Deborah's father was 16 when he fled Nazi Germany during a rescue effort of Jewish children known as the Kindertransport . He later raised a family in Australia and almost never spoke German anymore. Deborah and her siblings didn't consider claiming German citizenship until well into their adult lives. In this episode, Deborah shares why she finally decided to apply for a German passport under Section 15 of the Nationality Act, which allows victims of Nazi persecution and their descendants to be...
Feb 25, 2023•47 min•Ep. 32
We're celebrating our first podcast-anniversary and starting a Discord Server. Join us to talk about all things Berlin! In this episode, we discuss the culture around anniversaries and birthdays in Germany — and how it compares to the US. Did you know that in Germany, you're the one supposed to give something to others on your birthday? Show Notes Jae's Amazon Wish List Manuel's Amazon Wish List 💬 Join our Discord Server: https://everyone.berlin/discord Contribute: everyone.berlin/contribute...
Feb 19, 2023•41 min•Ep. 31
Boring, but kind of important: In this episode, Manuel explains which insurances are required by law in Germany, which ones are optional but important to have, and which ones you may pass on depending on your personal situation. Show Notes Types of insurance in Germany (All About Berlin) How to choose German health insurance (All About Berlin) Techniker Krankenkasse (TK) Verivox Check24 Clark Contribute: everyone.berlin/contribute...
Jan 22, 2023•28 min•Ep. 30
Manuel adopted a dog! We explain the process of fostering and/or adopting a dog in Berlin, how to know you're ready to be a dog owner, what you'll need to do once the dog is in your home, and what to keep in mind if you want to bring your pet to Germany. Show Notes Animals Care e.V. Dogorama App Hundelieb App (Apple App Store) Anzahl der Haustiere in deutschen Haushalten nach Tierarten in den Jahren 2000 bis 2021 (statista) Dog Training by Kikopup (Manuel's favorite dog training channel) Is it h...
Jan 14, 2023•53 min•Ep. 29
In this episode, Jae explains the lessons and tips he would tell his past self if he was moving to Berlin again for the first time. Show Notes Gross Net Tax Calculator Germany Contribute: everyone.berlin/contribute
Jan 07, 2023•22 min•Ep. 28
German New Year's Eve traditions, how the German "Happy New Year" is different before and after January 1, why parts of Berlin go crazy (!) on New Year's Eve and our 2023 resolutions. Show Notes Raclette (Wikipedia) Molybdomancy (Wikipedia) New Year Walk in Neukölln, Berlin (YouTube) Silvester in Berlin (YouTube Search) Contribute: everyone.berlin/contribute...
Dec 31, 2022•47 min•Ep. 27
Advent calendars, Christmas markets, packed trains and the "Christkind" — Manuel shares what you can expect if you're spending Christmas in Germany for the first time. Contribute: everyone.berlin/contribute
Dec 24, 2022•15 min•Ep. 26
“Berlin is as cool as Brooklyn, but cheap.” This sentence inspired Jeremy to move to Berlin in 2014. While starting to learn German, he found that none of the existing language learning apps enabled him to speak the language, so he decided to start his own: Seedlang . In this episode, he shares how the process of starting a company in Germany compares to the US, why you should incorporate as soon as you make your first dollar, and why many people (ahem, Germans) didn't think his idea was even po...
Dec 17, 2022•55 min•Ep. 25
In this episode Jae talks about his experiences being Black in Berlin and how it has affected him emotionally and mentally. In this raw, uncut episode which feels more like a diary entry, Jae opens up on how he feels about his life here as a person of color and some of the internal and external challenges that has come with it. Contribute: everyone.berlin/contribute
Dec 10, 2022•28 min•Ep. 24
Rachel Stern from The Local joins us to talk about having kids and raising a family in Berlin, Germany's working culture, life as a journalist, cash vs. cards, learning German, and the best and worst aspects of being an expat. Show Notes The Local - Germany's News in English International Families Berlin (Facebook Group) SuperMamas Berlin Iranians and Israelis find an unlikely musical detente in Germany Explained: How Germany plans to make immigration easier for skilled workers Contribute: every...
Dec 03, 2022•43 min•Ep. 23
In this short solo episode, Manuel shares how to avoid getting scammed when looking for an apartment in Berlin, and explains how teaching English can be a way to legally stay and work in the city. Show Notes Hunderte Betroffene klagen über Abzocke auf Wohnungsplattform (rbb24) What is a Mietkautionskonto? (All About Berlin) How to move to Germany and become a freelancer (All About Berlin) How to find an English-speaking job in Berlin (All About Berlin) Contribute: everyone.berlin/contribute...
