Couple of Europhiles Castos https://couple-of-europhiles.castos.com Bailey & Francis explain the cultural realities of Europe and the European Union through storytelling and personal experiences. A nomadic lifestyle lends well to sharing and taking a deep dive into the particulars of the EU. Including discussions about individual government and how they participate and play out their specific roles within the EU. Logistics and facts are important but so are fantastic interviews; including conversations with artists, writers, activists and business people from across the continent and beyond. Mon, 01 Sep 2025 12:21:40 +0000 en © 2022 https://episodes.castos.com/63a41eaed57150-58561501/images/podcast/covers/c1a-8d4vr-5zg4v4driz78-0a81tu.jpeg Couple of Europhiles https://couple-of-europhiles.castos.com Bailey & Francis explain the cultural realities of Europe and the European Union through storytelling and personal experiences. A nomadic lifestyle lends well to sharing and taking a deep dive into the particulars of the EU. Including discussions about individual government and how they participate and play out their specific roles within the EU. Logistics and facts are important but so are fantastic interviews; including conversations with artists, writers, activists and business people from across the continent and beyond. Bailey & Francis episodic Bailey & Francis explain the cultural realities of Europe and the European Union through storytelling and personal experiences. A nomadic lifestyle lends well to sharing and taking a deep dive into the particulars of the EU. Including discussions about individual government and how they participate and play out their specific roles within the EU. Logistics and facts are important but so are fantastic interviews; including conversations with artists, writers, activists and business people from across the continent and beyond. Bailey Alexander robertedwinaltinger@gmail.com false https://feeds.castos.com/9rxg4 yes <![CDATA[EU Toast or in Transition]]> Mon, 01 Sep 2025 12:21:40 +0000 Bailey & Francis https://permalink.castos.com/podcast/50303/episode/2129056 https://couple-of-europhiles.castos.com/episodes/eu-toast-or-transition Will the EU die a death, as predicted by many podcasters, or will it wake up and reshape its destiny...

The EU has strayed from its founding principles, of an organization created to ensure peace among its members, pooling sovereignty in very specific areas, defined by the Treaties unanimously approved by its member states, to something that resembles an autocracy, trampling over its members legitimate concerns.

The Europhiles discuss this, and the broader geopolitical changes sweeping our worldview.

]]> full 10 2 false Will the EU die a death, as predicted by many podcasters, or will it wake up and reshape its destiny...

The EU has strayed from its founding principles, of an organization created to ensure peace among its members, pooling sovereignty in very specific areas, defined by the Treaties unanimously approved by its member states, to something that resembles an autocracy, trampling over its members legitimate concerns.

The Europhiles discuss this, and the broader geopolitical changes sweeping our worldview.

]]> 00:45:00 <![CDATA[Financial Shenanigans - USD fall from grace, Digital Euro, what next?]]> Sun, 23 Mar 2025 14:56:32 +0000 Bailey & Francis https://permalink.castos.com/podcast/50303/episode/1998058 https://couple-of-europhiles.castos.com/episodes/eu-pushing-digital-euro Trump has his work cut out for him, trying to put the Genie back in the bottle, or reassembling Humpty Dumpty. Trade ware and sanctions undermine the current financial system and the dollar. BRICS move forward with a new alternative to SWIFT, immune to sanctions. 

The Eurocrats try to spin the dangerous digital Euro, forgetting that trying to control how we spend our money is radically unpopular, and prone to the Streisand effect. 

Buy shares in popcorn producers. So much is happening we can't keep up.

]]> full 9 2 false Trump has his work cut out for him, trying to put the Genie back in the bottle, or reassembling Humpty Dumpty. Trade ware and sanctions undermine the current financial system and the dollar. BRICS move forward with a new alternative to SWIFT, immune to sanctions. 

The Eurocrats try to spin the dangerous digital Euro, forgetting that trying to control how we spend our money is radically unpopular, and prone to the Streisand effect. 

Buy shares in popcorn producers. So much is happening we can't keep up.

