POLEMICS [•REC] is the official podcast of Polemics Magazine. As a student-run production, the podcast will feature the voices, creative contributions, and editorial input of the diverse student body at the Diplomatische Akademie Wien.

The podcast will take advantage of the vibrant international community here in Vienna by interviewing diplomats, policymakers, academics, and cultural figures. We know that, as time goes on, this podcast will become an integral part of the Diplomatische Akademie Wien and a voice to the vast network of global professionals.

Learn more about the project here.

S04E03 | In Conversation with Ambassador Ana María Alonso Giganto

S04 E03 (March 2026)

In Conversation with
Ambassador Ana María Alonso Giganto

Just in time for International Women's Day, this episode explores a topic that has gained increasing international and academic attention: Feminist Foreign Policy.
Together with Ambassador Ana María Alonso Giganto, Ambassador-at-Large for Feminist Foreign Policy at the Spanish Ministry of Foreign Affairs and member of the Alliance of Feminist Foreign Policy Ambassadors, our hosts Hannah Huber and Nicole Pinto discuss the evolution of Feminist Foreign Policy, its practical implementation and how Ambassador Giganto’s own experiences have shaped her work and priorities in this particular field of diplomacy.

Listen to episode 3 of season 4 on Buzzsprout.
 

S04E02 | In Conversation with Ambassador Martin Eichtinger

S04 E02 (December 2025)

In Conversation with
Ambassador Martin Eichtinger

Welcome to the first episode of In Conversation, our new expert interview format, where we bring you in-depth conversations with distinguished voices in foreign policy, diplomacy, and other pressing issues in global governance.
In this episode, Hannah and Phil sat down with Ambassador Martin Eichtinger, Director of the Diplomatic Academy of Vienna. Together, they discussed a wide range of topics, including changes in diplomacy and multilateralism in 2025, his priorities for the Academy in the coming academic years, and his advice for future diplomats.

Listen to episode 2 of season 4 on Buzzsprout.
 

S04E01 | The Roundtable Ep. 1: Mamdani Election

S04 E01 (December 2025)

The Roundtable Ep. 1:
Mamdani Election

POLEMICS [•REC] is back with a new season and two new formats, In Conversation and The Roundtable. In this first episode of The Roundtable, Ilana and Phil dive into the election of Zohran Mamdani to the NYC mayor's office and its implications for the wider United States and the rest of the world.

Listen to episode 1 of season 4 on Buzzsprout.
 

POLEMICS [•REC] is also available on your favourite podcast platforms:
Spotify, Amazon Music, Podcast Addict, Podchaser, Pocket Casts, Deezer, Listen Notes, Player FM and Podcast Index.

Previous episodes of POLEMICS [•REC]

Season 03 | Academic Year 2024-25

S03 E04 (July 2025) | Decolonising Education Systems in Greenland with Linda Lyberth Kristiansen

In this episode, we speak with Linda Lyberth Kristiansen about what it means to decolonise education systems in Greenland. Together, we explore how colonial legacies still shape classrooms today, why change is needed, and how education can become a tool for cultural empowerment and self-determination. Linda shares her experiences and insights from Greenland, and we discuss how to rethink and reshape education in formerly colonized countries.

Listen to episode 4 of season 3 on Buzzsprout.

S03 E03 (July 2025) | Working as a UN Youth Delegate with Markus Wane

Together with the current Austrian UN Youth Delegate Markus Wane we explore how he uses his position to promote the interests of young people, and discuss how you as a young person can get actively involved as well.

Listen to episode 3 of season 3 on Buzzsprout.

S03 E02 (May 2025) | Students and their country: Poland with Viktoria Mroz

This new episode of the Polemics Podcast introduces the politics and foreign policy of Poland! Just as presidential elections are going on, Viktoria Mroz, a second year student at the DA shares her insight, and explains why Poland is so important!

Listen to episode 2 of season 3 on Buzzsprout.

S03 E01 (January 2025) | Students and their country: Bulgaria with Svetoslava Stoyanova

This new season of the Polemics Podcast kicks off with a mini-series on the politics and foreign policy of the countries of origin of our students. First up: Bulgaria, brought to you by Svetoslava Stoyanova, a second year student at the DA.

Listen to episode 1 of season 3 on Buzzsprout.

