Here In Holland

We live in crazy times - the Corona virus has got us all under its malevolent spell. In this edition I talk to psychologist Vassia Sarantopoulou about tips on keeping sane during this time of fear and social distancing. Vassia is the woman behind Antiloneliness.com There are lots of tips in the podcast and here are some links Vassia wanted to share too. Washington Post tips for couplesTips from an astronaut on isolation from New York TimesWhat if you are stuck with an abusive person - from The Mighty Quarantine coping - parenting Apps to boost mental health - Antiloneliness.comMore apps to boost mental health - Antiloneliness.comStress and coping - CDCIf you like Here in Holland why not become a patron? For a small monthly contribution you’ll be supporting the show and with more patrons then I'll have the chance to make more shows and try new stuff. Become a patron today Links: Here in Holland email: hereinholland@gmail.com Subscribe in iTunes or Android app of choice. Now on SpotifySupport the showSuppo

I've been working on a new idea - a podcast all about dog stories. Having recently become a dog owner for the first time it struck me how many stories people start telling you when you are out with your pooch. So, let's do it, I thought, and here is the first ever Shaggy Dog Stories podcast. Please share with anyone you think will like it and if you have a dog story you would like to share with me then please please get in touch. There's email - greatdogstory@gmail.com - and there's even a What's App line if you want to share your story via an audio message. If it's a good one I'll use it in future episodes.  Wherever you are in the world I'd love to hear from you.WhatsApp storyline:  +31 6 124 28 387Support the show (https://www.patreon.com/hereinholland)

This a collection of funny stories recorded at the Feel at Home Fair in The Hague. Internationals from around the world share their thoughts on the wonderfully weird world that is The Netherlands. The fair was organised by The Hague Online in February 2020. Thanks to Billy and the team for letting me roam free with my microphone. At the end of the podcast there is a bonus story from a pilot project - Shaggy Dog Stories. I am collecting dog stories so thought I would share one here. Let me know what you think. And if you have a story to share - dog or human related - please get in touch. If you like Here in Holland why not become a patron? For a small monthly contribution you’ll be supporting the show and with more patrons then I'll have the chance to make more shows and try new stuff. Become a patron today Links: Here in Holland email: hereinholland@gmail.com Subscribe in iTunes or Android app of choice. Now on SpotifySupport the showSupport the show (https://www.patreon.com/hereinholland)

In this episode I'm joined by author Ben Coates. Ben is a Brit and he's been in The Netherlands for about ten years - he previously wrote a book about his experiences here "Why the Dutch are Different" and he featured in an earlier podcast talking about that. This time he talks about his new book - The Rhine. The book starts in The Netherlands and follows the river Rhine all the way to its source in Switzerland. From Ben's site: "For five years, Ben Coates lived alongside a major channel of the river in Rotterdam, crossing it daily, swimming and sailing in its tributaries. In The Rhine, he sets out to follow the river for its entire course, through the Netherlands, Germany, France, Switzerland, Austria and Liechtenstein, to its source in the icy Alps. He explores the impact that the Rhine has had on European culture and history and finds out how influences have flowed along and across the river, shaping the people who live alongside it."Get The Rhine at Bol.comIf you like He

What to do when things get tough and you start getting into a negative spiral…we all feel down at times but what to do to stop this getting out of control? And how can we develop habits that will keep us happy and in balance?Internationals can often feel disoriented so how best to organize your life to be happy and fulfilled.I’m joined by Psychologist Bjarne Timonen who has written a book – the Life Style Guide Against Somberness – De Leef Stijlgids Tegen Somberheid. It’s full of practical tips. It’s in Dutch so if you read Dutch highly recommended and if you don’t well that’s why Bjarne is here to share his expertise in English. Bjarne’s Facebook pageIf you like Here in Holland why not become a patron? For a small monthly contribution you’ll be supporting the show and with more patrons then I'll have the chance to make more shows and try new stuff. Become a patron today Links: Here in Holland email: hereinholland@gmail.com Subscribe in iTunes or Android app of choice. Now on SpotifySupport the show (htt

What's it like being an international mum in The Netherlands? And what's it like as a woman here when trying to combine a career and a family. My guest in the podcast is Steliana van de Rijt-Economu she's originally from Romania and has been bringing up her kids in The Netherlands for the last four years. She is also an Organisational Development Consultant and executive coach. And she has written a book Mothers as Leaders. It presents inspirational real-life stories of twenty  women from across the world who have overcome hardship to emerge as true leaders.  Mothers As LeadersIf you like Here in Holland why not become a patron? For a small monthly contribution you’ll be supporting the show and with more patrons then I'll have the chance to make more shows and try new stuff. Become a patron today Links: Here in Holland email: hereinholland@gmail.com Subscribe in iTunes or Android app of choice. Now on SpotifySupport the show (https://www.patreon.com/hereinholland)

