Best Vilmos Podcasts (2026)

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Hungary's Battery Bet and Europe's Green Transition – Weiler Vilmos 24:18

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18d ago24:18

24:18

Does the European Union have an ‘intelligent’ green strategy that is failing in practice while Hungary pursues a ‘dumb’ one that seems to work? In this episode of the Visegrad Insight Podcast, Wojciech Przybylski speaks with Hungarian journalist Vilmos Weiler about the surge of Chinese and Korean battery investments in Hungary and what this means f…

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Mike Vecchione - Things are heating up 0:31

8d ago0:31

0:31

Mike was on the show last year and since then has had some real success. He was a semi finalist on Last Comic Standing, done a Comedy Central Special, was on the New Faces show in Montreal and did a Tonight show.By Vilmos Branyik

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'Make Europe Great Again' and the Cross-border Network Behind Karol Nawrocki 41:53

6d ago41:53

41:53

In this Visegrad Insight podcast episode, Wojciech Przybylski speaks with Anna Gielewska of ⁨@vsquare_project⁩ about a cross-border investigation with Front Story and Context Romania. They discuss alleged undeclared online support linked to Romanian far-right politician George Simion during Karol Nawrocki’s presidential campaign, what can and canno…

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Eddie Clark - Are you sure? NASCAR? 0:43

15d ago0:43

0:43

Eddie has been doing comedy for over 30 years. Vilmos first met him in Omaha in 2011. Eddie talks about his love for sports, NASCAR in particular. They also talk some baseball and Ron Shock.By Vilmos Branyik

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Russian Fossil Fuels, Orbán and the Green Transition 31:32

13d ago31:32

31:32

Wojciech Przybylski unpacks the new United States national security strategy and its ‘chaotic hypocrisy’ towards Europe, then turns to Hungary to ask what an honest energy transition would really look like. In conversation with Ada Ámon, executive director of the Budapest Climate Agency, this episode explores: – How deeply Hungary is locked into Ru…

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Geno Bisconte - Hey buddy! 0:55

22d ago0:55

0:55

There is always excitement when Geno comes on the show. He talks about his show Geno's Picks and his upcoming road trip with Vilmos.By Vilmos Branyik

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Rocky Whatule - Big Changes 0:37

29d ago0:37

0:37

Rocky is undergoing some changes in his personal life that has caused him to re-evaluate his approach to comedy.By Vilmos Branyik

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Orbán’s favourite villain? How Ukraine hijacked Hungarian politics 23:21

1M ago23:21

23:21

Why is Ukraine plastered across Hungary’s billboards and campaign ads as if it were on the ballot itself? And what does Viktor Orbán really gain from keeping Volodymyr Zelensky in the minds, hearts and social media algorithms of Hungarians? In this episode of the Visegrad Insight Podcast, Wojciech Przybylski speaks with Viktória Serdült, journalist…

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Darryl Rhoades - Music, Comedy and Ray Bans 0:50

1M ago0:50

0:50

When he was growing up Darryl just wanted to play music. Somewhere along the way he decided to make his music into something funny to. He has also crossed paths with some of the greatest musicians and comedians of our time.By Vilmos Branyik

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Can Elections Break Orbán’s State-Made Oligarchy? 51:56

1M ago51:56

51:56

In April 2026, Hungarians go to the polls again. The choice is framed as ‘war and peace’ by Viktor Orbán, and ‘corruption and oligarchy’ by Péter Magyar. But is Hungary’s real problem that its oligarchs are not independent tycoons at all, but extensions of the state itself? In this Visegrad Insight videocast, Wojciech Przybylski speaks with two ins…

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Christine Stedman - Nude comedy night. 0:44

1M ago0:44

0:44

Christine is a Mother, Grandmother and full time road comic. Hear what it is like for a woman on the road and what it was like to do a show at a nudist colony.By Vilmos Branyik

