

Radio Spaetkauf Presents
Radio Spaetkauf
NEW SERIES: "Certain Futures" -Confronting aging isn't just policy and percentages - it is also very personal. (Season 5)
Season 1: "How To F#€k Up An Airport" What went wrong at BER? Berlin's unfinished airport has been in construction for over 11 years, cost have blown from €1 to €5.4 billion, and there's no end in sight. It's a story of incompetence, corruption and Berlin's general inability to get its act together. On this series, Radio Spaetkauf explains the BER disaster fail-by-fail.
Season 3: "RSxEAB" Radio Spaetkauf pairs with the Europäische Akademie Berlin to explore a different and complex topic each episode, asking ourselves, our guest experts and our audience to imagine the city the city they want to live in.
Season 2: "Rent Freeze" What would happen if an entire city, with millions of residents stops paying rent increases for five years? Radio Spaetkauf documents the rise and fall of Berlin's rent experiment; the "Mietendeckel".
Season 1: "How To F#€k Up An Airport" What went wrong at BER? Berlin's unfinished airport has been in construction for over 11 years, cost have blown from €1 to €5.4 billion, and there's no end in sight. It's a story of incompetence, corruption and Berlin's general inability to get its act together. On this series, Radio Spaetkauf explains the BER disaster fail-by-fail.
Season 3: "RSxEAB" Radio Spaetkauf pairs with the Europäische Akademie Berlin to explore a different and complex topic each episode, asking ourselves, our guest experts and our audience to imagine the city the city they want to live in.
Season 2: "Rent Freeze" What would happen if an entire city, with millions of residents stops paying rent increases for five years? Radio Spaetkauf documents the rise and fall of Berlin's rent experiment; the "Mietendeckel".
Episodes
Mentioned books

Nov 7, 2025 • 28min
"All That We Want" | Certain Futures Episode Three
What happens when a European demographic research project asks a Berlin podcaster from the United States to explore their findings? Find out in Episode three of Certain Futures. Episode three takes host Daniel Stern from the playgrounds of Berlin to the parental policies of Finland, and a conversation with demographer/sociologist Anna Rotkirch, a leading researcher and policy advisor on the topic. Why are we having fewer children? A look at the policies, social cues, personal experiences, economic factors and cultural forces that influence our decisions to try and become parents. This limited-series podcast is produced by Radio Spaetkauf in collaboration with the FutuRes Project. The FutuRes Project brings demographers and economists together with policymakers to advance what we know and how we plan for Europe's ageing society. You can find all the FutuRes research and other resources for understanding ageing and resilience in Europe on their website: https://futu-res.eu/ or also follow FutuRes on Linkedin. Thank you again to our guest in this episode: Anna Rotkirch: https://blogs.helsinki.fi/rotkirch/, and Population Research Institute (Väestöliitto)/ Research Links: "All That She Wants Is Another Baby (publication)" "Ten Steps Towards More Baby Friendly Policies…" More Work by Anna Additional References and links: Speed 2: Speed 2: Cruise Control on Wikipedia Certain Futures Music by: Partefacts; Lani Bagley, Christa Belle Walley and Craig Schuftan Certain Futures Artwork by: Andy El Kanani www.andyelkanani.com Host and Producer of Certain Futures: Daniel Stern Additional Editing by ** Jeff Emtman** jeffemtman.com The FutuRes project is funded by the European Union (Grant Agreement # 101094741).

Sep 23, 2025 • 30min
"Ageing Alla Milanese" | Certain Futures Episode 2
Rain Clouds and Silver Linings. Certain Futures host Daniel Stern walks through Milan, recording both hope and apprehension in the streets. His conversations with university researchers reveal forecasts and forewarnings that mirror the mood outside the ivory tower. Certain Futures: What happens when a European demographic research project asks a Berlin podcaster from the United States to explore their findings? In this episode Dan's journey into demography takes him to Milan, where he explores working, ageing, and dying with experts at Bocconi University, as well as a few Milanese out enjoying the evening. These anecdotes and expert insights reveal a few paths to building supportive networks and resilient, hopeful futures. This limited-series podcast is produced by Radio Spaetkauf in collaboration with the FutuRes Project. The FutuRes Project brings demographers and economists together with policymakers to advance what we know and how we plan for Europe's ageing society. You can find all the FutuRes research and other resources for understanding ageing and resilience in Europe on their website: https://futu-res.eu/ or also follow FutuRes on Linkedin. Thank you again to the guests in this episode: Arnstein Aassve Letizia Mencarini Aleksandra Torbica Plus Valentina and Paolo. Music by: Partefacts; Lani Bagley, Christa Belle Walley and Craig Schuftan Artwork by: Andy El Kanani www.andyelkanani.com

