Europe Talks Back

In Spain, the Therian community—people who spiritually identify as animals—has been the subject of heated debates on social media and in the press. Yet, the phenomenon exists primarily in the mouths of its detractors. Why has such a minority movement received so much attention in recent days?Production: By Europod, in co-production with the Sphera network.Follow us on:LinkedIn•Instagram Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Poland isn't just preparing for war—it's rewriting the rulebook on how to get ready. The defence training programmes adopted in 2025 should train some 400 000 people this year only. Meanwhile, the rest of the EU is slowly catching up on defence. What can we learn from Poland's approach?Production: By Europod, in co-production with the Sphera network.Follow us on:LinkedInInstagram Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The U.S. President keeps putting pressure on the EUWhether it's sanctions against International Criminal Court judges or threats of tariffs, Donald Trump is using coercion to sway European decisions.So what is the EU doing to protect its independence from American pressure?Production: By Europod, in co-production with the Sphera network.Follow us on:LinkedInInstagram Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

AI can be tricked into saying almost anything. That's what a BBC journalist recently discovered. He found an easy way to make AI say whatever he wanted.Are authorities doing enough to regulate AI? At the EU level, is the AI Act doing its job?Production: By Europod, in co-production with the Sphera network.Follow us on:LinkedInInstagram Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In Brussels, several EU member states are angry with the European Commission. These countries did not appreciate that the EU's executive body attended the first meeting of the “Board of Peace” launched by Donald Trump.What was the alternative for the EU? Should Europeans stay away from this initiative?Production: By Europod, in co-production with the Sphera network.Follow us on:LinkedInInstagram Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

A new negotiation session ended yesterday between Ukraine and Russia, under the leadership of the United States. The EU, once again, did not take part in the peace talks, despite having long asked to do so. Has the EU given up on participating in the peace negotiations between Ukraine and Russia?Production: By Europod, in co-production with the Sphera network.Follow us on:LinkedInInstagram Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In Hungary, Prime Minister Viktor Orbán could lose the next elections after 10 years in power. And this, despite having the open support of Donald Trump. If Orban were to actually lose the elections, what would this mean for the EU? Could the traditional Hungarian veto become a thing of the past?Production: By Europod, in co-production with the Sphera network.Follow us on:LinkedInInstagram Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The European Union will soon have a new regulation that should make it easier for EU countries to deport irregular migrants. A group of 64 NGOs is worried that EU countries could use deportation methods that resemble what the Immigration and Customs Enforcement agency, ICE, does in the US. Is the EU going in that direction?Production: By Europod, in co-production with the Sphera network.Follow us on:LinkedInInstagram Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

US President Donald Trump has just announced that his administration no longer recognizes that a range of greenhouse gases poses a threat to public health and the environment. Meanwhile, the leaders of the EU, considered the most ambitious bloc on the green transition, are discussing rollbacks of existing green rules. Should Europeans be worried about the future of climate policies?Production: By Europod, in co-production with the Sphera network.Follow us on:LinkedIn Instagram Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Kurdish diaspora has been demonstrating in major European cities for weeks now. Protesters are urging European and international authorities to respond to the takeover of the Kurdish autonomous region called Rojava by Syria's new government. They fear that their community is at risk of disappearing. What is the diaspora hoping from the European and international authorities?Production: By Europod, in co-production with the Sphera network.This episode is based on a story written by Blanche Ribault for Streetpress and is co-written with Hélène Pillon from Médianes.Follow us on:LinkedInInstagram Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

French senator Laurent Duplomb is back with a controversial proposal: reintroducing pesticides that are currently banned in France. Last year, his first attempt was blocked by the constitutional court. This time, the debate returns, as discussions at EU level also suggest a possible softening of pesticide rules. Are we witnessing a broader rollback of pesticide regulation in Europe?Production: By Europod, in co-production with the Sphera network.Follow us on:LinkedInInstagram Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

