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The ConsEUmer Podcast

Consumer Choice Center

The ConsEUmer Podcast is a weekly program that covers the news & politics of the European Union and its member states.

Produced by the Consumer Choice Center, we focus on consumer issues such as free trade, science-based policy-making, product safety, and privacy — but we won't shy away from commentary on the day to day of the European Union's institutions.

Stay tuned for exclusive interviews with policy-makers and experts, hosted by our Senior Policy Analyst Bill Wirtz.

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20 episodes
weekly
Avg 28 min
English

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#206
September 10 · 33 min
EP206: The smartest fridges (w/ Fabio Fernandes)
The innovative consumer goods expo in Berlin displays how far household appliances can go. Fabio Fernandes and Bill Wirtz discuss it in the latest episode of the ConsEUmer podcast. September 10, 2026 Follow ConsEUmer wherever you get your podcasts: Apple: https://apple.co/2HR4TLT Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3l3GZdx Google podcasts: https://bit.ly/3fyyzto Donate: http://consumerchoicecenter.org/donate See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
#205
July 16 · 36 min
EP205: Carry-on rules (w/ Gary Leff)
The EU is mandating a carry-on bag to be included for all airline tickets sold in the EU. But is this really the priority we should be talking about? Gary Leff from ViewFromTheWing joins the ConsEUmer podcast to talk about it. July 16, 2026 Follow ConsEUmer wherever you get your podcasts: Apple: https://apple.co/2HR4TLT Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3l3GZdx Google podcasts: https://bit.ly/3fyyzto Donate: http://consumerchoicecenter.org/donate See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
#204
July 9 · 24 min
EP204: Tickets please (w/ David Clement)
Should the price of a resold ticket be capped? David Clement joins us from Canada to tell us more about the economics of the ticket resale controversy. July 9, 2026 Follow ConsEUmer wherever you get your podcasts: Apple: https://apple.co/2HR4TLT Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3l3GZdx Google podcasts: https://bit.ly/3fyyzto Donate: http://consumerchoicecenter.org/donate See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
#203
July 2 · 30 min
EP203: Europe’s air-conditioning debate (w/ Liz Hayes)
The ConsEUmer podcast is back after a break, and we're burning up here in Europe. Liz Hayes joins us to break down the European air-conditioning debate. How does regulation play into our woes? Our policy paper on the issue: https://consumerchoicecenter.org/keeping-it-cool-removing-hurdles-for-air-conditioning-availability-in-europe/ July 2, 2026 Follow ConsEUmer wherever you get your podcasts: Apple: https://apple.co/2HR4TLT Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3l3GZdx Google podcasts: https://bit.ly/3fyyzto Donate: http://consumerchoicecenter.org/donate See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
#202
May 14 · 27 min
EP202: Italian price bonanza (w/ Carlo Stagnaro)
Carlo Stagnaro explains on the ConsEUmer podcast how Italy has built a very complicated system to reduce consumer energy prices, and why he doesn't think it'll end up working. His article on this topic: https://truthonthemarket.com/2026/04/24/the-price-of-watching-prices-italys-slow-slide-from-markets-to-management/ May 14, 2026 Follow ConsEUmer wherever you get your podcasts: Apple: https://apple.co/2HR4TLT Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3l3GZdx Google podcasts: https://bit.ly/3fyyzto Donate: http://consumerchoicecenter.org/donate See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
#201
May 7 · 26 min
EP201: Europe's tech renaissance (w/ François Bitouzet)
This week, we're joined by the Managing Director of VivaTech to discuss Europe's tech future. While are talking Europe down, he is talking it up, and giving us an optimistic vision for the future. May 7, 2026 Follow ConsEUmer wherever you get your podcasts: Apple: https://apple.co/2HR4TLT Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3l3GZdx Google podcasts: https://bit.ly/3fyyzto Donate: http://consumerchoicecenter.org/donate See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
April 30 · 5 min
Kész Files w/ Zoltan Kész - Housing in Spain
In this episode of Kesz Files, Zoltan Kesz explores why renting in Spain has become so difficult. From strict tenant requirements to rent control, regulation, and shrinking supply, we break down how well-intentioned policies can make housing harder to access—and why the real issue isn’t just price, but availability. Donate: http://consumerchoicecenter.org/donate See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
#200
April 23 · 40 min
EP200: The Big Beautiful Energy Crisis (w/ Liz Hayes, Yaël Ossowski & Fabio Fernandes)
All hands on deck for the 200th episode of the ConsEUmer podcast this week. The Big Beautiful Energy Crisis that is affecting us all... maybe Liz has some coupons left for us? April 23, 2026 Follow ConsEUmer wherever you get your podcasts: Apple: https://apple.co/2HR4TLT Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3l3GZdx Google podcasts: https://bit.ly/3fyyzto Donate: http://consumerchoicecenter.org/donate See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
#200
April 9 · 4 min
Kész Files w/ Zoltan Kész
In this special episode, we're joined by Zoltán Kész: economist, activist, and former member of the Hungarian parliament, ahead of Hungary's April 12th elections. Zoltán cuts through the political noise to examine what 16 years of government economic policy actually meant for ordinary Hungarian consumers: dismantled private pensions, vanishing rural banks, price caps that emptied shelves, and energy bills designed to impress rather than inform. A must-listen before one of the EU's most important votes of the year. Because, as Zoltán puts it, economic reality doesn't negotiate. Donate: http://consumerchoicecenter.org/donate See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
#199
April 2 · 34 min
EP199: Ticket shortage (w/ Fabio Fernandes)
