Pole-ish

Peter MacLeod / John Nett

Two expats. Two cities. Two perspectives. Peter, a Brit living in Warsaw, and John, an American based in Kraków, dive into the hilarious, always confusing and often eye-opening reality of building a new life in a foreign country.              From navigating Polish bureaucracy, learning a new language, dating, renting, and understanding cultural differences, to deeper conversations about immigration, integration, politics and money... no topic is off-limits.           Using humour (humor!), honesty and a healthy dose of self-deprecation, they compare British and American viewpoints as they try to make sense of modern life in Central Europe. Along the way, they share real stories, practical tips, and introduce some very special guests in order to bring them greater context to their new lives.  Whether you live or plan to live as an expat in Poland or elsewhere, want to improve your English or Polish, or are just curious how two foreigners survive everyday life in an alien environment, welcome to the adventure!   New episodes every Monday.           

  1. 3 days ago

    Lee Learns Pole-ish

    Meet Lee Taylor, an Englishman who moved to Poland, couldn't speak the language nor understand what's going on, and initially followed his Polish wife around like a “little lost dog”? Today, Lee is the man behind ‘Lee Learns Polish’, the channel that documents his experiences, misunderstandings and attempts to master Polish and is now a hugely popular social-media brand. Lee tells us how a seemingly spontaneous decision to move to Poland came about, how arriving in a new country left him feeling that he'd lost his identity, why learning Polish became so important, and why Polish people insisting on speaking English to him isn't always helpful! We uncover his somewhat embarrassing geographical revelation about Poland, his love of the Baltic coast and Gdańsk, his thoughts on Polish bureaucracy (spoiler alert – he’s not a fan!) and the Polish habits he has gradually adopted, including the refusal to throw anything away. And, naturally, we get into food. Lee explains why he thinks Polish cuisine is seriously underrated, reveals his love of żurek, pierogi and gołąbki, and admits that he's even started cooking Polish food for his friends. Plus, Peter brings back some Greek inspiration from Corfu, John and Peter battle over their latest 3 in 10, and Lee reveals the song that has a very special place in his heart. So climb aboard the wesoły autobus and enjoy the ride. -- Read our blog: www.pole-ish.eu Write to us: peter@pole-ish.eu Follow our socials: search for ‘Pole-ish Podcast’ on BlueSky, Xwitter, YouTube and Facebook. Corfiot Folk Music/Dancing: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=For3dbbP5A4 Polish Round Table (Okrągły Stół): https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Polish_Round_Table_Agreement Kraków Folk Art Fair: https://imagokrakow.pl/ ‘Lee Learns Polish’: https://www.youtube.com/@leelearnspolish Lee’s coaching community: https://www.skool.com/the-standout-solopreneur/about James Blunt – Bonfire Heart: https://open.spotify.com/track/1D7c4uelZgxBx5r5BoD4do?si=984a63fee2494fd1 Pole-ish Guest Playlist: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/68kYaLG4XYgcjRdSjzzgcW?si=de7065757241400c

  2. 22 Aug

    From Sicily to Silesia

    It's our silver anniversary! Episode 25 of Pole-ish takes us on the first stop of our grand tour of Poland - Katowice. Our guest is Sicilian-born Marco Cillepi, who arrived in Katowice 15 years ago expecting little more than a job and a change of scenery. Instead, he built a career, a family and the Katowice Internationals Foundation . What began as a casual Saturday kickabout involving players from a handful of countries eventually became the Katowice Internationals World Cup, now featuring 28 national teams. Marco tells us how the tournament has grown into much more than football - creating friendships, jobs, marriages and connections between people from all over the world. We also discover how Katowice has changed since Marco arrived, why he thinks it offers a better quality of life than Poland's biggest tourist destinations, and why the openness of Polish people is one of the things he loves most about the country. Elsewhere, we celebrate our anniversary with some Polish silver facts, meet the legendary Art Deco artist Tamara Łempicka, debate the delights - and crimes against humanity - of Polish food, and discover that Poland really does have a vending machine for almost everything. Including injured birds and, naturally, pierogi. -- Read our blog: www.pole-ish.eu Write to us: peter@pole-ish.eu Follow our socials: search for ‘Pole-ish Podcast’ on BlueSky, Xwitter, YouTube and Facebook. Katowice Internationals Foundation: https://www.katowiceinternationals.org Tamara Łempicka: www.tamaradelempicka.org Big City Life – Mattafix: https://open.spotify.com/track/0Stkh0VvjWMqQOWNkHVhJq?si=975a154ade384269 Pole-ish Guest Playlist: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/68kYaLG4XYgcjRdSjzzgcW?si=de7065757241400c

  3. 3 Aug

    Proszę! Proszę!

