We’re Merey and Özgecan, two Kazakhs living in Berlin, Germany. Although we have a common Kazakh heritage, one of us was born and raised in Germany and one of us grew up in Kazakhstan. In the course of our friendship, we have found that this leads to some interesting conversations. That is why we created this podcast, to share our views on migration, history and identity. We also found that our academic and artistic knowledge inform much of our conversations. Merey is a visual artist and psychologist and Özgecan is a writer and historical sociologist.
Our Nomadic Lives https://www.instagram.com/ournomadiclives/ (https://www.instagram.com/ournomadiclives/)
Özgecan Kesici-Ayoubi https://www.instagram.com/ozgecanke/ (https://www.instagram.com/ozgecanke/)
Merey Anas https://www.instagram.com/merey_zee/ (https://www.instagram.com/merey_zee/)
S1E10: Season Finale! Building Bridges and our Podcast Journey from Kazakhstan to Berlin
This episode reflects on our journey of creating a personal and cultural podcast, exploring themes of identity, community, creativity, and the challenges of diaspora life. We share insights from their experiences, listener feedback, and future plans for the series.
Email: nomadiclivespod (at) gmail.com (http://gmail.com)
Our Nomadic Lives https://www.instagram.com/ournomadiclives/ (https://www.instagram.com/ournomadiclives/)
Özgecan https://www.instagram.com/ozgecanke/ (https://www.instagram.com/ozgecanke/)
Merey https://www.instagram.com/merey_ziyada/ (https://www.instagram.com/merey_ziyada/)
5 Feb 2026
S1E9: The Music in Our Lives (Part 2)
Our conversation delves into the rich tapestry of Kazakh culture, exploring the historical impacts of Soviet rule, personal stories of resilience, and the ongoing journey of identity and healing. We share insights on the importance of storytelling, the role of music in our lives, and the need for open discussions about inherited trauma and community experiences.
The Music in Our Lives Playlist: https://youtu.be/pgjfc17IL7o?si=6UsAs9wEGiYcjz9K (https://youtu.be/pgjfc17IL7o?si=6UsAs9wEGiYcjz9K)
The Hungry Steppe by Sarah Cameron: https://www.cornellpress.cornell.edu/book/9781501730436/the-hungry-steppe/ (https://www.cornellpress.cornell.edu/book/9781501730436/the-hungry-steppe/) Perzent by
Nurgul Moldabayqyzy: https://www.amazon.de/-/en/PERZENT-Uniting-Nomadic-Child-Rearing-Moldabayqyzy/dp/B0CZS8CL6Q (https://www.amazon.de/-/en/PERZENT-Uniting-Nomadic-Child-Rearing-Moldabayqyzy/dp/B0CZS8CL6Q)
The Day Lasts More than a Hundred Years by Chingiz Aitmatov: https://www.lehmanns.de/shop/geisteswissenschaften/55737520-9780253058683-the-day-lasts-more-than-a-hundred-years (https://www.lehmanns.de/shop/geisteswissenschaften/55737520-9780253058683-the-day-lasts-more-than-a-hundred-years)
Email: nomadiclivespod (at) gmail.com (http://gmail.com)
Our Nomadic Lives https://www.instagram.com/ournomadiclives/ (https://www.instagram.com/ournomadiclives/)
Özgecan https://www.instagram.com/ozgecanke/ (https://www.instagram.com/ozgecanke/)
Merey https://www.instagram.com/merey_zee/ (https://www.instagram.com/merey_zee/)
21 Jan 2026
S1E8: The Music in Our Lives (Part 1)
Our conversation delves into the rich tapestry of Kazakh culture, focusing on the significance of music, traditional songs, and the impact of diaspora on identity. We explore how music serves as a storytelling medium, preserving folklore and connecting generations. We discuss the role of celebrations in community bonding, the historical context of migration, and the evolving perceptions of language and identity in Kazakhstan.
7 Jan 2026
S1E7: Beyond Our Mother Tongues (Part 2)
In this episode, we explore the complexities of Kazakh culture, focusing on the evolution of traditions, gift-giving practices, and the role of elders in cultural transmission. We discuss the challenges of maintaining cultural practices abroad and the significance of food in community celebrations. We emphasise the need for adaptation in modern life while advocating for the flourishing of the Kazakh language and embracing cultural nuances, including accents.
