Understanding Train Station
Episodes
2 Years Later: Life Update on Dating, Citizenship, and Moving
21 Mar 2026
Contributed by Lukas
More than 2 years after we recorded the last podcast episode, Josh and Felli finally sat down for a much-needed life update! 😊RELATED PODCAST EPISO...
EP78: The Final Stop
09 Nov 2023
Contributed by Lukas
All good things must come to an end. Like many cliche phrases, however annoying they may be, they are often true. After over 70 episodes, Josh’s mo...
EP77: Finding a Job in Germany vs. USA
01 Sep 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Go to https://try.lingoda.com/UTS_BacktoSchool and use our code UTS25 for 25% off the first two months of your Lingoda subscription (after the free t...
EP76: In Germany, We Don't Say... ft. Liam Carpenter
04 Aug 2023
Contributed by Lukas
You know him from TikTok, Instagram, or YouTube Shorts as the guy in the grey tracksuit, the crossbody bag, and the Birkenstocks. Liam Carpenter is or...
EP75: A German Actor in Hollywood ft. Aramis Merlin
22 Jul 2023
Contributed by Lukas
++German speaking part from 01:18:35 to 01:24:57++ What's it really like trying to make it as an actor in Hollywood? And as a non-native English s...
Message from Feli
07 Jul 2023
Contributed by Lukas
*NO EPISODE THIS WEEK* Hey guys! Unfortunately, we didn't get to record a new episode for you this week (due to the time issue we mentioned last t...
EP74: Getting Nostalgic & Answering Your Questions
22 Jun 2023
Contributed by Lukas
You guys submitted your questions for us on Instagram and we picked a wild mix of questions for today's Q&A episode! From funny curse words to...
EP73: New Country, New Things
09 Jun 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Moving to a new country also means getting used to new customs, different products, and doing a lot of things for the very first time. In this episod...
EP72: Growing up German in the Midwest feat. Lena
25 May 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Almost two years ago, we got to interview Josh’s high school German teacher, Christine, about her experiences moving to the U.S., teaching German i...
EP71: On the Streets of Cincinnati - We Asked Your Questions!
11 May 2023
Contributed by Lukas
+Unfortunately, Josh's mic sounds a little muffled in this episode, sorry about that!+ After a short hiatus, Josh and Feli are back with another e...
EP70: Friendships & Social Life in Germany vs. USA
13 Apr 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Living abroad can be one of the most amazing experiences, but it’s not always sunshine and rainbows. While the topic normally takes a back seat to ...
EP69: On The Streets of Munich - We Asked Your Questions!
02 Apr 2023
Contributed by Lukas
If you follow us on Instagram (@understandingtrainstation) you know this episode has been in the pipeline because a few weeks back we asked you all wh...
EP68: Y’all Talk Funny! Guessing YOUR Accents and Dialects - Pt. 7
16 Mar 2023
Contributed by Lukas
While we were both in Munich we tried to make the most of our time together and record as much for you as possible and that, of course, includes a dia...
EP67: Expect the Unexpected - Culture Shocks That Surprised Us
02 Mar 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Greetings from Munich! Even though Feli's trip came with some complications, she made it home and we got to record an episode in person for you! Grant...
EP66: Our Visa Stories (Doing It The Legal Way)
16 Feb 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Go to https://try.lingoda.com/UTS_Sprint_Challenge and use our code UTS2023 to get 20€ ($25) off your deposit when signing up for the Lingoda Sprint...
EP65: "Work to Live" or "Live to Work"?
26 Jan 2023
Contributed by Lukas
When it comes to adulting, one thing is inevitable - we have to work. Whether you have a 9-5, do shiftwork, or are self-employed, we all have our own ...
EP64: From U.S. Farm Country to the German Bicycle Mecca feat. The Black Forest Family
12 Jan 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Go to https://try.lingoda.com/UTS_LanguageWins and use our code WINWITHUTS to get 20€ ($25) off your deposit when signing up for the Lingoda Sprint!...
