Sigrid:
I’m definitely not starting this podcast with the usual intro. Instead, I’m kicking off with a quick question for Kat, who’s joining us today. So, Kat, how’s dating in Berlin?

Kat:
Dating in Berlin? Oh, controversial question! There are so many comedians who’ve made material about this — and honestly, dating in Berlin *is* impossible. It really is. Everyone’s emotionally withdrawn and way too busy doing drugs. It’s hard to find a time when someone’s available for even a quick hookup. Or you end up in the polyamory queue because everyone here is poly. I mean, I’m poly too, but honestly, I don’t even know anymore.

Sigrid:
We’re just all doing anything these days.

Kat:
Yeah, there are moments when I dive into all the apps — Tinder, Bumble, you name it. I go full-on for a week or two, feel fresh and ready to date, then decide everyone’s just horny and I’m better off hanging out with my dog. So I stop replying to everyone. That’s basically my status.

Sigrid+:
Berlin’s definitely a city to get a therapist.

Therapy and the Berlin Mindset

Kat:
Honestly, I wouldn’t get a therapist *from* Berlin — I’d get one *for* Berlin. But never a German therapist. No way. Living in Germany is trauma enough, and then having a German person tell you what you did wrong? I imagine German therapists are just brutally honest, pointing out all your mistakes without fluff, making you cry after every session.

Sigrid:
I think that’s part of why we’re in Berlin — it’s like free walking therapy. It’s cold, brutally honest, and you can’t take anything personally or seriously; otherwise, you’d want to go back home.

Kat:
Yeah, and you never really have to grow up either. It’s kind of like nurturing your inner child — some call it emotional immaturity, but you can milk that for years here.

Sigrid:
And you can party all weekend long. Next weekend it’s “Raves for the Planet.” Have you ever been to Berghain?

Kat:
I have, yes.

Sigrid:
How is Berghain? Give us the vibe, because everyone who comes to Berlin is like, “Oh my God, Berghain.”

Kat:
Berghain was sweaty, sexy, crowded — the sound was great, but so was the ketamine. So it’s kind of a blur.

Sigrid:
As you can see, we’re talking about everything right now. I’ll officially introduce you, Kat. You’ve been in Berlin a few years and you have your own comedy show.

Kat:
Yes! I have a female collective called Queen Bees Comedy. We run different shows around town every month — mostly female and queer shows.

Sigrid:
When can we see you?

Kat:
In autumn — we’re on a summer break right now.

Sigrid:
Summer break — very German of you.

Kat:
Yeah, for 2 or 3 years now we’ve taken a summer break. In autumn and winter, people go inside more, but in summer it’s hard to fill seats. Plus, I want to enjoy the summer! It’s the best time in Berlin, so I don’t want to keep my evenings booked. Also, at shows, you can’t smoke or drink because you need to be sober — which limits the fun a bit. So a clear schedule is good.

From Poland to Berlin: Comedy, Life, and Language

Sigrid:
There are a few very good things Germans do that we’re adopting. Do you have something you say, “Yeah, I’ve incorporated this into my life as a new German”?

Kat:
As a “new German” of seven years? It’s been a while. I guess my accent changed — non-consensually! I used to sound way more British — I lived in the UK for a long time. Now my German is still not great, but my English has gotten worse. A lot of Germans speak English with an accent, and a lot of people abroad think I’m German, which is interesting — I’m Polish! I don’t know how to feel about that, but it’s fine. I’m studying German again to at least have some power to prove it.

Sigrid:
Polish is such a complicated language.

Kat:
Yeah, it’s one of the hardest languages in the world.

Sigrid:
And then you decided to move to Germany and learn German on top of that. Is there anything about Berlin life that’s easier?

Kat:
Oh, the will to live disappears faster here! But watching the news helps. I guess getting by is easier with the basic German I have. Sometimes it’s just about willingness — not being one of those experts who come here and steal your resources, your women, your men, and your electricity.

Sigrid:
Even though we established there aren’t many women or men left to steal! We bring them joy though — in your case, with comedy and honest laughs about themselves.

Kat:
Yeah, Germans are similar to Poles in that they struggle to take things with a pinch of salt — not everything is literal. There’s a certain style of cabaret and comedy that shaped public taste. There’s no heckling like in Germany, where people fact-check you: “You can have sex at 14, not 16, it’s still legal.” How do they know that fact? My friend joked she wanted to be the next Angela Merkel, and someone told her she couldn’t because she wasn’t born in Germany. Even with citizenship, it’s not allowed. It was a joke, but facts matter here.

Sigrid:
So Kat, you have your own show. For people who haven’t been to it yet, what happens when we enter your world?

Kat:
We do different locations, but usually you come in, get a drink and your receipt. One of us, usually Carmen or me, hosts — we chat with the audience, banter a bit, then have various acts depending on the show. Open mics feature new material; showcases have more polished acts with tried and tested jokes. It’s just a lot of fun. So everyone listening should come check it out!

Sigrid:
Please do! You have an Instagram?

Kat:
Yes, Queen Bees Comedy and my personal one is Kat Nip Presents with a K. I’m also working on a new solo show that I’ll tour starting September. It’s about the last two years of quitting drinking and getting into drugs — funny, but true. I’m a stoner now, so I’ve transitioned from heavy drinker to heavy smoker.

