Common Ground Berlin
Host Soraya Sarhaddi Nelson brings together prominent voices from all walks of life to tackle questions on vital and fascinating topics to increase public awareness and understanding.
- Update frequency
- every 9 days
- Average duration
- 31 minutes
- Episodes
- 148
- Years Active
- 2020 - 2024
DERAILED – The tribulations of European train travel.
In our last episode of 2022, we tackle a topic that is timely, namely rail travel! Except these days, traveling by train in Europe is anything but timely. Host Soraya Sarhaddi Nelson explores what’s …
The war in Ukraine – What’s next?
In this first anniversary episode of Transatlantic Takeaway, a Common Ground Berlin and German Marshall Fund of the United States collaboration, hosts Soraya Sarhaddi Nelson and Rachel Tausendfreund …
A German Conundrum: Dual Citizenship
Host Soraya Sarhaddi Nelson and her guests debate a much anticipated change to an outdated German law that would allow Americans and other non-EU nationals who live in Germany to keep their original …
UN Climate Action Summit 2022 – A venue for meaningful change or empty pledges?
Scores of nations are attending the 27th annual COP in the Egyptian resort town of Sharm-el Sheikh. Host Soraya Sarhaddi Nelson explores what the international gathering will deliver and whether clim…
U.S. Midterm Elections 2022 – The end of American democracy?
Although a record turnout is expected on Nov. 8th, opinion surveys show many Americans no longer trust U.S. elections nor their government. Many Republican voters still embrace the “Big Lie” that Pre…
Live in Amsterdam: The Far-Right Playbook
In Common Ground Berlin’s international debut at Podcastfestival 2022, host Soraya Sarhaddi Nelson and Mick ter Reehorst of Are We Europe broke delve into why the far right is thriving and what role …
Inflation forecast in Europe and how to combat it.
An insightful talk on Twitter Spaces about the current state of inflation in Europe and what the future holds for people and businesses, especially in Berlin. Featuring Soraya Sarhaddi Nelson and gu…
Wilkommen, Maz Jobrani! An Iranian-American comedian does Deutschland.
In this special episode of Common Ground Berlin, host Soraya Sarhaddi Nelson interviews her favorite comedian ahead of his debut in Germany in September.
They talk about performing in Europe and what …
Sea Change or Empty Promises? An update on Germany’s “Zeitenwende.”
In this episode of Transatlantic Takeaway, host Soraya Sarhaddi Nelson examines whether plans announced six months ago by Chancellor Olaf Scholz to revolutionize Germany’s defense strategy are actual…
No Place to Call Home – An update on Berlin’s housing crisis
“Poor, but sexy” Berlin was famous for its cheap rents, but these days, the capital city is the second most expensive in Germany and among the 50 priciest in the world. Host Soraya Sarhaddi Nelson ex…
Money with No Strings Attached – Is “Grundeinkommen” a good idea for Germany?
Times are hard, but is money provided unconditionally by the government the best way to ease the burden? Pilots in three federal states are planned soon to test the feasibility of a universal basic i…
American Football in Germany – Touchdown or Fumble?
Fussball may be king in Germany, but Deutschland is also said to be the biggest market outside of North America for a different football game – the American kind! It’s why the NFL decided to launch i…
Common Ground Berlin Stammtisch, Vol. 2: A Scintillating Look at the News.
How are Germans responding to inflation? Do cheap transit tickets make up for it? And what should we make of President Joe Biden’s handshake diplomacy in the Middle East? Host Soraya Sarhaddi Nelson …
Mobility Blues in 2022: How war and politics affect the way we get around
In this “Transatlantic Takeaway” episode, hosts Soraya Sarhaddi Nelson and Rachel Tausendfreund debate the growing problems with plane, train, car and bike travel in Germany and beyond and government…
Smooth Sailing or Rocky Road? How U.S.-German relations are faring amid the global upheaval
It’s been 18 months since Donald Trump left office, but with one global crisis after another, the relationship between the United States and Germany has not had time to rebound. But does it matter? I…
From Crime to Choice and Back – The Transatlantic Experience with Abortions
Any day now, the Supreme Court of the United States will almost certainly overturn the landmark ruling known as Roe v. Wade. That will make it harder – if not impossible – for women to get abortions …
Exit, Ukraine?
In this “Transatlantic Takeaway” episode, hosts Soraya Sarhaddi Nelson and Rachel Tausendfreund delve into scenarios to end Russian President Vladmir Putin’s war on Ukraine and how the conflict is ch…
The Angst about Denglisch
Handy. Public Viewing. Home Office. Boostern – It’s hard sometimes to tell German from English. But is the incorporation of English into German a bad thing? Host Soraya Sarhaddi Nelson discusses the …
Why Germany loves Winnetou -- An Obsession with Indigenous peoples in the United States
In this special episode, guest host Abigail Megginson examines the widespread use of American Indian imagery in German culture since the 18th century. But is it flattery or racism? Her guests are Ren…
To Weed or not to Weed – Germany’s plan to legalize cannabis
On April 20 – a date associated with marijuana – we hosted a spirited debate on Twitter Space about Germany’s controversial proposal to make personal cannabis use legal for adults.
Host Soraya Sarhadd…