Episoder
-
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 Wojciech Oleksiak Mixing and mastering: Wojciech OleksiakMusic: Jim Barne and Mariska Martina 00:00:22 Don't be koi00:03:15 Bad Week: Transatlantic relations00:28:52 Good Week: Our livers00:40:38 Interview: Jean Chalaby on the secrets of the TV format trade00:57:01 The Inspiration Station: 'Prezidentka' and 'The Taste of Things'01:02:22 Happy Ending: Sexy vibracoustics YouTube | Bluesky | Instagram | Mastodon | [email protected] -
Nocturnal tourism is supposedly one of the big travel trends of 2025, and from star-gazing to truffle-hunting, there are plenty of places in Europe to do it. But where is this craving for darkness coming from? This week we speak to Anna Levin, author of two beautiful books about the impact of artificial light on the world around us, about why Europe's night skies deserve much better protection. We're also talking about the Baltic countries' move to cut their electrical cords with Russia, and the EU's attempt to tackle our cheap Chinese shopping addiction. Anna is the author of 'Incandescent' and 'Dark Skies'. You can find out more about her work 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 OleksiakMusic: Jim Barne and Mariska Martina 00:22 Is Dominic ok?03:48 Good Week: The Big Baltic Electricity Switch13:58 Bad Week: Chinese e-commerce giants26:19 Interview: Anna Levin on the magic of Europe's dark skies44:42 The Inspiration Station: 'The Day of the Jackal' and 'Italia Express' by Radiooooo 49:01 Happy Ending: Industrious Czech beavers Bluesky | Instagram | Mastodon | [email protected]
-
Manglende episoder?
-
Europe's rarest butterfly lives on the outskirts of a single town in North Macedonia. So why is it possible to find specimens of this incredibly endangered animal for sale online for 30 euros? This week we speak to 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 OleksiakMusic: Jim Barne and Mariska Martina 00:23 Cold dips and the future of memory culture04:27 Good Week: Aleksandr Lukashenko12:08 Bad Week: Freedom to protest in the UK32:11 Interview: Kiril Arsovski Przo on the legal loophole threatening Europe's most endangered butterfly47:31 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 | [email protected]
-
In an otherwise miserable week, this podcast is delighted to bring you a joyful interview with a drag cow. At least, an interview with the person behind the cow: the Swiss artist, performer and animal rights activist Daniel Hellmann. We chat to Daniel about why he decided to channel his campaigning side into something so wonderfully silly. We're also talking about a trigger-happy Croatian politician and Ursula von der Leyen's return from hospital. 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. 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 OleksiakMusic: Jim Barne and Mariska Martina 00:23 An (attempted) orange-man free zone03:08 Good Week: Ursula von der Leyen10:32 Bad Week: Croatia's government21:40 Interview: Daniel Hellmann (Soya the Cow) on the case for joyful activism39:05 The Inspiration Station: 'The Outrun', 'Mad men gran', and European TikTok44:23 Happy Ending: A social network making a good decision, for once?! Bluesky | Instagram | Mastodon | [email protected]
-
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 episodeGhent 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, 2025https://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 OleksiakMusic: Jim Barne and Mariska Martina 00:22 Polish apple facts, and some amazing news05:05 Bad Week: Aleksandar Vučić17:02 Good week: Adventurous chefs26:44 Interview: Szymon Kardaś on what the Russia-Ukraine gas pipeline shutdown means for Europe42:31 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 | [email protected] -
Between Elon Musk's meddling and Romania's election rollercoaster, the state of Europe's democracies feels a little scary at the start of 2025. This week we talk to Tom Theuns, author of a new book about Europe's failure to stop the slow slide towards autocracy so far and what we can do to fix it. Tom is a senior assistant professor of political theory and European politics at Leiden University. You can find out all about his book, 'Protecting Democracy in Europe', 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 OleksiakMusic: Jim Barne and Mariska Martina 00:23 The headwinds of 202502:48 Bad Week: Fireworks11:50 Good Week: Greenland's pro-independence movement22:31 Interview: Tom Theuns on protecting Europe's democracies38:01 The Inspiration Station: 'My Favourite Cake' and 'La Chimera'43:13 Happy Ending: Ada Colau's amazing Instagram post Bluesky | Instagram | Mastodon | [email protected] -
