Best Simon Zryd Podcasts (2025)

1
E82 - To lüft or not to lüft? 21:30

30d ago21:30

21:30

--- Send us your questions --- Let the sunshine (and fresh air) in! In this episode we talk about the Swiss ritual that plays out daily in homes, offices, and schools across the country: Lüften. It’s the practice of throwing windows open wide and letting fresh air circulate through rooms and buildings. But why is Lüften so important to the Swiss mi…

1
The surprising reality of day-to-day life in Switzerland 21:06

3M ago21:06

21:06

--- Send us your questions --- Not everything is as glossy as it seems Many thanks to all the listeners who reach out to us! Today’s episode is for you. If you have questions or thoughts you want to share with us and the other listeners, let us know! In this episode, we talk specifically about Jonathan’s feedback and his experiences of visiting Swi…

1
Walking Across Borders: Switzerland to France on Foot 15:54

3M ago15:54

15:54

--- Send us your questions --- A journey to Fahy and the history of Tête de Moine cheese. In today’s episode of Swiss and Chips, we’re taking you on a journey across the Swiss-French border on foot! Join us as we explore the charming town of Fahy, visit the House of the Tête de Moine cheese, and dive into the history behind this delicious Swiss che…

1
Skiing in Switzerland: going beyond the bunny slopes 24:07

4M ago24:07

24:07

--- Send us your questions --- Tips, passes, and resort advice for newbies on the pistes In today’s episode of Swiss and Chips, we’re talking about how to enjoy a ski day when you’re ready to move beyond your first slope but you’re not ready to hit a “red” yet. We discuss some basics, like choosing the right ski pass or picking a resort, and skiing…

1
Only in Switzerland: The curse of the washing room in apartment buildings 21:49

5M ago21:49

21:49

--- Send us your questions --- It’s been a while, but we’re back - and we’re diving straight into a topic that’s Swiss and surprisingly sensitive: the (unspoken) rules of the shared washing room. We’ll share some personal stories of washing room drama and tell you what you need to know when searching for a new flat. 00:00 - Intro 02:42 - Swiss Byte…

1
How to be polite in Switzerland 36:41

8M ago36:41

36:41

--- Send us your questions --- “Especially in times of the pluralisation of lifestyles, there is a need to know how things should be done correctly. Because manners provide security in how to shape interactions positively. They simplify interactions and prevent misunderstandings.” This is a quote from the ‘Swiss Knigge’, a book about good manners a…

1
Learning Swiss German with 'ABC SRF 3' - Discover Swiss Traditions 23:03

11M ago23:03

23:03

--- Send us your questions --- Let's dive into another episode about Swiss German through the lens of the traditional Swiss radio game ‘ABC SRF 3’. We' haven’t laughed so much in an episode yet; we’ll let you decide if that’s a good thing. And we introduce two new segments. First, we address user questions and feedback, featuring Cathy, who proudly…

1
Let‘s talk about Swiss National Day 18:11

11M ago18:11

18:11

--- Send us your questions --- Swiss National Day is coming up! Let’s talk about what happens on the big day and what it means to the Swiss. We’ll help you figure out how to mark the occasion even if you haven’t been in Switzerland for long. We also have some new features in our podcast for you: “Swiss bytes”, listener feedback and our survey. 00:0…

1
How to survive Swiss queuing culture 20:39

1+ y ago20:39

20:39

--- Send us your questions --- How do you cope with the chaos, confusion, and frequent frustration of queuing in Switzerland? In this episode, we explore Swiss queuing culture and share our experiences and advice on how to survive and possibly thrive in the chaotic queuing land of the Alps. We have some horror stories to share that you might be abl…

1
Decoding Swiss German Nicknames 19:08

1+ y ago19:08

19:08

--- Send us your questions --- Switzerland, a country known for its linguistic diversity, is home to the unique dialect of Swiss German. It has many variations around the country, with words, sounds and phrases changing by city or valley. Here, we dive into a very specific topic of Swiss German - the use of nicknames. In this episode of ‘Decoding S…

1
What noise does an animal make in Swiss German? 19:55

1+ y ago19:55

19:55

--- Send us your questions --- Discovering animal sounds in Swiss German: A fun exploration at the Dählhölzli Petting Zoo Come with us on a stroll through the famous Dählhölzli petting zoo in Bern where we talk about the different animal noises in English and Swiss German. A special welcome and thanks to all our super early subscribers: Samir, Juli…

1
5 things you need to know before going to a Swiss cinema 11:16

1+ y ago11:16

11:16

--- Send us your questions --- The experience of going to see a film in Switzerland has some quirks. The first question you’re probably going to ask yourself when trying to catch a new release is what language it’s going to be shown in and secondly, how much the pleasure is going to set you back. In this episode, we talk about which kind of cinema …

