Berlin & Elsewhere

Daniel Hanemann is the founder and CEO of Wundertax, and one of the most experienced voices when it comes to the German tax system. In this episode, we sit down with Daniel to explain taxes in Germany in a clear, practical way — especially for expats, international students, and professionals working in Germany.

We talk about how Germany taxes income, why so many people feel they are paying high taxes in Germany, and how the system actually works behind the scenes. Daniel breaks down income tax in Germany, how tax deductions work, and why filing a Steuererklärung is often the easiest way to get money back.

If you work in Germany, plan to move there, or want the German tax system explained in simple terms, this episode will help you understand how much taxes in Germany you actually owe — and how to avoid paying more than necessary.
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What is it really like to quit a tech job and build a meaningful life in Berlin?

In this episode, Ben shares why he left his career in tech in Germany, how ADHD and burnout shaped his journey, and how focusing on ONE thing completely changed his life.

Living in Berlin can feel overwhelming — endless opportunities, communities, parties, side projects, and pressure to do everything at once. Ben opens up about growing up between Nigeria, the US, and Europe, struggling with ADHD, burnout, and belonging, and how Berlin ultimately taught him an unexpected lesson: doing less can give you more.

We talk about:- Why so many people burn out in Berlin and Germany- ADHD, focus, and the trap of having too many interests- Quitting a tech job in Germany without a “perfect plan”- Building real community in Berlin (beyond nightlife)- Why running became the ONE thing that grounded his life- Work-life balance, saying no, and redefining success in GermanyFOLLOW US ON INSTAGRAM:https://www.instagram.com/berlinelsewhere💰 * Start your tax declaration and claim your tax refund with WUNDERTAX. GET ADDITIONAL DISCOUN HERE 👉🏽 https://bit.ly/3SSgKel

In this episode I speak with writer Deidre Olsen, a Canadian living in Berlin whose story shows how a change of country can completely reshape a life.

After growing up with trauma, fighting self neglect, and trying to survive the high cost of living in Canada, she reached a breaking point. Moving to Germany gave her something she never had before: safety, stability, community, and the space to rebuild herself.

We talk about what pushed her to leave Canada, why Berlin offered the right conditions to grow, how running and sobriety helped her find structure, and what it means to finally feel a sense of belonging after years of feeling lost. She shares her journey of healing, writing, studying, and creating a home she once thought she would never have.

If you are thinking about moving to Germany, starting over in Berlin, or searching for a path that feels more aligned with who you want to become, this conversation will speak to you. It is a story about courage, rebuilding, and finding a future that feels possible.

Topics covered:
• Leaving Canada and seeking a better life in Germany
• Berlin as a place for healing, growth, and community
• Mental health, childhood trauma, and recovery
• The expat experience in Germany
• The reality of cost of living in Canada vs Germany
• Running, fitness, and building self trust
• Sobriety and personal reinvention
• Creating a stable home and planning a book
• Advice for newcomers in Berlin

Olya is a Ukrainian designer and founder of https://quests.inc/ She left her country just weeks before the first attacks. After months of moving across Europe and trying to build a new life, she made the unexpected choice to return to Ukraine.

In this episode she shares her story of leaving, searching for belonging, and creating Quest Inc, a project that helps people meet in person and rebuild human connection in a digital world.

This conversation explores the emotional reality of living abroad, the search for community, and what it means to return home after crisis. It will resonate with anyone who has lived far from their country or has struggled with loneliness.

In this episode you will learn• Why she left Ukraine before the conflict and what pushed her to return• How loneliness affects migrants and locals in large cities• Why meeting people in person feels so difficult today• The story behind INC and how it helps people create real social circles• What she discovered about identity, culture, and belonging while living across Europe• How community shaped her decision to go back and take part in rebuilding her country

Anya & Tara — artists, performers, and founders of House of Soul Strip — share one of the most raw, honest, and transformative conversations about eros, shame, embodiment, and the Dark Feminine you will hear this year.

Their work has touched thousands across Berlin and beyond, helping people reconnect with their bodies, reclaim erotic energy without shame, and rewrite their relationship to sensuality, power, and self-expression.

