Briefed - Your Daily European Podcast

What makes Greenland so important for Trump and for Europe?

Greenland, a remote island with a population of just 60,000, has become the unexpected focus of a global power struggle. U.S. President Donald Trump’s audacious idea to buy the territory has stirred debates about sovereignty and self-determination, while exposing the Arctic as a strategic chessboard for world powers. Why does this matter to Europeans? Greenland holds 25 of the 34 critical raw materials essential for Europe’s green transition, making it a linchpin in the fight against climate change.

Join us on our journey through the events that shape the European continent and the European Union.

Austria’s far-right politics, Musk’s meddling, and the EU’s silence

Austria is on the brink of a historic political shift as the far-right Freedom Party (FPÖ) positions itself to lead the government. Meanwhile, Elon Musk stirs controversy in Germany by using his platform to amplify the far-right AfD ahead of snap elections, raising serious concerns about the influence of Big Tech on European democracy. For now all eyes are on Brussels to enforce the DSA, but why the lack of decisive action?

Join us on our journey through the events that shape the European continent and the European Union.

Ukraine war deepens EU’s energy crisis

On our very first episode of the Long Story Short, we dive into the critical crossroads of 2025, where Ukraine's fight for freedom meets Europe’s energy uncertainty. In this episode, we unpack the latest updates from Ukraine, the abrupt halt of Russian gas via Ukraine, and what it all means for EU citizens facing rising energy costs and geopolitical tensions. What’s at stake for Europe, security, and industry as the war continues? And could this be the year Ukraine's war finally ends?

Join us on our journey through the events that shape the European continent and the European Union.

[REUPLOAD] The fight against disinformation in Europe

In October this year, the social media giant META, took down a Russian network of social media accounts spreading disinformation on the War on Ukraine. 

META says it is the largest network of its kind, the company disrupted since the war in Ukraine began. More specifically, identified social media accounts were sharing false information by relaunching fake articles published on 60 websites impersonating legitimate news organisations. Articles published on these websites were shared on social media and messaging apps, such as Facebook, Instagram, Telegram and Twitter. On this episode of Europe Talks Back, host Alexander Damiano Ricci interviews Marìa Dios, editor at Europe Talks Back, about the pro-Russian disinformation operation taken down by META and Trisha Meyer, Professor of Digital Governance and Participation at the Brussels School of Governance of the Vrije Universiteit Brussel. Professor Meyer leads the Research Centre for Digitalisation, Democracy and Innovation, the BA in Communication and Public Relations, and the Jean Monnet Winter and Summer Schools on EU Policy-Making.

Join us on our journey through the events that shape the European continent and the European Union.

[REUPLOAD] Does protesting change anything?

In your opinion, can protesting change anything? 

Many protests have been organized in Europe and the UK to denounce the humanitarian situation in Gaza. Despite the worsening of the situation, these mobilizations don’t seem to have a real impact, as the situation on the ground remains catastrophic.

This leads our host Gail Rego to ask whether mobilization makes any difference. 

She discusses this with our guests Shabbir Lakha and Blackbird!

Find the new episode on our website and listening platforms.

Join us on our journey through the events that shape the European continent and the European Union.

[REUPLOAD] The future is now: Closing the age gap in climate action movement

In this episode of Europe Talks Back we bring to you the story of Karen from France, who, despite retiring, decided to join Greenpeace. Karen explains why age should not be a barrier to making a difference in societal struggles. As a relatively older activist, Karen also emphasizes the importance of educating people of all ages about the perils of climate change and working together in unity to create a sustainable future. This inspiring story challenges the stereotype that climate activism is only for the young. 

We can't wait for the younger generations to be in power and hope that they'll change everything - Karen

Key moments

00:01:28 - The Generational Divide,

00:05:13 - Karen's Journey,

00:08:38 - Older Activists in Climate Action,

00:13:18 - Intergenerational Dialogue,

00:15:40 - The Importance of Activism in Retirement,

00:16:33 - French Protests Against Pension Reform and Climate Change,

00:21:49 - Closing Generational Gaps. 

