The Trans-Atlanticist
Andrew Sola explores the past, present, and future of relations between Europe and the United States with scholars, artists, authors, politicians, journalists, and business leaders. Based at the Amerikazentrum in Hamburg, the Trans-Atlanticist provides you with insights from the thought leaders who are shaping the trans-Atlantic relationship every single day.
2024 Review and 2025 Preview
with Andrew Sola and Günter Danner
In our final politics podcast of 2024, we look back at the political developments in France, Germany, and the US in 2024. We also look ahead to issues facing Germany, Europe, and the US in 2025.
Topics include the following:
-French President Macron's difficulties with internal French politics
-the collapse of Chancellor Scholz's coalition government in Berlin
-issues that will affect the elections in Germany in February, including the economy and illegal migration
-Trump's approach to tariffs and support for Ukraine
Happy New Y...
The German Architects Who Built Chicago: From Mies van der Rohe to Dirk Lohan

with Andrew Sola, Dirk Lohan, and Rolf Achilles
This episode is part of the ChicagoHamburg30 podcast series, which is celebrating the 30-year anniversary of the Chicago-Hamburg Sister-City partnership (1994-2024).
In our 30th and final episode celebrating the 30-year anniversary of the Chicago-Hamburg Sister-City partnership, we look at the German architects who literally built the buildings that Chicagoans live, work, and play in today.
After discussing the early history of German architects in Chicago, we discuss the life and career of Mies van der Rohe through the memories of his grandson Dirk Lohan. We cover van...
Germany's Reaction to the US Elections PLUS The Collapse of Germany's Government
with Andrew Sola and Christina Neuhaus
In this episode, Andrew Sola and AFP journalist Christina Neuhaus discuss Germany's reaction to the US elections as well as the collapse of the German government.
Topics include the following:
-Public and private reactions to Trump's victory
-The reactions of all the different political parties, including BSW, AFD, die Linke, SPD, CDU, the Greens, and FDP
-Different policy issues that concern Germany and Europe, including Ukraine, trade, tariffs, and the climate
-The climate of predictable unpredictability that will characterize trans-Atlantic politics for the...
A German Immigrant's Story: Walter Heinsen's Journey from WWI Battlefields to Chicago

with Andrew Sola and John Heinsen
This episode is part of the ChicagoHamburg30 podcast series, celebrating the 30-Year Anniversary of the Chicago-Hamburg Sister-City relationship.
Happy German-American Heritage Month!
In this episode, we explore the remarkable story of one German immigrant who left Hamburg for Chicago in 1923, Walter Heinsen, through the lens of his grandson John.
Walter was an aerial photographer for the German Empire during WWI, where he met historical figures like the Red Baron (Manfred von Richthofen) and Kaiser Wilhelm II. However, he also photographed regular soldiers, including British and American prisoners...
Edgar Allan Poe: 175 Years after His Death
with Gottfried Haufe and Verena Adamik
In this episode we commemorate the life and work and ongoing influence of Edgar Allan Poe (1809-1849), 175 years after his death.
Poe is a fascinating historical figure and his literary work is known throughout the world. In this episode, we explore both his complicated life story as well as his ongoing influence on all forms of creative production. We discuss the loss of his mother and his early years in London; we examine the role of Romanticism in his writing; we take you through his time in Baltimore and his role...
The Diversity of Hispanic Chicago
with Andrew Sola, Elena Gonzales, and Lilia Fernandez
This episode is part of the ChicagoHamburg30 podcast series, celebrating the 30-year anniversary of the Chicago-Hamburg Sister-City Anniversary.
We're celebrating Hispanic-American Heritage month with a deep dive into the rich history and diversity of the Hipanic/Latino/LatinX/Latine community in Chicago.
Topics include the following:
-the debate about the language we use to describe the Hispanic or Latino community -the first Latinos in Chicago in the 1850s -the political upheavals in Central and South America that drove migration -the mass deportations during the Depression ...
US Election Series: Migration, the Border, and the Latino Electorate
with Andrew Sola and New York Times Politics Reporter Jazmine Ulloa
It's Hispanic-American Heritage Month, so today's episode focuses on the unique role that Latino voters play in American politics.
Andrew Sola and New York Times National Politics Reporter Jazmine Ulloa analyse the Latino electorate and discuss the following points:
-the diversity of the Latino electorate -the growing influence of Latino voters -explanations for historically lower voter turn-out among Latinos -Democratic and Republican strategies to reach out to Latinos -the role of swing-states like Arizona in the presidential election -Latino responses to aggressive anti-immigrant rhetoric ...
AfD & BSW Success in Thuringia and Saxony PLUS Who Are Björn Höcke and Sahra Wagenknecht?
with Andrew Sola and Günter Danner
This episode features an analysis of the local elections in the east German states of Thuringia and Saxony, which were held on September 1.
The Alternative für Deutschland (AfD) earned the most votes in Thuringia and the second most in Saxony. Furthermore, a brand-new party, the BSW or Bündnis Sahra Wagegnknecht achieved 16% in Thuringia and 12% in Saxony.
Who are the leaders of these parties? We introduce you to Björn Höcke, leader of the AfD in Thuringia, and Sahra Wagenknecht, leader of the BSW.
What...
Analysis of the 2024 Democratic National Convention in Chicago
with Andrew Sola, Charlotte Lerg, and Gary Kissick
This episode is part of the ChicagoHamburg30 podcast series, celebrating the 30-year anniversary of the Chicago-Hamburg Sister-City relationship.
In this special episode, Andrew Sola and his guests discuss the 2024 Democratic National Convention in Chicago.
Topics include the similarities and differences between the 1968 DNC and the 2024 DNC; the use of gender and race in the speeches; the main themes of the convention, including the reclamation of a Democratic concept of patriotism; the relative paucity of European and global themes; VP Kamala Harris’s speech; and memorable speeches by ot...
An Eye-Witness Account of the Democratic National Convention in Chicago, 1968
with Andrew Sola, Charlotte Lerg, and Gary Kissick
This episode is part of the ChicagoHamburg30 podcast series, celebrating the 30-Year Anniversary of the Chicago Hamburg Sister-City relationship.
The Democratic National Convention in Chicago 1968 was one of the most important political events in the twentieth century.
It was preceded by a number of earth-shaking crises, including the devastating Tet Offensive in Vietnam in January, President Lyndon B. Johnson's shocking announcement that he would not run for a second term in March, the assassination of beloved civil rights leader Martin Luther King in April, and then the...