x

75% of people globally want unbiased news (Pew Research) but are concerned they're not getting that.

Get balanced coverage with Symby. See how stories are covered across diverse outlets and spot when one side covers a story the other skips.

PODCAST

The Western Bubble

Balder Hageraats & Dario Hasenstab

Every Wednesday Balder Hageraats and Dario Hasenstab examine how Western countries are increasingly lost in their own delusions on the world stage, and what can be done to bring them back to reality. We discuss issues ranging from geopolitics and human rights to development aid and current affairs, all through the lens of the Western Bubble.

business non-profit

All Episodes

57:03

Charlie Kirk, Gen Z, and the Future of the West #124

The Western Bubble ·

2025/09/28

After a two-month break, we return to find the decline of liberal democracy in the United States accelerating at a frightening pace. We look back at the assassination of Charlie Kirk to the cancellation of Jimmy Kimmel and the indictment of James Comey.We then take a step aside to talk about Generation Z colliding with reality in today’s job market, reflecting on two recent Harvard studies about boredom, entry-level jobs, and the risks of outsourcing development to artificial intelligence.Finally,

en

49:41

FRONTEX: Like ICE, but with children's books #123

The Western Bubble ·

2025/07/29

This week, we draw an uncomfortable comparison between ICE in the United States and Frontex in Europe. Whether it’s children in cages or children being handed picture books about their own deportation, the language of “in the child’s best interest” rings hollow. We also challenge the idea that only the US is responsible for enabling Israel. While Washington’s military and political support is undeniable, Europe is also complicit, through inaction and ongoing arms deliveries. The truth is, both the

en

42:48

Epstein Files, Trump, and the Decline of Complexity #122

The Western Bubble ·

2025/07/21

This week, we dig into the renewed uproar around Jeffrey Epstein’s infamous network and how its resurfacing in 2025 is fueling not just conspiracy theories, but a deeper institutional and psychological crisis.But this story isn’t really about Epstein or Trump. It’s about how simplified moral binaries are hijacking political discourse. We look at how these narratives flatten complex realities, fuel extreme tribalism, and damage the very institutions meant to uphold accountability.If the system can't

en

42:59

Western Institutional Erosion Accelerates #121

The Western Bubble ·

2025/07/15

In this episode, we return to a theme we first explored three years ago: the steady hollowing out of institutions. Recently, the decline has accelerated further, eroding both credibility and effectiveness.We look at the wave of NATO and EU countries, including Finland and Lithuania, pulling out of the Vancouver landmine ban treaty, citing Russian threats. At the same time, the United States shows open hostility toward international institutions it created: from imposing sanctions on ICC judges

en

47:11

Trump's Brutal Budget Bomb #120

The Western Bubble ·

2025/07/09

In this episode, we unpack the newly passed Big Beautiful Bill and what it says about the state of Western democracy. Despite two Republican defections, the bill sailed through Congress, bringing with it massive increases in military and immigration enforcement spending, the extension of unsustainable tax cuts, and the likely loss of health coverage for millions of Americans.But the real story goes deeper. How is it possible that legislation this harmful still passes? From weak parliamentarians to

en

41:15

Efficiency or Delusion? AI and the Western Bubble #119

The Western Bubble ·

2025/07/01

This week, we take a step back from geopolitics to explore how artificial intelligence is already reshaping our societies and our minds. From efficiency gains to cognitive decline, we reflect on how we personally use AI and why it’s so easy to fall into the traps of convenience and illusion.Drawing lessons from the social media age, we look at how AI accelerates the collapse of shared reality, fuels parasocial relationships, and chips away at our ability to think critically. With tools like Grok and

en

60:29

Flooding the Zone and Bombing Iran #118

The Western Bubble ·

2025/06/24

In this episode, we navigate the chaos of the past week: as Trump launches airstrikes using bunker-buster bombs, supposedly to “bring peace,” we ask: what does the U.S. gain from this? And why is Europe so eager to look the other way?We also offer two public service announcements, one on the myths surrounding Iran’s nuclear program, and one on the absurdity of the West’s new 5% defence spending target. Because sometimes, cutting through the noise is more important than adding to it.This podcast is

en

52:42

Israel, Iran, and the Bomb: Strategic Brilliance or...

The Western Bubble ·

2025/06/17

After the latest escalation between Israel and Iran, we take a step back to assess what just happened and what it means moving forward. With hundreds of Israeli missiles striking targets deep inside Iran, many are asking whether this constitutes an official act of war. But in an age where no one seems to declare war anymore, what does that even mean?We unpack the short-, medium-, and long-term logic behind Israel’s actions, and ask whether strategic brilliance is really at play—or whether the

en

22:50

Israel Strikes Iran: Who Decides What Counts as War?...

The Western Bubble ·

2025/06/13

In this extra episode, we unpack the dramatic events of the early morning Israeli airstrikes on Iranian territory. Around 3 AM CEST, hundreds of missiles struck multiple locations in a long-prepared operation involving cyberwarfare and ground operatives. As the attacks continue, we ask: Was this an act of war?We explore the immediate reactions—Western allies balancing carefully worded responses like “Israel has a right to defend itself,” while distancing themselves from involvement. Meanwhile, Trump

en

52:45

Trump vs Los Angeles (and Elon Musk) #116

The Western Bubble ·

2025/06/10

As protests in Los Angeles against ICE turn violent, Trump responds by sending in the National Guard—only to be publicly rebuked by California’s leadership. Is this an escalation of authoritarian tendencies or just another display of political incompetence? Meanwhile, a bizarre feud between Trump and Elon Musk unfolds, adding a layer of personal drama to an already volatile political landscape. Was the deployment of the National Guard just a smokescreen to distract from Trump’s embarrassing fallout

en

42:22

The quasi-Trumps lose in Canada, Australia and...