17 Dec 2025
S1E6: Beyond Our Mother Tongues (Part 1)
After reading "Beyond the Mother Tongue: The Postmonolingual Condition" by Yasemin Yıldız, we discuss what it entails for our experiences with the Kazakh language. The conversation explores the intricate relationship between language, identity, and culture, particularly in the context of Kazakh diaspora experiences. We discuss the evolution of language in relation to nationhood, the emotional connections tied to mother tongues, and the challenges of preserving cultural identity in a multilingual world. We reflect on personal experiences and broader societal issues, emphasising the importance of embracing diverse linguistic identities and the need for a decolonisation of language and thought.
4 Dec 2025
S1E5: Comedy and The Serious Stuff (Part 2)
Our conversation delves into the complexities of migration, intergenerational trauma, and the search for identity and belonging. We explore the burdens of being a cycle breaker, the impact of past traumas on present generations, and the journey of self-discovery and healing. We discuss cultural identity, the challenges of navigating societal expectations, and the importance of community in creating a sense of home. Through personal anecdotes and reflections, we highlight the resilience of the human spirit in the face of adversity.
Shoutout to Arzan Psikhologtar: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLTgRwl3sjbgnjz2Eld42TUrkOtrZqg2kv (https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLTgRwl3sjbgnjz2Eld42TUrkOtrZqg2kv)
Zhansaya's show: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ddFF8XMGP_Q (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ddFF8XMGP_Q)
20 Nov 2025
S1E4: Comedy and The Serious Stuff (Part 1)
In this episode, we discuss the renaissance of comedy in Kazakhstan, particularly focusing on female comedians and how they address cultural trauma through humour. The conversation delves into mental health awareness within Kazakh communities, the role of women, and the challenges faced by daughters-in-law in traditional settings. We emphasise the importance of breaking cycles of tradition and the need for empowerment and solidarity among women, while also reflecting on the generational differences in parenting and cultural expectations.
You can find Zhansaya's standup special here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ddFF8XMGP_Q (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ddFF8XMGP_Q)
And special shoutout to Arzan Psykhologtar: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lh3cMBXghhw&list=PLTgRwl3sjbgnjz2Eld42TUrkOtrZqg2kv&index=20 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lh3cMBXghhw&list=PLTgRwl3sjbgnjz2Eld42TUrkOtrZqg2kv&index=20)
6 Nov 2025
S1E3: Creativity and the Profession(s)
In this episode, we talk about the intersection of creativity and parenthood. We explore how our cultural backgrounds influence artistic expression and the importance of community support. We reflect on our personal journeys, the challenges of balancing work and family life, and the societal pressures that can stifle creativity. The discussion highlights the transformative power of parenthood in shaping identity and the necessity of finding permission to create in a world that often prioritises traditional roles.
22 Oct 2025
S1E2: Summer Reflections and the Passage of Time
Friends, the next two episodes will be lighter in tone and thought. We reflect on our summers as we turn towards the winter. We talk about how summers were the time to reconnect with our extended families and how our grandparents played a role in our childhoods, especially in the summers. We also touch upon the topic of changing parenting and grandparenting styles across generations, and how community and individualism have affected these. Make yourselves a cup of your favourite shai or çay and join our journey.
8 Oct 2025
S1E1: Nomadic Lives: A Journey of Kazakh Identity
In our inaugural episode of Our Nomadic Lives podcast, we explore our Kazakh heritage and identity as we navigate life in Berlin. We discuss the importance of language in connecting with our culture and the role of community in preserving Kazakh traditions. Through our personal stories and reflections, we highlight the complexities of cultural layers and the significance of understanding our roots in a globalised world.
8 Oct 2025
Trailer
Changing homes and countries leads to movements and questions within ourselves. Does one home ever fully replace the other? Or do we remain fragmented between geographies, their psychologies and histories? These homes represent become echoes of our multilayered identities, in this world where movement and migration has forever existed. These are some of the questions we will ask as we embark on this journey of further exploring our Kazakh cultures and histories. We are Özgecan, writer and historical sociologist, and Merey, psychologist and visual artist, and we welcome you to our podcast!
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