy Lee and Wojciech Oleksiak

Mixing and mastering: Wojciech Oleksiak

Music: Jim Barne and Mariska Martina

 

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ |⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Threads⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ |⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠Twitter⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ | ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Mastodon⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ | ⁠Bluesky⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠hello@europeanspodcast.com⁠

]]>Enough politics: we’ve got a nature-themed episode for you this week. Producer Katz Laszlo joins Katy to explain how Austria’s environment minister went rogue to save the EU’s hugely important nature restoration law; we’re also talking about the German town that just voted to kill all its pigeons. And in the human world: the podcast that brings Scandinavians together in their own languages. Hilde Sandvik takes us behind the scenes of ‘Norsken, svensken og dansken’, a show described as family therapy for neighbouring nations. 

 

Thanks for listening! If you enjoy our podcast, we'd love it if you'd consider chipping in a few bucks a month at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠patreon.com/europeanspodcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ (many currencies are available). You can also help new listeners find the show by ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠leaving us a review⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ or giving us five stars on Spotify. 

 

Hilde is one of the board members of NORD 55, an initiative seeking to build public debate in the Nordic region. You can listen to ‘Norsken, svensken og dansken’ here via NRK.  

 

This week’s Inspiration Station picks: Garden to Grill and ‘Midsummer Night’. 

 

Other resources: 

‘Pigeon problems: German town votes to have birds killed, outraging animal rights’ activists’ - Euronews, July 12, 2024 

‘How do we survive the media apocalypse?’ - Search Engine, March 15, 2024

 

00:22 Summer plunges and untranslatable words

04:19 Good Week: Europe's plants and animals

16:17 Bad Week: The pigeons of Limburg

28:43 Interview: Hilde Sandvik on creating Scandinavia's cross-border, multilingual podcast

41:03 The Inspiration Station: 'Garden to Grill' and 'Midsummer Night'

44:52 Happy Ending: Wild times for Windy

 

Producers: Katy Lee and Wojciech Oleksiak

Mixing and mastering: Wojciech Oleksiak

Music: Jim Barne and Mariska Martina

 

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ |⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Threads⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ |⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠Twitter⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ | ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Mastodon⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ | ⁠Bluesky⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠hello@europeanspodcast.com⁠

]]>helloqg.podbean.com/f26f70da-4b54-34a6-a358-eb847db0677aThu, 27 Jun 2024 06:00:00 +020047:14falsefullThe most confusing elections of all time?The most confusing elections of all time?The far-right surged but the centre held; somehow the two are true at once. Nearly 100 members of the new European Parliament have yet to tell us which political family they’ll be joining. And as for who’s actually going to be running the EU’s institutions for the next five years – right now, it’s anyone’s guess. How can we make sense of these European elections? Alberto Alemmano joins us to help decipher a momentous, and very confusing, moment in Europe’s democracy. 

 

Alberto is a professor of EU law at HEC in Paris and the College of Europe. You can follow him on Twitter here. 

 

We’ve got a new look! Check out our beautiful new website, designed by the wonderful RTiiiKA, at europeanspodcast.com. 

 

This week’s Inspiration Station offerings: ‘Untold: Power for Sale’ and ‘Under Paris’. You can check out ‘Mixed Signals’, the new podcast from Semafor, here.

 

This special episode was made possible thanks to the financial support of the Culture of Solidarity Fund, powered by the European Cultural Foundation in collaboration with Allianz Foundation and the Evens Foundation. You can check out the #CulturalDealEU campaign here.

 

Thanks for listening! If you enjoy our podcast, we'd love it if you'd consider chipping in a few bucks a month at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠patreon.com/europeanspodcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ (many currencies are available). You can also help new listeners find the show by ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠leaving us a review⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ or giving us five stars on Spotify.

 

Hosts: Dominic Kraemer and Katy Lee

Producer: Katy Lee

Sound design, mixing and mastering: Wojciech Oleksiak 

Editorial support: Katz Laszlo  

Music: Jim Barne and Blue Dot Sessions

Sound effects: Freesound.org

Artwork: RTiiiKA

 

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ |⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Threads⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ |⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠Twitter⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ | ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Mastodon⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ | ⁠Bluesky⁠ | ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠hello@europeanspodcast.com⁠

 

]]>The far-right surged but the centre held; somehow the two are true at once. Nearly 100 members of the new European Parliament have yet to tell us which political family they’ll be joining. And as for who’s actually going to be running the EU’s institutions for the next five years – right now, it’s anyone’s guess. How can we make sense of these European elections? Alberto Alemmano joins us to help decipher a momentous, and very confusing, moment in Europe’s democracy. 

 

Alberto is a professor of EU law at HEC in Paris and the College of Europe. You can follow him on Twitter here. 

 

We’ve got a new look! Check out our beautiful new website, designed by the wonderful RTiiiKA, at europeanspodcast.com. 

 

This week’s Inspiration Station offerings: ‘Untold: Power for Sale’ and ‘Under Paris’. You can check out ‘Mixed Signals’, the new podcast from Semafor, here.

 

This special episode was made possible thanks to the financial support of the Culture of Solidarity Fund, powered by the European Cultural Foundation in collaboration with Allianz Foundation and the Evens Foundation. You can check out the #CulturalDealEU campaign here.

 

Thanks for listening! If you enjoy our podcast, we'd love it if you'd consider chipping in a few bucks a month at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠patreon.com/europeanspodcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ (many currencies are available). You can also help new listeners find the show by ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠leaving us a review⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ or giving us five stars on Spotify.

 

Hosts: Dominic Kraemer and Katy Lee

Producer: Katy Lee

Sound design, mixing and mastering: Wojciech Oleksiak 

Editorial support: Katz Laszlo  

Music: Jim Barne and Blue Dot Sessions

Sound effects: Freesound.org

Artwork: RTiiiKA

 

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ |⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Threads⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ |⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠Twitter⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ | ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Mastodon⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ | ⁠Bluesky⁠ | ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠hello@europeanspodcast.com⁠

 

]]>helloqg.podbean.com/52ca06fb-c602-35cf-80f6-b739dd35896fThu, 20 Jun 2024 06:00:00 +020045:56falsefullWhy give a damn about the European elections?Why give a damn about the European elections?They’re the second biggest elections on Earth. For the next four days, 373 million people are eligible to take part in the vote for the European Parliament. And yet in most EU countries, the prevailing mood is… ‘meh’. 

 

This week, we take on the challenge of convincing you that these elections are anything but meh, with the help of one of our favourite explainers of all things EU, Beatriz Ríos. 

 

You can follow Beatriz on Twitter here and find Politico Europe’s guide on how to vote here.

 

This special episode was made possible thanks to the financial support of the Culture of Solidarity Fund, powered by the European Cultural Foundation in collaboration with Allianz Foundation and the Evens Foundation. You can check out the #CulturalDealEU campaign here.

 

Thanks for listening! If you enjoy our podcast, we'd love it if you'd consider chipping in a few bucks a month at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠patreon.com/europeanspodcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ (many currencies are available). You can also help new listeners find the show by ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠leaving us a review⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ or giving us five stars on Spotify.

 

Hosts: Dominic Kraemer and Katy Lee

Producer: Katy Lee

Sound design, mixing and mastering: Wojciech Oleksiak 

Editorial support: Katz Laszlo  

Music: Jim Barne and Blue Dot Sessions

Sound effects: Freesound.org (JoeDeshon)

 

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ |⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Threads⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ |⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠Twitter⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ | ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Mastodon⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ | ⁠Bluesky⁠ | ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠hello@europeanspodcast.com⁠

]]>They’re the second biggest elections on Earth. For the next four days, 373 million people are eligible to take part in the vote for the European Parliament. And yet in most EU countries, the prevailing mood is… ‘meh’. 

 

This week, we take on the challenge of convincing you that these elections are anything but meh, with the help of one of our favourite explainers of all things EU, Beatriz Ríos. 

 

You can follow Beatriz on Twitter here and find Politico Europe’s guide on how to vote here.

 

This special episode was made possible thanks to the financial support of the Culture of Solidarity Fund, powered by the European Cultural Foundation in collaboration with Allianz Foundation and the Evens Foundation. You can check out the #CulturalDealEU campaign here.

 

Thanks for listening! If you enjoy our podcast, we'd love it if you'd consider chipping in a few bucks a month at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠patreon.com/europeanspodcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ (many currencies are available). You can also help new listeners find the show by ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠leaving us a review⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ or giving us five stars on Spotify.

 

Hosts: Dominic Kraemer and Katy Lee

Producer: Katy Lee

Sound design, mixing and mastering: Wojciech Oleksiak 

Editorial support: Katz Laszlo  

Music: Jim Barne and Blue Dot Sessions

Sound effects: Freesound.org (JoeDeshon)

 

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ |⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Threads⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ |⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠Twitter⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ | ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Mastodon⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ | ⁠Bluesky⁠ | ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠hello@europeanspodcast.com⁠

]]>helloqg.podbean.com/a0b47d46-381a-3a2b-bb8b-f32f0d732ff0Thu, 06 Jun 2024 06:00:00 +020036:04falsefullThe Big-Agri Bully BoysThe Big-Agri Bully BoysProtests by angry farmers have swept across Europe this year. But from country to country, powerful groups have taken these protests over and changed their agenda. Who are these people, and what are they up to?

 

This is a special episode produced in collaboration with investigative journalists from Lighthouse Reports and media partners across Europe. 

 

This podcast was made possible by our generous Patreon supporters. If you enjoy our work, we'd love it if you'd consider chipping in a few bucks a month at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠patreon.com/europeanspodcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ (many currencies are available). You can also help new listeners find the show by ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠leaving us a review⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ or giving us five stars on Spotify. 

 

Read the articles published as part of this investigation: 

‘Farmers protest, who gains?’ - Lighthouse Reports https://www.lighthousereports.com/investigation/farmers-protest-who-gains/ 

‘Bauernschlaue Lobbyisten’ - Taz https://taz.de/Doppeltes-Spiel-des-Agrarverbandes/!6009938/ 

‘Le lobbying agricole de la FNSEA à la loupe’ - Splann! https://splann.org/lobby-agricole-fnsea/ 

 

Reporters: Wojciech Oleksiak, Thin Lei Win, Marianne Kerfriden, Silvia Lazzaris, Elena DeBre and Emmanuel Freudenthal

Producer: Wojciech Oleksiak

Editor: Katz Laszlo 

Editorial support: Dominic Kraemer and Katy Lee 

Sound design, scoring, mixing and mastering: Wojciech Oleksiak
Music: Jim Barne, BlueDot Sessions

Sound effects: Freesound.org (miastodzwiekow, Cosmopolight, Quistard)

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ |⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Threads⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ |⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠Twitter⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ | ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Mastodon⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ | ⁠Bluesky⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠| hello@europeanspodcast.com⁠

 

]]>Protests by angry farmers have swept across Europe this year. But from country to country, powerful groups have taken these protests over and changed their agenda. Who are these people, and what are they up to?

 

This is a special episode produced in collaboration with investigative journalists from Lighthouse Reports and media partners across Europe. 

 

This podcast was made possible by our generous Patreon supporters. If you enjoy our work, we'd love it if you'd consider chipping in a few bucks a month at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠patreon.com/europeanspodcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ (many currencies are available). You can also help new listeners find the show by ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠leaving us a review⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ or giving us five stars on Spotify. 

 

Read the articles published as part of this investigation: 

‘Farmers protest, who gains?’ - Lighthouse Reports https://www.lighthousereports.com/investigation/farmers-protest-who-gains/ 

‘Bauernschlaue Lobbyisten’ - Taz https://taz.de/Doppeltes-Spiel-des-Agrarverbandes/!6009938/ 

‘Le lobbying agricole de la FNSEA à la loupe’ - Splann! https://splann.org/lobby-agricole-fnsea/ 

 

Reporters: Wojciech Oleksiak, Thin Lei Win, Marianne Kerfriden, Silvia Lazzaris, Elena DeBre and Emmanuel Freudenthal

Producer: Wojciech Oleksiak

Editor: Katz Laszlo 

Editorial support: Dominic Kraemer and Katy Lee 

Sound design, scoring, mixing and mastering: Wojciech Oleksiak
Music: Jim Barne, BlueDot Sessions

Sound effects: Freesound.org (miastodzwiekow, Cosmopolight, Quistard)

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ |⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Threads⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ |⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠Twitter⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ | ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Mastodon⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ | ⁠Bluesky⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠| hello@europeanspodcast.com⁠

 

]]>helloqg.podbean.com/6d1fb67e-edfd-37f8-9bcc-f7f87d1ccb41Fri, 31 May 2024 06:00:00 +020046:59falsefullWhat's more endangered: wolves or Eurovision?What's more endangered: wolves or Eurovision?postdoctoral researcher at the University of York. You can listen to her interview with The Conversation here.   This week's Inspiration Station recommendations: 'The Regime' and this accompanying episode of 'Cautionary Tales'; 'There's Still Tomorrow'. 'Lost On Me' was translated into English by Leah Janeczko.  

Thanks for listening! If you enjoy our podcast, we'd love it if you'd consider chipping in a few bucks a month at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠patreon.com/europeanspodcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ (many currencies are available). You can also help new listeners find the show by ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠leaving us a review⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ or giving us five stars on Spotify. 

 

Other resources for this episode:    'Why did Ireland give Israel 10 points at the Eurovision?' - RTE   

Aitor Hernández-Morales on the Catalan elections

 

00:22 Europe needs a new continent-wide public holiday
02:38 Bad Week: The European Broadcasting Union
20:35 Good Week: Catalonia's Socialists
30:03 Interview: Hanna Pettersson on living with Europe's wolves
44:45 The Inspiration Station: The Regime and There's Still Tomorrow
49:28 Happy Ending: A pioneering law in Belgium

 

Producers: Morgan Childs and Katy Lee

Mixing and mastering: Wojciech Oleksiak

Music: Jim Barne and Mariska Martina

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ |⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Threads⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ |⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠Twitter⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ | ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Mastodon⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ | ⁠Bluesky⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠hello@europeanspodcast.com⁠

]]>postdoctoral researcher at the University of York. You can listen to her interview with The Conversation here.   This week's Inspiration Station recommendations: 'The Regime' and this accompanying episode of 'Cautionary Tales'; 'There's Still Tomorrow'. 'Lost On Me' was translated into English by Leah Janeczko.  

Thanks for listening! If you enjoy our podcast, we'd love it if you'd consider chipping in a few bucks a month at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠patreon.com/europeanspodcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ (many currencies are available). You can also help new listeners find the show by ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠leaving us a review⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ or giving us five stars on Spotify. 

 

Other resources for this episode:    'Why did Ireland give Israel 10 points at the Eurovision?' - RTE   

Aitor Hernández-Morales on the Catalan elections

 

00:22 Europe needs a new continent-wide public holiday
02:38 Bad Week: The European Broadcasting Union
20:35 Good Week: Catalonia's Socialists
30:03 Interview: Hanna Pettersson on living with Europe's wolves
44:45 The Inspiration Station: The Regime and There's Still Tomorrow
49:28 Happy Ending: A pioneering law in Belgium

 

Producers: Morgan Childs and Katy Lee

Mixing and mastering: Wojciech Oleksiak

Music: Jim Barne and Mariska Martina

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]]>helloqg.podbean.com/25372bb1-80c2-3203-bb1e-1386c5061b4cThu, 16 May 2024 06:00:00 +020051:34falsefullCan food labels make us healthier?Can food labels make us healthier?Across a fair chunk of Europe, we've grown used to seeing little traffic light symbols on our food packets that supposedly rate the healthiness of our food. But why might Dominic's chamomile tea get a Nutri-Score rating of C, when a diet cola gets an A? And does Giorgia Meloni have a point in claiming that the ratings are biased against Italians? This week we ring up Alie de Boer, an expert on all things food labelling, to demystify the Nutri-Score system once and for all. We're also talking about why Georgia's at a crossroads between Russia and the EU, and why it's such a scary moment in German politics. 


Alie is an assistant professor of nutrition and food law at Maastricht University's Venlo campus. You can watch her excellent video about Nutri-Score here.


This week's Inspiration Station offerings: Marina Abramović's new exhibition and Desert Island Discs interview; Gugelhupf. 


Thanks for listening! If you enjoy our podcast, we'd love it if you'd consider chipping in a few bucks a month at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠patreon.com/europeanspodcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ (many currencies are available). You can also help new listeners find the show by ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠leaving us a review⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ or giving us five stars on Spotify. 


Other resources for this episode: 


'Is Georgian Dream Digging Its Own Grave?' - Transitions, May 2024 https://tol.org/client/article/is-georgian-dream-digging-its-own-grave.html


'Are right-wing populists more likely to justify political violence?' - European Consortium for Political Research, March 2024 https://ejpr.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/1475-6765.12668?af=R


'How Italian "food nationalism" has blocked Nutri-Score nutrition labelling system in Europe' - Mediapart, January 2024 https://www.mediapart.fr/en/journal/international/060124/how-italian-food-nationalism-has-blocked-nutri-score-nutrition-labelling-system-europe 

00:23 A delicious, digestible bowl of European news

02:52 Good week: Georgia's brave protesters

09:43 Bad week: German democracy

21:10 Interview: Alie de Boer on how those Nutri-Score labels on your food actually work

37:51 The Inspiration Station: Marina Abramović and gugelhupf

42:52 Happy Ending: The European Seagull Screeching Championship


Producers: Morgan Childs and Katy Lee

Mixing and mastering: Wojciech Oleksiak

Music: Jim Barne and Mariska Martina

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ |⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Threads⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ |⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠Twitter⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ | ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Mastodon⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ | ⁠Bluesky⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠hello@europeanspodcast.com⁠

]]>Across a fair chunk of Europe, we've grown used to seeing little traffic light symbols on our food packets that supposedly rate the healthiness of our food. But why might Dominic's chamomile tea get a Nutri-Score rating of C, when a diet cola gets an A? And does Giorgia Meloni have a point in claiming that the ratings are biased against Italians? This week we ring up Alie de Boer, an expert on all things food labelling, to demystify the Nutri-Score system once and for all. We're also talking about why Georgia's at a crossroads between Russia and the EU, and why it's such a scary moment in German politics. 


Alie is an assistant professor of nutrition and food law at Maastricht University's Venlo campus. You can watch her excellent video about Nutri-Score here.


This week's Inspiration Station offerings: Marina Abramović's new exhibition and Desert Island Discs interview; Gugelhupf. 


Thanks for listening! If you enjoy our podcast, we'd love it if you'd consider chipping in a few bucks a month at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠patreon.com/europeanspodcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ (many currencies are available). You can also help new listeners find the show by ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠leaving us a review⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ or giving us five stars on Spotify. 


Other resources for this episode: 


'Is Georgian Dream Digging Its Own Grave?' - Transitions, May 2024 https://tol.org/client/article/is-georgian-dream-digging-its-own-grave.html


'Are right-wing populists more likely to justify political violence?' - European Consortium for Political Research, March 2024 https://ejpr.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/1475-6765.12668?af=R


'How Italian "food nationalism" has blocked Nutri-Score nutrition labelling system in Europe' - Mediapart, January 2024 https://www.mediapart.fr/en/journal/international/060124/how-italian-food-nationalism-has-blocked-nutri-score-nutrition-labelling-system-europe 

00:23 A delicious, digestible bowl of European news

02:52 Good week: Georgia's brave protesters

09:43 Bad week: German democracy

21:10 Interview: Alie de Boer on how those Nutri-Score labels on your food actually work

37:51 The Inspiration Station: Marina Abramović and gugelhupf

42:52 Happy Ending: The European Seagull Screeching Championship


Producers: Morgan Childs and Katy Lee

Mixing and mastering: Wojciech Oleksiak

Music: Jim Barne and Mariska Martina

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ |⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Threads⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ |⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠Twitter⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ | ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Mastodon⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ | ⁠Bluesky⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠hello@europeanspodcast.com⁠

]]>c1979114-6d8d-4cb3-b7a8-d9543881a487Thu, 09 May 2024 06:00:00 +020045:36falsefull11The regime that ended with a songThe regime that ended with a songIt’s the only revolution in world history (that we know of) that began with a Eurovision song. This week, Portugal marks 50 years since the Carnation Revolution ended decades of dictatorship. We speak to Alex Fernandes, author of a new accessible history of the revolution, about the day that changed everything. We’re also talking about the UK’s missed opportunity to give an entire generation fun memories (and skills, but mostly fun memories) and Milan's ice cream uproar. 


Thanks for listening! If you enjoy our podcast, we'd love it if you'd consider chipping in a few bucks a month at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠patreon.com/europeanspodcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ (many currencies are available). You can also help new listeners find the show by ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠leaving us a review⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ or giving us five stars on Spotify. 

FULL EPISODE TRANSCRIPT HERE: https://europeanspodcast.com/episodes/the-regime-that-ended-with-a-song


Alex’s book, ‘The Carnation Revolution: The Day Portugal’s Dictatorship Fell’ is out now. You can find him on Twitter here and read his article on the music of the revolution here.


Inspiration Station offerings: ‘E Depois Do Adeus’ by Paulo de Carvalho; Grândola, Vila Morena by José Afonso and MARO on tour. Bonus entry: the ‘Feat. NATURE’ playlist.


Other resources for this episode: 

‘What is behind the UK’s labour shortage?’ - UK in a Changing Europe, February 2024

‘Percentage of businesses experiencing a shortage of workers in the United Kingdom in 2023, by industry sector’ - Statista, November 2023

‘Nature is an artist! Inside AKQA’s design for mammoth Spotify and UN project, Sounds Right’ - It’s Nice That, April 2024


⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ |⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Threads⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ |⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠Twitter⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ | ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Mastodon⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ | Bluesky ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠hello@europeanspodcast.com⁠

]]>It’s the only revolution in world history (that we know of) that began with a Eurovision song. This week, Portugal marks 50 years since the Carnation Revolution ended decades of dictatorship. We speak to Alex Fernandes, author of a new accessible history of the revolution, about the day that changed everything. We’re also talking about the UK’s missed opportunity to give an entire generation fun memories (and skills, but mostly fun memories) and Milan's ice cream uproar. 


Thanks for listening! If you enjoy our podcast, we'd love it if you'd consider chipping in a few bucks a month at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠patreon.com/europeanspodcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ (many currencies are available). You can also help new listeners find the show by ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠leaving us a review⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ or giving us five stars on Spotify. 

FULL EPISODE TRANSCRIPT HERE: https://europeanspodcast.com/episodes/the-regime-that-ended-with-a-song


Alex’s book, ‘The Carnation Revolution: The Day Portugal’s Dictatorship Fell’ is out now. You can find him on Twitter here and read his article on the music of the revolution here.


Inspiration Station offerings: ‘E Depois Do Adeus’ by Paulo de Carvalho; Grândola, Vila Morena by José Afonso and MARO on tour. Bonus entry: the ‘Feat. NATURE’ playlist.


Other resources for this episode: 

‘What is behind the UK’s labour shortage?’ - UK in a Changing Europe, February 2024

‘Percentage of businesses experiencing a shortage of workers in the United Kingdom in 2023, by industry sector’ - Statista, November 2023

‘Nature is an artist! Inside AKQA’s design for mammoth Spotify and UN project, Sounds Right’ - It’s Nice That, April 2024


⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ |⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Threads⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ |⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠Twitter⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ | ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Mastodon⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ | Bluesky ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠hello@europeanspodcast.com⁠

]]>d008a529-df96-48b9-9a19-b07d4b2559baThu, 25 Apr 2024 06:00:00 +020045:26falsefull1111Why the Swiss women’s climate victory is such a big dealWhy the Swiss women’s climate victory is such a big dealA group of Swiss women, all aged 64 and over, made history last week by winning the first ever climate case heard by the European Court of Human Rights. But what does their victory mean for climate policy across Europe? We ring up international courts reporter Molly Quell to find out. We're also talking about an artistic sense-of-humour failure, a Swedish app controversy, and why Polish kids are particularly big fans of the new government. 


Thanks for listening! If you enjoy our podcast, we'd love it if you'd consider chipping in a few bucks a month at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠patreon.com/europeanspodcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ (many currencies are available). You can also help new listeners find the show by ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠leaving us a review⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ or giving us five stars on Spotify. 

FULL EPISODE TRANSCRIPT HERE: https://europeanspodcast.com/episodes/why-the-swiss-womens-climate-victory-is-such-a-big-deal


You can find Molly on Twitter here.


This week's Inspiration Station offerings: 'Two Strangers (Carry A Cake Across New York)' - tickets for London's Criterion Theatre; 'Two Strangers' cast recording; the 'Goulash' newsletter.

Producer: Katz Laszlo

Mixing and mastering: Wojciech Oleksiak

Music: Jim Barne and Mariska Martina


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]]>A group of Swiss women, all aged 64 and over, made history last week by winning the first ever climate case heard by the European Court of Human Rights. But what does their victory mean for climate policy across Europe? We ring up international courts reporter Molly Quell to find out. We're also talking about an artistic sense-of-humour failure, a Swedish app controversy, and why Polish kids are particularly big fans of the new government. 


Thanks for listening! If you enjoy our podcast, we'd love it if you'd consider chipping in a few bucks a month at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠patreon.com/europeanspodcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ (many currencies are available). You can also help new listeners find the show by ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠leaving us a review⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ or giving us five stars on Spotify. 

FULL EPISODE TRANSCRIPT HERE: https://europeanspodcast.com/episodes/why-the-swiss-womens-climate-victory-is-such-a-big-deal


You can find Molly on Twitter here.


This week's Inspiration Station offerings: 'Two Strangers (Carry A Cake Across New York)' - tickets for London's Criterion Theatre; 'Two Strangers' cast recording; the 'Goulash' newsletter.

Producer: Katz Laszlo

Mixing and mastering: Wojciech Oleksiak

Music: Jim Barne and Mariska Martina


⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ |⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Threads⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ |⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠Twitter⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ | ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Mastodon⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ | ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠hello@europeanspodcast.com⁠

]]>57d28375-15fd-4730-9200-f4287c9fd2ffThu, 18 Apr 2024 06:00:00 +020044:14falsefull1111The biggest climate case that ever wasThe biggest climate case that ever was77f8aebd-18d8-41ad-8d2c-30adbc2c5ca8Sun, 14 Apr 2024 06:00:00 +020049:28falsefull1111Nepo great-great-great-grand-babiesNepo great-great-great-grand-babiesWe all know this continent has major issues with social mobility. But having a rich ancestor from *six centuries ago* shouldn't make it more likely that you're rich today... should it? This week we speak to Guglielmo Barone, one of the economists behind some fascinating research into this question in Florence. We're also talking about Ursula von der Leyen's 'jobs for the boys' scandal and the road to a shared European cycling policy. 


Thanks for listening! If you enjoy our podcast, we'd love it if you'd consider chipping in a few bucks a month at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠patreon.com/europeanspodcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ (many currencies are available). You can also help new listeners find the show by ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠leaving us a review⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ or giving us five stars on Spotify. 

FULL EPISODE TRANSCRIPT HERE: https://europeanspodcast.com/episodes/nepo-great-great-great-grand-babies


Guglielmo is a professor of economics at the University of Bologna. You can find his study on intergenerational mobility in Florence here, and an article he co-wrote about the research here.


This week's recommendations: 'Today in Focus - Should the UK stop arming Israel?' and 'Have You Heard George's Podcast - Francophone Pt. 1'. 


Other resources for this episode: 

Social mobility in Europe across generations - EU Science Hub

Intergenerational mobility in the UK - Institute for Fiscal Studies'

What is the point of inheritance tax?' - The New Statesman'

Von der Leyen accused of playing favourite over EU SMEs envoy nomination' - EURACTIV
The European Declaration on Cycling

'How safe is walking and cycling in Europe' - European Transport Safety Council Eurobarometer - Mobility and transport, 2019 

The Copenhagenize Index
'Paris’s Picasso Museum Will Show Work by Françoise Gilot in Permanent Collection Galleries for the First Time' - ARTnews

Producers: Katz Laszlo and Wojciech Oleksiak

Mixing and mastering: Wojciech Oleksiak

Music: Jim Barne and Mariska Martina


⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ |⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Threads⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ |⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠Twitter⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ | ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Mastodon⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ | ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠hello@europeanspodcast.com⁠

]]>We all know this continent has major issues with social mobility. But having a rich ancestor from *six centuries ago* shouldn't make it more likely that you're rich today... should it? This week we speak to Guglielmo Barone, one of the economists behind some fascinating research into this question in Florence. We're also talking about Ursula von der Leyen's 'jobs for the boys' scandal and the road to a shared European cycling policy. 


Thanks for listening! If you enjoy our podcast, we'd love it if you'd consider chipping in a few bucks a month at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠patreon.com/europeanspodcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ (many currencies are available). You can also help new listeners find the show by ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠leaving us a review⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ or giving us five stars on Spotify. 

FULL EPISODE TRANSCRIPT HERE: https://europeanspodcast.com/episodes/nepo-great-great-great-grand-babies


Guglielmo is a professor of economics at the University of Bologna. You can find his study on intergenerational mobility in Florence here, and an article he co-wrote about the research here.


This week's recommendations: 'Today in Focus - Should the UK stop arming Israel?' and 'Have You Heard George's Podcast - Francophone Pt. 1'. 


Other resources for this episode: 

Social mobility in Europe across generations - EU Science Hub

Intergenerational mobility in the UK - Institute for Fiscal Studies'

What is the point of inheritance tax?' - The New Statesman'

Von der Leyen accused of playing favourite over EU SMEs envoy nomination' - EURACTIV
The European Declaration on Cycling

'How safe is walking and cycling in Europe' - European Transport Safety Council Eurobarometer - Mobility and transport, 2019 

The Copenhagenize Index
'Paris’s Picasso Museum Will Show Work by Françoise Gilot in Permanent Collection Galleries for the First Time' - ARTnews

Producers: Katz Laszlo and Wojciech Oleksiak

Mixing and mastering: Wojciech Oleksiak

Music: Jim Barne and Mariska Martina


⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ |⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Threads⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ |⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠Twitter⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ | ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Mastodon⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ | ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠hello@europeanspodcast.com⁠

]]>28056e9f-c63d-4c2b-8c5d-4229028b2c9dThu, 11 Apr 2024 06:00:00 +020045:42falsefull1111Less Beyoncé, more bouzoukiLess Beyoncé, more bouzoukiThis week, music and politics collide. We're talking about Greece's plan to enforce quotas for Greek-language lyrics on the radio, and the racist backlash against Aya Nakamura's rumoured booking for the Paris Olympics. Plus, a great interview with Politico's senior climate reporter Zia Weise about the EU's once-trumpeted nature restoration law. Can the EU still claim to be a world leader when it comes to going green?


FULL EPISODE TRANSCRIPT HERE: https://europeanspodcast.com/episodes/less-beyonce-more-bouzouki


You can find Zia on Twitter here and read her reporting here.


The soundtrack to this week's episode: 'Doggy' by Aya Nakamura; 'Zari' by Marina Satti; 'White Foxes' by Susanne Sundfør. Also recommended this week: 'Smoke Sauna Sisterhood' and Utrecht's fish doorbell.


Thanks for listening! If you enjoy our podcast, we'd love it if you'd consider chipping in a few bucks a month at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠patreon.com/europeanspodcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ (many currencies are available). You can also help new listeners find the show by ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠leaving us a review⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ or giving us five stars on Spotify. 


00:22 Velkommen til The Europeans podcast!
02:23 Good Week: Aya Nakamura
10:35 Bad Week: The plan for Greek-language radio quotas
22:38 Interview: Zia Weise on the EU's nature restoration law
35:15 The Inspiration Station: Susanne Sundfør and 'Smoke Sauna Sisterhood'
38:43 Happy Ending: Utrecht's fish doorbell

Producers: Katy Lee and Wojciech Oleksiak
Mixing and mastering: Wojciech Oleksiak
Music: Jim Barne and Mariska Martina


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]]>This week, music and politics collide. We're talking about Greece's plan to enforce quotas for Greek-language lyrics on the radio, and the racist backlash against Aya Nakamura's rumoured booking for the Paris Olympics. Plus, a great interview with Politico's senior climate reporter Zia Weise about the EU's once-trumpeted nature restoration law. Can the EU still claim to be a world leader when it comes to going green?


FULL EPISODE TRANSCRIPT HERE: https://europeanspodcast.com/episodes/less-beyonce-more-bouzouki


You can find Zia on Twitter here and read her reporting here.


The soundtrack to this week's episode: 'Doggy' by Aya Nakamura; 'Zari' by Marina Satti; 'White Foxes' by Susanne Sundfør. Also recommended this week: 'Smoke Sauna Sisterhood' and Utrecht's fish doorbell.


Thanks for listening! If you enjoy our podcast, we'd love it if you'd consider chipping in a few bucks a month at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠patreon.com/europeanspodcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ (many currencies are available). You can also help new listeners find the show by ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠leaving us a review⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ or giving us five stars on Spotify. 


00:22 Velkommen til The Europeans podcast!
02:23 Good Week: Aya Nakamura
10:35 Bad Week: The plan for Greek-language radio quotas
22:38 Interview: Zia Weise on the EU's nature restoration law
35:15 The Inspiration Station: Susanne Sundfør and 'Smoke Sauna Sisterhood'
38:43 Happy Ending: Utrecht's fish doorbell

Producers: Katy Lee and Wojciech Oleksiak
Mixing and mastering: Wojciech Oleksiak
Music: Jim Barne and Mariska Martina


⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ |⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Threads⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ |⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠Twitter⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ | ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Mastodon⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ | ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠hello@europeanspodcast.com⁠

]]>f1bcc1c9-43bd-4d2e-9b5c-9b92543e39e4Thu, 04 Apr 2024 06:00:00 +020043:38falsefull1111Small Ex-Soviet Satellite State My AssSmall Ex-Soviet Satellite State My AssThis week, we're heading to a small country with a big bold foreign policy. Czechia, aka the Czech Republic, has won international praise by negotiating a desperately-needed ammunition deal for Ukraine. Why did it succeed where others have failed? And why is its government so much less scared of China than most others in Europe? We ring up Jakub Janda, Czech security expert and author of a certain viral tweet, to find out. We're also talking about a glimmer of hope for some of Italy's rainbow families, and the scandal rocking Finnish journalism. 

Thanks for listening! If you enjoy our podcast, we'd love it if you'd consider chipping in a few bucks a month at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠patreon.com/europeanspodcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ (many currencies are available). You can also help new listeners find the show by ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠leaving us a review⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ or giving us five stars on Spotify. 

Jakub is the director of the European Values Center for Security Policy. You can find him on Twitter here.


Resources for this episode: 
European Tree of the Year https://www.treeoftheyear.org/

Aamulehti's apology for Matti Kuusela's dabblings in fiction https://www.aamulehti.fi/uutiset/art-2000010312503.html 

Jakub's viral tweet https://twitter.com/_jakubjanda/status/1769350483695522197?s=46&t=yPKV1bu1u0kKSIiRrTkIXg 


00:22 Once more with feeling
03:19 Good Week: Padua's rainbow families
09:35 Bad Week: When fact meets fiction in Finland
19:52 Interview: Jakub Janda on 'small ex-Soviet satellite states' and Czechia's bold foreign policy
36:51 Inspiration Station: A tree scandal special edition
41:14 Happy Ending: Germany's extra-relaxed Easter Monday 

Producers: Katy Lee and Wojciech Oleksiak

Mixing and mastering: Wojciech Oleksiak

Music: Jim Barne and Mariska Martina


⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ |⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Threads⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ |⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠Twitter⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ | ⁠⁠⁠⁠Mastodon⁠⁠⁠⁠ | ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠hello@europeanspodcast.com⁠

]]>This week, we're heading to a small country with a big bold foreign policy. Czechia, aka the Czech Republic, has won international praise by negotiating a desperately-needed ammunition deal for Ukraine. Why did it succeed where others have failed? And why is its government so much less scared of China than most others in Europe? We ring up Jakub Janda, Czech security expert and author of a certain viral tweet, to find out. We're also talking about a glimmer of hope for some of Italy's rainbow families, and the scandal rocking Finnish journalism. 

Thanks for listening! If you enjoy our podcast, we'd love it if you'd consider chipping in a few bucks a month at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠patreon.com/europeanspodcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ (many currencies are available). You can also help new listeners find the show by ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠leaving us a review⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ or giving us five stars on Spotify. 

Jakub is the director of the European Values Center for Security Policy. You can find him on Twitter here.


Resources for this episode: 
European Tree of the Year https://www.treeoftheyear.org/

Aamulehti's apology for Matti Kuusela's dabblings in fiction https://www.aamulehti.fi/uutiset/art-2000010312503.html 

Jakub's viral tweet https://twitter.com/_jakubjanda/status/1769350483695522197?s=46&t=yPKV1bu1u0kKSIiRrTkIXg 


00:22 Once more with feeling
03:19 Good Week: Padua's rainbow families
09:35 Bad Week: When fact meets fiction in Finland
19:52 Interview: Jakub Janda on 'small ex-Soviet satellite states' and Czechia's bold foreign policy
36:51 Inspiration Station: A tree scandal special edition
41:14 Happy Ending: Germany's extra-relaxed Easter Monday 

Producers: Katy Lee and Wojciech Oleksiak

Mixing and mastering: Wojciech Oleksiak

Music: Jim Barne and Mariska Martina


⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ |⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Threads⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ |⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠Twitter⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ | ⁠⁠⁠⁠Mastodon⁠⁠⁠⁠ | ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠hello@europeanspodcast.com⁠

]]>4776c77d-8a90-4866-8efe-86126db3f41bThu, 28 Mar 2024 06:00:00 +020043:24falsefull1111The Portuguese Constitution Is DeliciousThe Portuguese Constitution Is DeliciousScandal-hit Socialists, a surging far-right, and winners that no one can get excited about —  Portugal has just delivered some of this year's trickiest European election results. This week, we ring Politico reporter Aitor Hernández-Morales to untangle the situation. We're also talking about how ChatGPT could speed up Albania's EU membership bid, and Denmark's attempt to fix its horrible gender inequality (when it comes to statues at least). 


FULL EPISODE TRANSCRIPT HERE: https://europeanspodcast.com/episodes/the-portuguese-constitution-is-delicious

Thanks for listening! If you enjoy our podcast, we'd love it if you'd consider chipping in a few bucks a month at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠patreon.com/europeanspodcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ (many currencies are available). You can also help new listeners find the show by ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠leaving us a review⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ or giving us five stars on Spotify. 

You can follow Aitor on Twitter here. 


This week's Inspiration Station picks: 'Europapa' by Joost Klein; 'Don't Drink the Milk' 


Other resources for this episode: 


'People in Albania are tired of Brussels' lip service' https://respublica.edu.mk/blog-en/politics/people-in-albania-are-tired-of-brussels-lip-service/?lang=en


'Albania to speed up EU accession using ChatGPT'
https://www.euractiv.com/section/politics/news/albania-to-speed-up-eu-accession-using-chatgpt/


'Irish voters reject bid to rewrite constitution’s view of women and family' https://www.politico.eu/article/irish-voters-reject-bid-to-rewrite-constitutions-view-women-family/

'Five reasons why the Yes side failed and the No campaign won the day' https://www.irishtimes.com/politics/2024/03/09/how-the-government-lost-and-the-no-side-won-the-care-and-family-referendums/


00:22 Fresh and fruity

01:56 Bad Week: Human translators

11:00 Good Week: Denmark steps up on statues

35:28 The Inspiration Station: 'Europapa' and 'Don't Drink The Milk'

40:24 Happy Ending: A blast from the seedy past


Producers: Katy Lee and Wojciech Oleksiak

Mixing and mastering: Wojciech Oleksiak

Music: Jim Barne and Mariska Martina


⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ |⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Threads⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ |⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠Twitter⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ | ⁠⁠⁠Mastodon⁠⁠⁠ | ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠hello@europeanspodcast.com⁠

]]>Scandal-hit Socialists, a surging far-right, and winners that no one can get excited about —  Portugal has just delivered some of this year's trickiest European election results. This week, we ring Politico reporter Aitor Hernández-Morales to untangle the situation. We're also talking about how ChatGPT could speed up Albania's EU membership bid, and Denmark's attempt to fix its horrible gender inequality (when it comes to statues at least). 


FULL EPISODE TRANSCRIPT HERE: https://europeanspodcast.com/episodes/the-portuguese-constitution-is-delicious

Thanks for listening! If you enjoy our podcast, we'd love it if you'd consider chipping in a few bucks a month at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠patreon.com/europeanspodcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ (many currencies are available). You can also help new listeners find the show by ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠leaving us a review⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ or giving us five stars on Spotify. 

You can follow Aitor on Twitter here. 


This week's Inspiration Station picks: 'Europapa' by Joost Klein; 'Don't Drink the Milk' 


Other resources for this episode: 


'People in Albania are tired of Brussels' lip service' https://respublica.edu.mk/blog-en/politics/people-in-albania-are-tired-of-brussels-lip-service/?lang=en


'Albania to speed up EU accession using ChatGPT'
https://www.euractiv.com/section/politics/news/albania-to-speed-up-eu-accession-using-chatgpt/


'Irish voters reject bid to rewrite constitution’s view of women and family' https://www.politico.eu/article/irish-voters-reject-bid-to-rewrite-constitutions-view-women-family/

'Five reasons why the Yes side failed and the No campaign won the day' https://www.irishtimes.com/politics/2024/03/09/how-the-government-lost-and-the-no-side-won-the-care-and-family-referendums/


00:22 Fresh and fruity

01:56 Bad Week: Human translators

11:00 Good Week: Denmark steps up on statues

35:28 The Inspiration Station: 'Europapa' and 'Don't Drink The Milk'

40:24 Happy Ending: A blast from the seedy past


Producers: Katy Lee and Wojciech Oleksiak

Mixing and mastering: Wojciech Oleksiak

Music: Jim Barne and Mariska Martina


⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ |⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Threads⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ |⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠Twitter⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ | ⁠⁠⁠Mastodon⁠⁠⁠ | ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠hello@europeanspodcast.com⁠

]]>bfd71be4-b652-4988-a9b2-eeecf1815344Thu, 14 Mar 2024 06:00:00 +020044:33falsefull1111YOLO, Swiss pensionersYOLO, Swiss pensionersThis week: two referendums and some dodgy criminal reforms. We're talking about Swiss voters' decision to treat themselves to bigger pensions, and Slovakia's battle to stop cronyism under populist prime minister Robert Fico. And ahead of Ireland's vote on International Women's Day, the historian Caitríona Beaumont joins us to ask: why, according to the Irish constitution, is a woman's place still in the home? 


You can follow Cait on Twitter here and read her article for The Conversation about the 'woman in the home' clause here.


This week's Inspiration Station offerings: this Swiss study on the power of live music; Dominic on tour, and the studio cast recording of 'Two Strangers (Carry A Cake Across New York)'.


Thanks for listening! If you enjoy our podcast, we'd love it if you'd consider chipping in a few bucks a month at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠patreon.com/europeanspodcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ (many currencies are available). You can also help new listeners find the show by ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠leaving us a review⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ or giving us five stars on Spotify. 


Other resources for this episode: 


Cultural Deal for Europe: An Open Letter Ahead of the EP Elections https://culturalfoundation.eu/stories/cultural-deal-for-europe-open-letter-ep-elections/ 'Nederland Europees kampioen zitten': TNO https://www.tno.nl/nl/newsroom/2024/02/nederland-europees-kampioen-zitten/ 
Eurobarometer's 2022 report on physical activity across Europe: https://europa.eu/eurobarometer/surveys/detail/2668IMPACT newsletter https://lesglorieuses.fr/les-newsletters/impact-eng/ Abortion in Europe - Deutsche Welle documentary https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NSB6oCza2k8 

00:22 Are you sitting comfortably?

03:33 Bad Week: Robert Fico

12:38 Good Week: Swiss pensioners

21:40 Interview: Caitríona Beaumont on Ireland's sexist constitution

38:35 The Inspiration Station: live music and the 'Two Strangers' cast recording

42:19 Happy Ending: Tiny but very very loud


Producers: Katy Lee and Wojciech Oleksiak

Mixing and mastering: Wojciech Oleksiak

Music: Jim Barne and Mariska Martina


⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ |⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Threads⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ |⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠Twitter⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ | ⁠⁠Mastodon⁠⁠ | ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠hello@europeanspodcast.com⁠

]]>This week: two referendums and some dodgy criminal reforms. We're talking about Swiss voters' decision to treat themselves to bigger pensions, and Slovakia's battle to stop cronyism under populist prime minister Robert Fico. And ahead of Ireland's vote on International Women's Day, the historian Caitríona Beaumont joins us to ask: why, according to the Irish constitution, is a woman's place still in the home? 


You can follow Cait on Twitter here and read her article for The Conversation about the 'woman in the home' clause here.


This week's Inspiration Station offerings: this Swiss study on the power of live music; Dominic on tour, and the studio cast recording of 'Two Strangers (Carry A Cake Across New York)'.


Thanks for listening! If you enjoy our podcast, we'd love it if you'd consider chipping in a few bucks a month at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠patreon.com/europeanspodcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ (many currencies are available). You can also help new listeners find the show by ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠leaving us a review⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ or giving us five stars on Spotify. 


Other resources for this episode: 


Cultural Deal for Europe: An Open Letter Ahead of the EP Elections https://culturalfoundation.eu/stories/cultural-deal-for-europe-open-letter-ep-elections/ 'Nederland Europees kampioen zitten': TNO https://www.tno.nl/nl/newsroom/2024/02/nederland-europees-kampioen-zitten/ 
Eurobarometer's 2022 report on physical activity across Europe: https://europa.eu/eurobarometer/surveys/detail/2668IMPACT newsletter https://lesglorieuses.fr/les-newsletters/impact-eng/ Abortion in Europe - Deutsche Welle documentary https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NSB6oCza2k8 

00:22 Are you sitting comfortably?

03:33 Bad Week: Robert Fico

12:38 Good Week: Swiss pensioners

21:40 Interview: Caitríona Beaumont on Ireland's sexist constitution

38:35 The Inspiration Station: live music and the 'Two Strangers' cast recording

42:19 Happy Ending: Tiny but very very loud


Producers: Katy Lee and Wojciech Oleksiak

Mixing and mastering: Wojciech Oleksiak

Music: Jim Barne and Mariska Martina


⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ |⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Threads⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ |⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠Twitter⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ | ⁠⁠Mastodon⁠⁠ | ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠hello@europeanspodcast.com⁠

]]>07e994a6-6cea-44c3-a993-fb629c7c2fb8Thu, 07 Mar 2024 06:00:00 +020045:25falsefull1111Army BootsArmy BootsIn February 2022, as Russian tanks rolled across the border, the writer and historian Olesya Khromeychuk told us the story of the boots she had bought for her brother, serving at the front in eastern Ukraine. This week, we're sharing her story again. 


Olesya's book, ' The Death of a Soldier Told by His Sister', is available in print and as an audiobook. You can find her on Twitter here.


Sound design, mixing and mastering by Wojciech Oleksiak. 


EPISODE TRANSCRIPT HERE: https://europeanspodcast.com/episodes/army-boots-feb-2024


Thanks for listening. If you enjoy our podcast, we'd love it if you'd consider chipping in a few bucks a month at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠patreon.com/europeanspodcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ (many currencies are available). You can also help new listeners find the show by ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠leaving us a review⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ or giving us five stars on Spotify. 


⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ |⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Threads⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ |⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠Twitter⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ | ⁠⁠Mastodon⁠⁠ | ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠hello@europeanspodcast.com⁠

]]>In February 2022, as Russian tanks rolled across the border, the writer and historian Olesya Khromeychuk told us the story of the boots she had bought for her brother, serving at the front in eastern Ukraine. This week, we're sharing her story again. 


Olesya's book, ' The Death of a Soldier Told by His Sister', is available in print and as an audiobook. You can find her on Twitter here.


Sound design, mixing and mastering by Wojciech Oleksiak. 


EPISODE TRANSCRIPT HERE: https://europeanspodcast.com/episodes/army-boots-feb-2024


Thanks for listening. If you enjoy our podcast, we'd love it if you'd consider chipping in a few bucks a month at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠patreon.com/europeanspodcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ (many currencies are available). You can also help new listeners find the show by ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠leaving us a review⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ or giving us five stars on Spotify. 


⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ |⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Threads⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ |⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠Twitter⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ | ⁠⁠Mastodon⁠⁠ | ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠hello@europeanspodcast.com⁠

]]>647704fe-782f-4dd4-af96-0af999d51400Thu, 29 Feb 2024 06:00:00 +020014:00falsefull1111Orbán’s biggest crisis?Orbán’s biggest crisis?Hungary has seen its biggest anti-government protests in years over the past couple of weeks. But just how dangerous is this moment for Viktor Orbán? This week our favourite Hungarysplainer Viktória Serdült joins us to decipher the scandal that has shaken his government. We're also talking about the legalisation of gay marriage in Greece (finally!) and a Dutch court case that could have far-reaching consequences for the war in Gaza. 


FULL EPISODE TRANSCRIPT HERE: https://europeanspodcast.com/episodes/orbans-biggest-crisis


Viktória is a journalist at hvg.hu. You can find her on Twitter here and her article about Hungary's EU elections can be found here in EUObserver. 


This week's Inspiration Station offerings: 'Navalny' and 'Lost on Me' (Niente di vero) by Veronica Raimo.

The Dutch court ruling can be found here and Euronews' piece on European military supplies to Israel can be found here.


Thanks for listening! If you enjoy our podcast, we'd love it if you'd consider chipping in a few bucks a month at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠patreon.com/europeanspodcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ (many currencies are available). You can also help new listeners find the show by ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠leaving us a review⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ or giving us five stars on Spotify. 


00:22 Spending *most* of the week reading about Europe

02:29 Good Week: Gay marriage is now legal in Greece

07:47 Bad Week: European defence companies?

17:01 Interview: Viktória Serdült on Hungary's pardoning scandal

32:33 The Inspiration Station: 'Lost on Me' by Veronica Raimo and 'Navalny'

36:33 Happy Ending: Why kids monkey around


Producers: Katy Lee and Wojciech Oleksiak

Mixing and mastering: Wojciech Oleksiak

Music: Jim Barne and Mariska Martina


⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ |⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Threads⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ |⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠Twitter⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ | ⁠Mastodon⁠ | ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠hello@europeanspodcast.com⁠

]]>Hungary has seen its biggest anti-government protests in years over the past couple of weeks. But just how dangerous is this moment for Viktor Orbán? This week our favourite Hungarysplainer Viktória Serdült joins us to decipher the scandal that has shaken his government. We're also talking about the legalisation of gay marriage in Greece (finally!) and a Dutch court case that could have far-reaching consequences for the war in Gaza. 


FULL EPISODE TRANSCRIPT HERE: https://europeanspodcast.com/episodes/orbans-biggest-crisis


Viktória is a journalist at hvg.hu. You can find her on Twitter here and her article about Hungary's EU elections can be found here in EUObserver. 


This week's Inspiration Station offerings: 'Navalny' and 'Lost on Me' (Niente di vero) by Veronica Raimo.

The Dutch court ruling can be found here and Euronews' piece on European military supplies to Israel can be found here.


Thanks for listening! If you enjoy our podcast, we'd love it if you'd consider chipping in a few bucks a month at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠patreon.com/europeanspodcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ (many currencies are available). You can also help new listeners find the show by ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠leaving us a review⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ or giving us five stars on Spotify. 


00:22 Spending *most* of the week reading about Europe

02:29 Good Week: Gay marriage is now legal in Greece

07:47 Bad Week: European defence companies?

17:01 Interview: Viktória Serdült on Hungary's pardoning scandal

32:33 The Inspiration Station: 'Lost on Me' by Veronica Raimo and 'Navalny'

36:33 Happy Ending: Why kids monkey around


Producers: Katy Lee and Wojciech Oleksiak

Mixing and mastering: Wojciech Oleksiak

Music: Jim Barne and Mariska Martina


⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ |⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Threads⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ |⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠Twitter⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ | ⁠Mastodon⁠ | ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠hello@europeanspodcast.com⁠

]]>e9691603-6090-4ec4-aaeb-d1d5f1529415Thu, 22 Feb 2024 06:00:00 +020039:29falsefullTwo Parallel PolandsTwo Parallel PolandsPoland's rightwing populists are finally out of power. But what happens now? This week, our producer Wojciech Oleksiak and Warsaw-based journalist Claudia Ciobanu join us to explain why restoring Polish democracy is easier said than done. We're also talking about Finland's elections and the EU's much-criticised migration plan. 


FULL EPISODE TRANSCRIPT HERE: https://europeanspodcast.com/episodes/two-parallel-polands


Claudia is the Poland correspondent for the Balkan Investigative Reporting Network. You can find her reporting here and she's on Twitter here. 


Investigate Europe's reporting on how France and the Netherlands lobbied for child border detentions can be found here. 


This week's Inspiration Station offerings: 'Bitch' by Lucy Cooke and Sanremo 2024. Bonus entry for Amsterdammers, via Producer Katz: Felipe Romero Beltrán's photography exhibition 'Dialect' at Foam, documenting the experiences of young Moroccan migrants in Spain. 


Thanks for listening! If you enjoy our podcast, we'd love it if you'd consider chipping in a few bucks a month at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠patreon.com/europeanspodcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ (many currencies are available). You can also help new listeners find the show by ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠leaving us a review⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ or giving us five stars on Spotify. 

Producers: Katz Laszlo and Wojciech Oleksiak

Mixing and mastering: Wojciech Oleksiak

Music: Jim Barne and Mariska Martina


⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ |⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠Threads⁠⁠⁠⁠ |⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠Twitter⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ | ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠hello@europeanspodcast.com

]]>Poland's rightwing populists are finally out of power. But what happens now? This week, our producer Wojciech Oleksiak and Warsaw-based journalist Claudia Ciobanu join us to explain why restoring Polish democracy is easier said than done. We're also talking about Finland's elections and the EU's much-criticised migration plan. 


FULL EPISODE TRANSCRIPT HERE: https://europeanspodcast.com/episodes/two-parallel-polands


Claudia is the Poland correspondent for the Balkan Investigative Reporting Network. You can find her reporting here and she's on Twitter here. 


Investigate Europe's reporting on how France and the Netherlands lobbied for child border detentions can be found here. 


This week's Inspiration Station offerings: 'Bitch' by Lucy Cooke and Sanremo 2024. Bonus entry for Amsterdammers, via Producer Katz: Felipe Romero Beltrán's photography exhibition 'Dialect' at Foam, documenting the experiences of young Moroccan migrants in Spain. 


Thanks for listening! If you enjoy our podcast, we'd love it if you'd consider chipping in a few bucks a month at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠patreon.com/europeanspodcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ (many currencies are available). You can also help new listeners find the show by ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠leaving us a review⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ or giving us five stars on Spotify. 

Producers: Katz Laszlo and Wojciech Oleksiak

Mixing and mastering: Wojciech Oleksiak

Music: Jim Barne and Mariska Martina


⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ |⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠Threads⁠⁠⁠⁠ |⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠Twitter⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ | ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠hello@europeanspodcast.com

]]>5eaf897c-b09a-456c-9dd6-80960e113e2aThu, 15 Feb 2024 05:00:00 +020051:40falsefullToxic air and toxic politiciansToxic air and toxic politiciansLast weekend, Parisians voted to triple parking fees for SUVs in a bid to remove some of the city's more polluting vehicles. It's just one of many policy ideas that are being tested out in European cities to clean up the air we breathe — but how bad is the problem really, and can we really fix it? This week we ring up Oliver Lord from the Clean Cities Campaign to find out. We're also talking about the exhausting antics of Viktor Orbán and some juicy Italian art theft allegations. 


FULL EPISODE TRANSCRIPT HERE: https://europeanspodcast.com/episodes/toxic-air-and-toxic-politicians


This week's Inspiration Station offerings: 'Mrs Mohr Goes Missing' by Maryla Szymiczkowa, and The European Tree of the Year 2024. 


You can find a video of Vittorio Sgarbi's eyebrow-raising interview on the best account on Twitter, Crazy Ass Moments in Italian Politics.


Thanks for listening! If you enjoy our podcast, we'd love it if you'd consider chipping in a few bucks a month at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠patreon.com/europeanspodcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ (many currencies are available). You can also help new listeners find the show by ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠leaving us a review⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ or giving us five stars on Spotify. 


Many thanks to our friends at Outside/In for featuring our Oatly mini-series recently. You can find their show ⁠⁠here⁠⁠.


00:22 Coming soon, a podcast entirely about disturbing European children's songs

03:32 Good Week: Ukraine's €50 billion aid deal

12:01 Bad Week: From culture minister to art thief?

37:44 The Inspiration Station: Mrs Mohr Goes Missing and The European Tree of The Year 2024

40:49 Happy Ending: Hooray for the HPV vaccine


Producers: Katy Lee and Wojciech Oleksiak

Mixing and mastering: Wojciech Oleksiak

Music: Jim Barne and Mariska Martina


⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ |⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠Threads⁠⁠⁠ |⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠Twitter⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ | ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠hello@europeanspodcast.com

]]>Last weekend, Parisians voted to triple parking fees for SUVs in a bid to remove some of the city's more polluting vehicles. It's just one of many policy ideas that are being tested out in European cities to clean up the air we breathe — but how bad is the problem really, and can we really fix it? This week we ring up Oliver Lord from the Clean Cities Campaign to find out. We're also talking about the exhausting antics of Viktor Orbán and some juicy Italian art theft allegations. 


FULL EPISODE TRANSCRIPT HERE: https://europeanspodcast.com/episodes/toxic-air-and-toxic-politicians


This week's Inspiration Station offerings: 'Mrs Mohr Goes Missing' by Maryla Szymiczkowa, and The European Tree of the Year 2024. 


You can find a video of Vittorio Sgarbi's eyebrow-raising interview on the best account on Twitter, Crazy Ass Moments in Italian Politics.


Thanks for listening! If you enjoy our podcast, we'd love it if you'd consider chipping in a few bucks a month at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠patreon.com/europeanspodcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ (many currencies are available). You can also help new listeners find the show by ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠leaving us a review⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ or giving us five stars on Spotify. 


Many thanks to our friends at Outside/In for featuring our Oatly mini-series recently. You can find their show ⁠⁠here⁠⁠.


00:22 Coming soon, a podcast entirely about disturbing European children's songs

03:32 Good Week: Ukraine's €50 billion aid deal

12:01 Bad Week: From culture minister to art thief?

37:44 The Inspiration Station: Mrs Mohr Goes Missing and The European Tree of The Year 2024

40:49 Happy Ending: Hooray for the HPV vaccine


Producers: Katy Lee and Wojciech Oleksiak

Mixing and mastering: Wojciech Oleksiak

Music: Jim Barne and Mariska Martina


⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ |⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠Threads⁠⁠⁠ |⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠Twitter⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ | ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠hello@europeanspodcast.com

]]>b39e33f7-20a5-461b-8349-3e3e7f767e18Thu, 08 Feb 2024 06:00:00 +020043:01falsefullWhy are Europe’s farmers so angry?Why are Europe’s farmers so angry?From France to Romania, Germany to Bulgaria, angry farmers have been blocking the roads. What's behind this wave of agricultural protests across the continent? This week we're getting to grips with the policies behind the food on Europe's plates with agriculture correspondent Sofía Sánchez Manzanaro. We're also dishing up some Polish recommendations and a slice of good climate news. 


FULL EPISODE TRANSCRIPT HERE: https://europeanspodcast.com/episodes/why-are-europes-farmers-so-angry


Sofía writes about food, agriculture and sustainability for S&P Global and is about to start a new role at Euractiv. You can find her on Twitter here.


This week's Inspiration Station offerings: Chopin's Nocturnes. played by Idil Beret, and Olga Tokarczuk's interview on the Paris Review podcast. 


Thanks for listening! If you enjoy our podcast, we'd love it if you'd consider chipping in a few bucks a month at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠patreon.com/europeanspodcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ (many currencies are available). You can also help new listeners find the show by ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠leaving us a review⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ or giving us five stars on Spotify. 


Many thanks to our friends at Outside/In for featuring our Oatly mini-series recently. You can find their show ⁠here⁠.


Producers: Katz Laszlo and Katy Lee

Mixing and mastering: Wojciech Oleksiak

Music: Jim Barne and Mariska Martina


⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ |⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠Threads⁠⁠ |⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠Twitter⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ | ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠hello@europeanspodcast.com

]]>From France to Romania, Germany to Bulgaria, angry farmers have been blocking the roads. What's behind this wave of agricultural protests across the continent? This week we're getting to grips with the policies behind the food on Europe's plates with agriculture correspondent Sofía Sánchez Manzanaro. We're also dishing up some Polish recommendations and a slice of good climate news. 


FULL EPISODE TRANSCRIPT HERE: https://europeanspodcast.com/episodes/why-are-europes-farmers-so-angry


Sofía writes about food, agriculture and sustainability for S&P Global and is about to start a new role at Euractiv. You can find her on Twitter here.


This week's Inspiration Station offerings: Chopin's Nocturnes. played by Idil Beret, and Olga Tokarczuk's interview on the Paris Review podcast. 


Thanks for listening! If you enjoy our podcast, we'd love it if you'd consider chipping in a few bucks a month at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠patreon.com/europeanspodcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ (many currencies are available). You can also help new listeners find the show by ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠leaving us a review⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ or giving us five stars on Spotify. 


Many thanks to our friends at Outside/In for featuring our Oatly mini-series recently. You can find their show ⁠here⁠.


Producers: Katz Laszlo and Katy Lee

Mixing and mastering: Wojciech Oleksiak

Music: Jim Barne and Mariska Martina


⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ |⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠Threads⁠⁠ |⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠Twitter⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ | ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠hello@europeanspodcast.com

]]>cb8936df-f883-4ba2-8278-de2a2f9d2bf5Thu, 01 Feb 2024 11:03:00 +020034:41falsefullWhat actually happens to Europe’s recycling?What actually happens to Europe’s recycling?A lot of us are pretty diligent when it comes to throwing our plastic into the dedicated bin. But how much of that stuff actually gets recycled? This week we're digging into the truth behind Europe's trash with Nico Schmidt, reporter for Investigate Europe. We're also talking about Germany's massive anti-AfD protests, and Saudi sell-out Rafael Nadal. 


EPISODE TRANSCRIPT HERE: https://europeanspodcast.com/episodes/what-actually-happens-to-europes-recycling


Resources for this episode:

'Secret plan against Germany' - Correctiv

‘Everyone, together, against fascism’: protests sweep Germany after exposé of AfD party’s deportation ‘masterplan’ - The Guardian

Wasteland - Europe's plastic disaster - Investigate Europe

‘Queen of trash’ and employees arrested over Sweden’s ‘largest environmental crime’ - The Guardian


On the French border, drowning in a sea of trash - PoliticoHitster'Black Butterflies' by Priscilla Morris


Thanks for listening! If you enjoy our podcast, we'd love it if you'd consider chipping in a few bucks a month at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠patreon.com/europeanspodcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ (many currencies are available). You can also help new listeners find the show by ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠leaving us a review⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ or giving us five stars on Spotify. 


Many thanks to our friends at Outside/In for featuring our Oatly mini-series recently. You can find their show here.


00:22 The Europeans: coming to you soon in 200 languages?
02:35 Good Week: Standing up against the German far-right
14:35 Bad Week: Saudi sellout Rafael Nadal
38:58 The Inspiration Station: Hitster and Black Butterflies
41:50 Happy Ending: A 3,000-year-old map of the stars?

Producers: Katy Lee and Wojciech Oleksiak

Mixing and mastering: Wojciech Oleksiak

Music: Jim Barne and Mariska Martina


⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ |⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠Threads⁠ |⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠Twitter⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ | ⁠⁠⁠⁠hello@europeanspodcast.com

]]>A lot of us are pretty diligent when it comes to throwing our plastic into the dedicated bin. But how much of that stuff actually gets recycled? This week we're digging into the truth behind Europe's trash with Nico Schmidt, reporter for Investigate Europe. We're also talking about Germany's massive anti-AfD protests, and Saudi sell-out Rafael Nadal. 


EPISODE TRANSCRIPT HERE: https://europeanspodcast.com/episodes/what-actually-happens-to-europes-recycling


Resources for this episode:

'Secret plan against Germany' - Correctiv

‘Everyone, together, against fascism’: protests sweep Germany after exposé of AfD party’s deportation ‘masterplan’ - The Guardian

Wasteland - Europe's plastic disaster - Investigate Europe

‘Queen of trash’ and employees arrested over Sweden’s ‘largest environmental crime’ - The Guardian


On the French border, drowning in a sea of trash - PoliticoHitster'Black Butterflies' by Priscilla Morris


Thanks for listening! If you enjoy our podcast, we'd love it if you'd consider chipping in a few bucks a month at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠patreon.com/europeanspodcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ (many currencies are available). You can also help new listeners find the show by ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠leaving us a review⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ or giving us five stars on Spotify. 


Many thanks to our friends at Outside/In for featuring our Oatly mini-series recently. You can find their show here.


00:22 The Europeans: coming to you soon in 200 languages?
02:35 Good Week: Standing up against the German far-right
14:35 Bad Week: Saudi sellout Rafael Nadal
38:58 The Inspiration Station: Hitster and Black Butterflies
41:50 Happy Ending: A 3,000-year-old map of the stars?

Producers: Katy Lee and Wojciech Oleksiak

Mixing and mastering: Wojciech Oleksiak

Music: Jim Barne and Mariska Martina


⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ |⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠Threads⁠ |⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠Twitter⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ | ⁠⁠⁠⁠hello@europeanspodcast.com

]]>df43972d-ded2-41b6-b19d-dd99c291b7ecFri, 26 Jan 2024 10:57:00 +020045:06falsefullInfluencer fraud, liveable cities and the Israel tabooInfluencer fraud, liveable cities and the Israel tabooWe’re kicking off the new year with a heady mix of urban policy, cake-based scandal and political controversy. Find out which European city ranks as the most ‘liveable’ in Good Week, and dive into the fraud case embroiling Italian mega-influencer Chiara Ferragni in Bad Week. And in this week’s interview, hear from historian Quinn Slobodian about the parallel he sees between the current discourse around Israel-Palestine in Germany, and events 50 years ago. 


FULL EPISODE TRANSCRIPT: https://europeanspodcast.com/episodes/influencer-fraud-liveable-cities-and-the-israel-taboo


Quinn is Professor of History at Boston University. You can follow him on Twitter here and read his New Statesman article, ‘Germany’s new years of lead’, here.


Resources for this episode: 

Report on the quality of life in European cities, 2023 

‘How to define genocide’: an interview with historian Omer Bartov in The New Yorker 

German police statistics on politically-motivated crimes 

‘Oral’ by Björk and Rosalía

Continental Riffs

The Guardian: ‘New “riskier” wave of British musicals to challenge West End’s established order’

Tickets for Two Strangers (Carry A Cake Across New York)


Thanks for listening! If you enjoy our podcast, we'd love it if you'd consider chipping in a few bucks a month at ⁠⁠⁠⁠patreon.com/europeanspodcast⁠⁠⁠⁠ (many currencies are available). You can also help new listeners find the show by ⁠⁠⁠⁠leaving us a review⁠⁠⁠⁠ or giving us five stars on Spotify. 


00:22 Happy 2024, listeners!

02:57 Good Week: Europe's most liveable city?

08:17 Bad Week: Italian mega-influencer Chiara Ferragni

20:49 Interview: Quinn Slobodian on Germany's history of 'militant democracy'

40:31 The Inspiration Station: 'Oral' by Björk and Rosalía; Continental Riffs; Two Strangers (Carry a Cake Across New York)

44:12 Happy Ending: Rodney's helping hand


Producers: Katy Lee and Wojciech Oleksiak

Mixing and mastering: Wojciech Oleksiak

Music: Jim Barne and Mariska Martina

⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠ |⁠⁠ Threads |⁠⁠ ⁠⁠Twitter⁠⁠⁠⁠ | ⁠⁠⁠hello@europeanspodcast.com

]]>We’re kicking off the new year with a heady mix of urban policy, cake-based scandal and political controversy. Find out which European city ranks as the most ‘liveable’ in Good Week, and dive into the fraud case embroiling Italian mega-influencer Chiara Ferragni in Bad Week. And in this week’s interview, hear from historian Quinn Slobodian about the parallel he sees between the current discourse around Israel-Palestine in Germany, and events 50 years ago. 


FULL EPISODE TRANSCRIPT: https://europeanspodcast.com/episodes/influencer-fraud-liveable-cities-and-the-israel-taboo


Quinn is Professor of History at Boston University. You can follow him on Twitter here and read his New Statesman article, ‘Germany’s new years of lead’, here.


