S1 · E57
September 7 · 44 min
TT
This Time Tomorrow
With you in defense of democracy
This Time Tomorrow is a podcast that takes on the global rise of autocracy. We bring you insightful interviews with thought-leaders from civil society, we explain complex events from a variety of perspectives, and we also try to make you feel… well, a little less alone in the fight against anti-democrats. It’s not just in your head—our democracies and our freedoms are at stake—and we’re here to keep you company as well as updated.
Hosted by Omri Preiss, Benjamin Zeeb and Daniela Vancic. Produced by Ted Verver-Greijer.
thistimetomorrowpod.substack.com
thistimetomorrowpod.substack.com
- 21 episodes
- weekly
- Avg 50 min
- English
Counted on this page — what you have heard stays on this device, so it is not something the list can be paged by.
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S1 · E17August 29 · 25 min17. If on a winter’s night a traveller
“Now, what you’re about to listen to is the most recent episode from the podcast, This Time Tomorrow, so make sure you’re somewhere calm, cosy and quiet. A nice armchair, for example, or perhaps your bed. Yes, actually, go have a nice lie-down. If there are noisy people around you, then tell them to keep it down. Open your window and yell, ‘excuse me! I’m about to listen to an episode of This Time Tomorrow and I need you to quiet down, please! Don’t you know, by the way, that it’s rather too late in the evening for such a ruckus!’ If they ask you, ‘what is it about?’, the podcast, that is, then tell them, ”l’I’m not quite sure yet! But it reminds me a bit of the opening to Italo Calvino’s novel, If on a winter’s night a traveller.’ Don’t worry, I’ll give you a moment, and then I’ll meet you right back here. Done?” This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit thistimetomorrowpod.substack.com
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S1 · E56August 18 · 55 min56. Who controls Bosnia? - GUEST: Prof. Damir Kapidžić
In the 56th episode of This Time Tomorrow, Omri and Daniela sit down with Professor Damir Kapidžić to pick his brain on what is currently happening with the Office of the High Representative (OHR) in Bosnia. First of all, what does Bosnia’s intricate political landscape look like? Clue: it’s complicated. Secondly, what’s the Trump administration’s interest in the OHR, and why may it threaten multilateralism and stability in the region? The Office of the High Representative was created by the Dayton Peace Agreement in 1995, so why is it now at the center of a geopolitical tug-of-war, with the U.S. backing an Italian diplomat linked to its business interests? Meanwhile, Bosnia’s complex governance, ethnic tensions, and a looming gas pipeline suggest there may be more to this than meets the eye. And what’s the role of Europe in all of this? Just polite resistance? Listen to learn more about a really important issue (that is also sort of riveting in an almost blockbuster kind of way?) that may just have flown under your radar. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit thistimetomorrowpod.substack.com
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S1 · E55August 7 · 47 min55. Poland’s far-right split, the Berlin Pride attack, and bad nuz from the Strait of Hormuz
In today’s episode of This Time Tomorrow, Omri, Daniela and Benni discuss… * the tragic Berlin Pride attack and the far-right’s exploitation of German policing failures * how Poland’s recent far-right fragmentation is revealing cracks in its unity ahead of critical elections next year. How can pro-democracy forces capitalise on the divisions within the PiS party? (Is there anything that Polish democrats can learn from the UK’s new PM, Andy Burnham?) * and, finally, how the Strait of Hormuz crisis could land Europe in quite a bit of trouble unless something changes… soon. Worried? Let’s get to work. Please take a moment to hit subscribe or follow and to share this episode with your democratic as well as non-democratic friends (the latter may need it more). This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit thistimetomorrowpod.substack.com
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S1 · E54July 31 · 1 hr54. Why your institution’s social media sucks (and how to fix it) - GUEST: Roza Ismailai
OK, listen up, folks! There’s an urgent need for pro-democracy forces to update their storytelling in the digital age. If you’re a regular listener of this podcast, then you already know that, but you’re probably also frustrated with the pace of progress. We hear you, we see you, and we’re on your side. In today’s episode, Daniela, Benni & Omri chat to Roza Ismailai about how bureaucratic delays and fear of making mistakes often hold back bold and timely narratives, with the catastrophic result that pro-democratic messages tend to feel irrelevant in fast-moving online spaces. So what do we do, then? How do we go from riding the coat-tails of extremist narratives to setting and shaping our own communications agenda? Tune in a for a conversation that tells you why the future is made of authentic collaborations with influencers, of long-term strategic partnerships, and of empowering comms teams to take creative risks. The call to action has seldom been so clear: trust creators. Roza Ismailai is currently Communications Manager at European Cultural Foundation. She has a long and varied background in public relations, political communication and journalism. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit thistimetomorrowpod.substack.com
