Raphael talks about why he moved from Nigeria to Warsaw, the culture shocks of arriving in Poland, learning the Polish language (or attempting to), and what it’s like being a Black foreigner in one of Europe’s most homogenous countries.

The conversation dives into identity, belonging, bureaucracy, Polish food, viral content creation, and why rosół apparently solves every problem in life.

Elsewhere in the episode:

• Peter discovers the wonderfully Polish tradition of the parapetówka
• John takes us deep underground into Poland’s legendary salt mines
• We visit the ancient settlement of Biskupin - the “Polish Pompeii”
• And Peter somehow survives another round of Three in Ten Seconds

Expect observations, laughter, honesty, and at least one attempt at Disco Polo singing.

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Read our blog: www.pole-ish.eu

Write to us: peter@pole-ish.eu

Follow our socials: search for ‘Pole-ish Podcast’ on BlueSky, Xwitter, YouTube and Facebook.

Follow Raphael Obi / DarkMagikCA

• Instagram: @darkmagikca
• TikTok: DarkMagikCA Live
• Linktree: DarkMagikCA

Wieliczka Salt Mine: www.kopalnia.pl

Biskupin Archaeological Site: https://biskupin.pl/

Bałkanica – Piersi (Będzie zabawa!): https://open.spotify.com/track/3bsxKpPB1rv80N8edDIZz8?si=6daa91481db549cb

Pole-ish Guest Playlist: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/68kYaLG4XYgcjRdSjzzgcW?si=de7065757241400c

Our special guest is Dr Tomasz Zajkowski - President of the Polish Astrobiology Society, and researcher at AGH University’s new Faculty of Space Technologies in Kraków. Tomasz talks to us about the search for extraterrestrial life, whether we might all secretly be Martians, the challenges of science in Poland and the US, and why understanding alien life can actually teach us more about ourselves.

Along the way, we discuss Polish student festivals, Stanisław Barańczak’s linguistic madness, veganism, California culture shocks, Mazurian lakes, and the possibility that Poland may soon play a much bigger role in space exploration.

Also featuring:

• Rugby & cricket in Warsaw parks
• why Americans sit facing restaurant entrances
• which Polish delicacy is much in demand at NASA
• and a scientifically questionable amount of discussion about bird’s milk.

We urge you to listen to this episode – it’s out of this world!

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Read our blog: www.pole-ish.eu

Write to us: peter@pole-ish.eu

Follow our socials: search for ‘Pole-ish Podcast’ on BlueSky, Xwitter, YouTube and Facebook. 

Stanisław Baranczak: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stanis%C5%82aw_Bara%C5%84czak

Polish Astrobiological Society: https://astrobio.pl/

Project Hail Mary (film): https://www.imdb.com/title/tt12042730/

The Coconut Nut (The Coconut Song) - The San Miguel Master Chorale: https://open.spotify.com/track/1XHeQupI4MWPA7UrU6EKEu?si=f7ee483235a94ac6

Then they’re joined by British journalist and author Jo Harper for one of their most honest and revealing conversations yet.

Jo reflects on arriving in Poland in the 1990s, building a life here through marriage, journalism and fatherhood, and the personal upheavals that shaped his writing. From Polish politics and media narratives to divorce, identity, homesickness and the strange psychology of borders, this is a raw conversation about what it means to belong somewhere, and what happens when that feeling starts to slip away.

Plus: Polish dark humour, bureaucratic frustration, flaki, and why Kazik Staszewski still hits the right note.

A funny, thoughtful, and unexpectedly moving episode about Poland and the stories we tell ourselves about home.

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Read our blog: www.pole-ish.eu

Write to us: peter@pole-ish.eu

Follow our socials: search for ‘Pole-ish Podcast’ on BlueSky, Xwitter, YouTube and Facebook.

