THERE - Yet More UNESCO We finish off the UNESCO listings for CZ with the most recent additions, all in Bohemia, three of which are shared with other countries. Delve into the history of mining, horses, forests and spas, and get some great weekend getaway ideas. See a images of these places in the video version of this episode. Like what we do? The…

THEN - Charles IV (1346-1378) The Luxembourgs now produce the man who would become known as Charles IV - considered by many to be the greatest Czech of all time. He'd found Charles University, commission St. Vitus and Charles Bridge, design New Town, move the capital of the Holy Roman Empire to Prague, build a LOT of castles, and generally do awful…

LIT - Prague Books Guests: David Humphreys & Melissa Joulwan, Strong Sense of Place podcast Prague inspires people, and some of those people write books set there. We take a look at some books about the City of 100 Spires as well as some Prague lore with David Humphreys & Melissa Joulwan, who run the Strong Sense of Place podcast. See a video versi…

FOLKS - Strong Sense of Place Guests: Melissa Joulwan & David Humphreys, Strong Sense of Place podcast Books can entertain, inform and even make you want to travel. My guests today run the Strong Sense of Place podcast out of their flat here in Prague which combines the best of reading and travel in one jam-packed website. Go all over the world wit…

MISC - Money Matters Money makes the world go round, but who and what is on our money? This episode looks at the figures and icons Czechs have decided are worthy of being immortalized on their currency, and by extension we'll learn a little about the story this country tells itself about itself. See a video version on our YouTube channel. Like what…

GLUG - That's the Spirit(s) We've talked about the oldest pub in Prague, beer and wine - now it's time to dive in to the spirit world with a look at some of the liquors Czechs like to drink. See a video version on our YouTube channel. Like what we do? Then buy us a beer or three via our Buy Me a Coffee page! SECTIONS 01:22 - Al-kul & distillation, …

ARTS - The Bear Educational Theatre Guest: David Fisher, artistic director & founder of the Bear Educational Theatre David Fisher has gone from being at the fringes of the theatrical to having his own theatre company - but he considers himself a teacher more than anything else. he talks about how the Bear came about, how it works, why it's differen…

NOW - proFem Guest: Eva Michálková, project manager for proFem – centrum pro oběti domácího a sexuálního násilí, o.p.s. Like most European countries, the Czech Republic is pretty humanist. And yet, sexual harassment & violence continue to be problems, with more than 50% of Czech women reporting sexual harassment and/or violence. The organization pr…

FOLKS - Comedy & Quizzes w/Luke Ryan Guest: Luke Ryan, quizmaster at James Joyce Pub, writer & host of the Inquizition podcast, founder of Comedy Prague Dublin-born Luke Ryan is all about making people laugh, and reminds us that comedy is work. We talk about the pub quiz scene in Prague, how to succeed in stand-up comedy, different styles of humour…

EATS - Kohoutek w/Gianluca Pini Guest: Gianluca Pini, co-owner of Kohoutek A new place in town serves up Italian-style cockerel, while also offering a number of fun things to peruse and purchase. Gianluca Pini talks about how and why they got started, living in Prague, striving for authenticity, creating a modern concept and more. See a video versi…

TOUR - Prague Haunts 1 Prague is reputedly the most haunted city in Europe. Yet it’s not very big, really. So it should not be surprising that there are some areas and streets in town that are heavy with the ghost action. This is a tour episode designed for you to take yourself to several haunted spots in Prague's Hradčany and Malá Strana districts…

HERE - The Long & Short of Prague (Superlatives 1) Prague tops a lot of lists because, well, it's a super place! So why not look at some super superlatives in the city? In this episode, we look at some of the longest and shortest things in Prague. See a video version on our YouTube channel. Like what we do? Then buy us a beer or three via our Buy M…

NOW - Re-use, Recycle, Upcycle Guest: Matouš Pinkava, CEO of nevyhazujto.cz, reuseto.cz & goodooga.cz The Czech Republic is focused on sustainability and Prague is very much onboard with that. Many initiatives and projects are happening or are in the works, and the future for the city looks pretty green. I talk with Matouš Pinkava, who heads a few …

