MD MEETS

Peter Thiel on AI, Trump, democracy and the future of the West. In a wide-ranging conversation with Mathias Döpfner, the Silicon Valley investor warns that Europe is falling dramatically behind in the AI race, revisits his controversial views on democracy and explains why he believes Germany’s AfD is wrong on Ukraine, China and Israel. Plus: Can AI become bigger than the internet? Is technological...

Jazz legend Ron Carter has spent nearly 75 years searching for what he calls “the right note.” The most recorded jazz bassist in history has played alongside some of the defining artists of modern music - from Miles Davis and Herbie Hancock to countless other icons who shaped jazz as we know it. Yet, approaching his 90th birthday, Carter says he still goes to work every night for the same reason:...

"I think we are at the beginning of a bigger war." In this episode of MD MEETS , Mathias Döpfner sits down with Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić just one day after his highly controversial meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. Long regarded as one of Europe's leaders closest to Vladimir Putin, Vučić explains why he welcomed Zelensky to Belgrade, why Serbia refuses to choose betwee...

In this episode of MD MEETS, Axel Springer CEO Mathias Döpfner sits down with Palantir CEO Alex Karp for a wide-ranging conversation about artificial intelligence, geopolitics, and the future of the West. Karp argues that Europe’s biggest challenge is not a lack of talent but a crisis of political leadership and technological competence. He explains why he believes AI is essential for defending de...

Nigel Farage, leader of Reform UK and one of the most polarizing figures in British politics, joins Mathias Döpfner for a wide-ranging and explosive conversation. Farage speaks about his close relationship with Donald Trump, the future of the transatlantic alliance, and why he believes the West must stand firm against Russia, China, and Iran. He defends Trump’s leadership style, discusses assassin...

At a time of political fragmentation and rising populism, Mathias Döpfner meets Kemi Badenoch , leader of the British Conservative Party and one of the most prominent voices of a new conservatism. They discuss the future of the centre-right, the failures of the past, and the battle over identity, migration, and economic growth. Badenoch argues that conservatism must return to its core principles...

At the Munich Security Conference, Mathias Döpfner meets Prince Reza Pahlavi , son of Iran’s last Shah and a leading voice of the Iranian opposition. They discuss the future of Iran, the possibility of regime change, and the geopolitical consequences for Europe, the U.S., Israel, and the Middle East. Pahlavi argues that diplomacy with Tehran has failed after decades of negotiations. In his view, o...

He shaped the sound of entire generations - from Diana Ross to David Bowie, from Madonna to Beyoncé. Nile Rodgers is not just a producer; he is a phenomenon whose work has sold more than 750 million albums worldwide. Yet the man behind “Le Freak,” “Good Times,” Let’s Dance, Like a Virgin and Get Lucky has remained remarkably grounded, almost invisible behind the global icons he helped define. In t...

Artificial intelligence is reshaping the world - and straining the planet’s power grid. In this episode, Mathias Döpfner talks with Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella about the explosive AI boom, the massive energy demands of data centers, and what it takes to keep innovation sustainable.  How can technology grow without running out of power - and will Europe keep pace in the new AI era? Subscribe f...

Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán speaks with Mathias Döpfner about his meetings with Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin, his vision for a new European order, and why he believes Brussels has turned a “peace project into a war project.” He calls Trump “the man of peace,” and warns that continued escalation risks a third world war. “The longer the war continues, the stronger Russia becomes.” A rev...

In this new episode of MD MEETS, Axel Springer CEO Mathias Döpfner sits down with Spotify founder and CEO Daniel Ek for a focused conversation about Europe’s future - what it is, what it could be, and what it must become. Ek argues that Europe’s challenge is not talent but throughput - too little R&D, too few scaled software companies, and a culture that stigmatizes risk. He points to a simple...

In this third episode of MD MEETS , Axel Springer CEO Mathias Döpfner sits down with Uber CEO Dara Khosrowshahi for a sweeping conversation that moves from the future of transportation to the forces that shape human destiny. Khosrowshahi reflects on a world in motion - where cars drive themselves, cities breathe easier, and mobility becomes a shared experience rather than a private luxury. He spea...

In this second episode of MD MEETS, Axel Springer CEO Mathias Döpfner sits down with legendary media mogul Barry Diller - the man who shaped Hollywood, created FOX, and built one of the world’s most powerful internet empires. From being bounced at Studio 54 on opening night - despite arriving with Hollywood royalty - to discovering John Travolta and producing Saturday Night Fever, Diller recounts...

In this premiere episode of MD MEETS, Axel Springer CEO Mathias Döpfner sits down with OpenAI CEO Sam Altman for an unfiltered conversation about the promises and perils of artificial intelligence. From the risks of AI-driven warfare, to the threat posed by “bad actors” to freedom and democracy, to the role of journalism in an AI-powered world - and even the age-old question of whether humans shou...

MD MEETS with Mathias Döpfner brings unedited conversations with the world’s most influential voices. From politics and science to arts and business, each episode dives into the most pressing issues of our time - and sometimes the completely unexpected. With a minimalist, authentic style and no artificial fillers, the focus is always on the guest and their story. At its core, the podcast is about...