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
76
The rise of the centrist dads
When EU leaders meet in Cyprus next week, geopolitical crises are likely to dominate the agenda.
14 min
77
Inside Magyar’s grand bargain with the EU
The EU may be saying goodbye to Viktor Orbán, but problems he’s left behind aren’t going anywhere.
14 min
78
After 16 years, Viktor Orbán loses
It’s the end of an era: Hungary’s Viktor Orbán is on the way out.
14 min
79
Inside the campaign to unseat Orbán
Hungarians may be voting on Sunday, but all EU citizens might feel the effects.
36 min
80
Hungary’s election enters crucial final days
It’s three days until the Hungarian election and things are starting to ramp up.
12 min
81
Europe watches as Trump’s threats escalate
Donald Trump’s threats to wipe out Iran’s “whole civilization” shocked the world.
15 min
82
Why EU foreign policy keeps getting stuck
EU foreign policy runs on unanimity — and it’s starting to break down.
14 min
83
Can Britain and the EU get a Brexit reset deal ...
21 min
84
How secure are the Commission’s group chats?
A Signal group chat with European Commission officials has been shut down over security concerns.
13 min
85
Preparing for a Covid-style crisis
An energy shock that once felt distant is starting to look very real as the war in Iran spirals.
12 min
86
Are fuel cuts back on the table?
Europe is facing another potential energy shock — and this time, Brussels is starting to float something politically tricky: using less fuel.
14 min
87
Why rich countries want to join the EU 
For two decades, aspiring EU members wanted to join the bloc to get richer. Now, that’s changing.
16 min
88
A reckoning for Europe’s center left
To unpack what’s ailing left-leaning parties across the EU, host Sarah Wheaton is joined by a panel of POLITICO colleagues.
35 min
89
The next refugee crisis
EU and U.N. officials are meeting in Brussels today to discuss the brutal civil war in Sudan and the looming refugee crisis that may result. 
16 min
90
About those energy bills, Commissioner...
Zoya Sheftalovich speaks with Energy Commissioner Dan Jørgensen in a conversation recorded live at POLITICO’s Competitive Europe summit.
15 min
91
More Russian snooping allegations
After Hungary was accused of leaking sensitive EU discussions to the Kremlin, the spotlight is now shifting to Germany.
13 min
92
Is Hungary leaking EU secrets? A crisis of trus...
Zoya Sheftalovich and Nick Vinocur unpack Donald Tusk’s accusation that Hungary may have leaked sensitive European Council discussions to Moscow
15 min
93
High price to pay: EU and UN wrestle with Middl...
34 min
94
Time for a tense summit
EU leaders gather in Brussels for a high-stakes summit — with Viktor Orbán once again at the center of the debate over funding Ukraine.
14 min
95
Breaking the Orbán deadlock
Europe is working hard to end the standoff with Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán over the €90 billion loan promised to Ukraine.
13 min
96
Europe rejects Trump’s Iran demands
European affairs ministers meet in Brussels to prepare this week’s EU summit
14 min
97
The EU's energy dilemma
Energy markets are on edge as Iran tensions disrupt shipping and threaten supply shocks.
15 min
98
Europe should back American strikes on Iran, sa...
35 min
99
Zelenskyy vs. Orbán
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is urging Europe to find a way around Hungary.
15 min
100
Europe’s plan to keep Ukraine afloat
Ukraine is running out of money to fight Russia — but Hungary still isn’t budging on its opposition to the EU’s €90 billion loan to Kyiv.
15 min