Third Culture Talk Podcast

Bryan Lee is in his 11th year in Berlin, his second year as a full-time comedian and content creator, and he still hasn't deleted his LinkedIn.

We talk about why 90% of his DMs are men asking about socks, we talk about why his fashion comedy is really about men and masculinity, and Bryan shares how he quit his job as a head of marketing and wrote, co-directed, starred in and paid for his own TV-quality series for Instagram.

Also: why stand-up is the hardest kind of comedy, how sketch comedy turned into stand-up, ten years of therapy and journaling, where the Fuckboy Translator comes from, how to talk to women (talk less, ask more), a style lightning round, and his three tips for growing online.

Bryan's new series Scenes from a Wohnung starts November 1st on @bryaninheelee and @scenesfromawohnung. A couple breaks
up, but neither can find a new flat in Berlin, so they keep living together. First one in a new relationship keeps the apartment. Six episodes, one a week.

Follow Bryan: @bryaninheelee
Scenes from a Wohnung: @scenesfromawohnung

Watch the full episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/1YVyFIZ4k8o

Chapters:
(00:00:00) Intro — "I gotta dress sluttier so I can match her"
(00:01:01) 11 years in Berlin, and what's really in Bryan's DMs
(00:08:04) "Fashion is just the vehicle" — influencer or artist?
(00:16:25) Quitting corporate, and the loneliness of the work
(00:24:56) Why stand-up is the hardest art form — from sketch to stage
(00:37:06) Making a TV series for Instagram
(00:45:10) Therapy, journaling, and the F*ckboy Translator
(00:55:50) How to talk to women
(01:03:14) Style lightning round — wardrobe basics and this or that
(01:08:53) 3 ways to grow online, and Bryan's new show

About the show
Third Culture Talk Podcast is conversations with people living in a culture they didn't grow up in: expats, immigrants, third culture kids, and touring comedians. Hosted by Nya Yeanafehn, an American stand-up comedian living in Berlin. We talk about moving countries, language barriers, comedy scenes, food, and everything that works differently than you expected.

Follow the podcast
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@thirdculturetalkpod
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thirdculturetalkpod/
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@thirdculturetalkpod

Nya Yeanafehn
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nyamean
Stand-up tour dates ("American-ish Immigrant"): https://nyamean.com

Support the podcast
https://buymeacoffee.com/thirdculturepod

Guest ideas or questions: [email protected]

-----------------------------------------------
Music: "Chill Day" by Lakey Inspired

Danish comedian Anders is back in Berlin two years after living here, and this time his card doesn't get declined.

We talk about why he left Denmark for Berlin after failing to order a coffee in German, we talk about why almost nobody leaves Copenhagen and what it's like to grow up in a Danish town of 2,500 people, and Anders shares how he turned his football daydreams into a Dungeons & Dragons-style podcast that now sells out live shows.

Also, Danish vs English stand-up, the "cover comedy" era in Denmark, the Copenhagen bun with cheese, American vs Danish 7-Eleven, The Wire rewatch, and the advice he'd give his younger self about YOLO.

Anders is premiering his first hour of comedy in English in Copenhagen this October. Go see him.

Tickets
https://upfestival.dk/om/komikere/anders-morgenstierne

Ander's Socials
Instagram | TikTok 

Timestamps
(00:00:00) Intro — "You think this is real money?"
(00:02:34) Moving to Berlin — the coffee order that started it, and the city's cost-of-living illusion
(00:07:36) Denmark vs. Berlin comedy — bucket money and a scene that's grown less welcoming
(00:12:59) Danish comfort culture — "nobody leaves Copenhagen," and Danish minimalism (smørrebrød vs. the American breakfast sandwich)
(00:20:10) Danish vs. English comedy — diversity, the 90s "rock star" era, and ripping off American sets
(00:31:49) Small-town Denmark to multicultural Toronto — culture shock, guns, and the American-friendliness debate
(01:00:51) American vs. Danish everyday life — 7-Eleven and candy
(01:07:16) Expat life — English comedy audiences and navigating foreign bureaucracy
(01:19:25) Rewatching The Wire as commentary on American institutions
(01:26:29) "What's normal to you isn't universal" — life advice, and redefining YOLO
(01:32:30) Anders' upcoming Copenhagen show, and outro

About the show
Third Culture Talk Podcast is conversations with people living in a culture they didn't grow up in: expats, immigrants, third culture kids, and touring comedians. Hosted by Nya Yeanafehn, an American stand-up comedian living in Berlin. We talk about moving countries, language barriers, comedy scenes, food, and everything that works differently than you expected.