As the winter chill sets in, throngs of Europeans are heading each week to the nearest pond, lake or coastline to dunk themselves voluntarily in freezing cold water. Cold swimming has centuries of history on this continent, but why do it? This week we're delving into the science of why it makes us feel good — but also why it helps so many people through difficult times, with the help of Katharina Smets, audio maker and proud member of Antwerp's biggest cold plunge club. We're also talking about the Vatican's Christmas tree drama and a festive inflation-busting policy in Greece. This final episode of the year was recorded live in front of an audience of our supporters. Thank you for listening to The Europeans in 2024! If you enjoy our podcasts, we'd love it if you'd consider supporting our work into 2025. 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, '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 OleksiakMusic: Jim Barne and Mariska Martina 00:22 Winter tea and Swedish gnomes04:40 Good Week: Greece's Christmas shopping basket12:50 Bad Week: The Green Giant of Trentino27:29 Interview: Katharina Smets' guide to cold swimming in Europe49:42 The Inspiration Station: 'The Bee Sting' by Paul Murray and Jazz Station in Brussels53:56 Happy Ending: The best Christmas market in Europe... or is it? Instagram | Bluesky | Mastodon | Twitter | [email protected]
-
We've got a heady mix of Romanian politics, online misogyny and animal-based chaos for you this week. Friend of the show Andrei Popoviciu joins us to explain why his dad and many other voters backed the TikTok-fuelled campaign of far-right Romanian presidential candidate Călin Georgescu. And we ring up three young people from Greece, Ireland and Lithuania to ask: what's it like being part of a generation that's increasingly divided over whether feminism is a good thing? Plus, hamsters. Lots of hamsters. This week's interview with Siloé Musoke, Goda Skiotytė and Chris Ntonis was produced in collaboration with the 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 OleksiakMusic: Jim Barne and Mariska Martina00:23 Which country's got quiet, boring politics right now?02:42 Good Week, Romania, Bad Week, Romania20:52 Interview: Siloé Musoke, Goda Skiotytė and Chris Ntonis on the rising divide over feminism in young Europeans46:08 The Inspiration Station: 'Nature Manifesto' by Björk and Aleph at the Centre Pompidou; lohikeitto50:53 Happy Ending: Hamsters on a plane Instagram | Bluesky | Mastodon | Threads | Twitter | [email protected]
-
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 trauma04:02 Bad Week: The European left15:09 Good Week: Romania and Bulgaria's Schengen bid28:07 Interview: Dominika Lasota on one year of Donald Tusk's government in Poland49:29 The Inspiration Station: The World In Maps and My Voice, My Choice53:46 Happy Ending: Dominic's Barcelona metro challengeProducers: Katz Laszlo and Wojciech Oleksiak Mixing and mastering: Wojciech OleksiakMusic: Jim Barne and Mariska Martina Instagram | Bluesky | Mastodon | Threads | Twitter | [email protected] -
From Turkey to France and the UK, Iranians who've challenged the regime at home have often sought safety in Europe. But how safe are these dissidents, really? This week we speak to Fariba Nawa, host of 'Lethal Dissent', a fascinating new podcast series that investigates Iran's efforts to silence those in exile on European soil and beyond. We're also talking about Denmark's remarkable mass rewilding plan, and Slovakia's nationalist crackdown on the use of Hungarian and other minority languages. You can find 'Lethal Dissent' wherever you're listening to this. It was produced by the team at slow journalism podcast 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 canals04:52 Good Week: Denmark's huge rewilding plan11:28 Bad Week: Slovakia's Hungarian minority24:15 Interview: Fariba Nawa on Iran's hunting of its citizens abroad40:09 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 OleksiakMusic: Jim Barne and Mariska Martina Instagram | Bluesky | Mastodon | Threads | Twitter | [email protected]
-
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 [email protected].
Thank you, as always, for listening.