“We need to protect our industry. The Chinese are doing it, the Americans too.”This is what Emmanuel Macron, the French president, has been advocating for a while now: more European protectionism.Is he on the right track to convince his European counterparts?Production: By Europod, in co-production with the Sphera network.Follow us on:LinkedIn•Instagram Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Giorgia Meloni has called protesters at the Winter Olympic Games "the enemies of Italy" — a kind of shortcut we often see in Donald Trump's interventions.Is the Italian prime minister, replicating Trump's recipe for success?Production: By Europod, in co-production with the Sphera network.Follow us on:LinkedIn Instagram Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

After X by Elon Musk, here comes “W”, or “We”, by privacy and technology expert Anna Zeiter. The “We” project was unveiled in Davos at the end of January. Its goal is to create a European alternative to X. But this is not the first attempt to create a large-scale European social media platform. Can it be the first one to actually succeed? Are Europeans able to compete with US platforms?Production: By Europod, in co-production with the Sphera network.Follow us on:LinkedInInstagram Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated on Wednesday that “he had the feeling that Europeans were not able to understand that an attack could happen to their country too.” Are Europeans really facing a concrete threat, and are they preparing themselves enough?Production: By Europod, in co-production with the Sphera network.Follow us on:LinkedInInstagram Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

A few days ago, a former general and member of the far-right party Lega in Italy announced his ambition to launch a new movement, even further to the right: Il Futuro Nazionale. The initiator, Roberto Vannacci, is known for his extremist views and his lenient stance on fascism. Meanwhile, Poland is witnessing the rise of an ultra-nationalist party that is openly antisemitic and pro-Russia. How did these highly extremist parties become so central to the political scene?Production: By Europod, in co-production with the Sphera network.Follow us on:LinkedIn•Instagram Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

While the EU is celebrating the reopening of the Rafah crossing point between Gaza and Egypt, Israeli authorities are preventing many NGOs from providing humanitarian aid in Gaza — a move which violates the agreed peace plan. What are the EU's options to confront Israel over its violations of human rights?Production: By Europod, in co-production with the Sphera network.Follow us on:LinkedInInstagram Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Across the Atlantic, American President Donald Trump has just ordered that deep-sea mining be sped up, which is believed to be highly damaging for the ocean.Meanwhile, every raw material extraction project in Europe meets with strong social opposition. This leaves the EU in a delicate situation when it comes to producing solar panels or batteries without relying on China. Will Europe edge toward a more US-style approach to resource extraction?Production: By Europod, in co-production with the Sphera network.Follow us on:LinkedIn Instagram Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In Poland in 2024, 99% of abortions took place outside hospitals, outside the legal framework. Polish women find alternatives to the near-total ban on abortion, but sometimes in ways that are either dangerous or very costly. That is why the European Parliament is asking for an European mechanism to allow every single woman in the EU to have access to safe and free abortion. This episode unpacks this proposal to see if it can come to light.Production: By Europod, in co-production with the Sphera network.Follow us on:LinkedInInstagram Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

30,000. This is the figure circulating about the number of people who might have been killed by the Iranian regime since the start of the protests at the end of December last year. The EU has just decided to tag the Islamic Revolutionary Guards as a terrorist organization. What does it mean, and is there something the European Union could do to avoid this bloodshed?Production: By Europod, in co-production with the Sphera network.Follow us on:LinkedInInstagram Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Spain wants to regularize half a million undocumented migrants. Meanwhile, the rest of Europe is busy toughening migration rules. So is Spain the very last country on the continent to have a positive message around migration?Production: By Europod, in co-production with the Sphera network.Follow us on:LinkedInInstagram Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Kids under 15 should not access social media. That's how France sees it. Its government is pushing for a full ban below this age. However, France, just like any other EU country, cannot force social media platforms to effectively restrict access for kids. Only the European Union can. Is the EU willing to do so?Production: By Europod, in co-production with the Sphera network.Follow us on:LinkedInInstagram Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

