Podcasts about Central Europe

“If your opening position is: your views are beyond the pale, you are deplorable, there is no space for you in democracy — then how on earth do we expect anything other than revolutionary conservatism as a response?” — Maciej Kisilowski For Americans concerned about the fragility of their democracy, Poland offers some reassuring news. Having experienced its own illiberal blip, democracy in Poland now seems amongst the healthiest in Eastern Europe. So what does a democracy only created in 1989 teach America as the old republic braces for its surreal semiquincentennial celebration? The Vienna-based constitutional scholar Maciej Kisilowski is the author of Let's Agree on Poland: A Case Study in Strategic Constitutional Design. In this bestselling 2025 book, Kisilowski argues that Poland is a map of where other Western democracies could go. If they choose to. Poland elected its first illiberal conservative government in 2005. Hungary followed in 2010. Both explicitly served as models for Donald Trump — relatively tamed in his first term, unshackled in his second. Like the United States, Poland is a relatively rich country with per capita GDP growing an astonishing 650% in a single generation. So, Kisilowski argues, the conventional argument that Poland embraced illiberalism in response to economic hardship is mostly wrong. Instead, what triggered illiberalism in Poland was culture, particularly the compressed, accelerated challenge to traditional identity — national, male, religious — that EU accession triggered in Central Europe. Kisilowski, who teaches at Central European University, might have entitled his book Let's Agree to Disagree. Poland's solution to this cultural crisis of identity is what Kisilowski calls “subsidiarity” — genuine decentralisation that allows both conservative communities to remain traditional and liberal cities to become progressive, all within a common democratic framework. He warns both the left and the right that if you tell people their views are somehow foreign, it's entirely rational for them to want to smash their “foreign” democracy. This is the Polish model of a viable 21st century democracy. Ironically, it's a Madisonian warning about the dangers of faction. The “deplorable” gambit always backfires. Péter Magyar's remarkable victory in Hungary — a staunch conservative ending Orbán's 16-year mafia-style illiberal chapter — offers the Hungarian model of Kisilowski's argument. So this July 4, worried Americans might read Let's Agree on Poland. Or reread James Madison. Five Takeaways •       Central Europe as the Leading Indicator: Poland and Hungary Before Trump: Poland elected its first revolutionary conservative government in 2005 — sixteen years before the January 6 insurrection. Hungary followed in 2010. Both were explicitly cited as models by the architects of Trump's political project. Kisilowski's argument: what happened in Central Europe is not a regional anomaly but a leading indicator of what happens when open society's challenge to traditional identity is concentrated and rapid rather than gradual. The walls of liberal democratic institutions were weaker in Warsaw and Budapest. They will not hold indefinitely in Washington or London either. •       It's Not the Economy, Stupid: The Case Against Materialist Explanations: Poland and Hungary are economic opposites. Hungary was the “happiest barrack” of the Soviet bloc but fared poorly after 1989. Poland was among the poorer countries of the bloc and grew 650% in per capita GDP in one generation, with a Gini coefficient below France's. Same revolutionary conservative politics. Opposite economic trajectories. Kisilowski's conclusion: the materialist explanation — people turn right because of economic hardship — is flatly wrong. The driver is identity: the compressed, accelerated challenge to national, male, and religious identity imposed by EU accession conditionality in a decade. •       The Deplorable Problem: Why Exclusion Rationally Produces Authoritarianism: Kisilowski's most politically pointed argument: if your opening position to conservatives is that their views are beyond the pale, they are deplorable, there is no space for them in democracy — then it is entirely rational for them to break democracy. Not irrational. Not manipulated. Rational. If there is no space for me inside the system, I must break the system. That is what revolutionary conservatism is: a rational response to liberal exclusion. The solution is not to validate the views. The solution is to demonstrate that there is a place for those people and their communities within a democratic framework. That is the Madisonian insight. •       Subsidiarity as the Solution: Conservative Communities, Liberal Cities, Common Framework: Kisilowski's constitutional proposal, worked out with co-authors from the full ideological spectrum, is subsidiarity: genuine decentralization that allows conservative rural communities to be conservative and liberal cities to be liberal, within a common democratic framework. Budapest, in Magyar's Hungary, should get strong autonomy to pursue the more liberal policies its electorate wants. Warsaw and Kraków should be able to differ. The European Union is, in this reading, the model: different countries, different cultures, one framework. The alternative is winner-takes-all, which always produces a revolutionary reaction from the losers. •       Peter Magyar and Hungary: Proof of Concept for the Compromise Strategy: Magyar's extraordinary victory in Hungary — winning a constitutional majority against a 16-year right-wing regime rightly called a mafia state, in elections skewed heavily toward the government — is, in Kisilowski's reading, direct evidence that the compromise strategy works. Magyar is a staunch conservative and former member of the Orbán government. He won because he demonstrated to far-right voters that there was a place for them and their views within democratic Europe. The 2 million liberal Budapest voters who voted for him did so not because they like his conservatism but because he was unquestionably preferable to Orbán. Kisilowski made sure Magyar got the book. About the Guest Maciej Kisilowski is Associate Professor of Law and Strategy at Central European University (CEU) in Vienna. He is co-editor (with Anna Wojciuk) of Let's Agree on Poland: A Case Study in Strategic Constitutional Design (Oxford University Press, 2025). He is a Europe's Futures Fellow at the Institute for Human Sciences (IWM) in Vienna and a visiting fellow at Harvard Law School. He writes frequently for Project Syndicate, Politico, and The EU Observer. References: •       Let's Agree on Poland: A Case Study in Strategic Constitutional Design by Maciej Kisilowski and Anna Wojciuk (Oxford University Press, 202...

The Great Central Railway is unique. It is the only main line double track heritage railway in Europe. And it's brilliant!However, they are not standing still. They have an ambitious and exciting plan to reunify the two surviving sections of the Great Central Railway to create an 18 mile, living museum of transport, anchored by that unique double track section where it is possible to see steam trains passing each other. A truly exhilarating sight, sound and experience. Green Signals went to the Great Central Railway to have a look behind the scenes – and to find out more about the plans to Reunify!Membership: If you want to see even more from Green Signals, including exclusive content, become a member and support the channel further too.YouTube -⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/@GreenSignals/join⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Patreon -⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.patreon.com/GreenSignals⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Green Signals: Website -⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠http://www.greensignals.org⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Merchandise - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠http://greensignals.etsy.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Newsletter -⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠http://www.greensignals.org/#mailing-list⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Follow: X (Twitter) -⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://twitter.com/greensignallers⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ LinkedIn -⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.linkedin.com/company/green-signals-productions-ltd⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠You can view our legal disclaimer, copyright information and privacy policy here - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.greensignals.org/legal/⁠⁠

In his new book The Public House in Central Europe: Inns, Tavern, and Alehouses in Cracow during the Jagiellonian Dynasty (Lexington Books, 2024), Peter Dobek takes us into the daily life of the medieval tavern in fifteenth- and sixteenth-century Cracow. This is the ‘Golden Age' of Poland Lithuania and the crepuscule between the Medieval and Early Modern Periods. The taverns were the public space where different categories of people mixed: travelers, merchants, diplomats, clerics, prostitutes, gamblers, and rogues. This book a time machine: Dobek writes social history as attentive and detailed narrative. We learn about the economy of the petty entrepreneur, the special roles of Jews in medieval Poland, the gray areas where prostitution and gambling thrived. Dobek's prose is lively, his research impressive, and his conclusions important. Peter Dobek is a scholar of medieval Europe particularly medieval Poland with a focus on public houses (inns, taverns, and ale houses). He received his PhD from Western Michigan University in 2019. In addition to other publications, his book is the Public House in Central Europe. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/new-books-network

In his new book The Public House in Central Europe: Inns, Tavern, and Alehouses in Cracow during the Jagiellonian Dynasty (Lexington Books, 2024), Peter Dobek takes us into the daily life of the medieval tavern in fifteenth- and sixteenth-century Cracow. This is the ‘Golden Age' of Poland Lithuania and the crepuscule between the Medieval and Early Modern Periods. The taverns were the public space where different categories of people mixed: travelers, merchants, diplomats, clerics, prostitutes, gamblers, and rogues. This book a time machine: Dobek writes social history as attentive and detailed narrative. We learn about the economy of the petty entrepreneur, the special roles of Jews in medieval Poland, the gray areas where prostitution and gambling thrived. Dobek's prose is lively, his research impressive, and his conclusions important. Peter Dobek is a scholar of medieval Europe particularly medieval Poland with a focus on public houses (inns, taverns, and ale houses). He received his PhD from Western Michigan University in 2019. In addition to other publications, his book is the Public House in Central Europe. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/history

In his new book The Public House in Central Europe: Inns, Tavern, and Alehouses in Cracow during the Jagiellonian Dynasty (Lexington Books, 2024), Peter Dobek takes us into the daily life of the medieval tavern in fifteenth- and sixteenth-century Cracow. This is the ‘Golden Age' of Poland Lithuania and the crepuscule between the Medieval and Early Modern Periods. The taverns were the public space where different categories of people mixed: travelers, merchants, diplomats, clerics, prostitutes, gamblers, and rogues. This book a time machine: Dobek writes social history as attentive and detailed narrative. We learn about the economy of the petty entrepreneur, the special roles of Jews in medieval Poland, the gray areas where prostitution and gambling thrived. Dobek's prose is lively, his research impressive, and his conclusions important. Peter Dobek is a scholar of medieval Europe particularly medieval Poland with a focus on public houses (inns, taverns, and ale houses). He received his PhD from Western Michigan University in 2019. In addition to other publications, his book is the Public House in Central Europe. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/eastern-european-studies

