Join The Local with our podcast listener offer In this episode, host Rachel Loxton is joined by The Local Germany journalists Imogen Goodman and Aaron Burnett. Our sound engineer is Rhys Edwards. We hear some analysis from political commentator Brian Melican on the state elections in Hesse and Bavaria. 'Disastrous results': Germany in shock after state elections Why did the AfD do so well in Bavaria and Hesse? We hear from Berlin-based immigration lawyer Sven Hasse who talks about what we can ex...
Oct 12, 2023•42 min•Season 4Ep. 6
Join The Local with our podcast listener offer In this episode, host Rachel Loxton is joined by The Local Germany journalists Imogen Goodman and Aaron Burnett. Our sound engineer is Rhys Edwards. We talk about the funding row threatening the future of the €49 transport ticket. Why the future of Germany's €49 ticket is up in the air What are the rules of Berlin's new €29 travel pass? With the Bavarian state elections coming up on October 8th, we profile the southern state and explain the politics...
Oct 05, 2023•38 min•Season 4Ep. 5
Join The Local with our podcast listener offer In this episode, host Rachel Loxton is joined by The Local Germany journalists Rachel Stern and Sarah Magill. Our sound engineer is Rhys Edwards. We start by talking about our highlights from the first year of Germany in Focus. We launched the podcast one year ago. Thank you to all our listeners who have joined us on this journey! We get into how German politicians are trying to solve the issue of a lack of affordable housing to buy and rent. What i...
Sep 29, 2023•32 min•Season 4Ep. 4
JOIN THE LOCAL: Podcast listener offer In the latest episode of our Germany in Focus podcast, host Rachel Loxton is joined by panelists Rachel Stern and Imogen Goodman. Our sound engineer is Rhys Edwards. We start off by talking about a new night train service between Berlin and Paris and some more train news. Berlin-Paris night train to return after nine years The best night trains running through Germany What to know about the new planned cross-border rail services between Germany and Austria ...
Sep 21, 2023•36 min•Season 4Ep. 3
JOIN THE LOCAL: Podcast listener offer On the latest episode of our Germany in Focus podcast, host Rachel Loxton is joined by panelists Rachel Stern and Sarah Magill. Our sound engineer is Rhys Edwards. We start off by taking about a new service for registering your car online in Germany, and Sarah tells us why it's a bureaucratic nightmare. How using Germany's new car online registration service turned into a bureaucratic nightmare How to register your car in Germany online from September 1st W...
Sep 14, 2023•35 min•Season 4Ep. 2
You can sign up to become a member of The Local Germany here. In the first epsiode of the new season of our Germany in Focus podcast, host Rachel Loxton is joined by panelists Imogen Goodman and Aaron Burnett. Our sound engineer is Rhys Edwards. We start off by recapping on the weirdest story of the summer involving escaped wildlife in Berlin. How did a wild boar sighting in Berlin turn into a two-day lion hunt? We talk about the developments on immigration and citizenship laws. German governmen...
Sep 07, 2023•38 min•Season 4Ep. 1
In the last episode of the season of our Germany in Focus podcast, host Rachel Loxton is joined by panelists Rachel Stern and Aaron Burnett. Our sound engineer is Rhys Edwards. We start off by having a chat about German summer traditions. Your tips for making the most of German lakes We then discuss a few changes happening in July in Germany that you should get familiar with, as well as give an overview of where the dual citizenship and immigration reforms are at. Everything that changes in July...
Jun 29, 2023•36 min•Season 3Ep. 9
In the latest episode of our Germany in Focus podcast, host Rachel Loxton is joined by panelists Imogen Goodman and Rachel Stern. Our sound engineer is Rhys Edwards. We talk about Germany's plans to bring back getting sick notes over the phone from the doctor, plus we get into the culture of taking time off when you're ill. Germany looks to bring back sick notes by telephone What we could all learn from the German attitude to sickness With the immigration reform being voted on by MPs in the Bund...
Jun 23, 2023•38 min•Season 3Ep. 8
In the latest episode of our Germany in Focus podcast, host Rachel Loxton is joined by panelists Imogen Goodman and Aaron Burnett. Our sound engineer is Rhys Edwards. We talk about a NATO drill happening in Germany and how it will affect people. What you need to know about NATO's German-led defence drill Could a NATO air defence drill spell chaos for travellers in Germany this summer? We get into why Germany's Health Minister is putting together a heatwave plan and how the climate crisis is affe...
Jun 15, 2023•38 min•Season 3Ep. 7
In the latest episode of our Germany in Focus podcast, host Rachel Loxton is joined by panelists Sarah Magill and Aaron Burnett. Our sound engineer is Rhys Edwards. This week we talk about allegations of sexual misconduct involving the band Rammstein. German band Rammstein hit by sex abuse scandal Who are Rammstein and why are they so big in Germany? Pride month has started so we talk about the history of LGBTQ rights in Germany and where to celebrate CSD. From persecution to pride: The history ...
