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In this episode of Plus Forty Nine, we’re diving into the art of navigating conflict. Our guests, Kate and Tapas from Relatable, share how their own experiences as a couple inspired them to create an app that helps people move through tension with more calm and clarity. From the stress of future planning to the small stuff like household chores, we talk about what it really takes to fight fair and stay connected. Plus, we’ll catch you up on some of the top stories from Germany this week and dig into one of the country’s more surprising habits: eating ice...

This week on Plus Forty Nine, we sit down with Eduardo Roldán, co-founder of Immersive. We dive into how this smart new platform is making German learning a little less painful and a lot more practical. Additionally Edu shares his own journey of navigating Berlin life as an expat, from dealing with the Finanzamt to building a tool that helps others feel more at home. We’re also unpacking some of the week’s biggest headlines, plus, with Christi Himmelfahrt around the corner, we take a look at how this religious holiday became Germany’s unofficial men’s day out (aka Vatertag). And in...

Big shoes are being filled this week, both in the Vatican and in Berlin. With a new pope and Germany’s newly appointed chancellor Friedrich Merz making headlines, we’re taking the moment to explore what it actually means to lead a country. From Konrad Adenauer to Angela Merkel, we take a quick tour through the history of Germany’s chancellors and what the job really demands. We’ll also sit down with Giorgi from Giorgia, the founder of Tasteit, the anti-dating app powered by food. He shares how his platform is flipping the script on traditional dating culture by helping people connect through...

This week we have a really fun interview with two Berlin institutions: Andrew and Maurice from 20%. In our conversation, we explore everything German, from why technology still seems to meet resistance in Germany, including the continued use of fax machines, to possibly seeing your boss naked in the sauna. We’ll also catch you up on the latest political news, including updates on the new coalition agreement and speed limit changes across Berlin. And in our cultural segment, we dive into Germany’s beloved asparagus season: Why is Spargel such a national obsession and what exactly does an asparagus queen do?

This week on Plus Forty Nine, we sit down with Begoña de la Marta from Frauenalia — an initiative championing diversity, inclusion, and equal opportunities across Germany’s economy and society. Originally from Spain, Begoña shares her experiences navigating the German job market, the meaning of the word „sachlich“, and why your accent should be seen as a strength, not a flaw.
We’ll also take you through some of this week’s biggest news stories, from political shifts to cultural trends that impact expats across Germany. Plus, since April is wrapping up, we dive into one of Germany’s most festive spring traditions:...

This week on Plus Forty Nine, we sit down with Ankit, the founder of Germanpedia — your go-to guide for navigating life in Germany. Originally from India, Ankit shares his insights on everything from health insurance and sick leave to German workplace culture and the art of saying “no” to your boss. We also take a closer look at Berlin’s housing market, dive into Germany’s latest military service debates and explore the charming world of Bauernregeln, old farmers' weather sayings that still pop up every spring.

While the Easter Bunny may be busy with hiding eggs this week, we’re cracking open something far more political: Germany’s brand-new coalition agreement. In this episode of Plus Forty Nine, we speak with political adviser Peter-Alberto Behrens about what the new government plans could mean for migrants in Germany, from citizenship and asylum policies to labor market access and integration efforts. With his bicultural background and deep policy experience, Peter-Alberto breaks down what’s changing and how the new agreement could shape immigration and integration in the years to come.
In our culture segment, we take a lighter look at how...

With spring in full swing and Frühlingsgefühle in the air, we’re diving into the highs and lows of single life in Germany. Our guest this week is Alysia, a Canadian who’s called Berlin home for over 20 years. She’s the founder of ALTO Matchmaking and a professional matchmaker with a passion for bringing the right people together – across languages, backgrounds, and love languages. We chat about her journey, what matchmaking actually looks like today, and how intercultural dating adds an extra layer of complexity to relationships in Germany. She also shares some real-world advice for anyone looking to up...

Week 14: Coalition Negotiations, Frühlingsgefühle and Dating

On this episode of Plus Forty Nine, we’re joined by Eleanor from The Germany List, who’s the co-founding The Germany List, a platform showcasing Ausländer-owned businesses. She’s been living in Germany since the days of the D-Mark and has experienced it all, from getting yelled at in Aldi to yelling back to the bikers in town! Eleanor takes us through her journey from arriving in Munich in 1999 with a dial-up connection and a vague plan to building a thriving career in digital marketing.
We’ll also take a look at what’s been happening...

In this episode of Plus Forty Nine, we talk to Federica Moreno, co-founder of Uphavin, about building a sustainable startup in Germany and the role of social responsibility in consumerism. She also shares her take on German bureaucracy and why Germany’s direct communication was a big cultural shock for her. In our culture segment, we break down the unspoken rules of public transportation etiquette, and in Ask a German, we tackle an essential question: how many beers are too many in Germany? Plus, we’ll bring you the latest news, including the impact of international students on Germany’s economy and the...