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Brussels Playbook Podcast

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

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

PublishesDailyEpisodes587Founded9 years ago
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Latest Episodes

After four and a half years of war, Ukraine’s physical destruction is easy to see. But the psychological damage caused by occupation, displacement and loss is much harder to measure — although just as urgent to repair.

David Miliband, president and ... more

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Ukraine’s allies are gathering in Gdańsk to talk about rebuilding the country — even as Russia continues to destroy homes, power stations and critical infrastructure.

Zoya Sheftalovich reports from the Ukraine Recovery Conference, where governments,... more

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Europe’s biggest military powers are meeting today.

The group of countries is called the E5 (not to be confused with the E3) and consists of France, Germany, the U.K., Italy and Poland. They’ll be preparing for the NATO summit next month and discuss... more

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The leaders of Poland, Czechia, Slovakia and Hungary are gathering for the first proper Visegrád Group summit in more than two years.

Meetings of these four countries have essentially been frozen since Russia’s 2022 full-scale invasion of Ukraine — ... more

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Key Facts

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Find out how many people listen to this podcast per episode and each month.

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Recent Guests

Marion Solletty
POLITICO's Chief Europe Correspondent
POLITICO
Episode: Bardella warns Brussels he won’t moderate
Clea Caulcutt
POLITICO reporter in Paris
POLITICO
Episode: Are voters hopelessly divided or universally angry?
Nektaria Stamouli
POLITICO reporter in Athens
POLITICO
Episode: Are voters hopelessly divided or universally angry?
Jakob Moroza-Rasmussen
Agriculture editor at POLITICO
POLITICO
Episode: Are voters hopelessly divided or universally angry?
Laurens Cerulus
POLITICO's Deputy Tech Editor
POLITICO
Episode: Can Europe quit American Big Tech?
Jordyn Dahl
Senior mobility reporter and resident China watcher
POLITICO
Episode: China: the 'abusive' partner the EU just can’t quit?
Sander Tordoir
Chief Economist at the Centre for European Reform
Centre for European Reform
Episode: China: the 'abusive' partner the EU just can’t quit?
Grzegorz Stec
Head of the Brussels Office at the Mercator Institute for China Studies (Merics)
Mercator Institute for China Studies
Episode: China: the 'abusive' partner the EU just can’t quit?
Anders Fogh Rasmussen
Former NATO Secretary General
Former government/International diplomacy
Episode: Should Europe talk to Putin?

Hosts

Zoya Sheftalovich
Host of Brussels Playbook Podcast and related EU-focused daily briefings; long-standing POLITICO EU correspondent.
Sarah Wheaton
Policy Editor with roles in EU Confidential and Brussels Playbook Weekender; leads longer Friday episodes.

Reviews

4.6 out of 5 stars from 1.5k ratings
  • Breat informative podcast with humour to brighten things

    Podcast Addict
    5
    pdelia
    3 days ago
  • Great stuff if you want to follow the goings-on in Brussels

    Podcast Addict
    5
    vasil
    18 days ago
  • Very Entertaining

    Not only do I get great insights on the EU, but the individual politics in the member countries as well. Also very fun and entertaining. What a great way to start my day. Well done!!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    davidjmz
    United States24 days ago
  • Witty and razor sharp

    I love your very entertaining and highly informative show. Excellent research and solid critical comments. In these days independent journalism is as indispensable as oxygen and you provide it. Keep it on!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Jelle Kroes
    Netherlands25 days ago
  • review

    the production of this podcast is wonderful and the questions the quests are asked are great

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Nel_232
    Polanda month ago

Listeners Say

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

The show can be polarizing for some listeners who critique tone or balance and prefer deeper economic analysis.
Listeners praise concise, informative briefings and strong host storytelling.
A subset desires more European-policy depth or less Americanized framing in certain episodes.
Many appreciate the quick daily format and the ability to stay updated on Brussels developments with context.

Chart Rankings

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

Apple Podcasts
#110
United Kingdom/News/Politics
Apple Podcasts
#140
Canada/News/Politics
Apple Podcasts
#250
United Kingdom/News
Apple Podcasts
#16
Italy/News/Politics
Apple Podcasts
#88
France/News/Politics
Apple Podcasts
#106
Germany/News/Politics

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Are voters hopelessly divided or universally angry?
Q: How is the center performing in these elections, and can it hold the line against more extreme options?
The center is under pressure across multiple countries as fragmentation increases and voters seek change, making it unclear whether centrist coalitions can hold; in some cases, this opens space for the far left or far right to gain momentum.
Are voters hopelessly divided or universally angry?
Q: What is the one political development in your country that Brussels should not ignore?
In Greece, the biggest development is the farm subsidy scandal tied to EU funds that is fueling anger and potential early elections, while in France and Denmark, the focus is on how fragmentation and anti-establishment sentiment are reshaping political competition and policy alignment with Brussels.
Can Europe quit American Big Tech?
Q: Is there a risk that pursuing European sovereignty becomes a political slogan for forcing people into more expensive tools they don't want?
There will be friction and inertia in switching, but the broader point is about building alternatives and reducing lock-in while recognizing user comfort and practicality.
Can Europe quit American Big Tech?
Q: I'm going to start with, I don't know, maybe a little reality check. Do either of you actually use European tech tools in daily life to replace American ones?
Yes, there have been attempts to switch to European tools like Ecosia for search, but it's a struggle and many people still revert to familiar U.S. services because they work and are convenient.
Albania's 'flamingo revolution' comes to Brussels
Q: Hey Nick, what would you say is the one thing that would make flying tolerable for you?
We discuss the idea that including carry-on trolleys in the basic fare could reduce hassle, with potential discounts if you skip the trolley, but the big point is that the industry is negotiating whether such changes will go into effect this summer or revert to the status quo.

Audience Metrics

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

Listeners per Episode
Gender Skew
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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?

A concise, everyday briefing on EU politics and Brussels power dynamics, with a focus on policy decisions, budgets, and transatlantic relations. Episodes frequently cover Europe's economic policy, security, and governance debates, often pairing brisk roundups with expert guests to offer context for today's headlines. A notable strength is the tight, reporting-driven format that distills complex EU topics into under-15-minute takes, plus occasional deeper dives on Fridays for a broader, more analytic view. The show is likely to appeal to listeners who want quick,-informative summaries with clear links to national capitals, along with informed perspectives on geopolitics and European policy trade-offs. A standout trait is the emphasis on prac... more

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Which podcasts are similar to Brussels Playbook Podcast?

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1. Mark Leonard's World in 30 Minutes
2. The Rachman Review
3. Inside Europe
4. Westminster Insider
5. The Intelligence from The Economist

How many episodes of Brussels Playbook Podcast are there?

Brussels Playbook Podcast launched 9 years ago and published 587 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

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What guests have appeared on Brussels Playbook Podcast?

Recent guests on Brussels Playbook Podcast include:

1. Marion Solletty
2. Clea Caulcutt
3. Nektaria Stamouli
4. Jakob Moroza-Rasmussen
5. Laurens Cerulus
6. Jordyn Dahl
7. Sander Tordoir
8. Grzegorz Stec

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