Welcome to another issue of URSA, Europe’s audio magazine! In this first section you’ll hear the latest news headlines from Europe, including updates on the Dutch Donald Trump’s victory in the country’s latest elections, the outcry against domestic violence in Italy, and new smoking bans in France. You’ll also hear climate updates, including how the Dutch Donald Trump winning the elections poses a danger to climate efforts in Europe, the realities of Black Friday waste, toxic eggs in Paris and some inspiring news from the UK. In the second section, you’ll hear two fantastic original pieces ..read more

Issue 24: December 2023 In this section we bring you two fantastic original pieces from Berlin-based producers. The first piece comes from Bear Radio School Alum Husna Chhoangalia and her brand new podcast I Didn’t See It, where she is joined by sports journalits Shireen Ahmed to explore the Hijab ban in French Football and the exclusivity of secularism. The second piece comes from And All That Jazz, a series by Kaodi Alum and Refuge Worldwide. In this episode, Kaodi shares the history of Jazz music in Germany and the musicians that defined the genre on both sides of the Berlin Wall. Our the ..read more

Issue 24: December 2023 What’s more festive than a Christmas Market? Literally NOTHING. In this episode, we’re talking all things Christmas Markets, from warm bevs to chestnuts, sausages and stews. Will, Jill and Julia take themselves out for a cheery evening at the RAW Gelande Medieval Christma Market, where they stay warm by sipping Glühwein and watching a fantastic fireshow and axe throwing. But Glühwein isn’t the only treat on offer at Berlin’s dozens of Christmas markets - the team discuss their favorite snacks and sweets to try. Christmas Markets mentioned in this episode: Medieval C ..read more

Issue 24: December 2023 Anastasia Pilepchuk is a Berlin-based artist with Buryat roots. She creates many beautiful things, but it is her masks, or rather, facial adornments that have garnered the intrigue and appreciation from many, the world over. Julia Joubert speaks with Anastasia to find out more about her beaded, spiked, mirrored and laced creations, as the artist shares how her ancestry, life and love of nature birthed the works we see today. Our theme music is from Lucas Carey, with audio from Epidemic Sound. Cover art by Sian Amber Fletcher. This episode is brought to you by Bear Ra ..read more

Welcome to another issue of URSA, Europe’s audio magazine! In this first section you’ll hear the latest news headlines from Europe, including updates on the ongoing war in Gaza and Germany’s response. We also share audio from a recent Pro-Palestine demo we attended in Berlin. You’ll also hear climate updates from outside of Europe, looking at armed violence and its impact on climate change. In the second section, you’ll hear two fantastic original pieces. The first piece comes from Asian Provocation, where producer and host Ayoto speaks to Professor Lara Sheehi and Professor Stephen Sheehi ..read more

Issue 23: November 2023 In this section we bring you two fantastic original pieces. The first piece comes from Asian Provocation, where producer and host Ayoto speaks to Professor Lara Sheehi and Professor Stephen Sheehi, authors of the book Psychoanalysis Under Occupation. Together they reflect on settler colonialism and violence, and the discourses of "normalization," "trauma," "resilience" around those affected. The second piece comes from the team behind The Palestine Podcast, a series from the Ireland-Palestine Solidarity Campaign that showcases lectures, talks and interviews featuring ..read more

Issue 23: November 2023 There is truly nothing quite like growing or foraging your own food! Replacing the supermarket frozen section with Berlin’s magical forests, Julia teams up with fungi enthusiast and foraging hobbyist, Hanna, to go mushroom hunting for their dinner. Hanna shares her extensive knowledge on mushrooms in Brandenburg, advice for novice foragers, the do’s and don’t of ethical harvesting and much more. Then stick around to listen in as Julia brings back her bounty to cook with Jill and our food correspondent Will Maidment. Mushroom Advice in Berlin & Brandenburg: In Ber ..read more

Issue 23: November 2023 In the Culture section URSA we bring you arts and culture from the heart of Berlin! The Barbaren Barbies is an all woman circus based in Berlin, and we headed to their most recent show, ‘The Wild Women Circus,’ at Zirkus Mond in October. Jill speaks with the troupe’s resident clown extraordinaire, Nicole Ratjen, about her love for clowning, performing, and working with the Barbaren Barbies. Next, we hear an enticing September event roundup curated by Alice O’Brien, including: Berlin science week Dark Matter RSO birthday party ROMY Yves Tumour Energy drinks and bisexu ..read more

Issue 23: November 2023 Kera, aka Christian Hinz, a Berlin-based muralist, has been designing and painting beautiful facades for more than 23 years. Julia met with him at his studio in Berlin to discuss his start ingraffiti as a teenager, the influence of graphic design on his work, his distinguishable blue-grey-yellow colour palette, his favourite muraling experiences and more. Check out Kera's work and upcomign exhibitions at his website and follow him on Instragram @kera.1 Our theme music is from Lucas Carey, with audio from Epidemic Sound. Cover art by Sian Amber Fletcher. This episode ..read more

Issue 22: October 2023 The leaves are falling, the wind is blowing in, and with it comes the delicious aroma of all things comfort. In our instance? Dumplings! The earliest records of the existence of dumplings come from the Han Dynasty era in China - around 2000 years ago, so this month we headed to the one place we knew we could get our hands on a tasty Chinese Dumpling - Wok Show. Jill, Julia and their partners make their way through 80 filled dumplings while chatting about the proper way to eat the doughy parcel, soy sauce vs vinegar and if Ravioli could be considered a dumpling. We mig ..read more