The New Paris Podcast

Among the most pervasive stereotypes about Paris is that it is the capital of love. Watch a few movies and you'd assume that romance and passion abound. I never believed those tropes but I was genuinely surprised to have met the man who became my husband only three days after I arrived in the city. That was thirteen years ago, before dating apps. From my single friends, I know that the dating scene has become significantly more challenging. Today's guests are here to discuss what it's really like to find love in Paris today -- Sutanya Dacres, host of the podcast Dinner for One, and Hugo Katsumi, a talented photographer. Mentioned in this episode: Dinner for One podcast: https://www.dinnerforonepodcast.com/ Dinner for one on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dinnerfor.one/ Hugo Katsumi: https://www.instagram.com/hugokatsumi/?hl=en Happn dating app: https://www.happn.com/fr/

When you think about camping out on a café terrace with a drink, chances are you don't think of craft beer. This is a wine country after all, right? The history is a bit more complicated than that. According to the Brewers Association of France, beer consumption has grown about 3% annually each of the last four years after declining for 36 consecutive years. In my book, I looked into the craft beer rebirth in Paris and wrote about individuals deeply invested in driving the community, including today's guest. Thomas Deck is one half of Deck & Donohue, one of the city's leading brewers and undeniable success stories. Mentioned in this episode: The New Paris book: https://amzn.to/2XKVegI Deck & Donohue: http://deck-donohue.com/ Where to find the beer: http://deck-donohue.com/les-trouver/

This episode is a recording from the June 12th panel discussion at The American Library in Paris about French feminism -- what defines it, what are its challenges, how does it differ from the American movement, and where it's heading. I was joined by journalists Rokhaya Diallo, Alice Pfeiffer, and Lauren Collins, who moderated the talk. Enjoy! Panelists: Lauren Collins, The New Yorker: https://www.newyorker.com/contributors/lauren-collins Rokhaya Diallo, journalist, activist, author: https://twitter.com/rokhayadiallo?lang=en Alice Pfeiffer, fashion journalist Les Inrocks, author: https://www.lesinrocks.com/auteur/alicepfeiffer/ The American Library in Paris: https://americanlibraryinparis.org/

If you’ve been reading the news or simply living as a human on earth, you’re aware of our world’s greatest crisis: the climate. The evidence is undeniable, we’re destroying our planet and not acting fast enough, if In the right ways at all, to slow its demise. Joining me to dig into the climate calamity and talk about how France measures up is Patrick Galey, the Global Science and Environment correspondant for the AFP news agency. Mentioned in this episode + Additional reading Patrick on Twitter: https://twitter.com/patrickgaley What can we do to save nature? https://twitter.com/patrickgaley/status/1125376094473998336 UN Report Shows Nature at Death's Door https://news.yahoo.com/lost-world-un-report-shows-nature-deaths-door-151119912.html Scientists Warn of climate 'time bomb' for world's groundwater https://phys.org/news/2019-01-scientists-climate-world-groundwater.html Fuel subsidies defy green trend amid rising climate alarm https://news.yahoo.com/fuel-subsidies-defy-green-trend-amid-rising-climate-160743139.html;_ylt=AwrC1jEM3t5cDGkA_hHQtDMD;_ylu=X3oDMTEyY2tpNnJrBGNvbG8DYmYxBHBvcwMxBHZ0aWQDQjc3MTFfMQRzZWMDc3I- Save Nature to Save Ourselves https://news.yahoo.com/million-species-risk-extinction-one-them-085309131.html Remote island beach plastics point to greater waste problem https://news.yahoo.com/remote-island-beach-plastics-point-greater-waste-problem-131013676.html An explainer on fossil fuels https://www.theatlantic.com/science/archive/2019/05/how-much-does-world-subsidize-oil-coal-and-gas/589000/

