PODCAST · history
Vienna Past and Present
by Carmen and Stephen
Dive into the depths of Vienna's history with 'Vienna Past and Present'! Join Carmen and Stephen on a journey through the centuries as they unearth lesser-known tales from Vienna's past. From Habsburg jaws to guilded halls, each episode brings to light a new facet of the city's rich tapestry and links it to sites that you can visit in the present day. Whether you're a history buff or a curious listener, 'Vienna Past and Present' has something for everyone. So, pour yourself a Grüner Veltliner and tune in for stories and friendly banter about the world's most livable city.
Episodes
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Austrians at the North Pole Part 1: Ice, Antonios, and Arctic Misery
What happens when you set off on an expedition to find an ice-free passage east of Russia, only to discover that the Arctic is, in fact, absolutely full of ice? In this first part of our two-parter, we travel back to 1872 and the Austro-Hungarian North Pole Expedition that would lead to the...
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(Bonus Episode) Vienna's Public Transportation with Paul
What happens when Stephen takes the day off and Carmen suddenly finds herself interviewing a public transport expert? Well, apparently you call in the next generation! In this special bonus episode, Carmen is joined by her cousin's son Paul, who knows a frankly impressive amount about Vienna's...
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Vienna Survival Guide, Pt. 2: Summer Edition
Summer has arrived, which means it's time for the next installment of our Vienna Survival Guide. This time, Carmen walks Stephen through the finer points of surviving everyday Viennese life: why you must always open a window for some fresh air, only to immediately complain "es zieht!" (there's a...
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Zeitgeist: If they don't respond in 20 minutes, they're missing
It's time for another Zeitgeist episode: a grab bag of Vienna, history, and whatever else managed to distract us this week. We start with an update on everyone's favorite controversial statue: Sexy Karl. After his dramatic encounter with vandals, we ask the important historical questions llike...
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Red Vienna (Part 2): Millimetternich Strikes Back
In the second part of our Red Vienna series, the grand experiment collides with political reality. We follow the rise of Engelbert Dollfuß, the emergence of Austrofascism, and the escalating tensions that culminated in the Austrian Civil War of 1934. Along the way, Karl-Marx-Hof goes from model...
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Red Vienna (Part 1): Socialism, but Make It Viennese
What happens when a city decides to reinvent everyday life from the ground up? In this episode, we dive into Red Vienna—an ambitious socialist experiment that transformed the city in the 1920s with massive housing projects, public baths, and a bold vision of "luxury for everyone." From the...
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Vienna Survival Guide: Lüften, Sundays, and a Bucket of Water
Thinking of moving to Vienna? Already here but still confused? In this grab-bag episode, we present your unofficial Vienna Survival Guide—covering the less-obvious, entirely unwritten rules that no one explains until you've already broken them. From mastering the sacred art of lüften to…
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The Florentine Diamond: Lost, Found, and Packed in Cardboard
The Florentine Diamond is one of Europe's most famous missing jewels—or at least, it was. In this episode, we trace the extraordinary journey of a 137-carat diamond from Renaissance Florence and the Medici dynasty to the Habsburgs, the collapse of empire, and a century-long disappearance that…
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Zeitgeist: Runaway Nuns!
If you saw some nuns escaping a retirement home to return to their former castle, what would you do? If you're at all unsure, you should hear the story of the nuns of Castle Goldenstein, the recent *darlings* of Austrian and international news. With low-speed car chases, hugging police officers,...
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The Habsburg Vampire Panic: When Maria Theresia Took on the Undead
In our first Halloween episode, we sink our teeth into the true story of the vampire panic that swept through the Habsburg borderlands during the Age of Enlightenment—because nothing says "reason and progress" like mass fear of the undead. It all begins in 18th-century Serbia, where a shoeless...
