🇧🇷 Brazil Episodes

At 12, Marília Mendonça began creating songs about feelings she hadn't yet experienced. Her songwriting talent and pride in being cheesy created the "mariliônico" style, which influences sertanejo to this day.

"The tariff increase is not the destination. It is the starting point." With this statement, Finance Minister Fernando Haddad set the tone for the day after Donald Trump's tariff decree against Brazil. For the Brazilian government, the goal now is to protect companies and jobs — especially in sectors whose exports will be most affected. According to Vice President Geraldo Alckmin, an action plan is underway to avoid greater losses. Even with some initial relief, the watchword remains caution. In this episode, Alan Severiano hosts Adriana Dupita and Christopher Garman to discuss the responses and consequences to the tariff increase and the American president's political offensive. Bloomberg's economist for emerging markets, Adriana explains which sectors are most and least affected by the 50% tariffs. And answers what commercial opportunities may open up to Brazil at this moment. Eurasia's managing director for the Americas, Garman assesses that the political escalation should still worsen. He also talks about the responses that the Brazilian government can give to the US, and assesses what kind of impact the tariff increase will have in 2026.

On the eve of August 1st, the date the 50% tariffs would take effect, Donald Trump published the decree that determines the rules of the measure. And what was seen in the text was the repetition of a familiar script: after repeated threats to Brazil, the American president postponed the start of the tariffs to August 6th and formalized a list with almost 700 products exempt from the charge. The tariff hike came deflated. Shortly before the commercial retreat, however, the US government imposed sanctions on Alexandre de Moraes. By announcing the Magnitsky Act against the STF minister, Trump aggravated the political and diplomatic crisis against Brazil to unprecedented levels, citing the case of former president Jair Bolsonaro and the interests of big techs. This law, originally created to punish dictators, blocks assets that Moraes may eventually have in the US. The minister also cannot carry out transactions with citizens and companies in the US. To explain the meanings of the deflated tariff hike and Trump's offensive against the Supreme Court minister, Alan Severiano receives Guilherme Casarões. Professor at FGV-SP and researcher at the Extreme Right Observatory, Casarões answers about the economic and symbolic effects of the tariff retreat imposed by the US. He also comments on the seriousness of the American president's offensive against Brazilian institutions.

In the last three years, hunger has been a reality for less than 2.5% of the Brazilian population – a percentage that took Brazil off the Hunger Map. The data is from the FAO, the UN agency specializing in Food and Agriculture. Even off this map, the country still has 35 million Brazilians struggling to feed themselves, a situation called food insecurity. In this episode, Alan Severiano receives Ana Maria Segall, a researcher from the monitoring group of Rede Penssan, the Brazilian Research Network on Food and Nutritional Sovereignty and Security. She, who is also a researcher at Fiocruz in Brasília, explains the difference between the situation of hunger and food insecurity – and points out other countries where this is still a reality. Ana also answers what measures led Brazil to leave the Hunger Map – the first time this had happened was in 2014. Afterwards, Alan talks to Kiko Afonso, executive director of Ação Cidadania, the largest organization fighting hunger in Brazil. Kiko defines what are the so-called "deserts" and "swamps" food, present even where there is abundant food production. He talks about what challenges Brazil faces to reach the goal of zero hunger, and concludes: "going hungry is not right-wing, left-wing or center. Going hungry is unacceptable for anyone, anywhere in the world."

Donald Trump's 50% tariffs on Brazilian products are scheduled to take effect on August 1st, next Friday. The Brazilian government and diplomacy are racing against time to negotiate with the United States. Four days before the tariffs take effect, a delegation of senators landed in the American capital. Foreign Minister Mauro Vieira is in the USA, awaiting the green light to negotiate with Washington. At the end of last week, however, President Lula stated that US authorities are not open to dialogue. In this episode, Alan Severiano receives Nick Zimmerman and Leonardo Trevisan to explain if there is still enough time for Brazil to negotiate the tariffs. Former advisor to US diplomacy, Zimmerman answers whether Brazilian authorities are "knocking on the right doors". Professor of International Relations at ESPM, Leonardo Trevisan answers why other countries managed to negotiate with Trump and concludes what the real reasons for Trump's tariffs are tougher on Brazil – two reasons that, he says, have five letters.

