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Brussels Playbook Podcast

POLITICO
European Union
Ukraine
Russia
Ursula Von Der Leyen
Donald Trump
NATO
European Parliament
Hungary
Germany
Viktor Orbán
Brussels
EU Politics
European Commission
France
Migration
Climate Change
Iran
China
Trump Administration
Greenland

POLITICO’s daily audio briefing on what’s moving Brussels — and why it matters. The Brussels Playbook Podcast is the audio extension of the Brussels Playbook newsletter. Hosted by POLITICO's chief EU correspondent, Zoya Sheftalovich, the podcast runs Monday through Thursday, offering a clear, reporting-driven guide to EU politics in under 15 minutes. It’s a perfect companion for your morning coffe... more

PublishesDailyEpisodes547Founded9 years ago
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Artwork for Brussels Playbook Podcast

Latest Episodes

Today on the pod, we’re talking money, money, money.

An important vote on the EU’s next long-term budget is happening in the European Parliament. Zoya and Nick discuss how lawmakers are pushing for a bigger cash pot ... which will likely cause a sti... more

Europe is staring down a familiar and unwelcome set of circumstances: rising energy prices, slowing growth and growing political pressure.

As the fallout from the U.S.-Israeli war with Iran ripples through global markets, EU governments are scrambli... more

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The fragile ceasefire in the Persian Gulf and the uncertainty over peace talks between the U.S. and Iran have cast a long shadow over European capitals hoping for an end to hostilities in the Middle East. Will they have any say over what happens next... more

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On today's show, Ian is in the sunny Mediterranean nation of Cyprus for the biggest gathering of EU leaders on the island for many, many years.

Sarah joins from Brussels and Nick dials in from Greece, where he’s attending the Delphi Economic Forum. more

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Recent Guests

Camilla Salthe
Executive Vice President for Safety, Security and Sustainability
Equinor
Episode: SPONSORED EPISODE: Energy, security and the new European risk landscape
Emilie Asberg
CEO
Havguard
Episode: SPONSORED EPISODE: Energy, security and the new European risk landscape
Petya Barsilisca
Head of Research and Policy
European Initiative for Energy Security
Episode: SPONSORED EPISODE: Energy, security and the new European risk landscape
Ryan Heath
Real talk: veteran EU politics journalist joining as a guest for a wide-ranging discussion
POLITICO
Episode: The rise of the centrist dads
Max Griera
Correspondent reporting from Budapest
POLITICO
Episode: After 16 years, Viktor Orbán loses
Abigail Frizon
Journalist on the ground in Hungary working on a documentary about the election
Hungary political reporting for EU Confidential
Episode: Inside the campaign to unseat Orbán
Nick Vinocur
POLITICO Europe correspondent providing broader EU foreign policy analysis
POLITICO
Episode: Inside the campaign to unseat Orbán
Jamie Dettmer
On-the-ground reporter
Episode: Why EU foreign policy keeps getting stuck
Nick Thomas-Symonds
Minister for Europe in the UK Government
UK Government
Episode: Can Britain and the EU get a Brexit reset deal over the line?

Hosts

Sarah Wheaton
Host and Policy Editor at POLITICO, known for her insights into EU affairs.
Zoya Sheftalovich
Chief EU Correspondent at POLITICO, providing expert analysis on EU politics.

Reviews

4.6 out of 5 stars from 1.3k ratings
  • Fabulous news and entertaining too

    The host Zoya Sheftalovich is absolutely fantastic. She leads and provides excellent commentary and analysis on the issues. She’s also sporting a great podcasting voice as well as a sparkling personality that keeps you listening. Very enjoyable podcast- a must listen to show in my opinion.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    BillDart
    United States17 days ago
  • Excruciating

    If only there was a crisp, professional and insightful English language podcast about the eurozone.

    This is not it.

    Either find a genuine EU insider ‘personality’ to host it or revert to simple broadcasting professionalism. These are kindergarten *insights* from the mouths of - to put it politely - non Europeans.

    It’s not news, not entertainment and not insightful. It’s a waste of time. Next.

    Apple Podcasts
    1
    Bravo Daily team!
    Australia19 days ago
  • Great podcast

    Sarah Wheaton is brilliant as the EU Confidential host. Her storytelling and sense of humor makes it fun and entertaining to listen to on the weekend as well as educational.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    PeacockBru
    Belgium22 days ago
  • More informative less humorous

    While the podcast covers the main events in Brussels and has some interesting interviews it seems directed to people out of the EU bubble that need to be explained the context and terms constantly. Also whilst I love puns the sometimes humorous style of the podcast seems to diminish the seriousness of the state of affairs in the EU. I would appreciate a morning podcast that is a bit lengthier and has a similar style to the EU confidential podcast.

