Decades From Home - A Podcast About Germany

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.

On the show this week:Is mint sauce really a multipurpose condiment? Simons seems to think so, even if Nic is far from convinced. A discussion on condiments gives Simon a chance to introduce his new favourite segment, The Potato Quiz! Does Nic know the many types if British potato or is he correct in assuming there is only really three?Having moves to Bavaria for the beer, among other things, we’re slightly concerned by news of dropping beer consumption in Germany. Is the pandemic to blame, are Germans really changing their drinking habits, and what has China got to do with saving German brewing?We discuss a Munich museum that’s investigating the origins of it’s Cameroonian art collection and we ask why the British Museum seems so reluctant to return the many exhibits that come from the days of empire. We finish the show on the plight of the humble tattoo artist and discuss why recent laws passed by the EU are only making their lives harder.Image CreditPhoto by James Discombe on Unsplash

On the show this week:Nic has a strange experience while helping someone move house. While he kicks himself for not taking the opportunity to make more jokes about it at the time, Simon’s been playing the new internet sensation Wordle, even going as far as to try it in German!We talk about taking the opportunity to travel, especially since we’ve spent so long in our homes over the last two years, but we ponder why some young Germans prefer to remain closer to home than adventuring out into the wide world.We discuss public holidays in the UK and Germany, why masks might make you more attractive and we finish on a the first recorded image of UFOs coming from Simon’s home town of Nürnberg.

On the show this week:Following a suggestion from a listener, we dedicate this week’s show to finding the perfect football team for a new arrival to Germany. Football can be a great way to meet new people, but which team should someone choose? We look at the various ways people choose their football teams and how we chose our own German football teams. Is it better to be a winner, a glorious loser or the ultimate football hipster? Simon discusses why the colour of the shirt can affect a person’s choice of team and Nic explains why choosing a local team can be an important metric.We review the many different teams from all corners of the country, why lower league teams might help you get to know the country and,  most importantly, why you should never support Bayern Munich.

On the show this week:With his mighty beard and deep voice, Simon’s worried he might be mistaken for a Yeti when clearing the snow, luckily he’s found a way to soften his image. Meanwhile, Nic would happily hire a yeti if they were any good at childcare, given the issues of finding a nursery for his daughter in Germany.We’re talking hobbies this week. Nic takes us through the differences between Germany and Britain when it comes to choosing a hobby and Simon makes some suggestions for British hobbies that could be more popular here.We finish up on some worrying UK statistics from the NHS that outline the dangers of taking on new hobbies, while Simon celebrates some unconventional uses for military ordinance.

On the show this week:Well done, we’ve made it through the first week of 2022! We celebrate with some chat about three kings, public holidays and friends who bring the gift of beer. Nic wonders whether he’s old or if it’s only the pandemic that’s preventing him from clubbing, while Simon just wants to go to the pub with his mates. Thanks to a listener, Simon questions whether every kebab is really great after his forced introduction to Hawaiian style kebab, while Nic talks about his German family’s reaction to a humble PBJ sandwich. We check in on the new German government and talk about the obvious fault lines in the new coalition that the German media seem so gleeful to exploit. Is the criticism really fair or is it just a case of a slow news week?To finish, we talk about government plans to improve the quality of food production, how that may impact the price of the average shop and how this connects to a new law that protects millions of chickens from being destroyed. Image CreditPhoto by Fiona Smallwood on Unsplash

On the show this week:With festivities coming to an end, we talk about leisure drinking during Christmas, New Year’s cocktails and accidental impoliteness. Simon discusses the importance of winning video games against relatives and Nic reflects on his cheese and stollen fuelled nightmares.We chat about plans for New Year’s Eve and why fireworks bans have some major upsides in Germany. Traditionally it’s the time of year for resolutions, but Nic would prefer not to make so many big life changes and instead wonders if there is a place for mediocre New Year’s Resolutions.Finally, we finish the first pod of 2022 with a previously unheard conversation taken from our chat with Dr. Sandra Jansen, way back in episode 44. Is the Geordie dialect dying out and what can Bavaria teach us about saving it?