Jo Harper: https://harpersediting.pl/

Museum of Modern Art, Warsaw: https://artmuseum.pl/

Julie Mehretu: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Julie_Mehretu

Architect Thomas Phifer: https://www.thomasphifer.com/office/role/director/thomas-phifer

Benny Hill: https://bennyhill.co.uk/

Flaki: https://aniagotuje.pl/przepis/flaki

12 Groszy by Kazik: https://open.spotify.com/track/6wevlxn0kTHe6rievB13VI?si=730695c8e1974ae8

Pole-ish Guest Playlist: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/68kYaLG4XYgcjRdSjzzgcW?si=de7065757241400c

Along the way, we get into Polish vs Ukrainian borscht, the truth about pierogi ruskie, why philosophy still matters in tech, and how Polish heritage can survive across borders and generations.

Plus: ChatGPT takes our Five Big Questions, John talks Kraków Marathon dinosaurs, and Peter finds perhaps the least subtle bit of graffiti in Warsaw and is embarrassed about how “naughty” it is.

Come for the culture. Stay for the smalec.

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Read our blog: www.pole-ish.eu

Write to us: peter@pole-ish.eu

Follow our socials: search for ‘Pole-ish Podcast’ on BlueSky, Xwitter, YouTube and Facebook.

Bubble Boy (trailer): https://youtu.be/jSRU48wCphI?si=-bhbfkLaFwWcLYpF

Oleg’s Polish Heritage app: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.olegtyshchenko.polishheritage&pcampaignid=web_share

Chopin Nocturnes (Rubenstein): https://open.spotify.com/album/5Q5m22P7jIwdMSKXqhrpaN?si=4a1c092c5aec4e09

Mery Spolsky – Miło Było Pana Poznać: https://open.spotify.com/track/72p7CkcPgKtWJjaxsAFNDZ?si=0bc35f0ce53e4477

Pole-ish Guest Playlist: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/68kYaLG4XYgcjRdSjzzgcW?si=de7065757241400c

There’s also a global reality check as we discover our listeners are popping up everywhere from Vietnam to Oman (still not France… awkward), plus a deep dive into the perfect hangover cure: a full English breakfast in the middle of Kraków.

Along the way, we stumble into a hidden church, accidentally unpack a deeply disturbing Greek myth, and question some life choices.

In this episode:

·       A surprisingly civilised “big night out” 🍻

·       Polish wines and why you should give them a chance 🍷

·       The unpredictable reactions to speaking Polish as a foreigner 🗣️

·       The return of 3 in 10 (with Ipswich under pressure) ⏱️

·       Oscypek appreciation hour 🧀

·       And why the Polish word “no” absolutely does not mean what you think it means 🤦‍♂️

We wrap up with a nod to Majówka and Poland’s triple celebration season - so if you’re listening with a beer in hand, you’re doing it right.

As always, we’re not Polish… We’re Pole-ish.

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Read our blog: www.pole-ish.eu

Write to us: peter@pole-ish.eu

Follow our socials: search for ‘Pole-ish Podcast’ on BlueSky, Xwitter, YouTube and Facebook.

Cherry Liqueur bar: https://pianavyshnia.com/

Scandale Royale: https://scandale.pl/

Pasaż 13: https://www.myguidekrakow.com/shopping/pasaz-13

Legend of Procne: https://www.greeklegendsandmyths.com/procne.html

Hoopoe: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hoopoe#

Polska Rada Winiarswa (Polish Wine Council): https://zpprw.pl/en/#

British 'champagne': https://tinyurl.com/ycd8zj64

Oscypek cheese: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oscypek

Pole-ish Guest Playlist: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/68kYaLG4XYgcjRdSjzzgcW?si=de7065757241400c

They swap stories of Poland past and present (including propeller planes into a snowy Balice), debate why Kraków might just be the perfect-sized city, and attempt to separate fact from fiction - with mixed success - on everything from wolves to bar & café density.