For generations, musicians of all stripes have flocked to Paris to pursue their craft and perform for curious and engaged audiences. Today’s guests have been working in music and performing all over the country (and beyond) for over twelve years and together they form Signing Earth Divine, a 100 member gospel-inspired choir. As a part of the group gears up to perform at Carnegie Hall this month and May 24th at the Eglise de la Madeleine in Paris, I wanted to get the back story from its founders and lead artists, Crystal Petit and Jua Amir. Mentioned in this episode: Singing Earth Divine: http://singtheearth.com/ Concert in Paris: http://singtheearth.com/index.php/concert-booking/ Concert at Carnegie Hall: https://www.carnegiehall.org/calendar/2019/06/09/distinguished-concerts-orchestra-and-distinguished-concerts-singers-international-0200pm Chez Crystal: https://www.chezcrystal.com/ Jua Amir on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/deitiesoflove/?hl=en Crystal Petit on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/crystalpetit/?hl=en

What does safety and security mean in the context of the French state? How does it relate to issues of immigration and national identity? Joining me back on the show is Andrew Aguilar (from episode 24), a PhD candidate in political science at Sciences Po and a fellow at the French Migrations Convergence Institute. On this episode, we talk about another aspect of his doctoral research and discuss concrete examples of its complexity in practice: state security in France and the UK.  Mentioned in this episode: Episode 24 on Immigration with Andrew Aguilar: https://soundcloud.com/thenewparis/episode-24-on-immigration-islam-and-identity Shamima Begum controversy: https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-47240100 Sajid Javid on Shamima Begum: https://www.bbc.com/news/av/uk-politics-47529837/sajid-javid-on-shamima-begum-and-uk-nationals-in-syria How ISIS returnees are stirring debate over citizenship: http://time.com/5534674/shamima-begum-hoda-muthana-isis/

How easy is it, really, to move to France and find work if you’re a foreigner? What about if English is your dominant language and French is a very distant second (or third, or fourth)? France24 journalist Charli James moved to Paris nearly two years ago and has talked at length about navigating life in Paris on her blog “Am I French Yet?” Today, she joins the show to talk about working and living in English/French and a hybrid of both. Up first: her work covering the Notre Dame fire on April 15, 2019. Mentioned in this episode: Notre Dame fire, Charli’s coverage: https://youtu.be/zYu1nvNv9EY Charli James on Twitter: https://twitter.com/charli Am I French Yet? http://frenchyet.com How to Live in Paris Without Speaking French (blog post): http://frenchyet.com/live-paris-dont-speak-french/ Tips to Finding Work in English While Living in France (blog post): http://frenchyet.com/english-work-in-france-tips/

In a time when award-winning chefs are giving up their Michelin stars and more and more diners use their everyday tools like Instagram to plan where to eat, what’s the value of the guidebook? Has Le Fooding’s merger with Michelin impact the direction of lists and rankings? I talk about this with guests Lina Caschetto, chef at Cantina, and Sabrina Goldin, the co-owner of Cantina, Carbon and the Asado Club. We also discuss food festivals, women in the industry and what needs to change to make dining a more inclusive business. Mentioned in this episode: Lina Caschetto http://www.linacaschetto.com/about Carbon: https://www.carbonparis.com Cantina: https://www.instagram.com/cantina_paris/ The Asado Club: http://www.theasadoclub.com/#intro Le Fooding: https://lefooding.com/en Dominique Crenn 3 Michelin Stars: https://www.nytimes.com/2018/11/29/dining/dominique-crenn-michelin-three-stars.html Best Female Chef Prize (My story): https://www.foodandwine.com/news/michelin-award-female-chef-debate Taste of Paris: https://paris.tastefestivals.com Esterelle’s list of female chefs in France: https://www.telerama.fr/monde/gastronomie-la-carte-des-370-cheffes-a-decouvrir-dans-toute-la-france,n5514484.php Parabere Forum: http://parabereforum.com Omnivore: https://www.omnivore.com MAD Symposium: https://www.madfeed.co Informed Opinions: Say YES https://informedopinions.org

