The Germany Experience

Shaun Behrens

Life in Germany, as seen through the eyes of outsiders (previously called "Expat Life Germany").

  • 35 minutes 55 seconds
    Dating, toxic relationships, and making friends in Germany (Lulu from Ireland)

    Dating can be a minefield at the best of times. But what happens when you move to a city like Berlin? Lulu Johnson discovered just this when she moved from Ireland to Berlin - and then wrote a book about it! It's called Dating in Berlin and covers her hilarious - and some not so hilarious - misadventures as a foreigner in the German dating scene.  Lulu to discusses dating in Berlin, toxic relationships, making friends, and learning the German language.

    Get the book here: Dating in Berlin: Tales of Modern Love and Relationships


    Subscribe to my other podcast: Everyday Germany

    Support the show

    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



    21 May 2023, 8:00 pm
  • 37 minutes 17 seconds
    The diversity trend, Misfit Models, and German bureaucracy when starting a company (Del from the UK)

    Just do a Google search for Del Keens, and you will see that he's someone with a unique story. After moving to Germany, he started a character modeling agency called Misfit Models. He joins me as a guest in this episode to discuss why he came to Germany, how he faced German bureaucracy when he started Misfit Models, how he feels that the current diversity focus is a trend, and he talks about the impact Brexit has had on his life. 

    Find Del online:

    Del Keens Bio:
    When Del moved from London to Berlin in 2006, he was already well-booked model. Del Keens had been in front of the lens for Diesel Jeans, Levi's and Calvin Klein. Without a washboard stomach, but as a face full of character.

    In Germany, however, he realised that there was no use for character models like himself on the local market. Instead of real personalities, advertising relied and still relies on the same perfect faces and flawless bodies. Identification potential equals zero.

    That's why Del founded Misfit Models in 2012 - the modelling agency for character faces like himself.

    Goggle Del Keens for more information.

    IF YOU ENJOY THIS PODCAST
    You can support the show in various ways: 

    • BUY THE GERMANY EXPERIENCE PODCAST A COFFEE – there are a lot of costs associated with running a podcast, like expenses for hosting the audio and the tools used to record the episodes. Every donation will go towards the monthly expenses of keeping The Germany Experience going.  And it will make my heart happy!
    • SPREAD THE WORD – share your favorite episode in an expats in Germany Facebook group, on Twitter, or any of the other social channels. Or if you know someone who might need this podcast in their life, tell them about it!
    • WRITE A REVIEW – write a review about The Germany Experience on my site, on Apple Podcasts, or on Spotify (or anywhere else you can think of). 
    Support the show

    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



    8 April 2023, 9:00 am
  • 55 minutes 32 seconds
    Financing property in Germany (with Kerstin Brunner)

    Kerstin Brunner is a finance coach, and she comes on the podcast to discuss what goes into buying property in Germany. First we look at how to decide if purchasing a property is right for you. Then we consider the additional costs (notary fee, agent fee, etc.). And she walks us through all the steps, from deciding you want to buy through to getting the keys.

    If you have questions for Kerstin, you can find her on LinkedIn

    IF YOU ENJOY THIS PODCAST
    You can support the show in various ways: 

    • BUY THE GERMANY EXPERIENCE PODCAST A COFFEE – there are a lot of costs associated with running a podcast, like expenses for hosting the audio and the tools used to record the episodes. Every donation will go towards the monthly expenses of keeping The Germany Experience going.  And it will make my heart happy!
    • SPREAD THE WORD – share your favorite episode in an expats in Germany Facebook group, on Twitter, or any of the other social channels. Or if you know someone who might need this podcast in their life, tell them about it!
    • WRITE A REVIEW – write a review about The Germany Experience on my site, on Apple Podcasts, or on Spotify (or anywhere else you can think of). 
    Support the show

    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



    31 March 2023, 6:00 am
  • 43 minutes 1 second
    Life in Germany as a gay woman (Kim from the UK)

    Kim from the UK explains what life is like in Germany for her as a gay woman. She also discusses the difficulties of finding a community in smaller cities and towns. Plus: Kim gives some advice!

    Kim has created a self-paced online course called Thrive In Germany - get a discount on it by using the code 'GermanyXP' at checkout: Thrive in Germany Course

    Kim and Suzanne have started a podcast! Subscribe to it: 

    Connect with Kim: 


    IF YOU ENJOY THIS PODCAST
    You can support the show in various ways: 

    • BUY THE GERMANY EXPERIENCE PODCAST A COFFEE – there are a lot of costs associated with running a podcast, like expenses for hosting the audio and the tools used to record the episodes. Every donation will go towards the monthly expenses of keeping The Germany Experience going.  And it will make my heart happy!
    • SPREAD THE WORD – share your favorite episode in an expats in Germany Facebook group, on Twitter, or any of the other social channels. Or if you know someone who might need this podcast in their life, tell them about it!
    • WRITE A REVIEW – write a review about The Germany Experience on my site, on Apple Podcasts, or on Spotify (or anywhere else you can think of). 
    Support the show

    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



    8 March 2023, 9:00 pm
  • 50 minutes 37 seconds
    How German are you? (Nina from Germany)

    The Germany Experience is back with a repost from Shaun's other podcast, Everyday Germany. Nina joins Shaun to see which one of them is more German.