Aug 21, 2025 • 25min
"9 Months Per Year" | Certain Futures Episode 1
What happens when a European demographic research project asks a Berlin podcaster (Dan from the RS team) to explore their findings? We find out in Episode one of Certain Futures: "Nine Months Per Year" Host Daniel Stern begins his journey into demography and takes a peek at what ageing might mean for himself, and for Europe. We find out the origins of demography and look at how the science has evolved. We also see how confronting ageing isn't just policy and percentages - it is also very personal. This limited-series podcast is produced by Radio Spaetkauf in collaboration with the FutuRes Project. The FutuRes Project brings demographers and economists together with policymakers to advance what we know and how we plan for Europe's ageing society. You can find all the FutuRes research and other resources for understanding ageing and resilience in Europe on their website: https://futu-res.eu/ or also follow FutuRes on Linkedin. Thank you again to the guests in this episode: Professor Jakub Bijak: University of Southampton Professor Alexia Fürnkranz-Prskawetz: TU Wien Dr. Miguel Sánchez-Romero: TU Wien and the voice from Bocconi University is Letizia Mencarini. Referenced Publications: Jakub: "Towards Bayesian Model-Based Demography" (open access) Alexia & Miguel: "Theoretical foundation of the dynamic general equilibrium model…" (PDF) Music by Partefacts; Lani Bagley, Christa Belle Walley and Craig Schuftan Artwork by: Andy El Kanani www.andyelkanani.com The FutuRes project is funded by the European Union (Grant Agreement # 101094741).

Aug 14, 2025 • 1h 18min
RSxEAB: "Everything is Culture!"
"Saving Culture" is Season 2 of Radio Spaetkauf's Collaboration with the EAB - Europäische Akademie Berlin. In Episode two: "Everything is Culture" we discuss club culture, sports, comics, and video games are part of our cultural world. We reflect on the challenges of preserving diverse cultural spaces, the importance of inclusivity, practical ways to get involved and how expanding our definition of culture also means expanding our understanding of how we support cultural creators, spaces and communities. Host Daniel Stern is joined by a fantastic panel exploring the support and protection culture in all its forms, ensuring it remains accessible and vibrant for everyone. GUESTS: MATTHIAS OBORSKI Exhibition Director Computerspielemuseum Berlin HENNA RÄSÄNEN aka HX Comic Artist and Illustrator Portfolio Link KATHARIN AHREND ClubcomissionBerlin e.V. DEESHYRA THOMAS Alba Berlin / "Let's get Down" ➤ RSVP for our next LIVE TAPING on SEPT 13: Link for free tickets: https://www.eab-berlin.eu/ Notes: Recorded live at CCB Studios. Thank you to Manuel, Carolin, Lucas and the rest if the team at EAB. Edited and mastered by Kaleb Wentzel-Fisher Support - Trevor Silverstein. Engineering: PodFest Berlin Co-Produced by Europäische Akademie Berlin's Europe Behind The Headlines series, with kind support of the Federal Foreign Office and EU (CERV): Link

Jul 16, 2025 • 1h 12min
"Can We Support Subcultures?" RSxEAB Season 2: Saving Culture
"Saving Culture" is Season 2 of Radio Spaetkauf's Collaboration with the EAB - Europäische Akademie Berlin. In Episode one "Can We Support Subculture?" we look at the needs of independent artists, underground scenes, and freelance creatives. We examine the role of institutions, the state and individuals in ensuring that they survive and thrive and create without constraint. Host Daniel Stern is joined by a fantastic panel exploring the preservation of cultural diversity amidst funding cuts and other challenges. GUESTS: Bianca Creutz - Project Leader at Prognos Pedro Ferreira - Multimedia Artist, Designer & Teacher Manuela Kay - Journalist & Publisher: L-MAG, Siegessäule Erikah Vabaliukas - Cofounder of Panke Our conversation covers a wide number of topics. Bianca sheds light on the precarious financial situation of solo entrepreneurs in the cultural sector. Read her report on the cultural sector here: LINK. Erikah explains how and why Panke became a haven for experimental and fringe creativity. Pedro discusses the transformation of DIY by digital media and the role of guest curators in bridging the gap between mainstream institutions and subculture artists. Manuela explores the complexities of cultural visibility, particularly in the LGBTQ+ movement. She raises important questions about the balance between mainstream acceptance and maintaining the authenticity of subcultures. ➤ RSVP for our next LIVE TAPING on JULY 24: Link for free tickets: https://www.eab-berlin.eu/everythingisculture-rsxeab/ Notes: Recorded live at CCB Studios. Thank you to Manuel, Carolin, Lucas and the rest if the team at EAB. Edited and mastered by Kaleb Wentzel-Fisher Engineering: PodFest Berlin Co-Produced by Europäische Akademie Berlin's Europe Behind The Headlines series, with kind support of the Federal Foreign Office and EU (CERV): Link

