James Orban
@eurodreampod.bsky.social
Pro-EU 🇭🇺 in USA. Disabled, not incapable.
I run a Substack focusing on Central/Eastern Europe
Writer, storyteller, polyglot (HU/EN/CN)
Follow my Substack for more:https://eurodreampod.substack.com/
I run a Substack focusing on Central/Eastern Europe
Writer, storyteller, polyglot (HU/EN/CN)
Follow my Substack for more:https://eurodreampod.substack.com/
UPDATE:
I have changed the title of my podcast to "Letters from Budapest", and kept the original podcast title as a subtitle. The name change was done in large part because branding, SEO recognition, and the vibe fits a lot better for the stories I aim to tell. Not solely about Hungary, ofc.
I have changed the title of my podcast to "Letters from Budapest", and kept the original podcast title as a subtitle. The name change was done in large part because branding, SEO recognition, and the vibe fits a lot better for the stories I aim to tell. Not solely about Hungary, ofc.
November 11, 2025 at 5:06 AM
UPDATE:
I have changed the title of my podcast to "Letters from Budapest", and kept the original podcast title as a subtitle. The name change was done in large part because branding, SEO recognition, and the vibe fits a lot better for the stories I aim to tell. Not solely about Hungary, ofc.
I have changed the title of my podcast to "Letters from Budapest", and kept the original podcast title as a subtitle. The name change was done in large part because branding, SEO recognition, and the vibe fits a lot better for the stories I aim to tell. Not solely about Hungary, ofc.
We are seeing now that for all its potential benefits, AI is a bubble built on shaky ground, upholding an otherwise slugging US economy.
Europe needs investment, we need to build our own tech industry to sever reliance on American greed. We don't need Silicon Valley snake oil.
Europe needs investment, we need to build our own tech industry to sever reliance on American greed. We don't need Silicon Valley snake oil.
November 10, 2025 at 2:08 PM
We are seeing now that for all its potential benefits, AI is a bubble built on shaky ground, upholding an otherwise slugging US economy.
Europe needs investment, we need to build our own tech industry to sever reliance on American greed. We don't need Silicon Valley snake oil.
Europe needs investment, we need to build our own tech industry to sever reliance on American greed. We don't need Silicon Valley snake oil.
In the 1970s Poland's socialist gov't greenlit Intervision, a competing song contest to Eurovision.
It didn't last long, only 3 contests were ever held until it was postponed indefinitely. 50 years later, Russia invited 23 nations to showcase their music... it did not go well.
1/3
It didn't last long, only 3 contests were ever held until it was postponed indefinitely. 50 years later, Russia invited 23 nations to showcase their music... it did not go well.
1/3
November 10, 2025 at 1:53 PM
In the 1970s Poland's socialist gov't greenlit Intervision, a competing song contest to Eurovision.
It didn't last long, only 3 contests were ever held until it was postponed indefinitely. 50 years later, Russia invited 23 nations to showcase their music... it did not go well.
1/3
It didn't last long, only 3 contests were ever held until it was postponed indefinitely. 50 years later, Russia invited 23 nations to showcase their music... it did not go well.
1/3
JUST RELEASED
The newest episode of The Visegrad Dispatch is up on Spotify, discussing #Russia and their #Eurovision copycat song contest. Quite interesting history, and not an original Russian idea at all.
Spotify link:
open.spotify.com/episode/534C...
The newest episode of The Visegrad Dispatch is up on Spotify, discussing #Russia and their #Eurovision copycat song contest. Quite interesting history, and not an original Russian idea at all.
Spotify link:
open.spotify.com/episode/534C...
Russia's Failed Eurovision Alternative
open.spotify.com
November 9, 2025 at 7:42 PM
JUST RELEASED
The newest episode of The Visegrad Dispatch is up on Spotify, discussing #Russia and their #Eurovision copycat song contest. Quite interesting history, and not an original Russian idea at all.
Spotify link:
open.spotify.com/episode/534C...
The newest episode of The Visegrad Dispatch is up on Spotify, discussing #Russia and their #Eurovision copycat song contest. Quite interesting history, and not an original Russian idea at all.
