Zero Effort

This is the podcast we never had and probably the reason why one of us still doesn’t speak German and the other one never really learned French. We’re a German–French duo who spend a lot of time talking about words. Not to teach vocabulary, but to understand what’s actually going on underneath . This is not a language course. And definitely not a “how to behave” guide. It’s about: why things feel different in Germany and France what we secretly admire (and don’t understand) about each others culture work culture, daily life, and unspoken rules and laughing at ourselves instead of taking everything too seriously If you’re living between cultures, working in Germany, curious about France, or just enjoy honest conversations with a bit of humor and self-irony — you’re in the right place. Hosted on Acast. See <a style='color:grey;' target='_blank' rel='noopene

Zero Effort is a society podcast hosted by Coline & Alex, with 27 episodes on record and a Required Pod Score of 80. PitchCentric scores this show on Booking Probability, Listen Score, and live audience signals refreshed every 24 hours.

Coline & Alex hosts Zero Effort, a society show with 27 episodes published.

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  Episode #28

  #28 - The One Where We Come Back and Still Don’t Speak German

  Sep 6, 202634 minS2

  We’re back! This week, we are kicking off episode 28 and Season 2 with Berlin’s rainy weather, Christmas sweets already taking over the supermarkets, and Coline’s hatred of cinnamon. After a month-long summer break, we’re happy to be back and genuinely touched that you actually missed us. Did we prepare anything? Of course not. It’s still Zero Effort! We catch up on our holidays in Italy and Spain, mixing up languages at supermarket checkouts, and why Alex used to think Lake Garda was exclusively reserved for his parents’ generation. We also celebrate reaching 50,000 and 70,000 followers on Instagram. Thank you for being here! Then, we dive into your questions about life in Berlin, language struggles, and the differences between France and Germany: Fluent in Supermarket German: Coline’s essential vocabulary: “Mit Karte, bitte” and “Nein, danke.” Plus, the very Berlin welcome she received at Rewe after a month in Italy. ️ Germans & Camping: Caravans, French mobile homes, Dutch holiday stereotypes, and our debate about whether camping is actually a cheap holiday. Living in Berlin Without German: We share our experiences of working and getting by in English—and why everyone switching to English can make practising German surprisingly difficult. Making Friends & Fitting In: Is finding an international circle the same as feeling integrated? We talk about German friendships, French office conversations, and being the person who can’t follow what everyone else is saying. ️ Our Own Version of English: From “theater” versus “Kino” to “Are you gaming?” , we discuss the English that makes perfect sense to us—and sometimes confuses our American friend. French vs. German School Life: We compare early starts, long school days, Wednesdays off, and occasional Saturday classes, before getting into university, gap years, and when we started working. We also talk about the possibility of video podcasts, Alex’s reluctance to post Instagram stories, and the return of Coline’s favorite response after he explains something: “Cool your life.” Don’t forget to review the podcast, leave us 5 stars, and tell us about your own experiences living abroad or send us a question for a future episode! ️ Follow us for more instagram.com/hellocoline instagram.com/alex.von.mydealz tiktok.com/@hellooco tiktok.com/@alex.von.mydealz Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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  Episode #27

  #27 - The One Where We Talk About Superstitions

  Jul 26, 202644 minS2

  This week, we are kicking off episode 27 with some German weather small talk, Coline’s impressive German fluency ("Ich bin müde"), and the struggle of remembering what we actually already talked about in previous episodes! We start by looking at international McDonald’s menus during the World Cup (from the French Croque McDo to Oktoberfest sausage burgers), our thoughts on the Tour de France (and collecting free sponsor swag as kids), and the extreme heatwaves hitting France. We also reveal how our podcast and videos originally started during our lunch breaks including Coline’s favorite comeback phrase: "Cool ta vie, tu veux un cookie?" Then, we jump into a massive list of French and German superstitions, customs, and beliefs about good and bad luck: Scaffolding & Ladders: Why Coline touches her head whenever walking under construction sites, and why walking under ladders breaks holy symbols. Bread & Table Etiquette: The medieval origin of placing baguettes upside down (bread reserved for the executioner) and why 13 people at a dinner table is considered a curse. Eye Contact & Cheers: Why missing eye contact during a toast gives you 7 years of bad luck in love (and its historical link to avoiding poisoned drinks). Knives vs. Shoes: Why gifting a knife in France requires paying a coin in exchange, and the German belief that buying a partner shoes means they'll run away. Dog Poop & Salt Slings: Stepping in dog poop with your left foot for good luck, and throwing salt over your left shoulder to erase bad luck. Black Cats & Sneeze Predictions: The rules of black cats crossing your path, plus the bizarre belief that a cat sneezing near a bride guarantees a happy marriage. The Birthday & Good Luck Curses: Why wishing someone a early birthday is forbidden, and why saying "Merde" instead of "Good Luck" is necessary before big events in France. Don't forget to review the podcast, leave us 5 stars, and share your country's strangest superstitions in the comments! Follow us for more instagram.com/hellocoline instagram.com/alex.von.mydealz tiktok.com/@hellooco tiktok.com/@alex.von.mydealz Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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  Episode #26