Sigrid:
It’s complicated to quit alcohol in Germany. I’m Mexican, and we don’t drink that much, even though we have tequila — mostly just weekends. But here, everyone’s drinking on the street all the time, even business lunches start with wine. So is it harder to quit alcohol here?

Kat:
Poland is worse. They wouldn’t allow drinking on the street — people would just pull out big vodka bottles and get trashed. Germany knows moderation — you can have a few beers on the street. Alcohol is everywhere and a social lubricant, but lots of people are quitting or cutting down. Many don’t drink during the week. People smoke or do other things. I’m getting older — hangovers are brutal — so cutting down is necessary.

Sigrid:
There’s a study showing Gen Z drinks less than us.

Kat:
Yes, so much less. Some say a quarter of Gen Z has never had alcohol. They’re more self-conscious, health-conscious, mental health-conscious. They know what’s happening in the world, care about the environment, queer issues — not all of them, but mostly. I admire them. When I was in my 20s, I was just up for a party, clueless about the world.

Sigrid:
So Gen Z will definitely come to your show.

Kat:
Yes, and on my dates too! I have a preference for a younger crowd.

Sigrid:
Are you telling me you’re a sugar mama?

Kat:
No, I’m not paying that much. I’m just advising and being wise. It’s easy to impress a teenager! No, just kidding — legal age, guys!

Sigrid:
Our producer Marlene is looking at us like, “Yeah, you’re definitely older.” Marlene’s Gen Z, and Kat and I are around the same age, so we’re already talking about dating.

Kat’s been in Berlin for over seven years. She’s Polish, lived in London, and has tons of comedy experience. Is comedy an easy path?

Kat:
I’ve always tried random courses — tap dancing, fencing, piano. Fencing was a dream, but it hurt my thighs, so no. Comedy is similar. I met a girl doing an improv course and thought, “That sounds fun.” Then I took Caroline Clifford’s stand-up comedy intro course — it doesn’t teach you how to be funny but gives you a supportive space to practice writing and performing jokes. You get feedback because what’s funny to you isn’t always funny to others. I started open mics and thought maybe I’d quit after a month — but that was six or seven years ago. Since then, lots has happened. Last year, I got into TV writing and am trying to sell a show now. It’s been an adventure — crazy people, delusions, egos, mental health issues, substance abuse — classic comedy scene stuff, but fun.

Sigrid:
What about your audience? Are they mostly international? Mexicans are always loud, Italians and Greeks too. How’s it with your crowd?

Kat:
You want me to be racist toward a nation? Name one, I’m ready.

Sigrid:
Okay, Latin Americans?

Kat:
I haven’t had massive groups, but they’re usually friendly and up for a laugh. I did a show in Rio once, and it was one of my best gigs — so lovely and fun. So Latin Americans, you’re welcome!

Sigrid:
Is there anywhere else you’d love to perform?

Kat:
LA is on my list — the ultimate comedy goal.

Sigrid:
As a Mexican, I can’t go to the U.S. anymore, so good luck!

Kat:
I’m actually going to New York, so I need to check my social media for anything I shouldn’t have posted.

Humor in Hard Times: Politics and Personal Stories

Sigrid:
Post-Trump, as a European, it’s very different. For Mexicans and Latin Americans, it’s a whole other experience.

Kat:
Yeah, crazy stuff.

Sigrid:
Any favorite topics in your stand-up?

Kat:
Mostly what happens to me. Recently I talk about my dog — a rescue from Turkey named Pickle. If you go on a date with me, be prepared that if you say something stupid, I might use it. Like this one guy who said he didn’t follow the news because he’s more interested in the Ukraine war — when I was telling him about Gaza. Yeah.

Sigrid:
Pause and reflect.

Kat:
Exactly. Politics is a must now. In the past, we might have been more lenient about it, but now — are you interested in genocide or not? That’s a no-brainer for me. The Ukraine war is awful too, but no comparisons.

Sigrid:
Hard topics everywhere. Sometimes humor helps ease the pain.

Kat:
Definitely. We all need some escape — go out, have a laugh. Times are rough. We thought Germany was safe, buttoned-up? Nope.

Sigrid:
There’s a joke on Instagram that the only safe place is Switzerland — because they have bomb shelters for 100% of the population.

Kat:
Yeah, but I meant safe from fascism, neo-Nazis, and support for genocides, you know.

Advice for Berlin Newcomers

Sigrid:
Let’s end on a positive note. Before we go, what’s your best advice for yourself or people coming to Berlin to learn about Germany and themselves?

Kat:
Lower your expectations. Like any city or relationship, you think it’ll be amazing, but you’ll be disappointed. Berlin is understated beauty. If you take it as it is, you’ll find good stuff. But if you expect London or another capital, you’ll be shocked. Don’t do too many drugs. Explore your sexuality. Shave your head. Get a nose or septum piercing. YOLO. While in Berlin — might as well.

Sigrid:
Kat, thank you so much for being here. It was such a pleasure. I’d love to come to your show in September.

Kat:
Awesome, thank you!