The Western Bubble ·

2025/06/03

Elections have taken place in Canada, Australia and Romania; in each of these countries, the quasi-Trump candidate lost. However, the wins of centre parties can only slightly mask the need for each of these countries to redefine their identity on the world stage. What do these elections tell us about the Western world’s evolving self-image, and what lessons, if any, can be drawn?This podcast is published with the help of RAIA NOW gUG but is an individual project between the Director of RAIA Dario

en

47:04

Trump’s New Playbook: Reward, Punish, Repeat #114

The Western Bubble ·

2025/05/28

From quiet UK streets under constant surveillance to the chaos of global power politics, this week we cover a whirlwind of developments.Dario shares his impressions from a tightly monitored Britain, where the comfort of order comes at the cost of privacy. Meanwhile, Trump continues dismantling democratic norms: using federal money to reward friends and punish critics, tightening control over universities like Harvard. His recent treatment of South Africa’s leadership adds yet another layer to the

en

25:59

Violence & Ceasefires: India, Ukraine & the DRC #113

The Western Bubble ·

2025/05/13

This week's episode is a little different from our usual format as Dario is travelling and therefore unable to record. Balder is still bringing you the most important foreign policy updates within the Western Bubble context. Next week, we will take a break from recording and return afterwards. This podcast is published with the help of RAIA NOW gUG but is an individual project between the Director of RAIA Dario Hasenstab and Balder Hageraats. If you would like to get in touch with us, write us an

en

35:57

Lights out for the West? 2025 Iberian Peninsula...

The Western Bubble ·

2025/05/07

What happens when the lights go out across an entire region?This week, we talk about the massive blackout that plunged the Iberian Peninsula into darkness and the strange psychological aftermath that followed. Balder shares his experience from the ground in Madrid, while we reflect on how quickly panic and rumors—especially of World War III and our last episode on the fear of war—spread through a society gripped by fear. From people raiding grocery stores to others flocking to parks, the reactions

en

38:29

The West is preparing for WAR #111

The Western Bubble ·

2025/04/29

As global tensions continue to rise, the West appears to be entering a psychological phase of preparing for war. From escalating rhetoric in Europe to increased defense spending and political leaders openly calling for rearmament, we examine how the narrative is shifting—from deterrence to expectation. What does it mean when headlines across the continent begin to normalize the prospect of conflict?We start this episode with the latest flare-up between nuclear-armed neighbors India and Pakistan,

en

55:58

Holy Alliances: Religion’s Role in Foreign Policy...

The Western Bubble ·

2025/04/22

Just hours after the death of Pope Francis on Easter Monday, we take a step back to examine the enduring role of religion in shaping global politics. As crises multiply and chaos spreads, a growing number of people, especially young adults, are turning back to faith. But what does this resurgence mean for international relations?We explore how religious structures—from the hierarchy of the Catholic Church to the decentralised force of Evangelicals—shape policy differently. We dive into the influence

en

35:04

Reasonable Answers to the Trump Tariffs? #109

The Western Bubble ·

2025/04/16

Trump’s 90-day tariff pause might sound like an opening for diplomacy—but the real reason behind it lies in bond markets, not international goodwill. And while most countries now have a temporary reprieve, China is very much not included. With tariff levels now skyrocketing to 145% on both sides, Washington and Beijing are locked in a dangerous game.So why is the EU still trying to play the part of the reasonable adult in the room? Ursula von der Leyen may believe that measured, moderate politics

en

46:01

Tariffs, Tantrums and Transactions: The Art of...

The Western Bubble ·

2025/04/08

Donald Trump’s latest tariff plan is as bold as it is baffling. A 60% tax on Chinese imports, arbitrary surcharges on trade deficits, and even tariffs on… the Penguin Islands? With Vietnam already targeted and Europe bracing for impact, what exactly is the strategy here—if any?In this episode, we break down Trump’s tariff logic (or lack thereof) and explore the possible scenarios: Is this just a negotiating tactic? A deliberate move to collapse the global trade system? Or simply economic

en

43:05

Signal failure: the Trump administration going off...

The Western Bubble ·

2025/04/01

The Western Bubble has been added to the chatIn this episode, we delve into the recent security breach where U.S. national security leaders used the Signal app to discuss imminent military operations against the Houthis in Yemen. The situation escalated when National Security Advisor Mike Waltz inadvertently added Jeffrey Goldberg, editor-in-chief of The Atlantic, to the group chat, leading to public exposure of sensitive information.We examine the implications of conducting high-level military

en

50:55

The West Is Fading—Who Will Rule the World in 2050? #106

The Western Bubble ·

2025/03/25

The transatlantic alliance is broken—so what happens next? In this episode, we strip away the hype and look at the deep trends shaping our world: the growing disconnect between leaders and citizens, the rise of a global oligarchy, and the breakdown of Western institutions. With liberal democracy fading, does the world shift toward multipolar power centres like China, India, and Brazil? And if the West is in decline, what happens to the systems built on it—NATO, the WHO, the global economy?This

en

138 results

Similar Podcasts

TaxTalent.com The Golden Rule Podcast

Adam Golden

TaxTalent.com Podcast

Tony Santiago

Nomad Capitalist Audio Experience

Nomad Capitalist

Supply Shock

Blockworks

RadioBorsa - La tua guida controcorrente per investire bene nella Borsa e nella Vita

SoldiExpert SCF