EP63: Christmas Live Stream
23 Dec 2022
Contributed by Lukas
++Good audio quality starts at 00:07:02++ For the last episode of the year, we decided to make it extra special! 😊🎄 So we got cozy in front of t...
EP62: An International Love Story feat. Joss and Janik
01 Dec 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Go to https://try.lingoda.com/UTS_Dec and use our code UTSWINTER to get 20€ ($25) off your deposit when signing up for the Lingoda Sprint! #sprint20...
EP61: Q&A - Midterms, World Cup, Celebrity Encounters and More!
18 Nov 2022
Contributed by Lukas
You asked - we answered! It's time for another Q&A episode and this time, we covered everything from serious topics such as the midterm elections ...
EP60: South of the Equator. Brazilian Identity, Language and Travel Tips feat. Matheus
03 Nov 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Go to https://try.lingoda.com/UTS_Sprint_Nov and use our code SPRINTUTS to get 20€ ($25) off your deposit when signing up for the Lingoda Sprint! #s...
EP59: Oktoberfest & La Dolce Vita feat. Ben
21 Oct 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Go to https://try.lingoda.com/UTS_SprintChallenge and use our code UTS2022 to get 20€ ($25) off your deposit when signing up for the Lingoda Sprint!...
EP58: Stars, Stripes, Soccer – Patriotism in Germany vs. the US
06 Oct 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Go to https://try.lingoda.com/UTS_SprintChallenge and use our code UTS2022 to get 20€ ($25) off your deposit when signing up for the Lingoda Sprint!...
EP57: Y’all Talk Funny! Guessing YOUR Accents and Dialects - Pt. 6
23 Sep 2022
Contributed by Lukas
▸Go to https://try.lingoda.com/UTS_LanguageSprint and use our code UTS09 to get 20€ ($25) off your deposit when signing up for the Lingoda Sprint!...
EP56: Reverse Culture Shock - When Home Becomes Foreign
09 Sep 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Go to https://try.lingoda.com/UTS_LanguageSprint and use our code UTS09 to get 20€ ($25) off your deposit when signing up for the Lingoda Sprint! #s...
EP55: How to Spend a Summer - Cincinnati vs. Munich
11 Aug 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Go to https://try.lingoda.com/Sprint-UTS and use our code TRAINSTATION to get 20€ ($25) off your deposit when signing up for the Lingoda Sprint! #sp...
EP54: From Cincinnati to Vienna and Berlin - Stories of an International Student feat. Sarah
29 Jul 2022
Contributed by Lukas
++German speaking part 1:37:47 - 1:44:25 - English subtitles available YouTube!++ Go to https://try.lingoda.com/UTS_July and use our code UTSJULY to g...
EP53: Q&A - Tricky Words, Fashion Differences, Gun Control and More!
14 Jul 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Go to https://try.lingoda.com/UTS_July and use our code UTSJULY to get 20€ ($25) off your deposit when signing up for the Lingoda Sprint! #sprint202...
EP52: Getting Settled Smoothly (& Happy Pride!) feat. Jen & Yvonne from Simple Germany
30 Jun 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Go to https://try.lingoda.com/UTS_June and use our code UTSJUNE to get 20€ ($25) off your deposit when signing up for the Lingoda Sprint! #sprint202...
EP51: Where We Come From - Ancestry, Ethnicity and Racism in Germany and the U.S.
16 Jun 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Go to https://try.lingoda.com/UTS_June and use our code UTSJUNE to get 20€ ($25) off your deposit when signing up for the Lingoda Sprint! #sprint202...
EP50: From Ukraine to Germany - When War Forces One to Leave Home feat. Anna
03 Jun 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Go to https://try.lingoda.com/UTS_June and use our code UTSJUNE to get 20€ ($25) off your deposit when signing up for the Lingoda Sprint! #sprint202...
EP49: The Mystery of Eurovision & German vs. American Restaurant Culture
20 May 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Go to https://try.lingoda.com/UnderstandingTrainStation and use our code UTSMAY to get 20€ ($25) off your deposit when signing up for the Lingoda Sp...
