Life, Just In German - the Podcast

Christine Taylor
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  • SOCIETY & CULTURE

For English-speakers living in Germany who are serious about taking their cultural knowledge and language skills to the Next Level: If you want to make the most of life in Germany and become fully integrated as quickly as possible, this is your podcast!

Episodes

  1. JAN 20

    Life, Just in German - Week 1, Part 2 - The Böller Debate

    🎆 Your First January First  in Germany (Part 2) Still reeling from your first Silvester experience? Wondering what Silvester is really about in Germany — and why  it feels so intense, overwhelming, or even unsettling? In Part 2 of this New Year special, Christine goes deeper into what German New Year’s Eve actually means — beyond the fireworks, smoke, and chaos. This episode explores: Why Silvester isn’t random chaos, but a cultural pressure valveWhat this night reveals about German order, rules, and releaseHow January in Germany is shaped by this explosive resetAnd what understanding (not necessarily liking) German traditions does for your sense of belonging and calmIf your first German New Year left you wondering what you just lived through, this episode helps you make sense of it — culturally and emotionally. Insight into understanding Germany well enough to live well inside it. Get the complete program by signing up for the free companion newsletter also called Life, Just In German: https://www.nextlevelgerman.com/newsletter_opt-in 🎧 Topics: Silvester in Germany, German culture, expat life in Germany, culture shock, life in Germany, living abroad, understanding Germans Connect with Life, Just in German: 🎙️ Listen to the full Silvester episode 📧 Forward this to a fellow overwhelmed expat 💬 Join the conversation on Instagram Thoughts?

    37 min

  2. JAN 12

    Week 2: The January Letters — and the Phone Call You Don’t Want to Make

    January in Germany means official letters — from health insurance, tax offices, utilities, and contracts — and sooner or later, a phone call you don’t want to make. In this episode, Christine Taylor breaks down why phone calls in German feel so much harder than face-to-face conversations, what’s actually happening on a structural and emotional level, and how to stay calm, clear, and in control when you have to call. You’ll hear real-life examples, essential German phone phrases, and practical strategies for slowing things down, asking for clarification, and getting the information you need — without panic or shame. This episode is about survivability, not fluency: one letter, one call, one clear outcome at a time. Resources Mentioned: 📄 Free Phone Call Phrase Sheet  👉https://www.nextlevelgerman.com/offers/TketV3M5/checkout 📞 Phone Confidence – 4-Session Live Focus Series 👉 [ENROLL – Phone Confidence Focus Series] ☕ 50/50 Meet-Ups (German / English conversation practice) 👉 [ENROLL – 50/50 Meet-Ups] Hosted by Christine Taylor Real-life German · Cultural context · Practical confidence Because language is lived, not memorized. Stay Connected! 📩 Newsletter: Life, Just in German  👉 https://nextlevelgerman.com/newsletter_opt-in 📷 Instagram:  👉 https://instagram.com/next.level.german 📘 Facebook:  👉 https://facebook.com/next.level.german.NLG 🌍 Website: 👉 https://nextlevelgerman.com  Thoughts?

    52 min

  3. JAN 6

    Frohes Neues Jahr! The „Silvester“ Aftermath

    Silvester in Germany doesn’t ease you into the new year. It explodes — loudly, collectively, and without much warning. If you experienced New Year’s Eve here and thought “I wasn’t prepared for that”, this episode is for you. Get the REST of this training by getting the written version plus all other audio resources - join the Life, Just in German Newsletter - GET THE NEWSLETTER HERE In the first episode of 2026, Christine reflects on her earliest Silvester experiences in Germany — from rooftops and city centers to quiet villages — and explores why this night can feel overwhelming, confusing, fascinating, or even unsettling for expats. Rather than explaining rules or telling you how to feel, this episode offers **orientation**: What’s happening socially, why the chaos feels “normal” to many Germans the next day, and how understanding the rhythm of Silvester can change how you carry the experience — even if your preferences never change. In this episode, we explore: * Why Silvester in Germany feels so different from New Year’s Eve elsewhere * What it’s like when fireworks are in people’s hands, not controlled displays * The tension between protectiveness and fascination — especially as a parent * Why January 1st often feels calm after an intense night * How Germans relate to rules, risk, and release in practice * Why “nothing went wrong — it simply ran its course” can be a helpful reframe German In Real Life You’ll hear everyday post-Silvester language in context, including: *Frohes Neues*, *Ganz schön laut gestern, oder?*, *Wie jedes Jahr*, and *Das geht vielen so* — with attention to who says what, and why it fits. You don’t have to love Silvester in Germany. You don’t even have to participate. But understanding what’s happening — culturally, emotionally, and linguistically — can bring calm. Christine invites listeners to reflect on their own Silvester experience and share what surprised them, unsettled them, or stayed with them as things quieted down. And wherever we meet again this year: Frohes Neues! Thoughts?