Welcome to season 3! A block from the studio sits the 25Hours Hotel Terminus Nord, a new property that celebrates the real people who shape the day to day life of the wider Gare du Nord neighborhood. It’s also the latest project for today’s guest — Alex Toledano, co-founder of the art consultancy Visto Images. Alex spent the bulk of his graduate and doctoral work studying urban history in Europe in the 19th and 20th centuries but went to apply much of that firsthand knowledge of a city’s urban fabric into establishing art collections for hotels, residences, offices and public spaces that tell a distinct narrative. Today, he joins me to talk about the changing fabric of the 10th arrondissement, the area that he has spent years studying, and more specifically the Gare du Nord. We talk about what’s special about the art and concept for this new hotel and why so much of Paris changes without every really changing at all. Mentioned in this episode: Visto Images: http://www.vistoimages.com Art in Hotels: https://www.nytimes.com/2016/09/04/travel/beaumont-hotel-london.html 25Hours Hotel Terminus Nord: https://www.25hours-hotels.com/hotels/paris/terminus-nord Alex’s NYT Magazine story: https://www.nytimes.com/2015/11/16/magazine/the-uncommon-resilience-of-parisian-street-life.html

The end of season 2 and, perhaps more importantly, the end of 2018, merits a special discussion. Joining me back in the studio for a chat about some of the events that have defined the year in Paris and France is author and staff writer for The New Yorker, Lauren Collins. We talked about France’s World Cup 2018 win, SNCF strikes and, the big-hippo story of the year, the Gilets Jaunes (yellow jacket) movement and whether it’s safe to visit Paris (spoiler: YES IT IS). Mentioned in this episode: Lauren Collins on the Gilets Jaunes: https://www.newyorker.com/news/news-desk/the-gilets-jaunes-and-a-surprise-crisis-in-france SNCF strikes: https://www.railjournal.com/in_depth/sncf-reform-back-on-track-after-devastating-strike Macron under fire (« cross the street » to find work ) https://www.france24.com/en/20180917-macron-france-under-fire-telling-jobseeker-cross-street-get-work-unemployment World Cup 2018 win: on Identity https://www.vox.com/policy-and-politics/2018/7/19/17590302/trevor-noah-france-french-ambassador-araud-world-cup Gilets Jaunes and Mobility: https://www.nytimes.com/2018/12/20/world/europe/france-yellow-vests-social-mobility.html

#Metoo, body shaming, fatphobia, feminism, PMA, representation. These are among the words, movements and themes that have gone from niche or seldom addressed to the forefront of conversation across nearly all social stratums. In season 1, I invited Lauren Bastide of the feminist podcast La Poudre to discuss the outcome of #MeToo in France and the rising influence of a new generation of feminists who are raising their voices and taking to the streets. Now a year later, I go deeper into the conversation, looking at how #MeToo has or hasn’t awakened the national consciousness, the issue of representation, and the latest discriminations impacting women, with two important voices on the topics, Rebecca Amsellem, author and creator of Les Glorieuses and the book Les Glorieuses, chroniques d’une féministe, and Jennifer Padjemi, journalist and host of the new podcast Miroir Miroir.  Mentioned in this episode: Les Glorieuses: https://lesglorieuses.fr @LesGlorieuses: https://www.instagram.com/les_glorieuses/ Miroir Miroir: https://www.binge.audio/category/miroirmiroir/ Jennifer Padjemi: https://mobile.twitter.com/jenniferpadjemi Serena Williams bodysuit ban: https://www.vox.com/2018/8/28/17791518/serena-williams-catsuit-ban-french-open-tennis-racist-sexist-country-club-sport Rebecca’s commentary on the Serena Williams issue: https://www.nouveau-magazine-litteraire.com/idees/le-retour-de-baton-a-commence Fertility rights (PMA) https://www.ozy.com/fast-forward/a-new-french-revolution-is-brewing-in-fertility/89666 #MeToo backlash https://www.newyorker.com/news/daily-comment/why-did-catherine-deneuve-and-other-prominent-frenchwomen-denounce-metoo Brazil’s Presidential Elections https://www.nytimes.com/2018/10/28/world/americas/jair-bolsonaro-brazil-election.html