GLUG - In Czecho Veritas (Czech wine country & culture) See a video version on our YouTube channel. Sure, this country is known for beer, but there's also a thriving wine industry here as well. We'll dive into the history, regions, types and celebrations of Czech viticulture culture. Like what we do? Then buy us a beer or three via our Buy Me a Cof…

THEN - End of the Line: The Last Přemyslids & John the Blind See a video version on our YouTube channel. The time of the Přemyslids was coming to an end on the throne of Bohemia. Václav II puts in good work, but then Václav III sort of drops the ball, opening the door for a stepfather, a Habsburg and then the Luxembourgers. Like what we do? Then bu…

THERE - 6 More UNESCO Sites CZ is small but dense with history and beauty. We take a look at six more locations to have made it on the UNESCO World Heritage List, this time mainly focusing on Moravia. Like what we do? Then buy us a beer or three via our Buy Me a Coffee page! SECTIONS 01:22 - Gardens & Castle at Kroměříž (1998) 04:41 - Zlín 07:46 - …

LIT - Čas proměn' (Time of Changes) w/Mark Baker Guest: Mark Baker, journalist and author - new book Čas proměn' out now! Writer Mark Baker has been in the region for most of his life, writing new articles, guide books for Fodor's and Lonely Planet, a blog and much more. When he was asked to evaluate the time of the Velvet Revolution from his own p…

ARTS - In the Gallery w/Camille Hunt Guest: Camille Hunt, co-owner of Hunt Kastner Gallery *To see some images along with the talk, check out the video version on our YouTube channel.* There's a lot of art in Prague, but what is it, exactly, that galleries do for contemporary artists? One of the owners of Hunt Kastner Gallery in Žižkov talks about …

LATER - Modern Architecture in Prague w/David Černý Guest: David Černý - artist, sculptor, architect, pilot World-renowned Czech artist David Černý joins us for our one year anniversary episode, talking about how he got into art but mainly about the large-scale architectural projects he has planned here in Prague. Along the way, we talk about other…

TOUR - David Černý in Prague For images of all the works mentioned here, see the video version out our YouTube channel. Sculptor David Černý is perhaps the most notorious Czech artist today, with a sarcastic and sardonic wit that informs his large-scale, often kinetic, works. Subtle, he ain't. He's got 22 works here in Prague, and we'll take a tour…

THERE - 6 UNESCO Sites in CZ See pictures of these places in the video version of this episode on our YouTube channel. The Czech Republic isn't very big, but it's got more castles & chateaux per square kilometer in the world, some very well-preserved towns and scads of history. We also have 14 (and counting) UNESCO World Heritage sites. Today we ta…

EATS - Cookin' Up a Storm w/Isaac Starobin Guest: Isaac Starobin, Chef/Owner of Dirty Dog BBQ It's a classic immigrant story - move to a new place, miss certain food items, make those food items. Isaac Starobin is bringing a taste of New York to Prague, experimenting like crazy and having a fine time while doing it. Not even the pandemic shutdown c…

GLUG - A Czech Beer Primer Beer - it's central to Czech social life, history and identity. Pretty much any Honza walking down the street just knows certain things about beer, having grown up in a culture saturated with it. This episode aims to give you the same background knowledge, so that you, too, can be on the same page as the locals. At least …

HERE - Dog Walks Prague w/Karen O'Rourke Guest: Karen O' Rourke, author of Dog Walks Prague Prague's already gone to the dogs - they're welcome everywhere. And they need to go walkies, as do their humans. Karen O'Rourke believes in the benefits of hiking and dog ownership so much, she's created a group for walkers, written a book about dogs walks i…

XOVER - UFOs in Czecho w/Sam Beckwith Guest: Sam Beckwith, editor of Prague Pig The Czech Lands have had their fair share of UFO sightings over the centuries, including wingless capsules, flaming wheels, weird organic drones, tiny balls, giant figures, sliver men and more. It's time to delve into some high weirdness in Central Europe. This is a spe…

FOLKS - Democrats Abroad with Julia Bryan Guest: Julia Bryan, Global Chair for Democrats Abroad Just because you're an American living outside the country, you can still vote. And you should. Organizations like Democrats Abroad are here to help make it as easy a process as it can be. We also talk about the Electoral College, HR1, the filibuster, he…