Nov 26, 2022•13 min•Ep. 22
Jae talks about his first trips in Germany outside of Berlin (they didn't go as smoothly as planned). We then methodically go through some of the other major cities and "Bundesländer" (federal states) and compare them to Berlin — while Jae can't help but draw comparisons to certain US states and cities. Show Notes Klaas bringt DICH in den exklusivsten Club der Welt (Late Night Berlin) Map of all German States (Wikimedia Commons) German federalism: How does it work? (DW) Easy German Podcast episo...
Nov 18, 2022•50 min•Ep. 21
Berlin is a special place, especially for artists. In this episode, Jae explains how Berlin's art scene was a big inspiration for him to come here and how the art scene might compare to some other cities he's previously lived in. He provides personal insight and recommendations for the different types of art one can engage with in Berlin. In addition, he discusses Berlin's famous street art scene and a few of his favourite graffiti artists. Show Notes Berlin Music Video Awards Night Art Club For...
Nov 12, 2022•21 min•Ep. 20
How does Berlin change you? We touch upon intercultural competence, Berlin's roughness, privilige, party life, safe spaces and boundaries while tackling this question. Show Notes Scissor Sisters - Let's Have A Kiki (YouTube) Contribute: everyone.berlin/contribute
Nov 05, 2022•33 min•Ep. 19
In this solo-episode, Manuel explains how to register after you move into an apartment in Berlin and how to sign up for electricity, gas and internet contracts. Also: Reflections on the first 8 months of this show and some fun listener emails. Show Notes Urban Sports Club How to move into an apartment in Germany (All About Berlin) How do electric bills work in Germany? (All About Berlin) Verivox Check24 Fiber internet via PYUR Contribute: everyone.berlin/contribute...
Oct 29, 2022•33 min•Ep. 18
Sunlamps, thick clothes & hot water bags: How we prepare for the infamous Berlin winter — and how the general energy in the city changes during the dark months. Also: Our stances on Christmas and gifts. Show Notes How to pay (or avoid paying) a BVG fine (All About Berlin) 29-Euro-Abo-Aktion (BVG) 9-Euro-Fonds Manuels Sunlamp (Tageslichtlampe) (Amazon) Wärmflasche (Wikipedia) Wichteln (Wikipedia) Contribute: everyone.berlin/contribute...
Oct 22, 2022•40 min•Ep. 17
In this solo episode, Jae provides an update on his mental health and how he has been managing since he’s been living here. He discusses the effects of burnout and a few strategies on how to compassionately encourage yourself as you go through some of your challenges. Show Notes Previously on this podcast: Mental Health (Episode 9) Contribute: everyone.berlin/contribute...
Oct 15, 2022•29 min•Ep. 16
Manuel is joined by Chris and Stephanie, both from the United States, each married to a German spouse. They share how easy/difficult it was for them to get their Aufenthaltsgenehmigung in Germany and how the visa application process compares to getting a Greecard in the U.S. We also discuss Berlin Fashion, rules at social gatherings, verbal formality and the words "expat" and "immigrant". Show Notes Du vs. Sie - How to address someone in German (Easy German 382) Du oder Sie? (Easy German Podcast...
Oct 08, 2022•48 min•Ep. 15
Why grocery shopping in Germany is "like the Hunger Games" (Jae), which supermarkets you should know about, how much groceries will cost you each month, and how to order them online. Show Notes Jae Creates A Vice Radio (Spotify) Lail Arad - Everyone is Moving to Berlin (YouTube) "fortnightly" (vocabulary.com) Stiftung Warentest POV: du gehst bei Dm einkaufen (Karim Jamal auf YouTube) Restaurant Pass (Sodexo) Ticket Restaurant (Edenred) You Need A Budget * Berliner Tafel e.V. Contribute: everyone...
Sep 24, 2022•41 min•Ep. 14
Astha moved to Berlin from India without ever having visited the city. After a few exciting first weeks, she was struck by migratory grief. In this episode, we talk with her about how to deal with loneliness and how to find friends in a new place. Show Notes Words And Not Much Esle (Astha's Podcast on Spotify) @asthaprakash (Astha on Instagram) Meetup.com Girls Gone International 10 Types of Odd Friendships You’re Probably Part Of (Wait But Why) Bumble BFF Contribute: everyone.berlin/contribute...
Sep 10, 2022•53 min•Ep. 13
Jack and Jae discuss what it's like being gay in Berlin. Topics include Berlin's party scene and sex culture, finding a gay doctor, dating, queer events and activities, and how to find other gay friends. Do you know about an apartment or room in Berlin? If so, please let Jae know at everyone.berlin/contact Show Notes Siegessäule - Queer Berlin Mann-O-Meter e.V. - Berlins schwuler Checkpoint Doctor Goldstein man*Check Berlin Praxis Kulturbrauerei Contribute: everyone.berlin/contribute...
