Coffee Talks: Curated picks from Berlin's ecosystem

Coffee Talks are part of Handpicked Careers, our Thursday newsletter focused on jobs, community, and Berlin’s tech ecosystem. Each guest is invited to suggest three different things to the readers — usually a place, media and a wildcard. These entries are invited guests and are not paid.

The numbers next to the name mean the newsletter issue where the guest was featured.

You can explore the collection chronologically or jump to a specific contributor using the table of contents below. A click on the name will bring you back to the top. Enjoy!

This page includes affiliate links, which are marked with an asterisk (*). Your purchase will support this project at no additional cost to you.

For my personal recommendations, have a look here.

Plamen Pasliev is the man behind the charts (if you are on Instagram, you probably have seen some) and a 3x weekly newsletter called Berlin News Daily. It’s a curated collection of news in English with events of the week. Check it out. Here is what he prepared for you:

Bar Bobu - One of my favourite bars in Berlin. It’s cosy, the staff and crowd there are nice. They have different live music shows multiple times per week. If you like jazz, soul or blues, you should check them out.
Lex Fridman Podcast - I’m a big fan of podcasts, and this is one of my favourites. Lex is a former ML researcher at MIT who now interviews some of the most successful people out there. If you’re wondering where to start, some recent episodes I liked were with Pavel Durov (Telegram’s CEO) and Demis Hassabis (DeepMind).
Language Reactor - I recently found this free Chrome extension and I love it. Works great for improving your German vocabulary. It makes any YouTube or Netflix video into a language lesson. You get both English and German subtitles and can look up and save unknown words. It also tells you which words are not common, so you can focus on the ones that actually matter!

Isabelle Bedê, Späti Stories (#186)

Isabelle Bedê is a good friend and a co-founder of Späti Stories, a newsletter about interesting personalities in the city. We’ve done video interviews before on my socials, and I can totally recommend working with her if you’re looking for someone in content. Here is what she prepared for you:

Chapters Berlin - A former butcher shop transformed into a cosy English bookshop in Moabit. With thoughtful curation and a welcoming atmosphere, it’s worth a visit. They also host community events.
The Stories of Your Life and Others - The best book I read this year. As a sci-fi enthusiast, I’d never read Ted Chiang before. Now I am a fan. This collection of short stories includes “Story of Your Life,” which inspired the movie Arrival. Every story felt perfectly crafted—the right length for character development, making its point while keeping me hooked.
Berliner Unterwelten tours - You’ve probably heard of them, maybe even taken a tour. But if you haven’t yet, you should. And if you have? Take another one. These are the most passionate, history-rich tours I’ve experienced in Berlin.

Lisa Vannini, Tasty Pet Food (#185)

Lisa Vannini is coming from my Berlin food/D2C bubble. She just launched Tasty Pet Food together with her co-founder. It’s something your dog will appreciate. Here is what she prepared for you:

Muret la Barba - A small Italian restaurant in Mitte that has felt like home from day one in Berlin. It’s the kind of place you can always drop into spontaneously. Relaxed, welcoming, and full of character. The people are incredibly kind, the wine selection is outstanding, and the food never disappoints.
How I Built This with Guy Raz - One of my all-time favorite podcasts. How I Built This tells the stories behind companies and founders from all over the world. Not just the wins, but also the doubts, failures, and turning points. It’s beautifully told, inspiring, honest, and always reminds me what building something really looks like.
Kollwitz Markt - A Saturday ritual in our neighborhood. Not so much for grocery shopping, but for meeting friends, having a glass of wine, listening to live music, and spending the afternoon together. The atmosphere is relaxed, social, and very Berlin. One of those places where time passes without you noticing.

Mackenzie Fly, coworking cuties (#184)

Mackenzie Fly is a fellow community builder from Berlin and runs an online community coworking cuties. Here is what she prepared for you:

Café Bäckerei Mona Lisa - My first cafe I ever coworked at in my first month in Berlin, and where I first fell in love with Turkish breakfast. It’s cozy, they serve breakfast until late afternoon, and you’re right next to the Maybachufer. Perfect for long walks on the water to walk off the giant plates of food they serve.
The Mountain Is You* - The book that inspired me to take many leaps in my life, it goes deep into our psychology and explains why we self-sabotage and how to overcome it. Warning, will cause internal chaos that will change your life.
Rocycle - My favorite workout class in the city! A spin class where you ride to many different genres of music (my favorite is techno, in true Berlin fashion). Each ride is a tough workout, but by the end you’re guaranteed endless positive energy to tackle your day.

Marton Barcza, Tech Altar (#183)

Marton Barcza is the largest YouTuber I personally met, all just because of one my subscribers. I also interviewed him on my Instagram and would recommend you to follow his two channels: Tech Altar and The Friday Checkout. Here is what he prepared for you:

Sammy’s Berliner Donuts - What’s more Berlin than a Berliner? Sammy’s makes my favourite ones, I especially love their pistachio creations.
HTX Studio - China’s coolest tech “YouTuber”. The Chinese media landscape was a bubble until recently. But these guys made an international channel recently and it immediately blew up due to having absolutely insane videos.
Berliner Unterwelten - The most interesting historical tours you’ll find in Berlin are organized by Berliner Unterwelten. I especially loved their unique “From Flak Towers to Mountains of Debris” and “Under the Berlin Wall” tours.

Jing-Jing Hu, Chumi Studio (#181)

Jing has a very interesting career path that shifted from social sciences to engineering and finally led her to start her own stationery business, Chumi Studio. I admire her courage to follow her passion for design and creativity. Here is what she prepared for you:

Feast Berlin - I went there as part of a Hungry Tech Asians event (a community of Asian techies & foodies in Berlin), and it was delicious. It’s the first Chinese restaurant I’ve come across in Germany that serves food from the region of China my parents are from (Wenzhou). One soup even reminded me of my grandma’s cooking.
Dr Ellen Langer on the mind-body connection - One of my all-time favourite podcast episodes. Dr Ellen Langer is a psychology professor at Harvard who has studied mindfulness for over 40 years. I listened to this during a stressful period of my life and the insights I’ve gained from it calmed my mind and changed the way I think.
How We Feel app - A well-designed, free emotions tracker and journaling app. It helps you improve your emotional vocabulary and spot patterns over time. It includes bite-sized lessons for healthy emotional regulation. You can even add friends and share emotions. Fun fact: the project is led by the co-founder of Pinterest.

Leo Ginsburg, Gründerszene (#179)

Leo is in charge of Gründerszene, one of the oldest startup & tech outlets in Germany. He’s behind their recent newsletter improvements, and I was happy to see he also loves movies. He even has his own weekly recs substack (in German). Here is what he prepared for you:

Caligari - My favourite restaurant in Berlin is Caligari in Neukölln. It’s tiny, which I think makes it better, and they change the menu every day. Short menu, three starters, three mains, three desserts. I’ve never had the same thing twice, and every dish has been perfect.
Yorck Unlimited - I think the best media you can get is cinema. With Yorck Unlimited, you pay around €20 a month, and it’s all‑you‑can‑watch. It almost feels too cheap. I go about once a week, so I’m basically paying €5 a movie. It’s amazing.
Bench in Charlottenburg near Wilmersdorf - There’s this bench I love on Meyerinckplatz in Charlottenburg, close to Wilmersdorf. Old houses around, a few benches under the trees. I can’t even say why, but it’s one of the five nicest places in Berlin for me. Once I slept there for three hours on a weekend. Sometimes I just sit. I’ve only been a handful of times, but I think about that bench a lot.

Alix Chausson, Nosh.bio (#178)

Alix is a co-founder of Nosh.bio a biotech and foodtech startup in Berlin. Their blended mince - a mix of meat and Nosh mycelium - can now be tried at Speisemanufaktur Adlershof in burgers, meatballs, lasagna, and more, with the same taste and texture as meat but better for you and the planet. Here is what she prepared for you:

Sofi — Sofi is tucked away in an alley, with a cosy, understated atmosphere that works for any moment of the day. I prefer to go very early before the rush. The sourdough is incredible, and their Copenhagen-style breakfast is one of my favourites. They call themselves a ‘neighbourhood spot committed to honest baking’ - and that’s exactly what it is: unpretentious & delicious.
Chopin — I usually put him on when I want a moment of beauty and softness, but I also absolutely love his sudden bursts of energy. He can play a quiet melody one moment and switch into this completely unexpected intensity the next. It feels brilliantly unpredictable and mirrors the rhythm of real life!
Vipassana — It may sound like a relaxing retreat from the outside, but it’s one of the most hardcore things I’ve ever done: 10+ hours a day of silence, stillness, absolute focus, zero distraction. By far the toughest resilience work I’ve done to date, both mentally and physically. You need real daily consistency to keep the results going - and they’re genuinely powerful: a real levelling up in clarity, steadiness, and decision-making.

Maurice Frank, Update Germany (#177)

Maurice (from 20% Berlin) is a good friend and the first person in the history of the coffee talks to be featured twice. The reason is that he started a new newsletter that I really like, Update Germany, and I think you all should read it. Here is what he prepared for you this time:

Slava Berlin! - Amazing, freshly made Ukrainian “soul food” smack in the middle of Wrangelkiez. I love the wareniki. Recommended to me by my former colleague, British journalist Elizabeth Rushton, who’s often in Ukraine and speaks the language.
Kaput: The End of the German Miracle* - Excellent book by economist Wolfgang Münchau on why things have gone south for the economy over the past few years. He covers Germany’s fatal mistakes: focusing on exports, fanatical austerity, lack of investment - and a failure to successfully foster new industries beyond the ones Germany dominated since the 19th century.
Viktoriapark - Not exactly Montmarte, but it’s one of the best views you’re going to get in this flat city: the summit of Viktoriapark. The cross on top - the Prussian National Monument for the Liberation Wars - put the “Kreuz” in Kreuzberg. If I have half an hour to kill in the neighbourhood, I run up here!

Jack Godau (#176)

You might have met Jack at an event in his trademark Hawaiian shirts. He lived in Australia for nearly 30 years before moving to Berlin and landing in the health-tech startup scene. He’s now building his company, supporting organisations with fractional CTO/CPO roles. Here is what he prepared for you:

Sagrantino Winebar/Italian - Absolutely fantastic Italian wine bar, great wines, great food, super friendly service! One of the few places in this area that’s not a tourist trap. Great outdoor seating when it’s warm and cosy inside for when it’s not! Save space for dessert and checkout the photo wall in the bathrooms too!
Ground News - Ground News is a platform that makes it easy to compare news sources, read between the lines of media bias and break free from “big media” algorithms. They provide news AND above all the analysis of the news and who’s point of view it’s being presented from. It’s an excellent way to stay informed, avoid echo chambers, and expand your worldview.
Mirko Lange - Mirko is building a Democracy Intelligence platform, using data and facts to analyse politicians’ speeches and work against disinformation. He gives politicians scores, similar to those on food products. Striving for truth in media and politics is something I can really get behind!

Roland Grenke (#175)

I met Roland randomly at an event, and we started to chat. He has a successful exit under his belt, and what I respect the most is that he has now decided to try to change something by going into politics. This is what he prepared:

Kaffee 50QM - A really nice coffee place in Prenzlauer Berg. They opened last year. Eda and Burak, the founders, are siblings, and they’re combining Turkish with classical breakfast, a cool combo. I really like their place and like to support them. Bonus for families: there’s a playground around the corner.
Monolink - I’m a big fan of Monolink. He recently released his new album, The Beauty of it All, but can recommend all of his music, including his live sets. Check him out on YouTube. He combines vocals with electronic music in a way that feels very Berlin-ish.
Feuerle Collection - I’m a fan of Berlin’s bunkers turned art spaces. Most people know the Boros Foundation, but I recently visited the Feuerle Collection, another former bunker, where they show mostly Chinese art. I have no idea about the art part; I’m usually amazed by the architecture of museums. Here, you enter in a small guided group, it’s dark, and the whole thing turns into a very cool experience.

