Explore every episode of the podcast Building Bridges - A Eurovision Podcast For The Rest Of Us
| Title | Pub. Date | Duration | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 160. Reacting to the EBU's Historic Vote | 05 Dec 2025 | 00:25:18 | |
In this unscripted episode, Jan and Dave react to the historic vote taken at the 95ᵗʰ EBU General Assembly on Thursday. Included in the vote to approve new rules for Eurovision 2026 was an understanding that there would be no further vote on any country's participation. Its approval means that Israel's broadcaster Kan is free to participate at the 70ᵗʰ Eurovision Song Contest, something that immediately triggered the withdrawl of the broadcasters from Ireland, Slovenia, Spain, and The Netherlands (with decisions from Belgium and Iceland yet to come). We share our initial thoughts on this news. We would like to hear what YOU think of these events. Get in touch via email (buildingbridges.eurovision@gmail.com), or by leaving us a comment on Facebook or our other socials below as we will be sharing some of your comments on our next news episode. For more information about this episode, check out our website at buildingbridgespod.com as well as our social media profiles on Instagram, X, and TikTok! Thank you so much for listening! We'll be back with another episode very soon! | |||
| 159. Melfest is back! A Swedish perspective on all 30 artists for 2026! | 03 Dec 2025 | 01:37:40 | |
In this episode, guest Karin from Sweden's 12p podcast is back to spill the tea on all 30 artists competing in Melodifestivalen 2026! We'll find out what artist recently appeared on Drag Race, why SVT made one artist change their name, and we'll take the pink balaclava off of Fröken Snusk! All that and more on this week's episode!
For more information about this episode, check out our website at buildingbridgespod.com as well as our social media profiles on Instagram, X, and TikTok! Thank you so much for listening! We'll be back with another episode very soon! | |||
| 158. The East is Back! Celebrating Moldova, Romania & Bulgaria's return! | 14 Nov 2025 | 00:30:24 | |
In this episode, we celebrate the fantastic news that three old friends are back in the Eurovision family, and will perform at the 70ᵗʰ Eurovision Song Contest in Vienna — Bulgaria, Moldova, and Romania! We take a look back at their previous efforts in the Contest and pick our favourites from each country in this special episode!
For more information about this episode, check out our website at buildingbridgespod.com as well as our social media profiles on Instagram, X, and TikTok! Thank you so much for listening! We'll be back with another episode very soon! | |||
| 157. Is Canada next to join the Eurovision family? Discussing the Canadian POV. | 10 Nov 2025 | 01:01:54 | |
In this episode, we're finally back after a brief hiatus, and discussing something we never thought possible — is Canada getting ready to join the Eurovision family? Last week, Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney released his budget, and included were $150 million CAD (€92.45 million) for national broadcaster CBC to explore joining the Contest. Even more eyebrows were raised when Eurovision's Director Martin Green confirmed that talks between CBC and the EBU are in early stages. To cover this story from all angles, we first check in with Dale Roberts from Aussievision to find out how Canada's potential début is similar and different than Australia's from 2015. You can read more of Dale's thoughts on this on Aussievision's website. Then we check in with some well-known Canadian Eurovision fans to get the reaction on the ground in Canada. In our first ever round-table, we are pleased to welcome:
For more information about this episode, check out our website at buildingbridgespod.com as well as our social media profiles on Instagram, X, and TikTok! Thank you so much for listening! We'll be back with another episode very soon! | |||
| 156. The Irish perspective on a potential Eurovision boycott (with Adam McCallig) | 15 Sep 2025 | 00:23:33 | |
Not the season opener we expected! In this episode, the Building Bridges podcast welcomes a special guest from Ireland. The Eurovision TikTok and Instagram creator Adam McCallig reacts to the recent news of Ireland's potential Eurovision boycott and shares his opinion on RTÉ's statement. For more information about this episode, check out our website at buildingbridgespod.com as well as our social media profiles on Instagram, X, and TikTok! Thank you so much for listening! We'll be back with another episode very soon! | |||
| 155. Insight on Austria - Part 4 - LIVE Host City Announcement Reaction | 20 Aug 2025 | 00:13:27 | |
In this episode, Sebi, Jan and Dave record in the early morning hours, to react to the big host city announcement of the 70th Eurovision Song Contest in Austria. The build-up is particularly thrilling for Sebi, who lives in Vienna but grew up close to Innsbruck. Find out to which city we will build a bridge to next May, live in our episode. For more information about this episode, check out our website at buildingbridgespod.com as well as our social media profiles on Instagram, X, and TikTok! Thank you so much for listening! We'll be back with another episode very soon! | |||