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‘Nationalism in Banking is Simply Stupid’: Can Central Europe Lead Europe’s Next Boom? 44:48

1M ago44:48

44:48

In this episode of the Visegrad Insight Podcast, Tomasz Kasprowicz speaks with Andreas Treichl, chair of Erste Foundation and former chief executive of Erste Group Bank, about the future of banking, capital markets and pensions in Central and Eastern Europe. Learn more about Europe Future Forum: https://europefuture.forum/⁠ 📌 What is inside this ep…

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Sam Fedele - Why does it hurt so much? 0:57

2M ago0:57

0:57

Sam was already headlining clubs when he met Vilmos. Vilmos was very early in his comedy career. They have been friends ever since. Sam and Vilmos discuss how Sam feels about his career at this point and the changes he wants to make.By Vilmos Branyik

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Europe’s Trade Storm with Jarno Syrjälä 29:56

2M ago29:56

29:56

Finland’s Under-Secretary of State for International Trade, Jarno Syrjälä, joins Tomasz Kasprowicz, Vice-President of the Res Publica Foundation, to unpack how smaller European states navigate a harsher economic security environment. We discuss European Union trade unity under stress, the US–China rivalry, China’s rare earth leverage and why dialog…

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TuRae - A little history 0:35

2M ago0:35

0:35

TuRae is in Miami filming for a straight to YouTube web series. He and Vilmos get into a discuss on younger comics today and their knowledge on the art of Standup. Also discussed is TuRae's new show in Philadelphia called 'The Introduction'.By Vilmos Branyik

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Münchau on Europe’s Trade Traps 45:48

2M ago45:48

45:48

Economic security alert. Wolfgang Münchau, co-founder and director of Eurointelligence, and author of ‘Kaput: The End of the German Miracle’ book, pulls no punches in an exclusive interview with Wojciech Przybylski – Germany’s mercantilist miracle is over, China now out-competes on quality, and Europe’s economic security hangs by fragile threads. F…

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Russ Rivas - Russ tells all 0:58

2M ago0:58

0:58

Russ because a comic after his friends talked him into going on stage. He quit his job as an auto mechanic after (as he describes) he figured out he made more money talking than busting his knuckles. In this episode we discuss that Russ is the most imitated comic you never heard of and his connection to 'The Sopranos'.…

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Do They Still Dream? 94% Say Yes – Dreams, Fears & Resilience in Poland’s First Ever Dreams Report 32:55

2M ago32:55

32:55

What do 94% of Poles dream about in 2025 – and how are their fears shaping the future? Next to the weekly democratic and economic security outlook, in this episode of the Visegrad Insight Podcast, recorded live at the Freedom Games in Łódź, Maia Mazurkiewicz – CEO of the PZU Foundation, part of the biggest Polish insurance company – unveils the fir…

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Mark Riccadonna - At the Jersey Show 0:37

2M ago0:37

0:37

Vilmos catches Mark on the road between shows at the Casba Comedy Club in Wildwood New Jersey. They discuss how clubs decide who to book and his writing job on a pilot that was just completed.By Vilmos Branyik

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Why Trump, Putin, Orbán want to meet in Budapest? 29:54

2M ago29:54

29:54

On 16 October 2025, Budapest was announced as a centrepiece of global diplomacy when the US President declared that his Russian counterpart had called to discuss peace in Ukraine, apparently triggered by Tomahawk diplomacy. But what are the real motivations behind Vladimir Putin's and Donald Trump's visits to Hungary, a key EU and NATO member state…

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Piotr Matczuk – Poland’s Investment Traffic Manager 26:36

3M ago26:36

26:36

A quick overview of weekly developments and a special guest speaker of the Europe Future Forum. Tune in for an insightful conversation with Piotr Matczuk, CEO of the Polish Development Fund (PFR), as he discusses PFR’s pivotal role as Poland’s 'investment traffic manager.' Learn how PFR facilitates capital flows, supports Polish businesses in their…

