All episodes

This week it’s getting spicy — literally. We’re talking to Mythra and Faiza, founders of ZORO Energy, about surviving German summers without AC, building a startup as a migrant in Germany, and why five spices just won’t cut it. In the news: we unpack the latest study on Germany’s persistent migrant wage gap and why Berlin’s Economy Senator is looking to India for skilled workers. Our culture segment dives into a true summer classic: the Freibad. From Pommes rot-weiß to cannonballing kids, we explore why public outdoor pools are such a staple of German life. Plus, this week’s Ask a...

This week on Plus Forty Nine, we explore the many layers of migration—public, personal, and political. From Education Minister Karin Prien’s suggestion to introduce a classroom migration quota to Alexander Dobrindt pushing for a harder EU migration line. In our culture segment, we swap politics for fairy tales as we head to the hilltops and halls of Germany’s castles. And joining us in the studio is therapist Anushree from Talking Distance, who shares reflections on mental health, identity, and the invisible emotional layers of life in a new country. Plus: In Ask a German, we unpack the politeness choreography of...

Summer heat, political sparks, and buried history—this week on Plus Forty Nine, we follow the flames, both literal and figurative. As wildfires rage in eastern Germany, we explore how unexploded WWII bombs are complicating firefighting efforts. Meanwhile, Poland reinstates border checks, the SPD pushes for a potential AfD ban, and Angela Merkel publicly challenges the Merz government’s asylum policies. Our guest is Theodora, founder of the travel app Velout. Raised in Germany by a Greek family and born in the U.S., she shares what it’s like to grow up between cultures She also let’s us know some of her tips...

In this episode of Plus Forty Nine, we sit down with internal communication expert Joanna for an insightful conversation about navigating different communication styles—at work and at home. As someone married to a German, Joanna also shares her perspective on intercultural relationships and the nuances of daily life across cultures. Plus, we recap this week’s top stories, from key outcomes of the EU summit to growing concerns around Germany’s doctor shortage. In our culture segment, we explore the wild world of German reality TV and what makes it so irresistibly popular. And in Ask a German, we unpack the unique...

In this episode of Xpat Berlin, we’re stepping into summer with a full lineup of stories, questions, and conversations. This week we are getting a bit philosophical with Tuğba, who joins us for a reflective, wide-ranging chat about identity, belonging, and how to stay grounded in a world that rarely slows down. We also take a look at what’s new in Germany this week—from Potsdam’s plan to diversify its public sector to the federal education minister’s push for a smartphone ban in schools. In our culture segment, we head to the grill—because what’s a German summer without Bratwurst and Stockbrot?...

In this week’s episode of Plus Forty Nine, we sit down with Zeyu, co-founder of Little Dreamers, an app developed during countless sleepless nights to help families decode baby sleep patterns and finally get some rest. She shares what it’s like to raise a child — and a startup — in Germany, and how she learned to embrace a more relaxed approach to parenting, inspired by the German rhythm. We’re also catching you up on this week’s headlines: how the health sector is betting on AI and robotics in the Baltic region, why so many migrants are rethinking their future...

In today’s special Jubiläum episode of Plus Forty Nine, we’re celebrating 50 episodes of bringing you news, culture, and tips for life in Germany. Whether you’ve been here from day one or just found us recently: thanks for being part of the ride! This week, we’re joined by Rouven and David from Berlin Partner to talk all things jobs. From decoding German CV expectations to understanding how headhunters operate and what Berlin companies really look for, they share honest advice to help you navigate the local job market more smoothly. Plus, in our cultural segment, we look at a very...

This week on Plus Forty Nine, we’re looking at the future — from Berlin’s bid to host the 2036 Olympics to how artificial intelligence is reshaping the way we use energy. Our guest is Asheka from iMTED, a Stuttgart-based founder and mother developing a smart AI assistant that helps buildings reduce electricity waste. She joins us to talk about the real challenges of being a migrant entrepreneur in Germany, balancing business with family life, and what most people get wrong about AI. It’s an inspiring conversation about tech, tenacity, and building something that matters.

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...