Brian Daly, AgeTechX (#174)

Brian was one of the instrumental people helping grow Web Summit in Lisbon to what it is today. He also ran Techstars Berlin and is now working on a very interesting new project, AgeTechX. Here is what he prepared for you:

Milch Halle - My most-frequented spot in the city. Excellent coffee, zero pretension. I’ve watched the owners spin up their own roastery (Symple Coffee), and somehow the place became the VC epicenter. You’ll bump into half the tech scene on a Tuesday. That’s not why I go. It’s just genuinely good, warm, and consistent. And their staff is amazing.
Shantaram by Gregory David Roberts* - A 900‑plus‑page monster by Gregory David Roberts that somehow never drags. Escaped prisoner, India, identity, chaos… every single chapter hits. This book made me fall back in love with reading. I read it on Kindle because the physical brick is… intimidating.
Read this book and leave Berlin for 6 weeks - Book pairing for your trip: Unreasonable Hospitality by Will Guidara. It’s about going absurdly far to delight customers — applicable to, well, everything. And yes: get out of Berlin for six winter weeks. Sun, perspective and sanity.

Daniel Meisen, entrepreneur (#173)

Daniel is one of the ur-Berliners in the Handpicked community. He is a serial tinkerer and entrepreneur; his last company was an early player in cloud infrastructure consulting. This is what he prepared for you:

Food Technique Berlin - After spending a few months in Japan after university, I grew to love authentic Japanese food - something hard to find in Berlin, especially during the pandemic. That’s when I found Christopher Selig, who runs a ghost kitchen out of his apartment and serves some of the best ramen in the city. Every so often, he also organises ramen pop-ups, flying in top chefs from Japan. Follow him on Instagram or via his newsletter!
Kleine Kreuzberggeschichte - Born in Berlin but not from Kreuzberg, I moved here 20 years ago. Kreuzberg captures everything I love (and sometimes hate) about the city. We also founded our company here, because it was where we all lived. To share its spirit, we always gifted a book by Martin Düspohl, father of my dear friend Jonna and former FHXB director, chronicling 300 years of Kreuzberg’s history. A great and insightful read!
C/O Berlin - C/O Berlin is a hub for photography and visual culture, showcasing world-class and emerging artists in the iconic Amerika Haus, with talks, tours, and a welcoming creative community. I’ve loved it since its early Postfuhramt days nearly 25 years ago. Pro tip: Become a Friend of C/O to enjoy exclusive previews and curator tours that Sybille and her team put an incredible amount of care and passion into.

Michelle Fleer, The Pickle Company (#172)

Michelle did what many only dream of. She left her well-paid job and pursued her passion. For her, it was cooking (she attended a 3-month program in a famous French culinary school), and, after a short stint in a real kitchen, decided to refresh the pickles category with her Pickle Company. This is what she prepared for you:

Vom Einfachen das Gute (Charlottenburg Location) - It’s one of Berlin’s finest delis, and their new Charlottenburg location is absolutely stunning. A true paradise for cheese lovers - over 100 varieties displayed in a chic humidor. Every item is carefully curated, and it’s extra special to me: the first store in town to carry our pickles.
Klub Maison - If you love good food, beautiful design, travel, and all the little things that make life special, you’ll love Klub Maison. It’s a weekly newsletter and online platform that curates thoughtful brands, travel tips, and delicious recipes. Everything feels carefully chosen and full of good taste.
Strolling along the old Spreepark - A few weeks ago, I went for a long Sunday walk after a delicious lunch at Ei-12437-B. Strolling past the old Spreepark along the Spree, you get one of the most beautiful views of Berlin. It feels as if the city opens up before you - overlooking Rummelsbucht, Molecule Man, Oberbaumbrücke, and the Fernsehturm. Go late afternoon for magical sunsets.

Travis Todd, Silicon Allee (#171)

Travis is one of the OGs of the Berlin tech scene. In 2011 he founded Silicon Allee, one of the first tech communities in town, which is still running extremely strong, now together with the Fraunhofer Institute. Here is what he prepared for you:

Rosenthaler Platz - Rosenthaler Platz is the heart of Berlin’s tech ecosystem, where the scene really started. Sankt Oberholz opened its first location there, and so much history is concentrated in that area: bars, restaurants, clubs, tech companies. Most of the cool places from back then are gone now, but Sankt Oberholz remains and has always supported new startups.
Margaret Atwood — MaddAddam trilogy* - I’m on a sci‑fi tip right now. If you’re investing in deep tech, you have to read sci‑fi; Hollywood already did the hard lifting of deciding what tech should exist. MaddAddam trilogy is really underrated. Nobody’s managed to produce it for the screen yet, so it still feels like a hidden gem. Post‑apocalyptic, three books. Oryx and Crake is my favorite. And Atwood is just fantastic.
The Tangle - I’m a big media addict, and my second love is politics and policy. Tangle does a great job giving both sides of the (US) story. You get the viewpoint from the left, the viewpoint from the right, and then an editor’s take down the middle. It’s helped me deal with the anxiety around politics and the polarization we see today, and remember there’s and remember there’s still a big middle where we can come together.

Michaela (Ela) Krause, Laika Communications (#170)

Michaela is the founder and CEO of one of the most active Berlin comms agencies, Laika Communications. I love her openness to different ideas and also being able to share her experience. Here is what she prepared for you:

The Lir - Choosing a single Berlin favourite is impossible — Pinci near our office is perfect for drinks, lunch, and biz chats. But my heart? The Lir. Irish pub vibes, years of loyalty, and yes, it even makes me eye apartments nearby. (No wonder my secret exit plan is a Puppy Pub!)
After School - I’ll admit it: I’m an old(ish) fart. I subscribed to a youth culture newsletter just to keep up with Gen Z & Alpha (shout-out to Casey Lewis at After School — follow her!). Like cultural vitamins: not a replacement for real-life chats, but it keeps me sharp and in touch.
Contagious - I’m passionate about surrounding myself with creative sparks — sources of inspiration, fresh perspectives, that kind of energy. Ideas and comparisons matter. Shoutout to Contagious for being my go-to for campaigns that excite, challenge, and make the comparison game a lot of fun.

Nick Mulder, Hypofriend (#169)

Nick is the founder of bootstrapped Hypofriend that now branched out to several other… friends. He is a former cycling pro that likes to share his knowledge with no hidden agenda. I guess that’s why he has some many friends and followers. Here is what he prepared for you:

To The Bone - Right around the corner from my office. What I like most are the different steaks and the stories around them. Each cut has its own backstory, which makes ordering half the fun. Perfect (and not too fancy!) place to take your business friends or your loved ones for a date.
Deutsche Welle - Rather balanced when it comes to world news, at least from my perspective. Their newsletters keep you up to date without drowning you in content. A nice juxtaposition to German media and their way of reporting on international topics.
Friedhof Boxhagener Str. - My escape between meetings when I need to reset. It’s peaceful, tree-lined, and perfect for a proper walk. No dogs allowed, which actually keeps it quiet and contemplative. A hidden gem for when the city feels too much.

Maria Ledentsova, launch/anyway (#168)

Maria is a marketer that I’d hire in a heartbeat. But sadly, she isn’t looking for a job, because she wants to build her own empire (you can join her community launch/anyway). She can help you with anything marketing, LinkedIn, and Notion, and I can 100% vouch for her excellent work. Here is what she prepared for you:

LOTTA Tagesbar - It’s my go-to place for when I need to get out of the house and change up my work location: the design of the café is beautiful, it’s full of natural light, and I’ve never had a problem finding a place to sit. WIFI is stable, too. Great food and matcha. P.S. A great pilates studio “Beyond” is next door, so you can work out & go work or refuel after.
“The Burnout” by Sophie Kinsella* - Instead of another productivity book, here’s a fun read. It’s witty, dramatic, and follows a burned-out marketing director who quits and escapes to a rundown UK resort to “fix” her life. A great take on our obsession with self-optimisation — with a bit of romance, too. Perfect vacation/park read.
Urban Sports Club Membership - My life got 30x better once I started working out regularly & trying new workout classes I never dared to try before. In the past year, I’ve done boxing, callisthenics, pilates, aerial acrobatics, bouldering, hyrox, spinning & more. I even started a WhatsApp group with friends where we share workouts we’re going to. Best subscription EVER, I mean it!

Matthias Voss, 991 Capital (#167)

Matthias is one of the people I met at a random event in town, and I somehow managed to stay in touch with. And I am glad I did. He helps startups and others improve their decks and close more deals. Here is what he prepared for you:

Zu Hell Café & Bar - Zu Hell Café & Bar is the bar that I would create myself. It’s small, tidy, and they serve coffee all day long. After lunch, you pick up an espresso. After dinner, you pick up an espresso martini. Perfect.
The One Thing* - Back in the days, I would read all about self-improvement and productivity. This is the only book you need on this topic. So let me ask you, what’s your one thing?
Go Wakeboarding - Everyone talks about Padel nowadays. Don’t get why, go wakeboarding instead. Here is where I usually go, because it’s close by.

Zim, Berlin Events Weekly (#166)

I am finally featuring one of my best friends who is insisting on his stage name. So be it. We met because of his newsletter, Berlin Events Weekly, and I never looked back. Subscribe if you want an extremely well-curated list of events. Here is what Zim prepared for you:

La Buvette - This restaurant has solid steak and French classics that won’t break the bank. It’s relaxed, unpretentious and has a good wine list. They drop a bottle of tap water on the table without asking. That should count for something!
Hidden Brain by NPR - Podcast - An NPR podcast that makes sense of how your mind works and what drives the people around you. Practical stories on why we think the way we do and simple ways to improve life. It’s useful and easy to listen to.
Crazy Bastard Sauce - Tried CBS hot sauces recently, and they were damn good. Minimal ingredients, big flavor. Carolina Reaper & Blueberry is my current open bottle. Worth a spot in the pantry and a solid gift for fellow hot sauce fans.

Constanze Ulreich, chief of staff (#165)

Constanze, the right hand of Verena Pausder, is one of the most active people I’ve ever met. Besides her regular job, she is also helping other startups, helps run a book club and writes a great newsletter - check it out and subscribe here. Here is what she prepared for you:

Material — One of my favourite spots in Berlin. It opens at 8 (big plus!), has the sweetest owner (always red shoes!), homemade pastries, really good coffee, and the best morning sun to sit outside and soak it all in. By evening, it turns into a day bar that stays open until 1 AM, and sometimes I’m the first and last customer. As for the wine: you just say the colour, they look at you once, and somehow bring exactly what you wanted.
Speaking & Being* — Language defines how we see the world and each other. Maybe that’s why I’m obsessed with words that exist in one language but not in another and cannot be translated, e.g. saudade (Portuguese: the deep, melancholic longing for something absent), komorebi (Japanese: the play of sunlight filtering through leaves). Kübra Gümüşay’s Language & Being (or in German: Sprache & Sein) is my favourite book because it shows, beautifully and powerfully, how words shape our reality.
Dussmann book store — A different kind of Friday night: I love slipping into Dussmann in the evening (open until midnight!) - it feels like the best kind of Berlin nightlife. There’s something magical about wandering through the bookshelves, forgetting time and space… and always leaving with more books than I planned.

Simon Bowen, an entrepreneur and a coach (#164)

Simon is a good friend and an entrepreneur with a successful exit. He’s returning to his coaching practice now, and I tested it - he helped make progress in every area of my thinking and business. A warm recommendation if you are looking for someone to push you to the next level! Here is what he prepared for you:

Alter Luisenstädtischer Friedhof — Berlin has many great cemeteries and this is probably my favourite of all, just off Bergmannstraße. Walk through to the south side, which is an oasis of peace and quiet. You can sit undisturbed for hours - hopefully without any podcasters asking to interview you.
Strangers on a Bench (podcast) — It’s such a simple idea, but brilliant - host Tom Rosenthal seeks out someone sitting alone on a bench and asks them if they’re open for a chat. It’s often deeply touching how quickly most people open up about their lives. We humans aren’t so bad after all.
Barcomi’s Kreuzberg — A short walk from my favourite Berlin cemetery (see above), they bake IMHO the world’s most delicious cakes. Expect to not need another meal for the rest of the day, which kind of makes them healthy, I suppose.

Jonathan Eade, The copiloting company (#162)

Jonathan is the only person from the Faroe Islands that I know (he is half Faroese). He is a former banker turned impact investor. Our conversation reminded me of how much I appreciate grounded people with a good BS detector. Here is what he prepared for you:

Ankerklause — Ankerklause on the Landwehr Canal is a great people-watching place, particularly on market days. It’s a perfect place to start the night, though sometimes tricky to get a table outside so - smiling sweetly definitely helps!
Trading Game* — A book by Gary Stevenson, a former trader, talking about growing inequality as being the biggest threat to democracy and our way of life and not the themes selected by the current populists. I think he is bang on.
A tip of sweating daily — Sweat for at least 10 minutes every day! It doesn’t matter whether it’s running on the Feld or in the gym (though this summer Freibads may be too cold to build up a sweat!). A French doctor once told me that by doing this every day, you can eat, drink and live more or less as you like (apparently that also includes the occasional vice!) and you’ll have many healthy years in front of you!

