S. Garlick talks to singer-songwriter Ingrid Lukas about her new album, 'Elumeloodia'. Ingrid discusses her creative process, plus the meaning behind the pastoral, progressive new tracks. Music: 'Strong, Bold and Brave', 'Dignity', 'Analogue Connections', and 'Minu Tänu' by Ingrid Lukas, used under licence from the artist, courtesy of Ronin Rhythm Records. Listen to more on Spotify ..read more

S. Garlick and Maris Hellrand analyse the coalition programme for the new government, and the tax rises announced, plus ministerial appointments, and the arrest of pro-Kremlin politician Aivo Peterson. Recorded on 14 April 2023. Song: Diamond Eyes - Father [NCS Release]; music provided by NoCopyrightSounds; free Download / Stream: http://ncs.io/iFather Watch: http://youtu.be/5NTvXKUXEX4 ..read more

It looks, as of the time of publication, as though the new Estonian government may indeed back marriage equality, having seemed against it initially, in a stunning about-turn. S. Garlick talks to Vootele Päi, a Political Adviser to Social Democrat leader and outgoing Interior Minister Lauri Läänemets. Päi had set out the reasons why he felt Kaja Kallas's Reform Party wouldn't adopt marriage equality in the new governing coalition in an incendiary social media post, which was later reproduced by Estonian media. Here, he explains what he feels has changed, and why, to inspire this apparent u-tur ..read more

In this special interview, S. Garlick talks to Estonian e-Voting and cybersecurity expert Karoliina Ainge, who used to work on those matters for the Estonian Government, and now advises countries all over the world as part of Independent Diplomat. Karoliina explains why e-voting works, and how Estonia became the centre of NATO's cybersecurity efforts. Song: Diamond Eyes - Father [NCS Release]; music provided by NoCopyrightSounds; free Download / Stream: http://ncs.io/iFather Watch: http://youtu.be/5NTvXKUXEX4 ..read more

S. Garlick and Maris Hellrand analyse the Estonian 2023 Riigikogu (parliamentary) election results, which saw Kaja Kallas and the Reform Party hold onto power, in a new liberal coalition. What does it mean for Estonia, for Ukraine, and for the far-right EKRE, who were left disappointed? Will Estonia get energy security and LGBT rights? Song: Diamond Eyes - Father [NCS Release]; music provided by NoCopyrightSounds; free Download / Stream: http://ncs.io/iFather Watch: http://youtu.be/5NTvXKUXEX4 ..read more

Stuart Garlick and Maris Hellrand talk to Siim Kuresoo of the Estonian Fund for Nature about the growing deforestation problem in the country. The hosts also discuss in-depth what could happen now the government has collapsed. Recorded on Monday 6 June 2022. For an extended version of this episode, subscribe to Questonia on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/questonia Song: Diamond Eyes - Father [NCS Release]; music provided by NoCopyrightSounds; free Download / Stream: http://ncs.io/iFather Watch: http://youtu.be/5NTvXKUXEX4 Estonian Fund for Nature in English: https://elfond.ee ..read more

Stuart Garlick and Maris Hellrand talk to Mike Collier, a journalist based in Latvia, about the country's coronavirus response, why it has a lower infection rate than Estonia or Lithuania, and the Baltic reaction to protests in Belarus. Theme music by Kaiolyn: https://youtu.be/arD4tfzH3U0 ..read more

Stuart Garlick and Maris Hellrand talk to climate activist Kertu Birgit Anton, as the three of them discuss what goes into a memorable and meaningful campaign in 2020 in the wake of protests in Belarus, and Michelle Obama's speech about campaigning to the Democratic National Convention. Theme music by Kaiolyn: https://youtu.be/arD4tfzH3U0 ..read more

Stuart Garlick and Maris Hellrand talk to Priit Tohver, E-services Development and Innovation Policy Adviser for the Ministry of Social Affairs, who among other tasks is one of the leads for the Estonian contact tracing app, Hoia, due to be released on 20 August on iOS and Android. The app has been slow in development, and they look into reasons for this. They also talk to SALTO 'Hack the Virus' Hackathon winner Sophie Wharrie, whose team developed a contact tracing app in the Estonian tech event, but whose experience was not used by the government in spite of an offer allegedly being made by ..read more

Stuart Garlick and Maris Hellrand talk to investigative journalist Holger Roonemaa, who broke the story that a lawyer hired by Estonia's Finance Minister Martin Helme to seek reparations for historical money laundering scandals had, himself, defended a company involved in money laundering. They discuss the fallout of this scandal, its long-term repercussions, and what is likely to happen next. Theme music by Kaiolyn: https://youtu.be/arD4tfzH3U0 ..read more