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Transatlantic Spin – Visegrad 24, Middle East 24, and the Rise of Far-Right Media Narratives 40:16

3M ago40:16

40:16

Readings: A New Gaza Rage Machine – with Polish Origins by Iván László Nagy https://visegradinsight.eu/a-new-gaza-rage-machine-with-polish-origins/ This Polish-German Border Community Still Believes In The European Miracle – LONG READ by Staś Kaleta: https://visegradinsight.eu/this-polish-german-border-community-still-believes-in-the-european-mirac…

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Can Europe Control Its Security In The Age of AI? 40:44

3M ago40:44

40:44

In this episode, Raluca Csernatoni shares her vision for the future of defence – what power and security mean in a world of new technologies and big tech. We also give our overview of regional events, including an informal defence summit in Copenhagen, and elections in Moldova and Czechia. Raluca is a Research Fellow working on the nexus between Eu…

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Constanze Stelzenmüller: Why US Big Tech is The Biggest Danger to Europe 39:32

3M ago39:32

39:32

In this episode, listen to what Constanze Stelzenmüller has to say about the biggest threats to European security. Constanze is the Director of the Center on the US and Europe and Fritz Stern Chair at The Brookings Institution. She was also a speaker at our Europe Future Forum 2025: https://europefuture.forum/ We also have our regular overview of r…

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Between Washington and Beijing: Europe’s Dilemma as Wang Yi Visits Warsaw 21:04

4M ago21:04

21:04

This week, Staś Kaleta is joined by Noah Barkin to discuss the EU's strategy for China – after Donald Trump’s NATO ultimatum demanding China tariffs, as well as Foreign Minister Wang Yi’s visit to Poland. Barkin is a Senior Advisor in Rhodium Group’s China practice and a Visiting Senior Fellow in the Indo-Pacific Programme at the German Marshall Fu…

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Russian War Games, NATO Drills in the Baltics and the Cost of Readiness 23:01

4M ago23:01

23:01

This week, as media reports suggest that the US is considering withdrawing its troops from the Baltics, we break down what presence the US really has on NATO’s eastern flank. We look at the large-scale military exercises being led by other NATO allies in the Baltics – in symbolic opposition to the joint Zapad drills of Russia and Belarus – as well …

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Nawrocki Visits The White House: Statesman or Sideshow? 25:18

4M ago25:18

25:18

This week, we look ahead to Karol Nawrocki’s visit to the White House, the first foreign trip of his presidency, which comes amid growing tensions between the presidential office and the government at home. We also comment on Robert Fico’s and Aleksandar Vučić’s expected attendance in Beijing for China’s military parade – siding with a revisionist …

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Why Was Poland Not Present in Washington? 20:28

5M ago20:28

20:28

In this episode, we break down a rollercoaster week for Ukraine – from the meeting between Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin in Alaska, to Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s visit to Washington yesterday. We also try to explain why no leaders from central or eastern Europe were included in the group of heads of state to accompany Zelenskyy.…

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Europe Braces For Trump-Putin Alaska Meet 22:54

5M ago22:54

22:54

In this week’s episode, we look at how Central European leaders are positioning themselves ahead of a pivotal meeting in Alaska – between Donald Trump, Vladimir Putin, but no Volodymyr Zelenskyy. We also break down Karol Nawrocki’s first week as President of Poland, and what to expect from his visit to Washington on 3 September.…

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Is Tusk’s Government Ready for Nawrocki? 39:44

5M ago39:44

39:44

This week, as Karol Nawrocki completes his official inauguration, we look at what to expect from the next Polish President. We break down clues about what his foreign and domestic policy might look like, and how he changes the game for Donald Tusk – and Jarosław Kaczyński. We’re joined by Bartosz Wielinski, Deputy Editor in Chief of Gazeta Wyborcza…

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Central Europe Debates New EU Budget 18:34

