Best Europod Podcasts (2025)

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Greece targets demographic crisis with band-aid tax relief 5:20

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1h ago5:20

5:20

Greece has announced a sweeping €1.6 billion tax reform aimed at tackling what Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis calls one of the country’s greatest threats, the demographic crisis. But are these measures enough to reverse Greece’s demographic decline and ease the cost of living or are they simply quick fixes to distract from soaring prices and co…

1
Episode 234: Trump’s quest for peace in Ukraine 48:29

6h ago48:29

48:29

Talk Eastern Europe is back from its August break! In this episode, Adam, Alexandra and Nina run through some of the bigger stories from the region, including developments in the Balkans, Poland, the EU, and look at the global implications of China’s victory celebrations this week. After the news, Adam and Nina are joined by Pavel Havlíček, researc…

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Putin warns foreign troops in Ukraine would be ‘legitimate target’ 4:46

2h ago4:46

4:46

Russian President Vladimir Putin has warned today, Friday, that any foreign troops deployed to Ukraine before a peace agreement is signed would be treated as “legitimate targets” by Moscow’s forces. This statement comes hours after 26 of Ukraine’s allies pledged to send troops as part of a so-called “reassurance force”. But what does this “reassura…

1
The New Politics with Balázs Orbán 53:33

5h ago53:33

53:33

This week Mark Leonard is joined by Balázs Orbán, Hungarian prime minister Viktor Orbán’s (no relation) political director since 2021. He is also chairman of the board at the Mathias Corvinus Collegium. Previously, Balázs was minister of state in the prime minister’s office and director general of the Migration Research Institute in Budapest. Toget…

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Lisbon’s funicular tragedy brings back ignored workers’ safety warnings 4:33

5d ago4:33

4:33

On Wednesday evening, Lisbon’s historic Glória funicular derailed on its route between Restauradores Square and the Bairro Alto climb in the city centre. The yellow-and-white tram came off the tracks, crashed into a building and toppled over. The result was catastrophic: at least 15 people were killed, and 18 were injured, including a child. Five a…

1
Fico, Putin and the EU: an ‘independent’ foreign policy? 4:52

2d ago4:52

4:52

Slovakia’s Prime Minister Robert Fico is once again in the spotlight for his closeness to Moscow. Yesterday, Tuesday, he met Russian President Vladimir Putin in Beijing where the Russian leader praised him for pursuing what he called an independent foreign policy. But what does this so-called “independence” really mean for Slovakia, for Ukraine, an…

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Belgium to recognise Palestine at the UN and sanction Israel 5:14

3d ago5:14

5:14

Belgium’s Foreign Minister, Maxime Prévot, announced overnight that the country will recognise the state of Palestine during the upcoming UN General Assembly session in New York. But the move comes with conditions. Recognition will only be formalised once Hamas releases all remaining hostages taken on the 7th of October 2023, and once the group no …

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Von der Leyen’s “precise plans” for Ukraine’s security 4:30

4d ago4:30

4:30

European capitals are preparing “pretty precise plans” for a multinational troop deployment to Ukraine, said European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen to the Financial Times. The plan will be on the table again this week in Paris, at the invitation of French President Emmanuel Macron, with leaders including Germany’s Friedrich Merz, the UK…

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The New Politics with Hélène De Lauzun 32:16

9d ago32:16

32:16

This week Mark Leonard is joined by Hélène De Lauzun, Paris correspondent for the European Conservative and author of L'histoire de l'Autriche (The History of Austria), to discuss the historical roots and modern expressions of conservatism in France. Together, Mark and Hélène explore her intellectual journey as a historian emphasising France’s pre-…

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Italy’s digital misogyny: website finally taken down 4:47

7d ago4:47

4:47

An explicit content website in Italy called Phica, a misspelt slang for female genitalia, was finally shut down on Thursday after it was circulating photos of women without their consent. Among those targeted were some of Italy’s most high-profile figures like Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, opposition leader Elly Schlein, European Parliament member…

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Denmark and Greenland apologise for forced contraception of Indigenous women 4:39

8d ago4:39

4:39

Denmark’s prime minister Mette Frederiksen and Jens-Frederik Nielsen, the prime minister of Greenland apologised officially this Wednesday for the roles of their countries in the historic mistreatment of Greenlandic Indigenous girls and women, including forced contraception under the so-called “Spiral Case.” But can an apology alone deliver justice…

