The Pod Abroad

Texas, veganism, Germany, Americans in Germany, vegan in Germany, living in Munich, cultural differences, plant-based lifestyle, and what it's really like being vegan after 11 years. In this solo episode of The Pod Abroad, I share my story of becoming vegan nearly 11 years ago and what it's been like navigating that decision while living in two places where meat plays such a central role in the cu...

Germany heatwave, air conditioning in Europe, Americans in Germany, life in Munich, cultural differences, climate change, and why living in Europe completely changed my perspective on AC.In this solo episode of The Pod Abroad, I reflect on the European heatwave that has left much of Germany struggling through record temperatures—and how nearly ten years of living in Munich have completely reshaped...

Americans abroad, Germany vs USA, World Cup 2026, Texas, cultural differences, tipping culture, life in America, and what Europeans might find surprising when visiting the United States for the first time. In this solo episode of The Pod Abroad, I explore what thousands of Europeans visiting the United States for the World Cup might experience for the first time—and why the real America is often v...

Best things to do in Munich this summer 🇩🇪 After nearly 10 years living in Munich, Germany, I'm sharing my favorite lakes, beer gardens, hikes, festivals, day trips, and local spots beyond Neuschwanstein Castle. Munich in the summer is magic—but not for the reasons most travel guides will tell you. After nearly 10 years of living in Munich, I've put together my personal guide to the best t...

Americans abroad, moving to Germany, life in Munich, cultural differences, immigration, identity, friendship, and what happens when a move that was supposed to be temporary quietly becomes an entire life. In this solo episode of The Pod Abroad, I reflect on nearly 10 years of living in Germany and the ways Europe has changed me more than I ever expected. When I moved from Texas to Munich in 2016,...

Sustainability in Germany, recycling myths, climate careers, nuclear power, work-life balance, and what happens when an Indian immigrant sees Germany's environmental reputation from the inside. In this episode of The Pod Abroad, I sit down with my friend Vishnu, a sustainability professional originally from Kerala, India, who has lived across the Middle East, the UK, Southeast Asia, and now Ge...

Americans abroad, moving to Germany, Munich expat life, culture shock, Vietnam War, life in Germany vs America, and what happens when a “temporary move” quietly becomes your entire life. In this episode of The Pod Abroad, I sit down with Larry Schultz, an American from outside Chicago who first moved to Germany in 1980 and never moved back to the United States. What was originally supposed to be a...

Growing up Mormon in Utah, moving to Germany, culture shock, Americans abroad, Munich expat life, and realizing your upbringing wasn’t “normal.” In this episode of The Pod Abroad, I sit down with Sarah Fife, an American from Salt Lake City who grew up in a deeply Mormon/LDS environment before leaving Utah for Brown University, eventually moving to Munich, Germany, and building an entirely new life...

Why do Germans complain so much? In this episode, we talk about German complaining culture, Deutsche Bahn delays, bureaucracy, construction sites, weather, food prices, and life in Germany as a foreigner (+Tim) living in Munich. After years of living in Germany, we’ve realized that complaining here is almost a social skill. Whether it’s Deutsche Bahn, endless Baustellen, expensive döner, weather,...

What it feels like to watch American politics from abroad. After nearly 10 years in Germany, I reflect on how distance has changed the way I see the U.S., my upbringing in Texas, and the growing divide that now feels impossible to ignore. I was raised in South Texas, shaped by religion, family, and community. Politics was always there, but it didn’t feel as heavy or all-consuming as it does today....

Weslaco Texas, Rio Grande Valley, Tex-Mex culture, and living abroad in Germany. As an American in Germany, I share how leaving home changed my identity and what it means to truly belong. In this solo episode, I share my personal story of growing up in Weslaco, a small border town in South Texas, and how moving abroad to Munich changed the way I see where I come from. I left home at 18, convinced...

Making friends in Germany can feel harder than expected. In this episode, I share my personal experience of trying to build friendships with Germans after nearly a decade of living in Munich. From cultural differences to language barriers, I talk honestly about why forming close relationships in Germany can take time, especially for internationals navigating life in a new country. While many Germa...