5M ago18:34

18:34

In this episode, we look at how Central Europe reacted to the new EU budget proposal, breaking down media and government responses – from Warsaw’s celebrations to Budapest’s anger. We hear from Magda Jakubowska, Director of Operations at the Res Publica Foundation, and several Visegrad Insight fellows from across the region, including Iván L. Nagy,…

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Taiwan Playbook: Lessons for the EU Against Authoritarian Influence 42:34

5M ago42:34

42:34

In this episode, we’re joined by Marcin Jerzewski 葉皓勤, Head of the Taiwan Office of the European Values Center for Security Policy, as we look ahead to the EU-China summit. We break down relations between different Central European nations and China, and why much can be learned from Taiwan – as Beijing and Moscow continue to consolidate their axis …

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Is Trump Finally Done with Putin’s Games? 24:27

6M ago24:27

24:27

This week, we react to Donald Trump’s major announcements during a White House meeting with Mark Rutte – including the threat of tariffs on Russia if no deal is struck within 50 days, and a promise of big money equipment for Ukraine. We also break down the hopes of Central and Eastern Europe for the EU’s next Multiannual Financial Framework.…

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Who Owns the Streets Now? Budapest Pride Challenges Orbán’s Dominance 28:24

6M ago28:24

28:24

In this special episode of the Visegrad Insight podcast, Staś Kaleta talks with Szabolcs Panyi and Luca Soltesz, who reflect on the record-breaking Budapest Pride March and its wider political implications for Hungary ahead of the 2026 elections. They explore how the spontaneous mobilisation signals growing anti-government sentiment, the strategic …

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Hungary Takes Over V4 Presidency. What Does This Mean for Tusk's Europe? 24:55

6M ago24:55

24:55

This week, Poland's EU Council Presidency ends, and Hungary's Visegrád Group Presidency begins – under a secret programme that Budapest has not shared with its neighbours. We look at how Viktor Orbán may try to spoil the European direction Donald Tusk has tried to shape over the last six months. We also look back on the NATO summit in the Hague, an…

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Explaining New Europe Silence On Iran 25:15

6M ago25:15

25:15

In this episode, we break down regional responses to escalating tensions in the Middle East, after the US bombed three of Iran’s nuclear sites. We also point out developing stories across the Visegrád Group – from Budapest’s Pride march to vote-counting irregularities in Poland.

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Vučić Travels to Ukraine-Southeast Europe Summit. Baltics Assemble Evacuation Plans 25:15

7M ago25:15

25:15

In this episode, we look at growing warnings about the threat Russia poses – from Ukraine and Southeast Europe to the Baltics and Finland. We also breakdown regional reactions to ongoing hostilities between Israel and Iran.

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Pro-EU V4 Governments Likely to Face Key Votes 28:04

7M ago28:04

28:04

In this episode, we focus on tense political atmospheres in Poland and Czechia. In Warsaw, Donald Tusk has called for a vote of confidence after an election loss. In Prague, the opposition is looking to punish Petr Fiala’s government, after it was revealed that a justice minister received a secret €40 million donation from a convicted online drug d…

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Nawrocki Wins In Poland. MAGA Leaders Rejoice 34:30

7M ago34:30

34:30

In this episode, we predict what Karol Nawrocki’s presidential electoral victory will mean for Poland, and beyond. You’ll hear comments from: Spasimir Domaradzki, a Researcher and lecturer at the Faculty of Political Science and International Studies of the University of Warsaw Krzysztof Izdebski, a Member of the Board and Director for Advocacy and…

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Trump Calls Putin Crazy. Where Does That Leave Europe? 30:17

7M ago30:17

30:17

In this episode, we discuss Donald Trump’s Ukraine strategy, whether he has finally realised Vladimir Putin is ‘crazy’, and what that realisation would mean for EU security. We then breakdown debates and rallies in the final week before Poland’s crucial presidential election run-off.

