Podcast Series
Foreign Correspondent Unplugged

Foreign Correspondent Unplugged is a series of thought-provoking discussions between journalists in cities around the United States, brought to you by the American Council on Germany and the Goethe-Institut. This transatlantic dialogue highlights how German and American journalists see political and social developments in their countries and around the world. Each conversation is published on the Foreign Correspondent Unplugged podcast, available wherever you get your podcasts.

Podcast Series Foreign Correspondent Unplugged blue background, black and white picture of journalists, log with black mic

Podcast Episodes

FOREIGN CORRESPONDENT

Episode 11
Political Discourse and Social Cohesion in Germany and the USA

Journalists Clay Risen, Reporter and Editor at The New York Times (2004 Young Leader), and Dr. Anna Sauerbrey, Foreign Editor at Die Zeit (2018 ACG Kellen Fellow), shared their insights and experiences reporting on both sides of the Atlantic.

Clay Risen

Dr. Anna Sauerbrey

Dr. Steven E. Sokol

FOREIGN CORRESPONDENT

Episode 10
Democracy Under Pressure

Democracy in both Germany and the United States faces mounting challenges, from rising political polarization to declining trust in institutions and practices.

Vladimir Balzer

Dr. Steven E. Sokol

Dr. Melanie Amann

Foreign Correspondent Unplugged: Social Cohesion in Times of Uncertainty

Episode 9
Social Cohesion in Times of Uncertainty

Timed to coincide with the 35th anniversary of German unification, this event explored what binds societies together in an era of division

Vladimir Balzer

Celeste Diaz Schurman

Dr. Steven E. Sokol

Portrait Rieke Havertz: ©Jacobia Dahm

Episode 8
Where Do We Go from Here? The Transatlantic Relationship in 2025

European leaders and policymakers are monitoring and explore the potential shifts in transatlantic relations and how Trump's foreign policies may impact European economies, security, diplomacy, and broader international alliances.

McKay Coppins

Rieke Havertz

Foreign Correspondent Boston

Episode 7
“The Biggest Story of Our Time” - Climate Activism and the Election

From sea-level rise, melting glaciers and extreme heat waves: Climate change is the biggest story of our time. What is at stake and how could it influence the US election?

Luisa Neubauer

Bill McKibben

Sabrina Shankman

Episode 6
Pop and Protest

Pop culture has become an indispensable arena for political expression and activism. How can popular journalism affect social change?

Aida Baghernejad

August Brown

Annett Scheffel

FOREIGN CORRESPONDENT: The War Report

Episode 5
The War Report: Israel/Palestine in German and American Media Coverage

Hanno Hauenstein

Alena Jabarine

Ben Mauk

FC NYC

Episode 4
From Anti-War Activism to Climate Justice: What’s Driving the Left in Germany and the United States?

Sheri Berman

Lukas Hermsmeier

Steven Sokol

Searching for a New Political Middle: Fragmentation, Polarization, and Calcification in Europe and the United States

Episode 3
Searching for a New Political Middle: Fragmentation and Polarization in Europe and the United States

Annett Meiritz

Juliane Schäuble

Steven Sokol

Foreign Correspondent Unplugged with Charles Lane, Jacqueline Pfeffer Merrill, and René Pfister

Episode 2
Tolerance, Wokeness, and the Trouble With it All

Charles Lane

Jacqueline Pfeffer Merrill

René Pfister

Portrait Susan Glasser: Courtesy of Susan Glasser; Portrait Julian Heißler: © David Calvert

Episode 1
Dream or Nightmare? The Concept of Freedom in the United States and Germany

Susan Glasser

Julian Heißler

Steven Sokol

Partner