René Good, and now Alex Pretti. The people of Minneapolis are counting a second person killed by the border control agency, ICE, in just one month.Meanwhile, both in the US and in Europe, some hard-right politicians are openly congratulating the agents who killed Alex Pretti. This episode looks at how Europe differs or not from the US in terms of police violence.Production: By Europod, in co-production with the Sphera network.Follow us on:LinkedInInstagram Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Whether it is train accidents or floods - every disaster in Spain strongly reignites political battles.Using tragedy for political gain is widely condemned in European countries. Is this a typical Spanish thing, or is the taboo weakening?This episode looks at how political exploitation is becoming more and more common as the extreme right parties gain ground in Europe.Production: By Europod, in co-production with the Sphera network.Follow us on:LinkedInInstagram Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Members of the European Parliament, alongside farmers from all over Europe, claim a victory in the fight against the EU/Mercosur trade agreement. On Wednesday 21 January, the Parliament voted to challenge the controversial trade deal before the EU Court of Justice.What will happen if the judges rule against the treaty?Production: By Europod, in co-production with the Sphera network.Follow us on:LinkedInInstagram Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Germany and France have been trying to maintain a friendship since the 1960s — a friendship that is supposed to guide the rest of the continent. However, this doesn't really work anymore. Why do they struggle to find a united position on Donald Trump's ongoing threats? Could this lack of unity hamper Europe's response?Production: By Europod, in co-production with the Sphera network.Follow us on:LinkedInInstagram Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Discover Briefed, Europod's new daily podcast covering stories around Europe.In just five minutes, host Léa Marchal brings a fresh perspective on European politics and major news happening in European countries.On issues like tech sovereignty, climate scepticism or the rise of the extremes, the podcast brings you a different angle than your national one.Starting January 22nd, episodes of Briefed will be released at 6:00 AM CET, Monday through Friday.Briefed is produced by Europod in co-production with the Sphera Network.Follow us on:LinkedinInstagram Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Zoos bring us much closer to wildlife, but their existence is a controversial topic. Go online and it's easy to find groups that advocate for the closure of zoos, assessing that they do more harm than good to animals.Complaints usually relate to confinement, the lack of space, unnatural environments and crowded conditions as the main problems against animal well-being. But experts working in zoos think differently. So the question boils down to: are zoos actually beneficial to animals? Do they have a role to play in conservation? And what can we learn from zoos on the impact of human beings on animals still living in the wild?In this episode, we will investigate these questions with Martin Boye, President of the European Association for Aquatic Mammals, and Kate Werner, Senior Campaign Manager at PETA UK.Join us on our journey through the events that shape the European continent and the European Union.Production: EuropodFollow us on:LinkedInInstagram Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Cambridge dictionary defines fatphobia as the “unreasonable dislike or unfair treatment of people because they are fat”. Going deeper, Fatphobia equates fatness with ugliness, inferiority, and immorality. Subjecting people to fat phobia or weight stigma can be very harmful, not just to people who are fat but also to anyone else who has been co-opted by a system that designates only one “correct” body size or weight. But is fatphobia also an intersectional issue or opression? How does it relate to race, disability, colonisation and enslavement? In this episode we'll be discussing fatphobia and its intersectionality with racism. To do so, we are going to talk