The Balkan Storyteller Network
Stories told slowly. Sounds captured with care. From Bosnia, with love.
Welcome to a unique audio network that invites you to explore the rich culture, sounds, and everyday life of Bosnia and Herzegovina, and the wider Balkans, through storytelling, field recordings, and personal reflection.
Curated and hosted by David Bailey, a retired British broadcaster who has called Bosnia home for over 20 years, the Balkan Storyteller Network brings together three distinctive podcasts that shine a light on life beyond the tourist trail.
These aren’t polished travel brochures. These are the real moments, places, and people that define this remarkable region, told through the ears and heart of someone who lives here.
🎙️ The Shows
An Englishman in the Balkans
A personal and ever-evolving podcast featuring life as a foreigner in rural Bosnia.
Through interviews, anecdotes, and cultural insights, David explores daily life, regional identity, and the quirks of adapting to another culture. Ideal for anyone curious about expat life, hidden Balkan stories, or what it’s like to live “off-grid” from a Western norm.
Postcards from Bosnia
Narrative audio episodes offering short, insightful glimpses into places, people, and moments. These audio “postcards” combine storytelling with ambient sound to create an immersive experience. If you enjoy slow travel and sound-rich documentary-style content, this podcast delivers.
Postcards in Sound: Field Recordings and Reflections
Pure atmosphere. No voice, no narration.
Just the raw, meditative sounds of the Balkans. Whether it’s birdsong in a forest, a market in Sarajevo, or church bells echoing through a valley, these episodes are perfect for mindfulness, walking, or simply escaping into another world.
🌍 Why Listen?
Because this network isn’t just about geography.
It’s about connection.
About listening closely.
About rediscovering what it means to experience a place through sound and story.
Whether you’re:
- a curious traveller,
- part of the Balkan diaspora,
- an expat yourself,
or simply someone who appreciates authentic, slow-paced audio content, this network offers something refreshing, real, and deeply human.
💡 What Makes It Special?
- Authenticity: These aren’t scripted travelogues. They’re genuine stories and sonic snapshots from someone who lives here.
- Sound-rich production: Whether narrative or ambient, sound is central. These shows take you there.
- Cultural insight: From village customs to contemporary conversations, there’s always something to learn.
- Intimacy: David’s friendly, relaxed tone makes every episode feel like a chat with an old friend.
- Variety: Three shows. Three distinct formats. One shared sense of place.
🎧 Where to Begin?
New here? Try an interview on An Englishman in the Balkans, a meditative walk on Postcards in Sound, or a place-based story from Postcards from Bosnia. Let your curiosity lead the way.
🤝 Support & Subscribe
This network is independently produced and fuelled by passion. If you enjoy the content, you can support it via Buy Me a Coffee or subscribe to the newsletter at Coffee and Rakija for updates, extra content, and behind-the-scenes stories.
