Returning from my recent vacation to Italy, I compare European and North American way of life in this audio essay and try to get at the root of just why is it that so many Americans and Canadians are burnt out and unhappy, wrapping up with tips on how to live more like a European in North America. *****LINKS***** Episode transcript: https://www.cultureatlas.world/episodes/special-ep-19-how-to-live-like-a-european Podcast website: cultureatlas.world Stay in touch: @cultureatlaspodcast on Facebook, Instagram & Threads
In part 4 of our 4-part series on Switzerland, we’ll take a look at the country’s unique direct democracy system and spend a few minutes on its history to help us better understand Swiss culture and its political stance on the global stage. We’ll also explore the perks and drawbacks of living in Switzerland, and hear about popular wedding pranks to pull on newly weds. *****LINKS***** Switzerland blog post: https://www.cultureatlas.world/episodes/ep-15-18-switzerland-where-nature-democracy-and-tradition-reign-supreme Podcast website: cultureatlas.world Stay in touch: @cultureatlaspodcast on Facebook, Instagram & Threads
In part 3 of our 4-part series on Switzerland, we'll cover social etiquettes and how to befriend a Swiss. We’ll also take a look at how Swiss people prefer to socialize and have fun, and how punctual they really are. *****LINKS***** Switzerland blog post: to come next week Podcast website: cultureatlas.world Stay in touch: @cultureatlaspodcast on Facebook, Instagram & Threads
In part 2 of our 4-part series on Switzerland, we'll learn about the culture of Switzerland, a small country with yet close to a hundred dialects and three main regional cultures: French, German and Italian. We’ll get to know the different regions of Switzerland and what makes each unique; we’ll also uncover the secret to superior Swiss engineering and take a look at the country’s unique apprenticeship program in which every Swiss person is put to work at the young age of 16. *****LINKS***** Switzerland blog post: to come in two weeks Podcast website: cultureatlas.world Stay in touch: @cultureatlaspodcast on Facebook, Instagram & Threads
Get to know Swiss people, Swiss culture and find out what life is like in one of the most beautiful places on Earth. In this 4-part series, my guest Roman Fischer explains why Swiss brands are world-renowned, the origin of their neutral stance on world affairs, wacky cultural celebrations and their one-of-a-kind direct democracy system. In part one, we learn about Roman's personal story growing up in a Swiss village of just 5,000 people. We'll also hear crazy stories from his training days in the Swiss military. *****LINKS***** Switzerland blog post: to come in three weeks Podcast website: cultureatlas.world Stay in touch: @cultureatlaspodcast on Facebook, Instagram & Threads
In Part 3, the final part of our series on Tanzania, we explore the history of Tanzania and German and Arab influences on Tanzanian culture. We also talk politics and examine Tanzanian society through the lens of economy and people’s quality of life. Improvements are underway, but very slow. And finally, we'll hear Jovin’s experience sleeping near elephants in the Serengeti National Park and the highest peak in all of Africa, Mount Kilimanjaro. *****LINKS***** Tanzania blog post: https://www.cultureatlas.world/episodes/ep-12-14-tanzania-green-paradise-land-of-peace Podcast website: cultureatlas.world Stay in touch: @cultureatlaspodcast on Facebook, Instagram & Threads
In Part 2 of our series on Tanzania, we take a look at its tribal culture, shaman practices, marriage traditions and popular leisure activities for locals. You'll also hear my guest and I debate about the Lion King which is set in Tanzania and beauty standards in East Africa. *****LINKS***** Episode blog post: to come next week Podcast website: cultureatlas.world Stay in touch: @cultureatlaspodcast on Facebook, Instagram & Threads
Tanzania is an East African country best known for its iconic Serengeti National Park, home to the largest lion population in Africa and one of the most remarkable natural events on Earth, the annual Great Migration of wildlife. In this 3-part series, we’ll take a look at life in Tanzania, what people there value and believe. We’ll also learn about the Chaga and Haya tribes of East Africa, hear spooky tales of shamanic curses placed on people, explore German and Arab influences on the country, and what to do when a wild elephant roams into your village. In Part 1, we introduce you to the land, people and life in Tanzania. Part 2 will be available next Tuesday. *****LINKS***** Episode blog post: to come in two weeks Podcast website: cultureatlas.world Stay in touch: @cultureatlaspodcast on Facebook & Instagram
