Central Europe Matters

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

What is Central Europe Matters?

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.
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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.
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Season 1: Slovakia — Democracy under Attack launched August 12th. New episodes every Wednesday.
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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.