Bosnia and Herzegovina is home to a rich tapestry of stories, many of which are still undiscovered even by those who live in the country. In this episode of our podcast, we delve into the extraordinary connection between Ladino and Sevdah music, and how a Jewish prayer sparked a musical journey that resonates deeply with the soul of this nation. Sevdah, known as the music of Bosnia and Herzegovina, is a genre of traditional folk music that captivates listeners with its emotional and evocative...

Dr. Samir Osmanagić an anthropology professor and pyramid researcher, provides a deep-dive into the pyramids discovered in Visoko, Bosnia Herzegovina. He offers a profound analysis of the pyramid phenomenon worldwide as he unveils the true potential of pyramids, not just as architectural marvels, but as providers of energy and healing forces. Listen as Dr. Osmanagić demystifies the impact of these ancient structures on water molecular structure, human health, communication, and other...

Today, I have a truly inspiring guest, Sheila Savanović, a resilient lady from Micronesia who has made an extraordinary journey from the eastern Pacific to Southeastern Europe. Sheila shares her fascinating story of meeting her husband in China, settling in Banja Luka, and the cultural adjustments she had to make along the way. From learning the local language ,to living in this misunderstood country, and experiencing some tough moments during her motherhood, Sheila’s story is a testament...

In this compelling podcast, Dijana Tepšić shares her journey; from a radio presenter during demanding times to a successful entrepreneur in the Balkan media industry. I caught up with Dijana on a sunny November day in Banja Luka. Dijana talks about her varied career path, her adventures in radio presenting, her inspiring work in women's rights, and being a DJ. Dijana also opens up about her passion for entrepreneurship, the establishment of a creative agency, and the extraordinary work of...

This episode is a bit different from our usual ones. Instead of interviewing fascinating individuals about Bosnia and Herzegovina, I’m sharing some personal experiences and observations from my life in this heart-shaped country. I had an interesting episode planned for you today. I was going to take you on a walk through my village, describing the beautiful forestry and local landmarks. However, an unexpected bout of dizziness forced me to cut the walk short. Despite this setback, I’m sharing...

In this episode I explore the emotional journey of Ivana Štrbac-Alfonso, who was forced to leave her home in Bosnia and Herzegovina during the conflict in the 1990s. Ivana, who was only five to six years old at the time, lived in a village outside Zenica, a moderately large town in middle Bosnia. The episode delves into the pain and struggle of leaving one’s country amidst conflict and seeking safety elsewhere. Ivana eventually found a new home on Australia’s Gold Coast. The episode sheds...

Welcome to this special throwback episode of the podcast, celebrating 10 years of “An Englishman in the Balkans”. The journey began in 2007 in Canada, and after a brief hiatus, it was relaunched in Bosnia and Herzegovina in 2013. Over the years, the podcast has evolved, even changing titles a couple of times. This episode revisits the very first one from 2013, featuring a conversation with Kev Shannon, a young Brit who was walking across Serbia at the time. As we celebrate a decade of...

Hello, 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 Bosnia. It’s a...

Painting Pictures with Words and Sound.In this episode I want to share an intriguing conversation I had with Alexandra Bučko, a passionate podcasting enthusiast in the Western Balkans. In this interview, we delve into the world of podcasting and the challenges and opportunities it presents in the region. The Balkans is a place of rich culture and history, where people gather in coffee bars to discuss their ideas and thoughts. However, when it comes to mainstream media, the landscape is...

In this special episode, I delve into the captivating world of the Sarajevo Haggadah, one of the world's rarest and most significant historical documents. Join me as i unravel the mysteries and stories surrounding this ancient manuscript, which resides in the National Museum of Bosnia and Herzegovina. My guest for this episode is Aleksandra Bunčić, a passionate scholar and art historian who has dedicated her life to studying the Sarajevo Haggadah. Together, we embark on a fascinating...

In this episode I talk to Martin Fletcher, a British traveler and podcaster who is currently on a journey through the Balkans in his van. Martin shares his experiences living the van life and traveling through Bosnia and Herzegovina, as well as his plans to head to Turkey for the winter. We discuss Martin's reasons for choosing a nomadic lifestyle, his work as a digital nomad, and his adventures in various countries. During our conversation, we touch on topics like language barriers, local...

In this episode, join me as I explore the captivating journey of Helen Reynolds Brown, a British expat living in Belgium, who found her dream holiday home in the picturesque coastal region of Montenegro, near the ancient city of Kotor. Helen shares her incredible experiences, insights, and adventures in this enchanting Balkan paradise. Discover why Montenegro, with its stunning landscapes, diverse community, and unique charm, has stolen her heart. From the challenges of navigating the local...

Welcome, to a replay edition of the podcast, where we're taking a trip down memory lane to 3 years ago, when Tamara and I sat down to discuss a cherished tradition here in Bosnia and Herzegovina. Zimnica (or winter food). You can Download Tamara's Recipe HERE Preserving Tradition: Exploring Zimnica in Bosnia and Herzegovina I’ve experienced this tradition since I got together with Tamara, so I thought I’d give a little backgrounder, some context if you will. Bosnia and Herzegovina is a land...