EP48: Let's Speak Some German!
06 May 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Go to https://try.lingoda.com/UnderstandingTrainStation and use our code UTSMAY to get 20€ ($25) off your deposit when signing up for the Lingoda Sp...
EP47: On The Road! Driving in Germany vs. USA
21 Apr 2022
Contributed by Lukas
.What's it like to drive on the Autobahn? What's up with all those stop signs in the US? And why does the German driver's license cost so much? In thi...
EP46: Y'all talk funny! Guessing YOUR accents & dialects - Pt. 5
07 Apr 2022
Contributed by Lukas
You guys know the drill! It's mandatory for us to record at least one dialect guessing episode every time we get to record together in person - even t...
EP45: 100k Dollars Debt After College?! Money & Finances in Germany vs. USA
24 Mar 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Josh was back in Cincinnati for two weeks, so we got to record a couple of episodes in person 🥳 And we finally got to talk about a topic that we've...
EP44: Friday Night Lights in a Quaint German Town feat. NALF
10 Mar 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Moving to Germany to play American Football? Might sound crazy but our guest NALF did exactly that! Originally from Portland, Oregon, he now lives in ...
EP43: From Sunny Australia to Running in Shorts in Munich feat. Lachlan
24 Feb 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Do you miss Vegemite? How have you been dealing with German weather? Do people mistake you for a Brit? These are just some of the questions that you g...
EP42: The Super Bowl & American Sports Culture
10 Feb 2022
Contributed by Lukas
For the first time in over 30 years, the Cincinnati Bengals made it to the Super Bowl and are going to play the Los Angeles Rams on Sunday, February 1...
EP41: Y'all talk funny! We react to YOUR dialects - Pt. 4
27 Jan 2022
Contributed by Lukas
It’s dialect guessing time! You guys sent us a voice recording of YOUR German or English accent/dialect and we're going to guess what you’re sayin...
EP40: Josh in Germany - One Year Later
13 Jan 2022
Contributed by Lukas
One year ago, Josh packed up his things in Cincinnati and moved to Munich for work. Just a few days after he arrived, he and Feli sat together in this...
EP39: Return of a Legend - Interview and Life Update from Niklas
24 Dec 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Try Lingoda with an exclusive discount of up to 40% off with our link: https://try.lingoda.com/Dec_UTS #lingoda202112 All good things must come to an ...
EP38: Q&A - German Dating Services, the Lottery, Visas, and More!
09 Dec 2021
Contributed by Lukas
+++Subtitles available for German part at 39:17-41:16+++ Try Lingoda with an exclusive discount of up to 40% off with our link: https://try.lingoda.co...
EP37: When Kiwi Culture Meets Germany feat. Antoinette Emily
25 Nov 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Try Lingoda with an exclusive discount of up to 40% off with our link: https://try.lingoda.com/Nov_UTS #lingoda202111 A German and a Kiwi meet in a ba...
EP36: No Humor vs. Fast Food? We react to the biggest clichés about Germany and the US
11 Nov 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Go to https://try.lingoda.com/Nov-UTS and use our code UTS30 to get 30% off the Lingoda Marathon course or the first months of your monthly subscripti...
EP35: Halloween
29 Oct 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Go to https://bit.ly/UTS-Lingoda-Oct and use our code UTS30 to get 30% off the Lingoda Marathon course or the first months of your monthly subscriptio...
EP34: La vie avec les boches - From France to Munich feat. Laetitia & Chloé
14 Oct 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Sign up for the Lingoda Sprint here by October 15 ▸ https://bit.ly/Sprint-UTS and use the code CHAMP21 to save 20€/25USD on the deposit! (Terms an...
EP33: Y'all talk funny! We're guessing YOUR dialects - Pt. 3
30 Sep 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Sign up for the Lingoda Sprint here by October 15 ▸ https://bit.ly/Sprint-UTS and use the code CHAMP21 to save 20€/25USD on the deposit! (Terms an...