Follow the podcast
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@thirdculturetalkpod
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thirdculturetalkpod/
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@thirdculturetalkpod

Nya Yeanafehn
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nyamean
Stand-up tour dates ("American-ish Immigrant"): https://nyamean.com

Support the podcast
https://buymeacoffee.com/thirdculturepod

Guest ideas or questions: [email protected]

-----------------------------------------------
Music: "Chill Day" by Lakey Inspired

In this episode I sit with Terrell Jermaine Starr, a journalist and CNN contributor living in Ukraine during the war. We talk about how a Detroit kid from an all-black world ended up deep in Eastern Europe. We also talk about being stopped by police 30 times, surviving a skinhead encounter in Russia, and how his American passport opened doors that closed for African students at the same border. And Terrell shares how growing up around drug dealers in Detroit was actually his first lesson in foreign policy.

Terrell's Socials:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/terrelljstarr
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@UC38RGx1lND959xTAhexuBSA 
Twitter/X: https://x.com/terrelljstarr
Website: https://www.blackdiplomats.net/

About the show
Third Culture Talk Podcast is conversations with people living in a culture they didn't grow up in: expats, immigrants, third culture kids, and touring comedians. Hosted by Nya Yeanafehn, an American stand-up comedian living in Berlin. We talk about moving countries, language barriers, comedy scenes, food, and everything that works differently than you expected.

Follow the podcast
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@thirdculturetalkpod
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thirdculturetalkpod/
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@thirdculturetalkpod

Nya Yeanafehn
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nyamean
Stand-up tour dates ("American-ish Immigrant"): https://nyamean.com

Support the podcast
https://buymeacoffee.com/thirdculturepod

Guest ideas or questions: [email protected]

-----------------------------------------------
Music: "Chill Day" by Lakey Inspired

🎉 Episode 100! Thank you to everyone who has been rocking with us so far!

In this episode I sit with Alison Lujan, a Canadian comedian visiting Berlin. We talk about her growing up and life in Canada. 

From hunting bears to chopping wood and more. We also talk about how she has never been on a dating app. How she is still out in the world meeting people the old fashioned way. And Alison shares how stand up comedy set her free from caring what people think.

Alison's Socials
Instagram | Tiktok

About the show
Third Culture Talk Podcast is conversations with people living in a culture they didn't grow up in: expats, immigrants, third culture kids, and touring comedians. Hosted by Nya Yeanafehn, an American stand-up comedian living in Berlin. We talk about moving countries, language barriers, comedy scenes, food, and everything that works differently than you expected.

Follow the podcast
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@thirdculturetalkpod
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thirdculturetalkpod/
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@thirdculturetalkpod

Nya Yeanafehn
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nyamean
Stand-up tour dates ("American-ish Immigrant"): https://nyamean.com

Support the podcast
https://buymeacoffee.com/thirdculturepod

Guest ideas or questions: [email protected]

-----------------------------------------------
Music: "Chill Day" by Lakey Inspired

In this episode I sit with Lando. He's a rapper and personal trainer from Kankakee, Illinois. He talks about his journey from a small town 45 minutes south of Chicago to touring across Germany. 

We talk about Midwest culture and what makes it different from the coasts. And Lando shares a story of how he cold messaged a basketball team in Hamburg. And getting a halftime performance slot and ended up in Europe.

Lando's Socials:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/likemagicstudios/
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@likemagicstudios1
Spotify: https://tr.ee/-qxswfSTM0

About the show
Third Culture Talk Podcast is conversations with people living in a culture they didn't grow up in: expats, immigrants, third culture kids, and touring comedians. Hosted by Nya Yeanafehn, an American stand-up comedian living in Berlin. We talk about moving countries, language barriers, comedy scenes, food, and everything that works differently than you expected.

Follow the podcast
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@thirdculturetalkpod
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thirdculturetalkpod/
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@thirdculturetalkpod

Nya Yeanafehn
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nyamean
Stand-up tour dates ("American-ish Immigrant"): https://nyamean.com

Support the podcast
https://buymeacoffee.com/thirdculturepod

Guest ideas or questions: [email protected]

-----------------------------------------------
Music: "Chill Day" by Lakey Inspired

In this episode I sit with Berlin-based comedian Devansh Sharma. We talk about his transformation from 280lbs and depressed to fit and thriving in Berlin. Pranav shares the chest pain moment at 28 that changed everything. We also dive into dating in Germany and he tells a wild story about a woman who made him watch conspiracy theory videos before they could hook up.

Devansh's Socials

Instagram 

About the show
Third Culture Talk Podcast is conversations with people living in a culture they didn't grow up in: expats, immigrants, third culture kids, and touring comedians. Hosted by Nya Yeanafehn, an American stand-up comedian living in Berlin. We talk about moving countries, language barriers, comedy scenes, food, and everything that works differently than you expected.