    22 min

  4. 12/29/2025

    Zwischen den Jahren - The Week Between the Years, Week 52

    SHOW NOTES — Week 52 Zwischen den Jahren: The Magic of Germany’s “Nothing Week” 🎧 Episode Overview The days between Christmas and New Year feel strange for many newcomers to Germany. Offices are quiet, emails go unanswered, and time itself seems to slow down. In this episode of Life, Just in German, Christine explains the uniquely German concept of Zwischen den Jahren — the in-between time when the old year hasn’t fully ended and the new one hasn’t begun. You’ll learn why this pause exists, how Germans relate to it culturally and emotionally, and how embracing it can change the way you experience time, rest, and belonging. 🇩🇪  German from the Episode 🔹 Core Concepts & Seasonal Terms Zwischen den Jahren between the years 👉 TSVI-shen den YAH-ren (The quiet days between Christmas and New Year) die Raunächte the “rough” or sacred nights around the year’s end 👉 ROW-nuh-nehk-teh (Traditional nights associated with reflection and transition) der Jahreswechsel the turn of the year 👉 YAH-res-VEK-sel Silvester New Year’s Eve 👉 ZIL-ves-ter zweiter Weihnachtstag Second Christmas Day (Dec 26) 👉 TSVAI-ter VY-nakts-tahk 🔹 Greetings & Social Phrases Guten Rutsch literally: “good slide”; meaning: have a good transition into the new year 👉 GOO-ten ROOTCH einen guten Rutsch a good slide / wishing someone a good transition 👉 EYE-nen GOO-ten ROOTCH Frohes neues Jahr Happy New Year 👉 FROH-es NOI-es YAR (not used before Jan 1 in Germany) Wir wünschen einen guten Rutsch! We wish you a good transition into the new year! 👉 VEER VUEN-shen EYE-nen GOO-ten ROOTCH Nichts Besonderes nothing special 👉 NIKTS beh-ZON-der-es Tschüss bye 👉 CHOOS 🔹 Daily Life & Institutions der Amt (government office; often said as das Amt) 👉 AHMT Betriebsferien company holidays / business shutdown 👉 beh-TREEBS-fee-ree-en Verdauungsspaziergang digestion walk (after eating) 👉 fer-DOW-oong-shpaht-see-er-gang 🔹 Reflection & Emotional Vocabulary nachdenken to reflect / think deeply 👉 NAHKH-den-ken loslassen to let go 👉 LOHS-lah-sen sich zurückziehen to withdraw / step back 👉 zikh tsoo-ROOK-tsi-en der Jahresrückblick looking back over the year 👉 YAH-res-ROOK-blik der Neuanfang a new beginning 👉 NOI-an-fang Jahresabschluss year-end closing (literal or symbolic) 👉 YAH-res-OWS-shloos Jahresendstimmung year-end mood 👉 YAH-res-ent-SHTIM-oong 🔹 Food & Seasonal Culture Raclette melted-cheese meal shared at the table 👉 ra-KLET Fondue communal melted cheese or oil meal 👉 fon-DOO Lebkuchen German spiced Christmas cookies 👉 LAYB-koo-ken Stollen traditional German Christmas bread 👉 SHTOL-len Rotkohl red cabbage 👉 ROHT-kohl Weihnachtsgans Christmas goose 👉 VY-nakts-gans 🔹 Traditions & Media Dinner for One British sket Thoughts?

