Behind the Scenes with President von der Leyen’s Speechwriter – Crafting Impactful Political Speeches

27/11/2024 33 min Temporada 1 Episodio 4

Listen "Behind the Scenes with President von der Leyen’s Speechwriter – Crafting Impactful Political Speeches"

Episode Synopsis

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

00:01:06 Career Journey to Presidential Speechwriter
00:03:58 Essential Skills for Speechwriting
00:11:41 Daily Routine and Speech Creation Process
00:21:31 AI Integration in Speechwriting
00:23:18 Tips for Aspiring Writers

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:
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🎧 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.