The Germany Experience

//This interview originally aired on 25th May 2020//

Dana Newman from the Wanted Adventure YouTube channel joins me to discuss her book, "You go me on the cookie!". The book (written in German) describes Dana's adventures (and misadventures) learning German, and also highlights the quirks and beauty of the German language. It was written for German native speakers, but it is definitely relatable for anyone who has learnt German at any level. So I got Dana on the podcast to discuss her book, the German language, and her YouTube channel.

To see the postcard that Dana refers to in the interview about how German is not orderly, click here.

"You go me on the cookie!" is available in bookstores in Germany as well as online (also on Amazon) - as paperback and Ebook: https://www.randomhouse.de/Taschenbuch/You-go-me-on-the-cookie/Dana-Newman/Goldmann-TB/e536279.rhd 

 Wanted Adventure YouTube channel:  https://youtube.com/wantedadventure 

Instagram:  https://www.instagram.com/wantedadventure/ 

Website:  https://www.dananewman.de/

JOIN THE THE GERMANY EXPERIENCE FACEBOOK GROUP: https://www.facebook.com/theGermanyExperience

 Visit the official podcast website: https://thegermanyexperience.de

Subscribe to the YouTube channel: https://youtube.com/c/thegermanyexperience

Review the podcast: https://thegermanyexperience.de/rate

 Contact me: [email protected]

Instagram: the.germany.experience
Official podcast website: https://thegermanyexperience.de
YouTube channel: https://youtube.com/c/thegermanyexperience
Contact me: [email protected]

Podcast Intro Music by: Adrian Bran

//This episode originally aired on 20th July 2020//

Original Show Notes:
 
Amy always had a dream of living in Germany, and even happened to marry someone who felt the same way. So living here has kind of been a dream come true. And generally, Amy is really happy here -- she admits that she was "right" about wanting to live here.

But making friends with Germans is one aspect that has been a challenge. Amy is sociable and outgoing, and has done everything you're supposed to do to integrate yourself: take part in local events, be open, and seek out social situations. Add to this the fact the American friends she meets here always end up leaving, and it's easy to see why she feels that building a community is difficult.

We discuss these difficulties with making real connections with Germans. Amy also talks about how she sometimes feels a bit "selfish" having made the decision to stay in Germany, and we cover her very controversial views on sandals and socks.

Amy's blog post about things she prefers in Germany: The Ways: Part Zwei

Follow Amy on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/amyholt11/

JOIN THE THE GERMANY EXPERIENCE FACEBOOK GROUP: https://www.facebook.com/theGermanyExperience

 Visit the official podcast website: https://thegermanyexperience.de

Subscribe to the YouTube channel: https://youtube.com/c/thegermanyexperience

Review the podcast: https://thegermanyexperience.de/rate

 Contact me: [email protected]

Instagram: the.germany.experience
Official podcast website: https://thegermanyexperience.de
YouTube channel: https://youtube.com/c/thegermanyexperience
Contact me: [email protected]

Podcast Intro Music by: Adrian Bran

//This episode was originally aired on 16th November 2020//

Sneha from India moved to Germany in 2011. A professional Indian classical dancer, she was expecting something similar to New York, where people knew about the artform of Indian classical dance. Instead, she found herself constantly having to explain to Germans that it wasn't Bollywood dancing that she does...

Sneha explains how she quickly started establishing herself in her artform in Germany by putting on shows, and then later teaching young girls the art of Bharatanatyam. She also takes us through the story of how, when her personal life began falling apart, Munich showed her love and gave her life. And, we discuss the uncertainty that artists face when they choose to dedicate their life to their passion.

Sneha on Instagram:  snetanz
Sneha's dance institute: abhinayaindischertanz

JOIN THE THE GERMANY EXPERIENCE FACEBOOK GROUP: https://www.facebook.com/theGermanyExperience

 Visit the official podcast website: https://thegermanyexperience.de

Subscribe to the YouTube channel: https://youtube.com/c/thegermanyexperience

Review the podcast: https://thegermanyexperience.de/rate

 Contact me: [email protected]

Instagram: the.germany.experience
Official podcast website: https://thegermanyexperience.de
YouTube channel: https://youtube.com/c/thegermanyexperience
Contact me: [email protected]

Podcast Intro Music by: Adrian Bran

Aspen is originally from the USA and has been living in Germany for 7 years now. She runs the Aspen Abroad YouTube channel. She joins me to discuss the topic of mental health as a foreigner in Germany, as well as the expectations on her as content creator. We also cover the dangers of toxic positivity.