Spotify link:
open.spotify.com/episode/534C...
With the rapid fall of PhD and other graduate slots at Harvard and other major US reserach universities, this current administration is laying the groundwork for a multi-polar world.
Europe, long lagging behind the Eagle and Phoenix, may face an opportunity where money and talent return home.
Europe, long lagging behind the Eagle and Phoenix, may face an opportunity where money and talent return home.
October 30, 2025 at 1:04 AM
With the rapid fall of PhD and other graduate slots at Harvard and other major US reserach universities, this current administration is laying the groundwork for a multi-polar world.
Europe, long lagging behind the Eagle and Phoenix, may face an opportunity where money and talent return home.
Europe, long lagging behind the Eagle and Phoenix, may face an opportunity where money and talent return home.
Among the architectural canon of Central Eastern Europe, I feel there are hidden gems everywhere. One such building is the Blue Church, built in Bratislava Slovakia while it was under the Hungarian crown. It stands out from the surroundings, can't imagine what it is like at dusk.
October 28, 2025 at 4:22 PM
Among the architectural canon of Central Eastern Europe, I feel there are hidden gems everywhere. One such building is the Blue Church, built in Bratislava Slovakia while it was under the Hungarian crown. It stands out from the surroundings, can't imagine what it is like at dusk.
On Sunday I spoke with @techaltar.bsky.social regarding Europe's place in the tech landscape as US-China tensions simmer. For many years China has invested in CEE. At some point, you're going to have to pick a side.
Find the full show here: open.spotify.com/episode/34aH...
Find the full show here: open.spotify.com/episode/34aH...
Europe's Tech Sovereignty, Between US-China
open.spotify.com
October 28, 2025 at 4:14 PM
On Sunday I spoke with @techaltar.bsky.social regarding Europe's place in the tech landscape as US-China tensions simmer. For many years China has invested in CEE. At some point, you're going to have to pick a side.
Find the full show here: open.spotify.com/episode/34aH...
Find the full show here: open.spotify.com/episode/34aH...
This week on the Visegrad Dispatch podcast I interviewed @techaltar.bsky.social about the European tech sector, saber-rattlings, and how our region fits in between China and the Unhttps://open.spotify.com/episode/34aH5R0Pap1JbY0QhCt5gHited States. Check out the full interview here:
October 28, 2025 at 12:51 PM
This week on the Visegrad Dispatch podcast I interviewed @techaltar.bsky.social about the European tech sector, saber-rattlings, and how our region fits in between China and the Unhttps://open.spotify.com/episode/34aH5R0Pap1JbY0QhCt5gHited States. Check out the full interview here:
When starting up a podcast, how do you go about getting interviews? I'm slightly struggling to find people who are not already public figures to reach out to to speak on Eastern European issues, and it's like "will these people even give me time of day?"
October 8, 2025 at 3:53 PM
When starting up a podcast, how do you go about getting interviews? I'm slightly struggling to find people who are not already public figures to reach out to to speak on Eastern European issues, and it's like "will these people even give me time of day?"
For over a year now, the #Ukrainian business Lviv Croissants has been operating in the United States. Their first store opened in #Poland.
Check out the full article here:
eurodreampod.substack.com/p/ukraines-l...
Check out the full article here:
eurodreampod.substack.com/p/ukraines-l...
Ukraine's Lviv Croissants succeeds where Russian counterpart failed in US expansion
The famous Ukrainian bakery has just launched its first location in Roswell, GA outside of Atlanta.
eurodreampod.substack.com
October 8, 2025 at 3:42 PM
For over a year now, the #Ukrainian business Lviv Croissants has been operating in the United States. Their first store opened in #Poland.
Check out the full article here:
eurodreampod.substack.com/p/ukraines-l...
Check out the full article here:
eurodreampod.substack.com/p/ukraines-l...
Whenever I feel depressed or nihilistic, I try to find positive news stories. One story out of #CentralAsia I found showcases a permaculture forest in Kyrgyzstan. Walnuts and apples grow alongside numerous other crops at a sustainable & industrial level.
news.mongabay.com/2018/09/trad...
news.mongabay.com/2018/09/trad...
