Decades From Home - A Podcast About Germany

Finally we’re both recording from the same country as Nic escapes plague island, eventually. While he was stuck on a never ending journey home, Simon celebrated his birthday the only way he knew how, by replicating a famous British TV show.We’re bringing you something a bit different this week. We’ve been in our secret audio vaults and discovered some lost segments from previous episodes. What is Nic’s weird hobby and why is it more fun than you might think? Never one to be out done, Simon brings us the story of one German’s rubbish hobby, and why it might require most of us to build an extension on our homes.We finish the show with a look at the best football team names from Germany’s lower tiers and ask why calling your team Porndorf might lead to more than a few questions.For those of you looking to support Ukraine or the many refugees currently fleeing the conflict, please take a look at these different charities and consider donating if you can:Ukraine Crisis Media Centre - A list of different donation pages to help the Ukrainian military response.Disaster Emergency Committee - Ukraine Humanitarian Appeal Save the ChildrenÄrzte ohne Grenzen

After celebrating being back in the UK last week, Nic’s found it slightly harder to leave than he thought. No matter, it’s episode 69 which gives us a chance to reminisce about Bill & Ted’s Excellent Adventure and get all gooey eyed about Keanu Reeves.After changes to the rules on gambling advertising in the UK, we take some time to discuss the murky world of gambling. Are politicians doing enough to prevent massive gambling companies from taking advantage of addicts and is Germany doing any better when it comes to supporting those with gambling addiction? It’s Simon’s Birthday, so we see out the show with some birthday chat. Why do German parents traumatise their children by throwing yoghurt, eggs and flour at them and what gift should you buy your favourite German?For those of you looking to support Ukraine or the many refugees currently fleeing the conflict, please take a look at these different charities and consider donating if you can:Ukraine Crisis Media Centre - A list of different donation pages to help the Ukrainian military response.Disaster Emergency Committee - Ukraine Humanitarian Appeal Save the ChildrenÄrzte ohne GrenzenImage CreditPhoto by Greenvalley Pictures on Unsplash

After two long years, Nic is back in the UK! While Nic was catching flights, Simon had a “holiday” in a local hotel, which allowed him to get the inside track on the mighty FC Nürnberg, but also meant he stayed in the old National Socialist parade ground. We talk crappy corner kicks, how Nürnberg deals with the past, and why English speakers need a WWII reference before talking about Germany.Nic has been enjoying the chance to catch up with some of his favourite Geordie food, from steak bakes to stotties, we discuss a different kind of culinary adventure and how food culture is changing in the UK. We finish the show with a trip to Sheffield to experience a night at a German theme bar.For those of you looking to support Ukraine or the many refugees currently fleeing the conflict, please take a look at these different charities and consider donating if you can:Ukraine Crisis Media Centre - A list of different donation pages to help the Ukrainian military response.Disaster Emergency Committee - Ukraine Humanitarian Appeal Save the ChildrenÄrzte ohne GrenzenImage Credit

Despite Nic’s beer fuelled adventures on St. Patrick’s Day, it’s Simon that’s managed to get injured. We talk suspected broken toes and why ten pints of Guinness is more effective than a spa weekend or any juice cleanse.We turn our attention to some rotten employee relations in the UK as ferry company P&O sack hundreds of staff over zoom and ask why it is that mass firing doesn’t seem to happen as often in Germany. We return to Brandenberg for an update on the Tesla factory in Grünheide as Elon Musk personally opens the doors to welcome, among others, Chancellor Olaf Scholz.We finish off this week with a look at changes being made to language learning in UK schools as we wonder why it is that German students seem so much more adept at learning languages.For those of you looking to support Ukraine or the many refugees currently fleeing the conflict, please take a look at these different charities and consider donating if you can:Ukraine Crisis Media Centre - A list of different donation pages to help the Ukrainian military response.Disaster Emergency Committee - Ukraine Humanitarian Appeal Save the ChildrenÄrzte ohne GrenzenImage CreditReady made

