NZZ am Sonntag launches podcast «NZZ Weekend» with Federal Councillor Albert Rösti

NZZ am Sonntag« is expanding its offering with a new podcast: »NZZ Weekend« offers space for in-depth discussions that go beyond the day-to-day business. The focus is on personalities from politics, business, science and culture who talk about their careers, their convictions and current challenges. The first episode is available now, with new episodes appearing on Fridays.

Being human in the spotlight

«NZZ Weekend» takes a look behind the scenes and combines biographical anecdotes with current socio-political debates. Beat Balzli, editor-in-chief of «NZZ am Sonntag», is the central voice of the podcast. The host team is complemented by Nicole Althaus, Report and Debate author at «NZZ am Sonntag», and Peer Teuwsen, Head of Culture and History at «NZZ am Sonntag». In each 60-minute episode, guests talk about how they became the people they are today.

Federal Councillor Rösti at the start

In the opening episode, Beat Balzli welcomes Federal Councillor Albert Rösti (SVP), Head of the Federal Department of the Environment, Transport, Energy and Communications (DETEC). Rösti describes his path from a farmer's son from the Bernese Oberland to the Federal Council and reflects on issues of status, ambition and resilience. The interview, which was recorded in March 2026, ranges from personal anecdotes to current topics such as artificial intelligence and Switzerland's future viability.

Beat Balzli says: «With »NZZ Weekend', we are creating space for conversations that go beyond day-to-day business. We are interested in what shapes personalities - and how they make decisions in an increasingly complex world."

The first episode of «NZZ Weekend» is now available on nzz.chfree of charge in the NZZ app and all popular podcast apps.