Resources for this episode: 

Report on the quality of life in European cities, 2023 

‘How to define genocide’: an interview with historian Omer Bartov in The New Yorker 

German police statistics on politically-motivated crimes 

‘Oral’ by Björk and Rosalía

Continental Riffs

The Guardian: ‘New “riskier” wave of British musicals to challenge West End’s established order’

Tickets for Two Strangers (Carry A Cake Across New York)


Thanks for listening! If you enjoy our podcast, we'd love it if you'd consider chipping in a few bucks a month at ⁠⁠⁠⁠patreon.com/europeanspodcast⁠⁠⁠⁠ (many currencies are available). You can also help new listeners find the show by ⁠⁠⁠⁠leaving us a review⁠⁠⁠⁠ or giving us five stars on Spotify. 


00:22 Happy 2024, listeners!

02:57 Good Week: Europe's most liveable city?

08:17 Bad Week: Italian mega-influencer Chiara Ferragni

20:49 Interview: Quinn Slobodian on Germany's history of 'militant democracy'

40:31 The Inspiration Station: 'Oral' by Björk and Rosalía; Continental Riffs; Two Strangers (Carry a Cake Across New York)

44:12 Happy Ending: Rodney's helping hand


Producers: Katy Lee and Wojciech Oleksiak

Mixing and mastering: Wojciech Oleksiak

Music: Jim Barne and Mariska Martina

⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠ |⁠⁠ Threads |⁠⁠ ⁠⁠Twitter⁠⁠⁠⁠ | ⁠⁠⁠hello@europeanspodcast.com

]]>3d7b7ec8-b703-4034-a555-7def8783774fThu, 18 Jan 2024 10:44:00 +020047:24falsefull’Twas Christmas Eve In Dublin’Twas Christmas Eve In DublinIn the winter of 2020, deep into the misery of the global pandemic, Richy Craven lit up the internet with a tale about working at Christmas in a fancy department store in Dublin. His story went viral and we loved it so much that we asked our friend, the writer and podcaster Darach Ó Séaghdha, to read it for us. Producer Katz Laszlo added some audio magic, and a classic episode of The Europeans was born. As a little early Christmas present, here it is again.

A very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year from The Europeans! If you enjoyed this story, please consider donating to Barnados. 

Music by Eoghan Ó Ceannabháin and Ultan O'Brien, as well as Lena Orsa and Timbre on Freesound.


⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠ |⁠⁠ Bluesky⁠⁠ |⁠⁠ ⁠⁠Twitter⁠⁠⁠⁠ | ⁠⁠⁠hello@europeanspodcast.com⁠⁠

]]>In the winter of 2020, deep into the misery of the global pandemic, Richy Craven lit up the internet with a tale about working at Christmas in a fancy department store in Dublin. His story went viral and we loved it so much that we asked our friend, the writer and podcaster Darach Ó Séaghdha, to read it for us. Producer Katz Laszlo added some audio magic, and a classic episode of The Europeans was born. As a little early Christmas present, here it is again.

A very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year from The Europeans! If you enjoyed this story, please consider donating to Barnados. 

Music by Eoghan Ó Ceannabháin and Ultan O'Brien, as well as Lena Orsa and Timbre on Freesound.


⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠ |⁠⁠ Bluesky⁠⁠ |⁠⁠ ⁠⁠Twitter⁠⁠⁠⁠ | ⁠⁠⁠hello@europeanspodcast.com⁠⁠

]]>81141b43-1a0d-42c5-9a66-d52f7b99e0daSun, 24 Dec 2023 05:00:00 +020010:12falsefullThe Christmas Book FloodThe Christmas Book FloodIn Iceland, the night of December 24 is traditionally spent curled up with a book. Why? Because you're very likely to have been gifted one, given the huge array of literary offerings that get published in Iceland in the run-up for Christmas. In this festive last episode of the year, we're speaking to the writer Hildur Knútsdóttir about the Christmas Book Flood and why Iceland is such a nation of bookworms. We're also talking about Christmas tree diplomacy, a new twist on an old tradition, and an Italian tyre-slashing mystery. 


You can find Hildur here on Instagram and here on Twitter. You can find details of her new book, 'The Night Guest', here on her website. 


This week's Inspiration Station offerings: 'Small Things Like These' by Claire Keegan, 'My Father's House' by Joseph O'Connor, and 'La Ride' by Simon Boileau and Florent Pierre. Hildur's recommendations are 'Shadows of the Short Days' and 'The Shadows of a Midnight Sun' by Alexander Dan Vilhjálmsson.


Thanks so much to everyone who's supported us this year. If you enjoy our podcast and would like to help us keep making it in 2024, we'd love it if you'd consider chipping in a few bucks a month at ⁠⁠⁠patreon.com/europeanspodcast⁠⁠⁠ (many currencies are available). You can also help new listeners find the show by ⁠⁠⁠leaving us a review⁠⁠⁠ or giving us five stars on Spotify. 


Producer: Katy Lee

Mixing and mastering: Wojciech Oleksiak

Music: Jim Barne and Mariska Martina

⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠ |⁠ Bluesky⁠ |⁠ ⁠⁠Twitter⁠⁠⁠ | ⁠⁠hello@europeanspodcast.com⁠

]]>In Iceland, the night of December 24 is traditionally spent curled up with a book. Why? Because you're very likely to have been gifted one, given the huge array of literary offerings that get published in Iceland in the run-up for Christmas. In this festive last episode of the year, we're speaking to the writer Hildur Knútsdóttir about the Christmas Book Flood and why Iceland is such a nation of bookworms. We're also talking about Christmas tree diplomacy, a new twist on an old tradition, and an Italian tyre-slashing mystery. 


You can find Hildur here on Instagram and here on Twitter. You can find details of her new book, 'The Night Guest', here on her website. 


This week's Inspiration Station offerings: 'Small Things Like These' by Claire Keegan, 'My Father's House' by Joseph O'Connor, and 'La Ride' by Simon Boileau and Florent Pierre. Hildur's recommendations are 'Shadows of the Short Days' and 'The Shadows of a Midnight Sun' by Alexander Dan Vilhjálmsson.


Thanks so much to everyone who's supported us this year. If you enjoy our podcast and would like to help us keep making it in 2024, we'd love it if you'd consider chipping in a few bucks a month at ⁠⁠⁠patreon.com/europeanspodcast⁠⁠⁠ (many currencies are available). You can also help new listeners find the show by ⁠⁠⁠leaving us a review⁠⁠⁠ or giving us five stars on Spotify. 


Producer: Katy Lee

Mixing and mastering: Wojciech Oleksiak

Music: Jim Barne and Mariska Martina

⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠ |⁠ Bluesky⁠ |⁠ ⁠⁠Twitter⁠⁠⁠ | ⁠⁠hello@europeanspodcast.com⁠

]]>301a5ea6-4332-42bd-b403-093284e4ce9dThu, 14 Dec 2023 06:00:00 +020042:03falsefullAn Autocrat’s Guide to Destroying Local Media, Part 2An Autocrat’s Guide to Destroying Local Media, Part 2In Part 1, you learned how illiberal regimes have used the political tools at their disposal – and their rich friends – to turn the media outlets of democratic European countries into propaganda machines. In Part 2 we’re exploring the legal tools needed to complete the job and talking to local journalists who found themselves on the receiving end of these takeovers. Finally, we’re asking: how can you stop a wannabe autocrat doing this in *your* country? 

This series was funded by Journalism Fund Europe, the Allianz Foundation, and supporters of The Europeans.

Thanks for listening. If you enjoy our podcast and would like to help us keep making it, we'd love it if you'd consider chipping in a few bucks a month at ⁠⁠⁠patreon.com/europeanspodcast⁠⁠⁠ (many currencies are available). You can also help new listeners find the show by ⁠⁠⁠leaving us a review⁠⁠⁠ or giving us five stars on Spotify. 

Credits

Reporters: Viktória Serdült, Dimitar Ganev and Wojciech Oleksiak

Writers: Wojciech Oleksiak and Dimitar Ganev

Production, scoring, sound design and mixing: Wojciech Oleksiak

Editors: Adam Zulawski and Katy Lee

Editorial support: Katz Laszlo and Dominic Kraemer

Director of recording sessions: Dominic Kraemer 

Artwork: RTiiiKA

Thanks for talking to us: Vesislava Antonova, Ervin Gűth, Antal Józing, Zuzanna Nowicka, Venelina Popova, Anna Wójcik, Spas Spassov, Marek Twaróg, Ágnes Urbán, and Cezary Węgliński.⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠ | Bluesky | ⁠⁠Twitter | hello@europeanspodcast.com

]]>In Part 1, you learned how illiberal regimes have used the political tools at their disposal – and their rich friends – to turn the media outlets of democratic European countries into propaganda machines. In Part 2 we’re exploring the legal tools needed to complete the job and talking to local journalists who found themselves on the receiving end of these takeovers. Finally, we’re asking: how can you stop a wannabe autocrat doing this in *your* country? 

This series was funded by Journalism Fund Europe, the Allianz Foundation, and supporters of The Europeans.

Thanks for listening. If you enjoy our podcast and would like to help us keep making it, we'd love it if you'd consider chipping in a few bucks a month at ⁠⁠⁠patreon.com/europeanspodcast⁠⁠⁠ (many currencies are available). You can also help new listeners find the show by ⁠⁠⁠leaving us a review⁠⁠⁠ or giving us five stars on Spotify. 

Credits

Reporters: Viktória Serdült, Dimitar Ganev and Wojciech Oleksiak

Writers: Wojciech Oleksiak and Dimitar Ganev

Production, scoring, sound design and mixing: Wojciech Oleksiak

Editors: Adam Zulawski and Katy Lee

Editorial support: Katz Laszlo and Dominic Kraemer

Director of recording sessions: Dominic Kraemer 

Artwork: RTiiiKA

Thanks for talking to us: Vesislava Antonova, Ervin Gűth, Antal Józing, Zuzanna Nowicka, Venelina Popova, Anna Wójcik, Spas Spassov, Marek Twaróg, Ágnes Urbán, and Cezary Węgliński.⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠ | Bluesky | ⁠⁠Twitter | hello@europeanspodcast.com

]]>88955154-3de1-460a-acfc-138df00335ccMon, 11 Dec 2023 12:13:00 +020026:01falsefullAn Autocrat’s Guide to Destroying Local Media, Part 1An Autocrat’s Guide to Destroying Local Media, Part 1It’s a playbook that’s been used by illiberal governments across Central and Eastern Europe: muzzling the media until it resembles little more than propaganda. But how exactly does one go about dismantling the free press, in a democratic country within the European Union? 

In Part 1 of this two-part special, Viktória Serdült, Dimitar Ganev and our producer Wojciech Oleksiak ask: how the hell did we get here? And how did the local press become such a powerful political weapon?

This series was funded by Journalism Fund Europe, the Allianz Foundation, and supporters of The Europeans.

Thanks for listening. If you enjoy our podcast and would like to help us keep making it, we'd love it if you'd consider chipping in a few bucks a month at ⁠⁠⁠patreon.com/europeanspodcast⁠⁠⁠ (many currencies are available). You can also help new listeners find the show by ⁠⁠⁠leaving us a review⁠⁠⁠ or giving us five stars on Spotify. 

Credits

Reporters: Viktória Serdült, Dimitar Ganev and Wojciech Oleksiak

Writers: Wojciech Oleksiak and Dimitar Ganev

Production, scoring, sound design and mixing: Wojciech Oleksiak

Editors: Adam Zulawski and Katy Lee

Editorial support: Katz Laszlo and Dominic Kraemer

Director of recording sessions: Dominic Kraemer 

Artwork: RTiiiKA

Thanks for talking to us: Vesislava Antonova, Ervin Gűth, Antal Józing, Zuzanna Nowicka, Venelina Popova, Anna Wójcik, Spas Spassov, Marek Twaróg, Ágnes Urbán, and Cezary Węgliński.

⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠ | Bluesky | ⁠⁠Twitter | hello@europeanspodcast.com

]]>It’s a playbook that’s been used by illiberal governments across Central and Eastern Europe: muzzling the media until it resembles little more than propaganda. But how exactly does one go about dismantling the free press, in a democratic country within the European Union? 

In Part 1 of this two-part special, Viktória Serdült, Dimitar Ganev and our producer Wojciech Oleksiak ask: how the hell did we get here? And how did the local press become such a powerful political weapon?

This series was funded by Journalism Fund Europe, the Allianz Foundation, and supporters of The Europeans.

Thanks for listening. If you enjoy our podcast and would like to help us keep making it, we'd love it if you'd consider chipping in a few bucks a month at ⁠⁠⁠patreon.com/europeanspodcast⁠⁠⁠ (many currencies are available). You can also help new listeners find the show by ⁠⁠⁠leaving us a review⁠⁠⁠ or giving us five stars on Spotify. 

Credits

Reporters: Viktória Serdült, Dimitar Ganev and Wojciech Oleksiak

Writers: Wojciech Oleksiak and Dimitar Ganev

Production, scoring, sound design and mixing: Wojciech Oleksiak

Editors: Adam Zulawski and Katy Lee

Editorial support: Katz Laszlo and Dominic Kraemer

Director of recording sessions: Dominic Kraemer 

Artwork: RTiiiKA

Thanks for talking to us: Vesislava Antonova, Ervin Gűth, Antal Józing, Zuzanna Nowicka, Venelina Popova, Anna Wójcik, Spas Spassov, Marek Twaróg, Ágnes Urbán, and Cezary Węgliński.

⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠ | Bluesky | ⁠⁠Twitter | hello@europeanspodcast.com

]]>7d32cea1-8f9d-450b-ac65-ffdaa37c9d7cThu, 07 Dec 2023 06:00:00 +020031:48falsefullThe Dutch Turn Right, Spain Stays LeftThe Dutch Turn Right, Spain Stays LeftIn Spain, an unlikely left-leaning coalition has managed to block the right from taking power; in the Netherlands, the far-right has come out on top. This week we’re talking about two very different political situations with the help of Politico reporter Aitor Hernández-Morales and producer Katz Laszlo in Amsterdam. 

You can follow Aitor on Twitter here and read his reporting here. Our episode about life as an undocumented person in the Netherlands, ‘Mohamed’, is here.

Thanks for listening! If you enjoy our podcast and would like to help us keep making it, we'd love it if you'd consider chipping in a few bucks a month at ⁠⁠patreon.com/europeanspodcast⁠⁠ (many currencies are available). You can also help new listeners find the show by ⁠⁠leaving us a review⁠⁠ or giving us five stars on Spotify. 

This week's Inspiration Station offerings: ‘Anatomy of a Fall’, ‘Ordinary People’, and ‘Treasure Islands’ by Nicholas Shaxson. 

Producers: Katz Laszlo and Katy Lee

Mixing and mastering: Wojciech Oleksiak

Music: Jim Barne and Mariska Martina


⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠ | Bluesky | ⁠⁠Twitter⁠⁠ | ⁠⁠hello@europeanspodcast.com⁠

]]>In Spain, an unlikely left-leaning coalition has managed to block the right from taking power; in the Netherlands, the far-right has come out on top. This week we’re talking about two very different political situations with the help of Politico reporter Aitor Hernández-Morales and producer Katz Laszlo in Amsterdam. 

You can follow Aitor on Twitter here and read his reporting here. Our episode about life as an undocumented person in the Netherlands, ‘Mohamed’, is here.

Thanks for listening! If you enjoy our podcast and would like to help us keep making it, we'd love it if you'd consider chipping in a few bucks a month at ⁠⁠patreon.com/europeanspodcast⁠⁠ (many currencies are available). You can also help new listeners find the show by ⁠⁠leaving us a review⁠⁠ or giving us five stars on Spotify. 

This week's Inspiration Station offerings: ‘Anatomy of a Fall’, ‘Ordinary People’, and ‘Treasure Islands’ by Nicholas Shaxson. 

Producers: Katz Laszlo and Katy Lee

Mixing and mastering: Wojciech Oleksiak

Music: Jim Barne and Mariska Martina


⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠ | Bluesky | ⁠⁠Twitter⁠⁠ | ⁠⁠hello@europeanspodcast.com⁠

]]>1637d3fd-13b4-4f8c-81ac-63eb582d30a0Thu, 30 Nov 2023 06:00:00 +020038:29falsefullThis Ukrainian Will Not Compete For Your AttentionThis Ukrainian Will Not Compete For Your AttentionUkraine has seen an exodus of foreign journalists in the wake of the terrible conflict in the Middle East. But coverage of the war on this continent remains more crucial than ever. This week we talk to the writer Sasha Dovzhyk about what is happening in Ukraine right now, as well as Ukrainians' complicated feelings around the struggle for international attention. We're also talking about the corruption scandal rocking Portugal's government, and Greta Thunberg's fraught appearance at Amsterdam's huge climate protest. 


Sasha is the editor of the London Ukrainian Review. You can read her piece in the New York Times here and subscribe to her newsletter, Ukrainian Killjoy Dispatch, here.


The NRC piece on the climate movement's soul-searching over Palestine can be found here (in Dutch). And Aitor Hernández Morales’ excellent tweeting on the dramatic events in Portuguese politics can be found here. 


Thanks for listening. If you enjoy our podcast and would like to help us keep making it, we'd love it if you'd consider chipping in a few bucks a month at ⁠⁠patreon.com/europeanspodcast⁠⁠ (many currencies are available). You can also help new listeners find the show by ⁠⁠leaving us a review⁠⁠ or giving us five stars on Spotify. 


This week's Inspiration Station offerings: The Deepest Breath' on Netflix and the Spotify playlist of 'Le Guess Who?' festival in Utrecht (Katz’ top pick: Swedish Ethiopian band BITOI, combining vocals and bass heavily inspired by birdsong).


Producers: Katz Laszlo and Katy Lee

Mixing and mastering: Wojciech Oleksiak

Music: Jim Barne and Mariska Martina

⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠ | Bluesky | ⁠⁠Twitter⁠⁠ | ⁠⁠hello@europeanspodcast.com⁠

]]>Ukraine has seen an exodus of foreign journalists in the wake of the terrible conflict in the Middle East. But coverage of the war on this continent remains more crucial than ever. This week we talk to the writer Sasha Dovzhyk about what is happening in Ukraine right now, as well as Ukrainians' complicated feelings around the struggle for international attention. We're also talking about the corruption scandal rocking Portugal's government, and Greta Thunberg's fraught appearance at Amsterdam's huge climate protest. 


Sasha is the editor of the London Ukrainian Review. You can read her piece in the New York Times here and subscribe to her newsletter, Ukrainian Killjoy Dispatch, here.


The NRC piece on the climate movement's soul-searching over Palestine can be found here (in Dutch). And Aitor Hernández Morales’ excellent tweeting on the dramatic events in Portuguese politics can be found here. 


Thanks for listening. If you enjoy our podcast and would like to help us keep making it, we'd love it if you'd consider chipping in a few bucks a month at ⁠⁠patreon.com/europeanspodcast⁠⁠ (many currencies are available). You can also help new listeners find the show by ⁠⁠leaving us a review⁠⁠ or giving us five stars on Spotify. 


This week's Inspiration Station offerings: The Deepest Breath' on Netflix and the Spotify playlist of 'Le Guess Who?' festival in Utrecht (Katz’ top pick: Swedish Ethiopian band BITOI, combining vocals and bass heavily inspired by birdsong).


Producers: Katz Laszlo and Katy Lee

Mixing and mastering: Wojciech Oleksiak

Music: Jim Barne and Mariska Martina

⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠ | Bluesky | ⁠⁠Twitter⁠⁠ | ⁠⁠hello@europeanspodcast.com⁠

]]>6c53befb-3357-400a-b0b3-7bd468efb303Thu, 16 Nov 2023 09:18:00 +020047:45falsefullThe Oatly Chronicles Part 3: Can Green Capitalism Save Us All?The Oatly Chronicles Part 3: Can Green Capitalism Save Us All?The Swedish oat milk brand Oatly has taken on some eyebrow-raising investments over the past few years. It insists those investments haven’t changed its proud identity as a climate-saving company – but is that really true? In the third and final episode of ‘The Oatly Chronicles’, we investigate a piggy controversy, why oat milk is so damn expensive, and whether Oatly is acting like a big, bad oat milk monopoly. And we ask: what *should* we be eating, to save the planet?


This series is funded by Journalismfund Europe and the Allianz Foundation.


Thanks for listening. If you enjoy our podcast and would like to help us keep making it, we'd love it if you'd consider chipping in a few bucks a month at ⁠⁠⁠patreon.com/europeanspodcast⁠⁠⁠ (many currencies are available). You can also help new listeners find the show by ⁠⁠⁠leaving us a review⁠⁠⁠ or giving us five stars on Spotify.  


Credits: This episode was produced by Katz Laszlo, and reported by Katz Laszlo and Katy Lee. Editing came from Katy Lee, as well as Justine Paradis, visiting from NPR’s excellent podcast, Outside/In. Editorial support came from Margot Gibbs, Dominic Kraemer and Wojciech Oleksiak, and mastering, scoring and sound design also came from Wojciech. 


Artwork came from favourite illustrator RTiiiKA.


Thank you for talking to us: George Monbiot, Fredrik Gertten, Laura Young, Ashley Allen, Lisa van der Velden, Thin Lei Win, Sonalie Figueiras, Sara Berger, and Boris de Lorn. 


Special thanks to lovely neighbours Joris Klingen and Thomas van Dijk, for letting us use their very nice studio. You can find their music under Bovenburen.


Interesting links:


Oatly’s ‘Fuck Oatly’ website: https://fckoatly.com 


‘The Awkward Truth about Oatly and Alpro’: Lisa van der Velden’s reporting in the Financiele Dagblad, December 2022

https://fd.nl/bedrijfsleven/1458366/ongemakkelijke-waarheid-oatly-en-alpro-voeden-intensieve-veehouderij


‘Big Dairy is trying to get Gen Z’ - New York Times, 2023 https://www.nytimes.com/2023/04/04/dining/milk-dairy-industry-gen-z.html


⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠ | Bluesky | ⁠⁠Twitter⁠⁠  ⁠⁠hello@europeanspodcast.com

]]>The Swedish oat milk brand Oatly has taken on some eyebrow-raising investments over the past few years. It insists those investments haven’t changed its proud identity as a climate-saving company – but is that really true? In the third and final episode of ‘The Oatly Chronicles’, we investigate a piggy controversy, why oat milk is so damn expensive, and whether Oatly is acting like a big, bad oat milk monopoly. And we ask: what *should* we be eating, to save the planet?


This series is funded by Journalismfund Europe and the Allianz Foundation.


Thanks for listening. If you enjoy our podcast and would like to help us keep making it, we'd love it if you'd consider chipping in a few bucks a month at ⁠⁠⁠patreon.com/europeanspodcast⁠⁠⁠ (many currencies are available). You can also help new listeners find the show by ⁠⁠⁠leaving us a review⁠⁠⁠ or giving us five stars on Spotify.  


Credits: This episode was produced by Katz Laszlo, and reported by Katz Laszlo and Katy Lee. Editing came from Katy Lee, as well as Justine Paradis, visiting from NPR’s excellent podcast, Outside/In. Editorial support came from Margot Gibbs, Dominic Kraemer and Wojciech Oleksiak, and mastering, scoring and sound design also came from Wojciech. 


Artwork came from favourite illustrator RTiiiKA.


Thank you for talking to us: George Monbiot, Fredrik Gertten, Laura Young, Ashley Allen, Lisa van der Velden, Thin Lei Win, Sonalie Figueiras, Sara Berger, and Boris de Lorn. 


Special thanks to lovely neighbours Joris Klingen and Thomas van Dijk, for letting us use their very nice studio. You can find their music under Bovenburen.


Interesting links:


Oatly’s ‘Fuck Oatly’ website: https://fckoatly.com 


‘The Awkward Truth about Oatly and Alpro’: Lisa van der Velden’s reporting in the Financiele Dagblad, December 2022

https://fd.nl/bedrijfsleven/1458366/ongemakkelijke-waarheid-oatly-en-alpro-voeden-intensieve-veehouderij


‘Big Dairy is trying to get Gen Z’ - New York Times, 2023 https://www.nytimes.com/2023/04/04/dining/milk-dairy-industry-gen-z.html


⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠ | Bluesky | ⁠⁠Twitter⁠⁠  ⁠⁠hello@europeanspodcast.com

]]>574dcc8d-e078-4c4e-98ec-4fa7d2b32bbeWed, 08 Nov 2023 06:00:00 +020045:15falsefullThe Oatly Chronicles Part 2: What’s The Housing Crisis Got To Do With It?The Oatly Chronicles Part 2: What’s The Housing Crisis Got To Do With It?Swedish oat milk company Oatly says it's on a mission to defeat the almighty dairy industry and save the planet. To do that, it claims it needs to grow into a massive corporate success — and it’s willing to take on controversial investments to get there.

In episode two of ‘The Oatly Chronicles’, we investigate what makes those investors so controversial. It takes us on a journey from green capitalism being battled out in the coffee shops of Malmö; to enormous housing protests in a post-financial crisis Spain; to… China?

This series is funded by Journalismfund Europe and the Allianz Foundation

Thanks for listening. If you enjoy our podcast and would like to help us keep making it, we'd love it if you'd consider chipping in a few bucks a month at ⁠⁠⁠patreon.com/europeanspodcast⁠⁠⁠ (many currencies are available). You can also help new listeners find the show by ⁠⁠⁠leaving us a review⁠⁠⁠ or giving us five stars on Spotify.  


Credits: This episode was produced by Katz Laszlo, and reported by Katz Laszlo and Katy Lee. Editing came from Katy Lee, as well as Justine Paradis, visiting from NPR’s excellent podcast, Outside/In. Editorial support came from Margot Gibbs, Dominic Kraemer and Wojciech Oleksiak, and mastering, scoring and sound design also came from Wojciech. 

Artwork came from favourite illustrator RTiiiKA.

Thank for talking to us: Fredrik Gertten, Lucía Gonzalez Martín, Laura Young, George Monbiot, Max Carbonell, Ben Axler, Brett Christophers, and Gregor Sebastian. 

Special thanks to lovely neighbours Joris Klingen and Thomas van Dijk, for letting us use their very nice studio. You can find their music under Bovenburen.

Interesting links:

‘Change Isn’t Easy’ - Oatly’s statement on the Blackstone investment (August 2022 update) https://community.oatly.com/conversations/news-and-views/change-isnt-easy/62f2f4c91b4bf47dd15fb249 

‘Private Equity Propels the Climate Crisis’ - a report by the Private Equity Stakeholder Project, 2021 https://pestakeholder.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/PESP_SpecialReport_ClimateCrisis_Oct2021_Final.pdf

‘These Photos Show the Reality of Spain's Housing Crisis’ - Time, August 2015 https://time.com/4007349/spain-evictions-housing-crisis/

‘#RavalVsBlackstone. The right to the city versus the finance-real estate-tourism complex’ - European Network of Corporate Observatories, June 2020

https://corpwatchers.eu/en/investigations/cities-versus-multinationals/ravalvsblackstone-the-right-to-the-city-versus-the-finance-real-estate-tourism

‘Activists sour on Oatly vegan milk after stake sold to Trump-linked Blackstone’ - The Guardian, September 2020

https://www.theguardian.com/food/2020/sep/01/oatly-vegan-milk-sale-blackstone

⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠ | Bluesky | ⁠⁠Twitter⁠⁠  ⁠⁠hello@europeanspodcast.com

]]>Swedish oat milk company Oatly says it's on a mission to defeat the almighty dairy industry and save the planet. To do that, it claims it needs to grow into a massive corporate success — and it’s willing to take on controversial investments to get there.

In episode two of ‘The Oatly Chronicles’, we investigate what makes those investors so controversial. It takes us on a journey from green capitalism being battled out in the coffee shops of Malmö; to enormous housing protests in a post-financial crisis Spain; to… China?

This series is funded by Journalismfund Europe and the Allianz Foundation

Thanks for listening. If you enjoy our podcast and would like to help us keep making it, we'd love it if you'd consider chipping in a few bucks a month at ⁠⁠⁠patreon.com/europeanspodcast⁠⁠⁠ (many currencies are available). You can also help new listeners find the show by ⁠⁠⁠leaving us a review⁠⁠⁠ or giving us five stars on Spotify.  


Credits: This episode was produced by Katz Laszlo, and reported by Katz Laszlo and Katy Lee. Editing came from Katy Lee, as well as Justine Paradis, visiting from NPR’s excellent podcast, Outside/In. Editorial support came from Margot Gibbs, Dominic Kraemer and Wojciech Oleksiak, and mastering, scoring and sound design also came from Wojciech. 

Artwork came from favourite illustrator RTiiiKA.

Thank for talking to us: Fredrik Gertten, Lucía Gonzalez Martín, Laura Young, George Monbiot, Max Carbonell, Ben Axler, Brett Christophers, and Gregor Sebastian. 

Special thanks to lovely neighbours Joris Klingen and Thomas van Dijk, for letting us use their very nice studio. You can find their music under Bovenburen.

Interesting links:

‘Change Isn’t Easy’ - Oatly’s statement on the Blackstone investment (August 2022 update) https://community.oatly.com/conversations/news-and-views/change-isnt-easy/62f2f4c91b4bf47dd15fb249 

‘Private Equity Propels the Climate Crisis’ - a report by the Private Equity Stakeholder Project, 2021 https://pestakeholder.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/PESP_SpecialReport_ClimateCrisis_Oct2021_Final.pdf

‘These Photos Show the Reality of Spain's Housing Crisis’ - Time, August 2015 https://time.com/4007349/spain-evictions-housing-crisis/

‘#RavalVsBlackstone. The right to the city versus the finance-real estate-tourism complex’ - European Network of Corporate Observatories, June 2020

https://corpwatchers.eu/en/investigations/cities-versus-multinationals/ravalvsblackstone-the-right-to-the-city-versus-the-finance-real-estate-tourism

‘Activists sour on Oatly vegan milk after stake sold to Trump-linked Blackstone’ - The Guardian, September 2020

https://www.theguardian.com/food/2020/sep/01/oatly-vegan-milk-sale-blackstone

⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠ | Bluesky | ⁠⁠Twitter⁠⁠  ⁠⁠hello@europeanspodcast.com

]]>ffd0144a-614b-4079-ac03-1bb8e67cb880Fri, 27 Oct 2023 05:19:00 +020038:46falsefullThe Oatly Chronicles Part 1: The Big Dairy ProblemThe Oatly Chronicles Part 1: The Big Dairy ProblemIn 1994, the world’s first oat milk company was born in Sweden. Three decades later, Oatly is on a high-stakes mission to defeat the dairy industry – by growing into the biggest plant-based brand the world has ever seen. 

Can a start-up from Malmö save us all through capitalism? This is the first episode in a three-part series, ‘The Oatly Chronicles’. This week we’re asking: just how much damage is our dairy addiction doing to the planet? 

This series is funded by Journalismfund Europe and the Allianz Foundation.


Thanks for listening. If you enjoy our podcast and would like to help us keep making it, we'd love it if you'd consider chipping in a few bucks a month at ⁠⁠patreon.com/europeanspodcast⁠⁠ (many currencies are available). You can also help new listeners find the show by ⁠⁠leaving us a review⁠⁠ or giving us five stars on Spotify.

Credits 

This episode was reported, written and produced by Katz Laszlo. Editing came from Katy Lee, as well as Justine Paradis, visiting from NPR’s excellent podcast, Outside/In. Editorial support came from Margot Gibbs, Dominic Kraemer and Wojciech Oleksiak, and mastering, scoring and sound design also came from Wojciech. 

Artwork came from favourite illustrator RTiiiKA.

Thanks for talking to us: George Monbiot, Thin Lei Win, Elsa Guadarrama, Sonalie Figueiras, Ashley Allen, and Sofia Ehlde. 

Special thanks to lovely neighbours Joris Klingen and Thomas van Dijk, for letting us use their very nice studio. You can find their music under Bovenburen.

Interesting resources:

https://interactive.carbonbrief.org/what-is-the-climate-impact-of-eating-meat-and-dairy/

https://drawdown.org/news/insights/the-powerful-role-of-household-actions-in-solving-climate-change

https://theoutline.com/post/8384/sweden-milk-war-oatly


⁠Twitter⁠ | ⁠Instagram⁠ | ⁠hello@europeanspodcast.com

]]>In 1994, the world’s first oat milk company was born in Sweden. Three decades later, Oatly is on a high-stakes mission to defeat the dairy industry – by growing into the biggest plant-based brand the world has ever seen. 

Can a start-up from Malmö save us all through capitalism? This is the first episode in a three-part series, ‘The Oatly Chronicles’. This week we’re asking: just how much damage is our dairy addiction doing to the planet? 

This series is funded by Journalismfund Europe and the Allianz Foundation.


Thanks for listening. If you enjoy our podcast and would like to help us keep making it, we'd love it if you'd consider chipping in a few bucks a month at ⁠⁠patreon.com/europeanspodcast⁠⁠ (many currencies are available). You can also help new listeners find the show by ⁠⁠leaving us a review⁠⁠ or giving us five stars on Spotify.

Credits 

This episode was reported, written and produced by Katz Laszlo. Editing came from Katy Lee, as well as Justine Paradis, visiting from NPR’s excellent podcast, Outside/In. Editorial support came from Margot Gibbs, Dominic Kraemer and Wojciech Oleksiak, and mastering, scoring and sound design also came from Wojciech. 

Artwork came from favourite illustrator RTiiiKA.

Thanks for talking to us: George Monbiot, Thin Lei Win, Elsa Guadarrama, Sonalie Figueiras, Ashley Allen, and Sofia Ehlde. 

Special thanks to lovely neighbours Joris Klingen and Thomas van Dijk, for letting us use their very nice studio. You can find their music under Bovenburen.

Interesting resources:

https://interactive.carbonbrief.org/what-is-the-climate-impact-of-eating-meat-and-dairy/

https://drawdown.org/news/insights/the-powerful-role-of-household-actions-in-solving-climate-change

https://theoutline.com/post/8384/sweden-milk-war-oatly


⁠Twitter⁠ | ⁠Instagram⁠ | ⁠hello@europeanspodcast.com

]]>f657ca12-8861-4c2a-8968-734526001f17Thu, 19 Oct 2023 01:21:00 +020032:36falsefullTrain bistros and an oily climate commissionerTrain bistros and an oily climate commissionerThis week, we hear about the controversies surrounding the selection of the EU's climate commissioners, we look into the past, present, and future of the Nagorno Karabakh situation, and enjoy a delightful interview with David Ecker, the person behind the @_DiningCar Twitter/X account, dedicated entirely to the experience of dining while traveling on trains.

If you enjoy our podcast and would like to help us keep making it, we'd love it if you'd consider chipping in a few bucks a month at ⁠patreon.com/europeanspodcast⁠ (many currencies are available). You can also help new listeners find the show by ⁠leaving us a review⁠ or giving us five stars on Spotify.


Producers: Katy Lee and Wojciech Oleksiak

Mixing and mastering: Wojciech Oleksiak

Music: Jim Barne and Mariska Martina

Twitter | Instagram | hello@europeanspodcast.com


00:22 A Little Polish Election Update

06:39 Bad Week: Azerbaijan Ducks Peace Talks with Armenia

15:14 Good Week: Hoekstra, the Unexpected New EU Climate Chief

29:16 Interview: David Ecker - Dining on Rail Cars

40:10 Inspiration Station: Mae Martin’s stand-up - ‘SAP’ - on Netflix, Laura Mvula’s song ‘Pink Noise’ (but anything from Laura Mvula really)

42:04 Happy Ending: Barcelona’s BiciBús!

]]>This week, we hear about the controversies surrounding the selection of the EU's climate commissioners, we look into the past, present, and future of the Nagorno Karabakh situation, and enjoy a delightful interview with David Ecker, the person behind the @_DiningCar Twitter/X account, dedicated entirely to the experience of dining while traveling on trains.

If you enjoy our podcast and would like to help us keep making it, we'd love it if you'd consider chipping in a few bucks a month at ⁠patreon.com/europeanspodcast⁠ (many currencies are available). You can also help new listeners find the show by ⁠leaving us a review⁠ or giving us five stars on Spotify.


Producers: Katy Lee and Wojciech Oleksiak

Mixing and mastering: Wojciech Oleksiak

Music: Jim Barne and Mariska Martina

Twitter | Instagram | hello@europeanspodcast.com


00:22 A Little Polish Election Update

06:39 Bad Week: Azerbaijan Ducks Peace Talks with Armenia

15:14 Good Week: Hoekstra, the Unexpected New EU Climate Chief

29:16 Interview: David Ecker - Dining on Rail Cars

40:10 Inspiration Station: Mae Martin’s stand-up - ‘SAP’ - on Netflix, Laura Mvula’s song ‘Pink Noise’ (but anything from Laura Mvula really)

42:04 Happy Ending: Barcelona’s BiciBús!

]]>e6059691-c498-4765-b2b4-9038c829029eThu, 12 Oct 2023 00:01:00 +020046:31falsefullAnyone for fried jellyfish?Anyone for fried jellyfish?Have you ever been stung by a jellyfish or found yourself unable to take a dip in the ocean because of them? In this week's episode, our guest, Professor Stefano Piraino, will answer the big question: What should we do about the overabundance of jellyfish in European waters? Professor Piraino and Katy Lee take a deep dive into the world of these ancient creatures, uncovering some unexpectedly fascinating quirks about jellyfish, as well as proposing a striking solution to address their burgeoning population.

We're also discussing the shady manoeuvres of the Alicante city council regarding trees and Poland's pivotal election, which is less than two weeks away.

And finally, stay tuned until the very end of this episode for a special surprise – a baby beaver awaits! If you enjoy our podcast and would like to help us keep making it, we'd love it if you'd consider chipping in a few bucks a month at ⁠patreon.com/europeanspodcast⁠ (many currencies are available). You can also help new listeners find the show by ⁠leaving us a review⁠ or giving us five stars on Spotify.


Producers: Katy Lee and Wojciech Oleksiak

Mixing and mastering: Wojciech Oleksiak

Music: Jim Barne and Mariska Martina

Twitter | Instagram | hello@europeanspodcast.com


00:22 AI-powered podcast translations

04:06 Bad Week: Alicante’s tree falling

12:11 Good Week: Poland’s opposition march

22:52 Interview: Stefano Piraino on why jellyfish is your next favorite snack

36:29 Inspiration Station: A documentary about Sinéad O'Connor - ‘Nothing Compares’ and a new season of “Have You Heard George's Podcast’

40:52 Happy Ending: Baby beaver born in London!

]]>Have you ever been stung by a jellyfish or found yourself unable to take a dip in the ocean because of them? In this week's episode, our guest, Professor Stefano Piraino, will answer the big question: What should we do about the overabundance of jellyfish in European waters? Professor Piraino and Katy Lee take a deep dive into the world of these ancient creatures, uncovering some unexpectedly fascinating quirks about jellyfish, as well as proposing a striking solution to address their burgeoning population.

We're also discussing the shady manoeuvres of the Alicante city council regarding trees and Poland's pivotal election, which is less than two weeks away.

And finally, stay tuned until the very end of this episode for a special surprise – a baby beaver awaits! If you enjoy our podcast and would like to help us keep making it, we'd love it if you'd consider chipping in a few bucks a month at ⁠patreon.com/europeanspodcast⁠ (many currencies are available). You can also help new listeners find the show by ⁠leaving us a review⁠ or giving us five stars on Spotify.


Producers: Katy Lee and Wojciech Oleksiak

Mixing and mastering: Wojciech Oleksiak

Music: Jim Barne and Mariska Martina

Twitter | Instagram | hello@europeanspodcast.com


00:22 AI-powered podcast translations

04:06 Bad Week: Alicante’s tree falling

12:11 Good Week: Poland’s opposition march

22:52 Interview: Stefano Piraino on why jellyfish is your next favorite snack

36:29 Inspiration Station: A documentary about Sinéad O'Connor - ‘Nothing Compares’ and a new season of “Have You Heard George's Podcast’

40:52 Happy Ending: Baby beaver born in London!

]]>d8c529e3-d524-4c48-9a27-6c1b93aef695Thu, 05 Oct 2023 00:04:00 +020043:31falsefullPolitically Charged PostPolitically Charged PostOur producer Wojciech has a theory that Central and Eastern Europe, in their broadest sense, share a common trait - they do not tolerate emptiness. Any deficit or shortage is promptly filled by individuals who have come to realize that they cannot always depend on their states to provide essential services. This is precisely the theme of our interview this week, with Ilir Gashi, who shares his story of getting involved in an unofficial courier system between Kosovo and Serbia when the state postal office ceased its deliveries. Against the backdrop of recent tensions between these countries flaring up once again, it provides a poignant glimpse into the daily life on the border of these nations.

We're also talking about Greece’s new left-ish leader Stefanos Kasselakis (and his good-looking dog) and Spain's dealings with its gruesome past under the infamous General Franco. 

This is our first episode of the autumn season and we’ll stay with you until the end of the year! There’s lots to come with some very exciting special episodes coming up! If you enjoy our podcast and would like to help us keep making it, we'd love it if you'd consider chipping in a few bucks a month at ⁠patreon.com/europeanspodcast⁠ (many currencies are available). You can also help new listeners find the show by ⁠leaving us a review⁠ or giving us five stars on Spotify. 

You can read Ilir’s piece here in In The Guardian, we heartily recommend you do!


Hosts: Dominic Kraemer and Katz Laszlo

Producers: Katy Lee and Wojciech Oleksiak

Mixing and mastering: Wojciech Oleksiak

Music: Jim Barne and Mariska Martina

Twitter | Instagram | hello@europeanspodcast.com


]]>Our producer Wojciech has a theory that Central and Eastern Europe, in their broadest sense, share a common trait - they do not tolerate emptiness. Any deficit or shortage is promptly filled by individuals who have come to realize that they cannot always depend on their states to provide essential services. This is precisely the theme of our interview this week, with Ilir Gashi, who shares his story of getting involved in an unofficial courier system between Kosovo and Serbia when the state postal office ceased its deliveries. Against the backdrop of recent tensions between these countries flaring up once again, it provides a poignant glimpse into the daily life on the border of these nations.

We're also talking about Greece’s new left-ish leader Stefanos Kasselakis (and his good-looking dog) and Spain's dealings with its gruesome past under the infamous General Franco. 

This is our first episode of the autumn season and we’ll stay with you until the end of the year! There’s lots to come with some very exciting special episodes coming up! If you enjoy our podcast and would like to help us keep making it, we'd love it if you'd consider chipping in a few bucks a month at ⁠patreon.com/europeanspodcast⁠ (many currencies are available). You can also help new listeners find the show by ⁠leaving us a review⁠ or giving us five stars on Spotify. 

You can read Ilir’s piece here in In The Guardian, we heartily recommend you do!


Hosts: Dominic Kraemer and Katz Laszlo

Producers: Katy Lee and Wojciech Oleksiak

Mixing and mastering: Wojciech Oleksiak

Music: Jim Barne and Mariska Martina

Twitter | Instagram | hello@europeanspodcast.com


]]>fbf80212-81a8-43b0-a4f2-40c94c6a5e61Thu, 28 Sep 2023 00:22:00 +020042:10falsefullMohamedMohamedWe're on a summer break right now, but here's something to put in your ears while we're away. To celebrate the beautiful visual animation of 'Mohamed' winning Germany's prestigious CIVIS Prize, we're re-releasing the original audio podcast, one of our all-time favourite episodes.


'Mohamed' is a story about a young man living in limbo while trapped in a labyrinth of bureaucracy. You can watch the animated version here on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jAg-fJcU0iw&t=2s 


This was the fourth episode in our series This Is What A Generation Sounds Like: intimate stories from young Europeans across the continent.

Producers: Katz Laszlo and Mohamed Bah

Art Direction & Motion Design: Studio Mélody Da Fonseca

Motion Design & Illustration Assistants: Andréa Reille & Rafaelle Fillastre

Mixing and Mastering: Wojciech Oleksiak

Sound design: Katz Laszlo

Editor: Katy Lee

Editorial support: Dominic Kraemer and Wojciech Oleksiak


Music: I Wish I Knew How it Would Feel To Be Free, covered by Bahghi; Ancore une Staggione by Bottega Baltazar; Blurry by Curtis Cole; Kongo by Trio Particular; Coco Bread by Wearethegood; Mas Feliz Del Mundo by Ofir Atar; Fandanguillo also by Ofir Atar; No One Is Out Here by Yehezkel Raz. Theme music by Jim Barne. SFX from Freesound.org.

This series is co-produced with Are We Europe and made in cooperation with the Allianz Foundation.

]]>We're on a summer break right now, but here's something to put in your ears while we're away. To celebrate the beautiful visual animation of 'Mohamed' winning Germany's prestigious CIVIS Prize, we're re-releasing the original audio podcast, one of our all-time favourite episodes.


'Mohamed' is a story about a young man living in limbo while trapped in a labyrinth of bureaucracy. You can watch the animated version here on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jAg-fJcU0iw&t=2s 


This was the fourth episode in our series This Is What A Generation Sounds Like: intimate stories from young Europeans across the continent.

Producers: Katz Laszlo and Mohamed Bah

Art Direction & Motion Design: Studio Mélody Da Fonseca

Motion Design & Illustration Assistants: Andréa Reille & Rafaelle Fillastre

Mixing and Mastering: Wojciech Oleksiak

Sound design: Katz Laszlo

Editor: Katy Lee

Editorial support: Dominic Kraemer and Wojciech Oleksiak


Music: I Wish I Knew How it Would Feel To Be Free, covered by Bahghi; Ancore une Staggione by Bottega Baltazar; Blurry by Curtis Cole; Kongo by Trio Particular; Coco Bread by Wearethegood; Mas Feliz Del Mundo by Ofir Atar; Fandanguillo also by Ofir Atar; No One Is Out Here by Yehezkel Raz. Theme music by Jim Barne. SFX from Freesound.org.

This series is co-produced with Are We Europe and made in cooperation with the Allianz Foundation.

]]>87f9ce4d-1d4f-4b8f-8f4a-8c00b96287e4Thu, 27 Jul 2023 06:00:00 +020030:55falsefullWhat is Europe up to on Africa’s borders?What is Europe up to on Africa’s borders?Once upon a time, European powers drew up borders in Africa as part of their colonisation of the continent. These days the EU is increasingly interested in those borders again — including the idea of placing its own agents there to stop migrants heading towards Europe. This week we hear from investigative journalist Andrei Popoviciu about how EU funds are being used to police West African borders, often with a disturbing lack of scrutiny. We're also talking about Italy's #10secondi outrage, France's plan to subsidise clothing repairs, and artistic revenge in the 16th century.


FULL EPISODE TRANSCRIPT HERE: https://europeanspodcast.com/episodes/what-is-europe-up-to-on-africas-borders


This is our last episode of the summer but we'll be hard at work until our return in September, preparing episodes for the autumn. If you enjoy our podcast and would like to help us keep making it, we'd love it if you'd consider chipping in a few bucks a month at ⁠patreon.com/europeanspodcast⁠ (many currencies are available). You can also help new listeners find the show by ⁠leaving us a review⁠ or giving us five stars on Spotify. 

You can read Andrei's investigation here in In These Times, and we'll post a link to the French version in Le Monde as soon as it's out. You can follow Andrei on Twitter here.  


The episode we made with Andrei last year about EU border agency Frontex can be found here. The graphics Katy mentioned on how Europeans dispose of unwanted clothes can be found here, and the Guardian's exclusive report about Dürer's sassy revenge on his boss is here. 


And if you have a few minutes to spare, we'd be really grateful if you could fill in a quick survey to help us improve the podcast. You can find it here: https://iter.ly/fcmgq 

00:22 Go away, Heatwave Charon

03:41 Bad Week: Italy's 10-second assault case

08:11 Good Week: France's discounts for clothes repairs

18:43 Interview: Andrei Popoviciu on the EU's migration policy in Africa

32:37 Isolation Inspiration: Maro's Tiny Desk Concert and Afropop

36:32 Happy Ending: Revenge on bad bosses, 16th century-style



Producers: Katy Lee and Wojciech Oleksiak

Mixing and mastering: Wojciech Oleksiak

Music: Jim Barne and Mariska Martina

Twitter | Instagram | hello@europeanspodcast.com

]]>Once upon a time, European powers drew up borders in Africa as part of their colonisation of the continent. These days the EU is increasingly interested in those borders again — including the idea of placing its own agents there to stop migrants heading towards Europe. This week we hear from investigative journalist Andrei Popoviciu about how EU funds are being used to police West African borders, often with a disturbing lack of scrutiny. We're also talking about Italy's #10secondi outrage, France's plan to subsidise clothing repairs, and artistic revenge in the 16th century.


FULL EPISODE TRANSCRIPT HERE: https://europeanspodcast.com/episodes/what-is-europe-up-to-on-africas-borders


This is our last episode of the summer but we'll be hard at work until our return in September, preparing episodes for the autumn. If you enjoy our podcast and would like to help us keep making it, we'd love it if you'd consider chipping in a few bucks a month at ⁠patreon.com/europeanspodcast⁠ (many currencies are available). You can also help new listeners find the show by ⁠leaving us a review⁠ or giving us five stars on Spotify. 

You can read Andrei's investigation here in In These Times, and we'll post a link to the French version in Le Monde as soon as it's out. You can follow Andrei on Twitter here.  


The episode we made with Andrei last year about EU border agency Frontex can be found here. The graphics Katy mentioned on how Europeans dispose of unwanted clothes can be found here, and the Guardian's exclusive report about Dürer's sassy revenge on his boss is here. 


And if you have a few minutes to spare, we'd be really grateful if you could fill in a quick survey to help us improve the podcast. You can find it here: https://iter.ly/fcmgq 

00:22 Go away, Heatwave Charon

03:41 Bad Week: Italy's 10-second assault case

08:11 Good Week: France's discounts for clothes repairs

18:43 Interview: Andrei Popoviciu on the EU's migration policy in Africa

32:37 Isolation Inspiration: Maro's Tiny Desk Concert and Afropop

36:32 Happy Ending: Revenge on bad bosses, 16th century-style



Producers: Katy Lee and Wojciech Oleksiak

Mixing and mastering: Wojciech Oleksiak

Music: Jim Barne and Mariska Martina

Twitter | Instagram | hello@europeanspodcast.com

]]>eb4e3529-c1f2-4488-b268-f6f5eb934baeThu, 20 Jul 2023 06:00:00 +020042:26falsefullThreads, solar and giant farming lobbiesThreads, solar and giant farming lobbiesHow much sway do giant interest groups have over the way our food gets grown? This week we're delving into the murky world of farm lobbying with Thin Lei Win, one of the reporters behind a fascinating investigation into the highly influential Copa-Cogeca group. We're also talking about the mass FOMO outbreak resulting from Threads' absence from the EU and what the hell is going on with Europe's electricity prices right now.


FULL EPISODE TRANSCRIPT HERE: https://europeanspodcast.com/episodes/threads-solar-and-giant-farming-lobbies


We're running a survey to help us improve the podcast! If you've got five minutes to spare, we'd be really grateful if you could answer a few questions here: https://iter.ly/fcmgq 


You can find Lighthouse Reports' investigation into Copa-Cogeca here, with links to their partners' coverage in six languages. You can sign up to Thin's excellent newsletter on food and the climate here. 


This week's Isolation Inspiration: Songs from Spain and microfiber make-up remover cloths.


Thanks for listening! If you enjoy our podcast and would like to help us keep making it, we'd love it if you'd consider chipping in a few bucks a month at ⁠patreon.com/europeanspodcast⁠ (many currencies are available). You can also help new listeners find the show by ⁠leaving us a review⁠ or giving us five stars on Spotify. 


00:22 Sunny days watching the Dutch government collapse

04:25 Bad Week: Threads FOMO in Europe

16:42 Good Week: Bountiful solar power

27:45 Interview: Thin Lei Win on the outsized influence of Europe's giant farm lobby

42:08 Isolation Inspiration: Songs from Spain and microfiber make-up cloths

45:38 Happy Ending: Underwhelming but very very old


Producers: Katy Lee and Wojciech Oleksiak

Mixing and mastering: Wojciech Oleksiak

Music: Jim Barne and Mariska Martina

Twitter | Instagram | hello@europeanspodcast.com

]]>How much sway do giant interest groups have over the way our food gets grown? This week we're delving into the murky world of farm lobbying with Thin Lei Win, one of the reporters behind a fascinating investigation into the highly influential Copa-Cogeca group. We're also talking about the mass FOMO outbreak resulting from Threads' absence from the EU and what the hell is going on with Europe's electricity prices right now.


FULL EPISODE TRANSCRIPT HERE: https://europeanspodcast.com/episodes/threads-solar-and-giant-farming-lobbies


We're running a survey to help us improve the podcast! If you've got five minutes to spare, we'd be really grateful if you could answer a few questions here: https://iter.ly/fcmgq 


You can find Lighthouse Reports' investigation into Copa-Cogeca here, with links to their partners' coverage in six languages. You can sign up to Thin's excellent newsletter on food and the climate here. 


This week's Isolation Inspiration: Songs from Spain and microfiber make-up remover cloths.


Thanks for listening! If you enjoy our podcast and would like to help us keep making it, we'd love it if you'd consider chipping in a few bucks a month at ⁠patreon.com/europeanspodcast⁠ (many currencies are available). You can also help new listeners find the show by ⁠leaving us a review⁠ or giving us five stars on Spotify. 


00:22 Sunny days watching the Dutch government collapse

04:25 Bad Week: Threads FOMO in Europe

16:42 Good Week: Bountiful solar power

27:45 Interview: Thin Lei Win on the outsized influence of Europe's giant farm lobby

42:08 Isolation Inspiration: Songs from Spain and microfiber make-up cloths

45:38 Happy Ending: Underwhelming but very very old


Producers: Katy Lee and Wojciech Oleksiak

Mixing and mastering: Wojciech Oleksiak

Music: Jim Barne and Mariska Martina

Twitter | Instagram | hello@europeanspodcast.com

]]>7521a638-925f-4a15-bc18-9151987b8123Thu, 13 Jul 2023 06:00:00 +020048:25falsefullFighting Putin, one meme at a timeFighting Putin, one meme at a timeHow can cartoon dogs help fight Russian disinformation? This week, hybrid warfare expert Robert van der Noordaa gives us a crash course on the #NAFOfellas movement and why Ukraine has been so good at using internet humour since last year's invasion. We're also talking about France's riots and the Dutch king's apology for the Netherlands' role in slavery.


FULL EPISODE TRANSCRIPT HERE: https://europeanspodcast.com/episodes/fighting-putin-one-meme-at-a-time


Robert is an analyst at Trollrensics and tweets here. You can watch the heartwarming video of Jolien Boumkwo running the 100m hurdles here.


This week's Isolation Inspiration: R.M.N., rugelach and sfogliatelle. Thanks for listening! If you enjoy our podcast and would like to help us keep making it, we'd love it if you'd consider chipping in a few bucks a month at ⁠patreon.com/europeanspodcast⁠ (many currencies are available). You can also help new listeners find the show by ⁠leaving us a review⁠ or giving us five stars on Spotify. 

00:22 A big announcement!

04:07 Bad Week: France's riots

17:32 Good Week: The Dutch king's slavery apology

27:13 Interview: Robert van der Noordaa on Ukraine's meme-armed internet warriors

37:41 Isolation Inspiration: RMN, rugelach and sfogliatelle

41:40 Happy Ending: Jolien Boumkwo, champion of our hearts



Producers: Katy Lee and Wojciech Oleksiak

Mixing and mastering: Wojciech Oleksiak

Music: Jim Barne and Mariska Martina

Twitter | Instagram | hello@europeanspodcast.com

]]>How can cartoon dogs help fight Russian disinformation? This week, hybrid warfare expert Robert van der Noordaa gives us a crash course on the #NAFOfellas movement and why Ukraine has been so good at using internet humour since last year's invasion. We're also talking about France's riots and the Dutch king's apology for the Netherlands' role in slavery.


FULL EPISODE TRANSCRIPT HERE: https://europeanspodcast.com/episodes/fighting-putin-one-meme-at-a-time


Robert is an analyst at Trollrensics and tweets here. You can watch the heartwarming video of Jolien Boumkwo running the 100m hurdles here.


This week's Isolation Inspiration: R.M.N., rugelach and sfogliatelle. Thanks for listening! If you enjoy our podcast and would like to help us keep making it, we'd love it if you'd consider chipping in a few bucks a month at ⁠patreon.com/europeanspodcast⁠ (many currencies are available). You can also help new listeners find the show by ⁠leaving us a review⁠ or giving us five stars on Spotify. 

00:22 A big announcement!

04:07 Bad Week: France's riots

17:32 Good Week: The Dutch king's slavery apology

27:13 Interview: Robert van der Noordaa on Ukraine's meme-armed internet warriors

37:41 Isolation Inspiration: RMN, rugelach and sfogliatelle

41:40 Happy Ending: Jolien Boumkwo, champion of our hearts



Producers: Katy Lee and Wojciech Oleksiak

Mixing and mastering: Wojciech Oleksiak

Music: Jim Barne and Mariska Martina

Twitter | Instagram | hello@europeanspodcast.com

]]>19361279-507a-4d81-a9c2-93367462b65bThu, 06 Jul 2023 06:00:00 +020046:47falsefullGreece’s elections, whales, and disability rightsGreece’s elections, whales, and disability rightsBeing able to move freely around 27 countries is one of the biggest benefits of living in the EU. In reality, this is pretty hard if you’ve got a disability. This week we speak to Alejandro Moledo, deputy director of the European Disability Forum, about plans to start addressing that. We’re also diving into Greece’s elections and, with the help of producer Katz Laszlo, the decision to halt Iceland’s summer whale-hunting season.


FULL EPISODE TRANSCRIPT HERE: https://europeanspodcast.com/episodes/greeces-elections-whales-and-disability-rights


You can follow Alejandro on Twitter here and find the EDF's podcast mini-series here. The reports Alejandro mentioned can be found here.


This week's Isolation Inspiration: 'The Employees' by Olga Ravn and 'Fanfic' on Netflix. Bonus: best-selling whale song album 'Songs of the Humpback Whale'.

Thanks for listening! If you enjoy our podcast and would like to help us keep making it, we'd love it if you'd consider chipping in a few bucks a month at ⁠patreon.com/europeanspodcast⁠ (many currencies are available). You can also help new listeners find the show by ⁠leaving us a review⁠ or giving us five stars on Spotify. 

00:22 Busy busy busy, hot hot hot

02:52 Good Week: Iceland's whales

12:19 Bad Week: Greek leftwingers

22:42 Interview: Alejandro Moledo on the EU's (lack of a) disability policy

34:03 Isolation Inspiration: 'The Employees' and 'Fanfic'

37:57 Happy Ending: A bunch of things to celebrate this Pride Month


Producers: Katy Lee and Wojciech Oleksiak

Mixing and mastering: Wojciech Oleksiak

Music: Jim Barne and Mariska Martina

Twitter | Instagram | hello@europeanspodcast.com

]]>Being able to move freely around 27 countries is one of the biggest benefits of living in the EU. In reality, this is pretty hard if you’ve got a disability. This week we speak to Alejandro Moledo, deputy director of the European Disability Forum, about plans to start addressing that. We’re also diving into Greece’s elections and, with the help of producer Katz Laszlo, the decision to halt Iceland’s summer whale-hunting season.


FULL EPISODE TRANSCRIPT HERE: https://europeanspodcast.com/episodes/greeces-elections-whales-and-disability-rights


You can follow Alejandro on Twitter here and find the EDF's podcast mini-series here. The reports Alejandro mentioned can be found here.


This week's Isolation Inspiration: 'The Employees' by Olga Ravn and 'Fanfic' on Netflix. Bonus: best-selling whale song album 'Songs of the Humpback Whale'.

Thanks for listening! If you enjoy our podcast and would like to help us keep making it, we'd love it if you'd consider chipping in a few bucks a month at ⁠patreon.com/europeanspodcast⁠ (many currencies are available). You can also help new listeners find the show by ⁠leaving us a review⁠ or giving us five stars on Spotify. 

00:22 Busy busy busy, hot hot hot

02:52 Good Week: Iceland's whales

12:19 Bad Week: Greek leftwingers

22:42 Interview: Alejandro Moledo on the EU's (lack of a) disability policy

34:03 Isolation Inspiration: 'The Employees' and 'Fanfic'

37:57 Happy Ending: A bunch of things to celebrate this Pride Month


Producers: Katy Lee and Wojciech Oleksiak

Mixing and mastering: Wojciech Oleksiak

Music: Jim Barne and Mariska Martina

Twitter | Instagram | hello@europeanspodcast.com

]]>9b27c21d-8b02-44d4-937e-53b6aaa5a048Thu, 29 Jun 2023 06:00:00 +020041:29falsefullBeyoncé, inflation and the case for climate optimismBeyoncé, inflation and the case for climate optimismIt's easy to feel doomed when it comes to climate change. In her latest book, the Italian political scientist Nathalie Tocci makes the case for cautious optimism about Europe's climate and energy policies. We chat to her this week about the opportunities and challenges of the European Green Deal, as well as how to interpret the death last week of Silvio Berlusconi. We're also talking about a push to ban unpaid internships across the EU, and whether or not we should be blaming Beyoncé for stubbornly high inflation in Sweden.


FULL EPISODE TRANSCRIPT HERE: https://europeanspodcast.com/episodes/beyonc-inflation-and-the-case-for-climate-optimism


Nathalie is the director of the Istituto Affari Internazionali in Rome. You can follow her on Twitter here and find more information about her latest book, 'A Green and Global Europe', here.


We are over the moon that the animated version of our episode 'Mohamed', made with our friends at Are We Europe, has won a CIVIS prize! You can watch the beautiful animation here on YouTube.


This week's Isolation Inspiration: ⁠roasted fennel⁠ and 'The Council of Egypt' by Leonardo Sciascia. 


Thanks for listening! If you enjoy our podcast and would like to help us keep making it, we'd love it if you'd consider chipping in a few bucks a month at ⁠patreon.com/europeanspodcast⁠ (many currencies are available). You can also help new listeners find the show by ⁠leaving us a review⁠ or giving us five stars on Spotify. 


00:22 Amsterdam heat and breakfast tears
03:44 Good Week: Interns
10:49 Bad Week: Beyoncé
21:31 Interview: Nathalie Tocci on the case for climate optimism in Europe
36:32 Isolation Inspiration: Roasted fennel and The Council of Egypt
40:02 Happy Ending: (Everyone's) Free-To-Wear Sunscreen


Producers: Katy Lee and Wojciech Oleksiak

Mixing and mastering: Wojciech Oleksiak

Music: Jim Barne and Mariska Martina

Twitter | Instagram | hello@europeanspodcast.com

]]>It's easy to feel doomed when it comes to climate change. In her latest book, the Italian political scientist Nathalie Tocci makes the case for cautious optimism about Europe's climate and energy policies. We chat to her this week about the opportunities and challenges of the European Green Deal, as well as how to interpret the death last week of Silvio Berlusconi. We're also talking about a push to ban unpaid internships across the EU, and whether or not we should be blaming Beyoncé for stubbornly high inflation in Sweden.


FULL EPISODE TRANSCRIPT HERE: https://europeanspodcast.com/episodes/beyonc-inflation-and-the-case-for-climate-optimism


Nathalie is the director of the Istituto Affari Internazionali in Rome. You can follow her on Twitter here and find more information about her latest book, 'A Green and Global Europe', here.


We are over the moon that the animated version of our episode 'Mohamed', made with our friends at Are We Europe, has won a CIVIS prize! You can watch the beautiful animation here on YouTube.


This week's Isolation Inspiration: ⁠roasted fennel⁠ and 'The Council of Egypt' by Leonardo Sciascia. 


Thanks for listening! If you enjoy our podcast and would like to help us keep making it, we'd love it if you'd consider chipping in a few bucks a month at ⁠patreon.com/europeanspodcast⁠ (many currencies are available). You can also help new listeners find the show by ⁠leaving us a review⁠ or giving us five stars on Spotify. 


00:22 Amsterdam heat and breakfast tears
03:44 Good Week: Interns
10:49 Bad Week: Beyoncé
21:31 Interview: Nathalie Tocci on the case for climate optimism in Europe
36:32 Isolation Inspiration: Roasted fennel and The Council of Egypt
40:02 Happy Ending: (Everyone's) Free-To-Wear Sunscreen


Producers: Katy Lee and Wojciech Oleksiak

Mixing and mastering: Wojciech Oleksiak

Music: Jim Barne and Mariska Martina

Twitter | Instagram | hello@europeanspodcast.com

]]>2169ae76-6538-4387-b7e6-f56a56015fedThu, 22 Jun 2023 06:00:00 +020042:41falsefullWhy is it so hard to fix Kosovo’s problems?Why is it so hard to fix Kosovo’s problems?Last week, dozens of NATO peacekeepers were injured after violent protests broke out in northern Kosovo. What is going on, and why do Kosovo's problems seem so hard to fix? This week we dig into the deeper context behind the unrest with political analyst Agon Maliqi. We're also talking about why much of Europe is antsy about who's going to be steering the EU next year, and a bizarre dispute in the art world.


FULL EPISODE TRANSCRIPT HERE: https://europeanspodcast.com/episodes/why-is-it-so-hard-to-fix-kosovos-problems


You can follow Agon on Twitter at @AgonMaliqi.


This week's Isolation Inspiration: Turn of the Tide and Fatma Aydemir: The State of European Literature at the Forum on European Culture, De Balie.


Thanks for listening! If you enjoy our podcast and would like to help us keep making it, we'd love it if you'd consider chipping in a few bucks a month at ⁠patreon.com/europeanspodcast⁠ (many currencies are available). You can also help new listeners find the show by ⁠leaving us a review⁠ or giving us five stars on Spotify. 


00:22 The sunny side of the continent
02:14 Bad Week: Looming EU presidencies
12:37 Good Week for Dutch art trolls?
23:20 Interview: Agon Maliqi on why it's so hard to fix the Kosovo-Serbia relationship
35:46 Isolation Inspiration: Turn of the Tide and the Forum on European Culture
40:36 Happy Ending: The magic of Enhanced Rock Weathering

Producers: Katy Lee and Wojciech Oleksiak

Mixing and mastering: Wojciech Oleksiak

Music: Jim Barne and Mariska Martina

Twitter | Instagram | hello@europeanspodcast.com

]]>Last week, dozens of NATO peacekeepers were injured after violent protests broke out in northern Kosovo. What is going on, and why do Kosovo's problems seem so hard to fix? This week we dig into the deeper context behind the unrest with political analyst Agon Maliqi. We're also talking about why much of Europe is antsy about who's going to be steering the EU next year, and a bizarre dispute in the art world.


FULL EPISODE TRANSCRIPT HERE: https://europeanspodcast.com/episodes/why-is-it-so-hard-to-fix-kosovos-problems


You can follow Agon on Twitter at @AgonMaliqi.


This week's Isolation Inspiration: Turn of the Tide and Fatma Aydemir: The State of European Literature at the Forum on European Culture, De Balie.


Thanks for listening! If you enjoy our podcast and would like to help us keep making it, we'd love it if you'd consider chipping in a few bucks a month at ⁠patreon.com/europeanspodcast⁠ (many currencies are available). You can also help new listeners find the show by ⁠leaving us a review⁠ or giving us five stars on Spotify. 


00:22 The sunny side of the continent
02:14 Bad Week: Looming EU presidencies
12:37 Good Week for Dutch art trolls?
23:20 Interview: Agon Maliqi on why it's so hard to fix the Kosovo-Serbia relationship
35:46 Isolation Inspiration: Turn of the Tide and the Forum on European Culture
40:36 Happy Ending: The magic of Enhanced Rock Weathering

Producers: Katy Lee and Wojciech Oleksiak

Mixing and mastering: Wojciech Oleksiak

Music: Jim Barne and Mariska Martina

Twitter | Instagram | hello@europeanspodcast.com

]]>7b2bb811-ac25-40e8-9454-6c0da23074c0Thu, 08 Jun 2023 06:00:00 +020044:20falsefullEurope’s place in outer spaceEurope’s place in outer spaceThe last time we interviewed the physicist Meganne Christian, she was working on the French-Italian research base on Antarctica. Now she has her eye on outer space. We ring her up to find out more about her new life as a reserve astronaut for the European Space Agency, and Europe's role in the new commercial space era. We're also talking about Pedro Sánchez's Spanish election gamble and a hopeful court verdict for same-sex Romanian couples.


FULL EPISODE TRANSCRIPT HERE: https://europeanspodcast.com/episodes/europes-place-in-outer-space


Thanks for listening! If you enjoy our podcast and would like to help us keep making it, we'd love it if you'd consider chipping in a few bucks a month at ⁠patreon.com/europeanspodcast⁠ (many currencies are available). You can also help new listeners find the show by ⁠leaving us a review⁠ or giving us five stars on Spotify. 