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Confidence vote or collapse? What’s happening with Macron’s government? 4:54

9d ago4:54

4:54

France is staring down at yet another political crisis. Prime Minister François Bayrou has announced a confidence vote for the 8th of September, a move that could very well bring down his government. Bayrou is pushing through an austerity plan worth 44 billion euros to cut France’s soaring deficit, currently at 5.8% of GDP, nearly double the EU’s t…

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Is living in rural Europe a retreat or a reinvention? 18:08

9d ago18:08

18:08

They call it Europe’s backbone: the rural heartlands. Covering more than 80 percent of the EU’s territory but home to less than 30 percent of its population, rural areas are vital for food, biodiversity, and climate resilience, yet face population decline, ageing communities, poor infrastructure, and limited digital access. In this episode of Europ…

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Why Israel’s Gaza hospital strike could constitute multiple war crimes 5:23

10d ago5:23

5:23

On Monday morning, Israeli forces launched not one, but two strikes on Nasser hospital in Khan Younis, southern Gaza. The first hit just after 10am. Then, around ten minutes later, as journalists and medics rushed to the scene, a second strike hit the same spot. At least twenty people were killed. Among them: five journalists and four health worker…

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Von der Leyen or Draghi: Europe’s power and future under question 5:20

14d ago5:20

5:20

Over the weekend, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen stepped in to defend the EU- US tariff deal, after sharp criticism from Mario Draghi, economist, former ECB chief and former Italian prime minister who, just last year, was asked by von der Leyen to compile a report with ideas to ramp up the EU's economic growth. So, is the tariff…

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Disconnected in 2050 - Ep.10 - “Grounded, here.” 8:35

17d ago8:35

8:35

Our daily news podcast Long Story Short is currently on a break for the Summer period until the 25th of August. As a Summer treat for our audience, we are dropping every day an episode of one of our most successful podcast series: Disconnected in 2050. So, to make the most of this episode make sure you have listened to earlier episodes of Disconnec…

1
The New Politics with Gladden Pappin 41:51

18d ago41:51

41:51

In the second episode of ECFR’s summer mini-series on the “New Right”, Mark Leonard is joined by Gladden Pappin, president of the Hungarian Institute of International Affairs, co-founder and deputy editor of American Affairs Journal and co-founder of the online magazine Post-Liberal Order. Gladden's intellectual journey illustrates the transnationa…

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Disconnected in 2050 - Ep.9 - "My name is Ezra" 11:08

18d ago11:08

11:08

Our daily news podcast Long Story Short is currently on a break for the Summer period until the 25th of August. As a Summer treat for our audience, we are dropping every day an episode of one of our most successful podcast series: Disconnected in 2050. So, to make the most of this episode make sure you have listened to earlier episodes of Disconnec…

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Disconnected in 2050 - Ep.8 - "The first time" 9:15

19d ago9:15

9:15

Our daily news podcast Long Story Short is currently on a break for the Summer period until the 25th of August. As a Summer treat for our audience, we are dropping every day an episode of one of our most successful podcast series: Disconnected in 2050. So, to make the most of this episode make sure you have listened to earlier episodes of Disconnec…

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Disconnected in 2050 - Ep.7 - "Nothing was the same anymore.” 8:12

20d ago8:12

8:12

Our daily news podcast Long Story Short is currently on a break for the Summer period until the 25th of August. As a Summer treat for our audience, we are dropping every day an episode of one of our most successful podcast series: Disconnected in 2050. So, to make the most of this episode make sure you have listened to earlier episodes of Disconnec…

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Disconnected in 2050 - Ep.6 - "Stay safe Ezra." 8:51

22d ago8:51

8:51

Our daily news podcast Long Story Short is currently on a break for the Summer period until the 25th of August. As a Summer treat for our audience, we are dropping every day an episode of one of our most successful podcast series: Disconnected in 2050. So, to make the most of this episode make sure you have listened to earlier episodes of Disconnec…

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Disconnected in 2050 - Ep.5 - "Entering the new era: the era of Infinity." 11:45