| 154. Insight on Austria - Part 3 - Rumored Hosts, City Battle & Eurovision Parties | 31 Jul 2025 | 00:23:52 | |
In this episode, Sebi, Jan and Dave catch up on the most recent events in the Eurovision world in July. They discuss the rumored hosts for next year's contest, which of the two remaining cities would be their preferred choice and talk about their wishes for 2026. Furthermore, two major Eurovision parties will take place in Vienna and Milano this year. For more information about this episode, check out our website at buildingbridgespod.com as well as our social media profiles on Instagram, X, and TikTok! Thank you so much for listening! We'll be back with another episode very soon! | |||
| 153. Insight on Austria - Part 2 - Potential Hosts for ESC 2026 | 02 Jul 2025 | 00:34:11 | |
In this episode, Sebi and Dave explore Austria’s evolving Eurovision 2026 host city race and share updates on recent withdrawals and likely frontrunners, using Sebi's local expertise and insight as an Austrian! They also dive into speculation about who might host the live shows, discussing the qualities and challenges of various Austrian media personalities. Plus, they reflect on past Eurovision hosting choices, the departure of Executive Supervisor Martin Österdahl, and what fans can expect from Austria's approach to next year’s Contest. Find more information about the host city race in our article at buildingbridgespod.com as well as our social media profiles on Instagram, X, and TikTok! Thank you so much for listening! We'll be back with another episode very soon! | |||
| 152. Insight on Austria - Part 1 - 2026 Host City Race | 11 Jun 2025 | 00:35:09 | |
In this episode, Sebi and Dave kick off a new series that will deep-dive into aspects of Austria as our next host country. For now, we look at the Austrian cities who have put their names forward to potentially host the 70ᵗʰ Eurovision Song Contest in 2026. While some bids look better than others on paper, as a local, Sebi adds some insight to the conversation that the foreign media might have missed!
Find more information about the host city race in our article at buildingbridgespod.com as well as our social media profiles on Instagram, X, and TikTok! Thank you so much for listening! We'll be back with another episode very soon! | |||
| 151. LIVE FROM BASEL: Semi Final 2 - Reactions from the Press Center | 15 May 2025 | 00:15:18 | |
In this episode, Sebi and Jan hit the Media Centre right after Semi Final 2 ended to get the mood in the room after the final 10 qualifiers to the Grand Final were announced on Thursday evening. Find out the thoughts of:
For more information about this episode, check out our website at buildingbridgespod.com as well as our social media profiles on Instagram, X, and TikTok! Thank you so much for listening! We'll be back with another episode very soon! | |||
| 150. LIVE FROM BASEL: Semi Final 2 rehearsals review | 14 May 2025 | 00:19:16 | |
In this, our 150ᵗʰ episode, Sebi spills the tea about what to expect from Semi Final 2 on Thursday night. He watched the rehearsals from the arena, and on television from the Media Centre, and shares his thoughts on what we should keep our eyes on and who the new shock qualifiers and non-qualifiers might be. You can find his detailed comments on each performance from the rehearsal on our website, if you would like to know more. Sebi's opinions were helped by a press poll he conducted after the first rehearsal, where Luxembourg (shockingly) came out on top! All while Dave is stuck in snowy Canada... Finally, we've been so busy this week to even notice that this was our 150ᵗʰ episode, we will celebrate later, but for now, let us thank you for sticking with us this far, and we hope you'll follow us for years to come! For more information about this episode, check out our website at buildingbridgespod.com as well as our social media profiles on Instagram, X, and TikTok! Thank you so much for listening! We'll be back with another episode very soon! | |||
| 149. LIVE FROM BASEL: Semi Final 1 - Reactions from the Press Center | 13 May 2025 | 00:17:01 | |
In this episode, Sebi and Jan hit the Media Centre immediately at the end of Semi Final 1 to gague the temperature in the room after the 10 qualifiers were announced on Tuesday evening. Find out the thoughts of:
For more information about this episode, check out our website at buildingbridgespod.com as well as our social media profiles on Instagram, X, and TikTok! Thank you so much for listening! We'll be back with another episode very soon! | |||
| 148. LIVE FROM BASEL: Monday in Review + Tautumeitas from Latvia! | 12 May 2025 | 00:20:29 | |
In this episode, Sebi has just landed in Basel and had a date with Tautumeitas from Latvia! He got them to sing the chorus of their Eurovision entry "Bur man laimi" in German, plus he got a few more surprises out of Asnate, Aurēlija, Annemarija. Laura, Gabriēla, and Kate! Plus, Sebi gives us a few hints about what to expect from Semi Final 1 when it airs Tuesday at 21:00 CET. For more information about this episode, check out our website at buildingbridgespod.com as well as our social media profiles on Instagram, X, and TikTok! Thank you so much for listening! We'll be back with another episode very soon! | |||