You can follow Meganne here on Twitter and Instagram, and the ESA here and here. The report on Europe's future role in space exploration can be found here, and you can find out more about the ESA astronaut selection process here. Some other links you might want to check out:



This week's Isolation Inspiration: 'The [Queer] Politics of Eurovision' from verilybitchie, and This Is Love: The Museum of Broken Relationships.


00:22 Welcome to the western-most peninsulas of Eurasia
03:28 Bad Week: Spain's Socialists
11:36 Good Week: LGBT couples in Romania
20:53 Interview: Meganne Christian on life as a reserve astronaut and what Europe is up to in space
32:53 Isolation Inspiration: The Queer Politics of Eurovision and The Museum of Broken Relationships
35:09 Happy Ending: Cheers to you, Gert-Jan

Producers: Katy Lee and Wojciech Oleksiak

Mixing and mastering: Wojciech Oleksiak

Music: Jim Barne and Mariska Martina

Twitter | Instagram | hello@europeanspodcast.com

]]>The last time we interviewed the physicist Meganne Christian, she was working on the French-Italian research base on Antarctica. Now she has her eye on outer space. We ring her up to find out more about her new life as a reserve astronaut for the European Space Agency, and Europe's role in the new commercial space era. We're also talking about Pedro Sánchez's Spanish election gamble and a hopeful court verdict for same-sex Romanian couples.


FULL EPISODE TRANSCRIPT HERE: https://europeanspodcast.com/episodes/europes-place-in-outer-space


Thanks for listening! If you enjoy our podcast and would like to help us keep making it, we'd love it if you'd consider chipping in a few bucks a month at ⁠patreon.com/europeanspodcast⁠ (many currencies are available). You can also help new listeners find the show by ⁠leaving us a review⁠ or giving us five stars on Spotify. 


You can follow Meganne here on Twitter and Instagram, and the ESA here and here. The report on Europe's future role in space exploration can be found here, and you can find out more about the ESA astronaut selection process here. Some other links you might want to check out:



This week's Isolation Inspiration: 'The [Queer] Politics of Eurovision' from verilybitchie, and This Is Love: The Museum of Broken Relationships.


00:22 Welcome to the western-most peninsulas of Eurasia
03:28 Bad Week: Spain's Socialists
11:36 Good Week: LGBT couples in Romania
20:53 Interview: Meganne Christian on life as a reserve astronaut and what Europe is up to in space
32:53 Isolation Inspiration: The Queer Politics of Eurovision and The Museum of Broken Relationships
35:09 Happy Ending: Cheers to you, Gert-Jan

Producers: Katy Lee and Wojciech Oleksiak

Mixing and mastering: Wojciech Oleksiak

Music: Jim Barne and Mariska Martina

Twitter | Instagram | hello@europeanspodcast.com

]]>03c611d9-7818-4b47-a9a6-a51525a8cb65Thu, 01 Jun 2023 06:00:00 +020038:02falsefullThe biggest climate case that ever wasThe biggest climate case that ever wasWe usually see young people as the face of climate activism. This week, we find out how 2,000 Swiss women, all over the age of 65, took their government to court in a case that could change climate laws across Europe. And along the way, we figure out once and for all how the European Court of Human Rights actually works.


This is a special episode made in cooperation with the Allianz Foundation, one of several podcasts we're making this year about sustainability with their support. Stay tuned later in the year to hear more.


You can find out more about the KlimaSeniorinnen here. 


Listening from Amsterdam? The Forum on European Culture runs at De Balie from May 31-June 4, with a ton of great speakers on the line-up. Find the full programme here: https://cultureforum.eu/programme-2023 


Thanks for listening! If you enjoy our podcast and would like to help us keep making it, we'd love it if you'd consider chipping in a few bucks a month at ⁠patreon.com/europeanspodcast⁠ (many currencies are available). You can also help new listeners find the show by ⁠leaving us a review⁠ or giving us five stars on Spotify. 


FULL EPISODE TRANSCRIPT HERE: https://europeanspodcast.com/episodes/the-biggest-climate-case-that-ever-was


Reporter and producer: Katz Laszlo

Editor: Katy Lee

Editorial support: Dominic Kraemer and Wojciech Oleksiak

Sound design, mixing and mastering: Wojciech Oleksiak

Music by Jim Barne, Epidemic Sound and Blue Dot Sessions


Twitter | Instagram | hello@europeanspodcast.com

]]>We usually see young people as the face of climate activism. This week, we find out how 2,000 Swiss women, all over the age of 65, took their government to court in a case that could change climate laws across Europe. And along the way, we figure out once and for all how the European Court of Human Rights actually works.


This is a special episode made in cooperation with the Allianz Foundation, one of several podcasts we're making this year about sustainability with their support. Stay tuned later in the year to hear more.


You can find out more about the KlimaSeniorinnen here. 


Listening from Amsterdam? The Forum on European Culture runs at De Balie from May 31-June 4, with a ton of great speakers on the line-up. Find the full programme here: https://cultureforum.eu/programme-2023 


Thanks for listening! If you enjoy our podcast and would like to help us keep making it, we'd love it if you'd consider chipping in a few bucks a month at ⁠patreon.com/europeanspodcast⁠ (many currencies are available). You can also help new listeners find the show by ⁠leaving us a review⁠ or giving us five stars on Spotify. 


FULL EPISODE TRANSCRIPT HERE: https://europeanspodcast.com/episodes/the-biggest-climate-case-that-ever-was


Reporter and producer: Katz Laszlo

Editor: Katy Lee

Editorial support: Dominic Kraemer and Wojciech Oleksiak

Sound design, mixing and mastering: Wojciech Oleksiak

Music by Jim Barne, Epidemic Sound and Blue Dot Sessions


Twitter | Instagram | hello@europeanspodcast.com

]]>0fa0e3da-bbd9-44eb-8f1f-514350ed5781Fri, 26 May 2023 06:00:00 +020049:44falsefullThe naughty child of NATO?The naughty child of NATO?We've been glued to the Turkish elections over the past week. But what does Recep Tayyip Erdoğan's victory in the first round mean for the country, and for Europe as a whole? This week we ring up political scientist Ahmet Erdi Öztürk to find out. We're also talking about a big boost in Germany's support for Ukraine, a fake tan controversy, and the teeny tiny bridge behind the Mona Lisa.


FULL EPISODE TRANSCRIPT HERE: https://europeanspodcast.com/episodes/the-naughty-child-of-nato


You can follow Erdi on Twitter @ahmeterdiozturk.


Thanks for listening! If you enjoy our podcast and would like to help us keep making it, we'd love it if you'd consider chipping in a few bucks a month at ⁠patreon.com/europeanspodcast⁠ (many currencies are available). You can also help new listeners find the show by ⁠leaving us a review⁠ or giving us five stars on Spotify. 


This week's Isolation Inspiration: Cautionary Tales: 'The Man Who Bet His House on a Pop Song - A Eurovision Tale' and 'The Hundred-Year-Old Man Who Climbed Out The Window And Disappeared' by Jonas Jonasson


00:22 Together again

03:31 Good Week: Is Germany's Ukraine 'turning point' actually here?

11:27 Red-faced over orange-face 

19:26 Interview: Ahmet Erdi Öztürk on the Turkish elections

28:23 Isolation Inspiration: 'The Man Who Bet His House on a Pop Song' and 'The Hundred-Year-Old Man Who Climbed Out The Window And Disappeared'

33:19 Happy Ending: A Mona Lisa mystery solved?

Producers: Katy Lee and Wojciech Oleksiak

Mixing and mastering: Wojciech Oleksiak

Music: Jim Barne and Mariska Martina

Twitter | Instagram | hello@europeanspodcast.com

]]>We've been glued to the Turkish elections over the past week. But what does Recep Tayyip Erdoğan's victory in the first round mean for the country, and for Europe as a whole? This week we ring up political scientist Ahmet Erdi Öztürk to find out. We're also talking about a big boost in Germany's support for Ukraine, a fake tan controversy, and the teeny tiny bridge behind the Mona Lisa.


FULL EPISODE TRANSCRIPT HERE: https://europeanspodcast.com/episodes/the-naughty-child-of-nato


You can follow Erdi on Twitter @ahmeterdiozturk.


Thanks for listening! If you enjoy our podcast and would like to help us keep making it, we'd love it if you'd consider chipping in a few bucks a month at ⁠patreon.com/europeanspodcast⁠ (many currencies are available). You can also help new listeners find the show by ⁠leaving us a review⁠ or giving us five stars on Spotify. 


This week's Isolation Inspiration: Cautionary Tales: 'The Man Who Bet His House on a Pop Song - A Eurovision Tale' and 'The Hundred-Year-Old Man Who Climbed Out The Window And Disappeared' by Jonas Jonasson


00:22 Together again

03:31 Good Week: Is Germany's Ukraine 'turning point' actually here?

11:27 Red-faced over orange-face 

19:26 Interview: Ahmet Erdi Öztürk on the Turkish elections

28:23 Isolation Inspiration: 'The Man Who Bet His House on a Pop Song' and 'The Hundred-Year-Old Man Who Climbed Out The Window And Disappeared'

33:19 Happy Ending: A Mona Lisa mystery solved?

Producers: Katy Lee and Wojciech Oleksiak

Mixing and mastering: Wojciech Oleksiak

Music: Jim Barne and Mariska Martina

Twitter | Instagram | hello@europeanspodcast.com

]]>e5f164b1-45da-4065-85a9-90bcce55ad0fThu, 18 May 2023 06:00:00 +020036:38falsefullEurovision vs. The Champions LeagueEurovision vs. The Champions LeagueThis week is a bonanza for fans of Europe's two favourite competitions: the Champions League football tournament and the Eurovision Song Contest. Both are held up as events that bring Europeans together, but which one does the job better? This week we aim to settle the debate once and for all with a face-off between sports commentator Barbara Barend and Eurovision historian Dean Vuletic. We're also talking about a €300-million EU pension black hole and France's first rap awards.


Do you live in Europe, and do you enjoy this podcast? If so, you can celebrate democracy and fund our show at the same time, by signing up to join the Capital of European Democracy jury. It only takes a few clicks and it's a huge help to us! Sign up here before May 15: https://join.capitalofdemocracy.eu/europeanspod


FULL EPISODE TRANSCRIPT HERE: https://europeanspodcast.com/episodes/eurovision-vs-the-champions-league


The Eurovision vs. Champions League debate was part of a special event for Europe Day hosted by the European Cultural Foundation. You can find out more about this year's celebrations at europeday.eu.


This week's Isolation Inspiration: 'King Charles III's Secret Kingdom' and 'If Found'. You can find the article Katy mentioned on the Flamme awards here in the Guardian, and the ECF's Radio Europe Day playlist here on Spotify. 

00:22 Beyoncé in the Brussels bubble

03:49 Bad Week: A €300m pensions black hole

13:25 Good Week: France's first rap awards

18:39 Help us out by joining the European Capital of Democracy Jury!

20:23 The ultimate debate: Eurovision vs The Champions League

37:46 Isolation Inspiration: 'King Charles III's Secret Kingdom' and 'If Found'

40:54 Happy Ending: Aurimas Valujavičius's epic journey


Thanks for listening! If you enjoy our podcast and would like to help us keep making it, we'd love it if you'd consider chipping in a few bucks a month at ⁠patreon.com/europeanspodcast⁠ (many currencies are available). You can also help new listeners find the show by ⁠leaving us a review⁠ or giving us five stars on Spotify. 


Producer: Katy Lee

Mixing and mastering: Wojciech Oleksiak

Music: Jim Barne and Mariska Martina

Twitter | Instagram | hello@europeanspodcast.com

]]>This week is a bonanza for fans of Europe's two favourite competitions: the Champions League football tournament and the Eurovision Song Contest. Both are held up as events that bring Europeans together, but which one does the job better? This week we aim to settle the debate once and for all with a face-off between sports commentator Barbara Barend and Eurovision historian Dean Vuletic. We're also talking about a €300-million EU pension black hole and France's first rap awards.


Do you live in Europe, and do you enjoy this podcast? If so, you can celebrate democracy and fund our show at the same time, by signing up to join the Capital of European Democracy jury. It only takes a few clicks and it's a huge help to us! Sign up here before May 15: https://join.capitalofdemocracy.eu/europeanspod


FULL EPISODE TRANSCRIPT HERE: https://europeanspodcast.com/episodes/eurovision-vs-the-champions-league


The Eurovision vs. Champions League debate was part of a special event for Europe Day hosted by the European Cultural Foundation. You can find out more about this year's celebrations at europeday.eu.


This week's Isolation Inspiration: 'King Charles III's Secret Kingdom' and 'If Found'. You can find the article Katy mentioned on the Flamme awards here in the Guardian, and the ECF's Radio Europe Day playlist here on Spotify. 

00:22 Beyoncé in the Brussels bubble

03:49 Bad Week: A €300m pensions black hole

13:25 Good Week: France's first rap awards

18:39 Help us out by joining the European Capital of Democracy Jury!

20:23 The ultimate debate: Eurovision vs The Champions League

37:46 Isolation Inspiration: 'King Charles III's Secret Kingdom' and 'If Found'

40:54 Happy Ending: Aurimas Valujavičius's epic journey


Thanks for listening! If you enjoy our podcast and would like to help us keep making it, we'd love it if you'd consider chipping in a few bucks a month at ⁠patreon.com/europeanspodcast⁠ (many currencies are available). You can also help new listeners find the show by ⁠leaving us a review⁠ or giving us five stars on Spotify. 


Producer: Katy Lee

Mixing and mastering: Wojciech Oleksiak

Music: Jim Barne and Mariska Martina

Twitter | Instagram | hello@europeanspodcast.com

]]>ff3e2090-4525-436a-9d94-7a58a96ca319Thu, 11 May 2023 06:00:00 +020043:55falsefullBrussels, that well-known comedy goldmineBrussels, that well-known comedy goldmineThe EU is a lot of things. But is it funny? And would Europe be a better place if we *could* find it funny? This week we're talking to Lise Witteman, one of the co-founders of live comedy show The Schuman Show, about finding humour in the Brussels machine. We're also talking about Pope Francis' face-off with Viktor Orbán and the Italian tourism campaign that spawned a thousand memes.


Do you live in Europe, and do you enjoy this podcast? If so, you can celebrate democracy and fund our show at the same time, by signing up to join the Capital of European Democracy jury. It only takes a few clicks and it's a huge help to us! Sign up here: https://join.capitalofdemocracy.eu/europeanspod


FULL EPISODE TRANSCRIPT HERE: ⁠https://europeanspodcast.com/episodes/brussels-that-well-known-comedy-goldmine⁠


You can find out more about the Schuman Show at https://www.schumanshow.eu.


The final visual version of the episodes in our series This Is What A Generation Sounds Like, produced by our friends at Are We Europe, can be found here. 


This week's Isolation Inspiration: The Allusionist's Eurovision episodes and 'The Curious Case of Columbo's Message to Romania'


00:22 King's Day and erotic fiction penned by a finance minister

03:53 Good Week: The Pope v Viktor Orbán

11:44 Bad Week: Open to Meraviglia!

18:12 Help us out by joining the European Capital of Democracy Jury!

20:26 Interview: Lise Witteman on making the EU funny

31:58 Isolation Inspiration: The Allusionist's Eurovision episodes and 'The Curious Case of Columbo's Message to Romania'

35:53 Happy Ending: Gamefy The Dam Removal

Thanks for listening! If you enjoy our podcast and would like to help us keep making it, we'd love it if you'd consider chipping in a few bucks a month at ⁠patreon.com/europeanspodcast⁠ (many currencies are available). You can also help new listeners find the show by ⁠leaving us a review⁠ or giving us five stars on Spotify. 

Producers: Katy Lee and Wojciech Oleksiak 

Mixing and mastering: Wojciech Oleksiak

Music: Jim Barne and Mariska Martina

Twitter | Instagram | hello@europeanspodcast.com

]]>The EU is a lot of things. But is it funny? And would Europe be a better place if we *could* find it funny? This week we're talking to Lise Witteman, one of the co-founders of live comedy show The Schuman Show, about finding humour in the Brussels machine. We're also talking about Pope Francis' face-off with Viktor Orbán and the Italian tourism campaign that spawned a thousand memes.


Do you live in Europe, and do you enjoy this podcast? If so, you can celebrate democracy and fund our show at the same time, by signing up to join the Capital of European Democracy jury. It only takes a few clicks and it's a huge help to us! Sign up here: https://join.capitalofdemocracy.eu/europeanspod


FULL EPISODE TRANSCRIPT HERE: ⁠https://europeanspodcast.com/episodes/brussels-that-well-known-comedy-goldmine⁠


You can find out more about the Schuman Show at https://www.schumanshow.eu.


The final visual version of the episodes in our series This Is What A Generation Sounds Like, produced by our friends at Are We Europe, can be found here. 


This week's Isolation Inspiration: The Allusionist's Eurovision episodes and 'The Curious Case of Columbo's Message to Romania'


00:22 King's Day and erotic fiction penned by a finance minister

03:53 Good Week: The Pope v Viktor Orbán

11:44 Bad Week: Open to Meraviglia!

18:12 Help us out by joining the European Capital of Democracy Jury!

20:26 Interview: Lise Witteman on making the EU funny

31:58 Isolation Inspiration: The Allusionist's Eurovision episodes and 'The Curious Case of Columbo's Message to Romania'

35:53 Happy Ending: Gamefy The Dam Removal

Thanks for listening! If you enjoy our podcast and would like to help us keep making it, we'd love it if you'd consider chipping in a few bucks a month at ⁠patreon.com/europeanspodcast⁠ (many currencies are available). You can also help new listeners find the show by ⁠leaving us a review⁠ or giving us five stars on Spotify. 

Producers: Katy Lee and Wojciech Oleksiak 

Mixing and mastering: Wojciech Oleksiak

Music: Jim Barne and Mariska Martina

Twitter | Instagram | hello@europeanspodcast.com

]]>bc5eb047-bdfb-4e8b-9d31-6f4a21579ef1Thu, 04 May 2023 06:00:00 +020038:24falsefullHow racial bias is messing with DNA researchHow racial bias is messing with DNA researchMapping our genes has already allowed humanity to make huge strides in medicine. But the vast majority of the genomes we’ve decoded are those of people of white European heritage. Why is that a problem, and how do we fix it? This week we talk to the Nigerian geneticist Segun Fatumo about fixing the genome gap. We’re also talking about Andalucía’s bid to protect flamenco, and why Europe’s most powerful media mogul is in hot water.


Segun is an associate professor of genetic epidemiology and bioinformatics at the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine. He tweets @SFatumo.


You can find a video of flamenco performers celebrating Andalucía’s new law here, and watch the latest visual podcast in our series with Are We Europe, 'Andrea', here. We are delighted that the visual version of an earlier episode of This Is What A Generation Sounds Like, 'Mohamed', has been nominated for the CIVIS Prize! Watch it here.


This week's Isolation Inspiration: this interview on the European Space Agency's Jupiter mission; How To Sell Drugs Online (Fast); World Leader or My Friend's Dad? and Luis Sal's Parisian croissant review. 

Thanks for listening! If you enjoy our podcast and would like to help us keep making it, we'd love it if you'd consider chipping in a few bucks a month at ⁠patreon.com/europeanspodcast⁠ (many currencies are available). You can also help new listeners find the show by ⁠leaving us a review⁠ or giving us five stars on Spotify. 


FULL EPISODE TRANSCRIPT HERE: https://europeanspodcast.com/episodes/how-racial-bias-is-messing-with-dna-research


00:22 Make Europe Digestible Again

02:23 A Good Week for protecting flamenco?

09:22 A Bad Week for Axel Springer's CEO

19:30 Interview: Segun Fatumo on the European bias of genomic studies

30:24 Isolation Inspiration: Juice, 'How to Sell Drugs Online (Fast)', World Leader or My Friend's Dad, croissant reviews

34:59 Happy Ending: 500 days of reading and knitting (in a pitch-black cave)



Producers: Katy Lee and Wojciech Oleksiak 

Mixing and mastering: Wojciech Oleksiak

Music: Jim Barne and Mariska Martina

Twitter | Instagram | hello@europeanspodcast.com

]]>Mapping our genes has already allowed humanity to make huge strides in medicine. But the vast majority of the genomes we’ve decoded are those of people of white European heritage. Why is that a problem, and how do we fix it? This week we talk to the Nigerian geneticist Segun Fatumo about fixing the genome gap. We’re also talking about Andalucía’s bid to protect flamenco, and why Europe’s most powerful media mogul is in hot water.


Segun is an associate professor of genetic epidemiology and bioinformatics at the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine. He tweets @SFatumo.


You can find a video of flamenco performers celebrating Andalucía’s new law here, and watch the latest visual podcast in our series with Are We Europe, 'Andrea', here. We are delighted that the visual version of an earlier episode of This Is What A Generation Sounds Like, 'Mohamed', has been nominated for the CIVIS Prize! Watch it here.


This week's Isolation Inspiration: this interview on the European Space Agency's Jupiter mission; How To Sell Drugs Online (Fast); World Leader or My Friend's Dad? and Luis Sal's Parisian croissant review. 

Thanks for listening! If you enjoy our podcast and would like to help us keep making it, we'd love it if you'd consider chipping in a few bucks a month at ⁠patreon.com/europeanspodcast⁠ (many currencies are available). You can also help new listeners find the show by ⁠leaving us a review⁠ or giving us five stars on Spotify. 


FULL EPISODE TRANSCRIPT HERE: https://europeanspodcast.com/episodes/how-racial-bias-is-messing-with-dna-research


00:22 Make Europe Digestible Again

02:23 A Good Week for protecting flamenco?

09:22 A Bad Week for Axel Springer's CEO

19:30 Interview: Segun Fatumo on the European bias of genomic studies

30:24 Isolation Inspiration: Juice, 'How to Sell Drugs Online (Fast)', World Leader or My Friend's Dad, croissant reviews

34:59 Happy Ending: 500 days of reading and knitting (in a pitch-black cave)



Producers: Katy Lee and Wojciech Oleksiak 

Mixing and mastering: Wojciech Oleksiak

Music: Jim Barne and Mariska Martina

Twitter | Instagram | hello@europeanspodcast.com

]]>49ff42b2-169c-4abf-9fdf-efdc379b59d0Thu, 20 Apr 2023 06:00:00 +020039:33falsefullLibraries: the safest spaces we have?Libraries: the safest spaces we have?What comes to mind when you imagine a library? Rows of books, probably. But across the continent, libraries are transforming into places that serve communities in all sorts of other ways. This week we hear from two very different libraries about how they're doing just that: Bojana Grujic of the Novi Sad City Library in Serbia and Myrto Tsilimpounidi from the Feminist Library at the Feminist Autonomous Centre in Athens. We're also talking about the fallout from Macron's trip to China, the international fight against Hungary's homophobic law, and the hallucinogenic adventures of early Europeans.

Bojana and Myrto's libraries are taking part in the European Cultural Foundation's Europe Challenge. The hunt for new participants begins soon; keep an eye on the ECF's website for updates, or subscribe to their newsletter.

This week's Isolation Inspiration: Birdsbesafe cat collars, available via the Royal Belgian League for the Protection of Birds, and 'The Shadow King' by Maaza Mengiste. Bonus: Katy's amazing Notion template. 

Thanks for listening! If you enjoy our podcast and would like to help us keep making it, we'd love it if you'd consider chipping in a few bucks a month at ⁠patreon.com/europeanspodcast⁠ (many currencies are available). You can also help new listeners find the show by ⁠leaving us a review⁠ or giving us five stars on Spotify. 

FULL EPISODE TRANSCRIPT HERE: https://europeanspodcast.com/episodes/libraries-the-safest-spaces-we-have

00:22 No Easter eggs for Dominic

02:43 Messy / Bad Week: Macron and von der Leyen's trip to China

14:47 Good Week: The fight against Hungary's anti-LGBTQ law

23:06 Interview: Bojana Grujic and Myrto Tsilimpounidi on the reinvention of Europe's libraries

35:51 Isolation Inspiration: Birdsbesafe cat collars and 'The Shadow King' by Maaza Mengiste

40:59 Happy Ending: Early Europeans' psychedelic dabbling


Producers: Katy Lee and Wojciech Oleksiak 

Mixing and mastering: Wojciech Oleksiak

Music: Jim Barne and Mariska Martina

Twitter | Instagram | hello@europeanspodcast.com

]]>What comes to mind when you imagine a library? Rows of books, probably. But across the continent, libraries are transforming into places that serve communities in all sorts of other ways. This week we hear from two very different libraries about how they're doing just that: Bojana Grujic of the Novi Sad City Library in Serbia and Myrto Tsilimpounidi from the Feminist Library at the Feminist Autonomous Centre in Athens. We're also talking about the fallout from Macron's trip to China, the international fight against Hungary's homophobic law, and the hallucinogenic adventures of early Europeans.

Bojana and Myrto's libraries are taking part in the European Cultural Foundation's Europe Challenge. The hunt for new participants begins soon; keep an eye on the ECF's website for updates, or subscribe to their newsletter.

This week's Isolation Inspiration: Birdsbesafe cat collars, available via the Royal Belgian League for the Protection of Birds, and 'The Shadow King' by Maaza Mengiste. Bonus: Katy's amazing Notion template. 

Thanks for listening! If you enjoy our podcast and would like to help us keep making it, we'd love it if you'd consider chipping in a few bucks a month at ⁠patreon.com/europeanspodcast⁠ (many currencies are available). You can also help new listeners find the show by ⁠leaving us a review⁠ or giving us five stars on Spotify. 

FULL EPISODE TRANSCRIPT HERE: https://europeanspodcast.com/episodes/libraries-the-safest-spaces-we-have

00:22 No Easter eggs for Dominic

02:43 Messy / Bad Week: Macron and von der Leyen's trip to China

14:47 Good Week: The fight against Hungary's anti-LGBTQ law

23:06 Interview: Bojana Grujic and Myrto Tsilimpounidi on the reinvention of Europe's libraries

35:51 Isolation Inspiration: Birdsbesafe cat collars and 'The Shadow King' by Maaza Mengiste

40:59 Happy Ending: Early Europeans' psychedelic dabbling


Producers: Katy Lee and Wojciech Oleksiak 

Mixing and mastering: Wojciech Oleksiak

Music: Jim Barne and Mariska Martina

Twitter | Instagram | hello@europeanspodcast.com

]]>644b5e31-df37-4c84-bba8-820311d8e1e4Thu, 13 Apr 2023 06:00:00 +020043:29falsefullThe great investment greenwashThe great investment greenwashTrillions of euros — trillions! — are currently invested in 'sustainable' investment funds across Europe. But how green really are these funds? This week we ring up El País journalist Daniele Grasso, part of the international team of reporters behind the Great Green Investment Investigation, to find out. We're also talking about Sanna Marin's defeat, Italy's move to ban ChatGPT, and courgette flowers.

You can find Follow The Money's investigation on green investigation funds here, with links to reporting from Daniele and the rest of the team at the bottom of the page. The TechCrunch piece on the ramifications of Italy's ChatGPT ruling can be found here.

This week's Isolation Inspiration: courgette flowers with garlic butter and oats; 99% Invisible - The Panopticon Effect.  


Thanks for listening! If you enjoy our podcast and would like to help us keep making it, we'd love it if you'd consider chipping in a few bucks a month at patreon.com/europeanspodcast (many currencies are available). You can also help new listeners find the show by leaving us a review or giving us five stars on Spotify. 


00:22 British lads and the correct way to enjoy a marathon

04:21 Bad Week: Sanna Marin

09:55 Good Week: Italy vs ChatGPT

20:28 Interview: Daniele Grasso on Europe's not-so-green investment funds

32:19 Isolation Inspiration: Courgette flowers and 99% Invisible: The Panopticon Effect

35:31 Happy Ending: Congratulations, Ryyan!



Producers: Katy Lee and Wojciech Oleksiak 

Mixing and mastering: Wojciech Oleksiak

Music: Jim Barne and Mariska Martina

Twitter | Instagram | hello@europeanspodcast.com


]]>Trillions of euros — trillions! — are currently invested in 'sustainable' investment funds across Europe. But how green really are these funds? This week we ring up El País journalist Daniele Grasso, part of the international team of reporters behind the Great Green Investment Investigation, to find out. We're also talking about Sanna Marin's defeat, Italy's move to ban ChatGPT, and courgette flowers.

You can find Follow The Money's investigation on green investigation funds here, with links to reporting from Daniele and the rest of the team at the bottom of the page. The TechCrunch piece on the ramifications of Italy's ChatGPT ruling can be found here.

This week's Isolation Inspiration: courgette flowers with garlic butter and oats; 99% Invisible - The Panopticon Effect.  


Thanks for listening! If you enjoy our podcast and would like to help us keep making it, we'd love it if you'd consider chipping in a few bucks a month at patreon.com/europeanspodcast (many currencies are available). You can also help new listeners find the show by leaving us a review or giving us five stars on Spotify. 


00:22 British lads and the correct way to enjoy a marathon

04:21 Bad Week: Sanna Marin

09:55 Good Week: Italy vs ChatGPT

20:28 Interview: Daniele Grasso on Europe's not-so-green investment funds

32:19 Isolation Inspiration: Courgette flowers and 99% Invisible: The Panopticon Effect

35:31 Happy Ending: Congratulations, Ryyan!



Producers: Katy Lee and Wojciech Oleksiak 

Mixing and mastering: Wojciech Oleksiak

Music: Jim Barne and Mariska Martina

Twitter | Instagram | hello@europeanspodcast.com


]]>45a5f913-b071-41d2-9828-4bcf6f86ea4bThu, 06 Apr 2023 06:00:00 +020037:29falsefullSuspicion machines and combustion enginesSuspicion machines and combustion enginesIf you've claimed welfare benefits in Europe lately, there's a decent chance that authorities have used an algorithm to assess whether you might be trying to scam the system. The problem? All kinds of discrimination are baked into these calculations. This week we speak to Gabriel Geiger, one of the journalists behind an international investigation into these ‘suspicion machines’. We’re also looking back at a week of highs and lows for Europe’s climate policy, and celebrating Pompeii’s fluffy new recruits. 

You can find the various pieces published as part of Lighthouse Reports’ ‘suspicion machines’ investigation here and follow Gabriel on Twitter here.

The Guardian graphic that Dominic mentioned, explaining why it’s so hard to power ships with electricity, can be found here.

This week’s Isolation Inspiration: 'Lessons' by Ian McEwan, Traute Lafrenz's obituary, and 'A Brief History of Everyone Who Ever Lived' by Adam Rutherford.


Thanks for listening! If you enjoy our podcast and would like to help us keep making it, we'd love it if you'd consider chipping in a few bucks a month at patreon.com/europeanspodcast (many currencies are available). You can also help new listeners find the show by leaving us a review or giving us five stars on Spotify. 00:22 The highs and lows of modern technology
02:52 Good week: Europe's maritime fuel deal
10:45 Bad week: The great combustion engine flop
19:33 Interview: Gabriel Geiger on Europe's suspicion machines
36:11 Isolation Inspiration: 'Lessons' by Ian McEwan, Traute Lafrenz's obituary, and 'A Brief History of Everyone Who Ever Lived'
40:05 Happy Ending: Pompeii's fluffy new recruits

Producer: Katy Lee

Mixing and mastering: Wojciech Oleksiak

Music: Jim Barne and Mariska Martina

Twitter | Instagram | hello@europeanspodcast.com


]]>If you've claimed welfare benefits in Europe lately, there's a decent chance that authorities have used an algorithm to assess whether you might be trying to scam the system. The problem? All kinds of discrimination are baked into these calculations. This week we speak to Gabriel Geiger, one of the journalists behind an international investigation into these ‘suspicion machines’. We’re also looking back at a week of highs and lows for Europe’s climate policy, and celebrating Pompeii’s fluffy new recruits. 

You can find the various pieces published as part of Lighthouse Reports’ ‘suspicion machines’ investigation here and follow Gabriel on Twitter here.

The Guardian graphic that Dominic mentioned, explaining why it’s so hard to power ships with electricity, can be found here.

This week’s Isolation Inspiration: 'Lessons' by Ian McEwan, Traute Lafrenz's obituary, and 'A Brief History of Everyone Who Ever Lived' by Adam Rutherford.


Thanks for listening! If you enjoy our podcast and would like to help us keep making it, we'd love it if you'd consider chipping in a few bucks a month at patreon.com/europeanspodcast (many currencies are available). You can also help new listeners find the show by leaving us a review or giving us five stars on Spotify. 00:22 The highs and lows of modern technology
02:52 Good week: Europe's maritime fuel deal
10:45 Bad week: The great combustion engine flop
19:33 Interview: Gabriel Geiger on Europe's suspicion machines
36:11 Isolation Inspiration: 'Lessons' by Ian McEwan, Traute Lafrenz's obituary, and 'A Brief History of Everyone Who Ever Lived'
40:05 Happy Ending: Pompeii's fluffy new recruits

Producer: Katy Lee

Mixing and mastering: Wojciech Oleksiak

Music: Jim Barne and Mariska Martina

Twitter | Instagram | hello@europeanspodcast.com


]]>f9bc554e-8230-4fa0-aea7-12962d3cc486Thu, 30 Mar 2023 06:00:00 +020042:58falsefullWhy would you flood a forest?Why would you flood a forest?Last year, conservationists deliberately flooded a Slovakian forest. Why would you do such a thing? This week we ring up the co-founder of one of the organisations behind the project, Duarte de Zoeten of Mossy Earth, to find out. We're also talking about Italy's rainbow families, a kind-of-sort-of deal between Kosovo and Serbia, and Europe's first wild river national park.

You can find Mossy Earth's YouTube channel here and their latest video about the Danube project here. Find out more about their Slovakian partners, Broz, here.

This week's Isolation Inspiration: Vrij Spel (NPO) - Arnout, Dominic, Felix & Timo vs. Purcell; Stanley Tucci - Searching for Italy. 

Thanks for listening! If you enjoy our podcast and would like to help us keep making it, we'd love it if you'd consider chipping in a few bucks a month at patreon.com/europeanspodcast (many currencies are available). You can also help new listeners find the show by leaving us a review or giving us five stars on Spotify.


00:22 Rats and Covid
03:12 Bad week: Milan's rainbow families
09:39 Good week (ish): Serbia and Kosovo
19:03 Interview: Duarte de Zoeten on flooding a Slovakian forest
32:05 Isolation Inspiration: Arnout, Dominic, Felix & Timo vs. Purcell, and 'Searching for Italy'
37:45 Happy Ending: Europe's first wild river national park

Producer: Katy Lee

Mixing and mastering: Wojciech Oleksiak

Music: Jim Barne and Mariska Martina

Twitter | Instagram | hello@europeanspodcast.com

]]>Last year, conservationists deliberately flooded a Slovakian forest. Why would you do such a thing? This week we ring up the co-founder of one of the organisations behind the project, Duarte de Zoeten of Mossy Earth, to find out. We're also talking about Italy's rainbow families, a kind-of-sort-of deal between Kosovo and Serbia, and Europe's first wild river national park.

You can find Mossy Earth's YouTube channel here and their latest video about the Danube project here. Find out more about their Slovakian partners, Broz, here.

This week's Isolation Inspiration: Vrij Spel (NPO) - Arnout, Dominic, Felix & Timo vs. Purcell; Stanley Tucci - Searching for Italy. 

Thanks for listening! If you enjoy our podcast and would like to help us keep making it, we'd love it if you'd consider chipping in a few bucks a month at patreon.com/europeanspodcast (many currencies are available). You can also help new listeners find the show by leaving us a review or giving us five stars on Spotify.


00:22 Rats and Covid
03:12 Bad week: Milan's rainbow families
09:39 Good week (ish): Serbia and Kosovo
19:03 Interview: Duarte de Zoeten on flooding a Slovakian forest
32:05 Isolation Inspiration: Arnout, Dominic, Felix & Timo vs. Purcell, and 'Searching for Italy'
37:45 Happy Ending: Europe's first wild river national park

Producer: Katy Lee

Mixing and mastering: Wojciech Oleksiak

Music: Jim Barne and Mariska Martina

Twitter | Instagram | hello@europeanspodcast.com

]]>3f0e288a-de47-4644-82ea-bb5896e6c948Thu, 23 Mar 2023 06:00:00 +020040:35falsefullWhat is Putin up to in Moldova?What is Putin up to in Moldova?There've been a bunch of worrying reports from Moldova in recent weeks, from claims that Russia is fuelling street protests to fears of a coup d'etat. What exactly is going on, and what does Moscow have to do with it? This week we speak to Ivana Stradner, a specialist in Russian information warfare, to try to get to grips with Putin's strategy in the wider region. We're also talking about a teenager who may or may not have set up a non-existent airline, and what makes Swiss chocolate Swiss.

Ivana is a special correspondent at the Kyiv Post and a research fellow at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies. You can follow her on Twitter here.

Read more about the strangest story in German aviation here on One Mile At A Time.

This week's Isolation Inspiration: Tár, 'The Instrumentalist' by Zadie Smith, Aftersun, and Rádio Olisipo.

Thanks for listening! If you enjoy our podcast and would like to help us keep making it, we'd love it if you'd consider chipping in a few bucks a month at patreon.com/europeanspodcast (many currencies are available). You can also help new listeners find the show by leaving us a review or giving us five stars on Spotify.

00:22 Viral cucumbers
03:13 Bad week: The teenager behind Germany's non-existent airline
09:48 Good week: Protecting Brand Switzerland (aka 'let's talk about Toblerones')
19:10 Interview: Ivana Stradner on Russian information warfare in Moldova and beyond
33:24 Isolation Inspiration: Tár, 'The Instrumentalist' by Zadie Smith, Aftersun, and Rádio Olisipo
38:08 Happy Ending: The opposite of burgling


Producers: Katy Lee and Wojciech Oleksiak

Mixing and mastering: Wojciech Oleksiak

Music: Jim Barne and Mariska Martina

Twitter | Instagram | hello@europeanspodcast.com


]]>There've been a bunch of worrying reports from Moldova in recent weeks, from claims that Russia is fuelling street protests to fears of a coup d'etat. What exactly is going on, and what does Moscow have to do with it? This week we speak to Ivana Stradner, a specialist in Russian information warfare, to try to get to grips with Putin's strategy in the wider region. We're also talking about a teenager who may or may not have set up a non-existent airline, and what makes Swiss chocolate Swiss.

Ivana is a special correspondent at the Kyiv Post and a research fellow at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies. You can follow her on Twitter here.

Read more about the strangest story in German aviation here on One Mile At A Time.

This week's Isolation Inspiration: Tár, 'The Instrumentalist' by Zadie Smith, Aftersun, and Rádio Olisipo.

Thanks for listening! If you enjoy our podcast and would like to help us keep making it, we'd love it if you'd consider chipping in a few bucks a month at patreon.com/europeanspodcast (many currencies are available). You can also help new listeners find the show by leaving us a review or giving us five stars on Spotify.

00:22 Viral cucumbers
03:13 Bad week: The teenager behind Germany's non-existent airline
09:48 Good week: Protecting Brand Switzerland (aka 'let's talk about Toblerones')
19:10 Interview: Ivana Stradner on Russian information warfare in Moldova and beyond
33:24 Isolation Inspiration: Tár, 'The Instrumentalist' by Zadie Smith, Aftersun, and Rádio Olisipo
38:08 Happy Ending: The opposite of burgling


Producers: Katy Lee and Wojciech Oleksiak

Mixing and mastering: Wojciech Oleksiak

Music: Jim Barne and Mariska Martina

Twitter | Instagram | hello@europeanspodcast.com


]]>bff86b58-3c46-405f-a404-85af483aa768Thu, 09 Mar 2023 06:00:00 +020040:41falsefullSo Nearly A Eurovision HitSo Nearly A Eurovision HitWe're deep into the selection process for the world's most ridiculous music competition, with artists across the continent vying to be chosen as their nation's Eurovision entry. But what happens to the songs that don't actually make it to the contest? This week we've got a joyful interview with Monty Moncrieff, whose podcast Second Cherry gives some love to the nearly-Eurovision hits that still deserve a listen. We're also talking about Elly Schlein, Italy's new leader on the left, and an eyebrow-raising decision by Malta's prison service.

This week's Isolation Inspiration: 'Euphoria' and 'Tattoo' by Loreen; 'The Last Soviet', and bonus entry 'Email to Berlin' by Double Date.

Thanks for listening! If you enjoy our podcast and would like to help us keep making it, we'd love it if you'd consider chipping in a few bucks a month at patreon.com/europeanspodcast (many currencies are available). You can also help new listeners find the show by leaving us a review or giving us five stars on Spotify.

00:23 Continental drama and bird noises
02:36 Good Week: Elly Schlein
12:13 Bad week: Malta's prison service
22:09 Interview: Monty Moncrieff on nearly-Eurovision hits
34:50 Isolation Inspiration: Loreen and 'The Last Soviet'
38:44 Happy Ending: A Roman dildo?

Producers: Katy Lee and Wojciech Oleksiak

Mixing and mastering: Wojciech Oleksiak

Music: Jim Barne and Mariska Martina

Twitter | Instagram | hello@europeanspodcast.com

]]>We're deep into the selection process for the world's most ridiculous music competition, with artists across the continent vying to be chosen as their nation's Eurovision entry. But what happens to the songs that don't actually make it to the contest? This week we've got a joyful interview with Monty Moncrieff, whose podcast Second Cherry gives some love to the nearly-Eurovision hits that still deserve a listen. We're also talking about Elly Schlein, Italy's new leader on the left, and an eyebrow-raising decision by Malta's prison service.

This week's Isolation Inspiration: 'Euphoria' and 'Tattoo' by Loreen; 'The Last Soviet', and bonus entry 'Email to Berlin' by Double Date.

Thanks for listening! If you enjoy our podcast and would like to help us keep making it, we'd love it if you'd consider chipping in a few bucks a month at patreon.com/europeanspodcast (many currencies are available). You can also help new listeners find the show by leaving us a review or giving us five stars on Spotify.

00:23 Continental drama and bird noises
02:36 Good Week: Elly Schlein
12:13 Bad week: Malta's prison service
22:09 Interview: Monty Moncrieff on nearly-Eurovision hits
34:50 Isolation Inspiration: Loreen and 'The Last Soviet'
38:44 Happy Ending: A Roman dildo?

Producers: Katy Lee and Wojciech Oleksiak

Mixing and mastering: Wojciech Oleksiak

Music: Jim Barne and Mariska Martina

Twitter | Instagram | hello@europeanspodcast.com

]]>a4932d19-bd3a-4831-99cb-8604eb73138eThu, 02 Mar 2023 06:00:00 +020043:00falsefullValeriaValeriaAn overnight career change. Switching the language you love in. This week, how war transforms your life in ways you’d never expect.

This is the final instalment of our award-winning mini-series This Is What A Generation Sounds Like, a co-production by The Europeans and Are We Europe, made in cooperation with the Allianz Foundation. You can find the other episodes, which take us from Italy to Belarus, here.

Our regular show will be back next week. Thanks as ever to the listeners who support this podcast so that we can keep making it. You can chip in at patreon.com/europeanspodcast.

Thanks for listening.

Producers: Katz Laszlo and Valeria Fokina

Sound design: Katz Laszlo

Mixing and mastering: Wojciech Oleksiak

Editor: Katy Lee

Editorial support: Wojciech Oleksiak and Dominic Kraemer

You can find Valeria on Instagram here.

Music: The Kiffness x Boombox - Remix of Andrii Horolski singing ‘Oy u luzi chervona kalyna’; коники by Tik Tu; Vesna, Baby and Alambari by DakhaBrakha; Valeria Fokina covering ‘I Will Survive’ by Gloria Gaynor; When It Hits You and The Final Cut from Epidemic Sound. Theme music by Jim Barne. SFX from Freesound.org.

Twitter | Instagram | hello@europeanspodcast.com

]]>An overnight career change. Switching the language you love in. This week, how war transforms your life in ways you’d never expect.

This is the final instalment of our award-winning mini-series This Is What A Generation Sounds Like, a co-production by The Europeans and Are We Europe, made in cooperation with the Allianz Foundation. You can find the other episodes, which take us from Italy to Belarus, here.

Our regular show will be back next week. Thanks as ever to the listeners who support this podcast so that we can keep making it. You can chip in at patreon.com/europeanspodcast.

Thanks for listening.

Producers: Katz Laszlo and Valeria Fokina

Sound design: Katz Laszlo

Mixing and mastering: Wojciech Oleksiak

Editor: Katy Lee

Editorial support: Wojciech Oleksiak and Dominic Kraemer

You can find Valeria on Instagram here.

Music: The Kiffness x Boombox - Remix of Andrii Horolski singing ‘Oy u luzi chervona kalyna’; коники by Tik Tu; Vesna, Baby and Alambari by DakhaBrakha; Valeria Fokina covering ‘I Will Survive’ by Gloria Gaynor; When It Hits You and The Final Cut from Epidemic Sound. Theme music by Jim Barne. SFX from Freesound.org.

Twitter | Instagram | hello@europeanspodcast.com

]]>274d6cec-a0ee-4eed-bba4-0afc81b423e1Thu, 23 Feb 2023 11:56:00 +020037:45falsefullSpies, wolves and taxesSpies, wolves and taxesThere's been a steady drip-drip of revelations for months now that an alarming number of people in Greece have had their phones tapped. Who is behind this mass snooping, and why are they doing it? This week we call up our favourite Greek-splainer Nick Malkoutzis to unravel a complicated scandal. We're also talking about oil and gas companies' bonanza profits, and the wolf that killed Ursula von der Leyen's pony.

Nick is the co-founder and editor of MacroPolis. You can find The Agora, his excellent podcast on Greek politics, here.

This week's Isolation Inspiration: Cunk on Earth and The Making of Modern Ukraine (on Youtube here and on Spotify here).

Thanks for listening! If you enjoy our podcast and would like to help us keep making it, we'd love it if you'd consider chipping in a few bucks a month at patreon.com/europeanspodcast (many currencies are available). You can also help new listeners find the show by leaving us a review or giving us five stars on Spotify.

00:23 Duolingo fraud
02:22 Bad Week: Ursula and the Wolf
08:03 Good week: Filthy-rich oil and gas giants
18:35 Interview: Nick Malkoutzis on Greece's snooping scandal
30:48 Isolation Inspiration: 'Cunk on Earth' and 'The Making of Modern Ukraine'
34:25 Happy Ending: Hercules rises from the sewer

Producers: Katy Lee and Wojciech Oleksiak

Mixing and mastering: Wojciech Oleksiak

Music: Jim Barne and Mariska Martina

Twitter | Instagram | hello@europeanspodcast.com

]]>There's been a steady drip-drip of revelations for months now that an alarming number of people in Greece have had their phones tapped. Who is behind this mass snooping, and why are they doing it? This week we call up our favourite Greek-splainer Nick Malkoutzis to unravel a complicated scandal. We're also talking about oil and gas companies' bonanza profits, and the wolf that killed Ursula von der Leyen's pony.

Nick is the co-founder and editor of MacroPolis. You can find The Agora, his excellent podcast on Greek politics, here.

This week's Isolation Inspiration: Cunk on Earth and The Making of Modern Ukraine (on Youtube here and on Spotify here).

Thanks for listening! If you enjoy our podcast and would like to help us keep making it, we'd love it if you'd consider chipping in a few bucks a month at patreon.com/europeanspodcast (many currencies are available). You can also help new listeners find the show by leaving us a review or giving us five stars on Spotify.

00:23 Duolingo fraud
02:22 Bad Week: Ursula and the Wolf
08:03 Good week: Filthy-rich oil and gas giants
18:35 Interview: Nick Malkoutzis on Greece's snooping scandal
30:48 Isolation Inspiration: 'Cunk on Earth' and 'The Making of Modern Ukraine'
34:25 Happy Ending: Hercules rises from the sewer

Producers: Katy Lee and Wojciech Oleksiak

Mixing and mastering: Wojciech Oleksiak

Music: Jim Barne and Mariska Martina

Twitter | Instagram | hello@europeanspodcast.com

]]>9e363f84-df28-44f7-92ad-84cb046d1aa9Thu, 09 Feb 2023 06:00:00 +020037:53falsefullGermany’s Gonna GermanyGermany’s Gonna GermanyGermany’s government has faced international criticism in recent weeks for dithering over whether or not to send tanks to Ukraine. The Leopard 2s are finally on their way — but why is Europe’s richest country so reluctant to look like a military leader? This week we’re diving into the psychology of Germany’s foreign policy with Sophia Besch, Europe fellow at the Carnegie Endowment. We’re also talking about Czechia’s anti-populist new president, and a bitter row over wine labels.

You can follow Sophia on Twitter here and find out more about her work here.

This week’s Isolation Inspiration: Stromae’s Tiny Desk Concert and ‘The Door’ by Magda Szabó.

Thanks for listening! If you enjoy our podcast and would like to help us keep making it, we'd love it if you'd consider chipping in a few bucks a month at patreon.com/europeanspodcast (many currencies are available). You can also help new listeners find the show by leaving us a review or giving us five stars on Spotify.

00:00 Good Week, Fast Week
02:50 Good Week: Bye-bye Babiš
11:08 Bad week: The Great Wine Label Row
22:00 Interview: Sophia Besch on how Germany sees its place in the world
39:27 Isolation Inspiration: Stromae’s Tiny Desk Concert and ‘The Door’ by Magda Szabó
41:33 Happy Ending: Sharks in Liverpool


Producers: Katy Lee and Wojciech Oleksiak

Mixing and mastering: Wojciech Oleksiak

Music: Jim Barne and Mariska Martina

Twitter | Instagram | hello@europeanspodcast.com

]]>Germany’s government has faced international criticism in recent weeks for dithering over whether or not to send tanks to Ukraine. The Leopard 2s are finally on their way — but why is Europe’s richest country so reluctant to look like a military leader? This week we’re diving into the psychology of Germany’s foreign policy with Sophia Besch, Europe fellow at the Carnegie Endowment. We’re also talking about Czechia’s anti-populist new president, and a bitter row over wine labels.

You can follow Sophia on Twitter here and find out more about her work here.

This week’s Isolation Inspiration: Stromae’s Tiny Desk Concert and ‘The Door’ by Magda Szabó.

Thanks for listening! If you enjoy our podcast and would like to help us keep making it, we'd love it if you'd consider chipping in a few bucks a month at patreon.com/europeanspodcast (many currencies are available). You can also help new listeners find the show by leaving us a review or giving us five stars on Spotify.

00:00 Good Week, Fast Week
02:50 Good Week: Bye-bye Babiš
11:08 Bad week: The Great Wine Label Row
22:00 Interview: Sophia Besch on how Germany sees its place in the world
39:27 Isolation Inspiration: Stromae’s Tiny Desk Concert and ‘The Door’ by Magda Szabó
41:33 Happy Ending: Sharks in Liverpool


Producers: Katy Lee and Wojciech Oleksiak

Mixing and mastering: Wojciech Oleksiak

Music: Jim Barne and Mariska Martina

Twitter | Instagram | hello@europeanspodcast.com

]]>8cb387ee-f3f4-4d24-8f58-000f0dcc3056Thu, 02 Feb 2023 06:00:00 +020044:07falsefullThe dark side of fine diningThe dark side of fine diningWhen legendary Copenhagen restaurant Noma announced that it's planning to close its doors, its star chef René Redzepi said that producing his kind of elite cuisine had become 'unsustainable'. The restaurant, and others like it, have faced vocal criticism over working practices ranging from exploitative unpaid internships to gruelling 16-hour days. This week we speak to Lisa Lind Dunbar, an industry veteran and critic of Denmark's restaurant working culture, to try to understand how fine dining went so wrong. We're also talking about Polish bison, why Turkey is blocking Sweden's NATO bid, and the Irish president's vision of a blissfully homework-free childhood.

You can follow Lisa on Instagram here. This week's Isolation Inspiration: Paolo Sorrentino's 'Hand of God', and 'Ukraine: Under the Counter', reported by our very own Katz Laszlo for Rough Translation / Radiolab.

Thanks for listening! If you enjoy our podcast and would like to help us keep making it, we'd love it if you'd consider chipping in a few bucks a month at patreon.com/europeanspodcast (many currencies are available). You can also help new listeners find the show by leaving us a review or giving us five stars on Spotify.

00:00 The Europeans, brought to you by ChatGPT
03:49 Good Week: A proposed homework ban in Ireland
10:15 Bad week: Why Turkey is blocking Sweden's NATO bid
20:55 Interview: Lisa Lind Dunbar on Denmark's broken restaurant industry
39:03 Isolation Inspiration: 'The Hand of God' and 'Under the Counter'
42:07 Hooray for Polish bison

Producers: Katy Lee and Wojciech Oleksiak

Mixing and mastering: Wojciech Oleksiak

Music: Jim Barne and Mariska Martina

Twitter | Instagram | hello@europeanspodcast.com

]]>When legendary Copenhagen restaurant Noma announced that it's planning to close its doors, its star chef René Redzepi said that producing his kind of elite cuisine had become 'unsustainable'. The restaurant, and others like it, have faced vocal criticism over working practices ranging from exploitative unpaid internships to gruelling 16-hour days. This week we speak to Lisa Lind Dunbar, an industry veteran and critic of Denmark's restaurant working culture, to try to understand how fine dining went so wrong. We're also talking about Polish bison, why Turkey is blocking Sweden's NATO bid, and the Irish president's vision of a blissfully homework-free childhood.

You can follow Lisa on Instagram here. This week's Isolation Inspiration: Paolo Sorrentino's 'Hand of God', and 'Ukraine: Under the Counter', reported by our very own Katz Laszlo for Rough Translation / Radiolab.

Thanks for listening! If you enjoy our podcast and would like to help us keep making it, we'd love it if you'd consider chipping in a few bucks a month at patreon.com/europeanspodcast (many currencies are available). You can also help new listeners find the show by leaving us a review or giving us five stars on Spotify.

00:00 The Europeans, brought to you by ChatGPT
03:49 Good Week: A proposed homework ban in Ireland
10:15 Bad week: Why Turkey is blocking Sweden's NATO bid
20:55 Interview: Lisa Lind Dunbar on Denmark's broken restaurant industry
39:03 Isolation Inspiration: 'The Hand of God' and 'Under the Counter'
42:07 Hooray for Polish bison

Producers: Katy Lee and Wojciech Oleksiak

Mixing and mastering: Wojciech Oleksiak

Music: Jim Barne and Mariska Martina

Twitter | Instagram | hello@europeanspodcast.com

]]>07cd3fc4-1176-4e2c-be21-f9bb3f1eeb1eThu, 26 Jan 2023 06:00:00 +020044:39falsefullAndreaAndreaThis week, a story about being incredibly sure you’re right about something, and then realising you weren’t. We’re heading to Cyprus for the latest instalment of our award-winning mini-series This Is What A Generation Sounds Like.

This series is a co-production by The Europeans and Are We Europe, made in cooperation with the Allianz Foundation. You can find the other episodes, which take us from Italy to Belarus, here.

Our regular show will be back next week! Thanks as ever to the listeners who support this podcast so that we can keep making it. You can chip in at patreon.com/europeanspodcast.

Thanks for listening.

Producers: Wojciech Oleksiak and Andrea Solomonides

Scoring, sound design and mixing: Wojciech Oleksiak

Editors: Katz Laszlo, Katy Lee and Dominic Kraemer

Music by Blue Dot Sessions. Theme music by Jim Barne.

With special thanks to Eleni Tzialli and Hilmi Tekoglu.

Twitter | Instagram | hello@europeanspodcast.com

]]>This week, a story about being incredibly sure you’re right about something, and then realising you weren’t. We’re heading to Cyprus for the latest instalment of our award-winning mini-series This Is What A Generation Sounds Like.

This series is a co-production by The Europeans and Are We Europe, made in cooperation with the Allianz Foundation. You can find the other episodes, which take us from Italy to Belarus, here.

Our regular show will be back next week! Thanks as ever to the listeners who support this podcast so that we can keep making it. You can chip in at patreon.com/europeanspodcast.

Thanks for listening.

Producers: Wojciech Oleksiak and Andrea Solomonides

Scoring, sound design and mixing: Wojciech Oleksiak

Editors: Katz Laszlo, Katy Lee and Dominic Kraemer

Music by Blue Dot Sessions. Theme music by Jim Barne.

With special thanks to Eleni Tzialli and Hilmi Tekoglu.

Twitter | Instagram | hello@europeanspodcast.com

]]>23a95d7a-9a77-4825-9530-f18184090a4aThu, 19 Jan 2023 06:00:00 +020035:17falsefullMerry Christmas And A Penis Morning To YouMerry Christmas And A Penis Morning To You*Content warning: This episode contains some colourful language and a discussion of what happens to letters to Sinterklaas*

It's our final episode of 2022! This week we're getting into the festive spirit with Berlin-based historian Kathrin Schwarz, creator of an entire series of Christmassy European podcasts. We're also talking about Belgium's Sinterklaas postal failure, and why a 1970s Eurovision hit has gone viral in Ukraine.

This episode was recorded live on Zoom in front of an audience of our supporters! Thank you so much to everyone who chips in so that we can keep making The Europeans. You can join us at patreon.com/europeanspodcast (many currencies are available). You can also help new listeners find the show by leaving us a review or giving us five stars on Spotify.

Kathrin's podcast, available in German, is called 'Have yourself a very European Christmas - Adventskalenderpodcast'. You can find all 24 episodes here on Spotify, as well as on Apple. You can also follow Kathrin on Twitter here or Instagram here, and find her latest work on witches in Brandenberg here.

This week's Isolation Inspiration: @balthazar_theblackmagus and 'Limbic' by Peter Scapello.


04:01 Good Week: Goeiemorgen, morgen

09:56 Bad Week: The great Sinterklaas postal failure

18:03 Kathrin Schwarz on Christmas in the EU

29:13 Isolation Inspiration: @balthazar_theblackmagus and 'Limbic' by Peter Scapello

31:11 Happy Ending: Fighting loneliness at the supermarket checkout


Thanks for listening! We'll be back in January.


Hosts: Dominic Kraemer and Katy Lee

Producers: Katy Lee, Wojciech Oleksiak and Katz Laszlo

Music: Jim Barne and Mariska Martina


This podcast is part of the Are We Europe family. You can find more like-minded European podcasts at areweeurope.com/audio-family.


Twitter | Instagram | hello@europeanspodcast.com


* * * * * * * * * * * *

Kathrin's Recipe: Sardine sandwiches with Christmas cognac

Ingredients

200 ml béchamel sauce*

4 slices of toast

50 g grated Gruyère cheese

1 tin of sardines in olive oil (115 g)

1 teaspoon mustard

1 tablespoon lemon juice

1/4 teaspoon chopped thyme

salt

black pepper

*Melt butter, mix with flour, then steadily milk in at medium temperature

Preparation

Bring the béchamel sauce to boil in a small saucepan over medium heat.

Add the mustard, thyme, lemon juice, salt and pepper. Stir only briefly and remove from the heat. Place 2 slices of toast in a small ovenproof dish.

Spread half of the resulting mixture on the toast slices in a bowl, then arrange the drained sardines and half of the grated cheese on top.

Top with the remaining slices of toast and pour over the remaining béchamel sauce and grated cheese.

Place in the oven preheated to 220 °C and bake for 10-15 minutes until the surface is lightly browned and the cheese melts.

Tip

Before baking, place a lemon slice on each sandwich as a garnish or sprinkle with chives.

]]>*Content warning: This episode contains some colourful language and a discussion of what happens to letters to Sinterklaas*

It's our final episode of 2022! This week we're getting into the festive spirit with Berlin-based historian Kathrin Schwarz, creator of an entire series of Christmassy European podcasts. We're also talking about Belgium's Sinterklaas postal failure, and why a 1970s Eurovision hit has gone viral in Ukraine.

This episode was recorded live on Zoom in front of an audience of our supporters! Thank you so much to everyone who chips in so that we can keep making The Europeans. You can join us at patreon.com/europeanspodcast (many currencies are available). You can also help new listeners find the show by leaving us a review or giving us five stars on Spotify.

Kathrin's podcast, available in German, is called 'Have yourself a very European Christmas - Adventskalenderpodcast'. You can find all 24 episodes here on Spotify, as well as on Apple. You can also follow Kathrin on Twitter here or Instagram here, and find her latest work on witches in Brandenberg here.

This week's Isolation Inspiration: @balthazar_theblackmagus and 'Limbic' by Peter Scapello.


04:01 Good Week: Goeiemorgen, morgen

09:56 Bad Week: The great Sinterklaas postal failure

18:03 Kathrin Schwarz on Christmas in the EU

29:13 Isolation Inspiration: @balthazar_theblackmagus and 'Limbic' by Peter Scapello

31:11 Happy Ending: Fighting loneliness at the supermarket checkout


Thanks for listening! We'll be back in January.


Hosts: Dominic Kraemer and Katy Lee

Producers: Katy Lee, Wojciech Oleksiak and Katz Laszlo

Music: Jim Barne and Mariska Martina


This podcast is part of the Are We Europe family. You can find more like-minded European podcasts at areweeurope.com/audio-family.


Twitter | Instagram | hello@europeanspodcast.com


* * * * * * * * * * * *

Kathrin's Recipe: Sardine sandwiches with Christmas cognac

Ingredients

200 ml béchamel sauce*

4 slices of toast

50 g grated Gruyère cheese

1 tin of sardines in olive oil (115 g)

1 teaspoon mustard

1 tablespoon lemon juice

1/4 teaspoon chopped thyme

salt

black pepper

*Melt butter, mix with flour, then steadily milk in at medium temperature

Preparation

Bring the béchamel sauce to boil in a small saucepan over medium heat.

Add the mustard, thyme, lemon juice, salt and pepper. Stir only briefly and remove from the heat. Place 2 slices of toast in a small ovenproof dish.

Spread half of the resulting mixture on the toast slices in a bowl, then arrange the drained sardines and half of the grated cheese on top.

Top with the remaining slices of toast and pour over the remaining béchamel sauce and grated cheese.

Place in the oven preheated to 220 °C and bake for 10-15 minutes until the surface is lightly browned and the cheese melts.

Tip

Before baking, place a lemon slice on each sandwich as a garnish or sprinkle with chives.

]]>2e676125-2764-4546-8f85-a3d93cbc84d2Thu, 15 Dec 2022 06:00:00 +020033:53falsefullThe Surprising Queer History of PolandThe Surprising Queer History of PolandIn 1932, Poland became one of the first countries in Europe to decriminalise homosexuality; today it's one of the most hostile on the continent when it comes to LGBTQ rights. This week historian Kamil Karczewski joins us to discuss Poland's little-known history as a queer pioneer, and what has changed since. We're also talking about France's crackdown on domestic flights and Ireland's amazingly successful experiment with the four-day week. Oh, and we pay a visit to the EU metaverse, so that you don't have to.

You can follow Kamil on Twitter here, and visit the EU's Global Gateway metaverse site here. Good luck, and let us know if you make it inside!

This week's Isolation Inspiration: Règle 30, TechTrash, and Inside the Mind of a Cat. You can follow the Savitsky Cats on Instagram here.

Don't forget to sign up to support the podcast this week if you'd like to join the live recording of our Christmas episode on December 12! We're hugely grateful to everyone who chips in so that we can keep making the show. You can join us at patreon.com/europeanspodcast, and many currencies are available.

Thanks for listening!

02:22 Good Week: France's crackdown on domestic flights
09:36 Bad Week: The EU's metaverse fiesta flop
22:23 Interview: Kamil Karczewski on Poland's little-known queer history
38:16 Isolation Inspiration: Règle 30, Tech Trash, and 'Inside the Mind of a Cat'
42:22 Happy Ending: Ireland's four-day working week is a roaring success

Producers: Katy Lee and Wojciech Oleksiak

Music: Jim Barne and Mariska Martina

This podcast is part of the Are We Europe family. You can find more like-minded European podcasts at areweeurope.com/audio-family.

Twitter | Instagram | hello@europeanspodcast.com

]]>In 1932, Poland became one of the first countries in Europe to decriminalise homosexuality; today it's one of the most hostile on the continent when it comes to LGBTQ rights. This week historian Kamil Karczewski joins us to discuss Poland's little-known history as a queer pioneer, and what has changed since. We're also talking about France's crackdown on domestic flights and Ireland's amazingly successful experiment with the four-day week. Oh, and we pay a visit to the EU metaverse, so that you don't have to.

You can follow Kamil on Twitter here, and visit the EU's Global Gateway metaverse site here. Good luck, and let us know if you make it inside!

This week's Isolation Inspiration: Règle 30, TechTrash, and Inside the Mind of a Cat. You can follow the Savitsky Cats on Instagram here.

Don't forget to sign up to support the podcast this week if you'd like to join the live recording of our Christmas episode on December 12! We're hugely grateful to everyone who chips in so that we can keep making the show. You can join us at patreon.com/europeanspodcast, and many currencies are available.

Thanks for listening!

02:22 Good Week: France's crackdown on domestic flights
09:36 Bad Week: The EU's metaverse fiesta flop
22:23 Interview: Kamil Karczewski on Poland's little-known queer history
38:16 Isolation Inspiration: Règle 30, Tech Trash, and 'Inside the Mind of a Cat'
42:22 Happy Ending: Ireland's four-day working week is a roaring success

Producers: Katy Lee and Wojciech Oleksiak

Music: Jim Barne and Mariska Martina

This podcast is part of the Are We Europe family. You can find more like-minded European podcasts at areweeurope.com/audio-family.

Twitter | Instagram | hello@europeanspodcast.com

]]>a23d734a-f747-459f-80be-094d788b2cdeThu, 08 Dec 2022 06:00:00 +020044:46falsefullIs China trying to police people in Europe?Is China trying to police people in Europe?When reports emerged of Chinese 'police service stations' operating in Europe, alarm bells began ringing across the continent. But what exactly is going on at these sites, and how worried should we be about them? This week we ring Yuan Yang, Europe-China correspondent at the Financial Times, to get a better understanding of how China works beyond its borders. We're also talking about Viktor Orbán's controversial scarf and the right not to be 'fun' at work.

You can follow Yuan on Twitter here and read her reporting on China's offshore police stations here.

This week's Isolation Inspiration: 'The White Lotus', Season 2, and The Playlist. Our interview with newly-minted astronaut Dr Meganne Christian, from February 2019, can be found in this episode: The Most Isolated Place on Earth'.

Thanks for listening! If you enjoy our podcast and would like to help us keep making it, we'd love it if you'd consider chipping in a few bucks a month at patreon.com/europeanspodcast (many currencies are available). You can also help new listeners find the show by leaving us a review or giving us five stars on Spotify.

03:04 Bad Week: Scarfgate

08:09 Good Week: The right to not be fun

15:35 Interview: Yuan Yang on China's 'overseas police stations'

29:20 Isolation Inspiration: Season 2 of 'The White Lotus' and 'The Playlist'

32:22 Happy Ending: Europe's new astronauts

Producer: Katy Lee

Mixing and mastering: Wojciech Oleksiak

Music: Jim Barne and Mariska Martina

This podcast is part of the Are We Europe family. You can find more like-minded European podcasts at areweeurope.com/audio-family.

Twitter | Instagram | hello@europeanspodcast.com

]]>When reports emerged of Chinese 'police service stations' operating in Europe, alarm bells began ringing across the continent. But what exactly is going on at these sites, and how worried should we be about them? This week we ring Yuan Yang, Europe-China correspondent at the Financial Times, to get a better understanding of how China works beyond its borders. We're also talking about Viktor Orbán's controversial scarf and the right not to be 'fun' at work.

You can follow Yuan on Twitter here and read her reporting on China's offshore police stations here.

This week's Isolation Inspiration: 'The White Lotus', Season 2, and The Playlist. Our interview with newly-minted astronaut Dr Meganne Christian, from February 2019, can be found in this episode: The Most Isolated Place on Earth'.

Thanks for listening! If you enjoy our podcast and would like to help us keep making it, we'd love it if you'd consider chipping in a few bucks a month at patreon.com/europeanspodcast (many currencies are available). You can also help new listeners find the show by leaving us a review or giving us five stars on Spotify.

03:04 Bad Week: Scarfgate

08:09 Good Week: The right to not be fun

15:35 Interview: Yuan Yang on China's 'overseas police stations'

29:20 Isolation Inspiration: Season 2 of 'The White Lotus' and 'The Playlist'

32:22 Happy Ending: Europe's new astronauts

Producer: Katy Lee

Mixing and mastering: Wojciech Oleksiak

Music: Jim Barne and Mariska Martina

This podcast is part of the Are We Europe family. You can find more like-minded European podcasts at areweeurope.com/audio-family.

Twitter | Instagram | hello@europeanspodcast.com

]]>e593461e-6968-4163-9b6a-ade50632610bThu, 01 Dec 2022 06:00:00 +020035:32falsefullGood Five Years, Bad Five YearsGood Five Years, Bad Five YearsThe first episode of The Europeans aired five years ago this week! To mark this very special occasion, producers Katz and Wojciech join Katy and Dominic to look back on how Europe has changed in the half-decade we've been making this podcast.

