#23 Populism vs Progress; United States of Europe; Federalism; Narrative Power

In this episode of Beyond the Bubble, Andras welcomes Valentin, Communications Director at the College of Europe in Bruges. Being an alumnus of the College, Andras and Valentin discuss political communication, European federalism, and the future of democracy in a digital age.Valentin shares his unconventional career path from sports management and youth activism to leading communications at one of Europe’s most prestigious institutions. He shares his experience when he was working with the Greens, the challenges of shaping messages that truly change minds, and why political communication should focus on impact rather than visibility.They explore how emotions, attention economics, and algorithms shape public opinion, how populism thrives in today’s digital ecosystem, and why progressive movements often underestimate psychology and framing. Valentin discusses the power of narratives, the loss of grand ideologies, and the need to redefine progress beyond technology toward social connection, time, and quality of life.Andras and Valentin discuss AI’s growing influence on persuasion, its ethical risks in politics, and the widening gap between those who use it aggressively and those who hesitate for moral reasons. Valentin also explains how the College of Europe approaches authentic communication, focusing on trust and community over digital advertising, and what this means for future generations of European leaders.This episode goes into the core questions of what makes communication real, how Europe can rebuild trust and meaning in its story, and how technology can serve people rather than control them.https://www.linkedin.com/in/valentindupouey/