In his new book The Public House in Central Europe: Inns, Tavern, and Alehouses in Cracow during the Jagiellonian Dynasty (Lexington Books, 2024), Peter Dobek takes us into the daily life of the medieval tavern in fifteenth- and sixteenth-century Cracow. This is the ‘Golden Age' of Poland Lithuania and the crepuscule between the Medieval and Early Modern Periods. The taverns were the public space where different categories of people mixed: travelers, merchants, diplomats, clerics, prostitutes, gamblers, and rogues. This book a time machine: Dobek writes social history as attentive and detailed narrative. We learn about the economy of the petty entrepreneur, the special roles of Jews in medieval Poland, the gray areas where prostitution and gambling thrived. Dobek's prose is lively, his research impressive, and his conclusions important. Peter Dobek is a scholar of medieval Europe particularly medieval Poland with a focus on public houses (inns, taverns, and ale houses). He received his PhD from Western Michigan University in 2019. In addition to other publications, his book is the Public House in Central Europe. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In his new book The Public House in Central Europe: Inns, Tavern, and Alehouses in Cracow during the Jagiellonian Dynasty (Lexington Books, 2024), Peter Dobek takes us into the daily life of the medieval tavern in fifteenth- and sixteenth-century Cracow. This is the ‘Golden Age' of Poland Lithuania and the crepuscule between the Medieval and Early Modern Periods. The taverns were the public space where different categories of people mixed: travelers, merchants, diplomats, clerics, prostitutes, gamblers, and rogues. This book a time machine: Dobek writes social history as attentive and detailed narrative. We learn about the economy of the petty entrepreneur, the special roles of Jews in medieval Poland, the gray areas where prostitution and gambling thrived. Dobek's prose is lively, his research impressive, and his conclusions important. Peter Dobek is a scholar of medieval Europe particularly medieval Poland with a focus on public houses (inns, taverns, and ale houses). He received his PhD from Western Michigan University in 2019. In addition to other publications, his book is the Public House in Central Europe. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Russia has intensified its attacks on Ukraine, damaging Kyiv's UNESCO-listed Pechersk Lavra monastery while Ukraine continues striking military infrastructure inside Russia.In this week's Talk Eastern Europe News Roundup, Adam Reichardt and Nina Panikova discuss:- Russia's latest missile attacks on Ukraine and the damage to one of the country's most important cultural landmarks.- Ukraine's growing campaign against Russian oil infrastructure and Crimea.- What came out of the G7 summit and whether diplomatic efforts could restart negotiations.- The shocking murder of Russian dissident cartoonist Robert Kuzovkov in Poland and what it says about Russia's reach inside Europe.- Why Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi made a historic visit to Slovakia – and what it means for Central Europe.- An update on rising tensions in Polish-Ukrainian relations.Plus: Adam previews his exclusive interview with former Swedish Prime Minister Carl Bildt.❓ What do you think is the biggest challenge facing Europe today? Let us know in the comments.Talk Eastern Europe is the podcast from New Eastern Europe magazine - your trusted source for in-depth analysis and expert perspectives on Central and Eastern Europe, Russia, and the post-Soviet space. ABOUT THIS PODCASTWe publish twice weekly:Every Tuesday: Expert Interviews featuring deep dives with leading analysts, journalists, and scholarsEvery Friday: Weekly News Roundup with essential updates and commentary on the latest developmentsAvailable on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, YouTube and all major platforms. Read the New Eastern Europe Magazine Bimonthly publication with exclusive long-form analysis. https://neweasterneurope.eu/become-a-member-of-new-eastern-europe/ Support us on PatreonJoin our community for bonus content, early access, behind-the-scenes insights, and access to our exclusive WhatsApp group where we discuss the news in real-time.https://www.patreon.com/talkeasterneurope Subscribe to the Brief Eastern Europe NewsletterWeekly briefing sent out every Monday with news updates, expert commentary, and our editorial picks - free to your inbox: https://briefeasterneurope.eu/subscribe FOLLOW USInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/neweasterneuropemag/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/NewEasternEurope/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/new-eastern-europe

Recorded live at EIC 2026 in Berlin, Jeff and Jim sit down with Thomas Zarnhofer, IAM Architect at SPAR-ICS, the IT unit of the SPAR Austria Group, which operates roughly 3,000 retail stores and 32 shopping centers across Central Europe. Thomas shares his experience leading a full IGA transformation from a decade-old on-premise system to a modern cloud-based platform. The conversation covers the shift from a contract-based to a person-based identity model, the importance of cleaning data before migration begins, a three-phase framework of Foundation, Migration, and Adoption, lessons learned from running two systems in parallel, and a look at how AI could make IGA predictive. The episode ends with Thomas's tips for visiting Austria.Connect with Thomas: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tzarnhofer/Connect with us on LinkedIn:Jim McDonald: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jimmcdonaldpmp/Jeff Steadman: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeffsteadman/Visit the show on the web at http://idacpodcast.comTimestamps00:00 Introduction and EIC 2026 Setting02:00 Thomas's Identity Origin Story03:38 What Is SPAR-ICS?04:21 The Catalyst for IGA Modernization07:43 Contract-Based vs Person-Based Identity Models09:22 Consolidating Master Data Sources11:39 Data Quality and Attribute Ownership13:34 Partnering with HR for Clean Data16:43 Data Analysis: Why They Chose Excel Over AI17:53 Clean Your Data Before You Migrate18:23 The Three Phases: Foundation, Migration, Adoption20:12 Driving Adoption Across the Organization21:10 Running Two Systems in Parallel22:47 Challenge Everything vs Lift and Shift27:23 Surprises in the Cloud IGA Journey29:02 Testing Requirements in the Cloud29:51 AI and the Future of IGA32:25 AI Chatbots and Role Discovery35:30 Scoping Business Role Visibility36:06 Life Outside IAM: Travel and Austria TipsIAM, IGA, Identity Governance, IGA Migration, On-Premises to Cloud, Identity Model, Contract-Based Identity, Person-Based Identity, Master Data, Data Quality, HR Integration, Joiner Mover Leaver, Cloud IGA, SPAR-ICS, Retail IAM, EIC 2026, AI in IGA, Predictive IGA, Role Management, Access Governance, IDAC, Identity at the Center, Jeff Steadman, Jim McDonald, Thomas Zarnhofer

1456 - Three years after the fall of Constantinople, the Ottoman Empire seemed unstoppable. Sultan Mehmed II turned his attention towards the great fortress of Belgrade, the gateway to Central Europe. Against overwhelming odds, defenders led by John Hunyadi prepared for a desperate struggle. This is the story of a siege that halted an empire's advance and changed the course of European history.

1. Charlie Bird Wants a Child – https://thecougarchronicle.com/article/charlie-bird-surrogacy-why-children-need-a-mother 2. A new hour-long, gospel workshop video – https://www.abc4.com/news/religion/lds-church-ai-use-god-relationships/ 3. Andy Reid and America 250 – https://newsroom.churchofjesuschrist.org/article/tabernacle-choir-to-mark-us-250th-anniversary 4. Opinion: Moving from a deficit-oriented to a data-driven perspective on Latter-day Saints – https://www.deseret.com/opinion/2026/06/05/from-deficit-oriented-to-data-driven-latter-day-saint-public-discourse/ 5. Latter-day Saints continue to demonstrate uniquely high religiosity, according to a new BYU report – https://www.deseret.com/faith/2026/06/05/latter-day-saint-faith-retention-united-states/?shem=rimspwouoe 6. Does LDS culture tolerate members with doubts and questions? – https://www.sltrib.com/religion/2026/06/08/does-lds-culture-welcome-members/ 7. 12 Dad-approved gifts for Father's Day – https://www.ldsliving.com/12-dad-approved-gifts-for-fathers-day/s/13283 8. Ground Broken for Springfield Missouri and Missoula Montana Temples – https://newsroom.churchofjesuschrist.org/article/groundbreaking-held-for-the-missoula-montana-temple-and-the-springfield-missouri-temple 9. President Christofferson Dedicates the Yorba Linda California Temple – https://newsroom.churchofjesuschrist.org/article/president-christofferson-dedicates-yorba-linda-california-temple 10. President Uchtdorf Dedicates the Willamette Valley Oregon Temple – https://newsroom.churchofjesuschrist.org/article/president-uchtdorf-dedicates-the-willamette-valley-oregon-temple 11. Utah State University has received approval to sell land north of the USU Eastern campus in Price to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints – https://etvnews.com/articles/community/board-approves-usu-eastern-property-sale-to-lds-church-in-price/ 12. Church of Jesus Christ releases guide for new Sunday meeting schedule – https://www.deseret.com/faith/2026/06/11/church-of-jesus-christ-announces-guide-for-new-sunday-schedule/ 13. Remember that purported photo of LDS Church founder Joseph Smith? See who owns it now – https://www.sltrib.com/religion/2026/06/05/lds-church-acquires-photo-believed/ 14. LDS returned missionary just won two Tony Awards for his adaptation of Schmigadoon – https://www.deseret.com/entertainment/2026/06/10/cinco-paul-won-tony-awards-for-work-on-schmigadoon/ 15. Latter-day Saint convert and retired U.S. Marine gears up for 2026 Warrior Games – https://www.thechurchnews.com/members/2026/06/11/latter-day-saint-woman-marines-2026-warrior-games/ 16. How the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is helping Americans get Canadian citizenship – https://www.tahlequahdailypress.com/community/faith/how-the-church-of-jesus-christ-of-latter-day-saints-is-helping-americans-get-canadian/collection_41418ca2-833b-5d9a-9207-f5c9923158a0.html 17. Massive food donation by LDS church arrives in Tooele – https://www.tooeleonline.com/articles/news/massive-food-donation-by-lds-church-arrives-in-tooele/ 18. President Uchtdorf Unites Latter-day Saints in Central Europe – https://newsroom.churchofjesuschrist.org/article/president-uchtdorf-unites-latter-day-saints-in-central-europe 19. What the Church is doing to help after 7.8 magnitude earthquake in the Philippines – https://www.thechurchnews.com/living-faith/2026/06/11/church-lds-coordinate-mindanao-earthquake-humanitarian-relief-efforts/ 20. 115 years ago – Jun 9, 1911 – https://www.todayinmormonhistory.com/2026/06/115-years-ago-today-jun-9-1911.html 21. 185 years ago – Jun 4, 1841 – https://www.todayinmormonhistory.com/2026/06/185-years-ago-today-jun-4-1841.html

Austria has been making world-class wine for centuries. The world is just now catching up. In this episode, our host Pierre Ferland sits down with Wolfgang Hewarth, Winery Director at Esterházy Wein in Burgenland — one of Central Europe's most historic estates, with winemaking records going back to 1612 and a cellar master hired from Burgundy in 1758. The name alone carries three centuries of imperial history. What Wolfgang is building on top of it is something else entirely. We talk about what it means to arrive as an outsider and take the long view. We dig into the Leithaberg DAC — one of Austria's most distinctive appellations — and why limestone, mica schist, and a cool Pannonian microclimate produce wines built on tension and precision rather than weight. We get into acidity as a philosophy, not a technical detail. We explore what it takes to use oak purely for ageing, never for flavour. And we ask the question that sits underneath everything Wolfgang does: how do you carry 300 years of history without letting it slow you down? Blaufränkisch. Leithaberg. Austrian wine. Burgenland. Organic winemaking. Terroir-driven wine. Natural wine. Pinot Noir. Sparkling wine. A bonus episode with Wolfgang is available exclusively on our website — deeper into the portfolio, the label story, climate challenges, and what it actually takes to protect freshness when the weather stops cooperating.   For more information about our Podcast, visit us on the web: https://readbetweenthewines.com Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/betweenthewinesmedia Connect with us on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/read-between-the-wines  

In 1919, a group of business people gave themselves a strange name: the Merchants of Peace. Their bet was that trading nations fight less. They had just watched Central Europe destroy itself, and they believed commerce could be a brake on war. A century later, with the Strait of Hormuz blocked and tariffs rising, that idea is being tested in real time. Sebastian Ferrari leads strategic initiatives at the International Chamber of Commerce, the world business organization representing an estimated 45 million companies across 170 countries. He argues the answer to fragile supply chains is not less trade but less concentration: more regional integration, especially across Africa and Latin America. We cover EUDR, TradeRoots Africa and AfCFTA, food as social stability, and whether trade can still keep the peace. Listen and share at samueletini.com.