EP32: The Name of the Game - How German Federal Elections Work
16 Sep 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Sign up for the Lingoda Sprint here by October 15 ▸ https://bit.ly/Sprint-UTS and use the code CHAMP21 to save 20€/25USD on the deposit! (Terms an...
EP31: Q&A - German patriotism, living expenses, how our parents reacted to us moving abroad & more!
02 Sep 2021
Contributed by Lukas
+++German-speaking sections: 00:35:32 - 00:42:26 and 00:50:15 - 00:54:08. English subtitles available on YouTube for that part! Just activate them on ...
EP30: Y'all talk funny! We're listening to YOUR dialects
19 Aug 2021
Contributed by Lukas
A while back we asked you all to send us voice messages of you speaking your dialect/regional accents! We were overwhelmed with the number of messages...
EP29: Where It All Began - An Interview with Josh's High School German Teacher
05 Aug 2021
Contributed by Lukas
+++German-speaking section: From 00:43:08 to 00:47:48. Subtitles in German and English available for that part.+++ How did you learn German? Why do yo...
EP28: Burgers, Football, Hollywood - American Culture in Germany
22 Jul 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Sign up for the Lingoda Sprint here by July 26 ▸http://bit.ly/LingodaxUTS_Sprint and use the code FAST47 to save 20€/25USD on the first month's tu...
EP27: A Brit in Germany feat. Rachel Stewart [DW Meet the Germans]
08 Jul 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Interview goes from 15:54 to 1:14:08. Sign up for the Lingoda Sprint here by July 16 ▸http://bit.ly/LingodaxUTS_Sprint and use the code FAST47 to sa...
EP26: Different Personalities in Different Languages?
24 Jun 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Shop our merch! :)▸https://felifromgermany.com/ Sign up for the Lingoda Sprint here by July 16 ▸http://bit.ly/LingodaxUTS_Sprint and use the code ...
EP25: A German at a British Boarding School feat. Clemens
10 Jun 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Sign up for the Lingoda Sprint here by July 16 (June 24 for the early bird offer!)▸http://bit.ly/LingodaxUTS_Sprint and use the code FAST47 to save ...
EP24: Get Schooled - Education in Germany vs. USA
27 May 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Have you ever wondered how different countries handle educating the next generation? It’s easy to forget that things are done differently in differe...
EP23: Josh in Germany Pt. 2
13 May 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Josh moved from Cincinnati to Munich at the beginning of the year! In episode 13, we asked you to send us questions to the "future" Josh and now it's ...
EP22: We need to talk about "The Sound of Music"!
29 Apr 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Young women are called Fräulein, Austrians eat Schnitzel with noodles, and the song "Edelweiss" is their national anthem?! These and many more ...
EP21: Y’all speak funny! We react to YOUR dialects
22 Apr 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Sign up for the Lingoda Sprint here by April 23▸http://bit.ly/UTC_SprintLC and use the code CHANGE124 to save 10€/12USD on the first month's tuiti...
EP20: Vietnam - USA - Germany. Living & Studying in 3 Countries feat. Hien
15 Apr 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Sign up for the Lingoda Sprint here by April 16▸http://bit.ly/UTS_Lingoda and use the code CHANGE112 to save 10€/12USD on the deposit (49€/59USD...
EP19: German Culture in the USA. How authentic is it really?
08 Apr 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Sign up for the Lingoda Sprint here by April 16▸http://bit.ly/UTS_Lingoda and use the code CHANGE112 to save 10€/12USD on the deposit (49€/59USD...
EP18: Expat Podcasters United feat. Geoff & Alex from the AGDW podcast
01 Apr 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Sign up for the Lingoda Sprint here by April 16▸http://bit.ly/UTS_Lingoda and use the code CHANGE112 to save 10€/12USD on the deposit (49€/59USD...
EP17: Cuckoo Clocks, Teen Pregnancies and our Non-Existent Acting Careers - Q&A
25 Feb 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Since you guys ask us so many questions in the comments and via dm and email, we decided to dedicate a whole episode to answering them! We touched on ...