Traditional Kyrgyz walnut-apple forests provide map for sustainable future
KYZL-UNKUR, Jalalabad region, Kyrgyzstan — The mountain road leading to Kyzyl-Unkur winds through a gorge. Three hours later, on a broken road, one finds the village surrounded on all sides by unique ...
news.mongabay.com
August 21, 2025 at 2:14 PM
Whenever I feel depressed or nihilistic, I try to find positive news stories. One story out of #CentralAsia I found showcases a permaculture forest in Kyrgyzstan. Walnuts and apples grow alongside numerous other crops at a sustainable & industrial level.
news.mongabay.com/2018/09/trad...
news.mongabay.com/2018/09/trad...
Just released an article on my Substack about the controversial #Serbian EU-backed mining project in Jadar. What could be an exemplary sign that the EU can do things differently, might not turn out that way.
eurodreampod.substack.com/p/serbias-ga...
eurodreampod.substack.com/p/serbias-ga...
Serbia's Gambit: The Jadar Mine Controversy
Lithium is a key mineral in the race for renewable energy, but at what cost?
eurodreampod.substack.com
August 15, 2025 at 1:00 AM
Just released an article on my Substack about the controversial #Serbian EU-backed mining project in Jadar. What could be an exemplary sign that the EU can do things differently, might not turn out that way.
eurodreampod.substack.com/p/serbias-ga...
eurodreampod.substack.com/p/serbias-ga...
Has the US functionally ended the asylum process, given everything that immigration enforcement is doing?
August 12, 2025 at 10:55 AM
Has the US functionally ended the asylum process, given everything that immigration enforcement is doing?
Reposted by James Orban
In light of vatnik texts like these (and this is not a parody, this is 100% genuine) my next episode will be about the God-Emperor (literally) of Russia and a Gonzo guide on being a right and proper honourable heretic.
God listens to Slayer.
God listens to Slayer.
August 9, 2025 at 9:21 AM
In light of vatnik texts like these (and this is not a parody, this is 100% genuine) my next episode will be about the God-Emperor (literally) of Russia and a Gonzo guide on being a right and proper honourable heretic.
God listens to Slayer.
God listens to Slayer.
I'm writing a workplace drama novella set in the 1990s, basically after the fall of Socialist rule in #Hungary... Main plot beats:
- Party propagandists lose their jobs
- Waffle cake
- "Real journalism, how hard can it be?"
- More cake
- Mafia enters the chat
Does that hit all the notes?
- Party propagandists lose their jobs
- Waffle cake
- "Real journalism, how hard can it be?"
- More cake
- Mafia enters the chat
Does that hit all the notes?
August 9, 2025 at 2:51 PM
I'm writing a workplace drama novella set in the 1990s, basically after the fall of Socialist rule in #Hungary... Main plot beats:
- Party propagandists lose their jobs
- Waffle cake
- "Real journalism, how hard can it be?"
- More cake
- Mafia enters the chat
Does that hit all the notes?
- Party propagandists lose their jobs
- Waffle cake
- "Real journalism, how hard can it be?"
- More cake
- Mafia enters the chat
Does that hit all the notes?
Why is it that Hungary, Poland, and Romania are so "safe" compared to the USA? Much lower rates of violent crime? Could it be, perhaps, that we do not allow every child to hold a rifle without proper training and certification? We know what real tyranny is - registering a rifle ain't it.
August 8, 2025 at 7:31 PM
Why is it that Hungary, Poland, and Romania are so "safe" compared to the USA? Much lower rates of violent crime? Could it be, perhaps, that we do not allow every child to hold a rifle without proper training and certification? We know what real tyranny is - registering a rifle ain't it.
Ice Cold Take: Interviewing an AI chatbot on national TV is not, in fact, a replacement for the living person you hope to connect with from beyond the grave. CNN is turning into OTV.
As someone very close to Sandy Hook, I empathize.. but fuck. Who approved this as a legitimate segment?
As someone very close to Sandy Hook, I empathize.. but fuck. Who approved this as a legitimate segment?
August 7, 2025 at 3:24 PM
Ice Cold Take: Interviewing an AI chatbot on national TV is not, in fact, a replacement for the living person you hope to connect with from beyond the grave. CNN is turning into OTV.