Along the way:

• The truth about Kraków vs Warsaw
• A near-wolf encounter in the mountains
• Museums you should visit… and one you probably shouldn’t
• The legend of the Hejnał trumpet
• A fridge inspection that gets surprisingly emotional
• And a competitive “3 in 10” that tests John’s home knowledge

It’s messy, it’s meandering, and it’s probably our most Pole-ish episode yet. Na zdrowie 🍺

PS Sorry for the dodgy sound quality in places – we’re still quite new to the game, and clearly haven’t mastered how to share a microphone. Normal service will be resumed next week.

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Read our blog: www.Pole-ish.eu

Write to us: peter@pole-ish.eu

Follow our socials: search for ‘Pole-ish Podcast’ on BlueSky, Xwitter, YouTube and Facebook.

Hejnał: https://mariacki.com/hejnal/

Rynek Underground Museum: https://muzeumkrakowa.pl/en/branches/rynek-underground

Kraków Stained Glass Museum: https://muzeumwitrazu.pl/

Kraków Wax Museum: https://www.poloniawaxmuseum.com/

Grey Wolf: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wolf

Pole-ish Guest Playlist: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/68kYaLG4XYgcjRdSjzzgcW?si=de7065757241400c

This week, we bring you a selection of offcuts, bonus content and bloopers that haven’t previously been aired in previous episodes.

Listen out for:

·       John makes a mess of Three in 10 – twice!

·       David Kennedy eloquently describes the best way to brew tea (milk first?)

·       A staggering number of things in Poland named after John Paul II

·       Peter falling through ice in Warsaw

·       The fine art – and competitive strategy – of Baltic beach paravanning

·       And many more bloopers, misfires, and moments that probably should have stayed on the cutting room floor

If you’re an expat, living in Poland, a fan of the country, or simply enjoy hearing two confused guys giving professional broadcasters a bad name, then tune in!

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Read our blog: www.Pole-ish.eu

Write to us: peter@pole-ish.eu

Follow our socials: search for ‘Pole-ish Podcast’ on BlueSky, Xwitter, YouTube and Facebook.

Pole-ish Guest Playlist: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/68kYaLG4XYgcjRdSjzzgcW?si=de7065757241400c

Today, Raf takes us on a journey across Poland, and down into Slovakia, eating and drinking along the way, as well as going way waaaay back as he regales us with tales from his early days as a young man in Łódz and his extraordinary interface there with the local police. Derby County fans in particular sit back and enjoy, as you’re in for a treat!

Plus: Raf fails to do his ‘FIVE BIG QUESTIONS’ homework, but still manages to style it out spectacularly.

If you’re an expat in Poland, learning Polish, learning English, learning neither, a fan or Raf (you will be after listening), or just curious about Poland and what makes it so distinctive, then jump right in!

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Read our blog: www.Pole-ish.eu

Write to us: peter@pole-ish.eu

Follow our socials: search for ‘Pole-ish Podcast’ on BlueSky, Xwitter, YouTube and Facebook.

My English Podcast (Spotify): https://open.spotify.com/show/3CnRA9vkzYcyEUCCJMW1wu?si=3decae7f20ba465f

My English Podcast (YouTube): https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCZLIiT3cVePNxwurQj1oYkw

My English Podcast (Apple): podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/my-english-podcast/id1791442086

Iława: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/I%C5%82awa

Jaś i Małgosia (kotlety on bigos): https://klubjasimalgosia.pl/

Wena by Kaliber 44: https://open.spotify.com/track/5W9CRNHamRFzaoqgQLLPE0?si=d4f90a21d27e42ab

Pole-ish Guest Playlist: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/68kYaLG4XYgcjRdSjzzgcW?si=de7065757241400c

From learning Polish to unpacking cultural differences, communication styles, and Poland’s evolving global image, this conversation dives into what it really means to live between cultures. Raf shares his journey from the UK to Poland, his background in linguistics and media, and why authenticity and language matter more than ever.

We explore:

• Poland’s international reputation and how it’s changing
• Communication styles across cultures (Poland vs UK vs US vs Japan)
• Language learning, pronunciation, and expat life in Poland
• Stereotypes, history, and the narratives shaping modern Poland
• Why being genuine might be the ultimate cross-cultural skill

Plus: Easter traditions, highly controversial takes on Italian food, and Peter drops a massive Polish language bomb.