There's a famous quote about Dutch politics which says: "if  Dutch politics ever gets interesting then something has gone terribly wrong."This is nonsense. Dutch politics is fascinating. This time in the podcast I'm joined by historian and Dutch politics expert and insider Pieter Gerrit Kroeger. We talk about what's hot now in Dutch politics, how the system works, what the Dutch stand for internationally and there's anecdotes to finish off. You can use chapter marks to skip straight to your favourite bit. If you like Here in Holland why not become a patron? For a small monthly contribution you’ll be supporting the show and with more patrons then I'll have the chance to make more shows and try new stuff. Become a patron today Links: Here in Holland email: hereinholland@gmail.com Subscribe in iTunes or Android app of choice. Now on SpotifySupport the show (https://www.patreon.com/hereinholland)

More than 50% of internationals in the Netherlands have mental health issues according to new research from Healthcare for Internationals, a non-profit focused on improving healthcare for internationals in the Netherlands. These are initial findings and more will follow - but it's an alarming rate. Internationals are suffering anxiety, loneliness and depression. In this episode I talk to psychologist Vassia Sarantopoulou from Antiloneliness.comShe mentions two apps as being good starting points for mindfulness which can help people develop a positive mental health regime. Headspace  and Simple HabitIf you like Here in Holland why not become a patron? For a small monthly contribution you’ll be supporting the show and with more patrons then I'll have the chance to make more shows and try new stuff. Become a patron today Links: Here in Holland email: hereinholland@gmail.com Subscribe in iTunes or Android app of choice. Now on SpotifySupport the show

This time an interview with Marjan Minnesma the director of Urgenda. The organization achieved international fame after taking the Dutch government to court and winning. The first case in 2015 was a landmark ruling with the court saying the government had a duty of care to tackle climate change an take it seriously. A reduction of 25% CO2 emissions by 2020 was the minimum requirement the court ruled. The government appealed and lost - the next court ruled, in 2018, it was also a human rights issue and the 25% reduction by 2020 stands. Now the government is scrambling to see what it can do to meet the target. A fascinating interview with Marjan Minnesma on the gap between perception and reality when it comes to the Netherlands and its environmental record. If you like Here in Holland why not become a patron? For a small monthly contribution you’ll be supporting the show and with more patrons then I'll have the chance to make more shows and try new stuff. Become a patron today Links: Here in Holland email:

This time a story I made when I was working at Radio Netherlands in 1998 - it's a documentary I made about running the Rotterdam Marathon. The music is a bit over the top - but what the hell. I thought I would share here as more than 20 years on I have dusted off my running shoes.If you want to share a story with Here in Holland you can record it via the Whats App number 06 124 28 387 - or see the links below to get in touch. Funny stories, weird stories or stories that make you pull your hair out - all are welcome.If you like Here in Holland why not become a patron? For a small monthly contribution you’ll be supporting the show and with more patrons then I'll have the chance to make more shows and try new stuff. Become a patron today Links: Here in Holland email: hereinholland@gmail.com Subscribe in iTunes or Android app of choice. Now on SpotifySupport the show (https://www.patreon.com/hereinholland)

Recorded at the Feel at Home Fair 2019 in the Hague this edition of the podcast has internationals rating their lives in the Netherlands out of 10. There's lots of sharing of funny stories and experiences too.If you want to share a story with Here in Holland you can record it via the Whats App number 06 124 28 387 - or see the links below to get in touch. The Feel at Home Fair is organised by the Hague Online. If you like Here in Holland why not become a patron? For a small monthly contribution you’ll be supporting the show and with more patrons then I'll have the chance to make more shows and try new stuff. Become a patron today Links: Here in Holland email: hereinholland@gmail.com Subscribe in iTunes or Android app of choice. Now on SpotifySupport the show (https://www.patreon.com/hereinholland)

This time in the Here in Holland podcast – how to become a Dutch citizen.I sit down with immigration lawyer and Dutch citizenship expert Hermie de Voer and get the inside info on what it takes for internationals to get Dutch nationality. And we talk about the possibilities of having dual nationality too.If you like Here in Holland why not become a patron? For a small monthly contribution you’ll be supporting the show and with more patrons then I'll have the chance to make more shows and try new stuff. Become a patron today Links: Here in Holland email: hereinholland@gmail.com Subscribe in iTunes or Android app of choice. Now on SpotifySupport the show (https://www.patreon.com/hereinholland)

I’ve decided it’s time for a campaign to get the best Dutch proverbs and expressions translated literally into English and accepted in every day use. There are so many brilliant Dutch expressions and it is a crying shame they are not given the spotlight on the world stage they so richly deserve.Nu komt de aap uit de mouw - now the monkey comes out of the sleeve is my favourite but there are loads more and a selection are featured in this podcast. Leading the way through the forest of weird Dutch sayings is comedian and writer Paulien CornelisseI caught up with at her home in Amsterdam during a break in her latest one-woman theatre tour. If you like Here in Holland why not become a patron? For a small monthly contribution you’ll be supporting the show and with more patrons then I'll have the chance to make more shows and try new stuff. Become a patron today Links: Here in Holland email: hereinholland@gmail.com Subscribe in iTunes or Android app of choice. Now on SpotifySupport the show (https://www.patreo

