🇧🇷 Brazil Episodes

Guest: Guga Chacra, Globo, GloboNews, and CBN radio commentator, and O Globo newspaper columnist. In an interview with Fox News in early August, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu admitted he "intends" to assume total control of the Gaza Strip. The operation has no official start date, but the Israeli armed forces already claim to control 75% of the territory. The decision was met with immediate criticism from the international community: the UN, Russia, and China condemned the expansion of Israel's military action; and even traditional allies, such as the European Union and the United Kingdom, joined in. All this while calls for a ceasefire grow in the face of the humanitarian crisis to which the Palestinians are subjected. In this episode, Victor Boyadjian receives Guga Chacra, Globo, GloboNews, and CBN radio commentator, and O Globo newspaper columnist. Guga comments on Netanyahu's military and political objectives and analyzes the current status of the conflict and the possibility of a two-state solution.

Guests: José Roberto Mendonça de Barros, economist, and Ana Flor, columnist for g1 and commentator for GloboNews Exactly one week after the 50% tariff on Brazilian products sold to the US came into effect, the Brazilian government announced a package of measures to help exporters. The package has three pillars: credit for affected companies, tax incentives, and the purchase of products that would be sold to the US. In return, the government demands that all jobs be maintained. In this episode, Victor Boyadjian talks with Ana Flor, columnist for g1 and commentator for GloboNews. In addition to explaining the main points of the announced measures, the journalist details how the package was received by the sectors affected by the tariff. She also talks about which strategies remain on the Brazilian government's table to respond to the Trump administration. Then, the conversation is with economist José Roberto Mendonça de Barros. He analyzes the effectiveness of the measures and their long-term impact on the Brazilian economy. Secretary of Economic Policy of the Ministry of Finance between 1995 and 1998, José Roberto also assesses how the tariff could boost sectors of the Brazilian economy to remodel themselves and seek new markets.

Convidado: Mauricio Moura, professor da Universidade George Washington. Emergência de Trump: “estado de caos” em Washington, “crime fora de controle”. Casa Branca autoriza Guarda Nacional e polícia para combater violência e expulsar criminosos e sem-teto. Autoridades locais e dados oficiais negam crise de violência. Trump lista capitais latino-americanas, incluindo Brasília, citando dados de violência diferentes dos oficiais. Oitocentos soldados da Guarda Nacional e cento e vinte agentes do FBI chegam a Washington. Presidente invoca lei inédita para intervenção federal. Victor Boyadjian conversa com Mauricio Moura sobre a tomada de Washington por Trump. Professor da Universidade George Washington relembra promessa de Trump. Mauricio traça paralelos com a intervenção de 6 de janeiro de 2021 e responde sobre consequências da escalada autoritária de Trump.

Guest: Maíra Recchia, president of the OAB-SP Women Lawyers Commission. The Security Yearbook, published by the Brazilian Public Security Forum, reports that in 2024 Brazil had 1,492 femicides — the highest number since 2015. Attempted femicides also increased by 19%, reaching 3,870 cases. Already in 2025, on July 26, a new case of attempted femicide became news across the country. Inside the elevator of a building in Natal, Rio Grande do Norte, security cameras recorded a brutal assault: a man beat his girlfriend with more than 60 punches. Her face was disfigured; he was arrested. A week later, a very similar episode made the news: also inside an elevator, this time in Brasília, in the Federal District, a woman was assaulted with punches, kicks and stomps by her partner. He was also arrested, but, in this case, indicted for bodily injury, with the aggravating factor of domestic violence — a crime with a much lower penalty. In this episode, Victor Boyadjian talks with Maíra Recchia, president of the OAB-SP Women Lawyers Commission, to explain what is behind the year-after-year growth of violence against women. Maíra also comments on the cases of Natal and Brasília and analyzes why they were framed as different crimes.