to Caleb Luna, a writer, fat activist and professor in the US. We will also be hearing from Saskia Calliste, a black London-based writer. Tune into episode 15 now!Join us on our journey through the events that shape the European continent and the European Union.Production: EuropodFollow us on:LinkedInInstagram Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode we'll be speaking with 2 experts from the human rights space to unpack what we mean by our digital rights, how they are being protected or violated and who gets to decide what technology is needed for or against whom. Kahina Rabahi representing the European Anti-Poverty Network and Bibbi Abruzzini representing Forus, a global network of civil society organisations — will help us uncover how digitalisation impacts essential services and civic space.Tune into episode 10 now!Join us on our journey through the events that shape the European continent and the European Union.Production: EuropodFollow us on:LinkedInInstagram Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This episode uncovers the real threat trans- and non-binary persons face, often due to the actions of far-right groups and a climate of hate which can also be traced back to political discourses. We hear from Patricia Reguero, a Spanish journalist from El Salto, and her Greek colleague, Anastasia Vaitsopoulou, who work for the media outlet Propaganda.Tune into episode 9 now!Join us on our journey through the events that shape the European continent and the European Union.Production: EuropodFollow us on:LinkedInInstagram Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode, we delve into what unites far-right groups in Europe and how they have been capitalising on cultural tools like social media and aesthetics to particularly target and successfully recruit young men and women.We hear from Michael Colborne, a journalist and researcher with Bellingcat, an investigation journalism organisation based in the Netherlands. His work focuses on the far right where he oversees and leads investigations and trains journalists in digital investigative techniques.Tune into episode 8 now!Join us on our journey through the events that shape the European continent and the European Union.Production: EuropodFollow us on:LinkedInInstagram Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In today's episode we'll look into the new generation of student, university and worker led protests that are shaping up across Europe, from France to Poland. And we'll also discuss how this trend relates to a global narrative change around the future of work.We'll hear from journalists Samuele Maccolini from the Italian outlet VD News and Maciej Domagała, from the Polish outlet Krytyka Polityczna. We met with them in Budapest, during a live show produced by the Sphera Network project to discuss this topic.This is the first episode of a special series dedicated to themes relevant to the run-up and context of the upcoming European elections.Tune into episode 7 now!Join us on our journey through the events that shape the European continent and the European Union.Production: EuropodFollow us on:LinkedInInstagram Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode, we're going to tackle the rapid spread of gentrification. Let's deconstruct this term and look at the human impact of taking from communities to serve mostly financial interests.Join our host of Europe Talks Back season 3, Gail Rego as she has a conversation with our guest activists and scholars activists and scholars Jordi González Guzmán and Rita Silva.Tune into episode 6 now!Join us on our journey through the events that shape the European continent and the European Union.Production: EuropodFollow us on:LinkedInInstagram Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Artificial Intelligence is all the rage and most of us use it every day knowingly whether it's to get music recommendations or unlock our phones. But how far has IA gotten? Do we know when AI is being used and by whom? And most importantly is AI neutral?Join us on our journey through the events that shape the European continent and the European Union.Production: EuropodFollow us on:LinkedInInstagram Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

