What is it really like to quit a tech job and build a meaningful life in Berlin?
In this episode, Ben shares why he left his career in tech in Germany, how ADHD and burnout shaped his journey, and how focusing on ONE thing completely changed his life.
Living in Berlin can feel overwhelming — endless opportunities, communities, parties, side projects, and pressure to do everything at once. Ben opens up about growing up between Nigeria, the US, and Europe, struggling with ADHD, burnout, and belonging, and how Berlin ultimately taught him an unexpected lesson: doing less can give you more.
We talk about:- Why so many people burn out in Berlin and Germany- ADHD, focus, and the trap of having too many interests- Quitting a tech job in Germany without a “perfect plan”- Building real community in Berlin (beyond nightlife)- Why running became the ONE thing that grounded his life- Work-life balance, saying no, and redefining success in GermanyFOLLOW US ON INSTAGRAM:https://www.instagram.com/berlinelsewhere💰 * Start your tax declaration and claim your tax refund with WUNDERTAX. GET ADDITIONAL DISCOUN HERE 👉🏽 https://bit.ly/3SSgKel
In this episode I speak with writer Deidre Olsen, a Canadian living in Berlin whose story shows how a change of country can completely reshape a life.
After growing up with trauma, fighting self neglect, and trying to survive the high cost of living in Canada, she reached a breaking point. Moving to Germany gave her something she never had before: safety, stability, community, and the space to rebuild herself.
We talk about what pushed her to leave Canada, why Berlin offered the right conditions to grow, how running and sobriety helped her find structure, and what it means to finally feel a sense of belonging after years of feeling lost. She shares her journey of healing, writing, studying, and creating a home she once thought she would never have.
If you are thinking about moving to Germany, starting over in Berlin, or searching for a path that feels more aligned with who you want to become, this conversation will speak to you. It is a story about courage, rebuilding, and finding a future that feels possible.
Topics covered:
• Leaving Canada and seeking a better life in Germany
• Berlin as a place for healing, growth, and community
• Mental health, childhood trauma, and recovery
• The expat experience in Germany
• The reality of cost of living in Canada vs Germany
• Running, fitness, and building self trust
• Sobriety and personal reinvention
• Creating a stable home and planning a book
• Advice for newcomers in Berlin
Olya is a Ukrainian designer and founder of https://quests.inc/ She left her country just weeks before the first attacks. After months of moving across Europe and trying to build a new life, she made the unexpected choice to return to Ukraine.
In this episode she shares her story of leaving, searching for belonging, and creating Quest Inc, a project that helps people meet in person and rebuild human connection in a digital world.
This conversation explores the emotional reality of living abroad, the search for community, and what it means to return home after crisis. It will resonate with anyone who has lived far from their country or has struggled with loneliness.
In this episode you will learn• Why she left Ukraine before the conflict and what pushed her to return• How loneliness affects migrants and locals in large cities• Why meeting people in person feels so difficult today• The story behind INC and how it helps people create real social circles• What she discovered about identity, culture, and belonging while living across Europe• How community shaped her decision to go back and take part in rebuilding her country
Anya & Tara — artists, performers, and founders of House of Soul Strip — share one of the most raw, honest, and transformative conversations about eros, shame, embodiment, and the Dark Feminine you will hear this year.
Their work has touched thousands across Berlin and beyond, helping people reconnect with their bodies, reclaim erotic energy without shame, and rewrite their relationship to sensuality, power, and self-expression.
If you’ve ever felt disconnected from your body, stuck in shame, or curious about the deeper meaning of erotic energy beyond sexuality, this episode will expand you.
What We Talk About
Discovering the Dark Feminine inside a strip club
How erotic energy becomes healing, ritual, and soul work
Eros vs. sexuality — what’s the real difference?
Shame, boundaries, empowerment & their experiences in sex work
Turning strip-club research into a creative community
Berlin’s unique role in embodiment and erotic expression
Shadow work, somatics & reclaiming hidden parts of yourself
How to reconnect with your body when you feel numb
Why men also need spaces to explore eros
He came to Berlin to follow his dream of becoming a professional football player.
But when that dream ended, he found something even more meaningful — a life built on movement, community, and love.
