The Zeitgeist

Mar 26 2025 100 ep. 33 mins 52
The Zeitgeist Podcast artwork

The Zeitgeist delves into topics affecting Germany, the United States, and the transatlantic relationship. Hosted by American-German Institute President Jeff Rathke, the show welcomes guests from the policy, academic, and think tank communities, as well as in-house AGI experts. Produced by the American-German Institute at Johns Hopkins University.

  Government  Society & Culture
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Episode 124: Tariffs, Taxes, and Their International Ramifications

Mar 26 2025 33 mins  
The Trump administration has taken sweeping actions on tariffs, with more scheduled to be imposed in April. On this episode of The Zeitgeist, Kim Clausing explains the administration’s approach to tariffs and their role in wider economic policy. She also discusses whether value-added taxes or digital services taxes constitute trade barriers and how these may affect trade rel

Episode 123: An Expanding German Memory Culture

Mar 12 2025 29 mins  
For decades, memory culture in Germany has largely focused on coming to terms with and memorializing the Holocaust. In recent years, however, memory discourses have expanded to include, among others, Germany’s colonial history, particularly crimes committed in the territory of contemporary Namibia. Dr. Priscilla Layne discusses how German memory culture is evolving, how analogie

Episode 122: The German Bundestag Election Results

Feb 24 2025 38 mins  
Shortly after the polls closed in Germany, Jeff Rathke, Eric Langenbacher, and Klaus-Dieter Frankenberger discussed the results of the snap elections. They give their reactions to the performance of the parties and what motivated such a high turnout. They also predict how the results will impact the coalition formation in the coming months and Germany’s international role in

Episode 121: Climate Change and National Security

Feb 12 2025 27 mins  
Climate change can create national security risks, test military resilience, and redefine how countries pursue their geopolitical interests. Sherri Goodman, author of Threat Multiplier: Climate, Military Leadership, and the Fight for Global Security, joins The Zeitgeist to discuss how the Department of Defense is addressing and adapting to the challenge of climate change and the r

Episode 120: The Issues Driving German Politics One Month from the Bundestag Election

Jan 29 2025 28 mins  
With the German elections slated for February 23, Member of the Bundestag Omid Nouripour, a former national co-chairman of the Green Party, joins The Zeitgeist to discuss the issues shaping the campaign. He analyzes challenges that the next coalition will face and the outlook for transatlantic relations with a new U.S. administration. Host Jeff Rathke, President, AGI Guest Omid N

Episode 119: Voter Volatility and Political Stagnation

Jan 15 2025 37 mins  
Germany votes for a new parliament on February 23. While the center-right Christian Democrats maintain a lead in the polls, the three parties of Olaf Scholz’s outgoing “traffic light” coalition all have suffered reduced support compared to 2021. A result of this volatility is that the next Bundestag could have as many as seven or as few as four parties. In any case, the far-

Episode 118: Is There a Leadership Vacuum in Europe?

Dec 19 2024 32 mins  
Who does the United States call when it wants to call Europe, especially as Germany enters a transition through early elections and France experiences political turmoil? Dr. Phyllis Berry joins The Zeitgeist to discuss which people and countries are taking on leadership in Europe and who will drive decision-making in 2025. Host Jeff Rathke, President, AGI Guest Phyllis Berry, Nat

Episode 117: Germany in 2025

Dec 11 2024 27 mins  
The second Trump administration will take office in just over one month—how will it approach the European security order and trade with the European Union? What risks and opportunities does a new administration represent for Germany? How will relations with China affect Germany’s competitiveness and the transatlantic relationship? As Germany’s federal election campaign begin

Episode 116: The Evolution of LGBTQ+ Rights in Germany

Nov 21 2024 32 mins  
For thirty-five years, the LSVD+ – Queer Diversity Association has been representing the interests of LGBTQ+ people in Germany. Its managing director Klaus Jetz joins The Zeitgeist to discuss how LGBTQ+ rights have changed in Germany since unification, the challenges the community faces now, and how the LSVD+ has advocated for greater civil rights in Germany. With guest host

Episode 115: The U.S. Election and Germany in Europe

Nov 04 2024 32 mins  
The year 2025 will bring not only a new U.S. administration but also a new EU Commission. What will these changes mean for Germany and the United States, and what aspirations does Chancellor Scholz’ coalition have for the European Union? Almut Möller, Director for European and Global Affairs at the European Policy Centre, joins the Zeitgeist to discuss. What would different ele