The Zeitgeist
American-German Institute
Show overview
The Zeitgeist launched in 2025 and has put out 29 episodes in the time since. That works out to roughly 15 hours of audio in total. Releases follow a monthly cadence.
Episodes typically run twenty to thirty-five minutes — most land between 31 min and 36 min — and the run-time is fairly consistent across the catalogue. None of the episodes are flagged explicit by the publisher. It is catalogued as a EN-language Government show.
The show is actively publishing — the most recent episode landed 2 weeks ago, with 15 episodes already out so far this year. Published by American-German Institute.
From the publisher
The Zeitgeist delves into topics affecting Germany, the United States, and the transatlantic relationship. Hosted by American-German Institute President Jeff Rathke, the show welcomes guests from the policy, academic, and think tank communities, as well as in-house AGI experts. Produced by the American-German Institute.
Latest Episodes
View all 29 episodesEpisode 153: The Greens’ Next Steps
Episode 152: How to Win a Trade War
Episode 151: Soccer and Society
Episode 150: Valuing Civil Society Organizations
Episode 149: Forgotten LGBTQ+ Histories
Episode 148: Weaponized Interdependence in a Changing International System
Episode 147: Merkel, Leadership, and Crisis
Episode 146: European Manufacturing and Global Trade
Episode 145: Transatlantic Fractures and the Future of U.S. Relations with Europe
Episode 144: Economic Resilience as Economic Security
The world’s leading economies are putting economic security at the top of their policy concerns. Among them, the European Union is taking a risk-based approach that seeks to deter weaponizable …
Episode 143: Germany’s Political Barometer
Two state elections in western Germany this month resulted in one win for Chancellor Merz’s Christian Democrats and two poor outcomes for the Social Democrats. The Alternative for Germany, meanwhile, performed better …
Episode 142: The AfD and the 2026 State Elections
Five state elections will be held in Germany in 2026. The Alternative for Germany (AfD) enters this “super election year” in a strong position: it is the largest opposition party …
Episode 141: Germany’s Other Populist Party
The BSW (formerly the Sahra Wagenknecht Alliance, now Alliance for Social Justice and Economic Reason) had early successes after its founding in 2024, winning seats in the European Parliament and …
Episode 140: The Transatlantic Relationship in a Transforming Global Trading System
How have increased geopolitical competition and changing trade policy objectives affected the transatlantic relationship, and what are the shared priorities for German and U.S. business? On this episode of The Zeitgeist, CEO of DHL …
Episode 139: The German-Polish Relationship amid Changing European Security Challenges
The European security landscape is shifting. The United States is pressuring Europe to manage the defense of its region, and many NATO allies have growing doubts about the long-term reliability …
Episode 138: The Trump Administration, the AfD, and German Foreign Policy
Germany’s Alternative for Germany (AfD) has been known for its foreign policy embrace of Russia and China, but in recent months, the party has turned its sights on building ties …
Episode 137: Friedrich Merz: Foreign Policy Chancellor
Chancellor Merz has received praise internationally for many German foreign policy and defense initiatives in 2025: suspending the “debt brake” to allow for more security investments, expanding the Bundeswehr, committing …
Episode 136: The Role of Communities in Times of Crisis
In Washington, DC, LGBTQ+ organizations enhance the city’s cultural life, provide services, and represent the community’s political interests. At a time when LGBTQ+ communities are losing protections and facing increased …
Episode 135: Reenergizing the German Economy
The German economy is stagnating, and Chancellor Friedrich Merz has promised an autumn of reforms. But are the government’s policies enough to restore competitiveness? Berenberg Chief Economist Holger Schmieding joins …
Episode 134: Europe’s Strategic Dependencies
The dynamics of the transatlantic relationship are changing. As Europe faces the changing policies of the United States toward its alliances, Germany is investing in its armed forces at a …