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Felix Baumgartner: Living on the Edge
This week, we're freefalling into the story of Felix Baumgartner, Austria's very own daredevil skydiver who leapt from the stratosphere (literally). Along the way, Stephen valiantly attempts some German words with mixed results, Carmen learns a few things she probably should have already known…
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Wilhelm Reich: The Prophet of the Better Orgasm
In this episode, we uncover the strange and fascinating life of Wilhelm Reich, a once-promising Vienna-trained psychoanalyst whose career took a sharp turn into uncharted territory. From a scandalous youth and mentorship under Freud to his unorthodox theories on "orgastic potency," Reich's ideas...
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Gänsehäufel - Vienna's beloved goose pile
This week, we're headed to the seaside! Or at least, as close as Vienna gets— we're talking about the Gänsehäufel, the beloved island in the Danube that's been offering sun, swims, and skin (lots of it) for over a century. We dig into the evolution of this uniquely Viennese summer escape: from…
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Zeitgeist: 12 Points to Austria!
Try as we might to talk about literally anything else, Eurovision keeps pulling us back in. Are we closet fans? Maybe. Probably. OK, fine—yes. In this Zeitgeist episode, we set out to cover a range of current topics... but then Austria won Eurovision again, and suddenly we're back, clumsily...
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Weighing In: Vienna's Street Scales
This week, we step onto one of Vienna's most curious bits of street furniture: the humble street scale. Scattered across the city in over 150 locations, these coin-operated relics have no real reason to still exist—yet somehow, they do. We dig into their surprisingly rich history, from imperial...
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Arnold: American Attitude and Austrian Schmäh
In this episode, we're talking all things Arnold. After watching the Netflix documentary Arnold, we came away with a new-found respect for the man who went from a small town to global superstardom. But we don't stop there—we dig into a few stories the doc left out, discuss what makes Arnold such…
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Vienna's Snow Palace: Soap, Sawdust, and a Ski Jump
Long before Dubai put ski slopes in the desert, Vienna had its own indoor skiing dream: the Schneepalast (Snow Palace). Opened in 1927 as the world's first permanent hall for year-round skiing, it was the brainchild of Dagfinn Carlsen—a man who clearly thought no idea was too ambitious. With two...
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Zeitgeist: Sausage stands and Football
In this Zeitgeist episode, we're sticking our heads in the sand and focusing on the real hard-hitting topics: sausage stands and football. It's the zeitgeist we want to be living in. We explore the Würstelstand as a cornerstone of Viennese cultural heritage, and Stephen quizzes Carmen on Viennese...
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Vienna: The Spy Capital of the World
Why is Vienna considered the ultimate playground for spies? We start with the Habsburgs' surprising innovations in spycraft and how Metternich made "the walls listen" with his sophisticated network of informants. From there, we uncover how the city evolved into the espionage capital of the world,...
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Zeitgeist Episode: Christkind, Krampus, and Christmas Around the World
In this Zeitgeist episode, we're feeling festive as we dive into holiday traditions from around the world. Carmen and Stephen compare the Christkind to Santa Claus and explore the wild world of St. Nicholas and Krampus—because what's Christmas without a satanic helper? But we don't stop at…
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Jörg Haider Part 2
In the second and final part of our deep dive into Jörg Haider, we explore his fall from grace and untimely death. Along the way, we consider whether Carinthia might just be the Texas of Austria, discuss the correct pronunciation of Phaeton, and dissect the many rumors that swirled around his...
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Zeitgeist Episode: Government and Glühwein
In our second Zeitgeist episode, we're diving into what's happening in the world—and in our lives—right now. We break down how Austrian elections work and the latest on coalition talks, before taking a detour to discuss why on Earth the Detroit Lions have made the Austrian news. Responding to a...
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Jörg Haider and the Rise of the FPÖ
This week, we dive into the rise of Austria's far-right FPÖ party and its controversial leader, Jörg Haider, whose meteoric ascent left a lasting mark on Austrian politics. As we explore the twists and turns of Austrian politics and Haider's influence, Stephen's dog Bo voices his disapproval…
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Vienna's Skyline: Inspired by an Assassin
What does an assassination attempt have to do with the height of Vienna's City Hall? More than you'd expect. In this episode, we uncover the strange connection between political violence and architecture, with a surprise appearance from Mexico along the way. Stephen and Carmen agree that, when it...