Season 02 | Academic Year 2023-24

S02 E06 (May 2024): Intelligence in International Society with John Williams and Robert Schuett

In this interview, the POLEMICS [•REC] team invited Professor John Williams to share his insights on intelligence theory and the open society as well as to reflect on the recent publications re-thinking intelligence from an international society perspective. The chat was moderated by co-author and DA non-resident faculty member Professor Robert Schuett.

Listen to episode 6 of season 2 on Buzzsprout.

S02 E05 (April 2024): Women & Diplomacy with Salome Meyer and Giulia Pelillo

This interview invited Ambassador Salome Meyer, ambassador of Switzerland to Austria, to share her insights on the career path of a contemporary diplomat, the role of women in diplomacy and the current state of international affairs. The chat was moderated by Giulia Pelillo, head of the DA's Research Area Cultural Studies.

Listen to episode 5 of season 2 on Buzzsprout.

S02 E04 (March 2024): Peacemaking Legacy with Bertie Ahern

This interview took place during Bartholomew "Bertie" Ahern's visit to Vienna and the DA in late February 2024. In it, the former Taoiseach (or Head of the Government of Ireland from 1997 to 2008), shares his insights into the legacy of his career, particularly the Good Friday Agreement, as well as the intricacies of the past and current state of international affairs.

Listen to episode 4 of season 2 on Buzzsprout.

S02 E03 (January 2024): Dialogue of Continents with Henry Farrell and Martin Feldkircher

Dr. Henry Farrell, professor of international affairs at Johns Hopkins University, shares his insights on how complex economic networks and advanced technologies (including AI) enable powerful global actors in this special episode of POLEMICS [•REC], hosted by the Diplomatische Akademie Wien’s one and only Professor Martin Feldkircher.

Listen to episode 3 of season 2 on Buzzsprout.

S02 E02 (January 2024): Compatibility of Law and Politics with Professor Hestermeyer

This interview invites Holger Hestermeyer to share his insights with POLEMICS [•REC] and our audience on a career path in international law, differences between international law practitioners and academia as well as to comment on the current state of international law, existing dispute settlement mechanisms and the reality of international affairs.

Listen to episode 2 of season 2 on Buzzsprout.

S02 E01 (October 2023): Educating Global Leaders with Ambassador Emil Brix

Ambassador Emil Brix shares his insights on the past, present and future of the Diplomatische Akademie Wien - Vienna School of International Studies, which has been educating international professionals since 1754. As Ambassador Brix reflects on his own career in diplomacy, he sheds light on some of the tips that will help aspiring diplomats today.

Listen to episode 1 of season 2 on Buzzsprout.

Season 01 | Academic Year 2022-23

S01 E04 (June 2023): The Future of International Affairs: Digital Diplomacy

What does it take to take diplomacy to the next level? And who represents our countries in the digital world? All questions answered with Oxford’s digital diplomacy pioneer, Dr. Corneliu Bjola. Tune in and learn more about the new trust system, virtual tools and organizations, hybrid experience, digital embassies as well as the new MSc program at the DA.

Listen to episode 4 on Buzzsprout.

S01 E03 (May 2023): SDGs: The Reality of Global Sustainable Development with Martin Sajdik

For our third episode, we invited Ambassador Martin Sajdik to discuss his role in the drafting of the UN Sustainable Development Goals and his perspectives on global development in the context of current events. During our conversation, we discussed a variety of topics relating to the past, present and future of international cooperation and diplomacy.

Listen to episode 3 on Buzzsprout.

S01 E02 (April 2023): International Women's Day event: The Role of Women in Global Crises

Commemorating the women's history month, we bring you a live-recorded discussion panel that took place at the DA and was hosted by the Rotary Club Vienna Maria Theresia and club.da. The high-level speakers provide insights in women's roles in key areas like agriculture, energy, sustainable development, health and international relations.

Listen to episode 2 on Buzzsprout.

S01 E01 (February 2023): War Without End: One Year Since Russia's Invasion of Ukraine

In this episode, we sat down with Professor Gerhard Mangott to discuss the one-year anniversary of Russia’s unprovoked war of aggression against Ukraine. During our conversation, we discussed a variety of topics relating to the broader geopolitical implications of the war, the prospects for a peaceful solution and the likely future scenarios of the conflict.

Listen to episode 1 on Buzzsprout.