    Subscribe to Everyday Germany where Shaun and Nina discuss their observations of German life, culture and language: EVERYDAY GERMANY

    The book we used as a basis for this episode:  Ze Germans: An expat's guide to living in Germany by Fadi Gaziri

    The Germany Experience podcast episodes featuring Fadi: Apologizing in Germany, sauna surprises, and making friends and Writing a Eurovision song, and traveling to the Arctic and Antarctic


    IF YOU ENJOY THIS PODCAST
    You can support the show in various ways: 

    • BUY THE GERMANY EXPERIENCE PODCAST A COFFEE – there are a lot of costs associated with running a podcast, like expenses for hosting the audio and the tools used to record the episodes. Every donation will go towards the monthly expenses of keeping The Germany Experience going.  And it will make my heart happy!
    • SPREAD THE WORD – share your favorite episode in an expats in Germany Facebook group, on Twitter, or any of the other social channels. Or if you know someone who might need this podcast in their life, tell them about it!
    • WRITE A REVIEW – write a review about The Germany Experience on my site, on Apple Podcasts, or on Spotify (or anywhere else you can think of). 
    Support the show

    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



    1 March 2023, 6:00 am
  • 4 minutes 38 seconds
    4GEPADFO charity drive update, and when The Germany Experience will be back

    Shaun gives an update on 4GEPADFO (spoiler: we made our 500€ goal!). But you can still donate to this great cause (a hotline providing psychosocial support for Ukrainian children and youths:

    Donate to krisenchat

    Listen to Shaun's new English podcast with Nina about life in Germany:

    EVERYDAY GERMANY


    Support the show

    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



    4 January 2023, 5:00 pm
  • 47 minutes 30 seconds
    Getting ready to leave Germany (Nicole from The Expat Cast)

    Nicole joins me this week to discuss some big changes in her life – she's leaving Germany. In this episode, she explains what's happening and why she's making the move.

    We also talk about our charity drive for 2022 - AND WE NEED YOU TO DONATE!

    4GEPADFO time: charity drive 2022
    As we do every year, Nicole of The Expat Cast and I are raising money for a charity - but this time, instead of a competition, we're doing it together! The project we're supporting this year: krisenchat, which provides psychosocial support for young Ukranians.

    DONATE TO KRISENCHAT, PROVIDING HELP FOR YOUNG UKRAINIANS

    Shaun's new podcast with Nina
    Shaun has started a new podcast with Nina to discuss their observations of German life, culture and language: EVERYDAY GERMANY


    IF YOU ENJOY THIS PODCAST
    You can support the show in various ways: 

    • BUY THE GERMANY EXPERIENCE PODCAST A COFFEE – there are a lot of costs associated with running a podcast, like expenses for hosting the audio and the tools used to record the episodes. Every donation will go towards the monthly expenses of keeping The Germany Experience going.  And it will make my heart happy!
    • SPREAD THE WORD – share your favorite episode in an expats in Germany Facebook group, on Twitter, or any of the other social channels. Or if you know someone who might need this podcast in their life, tell them about it!
    • WRITE A REVIEW – write a review about The Germany Experience on my site, on Apple Podcasts, or on Spotify (or anywhere else you can think of). 
    Support the show

    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



    22 December 2022, 6:00 am
  • 48 minutes 2 seconds
    House hunting, finding day care, and handling rough starts (Wafeeqa from Saudi Arabia)

    When Wafeeqa and her family moved to Germany, they thought things would be easier: her husband had a job, and his employer was arranging accommodation for them. Plus, they both had experience with learning languages, so they thought maybe German wouldn't be too much of a challenge. But as is so often the case, things didn't go according to plan...

    Wafeeqa discusses finding a place to live, finding daycare for her twins, trying not to disturb neighbors, and more.

    4GEPADFO time: charity drive 2022
    As we do every year, Nicole of The Expat Cast and I are raising money for a charity - but this time, instead of a competition, we're doing it together! The project we're supporting this year: krisenchat, which provides psychosocial support for young Ukranians. 

    DONATE TO KRISENCHAT, PROVIDING HELP FOR YOUNG UKRAINIANS


    IF YOU ENJOY THIS PODCAST
    You can support the show in various ways: 

    • BUY THE GERMANY EXPERIENCE PODCAST A COFFEE – there are a lot of costs associated with running a podcast, like expenses for hosting the audio and the tools used to record the episodes. Every donation will go towards the monthly expenses of keeping The Germany Experience going.  And it will make my heart happy!
    • SPREAD THE WORD – share your favorite episode in an expats in Germany Facebook group, on Twitter, or any of the other social channels. Or if you know someone who might need this podcast in their life, tell them about it!
    • WRITE A REVIEW – write a review about The Germany Experience on my site, on Apple Podcasts, or on Spotify (or anywhere else you can think of). 
    Support the show

    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



    2 December 2022, 7:00 am
  • 52 minutes 8 seconds
    Using hypnosis to help foreigners in Germany (Suzanne Dinter from the UK)

    Suzanne Dinter joins me this week to explain what hypnotherapy is, and how it can help foreigners adjust to life in Germany - among other issues. Suzanne is a Brit who has been living in Germany since 1994, and she specializes in helping overwhelmed international, high-achieving women feel calm, confident, and like themselves again after moving abroad. She does this quickly, effectively, and with long-lasting results using hypnosis.

