Over Here, Over There

Interviewer: BBC Radio Kent Host Mike Ziolek; Guest: Over Here, Over There Podcast Co-Host Dan Harris

Summary

During a rally, shots were fired at former President Donald Trump, resulting in a pause in the presidential race. President Biden condemned the attack and called for a cooling down of the political rhetoric. The details of the incident are still emerging, including the motives of the lone gunman. There is speculatio...

Summary

In this episode, Dan Harris and Claudia Koestler discuss the recent UK election results and their potential global implications. They highlight the seamless transition of power between the Conservatives and Labour as a testament to the effectiveness of democracy and the reasons behind Labour's landslide victory and the Conservatives' disastrous performance. They also discuss the rise of third parties and the need f...

In this conversation, Dan Harris and Claudia Koestler discuss the state of the U.S. presidential election and the Trump-Biden debate from the perspective of Europe. They explore how closely Germany and the UK follow the election and the media's response to the debate. They also discuss the importance of the election for the world and the potential impact of a Trump or Biden presidency. The conversation touches on the age issue...

We're tackling the buzzworthy topic of cannabis legalization in Germany. Grab your preferred chill beverage and join Claudia! Cannabis in Germany has a long history, from its hemp heyday in the 1920s to its criminalization in the 1970s. Fast forward to 2017, medical cannabis was legalized, and as of April 2024, small quantities for personal use are allowed. The new law aims to curb the black market and ensure quality, but don&...

In the world of gift-giving, tales of the unexpected abound. From mysterious boxes that promise the world but deliver only disappointment to DIY disasters crafted with love (and lots of glue), each present tells a story. But fear not, says Claudia, even the most misguided gifts come from a place of good intentions. So, when you receive that garden gnome on a unicycle or a box of stallion semen, grin and bear it, and embrace the hil...

Farmers strikes are prevalent throughout the EU, some of which can have a distinct impact on a country's economy and across society. In Germany, recent farmer protests have caused chaos, blocking roads and factories. In this podcast episode, Over Here, Over There' co-host Claudia Koestler provides an in-depth explanation of the ongoing farmers' protests in her country. Learn about the issues, demands, and troubles as...

Having something for long a time one could start thinking, rightly or wrongly, that it is yours. The Elgin Marbles, also known as the Parthenon Marbles, are Greek sculptures that have been housed in the British Museum for more than 200 years. As Claudia explains, the Marbles were taken controversially from the Parthenon in Athens by Lord Elgin in the early 19th century. It is believed they were forcibly removed and sold to the Brit...

Travel broadens the mind, they say. Combined with study, it provides an incredible opportunity for personal development and forms a powerful differentiator in one's career and life, including the benefits to one's own country and the international community. However, to many students, studying abroad may seem like an unobtainable goal because of the perceived cost and challenges. In this episode, hosts Claudia Koestler an...

The rise of extremist movements throughout the world is nothing new. However, their power and influence in Western democracies is particularly startling, especially in the bastion of such a stable democracy as Germany, whose political and economic strength so many throughout Europe rely on. This is why it is hard to fathom, Claudia Koestler states, why a critical mass of her fellow countrymen and women are turning to right-wing par...

Tune in to hear how different Monday mornings are from your town or city as Claudia makes her way to work in her Alpine splendor in Bavaria. Some things may be familiar, but the breathtaking landscape certainly helps distract her from the Monday morning blues. So, if you're listening to this on your way to work in Los Angeles, Buenos Aires, New York City,  Berlin, or Sydney, just imagine - with Claudia's help - what it wo...

The death of Russian political activist and freedom rights campaigner Alexei Navalny stunned the world for its open brazenness at the hands of Vladimir Putin and his government. There is little doubt that Putin was responsible for Navalny's death, although a Russian court of law will no doubt never adjudicate on the manner.  Navalny's death leaves Russia without a significant opposition leader, but how much of an impact w...

'Life is too short to learn German', said Oscar Wilde. And even for a native German speaker, it does have its challenges. Over Here, Over There podcast co-host Claudia Koestler takes you through the quirky nuances and daunting tongue-twisters that give credence to Wilde's perspective. Still, it can be rather amusing to hear a German word that is as long as a football pitch or another that captures the tone and feelin...

'There's no place like home', said Dorothy in one of the most famous final lines in cinematic history in The Wizard of Oz. The concept of home has intrigued writers, scholars, travelers, artists, soldiers, students, and every human being who has ever walked the planet.  So it has with Claudia as she prepares to leave a place she has called home for twenty-seven years and start anew somewhere else. She explores the un...

Our special guest has risen from relative obscurity over the past three years to be recognised by fans across a crowded New York City street. Such is the worldwide popularity of the TV show The Great British Bake-off, which he won in 2021, under stiff competition, and now is climbing the name recognition ladder, which – who knows? – may lead him to be a household name like ‘Gordon' Ramsey, ‘Jamie’ Oliver, or one of his GBB pre...

In this episode, Claudia Koestler considers the 'Over Here, Over There' aspects of politeness and kindness in Germany relative to her experiences abroad. She provides three anecdotes that highlight the friendliness, or lack thereof, and unfeeling directness that make her wistfully remember how it was done 'over there'.  An interesting perspective from a frequent international traveler about her countrymen and wo...

Bavaria's Sundays are slower than the rest of Germany and many other countries. Most public and private organizations are closed, which has its plusses and minuses. It's a matter of personal choice, Claudia says, but - spoiler alert! - for those wanting to get things done, she likes how Sundays are managed elsewhere. 

OHOT will be bringing more episodes in different formats with international and celebrity guests...

In a world of increasingly scarce resources, it's important to understand and maximize one of the most important of them all: food. In this engaging and informative episode, we speak with German TV presenter, broadcaster, and science journalist Dirk Steffens, who with his filmmaker, director, science journalist, and biologist wife Sabine, work together to help save the planet by advocating smarter and more effective consumptio...

In the 'Over Here, Over There' podcast, we discuss our differences across borders and divides and how we can learn from them. In this episode, we hear two different perspectives from Germany and the United States regarding the most influential figure in US foreign policy since World War II. The recent passing of former Secretary of State Henry Kissinger stopped many people of a certain generation in their tracks. Kissinge...