    When Nigerian content creator Raphael Obi (DarkMagikCA) joined us for Episode 17, we barely scratched the surface. So we invited him back. This time, Raphael shares the stories that didn't make it into the first episode - from the challenges of finding work and learning Polish to surviving scams, online trolls and the rollercoaster of going viral. We also talk about why Warsaw can actually make learning Polish harder, how joining local communities might be the secret to finally becoming fluent, and why he believes every interaction in Poland is potential content. Along the way, Raphael tells us about the extraordinary moped scam that greeted him during his first month in Poland, losing thousands of dollars to fraudsters, coping with negative comments online, and why he's determined not to let setbacks define his experience of living here. Elsewhere in the episode: Peter recalls an unexpected lesson from a stay in a Polish hospitalJohn enjoys a summer paddleboarding adventure on Kraków's Bagry LakeThe battle for Three in Ten continues with the most adaptable of Polish words - "proszę"It's a funny, honest and surprisingly moving conversation about resilience, adapting to a new country, and finding opportunity even when things don't go to plan. -- Read our blog: www.pole-ish.eu Write to us: peter@pole-ish.eu Follow our socials: search for ‘Pole-ish Podcast’ on BlueSky, Xwitter, YouTube and Facebook. Follow Raphael Obi / DarkMagikCA Instagram: @darkmagikcaTikTok: DarkMagikCA LiveLinktree: DarkMagikCA LinksBagry Beach: https://plazabagry.pl/ Proszę: https://culture.pl/en/article/prosze-poland-word-by-word  Pole-ish Guest Playlist: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/68kYaLG4XYgcjRdSjzzgcW?si=de7065757241400c

  4. 20 Jul

    Planet Pole-ish

    This week we're joined by Ged Nichols, founder of Planet Kraków, one of the fastest-growing online communities dedicated to helping visitors discover the very best of Poland's former royal capital. Originally from Sunderland via Los Angeles, Ged tells us how a pandemic lockdown, a leap of faith, and a move to Kraków led him to create a platform that's now inspiring thousands of tourists and expats to look beyond the obvious attractions. We chat about hidden gems in Kraków, why Nowa Huta deserves far more attention, day trips to Zakopane and the Tri-City, the best place to grab a proper zapiekanka, and why Ged thinks Poland's greatest asset isn't its castles or cuisine... it's the feeling of safety. Elsewhere, Peter returns from a birthday trip to the UK with an embarrassing Polish-language story, John tackles a gruelling 42,000-step hike in the Tatra Mountains before soaking in Bukovina's thermal baths, and the pair continue their increasingly chaotic 3 in 10 quiz battle with a geography challenge that neither of them covers themselves in glory over. Whether you're planning your first visit to Poland, already call it home, or simply enjoy hearing two expats (and this week's guest) celebrate everything that makes the country special, there's plenty to enjoy in Episode 23. As always, we'd love to hear your own recommendations, hidden gems and travel tips. Do get in touch, and if you're enjoying Pole-ish, please subscribe, leave us a review and tell a friend! Planet Kraków: https://www.youtube.com/@planetkrakow Magillo Restaurant: https://magillo.pl/ Endzior (‘best zapiekanka in Kraków’) – via Google Maps - https://maps.app.goo.gl/CSgjYw8X1tQUuwuh6 Golonkarnia (‘best golonka in Kraków’) – via Google Maps: https://maps.app.goo.gl/nW69gcAjz5joV4ce8 Feniks Nightclub: https://feniksklub.com/ USMNT ‘We love it!’ chant: https://www.youtube.com/shorts/V3Iq5DaZ18Q Bal u Rafała – Ralph Kaminski: https://open.spotify.com/track/3uIYWYJzh4qKfpExCF05oS?si=84bdb91e09044eac Pole-ish Guest Playlist: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/68kYaLG4XYgcjRdSjzzgcW?si=de7065757241400c