    At the end of our discussion, she demonstrates her techniques by hypnotizing me. Take a listen to discover if it worked or not!
     
    IMPORTANT: Do not listen to the hypnotic part at the end of the podcast recording whilst driving, operating machinery or doing something else that requires your full attention. While you're listening, if your attention is needed elsewhere, for any reason, you open your eyes and are fully aware and active immediately.

    Get in touch with Suzanne:

    Get this free 12 minute audio by Suzanne to quickly and easily release worry & stress, feel grounded & calm, boost your confidence, and feel like you can handle whatever comes your way while living and working abroad:

    Learn how to calmly & confidently handle any situation

     

    Send me your questions for last week's guest, Katie Rössler:
    If you have questions for Katie after listening to our episode about hidden grief and foreigners or reading her book, then send them to [email protected]! We will be doing a follow-up episode where she answers your questions.


    IF YOU ENJOY THIS PODCAST
    You can support the show in various ways: 

    • BUY THE GERMANY EXPERIENCE PODCAST A COFFEE – there are a lot of costs associated with running a podcast, like expenses for hosting the audio and the tools used to record the episodes. Every donation will go towards the monthly expenses of keeping The Germany Experience going.  And it will make my heart happy!
    • SPREAD THE WORD – share your favorite episode in an expats in Germany Facebook group, on Twitter, or any of the other social channels. Or if you know someone who might need this podcast in their life, tell them about it!
    • WRITE A REVIEW – write a review about The Germany Experience on my site, on Apple Podcasts, or on Spotify (or anywhere else you can think of). 
    Support the show

    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



    9 November 2022, 9:00 pm
  • 48 minutes 28 seconds
    Hidden grief, loss of identity, and getting to know the German version of a loved one (Katie Rössler from the USA)

    Katie Rössler, author of The New Face of Grief, comes on the podcast to discuss the role that hidden grief might play in the lives of foreigners in a new country. She also discusses the toll a move to a new country can take on a couple. And of course, she offers advice of how to navigate these difficult issues.

    Buy Katie's book: The New Face of Grief

    Get a free audio sample of the book: Free Audio Chapter of The New Face of Grief 

    Katie on social media: 


    IF YOU ENJOY THIS PODCAST
    You can support the show in various ways: 

    • BUY THE GERMANY EXPERIENCE PODCAST A COFFEE – there are a lot of costs associated with running a podcast, like expenses for hosting the audio and the tools used to record the episodes. Every donation will go towards the monthly expenses of keeping The Germany Experience going.  And it will make my heart happy!
    • SPREAD THE WORD – share your favorite episode in an expats in Germany Facebook group, on Twitter, or any of the other social channels. Or if you know someone who might need this podcast in their life, tell them about it!
    • WRITE A REVIEW – write a review about The Germany Experience on my site, on Apple Podcasts, or on Spotify (or anywhere else you can think of). 
    Support the show

    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



    19 October 2022, 8:00 pm
  • 22 minutes 25 seconds
    Advice for adapting and integrating in Germany, from discussions with 100+ foreigners

    At the end of September 2022, I gave a talk at the Welcome To Germany Summit. This is the rehearsal that I recorded a few days before. 

    But mine was only one of many great talks on the day from multiple speakers! To access over 6 hours of advice from experts about life in Germany, go and watch the video feed on one of these platforms: 

    The topics that were covered:

    • The main steps of your relocation in Germany
    • Learning German for your career in Germany
    • What I wish I knew when I was you: stories from an intercultural trainer 
    • How business English gives you an upper hand in the German market
    • Transitioning from student visa to job seeker visa to work permit
    • Movement is key when working from home
    • The Actual Job Search - How to search for a Job in Germany
    • Navigating German work culture(s)
    • Financial Education: Guidance on your "German" journey
    • The Emotional Journey of the Expat: How to recognize when grief hits and what to do about it
    • Advice for adapting and integrating in Germany, from discussions with 100+ foreigners


    IF YOU ENJOY THIS PODCAST
    You can support the show in various ways: 

    • BUY THE GERMANY EXPERIENCE PODCAST A COFFEE – there are a lot of costs associated with running a podcast, like expenses for hosting the audio and the tools used to record the episodes. Every donation will go towards the monthly expenses of keeping The Germany Experience going. And it will make my heart happy!
    • SPREAD THE WORD – share your favorite episode in an expats in Germany Facebook group, on Twitter, or any of the other social channels. Or if you know someone who might need this podcast in their life, tell them about it!
    • WRITE A REVIEW – write a review about The Germany Experience on my site, on Apple Podcasts, or on Spotify (or anywhere else you can think of). 
    Support the show

    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



    12 October 2022, 8:00 pm
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