Nov 1, 2024 • 1h 6min
"City of Tomorrow" RSxEAB
In this episode RSxEAB of Radio Spaetkauf (our spinoff series recorded in collaboration with the Europäische Akademie Berlin )we focus on the future of urban living; asking the question, "What is the city of tomorrow?". Host Daniel Stern is joined by architect Max Schwitalla and author Aiki Mira. The conversation begins with Max sharing how skateboarding background influenced his urban design approach, and with Mira reading a passage from their award-winning novel "Neurobiest" describing Berlin of the future topped by green rooftop communities. From there we discuss visions for the future: inclusive, polycentric urban design, mobility hubs, and discarding anthropocentricism to leave space for nature. The exploration of "The City of Tommorow" brings us to innovations (both real and imagined), micro-utopias, and proposals for infrastructure which is reusable, queer and adaptable. Recorded Oct 17, 2024 at Podigee's Offices in Berlin Guest Links: Aiki Mira https://aikimira.webnode.page/ Aiki's Podcast: Das War Morgen Insta: @aiki_mira Event at Otherland Books: otherland-berlin.de Max Schwitalla https://studioschwitalla.com/ — Radio Spaetkauf https://www.radiospaetkauf.com @radiospaetkauf Europäische Akademie Berlin https://www.eab-berlin.eu @europaeische_akademie_berlin Daniel Stern https://www.sterndaniel.com/ @danielandstern Venue: https://www.podigee.com/ • DONATIONS / SUPPORT: https://www.radiospaetkauf.com/donate/

Sep 11, 2024 • 1h 22min
Toilets, Sidewalks & Parks - Who Owns Berlin? RSxEAB
Public space in Berlin is used for private profit. Does that rob or enrich the citizens? From business-run toilets to footpath vehicles and food sales in parks, we share our space with commerce. Can we also use private spaces like empty malls as public property? Radio Spaetkauf partners with the Europäische Akademie Berlin to invite an intelligent panel of activists and politicians to discuss the good and bad uses of public space for commercial gain. Sophie Menzel is a big fan of public toilets. She raises awareness of the need for more and better toilets in Berlin through the group Buschfunk Bündnis e.V., with the slogan "Fair peeing for all!" Sophie says the current privately-run toilet system isn't good enough, and is especially failing people without penises. She wants to see more "missoirs" - feminized pissoirs (urninals). More at: https://buschfunk-buendnis.com/ Tuba Bozkurt is the Green party's member for Gesundbrunnen in the Berlin parliament. She is the Green Faction's spokesperson for industry, digital economy and anti-discrimination. Tuba says some commerce should be allowed in public space, but it has to be fair and accessible for all. https://tubabozkurt.de/ Tamara Lüdke represents Lichtenberg at Berlin's Abgeordnetenhaus as a member of the SPD and is the party's spokeswoman on the topics of animal welfare, consumer protection, club culture, drug policy and development policy. Tamara says the city wants to do more to keep footpaths clear of obstacles, and is considering new ways to make toilets in private businesses open to the public. https://www.tamara-luedke.de/ Roland Stimpel is the voice of pedestrians in Berlin. Through the association FUSS (Fachverband Fußverkehr Deutschland FUSS e.V.) he advocates for better footpaths, less vehicles, stricter control of shared scooters and bikes, and safer street crossings. He says the solutions already exist, but need to be better enforced through stricter fines for infringement. More at: https://www.fuss-ev.de/ Hosted Daniel Stern: https://www.sterndaniel.com/ Hosted by Joel Dullroy: http://www.joeldullroy.com/ Editing & Mastering: Kaleb Wentzel-Fisher: www.recordedvoices.com Hosted at House of Color, a vibrant community initiative with passion for sports, music and cultural expression, currently at a pop-up space in Gneisenaustr. https://www.hoco.world Co-Produced by Europäische Akademie Berlin's Europe Behind The Headlines series, with kind support of the Federal Foreign Office and EU (CERV): https://www.eab-berlin.eu/europe-behind-the-headlines-2024/ Support Radio Spaetkauf: https://www.radiospaetkauf.com/donate

Aug 1, 2024 • 1h
Beauty In The Streets: Graffiti & Street Art - RSxEAB
Recorded live in Grunewald, Dan is joined by guests Josefine Köhn-Haskins, Ryan Balmer, Júlia Mota Albuquerque and a handful of chirping birds to explore the significance of urban art in public spaces. In partnership with the Europäische Akademie Berlin. Support Radio Spaetkauf: https://www.radiospaetkauf.com/donate Guests and Links: Josefine Köhn-Haskins, Journalist: Berlin Street Art Map Ryan Balmer, Tour Guide: https://www.instagram.com/berlin_reguided Júlia Mota Albuquerque, Muralist: https://landofjulia.com/ Editing & Mastering: Kaleb Wentzel-Fisher recordedvoices.com Written, Produced and Engineered by Daniel Stern: sterndaniel.com With kind support of the Federal Foreign Office and EU (CERV) under the project "Europe Behind the Headlines" Join us live Aug 4 at House of Color: https://www.eventbrite.de/e/radio-spatkauf-tickets-967843655427