| 147. EuroPod Jury 2025 Results Episode | 07 May 2025 | 01:24:00 | |
Building Bridges Calling! In this very special episode, we bring together 30 other podcasts to join us in voting for our favourite songs of Eurovision 2025! We brought this project back after a successful 2024 Vote where the pod community accurately picked Nemo as the winner of Eurovision last year, so the pressure is high for 2025! Each podcast featured in this episode participated as a jury and gave its 12 points live on the podcast. But what's a Eurovision vote without a scoreboard?! You can follow along with all the points on YouTube as this is also a 'video episode'! You can also let us know on our social media what you think of this EuroPod project, and leave us a review on Spotify or Apple Podcasts! For more information about this episode, check out our website at buildingbridgespod.com as well as our social media profiles on Instagram, X, and TikTok where you can let us know if you think we picked the real winner of Eurovision 2025! Thank you so much for listening! We'll be back with another episode very soon! | |||
| 146. Why 2025 will be such a special Eurovision Song Contest | 29 Apr 2025 | 00:48:04 | |
In this episode, Sebi and Dave tackle the theme "What will make Eurovision 2025 an extraordinary special Contest?". In our quest to find an answer, we look at the betting odds, the pre-parties, some history, and the confirmed interval acts for Basel. You can also let us know on our social media what you think of our comments and reviews of the songs, and leave us a review on Spotify or Apple Podcasts! For more information about this episode, check out our website at buildingbridgespod.com as well as our social media profiles on Instagram, X, and TikTok! Thank you so much for listening! We'll be back with another episode very soon! | |||
| 145. Eurovision 2025: Big 5 + Switzerland - Our Review and Prediction | 21 Apr 2025 | 00:46:45 | |
In this episode, we complete our look at all 37 competing songs in Eurovision 2025 in our review and prediction series. With just 26 days to go until the Grand Final, we focus on the six countries who are already have their spots booked! This week, we're thrilled to have everybody's favourite Eurovision TikToker Adam Mc Callig on the podcast to help us with our reviews! In this episode, we focused our attention on the pre-qualified entries from:
If you're not following Adam's entertaining Eurovision content, check him out on TikTok and Instagram! You can also let us know on our social media what you think of our comments and reviews of the songs, and leave us a review on Spotify or Apple Podcasts! For more information about this episode, check out our website at buildingbridgespod.com as well as our social media profiles on Instagram, X, and TikTok! Thank you so much for listening! We'll be back with another episode very soon! | |||
| 144. Eurovision 2025: Winner and Semi-Final Analysis | 13 Apr 2025 | 00:45:39 | |
In this episode, Sebi, Jan and Dave analyze the line-up of the 69ᵗʰ Eurovision Song Contest in Basel. Putting their personal preferences aside, they are trying to make a realistic prediction of which songs will advance and which will be eliminated in both semi-finals. They continue with predicting the winner of the Grand Final, as well as the potential dark horses of the competition. Let us know on our social media what you think of our comments and predictions! For more information about this episode, check out our website at buildingbridgespod.com as well as our social media profiles on Instagram, X, and TikTok! Thank you so much for listening! We'll be back with another episode very soon! | |||
| 143. Eurovision 2025: Semi Final 2 (Second Half) - Our Review and Prediction | 07 Apr 2025 | 00:44:23 | |
In this episode, we complete our look at Semi Final 2 in our review and prediction series, with now less than 40 days until that Semi will be live on TV! This week, we're thrilled to have Anni from ESC Factful back on the podcast to help us with the reviews! In this episode, we focused our efforts on the entries from:
If you're not following Anni's amazing content, check out her TikTok and her fabulous new line of clothing at Song Contest Club! Let us know on our social media what you think of our comments and reviews of the songs. For more information about this episode, check out our website at buildingbridgespod.com as well as our social media profiles on Instagram, X, and TikTok! Thank you so much for listening! We'll be back with another episode very soon! | |||
| 142. "We Are Remember Monday Every Single Day" (UK 2025) | 03 Apr 2025 | 00:17:57 | |
In this episode, we chat with the United Kingdom’s Eurovision entrant, REMEMBER MONDAY. The trio, who have been best friends since they were 16, discuss their excitement and nerves as Eurovision approaches. They share how the experience has strengthened their bond and allowed them to pursue their dreams full-time. Remember Monday also talks about their song, "What the Hell Just Happened," and their hopes for their staging and performance. For more information about this episode, check out our website at buildingbridgespod.com as well as our social media profiles on Instagram, X, and TikTok! Thank you so much for listening! We'll be back with another episode very soon! | |||
