Decades From Home - A Podcast About Germany

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

In the latest installment, co-host Nic bravely airs his grievances against asparagus and men in shorts, inadvertently sparking a feud with Producer Simon, a proud member of the shorts-wearing community. Amidst the playful banter, Dili gracefully steers the episode back on track by sharing heartwarming listener feedback, prompting reflections on past experiences in Germany. From reminiscing about our initial days in a new country to dissecting the unwritten rules of German household footwear, the trio offers possible advice to their past selves.As the episode unfolds, the podcast takes a humorous turn with a discussion on the unexpected TikTok debut of Chancellor Olaf Scholz, adding a contemporary twist to the show's signature mix of personal anecdotes and cultural insights. Tune in to the latest episode for a dose of laughter, camaraderie, and a dash of unexpected news from the world of German politics.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 this week’s episode, Nic shares his ordeal of dealing with back pain after engaging in a traditional wood-chopping session with his German family, and begs his fellow hosts for potential remedies. Meanwhile, Dili opens up about the bittersweet reality of celebrating birthdays separated from loved ones, shedding light on the complexities of being away from family during special occasions.Your trio of hosts also delve into the phenomenon of Germany's far-right party, the AfD, making waves on TikTok and ask why of all the political parties to find success on social media, it had to be them.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 we’re joined by the one of our favourite people, and founder of the popular Twitter account @germany_iam, the lovely Kat for a discussion of Easter video games, brutalist church architecture, and why dressing up as Jesus is a bit cringe. After many months of tracking the topic of new cannabis laws in Germany, the 1st of April saw partial legalisation across the country. Will the arrival of legal weed bring society to its knees as some critics claim, or will a new era of home cultivation change public opinion?With the summer approaching, Producer Simon tells us about the ridiculous cost of tourism signs on the Autobahn, and Nic brings us a story about honest frozen food packaging. 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