Jun 17, 2024 • 2h 11min
Maisie's Voice – The Last Conversation With Maisie Hitchcock
Zombies in the GDR. Deutschrap. Heavenly lakes. Joy despite cancer. Days before her death, Maisie Hitchcock and I talked for one last time. In a hospital room in London, she shared her favourite memories from her years in Berlin - and revealed a few untold surprises. It's not all tears, because Maisie could be so funny. Her depth of knowledge about architecture, German history, music and culture is astounding. This is just a sample of her best moments from more than a decade of co-hosting Radio Spaetkauf. Make time for this. Take a walk. Listen until the end. Be prepared to laugh and cry. And maybe Maisie will convince you to change your life. I'm Joel Dullroy, and here I join with co-hosts Andrew Mason, Jöran Mandik and Daniel Stern to remember Maisie Hitchcock. Thanks to our fellow Radio Spaetkauf collaborators Izzy Choksey, Matilde Keizer, Anne-Marie Harrison and Sebastian Filip. Thanks to Radio Spaetkauf listeners for sending in your favourite memories of Maisie. More About Maisie Maisie Hitchcock was the co-founder and co-host of Radio Spaetkauf. Hers was the first voice ever heard on the podcast, announcing it into existence in late 2011. She was also a writer, tour guide and gave classes on architecture and design. Maisie moved to Berlin in the early 2000s, drawn by an appreciation for the overlooked art and architecture of the GDR. Maisie Hitchcock died from the effects of ovarian cancer on August 9, 2023, three years after her diagnosis. Her only initial symptoms were slight stomach bloating. She wanted others to know the signs of ovarian cancer, for which there is little research. She asked people to donate to charities including Ovarian Cancer Research (UK), Eierstockktrebs Stiftung (Germany), and Ovarian Cancer Research Alliance (US). Maisie Hitchock Obituary Radio Spaetkauf Archive How To F#€k Up An Airport Rent Freeze All Episodes and Series Maisie on Megan's Megacan Maisie on RBB TV (use a VPN in Germany) Music Tom Evans - Particle Sound Various Tracks Ducks! Various Tracks Radio Spaetkauf Theme - Time Taken Everett Darling Springtime Won't Wait Crocus & Greenbreir Skiing Deadliest Tide Hiddensee Holly Portal Robyn Hitchcock Various tracks Plesiosaurs In The Desert Celestial Transgression Benjamin Michael Requiem

May 7, 2024 • 1h 9min
RSxEAB: Sharing Urban Space
RSxEAB: "Sharing Urban Space". Radio Spaetkauf host Daniel Stern dives into a discussion of public spaces informed by three insightful guests. Johnny Whitlam (Whitlam's Berlin Tours) shares his passion for Berlin's history and hidden stories. Martin Aarts, the former head of spatial planning in Rotterdam emphasizes child-friendly cities and nature's role in urban design. Lea Fink (Strassenverlauf) offers a philosophical angle, stressing the need for accessible spaces that encourage learning and reflection. In this episode we explore the balance between historical preservation and contemporary needs, the transformation of places like Tempelhof and Potsdamer Platz. We discuss our personal and community connections to places like Alexanderplatz, the banks of the Landwehrkanal and the Comenius-Garten. We look at the dichotomy of planned spaces vs. the people-driven "organic" use of open areas. The is challenges of creating inclusive, community supported environments are acknowledged but common preconceptions are also cconfronted. We also tackle the impact of cars and tourism on city life, and the need for spaces that prioritize bicycles and pedestrians. • Episode made in partnership with the Europäische Akademie Berlin: https://www.eab-berlin.eu/en • Please support Radio Spaetkauf with an ongoing or one time donation: https://www.radiospaetkauf.com/donate/ NEXT LIVE SHOW JUNE 27: https://www.podfestberlin.com/event-details/radio-spaetkauf-x-eab-june-27 Connect to our guests: • Lea Fink: https://strassenverlauf.de/ • Martin Aarts: https://www.ravb.nl/profiel/martin-aarts/ • Jonny Whitlam: https://www.whitlams-berlin-tours.com/ Recorded in front of a live audience at the House of Color: https://www.hoco.world/ Engineer: Grace at PodFest Berlin https://www.podfestberlin.com/ Editing & Mastering: Kaleb Wentzel-Fisher https://www.recordedvoices.com/ Written and Produced by Daniel Stern: https://www.sterndaniel.com/ With kind support of the Federal Foreign Office and EU (CERV) under the project "Europe Behind the Headlines"