We cower in fear as the skies around Bavaria turn yellow, luckily for us it’s only a saharan sandstorm. Wonders of the natural world aside, Simon and Nic discuss returning to the garden after the winter break as Germany finally comes back to life with the arrival of spring. When he’s not gardening, Simon has been putting in a shift with a new video game, although Nic is far from convinced.We respond to some listener’s questions. we reminisce about our first meeting and try desperately to remember why on earth we started the podcast in the first place. We also take a question from one of our many Austrian listeners and talk cultural connections with Bavaria. We finish this week with a look at changes to the Bundesliga as Schalke 04 remove their Russian sponsors from their shirts. For those of you looking to support Ukraine or the many refugees currently fleeing the conflict, please take a look at these different charities and consider donating if you can:Ukraine Crisis Media Centre - A list of different donation pages to help the Ukrainian military response.Disaster Emergency Committee - Ukraine Humanitarian Appeal Save the ChildrenÄrzte ohne GrenzenImage CreditPhoto by Leyre . on Unsplash

Simon is almost fully recovered from his brush with the Rona, but he crawls from his sick bed to join Nic for a discussion on surprise beard compliments and why the Germans aren’t as thirsty as the British for a pat on the back. We also return to Simon’s ever growing kebab update corner, After a week off, we collect our thoughts on the current crisis in Ukraine and we take some time to discuss the numerous changes occurring in German politics and society at large. We also look at the different approaches taken by the UK and Germany when it comes to accepting refugees.Finally, Nic’s experience in the mountains has led him to wonder if German ski culture is the worst of all the sub-cultures. Are skiers the worst, are snowboarders cool, and what are the Currywurst like?For those of you looking to support Ukraine or the many refugees currently fleeing the conflict, please take a look at these different charities and consider donating if you can:Ukraine Crisis Media Centre - A list of different donation pages to help the Ukrainian military response.Disaster Emergency Committee - Ukraine Humanitarian Appeal Save the ChildrenÄrzte ohne GrenzenImage CreditPhoto by William Moreland on Unsplash

Simon is out with Covid, which leaves Nic to try and comprehend the massive changes happening in German politics since the invasion of Ukraine. Given the current situation, it didn’t feel right to record a wholly new podcast this week, so after a short intro and discussion on Ukraine, the invasion and Germany’s response, we’ve chosen some of our favourite segments from the last year to replay. For those of you looking to support Ukraine or the many refugees currently fleeing the conflict, please take a look at these different charities and consider donating if you can:Ukraine Crisis Media Centre - A list of different donation pages to help the Ukrainian military response.Disaster Emergency Committee - Ukraine Humanitarian Appeal Save the ChildrenImage CreditPhoto by Tina Hartung on UnsplashÄrzte ohne Grenzen

Nic and Simon discuss potential hangover cures and why the best must combine some weird ingredients. With strange combinations in mind, we chat about plans to release a fish-finger pizza and what would make the best “German” pizza.Following on from our chat with Abby Young-Powell last week, we bring you part 2 of our discussion as we focus on the differences between Berlin and Bavaria. Do all Berliners have to have blue hair, does Bavaria have techno, and which location is the best for new arrivals in Germany?To finish up the show, we ask Abby about the creative culture of Berlin and why it might be under threat from rising house prices and increasing gentrification of the capital. Image CreditPhoto by Alan Hardman on Unsplash

On the show this week:We have a very special guest this week, Journalist Abby Young-Powell joins us to discuss German sauna culture and why the British seem so reluctant to enjoy one of the most popular activities in Germany, the naked sauna. While Nic isn’t entirely convinced, Abby and Simon lead the charge for getting your sweat on!Of course, we’re not just talking about the health benefits of a good steam, Abby has worked for many years as a freelancer in Berlin and she brings her experience to the podcast as we discuss the highs and lows of freelancing in Germany. Is it easier to work freelance in Berlin and how can someone get started? Simon and Abby also discuss their experiences freelancing in different industries and how to avoid getting caught out by the byzantine German tax system. Image CreditPhoto by Max Vakhtbovych from Pexels

On the show this week:Rejoice you lovers of kebabs, Simon’s getting a new kebab shop at the end of his street! While he plans for a future smothered in chilli and garlic sauce, Nic wonders why takeaways are so rubbish in his area, is it a Germany problem or just Bavaria?Olaf Scholz surprises the world, not with any particular policy, but by wearing a slightly baggy jumper. While sections of the German media ponder the ramifications of his sartorial choices, we discuss the issues faced by women in politics and why late night press conferences on planes might be a change from the Merkel era.We take a break from the comings and goings of German politics and lament the dumpster fire that is the British government and why having a liar in the highest position in the country might not be such a great idea. After recovering our composure, we finish by looking at the curious case of chickens in high-vis vests.