Wie verändert KI die Art, wie wir künftig einkaufen? Und welche Rolle spielen dabei Live-Shopping, Re-Commerce und Agentic Commerce? Darüber spricht Verena Gründel mit Saskia Meier-Andrae, Vice President and General Manager, eBay Germany & Central Europe. Die Art, wie Menschen Produkte suchen und entdecken, steht vor einem grundlegenden Wandel. Für Saskia Meier-Andrae ist klar: Die klassischen Filter auf Websites könnten schon bald Geschichte sein. Statt mühsam Kategorien, Größen und Preise auszuwählen, werden Nutzer künftig in natürlicher Sprache mit intelligenten Systemen interagieren. Die KI kennt Vorlieben, Größen, frühere Käufe und sogar den Inhalt des Kleiderschranks. Produktsuche wird dadurch persönlicher, intuitiver und deutlich komfortabler. Gleichzeitig entstehen neue Herausforderungen für Händler und Plattformen. Denn wenn KI-Agenten den Einkauf übernehmen, stellt sich eine zentrale Frage: Wer besitzt künftig die Kundenbeziehung? Besonders spannend ist Saskias Blick auf Live-Commerce. Während viele Menschen dabei sofort an Teleshopping denken, sieht sie darin vielmehr eine Mischung aus Community, Entertainment und Commerce. Bei eBay stehen nicht austauschbare Massenprodukte im Mittelpunkt, sondern häufig einzigartige Artikel: Luxusuhren, Vintage-Handtaschen, Sammelkarten oder Refurbished-Produkte. Händler präsentieren ihre Ware live, beantworten Fragen der Community und schaffen Vertrauen durch direkte Interaktion. Ein entscheidender Unterschied zu vielen KI-getriebenen Entwicklungen: Live-Commerce lebt von Menschen. Spannende Zahlen aus dieser Episode: Rund 40 Prozent des eBay-Umsatzes stammen bereits aus nicht neuer Ware. In Asien werden bereits etwa 35 Prozent des E-Commerce-Umsatzes über Live-Commerce generiert. Der globale Live-Commerce-Markt soll laut Prognosen von 25,6 Milliarden auf 74,5 Milliarden US-Dollar bis 2030 wachsen. eBay Live ist mittlerweile in sieben Ländern verfügbar. Der weltweite Außenumsatz von eBay Live hat sich gegenüber dem Vorjahr verachtfacht. Einzelne Luxusuhren-Verkäufe erzielen in Livestreams Preise von über 90.000 Euro. Hör jetzt in die Folge rein und entdecke, wie sich das Einkaufen der Zukunft entwickelt.

Misha Glenny and guests discuss one of the great writers on Central Europe after the first world war and on the dying of the old orders with the collapse of the Austro-Hungarian empire. As a German speaking Jew from Brody in the north-eastern edge of that Empire, which was then in Galicia, next in Poland and is now in Ukraine, Roth (1894 - 1939) was to spend his short life moving first to Lviv then to Vienna and finally to Paris via Berlin without ever finding a settled home. Roth explored the loss of homeland and anticipated the dangers of the new nationalism through his journalism and in his novels including Radetzky March, Job, Rebellion and Flight Without End, and his books were among the first the Nazis burned.With Helen Chambers Emeritus Professor of German at the University of St AndrewsDeborah Holmes Associate Professor of Modern German Literature at the University of SalzburgAnd Jon Hughes Reader in German and Cultural Studies at Royal Holloway, University of LondonProducer: Simon TillotsonReading list:Jon Hughes, Facing Modernity: Fragmentation, Culture and Identity in Joseph Roth's Writing in the 1920s (MHRA, 2006) Heinz Lunzer and Victoria Lunzer-Talos, Joseph Roth: Leben und Werk in Bildern (Kiepenheuer & Witsch, 1994)Keiron Pim, Endless Flight: The Life of Joseph Roth (Granta, 2022)Joseph Roth (trans. Deborah Holmes, ed. Helen Constantine), Vienna Tales (Oxford University Press, 2014)Joseph Roth (trans. and ed. Michael Hofmann), A Life in Letters (Granta, 2012)Joseph Roth (trans. Michael Hofmann), Collected Shorter Fiction (Granta, 2001)Joseph Roth (trans. Michael Hofmann), Rebellion (Granta, 2000)Joseph Roth (trans. Michael Hofmann), The Radetzky March (Granta, 2022)Joseph Roth (trans. Michael Hofmann), The Legend of the Holy Drinker (Granta, 2022)Joseph Roth (trans. Michael Hofmann), The Wandering Jews (Granta, 2001)Joseph Roth (trans. Michael Hofmann), What I Saw: Reports from Berlin 1920-1933 (Granta, 2022)Joseph Roth (trans. Michael Hofmann), The Hotel Years: Wanderings in Europe Between the Wars (Granta, 2015)Joseph Roth (trans. Michael Hofmann), Reports from a Parisian Paradise: Essays from France 1925-1939 (Granta, 2004)Joseph Roth (trans. Michael Hofmann), The Emperor's Tomb (Granta, 2013)Joseph Roth (trans. Michael Hofmann), The String of Pearls (Granta, 1999)Joseph Roth (trans. Michael Hofmann), The White Cities: Reports From France 1925-1939 (Granta, 2013)Joseph Roth (trans. David Le Vay), Weights and Measures (Pushkin Press, 2024)Joseph Roth (trans. Daved Le Vay and Beatrice Musgrave), Flight Without End (Pushkin Press, 2024)Joseph Roth (trans. Ruth Martin), The Coral Merchant: Essential Stories (Pushkin Press, 2020)Joseph Roth (trans Will Stone), On the End of the World (Pushkin Press, 2019)Joseph Roth (trans. Dorothy Thompson), Job: The Story of a Simple Man (Granta, 2022)Wilhelm Von Sternburg, Joseph Roth: Eine Biographie (Kiepenheuer & Witsch, 2009)In Our Time is a BBC Studios ProductionSpanning history, religion, culture, science and philosophy, In Our Time from BBC Radio 4 is essential listening for the intellectually curious. In each episode, host Misha Glenny and expert guests explore the characters, events and discoveries that have shaped our world.

In this gripping episode of Ukrainapodden, we dive deep into the dramatic collapse of Russian influence in Central Europe following the historic electoral defeat of Viktor Orbán. Award-winning investigative journalist Szabolcs Panyi joins the studio to unpack his explosive «Kremlin hotline» exposé, which revealed direct coordination between Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov and Hungary’s Péter Szijjártó. You can read about The Kremlin Hotline here: https://vsquare.org/kremlin-hotline-hungary-colluded-with-russia-to-delist-sanctioned-oligarchs-companies-and-banks/ https://vsquare.org/kremlin-hotline-how-hungary-coordinates-with-russia-blocking-ukraine-from-the-eu/ For years, Hungary operated as Putin’s «reliable Trojan horse» within the EU and NATO, shielding Russian assets and blocking Ukrainian integration. However, the recent landslide victory by Péter Magyar and the Tisza party has triggered a massive geopolitical nightmare for Moscow, stripping the Kremlin of its most crucial European ally. Panyi breaks down the mechanics of the fallen autocracy, exposing how Russian kompromat and deep-rooted financial greed drove Hungary's foreign policy. We explore the staggering wealth accumulated by Orbán's inner circle, including figures like Lőrinc Mészáros, and discuss where the people around Orban are funneling their assets now that their political protection has disintegrated. Furthermore, Panyi shares his harrowing personal experience of surviving the paranoid tactics of the outgoing government. From being surveilled by Pegasus spyware to facing absurd espionage charges just weeks before the election, his story highlights the extreme lengths the regime went to silence independent journalism. With Orbán completely ousted, we analyze what this setback means for the Kremlin’s broader strategy in Europe. Tune in for a masterclass on investigative journalism, European security, and the enduring fight against autocracy.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Powiedziałbym wręcz, że w nadchodzących latach Polska stanie się jeszcze bardziej konkurencyjna – twierdzi Carlos Fontelas de Carvalho, prezes ADP France i Central Europe.Kup subskrypcję „Rzeczpospolitej” pod adresem: https://czytaj.rp.pl

In this episode, Andrew sits down with intrepid traveler and language enthusiast Ben Jovic to hear about his 2012 study abroad year. Ben skipped the typical sunny Spanish beaches his classmates preferred for a Soviet-style apartment in Yaroslavl. Surviving -40 degree winters and an endless supply of his host's homemade beetroot soup, Ben talks about culture shock and daily life in Russia at the time. He also shares some unforgettable stories that he picked up along the way. It's a funny, fascinating look at jumping headfirst into an entirely different way of life.Guest:British-born and currently living in the United States.An avid language learner. He has studied Russian, Spanish, French, and German.Chapters:00:00:00 Introduction and the origins of Ben's travel bug.00:04:36 Ben's linguistic background and learning multiple languages.00:09:14 The decision to study abroad in Russia.00:14:58 Arriving in Yaroslavl and eating the babushka's beetroot soup.00:24:36 Moving to Saint Petersburg and adjusting to Russian life.00:28:44 A late-night adventure getting a ride home from strangers.00:32:09 Encounters with metro security and the resilient local snow shovelers.00:36:39 Reflecting on the adventure and touring Moscow.00:40:55 Recent trips to Asia and future plans to visit China.Resources and Links:Yaroslavl, Russia, a city known for its Orthodox churches.Saint Petersburg, Russia, where Ben spent his second semester.Interrail Pass, which Ben used to travel Central Europe.Novodevichy Cemetery, located in Moscow.Lenin's Mausoleum, located in Red Square.Call to action:Check out our website at oneofftravelstories.com. If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe, rate, and review the podcast.

This week, Aebhric O'Kelly is joined by Robert Jędrych, a Polish tactical medicine instructor and founder of the Eagle Med System, who appears on the CoROM Podcast to discuss the evolution of tactical medicine and prolonged field care (PFC) training in Poland and Central Europe. Drawing from more than two decades of experience as a paramedic and tactical medicine educator, Robert shares insights into the realities of preparing civilian and military medical personnel for austere and conflict-adjacent environments. The discussion explores the growing demand for prolonged casualty care education due to the ongoing war in Ukraine, the limitations of current civilian tactical medicine pathways, and the importance of realistic scenario-based training. Robert also reflects on his first attendance at the Special Operations Medical Association Scientific Assembly conference and outlines his vision for the future of tactical medicine education in Poland. Chapters• 00:00 – Introduction to Robert Jędrych and his background in tactical and austere medicine • 02:20 – Launching the first Austere Emergency Care (AEC) programme in Poland • 03:40 – Why prolonged field care training is increasingly important in Eastern Europe • 04:40 – Medical support and casualty flow from Ukraine into Poland • 05:10 – Building Eagle Med System and tactical medicine education in Poland • 05:45 – Civilian TCCC versus TECC: the confusion in tactical medicine education • 07:30 – Why TECC lacks a Combat Medic/Corpsman equivalent pathway • 11:15 – Discussion on developing an advanced TECC training framework • 14:50 – The impact of prolonged field care and AEC training on operational readiness • 16:20 – What is missing from current tactical medicine training programmes • 17:20 – The importance of realistic scenarios, stress inoculation, and live tissue/cadaver training • 20:50 – Lessons learned from prolonged field care scenarios and provider fatigue • 21:00 – Attending the Special Operations Medical Association Scientific Assembly conference for the first time • 23:05 – Robert's five-year plan for tactical medicine and PFC development in Poland • 25:00 – Advice for new medics entering austere and tactical medicine • 27:10 – Final thoughts and future collaboration Key Discussion PointsThe Growth of Austere Emergency Care in PolandRobert discusses implementing the first AEC programme in Poland and the growing recognition that prolonged casualty care requires far more than procedural medicine. Topics include leadership, communication, patient monitoring, documentation, and decision-making in hostile and resource-limited environments. Civilian Tactical Medicine and the TECC GapThe episode examines the disconnect between civilian tactical medicine needs and current educational pathways. While TCCC remains widely recognised, Robert and Aebhric discuss the absence of a TECC equivalent to the Combat Medic/Corpsman pathway and the need for advanced civilian tactical medical training. Realistic Scenario TrainingRobert emphasises that high-fidelity scenarios, environmental stress, fatigue, noise, and realistic casualty simulation are essential for preparing providers to function under pressure. He highlights the importance of moving beyond classroom mannequin training into operationally relevant simulation. Lessons from UkrainePoland's proximity to the war in Ukraine has shaped the urgency of tactical medicine education. Robert explains how exposure to real-world casualty care challenges has reinforced the need for prolonged field care training among both military and civilian healthcare providers. Building the Future of Tactical MedicineRobert outlines his vision for creating a dedicated training centre, expanding international partnerships, and building a stronger community of instructors capable of teaching evidence-based medicine grounded in operational realities.

