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Brussels Playbook Podcast

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

PublishesDailyEpisodes617Founded9 years ago
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PoliticsNewsNews Commentary

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Artwork for Brussels Playbook Podcast

Latest Episodes

It’s August in Brussels, which means it’s vacation time.

Whether you’re heading off to the beach or holding down the fort in town,  this episode is brimming with book recommendations from our newsroom and from you, our listeners. Whatever your genre... more

YouTube

Working at the European Commission is one of the most coveted civil service jobs in Brussels. Yet, officials employed there describe high pressure, bureaucracy and burnout.

Our colleague Seb Starcevic has interviewed dozen officials from different c... more

YouTube

Europe wants to kick its U.S. tech habit, but it’s struggling to detangle itself from American data analytics firm Palantir.

The problem is, the company's tools are already deeply embedded in critical sectors across the bloc like policing, national ... more

YouTube

Home affairs ministers are meeting this morning as the fallout of the Ceuta crisis continues to roil Europe.

Last week’s sudden influx of migrants into the Spanish exclave — most of whom have since returned — sparked heated exchanges between Europea... more

YouTube

Key Facts

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Recent Guests

Guthrinn Haafsteindottir
Icelandic opposition party leader
Independence Party (Iceland)
Episode: Trump reopens the tariff fight
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?
Hamish Faulkner
Europe Minister in UK government (incoming role)
UK Government
Episode: Will Europe warm to Britain's new Prime Minister?
Sylvie Boulard
France's Defence Minister in 2017, former MEP; adviser to Emmanuel Macron; En Marche background
En Marche / former French government and EU roles
Episode: Will Europe warm to Britain's new Prime Minister?
Ekaterina Zaharieva
EU Startups Commissioner
European Commission
Episode: Brussels is coming for Google — and the bill could be huge
Ben Munster
Energy reporter at POLITICO
POLITICO
Episode: Week Ender: Did Europe dodge a summer travel crisis?
Tommaso Lecca
Mobility reporter at POLITICO
POLITICO
Episode: Week Ender: Did Europe dodge a summer travel crisis?
Aslı Aydıntaşbaş
Visiting fellow at the Brookings Institution and former journalist
Brookings Institution
Episode: Week Ender: Why Europe can’t avoid Erdogan
John Kampfner
Author, broadcaster, Politico contributor, longtime observer of European politics
Author of Braver New World
Episode: Week Ender: Why Europe can’t avoid Erdogan

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 1.6k 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
    Polanda month ago
  • Excellent podcast as always!

    Podcast Addict
    5
    whoopacious-rollercoaster
    a month 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
    2 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 States2 months 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
#129
United Kingdom/News/Politics
Apple Podcasts
#167
Canada/News/Politics
Apple Podcasts
#13
Italy/News/Politics
Apple Podcasts
#63
France/News/Politics
Apple Podcasts
#102
Italy/News
Apple Podcasts
#111
Germany/News/Politics

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

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.
Zoya and the crew answer your questions
Q: What are the most unhinged bits that editors and producers cut out of any of the episodes?
They reveal there are many candid backstage moments and inside jokes that never make it to air, including controversial lines, but some rare examples remain in a private folder and are not shown publicly.
Zoya and the crew answer your questions
Q: Is Zoya as animated and energetic in her real life as on air?
The crew suggests it's hard to quantify, but notes that Zoya's energy is a consistent part of the on-air persona, with colleagues hinting at the broader dynamic rather than definitive confirmation.
Can NATO allies avoid a clash with Trump in Ankara?
Q: How worried are you about America's long-term commitment to European security and the possibility of a reduced Western presence?
He stresses that Europe must shoulder more responsibility while recognizing that US collaboration is still crucial; he points to renewed European defense investments, stronger industrial cooperation, and continued support for Ukraine as evidence of steady alignment, even amid public U.S. pressure.

Audience Metrics

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

Listeners per Episode
Gender Skew
Location
Interests
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Age Range
Household Income
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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?

These podcasts share a similar audience with Brussels Playbook Podcast:

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

How many episodes of Brussels Playbook Podcast are there?

Brussels Playbook Podcast launched 9 years ago and published 617 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?

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What guests have appeared on Brussels Playbook Podcast?

Recent guests on Brussels Playbook Podcast include:

1. Guthrinn Haafsteindottir
2. Simon Fraser
3. Hamish Faulkner
4. Sylvie Boulard
5. Ekaterina Zaharieva
6. Ben Munster
7. Tommaso Lecca
8. Aslı Aydıntaşbaş

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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