According to the UN, 73% of women worldwide have experienced digital gender-based abuse: non-consensual intimate image-sharing, gender-based slurs or threats, online harassment, and unsolicited pornography. The consequences of this type of abuse go beyond the digital space, posing a threat to victim's rights, health and safety both online and offline.Join our host of Europe Talks Back season 3, Gail Rego as she has a conversation with our guest activists and scholars Lilia Giugni and Silvia Semenzin.Tune into episode 4 now!Join us on our journey through the events that shape the European continent and the European Union.Production: EuropodFollow us on:LinkedInInstagram Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

White feminism is a self-proclaimed feminism shaped by the priorities of white, upper-middle-class, cisgender women. It assumes that all women experience misogyny in the same way - but it's not.” What's the point of breaking the glass ceiling if other women are left to pick up the pieces?Join our host of Europe Talks Back season 3, Gail Rego as she has a conversation with our guest French activist, feminist, journalist, filmmaker and writer Rokhaya Diallo. Tune into episode 3 nowThis series is produced in partnership with Sphera Network.Join us on our journey through the events that shape the European continent and the European Union.Production: Europod, with SpheraFollow us on:LinkedInInstagram Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

What is integration? What does it mean to you and the people who are expected to “integrate” into our societies?Having been born and raised as a migrant for her whole life, join our new host Gail Rego of Europe Talks Back as she unfolds the harmful and unreasonable expectations placed on people with a migration history and how this term is often used against people who migrate.Tune in and join our guests Razan Ismail and Hasnain Syed in this episode!Join us on our journey through the events that shape the European continent and the European Union.Production: Europod, with SpheraFollow us on:LinkedInInstagram Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode of Europe Talks Back, Juli Simond tells the story of Pit-Roig Vinyals, a German language teacher based in Barcelona, Spain. Diagnosed with Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD) and Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) at age 23, Pit-Roig turned her personal battles into a mission, emphasising on mental health stigma dismantlement and open conversations that were once considered taboo. With an experience of over eight years in managing her conditions, Pit-Roig provides valuable insight into how one's mental health can be critically affected by frequent social media usage. Reporting on the ground by Pablo Jiménez Arandia."We can channel our anger and anxiety towards positive change, but we must also be mindful of the content we consume online." - Pit-RoigAbout our reporter: Pablo Jiménez ArandiaKey moments00:00:04 - Introduction,00:02:59 - A Day in the Life,00:06:29 - The Impact of Social Media,00:09:10 - The Holocaust Remembrance Day,00:13:49 - The Paranoia and Escape,00:17:50 - The Concept of Doomscrolling,00:18:25 - Mental Health Impact of Constant Exposure to Negative News,00:19:18 - Pit-Roig Vinyals' Use of Twitter and Moral Obligation,00:21:14 - Ubertamen's Fight Against Mental Health Stigma,00:24:32 - Balancing Online News Consumption and Mental Well-being.Credits and staff The second season of Europe Talks Back is produced in partnership with Sphera Network, the first network of independent media in Europe to reinvent the media space and paint a new picture of the continent through impactful, unbiased, raw and authentic stories.The producer of this episode of Europe Talks Back is Maria Dios. The host and narrator of Europe Talks Back is Juli Simond. Sound editing and mixing is by Jeremy Bocquet. Reporting for this story by Pablo Jiménez Arandia.The executive producer of Europe Talks Back is Alexander Damiano Ricci.Social Mediahttps://www.linkedin.com/linkedin.com/company/bulle-media/https://www.twitter.com/twitter.com/europodpodcastshttps://www.europod.eu/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In the second episode of a special series of two, host Alexander Damiano Ricci talks to Stefano Valentino, an investigative freelance journalist who covered a case of greenwashing involving the French tire producer, Michelin, for the pan-European online media, Voxeurop.In particular, this podcast conversations uncovers the loopholes of green certification processes on financial markets.The original investigation was published in the form of a 4 article-long series under title "Investigating Green Finance made in Europe" and is co-authored by Emanuela Barbiroglio. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

