Life in Bosnia – Slow Living & Retirement Reflections

Personal audio postcards from Bosnia to you
  • 0.0 (0)
  • Documentary
  • Updated Weekly

Life in Bosnia – Slow Living & Retirement Reflections is an audio journey into the heart of Bosnia and Herzegovina, seen through the eyes of an Englishman who has made this place his home. Each episode is like a postcard: a small, personal glimpse into life, culture, history, and the beautiful messiness of daily moments. Whether you’re curious about slow living, hidden corners of the Balkans, or what it’s really like to grow older in a new culture, these stories invite you to pause, reflect, and connect. coffeeandrakija.substack.com

  1. Easter, Walking Again and Learning to Slow Down

    Apr 10

    Easter, Walking Again and Learning to Slow Down

    In this episode, I sit down in the studio for a more reflective, radio-style conversation about life here in northern Bosnia and Herzegovina. It’s Orthodox Easter weekend here, and as always, it brings with it food, family, tradition… and a reminder of how different life can be when you choose to live in a country far from where you were born. I talk about: * The difference between Easter in the UK and Bosnia * Village life and traditions (including roast pig and “death by food”) * The recent flooding here in northern Bosnia * Getting back into walking at 73, and feeling it! * A chance encounter with a badger on a quiet country road * Why I’ve removed browsers from my phone * Slowing down, meditation, and the pressure we put on ourselves in later life * Plans for hiking in Zenica next week * And why I’m beginning to think more seriously about legacy, storytelling, and building my own website This is a slower, more personal episode, less about information, more about reflection. If you’ve ever thought about living abroad, slowing down, or simply making sense of life as you get older, you might find something here. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit coffeeandrakija.substack.com/subscribe

    22 min

  2. Mar 31

    How Healthcare Works in Bosnia and Herzegovina

    In this episode, I talk about something I’ve been asked many times over the years, what healthcare is actually like here in Bosnia and Herzegovina, especially as you get older and healthcare becomes a more important part of everyday life. This is not an official guide and I’m certainly not an expert on the healthcare system or immigration law, but I wanted to share my own personal experiences of using the healthcare system here as a resident in Republika Srpska, what I pay into the system each month, and what I receive in return. I talk about how I went from temporary residence to permanent residence, how the healthcare insurance system works, and what happens if you are working, self-employed, retired, or just staying in the country for part of the year. I also explain the difference between public healthcare and private clinics here, because Bosnia really operates on what I would call a hybrid system. I also share a very personal story about breaking my ankle here in the village, the ambulance arriving, being taken through the system, surgery, rehabilitation, and what that whole experience was actually like. Along the way, I compare some of this with experiences in the UK, because many people listening are from Britain and often ask how the two systems compare. Healthcare here is not completely free, it is an insurance-based system, but if you are a resident and you contribute to the health fund, you can access doctors, specialists, hospitals, emergency care and subsidised medication. Many people also use private clinics for speed and specialist consultations because private healthcare here is still very affordable compared to the UK and many other countries. This episode is really just an honest conversation about healthcare, retirement, living abroad, and the practical realities of life in Bosnia and Herzegovina as an older person. If you have questions about living here, residency, daily life, or healthcare, feel free to leave a comment or get in touch, and I’ll try to cover those topics in future episodes. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit coffeeandrakija.substack.com/subscribe

    27 min
  3. An In-Betweener

    Mar 26

    An In-Betweener

    In this episode, I talk openly and honestly about something that has been on my mind recently, what it means to live between two countries, between two identities, and sometimes between other people’s opinions. After a recent visit back to the United Kingdom, I found myself thinking about where I really belong. Am I British? Am I Bosnian? Or am I something in between? I also talk about the reaction to one of my recent videos, the criticism of living abroad while receiving a UK pension, and why retirement, wherever you choose to live, should be about building the best final chapter of your life that you can. This episode is very much a stream of consciousness, thoughts about retirement, immigration, identity, healthcare, lifestyle, and why I believe people should live where they feel happiest, not where others think they should live. If you’ve ever lived abroad, thought about retiring abroad, or wondered what life is really like living in Bosnia and Herzegovina, this episode is for you. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit coffeeandrakija.substack.com/subscribe

    17 min
  4. Life in Bosnia Podcast - The Relaunch

    Mar 24

    Life in Bosnia Podcast - The Relaunch

    In this relaunch episode of the Life in Bosnia podcast, I reflect on turning 73, restarting my creative projects, and what it really means to live between two countries. After a recent trip back to the UK, I talk about feeling like an “in-betweener” — not fully belonging in Britain anymore, but also not originally from Bosnia, the country I have called home for more than 20 years.This episode also explains the future of the Life in Bosnia podcast, the YouTube channel, and the return of the "An Englishman in the Balkans" interviews. Expect stories from daily life, travel around Bosnia and Herzegovina, retirement reflections, hiking adventures, culture, food, and honest observations about life in Southeast Europe.If you have ever wondered what it’s really like to retire abroad, live in Bosnia, or start again later in life, this podcast is for you. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit coffeeandrakija.substack.com/subscribe

