United Citizens of Europe Podcast

United Citizens of Europe
  • 5.0 (2)
  • Politics
  • Updated Semimonthly

United Citizens of Europe brings people together and inspires generations of Europeans. We want to listen to stories of Europeans and expats living in Europe, celebrate their successes, and learn from their mistakes. We talk to European NGOs that work to improve Europe and bordering countries. We strive for an inclusive Europe, and we will do it one podcast episode at a time.

  1. 1d ago

    Digital Sovereignty in Europe with MEP Damian Boeselager| United Citizens of Europe

    In this episode of United Citizens of Europe, our host Luca sat down with Damian Boeselager, Member of the European Parliament and co-founder of Volt Europa, for a deep dive into the future of Europe's digital sovereignty. Damian walks us through what it would actually take for the EU to free itself from technological dependence on the United States, from building sovereign cloud infrastructure to his own work pushing forward the digital euro. We talk about why Europe keeps falling behind in AI and social media innovation, what needs to change in access to venture capital and talent, and how the recent debates around the AI Act and the digital omnibus are reshaping the balance between fundamental rights and competitiveness. Damian also shares a personal take on which digital skill he thinks should be considered essential for anyone entering today's labor market, and reflects on the human transformation that will come alongside the AI revolution. A grounded and fact-based conversation about what it will take for Europe to compete on its own terms in the digital age. Host of the episode: ⁠⁠⁠Luca P. De Cristofaro⁠⁠ Guest: MEP Damian Boeselager Follow United Citizens of Europe:  IG: ⁠@⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠unitedcitizensofeurope⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Facebook: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠United Citizens of Europe⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠www.unitedcitizensofeurope.com⁠⁠

    21 min

  2. Jun 27

    Drag as a Political Act with Priscilla| United Citizens of Europe

    For the main Pride Month episode, our podcast host Luca sits down with Priscilla, drag queen, activist, and host of Drag Race Italia, for an open and wide-ranging conversation about what it means to be queer in Europe today. From her many years on stage to her Dragtivism Tour, Priscilla has built a political practice out of performance. In this episode, she reflects on why drag has always been more than entertainment, how living in Greece and South Africa shaped her understanding of equality across borders, and why she chooses to bring her energy to small-city Prides over major events. Luca and Priscilla go deep on the real fault lines threatening LGBTQI+ solidarity right now: the rise of LGB without the T movements, gay conservatism, and the corporate retreat from Pride sponsorships after years of rainbow-washing. They also discuss Palestine, the limits of EU institutions in protecting queer rights, and what genuine intersectionality looks like in daily life. A candid, politically grounded conversation about visibility, responsibility, and why silence always benefits those who want to take our rights away. Host of the episode: ⁠⁠Luca P. De Cristofaro⁠ Guest: Priscilla - Mariano Gallo Follow United Citizens of Europe:  IG: ⁠@⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠unitedcitizensofeurope⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Facebook: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠United Citizens of Europe⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠ ⁠⁠⁠www.unitedcitizensofeurope.com⁠⁠

    33 min

  3. Jun 13

    The State of LGBTQI+ rights in Europe with Alessandro Marcia | United Citizens of Europe

    In this Pride Month episode, Luca sits down with scholar and LGBTQI advocate Alessandro Marcia to unpack the current landscape of LGBTQI+ rights across Europe. Alessandro breaks down why the European Commission's new LGBTQI+ Equality Strategy 2026–2030 represents a step back from its bolder 2020 predecessor, what the over one million signatures on the European Citizens' Initiative against conversion practices actually achieved, and how anti-LGBTQI+ legislation has spread from isolated cases in Hungary and Poland to a growing trend across the Union. They also explore the "LGB without the T" movement and why Alessandro sees internal division as one of the most dangerous threats to LGBTQI+ rights today, the power of financial conditionality as an EU tool (with its limits) and why the fall of Orbán and the repeal of Hungary's censorship law offer real reasons for hope. Tune in to understand the complex intersections of European policy, human dignity, and what it takes to build a truly inclusive Europe for everyone. Host of the episode: ⁠Luca P. De Cristofaro Guest: Alessandro Marcia Follow United Citizens of Europe:  IG: ⁠@⁠⁠⁠⁠unitedcitizensofeurope⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Facebook: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠United Citizens of Europe⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠  ⁠⁠⁠www.unitedcitizensofeurope.com⁠⁠

    42 min

  4. Jun 6

    Gender and Feminism Today with Ishaa Laximidas | United Citizens of Europe

    To start Pride Month, Luca sits down with Isha, a 21-year-old Portuguese-Indian communications expert and aspiring humanitarian worker, to explore gender identity, feminism, and their deep connection to Pride Month. The conversation dives into how a simple childhood passion for playing football sparked Isha's awareness of old-fashioned gender standards and cultural stigmas within her community. Isha shares the story behind "Gen Fusion," the Spotify podcast she hosts alongside her mother, where they use literature like Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie's to dismantle extreme stigmas around feminism and bridge generational gaps. Together, they analyze how feminist struggles have evolved from the revolutionary, systemic fights for education and financial independence in past generations to today's focus on identity, self-reflection, and inclusive safe spaces. The discussion also tackles the vital lens of intersectionality for brown and minority women in a European context, the power and dangers of political storytelling in the TikTok era, and the essential conversations families need to have about reshaping traditional household roles. Tune in to discover why creating dialogue across generations offers a powerful beacon of hope for the future of global gender equality. Host of the episode: ⁠Luca P. De Cristofaro Guest: Ishaa Laximidas Follow United Citizens of Europe:  IG: ⁠@⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠unitedcitizensofeurope⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Facebook:⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠United Citizens of Europe⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠  ⁠⁠⁠⁠www.unitedcitizensofeurope.com⁠⁠⁠

