Episode 119: Kumquat Quatsch

Explicit content warning

03/25/23 • 54 min

1 Listener

Decades From Home - A Podcast About Germany

After a week off with Corona, Dili is back in the co-host hot seat, and comes equipped with questions about Nic’s adventures on St Patrick’s Day. We discuss how to survive an all day drinking session, changing trains with a hangover, and the secret power of cheese and ham croissants.

We tackle the thorny issue of Wahlrechtsreform after the German government voted to change the current election system, and reduce an overly bloated Bundestag. How will these new plans change the next election, and why might the opposition to reform create some strange political alliances?

Finally, the announcement that one of Germany’s largest department store groups, Galeria Karstadt Kaufhof, is planning to close 50 of its 129 stores across the country leads us to a discussion about the changing face of German city centres, and how empty shop spaces might be used for something more innovative.

For those of you looking to support Ukraine or the many refugees currently fleeing the conflict, please take a look at these different charities and consider donating if you can.

Ukraine Crisis Media Centre - A list of different donation pages to help the Ukrainian military response.

Disaster Emergency Committee - Ukraine Humanitarian Appeal

Save the Children

Ärzte ohne Grenzen

Image Credit

Foto von Paul Hanaoka auf Unsplash

Theme tune courtesy of Kloß mit Soß

For those of you looking to support Ukraine or the many refugees currently fleeing the conflict, please take a look at these different charities and consider donating if you can.

Ukraine Crisis Media Centre - A list of different donation pages to help the Ukrainian military response.

Disaster Emergency Committee - Ukraine Humanitarian Appeal

Save the Children

Ärzte ohne Grenzen

Image Credit

Foto von Paul Hanaoka auf Unsplash

Theme tune courtesy of Kloß mit Soß

Previous Episode

Episode 118: Tales of the Hauptstadt

1 Recommendations

Sadly Dili was out this week, but luckily for us freelance writer & journalist Aaron Gasch Burnett was able to step into the breach. Some listeners may know Aaron from his work on the Germany in Focus podcast, as well as a variety of articles for many other publications.

We kick off proceedings in typical German fashion with a test on Aarons credentials, and by credentials we mean opinions on German politeness, maple syrup, and of course cakes. Aaron discusses his experience of hosting the I am Germany Twitter account (@Germany_iam), his German grandparents, and even schools Nic on Canadian rodeo.

With attention on potential changes to citizenship rules in Germany, Aaron shares his thoughts on the likelihood of a new law coming into effect, how things might actually change for those hoping to gain dual citizenship, and potential stumbling blocks along the way. We finish this week on the rivalry between Bavaria and Berlin, and why Berlin is one of the best places to live in Germany.

For those of you looking to support Ukraine or the many refugees currently fleeing the conflict, please take a look at these different charities and consider donating if you can.

Ukraine Crisis Media Centre - A list of different donation pages to help the Ukrainian military response.

Disaster Emergency Committee - Ukraine Humanitarian Appeal

Save the Children

Ärzte ohne Grenzen

Image Credit

Foto von Moises Gonzalez auf Unsplash

Theme tune courtesy of Kloß mit Soß

Next Episode

Episode 120: Half the Zucker, Twice the Love

Following a busy weekend, we discuss family birthdays, how to bake cakes for Germans, and what makes the perfect party goodie bag. Nic also learns what it takes to throw him into a homicidal rage. The release of the InterNations Expat Survey, and Germany’s awful results, leads us to a discussion on whether expats are a trustworthy source, what the results tells us about Germany, and where Germans and expats might agree.

Berlin once again went to the polls, this time for a referendum on climate neutrality. Sadly for climate activists, but seemingly typical of Berlin, things didn’t go according to plan. We ask whether referendums are ever a good idea, and why the results may not be as catastrophic as some might believe.

We finish this week on the “Megastreiktag” that occurred on Monday, and saw much of Germany’s transport networks totally shutdown. We look at why the strike happened, the demands of those on the picket lines, and how Germany handled a day with no trains.

For those of you looking to support Ukraine or the many refugees currently fleeing the conflict, please take a look at these different charities and consider donating if you can.

Ukraine Crisis Media Centre - A list of different donation pages to help the Ukrainian military response.

Disaster Emergency Committee - Ukraine Humanitarian Appeal

Save the Children

Ärzte ohne Grenzen

Image Credit

Foto von John Cutting auf Unsplash

Theme tune courtesy of Kloß mit Soß