In this episode, Sevim Aktas chats with Elias Kuehn von Burgsdorff, speechwriter for European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen. 🌍✨
Elias shares his journey from history and economics to crafting speeches for Europe’s top leader—plus tips on storytelling, clarity, and impact.
Key Takeaways:
👉🏽 Mastering Speechwriting Skills – Elias highlights storytelling, logical argument structure, and simplifying complex topics for diverse audiences.
👉🏽 Daily Workflow & Processes – Insights into managing deadlines, research strategies, and collaborating with stakeholders for high-impact speeches.
👉🏽 AI in Speechwriting – Practical uses of AI for efficiency while preserving human creativity and oversight in major speeches.
Chapters
Guest Links:
🔗 ****LinkedIn: Elias Kuehn von Burgsdorff
🔗 Book recommendation from Elias: Thinking, Fast and Slow by Daniel Kahneman
🔗 Newsletter tip: Adam Tooze's Chartbook
Engagement Links:
⭐️ Rate & review the podcast on Spotify/ Apple Podcasts
🎧 Share this episode with fellow sustainability advocates and young professionals!
Disclaimer: The views expressed on this podcasts are personal and do not necessarily reflect the official position of the European Commission.
This podcast was edited by Puck Wagemaker.