Mats Kuuskemaa, Estonian e-residency (#161)

Mats is responsible for the E-residency program of Estonia, which enables founders to easily start a EU-based business. Meeting him reminded me that with some people, time just flies by. Here is what he prepared for you:

Diener Tattersall — It’s a bar/restaurant focusing on the artist community, founded in the 1950s by former Berlin boxer Franz Diener. One of those places that hasn’t changed in decades, with décor dating back to the 1920s. You’ll end up sitting close to strangers who will start the conversation about your food and background.
Whitlamsberlintours — Instagram channel by Jonny Whitlam, a UK expat who taught himself Berlin’s history and focuses on 20th-century stories. When I moved to Berlin, I tried various history tours but found most too tourist-focused. He dives into architectural details and tells people’s stories exceptionally well.
Berlinische Galerie — If you’re looking for a small museum that always delivers, Berlinische Galerie offers regular and interesting exhibits. I recently loved Dutch photographer Rineke Dijkstra’s series following the same people over several years. The permanent collection is compact with some nice pieces. A great place to take your guests.

Isabelle Simon (Flanagan), Deep Tech Momentum (#160)

Isabelle is the co-founder of Deep Tech Momentum, one of the most important conferences turned platform/marketplace in the city and Europe. I do admire her grit and openness. Here is what she prepared for you:

Shakespeare and Sons Bookstore — I head to Shakespeare and Sons most Sundays after swimming with friends. Their Meshka 3—smoked salmon on a rye bagel with beetroot horseradish cream cheese and capers—is phenomenal despite sounding like a lot, and albeit expensive for a bagel. Don’t be discouraged by how packed it looks; the queue moves quickly, and you’ll always find a seat if you persevere.
Losing My Virginity: How I’ve Survived, Had Fun, and Made a Fortune Doing Business My Way* — Richard Branson’s autobiography shows a refreshingly whimsical approach to entrepreneurship. Unlike the highly intentional and high performance founders I typically admire, Branson’s 70s-era style was opportunistic and experimental. His story reminds me that while building businesses is incredibly hard work, it can also be tremendously fun and lead you down paths you never considered (hot air balloon trip around the globe anyone?)
Hypnobirthing: Practical Ways to Make Your Birth Better* — This book transformed my birth experience four months ago into the most magical day of my life. It’s not about hypnosis, it’s medically sound, explaining how creating an oxytocin-rich environment helps labour flow while adrenaline can cause labour to stall and therefore lead to additional interventions. While it doesn’t rule out the need for epidurals or C-sections when medically necessary, it gave me the techniques to have a better birth experience than I thought possible.

Christoph Sollich, Pitch Doctor (#159)

Christoph aka Pitch Doctor, is a known face in the Berlin startup scene, also because of his famous Berlin pitch! Since that video, things have changed, and he promised he’ll do a refreshed pitch soon. Here is what he prepared for you:

Uzbek Eats — I discovered this gem with my kids – none of us knew Uzbek cuisine, but everyone loved every single dish on the menu (and we ordered everything!). Small, focused menu where every dish is something special. They only have 3 seats, so you either wait or do a takeaway for a picnic.
The Backyard Adventurer — Beau Miles did extreme adventures (kayaking to Tasmania) but also redefined adventure through his “backyard adventures” concept. I love the idea, his book and his YouTube channel because he shows how extraordinary experiences don’t require exotic locations. Your backyard is enough.
Teufelsberg — Your next backyard adventure could be Teufelsberg. I explored it as a kid hunting for bunkers, tunnels, and abandoned ski jumps. Now, 30 years later, I take my own children there. The radar station with its street art is worth the entrance fee, but the hill itself is free with amazing city views. Perfect for picnics, dates, or even eavesdropping on Olympia Stadium concerts. A beautiful place with fascinating history.

Katharina Beitz, AENU (#158)

Katharina works in climate venture capital and has an unusual career path from studying philosophy over consultancy to comms and marketing. On top, she worked alongside bouncers as a door selector at Watergate! Here is what she prepared for you:

Piano Salon Christophori — The salon is hidden in a concrete jungle, in an atmospheric former industrial hall filled with antique wooden furniture. Every day, renowned classical musicians perform intimate concerts amidst these antiques. For around €20, you reserve a spot, enjoy complimentary drinks, and experience world-class performances up close. The booking process is vintage too, operating via an outdated website that adds to the unique experience.
Pivot Podcast — Kara Swisher and Scott Galloway’s Pivot podcast stands out, especially given recent turbulent months in the US. The hosts blend sharp humour, candid discussions, and insightful analysis of tech, business, and pop culture without diluting their perspectives. It’s authentic, provocative, and consistently engaging.
Finanzwende — Finanzwende is an organisation shedding light on complex financial scandals such as Cum-Ex, educating the public and advocating for financial sector transparency. They recently gained lots of media attention after a former Senior Public Prosecutor joined as Managing Director. Working in the financial sector myself, I believe we need rigorous self-examination of our own agendas to build trust and take responsibility and supporting Finanzwende represents a crucial step forward.

Marius Meiners, Peec AI (#157)

Marius is a former gamer and the co-founder of one of the hottest startups in town, Peec AI. They raised €7M in just five months and are pushing hard, but Marius still took time to prepare this for you:

YamYam Berlin — They have the best Bibimbap (hot stone bowl with rice, vegetables, and meat) ever. You need to go check it out - it’s delicious.
Freakonomics — Fantastic series of books where two economists apply micro- and macroeconomic theory to everyday topics. It offers a really interesting perspective and sparks curiosity!
Best Anime: One Piece — Most epic hero’s journey arc ever told.

Delphine Mousseau, Rising Pineapples (#156)

Delphine is a familiar face in the Berlin tech scene and in betahaus. She is an e-commerce pro and now runs her own community, advises to investors, VCs and founders on how to scale their business. Unfortunately, she doesn’t plan to write a Berlin guide yet (she did one for Amsterdam). Here is what she prepared for you:

Chamäleon Berlin — Cutting-edge circus blending cabaret, dance and acrobatics. Every show is unleashing new creativity making your moment memorable and inspiring. Visual storytelling transcends language barriers making it accessible to everyone.
Nonviolent Communication by Marshall Rosenberg — Rosenberg’s framework transformed my approach to building personal and business relationships. It is simple and truthful, opening a new way to deal with constructive feedback and conflict through empathy. Why don’t we learn it at school? So needed.
Rising Pineapples — Empowering women to rise to their fullest potential—this is my promise to those who join my initiative. Through expert-led workshops, engaging online content, and inspiring conferences, I create safe spaces where women can learn, grow, and connect. Because true growth happens best in sisterhood.

Felix Benscheid, Venmate (#155)

Felix is an ex-Berliner and the co-founder of Venmate, a startup with a focus on Customer Success Management. I’ve only ever chatted with him online, and I love his responsiveness. Here is what he prepared for you:

Buya Ramen — If there is one addiction I created over the years, it is one for Ramen… The comfort it creates makes it the single greatest food, and Buya Ramen is one of the best spots for it in Berlin. Ramen is also great for business lunch and to get new ideas.
Creativity, Inc. — Creativity, Inc. is a powerful blend of storytelling and leadership lessons from Pixar’s rise. It’s a must-read for anyone building creative, collaborative, and resilient teams. And it is also fun to read if your are interested in the story of Pixar. Highly recommended!
Baseball in Berlin — Go and have a great time at a weekend Baseball game of the Berlin Skylarks at Tempelhof. It’s fun to watch.

Anna Lai, Mezzacantina (#154)

Anna is a passionate Sardinian and the owner of Mezzacantina, a wine shop and an event space. I’ve met her for the interview and learned lots about natural wines and life. Here is what she prepared for you:

Mikrokosmos — Hidden gem on Reichenberger Str. run by Nicole (Italy) & Diego (Peru). It’s top-tier Peruvian food with optional insect twists. Honest prices, warm vibe, and some of the best cooking in Berlin. The place that made me love dining out again.
The Erotic Review — A beautifully crafted indie mag on eroticism with brains and soul. In a world of doomscrolling and bleak news, this feels like a mental vacation. Thoughtful, lush, and partly Berlin-based. A rare gem that delights without dumbing down (use MEZZA for 15% discount on annual subscription).
Forest sleepover idea (no link) — Grab a van or a tent, and go sleep in the forest, preferably on a Sunday evening, when everyone is going back to town, and preferably close to a body of water. Pick the western shore, so if you are lucky you will be graced with a stupidly beautiful sunset. Don’t play any music, enjoy both the silence of the absence of humans, and the loudness of the birds. Even if it’s just for one night: you will come back to Berlin with a new sense of appreciation for our beautiful city.

Peter Frank, Fleet (#153)

Peter is currently managing Fleet, an IT equipment leasing company, for DACH and the Netherlands. After a short chat about the sleep benefits (or drawbacks?) of pitch-dark rooms, here is what he prepared for you:

Chiaia (Italian Restaurant) — Tired of dinner at SOHO or Torbar? Chiaia is the spot you’re looking for. Best Italian food in town. Great service. And even better dessert. The owner (Nino) is my neighbor. He built this place up from the ground. His mom is running the kitchen. A true family business.
The Hard Thing About Hard Things* — Found this right when we were struggling with international expansion. No Silicon Valley fantasy here - just the raw truth that most startup days suck, but you’re not alone in feeling like you’re failing. Hit me exactly when I needed to hear it. Essential read for any founder.
See remains of original Berlin Castle — One of my favorite Berlin secrets: while everyone visits the reconstructed Humboldt Forum, there’s an actual gate from the original Prussian castle still standing. Survived WWII, became East Germany’s State Council entrance, now a university. Once you know, unmistakable. See another view on this photo.

Bela Wiertz, {Tech: Europe} (#152)

Bela (Twitter) is the founder of {Tech: Europe} and they are doing great stuff. I just attended one of their events (AI Fireside chat) and it was fantastic. They also have a newsletter and organise Hackathons regularly. Here is what he prepared for you:

Lamazère Brasserie — Amazing spot for special occasions. Very extensive selection of wines and amazing food. Usually a choice of 3 main courses and 3 starters - so a small menu, but actually always something for everyone.
Adolescence — In case you haven’t seen Adolescence yet — or haven’t even heard of it (somehow), even though everyone’s been talking about it — check it out. It’s an amazing mini-series on Netflix (4 episodes, about an hour each). I ended up watching the whole thing in one go.
YT Channel of Andreas Klinger — Andreas — Berlin-based ex-CTO of Product Hunt and (co-)initiator of the EU Inc. petition — has been getting more active on his YouTube channel lately. He’s been visiting some pretty wild moonshot startups, like Dunia in Berlin. Definitely worth checking out.

Daria Suvorova, WAA Podcast (#151)

Daria is the founder of the podcast Women Authors of Achievement, which is now recorded live. I had the pleasure of attending two live podcasts, and I can warmly recommend them. Here is what she prepared:

Körnerpark — One of my absolute favorite spots in Berlin is Körnerpark in Neukölln. It has a charm that transports you to another dimension. The park’s sunken design creates a sense of intimacy and seclusion, making it feel like a hidden gem, tucked away from the city bustle.
Caravaggio. The Complete Works — I highly recommend exploring Caravaggio, the notorious Italian bad boy and one of the greatest. His works are magnetic, raw, and intense, known for their bold, dramatic use of light and shadow. A must for anyone diving into the world of the Old Masters!
Sunset watching at Tempelhofer Feld — The sunset sessions at Tempelhofer Feld have been my best find. The vast space of the former airport makes it the best place to unwind. Time your visit an hour before sunset to watch the sky shift into stunning pinks, oranges, and purples. Even on cloudy days, it’s unforgettable!

Matthaus Krzykowski, dltHub (#150)

Matthaus is a founder of dltHub and one of the great connectors in the Berlin scene. We did the interview live, and he insisted on including Wilmina Bread, the first place featured twice in this section. It must be great! Here is what he prepared for you:

Wilmina Bread — I highly recommend this bakery. My wife is Australian and misses a specific type of sourdough bread from home. Their natural sourdough is the closest we’ve found in Berlin to authentic Australian bread.
Tweet from Andrej Karpathy — At dltHub, we’re not just building for humans, but also wonder how to design software for LLMs. I love Andrej’s explanation and insight in how he interacts with LLMs.
Area of Schwielowsee — One of my favourite summer weekend getaways near Berlin. Located on the other side of Sanssouci Park, just opposite Werder Island. You can chill, bike around and enjoy the amazing nature or visit the Havel Therme on a chilly day. It’s easily accessible by public transport and has affordable accommodation options.

