RTL Today - In Conversation with Lisa Burke

Kenneth Lasoen joins Lisa Burke to expose modern espionage, from cyberattacks to insider threats and the hidden power struggles shaping our world today. I wonder if John Le Carré's protagonist spy, George Smiley, could recognise the world of tradecraft today. Dr Kenneth Lasoen is one of Europe's foremost intelligence and security scholars. He serves as Associate Professor of Intelligence & Security at the University of Antwerp, Senior Lecturer at the KSI Institute, and is an advisor to governments, institutions and major corporations on national security, counterintelligence, and risk mitigation. His academic background includes degrees from Ghent, Leuven, Brunel and Cambridge; and the Belgian Royal Military Academy. Kenneth's research focuses on espionage, insider threats, economic and industrial spying, and how intelligence agencies shape geopolitics and corporate competition. He also briefs senior industry leaders on cybersecurity, supply-chain vulnerabilities, and foreign influence operations. Espionage has slipped out of the shadows and into everyday life. It's no longer a distant Cold War memory of trench coats, microfilm and whispered exchanges in European capitals. In the 2025 world, the spy wars are being fought through our smartphones, coded supply chains, university labs, satellites, corporate R&D hubs, and even the unlocked devices on our desks. Every industry is a target. Every citizen, a potential data point. Every corporation, hackable banks of information. Kenneth reveals the uncomfortable truth:
 • Allies spy on allies, because they can • Insider threats (it just takes one) can bankrupt global companies
 • Cyber incidents can cripple supply chains instantly
 • The Internet of Things is, in reality, the Internet of Hacked Things • Some of the most devastating breaches begin with the simplest human error (or human intent) Russia, China, North Korea and Iran might operate aggressively in the intelligence space, but Western governments, corporations and academia are deeply enmeshed in their own networks of surveillance, information-gathering and counter-espionage. Kenneth also brings the story closer to home: into research labs, corporate headquarters, scientific centres, and even vineyards. He explains why security failures often start from the inside, why organisations underestimate their risk, and how a single breach, digital or human, can destroy decades of innovation. There are vulnerabilities across all parts of our society that touch every citizen and business. https://ksi.institute/en/

The Czech republic is the Pays d'Honneur for this biennial event. De Mains De Maîtres is dedicated to the profound artistry of making things by hand. This, the 5th edition of the biennale, has grown into one of the most prestigious applied Art and Design events in the Greater Region. De Mains de Maîtres was founded in 2016 under the patronage of Their Royal Highnesses, the Grand Duke and Grand Duchess of Luxembourg.  The mission is to honour craftsmanship and give visibility to those who shape our world with their hands. In this conversation we will discuss how craftsmanship connects heritage, identity, sustainability, and emotional well-being across generations. It is linked to the materials around us, the conversations and subversions of the day, the need to slow down and connect with our world through our hands and our heads. Artistry of this level is worth elevating, celebrating, respecting and encouraging through our educational system - another theme of the conversation. This year hosts Czechia as the Pays d'Honneur, bringing centuries of glassmaking, ceramics, puppetry and design heritage to Luxembourg. My guests this week are: - Her Excellency, Ambassador Barbara Karpetová, who has been instrumental in coordinating Czechia's participation. - Tom Wirion, Director General of the Chambre des Métiers. - Embroidery artist Yanis Miltgen, whose sculptural textile work has gained international acclaim. - Ceramicist Ellen van der Woude, whose work is influenced by nature, harmony and emotional resonance. Ambassador Barbara Karpetová speaks so eloquently about the changing borders and names of her homeland, and how, throughout this, the language of the artists developed its own conversation with people. The humour that can be spotted in artisans' work through generations of history; the means to remain resilient through periods of political repression. Craft can hold the history and identity of a nation's people. Her Excellency also highlighted the psychological importance of making: the sense of satisfaction in producing something from beginning to end, and the power of craft to reconnect us with our own creativity which is so easily lost in an era of screens and speed. Ambassador Barbara also spoke about the rich material landscape of ‘Bohemia' which easily allowed the arts of certain genres to flourish, such as glass-making. On the Luxembourg side, Tom Wirion, Director General of the Chambre des Métiers, underscored how essential the craft sector is to the country's cultural landscape. Tom noted that one of the greatest challenges remains perception: encouraging young people (and parents) to view skilled trades as a stable, innovative, and rewarding career path. “Buying a crafted object,” he explained, “means investing in a gesture, not just a product.” His vision is to make artisans visible, valued, and actively supported through new pathways, partnerships, and gallery collaborations.  And naturally the educational system has to allow this subject to shine more too. Ceramic artist Ellen van der Woude, formerly a lawyer, turned to ceramics after personal loss and found profound therapeutic power in clay. Her sculptures embrace movement, tension, harmony, and imperfection: an homage to nature's organic balance. For this edition, she presents three works inspired by the transition from winter to spring, reminding us that renewal follows even the longest winters.  Ellen's own confidence in realising that she was indeed an artist only settled once she won the Jury Prize in the first edition of De Mains de Maîtres. She went on to win numerous other awards since. Yanis Miltgen, at just 24 years, found embroidery at the age of 15. Like Ellen, he found working with his hands and mind to be therapy as he had panic attacks at school. Yanis has won the most prestigious embroidery prize (just last week in London); the Hand & Lock Prize. He also won “Les de(ux) mains” Prize from the Comité Colbert (which is ‘the voice of luxury in France). Yanis has brought embroidery to an entirely new level of textile sculptural artistry, merging embroidery with metal, silicone, and reclaimed materials. His pieces, often requiring hundreds of hours, push the boundaries of what textile art can be: scientific in process, poetic in effect. We are reminded at the end by Ambassador Karpetová that even we, as customers, continue this line of artisan appreciation, as we observe the flow of an artists hands' into our homes, or gifting to a loved one. The continuity of time and art, heritage and thought, all combined. These are the things of divine creation which we can contemplate. To stand amongst these curated pieces, visit De Mains De Maîtres 20th to 23rd of November, 10am to 6.30pm, no entrance fee at 19 Avenue de la Liberté. Useful Links https://www.demainsdemaitres.lu/en/ Czech Embassy • Website: https://mzv.gov.cz/luxembourg • Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AmbassadeTchequeLuxembourg/ Tom Wirion – Chambre des Métiers • https://www.cdm.lu • LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tom-wirion/ Yanis Miltgen • Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/miltgen_design/?hl=en Ellen van der Woude • Website: http://www.ellenvanderwoude.com • Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ellenvanderwoude/ • Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/madebyEF/