If you’ve ever felt disconnected from your body, stuck in shame, or curious about the deeper meaning of erotic energy beyond sexuality, this episode will expand you.

What We Talk About

• Discovering the Dark Feminine inside a strip club

• How erotic energy becomes healing, ritual, and soul work

• Eros vs. sexuality — what’s the real difference?

• Shame, boundaries, empowerment & their experiences in sex work

• Turning strip-club research into a creative community

• Berlin’s unique role in embodiment and erotic expression

• Shadow work, somatics & reclaiming hidden parts of yourself

• How to reconnect with your body when you feel numb

• Why men also need spaces to explore eros

He came to Berlin to follow his dream of becoming a professional football player.

But when that dream ended, he found something even more meaningful — a life built on movement, community, and love.

In this episode of the Berlin & Elsewhere Podcast, Coach Noah, an American endurance coach based in Berlin, shares how quitting football helped him find purpose, build a community, and create a real feeling of home in Germany.

We talk about:

Olga — known online as Coding Elf — is a self-taught software developer based in Berlin. In this episode she shares how learning to code changed her life, what it’s really like to freelance as a developer in Germany, and how AI is reshaping the world of software engineering.

We talk about the mindset, the money, and the freedom that come from building your own path in tech.

Hosted by Luardo.

🔗 Follow Olga (Coding Elf):Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/coding_elf/

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https://www.instagram.com/berlinelsewhere

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Meet Nya Yenefene, an stand-up comedian from New Jersey/New York who left the U.S. after the pandemic and built a new life in Berlin, Germany. 🎤🇩🇪

In this episode, Nya reveals why he believes “They don’t pay comedians in New York… but Europe does.” He shares how performing in Edinburgh first opened his eyes to Europe’s art scene, why Berlin’s energy reminded him of NYC, and what it means to be a third-culture kid chasing respect, not fame.

You’ll hear:

- How European audiences treat comedy differently

- The truth about making it in New York’s stand-up scene

- What inspired Nya to move from the U.S. to Berlin

- Why taking risks can completely change your life

🎙️ Guest: Nya Yenefene

📲 Instagram → https://www.instagram.com/nyamean

🎟️ Tour: Americanish Immigrant

FOLLOW US ON INSTAGRAM:

https://www.instagram.com/berlinelsewhere

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Meet Alessia Marchi, an Italian relationship psychologist and love researcher living in Berlin, to explore the science of love, compatibility, and expat dating.

From her hometown of Verona (the city of Romeo & Juliet) to her international relationship in Berlin, Alessia shares powerful insights into:

💔 Why love alone is never enough

🌍 The hidden struggles of international couples and cultural differences

🧠 The science of compatibility, attraction, and emotional connection

👫 How expats can navigate dating in Berlin and make relationships last abroad

If you’re an expat in Berlin, part of an international couple, or curious about how love works across borders, this conversation is for you.

👉 Subscribe to Berlin & Elsewhere for more expat stories, Berlin life, and global perspectives with host Luardo.

FOLLOW ALESSIA MARCHI:https://www.instagram.com/compatib.ale/

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Sabrina Jeblaoui, photographer and creator of NachtClubsBerlin, shares the deeply personal story behind why she moved to Berlin, her descent into emotional darkness, and how she began the journey of healing, self-discovery, and purpose.

Follow sabrina on:- https://www.instagram.com/nachtclubsberlin/- https://www.sabrinajeblaoui.com/

We talk about how Berlin’s club culture can feel like freedom at first — but also bring loneliness. Sabrina opens up about her past, growing up in a foster family in the south of France, and how her parents’ struggles with addiction affected her life. She explains how art, connection, and facing her pain helped her grow.
Sabrina is the creator of https://www.instagram.com/nachtclubsberlin/, a project where she takes photos of people outside nightclubs. Through this work, she connects with others and explores the deeper stories behind the city’s nightlife.
👉 In this episode, we talk about:- What makes Berlin special for artists and misfits- The highs and lows of club culture- How to heal from trauma and find your tribe- The moment she took her first powerful photo- Why true freedom means commitment, not escape

💰 * Start your tax declaration and claim your tax refund with WUNDERTAX. GET ADDITIONAL DISCOUN HERE 👉🏽 https://bit.ly/3SSgKel