Decades From Home - A Podcast About Germany

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

This week we have Berlin tour guide extraordinaire Jonny Whitlam joining Nic & producer Simon for an Easter trip through the world of tour guiding in the German capital. We find out how Jonny first started taking tours, despite not enjoying history much at school, and gradually became one of the most popular guides in the city.We quiz Jonny on what makes a good tour group, the most visited spots, and why he doesn’t buy into Berliners’ nostalgia for the “good old days”. We also learn about the tourist traps to avoid and Jonny’s recommendation for the best place to visit.Finally, we take some time to discuss Jonny’s foray into podcasting with the release of his new show History Flakes - The Berlin History Podcast.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

After a few weeks away, Dili returns to the podcast and wastes no time by dropping bombs on her erstwhile co-host Nic. I think we can all agree he probably deserves it, which is why Producer Simon gets in on the act too. Having dealt out some much needed discipline, Dili shares her discovery of a new Mexican restaurant, and why sharing rice is the sign of a great friendship.St Patrick’s Day was last Sunday, which means Nic reports back from another adventure to Finnigan’s Irish Pub in Nürnberg to celebrate the pod’s favourite patron saint. We also discuss how Germany celebrates the Irish national holiday and why green beer is the sign something terrible might be going on. We also chat about Germany’s Euro 2024 football kit and Producer Simon brings us some worrying news about an invasive mosquito coming to 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

In our continuing attempts to collect all our favourite podcasters, we welcome the fantastic Nina Wooten of the Everyday Germany podcast to the show! Nina joins Producer Simon & Nic to discuss her ongoing move to the US. We talk about exchange trips to American high schools, living in Baltimore, and the benefits of seeing a totally different environment.With Nina planning her imminent move to Kansas, we look at the trials and tribulations of planning a move across continents, what to keep and what to throw away, and how many Tchibo products can safely be taken to the American midwest. We also find time for German stereotypes of Americans, growing up in Augsburg, and find out why Nürnberg is one of the best cities in Germany and one of the worst for Christmas markets. 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

With Dili taking the week off, it’s left to the lads to hold down the podcast fort, but it doesn’t take long for Producer Simon & Nic to start squabbling like unruly siblings. Wary of fully derailing the running order, your hosts pull themselves together to discuss when a host should offer their guest a nice drink, and whether things are different in Germany.Moving on from etiquette, we welcome the recent liberalisation of cannabis laws across the country. We explain how people will be able to buy weed, talk about why it isn’t quite legalisation, and how things may still be derailed in the Bundesrat. Following our recent discussion on Ukrainian refugees in Germany, we return to the topic to find out what exactly Poland has been doing differently. We finish on the topic of German drivers and why they may be better than Nic thinks. 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

With Dili away for the week we need a guest host, preferably someone with some experience with this podcast malarkey. Lucky for us, we have the perfect guest to fill in, it’s the wonderful Shaun Behrens of the Everyday Germany podcast! Shaun joins Producer Simon & Nic to discuss the benefits of being totally unprepared for life in Germany, the difficulties of finding a job, and why having a non-German on your staff can really help a company. Nic and Shaun also discover the many similarities between their lives, from living in the Bavarian countryside to dealing with kindergartens.Given Shaun’s wealth of podcast knowledge, we also take some time to discuss the various projects Shaun has worked on over the years, as well as his love of radio, and how the pandemic changed the podcast landscape.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

Things are decidedly zen this week, with good vibes spread by Nic after he sat in total silence for three hours. He’s not been on some transcendental meditation retreat however, but invigilating exams for the university’s Prüfungswoche. Perhaps it’s this peace of mind that leads to our first topic of the week: creating a ten point plan to fix Germany.Having created a clear path for Germany’s future success, your erstwhile hosts turn their attention to the creation of new political parties, and one in particular that seems ripe for ridicule. We discuss whether the splintering of the right and left wings of the political spectrum might have some advantages, and ask why we aren’t laughing at the more ridiculous aspects of German politics.To finish things off this week, Producer Simon takes a look at the current situation for Ukrainian refugees in Germany and how it compares with other countries. 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

It was Valentine’s Day on Wednesday, and it turns out your co-hosts aren’t incurable romantics, if anything, we’re all very curable. We discuss plans for “the most romantic day of the year” which involve cooking leaves, editing podcasts and sitting quietly on our own. From love to shopping, Nic is shocked by the state of his local city centre. Boarded up shop fronts, closing down sales, and general feeling of circling the drain seems to part and parcel of the traditional high streets of German towns and cities. Is it the same across the country?We also find time to discuss Producer Simon’s Chinese New Year festivities, and we finish on xenophobic Fasching chants going viral. 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