What makes a country stand out in the global race for investment? In this episode of Develop This!, Dennis Fraise speaks with Fadi Shadeh of the Hungarian Investment Promotion Agency to explore why Hungary has become one of Central Europe's most dynamic investment destinations. From its strategic location at the heart of Europe to its deep integration into the EU single market, Hungary offers companies access to major markets, efficient logistics, and strong infrastructure. Fadi explains how the country's positioning enables fast access across Europe while supporting complex global supply chains. The conversation dives into Hungary's economic transformation, particularly its shift toward higher-value industries like electromobility, battery manufacturing, business services, and R&D. While manufacturing remains a strong base, the country is rapidly expanding its role in advanced services and innovation-driven sectors. A major focus is workforce development. With a strong university network and a dual education system that connects students directly with industry, Hungary is building a talent pipeline designed to meet modern business needs—often producing job-ready graduates aligned with employer demand. Fadi also breaks down how the Hungarian Investment Promotion Agency operates as a "one-stop shop" for investors—helping companies navigate location decisions, incentives, site visits, and long-term expansion strategies. Key Takeaways Hungary's central location provides strong access to European and global markets The economy is shifting toward electromobility, batteries, and business services Talent development is supported through a strong university system and dual education model The Investment Promotion Agency acts as a one-stop shop for investors Regional cities are becoming key drivers of future growth Investment success depends on talent, infrastructure, and long-term trust Key Topics Covered Hungary's geographic and strategic advantages Economic transformation and industry mix  

Historian and food studies scholar Jeffrey Pilcher joins Reckoning with Jason Herbert to explore the surprising global history of beer and how one of humanity's oldest drinks became a worldwide commodity. Drawing from his new book Hopped Up: How Travel, Trade, and Taste Made Beer a Global Commodity, Pilcher traces beer's journey from ancient brewing traditions to modern craft breweries, revealing how beer shaped—and was shaped by—capitalism, industrialization, migration, empire, advertising, and working-class culture.In this episode, we discuss the origins of brewing in the ancient world, the rise of lager and Pilsner in Central Europe, German immigration and American beer culture, the globalization of brands like Heineken and Corona, and the explosion of craft brewing in the United States. Along the way, we dive into Czech beer halls, IPAs, bourbon barrel stouts, the politics of drinking, and why beer has always been about more than what's in the glass.If you love history, food culture, globalization, craft beer, or simply a great conversation about the human need for community and connection, this episode is for you.

WWW.ADVENTUREFREAKSSS.COM Find your Ideal Destination Here: https://adventurefreaksss.com/ideal-destination-finder/ ================================= How to work with me: =================================

Why does Warsaw look so different from every other European capital? In this episode of Talk Eastern Europe, Nina Panikova speaks with British writer and journalist Owen Hatherley about the dramatic history that shaped Poland's capital – from wartime destruction and communist-era rebuilding to modern skyscrapers and experimental urban planning.They discuss Warsaw's modernist housing estates, socialistrealist architecture, the iconic Palace of Culture and Science, and why the city remains one of Europe's most misunderstood capitals. Is Warsaw chaotic, visionary, unfinished – or all three at once?If you're interested in architecture, urban history, Central Europe, communism, post-socialist transformation, or the future of European cities, this episode is for you.Places in Warsaw (and beyond) mentioned in the interview:Żoliborz, one of the northern districts of Warsaw. Narkomfin building,  a block of 25 flats known for its constructivist architecture in Moscow, Russia.Praga, a district of Warsaw, Poland. It is on the east bank of the river VistulaConstitution Square, a monumental urban square in Warsaw built in the 1950s as a flagship project of socialist realism.Muranów, a special area in Warsaw's history located adjacent to the Wola and Śródmieście districts. Most of it was incorporated into the Warsaw Ghetto during the Second World War.Palace of Culture and Science, a notable high-rise building in central Warsaw, Poland. With a total height of 237 meters, it is the second-tallest building in both Warsaw and PolandNowy Świat (New World Street), one of Warsaw's most famous and vibrant historic streets.New Belgrade (Novi Beograd) is the largest and most modern district of Belgrade, SerbiaCentral Department Store, ‘Smyk', a modernist building in Warsaw.Koło Housing Estate of the architects Szymon and Helena Syrkus.Sady Żoliborskie, a celebrated modernist housing estate and sub-district in northern Warsaw.Palace of the Soviets, was a project to construct a politicalconvention centre in Moscow on the site of the demolished Cathedral of Christ the Saviour. It was never built. The Palace of Parliament ( previously People's House ), the seat of the Romanian parliament and the heaviest building in the world. Talk Eastern Europe is the podcast from NewEastern Europe magazine - your trusted source for in-depth analysis and expert perspectives on Central and Eastern Europe, Russia, and the post-Soviet space. ABOUT THIS PODCASTWe publish twice weekly:Available on YouTube, Spotify, Apple Podcasts andall major platforms.JOIN THE COMMUNITYNew Eastern Europe Magazine Bimonthly publication with exclusive long-formanalysis. → Become a member: https://neweasterneurope.eu/become-a-member-of-new-eastern-europe/ Support on PatreonJoin our community for bonus content, early access, behind-the-scenes insights, and access to our exclusive WhatsApp group where we discuss the news in real-time. → Join the Talk Eastern Europe community: https://www.patreon.com/talkeasterneuropeBrief Eastern Europe NewsletterWeekly briefing sent out every Monday with newsupdates, expert commentary, and our editorial picks - free to your inbox. → Subscribe: https://briefeasterneurope.eu/subscribe FOLLOW USInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/neweasterneuropemag/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/NewEasternEurope/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/new-eastern-europe/Twitter/X: https://x.com/NewEastEurope

The memoirs of Paweł Z. Woś highlight the significant research challenges encountered by historians of the Intermarium area. Polish conspiracy during the German occupation, participation in the Warsaw Uprising, and operating a small business were all, in reality, acts of anti-communist resistance. The many omissions and instances of imprecision stem not only from the passage of time, but also from the carefully cultivated discretion imposed by the all-powerful communist secret police. For scholars, this represents a major challenge in the reconstruction of events and the discovery of historical truth. Dr. Sebastian Bojemski Graduated from the Institute of History of Warsaw University and gained his doctoral degree at The Cardinal Wyszyński University in Warsaw. At the Institute of World Politics (Washington, DC) he attended individual courses in geography and strategy, geoeconomy, strategic influence and propaganda. He was awarded scholarships by the Kosciuszko Foundation (USA) and the M. Grabowski Fund (UK). Mr Bojemski also has extensive experience in strategic communication, marketing, sales and management. For over 15 years (2003-2018) he had owned a Warsaw-based consulting firm. Between 2018-2024 he was an executive director for marketing at PKN Orlen – the largest oil company in Central Europe, a vice chairman at Lotos Fuels, the second largest oil company in Poland and a vice chairman at PERN, the largest fuel and logistics company in the region and critical infrastructure operator. He is currently affiliated with the University College of Professional Education as a member of the Center for Research on Disinformation and Cybersecurity and a senior fellow at the Eastern Flank Institute, a Brussels-based think tank. The Kościuszko Chair serves as a center for Polish Studies in the broadest sense, including learning, teaching, researching, and writing about Poland's culture, history, heritage, religion, government, economy, and successes in the arts, sciences, and letters, with special emphasis on the achievements of Polish civilization and its relation to other nations, particularly the United States. **Learn more about IWP graduate programs: https://www.iwp.edu/academics/graduate-degree-programs/ ***Make a gift to the IWP Kosciuszko Chair of Polish Studies: https://wl.donorperfect.net/weblink/WebLink.aspx?name=E231090&id=4

What did Donald Trump actually achieve in Beijing, and what does it signal for Taiwan and the security of Central Europe? Wojciech Przybylski, Editor-in-Chief of Visegrad Insight, is joined by Marcin Jerzewski, Visegrad Insight Fellow and Head of the European Values Center for Security Policy think tank in Taipei, to unpack the outcomes of the Trump-Xi summit of 17–18 May 2026.They examine China's use of discourse power to shape the narrative around Taiwan, the strategic ambiguity now surrounding US arms sales, diverging EU member state approaches to China, and the concrete ways Central Europe and Taiwan can deepen cooperation, from drone supply chains to non-red technology partnerships.This episode draws on an ongoing Visegrad Insight report on Central European perspectives on Taiwan scenarios through the lens of economic security. Watch this space.Subscribe to Visegrad Insight for access to all our content, live and online events: visegradinsight.eu. Use code VISEGRAD35 for 35 per cent off a yearly subscription: https://visegradinsight.eu/membership-account/membership-levels/Visegrad Insight is powered by the Res Publica Foundation, Warsaw.Listen on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/episode/1kYQnreH1lD9eDEOFJrfUp?si=vY7E0d5-S7Kjdb_tFOOIDAListen on Apple Podcasts:Watch on YouTube: https://youtu.be/xRntS_U6KkE