If you’re an expat in Poland, learning Polish, learning English, or just curious about Polish culture, communication, and identity - this one’s for you. Part two of our chat with Raf drops in a bonus episode this Thursday!

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Read our blog: www.Pole-ish.eu

Write to us: peter@pole-ish.eu

Follow our socials: search for ‘Pole-ish Podcast’ on BlueSky, Xwitter, YouTube and Facebook.

My English Podcast (Spotify): https://open.spotify.com/show/3CnRA9vkzYcyEUCCJMW1wu?si=3decae7f20ba465f

My English Podcast (YouTube): https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCZLIiT3cVePNxwurQj1oYkw

My English Podcast (Apple): podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/my-english-podcast/id1791442086

State Certification of Proficiency in Polish as a Foreign Language: https://certyfikatpolski.pl/en/

Wedel Chocolate: https://wedel.com/

Pole-ish Guest Playlist: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/68kYaLG4XYgcjRdSjzzgcW?si=de7065757241400c

In this episode of Pole-ish, hosts Peter MacLeod and Johnathan Nett explore expat life in Poland through the lens of community, culture, and music. Peter sits down with Luiza Chrzanowska — coach, expat, and founder of Warsaw’s international choir Choir in Action — to discuss how singing brings people together across languages and backgrounds.

From living in Poland as an expat to navigating identity, multiculturalism, and integration, this episode dives into the challenges and rewards of building a life abroad. Discover how music, friendship, and shared experiences can help you find your tribe in Poland.

Plus:

• A quick-fire 3 in 10 on Polish BBQ traditions
• Insights into Polish culture, language, and community life
• Reflections on expat identity and belonging

🎶 Whether you’re an expat in Poland, planning to move, or simply curious about Polish life, this episode hits all the right notes.

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Read our blog: www.Pole-ish.eu

Write to us: peter@pole-ish.eu

Follow our socials: search for ‘Pole-ish Podcast’ on BlueSky, Xwitter, YouTube and Facebook.

Choir In Action (YouTube): https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC5s3M0qzv0WJfWTrNdh8IFA

Choir In Action (Facebook): https://www.facebook.com/ChoirINACTION#

Choir In Action (Patronite): https://patronite.pl/chorwakcji

Oscypek: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oscypek

Pole-ish Guest Playlist: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/68kYaLG4XYgcjRdSjzzgcW?si=de7065757241400c

In an entertaining and enlightening interview, Palina tells us of the main mistakes incomers make, some of the pitfalls to avoid, and sheds light on what for many is a stressful and oblique application process.

Along the way, we hear about her controversial views about pierogi, how her own experience as a citizen born outside of Poland helped give her insight into her professional role, and the perils of turning to Facebook for life-changing legal advice.

John, fresh from not having been eaten by a sleuth of bears in Zakopane, has a go at a flag-centric Three in 10, whilst Peter confesses how little he knew about Polish history as a young man.

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Read our blog: www.Pole-ish.eu

Write to us: peter@pole-ish.eu

Follow our socials: search for ‘Pole-ish Podcast’ on BlueSky, Xwitter, YouTube and Facebook.

The Burman Robinson: https://burman-robinson.com/

sanah - Miłość jest ślepa: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tSiOWFwHR4U

Interesting collective nouns: https://www.theguardian.com/books/2014/sep/19/ten-best-collective-nouns

Pole-ish Guest Playlist: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/68kYaLG4XYgcjRdSjzzgcW?si=de7065757241400c

The podcast for expats and lovers of Poland interviews British author and filmmaker Patrck Ney, who says “Poland sucks” at telling the world its story. That’s why a whole generation of non-Poles know so little about Polish history.

Patrick gets stuck into topics including parenting, tech use amongst teens, what becoming a Polish citizen means to him, and the secret of his father-in-law’s bigos.

