All episodes

#25 Ben Glassberg: Conducting the Symphony of Vienna’s Charm

#25 Ben Glassberg: Conducting the Symphony of Vienna’s Charm

15m 2s

Meet Ben Glassberg, the dynamic young conductor from the UK who has quickly become a beloved figure in Vienna since his arrival in 2023. Starting 2024, Ben takes on the prestigious role of Music Director at the Wiener Volksoper, a position he embraced without hesitation. Both the city of Vienna and his orchestra won his heart at first sight, setting the stage for an exciting musical journey.
In this episode, Ben shares the whirlwind of his special day in Vienna – juggling two performances and a son in the hospital. But with Vienna's great healthcare system, easy bike access to...

#24 Rahul Raman: On Finding His-Self and His

#24 Rahul Raman: On Finding His-Self and His "Schatz"

13m 20s

Rahul Raman hails from New Delhi, India, and has been calling Vienna home since 2019. A talented programmer, Rahul's journey to Vienna was driven by destiny and his true love, his "Schatz." He describes his time in Vienna as the best of his life, filled with joy and laughter. Whether it's in front of the Karlskirche, at the Prater, or on the Donauinsel (how cool is it to have a swimming island in the middle of the city?), Vienna is the perfect place for Rahul.
Why is Vienna so special to Rahul? In India, coming out is often challenging for...

#23 Denise Jardim: Movielike Moments. Locked in Vienna's Dreamscape

#23 Denise Jardim: Movielike Moments. Locked in Vienna's Dreamscape

11m 30s

Meet Denise Jardim, a talented make-up artist from Brazil who made Vienna her home in 2014. Denise moved to Vienna for love and now enjoys life in the Austrian capital with her husband and two children. She adores the city for its beautiful blend of urban charm and surrounding nature, from vineyards and “Heurige” to zoos and parks.
In this episode, Denise shares her amusing adventures, including the time she got locked in the Lainzer Tiergarten after losing track of time. Is it the enchanting beauty of Vienna or the early closing times to blame? You'll hear about cinematic moments...

#22 Polina Sattler: Floating Through Vienna – Parks, Prominence, and Potato Salad

#22 Polina Sattler: Floating Through Vienna – Parks, Prominence, and Potato Salad

12m 0s

Meet Polina Sattler, an adventurous event manager from Ukraine, who came to Vienna in 2016. Married with two children, Polina initially couldn't imagine living in Vienna and made a brief stop in Switzerland before settling down in the Austrian capital. In this episode, Polina shares her journey of adapting to life in Vienna, highlighting special encounters and a cultural clash involving “Kartoffelsalat.”
Polina loves summer, exploring Vienna's parks and markets, and the surrounding vineyards. Hear about the time she found herself in line for a glass of wine and ended up meeting a very notable Austrian figure. And as life...

#21 Lauren Löw: The Many Faces of Vienna. A Journey through the City of Surprises

#21 Lauren Löw: The Many Faces of Vienna. A Journey through the City of Surprises

17m 37s

This week, join us for an exciting episode as we turn the tables on our usual host, Lauren Löw, and delve into her captivating journey through Vienna. In a delightful twist, Lauren, known for her charming and humorous demeanor, finds herself in the hot seat as Mitar, the founder of INNES, takes on the role of the interviewer.
Lauren, a designer hailing from the UK, has called Vienna home since 2008. Married with two children, she is the proud owner of the jewelry label "Heirs". Not only that, but her sister is also an entrepreneur with a small café, and...

#20 Jelena Andjelkovic: Just that Missing Piece. A Perfect Day in Vienna

#20 Jelena Andjelkovic: Just that Missing Piece. A Perfect Day in Vienna

12m 37s

Join us in this episode as we meet Jelena Andjelkovic, a Serbian-born interpreter who has called Vienna home for nearly 30 years. Arriving in 1994, Jelena beautifully highlights a unique aspect of Vienna: the opportunity to enjoy clean, beautiful waters of the Danube for a refreshing swim, all within a vibrant city.
Tune in to hear how Jelena's almost perfect day turned truly perfect. This episode is a wonderful reminder of two important things: the power of kindness and the fortune of living in a place like Vienna. Jelena also shares her experiences learning German – an initially tough but...

#19 Ian Huang: A Singaporean's Guide to the Viennese Good Life

#19 Ian Huang: A Singaporean's Guide to the Viennese Good Life

16m 7s

Meet Ian Huang, an audio engineer from Singapore who moved to Vienna in 2021. Seeking a less stressful environment to raise their children, Ian and his wife decided to leave the bustling life of Singapore. After a "pit stop" in Germany, and during the Covid-19 pandemic, where Ian spent some time as a stay-at-home dad, they chose Vienna — a city they had never visited but saw as full of opportunities. Vienna, with its rich cultural landscape and vibrant spots like the Naschmarkt, a blend of cultures, food, and bustling flea markets, offered a unique charm and captivated them. It's...

#18 Gergö Fazekas: A Global Odyssey to Vienna's Heart

#18 Gergö Fazekas: A Global Odyssey to Vienna's Heart

22m 17s

Meet Gergö Fazekas, an expert in international communication and co-founder of MajorDesign — a collective of professional communication, media, and graphic designers. Originally from Hungary, Gergö's journey led him from diplomatic missions for the Hungarian Foreign Ministry across Europe and North Africa to Vienna, where he's resided with his wife and now three kids since 2013.
Drawn by Vienna's rich cultural landscape and its proximity to Hungary, Gergö saw many opportunities in the city for both his family and his firm, collaborating with numerous Hungarian and international artists. However, settling into Vienna wasn't without its culture clashes, despite his beautiful...

#17 Ester Sökjer-Petersen: From Grape to Glass. Vienna Scenes with the Sommelier

#17 Ester Sökjer-Petersen: From Grape to Glass. Vienna Scenes with the Sommelier

17m 17s

Another week, another episode. This time with Ester Sökjer-Petersen from Sweden. Ester has been living in Vienna since 2019, where she works as a sommelier. Turning 30 can be tricky, but Ester's bold move to Vienna was driven by a desire for change.
However, her arrival was met with the infamous "Viennese grumpiness," which, at times, can be quite disheartening, especially when directed towards foreigners, making Ester's initially sunny One Day in Vienna a memorable yet not-so-pleasant experience - perhaps a gentle reminder of the importance of kindness towards others. Nevertheless, Ester's resilient spirit prevailed, guided by the principle of...

#16 Anastassia Solomonova: Surprising Encounters and Urban Wonders

#16 Anastassia Solomonova: Surprising Encounters and Urban Wonders

16m 29s

Anastassia Solomonova from Moscow, Russia, owner of a language travel agency and the official representative of the University of the Arts, London is our guest this week and has been in Vienna since 2020. Her journey to Vienna was driven by love – during a trip to the city, she "accidentally" met the love of her life. While her relationship with her husband blossomed quickly, her bond with the city took a bit more time to form. But it did, and over time, she seamlessly transitioned into the role of a local, offering insider insights herself and residing in a...