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The Continental Rift

Fresh Lens 5 Episodes Jul 3, 2026

The Continental Rift is a podcast hosted by comedian Andy Valvur and former Estonian President Toomas Hendrik Ilves. It explores the growing divide between the United States and Europe, examining the political and historical ties that have bound them together. The hosts bring a mix of serious political analysis and personal anecdotes, drawing on their own experiences as Estonians who were saved by America during the Soviet era. The show questions what will happen as the transatlantic alliance weakens and who will benefit from the rift.

Episodes

No-shows & Neutrals Jul 3, 2026 1753 Will Trump actually show up to the NATO summit and is Washington really floating a "defence loyalty programme"? Also, can neutral Ireland credibly chair Europe's defence debate as it takes the EU chair? A former President & a comedian on what's going on and what comes next. Subscribe so you don't miss our Ankara NATO summit debrief next week. CLARIFICATIONS Irish corporate tax — Ireland had

Exes & Selfies Jun 28, 2026 1640 Ten years (and 6, soon 7, Prime Ministers) later was Brexit worth it and how did it change Europe? Also, why is Europe's hard right suddenly speed-walking away from Donald Trump? A former President & a comedian on what's going on and what comes next. CLARIFICATION Zelensky was not stripped of Poland’s Order of Merit, but of the Order of the White Eagle, Poland’s highest honour, awarded to

Tractors and Tantrums Jun 19, 2026 1145 A comedian and a former president walk into Europe's biggest mess. American comedian Andy Valvur’s oldest friend, Toomas Hendrik Ilves, grew up to become President of Estonia. Now, as the transatlantic alliance comes apart, The Continental Rift is their weekly, irreverent take on European geopolitics: the EU, NATO, Trump, Russia, and what comes next. Serious politics, questionable hosts. New epis

Polls, Pots & Flamingos Jun 12, 2026 1519 A comedian & ex President (of Estonia, twice) - childhood buddies, American raised now living in Europe - riff on the 'divorce' between the US & Europe. Serious politics, questionable hosts. This week EUBS asks why… does Pete Hegseth equate the allied (including US) storming the Normandy beaches on D-Day to liberate Europe from Nazi tyranny with migrants fleeing war; whether dressing some of hi

Tankers & Cash Jun 6, 2026 1999 A comedian & ex President (of Estonia, twice) - childhood buddies, American raised now living in Europe - riff on the 'divorce' between the US & Europe. Serious politics, questionable hosts. This week EUBS asks why… The EU insists on a fleet of EVs that cannot make the trip between Brussels and Strasbourg in on a single charge; why Albanians are protesting a Kushner real estate development and why

Drones & The AntiChrist May 31, 2026 1868 A comedian & ex President (of Estonia, twice) - childhood buddies, American raised now living in Europe - riff on the 'divorce' between the US & Europe. Serious politics, questionable hosts. This week… Drones fall on Baltics & Finland while US disengages https://novayagazeta.eu/en/articles/2026/05/21/at-least-24-drone-incidents-recorded-in-the-baltic-states-since-start-of-2025-en-news https:/

The Continental Rift (trailer) May 31, 2026 92 The relationship keeping the free world together is falling apart. I’m Andy, a comedian. My oldest buddy - since toddlerhood - became a two-term European president. We grew up in the US as refugee kids (the USSR erased our country from the map), but now we live in Europe. As the EU and the US 'divorce' we decided to stop keeping our conversations to ourselves. You're welcome. The Continental Ri

The Continental Rift

Episodes

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