Credits and staff

[REUPLOAD] Modern sexism in Europe

Over the past few months and years, across Europe, far-right parties have gained electoral support. From recent elections in Italy and Sweden, to France, Germany, Spain, Poland or Hungary: a conservative wind appears to blow over the Old Continent. One narrative all these far-right political forces have in common is a return to traditional gender norms. But why are these narratives so successful? And what does this tell us about the relationship between younger generations, social class and conservative world-views?

Join us on our journey through the events that shape the European continent and the European Union.

[REUPLOAD] From Ghost Towns to Vibrant Communities: The Musicians ex Machina experience

In this episode of Europe Talks Back, we travel to Greece, where renowned musician Dimitris Mystakidis ignites deserted Greek villages with the power of music, as he resolutely strives to bring life and community back to these abandoned spaces, despite political interference and the challenges of revitalisation. Reporting for this episode by Jenny Tsiropoulou.

Music cannot fix the structural issues that have made them empty in the first place. But what it can do is help shape people who could go on to change the world. - Dimitris Mystakidis

[REUPLOAD] Why is sex education not mandatory across Europe?

Sexuality education can play a central role in equipping young people with the necessary tools to further enjoy their sexuality and ultimately their human rights. Education about sexual and reproductive health and rights, more commonly shortened to sex-ed, should also help young people to navigate their development, feelings and relationships. In Europe, sex ed is mandatory in nearly every country, but in others - like Italy - it is still left out of school programmes. Even when included, sex ed can differ significantly in terms of the content and at what age it is provided, which leaves many young people without the necessary information and skills. In addition, we have recently witnessed a rise of opposition against sex ed in Europe, led by far-right movements and anti-gender groups. So what is the current status of sexual education in schools in Europe? Are there other ways to learn about sexuality? And how can we deal with this backlash?

In this last episode of the third season of Europe Talks Back, host Gail Rego, Florina-Marieta Neagu, an expert on European youth activism, who works at AEGEE / European Students'​ Forum and Isabella Borelli, an Italian transfeminist activist promoting the introduction of sexuality- and emotional- education in Italian schools.

Join us on our journey through the events that shape the European continent and the European Union.

[AWARD WINNING INVESTIGATION 1/2] Investigating Green Finance made in Europe

[AWARD WINNING INVESTIGATION] Investigating Green Finance made in Europe

A huge congratulations to Stefano for this well-deserved recognition, and a big thank you to the team for helping bring this important investigation to our listeners!

Stefano investigated a case of greenwashing involving the French tyre producer Michelin for the pan-European online media, Voxeurop.

This episode explores Stefano’s groundbreaking work and emphasizes the importance of tackling environmental challenges and the efforts being made to drive change. A huge congratulations to Stefano for this well-deserved recognition, and a big thank you to the team for helping bring this important investigation to our listeners!

In collaboration with Sphera.

[REUPLOAD] Social media and mental health

Why is sex education not mandatory across Europe?

Sexuality education can play a central role in equipping young people with the necessary tools to further enjoy their sexuality and ultimately their human rights. Education about sexual and reproductive health and rights, more commonly shortened to sex-ed, should also help young people to navigate their development, feelings and relationships. In Europe, sex ed is mandatory in nearly every country, but in others - like Italy - it is still left out of school programmes. Even when included, sex ed can differ significantly in terms of the content and at what age it is provided, which leaves many young people without the necessary information and skills. In addition, we have recently witnessed a rise of opposition against sex ed in Europe, led by far-right movements and anti-gender groups. So what is the current status of sexual education in schools in Europe? Are there other ways to learn about sexuality? And how can we deal with this backlash?

In this last episode of the third season of Europe Talks Back, host Gail Rego, Florina-Marieta Neagu, an expert on European youth activism, who works at AEGEE / European Students'​ Forum and Isabella Borelli, an Italian transfeminist activist promoting the introduction of sexuality- and emotional- education in Italian schools.

Join us on our journey through the events that shape the European continent and the European Union.

Should zoos be banned?

Zoos bring us much closer to wildlife, but their existence is a controversial topic. Go online and it’s easy to find groups that advocate for the closure of zoos, assessing that they do more harm than good to animals.