| 141. "People chose a song, a different song": SHKODRA ELEKTRONIKE (Albania 2025) | 01 Apr 2025 | 00:48:51 | |
In this episode, we dive into the vibrant world of SHKODRA ELEKTRONIKE, a project blending traditional Albanian music with modern electronic sounds. Our guests Kolë and Beatriçe joined us from their homes in Italy to discuss the inspiration behind the project, the challenges of preserving cultural identity while experimenting with modern production, and the role of nostalgia in their music. We also talk about the evolution of Albanian folk influences and how electronic elements bring a fresh perspective to these sounds. For more information about this episode, check out our website at buildingbridgespod.com as well as our social media profiles on Instagram, X, and TikTok! Thank you so much for listening! We'll be back with another episode very soon! | |||
| 140. Eurovision 2025: Semi Final 2 (First Half) - Our Review and Prediction | 30 Mar 2025 | 00:58:08 | |
In this episode, we move on to Semi Final 2 in our review and prediction series, with just 45 days until that Semi will be live on TV! This week, we're overjoyed to finally have friend of the podcast Kyriakos on to help us with the reviews. He is a former full-time member of Aussievision, and he still helps out the team from time to time as a contributor. In this episode, we focused our efforts on the entries from:
Let us know on our social media what you think of our comments and reviews of the songs. For more information about this episode, check out our website at buildingbridgespod.com as well as our social media profiles on Instagram, X, and TikTok! Thank you so much for listening! We'll be back with another episode very soon! | |||
| 139. What it's like being an artist in the Eurovision space - feat. Melanie Wehbe! | 29 Mar 2025 | 00:22:40 | |
In this episode, we lighten the mood a bit after some heavy, emotional episodes, as Melanie Wehbe is back on the pod to tell us all about things we might have missed behind the scenes at Melodifestialen this year—PLUS—we talk about her second year in a row as part of the Danish delegation to Eurovision, as she was a writer on this year's DMGP winning song "Hallucination"—AND—Melanie hints at her new single which will be dropped very soon. All that and more in this episode as we chatted over coffee about all things Eurovision - this is a fun one you won't want to miss! For more information about this episode, check out our website at buildingbridgespod.com as well as our social media profiles on Instagram, X, and TikTok! Thank you so much for listening! We'll be back with another episode very soon! | |||
| 138. Eurovision 2025 Running Order Reaction & Analysis | 28 Mar 2025 | 00:24:13 | |
In this episode, we react to Thursday's sudden announcement of the running order of Eurovision 2025's two Semi Finals. Who got the best spots, who got the worst spots, and who might qualify based on the averages since the producers began picking the running order in 2013! For more information about this episode, check out our website at buildingbridgespod.com as well as our social media profiles on Instagram, X, and TikTok! Thank you so much for listening! We'll be back with another episode very soon! | |||
| 137. Ziferblat: "We Will Sing with a Smile, But with Pain Inside" (Ukraine 2025) | 26 Mar 2025 | 00:22:27 | |
In this episode, we sit down with brothers Danyil and Valentyn of ZIFERBLAT (Циферблат), Ukraine’s representatives for Eurovision 2025, to discuss their journey to the contest and the significance of their song, Bird of Pray. They open up about their deep connection to music, the pressure of representing their country during a time of war, and their hopes for the future. Join us for an emotional and inspiring conversation about resilience, their art, and the power music can have on the Eurovision stage. For more information about this episode, check out our website at buildingbridgespod.com as well as our social media profiles on Instagram, X, and TikTok! Thank you so much for listening! We'll be back with another episode very soon! | |||
| 136. Eurovision 2025: Semi Final 1 (Second Half) - Our Review and Prediction | 24 Mar 2025 | 01:29:59 | |
In this episode, we continue our weekly series featuring our reviews and predictions for the 37 songs competing to win the 69ᵗʰ Eurovision Song Contest. To help us out, our surprise special guest this week is none other than Dimitry Pompée, co-host of the Eurovangelists Podcast. He joined us for this episode for what ended up being our longest episode EVER, but it's a damn good one, as we examined at the entries from:
Let us know on our social media what you think of our comments and reviews of the songs. You can also find Dimitry's Eurovangelists Podcast streaming on Maximum Fun and their socials on Instagram, and Bsky. For more information about this episode, check out our website at buildingbridgespod.com as well as our social media profiles on Instagram, X, and TikTok! Thank you so much for listening! We'll be back with another episode very soon! | |||
| 135. "Let's Rave Together!": Red Sebastian is ready for Basel! (Belgium 2025) | 22 Mar 2025 | 00:16:07 | |