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July 24 · 58 min53. UKRAINE: Lessons for Europe’s future - GUEST: Dr Victoria Vdovychenko
In the 53rd episode of This Time Tomorrow, Omri, Benni and Daniela talk to Dr Victoria Vdovychenko, a leading Ukrainian expert on defense and geopolitics, against the backdrop of the NATO Ankara Summit and escalating tensions in July 2026. Dr Vdovychenko highlights Ukraine’s strategic resilience (driven by AI-enabled military innovations, deep strikes into Russian territory, and a society united against relentless civilian attacks), but she also emphasises that Europe needs to accelerate defense collaboration with Ukraine, scale up investment in its defense industry, and rethink its slow procurement processes to match the urgency of modern warfare. It is time that Europe updated its mindset and moved away from the idea of “helping Ukraine” towards “working with Ukraine” as a partner in innovation, resilience, and economic growth. Can Europe adapt quickly enough to meet the challenges of a rapidly evolving geopolitical landscape? This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit thistimetomorrowpod.substack.com
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S1 · E16July 20 · 14 min16. Finding the quiet in a noisy world (and a noisy World Cup)
Ted watches Japan vs Sweden in the dead of night during one of Britain’s recent heatwaves, and recalls David Foster Wallace’s parable of fish unaware of water. But the potential joy of watching a simple game of World Cup football is drowned out by political noise, punditry, commercial spectacle, fears and worries. As the match progresses in silence, he listens to WhatsApp voice messages from his friend, Adrian, who reflects on David Foster Wallace’s The Pale King, and Ireland’s ’Saipan’ incident from the World Cup of 2002, and attention and nostalgia, and the joy of… well, of just not knowing. How do we turn off the sound on life? Co-read and co-produced with Adrian McHugh. Links! Roy Keane Interview: https://www.rte.ie/archives/2017/0527/877093-exclusive-interview-with-roy-keane/ This Is Water by David Foster Wallace: https://fs.blog/david-foster-wallace-this-is-water/ David Foster Wallace Interview: This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit thistimetomorrowpod.substack.com
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S1 · E52July 10 · 1 hr 7 min52. Europe can still win the AI race. This is how. GUEST: Jan-Willem van Putten
Can Europe lead the AI race on its own terms? In the 52nd episode of This Time Tomorrow, Omri sits down with Jan-Willem van Putten to discuss why Europe’s ethics-first approach could be its competitive edge. One thing is certain: Europe can’t opt out of AI or treat it as a passing fad. The decisions we make now will shape our digital future and, yes, that includes our democracies and our human rights. If you’re concerned about AI’s role in society, then this is for you. If you’re not… well, then this is also for you, because you need to get concerned asap. Jan-Willem van Putten is Co-founder and Director at The School for Moral Ambition. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit thistimetomorrowpod.substack.com
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S2 · E52June 26 · 54 min51. Starmer’s sudden exit, Musk’s trillion-dollar shadow, and maybe McDonald’s in Iran?
Blimey, it’s hot outside! I know what you need to do! You need to go find some shade, a nice, cold drink, and then put on the 51st g’dam episode of This! Time! Tomorrow! (Coming soon to an octagon near you.) So what’s in this one? Erm… **sweats profusely into bucket**… let me think. Oh, yeah! In this one, Omri, Daniela and Benni position themselves at the political and economic crossroads facing Europe and the UK, and begin to question whether… erm, whether our democratic leaders are rising to the current moment. (Spoiler alert: Nah, they’re not!) First they discuss Keir Starmer’s abrupt resignation as UK Prime Minister, which comes despite a landslide victory less than two years ago, which Omri laments as a symptom of Labour’s paralysis in the face of right-wing pressure and a failure to articulate a bold vision. The discussion then shifts to Europe’s tech sovereignty and… erm… something about investing in European innovation or something?… … they also look into Donald Trump’s, ermmm, deal (???) with Iran, arguing it exposes Europe’s limited influence on global security and whatnot and, actually… DO YOU KNOW WHAT? Let’s just listen, alright? I’m going to go to the supermarket and loiter in the fruit and veg aisle now. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit thistimetomorrowpod.substack.com