Alina Kovalchuk, Haus of Marketing (#149)

Alina has a very strong LinkedIn game, and no wonder that she is also building a marketing community, Haus of Marketing. Which is great, because this city lacks those. Here is what she prepared for you:

Kos House — This Greek tavern is the tastiest in town, where the staff treats us like old friends. We wanted a place where we would feel “local” - and this is exactly it. We’ve been returning monthly for the past 5 years.
The book “Pocket Full of Do” by Chris Do* — A book about all things I love: entrepreneurship, creativity, people, beliefs, mindset, and marketing. The book design is incredible.
Berlin Museum Island — I moved to Mitte in 2020, and the museum island became my local place, where I would go for a lunch break, power walk, inspiration afternoon, or sunset spot. It is my go-to place to observe the tourists of our city, or sit by the river with a book.

Madeline von Mohl, betahaus (#148)

Madeleine is a co-founder of one the Berlin’s startup ecosystem OGs, betahaus. I love what they are doing at beta! This is what she prepared for you:

Naturpark Südgelände — Natur-Park Südgelände: a wild urban escape in Berlin where nature, old railways & art meet. Explore forest paths, rusty tracks & sculptures—just minutes from the S-Bahn. No bikes or pets, just peace.
Pivot Podcast — Pivot is smart, sharp, and unfiltered. Kara Swisher and Scott Galloway break down tech, business, and politics with wit, insight, and brutal honesty. It’s like eavesdropping on two pros who aren’t afraid to call BS—funny, fierce, and always relevant.
Wilmina Bread — Wilmina Brot, located in Berlin’s Charlottenburg district, is an exceptional bakery that stands out.

Onur Eken, Needle (#147)

I briefly met Onur at one of the rare interesting meetups I attended. Since then, Needle, a startup he co-founded, raised a €2.2M seed round. They are working on helping you organise your data and workflows. This is what he prepared for you:

Modersohnbrücke — For me a simple and heartfelt way to experience Berlin is Modersohnbrücke near Warschauer Str. It’s a great spot to hang out with friends on a summer evening. You can bring some drinks, enjoy the sunset, and soak in the cool urban vibe of Berlin.
Whiplash (2014 film) — Just 5 minutes into this movie, I knew that I can relate to it. It’s about passion, ambition, and excellence. Filled with intense emotions. If there’s something you love doing in your life, this film will ignite your enthusiasm for it even more.
Stoicism — In life, many things can and certainly will go wrong! As a solution-oriented person, I find stoic principles the most grounded and helpful piece of advice. They have been my north star navigating difficulties.

Niclas Vogt, Startup-Verband (#146)

Niclas is the Head of Communications at the Startup-Verband, where he works to spotlight founders, challenge bureaucracy, and help shape a future-friendly Germany. I’ve met him for a nice chat in one of the best Italian restaurants in Berlin, and that recommendation alone gives a lot of credibility to his selection:

Bar Nonno in Schöneberg - This is where I take people when I want to show them my version of dolce vita in Berlin. A gem that nails the art of aperitivo – Bar Nonno serves the best Spritz in town. Order a Nonno Spritz with a plate of Gnocco Fritto and thank me later. It makes you feel like you’ve teleported to Modena. Whether you’re unwinding after work or kicking off the weekend, this spot has serious charm without even trying too hard.
Architecture Walk: Bauhaus meets Waldsiedlung Krumme Lanke - Take a walk through the Bauhaus settlement around Onkel Toms Hütte, then cross over into the Waldsiedlung Krumme Lanke. It’s a cosy, quiet neighbourhood with a contradictory past – originally built for SS officers in the 1930s. The contrast between modernist ideals and historical legacy makes for a uniquely Berlin experience. Bonus: In the 1920s, an architectural “Dächerkrieg” (war of the roofs) broke out here over clashing urban visions. It’s Berlin in a nutshell: bold ideals and dark chapters, side by side. A walk that turns into a history lesson.
Read: Dog Wolf Jackal* - One of the most vivid literary portraits of Neukölln I’ve come across. Gritty, poetic, and deeply human, this novel dives into Berlin’s rougher edges without sugarcoating them. It’s a stunning read for anyone who appreciates the fragmented beauty of a district that refuses to be boxed in. For me, it’s one of the most Berlin books out there – with raw directness and a subtle echo of the dry, unfiltered aesthetic of ’90s rap.

Brad Heller, Tower.dev (#145)

Brad is a very experienced engineer and a co-founder of Tower.dev—they raised $2.5M pre-seed in November. They are looking for great engineers. Here is what he prepared for you:

Biererei — One of my favorite spots in Berlin that really reminds me of home in the Pacific Northwest of the USA is Biererei. I’m a huge craft beer fan and they’ve always got an amazing selection. When I go there, it’s like I’m transported back home. They even have beers from my home town!
How to Win Friends and Influence People* — This book was really transformative for me! It helped me learn to think critically about how I communicate with others and how to get my message across. I always recommend it to new managers.
Aer Travelpack 3 — A very big part of my life is travel. I think it’s an important thing to do (for me at least) to develop a well-rounded sense of the world. Having a really good backpack and travel setup in general makes travel easier! My Aer backpack goes everywhere with me.

Cynthia Mensah-Neglokpe, clicqui (#144)

Cynthia is the founder of clicqui, one of the most successful women-only communities in town. Her latest adventure is a sports studio, KORE. She is an avid reader which shows in her writing. Here is what she prepared for you:

My Favorite Places to Work: If you’re like me and cafés make you a bit nervous (hello, distractions!), I highly recommend switching it up with hotels. They’ve been my secret weapon for getting work done. Think: amazing service, the best breakfast, and a chill atmosphere. My faves? Casa Camper & Hotel Orania—these places just get it.
Books to Read If You Want to Learn About Social Dynamics: Working in a community has taught me so much about social dynamics & I love to read about it. Selfless: The Social Creation of You* explores how our identities are shaped by social interactions and cultural influences, flipping the idea of a solitary, independent self. And Social: Why our brains are wired to connect*, explains & uncovers how deeply important social connections are for our wellbeing. Loved them both and highly recommend!
Summer Spots: We are almost there! When the weather’s nice check out Café Bravo in Mitte, Orangerie Neukölln, Bar Clara Rooftop, and Café Luzia or Café Dorle on Oranienstraße. These places are perfect for soaking up the sun & also a bit of people-watching.

Claire Siegert, Businettes (#142)

Claire is an entrepreneur and an advocate for female founders who co-founded Businettes, one of the biggest platforms for women in business. Here is what she prepared for you:

I love Lessons in Chemistry*! Bonnie Garmus’ debut novel is set in the 1960s and follows a fiercely intelligent chemist who challenges societal norms and—somewhat unexpectedly—becomes a TV cooking show host. While not your typical startup story, it’s an inspiring tale of perseverance, creativity, and female empowerment. If you love strong, trailblazing protagonists, this one’s a must-read!
Hamy at Hermannplatz is my go-to spot for delicious, no-fuss Vietnamese food! Hamy has been a favourite of mine since my student days—affordable, super fast, and always tasty. Their daily changing “dish of the day” never disappoints, and no matter the season, people are sitting outside, soaking in the Kreuzberg vibes. Every visit feels a bit like coming home.
If you’re into startups, business, and bold career moves, Fast & Curious (🇩🇪) is a must-listen! Hosted by Lea-Sophie Cramer and Verena Pausder, this podcast gives unfiltered insights into entrepreneurship, leadership, and personal growth—packed with smart conversations, practical takeaways, and just the right amount of humour. Perfect for a quick inspiration boost during a walk or commute!

Sabrina Jeblaoui, NachtClubsBerlin (#141)

Sabrina is a portrait & event photographer, a holistic coach and the founder of NachtClubsBerlin (an ongoing documentary about the souls of Berlin). She also runs a newsletter, TheBerlinFlow, and a community SwapYourSkillsGirls. Here is what she prepared for you:

Samer Café – My go-to weekend morning spot! This cozy, community-focused café feels like a second home, where I always bump into familiar faces from the neighborhood. The warm atmosphere and Samer’s friendly presence make it extra special.
Cicala Caffetteria Italiana – The ultimate pistachio croissant that instantly transports me to a holiday in Sicily! A little taste of Italy right in Berlin.
Feel Better Live More (podcast by Dr Rangan Chatterjee) – A must-listen for thought-provoking conversations on health and wellbeing. Each episode explores the science of physical and mental health, featuring medical experts, wellness practitioners, and inspiring individuals who share evidence-based strategies and personal journeys.

Cate Lawrence, Tech.eu (#140)

Cate is a journalist at Tech.eu and sure knows a lot about what is going on in the tech scene in Berlin and in Europe. She was the first journalist ever to cover our salary project, and I am grateful for that. Here is what she prepared for you:

The Quiet Damage: QAnon and the Destruction of the American Family by Jesselyn Cook. If you’ve ever wondered how highly successful, educated, socially connected people fall for conspiracy theories, this book is essential reading. It’s the book I recommended to the most people in 2024.
I’m a huge film buff, especially horror movies. Omeleto is a great YouTube channel for short films on loads of different topics.
Like most Australians, I love spicy food, so visiting the Berlin Chilli Fest is one of my favourite food festival events. Clearly, I have no restraint; last time, I bought 12 bottles of hot sauce.

Aniket Parihar (#139)

Aniket ran an interesting project of making videos about 101 things to do in Berlin, an impressive effort and demonstration of consistency. You can connect with him on LinkedIn. Here is what he prepared for you:

Disgusting food museum: It’s a disgusting place, but a little disgust makes life interesting! This museum features some of the world’s most revolting foods. You can even try eating worms and strange drinks yourself. Probably the most unique museum in Berlin! (My reel.)
Stand by me tree: Someone scribed the lyrics of the song “Stand by me” on a tree in Tiergarten. Tricky but an interesting find. (My reel.)
Free lunch concert at Berliner Philharmoniker: Happens every Wednesday at 1 PM from September to June. Make sure to go there early because it gets full very quickly. Worth a visit if you are into classical music. (My reel.)

Dilan, DilanEatsFood (#138)

I only know Dilan from her Instagram and she stands out in the sea of Berlin food Instagramers with her unique style (+ she can cook herself!). My background check also returned very positive reports. Here is what she prepared for you:

Mosto | Wines & Magazines. A tiny wine bar with only natural wines—though I never liked natural wines much, I always end up with a great glass here. Maybe I do like natural wine when chosen right. In summer, sitting outside and watching people walk by is its own little joy. (Part of me wants to gatekeep this.)
Crossing by Levan Akin. Istanbul as it really is. This movie hit me hard—watching an aunt search for her trans niece who ran away from her family, seeing the struggles of the trans community, but also the moments of care people show each other. It’s an emotional punch, but there’s hope in it too.
Ayfer Tunç – The Highly Unreliable Account of the Brief History of a Madhouse*. Ayfer Tunç became one of my favorite writers this year. This book is a masterclass in storytelling—intelligent, gripping, and constantly surprising. Every page left me in awe of her mind.

Karl Villanueva, co-founder at Ostrom (#137)

I’ve met Karl, co-founder and CMO/CPO at Ostrom, a couple of times and really appreciate his openness and pragmatic attitude. Originally from the Philippines, now a Berliner for nine years. Here is what he prepared for you:

Startup: Article on what company-wide metrics VCs care about for startups and founders. But always build the best company for you and your customers, not for investors.
Jobs: Why headcount can be a bad metric for both startups and job applicants. Overhiring = future layoffs (luckily we’ve been automation-focused at Ostrom).
Berlin: El Sol, Filipino restaurant in Mitte (only 1 of 3). Food is OK, dessert is good, karaoke vibes 10/10. Go on a Saturday.

Mafalda Johannsen (#135)

Mafalda is all about sales and even runs two sales podcasts. Beyond her professional life, she’s a creative soul who writes theatre plays and song lyrics and maintains an impressive collection of 140+ snowglobes. Here is what she prepared for you:

If Books Could Kill — This is a hilarious podcast debunking airport books and best sellers full of BS. As someone who loves reading, it breaks my heart to see bad books outselling great ones, so this podcast feels like therapy to me.
Plasticine Band — This world music, jazz fusion band defies sonic boundaries. Each song is so different from the others that you’ll probably find something for yourself! My favourites are “Magreb”, “PsyClone”, and “Funkycine”.
A Swim in a Pond in the Rain — This book changed my life. It lives up to its promise: “Four Russians Give a Master Class on Writing, Reading, and Life”. The author, George Saunders, is not only a very bright person but also possesses a sensational sense of humour.