We live in a selfish world and at the end of the year self-indulgence can switch into overdrive what with Christmas hols and New Year festivities. Looking for a bit more out of life? This is the podcast you've been waiting for. Find out how by helping others you can help yourself. An interview with Brigitte Vonck from Serve the City Amsterdam If you like Here in Holland why not become a patron? For a small monthly contribution you’ll be supporting the show and with more patrons then I'll have the chance to make more shows and try new stuff. Become a patron today Links: Here in Holland email: hereinholland@gmail.com Subscribe in iTunes or Android app of choice. Now on SpotifySupport the show (https://www.patreon.com/hereinholland)

Brexit is fast approaching – what does it mean for the tens of thousands of Brits in the Netherlands? The truth is that it is chaos. In the podcast this time an interview with Sarah Parkes and Tricia Tarrant from the British in the Netherlands group. Facebook page The group is part of British in Europe Also featured is British businessman Stephen Huyton from Thermopatch International.For information on what Brexit can mean for residency as a Brit in the Netherlands check this Dutch Immigration Service page.  If you like Here in Holland why not become a patron? For a small monthly contribution you’ll be supporting the show and with more patrons then I'll have the chance to make more shows and try new stuff. Become a patron today Links: Here in Holland email: hereinholland@gmail.com Subscribe in iTunes or Android app of choice. Now on Spotify Support the show (https://www.patreon.com/hereinholland)

Lots of funny stories about mishaps and misunderstandings in the podcast this time. The stories were recorded at the Expatica Fair in the Beurs van Berlage in Amsterdam. If you like Here in Holland why not become a patron? For a small monthly contribution you’ll be supporting the show and with more patrons then I'll have the chance to make more shows and try new stuff. Become a patron today Links: Here in Holland email: hereinholland@gmail.com Subscribe in iTunes or Android app of choice. Now on SpotifySupport the show (https://www.patreon.com/hereinholland)

This time, why don’t internationals here in the Netherlands trust Dutch healthcare? Surveys show only 30% of internationals trust Dutch doctors. It’s a staggering figure…and this lack of trust can lead to some random decision making with people going go abroad for healthcare and even quitting the Netherlands altogether. And all this while the Dutch have one of the most advanced medical systems in the world. So what’s going on? In the podcast this time a conversation with Dirk Jan Frijling from Healthcare for Internationals a non-profit network of healthcare providers that aims to have Dutch healthcare better meet the needs and expectations of internationals. You can find a detailed explanation of Dutch healthcare and health insurance at the website. If you like Here in Holland why not become a patron? For a small monthly contribution you’ll be supporting the show and with more patrons then I'll have the chance to make more shows and try new stuff. Become a patron today Links: Here in Ho

Moving to the Netherlands with a family can be tough at the best of times, but what if you have two autistic sons and your partner is dying of cancer? For journalist Gordon Darroch this nightmare scenario was a bitter reality. And now he has written a wonderfully moving and intimate book about being faced with the hammer blow that brought life as he knew it crashing down around him. All The Time We Thought We Had. Gordon's blog on autism Autistic Dad. If you like Here in Holland why not become a patron? For a small monthly contribution you’ll be supporting the show and with more patrons then I'll have the chance to make more shows and try new stuff. Become a patron today Links: Here in Holland email: hereinholland@gmail.com Subscribe in iTunes or Android app of choice. Now on Spotify Support the show (https://www.patreon.com/hereinholland)

To end the second season some favourite stories form the podcast so far. I'll be back in September with season3. Thanks for all your support. If you like Here in Holland why not become a patron? For a small monthly contribution you’ll be supporting the show and with more patrons then I'll have the chance to make more shows and try new stuff. Become a patron today Links: Here in Holland email: hereinholland@gmail.com Subscribe in iTunes or Android app of choice. Now on Spotify Support the show (https://www.patreon.com/hereinholland)

This time I’m talking to someone who has just been in the Netherlands for a few months. He’s Steven Morgan - by day, mild mannered IT guy, by night and weekend – stand-up comic, musician, writer and actor. We talk about his expectations of the Netherlands – his comedy and what it’s like doing stand-up for an international audience and about some of the funny scrapes he’s been in since arriving in NL. There are snippets from the first stand up shows he’s been performing here in the podcast too. Steve Morgan Facebook If you like Here in Holland why not become a patron? For a small monthly contribution you’ll be supporting the show and with more patrons then I'll have the chance to make more shows and try new stuff. Become a patron today Links: Here in Holland email: hereinholland@gmail.com Subscribe in iTunes or Android app of choice. Now on Spotify Support the show (https://www.patreon.com/hereinholland)