In this episode of we're delving into a topic that holds immense significance in the region: independent media in the Balkans. Joining me to discuss this is seasoned journalist, media analyst, and Balkans expert, Bojan Stojkovski. Bojan and I embark on a thought-provoking journey through the complex landscape of media independence in the Balkans. We delve deep into the challenges, triumphs, and unique circumstances that shape the media environment in this diverse and historically rich...

In this episode I give you a brief update about our return from our holiday in Montenegro. I post a weekly newsletter update on my substack and thought that maybe you might like to hear it as a podcast. Let me know what you think of that idea? Thank you for being a part of our podcasting community, and we look forward to bringing you more exciting content in the future. You can support my work, by maybe leaving a Tip or by becoming a member of our podcast family...

Welcome to this final episode of our mini series about life in Croatia through the eyes of another Englishman, Mark Whitfield. This is the third instalment of a three-part series, where I’ll be finding out about . how difficult it is, or maybe not so, a business in Croatia. Mark gives some valuable insights into daily life living in the north of Croatia near the small town of Štrigova. You can find out more about Mark's Glamping business in Štrigova Croatia HERE. I hope that this micro-series...

Welcome to "An Englishman in the Balkans," the podcast that aims to encourage people to explore Bosnia and Herzegovina. We talk to fascinating individuals not only from Bosnia and Herzegovina but also those who have come to this country or, like me, live here. Today, I'm thrilled to introduce you to Nadja Gydat, an extraordinary woman who hails from Switzerland but has now made Visoko, just outside Sarajevo, her home. Nadja is on the verge of launching a wool-based eco-product, and her...

In this episode of the podcast, ! we are delving into the vibrant world of folklore in Bosnia and Herzegovina, a country where culture and tradition play an essential role in its identity. Dita Bajrami-Vrbanjac, the current Director of the folklore troupe based in Travnik, and passionate folklore enthusiast, explains the fascinating realm of Bosnian folklore. In Bosnia and Herzegovina, each major ethnic group has its unique way of portraying and preserving folklore, making it a colourful...

Welcome to this edition of "An Englishman in the Balkans," where I am continuing a micro-series about life in Croatia through the eyes of another Englishman, Mark Whitfield. This is the second instalment of a three-part series, where I’ll be finding out about . how difficult it is, or maybe not so, a business in Croatia. Mark gives some valuable insights and practical tips, of setting up a business in Croatia as well as anecdotes from his first two years as a business owner. You can find out...

Join me in this captivating episode as we delve into the fascinating world of self-sustainability in Bosnia and Herzegovina with Ivy Šibinčić. Ivy is at the forefront of the self-sustainability movement in her region, working tirelessly to empower local communities and promote eco-conscious practices. During this conversation, Ivy shares her personal journey and the challenges she faced while advocating for self-sustainability in Bosnia and Herzegovina. Ivy and her husband Slaven, have been...

Hello and welcome to the podcast, where in this episode we look at the legacy of a group of some 55 Italian families that came to the village of Mahovljani back in the late eighteen hundreds. Today all that remains of that Italian influence is its church, high on the hill, vineyards that those settlers founded (and by the way are still harvested and turned into wine), and families with both Italian first and second names. Many years ago I heard about this small former colony near where I have...

Welcome to this edition of "An Englishman in the Balkans," where I am starting a micro-series about life in Croatia through the eyes of another Englishman, Mark Whitfield. This is the first instalment of a three-part series, where I’ll be finding out about . Marks decision to make Croatia his new home, learning about the intricacies of setting up a business in Croatia, with some valuable insights and practical tips, and hearing Marks anecdotes from his first two years as a business...

Welcome to another episode of "An Englishman in the Balkans Podcast," where we traverse the rich cultural landscape of the Western Balkans. In this edition, recorded outside in our garden here in the village of Čardačani, I sit down with the incredibly talented Jelisaveta Gluvić-Wragg, a classically trained violinist, who has embarked on a remarkable musical odyssey that took her abroad and brought her back home. In this intimate conversation, Jelisaveta shares the transformative experience...

Where have I been for the past two months of not posting a podcast episode? In this episode I bring you up to date an recent events and what you can expect going forward. As an English language podcaster in Bosnia and Herzegovina, I sometimes feel like an outsider, but it also gives me a unique perspective to share with my audience. Living in a small village like Čardačani allows me to experience the local culture, traditions, and challenges firsthand. Through our podcast, we aim to bridge...

In this episode I’m sat in the reception area of the Marriott hotel in downtown Banja Luka. Why? Because at the moment the first ATP 250 Tennis Tournament is under way in Banja Luka. This tournament is also called the Srpska Open, as Banja Luka is in the entity of Republika Srpska. I have managed to get to talk to David Sammel the coach of British player Liam Broady. I find out about tournament life, how a coach motivates and supports his player, the importance of mind-set and much...