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Artwork for The Zeitgeist
Germany
United States
European Union
China
Ukraine
NATO
Trade Policy
LGBTQ+ Rights
World Trade Organization
Alternative For Germany
German Memory Culture
Afd
Russia
Defense Spending
Holocaust
Bundestag Election
European Parliament Elections
Economy
Colonialism
Priscilla Layne

Building a Smarter German-American Partnership

PublishesTwice monthlyEpisodes100Founded8 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
GovernmentSociety & Culture

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Artwork for The Zeitgeist

Latest Episodes

The 2026 World Cup has been bigger than ever before; an expanded tournament of forty-eight teams has brought record-breaking audiences. On this episode of The Zeitgeist, Andrei Markovits discusses soccer culture in the United States and Germany and i... more

Civil society organizations are funded differently in the United States and Germany, and LGBTQ+ organizations must take different approaches when seeking financial support from the public and private sector. Preston James Ross and Sebastian Thiele jo... more

The Stonewall Riots are known worldwide as a starting point for LGBTQ+ activism, and musicals like Cabaret have shared the story of the queer experience in Weimar Berlin. But the United States and Germany are rich with diverse LGBTQ+ stories. Erik Jö... more

The United States has exploited strategic networks and dependencies to its advantage in foreign policy. As the international system has transformed, more countries seek to play at the game of “weaponized interdependence.” Abe Newman and Leonard Schüt... more

Key Facts

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

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Recent Guests

Sebastian Thiele
Legal professional with LGBTQ+ community work in Leipzig
CSD Leipzig; Leipzig Pride organizer
Episode: Episode 150: Valuing Civil Society Organizations
Preston James Ross
Public servant and LGBTQ+ advocate with experience in healthcare, Congress, and local government
Prince George's County Council staff; Young Nonprofit Professional Network of DC
Episode: Episode 150: Valuing Civil Society Organizations
Eric Utica
Berlin-based LGBTQ+ activist and public affairs consultant
LSVD Plus (Germany's largest LGBTQ+ organization)
Episode: Episode 149: Forgotten LGBTQ+ Histories
G. Samantha Rosenthal
Independent journalist and professional historian
Southwest Virginia LGBTQ+ History Project, Living Queer History author
Episode: Episode 149: Forgotten LGBTQ+ Histories
Abe Newman
Professor and John Powers Chair in International Business Diplomacy at Georgetown University; Director of the BMW Center for German and European Studies
Georgetown University
Episode: Episode 148: Weaponized Interdependence in a Changing International System
Leonard Schütte
Fellow in the International Security Program at the Belfer Center, Harvard Kennedy School
Harvard Kennedy School
Episode: Episode 148: Weaponized Interdependence in a Changing International System
Louise K. Davidson-Schmich
Professor and associate chair of Political Science at the University of Miami, Florida; author of Gender, Crisis, and Leadership, Possibilities and Perils for Women Leaders
University of Miami; Oxford University Press (book publisher)
Episode: Episode 147: Merkel, Leadership, and Crisis
Bertram Kawlath
President of the VDMA (European Machinery Association)
VDMA
Episode: Episode 146: European Manufacturing and Global Trade
Stefan Fröhlich
Professor Emeritus of International Relations and Political Economy, University of Erlangen-Nuremberg
University of Erlangen-Nuremberg
Episode: Episode 145: Transatlantic Fractures and the Future of U.S. Relations with Europe

Hosts

Jeff Rathke
Host with long-standing involvement in AGI, focused on German-American partnership and policy discussions
Eric Langenbacher
Senior Fellow and director of AGI program on Society, Culture, and Politics; frequent host/guest on topics bridging U.S. and Germany
Peter Raschisch
Colleague/guest with roles at AGI, contributing policy and organizational insights

Reviews

4.7 out of 5 stars from 18 ratings
  • I like it! But perhaps…

    …I’m biased, because I’m the host! Thanks to all who give us a listen - Jeff

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Liam R.
    United States3 years ago
  • Unique Information - Excited to Hear Future Episodes

    So far, very unique Information! I'm excited to hear future episodes!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    SkyMakai
    United States7 years ago

Listeners Say

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

Thoughtful, data-driven exchanges on transatlantic dynamics.
Strong practical takeaways for strategists and researchers.
High-quality guests with policy and academic depth.

Chart Rankings

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

Apple Podcasts
#240
Germany/Government
Apple Podcasts
#250
Italy/Government
Apple Podcasts
#146
Poland/Government
Apple Podcasts
#167
Belgium/Government

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Episode 150: Valuing Civil Society Organizations
Q: What might a balanced funding model look like for queer organizations in both countries?
Both guests conclude that a combination of core, long-term funding with transparent evaluation and selective use of private funds could support sustainability, independence, and impact without constraining organizations to short-term, project-based goals.
Episode 150: Valuing Civil Society Organizations
Q: Does the funding model privilege certain types of queer organizations over others due to metrics and overhead coverage?
Preston argues that metric-driven funding tends to favor larger organizations with professional staff and robust data capabilities, potentially disadvantaging small, in-house teams, though both agree there are trade-offs in accountability and impact.
Episode 150: Valuing Civil Society Organizations
Q: So broadly speaking, what struck you most about the differences between how queer organizations are funded in the United States versus Germany?
Sebastian notes the professionalism and private fundraising strength in the U.S., while Preston highlights the U.S. system's heavy reliance on private funds to supplement limited public money, contrasted with Germany's more trust-based, long-term support and risk of reliance on public funding.
Episode 148: Weaponized Interdependence in a Changing International System
Q: How has Europe's stance evolved in response to this shift?
Europe is moving from a defensive posture to considering credible deterrence and potential retaliation, recognizing that economic security requires more assertive instruments beyond mere defense, even if politically costly.
Episode 147: Merkel, Leadership, and Crisis
Q: How does gender coding affect men leaders as much as women leaders?
Men leaders generally face less risk in the gender double bind because acting in line with traditional masculine leadership is less contested; when men show empathetic or feminine-leaning traits, their status can be enhanced, but this effect is not as paired with risk as it is for women.

Audience Metrics

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

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

Frequently Asked Questions About The Zeitgeist

What is The Zeitgeist about and what kind of topics does it cover?

The show brings together scholars, policymakers, and seasoned practitioners to dissect geopolitics, transatlantic relations, and European economic strategy. Across recent episodes, conversations center on weaponized interdependence, European industrial policy, Germany–U.S. security dynamics, supply chains resilience, and the evolving balance of power in a multipolar world. Notable strengths include data-driven analyses from academic and policy circles, practical takes from industry leaders, and a consistent emphasis on how policy tools shape global outcomes. The format often blends theoretical frameworks with real-world case studies, offering listeners thoughtful insights for researchers, executives, and public affairs professionals seeking... more

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Which podcasts are similar to The Zeitgeist?

These podcasts share a similar audience with The Zeitgeist:

1. F.A.Z. Podcast für Deutschland
2. Machtwechsel
3. RONZHEIMER.
4. Auf den Punkt
5. The Ezra Klein Show

How many episodes of The Zeitgeist are there?

The Zeitgeist launched 8 years ago and published 100 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 The Zeitgeist?

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What guests have appeared on The Zeitgeist?

Recent guests on The Zeitgeist include:

1. Sebastian Thiele
2. Preston James Ross
3. Eric Utica
4. G. Samantha Rosenthal
5. Abe Newman
6. Leonard Schütte
7. Louise K. Davidson-Schmich
8. Bertram Kawlath

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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