In the final episode of the season we check-in with a Bigwig that spans the entire city of Berlin, existed in the days of horse-and-cart and will probably continue to influence our lives for generations to come: The BVG. The BVG may have started as a transport company, but it has become a firm favourite in the world of advertising and marketing with its hilariously self-aware campaigns, political weigh-ins and smart collaborations.

Jill and Julia are joined by the BVG’s Social Media Manager, Thilo Stracke, to learn all about the inner workings of the BVG, the “shitstorm” turned marketing genius that was their “Weil wir dich Lieben” campaign, the stresses of the job for train, bus and tram drivers, how Corona has affected the company and of course that infamous Adidas Shoe.

Thank you Thilo for chatting with us, and Pirate Studios and RØDE for making our recordings possible.

If you enjoyed this episode and would like to hear more, help us make that happen by donating to our PayPal. The linked account is [email protected] - all donors will receive a virtual hug and a loving shoutout in the next episode.

Our theme song is Amber Lights by Chill Cole, also featuring music from Mensch Meier and audio from BVG’s My Way, Arie, U2 in der U2, BVG X ADIDAS DER TICKET SCHUH, BVG "Is mir egal" (feat. Kazim Akboga), Neues Deutschland, Funke News, and RBB.

After surviving two world wars, multiple regime changes and various occupations, it’s no wonder that much of Berlin still stands empty. Teeming with history, but empty.

Through speaking to Berlin’s veteran of urban exploring, Ciarán Fahey, as well as two avid adventurers, Tina Joaquim and Will Fischer, Jill and Julia dig into the world of the abandoned city.

Empty halls, peeling paint, relics, artifacts and graffiti tell stories that are hard to believe unless you see them for yourself. From abandoned airports, to Soviet factories, Nazi bunkers and amusement parks, your hosts explore the remnants of times gone by through the stories of others and even their own adventures.

Thank you Ciarán, Tina and Will for chatting with us and RØDE for making our home recordings possible.

If you enjoyed this episode and would like to hear more, help us make that happen by donating to our PayPal. The linked account is [email protected] - all donors will receive a virtual hug and a loving shoutout in the next episode.

Our theme song is Amber Lights by Chill Cole, also featuring music from Johannes Bornlof.

It’s time to take a look at the most prolific meal to come out of Berlin’s food culture: The Döner Kebap. This cheap, late night snack is known the world over for it’s seasoned meat and tasty condiments, all nestled in a warm, toasted bread.

The Döner industry rakes in over 3.5 billion euros each year, and almost 600 tons of Döner meat are consumed each day. It is clearly beloved, but why?

In this episode, Jill and Julia are joined by Per Meurling of Berlin Food Stories, a food blogger and Döner connoisseur. Per has been compiling and updating a list of the city’s best Döner Kebaps since 2015, eating hundreds of Döner so that we don’t have to go looking for the good stuff.

From the best Döner in the city and what goes into a traditional Döner, to the mystery and lore that surrounds the origin of the food in Turkey. To its development in Germany and who the real Mustafa of Mustafa’s Gemüse Kebap is. We get into it all!

Thank you Per, Pirate Studio and Shure for making these recordings possible. You can also hear this episode and the rest of Berlin Bigwigs on THF Radio.

If you enjoyed this episode and would like to hear more, help us make that happen by donating to our PayPal. The linked account is [email protected] - all donors will receive a virtual hug and a loving shoutout in the next episode.

Our theme music is Amber Lights by Chill Cole. This episode uses audio from Wer Will Beef, Galileo, Orkun Işıtmak, Tim Toupet, Taff, Drew Binsky, and Supercoolben.

In this episode, Jill Beytin and Julia Joubert go clubbing! Well, almost. Berghain is the most prolific club in Berlin and one of the most famous techno clubs in the world. Bringing ravers and techno-lovers to its doors (but not always through) since 2004, they wanted to explore just what it is that makes this space so incredibly special.

Jill and Julia are joined by ex-Berghain bouncer, Kristin, who shares her knowledge and her joy for the club. From a virtual tour of the space and sharing what it’s like working there, to the music, the sex and keeping the community safe, Kristin gives us insight into the beautiful underground world of the world’s best party.

This episode is brought to you by Bear Radio. Special thanks to Kristin for taking the time to speak with us! Berlin Bigwigs is recorded at Pirate Studios in Berlin. You can also find Berlin Bigwigs on THF Radio.

If you enjoyed this episode and would like to hear more, help us make that happen by donating to our PayPal. The linked account is [email protected] - all donors will receive a virtual hug and a loving shoutout in the next episode.

This episode uses audio clips courtesy of Berghain Trainer, Deutsche Welle, AIR Podcast, Joe Goes, The Ellen Show, CONAN, The Zac And Jay Show as well as music from Afrodeutsche, Christoffer Moe Ditlevsen, Edward Karl Hanson, Eight Bits, Stillness Speak, Andante, Peachy Pavement, STRLGHT, Siine, Mikkel Owre, Wendel Scherer, Kit Kruger, Bastien Slice, Chelle Ives, Aleph One, Bureaucrap, Valente, Lama House, Nico Dickens, & Chill Cole.

In this episode, hosts Jill Beytin and Julia Joubert, explore the stories that have shaped one of the most beloved spaces in Berlin: Tempelhofer Feld.

Through speaking with two people who work intimately with the space on a daily basis, we discover how the airport building itself has changed in the past century and how people like those from the Tempelhof Projekt make its upkeep their life's mission. We also explore the incredible history that Tempelhof holds and get into some of the human stories - as shared by Frédéric Dubois of Field Trip - that have come from the Feld. From the heritage upkeep on the airport to the Berlin Airlift and the Feld's role in Nazi propaganda, Tempelhof has played a huge role in making Berlin the city it is today.

This episode is brought to you by Bear Radio. Special thanks to Aljoscha Hofmann, Ingo, and Frédéric Dubois for taking the time to speak with us! Berlin Bigwigs is recorded at Pirate Studios in Berlin. You can also find Berlin Bigwigs on THF Radio.

If you enjoyed this episode and would like to hear more, help us make that happen by donating to our PayPal. The linked account is [email protected] - all donors will receive a virtual hug and a loving shoutout in the next episode.

This episode uses audio clips courtesy of Deutsche Welle, The British National Archives, The Berlin Channel, British Pathe, The Field Trip documentary trailer, as well as music from Tangerine Dream.

There are approximately 800 000 foreigners living in Berlin, yet most expats feel like their experiences integrating into German-life are utterly unique. In the inaugural episode of Berlin Bigwigs, hosts Jill Beytin and Julia Joubert reach out to the team who have spent the better part of 2020 letting us know that we're not as alone as we think - Berlin Ausländer Memes.

The team gets into everything from how they got started and their first meme taking on German Health Insurance, to comedy in politics, creating a community, and if Dani is really in-love with Florian and his tiny beanie.

This episode is brought to you by Bear Radio. Big thanks to Pirate Studio and St Oberholz for providing recording space and to Dani and Michael of Berlin Ausländer Memes for their time. This episode can also be heard on THF Radio.

If you enjoyed this episode and would like to hear more, help us make that happen by donating to our PayPal. The linked account is [email protected] - all donors will receive a virtual hug and a loving shoutout in the next episode.

Coming soon!