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S1 · E50June 19 · 37 min50. ISRAEL-PALESTINE: Why reconciliation can’t wait - GUEST: Samer Sinjilawi
In the 50th episode* of This Time Tomorrow, Omri and Daniela talk to the Palestinian activist and political leader, Samer Sinjilawi, who argues that lasting peace between Israelis and Palestinians requires more than physical reconstruction. It demands defeating the deep-seated animosity in people’s hearts through reconciliation. He critiques both Israeli and Palestinian leaderships for tolerating extremism and failing to foster genuine dialogue, emphasising that moderates on both sides must take a louder, more public stance to shift the narrative. Sinjilawi also calls out Europe’s hypocrisy in supporting undemocratic Palestinian leadership while claiming to uphold democratic values. The conversation explores the potential for a new generation of leaders to break the cycle of conflict and build a shared future. What might it take for these voices of moderation to finally tip the balance? Listen! Share with your friends! And hit subscribe! *The sound quality is not as good as we would like it to be. Apologies! We encountered some last-minute problems and this affected the audio uptake. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit thistimetomorrowpod.substack.com
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S1 · E50June 12 · 1 hr 5 min49b. (Deep dive) BULGARIA: Balancing Europe and Russia - GUEST: Kai Iliev
Where is Bulgaria headed after its recent general election? Building on our previous quick-look episode, this deeper dive examines how Rumen Radev, a president with no clear positions, now leads a government balancing Europe and Russia. As corruption and oligarch influence persist, with protests forcing changes, the country continues to face instability. Join Omri, Daniela, Benni, and the European Correspondent’s Bulgaria writer, Kai Iliev, for a closer look at what just happened and what comes next. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit thistimetomorrowpod.substack.com
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S1 · E49June 12 · 50 min49a. BULGARIA: Balancing Europe and Russia - GUEST: Kai Iliev
Can Bulgaria break its cycle of instability? After the latest election, Rumen Radev, a former president who has avoided taking stands, now leads a government balancing Europe and Russia. Corruption protests have toppled leaders before, and the pressure is on. Is this a moment of change or more of the same? Join Omri, Daniela, and the European Correspondent’s Bulgaria writer, Kai Iliev, for an episode that takes a quick look at what just happened and what comes next. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit thistimetomorrowpod.substack.com
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S1 · E15June 8 · 10 min15. Kafka in the UK
Ted stands in the sweltering heat, battling a stomach bug, as he fixates on a pothole that has become a symbol of Britain’s deeper issues. Drawing parallels with Kafka’s The Metamorphosis, he reflects on how societal worth is often tied to economic value, leaving many feeling as discarded as Gregor Samsa. With a million potholes costing billions to repair, Ted questions why such visible problems persist, despite their seemingly simple fixes. The far right labels this “Broken Britain,” yet the current government’s reforms, from poverty reduction to infrastructure, suggest a different narrative. Tune in to hear Ted unpack the absurdity, the politics, and the existential questions lurking in the cracks of the road. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit thistimetomorrowpod.substack.com
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S1 · E48May 15 · 1 hr 10 min48. The UX of populism & how the far-right wins online - GUEST: Tom Greenwood
In the 48th episode of This Time Tomorrow, Omri and Daniela sit down with Tom Greenwood, Strategy Lead at Logiq Media, to discuss why far-right messaging often outperforms pro-democracy campaigns in digital spaces. Tom argues that far-right content succeeds by tapping into emotional drivers like status, belonging, and fear, and by finding voters where they are, whether that’s in beauty, cooking or MMA fighting. Meanwhile, pro-democracy groups often fail to adapt the kinds of marketing techniques used by the far-right and populists, and instead end up preaching to their own echo chambers. Together, Omri, Daniela and Tom explore solutions, from leveraging influencers to rethinking platform algorithms, to make democratic messaging as engaging as its opponents. Want to understand how the battle for attention works? (And how to fight back?) Listen now! And hit follow! And then go out and help save democracy! Enjoy! Thank you! This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit thistimetomorrowpod.substack.com
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S1 · E47May 1 · 1 hr 12 min47. Can EU enlargement outrun autocracy?