    Apple Podcasts
    3
    Bigsis99
    Spaina month ago
  • Priceless 🤩

    I find myself pop this podcast on as my first choice.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Pianilsen
    Denmarka month ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

The quality of insights and analysis on EU politics is frequently praised, as it helps audiences stay informed on evolving dynamics.
Overall, the podcast is seen as a vital resource for those interested in understanding the intricacies of EU governance and policy.
Many listeners appreciate the podcast for its clarity and brevity, making it a perfect pairing with their morning coffee.
Some criticism has been directed toward perceived biases in coverage, particularly with specific political perspectives being favored.

Chart Rankings

How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.

Apple Podcasts
#215
United States/News/Politics
Apple Podcasts
#79
United Kingdom/News/Politics
Apple Podcasts
#175
Canada/News/Politics
Apple Podcasts
#185
United Kingdom/News
Apple Podcasts
#15
Italy/News/Politics
Apple Podcasts
#46
France/News/Politics

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Inside the campaign to unseat Orbán
Q: So Nick, you have a piece out this week on EU foreign policy and why it's becoming harder and harder for the EU to act even as the world gets more chaotic. What's the core issue behind this gridlock?
The core issue is the unanimity requirement in foreign policy decisions which allows any one member state to veto, paralyzing action; reform ideas include narrowing the veto, using qualified majority voting, and exploring procedural changes like the passerelle clause to enable faster decision-making.
Can Britain and the EU get a Brexit reset deal over the line?
Q: Is the reset more like a Swiss cheese model with many holes, or a full-fat, closer-to-membership relationship?
The UK seeks a relationship that is unique and in our national interest, guided by a pragmatic assessment of what benefits both sides, rather than adopting a Swiss-cheese or full-membership analogy; the aim is a tailored, closer relationship.
Can Britain and the EU get a Brexit reset deal over the line?
Q: What are the main red lines or hard limits you are standing on, particularly regarding the tuition fees and the emergency break versus hard cap?
We are sticking to the understanding we agreed last May regarding the framework, including a limit on the numbers, and we are negotiating with pragmatism rather than rigid ideological lines, aiming for a final agreement that is in our economic interest.
Can Britain and the EU get a Brexit reset deal over the line?
Q: Nick Thomas-Symonds, how confident are you that the youth mobility scheme and the emissions trading linkage will be delivered by the summer?
I am confident we are on the road to delivering them, and I'm very confident that what Mara Sheftalovich and I promised in December will be delivered, including the youth mobility scheme, emissions trading, and the food and drink agreement.
The next refugee crisis
Q: How is Cyprus planning to address the informal EU leaders meeting agenda and ensure safety amid tensions in the region?
Raouna describes measures in place to protect attendees, the continuity of presidency work, and coordination with EU institutions to keep meetings on track while handling regional security concerns.

Audience Metrics

Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.

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Frequently Asked Questions About Brussels Playbook Podcast

What is Brussels Playbook Podcast about and what kind of topics does it cover?

This daily audio briefing highlights the evolving political landscape of the European Union, offering concise insights into the decisions, power shifts, and debates influencing Brussels. With episodes averaging under 15 minutes, it blends timely reporting with analysis, making it ideal for listeners looking for an informed start to their day. Notably, the podcast features both daily updates and a longer weekly episode that delves deeper into significant themes, ensuring listeners stay connected to fast-paced EU politics and their implications across member states.

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How many listeners does Brussels Playbook Podcast get?

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Which podcasts are similar to Brussels Playbook Podcast?

These podcasts share a similar audience with Brussels Playbook Podcast:

1. Mark Leonard's World in 30 Minutes
2. The Rachman Review
3. Inside Europe
4. The Foreign Affairs Interview
5. The Economics Show

How many episodes of Brussels Playbook Podcast are there?

Brussels Playbook Podcast launched 9 years ago and published 547 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

How do I contact Brussels Playbook Podcast?

Our systems regularly scour the web to find email addresses and social media links for this podcast. We scanned the web and collated all of the contact information that we could find in our podcast database. But in the unlikely event that you can't find what you're looking for, our concierge service lets you request our research team to source better contacts for you.

Where can I see ratings and reviews for Brussels Playbook Podcast?

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What guests have appeared on Brussels Playbook Podcast?

Recent guests on Brussels Playbook Podcast include:

1. Camilla Salthe
2. Emilie Asberg
3. Petya Barsilisca
4. Ryan Heath
5. Max Griera
6. Abigail Frizon
7. Nick Vinocur
8. Jamie Dettmer

To view more recent guests and their details, simply upgrade your Rephonic account. You'll also get access to a typical guest profile to help you decide if the show is worth pitching.

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