On this episode, we’re sharpening our hidden blades, and preparing to take some leaps of faith as we explore the fictional universe of the Assassin’s Creed video game franchise. The series depicts a centuries-old struggle between the Assassins, who fight for peace and free will, and their adversaries, the Templars, whose machinations hope to bring about order and control. The pair turn their eagle vision at some of the historical figures that have been portrayed as villains in the series, and they assess whether or not they were actually as evil as they were portrayed in the game. 

As 2021 is an Olympic year, due to the event being postponed by the pandemic, BJ invited two guests to join him in a sport and fitness-related episode. The conversation compared the Ancient Greek Olympics with the modern spectacle of today. They discussed some of the events that are no longer part of the competition, as well as training regimes that could be useful for anyone looking to get fit today. 

On this episode, BJ and his guest discuss the naval mission led by the Portuguese explorer, Ferdinand Magellan, which has the distinction of being humanity’s first successful circumnavigation of the globe. They discuss the voyage's significance, and the legacies that it continues to have at present. This episode is The Eurospeak Podcast's contribution to global commemorations of the naval mission, which set of from Spain on September 1519, and returned in November 1522. 

Our guest for this episode published an article on Magellan's voyage, which can be accessed through the address below:

https://businessmirror.com.ph/2021/01/29/new-money/

On today’s episode, we’re strapping on our harnesses, flight suits, and paragliders, and looking at the European influences on Korean drama, known for short as K-drama. In particular, we will be examining the show entitled “Crash Landing on You”, a story is about two star-crossed lovers, one a South Korean fashion entrepreneur, and the other a member of a North Korea’s political elite. From classical music, to traveling around Switzerland, to high fashion, the show about a love story between North and South Korean characters displays some unexpected connections with Europe.

On the first episode of the new season, BJ and his guest talk about pandemics. At the time that this episode was recorded, it had been over six months since the world was gripped by the COVID-19 pandemic, which the World Health Organization has referred to it as a ‘once-in-a-century’ heath crisis. In the 14th century, Europe experienced its own once-in-a-century pandemic in the form of the Black Death. On this episode, BJ and his guest turn their scanning electron microscopes on history to examine similarities between the ways that medieval societies dealt with their pandemic, and the techniques we are using to deal with ours.

Season 2 starts next week, and you'll find that it contains some  interesting new changes. Due to the lockdowns brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic, guests have been joining our recording sessions from their own homes, which means that we have had more time to discuss their topics. This season, we also decided to be more interactive, and let you, our audience,  take quizzes so you can see how much youʼve learned. If youʼd like to try it out, weʼll be posting questions on The Eurospeak Podcastʼs Facebook page.

The Eurospeak Podcast S1 E7 - Say Cheese

The final episode of the Eurospeak Podcast's first season gets a little cheesy as BJ and his guest chat about what Britain’s Center for Retail Research called the most stolen food in the world. More than meat, alcohol, or junk food, cheese is the most shoplifted food in the world. The dairy product was so  important that diplomats at the Congress of Vienna were willing to take a break from negotiating about the post-Napoleonic European order, to debate about what the best type of cheese is. 

You can get in touch with the show through their Facebook page or by emailing [email protected].

The Eurospeak Podcast S1 E6 - Memes

On this episode, brace yourself for one does not simply make a podcast about memes on Europe. BJ is joined by Gabe to talk about why memes can  actually have elements of seriousness when you analyze them more deeply. For example, when one looks at the memes transmitted in a group, you learn about what that group believes about itself, and the shared reference points that it uses to express its humor.

The show is inspired by an article that can be found on the following link: https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/14782804.2019.1624510?journalCode=cjea20. 

You can get in touch with the show through their Facebook page or by emailing [email protected].

The Eurospeak Podcast S1 E5 - Brexit

On this episode, BJ is joined by Professor Lino Briguglio from the University of Malta to discuss Brexit, a topic that has dominated news cycles since a referendum on the topic was called in June of 2016. Their conversation covers the issue's origins, and how it has affected the relationship between the U.K. and the rest of the European Union. They also try to anticipate what implications Brexit might have for the future. 

You can get in touch with the show through their Facebook page or by emailing [email protected].

The Eurospeak Podcast S1 E4 - The Witcher

On this episode, we will be tossing a coin for our Witcher in the valley of podcasts, and delving into a mythical world that is the brainchild of the Polish writer, Andrzej Sapkowski, who published the first Witcher tale in 1986. His stories later inspired a critically acclaimed video game, and more recently, a Netflix series starring Henry Cavill. BJ and his guest explore the different creatures that inhabit the fictional universe of the Witcher, and discuss their roots in different European mythological traditions.  

You can get in touch with the show through their Facebook page or by emailing [email protected].