The public service salary cap today is R$ 46,000. However, some public lawyers receive hundreds of thousands of reais in bonuses, called “success fees”. In 2024, R$ 3.73 billion was transferred to pay this type of bonus, which is funded with public money but managed by a private fund. To explain what success fees are and how they are part of the Brazilian fiscal problem, Natuza Nery talks to Bruno Carazza. Commentator for Jornal da Globo and columnist for Valor Econômico newspaper, Carazza answers how it is possible for civil servants to receive above the public service salary cap, and what the impacts are on the fiscal situation. He analyzes how this category of bonus paid to public lawyers contradicts the logic of spending cuts. Carazza recalls that, until 2017, these resources went to the National Treasury to finance public policies, but now they are "captured" by specific categories of civil servants. He also points out distortions between public and private law and concludes that there is a lack of transparency about the use of Union funds earmarked for paying bonuses to these servants.

Marília Mendonça became Brazil's most popular singer and was about to start a grand project when her career was tragically interrupted. The trauma, which settled in the music market, transformed the career of the duo Zé Neto e Cristiano.

Historically, Japan's economy and politics are marked by stability. Since 1955, the Liberal Democratic Party has governed the country almost continuously. This predictability, however, has shown signs of wear. Since the coronavirus pandemic, a new inflation pattern has been established, and one of the most affected products was rice. In May, a government minister resigned after joking about the product's price. Discontent with the economy affected the polls. Last Sunday (20th), the Japanese imposed a historic defeat on the government party. Despite being the most voted, the LDP did not reach the 50 seats in the Upper House to maintain control of parliament. The biggest winner of the election was a young party, born during the pandemic. Sanseito jumped from 1 to 14 seats. The party leader is known as "Japanese Trump", precisely because he has a speech aligned with that of the President of the United States: anti-immigration agenda and the motto "Japan first". In this episode, Natuza Nery receives Mauricio Moura. Professor at George Washington University, in the USA, Mauricio followed the election in Tokyo. He explains why Donald Trump's pressure for tariff negotiation was decisive for the election result. In the conversation, Mauricio also answers about the impacts for Brazilians living in the country.

This Wednesday (23rd), The Wall Street Journal revealed that Donald Trump was warned by his own government that his name appears in Jeffrey Epstein's files. The White House accuses the newspaper of "fake news." Also on Wednesday, US justice refused a request from Trump to release the depositions from the case involving the billionaire. In 2019, Epstein was found dead in jail, 39 days after being arrested for running a sex trafficking ring that abused minors. Earlier this month, the government reaffirmed that Epstein had committed suicide and stated that there is no "client list" of the businessman, who had a close relationship with politicians and celebrities. In this episode, Natuza Nery talks with Candice Carvalho and Marcelo Lins. Live from New York, the Globo correspondent recalls who Epstein was and why his case became a torment for the White House. Candice explains how the alleged "Epstein list" was used by Trump during the campaign and mobilized his electoral base. And how Trump changed his mind about the existence of the list. Commentator and host of GloboNews Internacional, Marcelo Lins analyzes how this story became a source of discord within the Trumpist base and the Republican Party. And assesses the potential for damage to the US president. Lins concludes that, after dying, Epstein became even more influential: "Epstein's ghost seems to be bigger than the man Jeffrey Epstein ever was in life."