Many thanks to the amazing people who've taken the time to speak to us over the years. In this episode you heard:

Franz Kubacyk - 'Translating Trump, Defending Deneuve', January 2018
Katz Laszlo - 'How the hell do you make an EU law?', February 2020
Tom Moylan - 'President of the European what now?', December 2019
Pasi Sahlberg - 'Finnish Lessons', April 2021
Andrei Popoviciu - 'Pushbacks', November 2019
Remco Yizhak Cooremans - 'It takes more than two, baby' - June 2022
Grace Ly - 'France's Invisible Asians', November 2020
Patrick Gathara - 'Eurafrica', February 2020
Natalie Lamprou - 'Cheese Diplomacy' - April 2021
Sara (episode 3 in our series This Is What A Generation Sounds Like) - November 2021

And thank you for listening! If you enjoy our podcast and would like to help us keep making it, we'd love it if you'd consider chipping in a few bucks a month at patreon.com/europeanspodcast (many currencies are available). You can also help new listeners find the show by leaving us a review or giving us five stars on Spotify.

A video of friendly wolves can be found here.

04:10 Good Five Years: Solar energy
10:48 Bad Five Years: Western naivety
15:55 Good Five Years: Wolves
21:46 Bad Five Years: Media freedom in Central and Eastern Europe
33:42 An ode to governments that came and went
35:32 Franz Kubacyk on Translating Trump
38:46 Tom Moylan on the secrets of the European Commission building
39:53 Pasi Sahlberg on Finland's education system
42:14 Frontex and Fortress Europe
43:48 Remco Yizhak Cooremans on recognising rainbow families in the Netherlands
44:51 Grace Ly on France's Invisible Asians
45:45 Patrick Gathara on Eurafrica
47:34 Natalie Lamprou on halloumi diplomacy in Cyprus
49:47 Sara: trahana, and three Albanias

Artwork for this episode by our lovely listener, Luisa Balaban.

Twitter | Instagram | hello@europeanspodcast.com

]]>The first episode of The Europeans aired five years ago this week! To mark this very special occasion, producers Katz and Wojciech join Katy and Dominic to look back on how Europe has changed in the half-decade we've been making this podcast.

Many thanks to the amazing people who've taken the time to speak to us over the years. In this episode you heard:

Franz Kubacyk - 'Translating Trump, Defending Deneuve', January 2018
Katz Laszlo - 'How the hell do you make an EU law?', February 2020
Tom Moylan - 'President of the European what now?', December 2019
Pasi Sahlberg - 'Finnish Lessons', April 2021
Andrei Popoviciu - 'Pushbacks', November 2019
Remco Yizhak Cooremans - 'It takes more than two, baby' - June 2022
Grace Ly - 'France's Invisible Asians', November 2020
Patrick Gathara - 'Eurafrica', February 2020
Natalie Lamprou - 'Cheese Diplomacy' - April 2021
Sara (episode 3 in our series This Is What A Generation Sounds Like) - November 2021

And thank you for listening! If you enjoy our podcast and would like to help us keep making it, we'd love it if you'd consider chipping in a few bucks a month at patreon.com/europeanspodcast (many currencies are available). You can also help new listeners find the show by leaving us a review or giving us five stars on Spotify.

A video of friendly wolves can be found here.

04:10 Good Five Years: Solar energy
10:48 Bad Five Years: Western naivety
15:55 Good Five Years: Wolves
21:46 Bad Five Years: Media freedom in Central and Eastern Europe
33:42 An ode to governments that came and went
35:32 Franz Kubacyk on Translating Trump
38:46 Tom Moylan on the secrets of the European Commission building
39:53 Pasi Sahlberg on Finland's education system
42:14 Frontex and Fortress Europe
43:48 Remco Yizhak Cooremans on recognising rainbow families in the Netherlands
44:51 Grace Ly on France's Invisible Asians
45:45 Patrick Gathara on Eurafrica
47:34 Natalie Lamprou on halloumi diplomacy in Cyprus
49:47 Sara: trahana, and three Albanias

Artwork for this episode by our lovely listener, Luisa Balaban.

Twitter | Instagram | hello@europeanspodcast.com

]]>685229d3-ee2a-4fa6-92f8-eeec21fd6cd1Thu, 24 Nov 2022 06:00:00 +020055:10falsefullFleeing climate changeFleeing climate changeAs the COP27 climate talks wrap up in Egypt, we’re turning our attention to an issue that got less attention at the summit than you might expect: the growing number of people having to flee their homes as a result of climate change. What role does Europe have to play in all this, both in terms of finding solutions and as a major driver of climate change in the first place? This week we find out with the help of Alexandre Porteret of the European Commission’s Civil Protection and Humanitarian Aid Operations department, and François Gemenne of the Hugo Laboratory, the world’s first interdisciplinary research centre focusing on how climate change impacts migration.

This episode was supported by the European Commission, with coordination from Are We Europe.

Producer: Katz Laszlo

Scoring and mastering: Wojciech Oleksiak

Music: BlueDot Sessions and Epidemic Sounds

Thanks for listening! If you enjoy our podcast and would like to help us keep making it, we'd love it if you'd consider chipping in a few bucks a month at patreon.com/europeanspodcast (many currencies are available). You can also help new listeners find the show by leaving us a review or giving us five stars on Spotify.

Twitter | Instagram | hello@europeanspodcast.com

]]>As the COP27 climate talks wrap up in Egypt, we’re turning our attention to an issue that got less attention at the summit than you might expect: the growing number of people having to flee their homes as a result of climate change. What role does Europe have to play in all this, both in terms of finding solutions and as a major driver of climate change in the first place? This week we find out with the help of Alexandre Porteret of the European Commission’s Civil Protection and Humanitarian Aid Operations department, and François Gemenne of the Hugo Laboratory, the world’s first interdisciplinary research centre focusing on how climate change impacts migration.

This episode was supported by the European Commission, with coordination from Are We Europe.

Producer: Katz Laszlo

Scoring and mastering: Wojciech Oleksiak

Music: BlueDot Sessions and Epidemic Sounds

Thanks for listening! If you enjoy our podcast and would like to help us keep making it, we'd love it if you'd consider chipping in a few bucks a month at patreon.com/europeanspodcast (many currencies are available). You can also help new listeners find the show by leaving us a review or giving us five stars on Spotify.

Twitter | Instagram | hello@europeanspodcast.com

]]>33b75a51-f0bd-4f6c-9505-ec652f959012Thu, 17 Nov 2022 06:00:00 +020033:30falsefullTake your time in BarcelonaTake your time in BarcelonaThis week we're wrestling with a big idea: time, and the lack of it. Most Europeans have experienced burnout, or felt close to it, at some point in their lives. What if we redesigned policies to give citizens their time back? To find out more, we called up Ariadna Güell Sans, one of the coordinators of the Barcelona Time Use Initiative, about how the city is using time to try to make life easier and fairer. We're also talking about incomprehensible euro-speak, and healing Franco-German relations with train tickets.

You can find Christian Rauh's study on the European Commission's unintelligible press releases here and Sarah Wheaton's reporting on it here in Politico. The European burnout survey can be found here.

This week's Isolation Inspiration: 'Something to Do' from Zadie Smith's 'Intimations', and Katy's Notion planner.

Thanks for listening! If you enjoy our podcast and would like to help us keep making it, we'd love it if you'd consider chipping in a few bucks a month at patreon.com/europeanspodcast (many currencies are available). You can also help new listeners find the show by leaving us a review or giving us five stars on Spotify.


02:35 Bad Week: Impenetrable euro-speak
10:46 Good Week: French and German young'uns
19:12 Interview: Ariadna Güell Sans on giving Barcelona's citizens their time back
34:57 Isolation Inspiration: 'Something To Do' by Zadie Smith, Notion and Rádio Olisipo
38:36 Happy Ending: The Netherlands' high school mayo dealers


Producers: Katy Lee and Wojciech Oleksiak

Music: Jim Barne and Mariska Martina

This podcast is part of the Are We Europe family. You can find more like-minded European podcasts at areweeurope.com/audio-family.

Twitter | Instagram | hello@europeanspodcast.com

]]>This week we're wrestling with a big idea: time, and the lack of it. Most Europeans have experienced burnout, or felt close to it, at some point in their lives. What if we redesigned policies to give citizens their time back? To find out more, we called up Ariadna Güell Sans, one of the coordinators of the Barcelona Time Use Initiative, about how the city is using time to try to make life easier and fairer. We're also talking about incomprehensible euro-speak, and healing Franco-German relations with train tickets.

You can find Christian Rauh's study on the European Commission's unintelligible press releases here and Sarah Wheaton's reporting on it here in Politico. The European burnout survey can be found here.

This week's Isolation Inspiration: 'Something to Do' from Zadie Smith's 'Intimations', and Katy's Notion planner.

Thanks for listening! If you enjoy our podcast and would like to help us keep making it, we'd love it if you'd consider chipping in a few bucks a month at patreon.com/europeanspodcast (many currencies are available). You can also help new listeners find the show by leaving us a review or giving us five stars on Spotify.


02:35 Bad Week: Impenetrable euro-speak
10:46 Good Week: French and German young'uns
19:12 Interview: Ariadna Güell Sans on giving Barcelona's citizens their time back
34:57 Isolation Inspiration: 'Something To Do' by Zadie Smith, Notion and Rádio Olisipo
38:36 Happy Ending: The Netherlands' high school mayo dealers


Producers: Katy Lee and Wojciech Oleksiak

Music: Jim Barne and Mariska Martina

This podcast is part of the Are We Europe family. You can find more like-minded European podcasts at areweeurope.com/audio-family.

Twitter | Instagram | hello@europeanspodcast.com

]]>8380e98f-d0cb-46e1-a61d-e709e5193cdfThu, 10 Nov 2022 06:00:00 +020041:22falsefullThe one where we take over the European ParliamentThe one where we take over the European ParliamentLast weekend, we took over the European Parliament (kind of) along with more than 1,000 young activists from across the continent. This week we hear from some of those activists as well as from President Roberta Metsola, in a conversation recorded live on stage inside the Hemicycle. We're also talking about Germany's plans to legalise cannabis, and how to steal a Polish tram.

Katy and Dominic were hosting Level Up!, a two-day activism bootcamp organised by the European Parliament, the European Commission and the European Youth Forum, whose president Silja Markkula also spoke to us on stage.

Thanks for listening! If you enjoy our podcast and would like to help us keep making it, we'd love it if you'd consider chipping in a few bucks a month at patreon.com/europeanspodcast (many currencies are available). You can also help new listeners find the show by leaving us a review or giving us five stars on Spotify.

This week's Isolation Inspiration: Greta Thunberg in conversation with Björk on the New Statesman's World Review podcast, and Adam Buxton in conversation with the Irish novelist Marian Keyes.

02:58 Good Week: Germany's plans to legalise cannabis
09:44 Bad Week: Poland's stolen tram
15:03 Our takeover of the European Parliament with 1,000 young activists
34:20 Isolation Inspiration: Greta Thunberg and Björk in conversation; Adam Buxton and Marian Keys in conversation
37:50 Happy Ending: The upside-down Mondrian

Producer: Katy Lee

Mixing and mastering: Wojciech Oleksiak

Music: Jim Barne and Mariska Martina

This podcast is part of the Are We Europe family. You can find the first chapter 'Mohamed' here, and more like-minded European podcasts at areweeurope.com/audio-family.

Twitter | Instagram | hello@europeanspodcast.com

]]>Last weekend, we took over the European Parliament (kind of) along with more than 1,000 young activists from across the continent. This week we hear from some of those activists as well as from President Roberta Metsola, in a conversation recorded live on stage inside the Hemicycle. We're also talking about Germany's plans to legalise cannabis, and how to steal a Polish tram.

Katy and Dominic were hosting Level Up!, a two-day activism bootcamp organised by the European Parliament, the European Commission and the European Youth Forum, whose president Silja Markkula also spoke to us on stage.

Thanks for listening! If you enjoy our podcast and would like to help us keep making it, we'd love it if you'd consider chipping in a few bucks a month at patreon.com/europeanspodcast (many currencies are available). You can also help new listeners find the show by leaving us a review or giving us five stars on Spotify.

This week's Isolation Inspiration: Greta Thunberg in conversation with Björk on the New Statesman's World Review podcast, and Adam Buxton in conversation with the Irish novelist Marian Keyes.

02:58 Good Week: Germany's plans to legalise cannabis
09:44 Bad Week: Poland's stolen tram
15:03 Our takeover of the European Parliament with 1,000 young activists
34:20 Isolation Inspiration: Greta Thunberg and Björk in conversation; Adam Buxton and Marian Keys in conversation
37:50 Happy Ending: The upside-down Mondrian

Producer: Katy Lee

Mixing and mastering: Wojciech Oleksiak

Music: Jim Barne and Mariska Martina

This podcast is part of the Are We Europe family. You can find the first chapter 'Mohamed' here, and more like-minded European podcasts at areweeurope.com/audio-family.

Twitter | Instagram | hello@europeanspodcast.com

]]>b614ee8e-701a-4a62-b837-53c4fee375d2Thu, 03 Nov 2022 06:00:00 +020042:47falsefullKingaKingafbfa2568-b295-4205-a110-c236d5af4c37Thu, 20 Oct 2022 06:00:00 +020032:21falsefullHacked by HungaryHacked by HungaryWhat does it feel like to know that your government has been able to access every single message on your phone? Last year, the Hungarian investigative journalist Szabolcs Panyi found out that he'd been hacked using Pegasus spyware. This week we hear about his latest investigation, which looks at how the Orbán government managed to get hold of this incredibly powerful surveillance tool in the first place. We're also talking about last weekend's mysterious German train sabotage and growing European protests against World Cup hosts Qatar.

You can follow Szabolcs on Twitter here and read the inside story of how Pegasus was brought to Hungary here via Direkt36. A background read on the spyware scandal currently rocking Greece can be found here.

Thanks for listening! If you enjoy our podcast and would like to help us keep making it, we'd love it if you'd consider chipping in a few bucks a month at patreon.com/europeanspodcast (many currencies are available). You can also help new listeners find the show by leaving us a review or giving us five stars on Spotify.

This week's Isolation Inspiration:

The latest visual episode in This Is What A Generation Sounds Like, our series with Are We Europe: Denisa

Scottish crime drama Karen Pirie

'Les années' (The Years) by Annie Ernaux

00:22 Welcome!
02:49 Bad Week: The Great German Train Sabotage Mystery
10:22 Good Week: Europe's growing World Cup protest movement
24:39 Interview: Szabolcs Panyi on being hacked by the Hungarian government
36:06 Isolation Inspiration: 'Denisa', 'Karen Pirie', and 'The Years' by Annie Ernaux
40:39 Happy Ending: Waxworms, gross but good

Producers: Katy Lee and Wojciech Oleksiak

Music: Jim Barne and Mariska Martina

This podcast is part of the Are We Europe family. Find more like-minded European podcasts at areweeurope.com/audio-family.

Twitter | Instagram | hello@europeanspodcast.com

]]>What does it feel like to know that your government has been able to access every single message on your phone? Last year, the Hungarian investigative journalist Szabolcs Panyi found out that he'd been hacked using Pegasus spyware. This week we hear about his latest investigation, which looks at how the Orbán government managed to get hold of this incredibly powerful surveillance tool in the first place. We're also talking about last weekend's mysterious German train sabotage and growing European protests against World Cup hosts Qatar.

You can follow Szabolcs on Twitter here and read the inside story of how Pegasus was brought to Hungary here via Direkt36. A background read on the spyware scandal currently rocking Greece can be found here.

Thanks for listening! If you enjoy our podcast and would like to help us keep making it, we'd love it if you'd consider chipping in a few bucks a month at patreon.com/europeanspodcast (many currencies are available). You can also help new listeners find the show by leaving us a review or giving us five stars on Spotify.

This week's Isolation Inspiration:

The latest visual episode in This Is What A Generation Sounds Like, our series with Are We Europe: Denisa

Scottish crime drama Karen Pirie

'Les années' (The Years) by Annie Ernaux

00:22 Welcome!
02:49 Bad Week: The Great German Train Sabotage Mystery
10:22 Good Week: Europe's growing World Cup protest movement
24:39 Interview: Szabolcs Panyi on being hacked by the Hungarian government
36:06 Isolation Inspiration: 'Denisa', 'Karen Pirie', and 'The Years' by Annie Ernaux
40:39 Happy Ending: Waxworms, gross but good

Producers: Katy Lee and Wojciech Oleksiak

Music: Jim Barne and Mariska Martina

This podcast is part of the Are We Europe family. Find more like-minded European podcasts at areweeurope.com/audio-family.

Twitter | Instagram | hello@europeanspodcast.com

]]>3736a9b7-d477-49ca-93e1-5d19a0f2b82aThu, 13 Oct 2022 06:00:00 +020043:28falsefullGolden passports, anal beads, and the world’s most complicated electionsGolden passports, anal beads, and the world’s most complicated electionsWith fourteen governments and a three-person presidency, Bosnia and Herzegovina's political system is often described as the most complicated in the world. It's a system that was designed to keep the peace after a devastating war. But three decades on, is it still working? This week we give Aleksandar Brezar the near-impossible task of untangling the weekend's elections for us. We're also talking about Malta's golden passports and a chess scandal involving anal beads. Yes, you heard that correctly.

Aleksandar is a journalist mostly covering the Western Balkans. You can find him on Twitter here.

Thanks for listening! If you enjoy our podcast and would like to help us keep making it, we'd love it if you'd consider chipping in a few bucks a month at patreon.com/europeanspodcast (many currencies are available). You can also help new listeners find the show by leaving us a review or giving us five stars on Spotify.

This week's Isolation Inspiration:

'Born in Blackness: Africa, Africans, and the Making of the Modern World, 1471 to the Second World War', by Howard W. French

The ZOE podcast: 'How to control blood sugar spikes', with Jessie Inchauspé


02:42 Good Week: A challenge to Malta's golden passport scheme

09:33 Bad Week: Anal bead scandal strikes the chess world

18:44 Interview: Aleksandar Brezar on the Bosnian elections

30:46 Isolation Inspiration: 'Born in Blackness' and Jessie Inchauspé on the ZOE podcast

34:41 Happy Ending: The power of cow poo


Producers: Katy Lee and Wojciech Oleksiak

Music: Jim Barne and Mariska Martina

This podcast is part of the Are We Europe family. Find more like-minded European podcasts at areweeurope.com/audio-family.

Twitter | Instagram | hello@europeanspodcast.com

]]>With fourteen governments and a three-person presidency, Bosnia and Herzegovina's political system is often described as the most complicated in the world. It's a system that was designed to keep the peace after a devastating war. But three decades on, is it still working? This week we give Aleksandar Brezar the near-impossible task of untangling the weekend's elections for us. We're also talking about Malta's golden passports and a chess scandal involving anal beads. Yes, you heard that correctly.

Aleksandar is a journalist mostly covering the Western Balkans. You can find him on Twitter here.

Thanks for listening! If you enjoy our podcast and would like to help us keep making it, we'd love it if you'd consider chipping in a few bucks a month at patreon.com/europeanspodcast (many currencies are available). You can also help new listeners find the show by leaving us a review or giving us five stars on Spotify.

This week's Isolation Inspiration:

'Born in Blackness: Africa, Africans, and the Making of the Modern World, 1471 to the Second World War', by Howard W. French

The ZOE podcast: 'How to control blood sugar spikes', with Jessie Inchauspé


02:42 Good Week: A challenge to Malta's golden passport scheme

09:33 Bad Week: Anal bead scandal strikes the chess world

18:44 Interview: Aleksandar Brezar on the Bosnian elections

30:46 Isolation Inspiration: 'Born in Blackness' and Jessie Inchauspé on the ZOE podcast

34:41 Happy Ending: The power of cow poo


Producers: Katy Lee and Wojciech Oleksiak

Music: Jim Barne and Mariska Martina

This podcast is part of the Are We Europe family. Find more like-minded European podcasts at areweeurope.com/audio-family.

Twitter | Instagram | hello@europeanspodcast.com

]]>bbaad195-327f-4f26-a4b3-6b104a448615Thu, 06 Oct 2022 06:00:00 +020037:39falsefullWhat the hell just happened in Italy?What the hell just happened in Italy?This week saw a political earthquake in Italy — albeit one that had been widely predicted. With Giorgia Meloni's far-right Brothers of Italy poised to lead the new government, just how scared should we be? We ring up the philosopher Lorenzo Marsili to help us understand what just happened. We're also talking about fair pensions for Swiss women, and a Spanish lagoon that can now call itself a person.

Lorenzo is the founder of the progressive civil society movement European Alternatives. You can follow him on Twitter here.


Thanks for listening! If you enjoy our podcast and would like to help us keep making it, we'd love it if you'd consider chipping in a few bucks a month at patreon.com/europeanspodcast (many currencies are available). You can also help new listeners find the show by leaving us a review or giving us five stars on Spotify.


This week's Isolation Inspiration:

'Flying to LA' by Maro feat. Lisa Oduor-Noah

'I'll Come Too' by James Blake

'Broken Greek' by Pete Paphides and the accompanying Spotify playlist


02:18 Good Week: The Mar Menor

06:43 Bad Week: Swiss women

13:57 Interview: Lorenzo Marsili on the Italian elections

28:16 Isolation Inspiration: Maro and Broken Greek

32:07 Happy Ending: We can't wait for Rail Baltica


Producers: Katy Lee and Wojciech Oleksiak

Music: Jim Barne and Mariska Martina

This podcast is part of the Are We Europe family. Find more like-minded European podcasts at areweeurope.com/audio-family.

Twitter | Instagram | hello@europeanspodcast.com

]]>This week saw a political earthquake in Italy — albeit one that had been widely predicted. With Giorgia Meloni's far-right Brothers of Italy poised to lead the new government, just how scared should we be? We ring up the philosopher Lorenzo Marsili to help us understand what just happened. We're also talking about fair pensions for Swiss women, and a Spanish lagoon that can now call itself a person.

Lorenzo is the founder of the progressive civil society movement European Alternatives. You can follow him on Twitter here.


Thanks for listening! If you enjoy our podcast and would like to help us keep making it, we'd love it if you'd consider chipping in a few bucks a month at patreon.com/europeanspodcast (many currencies are available). You can also help new listeners find the show by leaving us a review or giving us five stars on Spotify.


This week's Isolation Inspiration:

'Flying to LA' by Maro feat. Lisa Oduor-Noah

'I'll Come Too' by James Blake

'Broken Greek' by Pete Paphides and the accompanying Spotify playlist


02:18 Good Week: The Mar Menor

06:43 Bad Week: Swiss women

13:57 Interview: Lorenzo Marsili on the Italian elections

28:16 Isolation Inspiration: Maro and Broken Greek

32:07 Happy Ending: We can't wait for Rail Baltica


Producers: Katy Lee and Wojciech Oleksiak

Music: Jim Barne and Mariska Martina

This podcast is part of the Are We Europe family. Find more like-minded European podcasts at areweeurope.com/audio-family.

Twitter | Instagram | hello@europeanspodcast.com

]]>96f3a886-b81f-4577-9b3f-0809b322f134Thu, 29 Sep 2022 06:00:00 +020034:23falsefullThe joys of the early internetThe joys of the early internetBetween those of us who grew up before the internet and those who've never known a world without it, there's a generation of people who came of age *with* the web. This week we chat to the French-Moroccan journalist Marie Le Conte about 'Escape', a book that reflects on the vibrant, chaotic days of the early internet and what has changed since then. We're also talking about Viktor Orbán's money woes and why psychiatrists in Brussels are prescribing museum visits for mental health.

Marie tweets at @youngvulgarian. 'Escape: How a generation shaped, destroyed and survived the internet' is out now.

You can read about how Hungary's elite made a fortune from EU subsidies here.

This week's Isolation Inspiration: The Politalia newsletter and 'Druk' (Another Round).

Thanks for listening! If you enjoy our podcast and would like to help us keep making it, we'd love it if you'd consider chipping in a few bucks a month at patreon.com/europeanspodcast (many currencies are available). You can also help new listeners find the show by leaving us a review or giving us five stars on Spotify.

02:47 Bad (ish) Week: Hungary's billions

10:34 Good Week: Brussels' 'museum therapy' initiative

18:57 Interview: Marie Le Conte on 'Escape' and growing up on the early internet

30:18 Isolation Inspiration: The Politalia newsletter and 'Druk' ('Another Round')

32:59 Happy Ending: Happy Birthday, Spider-Man


Producers: Katy Lee and Wojciech Oleksiak

Music: Jim Barne and Mariska Martina


This podcast is part of the Are We Europe family. Find more like-minded European podcasts at areweeurope.com/audio-family.

Twitter | Instagram | hello@europeanspodcast.com

]]>Between those of us who grew up before the internet and those who've never known a world without it, there's a generation of people who came of age *with* the web. This week we chat to the French-Moroccan journalist Marie Le Conte about 'Escape', a book that reflects on the vibrant, chaotic days of the early internet and what has changed since then. We're also talking about Viktor Orbán's money woes and why psychiatrists in Brussels are prescribing museum visits for mental health.

Marie tweets at @youngvulgarian. 'Escape: How a generation shaped, destroyed and survived the internet' is out now.

You can read about how Hungary's elite made a fortune from EU subsidies here.

This week's Isolation Inspiration: The Politalia newsletter and 'Druk' (Another Round).

Thanks for listening! If you enjoy our podcast and would like to help us keep making it, we'd love it if you'd consider chipping in a few bucks a month at patreon.com/europeanspodcast (many currencies are available). You can also help new listeners find the show by leaving us a review or giving us five stars on Spotify.

02:47 Bad (ish) Week: Hungary's billions

10:34 Good Week: Brussels' 'museum therapy' initiative

18:57 Interview: Marie Le Conte on 'Escape' and growing up on the early internet

30:18 Isolation Inspiration: The Politalia newsletter and 'Druk' ('Another Round')

32:59 Happy Ending: Happy Birthday, Spider-Man


Producers: Katy Lee and Wojciech Oleksiak

Music: Jim Barne and Mariska Martina


This podcast is part of the Are We Europe family. Find more like-minded European podcasts at areweeurope.com/audio-family.

Twitter | Instagram | hello@europeanspodcast.com

]]>72a8a3e2-46d8-4462-9bf3-c3c9f6787bf6Thu, 22 Sep 2022 06:00:00 +020036:05falsefullEpisode 200! Sweden’s elections and a guy who used to run a countryEpisode 200! Sweden’s elections and a guy who used to run a countryWe're back after our summer break, and celebrating a milestone this week: our 200th episode! To mark the occasion, we're joined by a special guest, former Finnish prime minister Alexander Stubb. Now that he's training the next generation of leaders at the European University Institute in Florence, we asked him to grade the current batch on their handling of everything from the war in Ukraine to the energy crisis. We're also talking about Sweden's election, an ill-advised decision by Bosnian football bosses, and how sheep can help to fight forest fires.

Alexander Stubb is Director of the School of Transnational Governance at the European University Institute. You can follow him on Twitter here.

Back in 2020 we interviewed another former Finnish PM, 16-year-old Aava Murto, after she held the job for a day. You can check out that conversation in this episode.

And Aleksandar Brezar's reporting on Bosnia and Herzegovina's planned friendly against Russia can be found here.

This week's Isolation Inspiration:

'Take A Chance' - DOMi & JD BECK, feat. Anderson .Paak

'Thou Wilt Keep Him In Perfect Peace' - Samuel Sebastian Wesley

'The short unhappy life of Elizabeth Windsor' - Politico Europe

Thank you so much to all the listeners who have helped us reach 200 episodes. If you enjoy our podcast and would like to help us keep making it, we'd love it if you'd consider chipping in a few bucks a month at patreon.com/europeanspodcast (many currencies are available). You can also help new listeners find the show by leaving us a review or giving us five stars on Spotify.

00:22 We're back, and it's our 200th episode!

03:36 Good Week? Sweden's elections

20:27 Interview: Alexander Stubb grades Europe's leaders on their handling of various current crises

36:33 Isolation Inspiration

41:04 Happy Ending: Firefighting sheep and goat(s)

Producers: Katy Lee and Wojciech Oleksiak

Music: Jim Barne and Mariska Martina

This podcast is part of the Are We Europe family. Find more like-minded European podcasts at areweeurope.com/audio-family.

Twitter | Instagram | hello@europeanspodcast.com

]]>We're back after our summer break, and celebrating a milestone this week: our 200th episode! To mark the occasion, we're joined by a special guest, former Finnish prime minister Alexander Stubb. Now that he's training the next generation of leaders at the European University Institute in Florence, we asked him to grade the current batch on their handling of everything from the war in Ukraine to the energy crisis. We're also talking about Sweden's election, an ill-advised decision by Bosnian football bosses, and how sheep can help to fight forest fires.

Alexander Stubb is Director of the School of Transnational Governance at the European University Institute. You can follow him on Twitter here.

Back in 2020 we interviewed another former Finnish PM, 16-year-old Aava Murto, after she held the job for a day. You can check out that conversation in this episode.

And Aleksandar Brezar's reporting on Bosnia and Herzegovina's planned friendly against Russia can be found here.

This week's Isolation Inspiration:

'Take A Chance' - DOMi & JD BECK, feat. Anderson .Paak

'Thou Wilt Keep Him In Perfect Peace' - Samuel Sebastian Wesley

'The short unhappy life of Elizabeth Windsor' - Politico Europe

Thank you so much to all the listeners who have helped us reach 200 episodes. If you enjoy our podcast and would like to help us keep making it, we'd love it if you'd consider chipping in a few bucks a month at patreon.com/europeanspodcast (many currencies are available). You can also help new listeners find the show by leaving us a review or giving us five stars on Spotify.

00:22 We're back, and it's our 200th episode!

03:36 Good Week? Sweden's elections

20:27 Interview: Alexander Stubb grades Europe's leaders on their handling of various current crises

36:33 Isolation Inspiration

41:04 Happy Ending: Firefighting sheep and goat(s)

Producers: Katy Lee and Wojciech Oleksiak

Music: Jim Barne and Mariska Martina

This podcast is part of the Are We Europe family. Find more like-minded European podcasts at areweeurope.com/audio-family.

Twitter | Instagram | hello@europeanspodcast.com

]]>79681407-7a69-4a9e-a09b-7014e732326aThu, 15 Sep 2022 06:00:00 +020046:42falsefullJosh and FrancoJosh and FrancoThis week, we heard that 'Josh and Franco', one of our all-time favourite episodes, has been nominated for the equivalent of an Oscar in the European podcast world: the Prix Europa. We are over the moon and thought this was a good moment to re-release the episode.

It was the first episode from our series This Is What A Generation Sounds Like and if you are watching on Spotify, you will be able to watch this podcast as it was our first attempt at creating a 'Visual Podcast', in collaboration with our friends at Are We Europe. If you are not listening on Spotify, then you can experience the visual episode on Vimeo here: https://vimeo.com/areweeurope/joshandfranco

Podcast Credits:

Producers: Katz Laszlo and Josh Prezioso

Editorial support: Dominic Kraemer, Katy Lee, Andrei Popoviciu and Priyanka Shankar

Video Credits:

Visual & Motion Design: Eddie Stok
Project Coordination: Mick ter Reehorst
Translation: Giosuè Prezioso
Subtitles: Marco Mingolla

Music:

Tarantella del Gargano by Marco Beasley & represented by Out Here Music; Italian Opera by UV Protection; Andante (Italian Concerto) written by Bach and performed by Catrina Finch; Amore Mio by Mina with Warner Music Italy; Tomb by Veshza; La Luna E Fisarmonica by Ziv Moran; Disco Ball by Evgeny Barduzha, and Jim Barne.

Additional music from Blue Dot Sessions: Kilkerrin by Scalcairn; Sylvestor by One Such Village; Angel Academy by Marc Oakley; Toby or not Toby by Mark Oakley.

SFX from Freesounds.org: Wescwave; GeorgeHopkins; suonidigallipoli; samararaine; cmusounddesign; suonidibologna; wolkenunddreck; ancorapazzo; soundforest.

This podcast is part of the Are We Europe family. Find more like-minded European podcasts at areweeurope.com/audio-family.

This series is co-produced in co-operation with Allianz Kulturstiftung, an independent not-for-profit cultural foundation committed to strengthening cohesion in Europe using the tools of art and culture. Find out more at kulturstiftung.allianz.de.

]]>This week, we heard that 'Josh and Franco', one of our all-time favourite episodes, has been nominated for the equivalent of an Oscar in the European podcast world: the Prix Europa. We are over the moon and thought this was a good moment to re-release the episode.

It was the first episode from our series This Is What A Generation Sounds Like and if you are watching on Spotify, you will be able to watch this podcast as it was our first attempt at creating a 'Visual Podcast', in collaboration with our friends at Are We Europe. If you are not listening on Spotify, then you can experience the visual episode on Vimeo here: https://vimeo.com/areweeurope/joshandfranco

Podcast Credits:

Producers: Katz Laszlo and Josh Prezioso

Editorial support: Dominic Kraemer, Katy Lee, Andrei Popoviciu and Priyanka Shankar

Video Credits:

Visual & Motion Design: Eddie Stok
Project Coordination: Mick ter Reehorst
Translation: Giosuè Prezioso
Subtitles: Marco Mingolla

Music:

Tarantella del Gargano by Marco Beasley & represented by Out Here Music; Italian Opera by UV Protection; Andante (Italian Concerto) written by Bach and performed by Catrina Finch; Amore Mio by Mina with Warner Music Italy; Tomb by Veshza; La Luna E Fisarmonica by Ziv Moran; Disco Ball by Evgeny Barduzha, and Jim Barne.

Additional music from Blue Dot Sessions: Kilkerrin by Scalcairn; Sylvestor by One Such Village; Angel Academy by Marc Oakley; Toby or not Toby by Mark Oakley.

SFX from Freesounds.org: Wescwave; GeorgeHopkins; suonidigallipoli; samararaine; cmusounddesign; suonidibologna; wolkenunddreck; ancorapazzo; soundforest.

This podcast is part of the Are We Europe family. Find more like-minded European podcasts at areweeurope.com/audio-family.

This series is co-produced in co-operation with Allianz Kulturstiftung, an independent not-for-profit cultural foundation committed to strengthening cohesion in Europe using the tools of art and culture. Find out more at kulturstiftung.allianz.de.

]]>cfa60509-1c51-4849-87cd-8b131f5aea62Fri, 09 Sep 2022 13:42:00 +020032:19falsebonusBad laws and feta warsBad laws and feta warsIn the final episode before our summer break, we dive into a cheese-based conflict between Greece and Denmark and a homophobic Hungarian law that is finally being challenged by the EU in court. Plus, we ring up Una Hajdari, roaming reporter in the Western Balkans, to try to untangle why North Macedonia has had such a rough ride on its path to EU membership. And in a special pre-holiday edition of Isolation Inspiration, we've got a bumper crop of European summer reads and a chat with Gregory Warner from NPR's Rough Translation about work culture around the world.

You can follow Una on Twitter here and Szabolcs Panyi, the Hungarian journalist Dominic mentioned, here.

The Europeans' Summer 2022 Reading List is here and you can check out Rough Translation's new season, 'Work', at https://www.npr.org/podcasts/510324/rough-translation.

Thanks for listening! We'll be back on September 15.

If you enjoy our podcast and would like to help us keep making it, we'd love it if you'd consider chipping in a few bucks a month at patreon.com/europeanspodcast (many currencies are available). You can also help new listeners find the show by leaving us a review or giving us five stars on Spotify.

00:22 Welcome!

02:33 Good Week: Slovenia legalises gay marriage and adoption

08:25 Bad Week: The Uber Files

19:43 Interview: Janez Potočnik on Europe's food supplies

33:03 Isolation Inspiration: 'Techtopia' and 'Standing Up'

36:25 Happy Ending: Old bones in Spain

Producers: Katy Lee and Wojciech Oleksiak

Music: Jim Barne and Mariska Martina

This podcast is part of the Are We Europe family. Find more like-minded European podcasts at areweeurope.com/audio-family.

Twitter | Instagram | hello@europeanspodcast.com

]]>In the final episode before our summer break, we dive into a cheese-based conflict between Greece and Denmark and a homophobic Hungarian law that is finally being challenged by the EU in court. Plus, we ring up Una Hajdari, roaming reporter in the Western Balkans, to try to untangle why North Macedonia has had such a rough ride on its path to EU membership. And in a special pre-holiday edition of Isolation Inspiration, we've got a bumper crop of European summer reads and a chat with Gregory Warner from NPR's Rough Translation about work culture around the world.

You can follow Una on Twitter here and Szabolcs Panyi, the Hungarian journalist Dominic mentioned, here.

The Europeans' Summer 2022 Reading List is here and you can check out Rough Translation's new season, 'Work', at https://www.npr.org/podcasts/510324/rough-translation.

Thanks for listening! We'll be back on September 15.

If you enjoy our podcast and would like to help us keep making it, we'd love it if you'd consider chipping in a few bucks a month at patreon.com/europeanspodcast (many currencies are available). You can also help new listeners find the show by leaving us a review or giving us five stars on Spotify.

00:22 Welcome!

02:33 Good Week: Slovenia legalises gay marriage and adoption

08:25 Bad Week: The Uber Files

19:43 Interview: Janez Potočnik on Europe's food supplies

33:03 Isolation Inspiration: 'Techtopia' and 'Standing Up'

36:25 Happy Ending: Old bones in Spain

Producers: Katy Lee and Wojciech Oleksiak

Music: Jim Barne and Mariska Martina

This podcast is part of the Are We Europe family. Find more like-minded European podcasts at areweeurope.com/audio-family.

Twitter | Instagram | hello@europeanspodcast.com

]]>2b44e80e-a449-4971-abe4-1983aa6b1656Thu, 21 Jul 2022 06:00:00 +020041:46falsefullFarmers, fossils and filesFarmers, fossils and filesRussia's assault on Ukraine is driving a global food crisis, and there are calls for Europe to dramatically increase its own supplies in response. But can we do that without damaging the environment? This week we speak to former EU environment commissioner Janez Potočnik about how to ensure our food security without sacrificing ambitious climate and biodiversity plans. We're also talking about the #UberFiles, Slovenia's move to legalise same-sex marriage, and an extremely old Spaniard.

Janez is the co-chair of the UN International Resource Panel and a partner at SYSTEMIQ. You can follow him on Twitter here.

Isolation Inspiration: This episode of Techtopia on a massive ransomware attack in Germany; Standing Up on Netflix.

Thanks for listening! If you enjoy our podcast and would like to help us keep making it, we'd love it if you'd consider chipping in a few bucks a month at patreon.com/europeanspodcast (many currencies are available). You can also help new listeners find the show by leaving us a review or giving us five stars on Spotify.


00:22 Welcome!

02:33 Good Week: Slovenia legalises gay marriage and adoption

08:25 Bad Week: The Uber Files

19:43 Interview: Janez Potočnik on Europe's food supplies

33:03 Isolation Inspiration: 'Techtopia' and 'Standing Up'

36:25 Happy Ending: Old bones in Spain


Producers: Katy Lee and Wojciech Oleksiak

Music: Jim Barne and Mariska Martina

This podcast is part of the Are We Europe family. Find more like-minded European podcasts at areweeurope.com/audio-family.

Twitter | Instagram | hello@europeanspodcast.com


]]>Russia's assault on Ukraine is driving a global food crisis, and there are calls for Europe to dramatically increase its own supplies in response. But can we do that without damaging the environment? This week we speak to former EU environment commissioner Janez Potočnik about how to ensure our food security without sacrificing ambitious climate and biodiversity plans. We're also talking about the #UberFiles, Slovenia's move to legalise same-sex marriage, and an extremely old Spaniard.

Janez is the co-chair of the UN International Resource Panel and a partner at SYSTEMIQ. You can follow him on Twitter here.

Isolation Inspiration: This episode of Techtopia on a massive ransomware attack in Germany; Standing Up on Netflix.

Thanks for listening! If you enjoy our podcast and would like to help us keep making it, we'd love it if you'd consider chipping in a few bucks a month at patreon.com/europeanspodcast (many currencies are available). You can also help new listeners find the show by leaving us a review or giving us five stars on Spotify.


00:22 Welcome!

02:33 Good Week: Slovenia legalises gay marriage and adoption

08:25 Bad Week: The Uber Files

19:43 Interview: Janez Potočnik on Europe's food supplies

33:03 Isolation Inspiration: 'Techtopia' and 'Standing Up'

36:25 Happy Ending: Old bones in Spain


Producers: Katy Lee and Wojciech Oleksiak

Music: Jim Barne and Mariska Martina

This podcast is part of the Are We Europe family. Find more like-minded European podcasts at areweeurope.com/audio-family.

Twitter | Instagram | hello@europeanspodcast.com


]]>51491d6f-8532-4f2e-aba5-547acfc33768Thu, 14 Jul 2022 06:00:00 +020038:36falsefullThe bigger the better?The bigger the better?Ukraine and Moldova have been granted candidate status to join the EU. It's a major moment in the messy process of knitting this continent together — but is a bigger European Union automatically a better one? This week we chat to Dr. Ilke Toygür about what this all means for Ukraine, Moldova and the EU itself. We're also talking about Venice's new entry fee for day-trippers, sexy Swedish waste disposal, and why Greece and Turkey are fighting over a made-up word.

Ilke is a professor of political science at the University Carlos III of Madrid and a fellow at the Centre for Applied Turkey Studies at SWP Berlin. You can follow her on Twitter here.

This week's Isolation Inspiration: 'Borgen - Power & Glory' and 'She Rides Like The Wind - the story of Alfonsina Strada' by Joan Negrescolor.

Thanks for listening! If you enjoy our podcast and would like to help us keep making it, we'd love it if you'd consider chipping in a few bucks a month at patreon.com/europeanspodcast (many currencies are available). You can also help new listeners find the show by leaving us a review or giving us five stars on Spotify.

02:20 Good Week? Venice's fee for day-trippers
08:50 Bad Week: The Great Greek-Turkish Portmanteau Row
16:52 Interview: Ilke Toygür on growing the EU
32:13 Isolation Inspiration: 'Borgen' and 'She Rides Like The Wind'
35:11 Happy Ending: Malmö's smutty bins

Producers: Katy Lee and Wojciech Oleksiak

Music: Jim Barne and Mariska Martina

This podcast is part of the Are We Europe family. Find more like-minded European podcasts at areweeurope.com/audio-family.

Twitter | Instagram | hello@europeanspodcast.com


]]>Ukraine and Moldova have been granted candidate status to join the EU. It's a major moment in the messy process of knitting this continent together — but is a bigger European Union automatically a better one? This week we chat to Dr. Ilke Toygür about what this all means for Ukraine, Moldova and the EU itself. We're also talking about Venice's new entry fee for day-trippers, sexy Swedish waste disposal, and why Greece and Turkey are fighting over a made-up word.

Ilke is a professor of political science at the University Carlos III of Madrid and a fellow at the Centre for Applied Turkey Studies at SWP Berlin. You can follow her on Twitter here.

This week's Isolation Inspiration: 'Borgen - Power & Glory' and 'She Rides Like The Wind - the story of Alfonsina Strada' by Joan Negrescolor.

Thanks for listening! If you enjoy our podcast and would like to help us keep making it, we'd love it if you'd consider chipping in a few bucks a month at patreon.com/europeanspodcast (many currencies are available). You can also help new listeners find the show by leaving us a review or giving us five stars on Spotify.

02:20 Good Week? Venice's fee for day-trippers
08:50 Bad Week: The Great Greek-Turkish Portmanteau Row
16:52 Interview: Ilke Toygür on growing the EU
32:13 Isolation Inspiration: 'Borgen' and 'She Rides Like The Wind'
35:11 Happy Ending: Malmö's smutty bins

Producers: Katy Lee and Wojciech Oleksiak

Music: Jim Barne and Mariska Martina

This podcast is part of the Are We Europe family. Find more like-minded European podcasts at areweeurope.com/audio-family.

Twitter | Instagram | hello@europeanspodcast.com


]]>472daf96-689c-486a-8904-5b576d7a6533Thu, 07 Jul 2022 06:00:00 +020038:30falsefullYour Face Looks FamiliarYour Face Looks FamiliarMore and more European police forces are using facial recognition technology. Under an EU proposal they'd be able to share access to the millions of images they've collected – creating what critics say amounts to one of the most extensive biometric surveillance systems in the world. This week we speak to Domen Savič, head of Slovenian digital rights NGO Državljan D (Citizen D), about the tricky balance between fighting crime and protecting our privacy. We're also talking about Seville's plans to name its heatwaves and the French response to the US Supreme Court's abortion ruling. Plus, a recording of Dominic's doorbell disaster.

This week's Isolation Inspiration: Bionic reading, Nicola Coughlan on Off Menu, DakhaBrakha, Jamala, Kalush and Go_A.

You can check out Državljan D's monthly podcast on tech ethics here.

Thanks for listening! If you enjoy our podcast and would like to help us keep making it, we'd love it if you'd consider chipping in a few bucks a month at patreon.com/europeanspodcast (many currencies are available). You can also help new listeners find the show by leaving us a review or giving us five stars on Spotify.

02:34 Good Week: Seville's plan to name its heatwaves

11:52 Bad Week (or Good Response To A Bad Week): France's response to the US Supreme Court ruling

18:20 Interview: Domen Savič on the EU's facial recognition plans

30:33 Isolation Inspiration: Bionic reading, Nicola Coughlan on Off Menu, and Glastonbury's Ukrainian offerings

34:42 Happy Ending: Rock, paper, scissors on wheels

Producers: Katy Lee and Wojciech Oleksiak

Music: Jim Barne and Mariska Martina

This podcast is part of the Are We Europe family. Find more like-minded European podcasts at areweeurope.com/audio-family.

Twitter | Instagram | hello@europeanspodcast.com


]]>More and more European police forces are using facial recognition technology. Under an EU proposal they'd be able to share access to the millions of images they've collected – creating what critics say amounts to one of the most extensive biometric surveillance systems in the world. This week we speak to Domen Savič, head of Slovenian digital rights NGO Državljan D (Citizen D), about the tricky balance between fighting crime and protecting our privacy. We're also talking about Seville's plans to name its heatwaves and the French response to the US Supreme Court's abortion ruling. Plus, a recording of Dominic's doorbell disaster.

This week's Isolation Inspiration: Bionic reading, Nicola Coughlan on Off Menu, DakhaBrakha, Jamala, Kalush and Go_A.

You can check out Državljan D's monthly podcast on tech ethics here.

Thanks for listening! If you enjoy our podcast and would like to help us keep making it, we'd love it if you'd consider chipping in a few bucks a month at patreon.com/europeanspodcast (many currencies are available). You can also help new listeners find the show by leaving us a review or giving us five stars on Spotify.

02:34 Good Week: Seville's plan to name its heatwaves

11:52 Bad Week (or Good Response To A Bad Week): France's response to the US Supreme Court ruling

18:20 Interview: Domen Savič on the EU's facial recognition plans

30:33 Isolation Inspiration: Bionic reading, Nicola Coughlan on Off Menu, and Glastonbury's Ukrainian offerings

34:42 Happy Ending: Rock, paper, scissors on wheels

Producers: Katy Lee and Wojciech Oleksiak

Music: Jim Barne and Mariska Martina

This podcast is part of the Are We Europe family. Find more like-minded European podcasts at areweeurope.com/audio-family.

Twitter | Instagram | hello@europeanspodcast.com


]]>83460abb-1ec0-4d0d-b6a4-c4e5295bb999Thu, 30 Jun 2022 06:00:00 +020037:58falsefullIt takes more than two, babyIt takes more than two, babyWhen Remco Yizhak Cooremans moved home to the Netherlands after many years abroad, the authorities told him something shocking: his son wasn't legally his son. This week, we hear about Dutch plans to bring the law up to date with the realities of 21st-century parenting. We're also talking about Roman trash and minimum wages you can actually live on.

Remco is the chairman of Meer dan Gewenst. If you're interested in the multi-parenting law, you can catch him speaking at De Balie in Amsterdam on June 16, and it's being streamed online too. Details here.

This week's Isolation Inspiration: Navalny, and Rough Translation's episode on France's forbidden desk lunches.

We're taking a break next week so that Katy can go stand in a muddy field. While we're away, check out this beautiful episode from Belarusian poet Hanna Komar, reflecting on the meaning of freedom.

Thanks for listening! If you enjoy our podcast and would like to help us keep making it, we'd love it if you'd consider chipping in a few bucks a month at patreon.com/europeanspodcast (many currencies are available). You can also help new listeners find the show by leaving us a review or giving us five stars on Spotify.

02:41 Good Week: Minimum wages you can actually live on

08:54 Bad Week: Messy Rome

18:06 Interview: Remco Yizhak Cooremans on the Netherlands' planned multi-parent law

32:33 Isolation Inspiration: 'Navalny' and Rough Translation's French lunch episode

34:23 Happy Ending: Congratulations, Candida!

Producers: Katy Lee and Wojciech Oleksiak

Music: Jim Barne and Mariska Martina

This podcast is part of the Are We Europe family. Find more like-minded European podcasts at areweeurope.com/audio-family.

Twitter | Instagram | hello@europeanspodcast.com

]]>When Remco Yizhak Cooremans moved home to the Netherlands after many years abroad, the authorities told him something shocking: his son wasn't legally his son. This week, we hear about Dutch plans to bring the law up to date with the realities of 21st-century parenting. We're also talking about Roman trash and minimum wages you can actually live on.

Remco is the chairman of Meer dan Gewenst. If you're interested in the multi-parenting law, you can catch him speaking at De Balie in Amsterdam on June 16, and it's being streamed online too. Details here.

This week's Isolation Inspiration: Navalny, and Rough Translation's episode on France's forbidden desk lunches.

We're taking a break next week so that Katy can go stand in a muddy field. While we're away, check out this beautiful episode from Belarusian poet Hanna Komar, reflecting on the meaning of freedom.

Thanks for listening! If you enjoy our podcast and would like to help us keep making it, we'd love it if you'd consider chipping in a few bucks a month at patreon.com/europeanspodcast (many currencies are available). You can also help new listeners find the show by leaving us a review or giving us five stars on Spotify.

02:41 Good Week: Minimum wages you can actually live on

08:54 Bad Week: Messy Rome

18:06 Interview: Remco Yizhak Cooremans on the Netherlands' planned multi-parent law

32:33 Isolation Inspiration: 'Navalny' and Rough Translation's French lunch episode

34:23 Happy Ending: Congratulations, Candida!

Producers: Katy Lee and Wojciech Oleksiak

Music: Jim Barne and Mariska Martina

This podcast is part of the Are We Europe family. Find more like-minded European podcasts at areweeurope.com/audio-family.

Twitter | Instagram | hello@europeanspodcast.com

]]>9e5f65c3-34b5-4278-a011-677a547a62ecThu, 16 Jun 2022 06:00:00 +020036:41falsefullWhat is Orbán playing at?What is Orbán playing at?In the EU's complicated efforts to present a united front on Ukraine, Viktor Orbán stands out like a sore thumb. Why is Orbán cosying up to Vladimir Putin? This week, we catch up with longtime Orbán-watcher Viktória Serdült on what game the Hungarian leader might be playing. We're also talking about the toxic row engulfing Germany's documenta fifteen festival, and a gamechanger for annoying customer service calls in Spain.

Viktória is a journalist at HVG, one of the few remaining bastions of independent media in Hungary. You can follow her on Twitter here.

This week's Isolation Inspiration: On Spec and Season 3 of Derry Girls.

Thanks for listening! If you enjoy our podcast and would like to help us keep making it, we'd love it if you'd consider chipping in a few bucks a month at patreon.com/europeanspodcast (many currencies are available). You can also help new listeners find the show by leaving us a review or giving us five stars on Spotify.

03:07 Bad Week: documenta fifteen

14:06 Good Week: Spain's amazing customer service bill

20:18 Interview: Viktória Serdült on Viktor Orbán's latest antics

31:16 Isolation Inspiration: On Spec and Derry Girls

34:09 Happy Ending: Pompeii DNA

Producers: Katy Lee and Wojciech Oleksiak

Music: Jim Barne and Mariska Martina

This podcast is part of the Are We Europe family. Find more like-minded European podcasts at areweeurope.com/audio-family.

Twitter | Instagram | hello@europeanspodcast.com


]]>In the EU's complicated efforts to present a united front on Ukraine, Viktor Orbán stands out like a sore thumb. Why is Orbán cosying up to Vladimir Putin? This week, we catch up with longtime Orbán-watcher Viktória Serdült on what game the Hungarian leader might be playing. We're also talking about the toxic row engulfing Germany's documenta fifteen festival, and a gamechanger for annoying customer service calls in Spain.

Viktória is a journalist at HVG, one of the few remaining bastions of independent media in Hungary. You can follow her on Twitter here.

This week's Isolation Inspiration: On Spec and Season 3 of Derry Girls.

Thanks for listening! If you enjoy our podcast and would like to help us keep making it, we'd love it if you'd consider chipping in a few bucks a month at patreon.com/europeanspodcast (many currencies are available). You can also help new listeners find the show by leaving us a review or giving us five stars on Spotify.

03:07 Bad Week: documenta fifteen

14:06 Good Week: Spain's amazing customer service bill

20:18 Interview: Viktória Serdült on Viktor Orbán's latest antics

31:16 Isolation Inspiration: On Spec and Derry Girls

34:09 Happy Ending: Pompeii DNA

Producers: Katy Lee and Wojciech Oleksiak

Music: Jim Barne and Mariska Martina

This podcast is part of the Are We Europe family. Find more like-minded European podcasts at areweeurope.com/audio-family.

Twitter | Instagram | hello@europeanspodcast.com


]]>c3e458d3-eaab-4482-b450-c7b4328f32a8Thu, 09 Jun 2022 06:00:00 +020037:02falsefullHannaHanna37bb8c71-7a73-4fa8-b828-96470de44d8dThu, 02 Jun 2022 06:00:00 +020028:12falsefullMoldova’s Propaganda ProblemMoldova’s Propaganda ProblemMoldova represents a prime example of social media giants' failure to tackle disinformation in smaller and less wealthy countries ⁠— in this case, with hugely dangerous potential consequences. This week we speak to civil society activist Diana Filimon about the propaganda war that Russia has been waging in countries neighbouring Ukraine. We're also talking about Germany's €9 transport experiment, the morality of a lockdown for cats, and scallop discothèques.

You can find out more about Diana's work at Forum Apulum here and read Philip Oltermann's reporting on racism claims against Berlin ticket inspectors here.

This week's Isolation Inspiration: The Truffle Hunters, and the New York Times' reporting on the legacy of Haiti's reparations to enslavers. You can read more about the methods used for the NYT's reporting here and more on reactions to the story here. A video of dancing scallops can be found here.

Thanks for listening! If you enjoy our podcast and would like to help us keep making it, we'd love it if you'd consider chipping in a few bucks a month at patreon.com/europeanspodcast (many currencies are available). You can also help new listeners find the show by leaving us a review or giving us five stars on Spotify. And this week, why not #TellASwede about this podcast's existence?


02:51 Good Week: Germany's €9 transport experiment

09:40 Bad Week: Walldorf's lockdown for cats

17:12 Interview: Diana Filimon on disinformation in Moldova

33:06 Isolation Inspiration: 'The Truffle Hunters' and the NYT's reporting on Haiti's reparations to enslavers

38:19 Happy Ending: Scallop disco


Producers: Katy Lee and Wojciech Oleksiak, with thanks to Katz Laszlo

Music: Jim Barne and Mariska Martina

This podcast is part of the Are We Europe family. Find more like-minded European podcasts at areweeurope.com/audio-family.

Twitter | Instagram | Facebook | hello@europeanspodcast.com

]]>Moldova represents a prime example of social media giants' failure to tackle disinformation in smaller and less wealthy countries ⁠— in this case, with hugely dangerous potential consequences. This week we speak to civil society activist Diana Filimon about the propaganda war that Russia has been waging in countries neighbouring Ukraine. We're also talking about Germany's €9 transport experiment, the morality of a lockdown for cats, and scallop discothèques.

You can find out more about Diana's work at Forum Apulum here and read Philip Oltermann's reporting on racism claims against Berlin ticket inspectors here.

This week's Isolation Inspiration: The Truffle Hunters, and the New York Times' reporting on the legacy of Haiti's reparations to enslavers. You can read more about the methods used for the NYT's reporting here and more on reactions to the story here. A video of dancing scallops can be found here.

Thanks for listening! If you enjoy our podcast and would like to help us keep making it, we'd love it if you'd consider chipping in a few bucks a month at patreon.com/europeanspodcast (many currencies are available). You can also help new listeners find the show by leaving us a review or giving us five stars on Spotify. And this week, why not #TellASwede about this podcast's existence?


02:51 Good Week: Germany's €9 transport experiment

09:40 Bad Week: Walldorf's lockdown for cats

17:12 Interview: Diana Filimon on disinformation in Moldova

33:06 Isolation Inspiration: 'The Truffle Hunters' and the NYT's reporting on Haiti's reparations to enslavers

38:19 Happy Ending: Scallop disco


Producers: Katy Lee and Wojciech Oleksiak, with thanks to Katz Laszlo

Music: Jim Barne and Mariska Martina

This podcast is part of the Are We Europe family. Find more like-minded European podcasts at areweeurope.com/audio-family.

Twitter | Instagram | Facebook | hello@europeanspodcast.com

]]>4cbc9022-ef07-4edb-969a-41c4d0f3f3c9Thu, 26 May 2022 06:00:00 +020042:48falsefullSolar-Powered ScrollingSolar-Powered ScrollingKris de Decker's balcony in Barcelona is nice and sunny. Which is just as well, because a website depends on it. This week we chat to Kris, co-founder of Low-Tech Magazine, about why he built a solar-powered website and how human history can inspire modern environmental solutions. We're also talking about foie gras, faux gras, and bringing EU and non-EU Europe together.

You can check out the solar-powered version of Low-Tech Magazine's website here.

This week's Isolation Inspiration: 'Today in Focus - The Wagatha Christie case'; 'Multiples: 12 stories in 18 languages by 61 authors'; this vegan foie gras recipe; Impact from Les Glorieuses, a feminist newsletter in English and French.

Thanks for listening! If you enjoy our podcast and would like to help us keep making it, we'd love it if you'd consider chipping in a few euros / dollars / pounds a month at patreon.com/europeanspodcast. You can also help new listeners find the show by leaving us a review or giving us five stars on Spotify.

03:23 Good Week? Macron's big new idea
12:09 Bad Week: Foie gras
20:09 Interview: Kris De Decker on building a solar-powered website
34:38 Isolation Inspiration: 'Today in Focus - The Wagatha Christie case' and 'Multiples'
38:04 Happy Ending: Italy's women footballers go pro

Producers: Katy Lee and Wojciech Oleksiak, with thanks to Katz Laszlo

Music: Jim Barne and Mariska Martina

This podcast is part of the Are We Europe family. Find more like-minded European podcasts at areweeurope.com/audio-family.

Twitter | Instagram | Facebook | hello@europeanspodcast.com

]]>Kris de Decker's balcony in Barcelona is nice and sunny. Which is just as well, because a website depends on it. This week we chat to Kris, co-founder of Low-Tech Magazine, about why he built a solar-powered website and how human history can inspire modern environmental solutions. We're also talking about foie gras, faux gras, and bringing EU and non-EU Europe together.

You can check out the solar-powered version of Low-Tech Magazine's website here.

This week's Isolation Inspiration: 'Today in Focus - The Wagatha Christie case'; 'Multiples: 12 stories in 18 languages by 61 authors'; this vegan foie gras recipe; Impact from Les Glorieuses, a feminist newsletter in English and French.

Thanks for listening! If you enjoy our podcast and would like to help us keep making it, we'd love it if you'd consider chipping in a few euros / dollars / pounds a month at patreon.com/europeanspodcast. You can also help new listeners find the show by leaving us a review or giving us five stars on Spotify.

03:23 Good Week? Macron's big new idea
12:09 Bad Week: Foie gras
20:09 Interview: Kris De Decker on building a solar-powered website
34:38 Isolation Inspiration: 'Today in Focus - The Wagatha Christie case' and 'Multiples'
38:04 Happy Ending: Italy's women footballers go pro

Producers: Katy Lee and Wojciech Oleksiak, with thanks to Katz Laszlo

Music: Jim Barne and Mariska Martina

This podcast is part of the Are We Europe family. Find more like-minded European podcasts at areweeurope.com/audio-family.

Twitter | Instagram | Facebook | hello@europeanspodcast.com

]]>db10e985-542e-45a5-9ea4-fa1b08ecda6fThu, 12 May 2022 06:00:00 +020040:12falsefullDoctor EurovisionDoctor EurovisionWe know, we know, not everyone loves Eurovision — but we think you'll enjoy this week's interview even if you're not as nuts about the annual celebration of euro-kitsch as we are. Dr Dean Vuletic is the world's pre-eminent Eurovision historian, and we were delighted to talk to him about how the contest came into being and why it's always been so political. We're also talking about the EU's Russian oil embargo, a row over WWII reparations in 2022, and a first for wind power in the Mediterranean.

We'll be running a Eurovision sweepstake for our Patreon supporters on the night of the finals, May 10! More details soon at patreon.com/europeanspodcast.

Financing Putin's war: you can find the real-time tracker of EU fossil fuel imports here and read the Atlantic Council's research on replacing Russian gas here.

This week's Isolation Inspiration: 'Young Mungo' by Douglas Stuart, the photography of Wolfgang Tillmans, and Russian Doll, Season 2.

02:26 (Tentative) Good Week: The EU's Russian oil embargo
10:24 Bad Week: Italy, Germany, and WWII reparations
15:57 Interview: Dean Vuletic on the history of Eurovision
32:45 Isolation Inspiration: 'Young Mungo', Wolfgang Tillmans and Russian Doll, Season 2

Thanks for listening! If you enjoy our podcast and would like to help us keep making it, we'd love it if you'd consider chipping in a few euros / dollars / pounds a month at patreon.com/europeanspodcast. You can also help new listeners find the show by leaving us a review or giving us five stars on Spotify.

Producer: Katy Lee and Wojciech Oleksiak

Music: Jim Barne and Mariska Martina

This podcast is part of the Are We Europe family. Find more like-minded European podcasts at areweeurope.com/audio-family.

Twitter | Instagram | Facebook | hello@europeanspodcast.com

]]>We know, we know, not everyone loves Eurovision — but we think you'll enjoy this week's interview even if you're not as nuts about the annual celebration of euro-kitsch as we are. Dr Dean Vuletic is the world's pre-eminent Eurovision historian, and we were delighted to talk to him about how the contest came into being and why it's always been so political. We're also talking about the EU's Russian oil embargo, a row over WWII reparations in 2022, and a first for wind power in the Mediterranean.

We'll be running a Eurovision sweepstake for our Patreon supporters on the night of the finals, May 10! More details soon at patreon.com/europeanspodcast.

Financing Putin's war: you can find the real-time tracker of EU fossil fuel imports here and read the Atlantic Council's research on replacing Russian gas here.

This week's Isolation Inspiration: 'Young Mungo' by Douglas Stuart, the photography of Wolfgang Tillmans, and Russian Doll, Season 2.

02:26 (Tentative) Good Week: The EU's Russian oil embargo
10:24 Bad Week: Italy, Germany, and WWII reparations
15:57 Interview: Dean Vuletic on the history of Eurovision
32:45 Isolation Inspiration: 'Young Mungo', Wolfgang Tillmans and Russian Doll, Season 2

Thanks for listening! If you enjoy our podcast and would like to help us keep making it, we'd love it if you'd consider chipping in a few euros / dollars / pounds a month at patreon.com/europeanspodcast. You can also help new listeners find the show by leaving us a review or giving us five stars on Spotify.

Producer: Katy Lee and Wojciech Oleksiak

Music: Jim Barne and Mariska Martina

This podcast is part of the Are We Europe family. Find more like-minded European podcasts at areweeurope.com/audio-family.

Twitter | Instagram | Facebook | hello@europeanspodcast.com

]]>fafda6b7-a40b-46d1-9902-2174f864d8ecThu, 05 May 2022 06:00:00 +020038:19falsefullMohamedMohamedd13eea5f-41c6-4e18-b424-fb6d9a8256b4Thu, 28 Apr 2022 06:00:00 +020029:56falsefullCan the EU fix fast fashion?Can the EU fix fast fashion?Every year, Europeans chuck away millions of tons of clothing. The EU has a new plan to tackle the huge environmental impact of the fashion and textile industry — but can it make a difference? We asked the model and activist Nimue Smit to take a look. We're also talking about the UK's extremely controversial plan to send asylum seekers to Rwanda, and a legal leap forward for Spain's single parents.

This week's Isolation Inspiration: Lithuanian clothing exchange Vinted, and Belgian Netflix comedy 'Soil' ('Grond').

A few things Nimue mentioned that listeners might want to check out: 'Consumed' by Aja Barber, Depop, Vestiaire Collective, Sustainable Fashion Giftcard, Rank A Brand.

02:17 Bad Week: UK asylum policy
13:44 Good Week: Spain's single parents
19:49 Interview: Nimue Smit on fixing the fashion industry
34:02 Isolation Inspiration: Vinted and Grond
36:28 Happy Ending: Teaching teens to love natural history

Thanks for listening! If you enjoy our podcast and would like to help us keep making it, we'd love it if you'd consider chipping in a few euros / dollars / pounds a month at patreon.com/europeanspodcast. You can also help new listeners find the show by leaving us a review or giving us five stars on Spotify.

Producer: Katy Lee and Wojciech Oleksiak, with thanks to Katz Laszlo

Music: Jim Barne and Mariska Martina

This podcast is part of the Are We Europe family. Find more like-minded European podcasts at areweeurope.com/audio-family.

Twitter | Instagram | Facebook | hello@europeanspodcast.com

]]>Every year, Europeans chuck away millions of tons of clothing. The EU has a new plan to tackle the huge environmental impact of the fashion and textile industry — but can it make a difference? We asked the model and activist Nimue Smit to take a look. We're also talking about the UK's extremely controversial plan to send asylum seekers to Rwanda, and a legal leap forward for Spain's single parents.

This week's Isolation Inspiration: Lithuanian clothing exchange Vinted, and Belgian Netflix comedy 'Soil' ('Grond').

A few things Nimue mentioned that listeners might want to check out: 'Consumed' by Aja Barber, Depop, Vestiaire Collective, Sustainable Fashion Giftcard, Rank A Brand.

02:17 Bad Week: UK asylum policy
13:44 Good Week: Spain's single parents
19:49 Interview: Nimue Smit on fixing the fashion industry
34:02 Isolation Inspiration: Vinted and Grond
36:28 Happy Ending: Teaching teens to love natural history

Thanks for listening! If you enjoy our podcast and would like to help us keep making it, we'd love it if you'd consider chipping in a few euros / dollars / pounds a month at patreon.com/europeanspodcast. You can also help new listeners find the show by leaving us a review or giving us five stars on Spotify.

Producer: Katy Lee and Wojciech Oleksiak, with thanks to Katz Laszlo

Music: Jim Barne and Mariska Martina

This podcast is part of the Are We Europe family. Find more like-minded European podcasts at areweeurope.com/audio-family.

Twitter | Instagram | Facebook | hello@europeanspodcast.com

]]>24e13ccd-4216-464b-be8f-de2752cc35e9Thu, 21 Apr 2022 06:00:00 +020038:51falsefullKaty went to Le Pen’s party so you didn’t have toKaty went to Le Pen’s party so you didn’t have toIiiiit's French election week! Katy spent the big night at Le Pen HQ. This week, in a Europeans first, Dominic and Katz turn the microphone on our resident French person to ask: what just happened? And could Marine Le Pen really become France's first far-right president?

We're also talking about the soaring cost of housing (again) and the European microstate that just pulled off an LGBTQ+ world first.

You can listen to Cody Hochstenbach calling for a revolution in housing policy here and find the latest figures from Eurostat here. And you can read here about why microstates have often been slow to catch up on LGBTQ rights.

Isolation Inspiration: 'Free' by Lea Ypi and Große Freiheit (Great Freedom).

02:07 Bad Week: Housing costs up AGAIN
04:49 Good Week: San Marino's world-first LGBTQ+ head of state
10:22 Interview: Katy on the French election
28:09 Isolation Inspiration: 'Free' by Lea Ypi and Große Freiheit (Great Freedom)
30:31 Happy Ending: Making the most of the Greek sunshine

Thanks for listening! If you enjoy our podcast and would like to help us keep making it, we'd love it if you'd consider chipping in a few euros / dollars / pounds a month at patreon.com/europeanspodcast. You can also help new listeners find the show by leaving us a review or giving us five stars on Spotify.

