Was it Morocco? Was it the smugglers? What really happened during the Ceuta migration crisis? And could it change Spain’s relationship with immigration?

In this episode of The Bubble Podcast, we unpack immigration in Spain, interview journalist and author David Jiménez about El director and the relationship between media and power, and explore some of Spain’s most inexplicable cultural obsessions.

First, Adrián Bono and Ian Mount explain the Ceuta migration crisis: what happened, why it matters in Spanish politics and society, and what its long-term implications could be for Spain and the rest of Europe.

Then, Ignacio de los Reyes interviews DavidJiménez ahead of the release of his film, El director, in Spanish cinemas this autumn. David explains why he believes Ceuta marks a turning point in Spanish attitudes towards immigration. They also discuss journalism in Spain and the tangled relationship between the media, political power and big business.

Finally, Adrián Bono and Ignacio de los Reyes explore Spain’s strangest traditions and cultural obsessions, from quirky celebrations to everyday objects found in Spanish homes that might horrify a foreign visitor. A journey through Spanish nostalgia, and the things Spaniards struggle to explain about themselves.

Hosted by Ian Mount, Adrián Bono and Ignacio de los Reyes.

Created in collaboration with A13 Content.

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In this episode of The Bubble Podcast, we explore how immigration, identity and politics are reshaping modern Spain.

First, Adrián Bono sits down with writer Noor Ammar Lamarty, author of Antes de que existiese un nombre, to discuss immigration, belonging and why Spain has historically taken a different approach to migration than many other European countries.

Although this conversation was recorded before the recent Ceuta migration crisis, many of the questions it raises feel more relevant than ever. They also discuss feminism, the Spanish left, and the complex concept of identity.

Then, Ian Mount and Adrián Bono analyse why Spain's conservative People's Party (PP) appears to be adopting positions traditionally associated with Vox, from immigration to abortion, and whether this reflects genuine ideological change or an electoral strategy ahead of Spain's next general election.

Finally, Adrián Bono and Ignacio de los Reyes take a lighter turn, exploring the TV shows that best explain Spanish society, from Verano Azul and the unforgettable death of Chanquete to Sálvame, celebrity culture and why understanding Spanish television helps explain modern Spain.

👇 We'd love to hear from you.

Do you think Spain's conversation about immigration changed over the past year?

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Hosted by Ian Mount, Adrián Bono and Ignacio de los Reyes.

Created in collaboration with A13 Content.

Who Belongs in Spain? In this episode of The Bubble Podcast, we explore one of the biggest questions shaping modern Spain: identity.

Sweden’s Ambassador to Spain, Per-Arne Hjelmborn, joins us to talk about the viral “No Somos Tan S(u)ecos” campaign and why so many Spaniards still see Swedes as cold and distant.

Ian Mount and Adrián Bono then unpack Spain’s record-breaking migrant regularization, the political battle over immigration, and the controversy surrounding the Ley de Nietos, asking how these policies could reshape the country’s future.

Finally, Ignacio de los Reyes sits down with writer and philosopher Elizabeth Duval to reflect on how Spain has change, and what it really means to be Spanish today.

Whether you’re living in Spain or simply trying to understand the country beyond the headlines, this episode offers essential context on one of the defining debates shaping Spain today.

👇 We’d love to hear from you.

What do you think defines being Spanish today?

Created in collaboration with A13 Content.

Follow us for more videos, leave a comment, and don’t forget to subscribe if you enjoy the show.

📥 Sign up for our weekly newsletter: it’s free, and it keeps you updated on everything happening in Spain: https://www.thebubble.com/