    19 min
  5. A Sunday Walk to the River

    Feb 22

    A Sunday Walk to the River

    This episode was recorded on a late winter afternoon, walking down to the river and back. No studio polish. No music. No clever transitions. Just a smartphone, a small DJI microphone with its little wind muff attached (or “spoffle,” as I nearly called it), and a pair of slightly muddy boots that definitely needed cleaning before I stepped back into my tidy studio. I talk about the tractors I call “village taxis,” cleared storm drains after snow, the River Vrbas, and the fields lying bare before spring planting. I reflect on being 73, on starting (and restarting) creative projects, on YouTube ambitions that might only aim for £100 a month — but mean something very real here in Bosnia when converted into local currency. There’s also the familiar thread of village life: plum trees that haven’t fruited properly in years, the hope of distilling domaća šljivovica again, and the quiet privilege of being able to walk two kilometres on a Sunday afternoon and simply talk. This is what I’d sound like if you were staying upstairs in our apartment and we’d just had coffee together before heading down to the river. If you’re listening in London, Toronto, Sydney, or somewhere entirely different, I’d genuinely love to know. Send me a note and tell me where you are. From Bosnia and Herzegovina to your headphones, speaker, or kitchen radio — thank you for giving me your time. Stay safe. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit coffeeandrakija.substack.com/subscribe

    19 min

  6. Jan 28

    Still Here

    Postcards from Bosnia is an audio journey into the heart of Bosnia and Herzegovina, seen through the eyes of an Englishman who has made this place his home. Paid members get access to everything I create, including exclusive podcasts, behind-the-scenes reflections, photo essays, and more that I only share with my inner circle ☕✨Thanks so much in advance. Thank You Thank you for listening to these little slices of my life. If you’d like to get more stories, you can subscribe to my Substack, it’s free, and if you ever want to upgrade to paid but can’t afford it, just email me. I’ll sort it out, no questions asked. Here are 3 questions I have. * What would make you hit “play” on an audio post instead of just reading? * What makes a podcast episode feel personal or meaningful to you? * Would you like me to add audio versions of my blog posts so you can choose how to enjoy them? I’ll give a complimentary subscription to Coffee and Rakija for life for taking the time to answer. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit coffeeandrakija.substack.com/subscribe

    6 min
  7. If Time Wasn’t Unlimited, What Would You Do Differently

    Jan 21

    If Time Wasn’t Unlimited, What Would You Do Differently

    Postcards from Bosnia is an audio journey into the heart of Bosnia and Herzegovina, seen through the eyes of an Englishman who has made this place his home. Paid members get access to everything I create, including exclusive podcasts, behind-the-scenes reflections, photo essays, and more that I only share with my inner circle ☕✨Thanks so much in advance. Thank You Thank you for listening to these little slices of my life. If you’d like to get more stories, you can subscribe to my Substack, it’s free, and if you ever want to upgrade to paid but can’t afford it, just email me. I’ll sort it out, no questions asked. Here are 3 questions I have. * What would make you hit “play” on an audio post instead of just reading? * What makes a podcast episode feel personal or meaningful to you? * Would you like me to add audio versions of my blog posts so you can choose how to enjoy them? I’ll give a complimentary subscription to Coffee and Rakija for life for taking the time to answer. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit coffeeandrakija.substack.com/subscribe

    6 min
  8. Why Older People Are Talking to AI

    Jan 17

    Why Older People Are Talking to AI

    I’ve been watching retirement and over-70s content on YouTube recently, and something began to quietly trouble me. Many of the most popular videos aren’t made by people at all. They’re created by AI. And yet older viewers are watching, commenting, and sharing deeply personal stories, often speaking into what is, in reality, a silence. This isn’t a programme about technology. It’s a reflection on aging, loneliness, and what it means to be heard in later life. From my garden in northern Bosnia and Herzegovina, I talk about why calm AI voices feel familiar, why they feel safe, and why so many older people are reaching out, not because they’re gullible, but because they’re human. Because we still want to be seen. And we still want to matter. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit coffeeandrakija.substack.com/subscribe

    5 min
See All (33)

Trailer

About

Life in Bosnia – Slow Living & Retirement Reflections is an audio journey into the heart of Bosnia and Herzegovina, seen through the eyes of an Englishman who has made this place his home. Each episode is like a postcard: a small, personal glimpse into life, culture, history, and the beautiful messiness of daily moments. Whether you’re curious about slow living, hidden corners of the Balkans, or what it’s really like to grow older in a new culture, these stories invite you to pause, reflect, and connect. coffeeandrakija.substack.com

Information