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Brussels Playbook Podcast: Daily Summaries Delivered
by POLITICO
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 offers a clear, reporting-driven guide to EU politics in under 15 minutes. It’s a perfect companion for your morning coffee. Each episode takes listeners inside the decisions, power shifts and debates shaping the day in Brussels — and explains how they connect to national capitals across Europe. Clear, conversational and shaped by reporting from the heart of the EU, the Brussels Playbook Podcast brings context to EU politics as your day begins. On Fridays, the same feed features a longer episode that goes deeper into the week’s biggest themes, offering context and analysis beyond the daily news cycle — with Sarah Wheaton behind the mic.
Latest Episodes
The most recent episodes — sign up to get AI-powered summaries of each one.
- Yesterday18 min
SPONSORED EPISODE: The science and evolution of cancer care
Precision oncology and digitally enabled cancer care are transforming what it means to live with cancer. The number of people in Europe alive more than five years after a cancer diagnosis grew 41 percent between 2010 and 2020, to nearly 15 million. As science progresses, a growing number of advanced cancers could be managed as chronic diseases, like diabetes or hypertension. But many patients are only able to access innovative treatments as part of a clinical trial, and Europe’s share of global commercial trials has almost halved in a decade. Access to screening and advanced diagnostics also varies widely across the bloc. In the first of two special podcast episodes produced by POLITICO Studio, experts in oncology, clinical research and drug development explore how precision oncology works, how artificial intelligence can draw on vast pools of health data to develop new treatments and where science is heading next. Guest speakers include: Fatima Cardoso, head of clinical trials, scientific affairs and international development in breast oncology at the Centre Antoine Lacassagne in Nice, France, and president of the Advanced Breast Cancer Global Alliance; Giuseppe Curigliano, professor of medical oncology at the University of Milan and head of the Division of Early Drug Development at the European Institute of Oncology; and Johanna Bendell, chief development officer, oncology for Pfizer. POLITICAL ADVERTISEMENT The sponsor is Pfizer Inc., 66 Hudson Blvd E, New York, NY 10001, USA. The political advertising is related to calls for EU policymakers to improve access to precision cancer care. More information here. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
- Yesterday16 min
Le Pen’s plan to end EU diplomacy
All eyes are once again on Ukraine this week, as a fresh round of diplomatic talks puts Europe’s future in the balance. The continent’s focus will largely be on Ukraine as trilateral talks among the U.S., Kyiv and Moscow happen in Abu Dhabi. The stakes are high, as President Donald Trump’s promise of a “big, beautiful deal” that “might involve all of Europe” has capitals on edge. On the show, Zoya Sheftalovich and Nick Vinocur unpack potential outcomes from the talks. Next, EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas has a new adversary: French far-right presidential candidate Marine Le Pen. If she takes power in elections next year, Le Pen wants to dismantle — or at least drastically scale back — the EU’s diplomatic arm, the European External Action Service. What could that mean for Brussels’ influence on the world stage? Finally, European leaders are gearing up for their first joint meeting on AI, but administrative delays threaten to derail their ambitions before they get off the ground. Questions? Comments? Message us on WhatsApp here or at +32 491 05 06 29. Articles mentioned in this episode: Marine Le Pen is coming after Kaja Kallas. The Kremlin call: How talking to Putin exposed Europe’s deepest rift over Ukraine. Putin may not want peace, warns Norwegian leader who spoke to him. EU countries still can’t get it together on AI. This episode was produced by Saga Ringmar. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
- 4 days ago38 min
US voters’ warning to European politicians
The Democrats scored a resounding victory in this week's U.S. midterm elections. But will their triumph actually change anything for Europe? With the balance of power shifting in Congress, could the incoming lawmakers move the needle on issues Europe cares about, from tariffs to support for Ukraine? And what do MAGA's bruising losses mean for Europe's own nationalist and populist parties? Are they a warning for Europe’s far right? Or could the very issues that battered Republicans — affordability and the cost of living — end up propelling Europe's far right into power? Joining host Sarah Wheaton to discuss this is POLITICO Europe's Executive Editor Carrie Budoff Brown, who also led our U.S. newsroom during Donald Trump's first term. We’ll also speak with Gregor Schwung, a reporter at WELT currently on the ground in Washington, D.C., and POLITICO’s Foreign Affairs columnist Jamie Dettmer. Questions? Comments? Let us know on WhatsApp here or at +32 491 05 06 29. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
- 5 days ago18 min
How to find a job in the age of AI
Artificial intelligence is fundamentally reshaping Europe’s job market. The Commission is hoping to do something about that. Today on the show, Zoya Sheftalovich and Sarah Wheaton discuss the unveiling of Commissioner Roxana Mînzatu's Education and Skills Package. In it, the EU executive sets out plans to boost vocational education and training for jobs that require physical presence and manual expertise — jobs that AI won't be as likely to snap up in the future. Next, the culprit behind this week's cyberattack on supermarket freezers across Europe remains a mystery. But we explain why cybersecurity experts are looking toward Moscow. Finally, some MEPs have AI doing their homework — and European Parliament President Roberta Metsola is not happy about it. Are you a young person nervous about your future job prospects? What is your game plan when it comes to finding a job in the age of AI? Let us know on WhatsApp here or at +32 491 05 06 29. Articles mentioned in this episode: Supermarket Chain Thaw Massacre: Russia suspected in Europe’s fridge attacks. Fridge hacks also hit French blood banks. Metsola tells MEPs not to rely on AI when drafting laws. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