When markets opened on July 9, 2025, the dollar was quoted at R$ 5.46 and the US currency operated normally. In the early afternoon, around 1:30 pm in Washington, a movement happened: an operation involving between US$ 3 billion and US$ 4 billion bet on the devaluation of the Real. Ten minutes later, Donald Trump spoke for the first time that day about Brazil. And, hours later, the US president announced a 50% tariff on Brazilian products. The announcement made the dollar soar and the Brazilian currency devalued. In this episode, Natuza Nery receives Globo correspondent Felipe Santana. Live from New York, he reports when this billion-dollar operation caught the attention of investors. And he answers why there is suspicion that privileged information was used. Felipe recalls other cases in which Trump's announcements were preceded by suspicious movements in the financial market. Then, Natuza Nery talks to FGV São Paulo professor Luciana Pires Dias. She, who was director of the Securities and Exchange Commission from 2010 to 2015 and superintendent of market development at the CVM from 2008 to 2010, explains when an operation of this type can be considered illegal. She answers how cases of this type are investigated at the CVM and also judicially, now that STF minister Alexandre de Moraes ended a request from the AGU for the case to be investigated.

Since February, congressman Eduardo Bolsonaro has a different domicile: the United States. And from there, on the last day of his leave as congressman, Eduardo made threats to a Federal Police delegate and stated that he "will work" to remove minister Alexandre de Moraes from the STF. The son of former president Jair Bolsonaro stated that he will not return to Brazil, and that he will not give up his position as parliamentarian. To explain Eduardo's situation and the consequences of the threats made by him to Brazilian authorities, Natuza Nery talks with Andréia Sadi, presenter of GloboNews and columnist for g1. Together, Natuza and Andréia analyze how Eduardo Bolsonaro's situation stands in the face of Donald Trump's tariff against Brazilian products. Andréia recalls the arguments used by the congressman to take leave from his position and go live in the USA, and concludes how Eduardo became a "hot potato" for the Chamber.

Elas não são raras. As terras raras são 17 elementos químicos abundantes em vários países, concentrados na China e no Brasil. Pequim ameaçou suspender a venda para os EUA caso Trump não revisse as tarifas. O Brasil também pode usar esse "trunfo", pois tem 25% das reservas. Fernando José Gomes Landgraf explica que elas são estratégicas geopoliticamente porque são essenciais para "super imãs" de carros elétricos e equipamentos militares. Ele avalia os impactos da exploração e o que o Brasil precisa fazer para avançar na produção. Esses elementos químicos podem ajudar na negociação contra a chantagem tarifária de Trump.

In July 2025, Marília Mendonça would have turned 30. She was the most relevant Brazilian singer to emerge this century. Not only because she is the country's most popular artist in the era of music consumed by the internet: it's not just a matter of numbers. This podcast details the reasons that made Marília Mendonça's "sofrência" go down in history. You will understand why, years and years from now, we will still remember her saying that nobody will suffer alone, everyone will suffer. And also another side, not so well known: how the suffering caused by her tragic and premature departure changed not only the lives of those who lived with the singer, but also the course of Brazilian music.

It was around 7:30 AM this Friday (18th) when a team from the Federal Police knocked on Jair and Michelle Bolsonaro's door. Agents surrounded the former president's house to execute a search and seizure warrant issued by the Supreme Federal Court. The order was signed by Minister Alexandre de Moraes, within the scope of the investigation into the actions of licensed congressman Eduardo Bolsonaro (PL-SP) in the USA to pressure Brazilian authorities – the accusations are obstruction of justice, coercion during the course of legal proceedings, and attack on national sovereignty. Stunned, Jair attends to the PF agents – all of them equipped with cameras, which recorded the step-by-step of the operation. Shortly after, Michelle arrives. "They revolted, complained a lot. But later, when it sank in, they offered no resistance to the police work," says César Tralli, presenter of TV Globo and GloboNews. Guest of Natuza Nery for this extra episode, Tralli reveals conversations he had with sources in the PF, in the STF, and with influential people in the Bolsonarista circle. The federal police officers collected an amount in cash (R$ 8,000 and US$ 14,000) and a pen drive found in a drawer in Jair's bathroom from the Bolsonaros' house – an object that the former president says he does not recognize. Bolsonaro was taken to the PF Penitentiary Affairs Secretariat for the placement of the electronic ankle monitor. There, he was informed about the series of orders imposed by the Justice system: nightly home confinement, prohibition of the use of social networks, and prohibition of contact with ambassadors, diplomats, and other investigated individuals. "In my understanding, the objective is supreme humiliation," said the former president.

