Audio

BBC – Freediver Reaches New Depths After Tragedy

Italy’s Alessia Zecchini is the freediving world record holder and was recently subject of a documentary, “The Deepest Breath”. She explains what drives her to pursue such a dangerous and deadly pursuit.

(Listen to full story on the “BBC Sportshour” podcast”)

BBC – A Samurai in Spain

In the small Spanish town of Coria del Río, around 700 residents have the surname “Japón”, which translates to “Japan”. In 2014, the now Emperor of Japan, Naruhito visited the town. To understand why Spanish and Japanese cultures mix here more than pretty much anywhere else in the world, you have to go back to the 17th century, and a samurai named Hasekura Tsunenaga.

(Listen to full story on the “BBC Sportshour” podcast”)

Deutsche Welle – Migrant Women Bring New Flavors to Italian Town

In Modena, Italy –famous for its balsamic vinegar and tortelloni– a restaurant, “Roots”, has opened its doors. The social enterprise employs migrant women as chefs, while also training them in skills necessary to enter the hospitality industry. The first cohort consists of four women, who come from Ghana, Tunisia, Cameroon and Guinea.

(Listen to full story on the “Inside Europe” podcast – begins at 25:37)

Scientific American – When Your Mind Isn’t Able to Picture Anything

Aphantasia is the inability to visualize something in your “mind’s eye.” Researchers are starting to get a sense of how to accurately measure the condition, and what it may mean for those who have it.

(Listen to full story on the “Science, Quickly” podcast)

Are We Europe – The Boys in Berlin

I took a trip down to Grünau — a riverside town about 30 minutes south of Berlin — to discover the place I’d only read about in a book. This episode tells of the 1936 Olympics in Berlin and an improbable gold medal. I also spoke with US Rowing’s, Ben Davison, before his trip to the Tokyo Olympics 2021.

Deutsche Welle – Valencia’s Historic Water Tribunal

Every Thursday at 12pm, a group of eight Valencians—each representing one of the eight canals used for irrigation around Valencia—meets in public at the historic Cathedral to hear new cases regarding illegal uses of water. Many scholars consider to be the oldest legal institution in the world (9th century. They keep no written record, issue fines in a now-defunct currency, and speak purely in the Valencian dialect.

(Listen to full story on the “Inside Europe” podcast – begins at 38:00)

Deutsche Welle – The Rise of Padel

Every Thursday at 12pm, a group of eight Valencians—each representing one of the eight canals used for irrigation around Valencia—meets in public at the historic Cathedral to hear new cases regarding illegal uses of water. Many scholars consider to be the oldest legal institution in the world (9th century. They keep no written record, issue fines in a now-defunct currency, and speak purely in the Valencian dialect.

(Listen to full story on the “Inside Europe” podcast – begins at 46:16)

Are We Europe – On The Street: Berlin

On the streets of Berlin, I asked people one question: “When’s the last time you were very happy?”

Bertelsmann Foundation – Bridging The Atlantic (show)

6-part podcast miniseries that pits our understanding of the transatlantic relationship (US + Europe) over the last several years against ideas from people re-imagining what it should be.

Bertelsmann Foundation – Wisdom of the Crowd (show)

Podcast miniseries that explores the future of transatlantic relations. From democracy and geopolitics to climate change and technology, we take a closer look at the most pressing issues impacting the transatlantic alliance by interviewing top experts and using a strategy of crowd-sourced forecasting.