As always, Peter gets his kickers in a twist about which food is Polish, and John somehow avoids being devoured by a bear.

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Read our blog: www.Pole-ish.eu

Write to us: peter@pole-ish.eu

Follow our socials: search for ‘Pole-ish Podcast’ on BlueSky, Xwitter, YouTube and Facebook.

Patrick Ney: https://www.youtube.com/@PatrickNey

Goulash: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Goulash

Młody Polak – Kękę: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=34Z7wp8jRxM

Pole-ish Guest Playlist: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/68kYaLG4XYgcjRdSjzzgcW?si=de7065757241400c

In answering our Five Big Questions, Salva adds another tune to our Pole-ish Playlist vault. Coming from the land of bounteous food & drink, he has strong views on Poland’s contribution in this area – listen out for his surprising observations.

Elsewhere, Peter tries to remember his wedding and John introduces to us a quaint Polish saying.

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Read our blog: www.Pole-ish.eu

Write to us: peter@pole-ish.eu

Follow our socials: search for ‘Pole-ish’ on BlueSky, Xwitter, YouTube and Facebook.

Ex-pat: Straniero due Volte (in Italian) - https://www.amazon.it/Ex-pat-straniero-volte-Ediz-integrale/dp/B0G44W4ZJC

Chopin Concerts in Łazienki Park - https://tifc.chopin.pl/koncerty-w-lazienkach/

Varsovie by Brodka - https://open.spotify.com/track/0fWOMvjgnyenpnLolfB5UJ?si=8f7f09c1d2934da4

Foreigner’s Guide to Polish Weddings (Peter needs to read this!) - https://culture.pl/en/article/a-foreigners-guide-to-polish-weddings

Pole-ish Guest Playlist - https://open.spotify.com/playlist/68kYaLG4XYgcjRdSjzzgcW?si=de7065757241400c

005b

Expanding on the cinematic theme, our Pole of the Week is Stanisław Bareja, famed chronicler of the absurdities of late-era communism. John gets on his bike and heads to The Biggest Castle In The World, and beer is discussed on more than one occasion.

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Read our blog: www.Pole-ish.eu

Write to us: peter@pole-ish.eu

Follow our socials: search for ‘Pole-ish Podcast’ on BlueSky, Xwitter, YouTube and Facebook.

Tango (Zbigniew Rybczynski): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z27z7oLQb3o

Tango Oscar Ceremony: https://youtu.be/w3BDAvM1FqY?si=G83xfPuEnrVF_mFe

Nepo Beer: https://nepobrewing.pl/

Malbork Castle: https://zamek.malbork.pl/en/home/

Miś (Stanisław Bareja) - Bar Mleczny Scene: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U-viM9WyGss

Rondo Stanisława Barei: https://maps.app.goo.gl/Wv9KKeyKxT2tE4YU9

Pole-ish Guest Playlist: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/68kYaLG4XYgcjRdSjzzgcW?si=de7065757241400c

As well as running through some of the nation’s other success on ice and snow, John introduces us to his Food of the Week – a Silesian regional special – and Peter fulminates about the letter ‘zed’ (John would call it ‘zee’) in the Polish language.

We also touch on the frozen Baltic Sea, the interface between a Polish national delicacy and a world-famous rapper, how Britain collected words during its colonial years, and we only very slightly take the mickey out of the ridiculous sport of curling.

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Read our blog: www.Pole-ish.eu

Write to us: peter@pole-ish.eu

Follow our socials: search for ‘Pole-ish’ on BlueSky, Xwitter, YouTube and Facebook.

Frozen Baltic Sea: https://tvpworld.com/91578140/-thickest-baltic-ice-in-15-years-amid-record-low-water-level

Moczka Recipe: https://www.slaskiesmaki.pl/dish/512141/moczka-potrawa-wigilijna

Poland vs. USSR 1976: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wEIQOfrOHNs

Wojciech Fortuna – That Jump: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MRITSDhgUHs

Honolulu Social Cooperative, Katowice: http://drzwizwanekoniem.pl

Luft shop (where you can buy a Pieroguszka): https://luft-sklep.pl

Plus, he plays the part of a guinea pig as he faces the first airing of our ‘Five Big Questions’.