1
Unboxing the Swiss ballot papers 15:45

1+ y ago15:45

15:45

--- Send us your questions --- After 13 years of living in Switzerland, Jo is finally allowed to have her say in her new home country and participate in the democratic process. The Swiss elections are coming up and after becoming Swiss, this might be the second most exciting day for a new citizen. The papers have arrived (a long time ago) and are r…

1
We taste traditional Swiss food and drink so you don't have to: Rivella 17:17

2+ y ago17:17

17:17

--- Send us your questions --- The Swiss can't get enough of it: Rivella is the Alpine nation's traditional soft drink of choice. But there's an unusual ingredient hiding beneath the bubbles of this thirst-quenching liquid. Any idea what it is? In this episode, we'll introduce you to the delights of Switzerland's weird and wonderful fizzy refreshme…

1
From Bern to Colmar: Swiss and Chips over the border 10:35

2+ y ago10:35

10:35

--- Send us your questions --- If you're looking for Christmas magic, put Colmar, France on your list of must-see places. A beautiful city at any time of year, it is decorated and lit up to perfection every Christmas. The city's cobbled streets are flanked by Medieval or Renaissance-period buildings and small canals run alongside the main thoroughf…

1
The must-know websites for Switzerland 18:48

2+ y ago18:48

18:48

--- Send us your questions --- It can take time to figure out what the useful websites are when you move to a new country. What are the most-popular car-sharing, price comparison, weather and buy-and-sell sites in Switzerland? We crowdsourced a list of the must-know websites in Switzerland from our Facebook group, Switzerland for English Speakers. …

1
Six things you'll find in a Swiss kitchen (and what's missing!) 20:20

2+ y ago20:20

20:20

--- Send us your questions --- Warning: this episode is a rollercoaster! We try to navigate our way through a traditional Swiss kitchen, and explain the classic items you'll find in any Swiss kitchen cupboard. From flavourings to implements, we lift the table cloth on the secrets of Switzerland's home dining habits - and we reveal a few foody prefe…

1
Voting in Switzerland 16:55

2+ y ago16:55

16:55

--- Send us your questions --- After Jo got her Swiss passport it was time to step up and get her first real taste of Swiss democracy… and what better way to do it than going to vote in the regular Swiss polls in person. In this episode, we talk about how to vote in person or by post, and how to navigate political discussions with the Swiss. The Sw…

1
Driving to the UK from Switzerland 13:42

2+ y ago13:42

13:42

--- Send us your questions --- The traditional ways to travel between the UK and Switzerland are plane, train and car. 2022 turned out to be the year we used the channel tunnel to make the trip for the first time. We drove from Bern to England and then back a few weeks later. It was an experience to remember! And one that’s worth talking about and …

1
Becoming Swiss, part seven: 'Crossing the Finish Line' 13:55

3y ago13:55

13:55

--- Send us your questions --- It took around two years, but the moment has finally come. Ten months after the final interview a confirmation letter arrived in the post: Jo is Swiss! Now that's worth talking about. Notes on this episode of Swiss and Chips: Your British Guide to Switzerland What happened so far: Check out our other episodes on 'How …

1
A 'BEA' Special: the must-see traditional Swiss agricultural fair 11:18

3y ago11:18

11:18

--- Send us your questions --- The BEA is open! This annual traditional Swiss fair is a must-see for anyone living in or around Bern and it's open until May 8 this year. From donkey displays to fairground rides and the chance to sample local beers and a staggering range of cheese, there is so much to see for children and adults. We recorded while o…

1
E61 St. Moritz in winter 12:01

3y ago12:01

12:01

--- Send us your questions --- Snow, a frozen lake and beautiful mountains: there aren't many more things you need to complete the perfect Swiss winter destination. When we headed to St. Moritz in January 2022 we had high expectations for this famous ski resort with a glitzy reputation. And it absolutely lived up to them! With breathtaking winter s…

1
Relocating to Switzerland: Part 2 20:03

3+ y ago20:03

20:03

--- Send us your questions --- What is it really like to move to Switzerland? In the second of two episodes looking back at when Jo first relocated from the UK, we delve into some of the unexpected sides to setting up a new life among the Swiss. In this episode we cover: Differences in lifestyle between England and Switzerland The surprises that co…

1
Relocating to Switzerland: A personal perspective 14:28

3+ y ago14:28

14:28

--- Send us your questions --- Jo moved to Switzerland just over a decade ago, so it seemed to be about time to talk about her experience, the highlights, and what she would do differently if she would do it all over again. ... Join the community Chat Subscribe to the free newsletter ... Send your questions: Drop us an email: [email protected]…