]]> 00:37:09 <![CDATA[Sturm und Drang continues in Germany but will Orban join the Brics? What about Meloni?]]> Wed, 19 Mar 2025 14:37:21 +0000 Bailey & Francis https://permalink.castos.com/podcast/50303/episode/1995847 https://couple-of-europhiles.castos.com/episodes/sturm-und-drang-continues-in-germany-and-will-organ-join-the-brics The Chinese curse "May you live in interesting times" has never been more true. It is even hard to podcast, because the situation changes almost every hour, with things happening that you would never have dreamed possible, like the Germans, famous for prudent fiscal management, completely losing the plot and going off the deep end. What will that mean for the Euro? 

The Commission President, looking more like a kindergarten teacher replacement every day, trying desperately to "enforce order" on her unruly charges, oblivious to the fact that she is completely outside her mandate. 

Yet Europe is old, and proud, the cradle of Western civilization, art and culture. We may have, like bitcoin, up moments and down moments, but we have no doubt it will survive and eventually thrive again.

Enjoy the moment. 

]]> full 8 2 false The Chinese curse "May you live in interesting times" has never been more true. It is even hard to podcast, because the situation changes almost every hour, with things happening that you would never have dreamed possible, like the Germans, famous for prudent fiscal management, completely losing the plot and going off the deep end. What will that mean for the Euro? 

The Commission President, looking more like a kindergarten teacher replacement every day, trying desperately to "enforce order" on her unruly charges, oblivious to the fact that she is completely outside her mandate. 

Yet Europe is old, and proud, the cradle of Western civilization, art and culture. We may have, like bitcoin, up moments and down moments, but we have no doubt it will survive and eventually thrive again.

Enjoy the moment. 

]]> 00:37:46 <![CDATA[Ceasefire chronicles and European chaos]]> Sat, 15 Mar 2025 15:46:10 +0000 Bailey & Francis https://permalink.castos.com/podcast/50303/episode/1993265 https://couple-of-europhiles.castos.com/episodes/ceasefire-chronicles-and-european-chaos In this episode, Bailey and Francis discuss the ceasefire that is lacking in details, the rise of the resistance, particularly the Italian contingent in the EUParl led by Roberto Vannacci, who speaks a lot of sense; a rising figure on the Italian political scene... watch this space, indeed. This in contrast to the ever-present and very disliked Macron, who is clocking a negative 47% approval, amidst talk of a potential sixth Republique.

Hard to believe so much is happening. 

]]> full 7 2 false In this episode, Bailey and Francis discuss the ceasefire that is lacking in details, the rise of the resistance, particularly the Italian contingent in the EUParl led by Roberto Vannacci, who speaks a lot of sense; a rising figure on the Italian political scene... watch this space, indeed. This in contrast to the ever-present and very disliked Macron, who is clocking a negative 47% approval, amidst talk of a potential sixth Republique.

Hard to believe so much is happening. 

]]> 00:33:56 <![CDATA[Europe still fighting for its soul]]> Wed, 12 Mar 2025 15:31:27 +0000 Bailey & Francis https://permalink.castos.com/podcast/50303/episode/1991619 https://couple-of-europhiles.castos.com/episodes/europe-fighting-for-its-soul-part-two In this episode we continue the discussion of politicians posturing, including Macron, Starmer and Merz; who has yet to form a coalition. We talk about how coalitions work in Europe, Meloni's modern Italy and who is the worst spying nation in the world. The fight continues between centralization and sovereignty

]]> full 6 2 false In this episode we continue the discussion of politicians posturing, including Macron, Starmer and Merz; who has yet to form a coalition. We talk about how coalitions work in Europe, Meloni's modern Italy and who is the worst spying nation in the world. The fight continues between centralization and sovereignty

]]> 00:32:54 <![CDATA[Fighting for the soul of Europe]]> Sun, 09 Mar 2025 16:33:48 +0000 Bailey & Francis https://permalink.castos.com/podcast/50303/episode/1989173 https://couple-of-europhiles.castos.com/episodes/fighting-for-the-soul-of-europe The fight for the soul of Europe unfolds before our eyes. Merz has yet to form a coalition, causing further chaos in Germany. Macron is on borrowed time while Le Pen awaits in the wings. Romania is trying to hold on to its democracy and Meloni is fighting the good fight; between centralization and sovereignty. A Couple of Europhiles is there to delve deep into the details for your listening pleasure. 