Jun 08, 2023•38 min•Season 3Ep. 6
In the latest episode of our Germany in Focus podcast, host Rachel Loxton is joined by panelists Rachel Stern and Imogen Goodman. Our sound engineer is Rhys Edwards. This week we talk about the German love of visiting lakes in summer. Living in Germany: Making the most of culture and lake life We discuss a new European night train service that’s just launched. How travelling by train between Berlin and the UK has got easier The number of German citizenship applications has increased significantl...
Jun 01, 2023•34 min•Season 3Ep. 5
In the latest episode of our Germany in Focus podcast, host Rachel Loxton is joined by panelists Aaron Burnett and Imogen Goodman. Our sound engineer is Rhys Edwards. We discuss: A culture pass birthday present for 18-year-olds in Germany. What to know about Germany's youth culture pass The thorny nature of neighbour disputes and why smoking on your balcony could land you in court in Germany's (or in someone's bad books). Can you get in trouble for smoking on your balcony in Germany? The latest ...
May 25, 2023•39 min•Season 3Ep. 4
In the latest episode of our Germany in Focus podcast, host Rachel Loxton is joined by panelists Aaron Burnett and Rachel Stern. Our sound engineer is Rhys Edwards. We discuss|: Hot weather coming up, public holidays and why June is a great month in Germany. Summer to arrive early in Germany with temperatures up to 30C What's going on with German transport strikes? Deutsche Bahn to resume talks with Germany's largest rail union Could Deutsche Bahn still see more rail disruption after cancelled '...
May 18, 2023•40 min•Season 3Ep. 3
In this episode host Rachel Loxton is joined by The Local Germany journalists Imogen Goodman and Aaron Burnett. Our sound engineer is Rhys Edwards. We start off by talking about supermarkets in Bavaria embracing small talk to help combat loneliness. German supermarkets fight loneliness with slower checkouts for chatting We break down the details about Germany’s planned cannabis clubs and what people will be allowed to do and not do. How Germany's future cannabis clubs could work With the Eurovis...
May 11, 2023•41 min•Season 3Ep. 2
In the first episode of our latest season, host Rachel Loxton is joined by The Local Germany journalists Imogen Goodman and Aaron Burnett. Our sound engineer is Rhys Edwards. We start off by having a chat about a court case involving a company in Frankfurt who tried to get a rent reduction because they were bothered by their landlord sunbathing naked. Naked landlord not a reason for rent reduction, court rules How to get a rent reduction for problems in your German flat We talk about children’s ...
May 04, 2023•39 min•Season 3Ep. 1
In the latest episode, host Rachel Loxton is joined by The Local Germany journalists Imogen Goodman and Rachel Stern. Our sound engineer is Rhys Edwards. We start off by having a chat about the German government's new watered-down cannabis legalisation plan. Since we recorded the podcast, more details have emerged which you can find in this story: What you need to know about Germany's plans to legalise cannabis We talk about Germany's exit from nuclear power and the history behind it. How German...
Apr 14, 2023•38 min•Season 2Ep. 13
Become a member of The Local In the second part of our episode on immigration law reforms, host Rachel Loxton talks to Jan Dannenbring , the head of the department of labour law at the German Confederation for Skilled Crafts , and Green member of the Bundestag, Misbah Khan , who is a rapporteur on the law changes. Our guests discuss the skilled worker shortage, how Germany could attract more talent from abroad and when the law changes could come into force. Our sound engineer is Rhys Edwards. Re...
Apr 11, 2023•14 min•Season 2Ep. 12
In the latest episode, host Rachel Loxton is joined by The Local Germany journalists Imogen Goodman and Aaron Burnett. We start off by talking about some German Easter traditions, from egg painting to bonfires. How to celebrate Easter 2023 in Germany We talk about the possibility of strikes over the long weekend, other disruption to travel and what we can expect after Easter from strikes Everything you need to know about Easter weekend travel in Germany What are the chances of unlimited strikes ...
Apr 06, 2023•41 min•Season 2Ep. 11
In the latest episode, host Rachel Loxton is joined by The Local Germany journalists Sarah Magill and Aaron Burnett. We start off by talking about some important changes happening in Germany in April, including updates on the €49 ticket and why people will likely see more money leftover in their wage slip after tax. The German tax changes coming into effect in April Everything that changes in Germany in April 2023 With Britain's King Charles III making his first foreign visit as monarch to Germa...
Mar 31, 2023•41 min•Season 2Ep. 10
In the latest episode, host Rachel Loxton is joined by The Local Germany journalists Rachel Stern and Aaron Burnett. We start off by discussing what a 'megastrike' in Germany could look like. Since we recorded the podcast, unions have announced a nationwide transport strike on Monday March 27th. German unions call major nationwide major transport strike on Monday We also talk about whether people can get a paid day off if they can't get to work or find childcare due to industrial action. Strikes...