Janine Heinrich, On the Up & Up, Zula (#134)

Janine is a Berlin-based podcaster (On the Up & Up) and co-managing director of ZULA, a children’s edutainment platform with diverse and inclusive ebooks for parents and children to enjoy together. Here is what she prepared for you:

Say Goodbye to Soil! For a while, I couldn’t keep my plants alive. I was either drowning them or forgetting to water them. Then I decided to try growing plants in water instead, and it’s been a total game-changer. Not every plant can grow this way, but a lot of them can, and it’s so much easier. The best part? They’re low maintenance, there are no pests to deal with, and they look amazing. Here’s a list of plants you can try—trust me, you’ll love it!
It’s Wine Time! If you’re looking for a cozy spot to hang out with friends, sip some wine, and snack on something tasty, you’ve got to check out Jane and the Jam. It’s chill, it’s cute, and it’s perfect for good conversation and good vibes.
Stargazing with a Beat! This time of year, it’s pretty rare to see the stars because of all the clouds, which is why I love going to the Zeiss Grand Planetarium. It’s like a little escape where you can enjoy the night sky indoors. Plus, if you’re into music, their shows with songs from bands like Queen and Pink Floyd are incredible. Totally worth a visit!

Florian Bölter, Open Doors (#133)

Florian runs Open Doors, a great newsletter (& a job board) for (junior) designers. I especially like his portfolio reviews and his motivation to help. Here is what he prepared for you:

#SOSBRUTALISM is an amazing project that catalogues Brutalist architecture and contributes to preservation where possible. I know that a lot of people dislike or even hate Brutalism and I can even see why yet I’m fascinated by the bluntness and practicality of this form of architecture. Check the website to see great examples of Brutalism around you!
Criminal ranks among the best podcasts I listen to and is probably the longest-running one on my list. While it follows a true crime format, it’s much more expansive than that - covering everything the word “criminal” encompasses, from actual cases to questions of past and present legislation, incarceration, and sometimes heartwarming stories that are barely criminal at all. Phoebe Judge’s voice is probably the most relaxing I’ve ever heard, making hours of listening a pleasure.
Severance is my absolute favourite TV show of recent years and probably a decade. Everything is spot on. The shortest summary possible is that it’s about a company that splits the minds of their workers into a work and private personality. One doesn’t know what the other did while it was active. If you thought Google was a cult-like corporate you haven’t seen Lumon. Praise Kier.

Bruna Silva, International Women in Berlin (#132)

Bruna is a founder of International Women in Berlin (IWB), which has now grown into Germany’s largest immigrant women’s network with 40k members across 100 nationalities. They also have a newsletter and do plenty of events in Berlin. Here is what she prepared for you:

Lobe Block & Canteen.I have a thing for brutalist architecture, and Lobe Block is a true hidden gem. Not only for its intimidating and unique architecture but also for the contrast with its warm and cosy interior. The food and cakes are delicious, and the space even has a garden with chickens (!) and a rooftop with a stunning view of Berlin. It’s the perfect place to enjoy a meal and disconnect from the world.
Latin American Music Playlists. In winter my playlists are my way of bringing energy and joy into these gray days. Whenever friends ask for recommendations to explore Brazilian and Latin American culture, I share them. Latin America has an incredibly rich musical culture, filled with rhythms that make you want to dance, move your body, and enjoy time with friends—no drugs, just high on happiness!
Community is Your Currency*. I love this book! Daisy Morris talks about communities, marketing, and the creator economy in such a relatable and accessible way. She shares valuable insights, making this book a must-read for anyone interested in engagement, digital marketing, and community building.

Paul Sullivan, Slowtravelberlin.com (#131)

Paul is a UK-born freelance writer and former photographer covering travel and culture for a slew of international newspapers and guidebook publishers. He started slowtravelberlin.com, a considered paean to his adopted city, in 2010. Here is what he prepared for you:

Walking around Berlin is one of my most cherished activities and strategy for finding new places and reacquainting myself with the already familiar. There’s a lot of great literature on why walking is a worthy pursuit but in particular I would recommend A Philosophy of Walking by French thinker Frédéric Gros, which shows how this simple activity benefits our health and creativity.
As a keen sustainability advocate and climate activist, I would recommend (former Berlin resident) Andreas Malm’s How To Blow Up A Pipeline*. It was turned into a mediocre film that does not do the book justice. Readers should not be put off by the radical title: it’s actually a well-argued thesis.
And something for fun: watch Billy Wilder’s Cold War comedy, Eins, Zwei, Drei. It features James Cagney as a fast-talking Coca Cola marketing CEO and takes a farcical look at the clash between the values of East Germany and American consumer culture, and features shots of iconic Berlin locations such as Tempelhof airport in the early 1960s.

Andreas Laux (#129)

Andreas supported Substack on their growth ambition in the DACH region until very recently (and also helped our Berlin newsletter community a lot!) and is now working as an independent consultant. You are not gonna believe this, but he also has his own Substack (🇩🇪). To complete the Substack offensive, here are three he recommends:

Ochuko is such a phenomenon. Six months ago, her Substack had practically no Subscribers. Today she has tens of thousands! What I admire about her success is that it is the exact opposite of the ‘marketing bro’ BS the internet is full of. She had no great following elsewhere, she wasn’t famous or anything. She’s just great. And writes a brilliant newsletter.
There are already so many food blogs and recipe newsletters out there. But can there be enough? I don’t think so. What I love about Jesko’s (written in German) Substack is the writing and the attitude that glues the useful information (recipes, restaurant recommendations) together. He’s my go-to place whenever I feel overwhelmed by… everything.
It’s an underrated aspect of Substack that it’s a great place to discover photography (especially after the other platform that once started as a photo community turned into a theme park). There are countless great photo Substacks. But I would always recommend subscribing to Xavi. Not only are his images great but his essays are inspirational as well.

Elisheva Marcus, Earlybird VC (#128)

Elisheva is a VP of Communications at pan-European VC, Earlybird. I’ve met her at several events and was impressed by how approachable she is. Previously, she’s worked for a science publisher, a startup, museums, company builders, and in VC. Here is what she prepared for you:

November: This brasserie gem is on Husemannstrasse, a charming street that famously preserved Berlin’s European architectural heritage. At an Earlybird team dinner, we delighted in exquisite fish dishes, eggplant with incredible textures and flavors (hard to achieve!), and mochi green tea ice cream.
Go as a River*: Captivating first-time novelist Shelley Read unveils a small town in Colorado threatened by a changing river and its social waves. Her compelling narrative emerges in the eyes of a young woman fiercely defiant and faced with hard life choices. Smell the farm peaches through the pages.
Neues Museum: Wander the halls of this world-class exhibition of Egyptian art on Berlin’s Museum Island. Step back in time among ancient Egyptian ruling families, deity representations, and cultural works of art. Then head to James Simon Gallery for a light lunch or coffee. Gain a new perspective.

Ana Mezhova, Smart Living (#127)

Anna is one of the subscribers I met at one of our events, and she is one of the best deal hunters I know. Points, cashback, personal finance, money making more money (interest deals), whatever you want. She also started a newsletter, Smart Living, dedicated exactly to this. Check it out and subscribe. Here is what she prepared for you:

I’m a frequent user of Berlin public libraries (VÖBB) – they have lots in English! Since their website’s UX leaves much to be desired, I use the Libby app for my e-book and audiobook loans. You can link your library card to access VÖBB’s catalog, then read borrowed books on your Kindle or within Libby itself. It’s free with your €10/year public library membership!
I Will Teach You to Be Rich* by Ramit Sethi. Despite a slightly (okay, very) cringe-worthy name, this is a very useful and accessible personal finance book. It inspired me to keep a budget spreadsheet, taught me not to be afraid of credit cards, and got me into stock market investing. Think of it as a Personal Finance 101 crash course.
David Perell’s Hugging the X-Axis essay argues that Western culture overvalues novelty at the expense of commitment, making us miss out on building deep expertise, nurturing old friendships and committing to a relationship (hello, Berlin dating scene!). As someone who country-hopped for years before finding joy in calling Berlin home, this piece really struck a chord.

Andrew Bulkeley, 20 percent Berlin (#126)

Today I am hosting Andrew, the other half of the sister publication 20 Percent Berlin. He is the funny one, but no wonder: he’s a stand-up comedian with a deservedly big presence on socials. I like his German accent and his takes, but I have yet to see him live. Here is what he prepared for you:

If You Didn’t Want Me Then — People always ask me about my favorite comedians and it changes daily but I had Beth Stelling’s (late) 2023 Netflix special on repeat all summer. Best German comedian? Filiz Tasdan. If you speak German, she’s on tour.
Heavyweight — The latest season is delayed as they look for a new home, but Heavyweight is a new take on the “missed connections” section in the classifieds. They go to lengths to reunite protagonists of a past event – two American women who met in the ’70s in Denmark, acquaintances involved in an accidental shooting (no one died). The host is often overbearing, like a Bavarian, but I still think about past episodes (the Denmark one gets very dark).
Undercurrents* — I’ve always had a thing for personal histories. What were actual people doing when history was happening? My friend Kirsty Bell found out in her 2022 book, which traces the history of the building she lives in – as well as the family that once owned the place. Which necessitates her own view on what was going on in Berlin during that era.

Ana Regidor, Creative Mornings (#125)

Ana is a fantastic event program curator. She is also Berlin’s host of Creative Mornings, a great Friday morning format I have yet to attend, but so far, have heard only amazing reviews. I’m sure you will be able to guess where she’s from based on her suggestions:

Brung Gallery (an art gallery in Charlottenburg) – The perfect spot for a Thursday evening! This new Berlin gallery is all about ‘naughty art’ —I even picked up my first art piece here! I highly recommend stopping by at their next vernissage for a drink and some Thai food!
El descontento by Beatriz Serrano (German*, Spanish*) – This one’s in Spanish (but the English version is coming soon!). El descontento tells the story of Marisa, a thirty-something navigating agency life with tranquillizers and YouTube. It’s a darkly funny, relatable take on everyday struggles, and you can read it in just 4 hours!
Un tema al día (a podcast) – Even after 15 years in Germany, I still tune into this podcast for my Spanish news fix. Each episode dives into a daily topic with depth and context, all in just 15 minutes. I really like this kind of journalism. A great way to stay informed—or to practice your Spanish!

Xavi Galindo, LifeScore Chronicles (#124)

Xavi is the author of a self-improvement newsletter LifeScore Chronicles. He writes about productivity tips, health hacks and other inspiring content. I read it on a weekly basis. Here is what he prepared for you:

VÖBB - For just €10 a year, you can access thousands of eBooks, audiobooks, language courses, and streaming platforms through VOBB. Their extensive catalogue includes both fiction and non-fiction in multiple languages. It’s an incredible investment for unlimited reading and watching. I’ve lost count of how many books I’ve read and how much money I’ve saved.
Make Time: How to Focus on What Matters Every Day* - this book has it all. It’s not about stuffing more into your day or obsessing over your to-do list. Instead, it’s about making better use of your time. Think of it as a refreshing take on productivity that values quality over quantity. Plus, it’s beautifully written and designed, which helps humanise a pretty boring topic like productivity.
When I moved to Berlin back in 2011, finding good coffee was a challenge. But, despite higher rents and other issues, gentrification also brought fantastic coffee spots across the city. Here are a few of my favourites: 19 Gramm in Schlesisches Str., Oslo Kaffeebar and Coffee Circle in Mitte, Isla Coffee in Neukölln, and Blaue Bohne Rösterei in Boxi. They all roast their beans, so you can enjoy high-quality coffee at home, too!