We suspend most of our regular features to leave room for David, but there’s still space for plenty of chit-chat between John and Peter.

Please like, subscribe, share, review and comment, and tell your friends, family and colleagues about us. Dziękujemy.

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Read our blog: www.Pole-ish.eu

Write to us: peter@pole-ish.eu

Follow our socials: search for ‘Pole-ish’ on BlueSky, Xwitter, YouTube and Facebook.

Bober k*rwa!: https://knowyourmeme.com/memes/bober-kurwa-bobr-bobrze

List of Polish Desserts: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Polish_desserts

Scottish Festival / Dzień Szkocki in Jadów: https://www.dzienszkocki.pl

Scotland / Poland connections: https://www.scotland.org/inspiration/scotland-and-poland

Kraków tartan: https://www.krakow.pl/otwarty_na_swiat/215929,artykul,-szkockakratadlakrakowa.html

Barszcz Ukraiński recipe: https://aniagotuje.pl/przepis/barszcz-ukrainski

Jest Super by T.Love: https://open.spotify.com/track/0IpGOqvBr3mloK9HzrY0GJ?si=ac7bff723e8943d1

Please subscribe, like, share and comment, and tell your friends, family and colleagues about us. Thank you.

--

Read our blog: www.Pole-ish.eu

Write to us: peter@pole-ish.eu

Follow our socials: search for ‘Pole-ish’ on BlueSky, Xwitter, YouTube and Facebook.

Śmigus-dyngus: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/%C5%9Amigus-dyngus

Tlusty czwartek: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fat_Thursday#Poland

Authentic pązcki recipe: https://www.seasonsandsuppers.ca/polish-paczki-donuts-recipe/

Name Days: https://www.kalendarzswiat.pl/imieniny

Noah Webster: https://www.britannica.com/biography/Noah-Webster-American-lexicographer

Żurek recipe: https://tinyurl.com/4jf3kh4t

Max Factor’s Micrometer: https://tinyurl.com/5dpyvswv

Please subscribe, like, share and comment, and tell all your friends and colleagues about us. Thank you.

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Read our blog: www.Pole-ish.eu

Write to us: peter@pole-ish.com

Follow our socials: Search Facebook, Xwitter and BlueSky for “Pole-ish”

Krystyna Skarbek: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Krystyna_Skarbek

Zapiekanka at Okrąglak (Kraków): https://maps.app.goo.gl/irzfTTxyJ6T5xaGi8

Hey Now! (Don’t Dream It’s Over by Crowded House): http://youtube.com/watch?v=J9gKyRmic20

666 to Hel: https://notesfrompoland.com/2023/06/14/end-of-the-line-for-polands-666-bus-to-hel/

Suffolk Accent: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aJWdEo7zpbo

Pole-ish is an affectionate, funny and often bemused look at life in Poland from two outsiders who now call it home. Brit Peter MacLeod (Warsaw) and American Johnathan Nett (Kraków) share stories, observations and hard-won wisdom about navigating Polish culture, bureaucracy, language, food and everyday life, with plenty of banter along the way.

Each episode blends personal anecdotes, cultural curiosities, surprising Polish history, expat survival tips and lively features - from Two Nations Divided by a Common Language to Pole of the Week and Hey Now! A Polish Fact You Didn't Know You Didn't Know. Expect laughter, learning, and the occasional tram rumbling past.

First Pancake? It's not yet perfect, but subsequent ones will be.

We’re not Polish, we’re Pole-ish!

Website (under construction, obvs): www.pole-ish.eu

Contact us: peter@pole-ish.eu

Xwitter: @Pole_ishPodcast

Other socials coming soon!

Please like, subscribe, review and tell all your family and friends! Thanks. See you in February.