- 6 days ago20 min
Europe wakes up to a blue tsunami in the US midterms
Overnight, the Democratic party has won the U.S. Senate and made decisive gains in the House. But this might not necessarily be good news for Europe. On this special episode, Zoya Sheftalovich is joined by Sarah Wheaton in Brussels and our Global Politics Bureau Chief Jack Blanchard, who is ringing in from Washington. Jack will give us a picture of election night and the "generational changing of the guard" as he describes it, which has seen big wins for Democrats across the country. But could this blue wave actually mean Donald Trump — more curtailed at home — turns his attention instead to Europe? And in that case, could we see transatlantic relations sour further in the next two years? We dive deeper into all these questions and more. Do you have any thoughts or questions on these initial results from the U.S. midterm elections? Contact us on WhatsApp here or at +32 491 05 06 29. Articles mentioned in this episode: Allies fear Trump will target NATO in case of midterm loss. OPINION: Why Europe shouldn’t celebrate a Democratic midterm victory. 5 things Europe needs to monitor as Democrats blitz Trump in US midterms. Our U.S. midterm election live blog. This episode was produced by Saga Ringmar. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
- 1 weeks ago17 min
Poland's court fight boils over
Poland's long-simmering rule-of-law issue reached boiling point this weekend. So, what now? On today's show, Zoya Sheftalovich and Kathryn Carlson unpack Prime Minister Donald Tusk's efforts to undo judicial appointments made under the previous right-wing Law and Justice government. Tusk's administration argues that removing these PiS-era appointees is essential to bringing Poland back into line with EU rule-of-law standards. But after this weekend's turmoil, could the push backfire? And what could it mean for Tusk's support ahead of next year's elections? Then, on to a crisis closer to home: Belgian Prime Minister Bart De Wever offered his resignation to King Philippe Monday morning, after failing to reach a budget agreement for 2027. Does that mean the government will collapse? Zoya and Katie go through what happens next. And finally, RFK Jr.’s Make American Healthy Again campaign is coming to Brussels ... at least when it comes to ultra-processed foods. What are your thoughts on unhealthy, processed snacks and junk food? How should the bloc tackle them? Write in and let us know: You'll find us on WhatsApp here or at +32 491 05 06 29. Articles mentioned in this episode: Crisis over top court shapes Poland’s battle lines before 2027 election. Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s food fight is coming to Brussels. King mulls De Wever’s resignation as Belgian budget talks fail. This episode was produced by Saga Ringmar. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
- 1 weeks ago18 min
Canada, coffins and confessionals
The jet lag has barely worn off, but Brussels is already grappling with what its new relationship with Canada could actually look like. After the 48-hour whirlwind EU-Canada summit in Montreal, Prime Minister Mark Carney has given the EU six months to hash out what “associate membership” actually means. On the show, Zoya Sheftalovich and Nick Vinocur unpack the deals struck at the summit and what lies ahead for the relations between the two powers. Next, after last month's unwieldy European Council summit drew criticism of its president, Antonio Costa, he's doubling down on his push to secure a budget by 2027. This week, his head of cabinet Pedro Lourtie will be holding so-called “confessionals” with national governments to get a sense of where they stand. And finally, Europe’s coffin makers are afraid Chinese competitors could be the death of their business. Questions, comments? Please write in! Find us on WhatsApp here or at +32 491 05 06 29. Articles mentioned in this episode: EU and Canada’s 6-month test of commitment. 8 things we learned at the EU-Canada summit. Europe’s coffin-makers warn Chinese imports could be death knell for industry. This episode was produced by Saga Ringmar. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
- 1 weeks ago33 min
Special episode: An exclusive interview with Canadian PM Mark Carney
In this special edition, Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney sits down with POLITICO's chief EU correspondent Zoya and Ottawa bureau chief Nick Taylor-Vaisey for an exclusive interview. With Canada and the European Union exploring a much closer partnership, Carney discusses his vision for Canada's place in a changing world, the future of transatlantic relations and what it would take to build a lasting alliance with Europe. And with Donald Trump reshaping relations between traditional allies, how far is Canada prepared to go in charting a new course? If you have a question or comment, don’t hesitate! Message us on our WhatsApp here or at +32 491 05 06 29. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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About Brussels Playbook Podcast
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 offers a clear, reporting-driven guide to EU politics in under 15 minutes. It’s a perfect companion for your morning coffee. Each episode takes listeners inside the decisions, power shifts and debates shaping the day in Brussels — and explains how they connect to national capitals across Europe. Clear, conversational and shaped by reporting from the heart of the EU, the Brussels Playbook Podcast brings context to EU politics as your day begins. On Fridays, the same feed features a longer episode that goes deeper into the week’s biggest themes, offering context and analysis beyond the daily news cycle — with Sarah Wheaton behind the mic.
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