Dima Samarin, Mitte Daily (#118)

Dima is the founder of an extremely well-curated Instagram account, Mitte Daily, which is neither a daily nor exclusively about Mitte. It’s also memes, amazing stories, design and aesthetic photos. One of the Berlin treasures. Here is what he prepared for you:

I like smoking. I am, however, starting to think about quitting. And there are a few things holding me back. First, the ritual. Second, the transgressive allure. Third, cigfluencers, an Instagram account dedicated to—in their own words—“keeping the art of smoking and being cool alive.” I mean, where else would you find a photo of Charlize Theron smoking weed from an apple with one hand while holding a cigarette in the other?
I like recs. Especially if they come from someone hot. The Perfectly Imperfect newsletter delivers just that—a wondrously unserious catalog of personal must-haves, as shared by blue-checkmark girlbosses and lesser-known scenesters, and sprinkled with some hyperlocal downtown lore. This year, PI launched its own anti-algorithm social media platform, too. It’s a delight.
I like picnics. I believe the world would be a better place if people had more picnics. This summer, I hosted three with Mitte Daily, and they were ridiculously cute. I guess you had to be there. If you weren’t, here’s the Spotify playlist I had on when our friend Sam Cantor wasn’t filling the air with live piano tunes. Yes, it does include a 17-minute version of “Love to Love You Baby.” Because sometimes, more is more.

Nik Newcamp, The Backroom Staff (#117)

Nik approached me with his newsletter, The Backroom Staff, and then accepted my suggestion to co-author an article about football in Berlin (in the footer). Since then, I have been following his newsletter, and he sure does give great insights behind the scenes of football. Check it out! Here is what he prepared for you:

All of my startup friends seemed to start talking about ‘agency’ at once. This essay from Cate Hall - she’s a gold standard example for non-linear careers - is a good place to start.
VÖBB - the public library! Tons of locations, and they offer way more than just books - but I like it best for discovering new books like the lonely copy of So Many Olympic Exertions that ‘resides’ at Bettina-von-Arnim Library (S Schönhauser Allee) - it’s my favourite book in years. There are worse ways to spend €10/year!
Trivia is fun, and people are often impressed with random knowledge - Sporcle is the best all-purpose quiz site. Challenge me, your friends, family or coworkers in world geography!

Tuğba Avci, as slow as possible (#116)

Tuğba is a fellow Substacker and an organiser of Substack meetups in Berlin (the next one is actually tomorrow!). A great soul with a great writing style; you should definitely check out her Substack as slow as possible, where she invites you to pause and take a breath. Here is what she prepared for you:

893 Ryōtei (place) - I’m a big food enthusiast and love discovering great restaurants in Berlin. One of my top picks is 893 Ryotei. Although it’s a bit expensive, it’s worth it. It’s located in a former drugstore, Schlecker. It still looks unassuming from the outside, but you’ll find an excellent restaurant with beautiful decor inside. The sashimi is fantastic!
CeeCee Newsletter (newsletter) - CeeCee, a creative agency, curates a delightful weekly newsletter with recommendations for the best restaurants, art, and shopping. I’ve been a loyal subscriber for a couple of years, and it’s one of the few newsletters I eagerly anticipate and read every week. I wholeheartedly recommend it if you want to uncover exciting new places in Berlin.
Rick Rubin - The Creative Act* (book) - As an artist, I’m always eager to read books about creativity to understand my own creative process. Rick Rubin’s book was the best book I read last year. I initially read it on my Kindle, but I loved it so much that I ended up buying a printed version this year to keep on my bedside table and flick through in the evenings.

Kristina Bogansky, stand-up comedian (#115)

Kristina is an extremely cool, almost-neighbour and the first professional stand-up comedian I ever met. You can follow her on Instagram (🇩🇪) and catch her on stage in Berlin and all over Germany. This was also the first time I went to record someone’s tips over a coffee. This is what I transcribed for you:

Sandgrube im Jagen 86 des Grunewaldes - When I moved to Berlin in 2019, I felt the need to connect with nature. Grunewald has this large sand dune, which is perfect for walking and relaxing. I recommend visiting during weekdays to avoid crowds. It’s a great spot to relax and feel connected to nature within the city.
Delphi Filmpalast - This is my favourite cinema in Berlin. I love going there, regardless of what’s playing. The atmosphere is special, especially in the afternoons when it’s nearly empty. It is unique because they don’t allow popcorn, which I appreciate as it creates a quieter, more immersive movie-watching experience. It’s an excellent place for independent films and a solo cinema experience.
Downstairs Comedy Club - This is the best new comedy club in Berlin, founded by the famous Felix Lobrecht. Everything about the club is top-notch - from the technique and lighting to the aesthetics. They offer both German and English shows, showcasing high-quality comedians. If you want to see how the German stand-up comedy scene has developed beyond what you see on TV, this is the place to go.

Luardo Gamero, Guten Tag Podcast (#114)

Luardo is a founder and host of the Guten Tag Podcast, where he has conversations about interesting topics with people living in Berlin and Germany. I met him and his co-host Benji in April, and one of our clips went viral on Instagram. An interesting experience! Here is what Luardo prepared for you:

Sapiens: A Brief History of Humankind (book) - it might be a bit cliché since it was a bestseller a few years ago, but it completely changed my perception of the world. It made me realize how we all believe in myths and how these common myths form the foundation of our society, religion, states, and even economic models. The power of collective belief shapes our reality. This insight transformed my perspective on the world.
Design Sprints (video) - based on Jake Knapp book “SPRINT,” which describes a five-day process for answering critical business questions through design, prototyping, and testing ideas with customers. In this keynote, I learned how to create a product that makes sense, how to test the idea, and come up with a viable product. The video might seem “old,” but I find most of the principles still very important in today’s product design life cycle.
Museumsdorf Düppel (place) - As a father, there is nothing more delightful than an outing in the city where my kids can learn and play, and I can relax. The Düppel Museum Village is a reconstruction of a High Middle Ages village from around 1200. Village volunteers also demonstrate medieval crafts. There’s also a playground beside the beer garden, allowing parents to relax while kids play.

Leo Dihlmann, Zeitsprung (#113)

Leo is the author of Zeitsprung, one of my favourite newsletters in German. A weekly, now going strong for almost 50 weeks in a row, focuses on biographies of interesting people you probably never heard of. It’ll also help you master the Präteritum of the German language. Here is what Leo prepared for you:

As a history nerd living in Berlin, I just have to recommend Berliner Unterwelten. Their various guided tours lead you to places usually not accessible to the public, giving invaluable insights and making Berlin’s history come alive. The tours are offered in many languages besides German, including English, Spanish, Italian, French, and more.
More Berlin history, but from a British perspective: The BBC’s podcast Tunnel 29 by Helena Merriman tells the story of a tunnel dug under the Berlin Wall in 1962, allowing 29 people to escape from East to West Berlin. The 10-part series also includes the touching personal story of one of the diggers that unfolded after the rescue.
One more podcast: In this episode (🇩🇪) of the Hotel Matze podcast, Matze Hielscher interviews German bestselling fiction author Benedict Wells. The rather long episode (3 hours) offers a lot of personal insights into Wells’ unconventional path to becoming an award-winning author at a relatively young age.

Sara Chahrrour, Media Diet (#112)

Sara moved to Berlin over 15 years ago and has since worked in several startups and even runs her own creator marketing agency. I’ve only met her via her excellent Media Diet newsletter about movies, documentaries and TV shows. Here is what she has for you:

Search Engine (podcast) - My favourite podcast by PJ Vogt, former co-host of “Reply All.” It’s a spiritual successor, tackling questions you’d normally ask a search engine (if they still gave valuable answers). A recent episode about getting into Berghain was fascinating, even for those familiar with its notorious dark room.
Spelling Bee (game) - After removing Instagram and Reddit from my phone (and yes, life got significantly better), I needed a new addiction. With Spelling Bee, I can at least pretend my procrastination is cognitively valuable. Every morning I wake up and play my games, and throughout the day, the words that I missed earlier will suddenly appear. One time I woke up at night to solve the last word. Very satisfying!
Cooking class at Dr & Dr - A few weeks ago, I took a cooking class at Dr & Dr, a Persian cooking studio near my house. I have an unhealthy obsession with Iranian culture, especially the food. It was a fun experience, although decidedly a beginner’s class. The host twin sisters also recently released a cookbook.

Damian Martone, Hatch Conference (#111)

Damian is a great connector and founder of the Hatch Conference, which is run by the idea of including by excluding—you can only buy a ticket if you are a senior designer. He likes his beer ice cold, and this is what he prepared for you:

Spore Initiative: In my constant hunt for venues, I ran across this cultural center that opened last year after extensive construction in Neukölln. The space is super interesting in itself and has free exhibitions to visit, featuring art exhibitions on topics of nature, sustainability, Indigenous culture, etc.
Galerie P98A: Erik Spiekermann’s letterpress workshop has been running for many years and is an incredible living museum of machinery and print. If you love vintage typography, posters, and getting your hands dirty, it’s the place to go. They also have a great shop with affordable art for your empty flat walls.
Cafe A Gogo: Probably the tiniest café in Berlin, with about five people fitting inside. But it’s delicious, fairly priced and has the right mixture of hipster and vintage Berlin vibe. They have a bit of a strange schedule sometimes (maybe cause it seems that only one person runs it), but it’s worth a visit.

Emily McDonnell (#110)

Emily is one of the LinkedIn connections that turned into an invite-to-a-cocktail-party invitation. She’s a passionate runner and the founder of the Staycation collection, a curated directory of unique locations around Germany. Here are her choices:

‘What I Talk About When I Talk About Running’, is Haruki Murakami’s memoir. He’s one of my favourite authors due to his intricate writing style, abstract stories, and delicate, engaging writing style. In this relatable book, Murakami connects running dedication to creativity and productivity: “I just run. I run in a void. Or maybe I should put it the other way: I run in order to acquire a void. But as you might expect, an occasional thought will slip into this void. People’s minds can’t be a complete blank.”
Wondering where in the EU you can go for a weekend or longer while travelling more responsibly? Try this map by Benjamin Tran Dinh and Sarah Mamy. Select the city you’re based in, and you’ll see a heat map of all the places you can get to in under 8 hours. It’s interesting to see the complexity and quality of the EU rail system.
The podcast ‘On Being with Krista Tippett’ tagline is ‘Spiritual inquiry, science, social healing, and poetry. Conversations to live by.’, and it certainly delivers. Each episode contains a reflective, moving conversation between a diligent interviewer and her carefully selected guest. Stand-out episodes for me are with Katherine May and Ocean Vuong, which left me with goosebumps and a desire to re-listen immediately.

Jörg Luyken, The German Review (#109)

Jörg is one of the best commentators on German current affairs in English. I love his substack and have repeatedly linked to it here. It’s worth every cent of the paid subscription to support independent journalism/commentariat. (He also has a free tier!)

When the New York Times lost its way. This is the ultimate article on the state of modern journalism by the man who should know best. James Bennet was the opinion editor at the NYT until he was fired for doing what the newspaper has always done - publish the opinions of powerful people. It’s a story of how the newspapers we could once trust to rise above the noise have descended into activism as their business models have crumbled.
Augstein und Blome. Shortly after coming to Germany a decade ago I came across a YouTube channel that I often returned to because it sticks out in Germany for being 1) argumentative 2) funny and 3) brief. Jakob Augstein is a columnist and son of Der Spiegel’s founder. Nikolaus Blome formerly edited the conservative tabloid Bild. They briefly debate current issues, mixing information with friendly banter. Their exchanges exemplify enjoyable, informative debate. Sadly, they don’t do it so regularly anymore, but here is a recent one on whether to ban the far-right AfD party. (a podcast is also available here)
Rüdesheimer Platz is one of my favourite places in the west end of Berlin. As a parent, it’s got everything you need. A play park that you can sun yourself in while your children guddle around in the sand, a good coffee shop with delicious crumbles, and an excellent wine stand that opens in the summer and celebrates the German wine regions the surrounding streets are named after. Plus, it is a beautiful oasis of green in the middle of the city.

Otis Hagen Chevalier, The Greasy Pen (#108)

I met Otis when he helped organise our first Substack meetup in Berlin. I enjoy his substack, The Greasy Pen, where he writes about food and the life around it. His suggestions are as refreshing, smooth, and free-flowing as his writing:

You need to start the Handpicked Coffee with… a lovely bowl of noodles! I wrote about this restaurant in an underground magazine last year and will gladly reintroduce LIU Chengdu Weidao’s Nudelhaus. It is a mouthful of a name but worth every bite. If you are courageous enough to try their level 3 spice level, you deserve inner peace. Don’t forget to try their dumplings in sweet and sour chili oil, it is all you need to live a fulfilling life.
After that, cool off by going to Bar Neiro. A Japanese jazz bar where they play vinyl through legendary Altec A5 speakers. This place has serious cocktails and is a haven for music nerds. Kick back, listen to that vinyl crackle with sake in hand, and get to know some cool cats, ya dig?
Maybe you caught yourself short in conversation at that jazz bar. No problem, I got you! I just dived into this lovely book, Supercommunicators: How to Unlock the Secret Language of Connection by Charles Duhigg and have found its teachings relevant and fun to apply. After all, good conversation stimulates the soul.