New week, new episode, new cold suffered by Dili. It’s not all negative though, this weeks variant of low level sickness has gifted Dili some Miley Cyrus level vocals, which we all appreciate. From one pop starlet to another, a quick music chat leads to the revelation that Producer Simon is less than enthusiastic about Taylor Swift’s back catalogue. Don’t worry listeners, we’ll make a Swifty of him yet.Speaking of music, Karneval, or Fasching, is rapidly approaching, which means Nic’s playlist has been filled with the high tempo beats of some of Germany’s best/worst party tunes. Sadly this is as close as any of us might get to celebrating for various reasons, from a lack of overall enthusiasm to uncooperative offspring. Having spent time over the last few weeks discussing the recent protests against the far-right and the AfD, we take some time to discuss the topic in detail after another weekend that saw thousands take to the streets across 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

As we come to the end of the month, Nic celebrates an accidental Dry January, until Dili & Producer Simon point out an obvious flaw in his logic. No matter, perhaps sobriety is overrated, but at least Nic can console himself with a conversation about brunch, or is that an argument about brunch?Inquisitions into breakfast food aside, we thankfully have some less contentious issues to discuss, like protests and strikes! We discuss the various updates on protests against the far right, cancelled strikes at Deutsche Bahn, and possible stikes on public transport. We also bring you a recent study on the rise of populism in East Germany and its possible connections to feelings of being “left behind”, and we finish on the most popular German in the UK. 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

It’s a week of rather fruity voices as both Nic & Dili have varying degrees of cold, thanks to germ infested children and coughing commuters. Of course, that won’t stop the pod, and we kick things off with a forceful debate over the correct terminology for underwear. We have a number of updates to cover from last week, with listeners providing solid advice on his bakery goblin problems, which may motivate Nic to take his new nemesis to task. We also bring more news on the farmers protests as unions call for renewed demonstrations against the government. We also celebrate the thousands of Germans who took to the streets against the rise of the far-right and the AfD.We finish the show with a look at the progress of the new laws around German citizenship, and discuss how it might change life for thousands of long time residents in the country.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

After a major microphone malfunction last week, Producer Simon is forced to eat a healthy slab of humble pie, much to Dili’s enjoyment. Once the admin is out the way, and Simon has finished crying, we turn to the important issue of Nic’s burgeoning hatred of a particular bakery employee. We also look at some updates on the ongoing farming protests across Germany.We dedicate a large portion of this week’s show to the increasing support for the far-right AfD, and the recent revelations over party members meeting to discuss the racist policy of “Remigration”. We ask why the right-wing continues to see polling success, and how ordinary people might finally be taking the initiative against it. Producer Simon also looks at why thousands of Germans are demanding on AfD be banned from standing for election.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

Well, it’s finally happened, after weeks of low level insults, Dili decides to go on strike. Thankfully that’s a major topic in Germany at the moment, so at least one third of the podcast is on topic. Luckily for Nic and Producer Simon, Dili quickly returns to work, and good thing too since no one else is capable of talking about the world’s first botanical garden. With many areas of Germany facing the possibility of flooding, Producer Simon brings us the curious story about emergency services having to police flood areas to prevent flood tourists from swimming, kayaking, and kite surfing through some of the most dangerous areas. Returning to the theme of strikes, we discuss Germany’s current winter of discontent, as the country comes to a standstill as farmers protest the potential end to diesel subsidies, and Deutsche Bahn workers take to the pickets over pay and working hours. 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

It’s the first podcast of 2024, and we’re all still recovering from an action packed festive couple of weeks. Producer Simon has been enjoying himself a little too much and after a week of almost solid eating, he attempts to podcast via the recovery position. Nic has been fighting off a variety of flus & colds, while nursing his wife and children through their own seasonal sickness. Finally Dili is still traumatised by an unexpected meeting with her nemesis.We pick over the Christmas leftovers and catch-up after a week off from the show, starting with Dili who walks us through her rather horrifying Christmas dinner, and why kissing is an important part of the celebration. With food still on his mind, Producer Simon explains slow cooker practicalities, and the perfect roast potato. We finish on Nic’s ill fated trip to the UK, expensive sausage rolls, and why people who like airports are terrible. 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

As 2023 begins to make itself scarce, we look back on a year of the weird and wonderful, not only in Germany, but among your podcast hosts. We recap Dili’s short-lived segment on fruit and find exactly who was to blame for vetoing such creative output. We are also once again joined by Nic’s infant son, who is more than happy to offer up his opinions on DfH over the year. It’s not all recriminations though, we go through some of our favourite stories and general highlights from the pod in 2023. We also chat about the things we enjoyed in our own lives through the year, and try to avoid making any bold, and inevitably inaccurate predictions for 2024. 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