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Is Gradual Integration The Enlargement Silver Bullet? 21:33

7M ago21:33

21:33

In this episode, our Visegrad Insight Enlargement Fellow Jan Farfal interviews Saskia Hollander, Senior Research Fellow at The Clingendael Institute. As the EU considers the gradual integration model for enlargement, we explore its potential benefits and risks. The discussion is based on the following Clingendael report: https://www.clingendael.org…

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Dan Wins Dramatic Comeback In Romania. Trzaskowski, Nawrocki Enter 50/50 Race 19:38

8M ago19:38

19:38

In this episode, we look at a weekend of key elections in Romania and Poland. To break down Nicușor Dan’s remarkable victory, we hear from special guests Alex Olaru (Editor-in-Chief at PressOne), Alina Bârgǎoanu (Visegrad Insight Fellow, Member of the advisory board of the European Digital Media Observatory), and Radu Albu-Comǎnescu (Visegrad Insig…

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Global Security In The World Of ‘Friends Of Steel’ 26:23

8M ago26:23

26:23

In this episode, we explore a redefined global security context with Róbert Ondrejcsák, Executive Director of the European Leadership Network, former Slovak Ambassador to the UK and former Deputy Defence Minister of Slovakia. We break down Xi Jinping’s call for Russia and China to become ‘friends of steel’ – in opposition to leaders in Kyiv and Was…

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Tusk, Merz and Macron Bring Unity In Kyiv 30:39

8M ago30:39

30:39

In this episode, we look back on Donald Tusk’s meetings with Emmanuel Macron and Friedrich Merz, Xi Jinping’s call for Russia and China to become ‘friends of steel’, an important meeting of leaders in Kyiv, and the prospects of George Simion becoming Romanian President on 18 May.

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Simion Takes Dominant Lead In Romanian First Round 28:42

8M ago28:42

28:42

In this episode, we look at Victory Day in Russia and who may or may not be attending. We also breakdown events happening at the same time in Europe, like a new treaty between Poland and France, as well as first round election results in Romania and the latest opinion polls in Poland – two weeks before the 18 May vote.…

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What is Trump Jr. Doing in Central and Eastern Europe? 30:43

8M ago30:43

30:43

In this episode, we look back on the last 10 years of the Three Seas Initiative, as the forum celebrates its 10th anniversary in Warsaw – and in the same week that Donald Trump Jr. tours around the region… We also break down the state of play ahead of crucial elections in Romania and Poland.

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A Golden Age For The Polish-German Partnership? 31:12

9M ago31:12

31:12

In this episode, we explore relations between Poland and Germany with special guest, Bartosz Wieliński – Visegrad Insight Fellow and Deputy Editor-in-Chief at Gazeta Wyborcza. We break down how the politics of memory around Germany and migration has been weaponised, in the past and now ahead of Polish elections next month. We also look at what to e…

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Why Was an Unknown Pro-Russian Candidate Allowed on a Polish TV Election Debate? 23:48

9M ago23:48

23:48

In this episode, we break down Polish expectations for the new German government. We also look at presidential election debates in Poland – including an unknown, pro-Russian unknown actor – and growing concerns about corruption in Hungary and Slovakia.

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US Tariffs: Only The Start of Trump’s Security Reshape 25:53

9M ago25:53

25:53

In this episode, we dive into the reactions and the reasoning behind Donald Trump’s tariffs. We also give an exclusive teaser of our Quarterly Brief, which analyses how the new US administration has reshaped European defence: inspiring investment in hard security, but also amplifying illiberal actors and their threats to democratic security. Keep a…

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What does the Central European public think about China? 21:31

9M ago21:31

21:31

In this episode, we break down discourse on China in Central and Eastern European social media. We then dive into the increasingly important world of chips and semiconductors. We’re joined by Matej Šimalčík, Executive Director of the Central European Institute of Asian Studies (CEIAS). You can find the latest CEIAS report, ‘Contested narratives abo…