This is part 3 of our 3-part series on Colombia. In Part 2, we looked at the dance and carnival culture of Colombia. In this final episode, we'll learn about Colombia's pirate history and take a look at the country today, its politics and biggest issues. We'll get Fabiana's take on how safe it is to visit today and her fabulous recommendations on where to go and what to do. *****LINKS***** Episode blog post: https://www.cultureatlas.world/episodes/ep-9-11-colombia-a-land-of-magic-a-thousand-rhythms Podcast website: cultureatlas.world Stay in touch: @cultureatlaspodcast on Facebook & Instagram
This is part 2 of our 3-part series on Colombia. In Part 1, we introduced you to the land and people of Colombia. Part 2 is all about Latin music, dance and carnivals. Remember Shakira? Yup, she's Colombian. In the land of a thousand rhythms, dance is a language of its own and every Colombian knows how to dance from little kids to grandfathers. As my guest Fabiana says, if you know how to dance, that's your best ticket to success in Colombia. We’ll also take a look at the famous carnivals that draw millions of people to the country each year. *****LINKS***** Episode blog post: to come next week Podcast website: cultureatlas.world Stay in touch: @cultureatlaspodcast on Facebook & Instagram
Sitting at the entryway to South America, the ancient land of Colombia is rich with unusual species of wildlife, plants and flowers – many that the rest of the world had never seen before. It's also the land of a thousand rhythms with all kinds of music and dance born from the unique mixture of Spanish, African and Indigenous cultures. Remember Shakira and her dance moves? Yup, she's Colombian. My guest Fabiana Stubrich grew up in Colombia in the 70s and 80s, and tells me it’s an unforgettable place and a magical one. In this 3-part series, Fabiana shares with us her jungle adventures and pirate stories from the explorer days; Why your ability to dance is the most valuable currency in Colombia; Its carnival culture that attracts millions of visitors worldwide each year; What are the social norms and etiquettes in Colombia; and finally, where to go and what to do. In Part 1, we introduce you to the land, culture and people of Colombia. Part 2 will be available next Tuesday. *****LINKS***** Episode blog post: to come in two weeks Podcast website: cultureatlas.world Stay in touch: @cultureatlaspodcast on Facebook & Instagram
This is part 2 of our 2-part series on Belarus. Belarus is an Eastern European country known for its Soviet architecture, big trucks and tractors, world-renowned artist Marc Chagall and the winter sport biathlon where you ski and shoot. In Part 1, we delved into life in this Eastern European country and how it developed after the fall of the Soviet Union. In this episode, we’ll meet a few famous Belarussians and take a look at the current political situation in the country and young people looking to leave. *****LINKS***** Episode blog post: https://www.cultureatlas.world/episodes/ep-7-8-belarus-a-mix-between-russia-and-the-west Podcast website: cultureatlas.world Stay in touch: @cultureatlaspodcast on Facebook & Instagram
Belarus is an Eastern European country known for its Soviet architecture, big trucks and tractors, world-renowned artist Marc Chagall and the winter sport biathlon where you ski and shoot. In this 2-part series on Belarus, we take a look at this Post-Soviet country’s past and present. In part 1, we hear from our guest Benny, a software engineer based in the capital city Minsk, what it's like to grow up in Belarus and how it compares to Western Europe. We also find out how the country transitioned after the collapse of the Soviet Union. *****LINKS***** Episode blog post: https://www.cultureatlas.world/episodes/ep-7-8-belarus-a-mix-between-russia-and-the-west Podcast website: cultureatlas.world Stay in touch: @cultureatlaspodcast on Facebook & Instagram