As someone very close to Sandy Hook, I empathize.. but fuck. Who approved this as a legitimate segment?
As someone very close to Sandy Hook, I empathize.. but fuck. Who approved this as a legitimate segment?
What I find very sad about the US political situation is that the country has no centre-right.. indeed, they would call someone like me who oscillates between being a social democrat and centre-right a "communist", because I support such things are public education & subsidizing university.
August 7, 2025 at 11:41 AM
What I find very sad about the US political situation is that the country has no centre-right.. indeed, they would call someone like me who oscillates between being a social democrat and centre-right a "communist", because I support such things are public education & subsidizing university.
Many American leftists have this idea that all people with disabilities were taken better care of in the #USSR than the US at the time. Without mincing words - this was a country who failed to give a war veteran a wheelchair for 40 years. The blind were often shunted into menial labour.
August 6, 2025 at 12:26 PM
Many American leftists have this idea that all people with disabilities were taken better care of in the #USSR than the US at the time. Without mincing words - this was a country who failed to give a war veteran a wheelchair for 40 years. The blind were often shunted into menial labour.
When Viktor Orban came to power in 2010, opposition parties thought little of it. Sure, he was conservative & Euroskeptic, but "we can just beat him next election". Then the reforms of 2014 came, and there was no true election. Free, yes. Fair, some debate. America, do not be complacent.
August 5, 2025 at 6:29 PM
When Viktor Orban came to power in 2010, opposition parties thought little of it. Sure, he was conservative & Euroskeptic, but "we can just beat him next election". Then the reforms of 2014 came, and there was no true election. Free, yes. Fair, some debate. America, do not be complacent.
How do you get invited onto other people's #podcasts? I am trying to restart my Substack and podcasting journey thanks to being encouraged by the work of @theeasternborder.lv .
Already released an episode on disability in the #USSR:
eurodreampod.substack.com
Already released an episode on disability in the #USSR:
eurodreampod.substack.com
August 5, 2025 at 3:45 PM
How do you get invited onto other people's #podcasts? I am trying to restart my Substack and podcasting journey thanks to being encouraged by the work of @theeasternborder.lv .
Already released an episode on disability in the #USSR:
eurodreampod.substack.com
Already released an episode on disability in the #USSR:
eurodreampod.substack.com
I’m blind and strongly considering #Education into #Paralegal work. Is it realistic though? Competing with side of peers in various like real estate or estate planning firms feels not impossible, but certainly difficult. Especially with #DEIA rollbacks
.
.
May 1, 2025 at 11:35 AM
I’m blind and strongly considering #Education into #Paralegal work. Is it realistic though? Competing with side of peers in various like real estate or estate planning firms feels not impossible, but certainly difficult. Especially with #DEIA rollbacks
.
.
The overabur ace of gated communti s in the US is just cringe to me.
April 28, 2025 at 11:00 PM
The overabur ace of gated communti s in the US is just cringe to me.
How did I mess up making an apple cake?
#Cooking #Baking people please help
2 cups sugar
3/4 cups, unsalted butter
1 cup AP flour
1/4 cup welt raising flour
2 cup softened apple slices
1 cup low fat milk
1 Tbsp baking soda
Baked 375 F 30 minutes.
It ended up a crispy pancakes 😔 not dense
#Cooking #Baking people please help
2 cups sugar
3/4 cups, unsalted butter
1 cup AP flour
1/4 cup welt raising flour
2 cup softened apple slices
1 cup low fat milk
1 Tbsp baking soda
Baked 375 F 30 minutes.
It ended up a crispy pancakes 😔 not dense
April 22, 2025 at 12:22 AM
I’m not a University student anymore, I can’t be staying awake until 3 AM… but the stress of the Trump team and this feeling I have that unless I absolutely work every hour of the day, I won’t get ahead… Can’t escape it.
April 21, 2025 at 7:44 AM
I’m not a University student anymore, I can’t be staying awake until 3 AM… but the stress of the Trump team and this feeling I have that unless I absolutely work every hour of the day, I won’t get ahead… Can’t escape it.