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Zeitgeist 1: Summer Break
Welcome to our first-ever Zeitgeist episode, where we chat about what's happening in Vienna, the world, and in our lives right now. This week, we're tackling everything from single-use plastics and Cybertrucks to the terrorist threat that forced Taylor Swift to cancel her Vienna shows. Plus, we...
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Colonial Empire, Habsburg-style
What do Mozambique, Tianjin, and the Nicobar islands have in common? Very little! Except that they were all sites of the Habsburgs' clumsy attempts at an overseas empire. In this episode, we dive into three little-known and ill-fated colonial ventures that saw the Habsburgs trying their hand at...
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The Habsburg Code: AEIOU
The letters "AEIOU" can be found scattered throughout Vienna, etched in stone, engraved on buildings, and inscribed in art. But what do they mean? In this episode, we unravel the mystery behind these enigmatic letters that have puzzled historians and locals alike for centuries. These seemingly...
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Conchita Wurst: 10 years later
Ten years ago, Conchita Wurst took the Eurovision stage by storm, redefining glamour and shattering boundaries. Join us as Carmen pretends to be a Eurovision aficionado while Stephen rolls his eyes. Together, they reminisce about the hotel in Istanbul they stayed at during Conchita's win, and how...
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Loo and Behold: Vienna's Public Toilets
Before Vienna had public toilets, masked figures roamed the streets with poop buckets. Yes, you heard that right. It wasn't until the 1880s that the city saw its first public toilet, a milestone met with both relief and controversy. The church, ever vigilant, worried these new facilities would...
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Pez: The Little Candy That Could
Most of us had Pez dispensers when we were growing up. Even if you think you didn't, you will later remember that you did-- just ask Carmen. But did you know it's an Austrian story? From it's humble beginnings as an anti-smoking mint to the subject of a minor international scandal-- and a…
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Dr. Karl Lueger
When's the last time your city elections required papal intervention? Stumped? Well in Vienna's case, it was the 1897 election of Dr Karl Lueger, a consequential, controversial figure that left an impact on the city in ways both seen and unseen. Why did Emporer Franz Josef refuse to confirm his...
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ABOUT THIS SHOW
Dive into the depths of Vienna's history with 'Vienna Past and Present'! Join Carmen and Stephen on a journey through the centuries as they unearth lesser-known tales from Vienna's past. From Habsburg jaws to guilded halls, each episode brings to light a new facet of the city's rich tapestry and links it to sites that you can visit in the present day. Whether you're a history buff or a curious listener, 'Vienna Past and Present' has something for everyone. So, pour yourself a Grüner Veltliner and tune in for stories and friendly banter about the world's most livable city.
HOSTED BY
Carmen and Stephen
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Frequently Asked Questions
How many episodes does Vienna Past and Present have?
Vienna Past and Present currently has 31 episodes available on PodParley. New episodes are automatically indexed when they're published to the podcast feed.
What is Vienna Past and Present about?
Dive into the depths of Vienna's history with 'Vienna Past and Present'! Join Carmen and Stephen on a journey through the centuries as they unearth lesser-known tales from Vienna's past. From Habsburg jaws to guilded halls, each episode brings to light a new facet of the city's rich tapestry and...
How often does Vienna Past and Present release new episodes?
Vienna Past and Present has 31 episodes. Check the episode list to see recent publication dates and frequency.
Where can I listen to Vienna Past and Present?
You can listen to Vienna Past and Present on PodParley by clicking any episode. We provide an embedded audio player for direct listening, and you can also subscribe via your preferred podcast app using the RSS feed.
Who hosts Vienna Past and Present?
Vienna Past and Present is created and hosted by Carmen and Stephen.
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