Central Europe Matters

Central Europe Matters
  • 5.0 (1)
  • Documentary
  • Series

Welcome to a brand-new, narrative podcast about society, politics and democracy in the heart of Europe. Meet local activists, experts, journalists, artists and others struggling to make sense of what's happening in their countries and of the turbulent times we live in. Between democratic backsliding, far-right populism, the ongoing legacy of 20th century experiments in totalitarianism, and a strategically vital location on the doorstep of Russia and Ukraine, Central Europe is ground zero for the battle over the future of Europe. ⠀⠀ Host Jeff Lugowe draws on his academic study of the region at Brown and Harvard and his knowledge of Polish and Czech as he takes listeners on a journey around the big cities and forgotten corners of Central Europe. Season 1: Slovakia — Democracy under Attack launched August 12th. New episodes every Wednesday. Central Europe Matters is an independent, DIY narrative podcast hosted and started by Jeff and produced by Dávid Pál. It is generously supported by the EEA Civil Society Fund Slovakia.

Episodes

  1. Aug 7

    Season 1 Trailer: Slovakia — Democracy under Attack

    Season 1 will take listeners on a trip around Slovakia — a small, mountainous country on the eastern periphery of the European Union  — currently in the throes of a democratic crisis. Join host Jeff Lugowe as he meets people living in the big cities and deep in the countryside and hears how they are fighting for their democracy. Slovakia — Democracy under Attack launches in August 2026. Subscribe today to get the first episode in your podcast feed. Central Europe Matters is an new, independent narrative podcast. Read more about the podcast and the upcoming season by visiting:  https://www.centraleuropematters.eu/ Trailer soundtrack: Smutné kvety by Samotay

  2. 5d ago

    E1: The old system collapsed, but is it really gone?

    This episode marks our first trip to Slovakia and the start of season 1, Slovakia – Democracy under attack. Buckle up – it's going to be a wild ride. Follow me, host Jeff Lugowe, as I speak with activists, researchers, artists and concerned citizens about the battle currently underway in Slovakia over the country's democratic future. ⠀ We begin in  Banská Bystrica in central Slovakia to meet Sandra and Lea, two activists with the organization Not in our Town (Nie v nasom meste). ⠀ Then we move a few hours northwest to the city of  Žilina. There, I sat down with three high school students who gained national prominence last winter for their Student Protest initiative (Študentský protest). ⠀ Finally, I drove the winding roads back to Central Slovakia and  Revúca, a town of 11,000 people set amid a canopy of forested hills. Diana invited me to her apartment, where we talked about being a community activist in a small, isolated town.  ⠀  This journey around Slovakia is just getting started. Subscribe to Central Europe Matters if you haven't already – episode 2 will be out next Wednesday.  ⠀ Episode soundtrack: Dufekova Cifra by  Folk&Bass Orchestra  ⠀  Check out the official show website, where you can read more about the podcast and what motivated me to embark on this project in the first place: https://www.centraleuropematters.eu/ ⠀ You can see photos of the places we visited during this episode by clicking on the names of the cities above.   ⠀  Email me with any questions or to tell me what you think of the first episode: jeff@centraleuropematters.eu ⠀ This episode was produced, mix and mastered by Dávid Pál. It was hosted and executive produced by me, Jeff Lugowe.

    E1: The old system collapsed, but is it really gone?

Trailer

About

Welcome to a brand-new, narrative podcast about society, politics and democracy in the heart of Europe. Meet local activists, experts, journalists, artists and others struggling to make sense of what's happening in their countries and of the turbulent times we live in. Between democratic backsliding, far-right populism, the ongoing legacy of 20th century experiments in totalitarianism, and a strategically vital location on the doorstep of Russia and Ukraine, Central Europe is ground zero for the battle over the future of Europe. ⠀⠀ Host Jeff Lugowe draws on his academic study of the region at Brown and Harvard and his knowledge of Polish and Czech as he takes listeners on a journey around the big cities and forgotten corners of Central Europe. Season 1: Slovakia — Democracy under Attack launched August 12th. New episodes every Wednesday. Central Europe Matters is an independent, DIY narrative podcast hosted and started by Jeff and produced by Dávid Pál. It is generously supported by the EEA Civil Society Fund Slovakia.

Information

  • Creator
    Central Europe Matters
  • Years Active
    2026
  • Episodes
    2
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Central Europe Matters
  • Show Website
    Central Europe Matters