GLUG - The Oldest Pub in Prague One way to explore Prague culture and history is to hit the historic pubs of the city. But which one is the oldest? Well, it depends on what you mean by "oldest". We take a look at 12 candidates that might fit the bill. Like what we do? Then buy us a beer or three via our Buy Me a Coffee page! SECTIONS 01:49 - U Flek…

NOW - Prague: The Capitol of Crypto w/Maya Bersheva Guest: Maya Bersheva, community manager for the Czech Republic, Binance Just because Prague is more than 1000 years old doesn't mean it's behind the times. In fact, it's the most crypto-friendly city in the world. What does that mean? I certainly don't know. But my guest does! Maya Bersheva of Bin…

THEN - Two of the Greats: Vaclav I & Ottokar II (1230-1278) Bohemia finally has permanent kings, and the next two rulers are ranked among the best all of time. Under Vaclav I and Ottokar II, Bohemia would reach the apex of its power and influence. At least, under the Přemyslids. Like what we do? Then buy us a beer or three via our Buy Me a Coffee p…

THERE - Jaq's Cool Critters - Cuddlin' in Kadlín Guest: Jaq Beart, owner of Jaq's Cool Critters Animal Sanctuary in Kadlín *Apologies to Jaq and the gang at Cool Critters for totally stealing their tag line for the title of this episode! ** To see some of the dogs & cats mentioned here, check out our video version on YouTube Jaq wanted a summer hom…

EATS - Follow Your Bagel Bliss w/Ezra's Bagels Guests: Chelsea London & Giuseppe Cantanzariti, Owners & Operators of Ezra's Bagels Recent additions to the city Chelsea & Giuseppe started making bagels to satisfy her pregnancy cravings, and a business was born. And so was their son, Ezra, so they named it after him. These New York-style bagels are t…

FOLKS - Living Free (in) Europe w/Grant Podelco Guest: Grant Podelco, editor-in-chief of rferl.org (Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty), blogger, photographer, actor, etc. Grant's is a classic story - someone who came to Prague for one reason, and ended up staying for many reasons. We talk about the important work Radio Free Europe is still doing and …

THEN - Long Live the King (Again) (1172-1230) Yet more musical chairs around the throne of Bohemia, but it all comes out in the end as yet another king secures long term power. Third time's a charm! Like what we do? Then buy us a beer or three via our Buy Me a Coffee page! SECTIONS 00:53 - Vladislav II Abdicates Without Permission 01:19 - Frederick…

HERE - Blood on the Snow: Czech Holiday Traditions w/Peter Collman Guest: Peter Collman, co-author of Curious Czech Christmas; podcaster for The Bohemican and History of Alchemy, YouTube channel Past Access What holiday has a wallet that smells like fish, hallucinations of magical pig, a mutant baby, chocking hazards, molten lead exploding in your …

THEN - CZ in the 90s: Privatization, Politics & Progress with Jonathan Stein Guest: Jonathan Stein, Managing Editor for Project Syndicate Jonathan Stein has seen many transitions - Czechoslovakia into the Czech Republic, working in academia then news, how the three phases of privatization worked in the 90s, the rise of Klaus and the technocrats, bu…

THEN - Back to Bohemia - The House of Přemyslid (870-999) The Great Moravian Empire is over, but the fun is just beginning in Bohemia. The Přemyslids fend off external attacks and start internal squabbles, brother kills brother, Christianity makes inroads but not without resistance, one family rises while another falls, but (spoiler) it all finally…

EATS - Memories & Meals with Lori Wyant & Dean Selby Guests: Lori Wyant & Dean Selby, Chef-Owners of The Tavern and U Kurelů Lori and Dean love Prague, and Prague loves them back. Consistently innovative, they have helped transform the food scene here over the past decade - sparking off the burger craze, kickstarting BBQ, helping usher in brunch an…

NOW - #HelpYourHood with Rob Cameron Guest: Rob Cameron, BBC Correspondent for CZ and Slovakia Fulfilling two lifelong dreams, Rob Cameron gets to live in Prague and work in news. His response to the COVID-19 pandemic was to create the #helpyourhood Facebook group for a few friends, but it has grown almost beyond his control into something like an …