In this episode, we welcome back RED SEBASTIAN, Belgium’s Eurovision 2025 representative, as he shares his journey from his Eurosong victory to preparing for the big stage in Basel. He discusses his whirlwind experience, growing recognition, and the hard work behind his performance. Plus, he teases surprises for his staging and reflects on Eurovision’s impact on his life. For more information about this interview, check out our website at buildingbridgespod.com as well as our social media profiles on Instagram, X, and TikTok! Thank you so much for listening! We'll be back with another episode very soon! | |||
| 134. Marko Bošnjak: "I wasn't expecting all the hate" (Croatia 2025) | 20 Mar 2025 | 00:23:26 | |
In this episode, Marko Bošnjak, winner of Dora 2025, is back for an exclusive and candid talk about his Eurovision journey with Poison Cake. From the highs of winning Croatia’s national selection to navigating online criticism about his song and sexual preference, Marko shares his experiences, resilience, and excitement for Basel. We discuss representation, the challenges he’s faced, and his vision for Eurovision. Don't miss this episode for an open and honest conversation about music, identity, and staying true to yourself! For more information about this interview, check out our website at buildingbridgespod.com as well as our social media profiles on Instagram, X, and TikTok! Thank you so much for listening! We'll be back with another episode very soon! | |||
| 133. Eurovision 2025: Semi Final 1 (First Half) - Our Review and Prediction | 17 Mar 2025 | 00:53:44 | |
In this episode, we begin a new weekly series featuring our reviews and predictions for the 37 songs competing to win the 69ᵗʰ Eurovision Song Contest. To help us out, we recruited Dean, founder of ESCScot to join us for this episode, as we look at the entries from:
Let us know on our social media what you think of our comments and reviews of the songs. You can also let Dean know by heading over to ESCScot on TikTok, YouTube, and Twitter (X). For more information about this episode, check out our website at buildingbridgespod.com as well as our social media profiles on Instagram, X, and TikTok! Thank you so much for listening! We'll be back with another episode very soon! | |||
| 132. Building Bridges with ZOË MË ... really! (Switzerland 2025) | 16 Mar 2025 | 00:23:41 | |
In this episode, join us as we chat with ZOË MË, Switzerland’s Eurovision 2025 representative who is about to represent her country in her hometown! We learn about her journey from songwriting as a child to performing on one of the world’s biggest stages. She shares the inspiration behind her song Voyage, the excitement of keeping her Eurovision secret since December, and her passion for bridging cultures (and bridges) through music. Don’t miss this deep dive into her artistic world, influences, and what’s next for her after Eurovision! For more information about this interview, check out our website at buildingbridgespod.com as well as our social media profiles on Instagram, X, and TikTok! Thank you so much for listening! We'll be back with another episode very soon! | |||
| 131. “Sweet Sweet, Yum Yum” — Australia’s good to Go-Jo! | 14 Mar 2025 | 00:15:09 | |
In this episode, Australia’s Eurovision 2025 representative GO-JO joins us to talk all things Milkshake Man! From collaborating with Sheppard to the meaning behind the song, GO-JO shares insights on his creative process, staging plans, and the excitement of stepping onto the Eurovision stage. Plus, we test his French a little bit, share in his childhood Eurovision memories, and a whole lot more fun. Grab your milkshakes and get ready—it's time to come together and check out this amazing episode! For more information about this interview, check out our website at buildingbridgespod.com as well as our social media profiles on Instagram, X, and TikTok! Thank you so much for listening! We'll be back with another episode very soon! | |||
| 130. ADONXS: "Let's make Eurovision affordable again — in Prague!" (Czechia 2025) | 13 Mar 2025 | 00:25:48 | |
In this episode, we chat with ADONXS, who is representing Czechia at Eurovision 2025 with his song Kiss Kiss Goodbye. He shares his excitement about the journey, the inspiration behind his emotional song, and the strategy behind revealing it in Malta. We also discuss his experience as a dancer, his vision for the Eurovision stage, and the possibility of bringing the contest to Prague. Plus, we end a fun game where he imagines key Eurovision moments! Don't miss this insightful and entertaining conversation. For more information about this interview, check out our website at buildingbridgespod.com as well as our social media profiles on Instagram, X, and TikTok! Thank you so much for listening! We'll be back with another episode very soon! | |||
| 129. Melfest Bonus Episode Live from Stockholm | 11 Mar 2025 | 00:17:53 | |
In this bonus episode, Jan met up with Karin from the 12p (tolv poäng) podcast at a café in Stockholm (hence the eclectic background noises you'll hear in the episode) to debrief after what was overall a wonderful Finalen to Mello 2025! If you understand Swedish (or you're trying to improve your Swedish) be sure and check out the episodes of 12p for yourself, and be sure to drop the podcast a follow on Instagram! For more information about what we discussed in this episode, you can check out our website at buildingbridgespod.com as well as our social media profiles on Instagram, X, and TikTok! | |||
