The new difgl podcast between two European metropolises.
Democracy & Quality of Life in a City Comparison – Berlin & London: The difgl presents a new podcast series with the PhD physicist and public policy expert Rob Keeling and the British-German filmmaker Sabine Pusch.
In an era marked by rising populism and societal alienation, the new podcast series explores what constitutes a “good life” within a democratic society and the roles cities like Berlin and London play in fostering civic engagement and societal well-being. How can democracy and political involvement enhance the quality of life in urban spaces? The first episode premieres this week. Sabine Pusch was able to answer some questions about the new project. One thing is certain: “The Good Life: Berlin – London” can serve as a moral compass and a source of positive inspiration for those seeking hope in dark times, amidst unstable democracies and the rise of populism.
Fabienne Sand: What does the concept of a “good life” in a democratic society mean to you personally, and how do you intend to highlight this connection between political participation and individual well-being in the podcast?
Sabine Pusch:
In a world where populism is on the rise and people feel increasingly alienated from their governments, Rob and I want to explore approaches in London and Berlin to strengthen civic engagement.
The “good life” means very different things to different people. We want to find out how the approaches in these two great European capitals differ.
Fabienne Sand: Berlin and London are the starting points of your work (also) in the focus of the podcast. What similarities and differences have you noticed so far in terms of societal challenges and solutions, and why are these cities particularly exciting for comparison?
Sabine Pusch:
We decided to start with a comparison of Berlin and London because we both know the cities well – Rob better than I do. He lived there for several months with his family. My connection to Berlin is more indirect: Although I am German, I have spent my whole life in the UK. However, my grandfather came from Berlin, and my great-great-grandfather – a somewhat worrying name, Heinrich Adolf Pusch – made hats for the Emperor in the 19th century. We conducted our first interviews with people who organize citizens’ assemblies in Berlin and London. Both cities are actively working to promote civic engagement. The approaches are interesting in their similarities and differences:
- Berlin: Here, the initiative seems to come more from the top – politicians pose a question to the citizens’ assemblies.
- London: The approach is more bottom-up – the concerns and pressure of the public are brought to the politicians.
Both approaches have their advantages. Nevertheless, the challenge remains to involve people who are on the margins of society.
Fabienne Sand: What journalistic principles guide you in creating a podcast that deals with complex topics such as democracy, climate change, and social justice? How do you strike a balance between information, entertainment, and depth?
Sabine Pusch:
A podcast is a very intimate medium, as it is almost always listened to by one person alone with headphones. Therefore, a podcast works best when the style is conversational. It is important that listeners feel like they are part of the conversation, rather than being lectured. This does not mean that we cannot cover topics in depth. But I always try to ensure that our guests explain their ideas in a way that is understandable to everyone. My university professor once said: “If you can’t explain something to an intelligent 16-year-old, then you haven’t really understood it yourself.” That’s why I work according to the BBC’s motto: inform, educate, and entertain.
We are already looking forward to the first podcast episode from January 28, 2025!
