Advertise on podcast: Czechast, Radio Prague International

Russia, security, and uncertainty have returned to the centre of European politics. But security, says analyst Filip Scherf, is not only about threats — it is also about self-confidence, responsibility, and partnerships. In this episode of Czechast, Scherf explains what Russia means for Czechia today, why size matters less than mindset, and what gives him hope in an increasingly fragile world.

In a special episode of Czechast, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky speaks openly about the war with Russia, peace talks, and the role Czechia plays in supporting Ukraine. In an exclusive interview for Czech Radio, conducted by Josef Pazderka, Zelenskyy reflects on military cooperation, energy security, and difficult questions facing European societies. The conversation offers a rare insight into how Ukraine’s president sees Czechia — and Europe — at a decisive moment in history.

After two decades in Czech public media and years spent in Brussels, Filip Nerad, now working at Globsec Policy Institute, offers a long-term view of Czechia’s position inside the EU and NATO. In an interview for Czechast, he discusses the country’s growing credibility in Europe, the challenges posed by the new government, and persistent Czech euroscepticism. He also turns to a lighter theme, explaining how Belgian beer culture reveals sides of Europe no summit ever could.

At a time when international news can feel increasingly unsettling, a calm and thoughtful conversation about music, culture and perspective stood out. In a special episode of Czechast brings listeners an interview with Emmanuel Villaume, chief conductor of the Prague Philharmonia, recorded shortly before the orchestra’s U.S. tour, which included a concert at Carnegie Hall. The conversation offers a rare insight into how a French conductor leading a Czech orchestra thinks about audiences, identity and music beyond borders.

In a new episode of Czechast, the podcast in English about all things Czech, former Czech NATO ambassador Jakub Landovský reflects on Ukraine, NATO and Europe’s hard lessons. Drawing on his own experience inside the Alliance, he speaks openly about disillusionment, strategy and power. He also looks back at 1989 and explains where he still finds hope today.

Malá Strana is one of Prague’s most visited neighbourhoods and very much part of the beaten track. But behind its busy streets lies a network of stairways that lead away from crowds and into calmer, more intimate spacesand take you suddenly off the beaten track.

Political scientist and analyst Tomáš Klvaňa has spent decades moving between academia, journalism, politics and international public affairs. In an interview for Czechast, he reflects on advising Czech presidents, working with the United States, and teaching American students in Prague. Klvaňa also speaks about the decline of traditional media, the rise of populism, and why liberal democracy is facing one of its most difficult periods in decades.

One of the best ways to experience Prague off the Beaten Track is not on foot, but from a tram. Line 22 crosses the city from Bílá Hora to Hostivař, passing castles, squares, and residential districts along the way. Seen from street level and in motion, Prague reveals itself as a lived-in city, not just a collection of sights.

In this episode of Czechast, Jan Lipavský looks back on Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, Czechia’s security-first turn in foreign policy, and the internationally praised ammunition initiative. Former Czech foreign minister, now an opposition MP elected on the Civic Democratic Party ticket, he also warns that Czechia is nearing a strategic crossroads in an increasingly unstable world.

In this episode of Prague off the Beaten Track, we head to Baba, a rocky plateau just north of Hanspaulka. Built in the 1930s as a model housing exhibition, the Baba villa colony combines functionalist architecture with sweeping views over Prague. From here, even the city’s most familiar landmarks appear — just from angles most visitors never see.

Was 2025 a genuine turning point for Czechia, or just a shift in political tone? In Czechast, Seznam Zprávy journalist and opinion editor Kateřina Šafaříková reflects on Czech society, public aggression, and the country’s post-election foreign-policy course. Drawing on years spent in Brussels, she offers a sober assessment of where Czechia now stands in Europe.

Hanspaulka is the focus of a new episode of Prague off the Beaten Track, now part of the podcast Czechast. This quiet Prague 6 neighbourhood is known for its interwar villas, famous artists and intellectuals, and a strong sense of place. Today, it remains one of the city’s most rewarding areas for slow walking and architectural discovery.

In a New Year’s Eve special edition, Czechast returns to a long conversation with Jakub Hrůša, one of today’s leading Czech conductors. Recorded in early 2025, the interview captures a moment just before his career reached new heights. It offers a thoughtful look at music, discipline, and a year that proved decisive for Jakub Hrůša.

As 2025 comes to an end, Czechia has achieved something unprecedented in its modern history: it is no longer dependent on Russian oil or gas. In Czechast, political scientist Martin Jirušek explains how this became possible and why it matters. The interview also looks ahead to new risks hidden in Europe’s energy transition.

In this episode of Czechast, we speak with Professor Bohumír Janský, one of the most respected Czech geographers of his generation. He is known worldwide for leading the scientific expeditions that mapped the true sources of the Amazon River in Peru. His work has reshaped our understanding of the world’s greatest river and remains a milestone in modern hydrological research.