Podcast

Low Country Lowdown

Dutch news for internationals, explained in twenty minutes. Every Friday.

Low Country Lowdown is a concise rundown of the biggest stories in Dutch news, every Friday. Whatever type of international you might be—a fresh newcomer or a long-time resident—we make sure you're well-informed and up to speed on the most important themes in Dutch politics and society. We skip the clichés and help you make sense of what’s going on in the Netherlands.

Episodes

S01 / E11 - 18 July 2025
RIP to Dutch Railways & Why Cyclists Ditch Helmets - Lowdown #11

This is our final episode before we take a summer break until the end of August!On this week's Lowdown, we'll take some extra time to discuss this this week's pure drama for the national railway company NS. Then, after running through a handful of other headlines, we get to the Holland Ho...

S01 / E10 - 11 July 2025
Wilders' PVV Refuses to Work & Why Amsterdam’s Houses Are Sinking - Lowdown #10

On this week's Lowdown, we'll first discuss the extreme right PVV and how their wholesale refusal to do their job is affecting politics and parliamentary work. After that, we'll talk about Dutch companies, headquartered in the Netherlands, are killing off their corporate diversity initiatives bec...

S01 / E09 - 04 July 2025
Antisemitism Clash Between Politician and Singer & Why is Dutch Food so Bland? - Lowdown #9

On this week's Lowdown, we'll first talk about the costs incurred because of the long-standing stalemate concerning the nitrogen crisis. After that, we'll discuss the false allegations of antisemitism by the leader of the Liberal Conservatives, Dilan Yesilgöz, against a singer, Douwe Bob. Then, a...

S01 / E08 - 27 June 2025
Israel Vote by Greens and Labour Party & Segregation in Dutch Schools - Lowdown #8

On this week's Lowdown, we'll first talk about the motion by the Greenleft-Labour party to ban weapons exports to Israel, leading to a media storm and consternation at their party conference. After that, we'll discuss a newly released report on the 350.000 unemployed immigrants in the Netherlands...

S01 / E07 - 20 June 2025
Magical Billions for Defense & How Does the Public Broadcaster Work? - Lowdown #7

On this week's Lowdown, we'll first talk about parliament agreeing to spend 19 billion euros more on defence, without actually having that money readily available. After that, we'll discuss the disappearance of crucial video footage in two court cases against violent Israeli hooligans in Amsterda...

S01 / E06 - 13 June 2025
Amsterdam Wants Expat Integration Course & The Dutch Anti-Apartheid Efforts - Lowdown #6

On this week's Lowdown, we'll first talk about the city of Amsterdam its plans for a new programme for expat integration. After that, we'll discuss Syrian refugees in the Netherlands, as the cabinet now assumes Syria is safe enough for most of them to return. Then, after running through a handful...

S01 / E05 - 06 June 2025
The Fall of the Cabinet & Does the Netherlands Have a Heroin Problem? - Lowdown #5

On this week's Lowdown, we're covering the fall of the cabinet: how it happened, why it happened, and what will happen next. Then, after running through a handful of other headlines, we get to the Holland Hotline, where our international guest gets to ask their most pressing question about Dutch...

S01 / E04 - 30 May 2025
Geert Wilders in Trouble & Why Do the Dutch Swear with Diseases - Lowdown #4

This week, we're covering Geert Wilders' struggles to dominate the discourse, about which we spoke with political journalist Coen van de Ven, and a Russian hack on the Dutch police. Next, after quickly running through a handful of other headlines, we'll get to the Holland Hotline, where our inter...

S01 / E03 - 23 May 2025
Will Gaza Protests Be Effective & Drought Keeps Worsening - Lowdown #3

This week, we'll cover this year's drought, which has scientists and farmers alike worried. Next, after quickly running through a handful of other headlines, we'll get to the Holland Hotline, where our international guests get to ask their most pressing question about Dutch society.This w...

S01 / E02 - 16 May 2025
Trump Shock Hits Dutch Academia & Water Pollution Worsens - Lowdown #2

This week, we'll touch on two themes. Firstly, a new investigation shows how the Trump administration's first months already disrupt academic work in the Netherlands, and we'll talk about a new, much-discussed lawsuit against oil giant Shell.After quickly running through a handful of othe...

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About Low Country Lowdown

Low Country Lowdown is the podcast for internationals in the Netherlands who want to stay in the loop.

Every Friday morning, we deliver a 20 minute explainer on the past week’s most important stories in Dutch news, politics, and society. We go beyond the breaking news by picking the major themes that will continue to shape the country.

Whether it's the ever-worsening housing crisis, consequential political feuds or the slow-burn disaster in the prison system, we explain why each story matters now and how it may play out in the months and years to come.

Every week, we're joined by an expat guest who shares their view and voices their most pressing questions.

Production & Presentation: Daniel da Costa & Allart van der Woude

Follow us on Instagram! @lowdown.nl
Email us for inquiries and tips: info@lowdown.nl

www.lowdown.nl

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