Producer: Katy Lee, with thanks to Katz Laszlo and Wojciech Oleksiak

Music: Jim Barne and Mariska Martina

This podcast is part of the Are We Europe family. Find more like-minded European podcasts at areweeurope.com/audio-family.

Twitter | Instagram | Facebook | hello@europeanspodcast.com

]]>Iiiiit's French election week! Katy spent the big night at Le Pen HQ. This week, in a Europeans first, Dominic and Katz turn the microphone on our resident French person to ask: what just happened? And could Marine Le Pen really become France's first far-right president?

We're also talking about the soaring cost of housing (again) and the European microstate that just pulled off an LGBTQ+ world first.

You can listen to Cody Hochstenbach calling for a revolution in housing policy here and find the latest figures from Eurostat here. And you can read here about why microstates have often been slow to catch up on LGBTQ rights.

Isolation Inspiration: 'Free' by Lea Ypi and Große Freiheit (Great Freedom).

02:07 Bad Week: Housing costs up AGAIN
04:49 Good Week: San Marino's world-first LGBTQ+ head of state
10:22 Interview: Katy on the French election
28:09 Isolation Inspiration: 'Free' by Lea Ypi and Große Freiheit (Great Freedom)
30:31 Happy Ending: Making the most of the Greek sunshine

Thanks for listening! If you enjoy our podcast and would like to help us keep making it, we'd love it if you'd consider chipping in a few euros / dollars / pounds a month at patreon.com/europeanspodcast. You can also help new listeners find the show by leaving us a review or giving us five stars on Spotify.

Producer: Katy Lee, with thanks to Katz Laszlo and Wojciech Oleksiak

Music: Jim Barne and Mariska Martina

This podcast is part of the Are We Europe family. Find more like-minded European podcasts at areweeurope.com/audio-family.

Twitter | Instagram | Facebook | hello@europeanspodcast.com

]]>e8674788-ed2d-4330-b1d8-4fbd53c680b3Tue, 12 Apr 2022 14:30:00 +020032:39falsefullFinnish LessonsFinnish LessonsWe're back! And we're headed into the classroom. Kids across Europe have very different experiences of school depending on where they live and how rich their parents are. One country that's been praised for getting public education right is Finland. This week we speak to education professor Pasi Sahlberg about what the world can learn from the Finnish way.

We're also talking about Orbán's victory, bridging Europe's North-South divide, and a particularly special edition of El Clásico.

Pasi is Professor of Education at Southern Cross University. You can read more about his work here and follow him on Twitter here.

You can read the joint Spain-Netherlands paper here and find Politico's reporting on it here.

This week's Isolation Inspiration: Flee, Talking France, and Paroles de France(s).


02:50 Bad Week: Hungary's opposition

11:48 Good Week: Bridging the North-South divide

20:46 Interview with Pasi Sahlberg

34:56 Isolation Inspiration: Flee and French election podcasts

38:39 Happy Ending: A very special Clásico

Thanks for listening! If you enjoy our podcast and would like to help us keep making it, we'd love it if you'd consider chipping in a few euros / dollars / pounds a month at patreon.com/europeanspodcast. You can also help new listeners find the show by leaving us a review or giving us five stars on Spotify.

Producers: Katy Lee and Wojciech Oleksiak

Music: Jim Barne and Mariska Martina

This podcast is part of the Are We Europe family. Find more like-minded European podcasts at areweeurope.com/audio-family.

Twitter | Instagram | Facebook | hello@europeanspodcast.com

]]>We're back! And we're headed into the classroom. Kids across Europe have very different experiences of school depending on where they live and how rich their parents are. One country that's been praised for getting public education right is Finland. This week we speak to education professor Pasi Sahlberg about what the world can learn from the Finnish way.

We're also talking about Orbán's victory, bridging Europe's North-South divide, and a particularly special edition of El Clásico.

Pasi is Professor of Education at Southern Cross University. You can read more about his work here and follow him on Twitter here.

You can read the joint Spain-Netherlands paper here and find Politico's reporting on it here.

This week's Isolation Inspiration: Flee, Talking France, and Paroles de France(s).


02:50 Bad Week: Hungary's opposition

11:48 Good Week: Bridging the North-South divide

20:46 Interview with Pasi Sahlberg

34:56 Isolation Inspiration: Flee and French election podcasts

38:39 Happy Ending: A very special Clásico

Thanks for listening! If you enjoy our podcast and would like to help us keep making it, we'd love it if you'd consider chipping in a few euros / dollars / pounds a month at patreon.com/europeanspodcast. You can also help new listeners find the show by leaving us a review or giving us five stars on Spotify.

Producers: Katy Lee and Wojciech Oleksiak

Music: Jim Barne and Mariska Martina

This podcast is part of the Are We Europe family. Find more like-minded European podcasts at areweeurope.com/audio-family.

Twitter | Instagram | Facebook | hello@europeanspodcast.com

]]>ae9d2de8-bc12-4633-8128-3b940d4edcd5Thu, 07 Apr 2022 06:00:00 +020041:58falsefullMillennial History: Children of the DecreeMillennial History: Children of the DecreeJoanna and Catinca were born in Romania during the final years of the dictatorship of Nicolai Ceausescu, a regime that combined elements of The Hunger Games, The Handmaid's Tale and North Korea.

Our regular episodes return next week. While Dominic wraps up work on his new show, here’s the second of two special guest appearances from Millennial History, a podcast series that relives moments in recent world history, as seen through the eyes of people who were children when they happened.

In interviews with musical journalist Andrea Voets, they reflect on the far-reaching consequences of the events on their lives and societies. Andrea and composer/sound designer Luke Deane have combined these testimonies with music donated by more than sixty bands to create a unique form of ‘musical journalism’.

Producers: Andrea Voets and Luke Deane

Special thanks to: Cosima Opartan, Surorile Osoianu, Subcarpati, Karpov not Kasparov, Musai Soundworks, Diana Rotaru, Temple Invisible, Alex Simu & quintet, Robin & the Backstabbers, Andrea Voets

This podcast is part of the Are We Europe family. Find more like-minded European podcasts at areweeurope.com/audio-family.

A cooperation of Resonate Productions - creating musical journalism - and Are We Europe.

For more episodes, subscribe to Millennial History.

www.millennialhistorypodcast.com || www.facebook.com/musicaljournalism

]]>Joanna and Catinca were born in Romania during the final years of the dictatorship of Nicolai Ceausescu, a regime that combined elements of The Hunger Games, The Handmaid's Tale and North Korea.

Our regular episodes return next week. While Dominic wraps up work on his new show, here’s the second of two special guest appearances from Millennial History, a podcast series that relives moments in recent world history, as seen through the eyes of people who were children when they happened.

In interviews with musical journalist Andrea Voets, they reflect on the far-reaching consequences of the events on their lives and societies. Andrea and composer/sound designer Luke Deane have combined these testimonies with music donated by more than sixty bands to create a unique form of ‘musical journalism’.

Producers: Andrea Voets and Luke Deane

Special thanks to: Cosima Opartan, Surorile Osoianu, Subcarpati, Karpov not Kasparov, Musai Soundworks, Diana Rotaru, Temple Invisible, Alex Simu & quintet, Robin & the Backstabbers, Andrea Voets

This podcast is part of the Are We Europe family. Find more like-minded European podcasts at areweeurope.com/audio-family.

A cooperation of Resonate Productions - creating musical journalism - and Are We Europe.

For more episodes, subscribe to Millennial History.

www.millennialhistorypodcast.com || www.facebook.com/musicaljournalism

]]>e4c72408-791c-4319-ae26-2dc2dceb871eThu, 31 Mar 2022 06:00:00 +020038:03falsefullMillennial History: Sicily, Mafia and FalconeMillennial History: Sicily, Mafia and FalconeAki grew up in Sicily. On May 23, 1992, the mafia blew up the highway behind his grandmother’s house, killing a judge named Giovanni Falcone.

Since Dominic is away right now, we’re bringing you the first of two very special guest appearances from Millennial History, a new podcast series reliving impactful moments in recent world history, as seen through the eyes of people who were children when they happened.

In interviews with musical journalist Andrea Voets, they reflect on the far-reaching consequences of the events on their lives and societies. Andrea and composer/sound designer Luke Deane have combined these testimonies with music donated by more than sixty bands to create a unique form of ‘musical journalism’.

Producers: Andrea Voets and Luke Deane

Special thanks to: Alfio Antico, Giulia Tagliavia, Francesco Guaiana, Salvatore Bonafede

This podcast is part of the Are We Europe family. Find more like-minded European podcasts at areweeurope.com/audio-family.

A cooperation of Resonate Productions - creating musical journalism - and Are We Europe.

For more episodes, subscribe to Millennial History.

www.millennialhistorypodcast.com || www.facebook.com/musicaljournalism

]]>Aki grew up in Sicily. On May 23, 1992, the mafia blew up the highway behind his grandmother’s house, killing a judge named Giovanni Falcone.

Since Dominic is away right now, we’re bringing you the first of two very special guest appearances from Millennial History, a new podcast series reliving impactful moments in recent world history, as seen through the eyes of people who were children when they happened.

In interviews with musical journalist Andrea Voets, they reflect on the far-reaching consequences of the events on their lives and societies. Andrea and composer/sound designer Luke Deane have combined these testimonies with music donated by more than sixty bands to create a unique form of ‘musical journalism’.

Producers: Andrea Voets and Luke Deane

Special thanks to: Alfio Antico, Giulia Tagliavia, Francesco Guaiana, Salvatore Bonafede

This podcast is part of the Are We Europe family. Find more like-minded European podcasts at areweeurope.com/audio-family.

A cooperation of Resonate Productions - creating musical journalism - and Are We Europe.

For more episodes, subscribe to Millennial History.

www.millennialhistorypodcast.com || www.facebook.com/musicaljournalism

]]>0c19b9fc-cb6d-43c7-b6ad-a0bbdf1e52f1Thu, 24 Mar 2022 05:00:00 +020041:44falsefullVoice notes from UkraineVoice notes from UkraineBefore the war, Vladimir was a film producer and Yuriy was a journalist. Daria works in marketing, Andrii is a musician, and Anna is a human resources manager for an IT company. This week we asked five Ukrainians to send us some voice messages, documenting their thoughts and feelings since the world turned upside down on February 24.

You can donate to the International Committee of the Red Cross's Ukraine appeal here.

Many thanks to Daria Barakhta, Andrii Kovalov, Yuriy Matsarsky, Anna Tolstaia, and Vladimir Yatsenko for sharing their thoughts with us. Vladimir continues to film footage of the war; you can follow his posts here.

This episode was produced by Katy Lee and Wojciech Oleksiak, with editorial help from Katz Laszlo. Sound design by Wojciech Oleksiak. Music by Jazzpospolita and Jim Barne.

Thanks for listening. If you enjoy our podcast and would like to help us keep making it, we'd love it if you'd consider chipping in a few euros / dollars / pounds a month at patreon.com/europeanspodcast. You can also help new listeners find the show by leaving us a review or giving us five stars on Spotify.

This podcast is part of the Are We Europe family. Find more like-minded European podcasts at areweeurope.com/audio-family.

Twitter | Instagram | hello@europeanspodcast.com

]]>Before the war, Vladimir was a film producer and Yuriy was a journalist. Daria works in marketing, Andrii is a musician, and Anna is a human resources manager for an IT company. This week we asked five Ukrainians to send us some voice messages, documenting their thoughts and feelings since the world turned upside down on February 24.

You can donate to the International Committee of the Red Cross's Ukraine appeal here.

Many thanks to Daria Barakhta, Andrii Kovalov, Yuriy Matsarsky, Anna Tolstaia, and Vladimir Yatsenko for sharing their thoughts with us. Vladimir continues to film footage of the war; you can follow his posts here.

This episode was produced by Katy Lee and Wojciech Oleksiak, with editorial help from Katz Laszlo. Sound design by Wojciech Oleksiak. Music by Jazzpospolita and Jim Barne.

Thanks for listening. If you enjoy our podcast and would like to help us keep making it, we'd love it if you'd consider chipping in a few euros / dollars / pounds a month at patreon.com/europeanspodcast. You can also help new listeners find the show by leaving us a review or giving us five stars on Spotify.

This podcast is part of the Are We Europe family. Find more like-minded European podcasts at areweeurope.com/audio-family.

Twitter | Instagram | hello@europeanspodcast.com

]]>c0592a83-8267-41e0-89e3-98b5473de115Mon, 14 Mar 2022 17:26:00 +020011:43falsefullArmy bootsArmy bootsWe're struggling to process what has happened on this continent over the past week. With events moving incredibly fast on the ground, we wanted to reflect on the human cost of conflict in Ukraine. The writer and historian Olesya Khromeychuk, director of the Ukrainian Institute London, joins us to read an excerpt from her book 'A Loss', about her brother's death on the frontline in 2017. We also hear from our producer Wojciech Oleksiak about how the Russian invasion feels different if you're following the news from Central or Eastern Europe compared to further West. Plus, the sound of Europeans standing with Ukraine, from London to Lisbon, Berlin to Minsk.

This week's recommendations: 'A Loss'; '1944' by Jamala; 'Grey Bees' by Andrey Kurkov.

You can support the Kyiv Independent on Patreon here, and donate to a range of different Ukrainian media organisations here. More information on ways to help can be found here.

Many thanks to the Ukrainian Village Voices choir for giving us permission to play this beautiful recording of 'O Bozhe'.

#StandWithUkraine

Producers: Katy Lee, Wojciech Oleksiak and Katz Laszlo

Music: Jim Barne and Mariska Martina

This podcast is part of the Are We Europe family. Find more like-minded European podcasts at areweeurope.com/audio-family.

Twitter | Instagram | hello@europeanspodcast.com

]]>We're struggling to process what has happened on this continent over the past week. With events moving incredibly fast on the ground, we wanted to reflect on the human cost of conflict in Ukraine. The writer and historian Olesya Khromeychuk, director of the Ukrainian Institute London, joins us to read an excerpt from her book 'A Loss', about her brother's death on the frontline in 2017. We also hear from our producer Wojciech Oleksiak about how the Russian invasion feels different if you're following the news from Central or Eastern Europe compared to further West. Plus, the sound of Europeans standing with Ukraine, from London to Lisbon, Berlin to Minsk.

This week's recommendations: 'A Loss'; '1944' by Jamala; 'Grey Bees' by Andrey Kurkov.

You can support the Kyiv Independent on Patreon here, and donate to a range of different Ukrainian media organisations here. More information on ways to help can be found here.

Many thanks to the Ukrainian Village Voices choir for giving us permission to play this beautiful recording of 'O Bozhe'.

#StandWithUkraine

Producers: Katy Lee, Wojciech Oleksiak and Katz Laszlo

Music: Jim Barne and Mariska Martina

This podcast is part of the Are We Europe family. Find more like-minded European podcasts at areweeurope.com/audio-family.

Twitter | Instagram | hello@europeanspodcast.com

]]>7c71e50c-47b2-44cc-ade6-5cce666c93f7Wed, 02 Mar 2022 11:11:00 +020033:36falsefullLet Them Entertain UsLet Them Entertain UsThis week, the case for culture: keeping it free, and keeping it funded. We're talking about the state of artistic freedom in Poland; plus, the state of Europe's live music industry, with Elise Phamgia of Liveurope and Janine Cathrein of Swiss indie folk band Black Sea Dahu. Also on the agenda: what to do with problematic statues in Brussels.

Black Sea Dahu are touring again! You can find tour dates and more on their website, and listen on Spotify.

Isolation Inspiration: Liveurope's artists to watch out for in 2022; Ukrainian war literature in translation; Édouard Louis, 'Qui a tué mon père'. Bonus recommendations: Black Sea Dahu's new album, 'I Am My Mother', and 'Empireland' by Sathnam Sangera.

02:43 Good Week, or 'Constructive Ideas Week': Brussels' report on colonial-era monuments
12:17 Bad Week: Krzysztof Głuchowski and artistic freedom in Poland
21:53 Interview: Elise Phamgia and Janine Cathrein on the state of Europe's live music industry
34:21 Isolation Inspiration: Liveurope's new music for 2022; the new Ukrainian war literature; Édouard Louis, 'Qui a tué mon père'
37:46 Happy Ending: a boat trip

Thanks for listening! If you enjoy our podcast and would like to help us keep making it, we'd love it if you'd consider chipping in a few euros / dollars / pounds a month at patreon.com/europeanspodcast. You can also help new listeners find the show by leaving us a review or giving us five stars on Spotify.

Producers: Katy Lee and Wojciech Oleksiak

Music: Jim Barne and Mariska Martina

This podcast is part of the Are We Europe family. Find more like-minded European podcasts at areweeurope.com/audio-family.

Twitter | Instagram | Facebook | hello@europeanspodcast.com

]]>This week, the case for culture: keeping it free, and keeping it funded. We're talking about the state of artistic freedom in Poland; plus, the state of Europe's live music industry, with Elise Phamgia of Liveurope and Janine Cathrein of Swiss indie folk band Black Sea Dahu. Also on the agenda: what to do with problematic statues in Brussels.

Black Sea Dahu are touring again! You can find tour dates and more on their website, and listen on Spotify.

Isolation Inspiration: Liveurope's artists to watch out for in 2022; Ukrainian war literature in translation; Édouard Louis, 'Qui a tué mon père'. Bonus recommendations: Black Sea Dahu's new album, 'I Am My Mother', and 'Empireland' by Sathnam Sangera.

02:43 Good Week, or 'Constructive Ideas Week': Brussels' report on colonial-era monuments
12:17 Bad Week: Krzysztof Głuchowski and artistic freedom in Poland
21:53 Interview: Elise Phamgia and Janine Cathrein on the state of Europe's live music industry
34:21 Isolation Inspiration: Liveurope's new music for 2022; the new Ukrainian war literature; Édouard Louis, 'Qui a tué mon père'
37:46 Happy Ending: a boat trip

Thanks for listening! If you enjoy our podcast and would like to help us keep making it, we'd love it if you'd consider chipping in a few euros / dollars / pounds a month at patreon.com/europeanspodcast. You can also help new listeners find the show by leaving us a review or giving us five stars on Spotify.

Producers: Katy Lee and Wojciech Oleksiak

Music: Jim Barne and Mariska Martina

This podcast is part of the Are We Europe family. Find more like-minded European podcasts at areweeurope.com/audio-family.

Twitter | Instagram | Facebook | hello@europeanspodcast.com

]]>d0485540-e8fe-417e-bd9a-d7410bc0f765Thu, 24 Feb 2022 06:00:00 +020040:07falsefullWTF, housing market?WTF, housing market?From Ireland to Croatia, the cost of housing has been shooting up across this continent, leaving rising numbers of people homeless and millions struggling to pay the rent. This week Amsterdam city geographer Cody Hochstenbach, whose new book Uitgewoond argues for a revolution in housing policy, is here to explain how we ended up in this mess — and what we might do to fix it. We're also talking about Spanish orcas, lost teeth, and a Europe without Facebook and Instagram.

You can read El País' long read on the changing face of Spain's drug trade here, and check out Bruno Le Maire's unsmiling mug shots here.

This week's Isolation Inspiration: Beautiful World, Where Are You and The Summit of the Gods

02:39 Bad Week: Meta in Europe
12:33 Good Week: Spain's orca drug plot busted
20:14 Interview: Cody Hochstenbach on fixing the housing market
33:08 Isolation Inspiration: Beautiful World, Where Are You and The Summit of the Gods
36:53 Happy Ending: Paul and his teeth, reunited

Thanks for listening! If you enjoy our podcast and would like to help us keep making it, we'd love it if you'd consider chipping in a few euros / dollars / pounds a month at patreon.com/europeanspodcast. You can also help new listeners find the show by leaving us a review or giving us five stars on Spotify.

Producers: Katy Lee and Wojciech Oleksiak

Music: Jim Barne and Mariska Martina

This podcast is part of the Are We Europe family. Find more like-minded European podcasts at areweeurope.com/audio-family.

Twitter | Instagram | Facebook | hello@europeanspodcast.com

]]>From Ireland to Croatia, the cost of housing has been shooting up across this continent, leaving rising numbers of people homeless and millions struggling to pay the rent. This week Amsterdam city geographer Cody Hochstenbach, whose new book Uitgewoond argues for a revolution in housing policy, is here to explain how we ended up in this mess — and what we might do to fix it. We're also talking about Spanish orcas, lost teeth, and a Europe without Facebook and Instagram.

You can read El País' long read on the changing face of Spain's drug trade here, and check out Bruno Le Maire's unsmiling mug shots here.

This week's Isolation Inspiration: Beautiful World, Where Are You and The Summit of the Gods

02:39 Bad Week: Meta in Europe
12:33 Good Week: Spain's orca drug plot busted
20:14 Interview: Cody Hochstenbach on fixing the housing market
33:08 Isolation Inspiration: Beautiful World, Where Are You and The Summit of the Gods
36:53 Happy Ending: Paul and his teeth, reunited

Thanks for listening! If you enjoy our podcast and would like to help us keep making it, we'd love it if you'd consider chipping in a few euros / dollars / pounds a month at patreon.com/europeanspodcast. You can also help new listeners find the show by leaving us a review or giving us five stars on Spotify.

Producers: Katy Lee and Wojciech Oleksiak

Music: Jim Barne and Mariska Martina

This podcast is part of the Are We Europe family. Find more like-minded European podcasts at areweeurope.com/audio-family.

Twitter | Instagram | Facebook | hello@europeanspodcast.com

]]>b4ab5d70-0e35-4edb-b4fb-23c054edb5fbThu, 17 Feb 2022 06:00:00 +020039:49falsefullA Whale of a TaxonomyA Whale of a TaxonomyWhat do nuclear energy and whale-hunting have in common? They're both at the heart of controversial debates about whether they can ever be described as 'sustainable'. This week we delve into a questionable EU anti-greenwashing effort, as well as Iceland's mooted plan to put a ban on commercial whaling. We're also looking at the revamp of one of Venice's most historic buildings, the Procuratie Vecchie. Emma Ursich, whose NGO The Human Safety Net will be among its new occupants, is here to explain why the building is opening its doors after half a millennium closed to the public.

You can check out Influence Map's investigation into the EU gas lobby here, and listen to our producer Katz Laszlo's beautiful piece 'Whale Fall' here.

This week's Isolation Inspiration: The Trojan Horse Affair and Glória.

03:01 Bad Week: Gas, nuclear and the EU taxonomy
11:56 Good Week: Whales off the coast of Iceland
22:01 Interview: Emma Ursich on remaking the Procuratie Vecchie
31:53 Isolation Inspiration: The Trojan Horse Affair and Gloria
34:29 Happy Ending: amazing Swiss scientists

Thanks for listening! If you enjoy our podcast and would like to help us keep making it, we'd love it if you'd consider chipping in a few euros / dollars / pounds a month at patreon.com/europeanspodcast. You can also help new listeners find the show by leaving us a review or giving us five stars on Spotify.

Producers: Katy Lee and Wojciech Oleksiak

Music: Jim Barne and Mariska Martina

This podcast is part of the Are We Europe family. Find more like-minded European podcasts at areweeurope.com/audio-family.

Twitter | Instagram | Facebook | hello@europeanspodcast.com

]]>What do nuclear energy and whale-hunting have in common? They're both at the heart of controversial debates about whether they can ever be described as 'sustainable'. This week we delve into a questionable EU anti-greenwashing effort, as well as Iceland's mooted plan to put a ban on commercial whaling. We're also looking at the revamp of one of Venice's most historic buildings, the Procuratie Vecchie. Emma Ursich, whose NGO The Human Safety Net will be among its new occupants, is here to explain why the building is opening its doors after half a millennium closed to the public.

You can check out Influence Map's investigation into the EU gas lobby here, and listen to our producer Katz Laszlo's beautiful piece 'Whale Fall' here.

This week's Isolation Inspiration: The Trojan Horse Affair and Glória.

03:01 Bad Week: Gas, nuclear and the EU taxonomy
11:56 Good Week: Whales off the coast of Iceland
22:01 Interview: Emma Ursich on remaking the Procuratie Vecchie
31:53 Isolation Inspiration: The Trojan Horse Affair and Gloria
34:29 Happy Ending: amazing Swiss scientists

Thanks for listening! If you enjoy our podcast and would like to help us keep making it, we'd love it if you'd consider chipping in a few euros / dollars / pounds a month at patreon.com/europeanspodcast. You can also help new listeners find the show by leaving us a review or giving us five stars on Spotify.

Producers: Katy Lee and Wojciech Oleksiak

Music: Jim Barne and Mariska Martina

This podcast is part of the Are We Europe family. Find more like-minded European podcasts at areweeurope.com/audio-family.

Twitter | Instagram | Facebook | hello@europeanspodcast.com

]]>5d85f513-8f67-400a-bf2a-7d4ddafa7864Thu, 10 Feb 2022 06:00:00 +020036:22falsefullThe Case for ColourThe Case for ColourTaryn de Vere set herself a joyful challenge in January: to dress up each day as a household object, from a bottle of toilet cleaner to a sack of potatoes. This week, the person dubbed Possibly The Most Colourful Woman in Ireland joins us to make the case for injecting a little more fun into our wardrobes. We're also talking about ghost flights, a relaxing Berlin transport initiative, and whether Italy's 80-year-old president will ever be allowed to retire.

You can follow Taryn on Instagram here and on Twitter here.

This week's Isolation Inspiration: 'Into Eternity' and 'Courage'.

This episode was produced as part of Sphera, a collective of independent European media. Find out more at sphera-hub.com.

Thanks for listening! If you enjoy our podcast and would like to help us keep making it, we'd love it if you'd consider chipping in a few euros / dollars / pounds a month at patreon.com/europeanspodcast. You can also help new listeners find the show by leaving us a review or giving us five stars on Spotify.

Producers: Katy Lee and Wojciech Oleksiak

Music: Jim Barne and Mariska Martina

This podcast is part of the Are We Europe family. Find more like-minded European podcasts at areweeurope.com/audio-family.

Twitter | Instagram | Facebook | hello@europeanspodcast.com

]]>Taryn de Vere set herself a joyful challenge in January: to dress up each day as a household object, from a bottle of toilet cleaner to a sack of potatoes. This week, the person dubbed Possibly The Most Colourful Woman in Ireland joins us to make the case for injecting a little more fun into our wardrobes. We're also talking about ghost flights, a relaxing Berlin transport initiative, and whether Italy's 80-year-old president will ever be allowed to retire.

You can follow Taryn on Instagram here and on Twitter here.

This week's Isolation Inspiration: 'Into Eternity' and 'Courage'.

This episode was produced as part of Sphera, a collective of independent European media. Find out more at sphera-hub.com.

Thanks for listening! If you enjoy our podcast and would like to help us keep making it, we'd love it if you'd consider chipping in a few euros / dollars / pounds a month at patreon.com/europeanspodcast. You can also help new listeners find the show by leaving us a review or giving us five stars on Spotify.

Producers: Katy Lee and Wojciech Oleksiak

Music: Jim Barne and Mariska Martina

This podcast is part of the Are We Europe family. Find more like-minded European podcasts at areweeurope.com/audio-family.

Twitter | Instagram | Facebook | hello@europeanspodcast.com

]]>38474cf0-478f-4578-a019-c8f3068b4eaeThu, 03 Feb 2022 06:00:00 +020038:30falsefullMalta’s abortion tabooMalta’s abortion tabooWhen the European parliament elected a new president last week, many of the headlines focused on one thing: the fact that she's against abortion. But Roberta Metsola's public stance is not at all unusual in a country with one of the strictest abortion bans in the world. This week we're asking: where does this incredibly strong taboo come from? Researcher and activist Liza Caruana-Finkel is here to fill us in. We're also talking about Chinese influence at European universities, and the case of a toilet that went all the way to Italy's Supreme Court.

'Why it is vital to decriminalise abortion: the case of Malta' - The Conversation

China's Magic Weapon - BBC

Excellent tweets about embarrassing mistakes in a second (or third or fourth) language

This week's Isolation Inspiration: The Investigation (Efterforskningen); Atlas Linguae

This episode was produced as part of Sphera, a collective of independent European media. Find out more at sphera-hub.com.

Thanks for listening! If you enjoy our podcast and would like to help us keep making it, we'd love it if you'd consider chipping in a few euros / dollars / pounds a month at patreon.com/europeanspodcast. You can also help new listeners find the show by leaving us a review or giving us five stars on Spotify.

Producers: Katy Lee and Wojciech Oleksiak

Music: Jim Barne and Mariska Martina

This podcast is part of the Are We Europe family. Find more like-minded European podcasts at areweeurope.com/audio-family.

Twitter | Instagram | Facebook | hello@europeanspodcast.com

]]>When the European parliament elected a new president last week, many of the headlines focused on one thing: the fact that she's against abortion. But Roberta Metsola's public stance is not at all unusual in a country with one of the strictest abortion bans in the world. This week we're asking: where does this incredibly strong taboo come from? Researcher and activist Liza Caruana-Finkel is here to fill us in. We're also talking about Chinese influence at European universities, and the case of a toilet that went all the way to Italy's Supreme Court.

'Why it is vital to decriminalise abortion: the case of Malta' - The Conversation

China's Magic Weapon - BBC

Excellent tweets about embarrassing mistakes in a second (or third or fourth) language

This week's Isolation Inspiration: The Investigation (Efterforskningen); Atlas Linguae

This episode was produced as part of Sphera, a collective of independent European media. Find out more at sphera-hub.com.

Thanks for listening! If you enjoy our podcast and would like to help us keep making it, we'd love it if you'd consider chipping in a few euros / dollars / pounds a month at patreon.com/europeanspodcast. You can also help new listeners find the show by leaving us a review or giving us five stars on Spotify.

Producers: Katy Lee and Wojciech Oleksiak

Music: Jim Barne and Mariska Martina

This podcast is part of the Are We Europe family. Find more like-minded European podcasts at areweeurope.com/audio-family.

Twitter | Instagram | Facebook | hello@europeanspodcast.com

]]>b5ed2a9d-aea3-4895-be18-08a6b0849907Thu, 27 Jan 2022 06:00:00 +020036:56falsefullEnergy bills, bills, billsEnergy bills, bills, billsWe're back for a brand new year of stories from across the continent. Top of the agenda is an issue that's been worrying a lot of Europeans: eye-wateringly expensive energy bills. Energy expert Marine Cornelis is here to explain why this is happening and what can be done about it. We're also catching up on Ukraine and a transatlantic cheese dispute.

Marine is the founder of Next Energy Consumer and the host of the Energ'ethic podcast.

This week's Isolation Inspiration: Young Royals, Stromae's new single, and Angèle.

Thanks for listening! If you enjoy our podcast and would like to help us keep making it, we'd love it if you'd consider chipping in a few euros / dollars / pounds a month at patreon.com/europeanspodcast. You can also help new listeners find the show by leaving us a review.

Producers: Katy Lee and Wojciech Oleksiak

Music: Jim Barne and Mariska Martina

This podcast is part of the Are We Europe family. Find more like-minded European podcasts at areweeurope.com/audio-family.

Twitter | Instagram | Facebook | hello@europeanspodcast.com

]]>We're back for a brand new year of stories from across the continent. Top of the agenda is an issue that's been worrying a lot of Europeans: eye-wateringly expensive energy bills. Energy expert Marine Cornelis is here to explain why this is happening and what can be done about it. We're also catching up on Ukraine and a transatlantic cheese dispute.

Marine is the founder of Next Energy Consumer and the host of the Energ'ethic podcast.

This week's Isolation Inspiration: Young Royals, Stromae's new single, and Angèle.

Thanks for listening! If you enjoy our podcast and would like to help us keep making it, we'd love it if you'd consider chipping in a few euros / dollars / pounds a month at patreon.com/europeanspodcast. You can also help new listeners find the show by leaving us a review.

Producers: Katy Lee and Wojciech Oleksiak

Music: Jim Barne and Mariska Martina

This podcast is part of the Are We Europe family. Find more like-minded European podcasts at areweeurope.com/audio-family.

Twitter | Instagram | Facebook | hello@europeanspodcast.com

]]>73cbfca1-e429-4546-ab7a-60a3f248293fThu, 20 Jan 2022 06:00:00 +020037:38falsefullThe Europeans’ Christmas Party!The Europeans’ Christmas Party!We threw a little party for our last episode of the year! Producers Katz Laszlo and Wojciech Oleksiak join Katy and Dominic from Amsterdam and Warsaw to discuss elephant retirement, tree fraud, and festive traditions around Europe. Local snacks included.

This week's Isolation Inspiration: Women at War, Draumalandið by Valgeir Sigurðsson, The Way Home: Tales from a Life Without Technology by Mark Boyle, and Are We Europe: Online Lies, Offline Lives.

Thank you so much for listening to The Europeans in 2021. We'll be back on January 20. If you enjoy our podcast and would like to help us keep making it into next year, we'd love it if you'd consider chipping in a few euros / dollars / pounds a month at patreon.com/europeanspodcast. You can also help new listeners find the show by leaving us a review.

This episode was produced as part of Sphera, a collective of independent European media. Find out more at sphera-hub.com.

Producers: Katy Lee and Wojciech Oleksiak

Music: Jim Barne and Mariska Martina

This podcast is part of the Are We Europe family. Find more like-minded European podcasts at areweeurope.com/audio-family.

Twitter | Instagram | Facebook | hello@europeanspodcast.com

]]>We threw a little party for our last episode of the year! Producers Katz Laszlo and Wojciech Oleksiak join Katy and Dominic from Amsterdam and Warsaw to discuss elephant retirement, tree fraud, and festive traditions around Europe. Local snacks included.

This week's Isolation Inspiration: Women at War, Draumalandið by Valgeir Sigurðsson, The Way Home: Tales from a Life Without Technology by Mark Boyle, and Are We Europe: Online Lies, Offline Lives.

Thank you so much for listening to The Europeans in 2021. We'll be back on January 20. If you enjoy our podcast and would like to help us keep making it into next year, we'd love it if you'd consider chipping in a few euros / dollars / pounds a month at patreon.com/europeanspodcast. You can also help new listeners find the show by leaving us a review.

This episode was produced as part of Sphera, a collective of independent European media. Find out more at sphera-hub.com.

Producers: Katy Lee and Wojciech Oleksiak

Music: Jim Barne and Mariska Martina

This podcast is part of the Are We Europe family. Find more like-minded European podcasts at areweeurope.com/audio-family.

Twitter | Instagram | Facebook | hello@europeanspodcast.com

]]>657c452b-c079-45db-9864-010697ff545eThu, 16 Dec 2021 06:00:00 +020035:29falsefullThe life of a reindeer herderThe life of a reindeer herderIt's that time of year when reindeer start cropping up on all kinds of Christmassy consumer goods, from snowglobes to Advent calendars. But for the indigenous Sámi people of northern Europe, herding these remarkable animals is a way of life — and one that is increasingly under threat. This week we speak to Sámi herder and climate change expert Jannie Staffansson about her community's intimate and profound relationship with reindeer. It's an animal-themed episode this week, so we're also talking about a bee miracle in the Canary Islands, and how a European sheep can somehow be rare and a threat to biodiversity at the same time.

This week's Isolation Inspiration was brought to you courtesy of Arte. Check out their series Re: European Stories here. Dominic enjoyed this episode on tea farming in Georgia, while Frederic recommends you check out this episode on village shops.

You should also check out the latest episode of NPR's Rough Translation podcast! It includes a version of 'Sara', one of the episodes from our mini-series 'This Is What A Generation Sounds Like', co-produced by our very own Katz Laszlo with Adelina Lancianese.

This episode was produced as part of Sphera, a collective of independent European media. Find out more at sphera-hub.com.

Thanks for listening! If you enjoy our podcast and would like to help us keep making it, we'd love it if you'd consider chipping in a few euros / dollars / pounds a month at patreon.com/europeanspodcast. You can also help new listeners find the show by leaving us a review.

Producers: Katy Lee and Wojciech Oleksiak

Music: Jim Barne and Mariska Martina

This podcast is part of the Are We Europe family. Find more like-minded European podcasts at areweeurope.com/audio-family.

Twitter | Instagram | Facebook | hello@europeanspodcast.com

]]>It's that time of year when reindeer start cropping up on all kinds of Christmassy consumer goods, from snowglobes to Advent calendars. But for the indigenous Sámi people of northern Europe, herding these remarkable animals is a way of life — and one that is increasingly under threat. This week we speak to Sámi herder and climate change expert Jannie Staffansson about her community's intimate and profound relationship with reindeer. It's an animal-themed episode this week, so we're also talking about a bee miracle in the Canary Islands, and how a European sheep can somehow be rare and a threat to biodiversity at the same time.

This week's Isolation Inspiration was brought to you courtesy of Arte. Check out their series Re: European Stories here. Dominic enjoyed this episode on tea farming in Georgia, while Frederic recommends you check out this episode on village shops.

You should also check out the latest episode of NPR's Rough Translation podcast! It includes a version of 'Sara', one of the episodes from our mini-series 'This Is What A Generation Sounds Like', co-produced by our very own Katz Laszlo with Adelina Lancianese.

This episode was produced as part of Sphera, a collective of independent European media. Find out more at sphera-hub.com.

Thanks for listening! If you enjoy our podcast and would like to help us keep making it, we'd love it if you'd consider chipping in a few euros / dollars / pounds a month at patreon.com/europeanspodcast. You can also help new listeners find the show by leaving us a review.

Producers: Katy Lee and Wojciech Oleksiak

Music: Jim Barne and Mariska Martina

This podcast is part of the Are We Europe family. Find more like-minded European podcasts at areweeurope.com/audio-family.

Twitter | Instagram | Facebook | hello@europeanspodcast.com

]]>c2d6d7f3-fe96-4d59-ac00-842198197a08Thu, 09 Dec 2021 06:00:00 +020036:34falsefullThe Subtle Art of SubtitlingThe Subtle Art of SubtitlingMillions of us have spent this pandemic bingeing on international films and television, transported far away through the magic of the screen. But there's an underappreciated army of workers who make it all possible: the subtitlers. This week we chat to Russian subtitler Max Deryagin about how Netflix has shaken up the industry and why things sometimes get lost in translation. We're also talking about the new Germany, the failures of Britain's asylum policy, and the woman on Romania's new 20 lei banknote.

This week's Isolation Inspiration: Steve Rosenberg's interview with Alexander Lukashenko, this episode of the BBC's Media Show podcast, and Lords of Scam. You can also check out this Twitter thread about a key problem with Netflix subtitles.

This episode was produced as part of Sphera, a collective of independent European media. Find out more at sphera-hub.com.

Thanks for listening! If you enjoy our podcast and would like to help us keep making it, we'd love it if you'd consider chipping in a few euros / dollars / pounds a month at patreon.com/europeanspodcast. You can also help new listeners find the show by leaving us a review.

Producers: Katy Lee and Wojciech Oleksiak

Senior producer: Katz Laszlo

Music: Jim Barne and Mariska Martina

This podcast is part of the Are We Europe family. Find more like-minded European podcasts at areweeurope.com/audio-family.

Twitter | Instagram | Facebook | hello@europeanspodcast.com

]]>Millions of us have spent this pandemic bingeing on international films and television, transported far away through the magic of the screen. But there's an underappreciated army of workers who make it all possible: the subtitlers. This week we chat to Russian subtitler Max Deryagin about how Netflix has shaken up the industry and why things sometimes get lost in translation. We're also talking about the new Germany, the failures of Britain's asylum policy, and the woman on Romania's new 20 lei banknote.

This week's Isolation Inspiration: Steve Rosenberg's interview with Alexander Lukashenko, this episode of the BBC's Media Show podcast, and Lords of Scam. You can also check out this Twitter thread about a key problem with Netflix subtitles.

This episode was produced as part of Sphera, a collective of independent European media. Find out more at sphera-hub.com.

Thanks for listening! If you enjoy our podcast and would like to help us keep making it, we'd love it if you'd consider chipping in a few euros / dollars / pounds a month at patreon.com/europeanspodcast. You can also help new listeners find the show by leaving us a review.

Producers: Katy Lee and Wojciech Oleksiak

Senior producer: Katz Laszlo

Music: Jim Barne and Mariska Martina

This podcast is part of the Are We Europe family. Find more like-minded European podcasts at areweeurope.com/audio-family.

Twitter | Instagram | Facebook | hello@europeanspodcast.com

]]>6804d6db-b1d0-4516-8b7f-f82407a6fc12Thu, 02 Dec 2021 06:00:00 +020040:33falsefullMove Fast And Fix ThingsMove Fast And Fix Things'Move fast and break things' was Facebook's corporate philosophy in its early days. Europe now wants to do the opposite when it comes to the harmful effects of social media: move fast and fix things. This week we're taking a look at the EU's plan to rein in the tech giants with the help of one of our favourite European tech nerds, Guillermo Beltrà of the Open Society European Policy Institute. We've also got a special Outer Space edition of Good Week Bad Week.

This podcast was produced in collaboration with the Open Society European Policy Institute. You can find out more about their work here and check out an episode we previously made with them about Europe's climate policy here.

This week's Isolation Inspiration: The Unlikely Murderer (Den osannolika mördaren) and Tear Along the Dotted Line (Strappare lungo i bordi).

This episode was produced as part of Sphera, a collective of independent European media. Find out more at sphera-hub.com.

Thanks for listening! If you enjoy our podcast and would like to help us keep making it, we'd love it if you'd consider chipping in a few euros / dollars / pounds a month at patreon.com/europeanspodcast. You can also help new listeners find the show by leaving us a review.

Producers: Katy Lee and Wojciech Oleksiak

Senior producer: Katz Laszlo

Music: Jim Barne and Mariska Martina

This podcast is part of the Are We Europe family. Find more like-minded European podcasts at areweeurope.com/audio-family.

Twitter | Instagram | Facebook | hello@europeanspodcast.com

]]>'Move fast and break things' was Facebook's corporate philosophy in its early days. Europe now wants to do the opposite when it comes to the harmful effects of social media: move fast and fix things. This week we're taking a look at the EU's plan to rein in the tech giants with the help of one of our favourite European tech nerds, Guillermo Beltrà of the Open Society European Policy Institute. We've also got a special Outer Space edition of Good Week Bad Week.

This podcast was produced in collaboration with the Open Society European Policy Institute. You can find out more about their work here and check out an episode we previously made with them about Europe's climate policy here.

This week's Isolation Inspiration: The Unlikely Murderer (Den osannolika mördaren) and Tear Along the Dotted Line (Strappare lungo i bordi).

This episode was produced as part of Sphera, a collective of independent European media. Find out more at sphera-hub.com.

Thanks for listening! If you enjoy our podcast and would like to help us keep making it, we'd love it if you'd consider chipping in a few euros / dollars / pounds a month at patreon.com/europeanspodcast. You can also help new listeners find the show by leaving us a review.

Producers: Katy Lee and Wojciech Oleksiak

Senior producer: Katz Laszlo

Music: Jim Barne and Mariska Martina

This podcast is part of the Are We Europe family. Find more like-minded European podcasts at areweeurope.com/audio-family.

Twitter | Instagram | Facebook | hello@europeanspodcast.com

]]>6786230c-c59f-4ad1-b423-e746075af21fThu, 25 Nov 2021 06:00:00 +020036:40falsefullPushbacksPushbacksIt’s dawn in the Aegean Sea. A dozen asylum seekers are crammed into a rubber dinghy, hoping to land on the Greek island of Lesbos. They are already within EU waters — and they have the right, under international law, to claim asylum. But a huge ship is blocking their way.

This week we are looking at the phenomenon of pushbacks: illegal efforts to push people back across a border so that they cannot claim asylum. And we’re looking at mounting evidence that the EU’s border agency, Frontex, has witnessed or even participated in these pushbacks.

We recommend that you check out Lighthouse Reports' investigations on Europe's borders.

This episode was produced as part of Sphera, a collective of independent European media. Find out more at sphera-hub.com.

Thanks for listening. If you enjoy our podcast and would like to help us keep making it, we'd love it if you'd consider chipping in a few euros / dollars / pounds a month at patreon.com/europeanspodcast. You can also help new listeners find the show by leaving us a review.

This podcast is part of the Are We Europe family. Find more like-minded European podcasts at areweeurope.com/audio-family.

Reporter and producer: Andrei Popoviciu

Editorial support: Katz Laszlo, Katy Lee, Dominic Kraemer, Wojciech Oleksiak

Senior producer: Katz Laszlo

Sound design: Andrei Popoviciu and Wojciech Oleksiak

Editor: Katy Lee

Mixing: Wojciech Oleksiak

Music: Jim Barne, Bluedot Sessions, Artlist.io

Sound effects: Freesound.org

]]>It’s dawn in the Aegean Sea. A dozen asylum seekers are crammed into a rubber dinghy, hoping to land on the Greek island of Lesbos. They are already within EU waters — and they have the right, under international law, to claim asylum. But a huge ship is blocking their way.

This week we are looking at the phenomenon of pushbacks: illegal efforts to push people back across a border so that they cannot claim asylum. And we’re looking at mounting evidence that the EU’s border agency, Frontex, has witnessed or even participated in these pushbacks.

We recommend that you check out Lighthouse Reports' investigations on Europe's borders.

This episode was produced as part of Sphera, a collective of independent European media. Find out more at sphera-hub.com.

Thanks for listening. If you enjoy our podcast and would like to help us keep making it, we'd love it if you'd consider chipping in a few euros / dollars / pounds a month at patreon.com/europeanspodcast. You can also help new listeners find the show by leaving us a review.

This podcast is part of the Are We Europe family. Find more like-minded European podcasts at areweeurope.com/audio-family.

Reporter and producer: Andrei Popoviciu

Editorial support: Katz Laszlo, Katy Lee, Dominic Kraemer, Wojciech Oleksiak

Senior producer: Katz Laszlo

Sound design: Andrei Popoviciu and Wojciech Oleksiak

Editor: Katy Lee

Mixing: Wojciech Oleksiak

Music: Jim Barne, Bluedot Sessions, Artlist.io

Sound effects: Freesound.org

]]>50332c8f-3b3a-4d9a-958b-08c9be657995Thu, 18 Nov 2021 06:00:00 +020045:08falsefullTrapped at the EU borderTrapped at the EU borderbfc1e6d9-4220-4970-b983-f15713af36d3Thu, 11 Nov 2021 06:00:00 +020040:04falsefullSara Sara e62ecdd9-c1a6-4999-9ad7-354b537a1ce0Thu, 04 Nov 2021 06:00:00 +020026:25falsefullWill Europe’s climate policy save us all?Will Europe’s climate policy save us all?Fit for 55 sounds like a plan to get middle-aged people to exercise, but it is in fact one of the most ambitious climate policies on the planet. But is it enough to make a difference? This week, in collaboration with the Open Society European Policy Institute, our favourite climate explainer Emily Stewart breaks down Europe's plan for us. Is Fit for 55 fit for purpose? And can Europe turn it into a reality without sparking a continent-wide social revolt?

You can follow Emily on Twitter here and find out more about OSEPI's work here.

This episode was produced and sound designed by Wojciech Oleksiak, with editorial support from Katy Lee, Dominic Kraemer and Katz Laszlo.

Music by Jim Barne and Blue Dot Sessions.

Thanks for listening! If you enjoy our podcast and would like to help us keep making it, we'd love it if you'd consider chipping in a few euros / dollars / pounds a month at patreon.com/europeanspodcast. You can also help new listeners find the show by leaving us a review.

This podcast is part of the Are We Europe family. Find more like-minded European podcasts at areweeurope.com/audio-family.

Twitter | Instagram | Facebook | hello@europeanspodcast.com

]]>Fit for 55 sounds like a plan to get middle-aged people to exercise, but it is in fact one of the most ambitious climate policies on the planet. But is it enough to make a difference? This week, in collaboration with the Open Society European Policy Institute, our favourite climate explainer Emily Stewart breaks down Europe's plan for us. Is Fit for 55 fit for purpose? And can Europe turn it into a reality without sparking a continent-wide social revolt?

You can follow Emily on Twitter here and find out more about OSEPI's work here.

This episode was produced and sound designed by Wojciech Oleksiak, with editorial support from Katy Lee, Dominic Kraemer and Katz Laszlo.

Music by Jim Barne and Blue Dot Sessions.

Thanks for listening! If you enjoy our podcast and would like to help us keep making it, we'd love it if you'd consider chipping in a few euros / dollars / pounds a month at patreon.com/europeanspodcast. You can also help new listeners find the show by leaving us a review.

This podcast is part of the Are We Europe family. Find more like-minded European podcasts at areweeurope.com/audio-family.

Twitter | Instagram | Facebook | hello@europeanspodcast.com

]]>1dba314c-91f5-43e8-8df9-f252f34b0a9fThu, 21 Oct 2021 11:00:00 +020026:23falsefullWhat the hell just happened in Poland?What the hell just happened in Poland?Wondering why everyone is suddenly talking about the prospect of a 'Polexit'? This week we're talking to excellent Polandsplainer Jakub Jaraczewski about why the government in Warsaw has just got itself into a huge legal mess. We're also talking about the downfall of Austria's Wunderkind, why so many young Spaniards live with their parents, and the mysterious power of the European chestnut.

Jakub is a research coordinator at Democracy Reporting International. You can follow him here on Twitter.

This week's Isolation Inspiration: the Earthshot Prize on Saturday, October 16, and 'On Time And Water' by Andri Snær Magnason. You can also watch his video for TED here.

This episode was produced as part of Sphera, a collective of independent European media. Find out more at sphera-hub.com.

Thanks for listening! If you enjoy our podcast and would like to help us keep making it, we'd love it if you'd consider chipping in a few euros / dollars / pounds a month at patreon.com/europeanspodcast. You can also help new listeners find the show by leaving us a review.

Producers: Katy Lee and Wojciech Oleksiak

Senior producer: Katz Laszlo

Music: Jim Barne and Mariska Martina

This podcast is part of the Are We Europe family. Find more like-minded European podcasts at areweeurope.com/audio-family.

Twitter | Instagram | Facebook | hello@europeanspodcast.com

]]>Wondering why everyone is suddenly talking about the prospect of a 'Polexit'? This week we're talking to excellent Polandsplainer Jakub Jaraczewski about why the government in Warsaw has just got itself into a huge legal mess. We're also talking about the downfall of Austria's Wunderkind, why so many young Spaniards live with their parents, and the mysterious power of the European chestnut.

Jakub is a research coordinator at Democracy Reporting International. You can follow him here on Twitter.

This week's Isolation Inspiration: the Earthshot Prize on Saturday, October 16, and 'On Time And Water' by Andri Snær Magnason. You can also watch his video for TED here.

This episode was produced as part of Sphera, a collective of independent European media. Find out more at sphera-hub.com.

Thanks for listening! If you enjoy our podcast and would like to help us keep making it, we'd love it if you'd consider chipping in a few euros / dollars / pounds a month at patreon.com/europeanspodcast. You can also help new listeners find the show by leaving us a review.

Producers: Katy Lee and Wojciech Oleksiak

Senior producer: Katz Laszlo

Music: Jim Barne and Mariska Martina

This podcast is part of the Are We Europe family. Find more like-minded European podcasts at areweeurope.com/audio-family.

Twitter | Instagram | Facebook | hello@europeanspodcast.com

]]>34f2359a-a579-4569-975f-f695de56a18eThu, 14 Oct 2021 06:00:00 +020030:37falsefullThe château, the walrus and the rogue Danish artistThe château, the walrus and the rogue Danish artistThis week we're delving into the Czech PM's secret purchase of a French château, an extremely bold Danish artistic experiment, and, oh yes, Wally the Walrus' tour of the European coastline. Plus, political scientist Arndt Leininger is here to decrypt the German election for us.

For excellent German politics nerdery you can follow Arndt on Twitter here, and for a Pandora Papers deep-dive into Andrej Babiš and his French château, head to the ICIJ.

This week's Isolation Inspiration: Anna Learns A New Language; Darknet Diaries

Got a better name for our Isolation Inspiration segment? Answers on a postcard please: hello@europeanspodcast.com

This episode was produced as part of Sphera, a collective of independent European media. Find out more at sphera-hub.com.

Thanks for listening! If you enjoy our podcast and would like to help us keep making it, we'd love it if you'd consider chipping in a few euros / dollars / pounds a month at patreon.com/europeanspodcast. You can also help new listeners find the show by leaving us a review.

Producers: Katy Lee and Wojciech Oleksiak

Senior producer: Katz Laszlo

Music: Jim Barne and Mariska Martina

This podcast is part of the Are We Europe family. Find more like-minded European podcasts at areweeurope.com/audio-family.

Twitter | Instagram | Facebook | hello@europeanspodcast.com

]]>This week we're delving into the Czech PM's secret purchase of a French château, an extremely bold Danish artistic experiment, and, oh yes, Wally the Walrus' tour of the European coastline. Plus, political scientist Arndt Leininger is here to decrypt the German election for us.

For excellent German politics nerdery you can follow Arndt on Twitter here, and for a Pandora Papers deep-dive into Andrej Babiš and his French château, head to the ICIJ.

This week's Isolation Inspiration: Anna Learns A New Language; Darknet Diaries

Got a better name for our Isolation Inspiration segment? Answers on a postcard please: hello@europeanspodcast.com

This episode was produced as part of Sphera, a collective of independent European media. Find out more at sphera-hub.com.

Thanks for listening! If you enjoy our podcast and would like to help us keep making it, we'd love it if you'd consider chipping in a few euros / dollars / pounds a month at patreon.com/europeanspodcast. You can also help new listeners find the show by leaving us a review.

Producers: Katy Lee and Wojciech Oleksiak

Senior producer: Katz Laszlo

Music: Jim Barne and Mariska Martina

This podcast is part of the Are We Europe family. Find more like-minded European podcasts at areweeurope.com/audio-family.

Twitter | Instagram | Facebook | hello@europeanspodcast.com

]]>b530ebb1-86dd-4de3-81f7-7a66ac041304Thu, 07 Oct 2021 06:00:00 +020039:19falsefullThe last 250 years of Amsterdam - Live at the TolhuistuinThe last 250 years of Amsterdam - Live at the TolhuistuinIt's our first ever live show! Recorded live at the Tolhuistuin in Amsterdam. And what could be a more appropriate discussion than the fact that this city will one day be underwater? We promise that's a less depressing conversation than it sounds, because the person who's here to talk about it is husband of the show Thomas Lamers, a member of the documentary theatre collective Collectief Walden. They spent this summer asking an intriguing question: if Amsterdam only has around 250 years left, what should they look like?

This week's Isolation Inspiration: Beautiful World, Where Are You by Sally Rooney and The Hidden Life of Trees. You can also watch a video about Collectief Walden's Eiland project here and listen to their podcasts here.

Thank you so much to the Lieven and the whole team at the Podcastfestival for having us, and to Katz Laszlo, Mick ter Reehorst and Stefano Montali for their help on the night.

And thank you for listening. If you enjoy our podcast and would like to help us keep making it, we'd love it if you'd consider chipping in a few euros / dollars / pounds a month at patreon.com/europeanspodcast. You can also help new listeners find the show by leaving us a review.

Music: Jim Barne, Ed Bahonie and Mariska Martina

This podcast is part of the Are We Europe family. Find more like-minded European podcasts at areweeurope.com/audio-family.

Twitter | Instagram | Facebook | hello@europeanspodcast.com

]]>It's our first ever live show! Recorded live at the Tolhuistuin in Amsterdam. And what could be a more appropriate discussion than the fact that this city will one day be underwater? We promise that's a less depressing conversation than it sounds, because the person who's here to talk about it is husband of the show Thomas Lamers, a member of the documentary theatre collective Collectief Walden. They spent this summer asking an intriguing question: if Amsterdam only has around 250 years left, what should they look like?

This week's Isolation Inspiration: Beautiful World, Where Are You by Sally Rooney and The Hidden Life of Trees. You can also watch a video about Collectief Walden's Eiland project here and listen to their podcasts here.

Thank you so much to the Lieven and the whole team at the Podcastfestival for having us, and to Katz Laszlo, Mick ter Reehorst and Stefano Montali for their help on the night.

And thank you for listening. If you enjoy our podcast and would like to help us keep making it, we'd love it if you'd consider chipping in a few euros / dollars / pounds a month at patreon.com/europeanspodcast. You can also help new listeners find the show by leaving us a review.

Music: Jim Barne, Ed Bahonie and Mariska Martina

This podcast is part of the Are We Europe family. Find more like-minded European podcasts at areweeurope.com/audio-family.

Twitter | Instagram | Facebook | hello@europeanspodcast.com

]]>63707152-e225-4089-8736-b8c882e0e0c5Tue, 28 Sep 2021 06:00:00 +020044:05falsefullSubmarines and rainbow familiesSubmarines and rainbow familiesThis week, Katy’s plunging into the depths of the French Submarine Saga and Dominic’s delving into some tentatively good developments for LGBTQ parents in Europe. Plus, the speech we were all waiting for! Or not. One of our favourite journalists within the Brussels bubble, the Spanish reporter Beatriz Ríos, is here to unravel Ursula von der Leyen's State of the European Union for us.

We can’t wait to see some of you at our first-ever live show in Amsterdam on Friday! For those of you who can’t join us, don’t fear – a recording will be dropping in your feeds next week. It’ll be a little earlier than usual, so look out for it on Monday or Tuesday.

This week's Isolation Inspiration: The Hill Where Lionesses Roar; A Poisoning

You can follow Beatriz on Twitter here and read about Italy’s one-euro homes here.

This episode was produced as part of Sphera, a collective of independent European media. Find out more at sphera-hub.com.

Thanks for listening! If you enjoy our podcast and would like to help us keep making it, we'd love it if you'd consider chipping in a few euros / dollars / pounds a month at patreon.com/europeanspodcast. You can also help new listeners find the show by leaving us a review.

Producers: Katy Lee and Wojciech Oleksiak

Senior producer: Katz Laszlo

Music: Jim Barne and Mariska Martina

This podcast is part of the Are We Europe family. Find more like-minded European podcasts at areweeurope.com/audio-family.

Twitter | Instagram | Facebook | hello@europeanspodcast.com

]]>This week, Katy’s plunging into the depths of the French Submarine Saga and Dominic’s delving into some tentatively good developments for LGBTQ parents in Europe. Plus, the speech we were all waiting for! Or not. One of our favourite journalists within the Brussels bubble, the Spanish reporter Beatriz Ríos, is here to unravel Ursula von der Leyen's State of the European Union for us.

We can’t wait to see some of you at our first-ever live show in Amsterdam on Friday! For those of you who can’t join us, don’t fear – a recording will be dropping in your feeds next week. It’ll be a little earlier than usual, so look out for it on Monday or Tuesday.

This week's Isolation Inspiration: The Hill Where Lionesses Roar; A Poisoning

You can follow Beatriz on Twitter here and read about Italy’s one-euro homes here.

This episode was produced as part of Sphera, a collective of independent European media. Find out more at sphera-hub.com.

Thanks for listening! If you enjoy our podcast and would like to help us keep making it, we'd love it if you'd consider chipping in a few euros / dollars / pounds a month at patreon.com/europeanspodcast. You can also help new listeners find the show by leaving us a review.

Producers: Katy Lee and Wojciech Oleksiak

Senior producer: Katz Laszlo

Music: Jim Barne and Mariska Martina

This podcast is part of the Are We Europe family. Find more like-minded European podcasts at areweeurope.com/audio-family.

Twitter | Instagram | Facebook | hello@europeanspodcast.com

]]>fa9a233a-afa5-48b9-ac0f-aa706bab9f22Thu, 23 Sep 2021 06:00:00 +020039:24falsefullThe Belarus solidarity algorithmThe Belarus solidarity algorithmA year into the protest movement in Belarus, what are things like on the ground? This week we talk to the poet Hanna Komar about her own experience in detention, and the extraordinary "algorithm" of solidarity among women in the movement. We're also talking about Russian gas, Norwegian oil, and the magnificence of Emma Raducanu.

You can read Hanna's article, 'Sisterhood behind bars', here.

This week's Isolation Inspiration: Lykke Li and Robyn on Song Exploder; The Book of Reykjavik.

There are still a few tickets left for our first ever live show, in Amsterdam on September 24! Grab one here.

This episode was produced as part of Sphera, a collective of independent European media. Find out more at sphera-hub.com.

Thanks for listening! If you enjoy our podcast and would like to help us keep making it, we'd love it if you'd consider chipping in a few euros / dollars / pounds a month at patreon.com/europeanspodcast. You can also help new listeners find the show by leaving us a review.

Producers: Katy Lee and Wojciech Oleksiak

Senior producer: Katz Laszlo

Music: Jim Barne and Mariska Martina

This podcast is part of the Are We Europe family. Find more like-minded European podcasts at areweeurope.com/audio-family.

Twitter | Instagram | Facebook | hello@europeanspodcast.com

]]>A year into the protest movement in Belarus, what are things like on the ground? This week we talk to the poet Hanna Komar about her own experience in detention, and the extraordinary "algorithm" of solidarity among women in the movement. We're also talking about Russian gas, Norwegian oil, and the magnificence of Emma Raducanu.

You can read Hanna's article, 'Sisterhood behind bars', here.

This week's Isolation Inspiration: Lykke Li and Robyn on Song Exploder; The Book of Reykjavik.

There are still a few tickets left for our first ever live show, in Amsterdam on September 24! Grab one here.

This episode was produced as part of Sphera, a collective of independent European media. Find out more at sphera-hub.com.

Thanks for listening! If you enjoy our podcast and would like to help us keep making it, we'd love it if you'd consider chipping in a few euros / dollars / pounds a month at patreon.com/europeanspodcast. You can also help new listeners find the show by leaving us a review.

Producers: Katy Lee and Wojciech Oleksiak

Senior producer: Katz Laszlo

Music: Jim Barne and Mariska Martina

This podcast is part of the Are We Europe family. Find more like-minded European podcasts at areweeurope.com/audio-family.

Twitter | Instagram | Facebook | hello@europeanspodcast.com

]]>ba10942b-40b5-493c-966d-0c1b7a0e73d9Thu, 16 Sep 2021 06:00:00 +020036:30falsefullIs Friday the new Saturday?Is Friday the new Saturday?We're back from our summer break with an enticing idea: what would happen if we only worked four days a week? Far from spelling economic disaster, the Portuguese economist Pedro Gomes argues it would boost the economy and our well-being at the same time. We chat to him about his excellent new book, 'Friday Is The New Saturday: How A Four-Day Week Will Save The Economy'. We're also talking about naughty European banks, a lucky Neapolitan scratchcard, and — of course! — the return of ABBA.

We're doing our first ever live show at the Podcastfestival in Amsterdam on Friday, September 24! The show starts at 7pm. Get your tickets here.

You can check out the EU Tax Observatory's report on banks and tax havens here.

This week's Isolation Inspiration: Malta and the El Hiblu 3; Bandigou de Melun.

This episode was produced as part of Sphera, a collective of independent European media. Find out more at sphera-hub.com.

Thanks for listening! If you enjoy our podcast and would like to help us keep making it, we'd love it if you'd consider chipping in a few euros / dollars / pounds a month at patreon.com/europeanspodcast. You can also help new listeners find the show by leaving us a review.

Producers: Katy Lee and Wojciech Oleksiak

Senior producer: Katz Laszlo

Music: Jim Barne and Mariska Martina

This podcast is part of the Are We Europe family. Find more like-minded European podcasts at areweeurope.com/audio-family.

Twitter | Instagram | Facebook | hello@europeanspodcast.com

]]>We're back from our summer break with an enticing idea: what would happen if we only worked four days a week? Far from spelling economic disaster, the Portuguese economist Pedro Gomes argues it would boost the economy and our well-being at the same time. We chat to him about his excellent new book, 'Friday Is The New Saturday: How A Four-Day Week Will Save The Economy'. We're also talking about naughty European banks, a lucky Neapolitan scratchcard, and — of course! — the return of ABBA.

We're doing our first ever live show at the Podcastfestival in Amsterdam on Friday, September 24! The show starts at 7pm. Get your tickets here.

You can check out the EU Tax Observatory's report on banks and tax havens here.

This week's Isolation Inspiration: Malta and the El Hiblu 3; Bandigou de Melun.

This episode was produced as part of Sphera, a collective of independent European media. Find out more at sphera-hub.com.

Thanks for listening! If you enjoy our podcast and would like to help us keep making it, we'd love it if you'd consider chipping in a few euros / dollars / pounds a month at patreon.com/europeanspodcast. You can also help new listeners find the show by leaving us a review.

Producers: Katy Lee and Wojciech Oleksiak

Senior producer: Katz Laszlo

Music: Jim Barne and Mariska Martina

This podcast is part of the Are We Europe family. Find more like-minded European podcasts at areweeurope.com/audio-family.

Twitter | Instagram | Facebook | hello@europeanspodcast.com

]]>2bcaa418-1fdf-4871-9c0f-bdbf3e78eb4bThu, 09 Sep 2021 06:00:00 +020034:38falsefullEurope’s next illiberal democracy?Europe’s next illiberal democracy?Slovenia, aka Katy's favourite country, is increasingly drawing comparisons with Hungary and Poland when it comes to the state of its democracy. Can this worrying direction of travel be reversed? This week we ring up our favourite Sloveniologist Aljaž Pengov Bitenc to find out. We're also talking about Bulgaria's political rock star, and a shocking attack on a Dutch crime journalist.

This week's Isolation Inspiration: Katla and an update from Death In Ice Valley. You should also check out our interview with Death In Ice Valley host Marit Higraff, from May 2018! Listen here.

You can follow Aljaž on Twitter here and read his blog here.

We're off on a little summer break! We'll be back in September. In the meantime, we think you'll love the visual version of our the first episode in our series This Is What A Generation Sounds Like, Josh and Franco, and the second episode, Denisa.

This episode was produced as part of Sphera, a collective of independent European media. Find out more at sphera-hub.com.

Thanks for listening! If you enjoy our podcast and would like to help us keep making it, we'd love it if you'd consider chipping in a few euros / dollars / pounds a month at patreon.com/europeanspodcast. You can also help new listeners find the show by leaving us a review.

Senior producer: Katz Laszlo

Producers: Priyanka Shankar and Andrei Popoviciu

Music: Jim Barne and Mariska Martina

This podcast is part of the Are We Europe family. Find more like-minded European podcasts at areweeurope.com/audio-family.

Twitter | Instagram | Facebook | hello@europeanspodcast.com

]]>Slovenia, aka Katy's favourite country, is increasingly drawing comparisons with Hungary and Poland when it comes to the state of its democracy. Can this worrying direction of travel be reversed? This week we ring up our favourite Sloveniologist Aljaž Pengov Bitenc to find out. We're also talking about Bulgaria's political rock star, and a shocking attack on a Dutch crime journalist.

This week's Isolation Inspiration: Katla and an update from Death In Ice Valley. You should also check out our interview with Death In Ice Valley host Marit Higraff, from May 2018! Listen here.

You can follow Aljaž on Twitter here and read his blog here.

We're off on a little summer break! We'll be back in September. In the meantime, we think you'll love the visual version of our the first episode in our series This Is What A Generation Sounds Like, Josh and Franco, and the second episode, Denisa.

This episode was produced as part of Sphera, a collective of independent European media. Find out more at sphera-hub.com.

Thanks for listening! If you enjoy our podcast and would like to help us keep making it, we'd love it if you'd consider chipping in a few euros / dollars / pounds a month at patreon.com/europeanspodcast. You can also help new listeners find the show by leaving us a review.

Senior producer: Katz Laszlo

Producers: Priyanka Shankar and Andrei Popoviciu

Music: Jim Barne and Mariska Martina

This podcast is part of the Are We Europe family. Find more like-minded European podcasts at areweeurope.com/audio-family.

Twitter | Instagram | Facebook | hello@europeanspodcast.com

]]>229b1a38-98de-4f35-bfac-d3b07ffd1c99Thu, 15 Jul 2021 06:00:00 +020034:54falsefullBread WeekBread WeekFew people talk about bread in such magical terms as Apollonia Poilâne. This week we speak to the head of one of France's most prestigious bakeries about the secrets of sourdough and taking over the family company aged just 18. We're also talking about Iceland's four-day week experiment, a cyberattack that took out hundreds of Swedish supermarkets, and boosting body positivity in Norway.

This week's Isolation Inspiration: Apollonia's book Poilâne, Eurocrats Who Look Like Europe (EU Scream), and Sweat.

This episode was produced as part of Sphera, a collective of independent European media. Find out more at sphera-hub.com.

Thanks for listening! If you enjoy our podcast and would like to help us keep making it, we'd love it if you'd consider chipping in a few euros / dollars / pounds a month at patreon.com/europeanspodcast. You can also help new listeners find the show by leaving us a review.

Senior producer: Katz Laszlo

Producers: Andrei Popoviciu and Priyanka Shankar

Music: Jim Barne and Mariska Martina

This podcast is part of the Are We Europe family. Find more like-minded European podcasts at areweeurope.com/audio-family.