| 128. Week in Review: "That was a M-E-S-S!" | 09 Mar 2025 | 01:07:05 | |
In this episode, we come to terms with the end of national final season, as we discuss the events of the last seven days with our special guest Tamara from Eurovoix! Jan was back this week, albeit very tired from a late night at Melodifestvalen in Stockholm, and Dave was sick (again), but with Sebi, and Tamara's help, we looked back at a surprisingly busy week in the world of Eurovision:
You can follow even more Eurovision news from Eurovoix, especially the articles written by Tamara, which you can find here! For more information about what we discussed in this episode, you can check out our website at buildingbridgespod.com as well as our social media profiles on Instagram, X, and TikTok! | |||
| 127. Week in Review: "Denmark’s Eurovision Redemption Arc" | 03 Mar 2025 | 00:38:51 | |
In this episode, we are delighted to have another special guest with us: it's the king of Eurovision social media content creators — Shawn aka worldvishawn! While Jan was away at the Final of Dora in Croatia, Sebi, Dave, and Shawn compared notes on the latest in Eurovision's selection season, including:
If you are not one of the 300+k people that follow Shawn on TikTok, check out his amazing content and drop him a follow! For more information about what we discussed in this episode, you can check out our website at buildingbridgespod.com as well as our social media profiles on Instagram, X, and TikTok! | |||
| 126. SCARLET Unmasked: Their Road to Melfest 2025 | 27 Feb 2025 | 00:16:48 | |
In this episode, we sit down with SCARLET to talk about their exciting journey in Melodifestivalen, their new song "Sweet n' Psycho," and their dreams of representing Sweden at Eurovision. They share insights into their creative process, the importance of staying true to their sound, and the overwhelming support from fans. Tune in for an inspiring comeback story about music, ambition, and breaking boundaries in the industry! For more information about this interview, check out our website at buildingbridgespod.com as well as our social media profiles on Instagram, X, and TikTok! | |||
| 125. Sissal: "There is no way my song could not qualify to the Eurovision final" | 26 Feb 2025 | 00:20:18 | |
In this episode, Sebi talks to Sissal, who is one of the finalists of Dansk Melodi Grand Prix 2025 with the song "Hallucination". Sissal talks about her way into the Danish music scene as a Faroese singer, the story behind the creation of her song and why she thinks that she would definitely be able to bring Denmark back to the Eurovision Grand Final after five years. For more information about this interview, check out our website at buildingbridgespod.com as well as our social media profiles on Instagram, X, and TikTok! | |||
| 124. Hello, Hey, it's Victoria Silvetedt — and she's about to take Melfest by storm! | 25 Feb 2025 | 00:20:49 | |
In this episode, we catch up with the amazing Victoria Silvstedt as she gets ready to take the stage at Melodifestivalen with her new song Love It!. She shares stories from her wild career—modeling, acting, hosting, and now music—plus the ups and downs that shaped her journey. It’s a fun, friendly chat about chasing dreams, never giving up, and bringing a little extra glamour to Eurovision. You won't want to miss it! For more information about this interview, check out our website at buildingbridgespod.com as well as our social media profiles on Instagram, X, and TikTok! PS - We apologize for the audio in this episode, we did what we could to improve it, but Victoria was far, far away on a remote island in the Caribbean and our connection sometimes was not the best, but we're still so thankful that it held long enough for the entire chat! | |||
| 123. Week in Review: "Let's Give Måns a Break!" | 24 Feb 2025 | 01:03:13 | |
In this episode, we are delighted to have a special guest with us: it's Karin Björklund from the 12p Podcast in Sweden! The four of us sat down to discuss what happened in the busy world of Eurovision on Saturday night, including a deep dive into Heat 4 of Melodifestivalen, the Final of Söngvakeppnin in Iceland, and the Semi Finals in Germany and Portugal — as well as an impromptu discussion of Italy's new Eurovision "choice". If you understand Swedish (or you're trying to improve your Swedish) be sure and check out the episodes of 12p for yourself, and be sure to drop the podcast a follow on Instagram! For more information about what we discussed in this episode, you can check out our website at buildingbridgespod.com as well as our social media profiles on Instagram, X, and TikTok! | |||
| 122. Tim Schou wants to “Make Grand Prix Great Again!” | 22 Feb 2025 | 00:30:37 | |
In this episode, Tim Schou catches up with the Building Bridges hosts about his upcoming performance at the Dansk Melodi Grand Prix 2025. He takes us back to his first Eurovision participation in Düsseldorf 2011 as the front singer of A Friend In London and his time as a solo traveler in California. Find out the story behind his song "Proud" and which Danish singer is Sebi's doppelgänger in this funny episode. For more information about this interview, check out our website at buildingbridgespod.com as well as our social media profiles on Instagram, X, and TikTok! | |||
