Americans in Germany Drinking Whiskey

Long time, no see! Yes, it's been a hot minute since the last time we spoke with you guys, but we just got the urge to say hello. We're back in this one-off episode to discuss what we've both been up to since the end of the podcast and react to some recent news in Germany. Let's go!

We have unfortunately reached the last episode of the AGDW podcast. What an absolutey bitter sweet moment. Both of us are eternally grateful for all of the love, support and dedication everyone has shown us over the past three and a half years. While we are sad the podcast has come to an end, we aren’t going anywhere! We we will continue to give you fun and educational (slightly) content about living in Germany, however from now on it’ll be via our brand new YouTube channel! This last episode is a retrospective of sorts as we look back on the past 147 episodes and give you insights about the production of the podcast and what it’s meant to us. Once you’ve completed the episode feel free to come check us out here on YouTube!

Is it true that German banks suck? Why do we love Berlin's buses so much? What weird things should you look out for when applying for a German visa? We’ll be answer these questions and many more in this week's edition of the German Shuffle. The "German Shuffle" is a series of episodes in which discuss several unrelated points about life in Germany, instead of just one singular topic. It’s a good ol’ fashioned variety show!

Can you order a beer while kayaking down the canals of Berlin? Do Germans have middle names? The German government will pay for you band to go on tour? We’ll be answer these questions and many more in this week's edition of the German Shuffle. The "German Shuffle" is a series of episodes in which discuss several unrelated points about life in Germany, instead of just one singular topic. It’s a good ol’ fashioned variety show!

Here it is. The one you've been secretly hoping for, but for which you will regret actually receiving. Here is the infamous "lost episode" of the AGDW podcast. This was meant to be the original 2nd episode of the entire series, a little over 3 years ago. At the time, we had the bright idea of recording two episodes every time we met up. This meant, by the time we recorded the second episode that day, we were a bit...how do you say...full of beer and whiskey. The result is an episode that we both felt was so bad that we never released it and recorded an entirely new episode to replace it. The actual topic is culture shock and involves us reflecting on the main differences we experienced between the USA and Germany. Please, be warned, this is not a good episode. We're releasing it now as an odd treat for those of you who have been with us from the beginning and have asked whether or not we'd ever release the "lost episode." Well, unfortunately, here it is!

You guys sent in really fun questions for this week's "Q & A" episode! Unfortunately, it was a little bitter sweet as it is mostly likely the last Q & A episode of the AGDW podcast. We love hearing from you guys, which is why these tend to be our favourites and you all did not disappoint! We answered some great questions about living in Germany, and about ourselves! Thank you to EVERYONE who has sent us questions over the years. Those of you visiting Berlin need to try the TIMERIDE experience! Through the use of virtual reality and great story telling, they give you an actual tour through 1985 Berlin! They also offer the best walking tour you can book in Berlin - "TIMERIDE Go!" - you visit historical sites in Berlin and you're given virtual reality glasses to wear, which let you view that same location during important moments in the past. You can look around 360 degrees and live inside history! We both really enjoyed the immersive experience! To learn more, go to www.timeride.de

German hospitals aren't as nice as what you'd expect? Flying in Europe isn't that safe? Pumping gas in Germany is different than in the USA? We’ll be answer these questions and many more in this week's edition of the German Shuffle. The "German Shuffle" is a series of episodes in which discuss several unrelated points about life in Germany, instead of one singular topic. It’s a good ol’ fashioned variety show! Those of you in Berlin try the TIMERIDE experience! Through the use of virtual reality and great story telling, they give you an actual tour through 1985 Berlin. We both really enjoyed the immersive experience! To learn more, go to www.timeride.de

How do you move between apartments in Germany if you don't own a car? Do Germans throw coins in strip clubs? Will thermal underwear help you survive a Berlin winter? We’ll be answer these questions and many more in this week's edition of the German Shuffle. The "German Shuffle" is a series of episodes in which discuss several unrelated points about life in Germany, instead of one singular topic. It’s a good ol’ fashioned variety show! Sign up WITH LINGODA today to try THE SPRINT - Use this link or our Discount Code: AGDW20

Every country has its own culture that is filled with positives and negatives. The United States is a massive land with a unique position as an almost physical "island", bordering only two other countries. Being located so far from Europe means life in the USA is of course going to be a bit different than it is "across the pond." This week we'll be reacting to an article titled, "American Problems Europeans Do Not Understand." Just to be clear, this episode isn't about "American bashing." We'd never do that! We're here to discuss daily problems that Americans face that are simply not something Europeans normally come across! Learn a new language with lingoda today! Our discount code = AGDW20

We recently has an episode in which we detailed how weddings in Germany and the USA were different from one another - the traditions, the parties and the paperwork. This week we have a spiritual sequel to that episode! A couple weeks ago, Geoff got married, which has given him even more insight into the process. Many foreigners living in Germany who wish to get married quickly find that the process can be quite difficult. This has led to the tradition of many expats choosing to fly over quickly to Denmark and to have a wedding there instead! This week, we'll discuss the process and give the first hand knowledge Geoff gained while "tying the knot" in Copenhagen.