Convidados: Rubens Barbosa, ex-embaixador do Brasil em Londres e em Washington. Tulio Cariello, diretor de conteúdo e pesquisa do Conselho Empresarial Brasil China. Na extensa lista de países tarifados por Donald Trump, os fundadores do grupo estão entre os que receberam as taxas mais altas. O Brasil é o que tem maior tarifação, de 50%. Ao nosso lado, uma surpresa: um país que se sentou à mesa para negociar com Donald Trump e que chegou a construir acordos com o americano. Trata-se da Índia. Os produtos indianos que entram nos EUA são tarifados em 50%, soma da tarifa base de 25% que o país recebeu mais a penalização de 25% por conta da compra de petróleo da Rússia. Em busca de soluções conjuntas, lideranças dos países fundadores do Brics conversam entre si – como ocorreu entre o presidente brasileiro, Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, e o primeiro-ministro indiano, Narendra Modi. Em entrevista a Alan Severiano, Rubens Barbosa, presidente do Instituto de Relações Internacionais e Comércio Exterior (Irice), analisa se há ou não fraturas nas relações entre EUA e os Brics. Barbosa, que foi embaixador do Brasil em Londres e em Washington, ainda responde como ele vê o posicionamento estratégico do Itamaraty diante da crise tarifária global. Depois, para falar sobre os laços cada vez mais estreitos do Brasil com a China, a conversa é com Tulio Cariello, diretor de conteúdo e pesquisa do Conselho Empresarial Brasil China. Ele apresenta o status da relação comercial entre os dois países e explica onde estão os investimentos mais estratégicos da China por aqui.

In the mid-2010s, Marília Mendonça led the first female generation of sertaneja music and changed the language of a historically male style. Today, songs that put women at the center of the narrative are very successful on the charts. The excellent numbers of the singer Simone Mendes are proof of this.

Convidado: Thomas Traumann, comentarista da GloboNews. A terça-feira, 5 de agosto, marcou a volta dos trabalhos do Congresso após recesso de julho. O que se viu naquele dia, no entanto, foi o início de um protesto de parlamentares que apoiam Jair Bolsonaro. Eles ocuparam as Mesas Diretoras da Câmara e do Senado em manifestação contra a prisão domiciliar do ex-presidente Jair Bolsonaro, decretada pelo ministro Alexandre de Moraes, do Supremo Tribunal Federal, no dia anterior. No Senado, foram 47 horas de bloqueio dos trabalhos. Na Câmara, a obstrução durou 36 horas – e só terminou depois da entrada de Arthur Lira (PP-AL, ex-presidente da Casa) nas negociações. Neste episódio, Alan Severiano recebe Thomas Traumann para analisar a situação do Congresso e do presidente da Câmara, Hugo Motta (Rep-PB), após o motim de parlamentares bolsonaristas. Thomas avalia que, ao ser impedido de sentar-se na própria cadeira, Motta sai fragilizado do que é “uma crise que entra para a história” da Câmara. Ele analisa também o mérito do que está sendo negociado – e com quem – para que o Congresso volte ao trabalho: uma pauta que atende aos interesses corporativos dos parlamentares.

Guests: Roberto Peixoto, g1 reporter. Less than 100 days before the Climate Conference, a crisis has erupted over lodging prices for the event in the Pará capital, scheduled for November. Last week, 25 countries wrote a letter pressing Brazil to change the venue of the world's largest climate event. This Wednesday (6), the president of COP30, André Corrêa do Lago, stated that the plans are maintained: "there is no plan B". In this episode, Alan Severiano receives g1 reporter Roberto Peixoto to explain why lodging prices have become a problem, and what are the risks of emptying the Climate Conference. Special envoy to Belém, Roberto reports on how the city is a few months before COP30 and what criticisms are presented by environmentalists and other countries to the organization of the conference. Afterwards, Alan talks with Guilherme Guerreiro Neto, reporter for the Sumaúma website, who covers topics related to the climate crisis from the Amazon. A resident of the Pará capital, Guilherme talks about how the local population has been impacted, with works throughout the city and an increase in rental prices. He answers how the lodging crisis can affect the legacy of the first COP held in the Amazon.

