CEA Talk

In this episode, Simon Wintermans joins us for a wide-ranging conversation about family legacy, education, identity, migration, and political culture across Europe. We discuss what it meant to grow up in the Netherlands with a well-known family background, why he chose a path different from that of his father and grandfather, and how Hungary gradually became part of his life. From the experience o...

In this Christmas Holiday Special, we dive into the story of Hungarian skateboarding through passion, persistence, and underground culture. From the early 1990s—when VHS tapes, magazines, and DIY skate spots inspired a generation—to today’s international skate parks and Olympic-level recognition, this episode explores skateboarding as more than a sport: it’s a mindset and a way of life. Blending n...

In this episode of CEA Talk , we explore how Hungarian agricultural technology is expanding far beyond regional borders. Export Manager Árpád Tóth from MachineryGuide joins us to discuss what it takes to build a global footprint in AgriTech — from precision-farming software to international market strategy. We dive deep into the realities of exporting to 20+ countries, navigating diverse regulator...

In the second part of our in-depth conversation with Dr. Kálmán Mizsei , former EU Special Representative and one of the most knowledgeable experts on Moldova, we move from history and identity to the hard geopolitical questions shaping the country's future. We explore where Moldova truly stands in its EU accession process, why internal reforms and EU institutional changes are equally essenti...

In this episode, we dive deep into one of Europe’s most overlooked but strategically vital countries: Moldova. Economist and former EU high-level adviser Dr. Kamo unpacks the layers of identity, history, and geopolitical pressure that have shaped Moldova’s modern reality. From the legacies of Russian and Soviet rule to the unresolved tensions in Transnistria, from mass migration and changing demog...

In this episode of CEA Talk , host Szilárd Szelpál is joined by Martin Pánek , Director of the Liberal Institute in Prague , to discuss what Andrej Babiš’s political comeback means for Czechia and Europe. From coalition tensions in Prague to the future of the Visegrád Group, EU relations, and regional competitiveness, the conversation explores whether Babiš’s return signals a new era of Central Eu...

In this episode of CEA Talk, host Szilárd Szelpál speaks with Eglė Markevičiūtė, Representative of Consumer Choice Center, about one of the EU’s most divisive proposals — the so-called Chat Control regulation. The discussion explores why the plan to scan private messages was put on hold, what it means for the future of online privacy, and how policymakers can protect children without undermining e...

In this in-depth conversation, Philip Hansen reflects on the evolving tobacco industry in Europe and across global markets. He discusses the dual forces of strict regulation and rapid innovation, highlighting both the opportunities and challenges they create. Hansen addresses taxation, exclusion from policymaking, the role of harm reduction strategies, and the importance of preserving consumer fre...

In this episode of CEA Talk, host Szilárd Szelpál sits down with Dr. Emil Panzaru, Research Director at the Consumer Choice Center, to unpack one of the most controversial health and trade policies on both sides of the Atlantic: Most Favored Nation drug pricing. They discuss what MFN pricing actually means for U.S. patients, how EU regulatory reforms could reshape global access to medicines, and t...

In this first installment of a two-part conversation, Philipp Hansen , European Affairs Director at Japan Tobacco International , joins CEA Talk to reflect on his career in Brussels, his views on European policymaking, and the shifting role of liberal political forces in Germany and beyond. Drawing from years of experience at the intersection of institutions, industry, and politics, Hansen offers...

In this episode of CEA Talk , host Szilárd Szelpál sits down with Otto Brøns-Petersen , Director of Analysis at CEPOS , to discuss Denmark’s bold and multifaceted vision as it leads the EU Council Presidency. We delve into Denmark’s priorities — from strengthening European defence and security amidst ongoing geopolitical tensions to advancing ambitious climate targets and balancing them with indus...

In this episode of CEA Talk , host Szilárd Szelpál is joined by political analyst and public opinion researcher Szabolcs Pék to unpack the dramatic shifts underway in Hungary’s political landscape ahead of the 2026 general election. With Fidesz's long-held dominance under pressure and Péter Magyar’s Tisza Party surging in the polls , this conversation explores what’s behind the changing publi...

In this episode of CEA Talk , host Szilárd Szelpál speaks with renowned Bulgarian economist Dr. Krassen Stanchev about Bulgaria’s upcoming adoption of the euro, set for January 1st, 2026. This moment marks a major milestone in the country’s path toward deeper European integration, but it also raises important questions about economic preparedness, public trust, and long-term structural reform. Dr....

In this episode of CEA Talk , former Hungarian diplomat and legal expert Gábor Baranyai joins us from Brussels to share his personal and professional journey after leaving traditional foreign service. We discuss what it means to reinvent a career abroad, how life unfolds inside (and outside) the EU bubble, and what the future holds for European bureaucracy and climate policy. A thoughtful conversa...

In this follow-up episode, Szilárd Szelpál and Marlon Gilbert-Roberts dive deeper into the often-overlooked question: What happens after the final whistle? They explore the challenges and opportunities athletes face once their professional sports careers end — from identity shifts and financial planning to new roles in business, media, and beyond. With Marlon’s legal and executive insight, this ep...

In this episode of CEA Talk, Dr. Emil Panzaru, political analyst and tobacco regulation expert, discusses the European Commission’s approach to taxing tobacco and vaping products. He dives into the unintended consequences of taxation, such as the growth of illicit markets, and reflects on what smarter regulation could look like. A critical look at public health, policy design, and the limits of pr...

In this episode of CEA Talk , Szilárd Szelpál sits down with Marlon Gilbert Roberts , international lawyer and CEO of Business 2 Sports Group, to explore the fast-evolving world where sports, business, and strategy intersect . From athlete career planning to governance challenges and investment opportunities in global sport, the conversation offers unique insights into how professionalism, innovat...

In this episode, economist and Civil Development Forum VP Marek Tatala joins us to unpack the results of Poland’s presidential election and the political standoff between a PiS-backed president and Tusk’s pro-European government.

In this episode of CEA Talk, we sit down with Simon Verghote, a philosopher and bioethicist at Université Libre de Bruxelles, whose research explores the ethical and ontological implications of xenobots living organisms designed by artificial intelligence and constructed from real biological tissue. Verghote’s work offers a rare window into how synthetic biology and evolutionary algorithms are not...

In this episode of CEA Talk, host Szilárd Szelpál is joined by Eglė Markevičiūtė and Yaël Ossowski from the Consumer Choice Center to discuss the evolving trade tensions between the US and the EU and what they mean for consumer rights, innovation, and transatlantic cooperation. Drawing on insights from CCC’s latest policy paper, the conversation explores regulatory challenges, opportunities for al...

Daniel Kaddik talks about the alternatives of fossil fuels for the next couple of decades. He mentions many challenges mainly focusing on Germany, where producing car is more than just sheer production, but also many other sectors are connected to it. Kaddik mentions the future of hydrogen and other alternative fuels, and talks enthusiastically how free market capitalism will solve transform petro...

In our podcast, Zoltán Levente Ember, CEO of Hungarian research Compass Institute delves into the pressing challenges facing Hungary’s energy sector. From the rapid expansion of solar power capacity to the political and financial risks foreign investors must navigate, the discussion uncovers the complexities of the country's energy landscape. Listeners will learn about Hungary’s efforts to be...