German toilets are INSIDE of the wall? Coffee and cake...sucks? German animals make the wrong sounds? We’ll be answer these questions and many more in this week's edition of the German Shuffle. The "German Shuffle" is a series of episodes in which discuss several unrelated points about life in Germany, instead of one singular topic. It’s a good ol’ fashioned variety show! Try the Lingoda FREE TRIAL Today - Use this link or our discount code = AMERICANSINGERMANY for 30 percent off of your 1st payment!

Are you looking for a long term romance? Or perhaps, just one night of fun? Berlin can offer you all of the above! This week we’re going to discuss what it’s like to date in the large metropolis that is Berlin. To help us, we are joined by Lulu Johnson, the author of the new book "Dating in Berlin: Tales of Modern Love & Relationships", in which she details her 8 years of living in Berlin and attempting to find love through the modern convinces of dating apps. Having grown up in a small town in Ireland, she took Berlin head on, undaunted by its size or any language barriers, and began dating people of all different cultures and backgrounds (including a convicted killer, we're not joking). We'll hear about her experiences - while throwing in a few of our own - and try and give advice to those who wish to settle abroad and find that special someone. Try the Lingoda FREE TRIAL Today - Use this link or our discount code = AMERICANSINGERMANY for 30 percent off of your 1st payment! Read "Dating in Berlin" by Lulu Johnson - Buy the Book Now!

We're doing it live, f**k it! The last part of our special 3 year anniversary extravaganza is a German Shuffle episode recorded LIVE. While recording we had listeners of the podcast watching us via live stream and they were able to throw questions our way during the recording. It was exciting and we had so much fun! The "German Shuffle" is a series of episodes in which we don’t focus on a single topic, but instead several unrelated topics about life in Germany. It’s a good ol’ fashioned variety show! This week’s episode covers: Berlin police being able to search you whenever they want, hot tub boats on the river, the importance of a proper coat during winter, the weird way Germans use the "winky face" emoji, and many more!

This February is the AGDW Podcast 3 year anniversary, which means the special episodes keep rolling in. For the third episode of our "anniversary extravaganza", we decided to hand over control to all of our listeners. Our instagram vote had a clear winner, so that means this week we're talking about weddings! More specifically, we'll be discussing how weddings and marriages differ between Germany and the USA. Luckily, Geoff is currently in the middle of planning his own wedding in Germany, which means he has a lot of fresh, first-hand experience to share with all of you. We'll also be detailing many classic German wedding traditions that you probably didn't know existed!

This February is the AGDW Podcast 3 year anniversary! To celebrate our 3rd year on the air, we'll be releasing a special episode every single week this month. We knew we couldn't celebrate an anniversary without having the return of our very first podcast guest - Felicia, the host of the popular YouTube channel "Feli From Germany." Having grown up in Germany and eventually moved on to the USA, she has a unique perspective that is great for our show. However, we won't be talking to her about Germany or cultural comparisons. Instead, this week we go behind the scenes with her and discuss what life is like having a popular YouTube channel and podcast, including how she got started, the complications along the way and other fun stories!

This February is the AGDW Podcast 3 year anniversary! We can't believe we're still around (guessing you feel the same) and we're still thrilled you are all still here as well. To celebrate our 3rd year on the air we'll be releasing a special episode every single week this month! To start out, after popular demand, we're finally releasing an episode that is about just the two of us. That's right, an entire episode about Alex and Geoff! We dive into our childhood growing up in the USA, what we initially decided to do with our lives when we graduated high school and explain in detail our current jobs in Germany.

At this point, we've both each lived in Berlin, Germany for roughly a decade. Over time, it has become our new home where we have established our adult lives and integrated ourselves into German society as best as we could. However, even though so much time has passed, neither of us forgets what it was like those first few months and years living abroad. During this time there was a lot of excitement and discovery, but also a lot of doubt, stress, and definitely awkwardness. This week we discuss what feelings we experienced and what situations we found ourselves in having recently moved to Germany. We hope to shed some light on what a person might experience after deciding to move abroad.

Anyone who grows up in the USA, as with any country, can easily point out weird things around them everyday. However, some actions, items or traditions are so ingrained, we have no idea that the rest of the world just doesn't quite understand them. This week we'll be reacting to an article titled, "Non-Americans reveal the things Americans do that they simply do not understand." This episode isn't about "American bashing." We'd never do that! We're here to see what the rest of the world considers odd about the USA and whether or not these are things we still do ourselves, regardless of the fact that we've lived in Germany for so many years. How "American" are we? Let's find out!

We're back bitches! We had some much needed time off to see our families for the holidays, but all good things must come to an end, eh? With Alex having spent Christmas in the USA and Geoff having celebrated in Germany, we thought it was the perfect time to speak about the cultural differences between Christmas in both these countries! For those of you unfamiliar, we're sharing with you the details of a German "Weihnachten" (Christmas). We'll also discuss "Silvester" (New Years Eve) and the quirky traditions Germans observe on the 31st of December each year. In Berlin, this also means a firework insanity that you'll need to see to believe...

We had so many questions left over when we finished recording last week's episode, we knew a "part two" was guaranteed! So, once again we're tackling more listener queries about living abroad in Germany, traveling around Europe and the podcast itself. We hope our answers provide some useful information, advice and maybe - at a minimum - a little entertainment? How does an American get a job in Germany? Is the "schedule" of a Christmas in Germany different than elsewhere? How can German delivery services just leave your packages with random people? We’ll answer all these and more!