URSA

Happy holiday season from us to your ears! This edition of URSA features news headlines on recent museum heists in Germany and an international drug raid that seized one third of the European cocaine trade, as well as climate updates on COP27, Spain’s new water restrictions and the worrying state of Europe’s air quality. We then hear from our friends at The Europeans podcast about the Barcelona Ti...

Laurel Kratochvila is the owner and baker of Fine Bagels in Berlin. Originally from the United States, she lived in Prague and studied bread baking in France before starting her own bagel shop and bakery in Berlin. In this interview, she tells producers Sara Cooper and Jill Beytin about her upbringing in a secular Jewish community, her secrets to making great challah, and how her Jewish identity h...

This edition of URSA brings you news of the legalization of recreational marijuana in Germany, the Sámi people in Finland, and an app that helps children process the trauma of war. We also explore the conversation around art and activism in the fight against the climate disaster. You’ll hear an incredible excerpt from The Last Bohemians podcast, featuring an interview with P. P. Arnold - a soul an...

In the middle of Bulgaria, high in the Balkan mountains, on top of a windy peak called Buzludzha, lies the colossal concrete skeleton of the Memorial House of the Bulgarian Communist Party. Producer Militsa Tekelieva meets the young architect working on preserving and repurposing the building and takes you with her on a tour of this extraordinary abandoned place. A special thanks to Dora Ivanova f...

For this month, URSA visits Italy where we learn about the country’s new (and uber Fascist) Prime Minister, Giorgia Meloni, her love of Lord of The Rings, and what her leadership means for the country and continent. In good news, we hear about the climate crisis reparations from Denmark, advert prohibitions in the Netherlands and hydrogen powered student housing in Spain. Our first feature story c...

The September edition of URSA brought you the piece "Show Yourself" by producer, Julia Joubert. In it, we met Matti, a core member of the protest movement; Kotti & Co as he shares his insights on how the community maintains connection. In this bonus episode, you get to hear the full interview - from how location scouts and TV shows perpetuate the "grime" narrative that hangs over Kotti, to coming...

This month URSA brings you news on the Air France pilots who are currently suspended for having an in-flight fist fight, how the lower snowfall in the Alps is revealing 50 year old plane wreckage and more. We also discuss the lack of European presence at the recent Africa Climate Summit, how Hungary is protesting deforestation and what the rising temperatures are doing to European wine production....

This month URSA brings you news on Monkeypox - the media rhetoric, the facts, and the vaccine. We also explore the current heatwave hitting Europe, how countries like Spain, Italy and Portugal are faring, and how Germany’s bureaucracy is potentially standing in the way of a swifter response. Our first feature piece comes from local podcast Another Berlin about how the fall of the Berlin wall shape...

[trigger warning: This episode explores themes of abortion, miscarriage and terrorism] This month URSA brings you news on the abortion protections and legilaslation within the EU, reports on how countries are currently coping with the heatwave sweeping the continent, and climate law updates from The European Parliament. You will also be hearing a piece by Berlin-based journalist and producer, Summ...

In this bonus episode, we have the pleasure of speaking with Denisa Harbuz. Denisa's story was featured in the June 2022 edition of URSA, and in this extended interview we discuss how producing the piece has inspired her to keep creating, her chosen home Barcelona, how making friends is key to feeling welcome in a new place. The cover photo of this bonus episode was provided to us by Denisa and fe...

In this episode of URSA we hear about a class action lawsuit seeking compensation for victims of the Russian invasion of Ukraine, as well as The Scorpions’ decision to change the lyrics of their iconic song, Wind of Change. We also learn about the EU Commission’s LIFE Awards for climate projects, and Arrels Marines, a group working to preserve the underwater Posidonia meadows of Mallorca. Our firs...

Tina has logged over 50 adventures through abandoned places, spaces and buildings! And in this bonus episode we get to hear just some of her experiences - from the nuclear bunkers of Vogelsang and Flugplatz Sperenberg, to the abandoned tank barracks in Bernau and more. If you’ve ever considered urbexing, aka “recreational trespassing”, these stories are a great place to start!

In this episode of URSA we learn more about the UK’s divisive plans for the thousands of migrants who cross the English Channel, and explore the link between carbon-offsetting and properties in the Scottish Highlands, new discoveries in solar energy science and more. Our featured pieces both come to you from Germany, where our producer out of Hamburg explores meditation apps, the science behind th...

In this bonus episode, we share our full conversation with Josh Rivers of Busy Being Black from the April 2022 edition of URSA. In this extended interview, we discuss how Josh's interview with Danielle Brathwaite-Shirley impacted how he views AI, the Black trans experience, and much more. To listen to more episodes of Josh's fantastic podcast, Busy Being Black, head over to busybeingblack.com, bea...

In this bonus episode, we share our full conversation from the April 2022 edition of URSA. We sit down with GOZI to explore his writing process, what it’s like being an independent artist in Berlin, what advice he has for fellow creatives, how his community has rallied around him, why he rejects the Hyperpop label and much more. For a sneak preview of GOZI’s unreleased single, BOYFRIEND, head over...

April is here! In this episode of URSA, we bring you updates on the Ukraine war, and share news out of Bulgaria. We also revisit the protests against the Rio Tinto coal mine in Serbia, and get some happier forest news out of the UK. You’ll hear a conversation between Josh Rivers of Busy Being Black and Danielle Brathwaite-Shirley, a Black trans gaming designer, archivist and artist who is archivin...

Welcome to the March installment of URSA! In this episode, we take the opportunity to address the Ukraine war, taking a look at where the conflict began, the demonstrations in Donetsk, Russian sanctions, Putin’s fight for power over Eastern Europe, and more. We also explore the major role that energy and natural resources play in this conflict and how the EU’s energy insecurity remains a core part...

We have bonus content for you! The Herpes Song was first performed by Jenna at a Valentine’s Day show in Austin, Texas. It has also since featured on the February edition of URSA, and as part of The Witching Hour - a variety show produced and hosted by the all-lady improv comedy troupe from Berlin; Rhymes With Witches. Performed, Written, and Produced by Jenna Stone.

Welcome to the second installment of URSA! This month URSA brings you green (or not so green) news out of Poland, election updates from Portugal and reports on the wolf situation in Scandinavia. In this episode, we’ll hear all about the Stolpersteine, and how these small plaques came to be one of the biggest memorials in the world. And through the story of Kevin Groen, a Dutch and Korean poet we e...

Welcome to 2022, and welcome to URSA! This month Ursa takes a look at what Rio Tinto is doing in Serbia and why many in the country have taken to the streets in protest. We learn about Athens’ Chief Heat Officer and about a lone dolphin that has taught a small Irish town immeasurable lessons. We find out how music tourists actually helped reunify Berlin, and why techo is of course at the heart of...

The first episode of URSA drops on January 4