Charlotte In Berlin

Call the Ref, She’s Travelling!

Your girl has been on the go. I've been seeing lots of cities recently: some I've never been to before, and some I've loved dearly. In the past few weeks I got to show my home city of London to someone who had never been before, went to Copenhagen for the first time, revisited Paris with an old friend, and more.
Here are my guides to spending day in Paris, Berlin, Copenhagen, London, and finally, New York City. I hope you enjoy! (Timestamps below)
Digressions include the garbage flooding the streets of Paris, where to spot Berlin influencers in the wild, the dangers of TikTok restaurant reviews, cosplaying an exec in New York City, and where to find the PERFECT Vivienne Westwood corset top of your coquette girl dreams...
Paris 7:42
Berlin 25:12
Copenhagen 38:36
London 49:04
New York 1:03
City guides in my Instagram bio: @charlotteinberlin
 

Nudist Nation

Today I'm talking all things German nudism. Last week, Berlin officially allowed all women to bathe topless at public pools, a massive win for the culture at large.
After a trip to a co-ed sauna which shocked my little anglophone brain, I wanted to learn more about the Freikörperkultur, or Free Body Culture, which originated in the late 19th century. These origins are shrouded in mystery and debate, but the German tradition of nudism interacted with Victorian custom, gymnastics, Nazi eugenics, freedom under restrictive regimes, and of course, the desire to desexualize the human body. I end by exploring how some see German nudism to be dwindling, and tensions between FKK traditionalists and more progressive forms of nudism. 
Digressions include an extensive Oscars review and some thoughts on the Jonathan Groff-ification of Sam Claflin...

From Bauhaus To IKEA To That One Curly Instagram Mirror

This week I go into the history and legacy of world-famous German design (think wire armchairs and sans-serif fonts). Inspired by a very *aesthetically pleasing* trip to Copenhagen, I explore how and why the famous Bauhaus school, shut by the Nazis in 1933, left such a long-lasting impact on design and architecture. I discuss where we see Bauhaus in everyday life, from IKEA to the iPhone, and even to the viral algorithm-chic items – like twisty candles and that one famous pink curly mirror you've definitely seen. 
 
Digressions include the terrors of "fast homeware", my favorite ways to shop in Copenhagen, the horrors of assembling the IKEA MALM dresser, and the coldest of takes about "The Communist Manifesto"...
 
(yes I do know IKEA is Swedish not Danish but the Scandi vibes r strong ok)

Growing Pains

hallo, we are back!
I’ve been feeling more than a little reflective recently. As my time in Berlin just hit its halfway mark, I wanted to share a little about what I’ve learned moving somewhere new. This episode is for anyone in their early-to-mid-twenties, anyone experiencing a big life transition, or anyone struggling with simply the weight of it all. I go into making friends as a “grown-up”, finding a daily routine, navigating career anxiety and what to do when your emotions feel too overwhelming. I am learning more every day about how to be a person and hopefully some of my musings bring you comfort in the Great Unknown.
Above all, the main takeaway from this episode is to be kind to yourself even when that feels impossible.
 
(Also I had to edit out a fifteen-minute rant about how amazing Tár was, but please dm me at @charlotteinberlin on Instagram if you've seen it because we NEED to discuss)

Welcome to Berghain

*shockingly, the title was clickbait*
This week I'm bringing you a deep dive into techno music in Berlin, from its beginnings in Detroit to the mythic dance floors of the Berlin techno bunkers. I discuss interviews with the founders of the world's most famous clubs like Tresor and Watergate, and with Berlin's first techno DJs. Most importantly, I go into how techno music became one of the most important forces in the reunification of Berlin and of Germany.
Digressions include tales from a co-ed (!!) sauna and an unexpected new favourite music genre...

Send In The Tanks (A Brief Episode About Ukraine)

hallo leute 
This week I am talking about Germany and the US's decisions to send tanks to the Ukraine. I ask why tanks are so important when they were invented over 100 years ago, and discuss why Germany and the US waited so long to send them to combat. I also dive into the potential historical tensions swirling around Germany's decision, and ways you can help the war effort.
Digressions are (predictably) mostly about Paul Mescal, but also recap a concert that was *straight fire* and a nostalgic moment involving air forces and meal deals... (go listen to Kofi Stone right after the episode pleeease)

Dead Pronouns Society

Masc cheese? Femme potatoes? How do we navigate German's built-in gender binary?
This week, I go into how Germany grapples with their lack of clear non-binary gender pronouns. I discuss how Germany voted against using gender-neutral terms in government, why making up new words in German is super hard, and ask how language still reflects a patriarchal hierarchy? Digressions include a Freudian relationship to Angela Merkel and antics at Roman bars…

Pitchfork Gave This Episode a Ten

Let's discuss some of my favorite albums of 2014 – sorry, I mean 2022. While I am by no means a music expert or journalist, I love thinking about how music fits into our larger cultural landscape.
While artists like the Arctic Monkeys and the 1975 brought us into a new era of Tumblr-girl resurgence, others gave us some truly groundbreaking albums (MOTOMAMI, RENAISSANCE). Digressions include Taylor Swift as a capitalist machine and Matty Healy eating raw steak...

The Fashion One

The Fashion One. We dive into the history of Berlin's vibrant fashion scene from prohibition to punk, and what people are loving in the city today. I discuss shopping as a feminist networking tool, introduce my personal style crisis, and reaffirm how the Second World War made everything so much worse. Digressions include a discussion of "babycore" and a fated encounter with a Berlin influencer...
 

The Start of Something New

Welcome to Charlotte in Berlin! In this episode I introduce myself and my favorite (and least favorite) things in Berlin so far.
Follow along your girl's journey through the pod: as she navigates the epic highs and lows of a new city, waxes lyrical on identity crises galore, and shares some insights on The Culture.
Digressions include Berlin's best bar, Bumble friends gone wrong, trying to act chill next to Peggy Gou at brunch, and the pitfalls of environmental menstrual products...