Twitter | Instagram | Facebook | hello@europeanspodcast.com

]]>Few people talk about bread in such magical terms as Apollonia Poilâne. This week we speak to the head of one of France's most prestigious bakeries about the secrets of sourdough and taking over the family company aged just 18. We're also talking about Iceland's four-day week experiment, a cyberattack that took out hundreds of Swedish supermarkets, and boosting body positivity in Norway.

This week's Isolation Inspiration: Apollonia's book Poilâne, Eurocrats Who Look Like Europe (EU Scream), and Sweat.

This episode was produced as part of Sphera, a collective of independent European media. Find out more at sphera-hub.com.

Thanks for listening! If you enjoy our podcast and would like to help us keep making it, we'd love it if you'd consider chipping in a few euros / dollars / pounds a month at patreon.com/europeanspodcast. You can also help new listeners find the show by leaving us a review.

Senior producer: Katz Laszlo

Producers: Andrei Popoviciu and Priyanka Shankar

Music: Jim Barne and Mariska Martina

This podcast is part of the Are We Europe family. Find more like-minded European podcasts at areweeurope.com/audio-family.

Twitter | Instagram | Facebook | hello@europeanspodcast.com

]]>8612f0b7-9e3a-4ec8-8f61-4ad1ea255feaThu, 08 Jul 2021 06:00:00 +020035:45falsefullDenisaDenisad9af0368-5acc-400f-9858-f200d13b3371Thu, 01 Jul 2021 06:00:00 +020027:01falsefullThe women who built EuropeThe women who built EuropeStreets, cities, train stations: across the continent, they're likely to be named after men. What if the women who shaped Europe were given the recognition they deserve? This week, Katy speaks to the Irish journalist Mary Fitzgerald and Italian writer Francesca Cavallo, co-author of Good Night Stories For Rebel Girls, about a wonderful project which reimagines the Brussels metro map in celebration of brilliant European women. We're also talking about the row over LGBTQ rights at the Euro football tournament, and how unsexy-but-important housing policy brought down Sweden's prime minister.

You can explore the Capital of Europe, Women of Europe map here.

This week's Isolation Inspiration: We Are Who We Are (HBO); Lupin (Netflix); Ecotopia (Arte); Are We Europe: The Queer Issue.

This episode was produced as part of Sphera, a brand-new collective of independent European media. Find out more at sphera-hub.com.

Thanks for listening! If you enjoy our podcast and would like to help us keep making it, we'd love it if you'd consider chipping in a few euros / dollars / pounds a month at patreon.com/europeanspodcast. You can also help new listeners find the show by leaving us a review.

Senior producer: Katz Laszlo

Producers: Andrei Popoviciu and Priyanka Shankar

Music: Jim Barne and Mariska Martina

This podcast is part of the Are We Europe family. Find more like-minded European podcasts at areweeurope.com/audio-family.

Twitter | Instagram | Facebook | hello@europeanspodcast.com


]]>Streets, cities, train stations: across the continent, they're likely to be named after men. What if the women who shaped Europe were given the recognition they deserve? This week, Katy speaks to the Irish journalist Mary Fitzgerald and Italian writer Francesca Cavallo, co-author of Good Night Stories For Rebel Girls, about a wonderful project which reimagines the Brussels metro map in celebration of brilliant European women. We're also talking about the row over LGBTQ rights at the Euro football tournament, and how unsexy-but-important housing policy brought down Sweden's prime minister.

You can explore the Capital of Europe, Women of Europe map here.

This week's Isolation Inspiration: We Are Who We Are (HBO); Lupin (Netflix); Ecotopia (Arte); Are We Europe: The Queer Issue.

This episode was produced as part of Sphera, a brand-new collective of independent European media. Find out more at sphera-hub.com.

Thanks for listening! If you enjoy our podcast and would like to help us keep making it, we'd love it if you'd consider chipping in a few euros / dollars / pounds a month at patreon.com/europeanspodcast. You can also help new listeners find the show by leaving us a review.

Senior producer: Katz Laszlo

Producers: Andrei Popoviciu and Priyanka Shankar

Music: Jim Barne and Mariska Martina

This podcast is part of the Are We Europe family. Find more like-minded European podcasts at areweeurope.com/audio-family.

Twitter | Instagram | Facebook | hello@europeanspodcast.com


]]>80af9de7-dd9a-4cce-ac88-3d23b1ee8030Thu, 24 Jun 2021 06:00:00 +020041:15falsefullThe plastics law, revisitedThe plastics law, revisitedA whole bunch of plastic objects are about to become illegal across the European Union: everything from coffee stirrers to straws and cotton buds. As we count down to the big day on July 3, we're revisiting last year's special episode about how the EU is even able to make laws like this for 27 countries. This week we're asking: "How the hell do you make an EU law?"

Originally released in February 2020, this episode was part of our mini-series Bursting the Bubble, an attempt to explain how EU institutions work in the least boring way possible. Huge thanks to the European Cultural Foundation for funding this series. They support projects that promote Europe as an open and democratic space.

Written and produced by Katz Laszlo, with help from Katy Lee and Dominic Kraemer.

Thanks for listening! If you enjoy our podcast and would like to help us keep making it, we'd love it if you'd consider chipping in a few euros / dollars / pounds a month at patreon.com/europeanspodcast. You can also help new listeners find the show by leaving us a review.

This podcast is part of the Are We Europe family. Find more like-minded European podcasts at areweeurope.com/audio-family.

Twitter | Instagram | Facebook | hello@europeanspodcast.com

]]>A whole bunch of plastic objects are about to become illegal across the European Union: everything from coffee stirrers to straws and cotton buds. As we count down to the big day on July 3, we're revisiting last year's special episode about how the EU is even able to make laws like this for 27 countries. This week we're asking: "How the hell do you make an EU law?"

Originally released in February 2020, this episode was part of our mini-series Bursting the Bubble, an attempt to explain how EU institutions work in the least boring way possible. Huge thanks to the European Cultural Foundation for funding this series. They support projects that promote Europe as an open and democratic space.

Written and produced by Katz Laszlo, with help from Katy Lee and Dominic Kraemer.

Thanks for listening! If you enjoy our podcast and would like to help us keep making it, we'd love it if you'd consider chipping in a few euros / dollars / pounds a month at patreon.com/europeanspodcast. You can also help new listeners find the show by leaving us a review.

This podcast is part of the Are We Europe family. Find more like-minded European podcasts at areweeurope.com/audio-family.

Twitter | Instagram | Facebook | hello@europeanspodcast.com

]]>37f4da4a-e0ef-46aa-a149-bfe4e6526644Thu, 17 Jun 2021 06:00:00 +020035:15falsefullThe best rainy city in the world The best rainy city in the world Jens Thoms Ivarsson has one of this continent's most fascinating jobs: chief "rain man" for the city of Gothenburg. We chat to the creative director of Rain Gothenburg about the Swedish city's rather wonderful plan to become the best place in the world when it's raining. Also this week: expensive Finnish breakfasts, accidental asparagus, and why Budapest's plans to build a Chinese university campus have gone down so badly.

This week's Isolation Inspiration: "Inside the last matriarchy in Europe", Zero, and "Portrait of a pigeon racer".

You can read about Rain Gothenburg here in The Guardian.

This episode was produced as part of Sphera, a brand-new collective of independent European media. Find out more at sphera-hub.com.

Thanks for listening! If you enjoy our podcast and would like to help us keep making it, we'd love it if you'd consider chipping in a few euros / dollars / pounds a month at patreon.com/europeanspodcast. You can also help new listeners find the show by leaving us a review.

Senior producer: Katz Laszlo

Producers: Andrei Popoviciu and Priyanka Shankar

Music: Jim Barne and Mariska Martina

This podcast is part of the Are We Europe family. Find more like-minded European podcasts at areweeurope.com/audio-family.

Twitter | Instagram | Facebook | hello@europeanspodcast.com

]]>Jens Thoms Ivarsson has one of this continent's most fascinating jobs: chief "rain man" for the city of Gothenburg. We chat to the creative director of Rain Gothenburg about the Swedish city's rather wonderful plan to become the best place in the world when it's raining. Also this week: expensive Finnish breakfasts, accidental asparagus, and why Budapest's plans to build a Chinese university campus have gone down so badly.

This week's Isolation Inspiration: "Inside the last matriarchy in Europe", Zero, and "Portrait of a pigeon racer".

You can read about Rain Gothenburg here in The Guardian.

This episode was produced as part of Sphera, a brand-new collective of independent European media. Find out more at sphera-hub.com.

Thanks for listening! If you enjoy our podcast and would like to help us keep making it, we'd love it if you'd consider chipping in a few euros / dollars / pounds a month at patreon.com/europeanspodcast. You can also help new listeners find the show by leaving us a review.

Senior producer: Katz Laszlo

Producers: Andrei Popoviciu and Priyanka Shankar

Music: Jim Barne and Mariska Martina

This podcast is part of the Are We Europe family. Find more like-minded European podcasts at areweeurope.com/audio-family.

Twitter | Instagram | Facebook | hello@europeanspodcast.com

]]>05a737dd-1131-46b7-b0ba-300148ee3058Thu, 10 Jun 2021 06:00:00 +020034:48falsefullThinker, Plaintiff, Merkel, SpyThinker, Plaintiff, Merkel, SpyThis week, a murky spying scandal and a huge climate lawsuit. It seems that our American friends may have been using Denmark's internet cables to spy on European politicians. But how much did Denmark know about it? We're also talking about the landmark Dutch court ruling that could force Shell to drastically cut its carbon emissions. Plus, the European Review of Books! We chat to George Blaustein and Sander Pleij about why they're setting up a new magazine of ideas for the continent.

You can help crowd-fund the European Review of Books here and read about the grime-eating bacteria in the Medici Chapel here.

This week's Isolation Inspiration: Day X and The Mole.

This episode was produced as part of Sphera, a brand-new collective of independent European media. Find out more at sphera-hub.com.

Thanks for listening! If you enjoy our podcast and would like to help us keep making it, we'd love it if you'd consider chipping in a few euros / dollars / pounds a month at patreon.com/europeanspodcast. You can also help new listeners find the show by leaving us a review.

Senior producer: Katz Laszlo

Producers: Andrei Popoviciu and Priyanka Shankar

Music: Jim Barne and Mariska Martina

This podcast is part of the Are We Europe family. Find more like-minded European podcasts at areweeurope.com/audio-family.

Twitter | Instagram | Facebook | hello@europeanspodcast.com

]]>This week, a murky spying scandal and a huge climate lawsuit. It seems that our American friends may have been using Denmark's internet cables to spy on European politicians. But how much did Denmark know about it? We're also talking about the landmark Dutch court ruling that could force Shell to drastically cut its carbon emissions. Plus, the European Review of Books! We chat to George Blaustein and Sander Pleij about why they're setting up a new magazine of ideas for the continent.

You can help crowd-fund the European Review of Books here and read about the grime-eating bacteria in the Medici Chapel here.

This week's Isolation Inspiration: Day X and The Mole.

This episode was produced as part of Sphera, a brand-new collective of independent European media. Find out more at sphera-hub.com.

Thanks for listening! If you enjoy our podcast and would like to help us keep making it, we'd love it if you'd consider chipping in a few euros / dollars / pounds a month at patreon.com/europeanspodcast. You can also help new listeners find the show by leaving us a review.

Senior producer: Katz Laszlo

Producers: Andrei Popoviciu and Priyanka Shankar

Music: Jim Barne and Mariska Martina

This podcast is part of the Are We Europe family. Find more like-minded European podcasts at areweeurope.com/audio-family.

Twitter | Instagram | Facebook | hello@europeanspodcast.com

]]>fed5efa2-99a4-4289-9daf-1f35cbb0686fThu, 03 Jun 2021 06:00:00 +020038:03falsefullJosh and FrancoJosh and Franco6aa6ca38-d1cc-471e-874d-23f4ed34351eThu, 27 May 2021 06:00:00 +020033:49falsefullInventing an AlphabetInventing an AlphabetThis week, Eurovision, panthers, and a celebration of Cyrillic writing. Ahead of a Cyrillic national holiday in several Eastern European countries, we chat to typography designers Maria Doreuli and Krista Radoeva about what makes the script so special. We're also talking about the Paris mayor's war on cars, and why Slovenia's populist prime minister is really, really into panthers. Plus, a special edition of Isolation Inspiration for the Eurovision nerds.

You can follow Maria and Krista here and here on Instagram and check out their Cyrillicsy design workshops here on Twitter.

Donate to Covax | Donate to Medecins Sans Frontières

The Swedish Ambassador's Guide to Eurovision can be found here.

Thanks for listening! If you enjoy our podcast and would like to help us keep making it, we'd love it if you'd consider chipping in a few euros / dollars / pounds a month at patreon.com/europeanspodcast. You can also help new listeners find the show by leaving us a review.

Producer: Katz Laszlo

Assistant producers: Andrei Popoviciu and Priyanka Shankar

Music: Jim Barne and Mariska Martina

This podcast is part of the Are We Europe family. Find more like-minded European podcasts at areweeurope.com/audio-family.

Twitter | Instagram | Facebook | hello@europeanspodcast.com

]]>This week, Eurovision, panthers, and a celebration of Cyrillic writing. Ahead of a Cyrillic national holiday in several Eastern European countries, we chat to typography designers Maria Doreuli and Krista Radoeva about what makes the script so special. We're also talking about the Paris mayor's war on cars, and why Slovenia's populist prime minister is really, really into panthers. Plus, a special edition of Isolation Inspiration for the Eurovision nerds.

You can follow Maria and Krista here and here on Instagram and check out their Cyrillicsy design workshops here on Twitter.

Donate to Covax | Donate to Medecins Sans Frontières

The Swedish Ambassador's Guide to Eurovision can be found here.

Thanks for listening! If you enjoy our podcast and would like to help us keep making it, we'd love it if you'd consider chipping in a few euros / dollars / pounds a month at patreon.com/europeanspodcast. You can also help new listeners find the show by leaving us a review.

Producer: Katz Laszlo

Assistant producers: Andrei Popoviciu and Priyanka Shankar

Music: Jim Barne and Mariska Martina

This podcast is part of the Are We Europe family. Find more like-minded European podcasts at areweeurope.com/audio-family.

Twitter | Instagram | Facebook | hello@europeanspodcast.com

]]>d3da2fda-61dc-4c47-a217-ec147e2f3dc7Thu, 20 May 2021 06:00:00 +020040:24falsefullThe bear, the prince and the streaming giantThe bear, the prince and the streaming giantLike everyone else, we Europeans have been watching a LOT of television over the past year. But something rather nice has been happening: we've been watching *each other's* television. Could streaming giants like Netflix be helping develop a shared European culture, as we all sit down to enjoy shows like Lupin and Money Heist? This week we speak to Jérôme Dechesne of European producers' group CEPI about the Europeanisation of binge-watching. We're also talking about the prince who apparently-accidentally shot Romania's largest bear, and the Belgian farmer who may have apparently-accidentally moved the French border.

This episode was produced as part of Sphera, a brand-new collective of independent European media. Find out more at sphera-hub.com.

This week's Isolation Inspiration: Quo Vadis, Aida?, Toksvig's Almanac 2021, and The Economist: How Netflix is creating a common European culture.

Thanks for listening! If you enjoy our podcast and would like to help us keep making it, we'd love it if you'd consider chipping in a few euros / dollars / pounds a month at patreon.com/europeanspodcast. You can also help new listeners find the show by leaving us a review.

Producer: Katz Laszlo

Assistant producers: Andrei Popoviciu and Priyanka Shankar

Music: Jim Barne and Mariska Martina

This podcast is part of the Are We Europe family. Find more like-minded European podcasts at areweeurope.com/audio-family.

Twitter | Instagram | Facebook | hello@europeanspodcast.com

]]>Like everyone else, we Europeans have been watching a LOT of television over the past year. But something rather nice has been happening: we've been watching *each other's* television. Could streaming giants like Netflix be helping develop a shared European culture, as we all sit down to enjoy shows like Lupin and Money Heist? This week we speak to Jérôme Dechesne of European producers' group CEPI about the Europeanisation of binge-watching. We're also talking about the prince who apparently-accidentally shot Romania's largest bear, and the Belgian farmer who may have apparently-accidentally moved the French border.

This episode was produced as part of Sphera, a brand-new collective of independent European media. Find out more at sphera-hub.com.

This week's Isolation Inspiration: Quo Vadis, Aida?, Toksvig's Almanac 2021, and The Economist: How Netflix is creating a common European culture.

Thanks for listening! If you enjoy our podcast and would like to help us keep making it, we'd love it if you'd consider chipping in a few euros / dollars / pounds a month at patreon.com/europeanspodcast. You can also help new listeners find the show by leaving us a review.

Producer: Katz Laszlo

Assistant producers: Andrei Popoviciu and Priyanka Shankar

Music: Jim Barne and Mariska Martina

This podcast is part of the Are We Europe family. Find more like-minded European podcasts at areweeurope.com/audio-family.

Twitter | Instagram | Facebook | hello@europeanspodcast.com

]]>343cad3e-120e-41af-9581-bc7af2b2eb41Thu, 13 May 2021 06:00:00 +020036:00falsefullUnravelling a ScandalUnravelling a ScandalThe Oscar-nominated Romanian film Collective is enraging and inspiring in equal measure. This week we hear from Răzvan Luțac, one of the investigative journalists who uncovered the vast healthcare scandal at the heart of the film. We're also talking about a fascinating court case brought by young German climate activists, censorship allegations on Italian TV, and a missing finger.

Special thanks to Maja and Zoe in Ukraine, Ruben in Switzerland, Leo and Florence in France, Remy in the UK and Raul in Germany for lending us their voices to help us celebrate Europe Day this week. For more Europe Day inspiration, check out europeday.eu.

Thanks for listening! If you enjoy our podcast and would like to help us keep making it, we'd love it if you'd consider chipping in a few euros / dollars / pounds a month at patreon.com/europeanspodcast. You can also help new listeners find the show by leaving us a review.

Producer: Katz Laszlo

Assistant producers: Andrei Popoviciu and Priyanka Shankar

Music: Jim Barne and Mariska Martina

The Europeans is part of the Are We Europe family. You can find more like-minded European podcasts at areweeurope.com/audio-family.

Twitter | Instagram | Facebook | hello@europeanspodcast.com

]]>The Oscar-nominated Romanian film Collective is enraging and inspiring in equal measure. This week we hear from Răzvan Luțac, one of the investigative journalists who uncovered the vast healthcare scandal at the heart of the film. We're also talking about a fascinating court case brought by young German climate activists, censorship allegations on Italian TV, and a missing finger.

Special thanks to Maja and Zoe in Ukraine, Ruben in Switzerland, Leo and Florence in France, Remy in the UK and Raul in Germany for lending us their voices to help us celebrate Europe Day this week. For more Europe Day inspiration, check out europeday.eu.

Thanks for listening! If you enjoy our podcast and would like to help us keep making it, we'd love it if you'd consider chipping in a few euros / dollars / pounds a month at patreon.com/europeanspodcast. You can also help new listeners find the show by leaving us a review.

Producer: Katz Laszlo

Assistant producers: Andrei Popoviciu and Priyanka Shankar

Music: Jim Barne and Mariska Martina

The Europeans is part of the Are We Europe family. You can find more like-minded European podcasts at areweeurope.com/audio-family.

Twitter | Instagram | Facebook | hello@europeanspodcast.com

]]>afe2ace6-e896-4a7b-8bc1-db937681011dThu, 06 May 2021 06:00:00 +020041:59falsefullCheese DiplomacyCheese DiplomacyThis week we're delighted to have an excuse to talk about Dominic's favourite salty cheese. Halloumi has just been recognised as a product unique to Cyprus — something that eurocrats have hailed as a positive step towards reconciliation on the divided Mediterranean island. Is there any truth to that? Cypriot podcaster Natalie Lamprou is here for a great chat about cheese, politics and Cypriot identity. We're also talking about the French mayor running a town from his jail cell, and the German gymnasts taking a stand against sexualisation in sport.

This is our first-ever episode as part of Sphera, a new collective of brilliant independent media outlets from across Europe. We are excited to be a part of it! Sign up to follow Sphera on Instagram, TikTok and more: https://linktr.ee/Sphera

You can find Natalie's podcast Evris here and read her beautiful piece about Cypriot identity here.

This week's Isolation Inspiration: Romanian documentary Collective, virtual reality experience Pollinator Park, and the Feel Good Film Festival.

Thanks for listening! If you enjoy our podcast and would like to help us keep making it, we'd love it if you'd consider chipping in a few euros / dollars / pounds a month at patreon.com/europeanspodcast. You can also help new listeners find the show by leaving us a review.

Producer: Katz Laszlo

Assistant producers: Andrei Popoviciu and Priyanka Shankar

Music: Jim Barne and Mariska Martina

This podcast is a proud partner of Are We Europe. If you enjoy beautiful, border-breaking journalism, check out their website and buy their latest magazine.

Twitter | Instagram | Facebook | hello@europeanspodcast.com

]]>This week we're delighted to have an excuse to talk about Dominic's favourite salty cheese. Halloumi has just been recognised as a product unique to Cyprus — something that eurocrats have hailed as a positive step towards reconciliation on the divided Mediterranean island. Is there any truth to that? Cypriot podcaster Natalie Lamprou is here for a great chat about cheese, politics and Cypriot identity. We're also talking about the French mayor running a town from his jail cell, and the German gymnasts taking a stand against sexualisation in sport.

This is our first-ever episode as part of Sphera, a new collective of brilliant independent media outlets from across Europe. We are excited to be a part of it! Sign up to follow Sphera on Instagram, TikTok and more: https://linktr.ee/Sphera

You can find Natalie's podcast Evris here and read her beautiful piece about Cypriot identity here.

This week's Isolation Inspiration: Romanian documentary Collective, virtual reality experience Pollinator Park, and the Feel Good Film Festival.

Thanks for listening! If you enjoy our podcast and would like to help us keep making it, we'd love it if you'd consider chipping in a few euros / dollars / pounds a month at patreon.com/europeanspodcast. You can also help new listeners find the show by leaving us a review.

Producer: Katz Laszlo

Assistant producers: Andrei Popoviciu and Priyanka Shankar

Music: Jim Barne and Mariska Martina

This podcast is a proud partner of Are We Europe. If you enjoy beautiful, border-breaking journalism, check out their website and buy their latest magazine.

Twitter | Instagram | Facebook | hello@europeanspodcast.com

]]>15ca1e98-e0bc-43c0-88dd-2f7ac70fee21Thu, 29 Apr 2021 06:00:00 +020034:53falsefullRealo Greens and Fake Palm TreesRealo Greens and Fake Palm TreesIt's a green-themed episode this week: we're talking about why Germany's Greens are the party of the moment, and taking a look at the environmentalists now running the Danish territory of Greenland. Plus, Katy's been chatting to the Polish artist Joanna Rajkowska about why she put a giant palm tree on a Warsaw roundabout.

You can visit the palm tree here and read an interview with Joanna by friend of the show Ania Jakubek here. Joanna's latest work, Rhizopolis, sadly can't be visited right now because of the pandemic, but you can check out this beautiful environmental work on her website.

This week's Isolation Inspiration: Anne+ and The Good Life Elsewhere by Vladimir Lorchenkov.

Thanks for listening! If you enjoy our podcast and would like to help us keep making it, we'd love it if you'd consider chipping in a few euros / dollars / pounds a month at patreon.com/europeanspodcast. You can also help new listeners find the show by leaving us a review!

Producer: Katz Laszlo

Assistant producers: Andrei Popoviciu and Priyanka Shankar

Music: Jim Barne and Mariska Martina

This podcast is a proud partner of Are We Europe. If you enjoy beautiful, border-breaking journalism, check out their website and buy their latest magazine.

Twitter | Instagram | Facebook | hello@europeanspodcast.com

]]>It's a green-themed episode this week: we're talking about why Germany's Greens are the party of the moment, and taking a look at the environmentalists now running the Danish territory of Greenland. Plus, Katy's been chatting to the Polish artist Joanna Rajkowska about why she put a giant palm tree on a Warsaw roundabout.

You can visit the palm tree here and read an interview with Joanna by friend of the show Ania Jakubek here. Joanna's latest work, Rhizopolis, sadly can't be visited right now because of the pandemic, but you can check out this beautiful environmental work on her website.

This week's Isolation Inspiration: Anne+ and The Good Life Elsewhere by Vladimir Lorchenkov.

Thanks for listening! If you enjoy our podcast and would like to help us keep making it, we'd love it if you'd consider chipping in a few euros / dollars / pounds a month at patreon.com/europeanspodcast. You can also help new listeners find the show by leaving us a review!

Producer: Katz Laszlo

Assistant producers: Andrei Popoviciu and Priyanka Shankar

Music: Jim Barne and Mariska Martina

This podcast is a proud partner of Are We Europe. If you enjoy beautiful, border-breaking journalism, check out their website and buy their latest magazine.

Twitter | Instagram | Facebook | hello@europeanspodcast.com

]]>d3683df0-440b-4b96-b287-5b34ae673e24Thu, 22 Apr 2021 06:00:00 +020033:03falsefullThe Northern Ireland Knowledge GapThe Northern Ireland Knowledge GapWhy are so many British people completely clueless when it comes to understanding Northern Ireland, given that it's part of the UK? After days of rioting in Northern Irish towns and cities, we speak to historian Tim Mc Inerney, co-host of the excellent podcast The Irish Passport, about the strange island-of-Ireland-shaped hole in many Brits' understanding of their own history. We're also talking about Czech vaccines, Spanish vultures, and Brigadier Broccoli, the Swiss army cat.

You should all listen to The Irish Passport! Find it in all the usual places, as well as here on their website.

This week's Isolation Inspiration: Louis Theroux: Shooting Joe Exotic and "Jemima!" from jingle man Jim Barne and his writing partner Kit Buchan.

Thanks for listening! If you enjoy our podcast and would like to help us keep making it, we'd love it if you'd consider chipping in a few euros / dollars / pounds a month at patreon.com/europeanspodcast.

Producer: Katz Laszlo

Assistant producers: Andrei Popoviciu and Priyanka Shankar

This podcast is a proud partner of Are We Europe. If you enjoy beautiful, border-breaking journalism, check out their website and buy their latest magazine.

Twitter | Instagram | Facebook | hello@europeanspodcast.com

]]>Why are so many British people completely clueless when it comes to understanding Northern Ireland, given that it's part of the UK? After days of rioting in Northern Irish towns and cities, we speak to historian Tim Mc Inerney, co-host of the excellent podcast The Irish Passport, about the strange island-of-Ireland-shaped hole in many Brits' understanding of their own history. We're also talking about Czech vaccines, Spanish vultures, and Brigadier Broccoli, the Swiss army cat.

You should all listen to The Irish Passport! Find it in all the usual places, as well as here on their website.

This week's Isolation Inspiration: Louis Theroux: Shooting Joe Exotic and "Jemima!" from jingle man Jim Barne and his writing partner Kit Buchan.

Thanks for listening! If you enjoy our podcast and would like to help us keep making it, we'd love it if you'd consider chipping in a few euros / dollars / pounds a month at patreon.com/europeanspodcast.

Producer: Katz Laszlo

Assistant producers: Andrei Popoviciu and Priyanka Shankar

This podcast is a proud partner of Are We Europe. If you enjoy beautiful, border-breaking journalism, check out their website and buy their latest magazine.

Twitter | Instagram | Facebook | hello@europeanspodcast.com

]]>c7b1e568-9af7-4cf9-b04f-1f5bb8ff72abThu, 15 Apr 2021 06:00:00 +020041:19falsefullTrains!Trains!All aboard! We love trains here at The Europeans, but your ability to get around the continent by rail depends a lot on where you live. This week we're chatting to Italian data journalist Lorenzo Ferrari about why Vienna has a ton of international train connections and Albania has... zero. We're also talking about Kosovo's super-popular new female president, the Netherlands' less-popular PM, and a Swiss underwear controversy.

You can check out Lorenzo's investigation into the state of international rail in Europe here.

This week's Isolation Inspiration: Are We Europe's new magazine and West Cork.

Thanks for listening! If you enjoy our podcast and would like to help us keep making it, we'd love it if you'd consider chipping in a few euros / dollars / pounds a month at patreon.com/europeanspodcast.

Producer: Katz Laszlo

Assistant producers: Andrei Popoviciu and Priyanka Shankar

Twitter | Instagram | Facebook | hello@europeanspodcast.com

]]>All aboard! We love trains here at The Europeans, but your ability to get around the continent by rail depends a lot on where you live. This week we're chatting to Italian data journalist Lorenzo Ferrari about why Vienna has a ton of international train connections and Albania has... zero. We're also talking about Kosovo's super-popular new female president, the Netherlands' less-popular PM, and a Swiss underwear controversy.

You can check out Lorenzo's investigation into the state of international rail in Europe here.

This week's Isolation Inspiration: Are We Europe's new magazine and West Cork.

Thanks for listening! If you enjoy our podcast and would like to help us keep making it, we'd love it if you'd consider chipping in a few euros / dollars / pounds a month at patreon.com/europeanspodcast.

Producer: Katz Laszlo

Assistant producers: Andrei Popoviciu and Priyanka Shankar

Twitter | Instagram | Facebook | hello@europeanspodcast.com

]]>17c867ac-6180-4c1e-9342-193753f2f3a5Thu, 08 Apr 2021 06:00:00 +020038:06falsefullThe power of Romanian teenagersThe power of Romanian teenagersThis week, the young Romanian activist who has the patriarchy shaking in its boots. Sofia Scarlat founded Romania's first ever gender equality organisation for teenagers; in a country where the very idea of sex education has come under fierce debate, Girl Up Romania's Instagram account has become a vital source of information for young women. We chat to Sofia about her hopes for a gender equality revolution; we're also talking about the cultural appropriation of Portuguese sweaters, Roman traffic cops, and why it's illegal to call the Polish president a moron.

You can check out Sofia's excellent TED Talk here, and read Politico Europe's round-up of where it's illegal to insult the head of state here.

This week's Isolation Inspiration: 'Rembrandt in the Blood' from The Daily, and French TikTok accounts Lulucaskip, Maitresse Adeline and Loïc Suberville.

Thanks for listening! If you enjoy our podcast and would like to help us keep making it, we'd love it if you'd consider chipping in a few euros / dollars / pounds a month at patreon.com/europeanspodcast.

Producer: Katz Laszlo

Assistant producers: Andrei Popoviciu and Priyanka Shankar

Twitter | Instagram | Facebook | hello@europeanspodcast.com

]]>This week, the young Romanian activist who has the patriarchy shaking in its boots. Sofia Scarlat founded Romania's first ever gender equality organisation for teenagers; in a country where the very idea of sex education has come under fierce debate, Girl Up Romania's Instagram account has become a vital source of information for young women. We chat to Sofia about her hopes for a gender equality revolution; we're also talking about the cultural appropriation of Portuguese sweaters, Roman traffic cops, and why it's illegal to call the Polish president a moron.

You can check out Sofia's excellent TED Talk here, and read Politico Europe's round-up of where it's illegal to insult the head of state here.

This week's Isolation Inspiration: 'Rembrandt in the Blood' from The Daily, and French TikTok accounts Lulucaskip, Maitresse Adeline and Loïc Suberville.

Thanks for listening! If you enjoy our podcast and would like to help us keep making it, we'd love it if you'd consider chipping in a few euros / dollars / pounds a month at patreon.com/europeanspodcast.

Producer: Katz Laszlo

Assistant producers: Andrei Popoviciu and Priyanka Shankar

Twitter | Instagram | Facebook | hello@europeanspodcast.com

]]>a260150c-204d-4994-a127-1d205b60df1fThu, 01 Apr 2021 06:00:00 +020038:21falsefullThe Great Reverse MigrationThe Great Reverse MigrationFor decades, Eastern Europe has suffered a massive brain drain of people heading abroad in search of opportunity. But something remarkable happened during the pandemic: huge numbers started coming back. Can they be convinced to stay? This week we speak to urban researcher Ognyan Georgiev about his fascinating work tracking Bulgaria's returnees — and we get his predictions for which European cities are going to be the coolest in 20 years time. We're also talking about sexism in German football, Iceland's spectacular volcano eruption, and why Finland has yet again been named the world's happiest country.

This week's Isolation Inspiration: Oscar-nominated Romanian film Collective; My Family And Other Animals; and the fabulous music of our Patreon supporter (and newest jingle composer) Mariska Martina: instagram.com/mariskamartina

Thanks for listening! If you enjoy our podcast and would like to help us keep making it, we'd love it if you'd consider chipping in a few euros / dollars / pounds a month at patreon.com/europeanspodcast.

Producer: Katz Laszlo

Assistant producers: Andrei Popoviciu and Priyanka Shankar

Twitter | Instagram | Facebook | hello@europeanspodcast.com

]]>For decades, Eastern Europe has suffered a massive brain drain of people heading abroad in search of opportunity. But something remarkable happened during the pandemic: huge numbers started coming back. Can they be convinced to stay? This week we speak to urban researcher Ognyan Georgiev about his fascinating work tracking Bulgaria's returnees — and we get his predictions for which European cities are going to be the coolest in 20 years time. We're also talking about sexism in German football, Iceland's spectacular volcano eruption, and why Finland has yet again been named the world's happiest country.

This week's Isolation Inspiration: Oscar-nominated Romanian film Collective; My Family And Other Animals; and the fabulous music of our Patreon supporter (and newest jingle composer) Mariska Martina: instagram.com/mariskamartina

Thanks for listening! If you enjoy our podcast and would like to help us keep making it, we'd love it if you'd consider chipping in a few euros / dollars / pounds a month at patreon.com/europeanspodcast.

Producer: Katz Laszlo

Assistant producers: Andrei Popoviciu and Priyanka Shankar

Twitter | Instagram | Facebook | hello@europeanspodcast.com

]]>0d259074-579e-40c0-9e98-6b286e8f86e2Thu, 25 Mar 2021 06:00:00 +020039:21falsefullHeadscarves & EurovisionHeadscarves & EurovisionPretty much everyone has their face covered in public these days, and yet Switzerland is set to become the latest European country to ban (non-Covid) face coverings in public — including Muslim garments like the niqab and burqa. Given that barely any Swiss women wear these, what exactly is going on here? This week we speak to Inès El-Shikh of the Foulards Violets feminist group about what this referendum campaign has felt like for Muslim women.

Also this week: Eurovision! We've been scrutinising the rather threatening lyrics of the Belarusian band kicked out for being too political. Plus, an ancient Roman coffee table and France's reckoning with the past.

This week's Isolation Inspiration: White Rabbit Red Rabbit; And Then We Danced; and Are We Europe's delightful recipe cards, a perk of their awesome membership programme.

Thanks for listening! If you enjoy our podcast and would like to help us keep making it, we'd love it if you'd consider chipping in a few euros / dollars / pounds a month at patreon.com/europeanspodcast.

Producer: Katz Laszlo

Assistant producers: Priyanka Shankar and Andrei Popoviciu

Twitter | Instagram | Facebook | hello@europeanspodcast.com

]]>Pretty much everyone has their face covered in public these days, and yet Switzerland is set to become the latest European country to ban (non-Covid) face coverings in public — including Muslim garments like the niqab and burqa. Given that barely any Swiss women wear these, what exactly is going on here? This week we speak to Inès El-Shikh of the Foulards Violets feminist group about what this referendum campaign has felt like for Muslim women.

Also this week: Eurovision! We've been scrutinising the rather threatening lyrics of the Belarusian band kicked out for being too political. Plus, an ancient Roman coffee table and France's reckoning with the past.

This week's Isolation Inspiration: White Rabbit Red Rabbit; And Then We Danced; and Are We Europe's delightful recipe cards, a perk of their awesome membership programme.

Thanks for listening! If you enjoy our podcast and would like to help us keep making it, we'd love it if you'd consider chipping in a few euros / dollars / pounds a month at patreon.com/europeanspodcast.

Producer: Katz Laszlo

Assistant producers: Priyanka Shankar and Andrei Popoviciu

Twitter | Instagram | Facebook | hello@europeanspodcast.com

]]>f4b1bd15-d55b-42d9-8947-1d9f45fee612Thu, 18 Mar 2021 06:00:00 +020044:07falsefullPoland’s abortion fightPoland’s abortion fightTo mark International Women's Day this week, we speak to one of this continent's most courageous activists: Marta Lempart of the Women's Strike, the movement that that has organised massive street protests in recent months against Poland's incredibly restrictive abortion laws. We're also talking about Berlin's gender-neutral acting prize, Fidesz, and the power of oranges.

This week's Isolation Inspiration: "It's A Sin", "African Europeans: An Untold History" and El País' long-read about José Epita Mbombo.

Thanks for listening! If you enjoy our podcast and would like to help us keep making it, we'd love it if you'd consider chipping in a few euros / dollars / pounds a month at patreon.com/europeanspodcast.

Producer: Katz Laszlo

Assistant producers: Andrei Popoviciu and Priyanka Shankar

Twitter | Instagram | Facebook | hello@europeanspodcast.com

]]>To mark International Women's Day this week, we speak to one of this continent's most courageous activists: Marta Lempart of the Women's Strike, the movement that that has organised massive street protests in recent months against Poland's incredibly restrictive abortion laws. We're also talking about Berlin's gender-neutral acting prize, Fidesz, and the power of oranges.

This week's Isolation Inspiration: "It's A Sin", "African Europeans: An Untold History" and El País' long-read about José Epita Mbombo.

Thanks for listening! If you enjoy our podcast and would like to help us keep making it, we'd love it if you'd consider chipping in a few euros / dollars / pounds a month at patreon.com/europeanspodcast.

Producer: Katz Laszlo

Assistant producers: Andrei Popoviciu and Priyanka Shankar

Twitter | Instagram | Facebook | hello@europeanspodcast.com

]]>5ee967e0-ae8f-43fa-8566-962ab66918f0Thu, 11 Mar 2021 06:00:00 +020036:17falsefullA polyphonic episodeA polyphonic episodeWe've got a musical episode for you this week: a Catalan rapper jailed for controversial lyrics and tweets, an ancient French instrument, and some vintage Dutch pop. Plus the historian Timothy Garton Ash is here to explain why he thinks we need a more "polyphonic" Europe.

Timothy and his team at University of Oxford want to hear your stories! Take part in their Europe's Stories project here.

This week's Isolation Inspiration: Capitani on Netflix, Mangrove on Amazon Prime / the BBC, "Ding-a-Dong" by Teach-In.

Thanks for listening! If you like our podcast and want to help us keep making it, we'd be hugely grateful if you'd consider chipping in a few euros / dollars / pounds a month at patreon.com/europeanspodcast.

Twitter | Instagram | Facebook | hello@europeanspodcast.com

]]>We've got a musical episode for you this week: a Catalan rapper jailed for controversial lyrics and tweets, an ancient French instrument, and some vintage Dutch pop. Plus the historian Timothy Garton Ash is here to explain why he thinks we need a more "polyphonic" Europe.

Timothy and his team at University of Oxford want to hear your stories! Take part in their Europe's Stories project here.

This week's Isolation Inspiration: Capitani on Netflix, Mangrove on Amazon Prime / the BBC, "Ding-a-Dong" by Teach-In.

Thanks for listening! If you like our podcast and want to help us keep making it, we'd be hugely grateful if you'd consider chipping in a few euros / dollars / pounds a month at patreon.com/europeanspodcast.

Twitter | Instagram | Facebook | hello@europeanspodcast.com

]]>7b903c37-9b39-4855-bb7d-25d85642d540Wed, 24 Feb 2021 06:00:00 +020040:59falsefullDecolonising KitchensDecolonising KitchensA lot of this continent's favourite food comes originally from its former colonies — often with tweaks to suit European tastes. This week we talk to the superstar chef Asma Khan about food that has crossed borders, as well as her bid to banish macho culture from the restaurant industry. We're also talking about Super Mario, Greece's student protests, and an extremely old nun.

Thanks for listening! If you like our show and would like to help us keep making it, we'd be hugely grateful if you'd consider chipping in a few euros/dollars/pounds a month at patreon.com/europeanspodcast.

Producer: Katz Laszlo

Assistant producers: Andrei Popoviciu and Priyanka Shankar

Twitter | Instagram | Facebook | hello@europeanspodcast.com

]]>A lot of this continent's favourite food comes originally from its former colonies — often with tweaks to suit European tastes. This week we talk to the superstar chef Asma Khan about food that has crossed borders, as well as her bid to banish macho culture from the restaurant industry. We're also talking about Super Mario, Greece's student protests, and an extremely old nun.

Thanks for listening! If you like our show and would like to help us keep making it, we'd be hugely grateful if you'd consider chipping in a few euros/dollars/pounds a month at patreon.com/europeanspodcast.

Producer: Katz Laszlo

Assistant producers: Andrei Popoviciu and Priyanka Shankar

Twitter | Instagram | Facebook | hello@europeanspodcast.com

]]>54bc7502-74b8-4552-b178-8b4fbd6fb04fWed, 17 Feb 2021 06:00:00 +020036:51falsefullThe weird and wonderful world of eelsThe weird and wonderful world of eelsWhy has a book about eels become a smash-hit in Sweden and beyond? This week we talk to Patrik Svensson, author of The Gospel of the Eels, about these strange and wonderful creatures and their epic annual migration from Europe to the Sargasso Sea. We're also talking about the Balkans' #MeToo uprising, Germany's mass coming-out, and the world's greatest Zoom meeting.

Isolation Inspiration: Italian Netflix comedy Rose Island (L'incredibile storia dell'Isola delle Rose), and live dance performance Our House Is On Fire, amplifying the words of Greta Thunberg, on Thursday February 11.

Thanks for listening! If you like our podcast and would like to help us keep making it, you can chip in a few euros/dollars/pounds at patreon.com/europeanspodcast.com. We're hugely grateful for your support!

Producer: Katz Laszlo
Assistant producer: Andrei Popoviciu

Twitter | Instagram | Facebook | hello@europeanspodcast.com

]]>Why has a book about eels become a smash-hit in Sweden and beyond? This week we talk to Patrik Svensson, author of The Gospel of the Eels, about these strange and wonderful creatures and their epic annual migration from Europe to the Sargasso Sea. We're also talking about the Balkans' #MeToo uprising, Germany's mass coming-out, and the world's greatest Zoom meeting.

Isolation Inspiration: Italian Netflix comedy Rose Island (L'incredibile storia dell'Isola delle Rose), and live dance performance Our House Is On Fire, amplifying the words of Greta Thunberg, on Thursday February 11.

Thanks for listening! If you like our podcast and would like to help us keep making it, you can chip in a few euros/dollars/pounds at patreon.com/europeanspodcast.com. We're hugely grateful for your support!

Producer: Katz Laszlo
Assistant producer: Andrei Popoviciu

Twitter | Instagram | Facebook | hello@europeanspodcast.com

]]>1333eb13-2e10-41cb-bcef-d0af76a95ebdWed, 10 Feb 2021 06:00:00 +020035:21falsefullTaming Big TechTaming Big TechEurope has big plans to regulate the giant internet companies that shape our lives. But just how much will they force the likes of Google and Facebook to behave? This week we ring up Andrii Degeler, host of the Tech.eu podcast, to explain the whole thing without putting us to sleep. We're also talking about the French village with an astonishing history of helping the persecuted; bingeing on movies on a lonely Swedish island; and why the EU's design might make it harder to fight poverty.

Listen to the Tech.eu podcast here (https://podcast.tech.eu/) and find out more about how Le Chambon-sur-Lignon helped Jewish refugees during the Holocaust here (https://encyclopedia.ushmm.org/content/en/article/le-chambon-sur-lignon).

This week's Isolation Inspiration: Orff-Schulwerk: Gassenhauer (https://open.spotify.com/track/1sbtYPTZ2TW5T54JZaIshg?si=-bSHVY3nSNyn98LtKt3O4Q) from Klassix for Kidz (!) and Danish Netflix comedy Rita.

If you enjoy our podcast and want to help us keep making it, we'd be hugely grateful if you could chip in a few euros, dollars or pounds a month at patreon.com/europeanspodcast.

You can also support our friends at the beautiful magazine Are We Europe, who have just launched a new membership drive. Find out more: https://2021.areweeurope.com

Thanks for listening!

Producer: Katz Laszlo
Assistant producers: Priyanka Shankar and Andrei Popoviciu

Twitter @europeanspod | Instagram @europeanspodcast | Facebook The Europeans Podcast | hello@europeanspodcast.com

]]>Europe has big plans to regulate the giant internet companies that shape our lives. But just how much will they force the likes of Google and Facebook to behave? This week we ring up Andrii Degeler, host of the Tech.eu podcast, to explain the whole thing without putting us to sleep. We're also talking about the French village with an astonishing history of helping the persecuted; bingeing on movies on a lonely Swedish island; and why the EU's design might make it harder to fight poverty.

Listen to the Tech.eu podcast here (https://podcast.tech.eu/) and find out more about how Le Chambon-sur-Lignon helped Jewish refugees during the Holocaust here (https://encyclopedia.ushmm.org/content/en/article/le-chambon-sur-lignon).

This week's Isolation Inspiration: Orff-Schulwerk: Gassenhauer (https://open.spotify.com/track/1sbtYPTZ2TW5T54JZaIshg?si=-bSHVY3nSNyn98LtKt3O4Q) from Klassix for Kidz (!) and Danish Netflix comedy Rita.

If you enjoy our podcast and want to help us keep making it, we'd be hugely grateful if you could chip in a few euros, dollars or pounds a month at patreon.com/europeanspodcast.

You can also support our friends at the beautiful magazine Are We Europe, who have just launched a new membership drive. Find out more: https://2021.areweeurope.com

Thanks for listening!

Producer: Katz Laszlo
Assistant producers: Priyanka Shankar and Andrei Popoviciu

Twitter @europeanspod | Instagram @europeanspodcast | Facebook The Europeans Podcast | hello@europeanspodcast.com

]]>726a2d31-90c4-4ba3-9ead-15e29e91e71eWed, 03 Feb 2021 06:00:00 +020033:53falsefullThe Shell CaseThe Shell CaseThe oil giant Shell is Europe's biggest company — and it's facing an absolutely massive court case over climate justice. This week we speak to Anoek Nuyens, one of the women behind an extraordinary piece of theatre about Shell that laid bare the "crisis of responsibility" at the heart of global climate policy. We're also talking about Russia's opposition protests and the horrifying case of a TikTok challenge gone wrong in Italy.

To find out more about This Is What A Generation Sounds Like, the new podcast series we're making with our friends at Are We Europe, check out our website: europeanspodcast.com/call-for-stories-allianz-kulturstiftung.

And why not get yourself 50 percent off Are We Europe's excellent new magazine? Enter EUROPEANS at checkout.

This week's Isolation Inspiration: Call My Agent, Moonstruck, Dating Amber.

Thanks for listening. If you like our podcast and want to help us keep making it, you can chip in a few euros/dollars/pounds a month at patreon.com/europeanspodcast.

Producer: Katz Laszlo
Assistant producer: Priyanka Shankar

Twitter | Instagram | Facebook | hello@europeanspodcast.com

]]>The oil giant Shell is Europe's biggest company — and it's facing an absolutely massive court case over climate justice. This week we speak to Anoek Nuyens, one of the women behind an extraordinary piece of theatre about Shell that laid bare the "crisis of responsibility" at the heart of global climate policy. We're also talking about Russia's opposition protests and the horrifying case of a TikTok challenge gone wrong in Italy.

To find out more about This Is What A Generation Sounds Like, the new podcast series we're making with our friends at Are We Europe, check out our website: europeanspodcast.com/call-for-stories-allianz-kulturstiftung.

And why not get yourself 50 percent off Are We Europe's excellent new magazine? Enter EUROPEANS at checkout.

This week's Isolation Inspiration: Call My Agent, Moonstruck, Dating Amber.

Thanks for listening. If you like our podcast and want to help us keep making it, you can chip in a few euros/dollars/pounds a month at patreon.com/europeanspodcast.

Producer: Katz Laszlo
Assistant producer: Priyanka Shankar

Twitter | Instagram | Facebook | hello@europeanspodcast.com

]]>760780a8-9a60-461b-b5f1-111a197876cbWed, 27 Jan 2021 06:00:00 +020036:38falsefullThe mafia on trialThe mafia on trial901a4cf2-d7ba-41c4-bb56-7167630c3b08Wed, 20 Jan 2021 06:00:00 +020036:17falsefullLife after MerkelLife after MerkelHappy New Year, Europeans and europhiles! We're back with a brand new episode featuring everything from ancient fast food to naughty aristocrats. Since Angela Merkel's party starts choosing her successor this weekend, German journalist Wolfgang Munchau is here to reflect on what kind of a hole the Queen of Europe will leave in our continent. We're also taking a look at Norway's split personality when it comes to the climate, and why Amsterdam cannabis tourism may become a thing of the past.

Wolfgang is the director of Eurointelligence. Check out his podcast!

This week's cutting-edge Isolation Inspiration: Fleabag (2016), The Bureau (2015), Bridgerton.

Thanks for listening! If you like our podcast and want to help us keep making it, you can chip in a few euros/dollars/pounds a week at patreon.com/europeanspodcast.

This episode was edited by Katz Laszlo.

Twitter | Instagram | Facebook | hello@europeanspodcast.com

]]>Happy New Year, Europeans and europhiles! We're back with a brand new episode featuring everything from ancient fast food to naughty aristocrats. Since Angela Merkel's party starts choosing her successor this weekend, German journalist Wolfgang Munchau is here to reflect on what kind of a hole the Queen of Europe will leave in our continent. We're also taking a look at Norway's split personality when it comes to the climate, and why Amsterdam cannabis tourism may become a thing of the past.

Wolfgang is the director of Eurointelligence. Check out his podcast!

This week's cutting-edge Isolation Inspiration: Fleabag (2016), The Bureau (2015), Bridgerton.

Thanks for listening! If you like our podcast and want to help us keep making it, you can chip in a few euros/dollars/pounds a week at patreon.com/europeanspodcast.

This episode was edited by Katz Laszlo.

Twitter | Instagram | Facebook | hello@europeanspodcast.com

]]>41815000-bb24-4356-a669-fda17ef78b85Wed, 13 Jan 2021 06:00:00 +020035:59falsefull’Twas Christmas Eve in Dublin’Twas Christmas Eve in DublinFor our last episode of the year, we take you to a supermarket in the Dublin suburbs in 2006. We also discuss a string of mysterious explosions at Polish grocery stores in the Netherlands, doing a deal with Viktor Orbán, and the secret to happiness in Europe.

This week's beautiful story was written by Richy Craven, read by Darach Ó Séaghdha, and produced by Katz Laszlo. If you enjoyed it, please consider donating to Barnardos. You can check out Darach's podcast, Motherfoclóir, here, and listen to the sweet sounds of Eoghan Ó Ceannabháin and Ultan O'Brien here. Other music from Lena Orsa and Timbre at Freesound.

This week's Isolation Inspiration: The Great, Catherine The Great, The Romanovs, Handel's Messiah from VOCES8, To Catch A Thief and ÜberWeihnachten.

Thank you so much for listening to The Europeans in 2020. We've loved making the show. If you'd like to help us keep going in 2021, you can chip in a few euros/dollars/pounds a month at patreon.com/europeanspodcast.

Twitter | Instagram | Facebook | hello@europeanspodcast.com

]]>For our last episode of the year, we take you to a supermarket in the Dublin suburbs in 2006. We also discuss a string of mysterious explosions at Polish grocery stores in the Netherlands, doing a deal with Viktor Orbán, and the secret to happiness in Europe.

This week's beautiful story was written by Richy Craven, read by Darach Ó Séaghdha, and produced by Katz Laszlo. If you enjoyed it, please consider donating to Barnardos. You can check out Darach's podcast, Motherfoclóir, here, and listen to the sweet sounds of Eoghan Ó Ceannabháin and Ultan O'Brien here. Other music from Lena Orsa and Timbre at Freesound.

This week's Isolation Inspiration: The Great, Catherine The Great, The Romanovs, Handel's Messiah from VOCES8, To Catch A Thief and ÜberWeihnachten.

Thank you so much for listening to The Europeans in 2020. We've loved making the show. If you'd like to help us keep going in 2021, you can chip in a few euros/dollars/pounds a month at patreon.com/europeanspodcast.

Twitter | Instagram | Facebook | hello@europeanspodcast.com

]]>12c981a4-c82b-4641-b9c3-d0f9deed7135Wed, 16 Dec 2020 06:00:00 +020034:26falsefullPhilip and LaciPhilip and LaciPhilip recently found out that his classmate was a member of a far-right group. This is what happened when the two of them sat down to talk.

This podcast was made possible by our Patreon supporters. If you'd like to help us keep making The Europeans, you can support us here: patreon.com/europeanspodcast.

Reporting by Philip Pollak; production by Katy Lee and Dominic Kraemer; editing by Katy Lee; artwork by Rosa ter Kuile; music by Jim Barne. With huge thanks to Natalie Nougayrède and Emily Schultheis for their editorial advice.

The original Hungarian audio and an annotated English transcript can be found here (password-protected).

Thanks for listening.

Twitter | Instagram | Facebook | hello@europeanspodcast.com

]]>Philip recently found out that his classmate was a member of a far-right group. This is what happened when the two of them sat down to talk.

This podcast was made possible by our Patreon supporters. If you'd like to help us keep making The Europeans, you can support us here: patreon.com/europeanspodcast.

Reporting by Philip Pollak; production by Katy Lee and Dominic Kraemer; editing by Katy Lee; artwork by Rosa ter Kuile; music by Jim Barne. With huge thanks to Natalie Nougayrède and Emily Schultheis for their editorial advice.

The original Hungarian audio and an annotated English transcript can be found here (password-protected).

Thanks for listening.

Twitter | Instagram | Facebook | hello@europeanspodcast.com

]]>7be94aef-4264-473f-aef2-11a94e197cc7Wed, 09 Dec 2020 06:00:00 +020027:09falsefullAn unsung heroAn unsung heroThis week, the Hollywood-worthy story of Janina Garbień. Her family hid a nine-year-old Jewish girl in their Warsaw home during the war; Janina would later fall in love with an Italian prisoner at a Nazi camp, lose him, and find him again. Ola Cichowlas tells us her grandmother's extraordinary tale. We also talk about a shocking case of police brutality and the controversy over France's security law. Plus, unfortunate village names and the truth about apples.

Ola is Moscow correspondent for Agence France-Presse (AFP). You can follow her here and read a beautiful thread about her grandmother here.

Katy guest-hosted the first episode of the new UN Women podcast Generations Talk Gender, featuring a conversation between a young Romanian feminist and a long-time activist in Serbia. Check it out here.

Thanks for listening! If you enjoy this podcast and would like to help us keep making it, you can chip in a few euros/dollars/pounds at patreon.com/europeanspodcast.

This week's Isolation Inspiration: Swedish comedy 'Love and Anarchy', Dutch TV show 'Een programma over de jaren negentig', and this accompanying 90s Eurodance playlist.

Twitter | Instagram | Facebook | hello@europeanspodcast.com

]]>This week, the Hollywood-worthy story of Janina Garbień. Her family hid a nine-year-old Jewish girl in their Warsaw home during the war; Janina would later fall in love with an Italian prisoner at a Nazi camp, lose him, and find him again. Ola Cichowlas tells us her grandmother's extraordinary tale. We also talk about a shocking case of police brutality and the controversy over France's security law. Plus, unfortunate village names and the truth about apples.

Ola is Moscow correspondent for Agence France-Presse (AFP). You can follow her here and read a beautiful thread about her grandmother here.

Katy guest-hosted the first episode of the new UN Women podcast Generations Talk Gender, featuring a conversation between a young Romanian feminist and a long-time activist in Serbia. Check it out here.

Thanks for listening! If you enjoy this podcast and would like to help us keep making it, you can chip in a few euros/dollars/pounds at patreon.com/europeanspodcast.

This week's Isolation Inspiration: Swedish comedy 'Love and Anarchy', Dutch TV show 'Een programma over de jaren negentig', and this accompanying 90s Eurodance playlist.

Twitter | Instagram | Facebook | hello@europeanspodcast.com

]]>48c261a1-26be-4937-bedd-56b9f58e06c0Wed, 02 Dec 2020 06:00:00 +020037:31falsefullA country of dreamersA country of dreamersMoldova has just elected a pro-EU president, kicking out a favourite of Vladimir Putin's. This week, we wanted to talk to someone about daily life in a country that has seen a huge exodus to the rest of Europe; don't miss our moving conversation with Aliona Rotaru about what it's been like to stay behind. Also this week: naughty Dutch hackers, German glass ceilings, and Croatian winter warmers.

Thanks for listening! If you enjoy our podcast and want to help us keep making it, you can chip in a few euros/dollars/pounds a month at patreon.com/europeanspodcast.

Check out Are We Europe's beautiful multimedia project featuring Aliona, 'The Drums of Democracy'; read R. Daniel Kelemen's piece in Politico, 'Time to call Hungary and Poland's bluff'; and cosy up with AFP's video on Croatian codpieces.

This week's Isolation Inspiration: 'Blindness' at Amsterdam's Royal Theater Carré, and Colette, a documentary from the Guardian.

Twitter | Instagram | Facebook | hello@europeanspodcast.com

]]>Moldova has just elected a pro-EU president, kicking out a favourite of Vladimir Putin's. This week, we wanted to talk to someone about daily life in a country that has seen a huge exodus to the rest of Europe; don't miss our moving conversation with Aliona Rotaru about what it's been like to stay behind. Also this week: naughty Dutch hackers, German glass ceilings, and Croatian winter warmers.

Thanks for listening! If you enjoy our podcast and want to help us keep making it, you can chip in a few euros/dollars/pounds a month at patreon.com/europeanspodcast.

Check out Are We Europe's beautiful multimedia project featuring Aliona, 'The Drums of Democracy'; read R. Daniel Kelemen's piece in Politico, 'Time to call Hungary and Poland's bluff'; and cosy up with AFP's video on Croatian codpieces.

This week's Isolation Inspiration: 'Blindness' at Amsterdam's Royal Theater Carré, and Colette, a documentary from the Guardian.

Twitter | Instagram | Facebook | hello@europeanspodcast.com

]]>72ae4b6a-41c1-4a48-954f-20f108e4613cWed, 25 Nov 2020 06:00:00 +020035:49falsefullFrance’s invisible AsiansFrance’s invisible AsiansFrance has one of the biggest Asian communities in Europe. So why aren't there more Asians on the French screen? This week we talk to Grace Ly, writer and co-host of the hit podcast Kiffe Ta Race, about food, stereotypes, identity, and why it's so hard to talk about racism in France. Also this week: Europe's anti-terrorism balancing act, a round-up of LGBTQ good news, and celeb dad hangouts.

Thanks for listening! If you enjoy our show and want to help us keep making it, you can chip in a few euros/dollars/pounds a month at patreon.com/europeanspodcast.

You follow Grace here and check out Kiffe Ta Race's crossover episode with Dipsaus, tackling racism in Europe, here.

This week's Isolation Inspiration: Sofia Loren's new movie The Life Ahead, the Voila Europe theatre festival, and the BBC podcast Mayday.

Twitter | Instagram | Facebook | hello@europeanspodcast.com

]]>France has one of the biggest Asian communities in Europe. So why aren't there more Asians on the French screen? This week we talk to Grace Ly, writer and co-host of the hit podcast Kiffe Ta Race, about food, stereotypes, identity, and why it's so hard to talk about racism in France. Also this week: Europe's anti-terrorism balancing act, a round-up of LGBTQ good news, and celeb dad hangouts.

Thanks for listening! If you enjoy our show and want to help us keep making it, you can chip in a few euros/dollars/pounds a month at patreon.com/europeanspodcast.

You follow Grace here and check out Kiffe Ta Race's crossover episode with Dipsaus, tackling racism in Europe, here.

This week's Isolation Inspiration: Sofia Loren's new movie The Life Ahead, the Voila Europe theatre festival, and the BBC podcast Mayday.

Twitter | Instagram | Facebook | hello@europeanspodcast.com

]]>5435c41a-ec38-4b5b-a510-71da8d31a0ecWed, 18 Nov 2020 06:00:00 +020036:22falsefullA hot mess of an airportA hot mess of an airportThis week's podcast is sponsored by Europe Talks. Sign up to have a conversation with a random European here!

Now that we are FINALLY turning our attention to other things, this week we bring you the enjoyably chaotic story of Berlin's new airport. Jöran Mandik is one of the co-hosts of How To F#€k Up An Airport, an entire podcast series about the saga. We chatted about too-short escalators, human fire alarms, and scandalous overspending. Also this week: carrier pigeons, Denmark's vegetarian u-turn, and how to punish undemocratic governments.

Thanks for listening! If you enjoy our show and want to help us keep running, you can chip in a few euros/dollars/pounds at patreon.com/europeanspodcast.

How To F#€k Up An Airport is a series from Berlin's English-language news show, Radio Spaetkauf.

Dominic has been listening to this Esther Perel interview. Katy has been watching The Queen's Gambit and enjoying this Twitter thread about the German filming location.

Katy is speaking at Bulgaria's Listen Up podcasting festival next week! Get tickets here.

Twitter | Instagram | Facebook | hello@europeanspodcast.com

]]>This week's podcast is sponsored by Europe Talks. Sign up to have a conversation with a random European here!

Now that we are FINALLY turning our attention to other things, this week we bring you the enjoyably chaotic story of Berlin's new airport. Jöran Mandik is one of the co-hosts of How To F#€k Up An Airport, an entire podcast series about the saga. We chatted about too-short escalators, human fire alarms, and scandalous overspending. Also this week: carrier pigeons, Denmark's vegetarian u-turn, and how to punish undemocratic governments.

Thanks for listening! If you enjoy our show and want to help us keep running, you can chip in a few euros/dollars/pounds at patreon.com/europeanspodcast.

How To F#€k Up An Airport is a series from Berlin's English-language news show, Radio Spaetkauf.

Dominic has been listening to this Esther Perel interview. Katy has been watching The Queen's Gambit and enjoying this Twitter thread about the German filming location.

Katy is speaking at Bulgaria's Listen Up podcasting festival next week! Get tickets here.

Twitter | Instagram | Facebook | hello@europeanspodcast.com

]]>229740d9-5cf2-4540-89d6-7447022a13a4Wed, 11 Nov 2020 06:00:00 +020035:17falsefullA non-election podcastA non-election podcastWe're steering blissfully clear of the elephant in the global room this week: we're talking about books, sign language, and endemic corruption in Bulgaria. Investigative journalist Nikolay Staykov is here to explain why Bulgarians have protested for more than 100 nights against a government they compare to the mafia. We're also celebrating the Netherlands' life-saving whale sculpture and alternatives to Amazon.

Thanks for listening! If you enjoy our podcast and want to help us keep making it, you can chip in a few euros/dollars/pounds at patreon.com/europeanspodcast.

You can also leave us a review on Apple Podcasts.

Nikolay is the co-founder of Bulgaria's Anti-Corruption Fund. Find out more here.

Dominic has been listening to French and Saunders: Titting About. Katy has been watching this meme on repeat and listening to Bilal Göregen.

Twitter | Instagram | Facebook | hello@europeanspodcast.com

]]>We're steering blissfully clear of the elephant in the global room this week: we're talking about books, sign language, and endemic corruption in Bulgaria. Investigative journalist Nikolay Staykov is here to explain why Bulgarians have protested for more than 100 nights against a government they compare to the mafia. We're also celebrating the Netherlands' life-saving whale sculpture and alternatives to Amazon.

Thanks for listening! If you enjoy our podcast and want to help us keep making it, you can chip in a few euros/dollars/pounds at patreon.com/europeanspodcast.

You can also leave us a review on Apple Podcasts.

Nikolay is the co-founder of Bulgaria's Anti-Corruption Fund. Find out more here.

Dominic has been listening to French and Saunders: Titting About. Katy has been watching this meme on repeat and listening to Bilal Göregen.

Twitter | Instagram | Facebook | hello@europeanspodcast.com

]]>5d1f939b-2086-4e49-aa9a-d0e659cc9484Wed, 04 Nov 2020 06:00:00 +020031:38falsefullA war on the edge of EuropeA war on the edge of EuropeThis week the journalist Arzu Geybulla is here to help us untangle the conflict that has broken out between Armenia and Azerbaijan; if you're confused about Nagorno-Karabakh, this is the podcast for you. We're also discussing Poland's abortion ban, the Pope's big move on same-sex civil unions, and Europe's latest weird art prank.

Thanks for listening! If you enjoyed this podcast and you have a few coins to spare, we'd love it if you'd consider chipping into our fund at patreon.com/europeanspodcast.

Arzu recommends Black Garden by Thomas de Waal, as well as updates from Laurence Broers. You can also follow Arzu on Twitter here.

Katy is watching Barbarians on Netflix. Dominic is watching Season 2 of Killing Eve.

Twitter | Instagram | Facebook | hello@europeanspodcast.com

]]>This week the journalist Arzu Geybulla is here to help us untangle the conflict that has broken out between Armenia and Azerbaijan; if you're confused about Nagorno-Karabakh, this is the podcast for you. We're also discussing Poland's abortion ban, the Pope's big move on same-sex civil unions, and Europe's latest weird art prank.

Thanks for listening! If you enjoyed this podcast and you have a few coins to spare, we'd love it if you'd consider chipping into our fund at patreon.com/europeanspodcast.

Arzu recommends Black Garden by Thomas de Waal, as well as updates from Laurence Broers. You can also follow Arzu on Twitter here.

Katy is watching Barbarians on Netflix. Dominic is watching Season 2 of Killing Eve.

Twitter | Instagram | Facebook | hello@europeanspodcast.com

]]>b4d8148d-9284-4d0d-b631-a7250f12e6feWed, 28 Oct 2020 06:00:00 +020034:04falsefullThe House of Many LanguagesThe House of Many LanguagesThis week Dominic is furious about the EU vote on whether or not veggie burgers can be called veggie burgers, so we're distracting him with languages. Interpreter extraordinaire Alexander Drechsel is here to discuss the weird English dialect that has developed in Brussels, and whether the EU of the future will be anglophone. Plus, Sarkozy, Sweden's big-spending military, and adorable nuns.

Thanks for listening! If you like the show and have a couple of euros / dollars / pounds to spare each month, you can support us at patreon.com/europeanspodcast.

Alex is on Twitter @adrechsel, and you can get tickets for his November 18 debate on the role of English in the EU here.

Twitter | Instagram | Facebook | hello@europeanspodcast.com

]]>This week Dominic is furious about the EU vote on whether or not veggie burgers can be called veggie burgers, so we're distracting him with languages. Interpreter extraordinaire Alexander Drechsel is here to discuss the weird English dialect that has developed in Brussels, and whether the EU of the future will be anglophone. Plus, Sarkozy, Sweden's big-spending military, and adorable nuns.

Thanks for listening! If you like the show and have a couple of euros / dollars / pounds to spare each month, you can support us at patreon.com/europeanspodcast.

Alex is on Twitter @adrechsel, and you can get tickets for his November 18 debate on the role of English in the EU here.

Twitter | Instagram | Facebook | hello@europeanspodcast.com

]]>c8fb232e-a0e8-423d-a28e-c5f344b035e4Wed, 21 Oct 2020 06:00:00 +020034:53falsefullThe One Where We Interview A Prime MinisterThe One Where We Interview A Prime MinisterOk, ok, the title of this episode might be a bit of a stretch, but she WAS prime minister for a day. This week we chatted to 16-year-old Aava Murto about what happened when she got to replace Finland's Prime Minister Sanna Marin for 24 hours. Also this week: the downfall of Greece's Golden Dawn neo-Nazis, Bulgaria's anti-corruption protests, and Iga Swiatek's brilliant French Open performance.

Thanks for listening! If you like our show and want to help us keep making it, you can chip in a few euros / pounds / dollars a month at patreon.com/europeanspodcast.

How Norway makes rule of law offenders pay - Politico

This week's isolation inspiration: Mary Wollestonecraft - Letters Written in Sweden, Norway and Denmark; Michelle Buteau - Welcome to Buteaupia

Twitter | Instagram | Facebook | hello@europeanspodcast.com

]]>Ok, ok, the title of this episode might be a bit of a stretch, but she WAS prime minister for a day. This week we chatted to 16-year-old Aava Murto about what happened when she got to replace Finland's Prime Minister Sanna Marin for 24 hours. Also this week: the downfall of Greece's Golden Dawn neo-Nazis, Bulgaria's anti-corruption protests, and Iga Swiatek's brilliant French Open performance.

Thanks for listening! If you like our show and want to help us keep making it, you can chip in a few euros / pounds / dollars a month at patreon.com/europeanspodcast.

