The ConsEUmer Podcast
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.
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/2HR4TLTSpotify: https://spoti.fi/3l3GZdxGoogle podcasts: https://bit.ly/3fyyztoDonate: http://consumerchoicecenter.org/donateSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Jul 16
36 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/2HR4TLTSpotify: https://spoti.fi/3l3GZdxGoogle podcasts: https://bit.ly/3fyyztoDonate: http://consumerchoicecenter.org/donateSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Jul 9
24 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/2HR4TLTSpotify: https://spoti.fi/3l3GZdxGoogle podcasts: https://bit.ly/3fyyztoDonate: http://consumerchoicecenter.org/donateSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Jul 2
30 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/2HR4TLTSpotify: https://spoti.fi/3l3GZdxGoogle podcasts: https://bit.ly/3fyyztoDonate: http://consumerchoicecenter.org/donateSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
May 14
27 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/2HR4TLTSpotify: https://spoti.fi/3l3GZdxGoogle podcasts: https://bit.ly/3fyyztoDonate: http://consumerchoicecenter.org/donateSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
May 7
26 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/donateSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Apr 30
5 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/2HR4TLTSpotify: https://spoti.fi/3l3GZdxGoogle podcasts: https://bit.ly/3fyyztoDonate: http://consumerchoicecenter.org/donateSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Apr 23
40 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/donateSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Apr 9
4 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/2HR4TLTSpotify: https://spoti.fi/3l3GZdxGoogle podcasts: https://bit.ly/3fyyztoDonate: http://consumerchoicecenter.org/donateSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Apr 2
34 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/2HR4TLTSpotify: https://spoti.fi/3l3GZdxGoogle podcasts: https://bit.ly/3fyyztoDonate: http://consumerchoicecenter.org/donateSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Mar 26
22 min
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