The video with Claudio we discuss: Running, Sports, and Mental Health Motivation
Aspen's YouTube channel: Aspen Abroad
Aspen on Instagram: @aspen.abroad
The episode of The Expat Cast I heard Aspen on: Moving Abroad or Running Away?


JOIN THE THE GERMANY EXPERIENCE FACEBOOK GROUP: https://www.facebook.com/theGermanyExperience

 Visit the official podcast website: https://thegermanyexperience.de

Subscribe to the YouTube channel: https://youtube.com/c/thegermanyexperience

Review the podcast: https://thegermanyexperience.de/rate

 Contact me: [email protected]

Instagram: the.germany.experience
Official podcast website: https://thegermanyexperience.de
YouTube channel: https://youtube.com/c/thegermanyexperience
Contact me: [email protected]

Podcast Intro Music by: Adrian Bran

Lara is from Slovenia, and you might know her from her Instagram or TikTok channels, where she posts short, informative and funny videos about life in Germany. She made the move from Chicago, where she was living at the time, to a small town in Germany, and we discuss what that was like for her. We also talk about freelancing in Germany, as well as her Instagram and TikTok videos.

Lara on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/larcipetek/
Lara on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@larapetek
Lara's blog: https://www.livingexpatlife.com/
Lara's company on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nusen_studio/

The Stuttgart library: https://www.instagram.com/p/CQoHEAtl9Z5/

Other Notes:
The Expat Cast episode that I contributed a story to: https://www.theexpatcast.com/your-stories/


JOIN THE THE GERMANY EXPERIENCE FACEBOOK GROUP: https://www.facebook.com/theGermanyExperience

 Visit the official podcast website: https://thegermanyexperience.de

Subscribe to the YouTube channel: https://youtube.com/c/thegermanyexperience

Review the podcast: https://thegermanyexperience.de/rate

 Contact me: [email protected]

Instagram: the.germany.experience
Official podcast website: https://thegermanyexperience.de
YouTube channel: https://youtube.com/c/thegermanyexperience
Contact me: [email protected]

Podcast Intro Music by: Adrian Bran

Kaleena is from the USA, and Jan is from Germany, and together they host the YouTube channel, Kaleena and Jan. Shortly after meeting each other, their relationship was forced to go through two phases by the pandemic: first, they had to conduct a long distance relationship, and then, when Kaleena was able to return to Germany, they were locked down together. We discuss how they managed to keep their relationship going through both of those phases, as well as their YouTube channel.

Kaleena and Jan YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCBotSQ4rK309QkqRKUCPGRA

The hidden camera video: https://youtu.be/RlZ-E4m8LaM


JOIN THE THE GERMANY EXPERIENCE FACEBOOK GROUP: https://www.facebook.com/theGermanyExperience

 Visit the official podcast website: https://thegermanyexperience.de

Subscribe to the YouTube channel: https://youtube.com/c/thegermanyexperience

Review the podcast: https://thegermanyexperience.de/rate

 Contact me: [email protected]

Instagram: the.germany.experience
Official podcast website: https://thegermanyexperience.de
YouTube channel: https://youtube.com/c/thegermanyexperience
Contact me: [email protected]

Podcast Intro Music by: Adrian Bran

Steffi is from the UK, and she describes herself as an "unexpected expat". In fact, as someone who experiences anxiety and who is a planner, life in a foreign country was not something she considered. When Steffi moved to Germany, she experienced depression after the honeymoon phase was over, and to deal with it, she turned to therapy. Steffi and I discuss the effects of expat life on mental health, the difficulties with finding a therapist, and the effectiveness of online therapy. Plus we check in to see how Steffi's New Year's Resolutions for 2021 are going (that's what happens when you put stuff on the Internet).

Steffi on Instragram: https://www.instagram.com/theadventuresofsteffi/
Steffi's Blog: https://adventuresofsteffi.com/
Her New Year's Resolutions post: https://adventuresofsteffi.com/2021/01/02/personal-2021-goals/


JOIN THE THE GERMANY EXPERIENCE FACEBOOK GROUP: https://www.facebook.com/theGermanyExperience

 Visit the official podcast website: https://thegermanyexperience.de

Subscribe to the YouTube channel: https://youtube.com/c/thegermanyexperience

Review the podcast: https://thegermanyexperience.de/rate

 Contact me: [email protected]

Instagram: the.germany.experience
Official podcast website: https://thegermanyexperience.de
YouTube channel: https://youtube.com/c/thegermanyexperience
Contact me: [email protected]

Podcast Intro Music by: Adrian Bran

Fadi Gaziri has written a book about life in Germany for foreigners called, "Ze Germans: An Expat's Guide to Living in Germany", and he joins me to discuss the book and some of his insights from his experiences in the country. We cover apologizing in Germany, sauna surprises, making friends, and why Fadi actually likes it here. Plus, we do the "How German Are You?" quiz from his book to see which one of us is the most Germanized.