In the 47th episode of This Time Tomorrow, Omri and Daniela discuss the urgency and geopolitical stakes of EU enlargement, framing it as a strategic move against rising autocracy. How are countries like Montenegro, Albania, Ukraine, and Moldova navigating the accession process? Does Serbia’s democratic backsliding serve as a cautionary tale? Delaying enlargement risks ceding influence to authoritarian powers like Russia and China, while accelerating it may very well strengthen Europe’s security and economic resilience. But to properly accommodate new members, the EU needs reform… (not least, the veto needs to go). It’s high time that we started seeing enlargement as a proactive, values-driven process rather than a bureaucratic checklist. Listen now! Tell your friends! Hit subscribe and follow to never miss an episode! This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit thistimetomorrowpod.substack.com
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S1 · E14April 24 · 52 min14. The climate movement’s messaging problem (and how to fix it)
In our 14th monologue for democracy, Omri Preiss dives deep into the urgent need to reframe the climate crisis narrative. Arguing that global heating is no longer a distant threat but an immediate existential challenge, with current trajectories risking societal collapse within decades, Omri critiques how political and corporate interests have delayed action. But that’s not all: he also challenges the climate movement’s own messaging, from focusing on future generations to emphasising personal responsibility over policy change. Omri advocates for a shift in storytelling. This crisis isn’t really about saving the planet, it’s about ensuring human survival and prosperity. And by dismantling the idea that climate action requires economic sacrifice, Omri instead presents it as an opportunity for innovation, investment, and a more resilient future. We can and we must push for bold policy changes and reject narratives that downplay the severity of the crisis or frame it as a zero-sum game. Listen now and let us know what you think. Can a change in narrative accelerate climate action? This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit thistimetomorrowpod.substack.com
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S1 · E46April 20 · 1 hr 7 min46. HUNGARY ’26: THE DEBRIEF!
Join Benni, Daniela and Omri for a frantic hour of election debriefing! How did Peter Magyar win? What’s next? Will he now deliver for Hungary? Will Budapest become a global capital for democratic renewal, or is this the start of Viktor Orbán’s comeback story? What does all of this mean for Europe? And what should democracy-defenders learn from the Hungarian experience? Questions, questions, questions! Answers? Just click play. (And then hit subscribe.) This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit thistimetomorrowpod.substack.com
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S1 · E13April 18 · 11 min13. ’Don’t let a sunny day ruin your shitty life’
In his eight monologue for democracy, a morning train ride becomes Ted’s window into the disillusionment of Gen Z, where far-right influencers blend self-help with extremism, and political disengagement feels like the only rational response. A conversation with colleagues—amalgamations of several real discussions—reveals how misogyny and white supremacy are now just part of the cultural background noise, ostensibly accepted as an unavoidable reality. Ted turns to the raw, unfiltered poetry of the late Yahya Hassan, a Palestinian-Danish poet whose work screams defiance at a world that failed him, mirroring the rage and resignation of a generation. Hassan’s poems, full of fury and vulnerability, challenge Ted to confront his own complicity and the emptiness of modern cynicism. When the world feels broken… is silence the only answer, or is it time to turn up the volume? This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit thistimetomorrowpod.substack.com
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S1 · E45April 17 · 1 hr 7 min45. The eight tribes of the British far-right - GUEST: Steven Lacey
In the 45th episode of This Time Tomorrow, Omri and Benni (Daniela was still in Budapest, busy witnessing the unfolding of Hungarian democratic history and all that glorious spiel!) welcome researcher and think-tank director Steven Lacey to unpack the British far-right’s eight distinct factions, from hard-pressed workers to conspiracy theorists and ethno-nationalists. Lacey, who once fell under the spell of Russian propaganda, shares insights into how economic anxiety, cultural nostalgia, and distrust in institutions manifest within these groups. We also explore strategies to counter their rise, emphasising community-building, media literacy, and addressing the root causes of alienation. Listen now for a fun, occasionally raucous, and always nuanced look at the far-right’s fragmented landscape and how to challenge its appeal. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit thistimetomorrowpod.substack.com
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S1 · E44April 10 · 1 hr 1 min44. HUNGARY ’26: The election isn’t fair, but the opposition might still win. Here’s how. GUEST: Zsófia Banuta
With Hungary’s historic 2026 election just days away, this episode takes one last look at the battle for the country’s future before polling stations open. Zsófia Banuta, a democracy defender and co-founder of Unhack Democracy, joins Omri, Benni and Daniela to share firsthand accounts of the tactics shaping the vote, and… well, trust us: from systemic vote-buying and coercion in marginalised communities to Viktor Orbán’s relentless propaganda machine, some of the details might shock even the most weather-beaten election observer. Recent polls suggest that Peter Magyar’s opposition party, Tisza, commands a clear lead, and yet… despite the apparent impopularity of the ruling party, no one can quite take this win for granted. Our conversation explores how Orbán’s 16-year grip on power has reshaped Hungary’s institutions, media, and also, crucially, the electoral system itself. What would a victory for the opposition mean for Hungary’s democratic recovery, and what legal and political hurdles would remain after the votes have been counted? Is there a risk of post-election manipulation? How can a society heal after prolonged autocratic rule? Can Hungary break free from its cycle of corruption and polarisation, or is the damage too deep? Listen now for a ground-level perspective on an election that could well redefine Hungary… and offer a few lessons for democracies under strain worldwide. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit thistimetomorrowpod.substack.com