Complaints usually relate to confinement, the lack of space, unnatural environments and crowded conditions as the main problems against animal well-being. But experts working in zoos think differently. So the question boils down to: are zoos actually beneficial to animals? Do they have a role to play in conservation? And what can we learn from zoos on the impact of human beings on animals still living in the wild?

In this episode, we will investigate these questions with Martin Boye, President of the European Association for Aquatic Mammals, and Kate Werner, Senior Campaign Manager at PETA UK.

Join us on our journey through the events that shape the European continent and the European Union.

About the racist origins of fatphobia

The French electoral results as seen through the eyes of independent media

In this episode we'll be discussing the results of the recent French legislative elections, which defied the predictions of most analysts. More than that, we'll be discussing the trends that have been shaping France's society for years now, from politics to the media industry. More specifically: what can explain both, the expectations of Marine Le Pen's far-right National Rally party winning these elections, on the one hand, and the final success of progressive parties, on the other hand? The lead guest of this episode is Johan Weisz-Myara, founder and producer at Street Press. Born 15 years ago, Street Press is an independent media organisation which has broadly covered the life of young French citizens in the outskirts, or banlieus, of French metropolitan areas. In relation to the French elections, Street Press launched dozens of investigations into the French far-right over the past year and co-organised the biggest anti-far-right protests in the country, in Paris, ahead of the legislative elections. But, in this episode, we'll also hear from Nikita Rathod, Europod's Social Media Officer. Nikita discusses how she, as a young Indian woman, has been living the runup to the elections, these months.

Join us on our journey through the events that shape the European continent and the European Union.

Sex trafficking in Europe

In this episode we'll be discussing the the leading form of exploitation affecting persons who fall victim to human trafficking, that is: sexual exploitation. The term sex trafficking (or sexual trafficking), therefore, identifies human trafficking for the purpose of sexual exploitation.

This form of exploitation intersects with social and economic inequalities. Last but not least, conflicts such as the War in Ukraine can become triggers of new waves of exploitation. Along the episode, you'll hear stories from women who had been forced to sex work for over ten years, as well as from professionals, such as Dovilé Vainorė - Executive of the Lithuanian National Association Against Human Trafficking, who are trying to tackle this social plague.

Tune into episode 13 now!

Join us on our journey through the events that shape the European continent and the European Union.

Takeaways from the EU elections

In this episode we'll be commenting on the results of the EU elections and try to make sense of the results and what this could mean for our future and rights. We'll speak with Quentin Aries, a journalist based in Brussels and the editor of Sphera Network, the first network of independent media in Europe to reinvent the media space and paint a new picture of the continent through impactful, unbiased, raw and authentic stories.

Tune into episode 11 now!

Join us on our journey through the events that shape the European continent and the European Union.

Can your vote help tackle racism in Europe?

In this episode, we delve into the crucial role that the EU elections could have in combating racism across Europe. We'll be speaking with two inspiring young activists, Ebu and Zaineb, who bring diverse experiences as women of colour living in different parts of Europe. They'll share their insights on institutional racism, the importance of voting, and the power of youth activism in driving change.

Tune into episode 11 now!

Join us on our journey through the events that shape the European continent and the European Union.

Digital rights and the EU

In this episode we’ll be speaking with 2 experts from the human rights space to unpack what we mean by our digital rights, how they are being protected or violated and who gets to decide what technology is needed for or against whom. Kahina Rabahi representing the European Anti-Poverty Network and Bibbi Abruzzini representing Forus, a global network of civil society organisations — will help us uncover how digitalisation impacts essential services and civic space.

Tune into episode 10 now!

Join us on our journey through the events that shape the European continent and the European Union.

The fight of Lgbtq+ people in Europe

This episode uncovers the real threat trans- and non-binary persons face, often due to the actions of far-right groups and a climate of hate which can also be traced back to political discourses. We hear from Patricia Reguero, a Spanish journalist from El Salto, and her Greek colleague, Anastasia Vaitsopoulou, who work for the media outlet Propaganda.