What this episode is about If you've been relying on warm referrals and introductions to bring in corporate clients, this episode is your wake-up call. Sales strategist Jess Lorimer breaks down the two distinct types of B2B lead generation that every coach, consultant, trainer, speaker, and done-for-you service provider needs to understand - and crucially, which one to prioritise depending on where you are in your business right now. With the summer window for reaching corporate decision makers closing fast, Jess explains why now is the time to audit your lead generation approach and plug the gaps before September. Who this episode is for A coach, consultant, trainer, speaker, or done-for-you service provider selling services to corporate clients Currently relying on warm referrals or introductions to generate B2B sales leads Experiencing the feast-and-famine cycle in your business - busy with delivery, then suddenly with nothing in your pipeline Unsure whether your lead generation is failing, or whether the problem lies elsewhere in your sales process Planning your B2B sales strategy for Q3 and Q4 2026 Questions this episode answers What is B2B lead generation and how is it different from just 'doing outreach'? Why isn't my lead generation converting into sales? What's the difference between active lead generation and passive visibility? When should I use active lead generation vs passive lead generation in my business? How do I stop the feast-and-famine cycle in my B2B sales pipeline? How are corporate decision makers searching for external suppliers in 2026? Key takeaways  1. Lead Generation has one job - and it's not to close sales One of the most common mistakes coaches and consultants make is judging their lead generation by whether it produced a sale. Jess is clear: the job of lead generation is to book qualified sales calls, not to close contracts. When you blend the two, you end up blaming your lead generation for problems that might actually live elsewhere in your sales process - such as your offer, your pricing, or your proposal. 2. Active lead generation: The strategy you control Active lead generation is any lead generation strategy that works while you are implementing it, and stops when you stop. Examples include: Cold email outreach LinkedIn outreach Any proactive, volume-driven outreach to decision makers Active lead generation is entirely within your control. You set the metrics, monitor the results, and can troubleshoot what's working. This makes it the right approach when you are not yet fully booked with corporate clients - because you have the time, energy, and capacity to execute it consistently. The risk: if you become too busy with delivery to keep it running, it stops. Which is exactly when many coaches and consultants find themselves with an empty pipeline.   3. Passive visibility: Lead generation that works without you Passive visibility is Jess's term for lead generation strategies that build brand awareness, visibility, and inbound leads over time - without requiring you to execute them week in, week out. Examples include: Speaking on internal company podcasts Being featured in a curated directory with proactive marketing (such as the Expert Services Directory) Activities that help you rank in AI search tools (GEO - Generative Engine Optimisation) and Google Presenting at awards events or industry panels Passive visibility strategies are compounding: they build over time. They are not designed to produce a sales call every single week, but they ensure that when a corporate decision maker goes looking for an external supplier, you show up. In 2026, decision makers are actively searching for external suppliers online. If you are not visible in those searches, you are invisible to them. The risk: passive visibility alone is not enough if you have no clients yet. You need to understand your messaging and what works before you can hand it off or systematise it.   4. You need both - at different stages of your business Active lead generation and passive visibility are not either/or. They serve different purposes at different stages: Not yet fully booked with clients? Prioritise active lead generation. Use the time and capacity you have now to fill your pipeline before it's too late. About to be fully booked or in a heavy delivery period? Start building your passive visibility now so your brand continues to generate leads while you're delivering. Relying only on warm referrals? You are not in control of your lead generation - and your business is more vulnerable than it looks. 5. The summer window is closing If you are based in the UK, you have roughly until the second week of July before corporate decision makers become significantly harder to reach. For those in Central Europe or the US, that window closes around mid-June. If you do not have a pipeline of qualified leads generating sales calls now, you need to act before that window shuts. Key Quotes "The job of lead generation is to book qualified sales calls, not to make sales." "Decision makers are searching actively for external suppliers. If you're not doing anything on that passive visibility front, you're not going to show up in search." "Active lead generation is completely within your control. And there are times in your business when you have the time and energy to be able to implement it - use them." Resources + Links Mentioned in This Episode Join the B2B Sales Edit: Busyness to Business Weekly newsletter for coaches and consultants; sharing the real B2B sales techniques that have taken over 30,000 sales processes from busy -> balanced and profitable. https://magic.beehiiv.com/v1/988ac64b-5875-4924-9d10-50faad2aa4ad?email=%EMAIL% Episode sponsored by The Expert Services Directory: Access The Expert Services Directory here https://bit.ly/ExpertServicesDirectory and use code PODCAST for a special bonus. A curated directory that proactively markets your services to corporate decision makers every month. Standard listings reach 1,000+ decision makers per month; Directory Plus listings reach 2,000+. Only 10 suppliers per category. Standard listing: 1,000+ decision makers per month Directory Plus listing: 2,000+ decision makers per month Application required - not all applications are accepted Cold -> Closed The self-paced B2B sales experience for coaches / consultants/ speakers / trainers and done-for-you service providers who want scalable, sustainable sales from brand new corporate clients in 90 days or less. https://smartleaderssell.thrivecart.com/-cold-to-closed-product/ If you've enjoyed listening to Two types of B2B lead generation that coaches + consultants need to use, check out these episodes. STC173 - B2B Sales Trends for Q2: Which One Are You Actioning? https://directory.libsyn.com/episode/index/id/40894390 STC169 - Why 'Normal' Communication Is Stopping You Feeling Confident with Sales Communication https://directory.libsyn.com/episode/index/id/40172105 STC167 - Are You Speaking to Decision Makers or Influencers (and Why It Matters) https://directory.libsyn.com/episode/index/id/39846375 Content Disclaimer The information contained above is provided for information purposes only. The contents of this article, video or audio are not intended to amount to advice and you should not rely on any of the contents of this article, video or audio. Professional advice should be obtained before taking or refraining from taking any action as a result of the contents of this article, video or audio. Jessica Lorimer disclaims all liability and responsibility arising from any reliance placed on any of the contents of this article, video or audio.  

S9EP2, Explore Consciousness with Jim Cusumano In this episode, James A. Cusumano shares the remarkable journey that led him from quantum physics to global entrepreneurship and the creation of Chateau Mcely, one of the world's most celebrated eco‑luxury hotels. He explores the connection between quantum mechanics and consciousness, the principles behind conscious leadership, and the practices that support long‑term longevity and fulfillment. Jim also reflects on the Michelin‑recognized evolution of Chateau Mcely and the deeper purpose that drives his work across science, hospitality, and human potential. James A. Cusumano (Jim) is chairman and owner of Chateau Mcely, chosen in 2007 by the European Union as the only “green” five-star castle hotel in Central Europe; and in 2008 and 2025, by the World Travel Awards as “The World's Leading Green Hotel.” In 2025, the Michelin Guide recognized Chateau Mcely among a select group of hotels throughout the world. Their recently launched Key Program showcases hotels in the same manner that their Star Program has awarded restaurants of distinction over the last 125 years. Chateau Mcely offers programs that promote the principles of Inspired and Conscious Leadership, finding one's Life Purpose, and Long-Term Longevity and Personal Fulfillment. Jim's research decades ago in quantum physics created a lifelong passion to understand the connection between quantum mechanics and consciousness. He has authored more than 12 books—both fiction and nonfiction, exploring the source, nature, and function of consciousness. Learn more from Jim Cusumano: http://jimthealchymist.com/ #VoicesOfCourage #TheCourageNetwork #KenDFoster #VOCS9EP2 #JimCusumano #Consciousness #QuantumPhysics #QuantumConsciousness #SpiritualAwakening #ConsciousLeadership #HumanPotential #PersonalTransformation #SelfAwareness #MindBodySpirit #HigherConsciousness #LifePurpose #InnerGrowth #SpiritualGrowth #AwakenedLife #HolisticLiving #Longevity #PersonalFulfillment #SuccessMindset #LeadershipDevelopment #Philosophy #EnergyAndConsciousness #QuantumMind #ElevateYourLife #SpiritualPodcast #TransformYourLife

Send us Fan MailWe're joined by American expat resident Cherie Siebert to trace Vienna from its Habsburg-scale grandeur to its everyday pleasures. Vienna can feel like a living museum and a laid-back neighborhood on the same afternoon. We talk through how easy it is to get around on foot and by public transportation, where palace areas like Hofburg, Schönbrunn, and the Belvedere fit into a real day, and why seasonal markets mix architecture, craft, and local tradition. From St Stephen's Cathedral's tower and crypt to the surprising places where Roman ruins appear under your feet, Vienna keeps handing you history.Then we follow the sound. Cherie shares her favorite place to hear classical music, the Musikverein Golden Hall, plus the pull of the Vienna State Opera. As for art, the city's deep museum bench, including Gustav Klimt's iconic “The Kiss.” We also make room for the city's hard truths, including Holocaust memorial reminders found by simply wandering the center.To round it out, we get into Vienna coffeehouse culture, where to skip long tourist lines, why locals treat cake and coffee as a ritual, and how wine bars and nearby wine inns expand the food story. We also cover parks, Danube swimming spots, the Prater Ferris wheel at night, and easy day trips by train to Salzburg, the Wachau Valley, Bratislava, Budapest, and even Prague. If you enjoyed this, subscribe, and share the episode with a fellow traveler.**Cherie Siebert is an expat who lives in and loves Vienna. She is a teacher, jewelry maker, traveler and life-lover. Find her at artsfish@me.com Podcast host Lea Lane has traveled to over 100 countries, and has written nine books, including the award-winning Places I Remember  (Kirkus Reviews star rating, and  'one of the top 100 Indie books of  the year'). She has contributed to dozens of guidebooks and has written thousands of travel articles. Read her weekly essays on Substack._____Our award-winning travel podcast, Places I Remember with Lea Lane, has produced over 130 travel episodes! New episodes drop on the first Tuesday of the month, on Apple, Spotify, and wherever you listen to podcasts. All episodes are also on her website: placesirememberlealane.com_____Travel vlogs of featured  podcasts-- with video and graphics -- now also drop on YouTube.  

Send us Fan MailA nobleman becomes a bishop, then an exile, then a missionary who keeps walking toward the hardest ground. Saint Adalbert of Prague isn't remembered because his path was smooth, but because he refused to trade the Gospel for comfort, approval, or safety.We follow Adalbert from his Bohemian roots and rigorous Catholic formation at Magdeburg into the pressure-cooker of tenth century Prague, where he confronts simony, fights for clergy reform, defends Christian marriage, and calls a divided people back to conversion. When resistance turns into repeated exile, the story doesn't shrink, it expands. Adalbert's setbacks become the doorway to wider evangelization across Central Europe, with a missionary heart that keeps choosing obedience, prayer, and pastoral love over status.Then comes the frontier: the pagan Prussians. We explore what drives a Catholic missionary toward a place known for hostility, how Eucharistic devotion becomes daily strength, and why martyrdom in 997 becomes a seed for the faith across Poland, Bohemia, and Hungary. Along the way, we share how Journeys of Faith, inspired by Bob and Penny Lord, helps bring the lives of the saints and Catholic pilgrimage into your home through resources, media, and devotionals.If Saint Adalbert's courage stirs something in you, subscribe, share this with a friend who needs hope, and leave a review so more listeners can find these stories of Catholic saints and missionary discipleship. What part of Adalbert's journey do you want to imitate this week?Open by Steve Bailey Support the showChat with US 24/7 Ask us anything https://chatting.page/mjxs9aerrtgm3lmpndlcepmbyosntrjnDownload Journeys of Faith App for Iphone or Android FREE https://journeysoffaith.com/pages/download-our-appJourneys of Faith brings your Super Saints PodcastsPlease consider subscribing to this podcast or making a donation to Journeys of Faith Help us Grow!Why you should shop here at Journeys of Faith official site!New Mega Search Engine!Lowest Prices and Higher discounts up to 50%Free Shipping starts at $18 - Express Safe Checkout Click HereCannot find it let us find or create it - - Click HereRewards Program is active - click Here