It’s 5:30 pm on a Monday evening and that means, it’s time for a drink and a nibble or two. That drink in France would be part of the beloved tradition of l’aperitif or apero as we so commonly refer to it. It’s a shared moment before dinner, usually among friends and with a few snacks to whet your appetite. But it’s also the name for an entire genre of French spirits, consumer during apero hour. Both of these are the focus of a new book appropriately called “Apéritif: Happy hour the French Way.” On this episode, I’m joined by the author Rebekah Peppler to talk about the book, the tradition and how best to celebrate it. Mentioned on this episode: Rebekah Peppler: https://www.rebekahpeppler.com Order the book: https://www.rebekahpeppler.com/aperitif-the-book/ Rebekah on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rebekahpeppler/

Ah, Gay Paree. It’s an expression firmly anchored into the collective imagination that speaks to the fin-de-siecle period wherein Paris became known as the capital of pleasure. Today, say Gay Paree and it almost certainly refers to and evokes a more modern understanding. Joining me today to talk about gay culture, history and the continuing fight for acceptance is Dr. Bryan Pirolli, a fellow Philadelphian, journalist, and the founder of the tour company, the Gay Locals. Mentioned in this episode: The Gay Locals: https://www.thegaylocals.com Rainbow crowsswalks in Paris: http://www.thegaylocals.com/blog/15/6/2018/rainbow-crosswalks-project-paris-pride The Gay Games: https://www.nytimes.com/2018/08/12/sports/paris-gay-games-2018.html Vandalism : https://www.dw.com/en/vandals-hit-paris-plaque-for-frances-last-executed-gays/a-44976704 Hidalgo fights homophobia https://www.out.com/news-opinion/2018/7/05/paris-mayor-snaps-homophobia-makes-rainbow-crosswalks-permanent

Think it’s only French food that dominates the dining scene in Paris? You’d be mistaken. And some of the best food is cooked by foreign chefs who came to the city to train, learn, handle some of the world’s highest quality products and give back. Some bring their cultures to the dining landscape while other offers their interpretations on Gallic classics. Today’s guest is Peter Orr, an Australian Chef who brings his experience cooking on three different continents to Robert, his new restaurant. Mentioned in this episode: Robert: https://robert-restaurant.fr Bar Martin: http://bar-martin.fr Au Passage: http://www.restaurant-aupassage.fr/en/ Le Grand Bain (Edward Delling Williams): http://www.legrandbainparis.com/en/home/

I met today’s guest 3 years ago at a café. He was conducting research on French Islam, I was writing my book on Paris. That café was a source of comfort for both of us after the Nov 13th attacks which killed and injured hundreds. These attacks, carried out by French or other European nationals affiliated with or inspired by the Islamic State, raised serious questions about France’s security, treatment of Muslims in the country, and policies toward integration and deradicalization. Andrew Aguilar, then a visiting scholar at Science Po, had his own views on the issue. Today, Andrew is a PhD candidate in political science at Science Po and continues his research about what’s really at play when we speak about French Islam. On this episode, I speak to Andrew about immigration, Macron’s new quest to restructure Islam in France and how the country’s Muslims feel about their place in French society. Mentioned in this episode: Andrew’s Letter to the Opinion Editor in the Washington Post https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/macrons-plan-is-the-latest-attempt-at-religious-integration-in-france/2018/04/23/9e33c2be-44ce-11e8-b2dc-b0a403e4720a_story.html?noredirect=on&utm_term=.915d0837c3da France attempts to “reform” identity https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/europe/struggling-to-prevent-terrorist-attacks-france-wants-to-reform-islam/2018/04/16/b81a20c6-1d67-11e8-98f5-ceecfa8741b6_story.html?utm_term=.79e1e7580a5d&tid=a_inl_manual A French variant of Islam: https://www.theatlantic.com/international/archive/2018/03/islam-france-macron/556604/ La France Insoumise https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/La_France_Insoumise