Tune into episode 9 now!

Join us on our journey through the events that shape the European continent and the European Union.

Far right groups in Europe

In this episode, we delve into what unites far-right groups in Europe and how they have been capitalising on cultural tools like social media and aesthetics to particularly target and successfully recruit young men and women.

We hear from Michael Colborne, a journalist and researcher with Bellingcat, an investigation journalism organisation based in the Netherlands. His work focuses on the far right where he oversees and leads investigations and trains journalists in digital investigative techniques.

Tune into episode 8 now!

Join us on our journey through the events that shape the European continent and the European Union.

A new generation of student-led protests

In today’s episode we'll look into the new generation of student, university and worker led protests that are shaping up across Europe, from France to Poland. And we’ll also discuss how this trend relates to a global narrative change around the future of work.

We'll hear from journalists Samuele Maccolini from the Italian outlet VD News and Maciej Domagała, from the Polish outlet Krytyka Polityczna. We met with them in Budapest, during a live show produced by the Sphera Network project to discuss this topic.

This is the first episode of a special series dedicated to themes relevant to the run-up and context of the upcoming European elections.

Tune into episode 7 now!

Join us on our journey through the events that shape the European continent and the European Union.

Is gentrification a dirty word?

In this episode, we’re going to tackle the rapid spread of gentrification. Let’s deconstruct this term and look at the human impact of taking from communities to serve mostly financial interests.

Join our host of Europe Talks Back season 3, Gail Rego as she has a conversation with our guest activists and scholars activists and scholars Jordi González Guzmán and Rita Silva.

Tune into episode 6 now!

Join us on our journey through the events that shape the European continent and the European Union.

The dark sides of the algorithm

Artificial Intelligence is all the rage and most of us use it every day knowingly whether it's to get music recommendations or unlock our phones. But how far has IA gotten? Do we know when AI is being used and by whom? And most importantly is AI neutral?

Join us on our journey through the events that shape the European continent and the European Union.

Let's talk about digital gender based violence

According to the UN, 73% of women worldwide have experienced digital gender-based abuse: non-consensual intimate image-sharing, gender-based slurs or threats, online harassment, and unsolicited pornography. The consequences of this type of abuse go beyond the digital space, posing a threat to victim’s rights, health and safety both online and offline.

Join our host of Europe Talks Back season 3, Gail Rego as she has a conversation with our guest activists and scholars Lilia Giugni and Silvia Semenzin.

Tune into episode 4 now!

Join us on our journey through the events that shape the European continent and the European Union.

Western feminism has a whiteness problem

White feminism is a self-proclaimed feminism shaped by the priorities of white, upper-middle-class, cisgender women. It assumes that all women experience misogyny in the same way - but it’s not.” What’s the point of breaking the glass ceiling if other women are left to pick up the pieces?

Join our host of Europe Talks Back season 3, Gail Rego as she has a conversation with our guest French activist, feminist, journalist, filmmaker and writer Rokhaya Diallo. Tune into episode 3 now

This series is produced in partnership with Sphera Network.

Join us on our journey through the events that shape the European continent and the European Union.

Does protesting change anything?

In your opinion, can protesting change anything? 

Many protests have been organized in Europe and the UK to denounce the humanitarian situation in Gaza. Despite the worsening of the situation, these mobilizations don’t seem to have a real impact, as the situation on the ground remains catastrophic.

This leads our host Gail Rego to ask whether mobilization makes any difference. 

She discusses this with our guests Shabbir Lakha and Blackbird!

Find the new episode on our website and listening platforms.

Join us on our journey through the events that shape the European continent and the European Union.

What is Integration?

What is integration? What does it mean to you and the people who are expected to “integrate” into our societies?

Having been born and raised as a migrant for her whole life, join our new host Gail Rego of Europe Talks Back as she unfolds the harmful and unreasonable expectations placed on people with a migration history and how this term is often used against people who migrate.

Tune in and join our guests Razan Ismail and Hasnain Syed in this episode!

Join us on our journey through the events that shape the European continent and the European Union.

Best Podcast of the Year : Disability in Times of War