EPISODE 161 | Vroom Broom: Witches & Witch Hunts Hundreds, perhaps thousands, or women were burned alive in Salem, MA, at the end of the 17th century. Their crime? Being witches. That's what many of us think, anyway. But just how much truth is there in all that? And what, exactly, is a witch? Are there any still around today?  This episode comes in time for this year's Walpurgis Night, which happens in Central Europe on April 30. Bonfires are made, effigies of witches are burned or thrown into rivers, and there is much feasting and, well, a lot of drinking.  So, let's talk witches, separating fact from fiction. Review us here or on IMDb. And seriously, subscribe, will ya? Like, just do it.  SECTIONS 01:40 - Salem Is a Spooky Massachusetts Witch City - The Salem Witch Trials 18:13 - Burn the Witch - A history of witch hunting, the Hammer of Witches, the Great Hunt, notable witch trials, swimming a witch  27:27 - The Devils of Loudon 32:32 - The Spanish Inquisition 35:35 - Waking the Witch - Belief in witches, the witch-cult hypothesis, new Paganism and Wicca 43:47 - Miss Macbeth - Broomsticks, black cats, witches as marginalized people Music by Fanette Ronjat Related Episode Mass Hysteria & Shared Delusions (The World Is Weird 2) Follow us on social: Facebook X (Twitter) Other Podcasts by Derek DeWitt DIGITAL SIGNAGE DONE RIGHT - Winner of a Gold Quill Award, Gold MarCom Award, AVA Digital Award Gold, Silver Davey Award, and Communicator Award of Excellence, and on numerous top 10 podcast lists.  PRAGUE TIMES - A city is more than just a location - it's a kaleidoscope of history, places, people and trends. This podcast looks at Prague, in the center of Europe, from a number of perspectives, including what it is now, what is has been and where it's going. It's Prague THEN, Prague NOW, Prague LATER 

Hungary has entered a new political era. After 16 years ofViktor Orbán's rule, Péter Magyar and the TISZA party have secured a sweeping election victory, reportedly with a two-thirds majority. What happens next?In this Deep Dive episode of Talk Eastern Europe, host Alexandra Karppi speaks with Zsuzsanna Vegh, an expert on Central Europe and democratic resilience from the German Marshall Fund. They discuss the dramatic election result and what it could mean for Hungary, the European Union, and the wider region. In the interview, Zsuzsanna discusses:How Péter Magyar could begin dismantling Orbán's politicalsystemAnti-corruption reforms, media changes, and constitutionaloverhaulFrozen EU funds and whether Hungary's economy couldrebound quicklyWhat this means for Viktor Orbán and the future of FideszThe impact on Robert Fico, Aleksandar Vučić, and illiberalalliances in Central EuropeHungary's future relationship with European Union, NATO,Ukraine, and the Western BalkansRussian influence, intelligence scandals, and regionalsecurity risksIs this the end of the Orbán era or just the beginning of anew political struggle? Subscribe to Talk Eastern Europe for more expert analysis onCentral, Eastern, and Southeastern Europe.Support our podcast – become a Patron: https://www.patreon.com/talkeasterneurope

this episode, we examine the Alpine Ghosts — specialized mountain units from Central Europe, including Czech forces, trained for high-altitude combat in extreme cold and rugged terrain that would incapacitate standard infantry. These elite soldiers master advanced winter warfare, survival techniques, and tactical movement in mountainous environments, turning harsh conditions into a strategic advantage. The discussion highlights their rigorous training, operational capabilities, and critical role in regional defense and NATO mountain warfare doctrine.

Today's West Coast Cookbook & Speakeasy Podcast for our especially special Daily Special, River City Hash Mondays is now available on the Spreaker Player!  Starting off in the Bistro Cafe, Ka$h Patel made some bombshell threats ahead of "imminent arrests" of the Democratic January 6 "conspirators" against Trump. Then, on the rest of the menu, wildfire survivors who lost their homes could face another blow from taxes on settlement payouts; book bans and attempted bans remain at record highs; and, businesses can claim refunds starting today for Trump tariffs that were declared unconstitutional.  After the break, we move to the Chef's Table where countries across Central Europe have pulled baby food off the shelves after rat poison was discovered in the product; and, while Trump lashed out at Spain, US Democrats joined world leaders in Barcelona to galvanize forces and defend a rules-based world order.  All that and more, on West Coast Cookbook & Speakeasy with Chef de Cuisine Justice Putnam.  Bon Appétit!Keep Your Resistance Radio Beaming 24/7/365!Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/west-coast-cookbook-speakeasy--2802999/support.

April is buzzing with opportunity! Companies are hiring more external suppliers than ever, thanks to rising costs for permanent staff and a shifting economy. But here's the catch - decision makers are changing how they search for experts. It's all about referrals and real expertise, not just flashy marketing or big followings.  External suppliers are in high demand due to increased costs of hiring permanent staff, particularly in the UK, Central Europe, and America. Companies are scaling with interim, freelance, or project-based resources rather than permanent hires. The biggest trend change in Q1: decision makers are shifting how they look for suppliers due to an influx of unqualified or marketing-savvy but under-skilled entrants into the B2B market. This is impacting how companies find and select external experts. Recommendations and referrals remain the primary method for organisations to find suppliers, which presents challenges for those new to the corporate market. If you're not already known or top-of-mind with decision makers, you're less likely to get referrals, emphasising the importance of strategic business development over content creation. We'll also explore the challenges posed by an influx of unqualified suppliers and strong marketers, and how that's reshaping corporate buying behavior. If you're aiming to land corporate clients without relying on cold outreach or a big following, stay tuned for practical advice and an invitation to a game-changing masterclass that promises to help you navigate these new opportunities. Key Topics Data-Driven Insights for Entrepreneurs Instead of looking at just a few sales calls, this episode analyses thousands of data points - from finding leads to closing deals. This gives entrepreneurs a proven, data-backed plan for growth that actually works in today's market. The Importance of Sales Strategy vs. Marketing Activity Don't mistake marketing for sales. While many business owners spend their time on content creation and social media, these activities have a limited impact in the B2B space. If you want to land corporate clients, you need to move beyond general marketing and build a specific sales strategy designed to close deals. Market Trends: External Suppliers in Demand Companies are shifting away from permanent hiring. Due to the high cost of recruitment and a shaky job market, businesses in the UK and abroad are now scaling up using external suppliers and freelancers. For independent consultants, this is a huge opportunity: organisations are actively seeking outside experts to fill the gaps and have the budget to pay for it.   Shift in How Companies Search for Suppliers A major trend from the start of the year is that corporate bosses are becoming much more cautious about who they hire. Because the market is flooded with 'influencers' who have big social media followings but little experience, companies are now more skeptical. While these famous names grab attention, they often take spots away from more qualified experts who simply aren't as well-known. We expect to see more of these 'influencers' moving into the business world as they look for new ways to make money.  Key Takeaways Focus on relationship-driven sales strategies and lead generation, not just content and marketing activity. Emphasise your genuine expertise and track record; companies are looking for proven external suppliers. Prepare for unpredictability in referrals and be proactive in building visibility with your target corporate clients. Leverage upcoming resources like the masterclass to stay at the forefront of industry shifts. Avoid quick-win trends and resist lowering your prices just to compete with newcomers - quality wins in corporate sales. If you're serious about landing consistent corporate clients, focus on genuine lead generation and proven skills. Stop racing to the bottom and start standing out where it counts. Want to know how?  Sign up for my masterclass on 'How to Get in Front of Corporate Clients Without Cold Outreach or Having a Big Following.' The session is based on the latest data and will help you develop lead-generation strategies that work in the current environment.  Spaces are limited - secure your place by clicking the link in the show notes now! Key Resources Mentioned in this Episode: Click below to register for the 'How to get in front of corporate clients without cold outreach or a big following' webinar on Friday 24th April at 12 Noon. https://my.demio.com/ref/OP47ZXbEtzvVOlWq Join the B2B Sales Edit https://magic.beehiiv.com/v1/988ac64b-5875-4924-9d10-50faad2aa4ad?email=%EMAIL% Episode sponsored by The Expert Services Directory: A key resource for coaches / consultants / trainers and done-for-you service providers to generate inbound leads. Access The Expert Services Directory here https://bit.ly/ExpertServicesDirectory and use code PODCAST for a special bonus. If you've enjoyed listening to XXXX check out these episodes.     Content Disclaimer The information contained above is provided for information purposes only. The contents of this article, video or audio are not intended to amount to advice and you should not rely on any of the contents of this article, video or audio. Professional advice should be obtained before taking or refraining from taking any action as a result of the contents of this article, video or audio. Jessica Lorimer disclaims all liability and responsibility arising from any reliance placed on any of the contents of this article, video or audio.  

Hungarian voters have delivered a political earthquake. After 16 years in power, Viktor Orbán has been defeated, marking a historic turning point not just for Hungary, but for all of Central and Eastern Europe.In this special quick take episode of Talk Eastern Europe, we break down the key takeaways from the election results, including how Péter Magyar secured a constitutional majority and why voters turned out in record numbers. We also explore what this result reveals about the state of democracy in Hungary, how everyday issues like the economy and corruption shaped the vote, and why this election may become a case study for defeating entrenched power.Beyond Hungary, we look at the broader geopolitical implications, from relations with the European Union and NATO to future support for Ukraine and the shifting dynamics within Central Europe. With a peaceful concession already underway, the big question now is what comes next - forHungary, for Europe, and for Orbán himself.Is this a turning point for democracy in Europe, or just the beginning of a new political struggle? Tune in for our quick, sharp reaction and stay with us for a deeper analysis coming soon.And Subscribe for more insights on Eastern Europeanpolitics, democracy, and geopolitics.If you like our content please support us by becoming a patron: https://www.patreon.com/talkeasterneurope

After 16 years, Hungary has a new Prime Minister. Voters have decisively ousted far right leader Viktor Orbán in favour of center right leader Peter Magyar. Nick Thorpe is BBC's Central Europe correspondent, based in Budapest. He talks about what this could mean for the country's relationship with the European Union, and the future of the far-right movement.

US Vice President JD Vance backs Viktor Orban in Hungary just days before elections that could have far-reaching ramifications — also across Central Europe. What's next for NATO, and could the Iran war help resolve a long-standing conflict in the Caucasus? Plus: a high-protein environmental special.