    37 min

  5. 12/02/2025

    First Advent Shock: When Germany Quietly Turns Festive Overnight, Week 48

    Episode Summary If Advent in Germany has ever taken you by surprise, you’re not alone. In this episode, Christine explores why Advent here feels so different — the quiet rhythm, the neighborhood gatherings, and the small seasonal moments newcomers can easily miss.   German Words & Phrases From the Episode  A1 Vocabulary der Stern — stardie Kerze — candleder Markt — marketdie Suppe — soupder Glühwein — mulled winedie Plätzchen — Christmas cookiesder Adventskranz — Advent wreath  A2 Vocabulary gemütlich — cozy, warm, invitingbesinnlich — reflective, thoughtfulruhig — calmfriedlich — peacefulfeierlich — festive in a quiet, reverent waydie Adventsstimmung — Advent mood / seasonal feelingdie Adventsaktion — small community Advent event  Useful Phrases (Seasonal + Social) Everyday Seasonal Greetings Schönen ersten Advent noch! — Happy first Advent!Schönen Advent noch! — Enjoy the rest of Advent!Eine schöne Adventszeit! — Wishing you a beautiful Advent seasonSchon in Adventsstimmung? — Are you in the Advent mood yet?Langsam, ja. — Slowly, yes.Ich arbeite dran. — I’m working on it.  Connecting With Others Wie macht ihr Advent zu Hause? — How do you do Advent at home?Alles gut bei dir? — Everything okay with you?Das klingt anstrengend. — That sounds exhausting.  Offering or Sharing Food Soll ich eine Suppe mitbringen? — Should I bring a soup?Die sind noch nicht perfekt, aber mit ganz viel Liebe gebacken. They’re not perfect yet, but baked with lots of love.  Curiosity About Local Events Gibt es hier im Viertel besondere Adventsaktionen? Are there any special Advent events in this neighborhood?  Topics We Touched On Growing up with Advent traditions that looked very differentGermany’s quiet shift into the seasonCultural signals that newcomers often missWhy small neighborhood gatherings matter more than big eventsGentle integration without overwhelm  Mentioned in This Episode Abenteuerspielplatz / City Farms — kid-focused outdoor spaces run by pedagogical staffVereinsleben — Germany’s “club life,” where much community activity happensMini neighborhood marketsWindow stars (Sterne) and candle traditionsTiny, human-sized rituals that create seasonal belonging  Invitation Pick one small thing to step into Advent this week — light a candle, visit a tiny market, ask someone about their traditions, or try one simple German phrase. If you try something, Christine would love to hear how it felt. Share your experience, message her, or pass this episode along to someone who might need a gentle way into the season.   Want the written version of Life, Just in German every week? Join the Life, Just in German newsletter — your cozy corner of clear, kind explanations, cultural insight, and phrases you’ll actually use. 👉 Join here: (Subscribe to Life, Just in German - the Newsletter)   Next Week Christmas music, cultural codes, and what people really mean when they ask: “Kennst du das Lied?” Meetcha back here for that one. Bis bald.   Thoughts?

    26 min

  6. 11/04/2025

    Life, Just in German - Episode 002

    After the Relocation... You’ve unpacked, registered your address, and maybe even figured out the recycling system—so why does everyday life in Germany still feel so hard? In this episode of Life, Just in German, Christine shares two raw, personal stories from her early days as a newcomer: a parking mishap that left her feeling powerless, and a train fine that showed her how invisible rules can derail even your best intentions. Told with compassion and clarity, these tales are illustrations as to why traditional language courses and apps often fall short—and what actually helps when you want to move from surviving to truly settling in. You’ll leave with five practical steps to start feeling more at home, plus a new understanding of what belonging really takes. Don 't miss your weekly Cafe Table Tips in the newsletter version of "Life, Just in German" - it's free! Here's the LINK to join: https://www.nextlevelgerman.com/newsletter_opt-in Vocab in this episode: Herbstblues = autumn bluesVersicherung = insuranceStrom = electricity (utilities)GEZ / Rundfunk = nationwide mandatory fee for public broadcastingGuten Tag! = Good day! / the universal greeting from noon to late afternoonWie bitte? = How was that again? / Can you repeat that?Würzeln schlagen = to grow rootsDu schlägst Würzeln = you grow rootsBis bald! = until soon! Thoughts?

    29 min

  7. 10/21/2025

    Life, Just in German - Episode 001

    Thoughts?

    22 min
  • 7 Episodes

About

For English-speakers living in Germany who are serious about taking their cultural knowledge and language skills to the Next Level: If you want to make the most of life in Germany and become fully integrated as quickly as possible, this is your podcast!

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