On Thursday night (17th), the US president sent a letter addressed to Jair Bolsonaro defending the former president of Brazil and making new criticisms of Brazilian Justice. Trump repeated that the tariffs imposed by him on Brazil are a way of demonstrating disapproval of Bolsonaro's trial, who is a defendant in the Supreme Federal Court for attempted coup d'état. The American's reiterated support yielded bad dividends for the former president. In addition to polls showing that Brazilians disapprove of Trump's measures, representatives of the GDP affected by the tariff increase show irritation with Bolsonaro and his son Eduardo, a licensed deputy who is in the USA. Also this Thursday, a Quaest poll indicated that representatives of Bolsonarism may lose strength in the 2026 presidential election. In this episode, Julia Duailibi talks to journalist Maria Cristina Fernandes to trace the effects of Trump's support for the former president. Columnist for the Valor Econômico newspaper and commentator for GloboNews and CBN, Maria Cristina analyzes Bolsonaro's recent statements after the PGR requested his conviction. She assesses the status of the dispute between allies of the former president and how this may reflect in the presidential dispute. Finally, Maria Cristina concludes whether the difficulties in this political field may facilitate the Lula government's life in its relationship with Congress.

A Quaest pesquisa, publicada quarta-feira (16), tem boas e más notícias para o governo Lula. A má: a desaprovação segue alta, em 53%. A boa: a diferença entre desaprovam e aprovam caiu 7 pontos percentuais desde junho. A pesquisa mostra onde e por que a tendência virou. Neste episódio, Julia Duailibi recebe Felipe Nunes, diretor da Quaest, e Valdo Cruz, colunista do g1 e comentarista da GloboNews. Felipe explica quais segmentos fomentaram a mudança de cenário para Lula: o presidente se recuperou em setores fora de sua base de apoio. E detalha como a população recebeu o tarifaço de Donald Trump e a reação do governo brasileiro. Depois, Julia conversa com Valdo Cruz, que relata a percepção do governo sobre o desafio de manter a recuperação após o “inferno astral” dos últimos meses. Valdo responde o que mudou na relação entre Executivo e Legislativo, e o desafio da oposição. “O culpado [pelo tarifaço] é Trump, e também Eduardo Bolsonaro”, diz. Valdo conclui: “há um mês a oposição e o centrão davam o governo como acabado. E agora eles perceberam que há espaço para Lula se recuperar para o ano que vem”.

Representatives of sectors affected by Donald Trump's tariff increase met this Tuesday (15) in Brasília with the inter-ministerial committee that will elaborate the Brazilian response to the US president's blackmail. Government and agribusiness and industry entrepreneurs agreed that the Reciprocity Law should be the last resort to be used. In this episode, Julia Duailibi listens to representatives from three sectors to understand the impacts and strategies of Brazilian exporters. First, Julia talks to Márcio Ferreira, president of the Council of Coffee Exporters of Brazil, CeCafé. The main consumer market for the grain, the USA buys 17% of Brazilian production – about 1/3 of all coffee consumed on American soil comes from Brazil. Márcio reports on the meeting with government representatives, and says what Brazilian producers plan to maintain this "win-win" relationship with the USA. Then, Julia speaks with Ibiapaba Netto, executive director of the National Association of Citrus Juice Exporters. Brazil is a world leader in orange juice exports – and Ibiapaba explains its entire production chain: from planting oranges in Brazil to the juice reaching the American consumer's table. He also comments on the impacts on employment and industry in São Paulo, the largest orange producing region in the world. Also participating is Raul Jungmann, CEO of the Brazilian Mining Institute (Ibram), an organization that brings together more than 200 mineral producers. Jungmann assesses the impact on national production, and answers which markets Brazil can target if the 50% tariffs come into effect.