Julia Schneider, From Julia’s Desk (#107)

Julia is the author of a Substack From Julia’s Desk where she writes about events related to film, culture and politics in and around Berlin. She is also the biggest fan of Eastern Europe (and Poland 🇵🇱) I had a chance to meet. This is what she prepared for you:

The Making of Modern Ukraine (podcast) - Recorded live in a classroom at Yale University in Autumn 2022, this podcast lecture held by Timothy Snyder (Historian of Eastern Europe) explores Ukrainian history and its relationship to other entities on the territory and around. Snyder explains the nation-building process, covering, for example, Kyivan Rus, the Ottoman Empire, the Soviet Union and the Maidan Revolution.
GREEN BORDER (movie trailer) - The latest work by three-time Oscar nominee Agnieszka Holland explores how we can unexpectedly find ourselves in liminal situations, forced to choose between good and evil. The narration interweaves three perspectives: a Syrian family, Polish activists, and border guards. The movie is based on real events in the green zone between Poland and Belarus.
Kulturzug Berlin-Wrocław (train trip) - No plans for next weekend? How about booking a trip with the „Kulturzug“ to Wrocław? It’s not just a train but an intercultural experience. A team of moderators provides a cultural program on board, featuring concerts, language classes, and more. This weekend service connects people to Wrocław, a colourful, beautiful and vibrant city 350km from Berlin.

Nazlı, explores.berlin (#106)

Nazlı moved to Berlin 2 years ago from Istanbul and has been exploring the city almost daily ever since. She runs the explores.berlin Instagram channel for 1.5 years now and grew it to one of the most valuable resources about the city. Here is what she prepared for you:

Wir Kinder vom Bahnhof Zoo (book, movie, and series): I read this autobiography of Christiane F. years ago, but only recently visited the places mentioned both in the book and shown in the movie. Visiting these places was an emotional experience. Zoo Station and its surroundings have changed a lot over the years, but seeing these places in real life was still very moving. The book is essential for understanding a darker slice of Berlin’s history.
Lomography City Guide Berlin (book): I’ve always loved analog photography, and it’s even better in Berlin. This book is a visually striking guide that takes you through Berlin via lomographic photos. It’s not just a travel guide; it’s also an inspiration for photographers and adventurers alike.
David Bowie’s Apartment in Berlin (article): As a David Bowie fan, learning about his Berlin years is very exciting for me. This article taught me about his apartment in Berlin and the city’s influence on his music & life during the 1970s. Then, I visited all those places myself and enjoyed it a lot.

Nick Stübe, Berlin Design (#105)

Nick founded Berlin Design, a non-profit association with the vision to connect the design sector and establish the discipline as a driver for better futures. He is especially interested in the intersection of interaction design and future research. Here is what he prepared for you:

Jorinde Voigt; Niklas Luhmann - Love as passion (art): I see myself as a systemic designer & thinker. Jorinde perfectly combines the methodology of ‘causal loop diagrams’ with a strong and dynamic visual aesthetic.
Library of Babel (website): In theory, this website contains every possible combination of 1,312,000 characters. This means it would contain every written work that ever has been created and will be created. It’s an internet gem and close to the infinity theory of Pi - this is exactly what the internet was made for!
Futures of Design (learn): You should learn two things as a modern Designer. Firstly, computational design to create generative output. Secondly, speculative design (PDF) as the synergy between crafting & critical thinking.

Maurice Frank, 20Percent Berlin (#104)

Maurice is taller than I imagined. He co-founded The (Ex)Berliner and now co-runs one of the Handpicked’s sister publications, 20Percent Berlin. He is also a film producer and, throughout, an interesting character! Here is what he prepared for you:

Charité - I know most German TV sucks, but this show is kind of okay. It’s set in Berlin’s Charité hospital - in the year 2049. Germany is a multi-ethnic society, married throuples are a normal thing, and healthcare is super-digital (okay, maybe not so realistic). All against the backdrop of extreme climate change. Charité is available with English subtitles on Arte.
Ungapable Bridges - A lovely short film by writer Ashley Gould that reflects on the nature of borders and bridges, inspired by Berlin’s Oberbaumbrücke.
Angels Over Lusatia - Back in the ’90s a remarkable Englishman, Michael Gromm, battled to save the village of Horno in Brandenburg from open face coal mining. Now ex-Economist journalist David Sherriff has written an entertaining novel based on the story of Gromm and Horno.

Andreea Lungulescu (#103)

Andreea is one of the best community drivers in Berlin, and I loved every exchange I had with her. She is a founder of TA Crunch Berlin, one of the most active HR-related communities in the city.

The School of Life* - this book, though not the first book I read about development, life, you name it, literally changed my life. It also felt like a rapid set of face-slaps, for the amount of “OMG, that is so true” moments I had while reading it. The book has 4 markers for emotional health: Self-love, Candour, Candour, Communication and Trust. Go and read it.
How it Works and Reality Explained - don’t laugh; both are TikTok accounts. I know that TikTok is a bit of a doozy, but I learnt a ton from the platform. I made sure to curate my content to things that I care for and form these tiny bits of information. I then chose what topics I want to learn more about - plus I got ideas of “where to go and learn more about X, for free ideally”.
Moliets-et-Maa (a piece of heaven on Earth in France) - just go see it. Allow the ocean to do its thing, dip your fingers in the cold Atlantic, watch surfers, and, more importantly, sit there and watch the endlessness of it all. How Ocean and Sky are one. Come back and let me know if you got goosebumps or if you need to go back.

Nastia Gussewa (#96)

Nastia is one of my go-to sources for everything HR and has helped me find and connect some of the best people in HR in Berlin. Here is what she prepared for you:

If you never heard about Kurt Tucholsky - you should get to know him by reading this essay in English about Berliners. He is witty and sarcastic; he is Berlin. Surprisingly, 100 years later - nothing has changed. Well, almost nothing. A great author with a tragic destiny.
If you speak German, here is my favourite podcast: Macht und Millionen. They cover a lot of big fraud cases, offering well-researched podcasts with valuable insights about European and global fraud cases. For instance, stories about Signa or AviMedical.
A website, Gratis in Berlin, has an extremely ugly design but great events that you can visit for free. For example, I had a chance to visit some of the events of Berlin Fashion Week or a lovely tomato festival in Kreuzberg.

Graham Strong, To Write With Wild Abandon (#95)

I participated in the Substack “Go” program, where we worked together in smaller groups. After it ended, some of us agreed to have weekly writing sessions. Everyone but Graham slowly dropped out, and we’ve been going strong for two years now. His newsletter To Write with Wild Abandon is about writing, and I recommend it to everyone interested in the art of writing. This is what he has prepared for you:

Are you a rock music nerd? Do you love podcasts? Discord and Rhyme takes a deep, deep, deep dive into some iconic – and some not-so-iconic – rock albums from across the ages and sub-genres, including the Beatles, Brian Eno, Jefferson Airplane, and Moody Blues, with which the podcasters are strangely obsessed…
TED Talks always spark intellectual conversation. This one might be the exception. Are you tying your shoes the wrong way?
Hunter S. Thompson, who became known for Gonzo journalism with The Kentucky Derby is Decadent and Depraved and later Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas, started writing long before that. This article on Big Sur, California, shows the seeds of what would grow into a whole new style of journalistic storytelling. More importantly, the writing is gorgeous.

Tina Searle, tour guide (#94)

Tina is the second tour guide in Berlin featured here, and I can say she really opened up my perspective on street art in Berlin. I warmly recommend her, and I think we’ll do it together again soon. Here is what she has prepared for you:

The Digital Cosmonaut is my favourite blog about Berlin! This particular article is about the former State Council building of socialist East Germany, which I love to visit with guests.
Rosa Luxemburg is a key figure in Germany’s social-democratic and communist history, but one who was deeply opposed to the use of violence and terror and restrictions of freedom. For her dedication to Marxism, she paid with her life. This BBC Podcast is a great starting point for anyone wanting to get to know this significant and, in my opinion, deeply loveable woman from Berlin’s history.
Speaking of significant women in Berlin’s history who are often forgotten, my next link is a video biography on Lisa Meitner. This genius scientist was overlooked for a Nobel Prize, despite being nominated FOURTY-EIGHT TIMES!!

Lena Arkhipova, How to Berlin (#93)

Lena is an experienced community builder & manager and an expert in transplanting people to Berlin. She is my go-to resource for anything Telegram and communities. Here is what she recommends for you:

‘London Bridge is down’: the secret plan for the days after the Queen’s death— I love this because of how thought to the minor details and how complex the plan is. I would love to learn to think about my projects the same way.
Bumble Founder: World’s Youngest Female Self-Made Billionaire— former Bumble Founder interview. I love her passion, her view on good and evil, her ability to rise from ashes, her ability to keep human face in business, and her drive to create something that improves how the world works.
Paul Graham: How to do great work — Super-relevant, motivating, and helping to structure things for me now. I also love all his essays.

Nathan Gilmour, BFS (#92)

I met Nathan, editor-in-chief of @Berlinfoodstories, after he grilled my jerk chicken for Canada Day. I think I impressed him with my MK4 Thermapen. Anyway, he knows his way around food, and we’re experimenting a bit with a new segment… three restaurant tips from a kenner: this time for the cool kids.

“Are you ready to feel confident recommending the coolest restaurants in the city to your new friends in Berlin, or finally be the first to offer a suggestion to your new Hinge connection instead of just saying, “you know, wherever you like to eat…” You’re better than that. We’re better than that. Here we go:

Maiyarap - For the aspiring, scrappy Klub Kid wearing flame shades purchased in Dong Xuan Center, the Tossakan crew brings the heat at their most recent foray south of the river - get there before the masses take it over this summer with lines longer than Kitty.
Trio - Maybe you’ve recently had your first back injury (it’s better now), and you’re ready to feel fully adult, but with a little goddamn style. Look no further than an evening at Trio, with elegant German Hausmannskost served by the loveliest floor staff this side of the Rhine.
Hallmann & Klee - You don’t sweat it when Frau Netto is ringing you up anymore, and you’ve got your Miete on auto-withdrawal. You can’t remember the last time you asked your partner or a date a request to split the bill, and it’s time to flex a bit. Take her to Hallmann & Klee and have your cumulative minds blown by their exquisite service and phenomenal care with their ingredients.

Anne-Kathrin Gerstlauer, TextHacks (#91)

Anne-Kathrin Gerstlauer is no stranger to good writing. She has a great newsletter for writing improvements with a telling name: TextHacks. I’m a regular reader to work on my German. These are her suggestions for you:

Weekly Filet - 10 years ago, I got my recommendations for surprising or niche articles from X/Twitter. Now I get them from the best-curated newsletter.
Think again by the psychologist Adam Grant - my Favorite book of 2023. You learn how to question your own beliefs and influence others (no, saying or shouting they are wrong or stupid does NOT change their opinion). He also writes a newsletter: I recently liked the post about the sandwich compliment and why you should no longer use it.
Speakerinnen - Now I have recommended two men. Shame on me. If you do not wanna be that person at your event, book your female speaker on this platform. If you are a female yourself, register yourself today (and don’t think you have nothing to say!).

Lalai Persson, Next Day Berlin (#90)

Lalai is one of the people I cannot wait to finally meet in person. She is the co-author of the excellent weekend cultural guide “The Next Day Berlin” and the lifestyle newsletter “Espiral” (in Portuguese). Here is her excellent selection for you:

Boys Club (podcast/newsletter): I’m a big fan of this club. These girls behind it started the club as a podcast discussing the crypto world, but now they delve into the future of culture, tech, and commerce. Don’t miss their summit if you’re attending SXSW this year.
Watch This Guy Work, and You’ll Finally Understand the TikTok Era (read Wired): How to make someone go viral on TikTok and turn them into a celebrity overnight? It’s a long read, but this interview is a fascinating masterclass about Ursus Magana’s strategies, a talent manager navigating the ups and downs of the creator economy, with a frenetic formula for gaming the algorithms.
‘In the Eye of the Wild’ by Nastassja Martin (book): One of myfavourite readings of 2023. In this autobiography, the author recounts the bear attack she endured in Siberia in 2015, resulting in the loss of part of her jaw. It’s about collapse and reconstruction. Short, intense, and beautiful.