25d ago11:45

11:45

Our daily news podcast Long Story Short is currently on a break for the Summer period until the 25th of August. As a Summer treat for our audience, we are dropping every day an episode of one of our most successful podcast series: Disconnected in 2050. So, to make the most of this episode make sure you have listened to earlier episodes of Disconnec…

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The new politics with Rod Dreher 39:17

25d ago39:17

39:17

This week Mark Leonard is joined by Rod Dreher, a visiting fellow and Network Project director at the Danube Institute in Budapest, and former senior editor at The American Conservative. Draher is also a writer—his latest book, “Live Not By Lies: A Manual for Christian Dissidents” is based on the experiences of Christians persecuted in Soviet Russi…

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Disconnected in 2050 - Ep.4 - "I believe this belongs to you." 5:18

26d ago5:18

5:18

Our daily news podcast Long Story Short is currently on a break for the Summer period until the 25th of August. As a Summer treat for our audience, we are dropping every day an episode of one of our most successful podcast series: Disconnected in 2050. So, to make the most of this episode make sure you have listened to earlier episodes of Disconnec…

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Disconnected in 2050 - Ep.3 - "We know we are being monitored and yet…" 8:36

27d ago8:36

8:36

Our daily news podcast Long Story Short is currently on a break for the Summer period until the 25th of August. As a Summer treat for our audience, we are dropping every day an episode of one of our most successful podcast series: Disconnected in 2050. So, to make the most of this episode make sure you have listened to earlier episodes of Disconnec…

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Disconnected in 2050 - Ep.2 - "They seized everything and now they're coming for us." 7:12

28d ago7:12

7:12

Our daily news podcast Long Story Short is currently on a break for the Summer period until the 25th of August. As a Summer treat for our audience, we are dropping every day an episode of one of our most successful podcast series: Disconnected in 2050. So, to make the most of this episode make sure you have listened to earlier episodes of Disconnec…

1
Disconnected in 2050 - Ep. 1 - "That’s when I found it." 6:09

29d ago6:09

6:09

Our daily news podcast Long Story Short is currently on a break for the Summer period until the 25th of August. As a Summer treat for our audience, we are dropping every day an episode of one of our most successful podcast series: Disconnected in 2050. So, to make the most of this episode make sure you have listened to earlier episodes of Disconnec…

1
Priced out: southern Europe’s locals face the high cost of mass tourism 5:32

1M ago5:32

5:32

Summer 2025 is setting new tourism records, but also new tensions. In the sunny south of Europe, local patience is wearing thin. As prices rise and crowds grow, the question is: can southern Europe remain a paradise for tourists without becoming unliveable for its own people? Join us on our journey through the events that shape the European contine…

1
The new politics with Yoram Hazony 27:55

1M ago27:55

27:55

In the second episode of ECFR’s summer mini-series on the “New Right”, Mark Leonard is joined by Yoram Hazony, Israeli political scientist, president of the Herzl Institute in Jerusalem and chairman of the Edmund Burke Foundation, to explore the emergence of national conservatism as a response to the perceived crisis of liberalism. In their convers…

1
Crisis of masculinity: What’s driving the backlash? 5:47

1M ago5:47

5:47

Women’s hatred towards men makes the men uncomfortable, but men’s hatred towards women kills women. Last July, a masculinist attack was averted in France. Earlier this year, the Netflix series “Adolescence” showed the world how the narrative of toxic masculinity had swept its way into young men’s heads. All these men pretend to defend their oh so p…

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The AI race and its environmental cost 5:19

1M ago5:19

5:19

Artificial intelligence models like ChatGPT and DeepSeek require immense computing power to train and operate. That demand has sparked a global construction boom of data centres, the physical backbone of AI. But as billions are poured into ever-larger facilities, is the world ready for the environmental and energy costs of this new digital infrastr…

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Reports against reports: the battle to regulate toxic TFAs 5:07

1M ago5:07

5:07

You’ve heard of PFAS, these forever chemicals found on your non-stick pan, in your dishwasher detergent, in your jacket and generally everywhere in your everyday lives. Now meet the trifluoroacetic acid or TFA, probably very dangerous to the public health but not regulated or measured in the EU. Now, you might wonder, if our food supplies are conta…

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Why wildfires aren’t just an emergency, but our reality 5:34

