Drew Portnoy, an American writer and comedian who lives in Berlin, shares his journey moving to berlin over two decades in Berlin. From his initial culture shocks and learning German to raising bilingual children and navigating cultural differences, Drew discusses the city's evolution and his transition from a corporate job to comedy and journalism. He reflects on the challenges of parenting, the comedy scene's growth, and his newsletter "20% Berlin," offering insights into Berlin's unique character and his experiences as an expatriate. The conversation is filled with humor, personal anecdotes, and observations on Berlin's changing landscape.
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The move to Berlin (00:00:00) Drew's initial impression of Berlin, including the presence of hookers and a squat with techno music.
Adapting to German culture (00:00:17) Challenges of learning German and cultural integration for expats in Germany.
Raising a bilingual family (00:00:28) Experiences and challenges of raising a bilingual family in Germany.
First impressions of Berlin (00:01:29) Drew's initial reasons for moving to Berlin and his experiences as a journalist in Frankfurt.
Living in Berlin in the late 80s (00:02:19) Drew's experiences as an exchange student in Berlin during the late 80s and his impressions of the city.
Berlin after the fall of the wall (00:03:13) Anecdotes and experiences of people living in East and West Berlin after the fall of the wall.
Transformation of Berlin (00:07:00) The changes in Berlin's landscape and atmosphere, from an area with hookers and squats to luxury apartments.
Learning German and cultural integration (00:12:55) Drew's experiences learning German and the importance of cultural integration for language acquisition.
Meeting Drew's Wife (00:15:48) Drew's experience meeting his wife in Berlin, their initial encounter, and the start of their relationship.
Cultural Differences (00:23:21) Reverse cultural shock upon returning to the US, differences in social interactions, and cultural norms.
Raising Bilingual Children (00:26:39) Challenges and strategies for raising bilingual children, the importance of consistent language use, and personal experiences with language acquisition.
Cultural differences in parenting (00:29:24) Drew discusses the differences in parenting norms between Germany and the US.
Interactions with the police (00:34:00) Drew and others share their experiences and observations of interactions with the police in Berlin and other countries.
Living the Berlin life (00:40:18) Drew reflects on the unique and unconventional aspects of life in Berlin during his early years in the city.
Basement Party (00:42:26) Anecdotes about unique party experiences in Berlin's basements and the city's unconventional nightlife.
Evolution of Berlin's Comedy Scene (00:48:24) Comparison of the evolution of the English and German comedy scenes in Berlin, highlighting the growth and professionalization of the German comedy scene.
Family and Parenting (00:53:51) Conversation about parenting, including the age of starting a family, the independence of children, and the financial aspects of parental leave.
Living History (00:58:32) The significance of living in Berlin as a part of its history and being a part of the foundation of the podcast.
Podcast and Farewell (00:58:45) farewell.