1
How to organise a Swiss (and British) passport for your newborn 14:56

3+ y ago14:56

14:56

--- Send us your questions --- If you have a British-Swiss child and live in Switzerland, like we do, how do you go about getting their first passports? In this episode we'll explain everything from organising all of the documents to taking a suitable picture of your little one. Notes on this episode of Swiss and Chips: Your British Guide to Switze…

1
Becoming Swiss, part six: 'the interview' 5:55

3+ y ago5:55

5:55

--- Send us your questions --- It's the big moment in the Swiss citizenship process: finally you will meet someone face-to-face who will decide whether all the paperwork you have collected, all the forms you have filled out and all the studying you have done is enough to make you a viable candidate for becoming Swiss. My moment finally came when I …

1
Trip tip: An easy walk through the vineyards 7:48

3+ y ago7:48

7:48

--- Send us your questions --- Vines, food and splendid views: if you're looking for a short and easy walk to do by yourself or when you have visitors in town, this is an episode for you! We talk about a scenic, circular walk in canton Bern that will take you from the village of Twann to Ligerz, via the vineyards and back along the lakeside to Twan…

1
Becoming Swiss, part five: ‘One form to rule them all’ 10:37

4y ago10:37

10:37

--- Send us your questions --- Once you have fulfilled all of the criteria to apply to become Swiss (take a look at our previous episodes in this mini-series if want to know more about this), you will be faced with filling out "the form". This is where you provide all of your personal details including your entire education history and certificates…

1
What to expect at a Swiss apéro 13:47

4y ago13:47

13:47

--- Send us your questions --- Before or instead of a dinner, at a garden party, a wedding, an office function or even a funeral, it‘s always the right time and place to join or organise a classic Swiss apéro. But what is expected at this typically Swiss get-together? We talk you through the food and drinks, the preparation, and, as always, the sub…

1
Having a baby in Switzerland 7:55

4y ago7:55

7:55

--- Send us your questions --- There have been a few long breaks between our last podcast episodes, but we had a good reason: we have a new person in our family! Please welcome Maeve, our beautiful baby girl, who you may now hear in the background of some of our recordings. She was born in early 2021 and our lives became a whirlwind of excitement. …

1
Weirdest thing you saw when you moved to Switzerland 18:48

4+ y ago18:48

18:48

--- Send us your questions --- Setting foot into another country can mean a significant change of your lifestyle and sometimes a culture shock. We asked in our Facebook group about your weirdest thing you’ve experienced when you moved to Switzerland and got loads of fun and interesting comments as well aas interesting discussions started. Thanks a …

1
How to celebrate Christmas as an expat in Switzerland 13:30

4+ y ago13:30

13:30

--- Send us your questions --- Christmas is drawing nearer but thanks to coronavirus, making plans to celebrate it this year isn't very easy. It's difficult enough to get together with family if you live in the same country, but almost impossible if you don't. We like to look on the bright side though! This year could be a chance to find new ways o…

1
Becoming Swiss, part four: The Swiss citizenship test 19:20

4+ y ago19:20

19:20

--- Send us your questions --- We're still here and still making podcasts: not as often as we'd like, but there's a good reason for that, which we'll explain in this week's episode. But the main topic in this episode is the Swiss citizenship test. Did you know we have a Facebook group? Switzerland for English Speakers is a great place to ask questi…

1
Becoming Swiss, part three: 'Starting the Application Process' 15:41

5y ago15:41

15:41

--- Send us your questions --- After living in Switzerland for ten years, I can now formally apply to become a Swiss citizen! There are a number of conditions I had to make sure I met before applying, which we mention in this episode of the podcast. We'll talk you through how to start the process in Bern specifically, as there are differences depen…

1
What are we missing when trying to make Swiss friends? 18:45

5y ago18:45

18:45

--- Send us your questions --- Finding it difficult to make friends with the Swiss is a common complaint from expats in Switzerland. Do the Swiss really have such different ideas about friendship? What does it take to be able to read between the lines in a conversation with a Swiss person and are there any tips that can help you feel less isolated …

1
Walk with us along Bern's Aare river 19:50

5y ago19:50

19:50

--- Send us your questions --- If you can only get out outside at the moment to go shopping or for some fresh air, you might be starting to get a little bored of your local surroundings. Pop your earphones in and come with us as we head out for a walk along the Aare river in Bern. Where did we go on our walk? 'Dählhölzli' section of the Bern animal…

1
Five ways to perfect your Swiss knowledge while staying at home 17:44

5y ago17:44

17:44

--- Send us your questions --- The coronavirus might have stopped you from getting out and exploring Switzerland, but you can still learn plenty about Swiss culture from inside your own home. Here's our list of five things every person interested in getting closer to the Swiss or looking to become Swiss should know. We chose a film, a book, a music…

