The journey to life in Germany is paved with challenges. Finding a job, a flat with Anmeldung, a Kita for the kids, so much so that you might forget about learning the language altogether.

This interview with André Silva, language teacher at Expath, is supposed to motivate you to take this one extra step to enable you to confidently participate in conversations at the Biergarten. And to say something else outside "genau".

Here are the topics we discuss:

- Hope and motivation for you out there

- André's journey from not speaking the language to now training German teachers

- The difference between classroom German and everyday German

- Should you start learning the language before or after moving to Germany?

- Will you learn German intuitively or is it better to have classes?

- Should you learn within an intensive course or as a regular activity?

- Can you get by without speaking German in Germany?

- What might you be missing out on if you don't speak German?

Learn more about Expath's German classes here!

This episode is an interview with Tia Robinson, co-founder of Expath to discuss everything you need to know about accessing a visa or a residence permit for Germany. As I am an EU citizen and never had to go through this process, Tia joins me to share her experience not only as a US citizen, but also as the co-founder of Expath, a relocation and language course company based in Berlin.

- What's the difference between a visa and a residence permit?

- What are the requirements to obtain a residence permit in Germany?

- What are the different kinds of residence permit in Germany?

- How long does it take to get a residence permit in Germany?

- Tia's tips to prepare for the worst-case scenario of not getting your residence permit on time to start working

- Should the entire family move together or is it better for one parent / spouse to move first and the rest of the family reunifies afterwards?

- What should freelancers have in mind when applying for a residence permit?

- What kind of savings should you plan to have to obtain a residence permit as a freelancer?

- How can Expath help future immigrants to Germany and when should you get in touch with them to prepare your application?

Contact Expath if you need assistance with your residence permit!

Get in touch with Baby in Berlin if you are moving to Germany as a family and need help with family paperwork!

In this episode I am joined by Shanay Rocker, a Doula in Berlin who has been practicing placenta encapsulation for years. Together we look at some of the myths and legends surrounding placenta encapsulation, as well as answering some common questions on how to go about it if you're thinking of having some placenta capsules of your own.

Here are the topics we cover:

- what exactly is placenta encapsulation?

- how does it work from a practical perspective?

- do hospitals allow to take your placenta with you in Germany?

- which precautions do you have to take if you want to keep your placenta?

- what are the benefits of placenta capsules?

Whether you're curious about this process or if you're thinking about it for yourself, have a listen and let us know if you have any further questions on the topic!