Stevie, Ash and Dan are joined by renowned German journalist Christoph Biernan of 11 Freunde for a special episode recorded around our away day trip to Stoke.Experiencing English football culture up close, Christoph shares his first-hand reaction to the incredible atmosphere, the passion of the crowd, and the unwavering support behind Sheffield Wednesday.From the stands to the streets, hear how the club's story left a lasting impression—and how it's now being carried into Central Europe. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

2026-04-05 | UPDATES #164 | Orbán's Pipeline Plot, Russia's Election Machine, and the Seven Days That Could Kill Hungarian Democracy. Today — Sunday, April 5th, 2026 — exactly seven days before Hungary goes to the polls in what may be the most consequential election in European history this year — two backpacks containing what Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic described as explosives of "devastating power" were found a few hundred metres from the TurkStream gas pipeline in northern Serbia, near the Hungarian border.Within hours, Viktor Orbán convened an extraordinary defence council in Budapest. He posted on Facebook that Serbian authorities had uncovered "a powerful explosive device and activation mechanisms at a critical gas infrastructure site linking Serbia and Hungary." The investigation is underway. The pipeline carries Russian natural gas from Turkey through the Balkans to Hungary and Central Europe. If you have been watching the Hungarian election campaign, this moment was not a surprise. It was predicted. Warned about. Flagged by intelligence services, investigative journalists, opposition leaders, and European policy analysts — for weeks. What you are watching may be the most telegraphed false flag operation in modern European political history. And it is happening right now.----------SUPPORT THE CHANNEL:https://www.buymeacoffee.com/siliconcurtainhttps://www.patreon.com/siliconcurtainhttps://www.gofundme.com/f/scaling-up-campaign-to-fight-authoritarian-disinformation----------A REQUEST FOR HELP!I'm heading back to Kyiv next month, to film, do research and conduct interviews. The logistics and need for equipment and clothing are a little higher than for my previous trips. It will be cold, and may be dark also. If you can, please assist to ensure I can make this trip a success. My commitment to the audience of the channel, will be to bring back compelling interviews conducted in Ukraine, and to use the experience to improve the quality of the channel, it's insights and impact. Let Ukraine and democracy prevail! https://buymeacoffee.com/siliconcurtain/extrashttps://www.patreon.com/siliconcurtainhttps://www.gofundme.com/f/scaling-up-campaign-to-fight-authoritarian-disinformationNONE OF THIS CAN HAPPEN WITHOUT YOU!So what's next? We're going to Kyiv in April 2026 to film on the ground, and will record interviews with some huge guests. We'll be creating opportunities for new interviews, and to connect you with the reality of a European city under escalating winter attack, from an imperialist, genocidal power. PLEASE HELP ME ME TO GROW SILICON CURTAINWe are planning our events for 2026, and to do more and have a greater impact. After achieving more than 12 events in 2025, we will aim to double that! 24 events and interviews on the ground in Ukraine, to push back against weaponized information, toxic propaganda and corrosive disinformation. Please help us make it happen!----------SOURCES: Reuters via Global Banking & Finance — "Explosives Found Near Serbia-Hungary Gas Pipeline, Orban Warns," April 5, 2026.Bloomberg — "Serbia's Vucic Says Explosive Found at Gas Pipe Near Hungary," April 5, 2026.Türkiye Today — "Explosives found close to major gas pipeline in northern Serbia near Hungary," April 5, 2026.Arab News — "Serbian president says explosives found near gas pipeline to Hungary," April 5, 2026.Daily News Hungary — "Explosives found near Serbia-Hungary gas pipeline, army seals roads near border," April 5, 2026.Report.az — "Serbia thwarts sabotage attempt on key energy facility," April 5, 2026.Washington Post — "To tilt Hungarian election, Russians proposed staging assassination attempt," March 21, 2026.Insight News Media — "Magyar accuses Russia of deploying GRU agents to sway Hungary vote," March 2026.Balkan Insight / BIRN — "Hungary's Election Campaign: From Russia with Love," March 18, 2026.----------

In this engaging conversation, Guy Pinsent shares his entrepreneurial journey from Cambridge economics student, being a banker in the City, to the Foreign Office and on to real estate and finally, on his own account, as a successful self storage business owner in Central Europe. Guy discusses the founding and growth of Less Mess Storage, which now operates 18 locations across Poland and Czech Republic with backing from Metric Capital Partners since 2015, and with 100,000 sqm of rentable space and 40,000 more in the pipeline. Key Topics Covered: The Self Storage Business Model: Guy explains his freehold property approach, inspired by companies like Big Yellow and the McDonald's model featured in "The Founder" film. Also attractive features of the self storage business: long lifetime value of clients, custom inertia, counter-cyclical demand so the business performs well across the business cycle.Cambridge University Value of a first-class education. The Why question: How Guy never worried about social status, and simply doing what it takes to build a life, do something of value. Entrepreneurial Philosophy: Discussion of motivation and work ethic, referencing Arnold Schwarzenegger's YouTube talks and Gary Vaynerchuk's "I will outwork you" mentality. Economic Principles: Insights on loss aversion from Daniel Kahneman's research and lessons from Cambridge professor Michael Kuczynski. Life as a British Expat: Guy shares his experience living abroad and his documentary project "Should Brits Come Home?" made with Patrick Ney, exploring whether British expats should return to the UK. Documentary Filmmaking: Behind-the-scenes stories from filming at the Notting Hill Carnival, agricultural shows, and conducting street interviews. Political Commentary: Reflections on Britain's direction, post-nationalism, and concerns about current UK leadership. About Guy Pinsent Guy is a British real estate entrepreneur and the Founder & CEO of Less Mess Storage, a leading self‑storage company operating across Central Europe. Born in London and raised in the English countryside, he studied at Eton College and Cambridge University before starting his career in investment banking at Citibank. He later served at the British Embassy in Poland to strengthen UK–Poland business relations, then moved into commercial real estate with Colliers, and in 2014 founded Less Mess Storage, which he has since built into a benchmark player in the Central European self storage sector. Guy's Linkedin Links Arnold Schwarzenegger - Guy referenced a 4-minute motivational talk on YouTube about entrepreneurship principles YouTube: Arnold Schwarzenegger 6 Rules of Success Gary Vaynerchuk - Richard mentioned him as an American entrepreneur from Belarus known for saying "I will outwork you" as part of his pathway to success example here Daniel Kahneman - Guy referenced his work on loss aversion (people feel $100 loss twice as painfully as the good feeling of a $100 gain) Wikipedia: Loss Aversion Michael Kuczynski - Economics professor at Pembroke College, Cambridge who taught both Richard and Guy; passed away in 2025 at age 84 Pembroke College: Michael Kuczynski (1941–2025) Pedro Pablo Kuczynski - Michael's brother, became President of Peru Wikipedia: Pedro Pablo Kuczynski Less Mess Storage - Guy's self-storage company operating in Poland and Czech Republic with 18 locations lessmess.storage Pembroke College, Cambridge - Where both Richard and Guy studied economics pem.cam.ac.uk Big Yellow - UK self-storage company mentioned as reference for freehold approach bigyellow.co.uk "The Founder" - Film about Ray Kroc and McDonald's history, illustrating property-based business model Wikipedia: The Founder (film) Richard's TED-ED lesson based on The Founder link "Should Brits Come Home?" - Documentary Guy made with Patrick Ney about whether British expats should return to the UK especially from a Polish perspective. Here Patrick Ney was a guest on this NBN channel here, And gave one of the most popular TEDxKazimierz talks of all time with over 375,000 downloads here Center for Policy Studies - UK centre-right think tank Guy mentioned link Extra Space - Major US self-storage operator link Metric Capital Partners - Private equity investor in Less Mess since 2015 link1 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/new-books-network

Fresh out of the studio, Borko Kovacevic, Co-founder of Poddster and Podyx, joins us to explore how he is building the world's largest podcast studio network and the operating system behind it. He shares his career journey from nearly 17 years at Microsoft across Central Europe and Asia Pacific, to making the entrepreneurial leap and launching Poddster's first flagship studio in Dubai, followed by Singapore. Borko explains how Poddster scaled by treating operations like software — standardizing over the operational framework to run studios from UAE and Singapore to now globally across the world while building a flywheel connecting corporate brands with authentic content creators. He unpacks how Podyx, the software spinoff, hit 24 markets with zero churn on day one. Closing the conversation, Borko shares why frequency and consistency in content creation — not polish — is the single most underestimated edge in the AI era, and what great looks like for Poddster and Podyx as a global studio network and platform."So what people underestimate is frequency and consistency in posting content beats everything else. Because the future internet is about you being available online and you providing enough content, enough material, that the algorithms learn about you. If they learn enough about you, you will be recommended in searches, you will do better on SEO, you will become more discoverable than anybody else. And that's the part which I think people underestimate." - Borko KovacevicEpisode Highlights: [00:00] Quote of the Day by Borko Kovacevic [01:00] Introduction: Borko Kovacevic [03:17] The danger of corporate complacency & achieving success too early[07:00] The leap: why he finally decided to leave Microsoft and build something[10:13] The origin story of Poddster — not planned, born from a co-founder complaint[13:00] Building a mini studio prototype inside Microsoft; discovering the market gap[16:33] Modelling Poddster like McDonald's: 90% of operations standardized and repeatable[18:23] Building the flywheel: connecting corporates with content creators at scale[23:00] The global studio partner network — a community of 150+ studio owners globally[26:12] The roadmap: New York by September, then Los Angeles and London[32:10] How Podyx was born — a prototype to solve Poddster' own booking chaos[33:47] Why existing booking tools (Calendly, Acuity) didn't fit the podcasting workflow[36:55] Podyx metrics: $6M+ in transactions, 160 paying studios across 24 markets, zero churn[37:15] Stripe named Podyx fastest-growing vertical SaaS startup from Singapore[38:34] Founder-led sales: Borko personally onboarded the first 50+ studios on calls[42:23] Making a services business operate like software — what can actually be productized[44:48] The test for every new process: can you repeat it 10 more times across locations?[49:48] The one thing most people don't know about podcasting: frequency beats polish[50:42] LLMs and agents will train on your content — why posting consistently is the real SEO[54:14] Creators vs. corporates: fundamentally different problems.[56:00] Corporates discovering long-form: the end of scripted media interviews[58:22] The AWS-Cisco example: executive dialogue that earns trust without selling[01:03:13] What great looks like for Poddster and Podyx in the next few yearsProfile: Borko Kovacevic, co-founder of Poddster and PodyxLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/borko-kovacevic/Poddster Website: https://poddster.comPodyx Website: https://podyx.comPodcast Information: Bernard Leong hosts and produces the show. The proper credits for the intro and end music are "Energetic Sports Drive." G. Thomas Craig mixed and edited the episode in both video and audio format. This episode is recorded in Poddster Singapore and full disclosure: Bernard is an investor to Podyx.

German equities have provided investors with strong recent performance. In this episode of CEF Insights, Hansjoerg Pack of DWS discusses the New Germany Fund (GF), explores shifting global market dynamics, and explains why fiscal policy, valuations, and earnings growth could favor German small- and mid-cap stocks in the years ahead. The Germany Fund, New Germany Fund and Central Europe & Russia Fund are managed by the Deutsche Bank Group, one of the world's largest financial institutions. Please visit CEFA.com for additional disclosures.