In the very first lines of the letter sent to Lula last week, the US president cited the Supreme Federal Court. Trump referenced trials involving former president Jair Bolsonaro and criticized court decisions against US-based technology companies. The first response to Trump was given by the Executive. And on Sunday night, another came to public: the president of the STF, Minister Luís Roberto Barroso, wrote a note entitled "In defense of the Constitution, Democracy and Justice". The text states that different worldviews "do not give anyone the right to twist the truth or deny the concrete facts that everyone saw and lived". And it makes a historical resumption about moments in which there was an attempt at institutional rupture in Brazil. To explain the meanings of the content of the letter and how Trump's blackmail reverberated in the Brazilian Supreme Court, Julia Duailibi talks to journalist Felipe Recondo and lawyer Rafael Mafei. Writer and researcher of the history of the STF, Recondo explains how Barroso's letter was articulated and what its effects are on ongoing processes in the Court. Professor at the Faculty of Law of USP and ESPM, Mafei analyzes the strategy used by the president of the STF, to whom the note is addressed. He also recalls other moments in history in which the Supreme acted in defense of national sovereignty.

It was months of intense participation in the presidential campaign and another 128 days inside the White House. And then came the divorce with Donald Trump, with a public spat. In the middle of the fight, the US president threatened to cut public incentives for SpaceX, Elon Musk's space exploration company, which depends on government contracts. Amid the political turmoil, Musk saw Tesla's stock value plummet. Since the Republican took office, the electric car company's shares have devalued by about 30%, a loss of around US$ 379 billion for the businessman. It is in this context that Elon Musk now says he wants to create a party to call his own. The billionaire announced on his social network, X, that he will create the "Party of America", in an attempt to break with the dominant two-party system in the USA. To explain the viability of a new political party and what Musk intends with it, Julia Duailibi talks to Cesar Zucco, full professor of Politics and Public Policies at FGV-RJ. He explains how the US political and party system contributes to the dominance of Republicans and Democrats. And assesses the difficulties for a third party to have representation in Congress. Afterwards, Julia receives Daniela Braun, technology reporter for the newspaper Valor Econômico, who comments on the performance of the billionaire's companies in the face of the political crises starring him.

President Lula stated this Thursday (10th) that he wants to negotiate with Donald Trump, but asked for respect for Brazilian decisions. Lula said that, if there is no agreement with the American government, Brazil will respond with tariffs equal to those announced by Trump against all Brazilian products. A day earlier, the American president announced that he will impose tariffs of 50% on Brazil starting August 1st. In addition to the reaction of the Brazilian government, Thursday was marked by criticism of Trump. The international press highlighted the use of tariffs to blackmail Brazil. Economist Paul Krugman, winner of the 2008 Nobel Prize in Economics, described the decision as "malicious and megalomaniacal". For some businessmen, the 50% tariffs could make Brazil's business with the USA unviable. In this episode, Julia Duailibi receives diplomat Roberto Abdenur, who worked for 45 years in the Brazilian diplomatic service and was ambassador to Washington, Beijing and Berlin. Advisor to the Brazilian Center for International Relations (Cebri), Abdenur classifies the moment as "the most serious in the relationship" between the USA and Brazil. He assesses the possibilities of economic and diplomatic responses that the Brazilian government can give to Trump. Afterwards, the conversation is with political scientist Guilherme Casarões. Professor at FGV-SP and researcher at the Extreme Right Observatory, Casarões analyzes the response given by the Lula government so far. And he explains how the interference of the US president in a judicial process involving Jair Bolsonaro in Brazil is part of the global strategy of the extreme right.