1
When to shake hands in Switzerland 15:13

5+ y ago15:13

15:13

--- Send us your questions --- Shaking hands in Switzerland is common: children learn it at school and it seems to be a regular feature of everyday life. But when is holding out your hand too much and when would it be a faux pas not to? What are the alternatives when you can't shake hands, for example during the Coronavirus outbreak? We'll run you …

1
Should you join an English-speaking club in Switzerland? 13:15

5+ y ago13:15

13:15

--- Send us your questions --- Joining a club in Switzerland is a simple way to make new friends and connections. There are several English-speaking clubs in Bern and other Swiss cities, like the British Residents' Association of Switzerland, which we visited in October 2019. Should you sign yourself up to a club? Listen and find out! Notes on this…

1
Unspoken Swiss rules 20:04

5+ y ago20:04

20:04

--- Send us your questions --- It can feel like there are a lot of rules governing life in Switzerland. They‘re often written on signs in public places or in the building where you live or work. But what about those unspoken rules? The ones you don‘t know exist until a realisation slowly dawns on you that you‘ve been doing something differently to …

1
How to hike to the top of a Swiss mountain 19:14

5+ y ago19:14

19:14

--- Send us your questions --- Hiking in Switzerland is a favourite national pastime, especially in autumn, which means there are plenty of maps, online resources, and books to help you find the perfect hike! To get you into the mood, we'll tell you what you have to watch out for and give you all sorts of other tips, including a short excursion we …

1
This is what it sounds like in Switzerland's capital city, Bern 15:13

6y ago15:13

15:13

--- Send us your questions --- Come on a walk through one of Bern's picturesque neighbourhoods, Kirchenfeld, and listen in to what the Swiss capital sounds like on an ordinary day. Starting off at the Tierpark (animal park), walking through Helvetiaplatz with many of the country's important museums, I'll talk you through what you will see and hear …

1
Swiss German sayings: what they mean (and how to say them!) 20:12

6y ago20:12

20:12

--- Send us your questions --- "There's enough hay down there now" to "even his chopping block will calve": these are just a few everyday sayings that make perfect sense in Swiss German, but don't exactly translate into English. Whether you've heard some of them already, or just want to impress with a sentence or two at the right moment, this is ou…

1
The Swiss and Chips guide to dating in Switzerland 17:24

6y ago17:24

17:24

--- Send us your questions --- Is dating in Switzerland any different to anywhere else in the world? The Swiss have a reputation for being difficult to get know, so in this episode, we talk about expectations, stereotypes and traditions when it comes to attempting to get romantically involved with a Swiss. How to date in Switzerland: Show notes How…

1
Get a holiday vibe without leaving Switzerland 15:31

6y ago15:31

15:31

--- Send us your questions --- With the temperatures heating up again this week, it’s the perfect time to enjoy Switzerland and get to know a few places where you can create the feeling of going on holiday without straying too far from home. We explored some of the locations the Swiss head to when they need a 'staycation'. Notes on this episode of …

1
Hit the road: driving in Switzerland 13:30

6y ago13:30

13:30

--- Send us your questions --- Do you need a car in Switzerland? And what other options are there apart from buying one? We asked what you wanted to hear about in this episode of our podcast, and driving in Switzerland was one topic you suggested in our Facebook group, Switzerland for English speakers. We talk about why you might decide to get a ca…

1
Your questions about Switzerland: answered! 18:43

6y ago18:43

18:43

--- Send us your questions --- There’s been lots of questions in our facebook group, Switzerland for English speakers, over the past couple of weeks, so we wanted to talk about a few of them. Moving to Switzerland can be quite a confusing time, from the paperwork to the forms, to saying and doing the right thing..it can be tough! But there‘s always…

1
Taking to the classroom to learn Swiss German 17:04

6y ago17:04

17:04

--- Send us your questions --- Many say it can't be done, but some of us will still try! Jo has been attending a Swiss German course and in this episode, she shares her experience of signing up and going to classes. From precisely what the course entails, to what happens in the classroom and the kind of things she has learnt, there were some unexpe…

1
Do you need to know Swiss German to move to Switzerland? 14:54

6y ago14:54

14:54

--- Send us your questions --- Moving to a country where you don't speak the language can be a 'chicken and egg' situation: which one comes first, the language or the move? It's a challenging situation for anyone relocating abroad, and for newcomers to German-speaking Switzerland, this is a big issue. It's hard to get hold of resources to learn thi…

1
Where to find Swiss second-hand delights 14:45

6y ago14:45

14:45

--- Send us your questions --- Looking for furniture, clothes or something for your home in Switzerland that won't cost the Earth? Then you definitely need to find your nearest flea market or second-hand shop. In the German-speaking part of the country thrift stores are called "Brockis" (short for "Brockenhäuser"). In this episode we'll take you th…

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