This is part 2 of our 2-part series on Dubai. Situated in the Arabian Peninsula, Dubai emerged out of the desert just a couple of decades ago and turned itself into something completely unrecognizable and one of the richest places on Earth. My guest for this series is Ranjeeta, a writer who moved to Dubai five years ago from India. In Part 1, we delved into life in this cosmopolitan city and how it went from a desert settlement to the world-class city we know today. In this episode, we’re gonna debunk stereotypes of Islamic countries and talk about rules for first-time visitors to Dubai. *****LINKS****** Episode blog post: https://www.cultureatlas.world/episodes/ep-1-dubai-from-desert-to-world-class-city Podcast website: cultureatlas.world Stay in touch: @cultureatlaspodcast on Facebook & Instagram
Situated in the Arabian Peninsula, Dubai emerged out of the desert just a couple of decades ago and turned itself into something completely unrecognizable and one of the richest places on Earth. Today, it’s known for luxury and for being the most cosmopolitan city in the world where 9 out of 10 residents are expats. In this 2-part series on Dubai, we have Ranjeeta, a writer who moved to the city five years ago with her family from India. We talk about living in Dubai - the perks and drawbacks, and take a look at how it went from a desert settlement to a world-class city. *****LINKS***** Episode blog post: https://www.cultureatlas.world/episodes/ep-1-dubai-from-desert-to-world-class-city Podcast website: cultureatlas.world Stay in touch: @cultureatlaspodcast on Facebook & Instagram
This is part 4 of our 4-part series on India. My guest for this series is my new friend Moh, who was born in a prominent political and business family in west India in a province called Gujarat. In part 3, we delved into India’s social classes and the caste system. Be sure to check it out if you haven’t already. Today, we’re looking at politics in India. Will the relation between Hindus and Muslims improve? Also, if you’re planning a vacation to India, we’ll tell you where to go and what to see. *****LINKS***** Episode blog post: https://www.cultureatlas.world/episodes/ep-3-6-india-a-kaleidoscope-of-cultures-traditions-people Podcast website: cultureatlas.world Stay in touch: @cultureatlaspodcast on Facebook & Instagram
This is part 3 of our 4-part series on India. My guest for this series is my new friend Moh, who was born in a prominent political and business family in west India in a province called Gujarat. Today, we’re looking at India’s social classes and the caste system. How big is the gap between the rich and poor? And will the caste system ever go away? *****LINKS***** Episode blog post: https://www.cultureatlas.world/episodes/ep-3-6-india-a-kaleidoscope-of-cultures-traditions-people Podcast website: cultureatlas.world Stay in touch: @cultureatlaspodcast on Facebook & Instagram
This is part 2 of our 4-part series on India. In Part 1, we delved into my new friend Moh’s childhood growing up in a large and influential Gujarati family. Be sure to check it out if you haven’t already. Today, we’re looking at India’s wedding and arranged marriage traditions. What’s the right size for a wedding in India and what are some common gifts? Why is arranged marriage so successful and what do today's young people think about the tradition? *****LINKS***** Episode blog post: https://www.cultureatlas.world/episodes/ep-3-6-india-a-kaleidoscope-of-cultures-traditions-people Podcast website: cultureatlas.world Stay in touch: @cultureatlaspodcast on Facebook & Instagram
Today we’re looking at one of the oldest and most exciting places in the world: India. My new friend Moh is our guest for this 4-part series. He was born in a prominent political and business family in west India in a province called Gujarat. His family owns a famous bakery business there and Moh is a professional pastry chef. In Part 1, we take you inside Moh’s childhood and the life of the rich and powerful in India. If you want to know about Indian society or why arranged marriage is so successful, be sure to check out parts 2,3 and 4 after this. *****LINKS***** Episode blog post: https://www.cultureatlas.world/episodes/ep-3-6-india-a-kaleidoscope-of-cultures-traditions-people Podcast website: cultureatlas.world Stay in touch: @cultureatlaspodcast on Facebook & Instagram
Welcome to Culture Atlas, a podcast covering the culture, lifestyle and people of all 195 countries of our world. Each episode, you're introduced to a country by a person from there. The guests you meet and the stories you hear will warm your heart and open up your mind to help you better understand our world and its people. *****LINKS***** Podcast website: cultureatlas.world Stay in touch: @cultureatlaspodcast on Facebook & Instagram