A huge congratulations to Stefano for this well-deserved recognition, and a big thank you to the team for helping bring this important investigation to our listeners!Stefano investigated a case of greenwashing involving the French tyre producer Michelin for the pan-European online media, Voxeurop.This episode explores Stefano's groundbreaking work and emphasises the importance of tackling environmental challenges and the efforts being made to drive change. A huge congratulations to Stefano for this well-deserved recognition, and a big thank you to the team for helping bring this important investigation to our listeners!In collaboration with Sphera. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode of Europe Talks Back, Gail Rego continues to dig into the investigation by Stefano Valentino published by the pan-European online media, Voxeurop, on how the European car industry has lobbied EU institutions to weaken Euro Seven, the next European Emission Standard. Over the years, the EU has adopted progressively more stringent regulations on car emissions, but establishing this new standard is proving to be more difficult than in the past.This story is part of an investigation conducted with Voxeurop and supported by the Journalismfund Europe, the European Excellence Exchange in Journalism (E³J) and Free Press Unlimited.“If there is no Euro Seven with stringent rules they will keep polluting the air that citizens breathe.” - Stefano Valentino About the author of the investigation: Stefano Valentino. Key moments00:00:00 - Intro00:01:00 - Thierry Breton00:05:15 - Decision 203500:08:43 - An unspoken deal00:10:35 - Another year00:13:05 - Outro Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode of Europe Talks Back, Gail Rego takes us inside the investigation by Stefano Valentino published by the pan-European online media, Voxeurop, on how the European car industry has lobbied EU institutions to weaken Euro Seven, the next European Emission Standard. Over the years, the EU has progressively adopted more stringent regulations on car emissions, but establishing this new standard is proving to be more difficult than in the past.This story is part of an investigation conducted with Voxeurop and supported by the Journalismfund Europe, the European Excellence Exchange in Journalism (E³J) and Free Press Unlimited.“If there is no Euro Seven with stringent rules, they will keep polluting the air that citizens breathe.” - Stefano Valentino About the author of the investigation: Stefano Valentino. Key moments00:00:04 - Intro00:02:22 - European Emission Standards00:06:00 - Dieselgate00:11:57 - A path to zero emissions00:14:34 - Recap00:15:50 - Outro Social Media https://www.linkedin.com/linkedin.com/company/bulle-media/ https://www.twitter.com/twitter.com/europodpodcasts https://www.europod.eu/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Once the Russian invasion of Ukraine started, people with disabilities suffered tremendously. And amid the panic and chaos that followed the invasion, many were unable to evacuate from their homes. This left people trapped in the crossfire without access to bomb shelters. In the first episode of the second season of Europe Talks Back, host Juli Simond tells the story of Tetyana Herasymova, who is one of the approximately 2.7 million Ukrainians with disabilities. Tanya is one of those who managed to flee. Ever since, she's been helping fellow Ukrainians with disabilities stuck near the frontlines of the war in Ukraine. As the director of the Ukrainian NGO, Fight for Right, Tanya is committed to championing the needs and rights of disabled individuals, particularly during times of conflict. Drawing from her own experiences as a person with a disability navigating the challenges of war, Tetyana's dedication to promoting inclusivity and equality is unwavering and deeply impactful.We need to change and nobody will make these changes without us. - Tetyana HerasymovaKey moments00:00:01 - Evacuation,00:04:21 - Disability during war,00:09:20 - Advocacy and recovery,00:14:25 - Inclusion in Ukrainian politics,00:20:32 - Challenges faced by disabled Ukrainians,00:21:06 - Conclusion.ResourcesDonate to Fight for Right's GoFundMe campaign to support their work with disabled individuals in Ukraine.Credits and staff The second season of Europe Talks Back is produced in partnership with Sphera Network, the first network of independent media in Europe to reinvent the media space and paint a new picture of the continent through impactful, unbiased, raw and authentic stories.The producer of Europe Talks Back is Maria Dios. The host and narrator of Europe Talks Back is Juli Simond. Sound editing and mixing is by Jeremy Bocquet. Reporting for this story by Anna Romandash.The executive producer of Europe Talks Back is Alexander Damiano Ricci.Social Mediahttps://www.linkedin.com/linkedin.com/company/bulle-media/https://www.twitter.com/twitter.com/europodpodcastshttps://www.europod.eu/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