| 121. "Let Them Eat Poison Cake!": Marko Bošnjak takes on Dora 2025! | 20 Feb 2025 | 00:25:29 | |
In this episode, Jan sits down with Marko Bošnjak, a rising star returning to Dora 2025 with his bold new entry, Poison Cake. Back in 2022, he came tantalizingly close to representing Croatia at Eurovision, finishing just behind winner Mia Dimšić. Marko shares his journey from childhood competitions to national stardom, the inspiration behind his latest song, and his experience hosting Zagreb’s first Eurovision afterparty. Plus, he teases what’s in store for his Dora performance next Friday. Tune in for an electrifying conversation with this rising Croatian star! For more info and Eurovision content, including more information about this interview, check out our website at buildingbridgespod.com and we're always updating our Instagram and Twitter accounts, plus we love posting fun, silly and random Eurovision TikToks, so we'd be thrilled if you followed us on social media and left us a review! | |||
| 120. “It’s More Fun to Vacuum with a Boa": Andreas Lundstedt on Life, Love, and Alcazar! | 18 Feb 2025 | 00:26:35 | |
In this episode, we sit down with the incredible Andreas Lundstedt, best known as a founding member of Alcazar and a Melodifestivalen icon. Andreas shares his journey from childhood dreams of performing to gracing the Eurovision stage multiple times. We discuss the evolution of his career, the magic of Alcazar, and his latest and TENTH Melfest appearance with "Vicious"! Tune in for an inspiring conversation filled with passion, music, and a touch of disco magic! For more info and Eurovision content, including more information about this interview, check out our website at buildingbridgespod.com and we're always updating our Instagram and Twitter accounts, plus we love posting fun, silly and random Eurovision TikToks, so we'd be thrilled if you followed us on social media and left us a review! | |||
| 119. Emmy’s Pop Magic: A Song That’ll Make You Dance… and Cry (IRELAND 2025) | 15 Feb 2025 | 00:17:48 | |
In this episode, we chat with EMMY, a Norwegian-born singer who will represent Ireland in Eurovision 2025 with her song 'Laika Party'. She discusses her unexpected win, the inspiration behind the song, and differences between national selections in Ireland and Norway. We also quiz her on Irish Eurovision history, talk about her TikTok presence, and discuss her glow-up plans for her performance in Basel. For more info and Eurovision content, including more information about this interview, check out our website at buildingbridgespod.com and we're always updating our Instagram and Twitter accounts, plus we love posting fun, silly and random Eurovision TikToks, so we'd be thrilled if you followed us on social media and left us a review! | |||
| 118. Following the Music, Not the Drama: Kuba Szmajkowski's Finding Hope with 'Pray' | 11 Feb 2025 | 00:30:10 | |
In this episode, Jan and Dave chat with Kuba Szmajkowski about his Eurovision journey and his return to the Polish national selection with his new hit "Pray". This is Kuba's third time participating in the televised national final in Poland, and during our chat, Kuba reflected on his personal growth as an artist, and why 'Pray' sounds nothing like his previous two Eurovision entries. After taking us though the creative process behind 'pray", Kuba hints at his staging concept and tells us his secret link to this year's Melodifestivalen! For more info and Eurovision content, including more information about this interview, check out our website at buildingbridgespod.com and we're always updating our Instagram and Twitter accounts, plus we love posting fun, silly and random Eurovision TikToks, so we'd be thrilled if you followed us on social media and left us a review! | |||
| 117. Eurovision Rumors and Dreams with Sonia Maselik | 10 Feb 2025 | 00:18:36 | |
In this episode, Jan and Dave build the pod's first-ever bridge to Poland, as they chat with the enchanting Sonia Maselik! She will compete in the upcoming Polish Eurovision selection (Wielki finał polskich kwalifikacji) with her new release "Rumours". Sonia opened up about her previous attempts to represent Poland at Eurovision as well as the personal story behind her 2025 entry "Rumours". She also outlined her vision of her staging ideas, as she plans a performance which focuses on vibrant, colorful visuals and avoids overly complex choreography. For more info and Eurovision content, including more information about this interview, check out our website at buildingbridgespod.com and we're always updating our Instagram and Twitter accounts, plus we love posting fun, silly and random Eurovision TikToks, so we'd be thrilled if you followed us on social media and left us a review! | |||
| 116. From Real Estate Agent to Eurovision Hopeful: Ladybug's Bold Story | 09 Feb 2025 | 00:31:31 | |