In this episode of the Berlin & Elsewhere Podcast, Coach Noah, an American endurance coach based in Berlin, shares how quitting football helped him find purpose, build a community, and create a real feeling of home in Germany.
We talk about:
- How to find belonging in a new country
- The power of sport and movement to connect people
- Building healthy habits and balance as a parent
- The “Foundation First” mindset for fitness and life
Whether you live in Berlin or are starting over somewhere new, this conversation will inspire you to slow down, connect, and focus on what really matters.
Olga — known online as Coding Elf — is a self-taught software developer based in Berlin. In this episode she shares how learning to code changed her life, what it’s really like to freelance as a developer in Germany, and how AI is reshaping the world of software engineering.
We talk about the mindset, the money, and the freedom that come from building your own path in tech.
Hosted by Luardo.
🔗 Follow Olga (Coding Elf):Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/coding_elf/
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https://www.instagram.com/berlinelsewhere
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Meet Nya Yenefene, an stand-up comedian from New Jersey/New York who left the U.S. after the pandemic and built a new life in Berlin, Germany. 🎤🇩🇪
In this episode, Nya reveals why he believes “They don’t pay comedians in New York… but Europe does.” He shares how performing in Edinburgh first opened his eyes to Europe’s art scene, why Berlin’s energy reminded him of NYC, and what it means to be a third-culture kid chasing respect, not fame.
You’ll hear:
- How European audiences treat comedy differently
- The truth about making it in New York’s stand-up scene
- What inspired Nya to move from the U.S. to Berlin
- Why taking risks can completely change your life
🎙️ Guest: Nya Yenefene
📲 Instagram → https://www.instagram.com/nyamean
🎟️ Tour: Americanish Immigrant
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Meet Alessia Marchi, an Italian relationship psychologist and love researcher living in Berlin, to explore the science of love, compatibility, and expat dating.
From her hometown of Verona (the city of Romeo & Juliet) to her international relationship in Berlin, Alessia shares powerful insights into:
đź’” Why love alone is never enough
🌍 The hidden struggles of international couples and cultural differences
🧠The science of compatibility, attraction, and emotional connection
đź‘« How expats can navigate dating in Berlin and make relationships last abroad
If you’re an expat in Berlin, part of an international couple, or curious about how love works across borders, this conversation is for you.
👉 Subscribe to Berlin & Elsewhere for more expat stories, Berlin life, and global perspectives with host Luardo.
FOLLOW ALESSIA MARCHI:https://www.instagram.com/compatib.ale/
FOLLOW US ON INSTAGRAM:https://www.instagram.com/berlinelsewheređź’° *
SPONSORS:
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Sabrina Jeblaoui, photographer and creator of NachtClubsBerlin, shares the deeply personal story behind why she moved to Berlin, her descent into emotional darkness, and how she began the journey of healing, self-discovery, and purpose.
Follow sabrina on:- https://www.instagram.com/nachtclubsberlin/- https://www.sabrinajeblaoui.com/
We talk about how Berlin’s club culture can feel like freedom at first — but also bring loneliness. Sabrina opens up about her past, growing up in a foster family in the south of France, and how her parents’ struggles with addiction affected her life. She explains how art, connection, and facing her pain helped her grow.
Sabrina is the creator of https://www.instagram.com/nachtclubsberlin/, a project where she takes photos of people outside nightclubs. Through this work, she connects with others and explores the deeper stories behind the city’s nightlife.
👉 In this episode, we talk about:- What makes Berlin special for artists and misfits- The highs and lows of club culture- How to heal from trauma and find your tribe- The moment she took her first powerful photo- Why true freedom means commitment, not escape
💰 * Start your tax declaration and claim your tax refund with WUNDERTAX. GET ADDITIONAL DISCOUN HERE 👉🏽 https://bit.ly/3SSgKel
Why doesn’t your partner feel loved—even when you’re trying your best?
In this conversation, sex and relationship therapist Jarla Wolf shares the emotional tools, frameworks, and truths that can transform how we love, communicate, and connect.