  5. 11 Jul

    Pan Kiełbasa

    It's a Kraków Special on Pole-ish as we welcome David McGirr - Scottish photographer, founder of Kraków Expats Directory, creator of Kraków TV, and one of the city's official Ambassadors of Multiculturalism. David explains what first drew him to Kraków, why he chose to stay, and how he's helped thousands of newcomers discover the city. We talk hidden gems, favourite neighbourhoods, expat life, learning Polish, British tourists, Kraków's thriving food scene, the city's unique blend of history and modernity – and how his friends came to give him THAT nickname! Plus, Peter and John explore some of Kraków's best-loved legends, from the mysterious knife hanging in the Sukiennice to Pan Twardowski, and put John's local knowledge to the test in another round of 3 in 10. -- Read our blog: www.pole-ish.eu Write to us: peter@pole-ish.eu Follow our socials: search for ‘Pole-ish Podcast’ on BlueSky, Xwitter, YouTube and Facebook. The Legend of Pan Twardowsky: https://culture.pl/en/article/pan-twardowski-the-first-pole-on-the-moon Kraków Expats Directory: https://krakowexpats.pl/ Kraków ‘sine’ bridge: https://www.architekturaibiznes.pl/en/kladka-ludwinow-kazimierz-dzieli,34665.html Kraków TV: https://www.youtube.com/@KrakowTV Otwarty Krakow: https://otwarty.krakow.pl/ Kraków Celtic Festival: https://krakowcelticfestival.pl/ Kraków Photo Tours: https://www.tripadvisor.com/Attraction_Review-g274772-d9786466-Reviews-Krakow_Photo_Tours-Krakow_Lesser_Poland_Province_Southern_Poland.html Polish Celtic Association: https://www.polishcelticassociation.org/#/en Mad dog (wściekły pies): https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/W%C5%9Bciek%C5%82y_pies Caledonia – Dougie McLean (lyrics): https://genius.com/Dougie-maclean-caledonia-lyrics Caledonia – Dougie McLean (song): https://open.spotify.com/track/7jEVW8o2CIfdgziEJXnii8?si=50681d767dfe4dd3 Pole-ish Guest Playlist: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/68kYaLG4XYgcjRdSjzzgcW?si=de7065757241400c

  6. 15 Jun

    Mission Accompl-ish

    Football, history, bureaucracy, seafood, bicycles and a lot of affection for Poland - it can only be Pole-ish! In this episode, Peter and John welcome Mike Giammattei, an American former Army Reservist who came to Poland on deployment, met the woman who would become his wife, and ended up building a life in Gniezno, Poland's historic first capital. Along the way, Mike shares his experiences of bristling at Polish bureaucracy, working in logistics and his frankly bizarre love of Ipswich Town - not exactly one of English football's most glamorous clubs. Elsewhere, Peter reports from the Baltic coast with some surprisingly salty facts, John reflects on a seafood extravaganza in Kraków, and the pair discuss cycling culture in Poland and the Netherlands. This week's Pole of the Week is the extraordinary Irena Sendler, the Polish social worker who helped save around 2,500 Jewish children during the Second World War. -- Read our blog: www.pole-ish.eu Write to us: peter@pole-ish.eu Follow our socials: search for ‘Pole-ish Podcast’ on BlueSky, Xwitter, YouTube and Facebook. RJ’s Goals – in memory of Mike’s brother: https://www.instagram.com/rjs.goals?igsh=NXJrb3VwZ2dmY2dw Kapitan Konrad: https://en.kapitankonrad.pl/ Dutch Reach Project: https://www.dutchreach.org/ Polish National Anthem (Mazurek Dąbrowskiego): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9BWvhox662o Ipswich Town Football Club: www.itfc.co.uk New Haven Pizza: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/New_Haven-style_pizza Delta Dawn – Tanya Tucker: https://open.spotify.com/track/7GH8qNOm2gEKryVUyVzkmt?si=5bdd431f9c1c491f Pole-ish Guest Playlist: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/68kYaLG4XYgcjRdSjzzgcW?si=de7065757241400c

About

Two expats. Two cities. Two perspectives. Peter, a Brit living in Warsaw, and John, an American based in Kraków, dive into the hilarious, always confusing and often eye-opening reality of building a new life in a foreign country.              From navigating Polish bureaucracy, learning a new language, dating, renting, and understanding cultural differences, to deeper conversations about immigration, integration, politics and money... no topic is off-limits.           Using humour (humor!), honesty and a healthy dose of self-deprecation, they compare British and American viewpoints as they try to make sense of modern life in Central Europe. Along the way, they share real stories, practical tips, and introduce some very special guests in order to bring them greater context to their new lives.  Whether you live or plan to live as an expat in Poland or elsewhere, want to improve your English or Polish, or are just curious how two foreigners survive everyday life in an alien environment, welcome to the adventure!   New episodes every Monday.