EP16: Adventures of a German Hotel Manager Around the World feat. Marco Foelske
18 Feb 2021
Contributed by Lukas
What's it like to work where other people go on vacation? Marco Foelske knows the answer because he's been working in the hospitality business his who...
EP15: Do we speak the same language? Dialects & accents in the US and Germany
04 Feb 2021
Contributed by Lukas
In this week's episode, we take a trip through the crazy and confusing world of accents and dialects in both the U.S. and Germany. What is the differe...
EP14: A German with the American Dream - Football and College Life feat. Daniel
28 Jan 2021
Contributed by Lukas
A Munich native who lives in Cincinnati? Nope, we're not talking about Feli and even though our guest ended up in the same city as her, he has a very ...
EP13: Josh in Germany - Moving During a Pandemic
21 Jan 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Josh is in Munich! :) In this week’s episode, we talk about Josh’s move to Germany, what that process looked like, some of the challenges that COV...
EP12: Tequila, Friendships, Safety - Life between Mexico, Germany, and the US feat. Seymer
14 Jan 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Today's guest Seymer is originally from Mexico but lived in Germany for a couple of years for college and work and then moved to the US. We wanted to ...
EP11: "That's not the yellow from the egg!" Our Favorite German and American Colloquialisms
07 Jan 2021
Contributed by Lukas
What's up with Germans talking about the yellow from the egg and leaving the church in the village? And what does it mean when Americans talk about ca...
EP10: Have a Good Slide - New Year's Eve in the U.S. and Germany
31 Dec 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Whether you celebrate with lead pouring and fireworks or by watching the ball drop in New York while singing Auld Lang Syne, New Year's Eve is upon us...
EP9: Growing up between the US and Germany feat. Jay Samuelz
17 Dec 2020
Contributed by Lukas
What's it like to grow up in both Germany and the USA? That's what we talked about with this week's guest Jay Samuelz, a successful Youtuber, filmmake...
EP8: Christmas Traditions in the US vs. Germany (Are St. Nikolaus and Santa Claus the same?!)
17 Dec 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Lighting a candle each Sunday, opening a "door" every morning, and putting a shoe in front of your door on December 5th? These are some of many many G...
EP7: From India to the USA - Experiences of an International Student feat. Sheffi
03 Dec 2020
Contributed by Lukas
It’s time for another interview! In this episode, we expand our conversation beyond the U.S. and Germany and have our good friend Sheffi from India ...
EP6: Thanksgiving - American Traditions, History, and German Equivalent?
26 Nov 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Happy Thanksgiving everyone! Since Thanksgiving is such a major holiday in the US, we decided to dedicate a whole episode to this day. We talk about h...
EP5: Our Language Learning Stories
19 Nov 2020
Contributed by Lukas
How did Josh become fluent in German? Why doesn't Feli sound like a typical German when speaking English? What are our tips for learning a second lang...
EP4: Work-Life & Office Culture feat. Niklas (and life update from Josh!)
12 Nov 2020
Contributed by Lukas
30 days of paid vacation, making business deals on the golf course, and sending text messages instead of professional emails? These topics and many mo...
Bonus Episode: Eating, Recycling, and Cleaning Habits
09 Nov 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Since our last episode (EP3) on homes and household habits in Germany and the United States was a really long one, we shortened it a little. In this b...
EP3: Homes and Household Habits (and what's up with those German guest slippers?!)
05 Nov 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Ceiling fans, air vents, and garbage disposals in the US vs. drying racks, missing doorknobs, and miracle windows in Germany. There are a lot of diffe...
EP2: Adulting 2.0 - Life Outside of the Classroom
29 Oct 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Grocery shopping, driving, getting gas, or – once again – using a public bathroom all seem like simple, everyday tasks. Until you have to do them ...
EP1: Introduction and First Culture Shocks (and way too much bathroom talk!)
22 Oct 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Who are we? Why does Josh speak German so well? Why did Feli move to the US? What’s the story behind all that? And what were our very first culture ...