Follow Jarla on Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/oasis_berlin/https://linktr.ee/oasis_berlin
FOLLOW US ON INSTAGRAM:https://www.instagram.com/berlinelsewhere
We talk about:
- Why your love might not be reaching your partner (and how to fix that)
-What to do when your libido disappears or misaligns
-How to reconnect after conflict or emotional shutdown
-What jealousy really means, and how to use it as a mirror—not a weapon
-The real emotional work behind open relationships and non-monogamy
-What people don’t understand about polyamory—and what it demands
-How to manage different desires, boundaries, and fears in open love
We dive into her Temple Nights: sensual, safe, and radically open spaces in Berlin where people explore intimacy, curiosity, and connection without shame
Whether you're in a long-term relationship, exploring non-monogamy, or just tired of feeling misunderstood—this episode is full of real, honest tools to help you love with more presence and clarity.
In this episode of the Berlin Elsewhere Podcast, we sit down with Daria Suvorova — podcast host, community builder, and founder of Women Authors of Achievement (WAA), one of the most inspiring female leadership platforms in Berlin.
Daria moved to Berlin after her studies in Hamburg, to work at a Big Tech Startup. What started as a passion project evolved into a live-recorded podcast celebrating women founders, female startups, and women in tech — drawing a loyal audience of over 200 people to each event.
In this conversation, we talk about:– Why women struggle to talk about their own achievements– The link between visibility and self-worth– What it’s really like to be a women founder in Berlin– How to build community and lead with purpose🎧 Whether you're a future founder, curious about living in Berlin, or passionate about female leadership and storytelling, this episode is a must-listen.
Big changes. New name. Same mission.
After dozens of honest, uncomfortable, and inspiring conversations — it's time for this podcast to grow into its next form. I'm renaming the show to Berlin & Elsewhere to better reflect the voices, the questions, and the in-between spaces we explore together.
In this video, I share:
Why I’m changing the name
The meaning behind Berlin & Elsewhere
What to expect from future episodes
And what this shift means for you as a listener
🎧 This is still a show about identity, ambition, culture, and migration — from Berlin to wherever “home” is for you.
Thanks for sticking around. We're just getting started.
— Luardo
Andreea Lungulescu, is Talent Acquisition Expert, with over 15 years of experience working with global companies like Wayfair and Zalando, reveals how to identify your most valuable skill—the one that will help you land a job you absolutely love.
Andreea shares actionable steps on how to uncover the strengths you already have and use them to stand out in the job market. If you’re unsure about what makes you unique, this episode will help you:
- Discover your unique strengths and how they can help you grow in your career
- Learn how to leverage these skills to get hired for the job of your dreams
- Unlock the career potential you didn’t even realize you had
- Master personal branding to stand out from other candidates
- Find fulfillment in your work by aligning your passion with your skills
Whether you’re just starting your job search or you’ve been working for years and want to make a change, this episode will give you the tools to confidently identify what makes you exceptional and how to market it to potential employers.
Find more about Andreea:- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alungulescu- Webinar: https://www.matchr.io/event/webinar-the-real-cost-of-recruitment-inefficiencies-and-how-to-fix-them/
If you're feeling stuck in your career or unsure how to take your next step, this episode is packed with practical advice to help you grow and succeed.
Watch the full episode to discover how you can unlock your career potential using what you’re already good at!
Subscribe for more career growth strategies, personal branding tips, and expert advice from industry leaders.
FOLLOW US ON INSTAGRAM:https://www.instagram.com/gutentagpodcast
Elam is a Software Engineer in Berlin and he applied to over 100 jobs from Azerbaijan and got rejected every single time.
But instead of giving up, Elman Huseyn found a mentor, built real-world experience through freelancing, and eventually landed his dream tech job in Berlin.
Follow Elman: https://www.linkedin.com/in/huseyn0w/
🎙️ In this episode, we break down:- How to break into the German tech job market in 2025- Why most job applications get ignored (and how to fix yours)- What companies are doing wrong with hiring- The role of AI in recruitment- How Elman got back on his feet after being laid off from big tech- Life in Berlin as a newcomer: housing, language, integration & more
Whether you’re applying from abroad, recently laid off, or just trying to stand out—this conversation will give you clarity and strategy.
