🌁News Decoder's Andrea Knezevic on Bridging Podcasting Borders🌁

I was so excited to connect with Andrea, a fellow Balkan-gone-international podcaster! In this interview, she shares some of her work and insights into European podcasting.

This is part of the first Eurowaves issue!

Andrea Knezevic is a communications expert, journalist, and university professor with over a decade of experience in strategic storytelling, media, and education. Originally from Bosnia and Herzegovina, she holds extensive international experience, having moved to Paris for her studies and now working across Paris and Brussels. As the Communication Manager for WePod, Andrea leads efforts to foster cross-border collaboration in podcasting, combining her expertise in journalism and communication to amplify European voices and stories.

Your background is in journalism and communication. What brought you to the podcasting space?

Podcasting attracted me because it combines my two biggest passions: storytelling and connecting with people. As a journalist, I’ve always loved finding stories that matter and finding ways to share them. Podcasting felt like a natural next step because it’s such a personal medium. Hearing someone’s voice adds a layer of intimacy that you don’t always get with written articles or videos.

I think what makes podcasting truly unique is its accessibility. Anyone with a story and a microphone can create something meaningful, and the audience gets to consume it at their own pace. It gives creators the freedom to explore different formats and dig deeper into stories without the constraints of traditional media. It also allows listeners to connect with content in a way that feels authentic, like they’re having a conversation rather than just being talked at.

When I joined WePod, I was excited about the opportunity to combine my background in journalism and communication with the chance to build something collaborative and impactful. It isn’t just about producing podcasts; it’s about building connections and creating a space for important European stories to be told.

Collaboration is at the heart of Sounds Like Europe. Can you share some insights into the process of producing a multicultural podcast in different languages?

Producing Sounds Like Europe, WePod’s main podcast, has been an incredible learning experience for me. It’s produced in English and focuses on the podcasting scene across Europe, but the real heart of WePod is in our co-productions, like Sea of Rage and Truck Drivers. These projects go deeper by exploring stories in their original languages.

One of the biggest insights I’ve gained is how important it is to keep the authenticity of the original language while making the stories accessible to a wider audience. For Sea of Rage, for example, we don’t simply translate the episodes into English. Instead, we adapt them in a way that retains their essence and cultural context, which is so important when working across borders.

Collaboration on these projects goes beyond technical coordination—it’s about creating a shared vision. Teams from different countries bring unique perspectives to the table, and my role is to ensure those voices are heard and integrated into the storytelling. It’s not always easy; cultural differences and creative approaches can sometimes clash. But these challenges are what make the final product stronger.

For me, the most important element is trust. Every team member needs to feel valued and respected, and that requires open communication and flexibility. What I’ve learned is that the process itself is just as important as the outcome. It’s not just about creating great content—it’s about building a community of podcasters who learn and grow together.

What role do you see podcasting playing in connecting European stories?

Podcasting is one of the most powerful tools we have for connecting European stories. Europe is such a diverse continent, with so many cultures, languages, and experiences. Sometimes that diversity can feel like a barrier, but podcasting has the ability to turn it into a strength.

For example, Sea of Rage tells the story of how drug trafficking impacts two coastal towns in Spain and Italy. While the specifics of each town’s challenges are different, the underlying themes—resilience, community, and institutional neglect—are universal. Similarly, Truck Drivers sheds light on the lives of the people who keep Europe’s economy moving. These are stories that might otherwise go untold, but through podcasting, they become shared experiences.

What makes podcasting so effective is that it’s not just about the content—it’s about the connection. It allows listeners to step into someone else’s world and understand their perspective in a way that feels deeply personal. In a time when it’s easy to focus on what divides us, podcasting has the power to remind us of what we share.

How do you see podcasting in Europe evolving in the coming years?

Podcasting in Europe is at an exciting turning point. More creators are experimenting with innovative formats, and audiences are growing. But there’s still a lot of work to be done. One of the biggest gaps I see is the lack of resources for smaller creators, especially those working in less widely spoken languages.

This is where initiatives like the European Podcast Academy come in. At WePod, we’re working to provide training, tools, and support to podcasters across Europe. Our goal is to make podcasting more accessible and inclusive so that more voices can be heard.

I also think we’ll see more cross-border collaborations, which is something WePod is already championing. Projects like Sea of Rage and Truck Drivers show what’s possible when people from different countries come together to tell stories. These collaborations are challenging, but they’re also incredibly rewarding. They push us to think differently and tell stories in new ways.

In the coming years, I hope to see podcasting in Europe become even more diverse and innovative. The potential is there; it’s just a matter of creating the right opportunities for creators to thrive.

Can you recommend a few European podcasts that you think highlight the creative potential of the medium?

I’d recommend Legend, a French podcast that tells extraordinary stories of both famous and everyday individuals, blending storytelling and music for an immersive experience.

Another is Buka Podcast from Bosnia, where the executive editor of Buka Magazine discusses current issues with insightful guests, offering valuable perspectives on regional topics.