]]> full 5 2 false The fight for the soul of Europe unfolds before our eyes. Merz has yet to form a coalition, causing further chaos in Germany. Macron is on borrowed time while Le Pen awaits in the wings. Romania is trying to hold on to its democracy and Meloni is fighting the good fight; between centralization and sovereignty. A Couple of Europhiles is there to delve deep into the details for your listening pleasure. 

]]> 00:37:40 <![CDATA[German Election Day]]> Sun, 23 Feb 2025 17:09:48 +0000 Bailey & Francis https://permalink.castos.com/podcast/50303/episode/1980218 https://couple-of-europhiles.castos.com/episodes/german-election-day Bailey & Francis discuss today's German elections, EU power dynamics, Meloni, Macron, and the rise of the AfD.

]]> full 4 2 false Bailey & Francis discuss today's German elections, EU power dynamics, Meloni, Macron, and the rise of the AfD.

]]> 00:34:21 <![CDATA[Cultural reality of Italy and thriving in chaos]]> Sat, 17 Aug 2024 09:52:18 +0000 Bailey & Francis https://permalink.castos.com/podcast/50303/episode/1813384 https://couple-of-europhiles.castos.com/episodes/cultural-reality-of-italy-and-thriving-in-chaos Today, it's all about Italy and if you like Italy you'll love the Piemontese. We discuss this industrious northern Italian tribe, as well as cover current topics like digital nomad visas, Meloni's recent visit to China and how Italy found it's own solution regarding the energy issue; it's called the TransMed pipeline.

]]> full 3 2 false Today, it's all about Italy and if you like Italy you'll love the Piemontese. We discuss this industrious northern Italian tribe, as well as cover current topics like digital nomad visas, Meloni's recent visit to China and how Italy found it's own solution regarding the energy issue; it's called the TransMed pipeline.

]]> 00:36:36 <![CDATA[From Elon Musk to Giorgia Meloni]]> Fri, 20 Jan 2023 16:15:40 +0000 Bailey & Francis https://permalink.castos.com/podcast/50303/episode/1385520 https://couple-of-europhiles.castos.com/episodes/from-elon-musk-to-giorgia-meloni 2 2 false 00:27:20 <![CDATA[The Elon Musk discussion]]> Thu, 29 Dec 2022 14:29:00 +0000 Bailey & Francis https://permalink.castos.com/podcast/50303/episode/1365509 https://couple-of-europhiles.castos.com/episodes/the-elon-musk-discussion

May we agree to disagree? Musk does have the megaphone, and he’s getting ready to leverage all his companies; the ultimate industry disruptor.

First, Financial Services, then Automotive and Space, and next on his agenda -  the Telecommunications Industry.  

Bailey talks with Francis to hear from an engineer’s perspective and precisely why Musk is man of the moment. And why we might want to encourage vs discourage this polymath. Just look what he did for Ukraine and Western Australia; Elon Musk is on a role. 

A Couple of Europhiles to go deep and discuss the chaos agent - and how Musk’s mindset has produced 4 unicorns, so far.

]]> full 1 2 false

May we agree to disagree? Musk does have the megaphone, and he’s getting ready to leverage all his companies; the ultimate industry disruptor.

First, Financial Services, then Automotive and Space, and next on his agenda -  the Telecommunications Industry.  

Bailey talks with Francis to hear from an engineer’s perspective and precisely why Musk is man of the moment. And why we might want to encourage vs discourage this polymath. Just look what he did for Ukraine and Western Australia; Elon Musk is on a role. 

A Couple of Europhiles to go deep and discuss the chaos agent - and how Musk’s mindset has produced 4 unicorns, so far.

]]> 00:33:14