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.
51
Humiliating Europe: Trump’s culture war and the...
What do Donald Trump’s culture war, Moldova’s EU ambitions, and Czechia’s upcoming parliamentary election have in common?
35 min
52
Escalating trouble – Trump takes on the UN and ...
Trump says Ukraine can win — but should Europe believe him?
30 min
53
Jourová’s secrets and Putin’s drone tests
From rule of law battles to inside stories, Věra Jourová looks back on a decade in the Berlaymont.
39 min
54
Ursula’s Fight Song — who’s singing along?
“Europe is in a fight.” With those words, Ursula von der Leyen set the tone for her State of the European Union speech — framing this as Europe’s “Independence Moment.”
36 min
55
Tyrants are forever: Has Europe missed its moment?
Under the jackhammers on Schuman, Brussels is filling back up for the rentrée — and the fault lines are showing.
33 min
56
Limping through the Trump era: Can Europe lead ...
From a picturesque mountain resort in Austria, at the European Forum Alpbach, host Sarah Wheaton unpacks fresh threats by the U.S. to hit countries with tariffs over their digital rules — drawing instant reactions from the European Commission’s Sabine Weyand and Nobel laureate Joseph Stiglitz.
34 min
57
EU's sweaty summer — what you missed (and what ...
Just when we thought we could get a break for the summer, geopolitics had other plans.
30 min
58
Escape the EU Bubble: Expert Summer Book Picks
This week, we’re taking a breath. EU Confidential is stepping away from summits, trade battles, and late-night trilogues — and turning to something more refreshing: books.
32 min
59
The €2 trillion question: Inside the battle ove...
Trillions of euros, almost as many priorities — and just over two years to agree. The European Commission has unveiled its sweeping new seven-year budget proposal, and the fight over where the money goes is already heating up.
35 min
60
No-confidence vote: Is the EU Parliament about ...
Ursula von der Leyen survived a motion of censure — but not without sustaining damage.
39 min
61
Boiling in Brussels: Climate fights and Orbán v...
Europe baked, the Atomium shut early — and Brussels finally unveiled its long-delayed climate target.
35 min
62
Of Daddies and Queens — from Trump to von der L...
This week’s episode of EU Confidential comes to you from the Europa building in Brussels. We’ve been covering not one but two high-stakes gatherings, starting with NATO’s June 24-25 summit in The Hague
32 min
63
What’s really behind Europe’s 5% defense push
As NATO leaders prepare to endorse a dramatic defense spending hike, Europe faces a reckoning: Where will the money come from — and will new tanks mean cuts to pensions?
42 min
64
All about the €€€: How Bulgaria’s euro dreams c...
Bulgaria’s big step toward using the euro is a victory for European unity — but the country itself isn’t united on whether joining the common currency is a good idea.
39 min
65
Can Europe’s Trump counterpunch work? Sanctions...
Trump is finally facing some resistance. Can Europe seize the moment?
37 min
66
Between a smack and a hard place — Poland votes...
Slaps were exchanged — some literal, some political — and suddenly Brussels isn’t just watching from the sidelines.
30 min
67
Leo Varadkar on Donald Trump, and the EU’s Isra...
The EU-Israel relationship is at a tipping point.
36 min
68
The crown slips: How queen Ursula failed her tr...
Those text messages Ursula von der Leyen didn’t want to share? The EU’s top court says that’s not OK.
27 min
69
Populist currents and fragile coalitions: Trump...
Europe’s political center is wobbling. Again.
28 min
70
How Trump transformed Europe in just 100 days
After 100 days of U.S. President Donald Trump’s shock and awe, is the EU still stuck in stunned paralysis — or does it finally have a plan?
35 min
71
A divorce and a birthday: Five years of Brexit,...
With POLITICO turning 10 and Brexit hitting 5 earlier this year, this episode of EU Confidential takes stock of two milestones that shaped Brussels — in very different ways.
40 min
72
Holiday special: Driving toward a trade war wit...
This week, EU Confidential is on a spring break — but with trade tensions between the U.S. and the rest of the world (China in particular) escalating, we thought it was the perfect moment to revisit a timely episode from our archives.
28 min
73
Trump blinks on tariffs. Can Europe exhale?
A tariff storm was brewing — and then, just like that, the forecast changed. Donald Trump shocked everyone by pausing his planned tariffs for 90 days (for all countries except China), throwing global markets a lifeline and leaving the EU wondering what game he’s playing.
26 min
74
Beautiful beef: Le Pen, Varoufakis and the hors...
What do Marine Le Pen, Yanis Varoufakis and Donald Trump have in common? More than you'd think.
39 min
75
Erdoğan, not Trump, is Europe's new best friend...
Ekrem İmamoğlu, Istanbul’s mayor and the main political rival of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, has been arrested. So what is Europe doing about it? Staying pretty quiet, it seems.
33 min