"Ze Germans: An exapt's guide to living in Germany" on Amazon: https://www.amazon.de/-/en/Fadi-Gaziri/dp/3754112139/

Fadi's website: http://fadigaziri.com/

Try out Wunderbla together with Shaun
Wunderbla by Gymglish is an online German course for non-beginners (levels A2-C1). You get daily lessons that take around 20 minutes to complete, with immediate corrections.

Try it out for one month for free, with no obligations:

https://thegermanyexperience.de/german

I'd love to hear your thoughts about the course!


JOIN THE THE GERMANY EXPERIENCE FACEBOOK GROUP: https://www.facebook.com/theGermanyExperience

 Visit the official podcast website: https://thegermanyexperience.de

Subscribe to the YouTube channel: https://youtube.com/c/thegermanyexperience

Review the podcast: https://thegermanyexperience.de/rate

 Contact me: [email protected]

Instagram: the.germany.experience
Official podcast website: https://thegermanyexperience.de
YouTube channel: https://youtube.com/c/thegermanyexperience
Contact me: [email protected]

Podcast Intro Music by: Adrian Bran

The Germany Experience podcast is 2 years old and to celebrate, here is a compilation of some of the advice that guests have offered about everything from making friends through to preparing for bureaucracy. Thank you for listening the past 2 years!

The advice givers, and the episodes they were featured in: 

• Dwight
• Audrey
• Jenna
• Natalie
• Emma
• Amy
• Sarah
• Greg & Brigida
• Liliana
• Vlad
• Thomas
• Lori
• Mari (author of The God Queen)
• Ceri
• Tim
• Beth
• Anna
• Tania
• Alicia (https://www.aliciacibolamusic.com/)
• Amy H
• Shaked

Instagram: the.germany.experience
Official podcast website: https://thegermanyexperience.de
YouTube channel: https://youtube.com/c/thegermanyexperience
Contact me: [email protected]

Podcast Intro Music by: Adrian Bran

Jasmin is the host of a podcast called Herstory, which tells the stories of strong women from history. Her podcast inspired this week's episode: a look back at incredible (and underappreciated) women from Germany's history. And to tell these stories, I'm joined by Jasmin herself. 

The women we'll focus on all faced adversity of some kind, but went on to do monumental things that still impact Germany and the world today:

• Elisabeth Selbert (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Elisabeth_Selbert), who was responsible for Article 3 in the German Grundgesetz: "Männer und Frauen sind gleichberechtigt" ("Men and women are equal"). She is called one of the "mothers of the Grundgesetz". 
• Margarete Steiff (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Margarete_Steiff), who founded the Steiff toy company. It is famous for its toys and the teddy bear, and still exists to this day.
• Gerda Taro (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gerda_Taro), who was the first female war photographer. She photographed the Spanish Civil War and died on the front. Her legacy was later eclipsed by her romantic and professional partner, Robert Capa.  

We also get two "honorable mentions" from Jasmin: Anita Augspurg, a German suffragette who fought for women’s rights, and Beate Uhse, a German pilot, entrepreneur, and sex pioneer.

Jasmin's podcast, Herstory: https://herstorypod.de/
Jasmin on Twitter: https://twitter.com/Herstory_pod
Jasmin on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/herstory_pod/
The German podcast Jasmin mentioned: Frauen von Damals (https://biancawalther.de/podcast/)

JOIN THE THE GERMANY EXPERIENCE FACEBOOK GROUP: https://www.facebook.com/theGermanyExperience

 Visit the official podcast website: https://thegermanyexperience.de

Subscribe to the YouTube channel: https://youtube.com/c/thegermanyexperience

Review the podcast: https://thegermanyexperience.de/rate

 Contact me: [email protected]

Instagram: the.germany.experience
Official podcast website: https://thegermanyexperience.de
YouTube channel: https://youtube.com/c/thegermanyexperience
Contact me: [email protected]

Podcast Intro Music by: Adrian Bran