Follow the podcast
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@thirdculturetalkpod
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thirdculturetalkpod/
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@thirdculturetalkpod

Nya Yeanafehn
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nyamean
Stand-up tour dates ("American-ish Immigrant"): https://nyamean.com

Support the podcast
https://buymeacoffee.com/thirdculturepod

Guest ideas or questions: [email protected]

-----------------------------------------------
Music: "Chill Day" by Lakey Inspired

In this episode I sit with Switzerland based comedian Irene Carbo. We talk about her upbringing in Italy and Italian stereotypes. We also talk about her love for hiking. And Irene shares a crazy story of getting stuck in a Glacier and the fun in extreme hiking.

Irene's Socials
Instagram 

About the show
Third Culture Talk Podcast is conversations with people living in a culture they didn't grow up in: expats, immigrants, third culture kids, and touring comedians. Hosted by Nya Yeanafehn, an American stand-up comedian living in Berlin. We talk about moving countries, language barriers, comedy scenes, food, and everything that works differently than you expected.

Follow the podcast
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@thirdculturetalkpod
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thirdculturetalkpod/
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@thirdculturetalkpod

Nya Yeanafehn
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nyamean
Stand-up tour dates ("American-ish Immigrant"): https://nyamean.com

Support the podcast
https://buymeacoffee.com/thirdculturepod

Guest ideas or questions: [email protected]

-----------------------------------------------
Music: "Chill Day" by Lakey Inspired

In this episode I sit with Berlin based comedian Žana Fejzić. We talk about her upbringing in Bosinia, south of Gemany, and eventually Florida. We also share our favorite and least favorite things about social media. Also Žana shares some tips on producing comedy shows

Žana's Socials
Instagram | Tiktok | Youtube

About the show
Third Culture Talk Podcast is conversations with people living in a culture they didn't grow up in: expats, immigrants, third culture kids, and touring comedians. Hosted by Nya Yeanafehn, an American stand-up comedian living in Berlin. We talk about moving countries, language barriers, comedy scenes, food, and everything that works differently than you expected.

Follow the podcast
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@thirdculturetalkpod
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thirdculturetalkpod/
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@thirdculturetalkpod

Nya Yeanafehn
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nyamean
Stand-up tour dates ("American-ish Immigrant"): https://nyamean.com

Support the podcast
https://buymeacoffee.com/thirdculturepod

Guest ideas or questions: [email protected]

-----------------------------------------------
Music: "Chill Day" by Lakey Inspired

In this episode, I talk with comedian Victor Pãtrăşcan. He travels the world to tell jokes and does not stay in one place for long.

Victor shares why the stage feels like his home, what it’s like growing up in Romania. And the funny and strange things he sees while touring. He even tells the story of doing the first English comedy show in Uzbekistan. We also talk about his trips to the USA and how cultures can feel so different.

Highlights:

😂 Why Victor keeps touring all the time 

🌍 Stories from shows in Europe, Asia, and more 

🇷🇴 Romanian culture and family life 

🇺🇸 Visiting the United States 

🎤 The first English comedy show in Uzbekistan

Victor's Socials

Instagram | Youtube | Tiktok | Website

About the show
Third Culture Talk Podcast is conversations with people living in a culture they didn't grow up in: expats, immigrants, third culture kids, and touring comedians. Hosted by Nya Yeanafehn, an American stand-up comedian living in Berlin. We talk about moving countries, language barriers, comedy scenes, food, and everything that works differently than you expected.

Follow the podcast
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@thirdculturetalkpod
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thirdculturetalkpod/
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@thirdculturetalkpod

Nya Yeanafehn
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nyamean
Stand-up tour dates ("American-ish Immigrant"): https://nyamean.com

Support the podcast
https://buymeacoffee.com/thirdculturepod

Guest ideas or questions: [email protected]

-----------------------------------------------
Music: "Chill Day" by Lakey Inspired

Today on the Third Culture Talk Podcast, I sit down with Jan Heimes, co-CEO of Needle. 

We talk about his life growing up in Germany. Also his experiences living across Europe and the U.S. (including Utah!). And the cultural shocks he faced along the way. Jan also shares how the app, Needle, came to life, why finding the right co-founder is so important. And what it takes to build something meaningful across cultures.

✨ If you’re curious about culture, travel, and entrepreneurship, you’ll love this episode.

You can find out more about Needle at: https://needle.app

Jan Haimes Socials
Instagram | Substack

About the show
Third Culture Talk Podcast is conversations with people living in a culture they didn't grow up in: expats, immigrants, third culture kids, and touring comedians. Hosted by Nya Yeanafehn, an American stand-up comedian living in Berlin. We talk about moving countries, language barriers, comedy scenes, food, and everything that works differently than you expected.

Follow the podcast
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@thirdculturetalkpod
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thirdculturetalkpod/
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@thirdculturetalkpod

Nya Yeanafehn
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nyamean
Stand-up tour dates ("American-ish Immigrant"): https://nyamean.com

Support the podcast
https://buymeacoffee.com/thirdculturepod

Guest ideas or questions: [email protected]

-----------------------------------------------
Music: "Chill Day" by Lakey Inspired