1M ago5:34

5:34

Wildfires have once again swept across the Mediterranean this summer, Catalonia saw entire towns forced into lockdown, fires crept dangerously close to Marseille, and evacuations have been underway in Greece. It’s becoming an all-too-familiar summer routine. But as the flames grow stronger and more frequent, are we doing enough to stop Europe from …

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The Right Kind of Family : Destroying gender 4/6 37:53

1M ago37:53

37:53

In episode 4 of The Right Kind of Family, our reporters travel back to Spain, a country which has become a model in the development of progressive transgender rights at the national and regional level. In 2023, the Spanish Congress passed the so-called Trans Law, which focuses primarily on allowing individuals to change their name and gender on ID …

1
Slovenia imposes arms embargo on Israel, Portugal signals recognition of Palestine 6:25

1M ago6:25

6:25

Today’s episode is brought to you in partnership with The Observer and Tortoise, who just released a brand new investigative podcast series, called “The Lab Detective”. “The Lab Detective" deals with the story of Kathleen Folbigg, who experienced unimaginable loss. All four of her infant children died suddenly, over a 10-year period. Their deaths w…

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The new politics with Ivan Krastev 35:58

1M ago35:58

35:58

The re-election of President Donald Trump and the recent successes of right-wing parties across the world are posing a challenge to the established political order. With overwhelming evidence that we are living through a political Zeitenwende, this summer ECFR is taking a deep dive into the “post-liberal revolution”—starting with a new podcast seri…

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Episode 233: Ukrainians protest anti-corruption crackdown 45:55

1M ago45:55

45:55

In this episode, Adam and Alexandra start by discussing the latest news including fears of interference in Moldova’s upcoming elections, the upcoming inauguration Poland’s new president as well as some worrisome security breaches in the Baltics. For the main interview, Adam sits down with Kyiv-based journalist Aleksander Palikot to discuss the rece…

1
Ukraine backtracks on anti-corruption bill after public outcry 4:57

1M ago4:57

4:57

Today’s episode is brought to you in partnership with The Observer and Tortoise, who just released a brand new investigative podcast series, called “The Lab Detective”. “The Lab Detective" deals with the story of Kathleen Folbigg, who experienced unimaginable loss. All four of her infant children died suddenly, over a 10-year period. Their deaths w…

1
Google to sign EU’s AI code of practice. What are the concerns? 6:43

1M ago6:43

6:43

Today’s episode is brought to you in partnership with The Observer and Tortoise, who just released a brand new investigative podcast series, called “The Lab Detective”. “The Lab Detective" deals with the story of Kathleen Folbigg, who experienced unimaginable loss. All four of her infant children died suddenly, over a 10-year period. Their deaths w…

1
The ‘always on’ culture and the battle for the right to disconnect 21:25

1M ago21:25

21:25

Work emails at night. Messages from your boss after dinner. The pressure to be “always on” has become the norm, blurring the line between work and life, and pushing more people toward burnout. In this episode of Europe Talks Back, we look at how digital tools, remote work, and workplace expectations are wearing us down and whether the growing push …

1
Israel denies starvation in Gaza as the EU proposes symbolic sanctions 6:16

1M ago6:16

6:16

Today’s episode is brought to you in partnership with The Observer and Tortoise, who just released a brand new investigative podcast series, called “The Lab Detective”. “The Lab Detective" deals with the story of Kathleen Folbigg, who experienced unimaginable loss. All four of her infant children died suddenly, over a 10-year period. Their deaths w…

1
The EU-US tariff deal: A costly compromise or strategic win? 6:25

1M ago6:25

6:25

Today’s episode is brought to you in partnership with The Observer and Tortoise, who just released a brand new investigative podcast series, called “The Lab Detective”. “The Lab Detective" deals with the story of Kathleen Folbigg, who experienced unimaginable loss. All four of her infant children died suddenly, over a 10-year period. Their deaths w…

1
The Right Kind of Family : The abortion playbook 3/6 47:40

1M ago47:40

47:40

In episode 3 of The Right Kind of Family, we travel to Italy, a country which has become a model for how it has been limiting access to abortion for women in subtle ways. In fact, the country ruled by Giorgia Meloni's Brother of Italy, represents a playbook for how it is possible to curtail abortions in a context where the Law formally provides fre…