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Brussels Playbook Podcast

POLITICO
Ukraine
European Union
Geert Wilders
Israel-Hamas War
NATO
AI Act
Russia
European Parliament Election 2024
Ursula Von Der Leyen
Germany
EU Enlargement
EU Migration Deal
European Parliament
Viktor Orbán
Brussels
Qatargate
EU Election 2024
Hungary
European Parliament Elections
Climate Change

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

PublishesDailyEpisodes518Founded9 years ago
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Latest Episodes

Europe is working hard to end the standoff with Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán over the €90 billion loan promised to Ukraine.

Host Zoya Sheftalovich and Ian Wishart, senior EU politics editor, discuss how likely it is for the deadlock to be r... more

European affairs ministers meet in Brussels to prepare this week’s EU summit — with discussions ranging from Ukraine and the war in Iran to the bloc’s next long-term budget and competitiveness.

But there is also motion on enlargement. Ukraine and Mo... more

Energy markets are on edge as Iran tensions disrupt shipping and threaten supply shocks. EU foreign ministers and energy ministers meet in Brussels to discuss what the bloc can actually do to protect global energy flows — and whether it has the tools... more

The mixed messages by President Trump and his administration about how long the U.S.-Israeli war against Iran will last have unnerved allies and shaken European markets. Two weeks into the conflict, EU capitals are asking when it will end and how the... more

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

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Recent Guests

Claudia Bauer
Austria's Europe Minister
Austria
Episode: Europe rejects Trump’s Iran demands
Norbert Röttgen
A Bavarian CDU politician, former German Foreign Minister and Bundestag Foreign Affairs Committee chair
Christian Democratic Union (CDU)
Episode: Europe should back American strikes on Iran, says key Merz ally
Volodymyr Zelenskyy
President of Ukraine
Office of the President of Ukraine
Episode: Zelenskyy vs. Orbán
Frank Furedi
Hungarian-born sociologist
MCC Brussels think tank
Episode: Europe’s plan to keep Ukraine afloat
Mark Leonard
Director of the European Council on Foreign Relations; author of Surviving Chaos
European Council on Foreign Relations
Episode: How Europe survives when there are no rules
Ian Wishart
Listener who sent in a voicemail from Berlin
Listener, Berlin
Episode: Iran war: Europe weighs migration risk
Katarína Mathernová
EU's ambassador to Ukraine
European Union
Episode: The EU’s envoy to Ukraine on war, resilience — and Nordic walking
Aitor Hernández-Morales
POLITICO's Iberian Affairs expert
POLITICO
Episode: Omnibusted: The EU’s competitiveness conundrum
Ebba Busch
Sweden's Deputy Prime Minister and Energy Minister
Government of Sweden
Episode: BONUS: "Europe has to be saved from itself" - Sweden's Deputy Prime Minister

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

4.5 out of 5 stars from 1.2k ratings
  • Awesome

    Perfect podcast for the morning commute and well selected stories served in a great way!

    Great idea Politico - I’m a fan

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Magnusp2
    Denmarka month ago
  • Great short podcasts

    Really like this bite-size insight into EU politics

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Josh Sherer
    United Kingdoma month ago
  • Suggestion

    Can u talk about what Brussels thinks of West Balkans countries joining EU? I’m interested about Albania. Cheers

    Apple Podcasts
    4
    asbasha
    New Zealanda month ago
  • Great addition to the feed

    Brussels Playbook Podcast is a great addition to my feedback. Daily Brux reports are long overdue.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    SyGeCoNa
    United Kingdoma month ago
  • Love the new daily format

    Great daily source of information about everything EU policy and politics.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Etron2000
    Germanya 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
#70
United Kingdom/News/Politics
Apple Podcasts
#132
Canada/News/Politics
Apple Podcasts
#158
United Kingdom/News
Apple Podcasts
#14
Italy/News/Politics
Apple Podcasts
#44
France/News/Politics
Apple Podcasts
#68
Germany/News/Politics

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Europe’s plan to keep Ukraine afloat
Q: What are the different options they're gaming out here?
Plan A remains to convince Orbán to support the 90 billion euro loan; if that fails, alternatives include a Plan B or Plan C with Nordic, Baltic, and Dutch funding to keep Ukraine afloat, leveraging carrots like EU funding for Hungary to sway outcomes, and timing considerations around the Hungarian election.
Zelenskyy vs. Orbán
Q: What happens if the 90 billion euro loan is not released by the EU?
The interviewee explains that Ukraine relies on the funds for internal production and to sustain its defense and European security, framing delayed funding as harming Ukraine and Europe and suggesting a 'Plan B' may be necessary if no signals are shown.
Europe should back American strikes on Iran, says key Merz ally
Q: How has Chancellor Merz's position evolved since the early days of the war, and what does that mean for European unity?
Merz has shifted toward opposing endless war and recognizing the risk of deteriorating international law, while still balancing strategic necessity with the EU's interest in reducing conflict and maintaining stability; the host and guest compare this with broader European dynamics and the risk of political backlash.
Who showed up — and who didn't — for Kyiv's big day
Q: So Zoya, you were there as the leaders gathered in Kyiv. How was it?
Zoya described it as a tough day with notable absences. She sensed disappointment regarding the lack of major American, British, and French leaders, while the determination among the Ukrainian people remained strong.
Sanctions, tensions — and a birthday at the FAC
Q: So, what sort of stuff is he trying to extract from the EU?
Orban is trying to secure funding that the EU has unfrozen and leverage his position for political gain in the upcoming election.

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?

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.

Where can I find podcast stats for Brussels Playbook Podcast?

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Which podcasts are similar to Brussels Playbook Podcast?

These podcasts share a similar audience with Brussels Playbook Podcast:

1. Today in Focus
2. The Foreign Affairs Interview
3. Global News Podcast
4. The Economics Show
5. The Global Story

How many episodes of Brussels Playbook Podcast are there?

Brussels Playbook Podcast launched 9 years ago and published 518 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.

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What guests have appeared on Brussels Playbook Podcast?

Recent guests on Brussels Playbook Podcast include:

1. Claudia Bauer
2. Norbert Röttgen
3. Volodymyr Zelenskyy
4. Frank Furedi
5. Mark Leonard
6. Ian Wishart
7. Katarína Mathernová
8. Aitor Hernández-Morales

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