Decades From Home - A Podcast About Germany

It’s a brand new year, which necessitates some deep soul searching on the podcast this week as we try and remember our personal highlights from the last 12 months. With concerts, podcast guests, and new hosts, it’s been a full one in 2024, so we have plenty to choose from on the list, and we have a few beers and talk about them all.The booze does come in handy, especially since it’s been a somewhat gloomy year in many respects, but we do find positives to remember from the news over the last 12 months. We also look ahead to what will surely be a hectic start to the year.Amongst all that, we share the most embarrassing content we’ve been hooked on by social media algorithms, enjoy some word puzzles, and give each other some much deserved rewards for work well done in 2024.Theme tune courtesy of Kloß mit Soß

It’s that wonderful time between Christmas and New Year, where time has no meaning, and we’re all surviving off of the last of the Plätzchen and whatever leftovers we can find in the fridge. Speaking of leftovers, we find out what everyone’s been eating over Christmas, and how to deal with unfortunate dessert theft.Instead of bringing the weird and wonderful news of Germany, we instead focus on some festive curiosities as we discuss potential Cheese & Stollen sales, why Germans complain about the weather, and how not to travel stress free by hopping on the anxiety inducing services of Deutsche Bahn. We also chat about month long parties, inviting the neighbours over, and who would win in a fight between the Christkind and Santa Claus. Theme tune courtesy of Kloß mit Soß

As some may have noticed, the pod is late in this week. Due to the recent attack in Magdeburg, we decided to remove some of the segments and release a shorter episode than usual. We hope you all understand, and join us in sending our sympathies to the victims and their families.Theme tune courtesy of Kloß mit SoßIt’s not just Glühwein and Sausages on the agenda this week though. If your home is anything like ours, there’s an ever increasing pile of cardboard boxes taking over as parcel deliveries increase as Christmas gets ever closer. What’s the best way to treat your humble delivery driver, and what are the weirdest things being delivered? We find out.To finish things off, we once again turn to Germany’s criminal element, although this time it’s not some random person commiting ridiculous crimes, oh no listeners, this time one of your co-host who finally admits to their thieving ways.Theme tune courtesy of Kloß mit Soß

Although it might be too early to call an intervention, it is becoming clear that Nic has a growing Weihnachtsmarkt addiction which is probably why he keeps bringing them up on the podcast. In fairness, it would take Scrooge-like levels of humbug to deny him his festive enjoyment, so we kick things off with a discussion of Glühwein price gouging, stealing mugs from the market, and the dubious names of certain Christmas beverages.Sadly, we can’t spend the whole show discussing Christmas markets, especially with so much going on in Germany at the moment. We take a look at Germany’s failing industrial sector as many major companies across the country plan for major redundancies, especially in automotive sector. We discuss planned strikes at Volkswagen, and how Bavaria may have found a new way to boost the production of electric cars in the state.We finish the show with another tale of hapless criminality, although this time with a slight change as we hear a story about the cutest crime, and ponder what can happen when gift giving goes wrong.Theme tune courtesy of Kloß mit Soß

We always knew Producer Simon was award worthy, but now we have definitive proof as we celebrate our stalwart Producer’s first podcast award. Sadly, it turns out he’s been off winning recognition for another podcast…splitter. Anyway, we’re not jealous, especially with so much going on across Germany.Kat catches a moped parade of Santas, Nic discovers the 2024’s Weihnachtsmarkt beverage of choice, and there’s a Krampus run in Munich to discuss. If that wasn’t enough, there’s drama in Berlin over a leaked strategy document for ex-coalition government partners the FDP. The so called “D-Day” paper has caused consternation and no little anger, but what the hell does the “D” stand for? Kat has some ideas.We finish this week’s show with another look at Germany’s never ending supply of hapless criminals as we find out the connection between an escaped burglar, a farm, and 80s favourite Back to the Future.For those of you looking to support Ukraine or the many refugees 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 AppealSave the ChildrenÄrzte ohne GrenzenTheme tune courtesy of Kloß mit Soß

Has Christmas come early? Kat certainly thinks so, especially since her neighbours seem to be putting up their trees even before December has begun. Though we don’t really care when people decide to start the festive joy, Nic is a little worried about how to keep a Christmas tree from falling apart after two weeks.Continuing the festive vibes, we discover what it takes to be the Christkind as the city of Coburg offers would-be Christkinder a seminar and training to prepare for the role. Do they really need lessons on communication, and why should any potential Christkind avoid social media?With the Federal election slowly rumbling on, we bring you an update on the various stories doing the rounds, and we finish on the curious case of a stolen Tiramisu in Leipzig.For those of you looking to support Ukraine or the many refugees 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 GrenzenTheme tune courtesy of Kloß mit Soß

The vibrant Carnival season kicks off with humorous anecdotes about colorful costumes and chaotic festivities. Co-hosts discuss the intersection of the carnival spirit and the heated political landscape in Germany. Vice-Chancellor Robert Habeck faces social media critics, while Chancellor Olaf Scholz confronts potential rivals within his own party. The discussion also touches on early Christmas markets, raising questions about pricing and safety, as well as reflections on cultural representation and political transformations.

We welcome the fantastic Kinocow back to the podcast to join regular co-hosts Kat, Nic, and Producer Simon after a week of politcal turmoil. While many eyes were watching the results of the US elections, the German government took the opportunity to collapse itself in a show of solidarity. We sift through the rubble of the Ampelkoalition and wonder what the hell might happen next.Thankfully, politics is only one part of the show this week, with Kinocow back with us, we get a chance to ask all the questions we didn’t have time for on his last appearance. Given that “Kino” is a big part of his name, you may have realised already that he’s very interested in film. Kinocow tells us all about his love of movies, the differences between Indian and German films, and why he’s fascinated by Berlin cinemas. For those of you looking to support Ukraine or the many refugees 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 GrenzenTheme tune courtesy of Kloß mit Soß

It’s been an exciting week for all our hosts, Kat’s in Vienna, Simon has been messing around in his garden, and Nic, well he got himself a haircut. OK, maybe only Kat has had an exciting week, but wait till you hear about Simon’s exciting new topiary!We’re not here for gardening tips though, so we kick off proceedings with the controversy surrounding Russian songstress Helene Fischer and her new album of Kinderlieder, which includes one rather offensive song in particular. We also discuss the financial problems facing a number of German hospitals and why the first cut to the budget seems to be the catering, and we finish on the first Cannabis social club to start distributing legal weed in Germany. For those of you looking to support Ukraine or the many refugees 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 GrenzenTheme tune courtesy of Kloß mit Soß

It’s pretty scary on the podcast this week, although it’s nothing to do with Halloween, and rather more to do with the Germany’s Women’s Football Team having something of a horror story against Australia this week. Luckily for us, Producer Simon was in attendance, and he brings us all the gory details.Slightly less scary, though no less controversial, is the debate around Daylight Savings Time in Germany. As the clocks go back once again, The Hessian teachers' association is less than pleased about it. We discuss why, and whether it’s finally time to stop changing the clocks.We also look at plans for surviving apocalypse as an entrepreneur starts selling bunkers using cryptocurrency, and we find out why the secret ingredient of the a No.40 Pizza in Düsseldorf led to a police raid. For those of you looking to support Ukraine or the many refugees 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 GrenzenTheme tune courtesy of Kloß mit Soß