Instagram | Threads | Twitter | Mastodon | europeanspodcast.com
-
The world may be transfixed by the US election results, but this was a huge week for news on this side of the Atlantic too. This week we're trying to make sense of the cataclysmic floods in Spain, and talking about another presidential election with major consequences — the one in Moldova. Plus, a much-needed palate-cleanser: we're delving into a fascinating report into what European children are watching, and what grown-up film producers can do to make better stuff for kids.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 podcast04:48 Bad Week: Spain's floods24:39 Good Week: Maia Sandu37:26 Interview: Anna Schultka and Rikke Flodin on what the kids of Europe are watching55:00 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 OleksiakMusic: Jim Barne and Mariska Martina Instagram | Threads | Twitter | Mastodon | [email protected]
-
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 Named02:15 Good Week: French efforts to tax the super-rich16:42 Bad Week: Gas stove fans24:55 Please rate us on Pocket Casts!26:06 Interview: Anna Gvarishvili on Georgia's elections43:26 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 OleksiakMusic: Jim Barne and Mariska Martina Instagram | Threads | Twitter | Mastodon | [email protected] -
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 podcast06:18 Good Week: Pedro Sánchez19:48 Bad Week: Rich wine-drinkers29:14 Interview: Seb Duyck on Switzerland's failed response to the KlimaSeniorinnen ruling46:26 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 OleksiakMusic: Jim Barne and Mariska MartinaInstagram | Threads | Twitter | Mastodon | [email protected]
-
Arson, vandalism, attacks on NATO vehicles: around Europe, mysterious acts of sabotage have been multiplying. And there's a pattern: the perpetrators were recruited on Telegram via accounts linked to Russian agencies. This week, we hear from Marta Vunš about how she and other journalists went undercover to figure out how this recruitment actually works. We're also asking whether Germany's nausea-inducing opera deserves its scandalised headlines, and why France has been low-key obsessed with a treasure hunt for the past three decades. 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. "‘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 StuttgartTalk Eastern Europe: Spies, sabotage and Russia-West relations 00:22 The week EU politics got spicy03:22 Bad Week: Unwell opera-goers13:54 Good Week: France's mystery treasure-hunt winner24:38 Interview: Marta Vunš on Russia's shady Telegram recruitment38:46 The Inspiration Station - The European Cultural Foundation presents: Liquid Becomings42:45 Happy Ending: Phew! Art saved from the garbage can
Producers: Morgan Childs and Wojciech Oleksiak Mixing and mastering: Wojciech OleksiakMusic: Jim Barne and Mariska Martina
Instagram | Threads | Twitter | Mastodon | [email protected]
-
Why is it so hard to talk about climate change in a way that actually makes us... feel something? This week, our producer Katz Laszlo talks to an Icelandic writer who manages against the odds to do just that: Andri Snær Magnason, author of — among many other things — the hit memoir 'On Time And Water'. We're also talking about the German politician alleged to have hired Belarusian political prisoners, and the extraordinary bounceback of Mediterranean turtles. 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 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 turtles12:38 Bad Week: Jörg Dornau24:03 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 bonanzaProducers: Morgan Childs and Katz LaszloMixing and mastering: Wojciech OleksiakMusic: Jim Barne and Mariska Martina
Instagram | Threads | Twitter | Mastodon | [email protected]
-
Are European leaders living in a Barbie-like dreamworld? This week, the idealised fantasy of the EU versus its awkward reality. Far from being a continent of grateful europhiles, a lot of people feel apathetic about the European project at best. Paweł Zerka joins us to discuss why non-white, young and Eastern Europeans feel especially left out of the EU, and what we can do to fix this. We're also joined by Deutsche Welle's Kate Laycock for a special guest edition of Good Week, Bad Week! We discuss how victory was snatched from the AfD in last weekend's state elections in Brandenburg, as well as the backlash against tax hikes on books in both Slovakia and the Netherlands. 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 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 Netherlands22:00 Interview: Paweł Zerka on the Barbie-like European Union39:13 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 OleksiakMusic: Jim Barne and Mariska Martina
Instagram | Threads | Twitter | Mastodon | [email protected]
-
Last week we brought you geopolitics, this week we're bringing you testicles. Why has male contraception remained such an underground idea, despite decades of research? We speak to Paul Labourie, one of a growing number of men (in the francophone world at least) who are turning to DIY contraception devices to take on more of the responsibility in their relationships. We're also talking about the crackdown on Germany's borders and a surprise move by Mussolini's granddaughter. Paul is a journalist and photographer based in Brussels. You can find his website 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 device03:02 Good Week: Standing up to the far-right in Italy09:50 Bad Week: The Schengen Zone21:19 Interview: Paul Labourie's primer on thermal contraception35:19 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 OleksiakMusic: Jim Barne and Mariska Martina
Instagram | Threads | Twitter | Mastodon | [email protected]
-
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 2024If 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: Ticketmaster14:23 Good Week: Swedish kids26:40 Interview: Rym Momtaz catches us up on the main European political developments of the summer47:44 The Inspiration Station: 'Evenings and Weekends' by Oisín McKenna; 'Berlin' by Andris Kuprišs50:24 Happy Ending: The return of the northern bald ibisProducers: Morgan Childs and Wojciech Oleksiak
Mixing and mastering: Wojciech Oleksiak
Music: Jim Barne and Mariska Martina
Instagram | Threads | Twitter | Mastodon | [email protected]
-
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 | [email protected]
- Vis mere