Jonny Whitlam, tour guide (#89)

Jonny is a good friend and undoubtedly one of Berlin’s most famous tour guides becasue of his massively successful Instagram channel. He was kind enough to explain video production to me, but as you can see, it didn’t stick. Here are his links for you:

Katja Hoyer’s Zeitgeist - Katja Hoyer, an accomplished historian and dual citizen of the UK and East Germany, offers insightful commentary on German politics and history in her blog. Her analysis of the current situation in German politics, I’m talking AfD, is really valuable.
Kreuzberged by Beata Gontarczyk-Krampe - Beata does deep dives into Berlin’s lesser-known history. It’s a great resource for exploring the hidden corners of Berlin, and it goes beyond just The Wall and WWII.
Lumix G9 II on Peta Pixel - As a photography enthusiast who carries gear all day on tours, I appreciate compact gear like the Micro 4/3 system. I’m super excited about the Lumix G9 II, which will be arriving and helping me create content super soon!

Maja Voje (#88)

Maja is a friend I’ve only met online and the first Slovenian featured here. She’s a Go-to-Market expert with a recent best-seller on the topic. This is what she prepared for you:

Atomic Habits - one of the rare books that changed my life. Developing and stacking habits, building routines to get closer to long-term goals, and developing a mindset that “done is better than perfect” guided my writing journey and significantly contributed to the quality of my life, relationships, and well-being. Check out his newsletter, too.
Six hours of Mozart - for my writing flow and deep work. His music does something wonderful to human brains. I used to write for the whole length of the playlist.
Modern Wisdom Podcast - I believe that interdisciplinary knowledge is the best - knowing some psychology and neuroscience and learning about evolution and productivity presents a wonderful opportunity to get outside the box in our thinking and get a fresh perspective on some things we may take for granted. Since technology is evolving so fast, it’s great to keep up with social sciences and related areas.

Manoj Pandey, Gezellig Sessions (#87)

Manoj is an experienced builder of communities and the founder of Gezellig Sessions, a series of concerts in his living room (the next one is happening this Friday, so get your tickets on the link). Here is what he has prepared for you:

Wait But Why: Long-form blog by Tim Urban; you might have seen him at this TED talk around procrastination. Typical posts involve long-form discussions of various topics, including artificial intelligence, outer space, and procrastination, using a combination of prose and rough illustrations. All his articles are great, but one that can help many readers might be this one: How to Pick a Career (That Actually Fits You).
Kevin Kelly, founder of WIRED, writes beautifully about many topics. When he turned 70, he published a series of advice in a book. But if you’re interested in the article, the internet has preserved it here: 103 Bits of Advice I Wish I Had Known. He also wrote the infamous piece called “1000 True Fans” where he says “To be a successful creator you don’t need millions. You need only 1000.”
Pudding is one of my favourite digital publications because of its visual journalism. They wrote a super cool data-backed article, “Is TikTok helping artists become commercially successful, or does the medium present a new opportunity worth pursuing?”

Verena Weber (#86)

Verena is a NLP expert and Generative AI consultant who loves learning and is also active in the Berlin AI community. This is what she has selected for you:

Mindset by Dr. Carol Dweck (book, read) – a book that truly changed my perspective on how much of excellence can be attributed to talent vs practice and discipline. Previously, I believed skills were mostly innate, but now I’m certain that with enough effort, I can master any skill (growth mindset). It also offers valuable insights into fostering a growth mindset in children.
The Almanack of Naval Ravikant: A Guide to Happiness and Wealth by Eric Jorgenson (book, read) is a complete guide to life, and I loved the combination of happiness and wealth – usually, books are about one or the other. Impressive clarity and precision.
Fast & Curious by Lea-Sophie Cramer and Verena Pausder (podcast, listen) is my favorite podcast. It’s a great mix of business, inspiration, and entertainment. I love the hosts’ authenticity—they inspire me to take more (calculated) risks.

Nicolas Bouliane, All About Berlin (#85)

You know him even if you think you don’t. Nico is the creator of All About Berlin, one of the cleanest, no-bullshit websites you’ll ever see. Sort of a Wikipedia for Berlin. This is what he has for you:

A brief history & ethos of the digital garden - I long-form for a cosy, personal, imperfect, work-in-progress web. I also love Maggie Appleton’s illustrations.
How to do nothing - A quirky, meandering ode to experiencing the world at a slower pace.
An app can be a home-cooked meal - It’s damn fun to build software when you eschew growth and scale. Software can be a love letter to a very small crowd.

Eva Stark (#84)

Eva works as a general legal counsel at Cavalry Ventures and founded Venture Ladies, a network of women working in the field of VC. Here are her links for you:

Weird Crimes - Podcast by Ines Anioli and Visa Vie. The funniest, thrilling and informative true crime podcast with a sweet foot fetish twist and two brilliant and hilarious hosts. It’s an absolute must-hear experience.
MUYA Chocolates - Literally the BEST pralines invented on earth, hand-made by the Berlin-based Pastry Chef Marie, who learned and trained with the best Chocolatiers in Paris (available also at KaDeWe and some selected Walter-Stores).
VIVA Yoga Studio in Charlottenburg - The perfect after-work calming down and relaxing experience is to join Jennifer’s YIN YOGA & SOUND class. You will feel relaxed, re-balanced and grateful after her class - I guarantee it!

Steve Ewin (#83)

I found Steve based on a recommendation from a friend. He does great videos (Insta) about Cold War Berlin/DDR. I love his style, the content and, of course, his football shirts. This is what he recommended:

Behind the Bastards (podcast) - I would recommend this entire podcast, but the six-part series on Henry Kissinger is a must-listen to understand not just _why_Kissinger is derided, but what he influenced. And if you disagree, it is a delightful avenue to pick apart that viewpoint.
Brewing Socialism (book) - What can coffee tell us about East Germany, and what can this tell us about our current world? One of the most important beans in world history, it helped to both build and bring down the East German state. Kloiber goes into how both were possible.
Did the Japanese offer to surrender before Hiroshima? (article) - Alex Wellerstein illustrates with this two-part article what the average person doesn’t always see: how do historians engage and evaluate the past? And further, how do historians engage with work that disagrees with their conclusion?

Mikel Mangold (#75)

This week my guest is Mikel! He, among other things, is a published author and an admin of a Whatsapp group with tech events in Berlin. Here is what he suggests:

What do startup accelerators really do? (read) — People are confused with the definition of a startup accelerator, and it is being misused in the industry: a reminder of what an accelerator is and what it’s not.
The Leadership Odyssey (read) — what skills do executives struggle to learn, and what learning strategies pay off?
CEO decision-making in the age of AI (read) — IBM’s Institute for Business Value has identified five key areas that CEOs and executives must actively address in the era of AI. A report is a summary of interviews with 3,000 CEOs from 30+ countries.

Christian Näthler, lol/sos (#74)

Christian, a freelance writer, is one of the subscribers with his own Substack. I have previously promoted him and asked him to share three links with you this time. Gorgeous long reads; read them yourself:

Quitting the Paint Factory by Mark Slouka: The author laments our rapidly diminishing belief in the value of unstructured time and criticizes the pervasive culture of relentless work. In his canny takedown of the “grindset,” – from 2004! – Slouka extols idleness for its power to inspire contemplation, joy, play, renewal, and presence.
Stone Skipping is a Lost Art. Kurt Steiner Wants the World to Find It by Sean Williams: You’re not supposed to read about a man who exiled himself from society to spend his entire adult life skipping rocks and think, I could see myself doing that. And yet…
The Art of Dying by Peter Schjeldahl: Whenever someone asks me what they should read, I immediately recommend this article. It’s a moving meditation on a remarkable life, written in short, witty bursts, by the New Yorker’s long-time art critic after he was diagnosed with lung cancer.

Tino Schmutzler, Startups for Tomorrow (#72)

We are back this week with Tino—he is a well-known name in the Berlin startup scene and is the founder of Berlin Startup School, currently also active at Startups for Tomorrow. Here is what he thinks you should check out:

Learn from a Milk Shake (YT, watch) – This is the only video you need to watch as an entrepreneur. In less than 5 minutes, you will understand how to develop your products to become successful.
Drop your product! (read) – Honestly, I have never read the book, but I know the essence of it REALLY well. So make sure you know it, too (or read the book). I have seen quite a few entrepreneurs fail because they didn’t talk about their product until it was ready. You will understand why this is the biggest mistake you can make.
More focus for you (Spotify, listen) – What helps me the most to get into deep work is music. Here is an inspiration for you to get more things done.

Louis Pereira, Audiopen (#70)

I met Louis around two years ago. He builds online and is one of those who always reply immediately to emails. Impressive! Check out his Audiopen: a fantastic voice notes to clear text tool. Here is what Louis prepared for you:

Understanding Abundance: We live in a world of abundance, and this essay (part 1 of a fascinating series) by Alex Danco explains some interesting implications.
Familiarity and Belonging: A piece that goes against a lot of today’s ‘Instagram wisdom’, and hits home.
Maker’s Schedule, Manager’s Schedule: An essay that helped me understand a problem I faced but couldn’t articulate – namely, why did I get frustrated for when I was asked to do seemingly trivial tasks by someone else?

Jaskaran loves marketing and provides a weekly digest of the most important things related to social media and marketing. Here are his picks for you:

Attention (article) - This comes from my favourite substack newsletter. It tells a lot about how our attention span changes rather than declines.
5-pager template for freelancers (template & podcast) - The best template to never lose a project by Jonathan Stark. He is one of the best freelance work-life educators, running the “Ditching Hourly” podcast.
Mel Robbins on Influence Building (podcast) - The episode finishes, and you start experimenting with what you learned from it—plenty of practical hacks for corporate workers of today.

Darshan Gajara, Product Disrupt (#68)

Darshan does a great newsletter and resource page, Product Disrupt, which you should definitely follow if you are into product and design! Here are his suggestions for you:

Yo! Podcast by Rob Hope – Rob interviews prolific creators on his show. He does a great job of bringing out authentic stories & practical insights from his guests with excellent sound mixing.
Hard Truths about Life (Twitter) – Sahil Bloom’s visual thread about hard truths he has learned through personal experiences. This is like a cheat code for getting better at life without enormous suffering.
Toxic Behaviors & their Remedies (Twitter) – This short thread is about how toxic behaviours can kill a partnership or a team. Matt breaks it down piece by piece and provides suggestions to avoid them.

John Ismailoglu, INSRD (#67)

This week I am hosting John, a bekannte from Linkedin with a good dry sense of humour and good content. He thinks you will like these:

Joe Rogan Experience #1309 - Naval Ravikant (podcast) - I come back to this episode from time to time which is filled with life lessons, wisdom and knowledge bombs.
Berlin Ausländer Memes (meme page) - Laughter breeds positivity and this hilariously accurate content resonates with foreigners in Germany.
How I Raised Myself From Failure to Success in Selling* (book) - One of the top sales books. Valuable even if you’re not in sales, because we’re always ‘selling’ something.

Mirela Mus, Product People (#66)

We continue with Mirela, a founder of Product People. You should give her a follow for good quality takes on Product Management. I love her choices:

500 Million, But Not A Single One More (article) - I tear up whenever I reread this; it helps me regain faith in humanity.
Romanian language songs (Spotify Playlist) for when I miss hearing my native language. I also have one I listen to ironically.
The Player Of Games* (book, audiobook) is an amazing introduction to Iain M. Banks’ utopian post-scarcity society. You can also start with Use of Weapons, which gets even better on the 2nd reading. I suggest skipping Consider Phlebas, The State of the Art until there’s nothing left to read but The Hydrogen Sonata as they’re less “Culture-y” than the rest.

Amir Azimi, Pursuit (#65)

This is a new place—for people who deserve your attention. We start with Amir. He curates a fantastic newsletter you should subscribe to, and these are his three recommendations for you:

The hidden cost of success (read) — One of the most powerful questions I use before committing to a new project or opportunity is: Do I want the successful version of this? What does the day-to-day reality of success look like?
Shadows of your superpowers (listen) — Whether you’re a senior leader or an individual contributor, it is important to recognize the shadows of your superpowers and listen to contradictory feedback to rebuild the tools you need to succeed.
Everything is practice (read) — Practicing and forgetting are all part of the process of being human, and we don’t need to prove anything to anyone. You can just be you, now.

Subscribe for FREE ⤵️