It used to be older Germans who flocked to Alternative for Germany. But nowadays, it’s actually younger Germans – especially men – who are casting their ballots for the far-right faction and helped the historic surge of AfD in the recent German federal election. What's happening in Germany is similar to the move of young voters to the fringes in the United States. Host Soraya Sarhaddi Nelson talks to American and German university students about what young voters want from their leaders and what they are not getting. And why their future may not be as bright as they deserve. Featuring Cammie Davenport and Camdyn DeShields from University of South Carolina Upstate and Arlow Bünning and Malte Broyer from Hochschule Magdeburg-Stendal.

Music: "disappear" by Koi-discovery

(Source: FMA)

Produced by Soraya Sarhaddi Nelson and Eden Dinneen.

In partnership with Checkpoint Charlie Foundation.

In the second of three episodes, host Soraya Sarhaddi Nelson  explores how and why Alternative for Germany is embracing voters and leaders with immigrant backgrounds and what that means for the far-right party and the federal republic. Featuring Hesse MP Anna Nguyen, (AfD), Robert Benson, associate director at the Center for American Progress in Washington, D.C. as well as insights from Warsaw Mayor Rafal Trzaskowski and Budapest Mayor Gergely Karácsony.

Music: "disappear" by Koi-discovery.

(Source: FMA)

Produced by Soraya Sarhaddi Nelson and Eden Dinneen.

In partnership with Checkpoint Charlie Foundation.

In the first of three episodes, host Soraya Sarhaddi Nelson  explores the real impact Alternative for Germany has on Germany institutions and laws as well as mainstream parties and government leaders. Featuring insights from Robert Benson, associate director at the Center for American Progress in Washington, D.C., Warsaw Mayor Rafal Trzaskowski and Budapest Mayor Gergely Karácsony.

Music: "Sad Boi" by HoliznaCC0

(Source: FMA)

Produced by Soraya Sarhaddi Nelson and Eden Dinneen.

In partnership with Checkpoint Charlie Foundation.

Happy New Year and what's next for Common Ground Berlin!

Jen Palacios of Simple Germany in Dusseldorf and Matthias Roth of Asphalt-Profis in Berlin join host Soraya Sarhaddi Nelson in an informative and humorous conversation about the woes of getting a driver’s license in the land of Autobahns.

Produced by Soraya Sarhaddi Nelson and Eden Brockman

Host Soraya Sarhaddi Nelson explores whether people who move to Germany actually need to learn German with Steffen Sottung, managing director of international affairs at the Federal Employment Agency in Nuremberg; Britta Schneider, professor of language use and migration at Europa-Universität Viadrina in Frankfurt (Oder), and Patric Prager, a consultant in Cologne helping immigrants integrate into the German labor market.

Produced by Soraya Sarhaddi Nelson and Eden Brockman.

Host Soraya Sarhaddi Nelson talks with Berlin Chapter President Constance Chucholowski of Democrats Abroad and Research Director Jeremy Shapiro of the European Council on Foreign relations about the aftermath of one of the most tumultuous elections in U.S. history, including in Germany, the EU and Ukraine.

The live discussion, recorded on Dec. 2 via Zoom featured an audience from both sides of the Atlantic from FAWCO, an international network of independent volunteer clubs and associations in 28 countries and the American Women’s Club in Berlin.

Produced by Eden Brockman and Soraya Sarhaddi Nelson. 

Host Soraya Sarhaddi Nelson talks with Senior Fellow Rachel Tausendfreund of the German Council on Foreign Relations and Berlin Chapter President Constance Chucholowski of Democrats Abroad about the aftermath of one of the most tumultuous elections in U.S. history.

This episode was recorded live in Berlin at the FAWCO Region 5 meeting on “Women in Democracy.”

Produced by Eden Brockman and Soraya Sarhaddi Nelson. 

Since World War II, Germans have struggled with how best to deal with their history. But even with a formal government policy of “Never Again,” anti-Semitism is on the rise in Germany and other atrocities aren’t always acknowledged. Guest host Eden Brockman speaks with historian and City College of New York professor Dirk Moses, author of German Intellectuals and the Nazi Past about the changing nature of Germany’s “Erinnerungskultur” and how it shapes its collective memory and national identity. 

Produced by Soraya Sarhaddi Nelson and Eden Brockman

Berlin was recently declared by the Mercer Cost of Living Survey to be the most expensive city to live in Germany. Berlin also has a chronic housing shortage. So how are young people starting out navigating the crisis in the German capital? Join host Soraya Sarhaddi Nelson and her guests: Hypofriend CFO Christian Mulder, Messe Berlin event production assistant Bernadeta Lygnugaryte and Sebastian Sheath of Las Aguas Productions to hear their experiences, prognosis and tips.  

Produced by Eden Brockman and Soraya Sarhaddi Nelson