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Brussels Playbook Podcast

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

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

PublishesDailyEpisodes624Founded9 years ago
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PoliticsNewsNews Commentary

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Latest Episodes

For 16 years, Viktor Orbán exerted an iron grip on Hungarian politics and society. Now it’s being dismantled. Has Hungary finally turned a page on the Orbán era, or could he make one final return?

It’s only a few days before Péter Magyar’s governmen... more

Canada is taking a much harder line against Donald Trump — and Brussels is watching closely. As the U.S.-Canada trade war escalates, Zoya Sheftalovich and Kathryn Carlson look at Mark Carney’s gamble, his call for the world’s “middle powers” to band ... more

YouTube

France and Germany are clashing over how far the EU should go to protect European industry — with Paris pushing stronger “Made in Europe” rules and Berlin warning against provoking new trade fights.

Zoya Sheftalovich and Ian Wishart look at what tha... more

YouTube

António Costa is kicking off a tour of EU capitals to find out what leaders want from the bloc’s next seven-year budget — and what they might accept in return for a deal. His first stop is Bratislava, with Slovakia among the countries pushing to prot... more

YouTube

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Recent Guests

Guy Verhofstadt
Former prime minister of Belgium and former MEP, author of Defeating Trumpism
Former Belgian Prime Minister; author
Episode: Week Ender: Verhofstadt on "Trumpism", plus summer must-reads
Dubravka Šuica
European Commissioner for the Mediterranean
European Commission
Episode: Europe's Palantir problem
Teresa Anjinho
European Ombudsman
European Ombudsman
Episode: Ceuta triggers two days of EU emergency talks
Marianne Gros
Sustainability reporter at Politico
Politico
Episode: Week Ender — Searing Contradiction: Wildfires and climate politics
Agnes Rønberg
Agriculture team, Politico
Politico
Episode: Week Ender — Searing Contradiction: Wildfires and climate politics
Zia Weise
Senior climate reporter at Politico
Politico
Episode: Week Ender — Searing Contradiction: Wildfires and climate politics
Guthrinn Haafsteindottir
Icelandic opposition party leader
Independence Party (Iceland)
Episode: Trump reopens the tariff fight
Hamish Faulkner
Europe Minister in UK government (incoming role)
UK Government
Episode: Will Europe warm to Britain's new Prime Minister?
Simon Fraser
Former Britain's Foreign Office head (2010-2015); senior diplomat
Flint Global (business consultancy); former UK Foreign Office
Episode: Will Europe warm to Britain's new Prime Minister?

Hosts

Zoya Sheftalovich
Host with POLITICO's Brussels bureau; specializes in EU politics and policy coverage.
Ian Wishart
Senior EU politics editor; co-host on some episodes; provides deep policy analysis.
Sarah Wheaton
Policy Editor; hosts weekend and longer-format episodes; brings broader policy context.

Reviews

4.6 out of 5 stars from 1.6k ratings
  • Best place to be in touch with hot brux discussions

    I really like te vibe and lightness of the tone combined with deep understanding of how eu politics and institutions works.

    I would love to hear more about energy and climate!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    HubertTR
    Poland2 months ago
  • Excellent podcast as always!

    Podcast Addict
    5
    whoopacious-rollercoaster
    2 months ago
  • Breat informative podcast with humour to brighten things

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

    Podcast Addict
    5
    vasil
    3 months 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 States3 months ago

Listeners Say

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

Well-produced and timely, but some listeners crave deeper economic analysis.
Clear, concise EU briefing with practical takeaways for decision-makers.
Very informative daily dose for Brussels watchers and global policy audiences.
Occasional strong opinions noted; some praise the host's approachable delivery.
Insightful guest mix and sharp banter keep complex topics engaging.

Chart Rankings

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

Apple Podcasts
#237
United States/News/Politics
Apple Podcasts
#59
United Kingdom/News/Politics
Apple Podcasts
#123
Canada/News/Politics
Apple Podcasts
#134
United Kingdom/News
Apple Podcasts
#8
Italy/News/Politics
Apple Podcasts
#24
France/News/Politics

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Week Ender: Verhofstadt on "Trumpism", plus summer must-reads
Q: What inspired you to write Defeating Trumpism and how do you see populism reshaping liberal democracy?
Verhofstadt argues that populism thrives on revenge and fear rather than a constructive future, and that liberal democracies must reclaim ideological ground by offering a clear, hopeful vision and concrete reforms, including new economic models and stronger European integration.
Week Ender archives: Can Europe quit American Big Tech?
Q: Is the push for European tech sovereignty primarily about market competitiveness or also political signaling to the US?
Laurens Cerulus explains that it is both: reducing dependency and shaping a pragmatic, less confrontational strategy with the US while building a competitive European tech ecosystem.
Week Ender archives: Can Europe quit American Big Tech?
Q: What was the tipping point moment when bridging conversations wasn't enough anymore?
Marietje Schaake argues Europe must act in its own self-interest and move beyond bridge-building, pushing for Europe-first strategies and stronger political leadership to redefine tech sovereignty.
Will Europe warm to Britain's new Prime Minister?
Q: What is the realistic path for the UK to reconnect with the EU under the new government?
The panelists suggest pursuing pragmatic, incremental steps rather than a full-scale reversion to membership talks, focusing on concrete policy areas and maintaining a long-term direction toward closer cooperation while acknowledging political constraints on both sides.
Zoya and the crew answer your questions
Q: What does the team think the podcast will look like in the next three to five years?
The team discusses evolving formats, potential video expansion, and new content ideas while acknowledging the logistical and branding challenges of moving beyond the current audio-only setup.

Audience Metrics

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

Listeners per Episode
Gender Skew
Location
Interests
Professions
Age Range
Household Income
Social Media Reach

Frequently Asked Questions About Brussels Playbook Podcast

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

A brisk, reporting-driven daily briefing on European Union politics, aimed at professionals who need to understand what's moving Brussels and why it matters. Episodes typically run under 15 minutes and deliver concise updates on policy shifts, institutional dynamics, and key events, with a Friday deeper-dive that adds broader context. Frequent topics include EU governance, migration, digital policy, energy, and geopolitics, often featuring insider perspectives from Brussels insiders and occasional expert guests. The show is known for clear explanations, practical relevance for decision-makers, and a light, engaging tone that keeps complex policy accessible. A standout strength is its tight turnaround and its blend of hard reporting with app... more

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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. Inside Europe
3. The Rachman Review
4. The Economics Show
5. The Playbook Podcast

How many episodes of Brussels Playbook Podcast are there?

Brussels Playbook Podcast launched 9 years ago and published 624 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. Guy Verhofstadt
2. Dubravka Šuica
3. Teresa Anjinho
4. Marianne Gros
5. Agnes Rønberg
6. Zia Weise
7. Guthrinn Haafsteindottir
8. Hamish Faulkner

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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