In this week's episode, Fabio Fernandes joins us to talk about the latest news in tech gadgets, and about the call by Members of the European Parliament to act on dynamic pricing for FIFA World Cup tickets. April 2, 2026 Follow ConsEUmer wherever you get your podcasts: Apple: https://apple.co/2HR4TLT Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3l3GZdx Google podcasts: https://bit.ly/3fyyzto Donate: http://consumerchoicecenter.org/donate See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
#198
March 26 · 22 min
EP198: Greek taxi clash (w/ Nicos Rompapas)
The President of KEFIM joins us from Athens this week to lay out the details of the government's taxi reform, and where he thinks leaders should go much further. March 26, 2026 Follow ConsEUmer wherever you get your podcasts: Apple: https://apple.co/2HR4TLT Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3l3GZdx Google podcasts: https://bit.ly/3fyyzto Donate: http://consumerchoicecenter.org/donate See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
#197
March 19 · 31 min
EP197: Liberal housing solutions (w/ Dr. Antonios Nestoras)
This week we are joined by Dr. Antonios Nestoras from EPIC. He is the editor on a European Liberal Forum paper on liberal housing policy. What could help Europe's housing crisis? Find the paper here: https://liberalforum.eu/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/Building-Freedom.pdf More about EPIC: https://thinkepic.eu/ March 19, 2026 Follow ConsEUmer wherever you get your podcasts: Apple: https://apple.co/2HR4TLT Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3l3GZdx Google podcasts: https://bit.ly/3fyyzto Donate: http://consumerchoicecenter.org/donate See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
#196
March 12 · 41 min
EP196: Keeping digital hygiene (w/ Yaël Ossowski)
Yaël Ossowski discusses the latest contoversies surrounding encrypted messaging and keeping good digital hygiene in the latest episode of the ConsEUmer podcast. March 12, 2026 Follow ConsEUmer wherever you get your podcasts: Apple: https://apple.co/2HR4TLT Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3l3GZdx Google podcasts: https://bit.ly/3fyyzto Donate: http://consumerchoicecenter.org/donate See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
#195
February 17 · 29 min
EP195: Hungary's presidential election (w/ Zoltán Kész)
In the latest episode of the ConsEUmer podcast, Zoltán Kész and Bill Wirtz discuss the implications of the upcoming elections in Hungary. N.B.: Just realised I didn't upload properly, and this didn't come out last week as intended. Apologies! February 12, 2026 Follow ConsEUmer wherever you get your podcasts: Apple: https://apple.co/2HR4TLT Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3l3GZdx Google podcasts: https://bit.ly/3fyyzto Donate: http://consumerchoicecenter.org/donate See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
#194
January 22 · 34 min
EP194: Delivery fees (w/ Mike Salem)
In the latest episode of the ConsEUmer podcast, Bill Wirtz and Mike Salem tackle the conversation surrounding courier services around the world. What are our expectations of e-commerce? January 22, 2026 Follow ConsEUmer wherever you get your podcasts: Apple: https://apple.co/2HR4TLT Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3l3GZdx Google podcasts: https://bit.ly/3fyyzto Donate: http://consumerchoicecenter.org/donate See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
#193
January 15 · 33 min
EP193: Where does public transit make sense? (w/ Liz Hayes)
Liz Hayes joins us this week to zoom out and discuss our daily commute. Where does public transit make sense, and what are the key differences between Europe and the U.S? January 15, 2026 Follow ConsEUmer wherever you get your podcasts: Apple: https://apple.co/2HR4TLT Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3l3GZdx Google podcasts: https://bit.ly/3fyyzto Donate: http://consumerchoicecenter.org/donate See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
#192
January 8 · 36 min
EP192: Italian food politics (w/ Fabio Fernandes)
Fabio Fernandes joins us on the ConsEUmer podcast this week to discuss a Politico article about Italian "gastronationalism". The full article: https://www.politico.eu/article/how-the-italian-right-is-weaponizing-food/ January 8, 2026 Follow ConsEUmer wherever you get your podcasts: Apple: https://apple.co/2HR4TLT Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3l3GZdx Google podcasts: https://bit.ly/3fyyzto Donate: http://consumerchoicecenter.org/donate See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
#191
Dec 4, 2025 · 25 min
EP191: UK budget meltdown (w/ Mike Salem)
CCC UK Country Associate Mike Salem is joining us this week to discuss the UK budget and its implication for consumers. December 4, 2025 Follow ConsEUmer wherever you get your podcasts: Apple: https://apple.co/2HR4TLT Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3l3GZdx Google podcasts: https://bit.ly/3fyyzto Donate: http://consumerchoicecenter.org/donate See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
#190
Nov 13, 2025 · 25 min
EP190: Foodflation, Shein ban, and the forgotten conference (w/ Michael Landl)
In this week's episode: Foodflation in France shows the difficulties of sustainable food production Can the French government ban Shein? The COP/FCTC conference is kicking off soon, Michael Landl joins us to explain Find out more about the World Vapers Alliance on their website: https://worldvapersalliance.com/ November 13, 2025 Follow ConsEUmer wherever you get your podcasts: Apple: https://apple.co/2HR4TLT Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3l3GZdx Google podcasts: https://bit.ly/3fyyzto Donate: http://consumerchoicecenter.org/donate See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
#189
Nov 6, 2025 · 34 min
EP189: Corporate sustainability (co-hosted w/ Yaël Ossowski)
What is the Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD) and why are you yawning while reading about it? With Yaël Ossowski we dive deep into ESG reporting this week, and what it means for energy policy and consumers. November 6, 2025 Follow ConsEUmer wherever you get your podcasts: Apple: https://apple.co/2HR4TLT Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3l3GZdx Google podcasts: https://bit.ly/3fyyzto Donate: http://consumerchoicecenter.org/donate See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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