To bring people closer
In the brand-new podcast Koffie en Couscous, Lotte Mangnus and Patricia Malak – both working at the WerkServicePunt Zeeuws-Vlaanderen – take you on a journey through the world of work, cultural differences, and unexpected encounters.
From their daily experience working with employers and newcomers with refugee backgrounds, they saw how misunderstandings and unfamiliarity can sometimes create unnecessary barriers. Their mission? To offer an honest and light-hearted platform where these conversations do happen – with a generous dash of humor.
“Cultural differences aren't obstacles, but rather sources of new insight,” say Lotte and Patricia. “We want to bring people closer together – and that absolutely includes a laugh or two.”
Each episode covers a different theme, featuring weekly guests from a wide range of sectors. Whether you're an employer, a colleague, a newcomer, or just curious, the podcast offers relatable stories and fresh perspectives.
“We hope listeners think, ‘Oh, I never thought about it that way!’ or ‘That happened to me too!’ A diverse workplace mainly brings opportunities – and you really don’t have to know exactly how everything works, as long as you’re willing to talk about it.”
For now, ten episodes are on the schedule, but ideas keep pouring in. From healthcare and education to entrepreneurship – there are still so many stories to tell. And who knows – maybe even live podcasts with an audience in the future.
Finally, the creators share a message for anyone navigating between two cultures:
“Don’t feel pressured to choose. Use the best of both worlds, stay curious, ask questions, and… above all, don’t forget to laugh. Humor opens more doors than you might think.”
🎧 Koffie en Couscous consists of ten episodes. Don’t miss it – tune in now: Koffie & Couscous | Podcast on Spotify
