Where does Spain fit in a world where the rules are changing?

Former Spanish Foreign Minister Arancha González Laya joins The Bubble to discuss her new book, Solos en el mundo, and the future of Spanish foreign policy. From hybrid threats to tensions with neighboring Morocco, we explore Spain’s place in an increasingly multipolar world, and what gives the country an edge on the international stage.

Back at home, we turn to Spain’s pension system: a cornerstone of the welfare state and a major election issue. Why is it so difficult to reform, and how can Spain protect pensioners while keeping its public finances sustainable?

Plus, American student and content creator Danielle Grobman shares her “guiri confessions.” She explains the culture shocks of life between the US and Spain, and what it takes to break out of the expat bubble in Madrid.

In this episode:

• Arancha González Laya on Spain’s role in the world
• Spanish foreign policy, hybrid threats, and Spain–Morocco relations
• Spain’s pension debate and the future of the welfare state
• Danielle Grobman on cultural differences between the US and Spain.

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The Bubble explains Spanish politics, economy, and culture in plain English.
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Will Spain’s snap election bring a government led by the Partido Popular (PP) and backed by Vox?

El Mundo political journalist Juanma Lamet joins Adrian Bono to discuss Pedro Sánchez’s prospects, Spain’s divided left and what a Feijóo–Vox governing alliance could mean for the country.

We explore why Vox is shaping the political conversation, how divisions between PSOE’s potential allies like Frente Amplio and Podemos could affect parliamentary seats, and why affordable housing matters to the future of Spanish democracy.

We also turn to Ceuta and Spain’s relationship with Morocco.
In this episode:

• Spain’s next government: PP, Vox and Alberto Núñez Feijóo
• Pedro Sánchez, PSOE and the fragmented Spanish left
• Housing, immigration and the rise of the far right
• Ceuta, Melilla and Spain–Morocco relations
• The EU’s role at Spain’s southern border

Juanma Lamet is a political journalist at El Mundo, where he focuses on the Partido Popular, and a regular commentator on Spanish television and radio.

The Bubble explains Spanish politics, economy and culture in plain English. Subscribe to the channel for more interviews and analysis, and join our newsletter at https://www.thebubble.com/

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Editor’s note: This interview was recorded a few days before Pedro Sánchez unexpectedly announced Spain’s snap general election. Lamet’s analysis remains relevant to the campaign, but his comments reflect the information available at the time of recording.

Was it Morocco? Was it the smugglers? What really happened during the Ceuta migration crisis? And could it change Spain’s relationship with immigration?

In this episode of The Bubble Podcast, we unpack immigration in Spain, interview journalist and author David Jiménez about El director and the relationship between media and power, and explore some of Spain’s most inexplicable cultural obsessions.

First, Adrián Bono and Ian Mount explain the Ceuta migration crisis: what happened, why it matters in Spanish politics and society, and what its long-term implications could be for Spain and the rest of Europe.

Then, Ignacio de los Reyes interviews DavidJiménez ahead of the release of his film, El director, in Spanish cinemas this autumn. David explains why he believes Ceuta marks a turning point in Spanish attitudes towards immigration. They also discuss journalism in Spain and the tangled relationship between the media, political power and big business.

Finally, Adrián Bono and Ignacio de los Reyes explore Spain’s strangest traditions and cultural obsessions, from quirky celebrations to everyday objects found in Spanish homes that might horrify a foreign visitor. A journey through Spanish nostalgia, and the things Spaniards struggle to explain about themselves.

Hosted by Ian Mount, Adrián Bono and Ignacio de los Reyes.

Created in collaboration with A13 Content.

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In this episode of The Bubble Podcast, we explore how immigration, identity and politics are reshaping modern Spain.

First, Adrián Bono sits down with writer Noor Ammar Lamarty, author of Antes de que existiese un nombre, to discuss immigration, belonging and why Spain has historically taken a different approach to migration than many other European countries.

Although this conversation was recorded before the recent Ceuta migration crisis, many of the questions it raises feel more relevant than ever. They also discuss feminism, the Spanish left, and the complex concept of identity.

Then, Ian Mount and Adrián Bono analyse why Spain's conservative People's Party (PP) appears to be adopting positions traditionally associated with Vox, from immigration to abortion, and whether this reflects genuine ideological change or an electoral strategy ahead of Spain's next general election.

Finally, Adrián Bono and Ignacio de los Reyes take a lighter turn, exploring the TV shows that best explain Spanish society, from Verano Azul and the unforgettable death of Chanquete to Sálvame, celebrity culture and why understanding Spanish television helps explain modern Spain.