How Norway makes rule of law offenders pay - Politico

This week's isolation inspiration: Mary Wollestonecraft - Letters Written in Sweden, Norway and Denmark; Michelle Buteau - Welcome to Buteaupia

Twitter | Instagram | Facebook | hello@europeanspodcast.com

]]>4a6db70f-ec9f-401b-9128-1f925357aac4Wed, 14 Oct 2020 06:00:00 +020026:01falsefullThe oat milk questionThe oat milk questionWe've got a food-themed episode for you this week: bread, meat, and oat milk ethics. We're talking to the documentary-maker Fredrik Gertten about why Swedish vegan company Oatly may be making a deal with the devil. We're also discussing why Subway bread isn't bread (in Ireland at least) and asking why the wurst may be over in Germany. Plus, foul-mouthed parrots. Because everyone needs foul-mouthed parrots.

Thanks for listening! If you like our show and want to help us keep making it, you can chip in a few euros / pounds / dollars a month at patreon.com/europeanspodcast.

Watch Fredrik's award-winning documentary Push here, and listen to his podcast here.

This week's isolation inspiration: Notes to Self by Emilie Pine; Kidnapping (ARTE).

Twitter | Instagram | Facebook | hello@europeanspodcast.com

]]>We've got a food-themed episode for you this week: bread, meat, and oat milk ethics. We're talking to the documentary-maker Fredrik Gertten about why Swedish vegan company Oatly may be making a deal with the devil. We're also discussing why Subway bread isn't bread (in Ireland at least) and asking why the wurst may be over in Germany. Plus, foul-mouthed parrots. Because everyone needs foul-mouthed parrots.

Thanks for listening! If you like our show and want to help us keep making it, you can chip in a few euros / pounds / dollars a month at patreon.com/europeanspodcast.

Watch Fredrik's award-winning documentary Push here, and listen to his podcast here.

This week's isolation inspiration: Notes to Self by Emilie Pine; Kidnapping (ARTE).

Twitter | Instagram | Facebook | hello@europeanspodcast.com

]]>5d1e15a1-6ee8-4816-8295-a95f051603f5Wed, 07 Oct 2020 06:00:00 +020031:13falsefullPoison, puffins and the people’s gamePoison, puffins and the people’s gameThis week, the game that unites this continent. We're talking to Eniola Aluko, former England and Juventus striker, about her experience as a black woman in European football. We're also talking about what it's like to recover from a Russian Novichok poisoning; Europe's latest refugee plan; and clever puffins.

Thanks for listening! If you'd like to help us keep making The Europeans, you can chip in a couple of euros/dollars/pounds a month to our Patreon fund: patreon.com/europeanspodcast.

You can watch Eni speaking at the Forum on European Culture here, and check out her book here.

This week's Isolation Inspiration: Hanna, The Vampire Ship, and the latest issue of Are We Europe.

Twitter | Instagram | Facebook | hello@europeanspodcast.com

]]>This week, the game that unites this continent. We're talking to Eniola Aluko, former England and Juventus striker, about her experience as a black woman in European football. We're also talking about what it's like to recover from a Russian Novichok poisoning; Europe's latest refugee plan; and clever puffins.

Thanks for listening! If you'd like to help us keep making The Europeans, you can chip in a couple of euros/dollars/pounds a month to our Patreon fund: patreon.com/europeanspodcast.

You can watch Eni speaking at the Forum on European Culture here, and check out her book here.

This week's Isolation Inspiration: Hanna, The Vampire Ship, and the latest issue of Are We Europe.

Twitter | Instagram | Facebook | hello@europeanspodcast.com

]]>be5ec7a4-8742-49d9-8541-a03bdf7496aeWed, 30 Sep 2020 06:00:00 +020033:07falsefullMake Europe Romantic AgainMake Europe Romantic AgainCould Europe do with a 19th-century reboot? This week we're talking to Simon Strauss, millennial star of the German literary world, about why he thinks Romanticism is the future. We also hear about a lovely project he's launched to collect the stories of ageing Europeans. Plus: Ursula's big day, eco-burials, and what Tchaikovsky got in the post.

Simon's smash-hit novel, Seven Nights, is now available in English: https://rare-bird-books.myshopify.com/products/seven-nights

Read his 2018 keynote from the Forum on European Culture: https://cultureforum.eu/report2018/wp-content/uploads/Day-3_keynote-simon-strauss.pdf

And check out the European Archive of Voices: https://usefenut.myhostpoint.ch/european-archive-of-voices/

This week's Isolation Inspiration:
Why Did You Betray Me? https://www.decomposedshow.org/episode/2019/04/30/why-did-you-betray-me-tchaikovsky
La Haine https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/la_haine

Thanks for listening. If you like our show and would like to help us keep making it, we'd be really grateful if you could chip in a few dollars a month at https://patreon.com/europeanspodcast.

Twitter | Instagram | Facebook | hello@europeanspodcast.com

]]>Could Europe do with a 19th-century reboot? This week we're talking to Simon Strauss, millennial star of the German literary world, about why he thinks Romanticism is the future. We also hear about a lovely project he's launched to collect the stories of ageing Europeans. Plus: Ursula's big day, eco-burials, and what Tchaikovsky got in the post.

Simon's smash-hit novel, Seven Nights, is now available in English: https://rare-bird-books.myshopify.com/products/seven-nights

Read his 2018 keynote from the Forum on European Culture: https://cultureforum.eu/report2018/wp-content/uploads/Day-3_keynote-simon-strauss.pdf

And check out the European Archive of Voices: https://usefenut.myhostpoint.ch/european-archive-of-voices/

This week's Isolation Inspiration:
Why Did You Betray Me? https://www.decomposedshow.org/episode/2019/04/30/why-did-you-betray-me-tchaikovsky
La Haine https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/la_haine

Thanks for listening. If you like our show and would like to help us keep making it, we'd be really grateful if you could chip in a few dollars a month at https://patreon.com/europeanspodcast.

Twitter | Instagram | Facebook | hello@europeanspodcast.com

]]>00df474a-19d0-41e4-a347-dba15b224720Wed, 23 Sep 2020 06:00:00 +020034:11falsefullThe women of BelarusThe women of BelarusWomen are kicking ass in Belarus right now, and this week we're catching up with the journalist Hanna Liubakova about why — and where the protest movement is going. We're also talking about the fire at Greece's Moria refugee camp and the mess that is Europe's refugee policy. Plus: greener energy choices in Portugal and the French film behind the #CancelNetflix hashtag.

Follow Hanna on Twitter for essential updates on Belarus: https://twitter.com/HannaLiubakova

The Forum on European Culture runs in Amsterdam/online from September 17-20. Check out the line-up here: https://cultureforum.eu

Thanks for listening! If you'd like to help us keep making this show, please consider chipping in a couple of dollars or euros a month at https://patreon.com/europeanspodcast.

Twitter | Instagram | Facebook | hello@europeanspodcast.com

]]>Women are kicking ass in Belarus right now, and this week we're catching up with the journalist Hanna Liubakova about why — and where the protest movement is going. We're also talking about the fire at Greece's Moria refugee camp and the mess that is Europe's refugee policy. Plus: greener energy choices in Portugal and the French film behind the #CancelNetflix hashtag.

Follow Hanna on Twitter for essential updates on Belarus: https://twitter.com/HannaLiubakova

The Forum on European Culture runs in Amsterdam/online from September 17-20. Check out the line-up here: https://cultureforum.eu

Thanks for listening! If you'd like to help us keep making this show, please consider chipping in a couple of dollars or euros a month at https://patreon.com/europeanspodcast.

Twitter | Instagram | Facebook | hello@europeanspodcast.com

]]>5a3e2072-6e5e-4365-983d-71e62d97a337Wed, 16 Sep 2020 06:00:00 +020031:46falsefullItaly’s past, Europe’s futureItaly’s past, Europe’s futureWe're back from our summer break and here to bring you all the European Things that have been missing from your life. This week, the Italian novelist Francesca Melandri on what happened when her beautiful Letter From The Future went viral; we also chat about how Italy deals (or doesn't) with the past. Also this week: theatrical freedom in Hungary, extremely slow music, and a fly-swatting disaster.

Francesca is speaking at the Forum on European Culture next week. Get the full programme here: https://cultureforum.eu

Thanks for listening! If you like our show and want to help us keep running, you can donate a couple of euros/dollars a month at patreon.com/europeanspodcast.

Twitter | Instagram | Facebook | hello@europeanspodcast.com

]]>We're back from our summer break and here to bring you all the European Things that have been missing from your life. This week, the Italian novelist Francesca Melandri on what happened when her beautiful Letter From The Future went viral; we also chat about how Italy deals (or doesn't) with the past. Also this week: theatrical freedom in Hungary, extremely slow music, and a fly-swatting disaster.

Francesca is speaking at the Forum on European Culture next week. Get the full programme here: https://cultureforum.eu

Thanks for listening! If you like our show and want to help us keep running, you can donate a couple of euros/dollars a month at patreon.com/europeanspodcast.

Twitter | Instagram | Facebook | hello@europeanspodcast.com

]]>9476b253-b5ac-443b-b271-25251857d795Wed, 09 Sep 2020 06:00:00 +020032:12falsefullThe Chain, part threeThe Chain, part threeIn this final installment of European love letters, we're travelling from Hungary to Germany, Germany to Russia, and across the border to Norway. We're celebrating the books that stay with us for a lifetime — and books that seem to have a life of their own. And we're heading to the Arctic with an extremely stubborn grandmother.

The Chain is presented by Mick ter Reehorst and is a collaboration with Are We Europe as part of the Summer of Solidarity, a pop-up collaborative journalism project. Find out more at https://www.summerofsolidarity.eu.

The stories you heard were written by Philip Pollak, Viola Theunissen and Nina Lamparski. Mixing and sound design was by Katz Laszlo, production by Dominic Kraemer, and editing by Katy Lee. Music and sound effects from Blue Dot Sessions and Freesound.org. You also heard the Fourth Movement of Tchaikovsky's Symphony No. 6 in B minor, and Divertimento from his Suite No.1, Op.43, via Musopen.

https://europeanspodcast.com | https://www.areweeurope.com

]]>In this final installment of European love letters, we're travelling from Hungary to Germany, Germany to Russia, and across the border to Norway. We're celebrating the books that stay with us for a lifetime — and books that seem to have a life of their own. And we're heading to the Arctic with an extremely stubborn grandmother.

The Chain is presented by Mick ter Reehorst and is a collaboration with Are We Europe as part of the Summer of Solidarity, a pop-up collaborative journalism project. Find out more at https://www.summerofsolidarity.eu.

The stories you heard were written by Philip Pollak, Viola Theunissen and Nina Lamparski. Mixing and sound design was by Katz Laszlo, production by Dominic Kraemer, and editing by Katy Lee. Music and sound effects from Blue Dot Sessions and Freesound.org. You also heard the Fourth Movement of Tchaikovsky's Symphony No. 6 in B minor, and Divertimento from his Suite No.1, Op.43, via Musopen.

https://europeanspodcast.com | https://www.areweeurope.com

]]>ac0e8495-3f22-4f0a-85d6-558df9c92c3cWed, 19 Aug 2020 09:23:00 +020019:50falsefullThe Chain, part twoThe Chain, part twoWe're hopping from Sweden to France, France to Spain, and Spain to Austria for part two of The Chain, a series of love-letters from Europeans to each other's countries. This week we're climbing a volcano, feasting on chocolate cake, and seeing Europe through a dog's eyes.

The Chain is presented by Mick ter Reehorst and is a collaboration with Are We Europe as part of the Summer of Solidarity, a pop-up collaborative journalism project. Find out more at https://www.summerofsolidarity.eu.

The stories you heard were written by Julie Lindahl, Sedera Ranaivoarinosy and Marta Santiváñez. Lisa Klevermark was the voice of Ellie. Mixing and sound design was by Katz Laszlo, production by Dominic Kraemer, and editing by Katy Lee. Music and sound effects from Blue Dot Sessions and Freesound.org. The final waltz was Johann Strauss' G’schichten aus dem Wienerwald, played by the Wiener Johann Strauss Orchester.

https://europeanspodcast.com | https://www.areweeurope.com

]]>We're hopping from Sweden to France, France to Spain, and Spain to Austria for part two of The Chain, a series of love-letters from Europeans to each other's countries. This week we're climbing a volcano, feasting on chocolate cake, and seeing Europe through a dog's eyes.

The Chain is presented by Mick ter Reehorst and is a collaboration with Are We Europe as part of the Summer of Solidarity, a pop-up collaborative journalism project. Find out more at https://www.summerofsolidarity.eu.

The stories you heard were written by Julie Lindahl, Sedera Ranaivoarinosy and Marta Santiváñez. Lisa Klevermark was the voice of Ellie. Mixing and sound design was by Katz Laszlo, production by Dominic Kraemer, and editing by Katy Lee. Music and sound effects from Blue Dot Sessions and Freesound.org. The final waltz was Johann Strauss' G’schichten aus dem Wienerwald, played by the Wiener Johann Strauss Orchester.

https://europeanspodcast.com | https://www.areweeurope.com

]]>8f413f2d-1801-4c85-95c4-be1bee489f6eFri, 14 Aug 2020 06:00:00 +020018:42falsefullThe Chain, part oneThe Chain, part oneIntroducing The Chain: a series of love-letters from Europeans to each other's countries.

This week we're hopping from Romania to the Netherlands, the Netherlands to Italy, Italy to Bosnia and Herzegovina. We'll hear about a mountain, a monument from a non-existent country, and a life-changing conversation in a soap shop.

The Chain is presented by Mick ter Reehorst and is a collaboration with Are We Europe as part of the Summer of Solidarity, a pop-up collaborative journalism project. Find out more at https://www.summerofsolidarity.eu.

The stories you heard were written and recorded by Andreea Sirbu, Thomas van Neerbos and Veronica Tosetti, and produced by Dominic Kraemer, Katz Laszlo and Katy Lee.

Music and sound effects from Blue Dot Sessions and Freesound (including Richard Laiepce, antigonia, genghis attenborough, and Katz' own field recordings).

https://europeanspodcast.com | https://www.areweeurope.com

]]>Introducing The Chain: a series of love-letters from Europeans to each other's countries.

This week we're hopping from Romania to the Netherlands, the Netherlands to Italy, Italy to Bosnia and Herzegovina. We'll hear about a mountain, a monument from a non-existent country, and a life-changing conversation in a soap shop.

The Chain is presented by Mick ter Reehorst and is a collaboration with Are We Europe as part of the Summer of Solidarity, a pop-up collaborative journalism project. Find out more at https://www.summerofsolidarity.eu.

The stories you heard were written and recorded by Andreea Sirbu, Thomas van Neerbos and Veronica Tosetti, and produced by Dominic Kraemer, Katz Laszlo and Katy Lee.

Music and sound effects from Blue Dot Sessions and Freesound (including Richard Laiepce, antigonia, genghis attenborough, and Katz' own field recordings).

https://europeanspodcast.com | https://www.areweeurope.com

]]>62f60029-3efe-4f04-8610-26f6f602b115Thu, 06 Aug 2020 12:30:00 +020019:29falsefullThe Summer of SolidarityThe Summer of SolidarityIn our last episode before a little summer break, we're zooming out and taking a look at the state of Europe with Natalie Nougayrède. The Guardian columnist and former Le Monde editor is spearheading Summer of Solidarity, a collaborative journalism project celebrating human stories across Europe. We chat about the 'othering' of Central and Eastern Europeans and the case for a pan-European media outlet. Also this week: Poland's election, problematic metro names, and the power of bison.

We want your stories for our special summer episodes! Find out more: https://europeanspodcast.com/the-chain

Explore the Summer of Solidarity, including some great Spotify playlists, at https://www.summerofsolidarity.eu

Thanks for listening! If you like the show and want to help us keep making it, you can chip in as little as $2 month at https://www.patreon.com/europeanspodcast.

Twitter | Instagram | Facebook | hello@europeanspodcast.com

]]>In our last episode before a little summer break, we're zooming out and taking a look at the state of Europe with Natalie Nougayrède. The Guardian columnist and former Le Monde editor is spearheading Summer of Solidarity, a collaborative journalism project celebrating human stories across Europe. We chat about the 'othering' of Central and Eastern Europeans and the case for a pan-European media outlet. Also this week: Poland's election, problematic metro names, and the power of bison.

We want your stories for our special summer episodes! Find out more: https://europeanspodcast.com/the-chain

Explore the Summer of Solidarity, including some great Spotify playlists, at https://www.summerofsolidarity.eu

Thanks for listening! If you like the show and want to help us keep making it, you can chip in as little as $2 month at https://www.patreon.com/europeanspodcast.

Twitter | Instagram | Facebook | hello@europeanspodcast.com

]]>84a7afe0-a5ef-425c-993d-3f3aa0f0696dWed, 15 Jul 2020 05:00:00 +020034:29falsefullGeorge Soros, ExplainedGeorge Soros, ExplainedWhy has George Soros inspired conspiracy theories involving everything from the Holocaust to Beyoncé? This week we're talking to Emily Tamkin, author of 'The Influence of Soros', about why the Hungarian-born billionaire is such a source of fascination and controversy. Also this week: Belgium faces its past; Latvia faces Russian 'propaganda' efforts; and Parisian jazz goes solo.

Thanks for listening! If you like our show and want to make sure we can keep making it, you can chip in a couple of dollars a month at patreon.com/europeanspodcast.

Emily's book is out now: https://www.harpercollins.com/9780062972637/the-influence-of-soros/

'Russia's RT Network: Is It More BBC or KGB?' - https://www.nytimes.com/2017/03/08/world/europe/russias-rt-network-is-it-more-bbc-or-kgb.html

'RT, Sputnik and Russia's New Theory of War' - https://www.nytimes.com/2017/09/13/magazine/rt-sputnik-and-russias-new-theory-of-war.html

Malin Broman x 8 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KWwLSsfdmNk

Floor Is Lava https://www.netflix.com/title/81006858

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]]>Why has George Soros inspired conspiracy theories involving everything from the Holocaust to Beyoncé? This week we're talking to Emily Tamkin, author of 'The Influence of Soros', about why the Hungarian-born billionaire is such a source of fascination and controversy. Also this week: Belgium faces its past; Latvia faces Russian 'propaganda' efforts; and Parisian jazz goes solo.

Thanks for listening! If you like our show and want to make sure we can keep making it, you can chip in a couple of dollars a month at patreon.com/europeanspodcast.

Emily's book is out now: https://www.harpercollins.com/9780062972637/the-influence-of-soros/

'Russia's RT Network: Is It More BBC or KGB?' - https://www.nytimes.com/2017/03/08/world/europe/russias-rt-network-is-it-more-bbc-or-kgb.html

'RT, Sputnik and Russia's New Theory of War' - https://www.nytimes.com/2017/09/13/magazine/rt-sputnik-and-russias-new-theory-of-war.html

Malin Broman x 8 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KWwLSsfdmNk

Floor Is Lava https://www.netflix.com/title/81006858

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]]>3861ee07-fa69-4616-9b89-889899985357Wed, 08 Jul 2020 05:00:00 +020033:57falsefullThe Political PianistThe Political Pianistf129452d-c610-4466-b879-d1e9de476713Wed, 01 Jul 2020 06:00:00 +020032:50falsefullLove, bees and brain surgeryLove, bees and brain surgeryThis week we're celebrating those moments when Europeans are actually nice to each other. Rafael Loss, data wizard at the European Council on Foreign Relations, is on the line from Berlin to explain why he built an online tool to track solidarity during the C-word crisis. We're also talking about Serbia's elections, Croatian bees, and awake brain surgery.

Thanks for listening! If you enjoy the show, please consider a small monthly donation to help keep us running: https://patreon.com/europeanspodcast

The Silver Lining, the latest magazine from Are We Europe, is out now! Enter EUROPEANS at the checkout for 30% off: https://www.areweeurope.com/store/the-silver-lining

Summer of Solidarity - explore all kinds of European stories here: https://www.summerofsolidarity.eu

Check out Rafael's Solidarity Tracker: https://www.ecfr.eu/solidaritytracker

On Sweden's sexual consent law - The Local: https://www.thelocal.se/20200616/how-swedens-new-consent-law-led-to-a-75-rise-in-rape-convictions

Still Life On The Island: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cg00VY78QdQ&app=desktop

Where's Simon? The London Symphony Orchestra: https://lso.co.uk/whats-on/alwaysplaying/digitalactivities/wheres-simon.html

Dominic's colleague having awake brain surgery: https://youtu.be/obiARnsKUAo

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]]>This week we're celebrating those moments when Europeans are actually nice to each other. Rafael Loss, data wizard at the European Council on Foreign Relations, is on the line from Berlin to explain why he built an online tool to track solidarity during the C-word crisis. We're also talking about Serbia's elections, Croatian bees, and awake brain surgery.

Thanks for listening! If you enjoy the show, please consider a small monthly donation to help keep us running: https://patreon.com/europeanspodcast

The Silver Lining, the latest magazine from Are We Europe, is out now! Enter EUROPEANS at the checkout for 30% off: https://www.areweeurope.com/store/the-silver-lining

Summer of Solidarity - explore all kinds of European stories here: https://www.summerofsolidarity.eu

Check out Rafael's Solidarity Tracker: https://www.ecfr.eu/solidaritytracker

On Sweden's sexual consent law - The Local: https://www.thelocal.se/20200616/how-swedens-new-consent-law-led-to-a-75-rise-in-rape-convictions

Still Life On The Island: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cg00VY78QdQ&app=desktop

Where's Simon? The London Symphony Orchestra: https://lso.co.uk/whats-on/alwaysplaying/digitalactivities/wheres-simon.html

Dominic's colleague having awake brain surgery: https://youtu.be/obiARnsKUAo

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]]>cc59796f-0ef3-402c-8e42-148f0b08fb6dWed, 24 Jun 2020 06:00:00 +020032:54falsefullRecipes for rebellionRecipes for rebellionCommunist Bulgaria was home to a furtive cooking craze on a massive scale: women swapping recipes on scraps of paper, with strangers on trams, even at funerals. The historian and writer Albena Shkodrova sees this fascinating phenomenon as a form of subversion; we called her up to ask why. Also this week: Happy Birthday Schengen, an accidental invasion, and an end to Sweden's longest-running murder mystery.

Thanks for listening! If you enjoy the show, you can chip in a couple of dollars a month to keep us running at https://patreon.com/europeanspodcast.

You can also leave us a ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ review on Apple Podcasts! https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/the-europeans/id1315776736

Find out more about Albena's forthcoming books, 'Communist Gourmet' and 'Rebellious Cooks': https://www.albenashkodrova.com

Who Killed The Prime Minister? - The Guardian https://www.theguardian.com/news/2019/may/16/olof-palme-sweden-prime-minister-unsolved-murder-new-evidence

On achève bien les gros - ARTE https://www.arte.tv/fr/videos/086161-000-A/on-acheve-bien-les-gros

Lianne LaHavas - NPR Tiny Desk (Home) Concert https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qso4MRfidrw

People of Europe - Susan Neiman https://www.facebook.com/debalie/videos/948520485598650

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]]>Communist Bulgaria was home to a furtive cooking craze on a massive scale: women swapping recipes on scraps of paper, with strangers on trams, even at funerals. The historian and writer Albena Shkodrova sees this fascinating phenomenon as a form of subversion; we called her up to ask why. Also this week: Happy Birthday Schengen, an accidental invasion, and an end to Sweden's longest-running murder mystery.

Thanks for listening! If you enjoy the show, you can chip in a couple of dollars a month to keep us running at https://patreon.com/europeanspodcast.

You can also leave us a ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ review on Apple Podcasts! https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/the-europeans/id1315776736

Find out more about Albena's forthcoming books, 'Communist Gourmet' and 'Rebellious Cooks': https://www.albenashkodrova.com

Who Killed The Prime Minister? - The Guardian https://www.theguardian.com/news/2019/may/16/olof-palme-sweden-prime-minister-unsolved-murder-new-evidence

On achève bien les gros - ARTE https://www.arte.tv/fr/videos/086161-000-A/on-acheve-bien-les-gros

Lianne LaHavas - NPR Tiny Desk (Home) Concert https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qso4MRfidrw

People of Europe - Susan Neiman https://www.facebook.com/debalie/videos/948520485598650

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]]>56a0ef31-2a6f-48d1-a358-7da14ab96330Wed, 17 Jun 2020 05:00:00 +020032:35falsefullWhy the Black Lives Matter protests are different in EuropeWhy the Black Lives Matter protests are different in EuropeProtests over the death of George Floyd have been spreading on this side of the Atlantic, from Britain to Hungary. This week we're talking about what makes the European anti-racism protests different, with the artist and cultural critic Quinsy Gario. We're also talking about Prague's mysterious poisoned suitcase, and a possible post-COVID rail revolution.

Amsterdam protest recording by Katz Laszlo.

Thanks for listening! If you like the show, you can chip in a couple of dollars a month to help us keep making it at https://www.patreon.com/europeanspodcast.

You can also leave us a review at https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/the-europeans/id1315776736

On hydrogen and pasta: https://www.nytimes.com/2020/05/27/business/hydrogen-fuel-climate-change.html

Isolation Inspiration: Afropean by Johny Pitts | Whisper of the Heart | Wind of Change

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]]>Protests over the death of George Floyd have been spreading on this side of the Atlantic, from Britain to Hungary. This week we're talking about what makes the European anti-racism protests different, with the artist and cultural critic Quinsy Gario. We're also talking about Prague's mysterious poisoned suitcase, and a possible post-COVID rail revolution.

Amsterdam protest recording by Katz Laszlo.

Thanks for listening! If you like the show, you can chip in a couple of dollars a month to help us keep making it at https://www.patreon.com/europeanspodcast.

You can also leave us a review at https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/the-europeans/id1315776736

On hydrogen and pasta: https://www.nytimes.com/2020/05/27/business/hydrogen-fuel-climate-change.html

Isolation Inspiration: Afropean by Johny Pitts | Whisper of the Heart | Wind of Change

Twitter | Instagram | Facebook | hello@europeanspodcast.com

]]>582840a1-cb1e-4cc3-8830-2d0c7f0ec3e5Wed, 10 Jun 2020 04:00:00 +020031:24falsefullThe Great Pull of ChinaThe Great Pull of ChinaYou can blame Dominic for the pun. This week, as tensions between the United States and China reach fever-pitch, we're asking: does Europe need to pick a side? Tom Wan, Research Director in European Politics at the Global Studies Institute in Hong Kong, is on the line to explain what's at stake in Europe's relationship with China. Also this week: reproductive rights, a badly-behaved prince, and what lies beneath the floorboards.

In memory of Christo: https://www.theatlantic.com/photo/2020/06/photos-works-of-christo/612484/

The Crowd: https://ochentastudio.com/ochenta-stories/2020/5/27/the-crowd

Thanks for listening! If you liked the show and have a couple of dollars spare a month, you can help us keep making it at https://patreon.com/europeanspodcast.

Twitter | Instagram | Facebook | hello@europeanspodcast.com

]]>You can blame Dominic for the pun. This week, as tensions between the United States and China reach fever-pitch, we're asking: does Europe need to pick a side? Tom Wan, Research Director in European Politics at the Global Studies Institute in Hong Kong, is on the line to explain what's at stake in Europe's relationship with China. Also this week: reproductive rights, a badly-behaved prince, and what lies beneath the floorboards.

In memory of Christo: https://www.theatlantic.com/photo/2020/06/photos-works-of-christo/612484/

The Crowd: https://ochentastudio.com/ochenta-stories/2020/5/27/the-crowd

Thanks for listening! If you liked the show and have a couple of dollars spare a month, you can help us keep making it at https://patreon.com/europeanspodcast.

Twitter | Instagram | Facebook | hello@europeanspodcast.com

]]>63197089-f552-43cd-b76e-ceda652ee978Wed, 03 Jun 2020 04:00:00 +020026:45falsefullGuide to a Non-Existent CountryGuide to a Non-Existent CountryThe Italian journalist and travel writer Giovanni Vale is used to writing tourist guidebooks, but usually they're for countries that still exist. We rang him up to ask why he's turned his attention to 'extinguished' countries, starting with the Venetian Republic which sprawled across the Mediterranean for more than a millennium. Also this week: Polish punk and Europe's organic revolution.

Giovanni's guide to the Venetian Republic is available for pre-order here: https://bit.ly/2zB1Rar

Isolation Inspiration:

Rabbit Hole - The New York Times https://www.nytimes.com/column/rabbit-hole
(Although) In Pieces, Yet One - Francesca Vincentie https://inpiecesyetone.com
Inside Politics - all that bond stuff, explained https://bit.ly/2AcEPq6

Thanks for listening. If you like the show, you can help us keep making it by chipping in a few dollars a month at https://patreon.com/europeanspodcast.

Twitter | Instagram | Facebook | hello@europeanspodcast.com

]]>The Italian journalist and travel writer Giovanni Vale is used to writing tourist guidebooks, but usually they're for countries that still exist. We rang him up to ask why he's turned his attention to 'extinguished' countries, starting with the Venetian Republic which sprawled across the Mediterranean for more than a millennium. Also this week: Polish punk and Europe's organic revolution.

Giovanni's guide to the Venetian Republic is available for pre-order here: https://bit.ly/2zB1Rar

Isolation Inspiration:

Rabbit Hole - The New York Times https://www.nytimes.com/column/rabbit-hole
(Although) In Pieces, Yet One - Francesca Vincentie https://inpiecesyetone.com
Inside Politics - all that bond stuff, explained https://bit.ly/2AcEPq6

Thanks for listening. If you like the show, you can help us keep making it by chipping in a few dollars a month at https://patreon.com/europeanspodcast.

Twitter | Instagram | Facebook | hello@europeanspodcast.com

]]>60cbff73-e3ce-4778-a05d-9932c914d13bWed, 27 May 2020 04:00:00 +020031:37falsefullWikipedia’s Missing WomenWikipedia’s Missing Women6d6c06db-5798-44fb-a345-a994168d64b5Wed, 20 May 2020 04:00:00 +020032:35falsefullWhat is Russia doing at the bottom of the sea?What is Russia doing at the bottom of the sea?Last July, a group of fishermen near the coast of Norway were surprised to see a submarine burst out of the water in front of them. A terrible disaster had struck the Losharik, a highly advanced Russian vessel that had been lurking on the seafloor. But what happened? And what was the submarine doing so close to European shores?

This mystery has fascinated the Norwegian journalist Thomas Nilsen, one of the authors of a New York Times investigation into the Losharik disaster. We talked to him about why Russia is so interested in what lies beneath these waters. Spoiler alert: your internet connection depends on it.

Also this week: Finland's basic income experiment, a setback for German homophobes, and graffiti for the green-fingered.

Thomas is the editor of the Barents Observer. Read his New York Times investigation: https://www.nytimes.com/2020/04/20/world/europe/russian-submarine-fire-losharik.html

We're hosting an Online Pub Quiz for our Patreon supporters this week! To join the fun, you can sign up to support us here: https://www.patreon.com/europeanspodcast

Isolation Inspiration:

Trying: https://youtu.be/nGA_6WTD3vM
Under Milk Wood: https://youtu.be/WJtzOD3KbLM

Thanks for listening!

Twitter | Instagram | Facebook | hello@europeanspodcast.com

]]>Last July, a group of fishermen near the coast of Norway were surprised to see a submarine burst out of the water in front of them. A terrible disaster had struck the Losharik, a highly advanced Russian vessel that had been lurking on the seafloor. But what happened? And what was the submarine doing so close to European shores?

This mystery has fascinated the Norwegian journalist Thomas Nilsen, one of the authors of a New York Times investigation into the Losharik disaster. We talked to him about why Russia is so interested in what lies beneath these waters. Spoiler alert: your internet connection depends on it.

Also this week: Finland's basic income experiment, a setback for German homophobes, and graffiti for the green-fingered.

Thomas is the editor of the Barents Observer. Read his New York Times investigation: https://www.nytimes.com/2020/04/20/world/europe/russian-submarine-fire-losharik.html

We're hosting an Online Pub Quiz for our Patreon supporters this week! To join the fun, you can sign up to support us here: https://www.patreon.com/europeanspodcast

Isolation Inspiration:

Trying: https://youtu.be/nGA_6WTD3vM
Under Milk Wood: https://youtu.be/WJtzOD3KbLM

Thanks for listening!

Twitter | Instagram | Facebook | hello@europeanspodcast.com

]]>a8e22d37-9271-47ec-b13a-8296c2f2e185Wed, 13 May 2020 04:00:00 +020031:03falsefullQuarantainmentQuarantainmentThis week we've got a cultural bonanza for you. We're talking about Poland's Netflix tax and the new drive-in cinema in Vilnius, as well as all the TV and online concerts we've been bingeing on. Plus, a great interview with the French screenwriter Noé Debré about Parlement, the European satire we've been waiting for.

Thanks to all the generous supporters who are helping us keep this podcast running right now. If you have a few dollars to spare a month, you can chip in at patreon.com/europeanspodcast.

Watch Parlement here: https://www.france.tv/series-et-fictions/series-comedies/parlement

Hope@Home: https://www.arte.tv/en/videos/RC-019356/hope-home

Floyd on France: https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=floyd+on+france

Fleabag Live: https://www.sohotheatreondemand.com/show/FleabagFourPound

Thanks for listening.

Twitter | Instagram | Facebook | hello@europeanspodcast.com

]]>This week we've got a cultural bonanza for you. We're talking about Poland's Netflix tax and the new drive-in cinema in Vilnius, as well as all the TV and online concerts we've been bingeing on. Plus, a great interview with the French screenwriter Noé Debré about Parlement, the European satire we've been waiting for.

Thanks to all the generous supporters who are helping us keep this podcast running right now. If you have a few dollars to spare a month, you can chip in at patreon.com/europeanspodcast.

Watch Parlement here: https://www.france.tv/series-et-fictions/series-comedies/parlement

Hope@Home: https://www.arte.tv/en/videos/RC-019356/hope-home

Floyd on France: https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=floyd+on+france

Fleabag Live: https://www.sohotheatreondemand.com/show/FleabagFourPound

Thanks for listening.

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]]>55cc28df-3a43-4481-b378-e58b93e36177Wed, 06 May 2020 04:00:00 +020032:36falsefullThe Other C-WordsThe Other C-WordsThis week we bring you: coal, chess, and the circular economy. We speak to Esther Goodwin-Brown of Circle Economy about the economic model that's getting environmentalists all hot and bothered. We're also talking about why Europe's fallen out of love with the black stuff and why chess is getting a revamp. Plus, metal detectors — because what would this podcast be without metal detectors?

Thanks for listening! If you like our show, you can help us keep it running by chipping in a couple of dollars a month at patreon.com/europeanspodcast.

Isolation Inspiration:
Frankenstein at the National Theatre https://www.nationaltheatre.org.uk/shows/nt-at-home-frankenstein

Wordsworth 250 https://wordsworth250.org

Parlement https://www.france.tv/series-et-fictions/series-comedies/parlement

That climate litigation thing that Katy forgot about: https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/apr/24/dutch-officials-reveal-measures-to-cut-emissions-after-court-ruling

Twitter | Instagram | Facebook | hello@europeanspodcast.com

]]>This week we bring you: coal, chess, and the circular economy. We speak to Esther Goodwin-Brown of Circle Economy about the economic model that's getting environmentalists all hot and bothered. We're also talking about why Europe's fallen out of love with the black stuff and why chess is getting a revamp. Plus, metal detectors — because what would this podcast be without metal detectors?

Thanks for listening! If you like our show, you can help us keep it running by chipping in a couple of dollars a month at patreon.com/europeanspodcast.

Isolation Inspiration:
Frankenstein at the National Theatre https://www.nationaltheatre.org.uk/shows/nt-at-home-frankenstein

Wordsworth 250 https://wordsworth250.org

Parlement https://www.france.tv/series-et-fictions/series-comedies/parlement

That climate litigation thing that Katy forgot about: https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/apr/24/dutch-officials-reveal-measures-to-cut-emissions-after-court-ruling

Twitter | Instagram | Facebook | hello@europeanspodcast.com

]]>c02c54c2-cf28-44ac-bff7-a7a5feee0f30Wed, 29 Apr 2020 04:00:00 +020027:57falsefullNormal and BoringNormal and BoringThe superstar illustrator Christoph Niemann is on a mission to better understand Europe. 'In Praise of a Normal, Boring Country', the latest installment of his New York Times visual essay series, took him to Estonia. We rang him up in Berlin to talk about his trip and a bunch of other stuff. Also this week: Dominic gets to grips with debt mutualisation, and Katy gets to grips with mittens.

Thanks for listening! If you like our show, you can help us keep making it at Patreon: https://patreon.com/europeanspodcast

Read Christoph's lovely visual essay about Estonia here: https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2020/03/25/magazine/dispatches-estonia.html

Isolation Inspiration: Sunday Sketching by Christoph Niemann | Unorthodox on Netflix

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]]>The superstar illustrator Christoph Niemann is on a mission to better understand Europe. 'In Praise of a Normal, Boring Country', the latest installment of his New York Times visual essay series, took him to Estonia. We rang him up in Berlin to talk about his trip and a bunch of other stuff. Also this week: Dominic gets to grips with debt mutualisation, and Katy gets to grips with mittens.

Thanks for listening! If you like our show, you can help us keep making it at Patreon: https://patreon.com/europeanspodcast

Read Christoph's lovely visual essay about Estonia here: https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2020/03/25/magazine/dispatches-estonia.html

Isolation Inspiration: Sunday Sketching by Christoph Niemann | Unorthodox on Netflix

Twitter | Instagram | Facebook | hello@europeanspodcast.com

]]>8fbc91b1-6fcc-42df-87ac-7d12261bd6a2Wed, 22 Apr 2020 03:00:00 +020029:38falsefullPoll-LandPoll-LandThere's a bunch of interesting stuff happening in Poland right now, so we rang up our favourite Polish journalist Ania Jakubek to untangle it for us. Also this week: blue tits, volcanoes, mutant enzymes and an Easter panda.

Thanks for listening. If you like our show, you can help us keep making it at https://www.patreon.com/europeanspodcast.

Isolation Inspiration:

Ania's drawings: https://www.instagram.com/amjakubek

Making An Opera: https://www.nporadio4.nl/podcasts/making-an-opera

Are We Europe magazine: https://www.areweeurope.com/

Twitter | Instagram | Facebook | hello@europeanspodcast.com

]]>There's a bunch of interesting stuff happening in Poland right now, so we rang up our favourite Polish journalist Ania Jakubek to untangle it for us. Also this week: blue tits, volcanoes, mutant enzymes and an Easter panda.

Thanks for listening. If you like our show, you can help us keep making it at https://www.patreon.com/europeanspodcast.

Isolation Inspiration:

Ania's drawings: https://www.instagram.com/amjakubek

Making An Opera: https://www.nporadio4.nl/podcasts/making-an-opera

Are We Europe magazine: https://www.areweeurope.com/

Twitter | Instagram | Facebook | hello@europeanspodcast.com

]]>cff18c77-f9ca-402c-9965-3b9d0ffe63a5Wed, 15 Apr 2020 03:00:00 +020032:20falsefullNot The ApocalypseNot The ApocalypseThe Irish writer Mark O'Connell spent three years meeting people who are preparing for the end of the world. At a time when a lot of us have been gripped by a general sense of doom, we had a weirdly reassuring chat about the apocalypse. Also this week: big developments in Central Europe, bouncy pavements, and a celebration of the theremin.

Mark's book, Notes from an Apocalypse, is out on April 14.

This week's Isolation Inspiration: Cross-border romance (http://tiny.cc/jo5nmz listen from 24:50), Field Recordings (https://fieldrecordings.xyz/) and live jazz from Mariska Martina (http://tiny.cc/xr5nmz).

Thanks for listening! If you like the show and have a few euros to spare, you can help us keep making it at patreon.com/europeanspodcast.

Twitter | Instagram | Facebook | hello@europeanspodcast.com

]]>The Irish writer Mark O'Connell spent three years meeting people who are preparing for the end of the world. At a time when a lot of us have been gripped by a general sense of doom, we had a weirdly reassuring chat about the apocalypse. Also this week: big developments in Central Europe, bouncy pavements, and a celebration of the theremin.

Mark's book, Notes from an Apocalypse, is out on April 14.

This week's Isolation Inspiration: Cross-border romance (http://tiny.cc/jo5nmz listen from 24:50), Field Recordings (https://fieldrecordings.xyz/) and live jazz from Mariska Martina (http://tiny.cc/xr5nmz).

Thanks for listening! If you like the show and have a few euros to spare, you can help us keep making it at patreon.com/europeanspodcast.

Twitter | Instagram | Facebook | hello@europeanspodcast.com

]]>f9063706-1f9c-477a-9482-f8f1c4d6236cWed, 08 Apr 2020 03:00:00 +020033:00falsefullAbsolutely marble-lousAbsolutely marble-lousIn this time of crisis, many, many people are watching marbles roll down miniature race tracks. We talk to Dion Bakker, one of the Dutch brothers behind the hit marble-racing YouTube channel that's filling the void left by cancelled sports events. We also catch up with atmospheric physicist Meganne Christian, who spent a year in Antarctica, to hear her tips on surviving isolation. Also this week: Viktor Orbán's terrifying power grab, and trees, lots of trees.

Like the show? If you have a couple of spare dollars to spare each month, you can help us keep making it at patreon.com/europeanspodcast.

Thanks for listening!

Twitter | Instagram | Facebook | hello@europeanspodcast.com

]]>In this time of crisis, many, many people are watching marbles roll down miniature race tracks. We talk to Dion Bakker, one of the Dutch brothers behind the hit marble-racing YouTube channel that's filling the void left by cancelled sports events. We also catch up with atmospheric physicist Meganne Christian, who spent a year in Antarctica, to hear her tips on surviving isolation. Also this week: Viktor Orbán's terrifying power grab, and trees, lots of trees.

Like the show? If you have a couple of spare dollars to spare each month, you can help us keep making it at patreon.com/europeanspodcast.

Thanks for listening!

Twitter | Instagram | Facebook | hello@europeanspodcast.com

]]>7b759477-90c3-4bdc-971b-cc1b1acd951cWed, 01 Apr 2020 03:00:00 +020025:31falsefullLakes and dogsLakes and dogsCalming things are much needed this week, so we're talking about lakes and we're talking about dogs. Our guest is the poet and author Kapka Kassabova, whose latest book To The Lake is a beautiful account of life on the borders of Greece, Albania and North Macedonia. We're also celebrating cleaner skies, human-canine relationships, and putting booze to good use.

Thanks to the amazing people who support this podcast on Patreon, especially in these uncertain times. If you have a couple of dollars to spare each month, you can chip in at patreon.com/europeanspodcast.

Watch Dominic's latest opera here!

Thanks for listening.

Twitter | Instagram | Facebook | hello@europeanspodcast.com

]]>Calming things are much needed this week, so we're talking about lakes and we're talking about dogs. Our guest is the poet and author Kapka Kassabova, whose latest book To The Lake is a beautiful account of life on the borders of Greece, Albania and North Macedonia. We're also celebrating cleaner skies, human-canine relationships, and putting booze to good use.

Thanks to the amazing people who support this podcast on Patreon, especially in these uncertain times. If you have a couple of dollars to spare each month, you can chip in at patreon.com/europeanspodcast.

Watch Dominic's latest opera here!

Thanks for listening.

Twitter | Instagram | Facebook | hello@europeanspodcast.com

]]>https://anchor.fm/the-europeans/episodes/Lakes-and-dogs-ebt1iuWed, 25 Mar 2020 03:00:00 +020031:21falsefullConsentConsentThe show goes on. This week, aside from bringing you some positivity from around the continent, we're talking to someone who turned something terrible into something empowering. Emma Holten was 20 years old when nude photos of her were leaked onto the internet without her consent. We gave her a call in Copenhagen to hear about her inspiring fightback. Also this week: good dogs and good decisions in Spain and Greece.

You can follow Emma on Instagram here and Twitter here.

Thank you to the generous supporters who keep this show going! You can pledge just $2 a month or more at patreon.com/europeanspodcast.

Thanks for listening.

Twitter | Instagram | Facebook | hello@europeanspodcast.com

]]>The show goes on. This week, aside from bringing you some positivity from around the continent, we're talking to someone who turned something terrible into something empowering. Emma Holten was 20 years old when nude photos of her were leaked onto the internet without her consent. We gave her a call in Copenhagen to hear about her inspiring fightback. Also this week: good dogs and good decisions in Spain and Greece.

You can follow Emma on Instagram here and Twitter here.

Thank you to the generous supporters who keep this show going! You can pledge just $2 a month or more at patreon.com/europeanspodcast.

Thanks for listening.

Twitter | Instagram | Facebook | hello@europeanspodcast.com

]]>https://anchor.fm/the-europeans/episodes/Consent-ebk83fWed, 18 Mar 2020 03:00:00 +020031:59falsefullLong DistanceLong DistanceThis week, the distances travelled in search of love and safety. The Finnish novelist and playwright Saara Turunen has written beautifully about what it's like to navigate a relationship between Helsinki and Barcelona. We chat to her about European culture clashes and what feminism looks like in the two countries she lives between. Plus, Europe's failed refugee policy, magical taps, and ill-chosen words by a billionaire populist (no, not that one).

Saara's piece appears in Europa28, a collection of writing by European women which comes out on March 12.

Read the New York Times investigation on how oligarchs milk EU farming subsidies here.

Fancy seeing Lysistrata in Dortmund on March 23 or Greentea Peng in Lisbon on April 23? We have free tickets! Tag us in a post alongside @liveurope for your chance to win.

Thanks for listening. If you like the show and have a couple of spare dollars a month, you can help keep us running at patreon.com/europeanspodcast.

Twitter | Instagram | Facebook | hello@europeanspodcast.com

]]>This week, the distances travelled in search of love and safety. The Finnish novelist and playwright Saara Turunen has written beautifully about what it's like to navigate a relationship between Helsinki and Barcelona. We chat to her about European culture clashes and what feminism looks like in the two countries she lives between. Plus, Europe's failed refugee policy, magical taps, and ill-chosen words by a billionaire populist (no, not that one).

Saara's piece appears in Europa28, a collection of writing by European women which comes out on March 12.

Read the New York Times investigation on how oligarchs milk EU farming subsidies here.

Fancy seeing Lysistrata in Dortmund on March 23 or Greentea Peng in Lisbon on April 23? We have free tickets! Tag us in a post alongside @liveurope for your chance to win.

Thanks for listening. If you like the show and have a couple of spare dollars a month, you can help keep us running at patreon.com/europeanspodcast.

Twitter | Instagram | Facebook | hello@europeanspodcast.com

]]>https://anchor.fm/the-europeans/episodes/Long-Distance-ebdtvqWed, 11 Mar 2020 03:00:00 +020030:17falsefullThe God LobbyThe God LobbyYou might not think of the corridors of Brussels as a particularly spiritual place, but all kinds of religious groups are jostling for influence there. This week we delve into the world of religious lobbying with the French journalist Quentin Ariès. Also this week: a secret passage, winds of change in Slovakia, and the power of the Paris agreement.

You can read Quentin's article on religious lobbying in the latest issue of Are We Europe magazine. Listeners to this podcast get 25% off with the code EUROPEANSPOD.

Watch Iceland's amazing Eurovision entry here and help support this podcast at patreon.com/europeanspodcast.

Thanks for listening.

Twitter | Instagram | Facebook | hello@europeanspodcast.com

]]>You might not think of the corridors of Brussels as a particularly spiritual place, but all kinds of religious groups are jostling for influence there. This week we delve into the world of religious lobbying with the French journalist Quentin Ariès. Also this week: a secret passage, winds of change in Slovakia, and the power of the Paris agreement.

You can read Quentin's article on religious lobbying in the latest issue of Are We Europe magazine. Listeners to this podcast get 25% off with the code EUROPEANSPOD.

Watch Iceland's amazing Eurovision entry here and help support this podcast at patreon.com/europeanspodcast.

Thanks for listening.

Twitter | Instagram | Facebook | hello@europeanspodcast.com

]]>e60f05c6-1279-424d-9a32-625cc8b4277fWed, 04 Mar 2020 03:00:00 +020030:24falsefullWhy is Greece’s refugee policy such a mess?Why is Greece’s refugee policy such a mess?In 2015, the 'migrant crisis' was the front page story of every newspaper in Europe. Today more than 42,000 people are still stranded on the Greek islands, in shameful conditions — and yet we barely talk about it. Migration researcher Apostolis Fotadis joins us from Athens to explain why Greece's refugee policy has become such a disaster. Also this week: big changes in Portugal, criminally-bad (?) singing in Croatia, and a Finnish mystery.

Thanks for listening. You can support the podcast on Patreon here: https://patreon.com/europeanspodcast

Twitter | Facebook | Instagram | hello@europeanspodcast.com

]]>In 2015, the 'migrant crisis' was the front page story of every newspaper in Europe. Today more than 42,000 people are still stranded on the Greek islands, in shameful conditions — and yet we barely talk about it. Migration researcher Apostolis Fotadis joins us from Athens to explain why Greece's refugee policy has become such a disaster. Also this week: big changes in Portugal, criminally-bad (?) singing in Croatia, and a Finnish mystery.

Thanks for listening. You can support the podcast on Patreon here: https://patreon.com/europeanspodcast

Twitter | Facebook | Instagram | hello@europeanspodcast.com

]]>9de91312-468c-4bb3-97ab-7c5f25638b45Wed, 26 Feb 2020 04:00:00 +020029:40falsefullEurafricaEurafricaThis week, a tale of two continents. Katy speaks to the Kenyan writer Patrick Gathara about Eurafrica, an idea that informed the European project after World War II but is now largely forgotten. Sixty years after a wave of African countries won their independence in 1960, we're also talking about why decolonisation is an ongoing process. Also this week: jilted Balkan lovers, mixed meat messages, and a lost summer soundtrack.

Read Patrick's piece about Eurafrica for Al Jazeera: https://bit.ly/2HE5s88

Take part in our survey and help us make the podcast better: https://iter.ly/w9d8i

Enter our competition for free Charlotte dos Santos tickets: http://tiny.cc/n3p7jz

Thanks for listening.

Patreon | Twitter | Instagram | Facebook | hello@europeanspodcast.com

]]>This week, a tale of two continents. Katy speaks to the Kenyan writer Patrick Gathara about Eurafrica, an idea that informed the European project after World War II but is now largely forgotten. Sixty years after a wave of African countries won their independence in 1960, we're also talking about why decolonisation is an ongoing process. Also this week: jilted Balkan lovers, mixed meat messages, and a lost summer soundtrack.

Read Patrick's piece about Eurafrica for Al Jazeera: https://bit.ly/2HE5s88

Take part in our survey and help us make the podcast better: https://iter.ly/w9d8i

Enter our competition for free Charlotte dos Santos tickets: http://tiny.cc/n3p7jz

Thanks for listening.

Patreon | Twitter | Instagram | Facebook | hello@europeanspodcast.com

]]>146e6dc6-b244-47a1-9d8f-4d86c78229ffWed, 19 Feb 2020 01:11:00 +020033:51falsefullWhat just happened in Ireland?What just happened in Ireland?Something huge just happened in Irish politics, but as outsiders it's difficult to understand what exactly. Naomi O'Leary from the excellent podcast The Irish Passport is here to untangle everything for us. Also this week: coronavirus racism, a step forward for LGBTQ+ rights in Switzerland, and what happens when a celeb does the 'double-clicky-likey-thing' on one of your social media posts.

We're doing a survey to work out how to make the podcast better! If you've got 5 minutes to spare, we'd love to hear your thoughts. You can take part here.

We also have a competition this week, courtesy of our friends at our favourite European concert venue chain Liveurope! We have three pairs of free tickets to see the brilliant Charlotte Dos Santos in Copenhagen, Brussels and London in March. For a chance to get their hands on them, tag us in a tweet or Instagram post letting the world know you listen to The Europeans!

Thanks for listening.

Twitter | Instagram | Facebook | Patreon | hello@europeanspodcast.com

]]>Something huge just happened in Irish politics, but as outsiders it's difficult to understand what exactly. Naomi O'Leary from the excellent podcast The Irish Passport is here to untangle everything for us. Also this week: coronavirus racism, a step forward for LGBTQ+ rights in Switzerland, and what happens when a celeb does the 'double-clicky-likey-thing' on one of your social media posts.

We're doing a survey to work out how to make the podcast better! If you've got 5 minutes to spare, we'd love to hear your thoughts. You can take part here.

We also have a competition this week, courtesy of our friends at our favourite European concert venue chain Liveurope! We have three pairs of free tickets to see the brilliant Charlotte Dos Santos in Copenhagen, Brussels and London in March. For a chance to get their hands on them, tag us in a tweet or Instagram post letting the world know you listen to The Europeans!

Thanks for listening.

Twitter | Instagram | Facebook | Patreon | hello@europeanspodcast.com

]]>1a2fb0f9-47d7-4b2d-b9b4-58b28e271fa8Wed, 12 Feb 2020 02:00:00 +020029:04falsefullHow the hell do you make an EU law?How the hell do you make an EU law?We've been wondering how on earth the European Union makes laws for 27 countries at once. Producer Katz Laszlo went to the beach to find out.

This is the last episode in our mini-series Bursting the Bubble, explaining how the EU works in the least boring way possible.

Huge thanks to the European Cultural Foundation for funding this series. They support projects that promote Europe as an open and democratic space. Thank you also to the amazing Patreon supporters who keep this show running, and to The Europeans' tote bag designer and beach trash collector Rosa ter Kuile.

Written and produced by Katz Laszlo, with help from Katy Lee and Dominic Kraemer.

Twitter | Instagram | Facebook | Patreon | hello@europeanspodcast.com

]]>We've been wondering how on earth the European Union makes laws for 27 countries at once. Producer Katz Laszlo went to the beach to find out.

This is the last episode in our mini-series Bursting the Bubble, explaining how the EU works in the least boring way possible.

Huge thanks to the European Cultural Foundation for funding this series. They support projects that promote Europe as an open and democratic space. Thank you also to the amazing Patreon supporters who keep this show running, and to The Europeans' tote bag designer and beach trash collector Rosa ter Kuile.

Written and produced by Katz Laszlo, with help from Katy Lee and Dominic Kraemer.

Twitter | Instagram | Facebook | Patreon | hello@europeanspodcast.com

]]>bb581c91-4924-4894-81e4-0b4e7340799eWed, 05 Feb 2020 21:56:00 +020030:48falsefullFanya and the ForestFanya and the ForestThis week, Katy heads to the forest in Lithuania. Ahead of International Holocaust Memorial Day on January 27, we're talking about memory politics with a formidable 97-year-old.

This is the last podcast in our mini-series Postcards from Europe, featuring intimate portraits of lives and places across the continent. It was made possible by the European Cultural Foundation, who support initiatives that rethink Europe as an open and democratic space.

This podcast was written, produced and edited by Katy Lee, with help from Sonia Zhuravlyova, Dominic Kraemer and Katz Laszlo. Voiceover by Haya Vardy. Music provided by Moni Ovadia, Yad Vashem and Blue Dot Sessions. Artwork by La Kingsbeer.

Thanks for listening.

Twitter | Instagram | Facebook | Patreon

europeanspodcast.com | hello@europeanspodcast.com

]]>This week, Katy heads to the forest in Lithuania. Ahead of International Holocaust Memorial Day on January 27, we're talking about memory politics with a formidable 97-year-old.

This is the last podcast in our mini-series Postcards from Europe, featuring intimate portraits of lives and places across the continent. It was made possible by the European Cultural Foundation, who support initiatives that rethink Europe as an open and democratic space.

This podcast was written, produced and edited by Katy Lee, with help from Sonia Zhuravlyova, Dominic Kraemer and Katz Laszlo. Voiceover by Haya Vardy. Music provided by Moni Ovadia, Yad Vashem and Blue Dot Sessions. Artwork by La Kingsbeer.

Thanks for listening.

Twitter | Instagram | Facebook | Patreon

europeanspodcast.com | hello@europeanspodcast.com

]]>9e081c27-7c7e-415e-83b7-5fdd26362b81Wed, 22 Jan 2020 02:00:00 +020024:10falsefullWhy are monarchies still a thing in Europe?Why are monarchies still a thing in Europe?Monarchies might seem out of date on a continent that prides itself on its democratic values, but nearly a third of Europeans still live in countries that have them. This week the drama in the British royal family finally convinced Katy to lift her ban on the topic. She and Dominic are joined by Bob Morris ⁠— constitutional expert at UCL and co-editor of a forthcoming book comparing European monarchies ⁠— to talk about why the royals are still a thing in the 21st century. Plus, flight-shaming, Federer-shaming, and Hungary's quest for a baby boom.

Fancy a postcard from Paris or Amsterdam? Chip in to our Patreon fund before the end of the month! Thanks to the amazing donors who are already keeping this show running: patreon.com/europeanspodcast.

Thanks for listening.

Twitter | Instagram | Facebook | hello@europeanspodcast.com

]]>Monarchies might seem out of date on a continent that prides itself on its democratic values, but nearly a third of Europeans still live in countries that have them. This week the drama in the British royal family finally convinced Katy to lift her ban on the topic. She and Dominic are joined by Bob Morris ⁠— constitutional expert at UCL and co-editor of a forthcoming book comparing European monarchies ⁠— to talk about why the royals are still a thing in the 21st century. Plus, flight-shaming, Federer-shaming, and Hungary's quest for a baby boom.

Fancy a postcard from Paris or Amsterdam? Chip in to our Patreon fund before the end of the month! Thanks to the amazing donors who are already keeping this show running: patreon.com/europeanspodcast.

Thanks for listening.

Twitter | Instagram | Facebook | hello@europeanspodcast.com

]]>40783b42-7989-4447-827d-f603fed2c253Wed, 15 Jan 2020 03:00:00 +020029:26falsefullA fisherman goes to BrusselsA fisherman goes to BrusselsThis week, a story that puts the romance back into European policy negotiations. What does a ninth-generation Catalan fisherman have to do with a law that affects an entire continent? Quite a lot, it turns out.

This is the third in our series of original reported podcasts, Postcards from Europe, featuring intimate portraits of lives and places across the continent. It was made possible by the European Cultural Foundation, who support initiatives that rethink Europe as an open and democratic space.

This podcast was written, produced and edited by Katz Laszlo. Editing and production assistance from Katy Lee, Dominic Kraemer and Valentina Vivona. Voiceover by Kike Molares. Music by Martí Batalla i Busquets and Blue Dot Sessions. Artwork by La Kingsbeer. With thanks to the Tarridas family, Alfons Garrido and our amazing Patreon supporters.

hello@europeanspodcast.com | Twitter | Instagram | Facebook | Patreon

]]>This week, a story that puts the romance back into European policy negotiations. What does a ninth-generation Catalan fisherman have to do with a law that affects an entire continent? Quite a lot, it turns out.

This is the third in our series of original reported podcasts, Postcards from Europe, featuring intimate portraits of lives and places across the continent. It was made possible by the European Cultural Foundation, who support initiatives that rethink Europe as an open and democratic space.

This podcast was written, produced and edited by Katz Laszlo. Editing and production assistance from Katy Lee, Dominic Kraemer and Valentina Vivona. Voiceover by Kike Molares. Music by Martí Batalla i Busquets and Blue Dot Sessions. Artwork by La Kingsbeer. With thanks to the Tarridas family, Alfons Garrido and our amazing Patreon supporters.

hello@europeanspodcast.com | Twitter | Instagram | Facebook | Patreon

]]>e4170cb1-35cb-41d3-8cd5-8324d0ac2778Wed, 08 Jan 2020 03:00:00 +020026:13falsefullA bar in BudapestA bar in BudapestIn Budapest, going out for a drink can be a political act. For the final episode of 2019, Dominic takes us to Auróra, a very special bar at the heart of the fightback against Hungary's authoritarian government.

This is the second in our new series of original reported podcasts, Postcards from Europe, featuring intimate portraits of lives and places across the continent.

This series was made possible by the European Cultural Foundation, who support initiatives that rethink Europe as an open and democratic space.

Thank you also to our generous Patreon supporters and to Budapest band Jü for the music you heard in this episode.

Looking for the infamous Instagram pics of police officers posted outside the bar? You can find them here. Happily, Gyuri says they haven't had to post on the account for two months.

Reporter and producer: Dominic Kraemer. Assistant producer: Philip Pollak. Editors: Katz Laszlo and Katy Lee. Artwork: La Kingsbeer.

Thanks for listening. We'll see you in 2020!


Twitter | Instagram | Facebook | hello@europeanspodcast.com

]]>In Budapest, going out for a drink can be a political act. For the final episode of 2019, Dominic takes us to Auróra, a very special bar at the heart of the fightback against Hungary's authoritarian government.

This is the second in our new series of original reported podcasts, Postcards from Europe, featuring intimate portraits of lives and places across the continent.

This series was made possible by the European Cultural Foundation, who support initiatives that rethink Europe as an open and democratic space.

Thank you also to our generous Patreon supporters and to Budapest band Jü for the music you heard in this episode.

Looking for the infamous Instagram pics of police officers posted outside the bar? You can find them here. Happily, Gyuri says they haven't had to post on the account for two months.

Reporter and producer: Dominic Kraemer. Assistant producer: Philip Pollak. Editors: Katz Laszlo and Katy Lee. Artwork: La Kingsbeer.

Thanks for listening. We'll see you in 2020!


Twitter | Instagram | Facebook | hello@europeanspodcast.com

]]>9ff496ae-325b-ddb1-0fba-78c004bd4cdcTue, 17 Dec 2019 09:53:00 +020021:25falsefullWhat’s going on in Malta?What’s going on in Malta?“There are crooks everywhere you look now," Malta's top investigative journalist wrote on her blog in 2017. "The situation is desperate.” Half an hour later, Daphne Caruana Galizia was dead. The fallout from her murder has now tipped Malta into a full-blown political crisis. Ranier Fsadni, columnist for The Times of Malta and The Shift, is on the line to help us untangle the situation. Also this week: ancient wood transportation and the slashing of Danish art.

Thanks to our generous Patreon supporters for keeping the show going. You can chip in at patreon.com/europeanspodcast, or leave us a review to help other people find us.

Thanks for listening.

Twitter | Instagram | Facebook | hello@europeanspodcast.com

]]>“There are crooks everywhere you look now," Malta's top investigative journalist wrote on her blog in 2017. "The situation is desperate.” Half an hour later, Daphne Caruana Galizia was dead. The fallout from her murder has now tipped Malta into a full-blown political crisis. Ranier Fsadni, columnist for The Times of Malta and The Shift, is on the line to help us untangle the situation. Also this week: ancient wood transportation and the slashing of Danish art.

Thanks to our generous Patreon supporters for keeping the show going. You can chip in at patreon.com/europeanspodcast, or leave us a review to help other people find us.

Thanks for listening.

Twitter | Instagram | Facebook | hello@europeanspodcast.com

]]>d509bb2b-76c1-26e7-ef51-01ea86f848b2Tue, 10 Dec 2019 02:00:00 +020025:40falsefullPresident of the European what now?President of the European what now?This week we travel to the heart of the continent to ask: who is Ursula, and should you give a damn about her?

This special episode was made with help from the European Cultural Foundation, who support projects that promote Europe as an open and democratic space.

Liked the show? Please leave us a review or help keep us going by chipping in to our Patreon fund at patreon.com/europeanspodcast.

Thanks for listening.

Twitter | Facebook | Instagram | hello@europeanspodcast.com

]]>This week we travel to the heart of the continent to ask: who is Ursula, and should you give a damn about her?

This special episode was made with help from the European Cultural Foundation, who support projects that promote Europe as an open and democratic space.

Liked the show? Please leave us a review or help keep us going by chipping in to our Patreon fund at patreon.com/europeanspodcast.

Thanks for listening.

Twitter | Facebook | Instagram | hello@europeanspodcast.com

]]>bd1ec706-a6b4-f6d6-8132-b293168cc633Tue, 03 Dec 2019 02:00:00 +020027:40falsefullEurope’s colonial past and presentEurope’s colonial past and presentEurope's museums are facing growing calls to give back treasures stolen during the colonial era. But what about colonial hand-me-downs that can be found in ordinary households? Elliot Ross, who covers Everyday Colonialism for The Correspondent, is here to explain why this ugly part of our past is still very much a part of our present. We're also talking about a scandal that has been rocking Iceland and nuggets of good news for the planet.

You can follow Elliot on Twitter here and check out his work for The Correspondent here.

Thanks for listening! If you like the show, please leave us a review to help other people find us!

And if you're feeling extra generous, you can chip in to our Patreon fund to help us keep the show running at patreon.com/europeanspodcast.

Twitter | Instagram | Facebook | hello@europeanspodcast.com

]]>Europe's museums are facing growing calls to give back treasures stolen during the colonial era. But what about colonial hand-me-downs that can be found in ordinary households? Elliot Ross, who covers Everyday Colonialism for The Correspondent, is here to explain why this ugly part of our past is still very much a part of our present. We're also talking about a scandal that has been rocking Iceland and nuggets of good news for the planet.

You can follow Elliot on Twitter here and check out his work for The Correspondent here.

Thanks for listening! If you like the show, please leave us a review to help other people find us!

And if you're feeling extra generous, you can chip in to our Patreon fund to help us keep the show running at patreon.com/europeanspodcast.

Twitter | Instagram | Facebook | hello@europeanspodcast.com

]]>0dce6e62-6c5a-e7c2-1d92-daa949c4028dTue, 26 Nov 2019 02:00:00 +020028:48falsefullPostcards from Europe: HerstedvesterPostcards from Europe: HerstedvesterFor this special episode, we're taking you inside Herstedvester, a maximum-security prison in Denmark.

Herstedvester houses prisoners with serious mental health issues, as well as those who are considered a danger to others. Lene Bech Sillesen went to meet some inmates who are facing a choice with drastic consequences.

This is the first in our new series of original reported podcasts, Postcards from Europe, featuring intimate portraits of lives and places across the continent. It was made possible by the European Cultural Foundation, who support initiatives that rethink Europe as an open and democratic space.

A note on this week's show: we do not explore the inmates' crimes in this episode. Our aim is not to vindicate them, but we want to show what life is like for Greenlandic prisoners in the Danish penal system. That said, if you or people close to you have been affected by serious crime in Greenland, you might want to skip this episode.

Hosts: Dominic Kraemer and Katy Lee. Reporter and producer: Lene Bech Sillesen. Editor: Katz Laszlo. Voice actors: Peter Frederik Olsen and Vivi Nielsen. Artwork by La Kingsbeer.

hello@europeanspodcast.com | Twitter | Instagram | Facebook | Patreon

]]>For this special episode, we're taking you inside Herstedvester, a maximum-security prison in Denmark.

Herstedvester houses prisoners with serious mental health issues, as well as those who are considered a danger to others. Lene Bech Sillesen went to meet some inmates who are facing a choice with drastic consequences.

This is the first in our new series of original reported podcasts, Postcards from Europe, featuring intimate portraits of lives and places across the continent. It was made possible by the European Cultural Foundation, who support initiatives that rethink Europe as an open and democratic space.

A note on this week's show: we do not explore the inmates' crimes in this episode. Our aim is not to vindicate them, but we want to show what life is like for Greenlandic prisoners in the Danish penal system. That said, if you or people close to you have been affected by serious crime in Greenland, you might want to skip this episode.

Hosts: Dominic Kraemer and Katy Lee. Reporter and producer: Lene Bech Sillesen. Editor: Katz Laszlo. Voice actors: Peter Frederik Olsen and Vivi Nielsen. Artwork by La Kingsbeer.

hello@europeanspodcast.com | Twitter | Instagram | Facebook | Patreon

]]>f3b9b91a-4d8a-5731-f93b-bbbd720f9c95Tue, 19 Nov 2019 02:00:00 +020021:27falsefullThe Other EuropeansThe Other EuropeansThis week we’re celebrating Europeans who refused to let boundaries get in the way of things. The historian Orlando Figes is here to talk about the continent-crossing lovers at the heart of his new book, the brilliantly-named ‘The Europeans’. The poet Christopher Hütmannsberger reads us a beautiful new work to mark 30 years since the fall of the Berlin Wall. Plus, wild borders and the Gentle Revolution.

Thanks to our amazing Patreon supporters for keeping us going! You can chip in at patreon.com/europeanspodcast.

Twitter | Instagram | Facebook | hello@europeanspodcast.com

Thanks for listening.

]]>This week we’re celebrating Europeans who refused to let boundaries get in the way of things. The historian Orlando Figes is here to talk about the continent-crossing lovers at the heart of his new book, the brilliantly-named ‘The Europeans’. The poet Christopher Hütmannsberger reads us a beautiful new work to mark 30 years since the fall of the Berlin Wall. Plus, wild borders and the Gentle Revolution.

Thanks to our amazing Patreon supporters for keeping us going! You can chip in at patreon.com/europeanspodcast.

Twitter | Instagram | Facebook | hello@europeanspodcast.com

Thanks for listening.

