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 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 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. 


News
Politics
News Commentary
1
Von der Leyen makes it awkward with Canada
Canada’s Prime Minister Mark Carney takes the stage in Strasbourg.
16 min
2
Special episode: State of the EU 2026 — promise...
In this special episode from Strasbourg, Zoya Sheftalovich and Ian Wishart give their first take on the State of the European Union speech delivered by Commission President Ursula von der Leyen.
12 min
3
AI fears grow as von der Leyen takes the stage
Zoya is in Strasbourg, previewing the Commission president's top-secret speech.
16 min
4
Can less paperwork get EU workers moving?
Why is it easier for a jar of peanut butter to cross EU borders than it is for a European worker?
16 min
5
The EU’s plan for ‘weaponized’ migration
In this year's State of the EU speech, migration is likely to feature heavily.
15 min
6
Is Europe winning the ‘fight’? Von der Leyen’s ...
A year since von der Leyen's last speech, has Brussels met the moment?
26 min
7
Behind Trump's push to break the International ...
The U.S. is on a campaign to dismantle the ICC. Now, it wants help from NATO allies. 
16 min
8
The EU’s Israel dilemma
The EU is struggling to withstand the allure of Israel’s tech and missile defense prowess.
15 min
9
Kaja Kallas takes another hit
Kallas' defense initiative was killed before it even launched.
15 min
10
Germany's far-right bombshell
After a sweeping victory in the regional elections in Saxony-Anhalt, Ulrich Siegmund's Alternative for Germany (AfD) could be in a position to govern the state — putting a far-right party in power in part of Germany for the first time since World War II. 
19 min
11
What do Spain's migrant crisis and Germany's kn...
24 min
12
Dublin tests Europe's budget red lines
At the informal GAC in Dublin today, the EU budget is set to dominate.
14 min
13
The plan to shut out Europe's far right
The political center in the European Parliament is looking increasingly fragile.
13 min
14
Europe gears up for its China counterpunch
Brussels is getting worried about its economic relationship with Beijing.
15 min
15
What Iceland's 'no' means for the EU
Iceland has voted no to restarting EU membership talks.
15 min
16
Could Orbán lead Hungary again?
32 min
17
Can Canada teach Europe how to stand up to Trump?
Canada is taking a much harder line against Donald Trump — and Brussels is watching closely.
16 min
18
France and Germany collide over Europe’s indust...
France and Germany are clashing over how far the EU should go to protect European industry
15 min
19
Costa tours the capitals — while Merz rallies t...
António Costa is kicking off a tour of EU capitals to find out what leaders want from the bloc’s next seven-year budget
15 min
20
What Ukraine needs to survive another winter
We’re back! And so are Urkaine’s key backers.
16 min
21
Week Ender archives: Is China the ‘abusive’ par...
We're still away on holiday — so here's an episode from earlier this year.
38 min
22
Week Ender archives: Can Europe quit American B...
The Brussels Playbook Week Ender podcast is away for the summer holiday. 
37 min
23
Week Ender: Verhofstadt on "Trumpism", plus sum...
This episode is brimming with book recommendations from our newsroom.
33 min
24
Why are Commission staffers so miserable?
Commission officials describe high pressure, bureaucracy and burnout.
16 min
25
Europe's Palantir problem
Europe wants to kick its U.S. tech habit, but it’s struggling to detangle itself from Palantir. 
13 min