In 2025, EstoCast, now in its fourth season, continued to grow as one of the most compelling voices connecting global Estonian culture with curious listeners everywhere. Presented by Estonian Museum Canada (VEMU), Estonian Music Week, and the Eesti Elu/Estonian Life newspaper, the podcast delivers a rich mix of cultural storytelling, identity exploration, and community insight — all with a distinctly global Estonian lens.
One of the show’s strongest qualities this year has been its breadth of topics and voices. Episodes range from personal stories — like conversations with people immersed in Estonian language and culture outside Estonia — to deeper discussions about identity and artistic expression. One of the main topics handled in this year’s Estonian episodes was the Year of the Book 2025 for Estonian episodes and Estonian Music Week (EMW) 2025 artists, who visited Toronto at the end of May, for English content. A late-2025 episode with Minnesota-born translator Adam Cullen explores the charm and challenge of learning Estonian as a non-native speaker, offering a heartfelt look at language as a cultural bridge. Another episode features Lachlan Bell, whose perspective as an Estonian Australian artist provides a fascinating cross-continental take on what Estonianness can mean today. An interesting and insightful interview with Elora Burns, member of the a cappella group Countermeasure, was only one of many in a series featuring EMW performers.
As for statistics, 19 episodes were released in 2025, the top three episodes for the year are “Minna ei tahtnud, jääda ei saanud – vestlus Vilme Pedega” (Not Wanting to Leave, but Unable to Stay), “Paul Lillakas Shares His Path to Becoming a TV Chef,” and “The Sonic Universe of Kara-Lis Coverdale.” Most people tune in through Apple Podcasts, followed by Spotify and the native podcast website (estocast.buzzsprout.com). The listener base has widened internationally over the past year, with the top 5 countries being Canada, Estonia, United States, Germany, and the United Kingdom.
A topic that carries through every season of EstoCast and was only amplified this year is the balance between local and global. While rooted in the Estonian Canadian experience, the podcast doesn’t shy away from broader themes — from multicultural identities to creative expression and community building — making it accessible even if you’re not from the diaspora yourself. It opens doors into the lived experiences of people navigating between cultures and does so with warmth and curiosity.
Production-wise, the bi-weekly format has allowed the team to keep content fresh without feeling rushed, and the alternating use of Estonian and English adds a dynamic rhythm that reflects the bilingual fabric of its audience. The consistent release schedule and varied guest lineup suggest a stable and engaged listenership.
EstoCast in 2025 proved itself a thoughtful, culturally rich podcast that’s equally educational and heartening. It succeeds not just as a platform for Estonian culture, but as a space for storytelling that resonates with anyone curious about identity, art, community, and moreq in a globalized world. Stay tuned for more great content in the new year!
Kati Kiilaspea