Aug 27, 2022•55 min•Ep. 12
Jae finally got his working visa — and work is what this episode is about. Whether you'll be working in the "gig economy", as a freelancer, or as a regular employee, here are some ways you could try to make money in Berlin. Show Notes Business Immigration Service (BIS) (berlin.de) The Obstacle Is the Way: The Timeless Art of Turning Trials into Triumph (Goodreads) brutto-netto-rechner.info GoinGlobal WoLoHo Newsletter LinkedIn Contribute: everyone.berlin/contribute...
Aug 18, 2022•50 min•Ep. 11
Cari from Easy German joins us to describe the infamous Berlin mentality and ponder why Berliners often come across as cold or rude. We then try to establish the best method for learning German and share our favorite language learning tricks and resources. Show Notes Easy German Deliberate Spanish Seedlang Duolingo Tandem GLS Campus Berlin: German Courses for Adults Berliner Volkshochschulen: Learning German Contribute: everyone.berlin/contribute...
Jul 30, 2022•49 min
We're back after a short hiatus to talk about one of the reasons we took a break: Mental health. Jae talks about a mental breakdown he experienced recently and we both share mental health resources available in Berlin and Germany. Show Notes Psychosoziale Nothilfenummern in Berlin Berliner Krisendienst Psych-Info — die Therapeutensuchmaschine Contribute: everyone.berlin/contribute...
Jul 12, 2022•34 min•Ep. 9
Berlin is not as cheap as it used to be — but it's still one of the more affordable capital cities in Europe. In this episode, we go through all of the monthly expenses you should budget for if you plan to live in Berlin. Show Notes Cost of living in Berlin, and Germany (All About Berlin) Cost of Living in Berlin (Numbeo) Leipzig (Wikipedia) Compare gas, electricity and internet plans Verivox Check24 Find out how much money gets deducted from your paycheck brutto-netto-rechner.info Church tax in...
Jun 04, 2022•53 min•Ep. 8
Most people's first contact with Berlin is through travel. In this episode we discuss how to experience the city like a local. We also share Couchsurfing stories, explain how to spot a tourist and encourage you to go out and meet strangers. Show Notes Jae Creates a Vibe Radio (Soundcloud) GLS Bank Couchsurfing Vagabonding: An Uncommon Guide to the Art of Long-Term World Travel (Goodreads) Contribute: everyone.berlin/contribute...
May 21, 2022•43 min•Ep. 7
Jack is back on the show and joins us for lively (!) discussion on the best German bank account, which phone plan to choose and how to pick a "Fitnessstudio" (gym) in Berlin. We also cover the infamous Schufa, cheap meals in Berlin, burger places, milkshakes, bubble tea, prices for alcoholic drinks, seasonal depression and Jack's nails. Show Notes Bank accounts N26 DKB * Girocard (Wikipedia) Wise * Schufa (Wikipedia) SCHUFA-BonitätsAuskunft for 29,95 € SCHUFA-"Datenkopie" for free Phone plans co...
May 08, 2022•46 min•Ep. 6
Jae has arrived in Berlin! While his trip couldn't have gone any smoother, his first week in the city was quite a roller coaster ride: He found his apartment on day one, marvelled at German doors and the local recycling system, discovered Apfelschorle (and the price of tap water), bought a bike, crashed said bike, and experienced some serious culture shock. Show Notes How to sort your trash and recycle in Germany (All About Berlin) Contribute: everyone.berlin/contribute...
Apr 26, 2022•45 min•Ep. 5
Manuel's friend Jack has been cycling around Berlin every day since 2012 and joins us to explain everything you need to know about the topic: Why Berlin is best discovered by bike, how to buy a bike in the first place, which type of bicycle to get and why electric bikes are a little bit like horses. Show Notes Jack's Instagram Fahrräder auf eBay Kleinanzeigen Komoot App Apps to rent bikes in Berlin Lime Donkey Republic nextbike Call a Bike Tier Jelbi Apps to rent electric scooters emmy - Referra...
Apr 09, 2022•49 min•Ep. 4
Kreuzberg, Friedrichshain, Neukölln, Tempelhof, Schöneberg, Mitte, Wedding, Prenzlauer Berg, Pankow, Tiergarten & Charlottenburg — an overview of Berlin's most important districts. Show Notes der Kiez (Duden) Verwaltungsgliederung Berlins (Wikipedia) Karte: Die zwölf Berliner Bezirke mit ihren 97 Ortsteilen SO36 (Wikipedia) Flughafen Berlin-Tempelhof (Wikipedia) Goltzstraße (Google Maps) Florastraße (Google Maps) Kurfürstendamm (Google Maps) Bikini Bar (Mall) Monkey Bar Grunewaldsee (Google ...
Mar 26, 2022•45 min