You can send a text, include contact info to get a response. Before the 1807 attack on Denmark, Napoleon gave an ultimatum to Denmark, to Talleyrand's horror btw.  The ultimatum was for Denmark to turn over their fleet.  But before the deadline for the French ultimatum passed the British invaded, which obviously required months of preparation beforehand.  The British, warned by intelligence, that was remarkably accurate, were able to act.  The question of whether it was the wisest action is a separate question.While focusing on intelligence around the French Navy, the episode covers the Post Office packet system and the King's Messengers, the problems Napoleon had with subordinates lying to him, or telling him what he wanted to hear and the problems of intelligence in faraway waters.There are a couple insights you might not otherwise hear. 1) That British intelligence within Napoleon's realm was so successful that it was also confused by the lies generated within the Napoleonic system.2) The failed Pichegru plot could be said to have worked for Britain, by kicking off the War of the 3rd Coalition and Napoleon's Glory Years, the threat of invasion was lifted for Britain at the price of French dominance over Central Europe.

What happens when theories of racial hierarchies interact with reality? How are they contested, refuted and changed in light of that encounter? What role do experts, most notably social scientists, play here? And, what can these historical encounters tell us about how we should think of race and migration today? These are the questions which animate Sunmin Kim's The Unruly Facts of Race: The Politics of Knowledge Production in the Early Twentieth-Century Immigration Debate (U Chicago Press, 2026). Taking as his focus the Dillingham Commission, a US government investigation into migrant groups established in 1907, Kim shows how theories of racial essentialism, which increasing were moving across the, at the time blurry, boundary between biology and society were used and contested in a moment when prominent political figures were eager to separate out the valued, long-established migrants from Western and Central Europe from those coming from Eastern and Southern Europe who all, on the face of it, were ‘white'. In doing so ideas such as ethnicity and the possibility of assimilation come to be mobilised. In turn Japanese migrants on the Pacific coast were placed beyond the pale of this possibility of assimilation and continued to be excluded. As Kim shows, not only did the commission report introduce some new vocabulary for thinking of race, but also played a key role in the development of US immigration quotas and a form of racial liberalism. This perspective, while accepting the possibility of a diverse body politic, rested on an assumption of a ‘native' and ‘non-native' element, including the possibility that some of the latter simply could never be ‘American'. In our discussion we discuss the formation and activity of the Dillingham Commission. This includes discussing a number of key figures, such as Franz Boas who measures skulls for the commission and in so doing uses the same tools of the eugenicists and positivists to undercut their racist claims and Yamato Ichihashi who, while vociferously making the case that Japanese migrants such as himself are the ideal ‘Americans' ends up being an example of the ‘insurmountable difference' placed in front of such groups. We end by discussing how Zora Neale Hurston, once Boas's student, provides a different way of conceiving of race and its place in immigration debates. Your host, Matt Dawson is Professor of Sociology at the University of Glasgow and the author of G.D.H. Cole and British Sociology: A Study in Semi-Alienation (2024, Palgrave Macmillan) and co-editor of The Anthem Companion to Henri Lefebvre (2026, Anthem Press) along with other texts. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/new-books-network

What happens when theories of racial hierarchies interact with reality? How are they contested, refuted and changed in light of that encounter? What role do experts, most notably social scientists, play here? And, what can these historical encounters tell us about how we should think of race and migration today? These are the questions which animate Sunmin Kim's The Unruly Facts of Race: The Politics of Knowledge Production in the Early Twentieth-Century Immigration Debate (U Chicago Press, 2026). Taking as his focus the Dillingham Commission, a US government investigation into migrant groups established in 1907, Kim shows how theories of racial essentialism, which increasing were moving across the, at the time blurry, boundary between biology and society were used and contested in a moment when prominent political figures were eager to separate out the valued, long-established migrants from Western and Central Europe from those coming from Eastern and Southern Europe who all, on the face of it, were ‘white'. In doing so ideas such as ethnicity and the possibility of assimilation come to be mobilised. In turn Japanese migrants on the Pacific coast were placed beyond the pale of this possibility of assimilation and continued to be excluded. As Kim shows, not only did the commission report introduce some new vocabulary for thinking of race, but also played a key role in the development of US immigration quotas and a form of racial liberalism. This perspective, while accepting the possibility of a diverse body politic, rested on an assumption of a ‘native' and ‘non-native' element, including the possibility that some of the latter simply could never be ‘American'. In our discussion we discuss the formation and activity of the Dillingham Commission. This includes discussing a number of key figures, such as Franz Boas who measures skulls for the commission and in so doing uses the same tools of the eugenicists and positivists to undercut their racist claims and Yamato Ichihashi who, while vociferously making the case that Japanese migrants such as himself are the ideal ‘Americans' ends up being an example of the ‘insurmountable difference' placed in front of such groups. We end by discussing how Zora Neale Hurston, once Boas's student, provides a different way of conceiving of race and its place in immigration debates. Your host, Matt Dawson is Professor of Sociology at the University of Glasgow and the author of G.D.H. Cole and British Sociology: A Study in Semi-Alienation (2024, Palgrave Macmillan) and co-editor of The Anthem Companion to Henri Lefebvre (2026, Anthem Press) along with other texts. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/history

What happens when theories of racial hierarchies interact with reality? How are they contested, refuted and changed in light of that encounter? What role do experts, most notably social scientists, play here? And, what can these historical encounters tell us about how we should think of race and migration today? These are the questions which animate Sunmin Kim's The Unruly Facts of Race: The Politics of Knowledge Production in the Early Twentieth-Century Immigration Debate (U Chicago Press, 2026). Taking as his focus the Dillingham Commission, a US government investigation into migrant groups established in 1907, Kim shows how theories of racial essentialism, which increasing were moving across the, at the time blurry, boundary between biology and society were used and contested in a moment when prominent political figures were eager to separate out the valued, long-established migrants from Western and Central Europe from those coming from Eastern and Southern Europe who all, on the face of it, were ‘white'. In doing so ideas such as ethnicity and the possibility of assimilation come to be mobilised. In turn Japanese migrants on the Pacific coast were placed beyond the pale of this possibility of assimilation and continued to be excluded. As Kim shows, not only did the commission report introduce some new vocabulary for thinking of race, but also played a key role in the development of US immigration quotas and a form of racial liberalism. This perspective, while accepting the possibility of a diverse body politic, rested on an assumption of a ‘native' and ‘non-native' element, including the possibility that some of the latter simply could never be ‘American'. In our discussion we discuss the formation and activity of the Dillingham Commission. This includes discussing a number of key figures, such as Franz Boas who measures skulls for the commission and in so doing uses the same tools of the eugenicists and positivists to undercut their racist claims and Yamato Ichihashi who, while vociferously making the case that Japanese migrants such as himself are the ideal ‘Americans' ends up being an example of the ‘insurmountable difference' placed in front of such groups. We end by discussing how Zora Neale Hurston, once Boas's student, provides a different way of conceiving of race and its place in immigration debates. Your host, Matt Dawson is Professor of Sociology at the University of Glasgow and the author of G.D.H. Cole and British Sociology: A Study in Semi-Alienation (2024, Palgrave Macmillan) and co-editor of The Anthem Companion to Henri Lefebvre (2026, Anthem Press) along with other texts. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/intellectual-history

In this episode, I speak with artist, curator, and author Barbara Benish about her book ArtMill: A Story of Sustainable Creativity in Bohemia — a hopeful, timely memoir about artistic resistance, creative community, and rebuilding culture after totalitarianism.In This Episode:[0:12] Host Pam Uzzell introduces the episode, reflecting on fear of communist countries during the Cold War and how that connects to today's political climate in the US[2:34] Introduction to Barbara Benish's book ArtMill: A Story of Sustainable Creativity in Bohemia and why it feels especially relevant now[3:49] Barbara describes her memoir — from leaving California as a young artist to integrating into Cold War Czechoslovakia, working with underground artists, and eventually founding a rural arts center[6:14] Growing up in Southern California with Czech immigrant heritage, witnessing the Soviet invasion of Prague in 1968, and losing connection to the Czech language[7:42] Crossing the Iron Curtain as a young American backpacker — navigating fear, border crossings, and Cold War propaganda[10:41] Connecting with dissident artists in Prague — serendipity, secret networks, and the surveillance state[12:08] Life under the secret police — being followed, bugged venues, and how artists developed coded communication to resist oppression[13:53] Barbara's frustration with the commercialization of art in 1980s Los Angeles and what drew her to the underground art scene in Czechoslovakia[15:14] The Art Dialogue exchange — bringing together LA and Czech artists during the Cold War and the challenges of mounting a cross-cultural exhibition under an authoritarian regime[16:57] The Velvet Revolution of 1989 — why it's also called the Artist Revolution, the role of playwright-turned-president Václav Havel, and lessons from The Power of the Powerless for democracy today[21:47] Buying the Červený Mlýn (Red Mill) in rural Bohemia — a $17,000 ruin, a leap of faith, and the beginning of a new life[26:28] Renovating the mill, building a rural arts community, and the reality behind the romance[27:46] ArtMill today — artist residencies, children's programs, university study abroad, and regenerative creativity in rural Central Europe[29:12] Art as sustainability — how creative practice connects to environmental stewardship, indigenous ways of knowing, and regenerative living[34:42] What today's political resistance in the US has in common with Cold War Czechoslovakia — and what comes after resistance[38:45] Barbara reads a moving passage from ArtMill about climate, beauty, dignity, and hope for future generations[40:35] Where to find Barbara Benish, upcoming California readings, and how to get the bookResources & Links:Barbara Benish's website: barbarabenish.comArtMill: A Story of Sustainable Creativity in Bohemia — published by New Village Press, distributed by NYUArt Heals All Wounds Podcast: arthealsallwoundspodcast.com

Georgina Godwin meets journalist and historian Luka Ivan Jukic, whose latest book, Central Europe: The Death of a Civilization and the Life of an Idea, explores the emergent rebirth of the region.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Spring Forward Sunday showed no mercy this year. Losing that hour hit everyone a little harder than expected. Andrew bumbled his way through week 26 of preaching through the Gospel of John and somehow made it to the closing prayer. Twenty six weeks in and still going strong… or at least still going.Frank had a big week on the church planting front. Cross & Crown officially has a storage unit now, which means things are getting real. They also picked up some helpful hand-me-downs from a defunct church plant, the classic church planting tradition of holy recycling. Frank also visited his wife's home church and reconnected with people from his early days in ministry, which was both encouraging and a little nostalgic.Joining us this week is our friend Zach, a missionary serving in the Czech Republic. He gives us a window into the unique ministry context of Central Europe, what faith looks like in one of the most secular regions in the world, and how the gospel is still quietly changing lives there.It's a conversation about ministry at home and abroad, surviving the time change, and remembering that God is at work in places both familiar and far away.

Stephan Sander-Faes is a professor of history teaching European civilization at the University of Bergen, Norway (faculty profile: https://www4.uib.no/en/find-employees/Stephan.Sander-Faes). His work focuses mainly on post-mediaeval (Central) Europe. He blogs semi-anonymously about European affairs at https://fackel.substack.com/ (click and sign up, it's free). When he's not teaching, he tends to his livestock (follow his sheep at https://bsky.app/profile/ramsesandhisgang.bsky.social). In whatever spare time he has left, he explores our analogue, pre-internet world cataloging his late grandfather's vintage picture postcard collection, which you may as well check out over at https://espc.substack.com. The KunstlerCast theme music is the beautiful Two Rivers Waltz written and performed by Larry Unger