Shows
Two Worlds, One MeIrinaIn this deeply moving and deliciously evocative episode, I talk to Irina Janakievska – a North-Macedonian-British writer, recipe developer and author of the acclaimed The Balkan Kitchen. Born in Skopje, raised in Kuwait, and now based in London, Irina shares her remarkable journey across continents, cultures and careers – from corporate law to culinary storytelling.We talk about her vibrant multicultural upbringing, the legacy of former Yugoslavia, finding home in more than one place and how food can carry memory, history and identity across generations and borders. Irina tells the powerful story behind her cookbook, her mother’s bravery and th...2025-06-081h 16
Two Worlds, One MeNoyaIn this episode, I speak with the incredible Noya Paulin – Vietnamese-born chef, entrepreneur, and the heart behind Noya’s Kitchen, one of Bath’s most celebrated restaurants. Noya shares her powerful journey, beginning in a coastal village in Vietnam, escaping the aftermath of war as a child refugee, and eventually building a new life in the UK.We talk about the resilience of her family, the challenges of growing up between two cultures, and how food became a beautiful way to stay connected to her roots. From sewing clothes out of curtains to running a restaurant from scratc...2025-04-121h 03
Two Worlds, One MeNoyaIn this episode, I speak with the incredible Noya Paulin – Vietnamese-born chef, entrepreneur, and the heart behind Noya’s Kitchen, one of Bath’s most celebrated restaurants. Noya shares her powerful journey, beginning in a coastal village in Vietnam, escaping the aftermath of war as a child refugee, and eventually building a new life in the UK.We talk about the resilience of her family, the challenges of growing up between two cultures, and how food became a beautiful way to stay connected to her roots. From sewing clothes out of curtains to running a restaurant from scratc...2025-04-101h 04
Two Worlds, One MeBiljanaIn this captivating episode of Two Worlds, One Me, I welcome the remarkable Biljana Lipic, affectionately known as Bee. Born in Sarajevo, in the former Yugoslavia—a country that no longer exists—Biljana’s journey is a poignant exploration of identity, belonging, and resilience.Now living on a houseboat in Cornwall, Biljana is a dance artist, Argentine tango teacher, and choreographer. Her story unfolds as a tapestry of creativity and reinvention, from her beginnings as a graphic designer to building thriving tango communities across Britain. Her latest endeavors in writing and filmmaking delve into profound themes of migrat...2025-01-221h 07
Two Worlds, One MeSilviaWelcome back to "Two Worlds, One Me" I’m thrilled to introduce you to a truly inspiring guest - Silvia Leal.Silvia, originally from vibrant Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, now calls Copenhagen, Denmark, her home. For the past six and half years, with many challenges on the way, Silvia has been building a remarkable life in this Nordic city, balancing her career, family, and passions. With a background in engineering and an extraordinary knack for communication, Silvia thrives in her role at Ørsted, a leading Danish energy company.Beyond her professional life, Silvia is a...2024-12-121h 15
Two Worlds, One MeSusan FangToday, we're diving into the extraordinary journey of Susan Fang, a leading figure in East Asia's education sector. With over two decades of expertise, Susan has been pivotal in linking East Asian students with UK higher education and independent schools.But Susan's story is more than just professional success. She's a passionate advocate for British education, bridging the gap between East and West. Despite juggling parenting and a busy schedule, Susan finds solace in the great outdoors, often tackling marathons. Fun fact: she completed her hundredth lifetime half marathon in August 2021—an incredible feat!...2024-05-0757 min
Two Worlds, One MeLauraIn this new episode of our podcast, we are thrilled to introduce the incredibly talented Laura Marin, a 19-year-old Galician-Portuguese Philology student from the University of Coruña in Spain. Laura has garnered widespread attention on social media, charming audiences with her acoustic covers of Balkan songs—a passion that ignited when she was just a nine-year-old. Her self-taught mastery of Serbian and Croatian showcases her deep love for the music of the former Yugoslavia, steering her towards her dream of becoming a celebrated singer in the Balkan region.Join us as Laura shares her fascinating journey, del...2024-03-2753 min
Two Worlds, One MeCodyWelcome to the latest episode of Two Worlds One Me! In this episode, I have the pleasure of hosting Cody McClain Brown, an Oklahoma native whose journey led him to Croatia after falling in love with a Croatian girl. Cody's captivating story unfolds in his bestselling book, "Chasing a Croatian Girl." Join us as we delve into Cody's roots in Oklahoma, his early passion for drawing, and the serendipitous encounter that changed his life forever. Discover the warmth of Croatian hospitality through Cody's lens, as he shares anecdotes about his wife and his mother-in-law's nurturing spirit. We also e...2024-03-0151 min
Two Worlds, One MeRamajanaI am thrilled to introduce a guest whose life story is as diverse and captivating as the many places she's called home - Ramayana Mabita. Ramayana's life is a tapestry of experiences -she's been a refugee, an immigrant, and now, a serial expat, having lived in seven countries across three continents.Our journey with Ramayana starts with a fascinating revelation. I first came across her story on Davide Bailey's podcast, 'Englishman in the Balkans,' and was so intrigued by her experiences that I knew I had to invite her to share them with us too. T...2024-01-131h 11
Two Worlds, One MeMananJoin us in this episode as we delve into the intriguing journey of Hafiz Abdul Manan, a seasoned engineer, passionate YouTuber, and a man whose life's canvas spans across continents.Originally from Pakistan, he moved to Estonia when he was 27 years old, and it's been eight years since his big move. He'll tell us about how he feels he's learned more in these eight years than in his entire life.Professionally, Manan is an engineer with over seven years of experience in the automotive industry. He also holds a master's degree in design from Estonia...2023-11-0956 min
An Englishman in the BalkansMy Two Worlds:Hello, this episode is a bit different from normal, because I’m replaying a podcast episode thats not mine. Back in may I was a guest on a fantastic podcast hosted by Slavenka Vuković- Bryan called Two Worlds, One Me. I think the podcast title is pretty explanatory, but basically my two world have been and are, the UK and my now adopted home of Bosnia and Herzegovina. This is a public episode. If you’d like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.anenglishmaninthebalkans.info/subscribe2023-10-221h 05
An Englishman in the Balkans.My Two Worlds: The UK and Bosnia and HerzegovinaHello, this episode is a bit different from normal, because I’m replaying a podcast episode thats not mine. Let me explain. Back in may I was a guest on a fantastic podcast hosted by Slavenka Vuković- Bryan called Two Worlds, One Me. I think the podcast title is pretty explanatory, but basically my two world have been and are, the UK and my now adopted home of Bosnia and Herzegovina. Now, many of you have asked time and time again for me to talk about how I arrived here in...2023-10-221h 05
Two Worlds, One MeIvanHold onto your headphones because our latest episode is here, and it was well worth the wait! This time, we're sitting down with a true adventurer, Ivan Djogic, who seamlessly bridges the worlds of Croatia and Iran. While most people dream of exploring the West, Ivan chose a different path—a road less traveled to the East. He embarked on a remarkable journey to Iran, a destination many wouldn't even dare to consider. And the surprise? After just five and a half years living there, he now calls Iran his home.Ivan is not only an...2023-09-261h 04