Mar 23, 2023•41 min•Season 2Ep. 9
In the latest episode, host Rachel Loxton is joined by The Local Germany journalists Imogen Goodman and Aaron Burnett. We start off by talking about gun laws in Germany after a shooting in Hamburg. German minister wants crackdown on gun laws after shooting We talk about why anyone - regardless of their gender - can now swim topless in Berlin's swimming pools, and we get into German nudity culture. The laws around going topless in Germany With the German citizenship reform set to be debated in pa...
Mar 16, 2023•42 min•Season 2Ep. 8
In the latest episode, host Rachel Loxton is joined by The Local Germany journalists Imogen Goodman and Aaron Burnett. We start off by talking about some key changes to know about this month in Germany, from youth travel tickets and train track upgrades to energy price caps. Everything that changes in Germany in 2023 Then we have a little chat about Germany's mild winter weather, and what it all means. Current winter in Germany '2.7C too warm' With more strikes planned across the country, we tal...
Mar 02, 2023•37 min•Season 2Ep. 7
In the latest episode, host Rachel Loxton is joined by The Local Germany editor Rachel Stern and journalist Sarah Magill as well as political analyst Jessica Berlin. We start by talking about how Germany celebrated carnival this year and the significance of the culture across different regions. Politics takes centre stage in Rosenmontag parades throughout Germany We move onto a story about the increasing number of people taking driving tests in Germany - and the proportion of people who fail. Sa...
Feb 23, 2023•34 min•Season 2Ep. 6
In the latest episode, host Rachel Loxton is joined by The Local Germany editor Rachel Stern and journalist Aaron Burnett, as well as jobs expert Chris Pyak and dating and relationships expert Sami Wunder. We kick things off by talking about the strikes hitting Germany and how they are affecting daily life, whether travel, post or childcare. What travellers need to know about the German airport strikes on Friday Next we talk about the significance of the Currywurst as well as how much Germany's ...
Feb 16, 2023•41 min•Season 2Ep. 5
In the latest episode, host Rachel Loxton is joined by journalists Imogen Goodman and Aaron Burnett, as well as political scientist Florian Hartleb and professor of sports management at the German Sport University in Cologne Sebastian Uhrich. We start by talking about how communities in Germany are supporting victims after the devastating earthquakes in Turkey and Syria. Turkish community in Germany gathers to help earthquake victims We then talk about why Berlin is having to repeat elections fr...
Feb 09, 2023•41 min•Season 2Ep. 4
In the latest episode, host Rachel Loxton is joined by journalists Imogen Goodman and Aaron Burnett, as well as experienced mortgage broker Peter Kleinwächter from MLP Berlin and culture and history writer Mike Stuchbery. Germany's €49 monthly transport ticket will start on May 1st. We discuss all the details we know so far, how the states are already planning different processes and if tourists and visitors to Germany will be able to get it. Will tourists and visitors be able to get the €49 tic...
Feb 03, 2023•43 min•Season 2Ep. 3
In the latest episode, host Rachel Loxton is joined by journalists Imogen Goodman and Aaron Burnett, and writer and co-host of the Decades from Home podcast, Nic Houghton. A major news story this week has been Germany's reluctance to give the green light to send so-called Leopard tanks to Ukraine in the fight against the Russian invasion. We talk about how the international community heaped pressure on German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, how Germany finally allowed for tanks to be sent to Ukraine, an...
Jan 27, 2023•38 min•Season 2Ep. 2
In the latest episode, host Rachel Loxton is joined by journalists Imogen Goodman and Aaron Burnett, and German teacher at the Goethe Institut Birgit Schneider. We talk about why the German Defence Minister has stepped down - and who her replacement is. German Defence Minister quits as pressure grows for Ukraine aid Attacks against emergency workers and riots on New Year's Eve have sparked major debate in Germany. We look at how it's brought immigration and racism issues into the spotlight, as w...
Jan 20, 2023•42 min•Season 2Ep. 1
In the latest episode, host Rachel Loxton is joined by journalists Sarah Magill and Aaron Burnett, and German member of the Bundestag Hakan Demir. We start by talking about what the German words of the year tell us about Germany right now (and this exceptional year). What do Germany's top 10 words of the year tell us? We then talk about some of the changes ahead in 2023, from inflation support to the €49 public transport ticket - and what the picture is on public holidays in Germany. Which Germa...
Dec 22, 2022•35 min•Season 1Ep. 12
In the latest episode, host Rachel Loxton is joined by journalists Sarah Magill and journalist Aaron Burnett as well as writer and researcher Mike Stuchbery and Kumar Ashish, who's a student originally from Nepal studying at the University of Oldenburg, and he heads up the the Federal Union of International Students in Germany As lots of people are on the move to unite with friends and family over the holidays, we talk about possible travel disruption and what to expect. How to travel without st...
Dec 16, 2022•37 min•Season 1Ep. 11