Matias Spektor and Bernardo Mello Franco are Alan Severiano's guests in this episode to explain and assess the reactions of Congress and the White House after Jair Bolsonaro's house arrest was decreed. Matias Spektor, Professor of International Relations at FGV in São Paulo, analyzes the commercial and political pressures issued by the White House in favor of the former Brazilian president. Still on Monday, hours after the decision of the STF minister, the US State Department again targeted Alexandre de Moraes. In a post, the American office that deals with relations with Latin America declared that the Supreme Court minister is a "human rights violator," in a new offensive against Brazilian institutions. Then, Alan speaks with Bernardo Mello Franco, a columnist for the newspaper O Globo and commentator for CBN radio. Bernardo analyzes the opposition's movement to the government, which on Tuesday (5th) announced the obstruction of Congress's work. Parliamentarians who support Bolsonaro stated that they will only leave the presiding boards of the Chamber and the Senate after the approval of what they call the "country's pacification package," which includes three measures: amnesty for those convicted on January 8, the vote on the impeachment of Alexandre de Moraes, and the proposal that ends parliamentary privilege for parliamentarians.

In the late afternoon of Monday (4th), STF Minister Alexandre de Moraes decreed the house arrest of former President Jair Bolsonaro (PL). In the decision, Moraes states that Bolsonaro used social media of allies – including his three parliamentary sons – to disseminate messages with "clear content of incentive and instigation to attacks on the Supreme Federal Court and ostensive support for foreign intervention in the Brazilian Judiciary." One of these posts occurred on Sunday (3rd) on the account of his son and senator, Flávio Bolsonaro, to echo acts in favor of Bolsonaro in cities across the country. Flávio deleted the post. Moraes also prohibited visits and ordered the seizure of cell phones at the former president's house. The Federal Police searched the place and collected a cell phone. Bolsonaro's defense denies that he has breached the precautionary measures imposed by Moraes. To explain what led to Moraes' decision, Alan Severiano talks to Rafael Mafei, professor at the USP Faculty of Law and ESPM. Mafei speaks about the legal basis for applying house arrest against Bolsonaro and answers what changes, in practice, in the restrictions imposed on the former president. Afterwards, Alan receives Andréia Sadi, presenter of GloboNews and columnist for g1. Andréia analyzes the moment of the decision, and reports that the assessment of other ministers of the Supreme Court is that Bolsonaro left the minister "with no way out" by failing to comply with measures imposed by him. She also echoes the reactions of Bolsonaro's allies after his house arrest was decreed.

Last Friday (1st), Italian Justice upheld the imprisonment of congresswoman Carla Zambelli (PL-SP). She had been considered a fugitive since June, when the STF sentenced her to 10 years in prison for involvement in the invasion of the National Council of Justice's systems. She left Brazil in May, passed through the US, and moved to Italy. Zambelli was arrested on July 29th in Rome, when authorities surrounded the building where she was to prevent the licensed congresswoman from fleeing. Zambelli, who has Italian citizenship, says she wants to serve her sentence in Italy. Brazil has requested her extradition. To explain how the extradition process works and the next steps after Italy confirms that Zambelli will remain imprisoned, Alan Severiano talks to Vladimir Aras. A member of the Public Prosecutor's Office for over 30 years, Aras was secretary of international cooperation at the Attorney General's Office from 2013 to 2017. He answers whether Zambelli's Italian citizenship changes anything in the process – and compares her case with that of other Brazilians arrested in the country, and of foreigners detained in Brazil. Afterwards, Alan receives Octávio Guedes. A columnist for g1 and commentator for GloboNews, he talks about what might happen to the parliamentarian's mandate. The president of the Chamber, Hugo Motta, stated that the House will assess Zambelli's removal. Guedes answers what the congresswoman's political situation is within the Chamber.

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."