    34 min

  5. May 30

    EU borders and Migration with Clara Zaffino| United Citizens of Europe

    How can Europe move toward a human-centered migration management system? In this episode, human rights expert Clara Zaffino explores the shifting landscape of EU migration policy and the role of social media advocacy in modern humanitarian efforts. We also touch on the impact of AI and biometric tools on border management, the role of Frontex and the legal concerns surrounding the outsourcing of border responsibilities to third countries. Clara explains how bottom-up policy development can transform the future of migration in Italy and across Europe and why we need a federalist approach when it comes to migration policies. Host of the episode: ⁠Luca P. De Cristofaro Guest: Clara Zaffino Follow United Citizens of Europe:  IG: ⁠@⁠⁠⁠⁠unitedcitizensofeurope⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Facebook: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠United Citizens of Europe⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠  ⁠⁠⁠www.unitedcitizensofeurope.com⁠⁠

    30 min

  6. May 23

    The Art of Leaving (and Coming Home) with Enrico Beyond Borders| United Citizens of Europe

    What does it mean to build a life across continents, and what happens when you finally decide to return? In this episode, we sit down with digital storyteller Enrico Beyond Borders to unpack his 8-year journey living abroad. From his first steps as a European Solidarity Corps volunteer in Lithuania to speaking at the European Commission, and from working holidays in Australia to launching a freelance career in Lisbon, Enrico shares the raw, inspiring reality of a life in motion. Tune in as we discuss the power of youth mobility, the impact of digital storytelling, and the ultimate question: where is "home" after nearly a decade on the road? Whether you are dreaming of leaving or navigating the reverse culture shock of coming back, this episode is for you. Host of the episode: ⁠Luca P. De Cristofaro Guest: Enrico Armenia Follow United Citizens of Europe:  IG: ⁠@⁠⁠⁠⁠unitedcitizensofeurope⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Facebook: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠United Citizens of Europe⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠  ⁠⁠⁠www.unitedcitizensofeurope.com⁠⁠

    30 min

  7. May 16

    From Encyclical to Action: The Laudato Si’ Platform with Alonso de Llanes | United Citizens of Europe

    In this episode of the United Citizens of Europe podcast, Luca sits down with Alonso de Llanes, Director of the Laudato Si’ Action Platform at the Vatican's Dicastery for Promoting Integral Human Development. Alonso shares his journey from practicing law to leading a global initiative that translates Pope Francis’s 2015 encyclical into concrete institutional change. We explore how the platform bridges the gap between theology and governance by working with dioceses, schools, and religious congregations to influence land-use and financial decisions. Alonso explains why the ecological crisis is fundamentally a human issue and how the Church provides a "moral compass" to navigate the challenges of energy poverty and climate anxiety. Tune in to learn about the interfaith effort toward stewardship and get ready for Laudato Si’ Week, which begins tomorrow. Discover how you can move from narrative to participation by selecting actions that help creation heal. #LaudatoSi #FaithInAction #Sustainability #UCoE #ClimateHope Host of the episode: ⁠Luca P. De Cristofaro Guest: Alonso de Llanes Follow United Citizens of Europe:  IG: ⁠@⁠⁠⁠⁠unitedcitizensofeurope⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Facebook: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠United Citizens of Europe⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠  ⁠⁠⁠www.unitedcitizensofeurope.com⁠⁠

    33 min

  8. May 9

    Data, Fashion, and Citizenship with JM Dieke | United Citizens of Europe

    In this episode of the United Citizens of Europe podcast, we sit down with JM Dieke, a London-based data analyst and fashion enthusiast who self-taught his way into the tech world. JM explores the intersection of his Afro-Italian roots and his professional life in the UK, explaining how he uses his creative background to build unique and curated data dashboards. This conversation dives into the practicalities of career pivoting, the resilience required to handle political shifts like Brexit, and the beauty of forging a hybrid identity in a globalized world. We will also touch on applying for British citizenship. You may know him from the Vabbè podcast or from his YouTube videos. He is our host’s favorite podcaster, and the enthusiasm in this episode will make it quite obvious. Host of the episode: ⁠Luca P. De Cristofaro Guest: JM Dieke Follow United Citizens of Europe:  IG: ⁠@⁠⁠⁠⁠unitedcitizensofeurope⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Facebook: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠United Citizens of Europe⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠  ⁠⁠⁠www.unitedcitizensofeurope.com ⁠⁠

    42 min
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United Citizens of Europe brings people together and inspires generations of Europeans. We want to listen to stories of Europeans and expats living in Europe, celebrate their successes, and learn from their mistakes. We talk to European NGOs that work to improve Europe and bordering countries. We strive for an inclusive Europe, and we will do it one podcast episode at a time.

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