Germany in Focus

Germany in Focus is The Local’s weekly podcast where we discuss the big news and talking points in Germany as well as explore and explain the major issues that impact life in the country. We also answer your essential questions and look ahead at what’s coming up.

In each episode presenter Rachel Loxton chats about the most important news and must-know information with The Local Germany’s Rachel Stern, Imogen Goodman, James Jackson and Aaron Burnett. They are also frequently joined by other expert commentators.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Last refreshed: October 10th, 2025 at 10:41 PM ⓘ

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Episodes

A coup plot, and how is Germany helping with bills in December?

In the latest episode, host Rachel Loxton is joined by journalists Imogen Goodman and journalist Aaron Burnett as well as Olga Kravchenko , a refugee from Donbas, Ukraine, based in Cottbus, eastern Germany. We start off by discussing a major news story that broke this week about an alleged coup plot in Germany. Who was involved in the alleged plot to ‘overthrow German democracy’? German authorities identify new suspects in alleged coup plot We then talk about Olaf Scholz's busy first year as Ger...

Dec 08, 2022•33 min•Season 1Ep. 10

Will Germany's planned citizenship reforms fail, and what are the best Christmas markets?

In this episode, host Rachel Loxton is joined by The Local Germany editor Rachel Stern and journalist Imogen Goodman as well as citizenship lawyer Julie Schäfer . We start things off by talking about the German tradition of Nikolaustag and Krampus. We then talk about the results of an InterNations survey that ranked Frankfurt second worst for expats out of 50 global cities. Frankfurt ranked 'second worst city for expats' in new international survey Next, we discuss a new German word invented by ...

Dec 02, 2022•33 min•Season 1Ep. 9

The big problem with the German school system and can you pass a citizenship test?

In the latest episode, Rachel Loxton is joined by The Local Germany editor Rachel Stern and journalist Aaron Burnett as well as freelance journalist James Jackson, who covers Germany and central eastern Europe. We kick things off by talking about a how Germans mark the Advent tradition in the run up to Christmas. We then talk about train disruption on various routes, particularly in North-Rhine Westphalia and on some long-distance rail services. Rail travel chaos looms in Germany's most populous...

Nov 25, 2022•38 min•Season 1Ep. 8

Saving money at supermarkets, Bürgergeld controversy and are Germans up for the World Cup?

In the latest episode of Germany in Focus, host Rachel Loxton is joined by regular panelists Sarah Magill and Aaron Burnett as well as Germany sports correspondent for AFP, Dan Wighton. We start off by talking about a regional holiday in the eastern state of Saxony. We move onto breaking down how rising consumer prices are affecting daily life in Germany, particularly at the supermarket, and talk about why the inflation rate of around 10 percent actually feels a lot higher. Which everyday German...

Nov 18, 2022•35 min•Season 1Ep. 7

Munich rents, the €49 ticket and what was life like in East Germany?

In the latest episode of Germany in Focus, host Rachel Loxton is joined by regular panelists Imogen Goodman and Aaron Burnett as well as historian and author Katja Hoyer. The podcast team start off by talking about why November 9th is known as the "day of fate" in German history. Why November 9th is a fateful day in German history Then we hear the story of a Munich landlord who has received a fine from the tax office for charging too little for rent. Imogen talks about her experience of living i...

Nov 11, 2022•31 min•Season 1Ep. 6

Germany’s complicated relationship with cars, and how dual citizenship law could work

In the latest episode of Germany in Focus, host Rachel Loxton is joined by regular panelists Imogen Goodman and Aaron Burnett as well as Anna Baatz, who is part of the Autofrei Berlin campaign group, which is calling for a referendum on reducing the number of cars in a large part of the capital. We talk about the unusually warm October, why it's so mild and what the effects on the energy crisis are. Germany logs warmest October on record The podcast team discuss what kind of support Germany is o...

Nov 04, 2022•37 min•Season 1Ep. 5

Creepy castles, a looming recession, and Germany's childcare crisis

JOIN THE LOCAL: Podcast listener offer __ In the newest episode of our podcast Germany in Focus, host Rachel Loxton is joined by The Local journalists Imogen Goodman and Aaron Burnett as well as culture and history expert Mike Stuchbery. We start off by talking about some public holidays and other celebrations in Germany before we dig into one of the biggest news stories of the week - Germany's relationship with China and fears over repeating the mistakes of Russia. We discuss why Chancellor Ola...

Oct 28, 2022•31 min•Season 1Ep. 4

Germany's plans to modernise citizenship and immigration laws, and is cash still king?

In this week's Germany in Focus podcast, host Rachel Loxton is joined by The Local journalists Sarah Magill and Aaron Burnett and startup founder Constantin Weiss. Listen in as we chat about what a legal cannabis market could look like in Germany under initial proposals drawn up by the Health Minister. We also share with you the latest developments on the government's proposals to relax citizenship laws, including allowing dual citizenship, and what it means for non-EU nationals living in German...

Oct 21, 2022•28 min•Season 1Ep. 3

How Germany is preparing for winter Covid wave, minimum wage rise and energy U-turn

In the latest episode of our Germany in Focus podcast, host Rachel Loxton is joined by The Local journalists Imogen Goodman and Aaron Burnett in Berlin, while writer Brian Melican joins us from Hamburg. Listen in as we chat about the Covid-19 pandemic in Germany and how the government is preparing for autumn and winter with a new set of regulations . We break down what the rules are, and any changes you should be aware of. During the show, we discuss what the current Covid figures look like, and...

Oct 07, 2022•26 min•Season 1Ep. 2

How is Germany tackling the worst energy crisis in decades?

JOIN THE LOCAL: Podcast listener offer __ In the first episode of our Germany in Focus podcast, host Rachel Loxton is joined by The Local journalists Sarah Magill and Aaron Burnett in Berlin, while writer Nic Houghton joins us from Augsburg. Tune in as we chat about the energy crisis in Germany and how the government is trying to tackle it and support households with rising bills . We also look at when to turn on the heating on as we go into the colder season, and tips and tricks on staying warm...

Sep 30, 2022•32 min•Season 1Ep. 1

Germany in Focus trailer

This week sees the launch of The Local’s brand new podcast, Germany in Focus. Listen to the trailer and subscribe now to get the first episode delivered on Friday. The new weekly podcast is hosted by editor Rachel Loxton who will chat each week with The Local’s journalists and expert commentators about the news stories and other aspects of life in Germany that most affect foreigners living here. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information....

Sep 27, 2022•35 sec

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