There’s a sense of sadness on this week’s podcast as Germany’s favourite football team, Scotland, have been eliminated from Euro 2024. In fairness, the Scottish fans have left their hosts with some lovely memories off the pitch, leading Dili to ponder whether the Scottish accent might be a cheat code for changing Germany’s cash based society.One change that may be coming to Germany is reform for pharmacies. Dili brings us the details on what the German government is planning, how Apotheken are reacting, and why we might need a Zoom call to pick up some paracetamol. We finish the show as Producer Simon returns to a continuing story on Ukrainian refugees in Germany, and why one German politician has suggested sending vulnerable people back to a warzone. 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 GrenzenTheme tune courtesy of Kloß mit Soß

Some listeners may have felt the podcast has been lacking our usual levels of decorative plate chat over the last few weeks. Thankfully Dili is back with us to rectify that oversight! Just in time too, because we have a lot to catch up on the rather depressing results of the EU elections. Turning to more positive topics, we quiz Dili on what it's like being a non-football fan while Germany hosts a major football tournament. We discuss how the international media is covering Euro 2024, and why many seem shocked and disappointed. We also get an excellent podcast recommendation from Producer Simon.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 GrenzenTheme tune courtesy of Kloß mit Soß

Euro 2024 has kicked off in style, and to celebrate the first football tournament in Germany since 2006 we have German football journalist Hendrik Buchheister on the pod this week! Hendrik writes for SPIEGEL, Sportschau, RedaktionsNetzwerk Deutschland, and Elf Freunde, among others, and brings his expert knowledge to discuss the possibility of another Sommermärchen.We discuss the gloomy atmosphere surrounding the beginning of the tournament, and whether a successful tournament for Die Mannschaft might raise spirits across the country. We also find out what it’s like to cover a major tournament in Hendrik’s home country, the peril of late goals, and how to spot Germany players training from a kilometer away.We also get a chance to discuss Hendrik’s fantastic book, We call it a Klassiker: Die Engländer, der Fußball und wir, which covers the storied rivalry between England and Germany. 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 GrenzenTheme tune courtesy of Kloß mit Soß

This week on the podcast, we're joined by guest co-host and Berlin tour guide extraordinaire Jonny Whitlam. With Euro 2024 on the horizon, Berlin is abuzz with preparations for the influx of football fans. From the excitement of a newly constructed fan zone to the appearance of pop-up Adidas stores, the city is fully embracing football fever. In addition to the football excitement, we delve into a contentious poll by TV channel ARD that has sparked accusations of racism from the German national team. Shifting away from the sporting world, we also address the significant flooding in southern Germany, highlighting the direct impact of climate change on communities. Despite these evident consequences, the issue of climate change is still being neglected by many.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 GrenzenTheme tune courtesy of Kloß mit Soß

We’re thrilled to have Kat, occasional guest co-host and founder of the @germany_iam Twitter account, joining us this week. We delve into the intriguing realms of British and German buffets, share anecdotes about spotting squirrels, and discuss the advantages of renting your home to visiting football fans. Transitioning to a more serious note, we commemorate the 75th anniversary of Germany's Grundgesetz, the country's Basic Law and founding document of the Federal Republic. We delve into its relevance in 2024 and the challenges associated with amending it.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 GrenzenTheme tune courtesy of Kloß mit Soß

We kick things off this week as Nic recounts a drunken encounter with a fan in the wild, and his hopes that he made a good impression. His co-hosts remain deeply skeptical however, especially since he can’t remember all the details. Elsewhere, Dili continues her streak of neglecting her podcast homework by forgetting her mic. However, she does come with some interesting tea recommendations.We discuss German lake life and ponder why lakes don’t seem to permeate pop culture in the way they do in the US, and Dili regales us with tales with her adventures tracking down more random bits of pottery.Nic takes us on a trip to Nürnberg's Playmobil Funpark, and explains why it might be the most German of attractions, and we finish on how to break-up with a German friend. 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 GrenzenTheme tune courtesy of Kloß mit Soß

Join Megan and Konrad from Megan's Megacan as they discuss Eurovision's popularity, German holidays, and political complexities. From the significance of 'mega cans' to reflections on Father's Day and Mother's Day celebrations, this episode offers a fun and insightful look at German culture and politics.

The saga of Dili's pigeon woes continues as her unwelcome visitors make a bold return to the balcony, defying all eviction attempts yet again. We delve into ways to accommodate avian guests and why relying on internet gadgets may not be the ultimate solution to bird problems. We also discuss Dili’s new found love of ceramics, the lack of value at flea markets, and the problems of bidding on Meissen pottery online. Revisiting a story from last year, we reexamine the uproar surrounding the soaring prices of ice cream from the previous year, questioning the validity of the media frenzy that ensued.Lastly, we tackle the concerning rise in attacks on German politicians, contemplating whether the public discourse over the past 12 months has contributed to this troubling trend.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 GrenzenTheme tune courtesy of Kloß mit Soß

This week Simon discovers the importance of having his name on his mailbox and questions whether Deutsche Post is deliberately picking on him by not delivering his mail. Meanwhile, Nic suggests a trip to the zoo for some light-hearted fun among lions, tigers, and beer. Do wild animals and alcohol mix? Nic has some thoughts on the matter.Recent UK tabloid reports dubbing Frankfurt as "Germany's biggest slum" spark controversy in the German media. Delving deeper, our Frankfurt expert Dili talks about her own experiences of the city and whether there’s any accuracy to these claims. We round things off with a preview of the upcoming EU elections and the troubling reports of espionage within the offices of the right-wing AfD's top European candidate.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 GrenzenTheme tune courtesy of Kloß mit Soß

In the latest episode of the podcast, hosts Nic, Dili and Producer Simon embark on a lively discussion that starts with questions about German swimming pools. Venturing beyond the chlorine-scented chat, they delve into Dili's upbringing in Sri Lanka, shedding light on why her parents viewed learning to swim as a controversial decision. The conversation meanders to the realm of peculiar-smelling public pools, navigating crowded waters, and the eternal dilemma of avoiding the kids' pool for hygiene concerns. Transitioning to weightier topics, the hosts explore potential strategies to fix the German economy, and contrast their ideas with the 12 point plan of junior coalition partners the FDP. We weigh the repercussions of penalizing those on benefits to address budget deficits, pondering if alternative solutions might offer a more feasible path to financial stability. Wrapping up the episode, Dili shares insights from her visits to the local church, advocating for a flexible approach to Sunday service attendance.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 GrenzenTheme tune courtesy of Kloß mit Soß