FOLLOW US ON INSTAGRAM:https://www.instagram.com/gutentagpodcast💰 * Start your tax declaration and claim your tax refund with WUNDERTAX. GET ADDITIONAL DISCOUN HERE 👉🏽 https://bit.ly/3SSgKel
Understanding the New World Order, Europe, Israel, and the Decline of American Influence.
In this episode, we explore the tectonic shifts shaping our global reality.From the weakening of American influence to the rise of China, from Europe's internal fragmentation to the political turmoil surrounding Israel and Palestine, this conversation offers a wide-ranging analysis of the emerging world order.
Topics discussed include:
He lost everything when war broke out in Syria. This is the story of how Tarek Abousamra started over — and built a life worth living.
Tarek crossed borders by land, arrived in Germany with nothing, and co-founded Co-Tasker — a platform rooted in community, purpose, and hope. In this conversation, he opens up about the trauma of displacement, the stigma of being a refugee, and the strength it takes to believe in a better future.
👉 Learn more about Tarek: LinkedIn👉 Check out Co-Tasker: www.co-tasker.com
FOLLOW US ON INSTAGRAM:https://www.instagram.com/gutentagpodcast
What does it really take to build and scale a high-growth startup in Germany’s competitive tech scene?
In this episode of the Guten Tag Podcast, I sit down with Dr. Martin Schilling – former COO of N26, tech investor, and deep tech advocate.
From his own startup story to scaling one of Germany’s leading fintechs, Martin shares powerful lessons on entrepreneurship, failure, and what Europe needs to unlock its full potential.
We explore the realities of raising venture capital, the future of deep tech, and what it means to build a startup in Germany — especially in hubs like Berlin, often called Europe’s Gründerszene.
Whether you’re dreaming up your next business idea, navigating Berlin’s startup hub, or looking for insight from a real tech investor, this conversation is packed with clarity, courage, and practical wisdom.
🔑 In This Episode:
– Martin Schilling’s motivation for writing his book
– Behind the scenes of scaling N26
– Why failure is essential for founders
– What investors really look for
– The role of deep tech in Europe’s future
– Comparing startups in Europe vs the U.S.
– How to build and lead high-performance teams
– Mental health, leadership, and the entrepreneur mindset
Can cities thrive without cars?
In this episode of the Guten Tag Podcast, host Luardo sits down with mobility activist Florian Kobler, host of the Ring Frei podcast, to explore the radical yet practical idea of reducing car usage in urban environments.
Florian shares insights from his work on climate-neutral cities, urban planning in Berlin, and campaigns to reclaim public space.
They discuss the hidden costs of car-centric infrastructure, the benefits of public transportation, cycling networks, and how community-led activism can transform our cities.
âś… Topics covered:
– Why car-free cities are the future
– Sustainable transportation alternatives
– The politics of mobility in Berlin
– How to create pedestrian-first urban spaces
– Health, social, and economic impacts of car culture
In this episode of the Guten Tag Podcast, independent video journalist Stan Aaron joins the conversation to discuss the current political climate, particularly focusing on the rise of fascism in Germany and globally.
We navigated through the recent German elections, the impact of the far-right AfD, and the broader European political spectrum.
Stan also gives his perspective on Elon Musk's controversial influence on European politics and touches on the role of social media and misinformation. We also talked about Stan's award-winning documentary on "how Iranian activists are targeted globally" and his future plans for investigative journalism.
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In this episode of the Guten Tag podcast, Ansgar Baums, a leading expert in geopolitical risk management and co-author of "Tech Cold War," discusses the evolving technological landscape amid the U.S.-China tech cold war.
Follow Ansgar Baums on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ansgarbaums
Baums highlights China's dynamic innovation ecosystem, driven by resource constraints and U.S. restrictions, leading to rapid advancements, particularly in AI. He contrasts this with the U.S.'s venture capital-driven approach.
This conversation also explores Europe's role, emphasizing regulatory leadership but cautioning against attempts to create an independent tech stack. Boms underscores the geopolitical implications, historical context of IP violations, and the need for strategic navigation in a bipolar tech world.
FOLLOW US ON INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/gutentagpodcast