]]>b03a4957-71ef-6f0e-854f-768797578543Tue, 12 Nov 2019 02:00:00 +020029:46falsefullLoggerheadsLoggerheadsThis week, the fight for Romania's forests. Two of the country's forest rangers have been suffered brutal deaths since September. Who would do such a thing? The answer may lie in the lucrative illegal trade for wood in Romania, home to more than half of Europe's remaining primeval forests. Environmental activist Gabi Paun is here to explain why protecting trees has become so dangerous. We're also talking about Belgium's first female PM and wounded French pride.

You can find out more about Gabi's activist group, Agent Green, here.

Like the show? You can chip in to help us keep it running at patreon.com/europeanspodcast.

Thanks for listening!

Twitter | Instagram | Facebook | hello@europeanspodcast.com

]]>This week, the fight for Romania's forests. Two of the country's forest rangers have been suffered brutal deaths since September. Who would do such a thing? The answer may lie in the lucrative illegal trade for wood in Romania, home to more than half of Europe's remaining primeval forests. Environmental activist Gabi Paun is here to explain why protecting trees has become so dangerous. We're also talking about Belgium's first female PM and wounded French pride.

You can find out more about Gabi's activist group, Agent Green, here.

Like the show? You can chip in to help us keep it running at patreon.com/europeanspodcast.

Thanks for listening!

Twitter | Instagram | Facebook | hello@europeanspodcast.com

]]>872cc2aa-1dc7-7e29-70cb-2c4b8f82bcc3Tue, 05 Nov 2019 03:00:00 +020023:24falsefullA Polish teenage diarist A Polish teenage diarist Renia's diary spent decades locked in a bank vault. Like many teenagers, she had used it to vent about stupid fights with her friends and to record the thrill of her first kiss. And when the war came, she used it to document the relentless killing of Jews in the town where she lived. Ania Jakubek is on the line from Warsaw to tell us the extraordinary story of Renia Spiegel, and why it stayed unknown for so long. We're also talking about promising signs that Europeans are becoming less bigoted. Oh, and there's a dog.

You can read Ania's article about Renia here. For beautiful drawings, you should also follow Ania on Instagram.

If you, like Dominic's mum, would like to get your hands on a limited edition Angry Macron tote bag, consider signing up for our Patreon top tier! All donations big and small are very welcome at patreon.com/europeanspodcast.

Twitter | Instagram | Facebook | hello@europeanspodcast.com

Thanks for listening.

]]>Renia's diary spent decades locked in a bank vault. Like many teenagers, she had used it to vent about stupid fights with her friends and to record the thrill of her first kiss. And when the war came, she used it to document the relentless killing of Jews in the town where she lived. Ania Jakubek is on the line from Warsaw to tell us the extraordinary story of Renia Spiegel, and why it stayed unknown for so long. We're also talking about promising signs that Europeans are becoming less bigoted. Oh, and there's a dog.

You can read Ania's article about Renia here. For beautiful drawings, you should also follow Ania on Instagram.

If you, like Dominic's mum, would like to get your hands on a limited edition Angry Macron tote bag, consider signing up for our Patreon top tier! All donations big and small are very welcome at patreon.com/europeanspodcast.

Twitter | Instagram | Facebook | hello@europeanspodcast.com

Thanks for listening.

]]>50ae5cf9-bb5b-3465-5d94-b1b047db862eTue, 29 Oct 2019 03:00:00 +020031:40falsefullInvisible inkInvisible inkThis week, the female writers that Europe forgot. Carme Font Paz is leading a fascinating project aimed at uncovering the scribblings of European women from centuries ago and giving them their rightful place in the literary canon. Plus, Poland's election, posthumous comedy and why the EU won't be expanding east any time soon.

You can find out more about Carme's project here.

Thanks for listening! If you liked the show, please give us five big gold stars on Apple Podcasts or help us grow by chipping in on Patreon.

See you next week.

Twitter | Instagram | Facebook | hello@europeanspodcast.com

]]>This week, the female writers that Europe forgot. Carme Font Paz is leading a fascinating project aimed at uncovering the scribblings of European women from centuries ago and giving them their rightful place in the literary canon. Plus, Poland's election, posthumous comedy and why the EU won't be expanding east any time soon.

You can find out more about Carme's project here.

Thanks for listening! If you liked the show, please give us five big gold stars on Apple Podcasts or help us grow by chipping in on Patreon.

See you next week.

Twitter | Instagram | Facebook | hello@europeanspodcast.com

]]>26d88d09-a4a3-0085-b1e6-bb056cff7eddTue, 22 Oct 2019 02:00:00 +020028:10falsefullToxic elementsToxic elementsThis week, the fight for LGBT rights in Poland. A horrible pattern has been repeating itself in Polish cities: far-right thugs turning up to hurl eggs, bottles, blows and insults at Pride protesters. Our guest, the poet and novelist Jacek Dehnel, is on the line from Warsaw to reflect on what bishops and politicians have to do with it, as well as why there are reasons for hope. Plus, nitrogen and warm-hearted drug smugglers.

You can read Jacek's account of what happened at the Pride march in Białystok here in the Guardian. His novel Lala and the first volume of the murder mystery series co-written with his husband, Mrs Mohr Goes Missing, are now available in English along with his poetry collection Aperture.

Enjoying the show? Join the generous souls helping us to make it better at patreon.com/europeanspodcast.

You can also help out by leaving us a (nice!) review on Apple Podcasts.

Thanks for listening!

Twitter | Instagram | Facebook | hello@europeanspodcast.com

]]>This week, the fight for LGBT rights in Poland. A horrible pattern has been repeating itself in Polish cities: far-right thugs turning up to hurl eggs, bottles, blows and insults at Pride protesters. Our guest, the poet and novelist Jacek Dehnel, is on the line from Warsaw to reflect on what bishops and politicians have to do with it, as well as why there are reasons for hope. Plus, nitrogen and warm-hearted drug smugglers.

You can read Jacek's account of what happened at the Pride march in Białystok here in the Guardian. His novel Lala and the first volume of the murder mystery series co-written with his husband, Mrs Mohr Goes Missing, are now available in English along with his poetry collection Aperture.

Enjoying the show? Join the generous souls helping us to make it better at patreon.com/europeanspodcast.

You can also help out by leaving us a (nice!) review on Apple Podcasts.

Thanks for listening!

Twitter | Instagram | Facebook | hello@europeanspodcast.com

]]>78c7fd62-ffce-f3c1-a5c0-c75d459ca956Tue, 08 Oct 2019 02:00:00 +020030:30falsefullPodchraoladhPodchraoladhThis week, the beauty of the Irish language. Our guest is Darach Ó Séaghdha, whose wonderful book and podcast are a celebration of a language that may only have about 74,000 daily speakers but is very much alive and kicking. Also: the right to be forgotten, the Ukrainian side of the Trump impeachment inquiry, and treasures hidden in plain sight.

Check out Darach's book, 'Motherfoclóir: Dispatches from a Not So Dead Language' and his podcast of the same name. And follow @TheIrishFor if you know what's good for you.

Thanks as always to the hugely generous Patreon supporters who are keeping this show going. You can sign up at patreon.com/europeanspodcast.

Twitter | Instagram | Facebook | hello@europeanspodcast.com

Thanks for listening.

europeanspodcast.com

]]>This week, the beauty of the Irish language. Our guest is Darach Ó Séaghdha, whose wonderful book and podcast are a celebration of a language that may only have about 74,000 daily speakers but is very much alive and kicking. Also: the right to be forgotten, the Ukrainian side of the Trump impeachment inquiry, and treasures hidden in plain sight.

Check out Darach's book, 'Motherfoclóir: Dispatches from a Not So Dead Language' and his podcast of the same name. And follow @TheIrishFor if you know what's good for you.

Thanks as always to the hugely generous Patreon supporters who are keeping this show going. You can sign up at patreon.com/europeanspodcast.

Twitter | Instagram | Facebook | hello@europeanspodcast.com

Thanks for listening.

europeanspodcast.com

]]>def13e8f-b80b-f8eb-dfe1-c952862d8679Tue, 01 Oct 2019 01:00:00 +020029:51falsefullThe Tourists of VeniceThe Tourists of VeniceHow does a city of little more than 50,000 permanent residents deal with an annual stampede of 25 million tourists? Venice is an extreme example of the growing scourge of overtourism across Europe. We talk to one of the residents organising a fightback, Elena Riu of the Gruppo 25 aprile. Also this week: #ClimateStrike, Rammstein and skydiving in your nineties.

Thanks as always to the amazing Patreon supporters keeping this show going: patreon.com/europeanspodcast

Hit us up at our shiny new email address! hello@europeanspodcast.com

Thanks for listening ❤️

Twitter | Instagram | Facebook | europeanspodcast.com

]]>How does a city of little more than 50,000 permanent residents deal with an annual stampede of 25 million tourists? Venice is an extreme example of the growing scourge of overtourism across Europe. We talk to one of the residents organising a fightback, Elena Riu of the Gruppo 25 aprile. Also this week: #ClimateStrike, Rammstein and skydiving in your nineties.

Thanks as always to the amazing Patreon supporters keeping this show going: patreon.com/europeanspodcast

Hit us up at our shiny new email address! hello@europeanspodcast.com

Thanks for listening ❤️

Twitter | Instagram | Facebook | europeanspodcast.com

]]>a3aa8baa-38a9-8101-04c7-1197a826f8feTue, 24 Sep 2019 01:00:00 +020024:28falsefullWhat the hell is the European Way of Life?What the hell is the European Way of Life?This week we’re heading into the belly of the EU beast to talk about who’s going to be running the show for the next five years. Alberto Alemmano, aka the busiest man in Europe, is here to unpick some controversial decisions by Ursula von der Leyen as she gets ready to take charge in November. Plus, skeletons and Macron portraits.

Send us ideas for new laws! hello@europeanspodcast.com

Help us out by joining our amazingly generous Patreon squad! patreon.com/europeanspodcast

Twitter | Instagram | Facebook

]]>This week we’re heading into the belly of the EU beast to talk about who’s going to be running the show for the next five years. Alberto Alemmano, aka the busiest man in Europe, is here to unpick some controversial decisions by Ursula von der Leyen as she gets ready to take charge in November. Plus, skeletons and Macron portraits.

Send us ideas for new laws! hello@europeanspodcast.com

Help us out by joining our amazingly generous Patreon squad! patreon.com/europeanspodcast

Twitter | Instagram | Facebook

]]>14155d13-342f-e39c-8bcf-383cc52b4405Tue, 17 Sep 2019 03:00:00 +020035:31falsefullBack for your Görlitzening pleasureBack for your Görlitzening pleasureWE'RE BACK, with a new look for a new season. This week we're catching up on the summer's Italian drama and tackling the delicate question of Nazi relatives. And we're heading to Görlitz, on the German-Polish border, to find out why why so many voters in eastern Germany are putting their faith in the far-right AfD. Our guest is Emily Schultheis, a Berlin-based journalist covering right-wing populism, who spent a month in Görlitz getting into voters' heads.

Read Emily's report for the Institute of Current World Affairs, where she is a fellow, here! Check out her latest piece for The Atlantic! And follow her on Twitter: @emilyrs.

In other news, we have a beautiful new website: europeanspodcast.com.

Help keep us running by joining our generous Patreon supporters: patreon.com/europeanspodcast.

In Amsterdam on September 12? Get tickets for Cine Radio, the glorious international audio event hosted by our new producer Katz Laszlo.

See you next week, it's good to be back.

Twitter | Instagram | Facebook | europeanspodcast@gmail.com

]]>WE'RE BACK, with a new look for a new season. This week we're catching up on the summer's Italian drama and tackling the delicate question of Nazi relatives. And we're heading to Görlitz, on the German-Polish border, to find out why why so many voters in eastern Germany are putting their faith in the far-right AfD. Our guest is Emily Schultheis, a Berlin-based journalist covering right-wing populism, who spent a month in Görlitz getting into voters' heads.

Read Emily's report for the Institute of Current World Affairs, where she is a fellow, here! Check out her latest piece for The Atlantic! And follow her on Twitter: @emilyrs.

In other news, we have a beautiful new website: europeanspodcast.com.

Help keep us running by joining our generous Patreon supporters: patreon.com/europeanspodcast.

In Amsterdam on September 12? Get tickets for Cine Radio, the glorious international audio event hosted by our new producer Katz Laszlo.

See you next week, it's good to be back.

Twitter | Instagram | Facebook | europeanspodcast@gmail.com

]]>3ebb58a6-4260-2fc1-9da9-f4b1257039ceTue, 10 Sep 2019 03:00:00 +020036:59falsefullHiphopoHiphopo ... or 'hiphop' in Esperanto. This week we're talking about how the internet shook up the world's most idealistic language, with Federico Gobbo, professor of Esperanto at the University of Amsterdam. We're also talking about the furore over a rapper involved in a Swedish assault case, and the Dutch kid behind one of the most successful beats of all time.

We're taking August off to work on some special episodes, but we'll be back before you know it. Keep your eyes peeled in September for our brand new logo! As a final farewell to its iconic predecessor, we'll be sending out limited edition Angry Macron tote bags to our existing Patreon subscribers to say thanks for the amazing support. Not a member yet? Sign up for our new $20 subscription to get your hands on a piece of podcasting history.

See you in a few weeks!

Twitter | Facebook | Instagram | Patreon

europeanspodcast.com

europeanspodcast@gmail.com

]]> ... or 'hiphop' in Esperanto. This week we're talking about how the internet shook up the world's most idealistic language, with Federico Gobbo, professor of Esperanto at the University of Amsterdam. We're also talking about the furore over a rapper involved in a Swedish assault case, and the Dutch kid behind one of the most successful beats of all time.

We're taking August off to work on some special episodes, but we'll be back before you know it. Keep your eyes peeled in September for our brand new logo! As a final farewell to its iconic predecessor, we'll be sending out limited edition Angry Macron tote bags to our existing Patreon subscribers to say thanks for the amazing support. Not a member yet? Sign up for our new $20 subscription to get your hands on a piece of podcasting history.

See you in a few weeks!

Twitter | Facebook | Instagram | Patreon

europeanspodcast.com

europeanspodcast@gmail.com

]]>349fa6a6-5a51-2ca5-16b4-7063f656f601Tue, 06 Aug 2019 02:00:00 +020031:55falsefullPortugal’s revolutionary drug policyPortugal’s revolutionary drug policyScotland now has the highest rate of drug-related deaths in Europe — even higher than the United States. The shocking statistics have prompted calls in Scotland for a move towards the decriminalisation of drug use, taking the lead from a radical change of approach in Portugal. Portugal went from a full-blown opioid crisis in the 1980s to having one of the lowest rates of drug deaths in Europe today. We called Andreia Alves, a social worker with the Lisbon NGO Crescer, to find how a more humane policy makes her work easier. Also: turtle doves, VIP tour guides, and the art of the Spanish compromise.

Twitter | Instagram | Facebook | Patreon

europeanspodcast@gmail.com

Thanks for listening.

]]>Scotland now has the highest rate of drug-related deaths in Europe — even higher than the United States. The shocking statistics have prompted calls in Scotland for a move towards the decriminalisation of drug use, taking the lead from a radical change of approach in Portugal. Portugal went from a full-blown opioid crisis in the 1980s to having one of the lowest rates of drug deaths in Europe today. We called Andreia Alves, a social worker with the Lisbon NGO Crescer, to find how a more humane policy makes her work easier. Also: turtle doves, VIP tour guides, and the art of the Spanish compromise.

Twitter | Instagram | Facebook | Patreon

europeanspodcast@gmail.com

Thanks for listening.

]]>2edea943-ad7f-51d3-c92c-e925a906b482Tue, 30 Jul 2019 01:00:00 +020026:19falsefullWhen politicians talk about loveWhen politicians talk about loveThis week we’re talking about what happened when Actress, the electronic musician also known as Darren Cunningham, made British and Dutch politicians debate the meaning of love. We’re also talking about French extravagance, the gentrification of Berlin, and the magic of medicine.


You can find the article Dominic mentioned on the incredibly complex surgery that separated twins Safa and Marwa here.


Liked the show? Please give us five big gold stars!


Twitter | Instagram | Facebook | Patreon

Thanks for listening.

]]>This week we’re talking about what happened when Actress, the electronic musician also known as Darren Cunningham, made British and Dutch politicians debate the meaning of love. We’re also talking about French extravagance, the gentrification of Berlin, and the magic of medicine.


You can find the article Dominic mentioned on the incredibly complex surgery that separated twins Safa and Marwa here.


Liked the show? Please give us five big gold stars!


Twitter | Instagram | Facebook | Patreon

Thanks for listening.

]]>c7b4272a-7c3f-0da9-d710-b76f155b0150Tue, 23 Jul 2019 01:00:00 +020028:40falsefullMorals and the MediterraneanMorals and the MediterraneanWe don't call it 'the migrant crisis' anymore. Yet, every day, people attempt the treacherous crossing to reach our shores, and more than 500 people have died trying this year alone. This week we're talking about the politics of fear and the laws of the sea with the Italian migration expert Matteo Villa. We're also talking about rockets, bees and Greece's return to the right.


Twitter | Facebook | Instagram | Patreon


Thanks for listening.

]]>We don't call it 'the migrant crisis' anymore. Yet, every day, people attempt the treacherous crossing to reach our shores, and more than 500 people have died trying this year alone. This week we're talking about the politics of fear and the laws of the sea with the Italian migration expert Matteo Villa. We're also talking about rockets, bees and Greece's return to the right.


Twitter | Facebook | Instagram | Patreon


Thanks for listening.

]]>b35cc36c-b2c2-3958-d108-724074ccbbc5Tue, 16 Jul 2019 01:00:00 +020031:50falsefullBrave and competent womenBrave and competent womenf7903be0-91d7-9071-add7-eeec1c680f3cTue, 09 Jul 2019 01:00:00 +020024:00falsefullNotes from Black EuropeNotes from Black EuropeWhat does it mean to be black in Europe? This week's guest Johny Pitts went on a five-month journey around the continent, interviewing black Europeans and exploring his own identity. The result is his brilliant new book, 'Afropean: Notes from Black Europe', which makes the case for a community that crosses borders. Also this week: the role of railways in the Holocaust; whether or not we should talk about Merkel; and a strange reward for good behaviour.

Twitter | Instagram | Facebook | Patreon

europeanspodcast@gmail.com

Thanks for listening.

]]>What does it mean to be black in Europe? This week's guest Johny Pitts went on a five-month journey around the continent, interviewing black Europeans and exploring his own identity. The result is his brilliant new book, 'Afropean: Notes from Black Europe', which makes the case for a community that crosses borders. Also this week: the role of railways in the Holocaust; whether or not we should talk about Merkel; and a strange reward for good behaviour.

Twitter | Instagram | Facebook | Patreon

europeanspodcast@gmail.com

Thanks for listening.

]]>fe6f6210-9bdc-47ae-3674-7d8baa82ad63Tue, 02 Jul 2019 01:00:00 +020028:02falsefullEldoradoEldoradoThis week, the strange and rather wonderful story of how the BBC tried (and failed, pretty badly) to create a European soap opera back in the 1990s. Former 'Eldorado' star Kai Maurer reflects on how his unlikely role playing a German beach bum kicked off his acting career and how the show was ahead of its time. Plus: a landmark Spanish court ruling and the ugly realities of European consensus politics. Read the article that sparked Katy's El Dorado obsession here. Should we launch a campaign to get the BBC to bring it back? Send us your thoughts: europeanspodcast@gmail.com Twitter Facebook Instagram Thanks to our supremely generous Patreon supporters. You can help us keep the show running by chipping in here. See you next week.

]]>This week, the strange and rather wonderful story of how the BBC tried (and failed, pretty badly) to create a European soap opera back in the 1990s. Former 'Eldorado' star Kai Maurer reflects on how his unlikely role playing a German beach bum kicked off his acting career and how the show was ahead of its time. Plus: a landmark Spanish court ruling and the ugly realities of European consensus politics. Read the article that sparked Katy's El Dorado obsession here. Should we launch a campaign to get the BBC to bring it back? Send us your thoughts: europeanspodcast@gmail.com Twitter Facebook Instagram Thanks to our supremely generous Patreon supporters. You can help us keep the show running by chipping in here. See you next week.

]]>3616c0f7-a596-da66-04ab-f02fd775b68aTue, 25 Jun 2019 08:10:00 +020028:22falsefullSarajevo callingSarajevo callingThis week, the increasingly worrying politics of a country with one of the most complicated governments in the world. We're talking to the Bosnian journalist Aleksandar Brezar about troubles that go ignored all too often in Europe and wartime scars that have yet to heal. We're also talking about European countries' varying approaches to regulating what women do with their bodies, and a transatlantic romance that has stood the test of time.

Read Aleksandar's excellent piece in the Guardian and check out his podcast about Southeastern Europe, Sarajevo Calling.

Rachel Kadish's superb piece about the humanity of Anne Frank can be found here, and France 24's in-depth reporting on abortion across Europe is here.

Thanks as always to the supremely generous Patreon donors who are keeping this show running. You can chip in as little as a dollar a month at patreon.com/europeanspodcast.

Thanks for listening.


Twitter.com/EuropeansPod

Instagram.com/europeanspodcast

Facebook.com/europeanspodcast

europeanspodcast@gmail.com

]]>This week, the increasingly worrying politics of a country with one of the most complicated governments in the world. We're talking to the Bosnian journalist Aleksandar Brezar about troubles that go ignored all too often in Europe and wartime scars that have yet to heal. We're also talking about European countries' varying approaches to regulating what women do with their bodies, and a transatlantic romance that has stood the test of time.

Read Aleksandar's excellent piece in the Guardian and check out his podcast about Southeastern Europe, Sarajevo Calling.

Rachel Kadish's superb piece about the humanity of Anne Frank can be found here, and France 24's in-depth reporting on abortion across Europe is here.

Thanks as always to the supremely generous Patreon donors who are keeping this show running. You can chip in as little as a dollar a month at patreon.com/europeanspodcast.

Thanks for listening.


Twitter.com/EuropeansPod

Instagram.com/europeanspodcast

Facebook.com/europeanspodcast

europeanspodcast@gmail.com

]]>c637c81b-65a2-b638-3752-dcd0d5cafbd2Tue, 18 Jun 2019 01:00:00 +020031:09falsefullEurope needs cultureEurope needs cultureHands up if you've got a better idea of what's happening in American politics than European politics, despite living on this side of the pond? This week André Wilkens, the new director of the European Cultural Foundation, argues that Europeans need to get better at telling their own story — whether it's in the form of a Hamilton-style hit musical or otherwise. Also: scooter wars, holograms, and when the left gets tough on immigration.

You can read Katy's piece on the arrival of electric scooters in Paris last summer here in the Guardian, and see a holographic elephant here.

If you like the show, you can help us out by giving us five big gold stars on Apple Podcasts, or join our hugely generous Patreon supporters.

Thanks for listening.

Twitter.com/EuropeansPod

Instagram.com/europeanspodcast

Facebook.com/europeanspodcast

europeanspodcast@gmail.com

]]>Hands up if you've got a better idea of what's happening in American politics than European politics, despite living on this side of the pond? This week André Wilkens, the new director of the European Cultural Foundation, argues that Europeans need to get better at telling their own story — whether it's in the form of a Hamilton-style hit musical or otherwise. Also: scooter wars, holograms, and when the left gets tough on immigration.

You can read Katy's piece on the arrival of electric scooters in Paris last summer here in the Guardian, and see a holographic elephant here.

If you like the show, you can help us out by giving us five big gold stars on Apple Podcasts, or join our hugely generous Patreon supporters.

Thanks for listening.

Twitter.com/EuropeansPod

Instagram.com/europeanspodcast

Facebook.com/europeanspodcast

europeanspodcast@gmail.com

]]>f1c96178-3b8b-c4c1-8c90-4b85b676fdf8Tue, 11 Jun 2019 01:00:00 +020030:13falsefullWho won?Who won?We've just elected a bunch of people to represent 500 million of us. But when it comes to the results of the European elections, most of us have been preoccupied with what happened in our own countries. This week we're zooming out to take a look at the continent as a whole with Caroline de Gruyter, the Oslo-based Europe correspondent for the Dutch newspaper NRC. Plus: Ibizagate, part 2; rural PR stunts; and the importance of correctly-spelled tweets.

Many thanks to our Patreon supporters!

Twitter.com/EuropeansPod

Instagram.com/europeanspodcast

Facebook.com/europeanspodcast

europeanspodcast@gmail.com


Thanks for listening.

]]>We've just elected a bunch of people to represent 500 million of us. But when it comes to the results of the European elections, most of us have been preoccupied with what happened in our own countries. This week we're zooming out to take a look at the continent as a whole with Caroline de Gruyter, the Oslo-based Europe correspondent for the Dutch newspaper NRC. Plus: Ibizagate, part 2; rural PR stunts; and the importance of correctly-spelled tweets.

Many thanks to our Patreon supporters!

Twitter.com/EuropeansPod

Instagram.com/europeanspodcast

Facebook.com/europeanspodcast

europeanspodcast@gmail.com


Thanks for listening.

]]>9501b87b-7d92-81f6-a097-f0ea916bb0baTue, 04 Jun 2019 01:00:00 +020029:11falsefullThe wars of the futureThe wars of the futureShould machines have the power to decide whether a human on the battlefield lives or dies? Ulrike Franke spends her days imagining the wars of the future. We chatted to her about ‘killer robots’ and rogue drones. Plus: a far-right honey-trap and Germany in the age of the influencer.

Twitter.com/EuropeansPod
Instagram.com/europeanspodcast
Facebook.com/europeanspodcast
europeanspodcast@gmail.com

Many thanks to our Patreon supporters!

See you next week.

]]>Should machines have the power to decide whether a human on the battlefield lives or dies? Ulrike Franke spends her days imagining the wars of the future. We chatted to her about ‘killer robots’ and rogue drones. Plus: a far-right honey-trap and Germany in the age of the influencer.

Twitter.com/EuropeansPod
Instagram.com/europeanspodcast
Facebook.com/europeanspodcast
europeanspodcast@gmail.com

Many thanks to our Patreon supporters!

See you next week.

]]>677b3085-599b-25f0-1ee5-b3af0386d96bTue, 28 May 2019 00:41:00 +020033:23falsefullSPECIAL EPISODE: Bursting the Bubble, Part 1SPECIAL EPISODE: Bursting the Bubble, Part 1Katy's never voted in a European election before. This week she tries to make amends by figuring out, finally, what the European parliament is and what MEPs actually do.

The elections are May 23-26 depending on what country you're in. Please vote!

This episode was made with support from the European Cultural Foundation. They support initatives which rethink Europe as an open and democratic space.


Thanks for listening.

europeanspodcast.com

]]>Katy's never voted in a European election before. This week she tries to make amends by figuring out, finally, what the European parliament is and what MEPs actually do.

The elections are May 23-26 depending on what country you're in. Please vote!

This episode was made with support from the European Cultural Foundation. They support initatives which rethink Europe as an open and democratic space.


Thanks for listening.

europeanspodcast.com

]]>29fbe338-fdb3-9ded-35c0-8045d5264affTue, 21 May 2019 02:00:00 +020040:28falsefullSyria, Kosovo, Brussels and the mountainSyria, Kosovo, Brussels and the mountainCountries all around Europe are dealing with the same dilemma: what to do with citizens who went to join ISIS. Tiny Kosovo is alone in opting to bring back a large group of its citizens when other countries are turning their backs. To find out why, Dominic talked to AJ Naddaff, who spent months researching why so many left Kosovo to fight, and the country's humane response to bringing people back.

Over on the western edge of Europe Katy's been chatting to the French writer Maxime Calligaro about why the Brussels bubble is a surprisingly great place to set a crime novel. Maxime and Katy also spoke at the Ancienne Belgique last week about how to make Europe less boring (you can watch it here). Thanks Liveurope for hosting!

Also this week: sheep, bears (you can read about the mystery here in El País) and an attempted coup.

We'll be back next week for a special episode on how the European parliament works and why you should give a damn about the elections. Til then, hit us up online:

PATREON: we're hugely grateful for your donations to help keep the show running!
Twitter.com/EuropeansPod
Instagram.com/europeanspodcast
Facebook.com/europeanspodcast
europeanspodcast@gmail.com

]]>Countries all around Europe are dealing with the same dilemma: what to do with citizens who went to join ISIS. Tiny Kosovo is alone in opting to bring back a large group of its citizens when other countries are turning their backs. To find out why, Dominic talked to AJ Naddaff, who spent months researching why so many left Kosovo to fight, and the country's humane response to bringing people back.

Over on the western edge of Europe Katy's been chatting to the French writer Maxime Calligaro about why the Brussels bubble is a surprisingly great place to set a crime novel. Maxime and Katy also spoke at the Ancienne Belgique last week about how to make Europe less boring (you can watch it here). Thanks Liveurope for hosting!

Also this week: sheep, bears (you can read about the mystery here in El País) and an attempted coup.

We'll be back next week for a special episode on how the European parliament works and why you should give a damn about the elections. Til then, hit us up online:

PATREON: we're hugely grateful for your donations to help keep the show running!
Twitter.com/EuropeansPod
Instagram.com/europeanspodcast
Facebook.com/europeanspodcast
europeanspodcast@gmail.com

]]>7c732c9f-9e6c-a0e6-ab2f-e3ce70f41c26Tue, 14 May 2019 00:07:00 +020035:13falsefullBananadramaBananadrama This week, a celebration of the quintessential Renaissance man: yes, it's opera singer Dominic Kraemer with an interview about CHEMICAL ELEMENTS. We're also marking the 500th deathday of some guy called Leonardo who was similarly talented in both the arts and sciences.

In Poland, the art world has gone bananas; in Spain, there's life in socialism yet; and British chemist and YouTube sensation Martyn Poliakoff is here to explain why he wants to turn the periodic table upside down, literally.

In a week when we won a big prize, we want to say thanks more than ever for listening. Particularly huge thanks go to our Patreon supporters. If you want to throw a dollar or so into the tip jar, you can do so at patreon.com/europeanspodcast.

Beat Polish censorship by watching Natalia LL's work here. Love it? Hate it? Let us know:

Twitter.com/EuropeansPod
Instagram.com/europeanspodcast
Facebook.com/europeanspodcast
europeanspodcast@gmail.com

]]> This week, a celebration of the quintessential Renaissance man: yes, it's opera singer Dominic Kraemer with an interview about CHEMICAL ELEMENTS. We're also marking the 500th deathday of some guy called Leonardo who was similarly talented in both the arts and sciences.

In Poland, the art world has gone bananas; in Spain, there's life in socialism yet; and British chemist and YouTube sensation Martyn Poliakoff is here to explain why he wants to turn the periodic table upside down, literally.

In a week when we won a big prize, we want to say thanks more than ever for listening. Particularly huge thanks go to our Patreon supporters. If you want to throw a dollar or so into the tip jar, you can do so at patreon.com/europeanspodcast.

Beat Polish censorship by watching Natalia LL's work here. Love it? Hate it? Let us know:

Twitter.com/EuropeansPod
Instagram.com/europeanspodcast
Facebook.com/europeanspodcast
europeanspodcast@gmail.com

]]>81bea951-dec3-f245-c250-69e8ce8845fcTue, 07 May 2019 01:00:00 +020032:25falsefullHappy Birthday Bauhaus!Happy Birthday Bauhaus!This week, European cultural greats past and present. We discuss the good, the bad and the Bauhaus with the American painter Henry Isaacs, who grew up surrounded by many of the key figures from the legendary German art school that marked its 100th birthday this month. And Katy chats to Kurt Overbergh, artistic director of the Ancienne Belgique music venue, about new sounds, immigration and the return of Turkish psychedelia.

In Brussels? Come and see Katy at this great event at the Ancienne Belgique on May 7!

Thanks for listening. If you have a euro or more to throw in the tip jar, the more the merrier at patreon.com/europeanspodcast. You can also help other listeners find the show by leaving us a review here.

Twitter.com/EuropeansPod

Instagram.com/europeanspodcast

Facebook.com/europeanspodcast

europeanspodcast@gmail.com

]]>This week, European cultural greats past and present. We discuss the good, the bad and the Bauhaus with the American painter Henry Isaacs, who grew up surrounded by many of the key figures from the legendary German art school that marked its 100th birthday this month. And Katy chats to Kurt Overbergh, artistic director of the Ancienne Belgique music venue, about new sounds, immigration and the return of Turkish psychedelia.

In Brussels? Come and see Katy at this great event at the Ancienne Belgique on May 7!

Thanks for listening. If you have a euro or more to throw in the tip jar, the more the merrier at patreon.com/europeanspodcast. You can also help other listeners find the show by leaving us a review here.

Twitter.com/EuropeansPod

Instagram.com/europeanspodcast

Facebook.com/europeanspodcast

europeanspodcast@gmail.com

]]>b071a7b2-11cc-90a4-c358-e42d431ce6a9Tue, 30 Apr 2019 03:12:00 +020033:24falsefullLyra Lyra This week a brilliant young journalist was shot dead in Northern Ireland, on the 21st anniversary of the Good Friday peace agreement. The senseless death of Lyra McKee is a reminder of a conflict that most in the country have put behind them. Her friend, the writer Susan McKay, is here with a very moving tribute to a remarkable person.

Also this week: a rebellion in London, rising from the ashes in Paris, and the magnificent species that is the European honey bee.

You can follow Susan on Twitter here. Many thanks to BBC Radio Foyle in Derry for recording Susan's tribute for us.

Thanks for listening. If you have a euro or two a month to spare, you can help support the show at patreon.com/europeanspodcast.com.

And if you fancy writing a (flattering) review on Apple Podcasts, you can do so here.

See you next week, Europe.

Twitter.com/EuropeansPod
Instagram.com/europeanspodcast
Facebook.com/europeanspodcast
europeanspodcast@gmail.com

]]>This week a brilliant young journalist was shot dead in Northern Ireland, on the 21st anniversary of the Good Friday peace agreement. The senseless death of Lyra McKee is a reminder of a conflict that most in the country have put behind them. Her friend, the writer Susan McKay, is here with a very moving tribute to a remarkable person.

Also this week: a rebellion in London, rising from the ashes in Paris, and the magnificent species that is the European honey bee.

You can follow Susan on Twitter here. Many thanks to BBC Radio Foyle in Derry for recording Susan's tribute for us.

Thanks for listening. If you have a euro or two a month to spare, you can help support the show at patreon.com/europeanspodcast.com.

And if you fancy writing a (flattering) review on Apple Podcasts, you can do so here.

See you next week, Europe.

Twitter.com/EuropeansPod
Instagram.com/europeanspodcast
Facebook.com/europeanspodcast
europeanspodcast@gmail.com

]]>c317db70-6ab5-f0c5-bb24-4b9b2a1574a3Tue, 23 Apr 2019 01:00:00 +020027:38falsefullDisinformation WarsDisinformation WarsNo, European governments are not handing out 'brothel vouchers' to immigrants; and no, the EU is not trying to ban bendy cucumbers. Euro-myths are as old as the union itself, but with elections just around the corner, setting the record straight feels more important than ever. This week's guest is on the frontlines of the fight against disinformation: Jules Darmanin, the coordinator of a new continent-wide band of fact-checkers. Plus: Julian Assange, Swiss democracy, and the world's greatest neighbours.


You can find the Fact Check EU website here in 11 beautiful languages.

That nice article about our former guest Flavia Kleiner that Dominic was talking about is here, and the Swiss podcast episode that Katy was raving about is available here.

Huge thanks to the incredibly generous people helping us to keep this show running with their donations. You can chip in at patreon.com/europeanspodcast.

Thanks for listening.


Twitter.com/EuropeansPod
Instagram.com/europeanspodcast
Facebook.com/europeanspodcast
europeanspodcast@gmail.com

]]>No, European governments are not handing out 'brothel vouchers' to immigrants; and no, the EU is not trying to ban bendy cucumbers. Euro-myths are as old as the union itself, but with elections just around the corner, setting the record straight feels more important than ever. This week's guest is on the frontlines of the fight against disinformation: Jules Darmanin, the coordinator of a new continent-wide band of fact-checkers. Plus: Julian Assange, Swiss democracy, and the world's greatest neighbours.


You can find the Fact Check EU website here in 11 beautiful languages.

That nice article about our former guest Flavia Kleiner that Dominic was talking about is here, and the Swiss podcast episode that Katy was raving about is available here.

Huge thanks to the incredibly generous people helping us to keep this show running with their donations. You can chip in at patreon.com/europeanspodcast.

Thanks for listening.


Twitter.com/EuropeansPod
Instagram.com/europeanspodcast
Facebook.com/europeanspodcast
europeanspodcast@gmail.com

]]>0c75053b-ecde-9f79-9e34-f718dd204951Tue, 16 Apr 2019 01:00:00 +020029:27falsefullNice One, SlovakiaNice One, SlovakiaThis week, a little glimmer of hope from central Europe in the form of a new Slovakian president who refuses to fight dirty. And a little glimmer of the future in the form of our guest, bionic woman and tech journalist Mimi Billing, one of a growing number of Swedes to have got themselves... microchipped? Plus: Russian whale jails, a decades-old French mystery, and germs at the opera.

Follow Mimi on Twitter here and read her great article about Swedish body-hacking here!

And for more on Slovakia's badass president-elect Zuzana Čaputová, there's no better place to start than the latest episode of the In Between Europe podcast hosted by our former guest Zselyke Csaky, which you can check out here.

A massive thanks to our growing army of Patreon supporters for keeping the show going. You can chip in at patreon.com/europeanspodcast.

See you next week, and in the meantime, see you online!

Twitter.com/EuropeansPod
Instagram.com/europeanspodcast
Facebook.com/europeanspodcast
europeanspodcast@gmail.com

]]>This week, a little glimmer of hope from central Europe in the form of a new Slovakian president who refuses to fight dirty. And a little glimmer of the future in the form of our guest, bionic woman and tech journalist Mimi Billing, one of a growing number of Swedes to have got themselves... microchipped? Plus: Russian whale jails, a decades-old French mystery, and germs at the opera.

Follow Mimi on Twitter here and read her great article about Swedish body-hacking here!

And for more on Slovakia's badass president-elect Zuzana Čaputová, there's no better place to start than the latest episode of the In Between Europe podcast hosted by our former guest Zselyke Csaky, which you can check out here.

A massive thanks to our growing army of Patreon supporters for keeping the show going. You can chip in at patreon.com/europeanspodcast.

See you next week, and in the meantime, see you online!

Twitter.com/EuropeansPod
Instagram.com/europeanspodcast
Facebook.com/europeanspodcast
europeanspodcast@gmail.com

]]>cf1af513-0dfc-54f3-f660-3fe1ec26797aTue, 09 Apr 2019 01:00:00 +020025:45falsefullPolitical TinderPolitical TinderThis week, like so many other weeks, it's been easy to take a look at the world and think: how did things get so polarised? Ahead of the European elections, the battle lines are already being drawn: nationalists vs globalists, liberals vs conservatives. But a fascinating project is trying to get Europeans from across the political spectrum to actually sit down and talk about their differences. Sebastian Horn, the deputy editor of Die Zeit online, is on the line from Berlin to explain the thinking behind the Europe Talks project. Plus: changing populist fortunes from Budapest to Amsterdam, and the mathematics of soap bubbles.


Sign up to take part in Europe Talks here.


Thanks so much to our listeners who've donated on Patreon! Every little helps and we're hugely grateful for the support. You can chip in at patreon.com/europeanspodcast.


Thanks for listening.


Twitter.com/EuropeansPod
Instagram.com/europeanspodcast
Facebook.com/europeanspodcast
europeanspodcast@gmail.com

]]>This week, like so many other weeks, it's been easy to take a look at the world and think: how did things get so polarised? Ahead of the European elections, the battle lines are already being drawn: nationalists vs globalists, liberals vs conservatives. But a fascinating project is trying to get Europeans from across the political spectrum to actually sit down and talk about their differences. Sebastian Horn, the deputy editor of Die Zeit online, is on the line from Berlin to explain the thinking behind the Europe Talks project. Plus: changing populist fortunes from Budapest to Amsterdam, and the mathematics of soap bubbles.


Sign up to take part in Europe Talks here.


Thanks so much to our listeners who've donated on Patreon! Every little helps and we're hugely grateful for the support. You can chip in at patreon.com/europeanspodcast.


Thanks for listening.


Twitter.com/EuropeansPod
Instagram.com/europeanspodcast
Facebook.com/europeanspodcast
europeanspodcast@gmail.com

]]>9214f08e-5e7d-ad62-73c7-08261a4caa27Tue, 26 Mar 2019 01:00:00 +020031:40falsefullMEGALITHS!!!!MEGALITHS!!!!After the week it's been, we could all do with a break from the present. This week, we're venturing into Europe past -- about six thousand years ago, to a time when mysterious stone structures were springing up all around the continent. Today we call them megaliths, and there's a lot we still don't know about them. But one woman has been on a quest to work out how these extraordinary monuments spread around Europe. Archaeologist Bettina Schulz Paulsson is on the line from Gothenburg to talk about how early Europeans were exchanging knowledge and culture a good few millennia before the EU was invented. Also: a reverse art heist, a blow for the anti-vaxxers , and how to say no to big business.


Thanks so much to the new supporters who joined our Patreon this week! You can help us carry on making the show by chipping at https://www.patreon.com/europeanspodcast.


Thanks for listening.


Twitter.com/EuropeansPod
Instagram.com/europeanspodcast
Facebook.com/europeanspodcast
europeanspodcast@gmail.com



]]>After the week it's been, we could all do with a break from the present. This week, we're venturing into Europe past -- about six thousand years ago, to a time when mysterious stone structures were springing up all around the continent. Today we call them megaliths, and there's a lot we still don't know about them. But one woman has been on a quest to work out how these extraordinary monuments spread around Europe. Archaeologist Bettina Schulz Paulsson is on the line from Gothenburg to talk about how early Europeans were exchanging knowledge and culture a good few millennia before the EU was invented. Also: a reverse art heist, a blow for the anti-vaxxers , and how to say no to big business.


Thanks so much to the new supporters who joined our Patreon this week! You can help us carry on making the show by chipping at https://www.patreon.com/europeanspodcast.


Thanks for listening.


Twitter.com/EuropeansPod
Instagram.com/europeanspodcast
Facebook.com/europeanspodcast
europeanspodcast@gmail.com



]]>404e4df2-6473-39d0-60cf-ca68e97def65Tue, 19 Mar 2019 01:00:00 +020029:55falsefullA taste of the nuclear apocalypseA taste of the nuclear apocalypseThis week The Europeans are heading underground to the nearest bunker. Julie McDowall, Cold War writer and expert on all things atomic, is on the line from Glasgow to talk about how different countries in Europe planned for nuclear war and what it’s like to visit Chernobyl, three decades after the disaster. We also talk about the woman shaking up Estonian politics, questionable ethics in Italian opera, and Slovenian sandwiches.

You can check out Julie’s excellent podcast The Atomic Hobo here and follow her on Twitter here.


Thanks so much to the new supporters who joined our Patreon this week! You can help us carry on making the show by chipping at https://www.patreon.com/europeanspodcast.

Thanks for listening.



Twitter.com/EuropeansPod
Instagram.com/europeanspodcast
Facebook.com/europeanspodcast
europeanspodcast@gmail.com

]]>This week The Europeans are heading underground to the nearest bunker. Julie McDowall, Cold War writer and expert on all things atomic, is on the line from Glasgow to talk about how different countries in Europe planned for nuclear war and what it’s like to visit Chernobyl, three decades after the disaster. We also talk about the woman shaking up Estonian politics, questionable ethics in Italian opera, and Slovenian sandwiches.

You can check out Julie’s excellent podcast The Atomic Hobo here and follow her on Twitter here.


Thanks so much to the new supporters who joined our Patreon this week! You can help us carry on making the show by chipping at https://www.patreon.com/europeanspodcast.

Thanks for listening.



Twitter.com/EuropeansPod
Instagram.com/europeanspodcast
Facebook.com/europeanspodcast
europeanspodcast@gmail.com

]]>0889be7f-4fa0-e775-6d85-94a8101850a6Tue, 12 Mar 2019 01:00:00 +020033:55falsefullThey / Them / TheirsThey / Them / TheirsThis week we're talking about transgender rights in Europe with the author and activist CN Lester, whose wonderful book Trans Like Me gets its mainstream paperback release on Thursday. And on a continent where young people mostly stayed at home for the last elections, Mick ter Reehorst calls in to explain why he's launched a new campaign, #ProveThemWrong, to get out the youth vote in May. Plus: winter bacon, sticking it to the homophobes, and a mile-high culture clash between France and the Netherlands.


Check out CN's work at cnlester.com!
Get the youth vote out at provethemwrong.eu!
And watch this great video about women getting the vote in Switzerland!


Thanks so much to everyone who's started chipping in to our Patreon fund. Help us keep the show going at patreon.com/europeanspodcast.


Thanks for listening.


🇪🇺


Twitter.com/EuropeansPod
Instagram.com/europeanspodcast
Facebook.com/europeanspodcast
europeanspodcast@gmail.com

]]>This week we're talking about transgender rights in Europe with the author and activist CN Lester, whose wonderful book Trans Like Me gets its mainstream paperback release on Thursday. And on a continent where young people mostly stayed at home for the last elections, Mick ter Reehorst calls in to explain why he's launched a new campaign, #ProveThemWrong, to get out the youth vote in May. Plus: winter bacon, sticking it to the homophobes, and a mile-high culture clash between France and the Netherlands.


Check out CN's work at cnlester.com!
Get the youth vote out at provethemwrong.eu!
And watch this great video about women getting the vote in Switzerland!


Thanks so much to everyone who's started chipping in to our Patreon fund. Help us keep the show going at patreon.com/europeanspodcast.


Thanks for listening.


🇪🇺


Twitter.com/EuropeansPod
Instagram.com/europeanspodcast
Facebook.com/europeanspodcast
europeanspodcast@gmail.com

]]>6be5fa2a-f858-9d20-ff8d-dc16a0f9d87dTue, 05 Mar 2019 01:00:00 +020037:08falsefullThe brands that Karl builtThe brands that Karl built This week, the kid from Hamburg who grew up to become one of the most powerful forces in global fashion. Karl Lagerfeld built not one but three hugely successful brands. After his death last week at the age of 85, we're exploring the flaws, quirks and legacy of this complicated man with the help of Fiachra Gibbons, culture editor at Agence France-Presse and long-time observer of 'the Kaiser'. We also discuss Europe's rising problem with anti-Semitism, some good news for Serbia's gay first couple, and how to make it big in Finland.


Thanks to everyone who's started chipping in to our Patreon fund! Help us keep the show going at patreon.com/europeanspodcast.


Thanks for listening.


🇪🇺


Twitter.com/EuropeansPod
Instagram.com/europeanspodcast
Facebook.com/europeanspodcast
europeanspodcast@gmail.com

]]> This week, the kid from Hamburg who grew up to become one of the most powerful forces in global fashion. Karl Lagerfeld built not one but three hugely successful brands. After his death last week at the age of 85, we're exploring the flaws, quirks and legacy of this complicated man with the help of Fiachra Gibbons, culture editor at Agence France-Presse and long-time observer of 'the Kaiser'. We also discuss Europe's rising problem with anti-Semitism, some good news for Serbia's gay first couple, and how to make it big in Finland.


Thanks to everyone who's started chipping in to our Patreon fund! Help us keep the show going at patreon.com/europeanspodcast.


Thanks for listening.


🇪🇺


Twitter.com/EuropeansPod
Instagram.com/europeanspodcast
Facebook.com/europeanspodcast
europeanspodcast@gmail.com

]]>62153140-b01a-482e-1db6-e92f95edcffeTue, 26 Feb 2019 00:59:00 +020031:01falsefullThe most isolated place on EarthThe most isolated place on EarthThis week we're stretching the definition of Europe to the limit and travelling all the way down to the French-Italian research base in the Antarctic! By some miracle we managed to Skype the physicist Meganne Christian at the Concordia base about what it's like spending an entire year living in the most isolated place on Earth (albeit with decent Italian cooking). At the other end of the planet: bears, Viktor Orbán's bid to turn Hungarian women into baby-machines, and pop that pisses off the populists.


Thanks to everyone who's started chipping in to our Patreon fund! Help us keep the show going at patreon.com/europeanspodcast.


Thanks for listening.


🇪🇺


Twitter.com/EuropeansPod
Instagram.com/europeanspodcast
Facebook.com/europeanspodcast
europeanspodcast@gmail.com

]]>This week we're stretching the definition of Europe to the limit and travelling all the way down to the French-Italian research base in the Antarctic! By some miracle we managed to Skype the physicist Meganne Christian at the Concordia base about what it's like spending an entire year living in the most isolated place on Earth (albeit with decent Italian cooking). At the other end of the planet: bears, Viktor Orbán's bid to turn Hungarian women into baby-machines, and pop that pisses off the populists.


Thanks to everyone who's started chipping in to our Patreon fund! Help us keep the show going at patreon.com/europeanspodcast.


Thanks for listening.


🇪🇺


Twitter.com/EuropeansPod
Instagram.com/europeanspodcast
Facebook.com/europeanspodcast
europeanspodcast@gmail.com

]]>b13265c6-b9db-5779-ed9e-ad9edc044468Tue, 19 Feb 2019 01:00:00 +020034:07falsefullThe skies over SkopjeThe skies over SkopjeThis week, the city where you can taste the air on your tongue. We're going to Skopje with the Macedonian writer Aleksandar Dimishkovski to find out what it's like living in the most polluted city in Europe. On the brighter side, we also have some Swedish bling, a badass Romanian anti-corruption crusader, and some long-forgotten treasures.


Interested in finding out why John Ruskin is so relevant? Click here.


Thanks so much to everyone who's signed up to support us on Patreon! If you like the show and have a tiny bit of cash to spare, you can join our kind donors at patreon.com/europeanspodcast.


Thanks for listening. 🇪🇺


Twitter.com/EuropeansPod
Instagram.com/europeanspodcast
Facebook.com/europeanspodcast
europeanspodcast@gmail.com

]]>This week, the city where you can taste the air on your tongue. We're going to Skopje with the Macedonian writer Aleksandar Dimishkovski to find out what it's like living in the most polluted city in Europe. On the brighter side, we also have some Swedish bling, a badass Romanian anti-corruption crusader, and some long-forgotten treasures.


Interested in finding out why John Ruskin is so relevant? Click here.


Thanks so much to everyone who's signed up to support us on Patreon! If you like the show and have a tiny bit of cash to spare, you can join our kind donors at patreon.com/europeanspodcast.


Thanks for listening. 🇪🇺


Twitter.com/EuropeansPod
Instagram.com/europeanspodcast
Facebook.com/europeanspodcast
europeanspodcast@gmail.com

]]>b3672a39-9c0b-3489-a12d-068afbe53ca5Tue, 12 Feb 2019 00:56:00 +020023:20falsefullStick it to the grown-upsStick it to the grown-ups This week's guest is ten years old and one of the fiercest, smartest people we've ever had on this podcast. Lilly Platt calls in from Zeist in the Netherlands to tell us why she's helping to lead the tens of thousands of children across Europe striking to demand action on climate change. And from skipping school to skipping the queue, anti-money laundering expert Laure Brillaud is here from Brussels to cast a light on the murky world of 'golden visas' for sale in Europe. Plus: positive pop, bad meat, and one very happy cellist.

You can follow Lilly's school strike and Plastic Pick-Up campaign on Facebook and Twitter.


Read Laure's report on golden visas for Transparency International here.


Thanks so much to everyone who's signed up to support us on Patreon! If you like the show and have a tiny bit of cash to spare, you can join our kind donors at patreon.com/europeanspodcast.


Need a moment of calm? Check out this track by sexy 500-year-old composer Giovanni Pierluigi Palestrina here.


Thanks for listening. 🇪🇺 ❤


Twitter.com/EuropeansPod
Instagram.com/europeanspodcast
Facebook.com/europeanspodcast
europeanspodcast@gmail.com

]]> This week's guest is ten years old and one of the fiercest, smartest people we've ever had on this podcast. Lilly Platt calls in from Zeist in the Netherlands to tell us why she's helping to lead the tens of thousands of children across Europe striking to demand action on climate change. And from skipping school to skipping the queue, anti-money laundering expert Laure Brillaud is here from Brussels to cast a light on the murky world of 'golden visas' for sale in Europe. Plus: positive pop, bad meat, and one very happy cellist.

You can follow Lilly's school strike and Plastic Pick-Up campaign on Facebook and Twitter.


Read Laure's report on golden visas for Transparency International here.


Thanks so much to everyone who's signed up to support us on Patreon! If you like the show and have a tiny bit of cash to spare, you can join our kind donors at patreon.com/europeanspodcast.


Need a moment of calm? Check out this track by sexy 500-year-old composer Giovanni Pierluigi Palestrina here.


Thanks for listening. 🇪🇺 ❤


Twitter.com/EuropeansPod
Instagram.com/europeanspodcast
Facebook.com/europeanspodcast
europeanspodcast@gmail.com

]]>c34776f4-3422-0e71-f3ec-5f48e9c97c8cTue, 05 Feb 2019 01:00:00 +020030:57falsefullKraemer vs KraemerKraemer vs Kraemer This week, two Kraemers for the price of one! Dominic's brother, BBC political nerd Daniel Kraemer, is here to explain why Britain has the weirdest parliament in Europe. Don't worry, we kept the B-word chat to a minimum. Plus: Macron and Merkel's Duolingo pact, Ronaldo's millions, and the kindest grandma on the continent.


Thanks so much to everyone who's signed up to support us on Patreon! If you like the show and have a tiny bit of cash to spare, you can join our kind donors at patreon.com/europeanspodcast.


Follow Daniel on Twitter @dcakraemer (if you have to follow one account tweeting B****t, this should be it).


Something we should be covering in your corner of Europe? We want to hear from you!


Twitter.com/EuropeansPod
Instagram.com/europeanspodcast
Facebook.com/europeanspodcast
europeanspodcast@gmail.com


Thanks for listening.


🇪🇺 ❤

]]> This week, two Kraemers for the price of one! Dominic's brother, BBC political nerd Daniel Kraemer, is here to explain why Britain has the weirdest parliament in Europe. Don't worry, we kept the B-word chat to a minimum. Plus: Macron and Merkel's Duolingo pact, Ronaldo's millions, and the kindest grandma on the continent.


Thanks so much to everyone who's signed up to support us on Patreon! If you like the show and have a tiny bit of cash to spare, you can join our kind donors at patreon.com/europeanspodcast.


Follow Daniel on Twitter @dcakraemer (if you have to follow one account tweeting B****t, this should be it).


Something we should be covering in your corner of Europe? We want to hear from you!


Twitter.com/EuropeansPod
Instagram.com/europeanspodcast
Facebook.com/europeanspodcast
europeanspodcast@gmail.com


Thanks for listening.


🇪🇺 ❤

]]>004f2dad-ed6b-c167-d6db-7f6c02f05dc4Tue, 29 Jan 2019 01:00:00 +020027:34falsefullIt’s that damn bear againIt’s that damn bear againIt's good to be back! We've got big plans for 2019. Starting with the fact that we're now on Patreon! If you have a few euros to spare and want to help us grow, hit us up at patreon.com/europeanspodcast.


This week, smart Finns and a very smart bear. Computer scientist Teemu Roos is on the line from Helsinki to explain why Finland is trying to educate its population en masse about artificial intelligence. And our Woman in Warsaw Ania Jakubek is back with the tale of a Polish wartime hero who just happened to be... a bear. Plus: Greek drama, Satanic tourism, and how to make the internet a nicer place.


SUPPORT US ON PATREON here. We're grateful for any donations, big or small. Short on cash? Support the pod by spreading the word :)


START TEEMU'S AI COURSE at elementsofai.com.


READ ANIA'S ARTICLE about Wojtek the bear at https://yhoo.it/2FEdA9F


And follow her on Instagram! instagram.com/amjakubek


Finally, you can check out the great Swedish anti-troll Facebook group #jagärhär here.

🇪🇺 ❤

Twitter.com/EuropeansPod
Instagram.com/europeanspodcast
Facebook.com/europeanspodcast
europeanspodcast@gmail.com

Music: 'Moon Noose' by Druslan

From the Free Music Archive

CC NC ND https://bit.ly/2CrYorW

]]>It's good to be back! We've got big plans for 2019. Starting with the fact that we're now on Patreon! If you have a few euros to spare and want to help us grow, hit us up at patreon.com/europeanspodcast.


This week, smart Finns and a very smart bear. Computer scientist Teemu Roos is on the line from Helsinki to explain why Finland is trying to educate its population en masse about artificial intelligence. And our Woman in Warsaw Ania Jakubek is back with the tale of a Polish wartime hero who just happened to be... a bear. Plus: Greek drama, Satanic tourism, and how to make the internet a nicer place.


SUPPORT US ON PATREON here. We're grateful for any donations, big or small. Short on cash? Support the pod by spreading the word :)


START TEEMU'S AI COURSE at elementsofai.com.


READ ANIA'S ARTICLE about Wojtek the bear at https://yhoo.it/2FEdA9F


And follow her on Instagram! instagram.com/amjakubek


Finally, you can check out the great Swedish anti-troll Facebook group #jagärhär here.

🇪🇺 ❤

Twitter.com/EuropeansPod
Instagram.com/europeanspodcast
Facebook.com/europeanspodcast
europeanspodcast@gmail.com

Music: 'Moon Noose' by Druslan

From the Free Music Archive

CC NC ND https://bit.ly/2CrYorW

]]>ec6b32a9-c616-3b60-5e70-df8dcb778fd6Tue, 22 Jan 2019 01:00:00 +020035:21falsefullThe Bee WordThe Bee Word46f110db-721d-22c2-55d2-b859a81603cbTue, 18 Dec 2018 02:00:00 +020033:16falsefullFreedomFreedom14dd217a-73fa-a307-8921-f2e385496771Tue, 11 Dec 2018 02:00:00 +020035:22falsefullFlavia and the Machine (anniversary episode)Flavia and the Machine (anniversary episode)c1d478c1-1b3c-8934-24bd-52e085495197Tue, 04 Dec 2018 21:32:00 +020040:33falsefullNovember 27: Picasso, Poland & PedagogyNovember 27: Picasso, Poland & Pedagogy07076bff-3e96-66c5-b8ef-edab4628e51cTue, 27 Nov 2018 00:11:00 +020031:33falsefullNovember 20: Why doesn’t Europe have a Silicon Valley?November 20: Why doesn’t Europe have a Silicon Valley?256ed1a9-3054-dffa-7d6b-50558f19bc7fTue, 20 Nov 2018 01:00:00 +020036:51falsefullNovember 13: The black soldier’s lamentNovember 13: The black soldier’s lamentdb103fd8-bf5a-4b73-4a38-688cdd6472a9Tue, 13 Nov 2018 01:00:00 +020034:49falsefullNovember 6: Watching Over The Night WatchNovember 6: Watching Over The Night Watchdf92f8d6-51e2-a0ca-86ec-fbf5628aed4bTue, 06 Nov 2018 01:00:00 +020035:07falsefullOctober 30: Everyone’s free to vote (and wear sunscreen)October 30: Everyone’s free to vote (and wear sunscreen)082c6207-e57d-c80c-ea1d-172d113976ffTue, 30 Oct 2018 01:00:00 +020030:28falsefullOctober 23: Big continent, mini episodeOctober 23: Big continent, mini episodefb802b1b-dd57-6bd7-8547-9f93a3dcec7dTue, 23 Oct 2018 01:00:00 +020020:40falsefullOctober 16: The Unlucky PassportOctober 16: The Unlucky Passport891858e4-10cf-a7af-6010-af3ec0465667Tue, 16 Oct 2018 00:07:00 +020028:24falsefullOctober 9: Macedo, Macedon’tOctober 9: Macedo, Macedon’tfe538775-f797-aed7-9043-1a956b37fa9fTue, 09 Oct 2018 02:43:00 +020031:06falsefullOctober 2: Wall, Rocket, Bottle, HorseOctober 2: Wall, Rocket, Bottle, Horsebb439296-ff37-7528-d48b-5ec07c145ea7Tue, 02 Oct 2018 01:47:00 +020031:26falsefullSeptember 25: WEB OF LIESSeptember 25: WEB OF LIES69da95fd-c798-f173-b3a9-5dcf41dbfe06Tue, 25 Sep 2018 00:36:00 +020032:35falsefullSeptember 18: Welcome To Europe, Here Are Four WallsSeptember 18: Welcome To Europe, Here Are Four Walls4f59a761-c4dc-f606-c828-6bd521290a01Tue, 18 Sep 2018 00:38:00 +020032:27falsefullSeptember 11: The Future LibrarySeptember 11: The Future Library584b9a24-29ed-6c9f-a1cd-330feffc1378Tue, 11 Sep 2018 02:36:00 +020021:44falsefullSeptember 4: Nation Branding, Robot DancingSeptember 4: Nation Branding, Robot Dancingfab7d719-8928-e204-fd78-57c4e8e882eaTue, 04 Sep 2018 00:01:00 +020026:41falsefullAugust 28: Greece and FabriceAugust 28: Greece and Fabriceab2c243e-77d2-c6fa-170f-679ca256d3fdTue, 28 Aug 2018 00:01:00 +020033:30falsefullAugust 21: The G-Spot of EuropeAugust 21: The G-Spot of Europe4ed7ce34-30ed-6d15-a510-cef694e7d805Tue, 21 Aug 2018 00:01:00 +020031:47falsefullAugust 14: The traces they leaveAugust 14: The traces they leaved86e8e26-79cd-9336-d429-30575d8749fbTue, 14 Aug 2018 00:25:00 +020024:57falsefullAugust 7: Piss and PopulismAugust 7: Piss and Populism62e0ab25-7b6b-1b6b-5d83-c687e8c25e7fTue, 07 Aug 2018 00:09:00 +020031:49falsefullJuly 31: HEATJuly 31: HEATee22e434-2f76-d079-4362-ce6b4da1dbdcTue, 31 Jul 2018 00:00:00 +020033:40falsefullJune 12: Waxy smilesJune 12: Waxy smilesdf4f701d-b5a1-a55e-5b09-03e79facfb1fTue, 12 Jun 2018 00:13:00 +020030:20falsefullBONUS EPISODE: Akbar Ahmed on Islam in EuropeBONUS EPISODE: Akbar Ahmed on Islam in Europe4cabc883-b25b-c5b5-035a-809eb0e19ef1Fri, 08 Jun 2018 09:11:00 +020028:55falsefullJune 5: Changing PMs at 103 BPMsJune 5: Changing PMs at 103 BPMs07a7c8cc-7839-a0c2-b26f-3c681bca08ecTue, 05 Jun 2018 00:03:00 +020031:56falsefullMay 29: Five Stars, IrelandMay 29: Five Stars, Irelanda4d0c8fc-1b10-2924-80d6-cb473db94104Tue, 29 May 2018 00:06:00 +020034:06falsefullMay 22: A wedding and no funeralMay 22: A wedding and no funeral2f737268-fbf8-457a-4d77-82a7ce87e370Tue, 22 May 2018 00:24:00 +020037:32falsefullHello, new listeners!Hello, new listeners!f613ea13-ddb4-0417-78e8-80473e2bc1faSat, 19 May 2018 10:40:00 +020008:46falsefullMay 15: The winner takes it all, the loser takes a selfieMay 15: The winner takes it all, the loser takes a selfie190b6bc0-fdc9-55e4-4a85-0b30f6caa1c9Tue, 15 May 2018 00:01:00 +020035:54falsefullMay 7: Eurovision. EUROVISION!!!!!May 7: Eurovision. EUROVISION!!!!!cd39f727-2edf-4244-4e06-3adcaaff7d13Tue, 08 May 2018 00:08:00 +020035:05falsefullMay 1: Sticks and stones and dandruffMay 1: Sticks and stones and dandrufffb64b8c2-c84d-c670-6955-b9cca79644e3Tue, 01 May 2018 00:05:00 +020034:17falsefullApril 24: Keep your bitcoin close and your botany closerApril 24: Keep your bitcoin close and your botany closer6d22aa80-c349-1a74-6bca-ae036d67a29dTue, 24 Apr 2018 00:23:00 +020028:32falsefullApril 17: Once Upon A Time In HungaryApril 17: Once Upon A Time In Hungary8849555c-91e0-8edd-25be-de8f2df32213Tue, 17 Apr 2018 00:54:00 +020029:54falsefullApril 10: Liberté, Egalité, DifficultésApril 10: Liberté, Egalité, Difficultés3d176229-f85f-d115-e7fa-9df7edd4251fTue, 10 Apr 2018 00:23:00 +020028:04falsefullApril 3: Trash islands and rainbow homesApril 3: Trash islands and rainbow homes219faa34-abdf-8aa0-ce5f-dfa0efdd83f7Tue, 03 Apr 2018 03:21:00 +020034:40falsefullMarch 27: French Burgers, Danish PizzaMarch 27: French Burgers, Danish Pizzafc88be15-abcc-ccae-93fa-1eccb863761cTue, 27 Mar 2018 01:00:00 +020030:10falsefullMarch 20: Suzy Menkes and the Beer-Brewing MonksMarch 20: Suzy Menkes and the Beer-Brewing Monks6bd3c1cd-4730-9930-35fc-e7a794f72291Tue, 20 Mar 2018 09:28:00 +020027:23falsefullMarch 13: The best place for our little sproutsMarch 13: The best place for our little sproutsa43ec7c5-fa63-f236-a620-b76d267f09f5Fri, 16 Mar 2018 11:51:00 +020031:56falsefullMarch 6: Don’t put salt on every snailMarch 6: Don’t put salt on every snail1f8ea1c2-046e-92c9-c861-f051dd93a805Fri, 16 Mar 2018 11:50:00 +020029:18falsefullBONUS EPISODE: ALEXANDRA PASCALIDOUBONUS EPISODE: ALEXANDRA PASCALIDOU0ca41ef5-0601-29f9-0184-e4e7753f63a1Thu, 01 Mar 2018 15:28:00 +020028:15falsefullFeb 27: Making peace with the wolvesFeb 27: Making peace with the wolves1b0b2fdb-a8ea-6f6e-06ec-cf9c899f9765Mon, 26 Feb 2018 23:59:00 +020035:27falsefullFeb 20: Olympic gold, Dominic is old, Katy has a coldFeb 20: Olympic gold, Dominic is old, Katy has a cold476d2385-6bee-9aff-3038-ac7512d64257Tue, 20 Feb 2018 00:03:00 +020031:29falsefullFeb 13: Mi kidney, su kidneyFeb 13: Mi kidney, su kidney66b45b82-af21-b6b2-2771-b5fb5c61ea33Tue, 13 Feb 2018 00:00:00 +020031:49falsefullFeb 6: Build your own Europe, babyFeb 6: Build your own Europe, baby573e2e50-2f1b-4b2e-2b29-8c92c3363e83Tue, 06 Feb 2018 07:25:00 +020030:24falsefullJan 30: Trawlin’, Ballin’, Fallin’Jan 30: Trawlin’, Ballin’, Fallin’2583d487-55e4-a485-c1d8-7bd762bbc321Tue, 30 Jan 2018 00:16:00 +020030:08falsefullJan 23: Fake snusJan 23: Fake snus99d1ccc5-ede5-7dbf-1ca0-a41c2ced3b64Tue, 23 Jan 2018 00:31:00 +020032:23falsefullJan 16: Translating Trump, Defending DeneuveJan 16: Translating Trump, Defending Deneuved1a6e9aa-701f-30d1-3717-63cd7fdfc3e7Tue, 16 Jan 2018 00:17:00 +020031:21falsefullJan 9: The Dumbest Farmer Finds The Biggest PotatoesJan 9: The Dumbest Farmer Finds The Biggest Potatoes8d21a405-4616-f606-8811-a21119f72220Tue, 09 Jan 2018 00:01:00 +020029:53falsefullDec 19: O Come All Ye PhosphatefulDec 19: O Come All Ye Phosphateful67c33c72-1047-6670-6676-fefd22375da7Tue, 19 Dec 2017 00:36:00 +020028:05falsefullDec 12: National HallydaysDec 12: National Hallydayscf667b00-8f0a-75cb-1995-6f5ba2e3c327Tue, 12 Dec 2017 00:12:00 +020025:47falsefullDec 5: C’est too muchDec 5: C’est too muchd20a1a49-bcfd-e2da-fc72-d8406f707ba2Tue, 05 Dec 2017 02:03:00 +020029:14falsefullNov 28: Katy smells the moneyNov 28: Katy smells the money236b28d5-6b76-76d1-7f8e-2d791a29e656Tue, 28 Nov 2017 01:27:00 +020026:45falsefullThe TrailerThe Trailerf41e2370-20ec-cb3d-2e92-cd69fb0ef225Sun, 19 Nov 2017 18:40:00 +020001:40falsefull