About Thys
Thys (Thijs) Roes is a journalist and digital content creator living in Amsterdam. His journalism has centered around technology, drug policy, space exploration, psychedelic science, American history - his current interests lay with food foresting, solar energy, astronomy, (geo)politics.
He is the host of Controlled Substance and co-founder and co-host of the podcast Space Cowboys on BNR. This website is a collection of things worth sharing.
Thys resides in Amsterdam, the Netherlands. He has also lived in the United States for a while. For a semester of Computer Science in Oregon. An internship in DC. And working for RTL News in New York + some other projects there. Traveled most US states. A degree in journalism, American history and couchsurfing.
Some work and appearances
International / English
- Pod Save America — On Tour: Amsterdam — Drug policy stories from Amsterdam (Crooked Media)
- VICE Documentary — Can we ever stop experimenting on animals? Inside the monkey lab (Director)
- Amsterdam's crackdown on coffeeshops (Director)
- Elektrisch Leven How do you electrify your life?
- The Industry (Research) / VPRO / Submarine Channel
- Cannabismuseum Amsterdam audiotour (Story director and voice)
Dutch / Nederlands
- Kraken: de staat wint altijd (Director/Host)
- De Correspondent — Wat als alle drugs legaal waren? (Onderzoeksjournalistiek)
- Onderwaterbos (Digital concept & Research) / Living Landscapes
- Stichting Drugsbeleid
Selected Work
What’s Left of New Amsterdam in Lower Manhattan
A look at the Dutch origins of New York City and the traces still visible today.
The Oldest House of New York City
Visiting one of New York’s earliest surviving homes.
40 Types of Substances at Home
A conversation with someone living with an unusual laboratory of substances.
Why Don’t Americans Know Their Dutch History?
A concise exploration of Dutch influence on early American society.
Slab City Song
An evergreen from Slab City from 2008.
Morocco: A Hash Superpower
Investigating the world of hashish production in Morocco’s Rif mountains.