In this episode, Ladybug, a Norwegian artist competing in MGP, shares her journey into music, having initially studied real estate before pursuing her artistic dreams. She co-wrote her song, Hot as Hell in Paradise, at a songwriting camp and has long aspired to join MGP. She discusses her stage name’s personal significance, her past as a bartender in the very stadium where she will compete at MGP, and her overall excitement for Eurovision! For more info and Eurovision content, including more information about this interview, check out our website at buildingbridgespod.com and we're always updating our Instagram and Twitter accounts, plus we love posting fun, silly and random Eurovision TikToks, so we'd be thrilled if you followed us on social media and left us a review! | |||
| 115. Kyle Alessandro: "Don't Ever Lose Your Light!" | 07 Feb 2025 | 00:22:56 | |
In this episode, we speak with Kyle Alessandro, an 18-year-old artist competing in MGP 2025 with his song Lighter. Kyle reflects on his early passion for music and dance, sharing memories from his time with Umami Tsunami and his journey as a solo artist. He discusses the deeply personal inspiration behind Lighter, rooted in his mother’s battle with cancer. Kyle also talks about collaborating with Adam Woods, his love for Eurovision, and his unique musical influences. He leaves listeners inspired with his resilience, creativity, and ambition to represent Norway at the Eurovision Song Contest! For more info and Eurovision content, including more information about this interview, check out our website at buildingbridgespod.com and we're always updating our Instagram and Twitter accounts, plus we love posting fun, silly and random Eurovision TikToks, so we'd be thrilled if you followed us on social media and left us a review! | |||
| 114. Golden Lights and Glittering Goals with Sweden's Klara Hammarström | 05 Feb 2025 | 00:34:00 | |
In this episode, Sebi and Dave talk with Melodifestivalen royalty KLARA HAMMARSTRÖM from her pad in Las Vegas! Despite the distance from Sweden, she is still fully focused on her Melfest performance, and we actually caught her in between rehearsals for her new song On and On and On. During the interview, you'll hear more about her personal vision and determination to win Eurovision, the creative process behind her new song, and her desire to inspire others — particularly young women — to embrace their individuality and pursue their dreams confidently. For more info and Eurovision content, including more information about this interview, check out our website at buildingbridgespod.com and we're always updating our Instagram and Twitter accounts, plus we love posting fun, silly and random Eurovision TikToks, so we'd be thrilled if you followed us on social media and left us a review! | |||
| 113. BIRGO's chasing storms and her Eurovision dreams! | 03 Feb 2025 | 00:18:37 | |
In this episode, Eurovision hopeful BIRGO shares her whirlwind journey to Iceland's Söngvakeppnin where she will perform her bop “Stormchaser.” Birgo discusses her transformation from shy Birgitta to bold Birgo, embodying her song's empowering message. She also teases the dark, snowy themes for her performance, and spills the tea about if she'll keep the song in English or Icelandic. For more info and Eurovision content, including more information about this interview, check out our website at buildingbridgespod.com and we're always updating our Instagram and Twitter accounts, plus we love posting fun, silly and random Eurovision TikToks, so we'd be thrilled if you followed us on social media and left us a review! | |||
| 112. First Time Magic: Adrian Macéus Takes on Melodifestivalen 2025 | 29 Jan 2025 | 00:29:01 | |
In this episode, Dave chats with Melodifestivalen newcomer Adrian Macéus to find out about his entry Vår första gång and his preparations for the big stage for Heat 1 in Luleå! This 19-year-old already has quite the CV, and his Mello participation will mark a significant milestone in his short career. Adrian's song for Melfest début focuses on navigating the highs and lows of relationships by reflecting on their beginnings. All that and more in this episode! For more info and Eurovision content, including more information about this interview, check out our website at buildingbridgespod.com and we're always updating our Instagram and Twitter accounts, plus we love posting fun, silly and random Eurovision TikToks, so we'd be thrilled if you followed us on social media and left us a review! | |||
| 111. From Nightmares to Dreams: NEEA RIVER’s incredible Journey to Eurovision | 27 Jan 2025 | 00:15:40 | |
In this episode, Dave had the pleasure to chat with Finland's rising superstar NEEA RIVER! After a stint in Los Angeles, she's home in her native Finland to compete in UMK 2025 and possibly win Finland's ticket to Eurovision in Basel. During the interview, Neea River discusses why she chose this moment in time to apply for UMK, how she was able to balance deep lyrical themes with a danceable, upbeat production of her entry "Nightmares" and what aspects of her stage performance are ready to go! For more info and Eurovision content, including more information about this interview, check out our website at buildingbridgespod.com and we're always updating our Instagram and Twitter accounts, plus we love posting fun, silly and random Eurovision TikToks, so we'd be thrilled if you followed us on social media and left us a review! | |||