HERE - 13 More Ghost Stories with Raymond Johnston Guest: Raymond Johnston, Journalist and author of the Ghost Map Prague's one of the most haunted cities in Europe, so it was an easy task to find 13 scary stories for Halloween to amaze, delight and frighten you. Follow along using Raymond's interactive ghost map, or just settle back and listen to …

FOLKS - News, Nuance & the 90s with Douglas Lytle Guest: Douglas Lytle, Editor for Bloomberg Intelligence, former editor/reporter at Dow Jones, former reporter at the Wall Street Journal, former editor at Prague Post, author of Pink Tanks and Velvet Hangovers: An American in Prague Douglas Lytle came to Prague in 1990 on something of a whim. The ci…

HERE - New Town, New Jerusalem with Raymond Johnston Guest: Raymond Johnston, Journalist Prague's Nové Město (New Town) is only new in comparison to other parts of town. Founded by Emperor Charles IV in 1378, it was actually intended to be a substitute for Jerusalem - a place where the Second Coming could happen in comfort and style. Journalist Ray…

THEN - Duking It Out Among the Přemyslids (1061-1167) Přemyslid ambitions continue to make things interesting. Vratislav gets a lance, Soběslav gets to hold a cup, Crusades are joined and avoided, Vladislav goes on walkabout, the Gothic period starts and Prague gets a new bridge. And just when it looks like things are finally going to calm down, th…

ARTS - Czech Cinema w/Ryan Keating (Lambert) Guest: Film journalist Ryan Keating of the Movie Barf cinema blog Cinema is a big deal here in the Czech Republic - Czechs have been innovators in the field since the beginning, many films and TV shows are filmed here, and more and more independent cinema establishments are opening up around Prague. We t…

TOUR - 10 More Old Town Tales The Old Town is full of interesting stories and history, and now's a great time to check it out. Here's a tour with more stories you may not know about true love, jealousy, modern beer, mockery, pride and much more. These stories and legends are always all around us, if we only know where to look. This tour can be comb…

THEN - Sibling Rivalry on Steroids (999-1061) Now things REALLY heat up in Bohemia, with wars, rebellions, blindings, castrations, whole families getting wiped out and lots more fun. You'd think things would calm down after all that, but you'd be wrong. It's Game of Thrones without the dragons! Like what we do? Then buy us a beer or three via our B…

FOLKS - We Are All Locals w/Karina Korenblum Guest: Karina Korenblum, Co-Owner of Venue Cafe, Sales & Distribution Consultant for Grandview Castle Entertainment, and Sales & Acquisitions Consultant for Cercamon Karina Korenblum is a Colombian who came to Prague after living in Paris and Berlin. She has worked in the independent film industry and is…

HERE - Ghosts in Prague with Raymond Johnston Guest: Raymond Johnston, Journalist We talk about ghosts with a local expert on the subject, and it should be no surprise that a city that's over 1000 years old has quite a few of them. Like what we do? Then buy us a beer or three via our Buy Me a Coffee page! SECTIONS 01:26 - Raymond's Ghost Map of Pra…

TOUR - 10 Old Town Tales Host: Derek DeWitt Prague's Old Town is, well, old, and full of fascinating tales, legends and locations. We'll look at ten tales in the area that you may not know about. This is designed as a tour that you can take while walking the winding streets of Staré Město. If you are too far away, you could follow along using Googl…

ARTS - Politics & Theatre with Nancy Bishop Guest: Nancy Bishop, CSA and Emmy-Nominated Casting Director. And also a Theatre Director. Theatre has always been an important part of Czech culture and national identity, often being used in subversive ways to undermine those who would dominate them. Nancy Bishop takes us all the way back to 1620 up tho…

THEN - The Great Moravian Empire (833-907) Host: Derek DeWitt On slightly firmer footing facts-wise, we take a look at the Great Moravian Empire - where it was, what is was and, more importantly, who the major players were. But it was certainly not a time of calm and peace. When you are right in the middle of Europe, everyone wants a piece of your …