COP30 ended with almost no attention to food systems, despite their huge climate footprint. In this episode of Europe Talks Back, Evi Kiorri explores the climate cost of the European diet, from high meat consumption to fertiliser-intensive farming, and why efforts like the Farm to Fork Strategy have stalled. With insights from Olivier De Schutter, co-chair of IPES-Food, and UN Special Rapporteur on extreme poverty and human rights, we look at the political reluctance, the role of agri-food lobbies, and what it would take for Europe to make its food system truly sustainable.Join us on our journey through the events that shape the European continent and the European Union.Production: By Europod, in co production with Sphera Network.Follow us on:LinkedInInstagram Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Across Europe, traditional news is losing ground and creators are stepping in. From TikTok explainers to YouTube analysts and Instagram storytellers, a new generation of voices is reshaping how young audiences understand politics, culture, and the world around them.In this episode, Evi Kiorri explores what the rise of news creators means for journalism, trust, and public debate. With insights from Nic Newman of the Reuters Institute, lead author of the report “Mapping News Creators and Influencers,” and from journalist-creator Mirko Paradiso, we dive into why younger Europeans identify more with online personalities than established media, how algorithms shape what becomes “news,” and the growing blur between information and entertainment. Is this a crisis for journalism or its next transformation?Join us on our journey through the events that shape the European continent and the European Union.Production: By Europod, in co production with Sphera Network.Follow us on:LinkedInInstagram Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Across Europe, Millennials and Gen Z are working, studying and saving, yet home ownership is increasingly out of reach. Though housing is officially recognised as a human right under Article 25 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the European Pillar of Social Rights, skyrocketing house prices and stagnant wages have created what Eurofound calls a “generation-wide affordability divide.” In this episode, I speak with Ina Delić youth engagement officer at Caritas Europe and part of the very generation she's advocating for, about the lived reality of Europe's housing crisis, and what it means for young lives and futures.Join us on our journey through the events that shape the European continent and the European Union.Production: By Europod, in co production with Sphera Network.Follow us on:LinkedInInstagram Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Across Europe, a quiet movement is taking shape. From knitting circles in Helsinki to pottery workshops in Brussels, people are rediscovering the simple, grounding act of making things by hand. What began for many as a way to fill the long days of lockdown has grown into something deeper, a form of self-care, a social bond, and even a small act of resistance against the relentless pace of modern life.In this episode of Europe Talks Back, we explore how creative practices such as ceramics, weaving and painting are reshaping wellbeing and community across the continent. We speak with Brussels-based designer and ceramicist Anna Tou, whose workshops offer people a chance to step away from their screens, slow down, and reconnect not just with clay, but with themselves.Together, they reflect on the tactile joy of creation, the patience that crafting demands, and the way art and tradition continue to bring people together in an increasingly digital world.Join us on our journey through the events that shape the European continent and the European Union.Production: By Europod, in co production with Sphera Network.Follow us on:LinkedInInstagram Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Loneliness doesn't stop at city limits or country borders. In this episode of Europe Talks Back,we explore how isolation takes root in both Europe's bustling cities and its quiet rural towns. With insights from sociologist Jasper de Witte, we unpack why loneliness isn't just about being alone but about social ties, inequality, and the structures that shape our lives. From young people in fast-paced capitals to older adults in remote villages, millions across Europe are affected. We look at what makes loneliness different in rural and urban contexts, why it matters for public health and democracy, and what solutions from better transport to community spaces might help people feel less cut off and more connected. And today, we're diving into what loneliness means in rural and urban Europe, why it happens, why it matters, and what can actually make a difference.Join us on our journey through the events that shape the European continent and the European Union.Production: By Europod, in co production with Sphera Network.Follow us on:LinkedInInstagram Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

They call it Europe's backbone: the rural heartlands. Covering more than 80 per cent of the EU's territory but home to less than 30 per cent of its population, rural areas are vital for food, biodiversity, and climate resilience, yet face population decline, ageing communities, poor infrastructure, and limited digital access. In this episode of Europe Talks Back, Evi Kiorri explores what life is really like far from the cities, speaking with Emanuele Monaco, who left urban life to build a distillery in rural Puglia, Italy. Through his story, we uncover both the challenges and the opportunities of rural life: from revitalising communities and sustainable farming to attracting young families and new ideas. Join us as we examine how policies, investment, and community effort could shape the future of Europe's countryside.Join us on our journey through the events that shape the European continent and the European Union.Production: By Europod, in co-production with Sphera Network.Follow us on:LinkedInInstagram Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Work emails at night. Messages from your boss after dinner. The pressure to be “always on” has become the norm, blurring the line between work and life, and pushing more people toward burnout. In this episode of Europe Talks Back, we look at how digital tools, remote work, and workplace expectations are wearing us down and whether the growing push for a legal right to disconnect can turn things around.We spoke to Professor Claudia Pagliari, an expert in digital health and tech ethics at the University of Edinburgh, to understand how constant connectivity affects our minds, our health, and our relationships and what really needs to change: the law, the culture, or both.Join us on our journey through the events that shape the European continent and the European Union.Production: By Europod, in co-production with Sphera Network.Follow us on:LinkedInInstagram Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.