  #26 - The One Where We Tell You Why We Talk In English

  Jul 19, 202642 minS2

  In this episode, we address a question we get all the time: Why do a German and a French person record their podcast in English? We explain our reasoning, but we also take this opportunity to look at how our native languages shape how we communicate in English—and the hilarious direct translations that sneak in. We break down 4 distinct linguistic habits and colloquialisms that French people (and sometimes Germans) use that don't quite translate perfectly: "By Heart" ( Par cœur ): The beautiful historical origin of this phrase, how it connects to ancient beliefs about the heart being the seat of memory, and why the German version ( Auswendig lernen ) is just a bit less poetic. "Vomite" ( Vomir ): Why Coline uses a highly clinical medical term when she means she "threw up," and how Alex uses the German equivalent ( "Ich könnte kotzen" ) to express extreme annoyance rather than actual physical sickness. "Si" vs. "Doch": The ultimate linguistic tool to contradict a negative question. We realize that the French "Si" and the German "Doch" are exactly the same concept—something English completely lacks! ️ "Quoi" and "Hein": How the French end almost every sentence with random words or sounds just for emphasis, and how Germans do the exact same thing regionally with words like "oder wat" or "gell" . Don't forget to subscribe, leave us a 5-star review, and check out our Instagram accounts for new videos every day Follow us for more instagram.com/hellocoline instagram.com/alex.von.mydealz tiktok.com/@hellooco tiktok.com/@alex.von.mydealz Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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  Episode #25

  #25 - The One Where We Talk About Weddings

  Jul 13, 202637 minS1

  Welcome back to another chaotic Monday episode! This week, Coline is back from her trip, and we are kicking off with the most important update: summer weather, fluctuating skin tones, and exactly why Alex spends his sunny days in a dark basement studio. ☀️🕶️ We then dive into Coline's recent observations from Italy, which sparked a massive debate about international store names. Why do German brands like DM and MediaMarkt exist abroad, but under completely different names? (And why does France seemingly have neither?) We also unpack the cultural trauma of finding Apfelstrudel in an Italian supermarket when all you wanted was fresh local food, and why coming back to Germany means facing the ultimate craving: Spätzle . 🍝🛒 Finally, we transition into our main topic for the day: Summer Wedding Season. Since it's peak marriage season, we are diving deep into some rather strange traditions and wedding trivia, including: 🇩🇪 The "Right Hand" Ring Rule: Why Germans wear their wedding bands on a different hand compared to France and the rest of the world. 🏛️ Standesamt vs. Church: Why a church wedding in Germany holds zero legal power and you have to get the bureaucracy out of the way first. 🔊 The Autokorso: The loud, honking car convoy tradition that police graciously tolerate on weekends. 🪙 Brautschuhe mit Pfennigen: The old superstition of brides paying for their shoes entirely in copper cents. 💍 The Wedding Cake Trap: A look into a typical German wedding timeline, the afternoon cake tradition, and the psychological meaning behind whose hand is on top when cutting the cake. 🎈 EVG/EVJF vs. JGA: A breakdown of Bachelor and Bachelorette parties, the public humiliation factor, and a legendary rural French tradition that literally translates to "burying your single life" in a coffin. Do you agree with the right-hand ring rule? Have you ever witnessed a bride-kidnapping or a tree-sawing contest? Let us know your thoughts and your own country's wedding traditions in the comments! Don't forget to subscribe, leave us a 5-star review, and check out Coline's tan on Instagram! 🥖 Follow us for more instagram.com/hellocoline instagram.com/alex.von.mydealz tiktok.com/@hellooco tiktok.com/@alex.von.mydealz Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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  Episode #24

  #24 - The One Where Coline Shares 10 Things She Hates About Germany

  Jul 5, 202631 minS1

  After sharing the things she loves about Germany in a previous episode, Coline is holding nothing back today! In Episode 24, we dive into the 10 Things Coline Hates (Or Strongly Dislikes) About Germany . Before getting into the list, Alex and Coline warm up by comparing school grading scales around the globe. Did you know that the letter E doesn't exist in US grading so it won't get confused with "Excellent"? Or that Finland grades from 4 to 10 to encourage student progress, while China uses a 100-point scale ? Then, the main debate begins. From limited supermarket selections to the reality of German service culture, Coline breaks down her biggest everyday frustrations after six years of living in Germany, while Alex tries to defend (or completely agrees with) his home country. Let us know in the comments: what are your top three things you love or hate about living in Germany or France? Follow us for more instagram.com/hellocoline instagram.com/alex.von.mydealz tiktok.com/@hellooco tiktok.com/@alex.von.mydealz Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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