Moving abroad for love sounds romantic, but what does it actually take to leave your home country, your career, and your comfort zone for a relationship? In this episode of The Pod Abroad, I speak with Jeremy, who moved from Canada to Germany after a long distance relationship turned into something much bigger. We talk about how they met on a group trip in Canada, how their relationship developed...

Find your people in Germany with InterNations! 20% off membership in Germany: https://internations.org/creator/thepodabroad Valid the next 7 days through their website Making friends in Germany as an expat or immigrant can feel difficult. In this episode, I share how to make friends in Germany, build real friendships abroad, and create community as an American living in Munich. After nearly 10 yea...

Moving to Germany from the U.S. in 1990 changed David’s life. In this episode, we talk about American identity abroad, Germany vs USA cultural differences, and what happens when a temporary move becomes 36 years. David originally came to Germany for a work assignment shortly after the Berlin Wall fell. What was meant to be a limited chapter unexpectedly became a life built across cultures, careers...

Texas vs South Africa cultural differences explained. As an American living in Germany, I explore surprising similarities between Texas and the Western Cape — from lifestyle and food culture to safety, space, and social norms. Living abroad changes how you see your own culture. In this episode, I reflect on the unexpected parallels between the place I grew up in South Texas and the Western Cape af...

Living in Germany as an American completely changes how you see your own culture. In this episode, we talk about Germany vs USA, cultural differences, and the biggest misconceptions Germans have about Americans. I sat down with Ryan Charnoky, an American comedian living in Munich, to break down the things we hear all the time. From “Americans are fake friendly” to assumptions about healthcare, wor...

A European visiting America for the first time can be a culture shock. In this episode, my friend Bettina shares what surprised her most after traveling to the United States for the first time in her life. Bettina grew up in Bulgaria and has lived in Munich for more than a decade. After finally receiving her visa, she spent three weeks traveling across the US visiting family, exploring cities, and...

AI in Communications 2026, ChatGPT, Generative AI, LinkedIn Content, SEO vs GEO, Corporate Germany and Marketing Jobs. This is what AI actually looks like inside my career as a communicator in Munich. Over the last few years, AI has changed how we work, and its it's only gaining adoption. In this episode, I get real about how I use AI such as ChatGPT Plus, Perplexity, and OpusClip in my real w...

Moving to the US from Germany changed Feli’s life. In this episode, we talk about Germany vs USA, the green card lottery, US visa process, entrepreneurship in America, and building a life abroad. In 2016, Feli moved from Munich to Cincinnati for what was supposed to be one semester. It turned into nearly a decade of living in America as a German, building a YouTube business, buying a home, and nav...

American in Germany running for Munich City Council. Emily Wachelka discusses German citizenship/dual citizenship and how internationals in Munich can participate in local politics and elections. Emily has lived in Munich since 2005 and recently became a German citizen while keeping her U.S. passport. In this episode of The Pod Abroad, we break down how Munich’s local government works, what the Ci...

Leaving Venezuela at 17 meant choosing between fear at home and starting over in Germany. In this episode of The Pod Abroad, Fernando reflects on migration, identity, and watching his country from afar. Fernando faced a decision most teenagers never have to make. Stay in Venezuela, where tear gas, corruption, and fear were becoming normal, or start over in Germany with almost nothing and no certai...

Living abroad changes how you see your home country. In this episode of The Pod Abroad, we explore life abroad, cultural differences, identity, and what it means to watch U.S. politics and democracy from Europe in 2026.In this conversation, I sit down with Holger, a German who spent more than a decade living and working in Italy and the UK, to talk about how living abroad reshapes the way you thin...

What do foreigners think of America? In this episode, a South Korean woman who has never been to the U.S. shares her perspective on America, shaped by history, culture, geopolitics, and life abroad. In the first half of this conversation, we explore how the U.S. is perceived from South Korea. My friend Dasom shares why many Koreans grow up with a deep sense of gratitude toward America as an ally,...

What it feels like to be American in 2026 while living abroad. After nearly 10 years in Germany, I share grief, anger, and helplessness as I watch U.S. politics, democracy, and human rights unfold. I LOVE THE U.S. and that's why I care enough to speak up. I personally think it is patriotic to stand up to injustices. I talk about the emotional toll of relying on media coverage, the grounding an...