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Do you think Spain's conversation about immigration changed over the past year?

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Hosted by Ian Mount, Adrián Bono and Ignacio de los Reyes.

Created in collaboration with A13 Content.

Who Belongs in Spain? In this episode of The Bubble Podcast, we explore one of the biggest questions shaping modern Spain: identity.

Sweden’s Ambassador to Spain, Per-Arne Hjelmborn, joins us to talk about the viral “No Somos Tan S(u)ecos” campaign and why so many Spaniards still see Swedes as cold and distant.

Ian Mount and Adrián Bono then unpack Spain’s record-breaking migrant regularization, the political battle over immigration, and the controversy surrounding the Ley de Nietos, asking how these policies could reshape the country’s future.

Finally, Ignacio de los Reyes sits down with writer and philosopher Elizabeth Duval to reflect on how Spain has change, and what it really means to be Spanish today.

Whether you’re living in Spain or simply trying to understand the country beyond the headlines, this episode offers essential context on one of the defining debates shaping Spain today.

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What do you think defines being Spanish today?

Created in collaboration with A13 Content.

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Is Spain inevitably heading towards a PP–Vox coalition government? Or can Pedro Sánchez still hold on to power?

In this episode, we sit down with political scientist and analyst Pablo Simón to unpack one of the biggest questions in Spanish politics.

We discuss Sánchez’s mounting corruption scandals, a parliament paralysed by political deadlock, what the polls are really saying, and whether a change of government is becoming unavoidable.

We also tackle another question many internationals and entrepreneurs ask when moving to Spain:

Should you register as a freelancer (autónomo) or set up a company?

Together with a corporate law expert from Lexidy, we break down the real differences, tax implications, legal advantages and common mistakes to avoid when starting a business in Spain.

Finally, we explore Spanish social culture: Why is making friends in Spain sometimes harder than expected?

Hosted by Ian Mount, Adrián Bono and Ignacio de los Reyes.

Sponsored by Lexidy.com, the international law firm helping people live, work and invest in Spain.

Created in collaboration with A13 Content.

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What really happened to Isak Andic, the billionaire founder of Mango?

In this episode of The Bubble Podcast, we unpack the growing mystery around the death of one of Spain’s most important business figures after new developments in the case raised fresh questions about what happened on that Montserrat hiking trail.

We also swap ideas for enjoying summer in Spain without spending a fortune, from affordable plans to the charm of verbenas, fiestas de pueblo and traditional summer festivals across the country.

And in the second half of the episode, we sit down with an immigration and relocation expert to talk about the most common bureaucracy mistakes people make when moving to Spain — and how to avoid them.

This episode is brought to you by Bureaucracy.es, a trusted immigration and relocation agency helping people move to Spain with clarity and confidence.

Whether you’re relocating as a remote worker, retiring in Spain, taking a career break, or living off savings abroad, their team helps navigate digital nomad visas, non-lucrative visas, residency renewals and the Spanish bureaucracy behind the move.

The Bubble is an English-language newsletter and podcast about Spain. Subscribe for free at www.thebubble.com.

Hosted by Ian Mount, Adrián Bono and Ignacio de los Reyes. Created in collaboration with A13 Content.

Amanda Sloat, former White House adviser to President Joe Biden, joins The Bubble Podcast to discuss the Trump administration, NATO, Spain-US relations and Pedro Sánchez.

We also examine a scandal linked to José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero and the PSOE, and ask whether Spain’s government is facing its biggest political challenge yet.

And finally, two of our least qualified sports pundits attempt to explain everything you need to know about Spain’s national football team ahead of the FIFA World Cup 2026, from Spain’s historic 2010 victory to cultural icons like Naranjito and Manolo el del Bombo.

Hosted by Ian Mount, Adrián Bono and Ignacio de los Reyes.

If you enjoyed this episode, hit Subscribe, leave us a comment, and share it with someone who loves Spain or is thinking about moving here.

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If you don’t speak Spanish, want to understand the country from a different point of view, or just moved here, then The Bubble is for you.

This episode is brought to you by Bureaucracy.es, a trusted immigration and relocation agency helping people move to Spain with clarity and confidence. Whether you’re relocating as a remote worker, retiring in Spain, taking a career break, or living off savings abroad, their team helps navigate digital nomad visas, non-lucrative visas, residency renewals and the Spanish bureaucracy behind the move.

Learn more:

https://www.bureaucracy.es

Created in collaboration with A13 Content.