The Czech republic is the Pays d'Honneur for this biennial event. De Mains De Maîtres is dedicated to excellence in craftsmanship, creativity, and the profound artistry of making things by hand. This, the 5th edition of the biennale, has grown into one of the most prestigious applied Art and Design events in the Greater Region. De Mains de Maîtres was founded in 2016 under the patronage of Their Royal Highnesses, the Grand Duke and Grand Duchess of Luxembourg.  The mission is to honour craftsmanship and give visibility to those who shape our world with their hands. In this conversation we will discuss how craftsmanship connects heritage, identity, sustainability, and emotional well-being across generations. It is linked to the materials around us, the conversations and subversions of the day, the need to slow down and connect with our world through our hands and our heads. Artistry of this level is worth elevating, celebrating, respecting and encouraging through our educational system - another theme of the conversation. This year hosts Czechia as the Pays d'Honneur, bringing centuries of glassmaking, ceramics, puppetry and design heritage to Luxembourg. My guests this week are: - Her Excellency, Ambassador Barbara Karpetová, who has been instrumental in coordinating Czechia's participation. - Tom Wirion, Director General of the Chambre des Métiers. - Embroidery artist Yanis Miltgen, whose sculptural textile work has gained international acclaim. - Ceramicist Ellen van der Woude, whose work is influenced by nature, harmony and emotional resonance. Ambassador Barbara Karpetová speaks so eloquently about the changing borders and names of her homeland, and how, throughout this, the language of the artists developed its own conversation with people. The humour that can be spotted in artisans' work through generations of history; the means to remain resilient through periods of political repression. Craft can hold the history and identity of a nation's people. Her Excellency also highlighted the psychological importance of making: the sense of satisfaction in producing something from beginning to end, and the power of craft to reconnect us with our own creativity which is so easily lost in an era of screens and speed. Ambassador Barbara also spoke about the rich material landscape of ‘Bohemia' which easily allowed the arts of certain genres to flourish, such as glass-making. On the Luxembourg side, Tom Wirion, Director General of the Chambre des Métiers, underscored how essential the craft sector is to the country's cultural landscape. Tom noted that one of the greatest challenges remains perception: encouraging young people (and parents) to view skilled trades as a stable, innovative, and rewarding career path. “Buying a crafted object,” he explained, “means investing in a gesture, not just a product.” His vision is to make artisans visible, valued, and actively supported through new pathways, partnerships, and gallery collaborations.  And naturally the educational system has to allow this subject to shine more too. Ceramic artist Ellen van der Woude, formerly a lawyer, turned to ceramics after personal loss and found profound therapeutic power in clay. Her sculptures embrace movement, tension, harmony, and imperfection: an homage to nature's organic balance. For this edition, she presents three works inspired by the transition from winter to spring, reminding us that renewal follows even the longest winters.  Ellen's own confidence in realising that she was indeed an artist only settled once she won the Jury Prize in the first edition of De Mains de Maîtres. She went on to win numerous other awards since. Yanis Miltgen, at just 24 years, found embroidery at the age of 15. Like Ellen, he found working with his hands and mind to be therapy as he had panic attacks at school. Yanis has won the most prestigious embroidery prize (just last week in London); the Hand & Lock Prize. He also won “Les de(ux) mains” Prize from the Comité Colbert (which is ‘the voice of luxury in France). Yanis has brought embroidery to an entirely new level of textile sculptural artistry, merging embroidery with metal, silicone, and reclaimed materials. His pieces, often requiring hundreds of hours, push the boundaries of what textile art can be: scientific in process, poetic in effect. We are reminded at the end by Ambassador Karpetová that even we, as customers, continue this line of artisan appreciation, as we observe the flow of an artists hands' into our homes, or gifting to a loved one. The continuity of time and art, heritage and thought, all combined. These are the things of divine creation which we can contemplate. To stand amongst these curated pieces, visit De Mains De Maîtres 20th to 23rd of November, 10am to 6.30pm, no entrance fee at 19 Avenue de la Liberté. Useful Links https://www.demainsdemaitres.lu/en/ Czech Embassy • Website: https://mzv.gov.cz/luxembourg • Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AmbassadeTchequeLuxembourg/ Tom Wirion – Chambre des Métiers • https://www.cdm.lu • LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tom-wirion/ Yanis Miltgen • Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/miltgen_design/?hl=en Ellen van der Woude • Website: http://www.ellenvanderwoude.com • Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ellenvanderwoude/ • Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/madebyEF/

Sean Blake is lucky to be alive. Through recovery, developing self-compassion, Sean now advocates for early intervention with a society that understands this mental illness more. Sean Blake, an Irishman from Swords, Dublin, made his way to a Brain Conference in Brussels a couple of weeks ago. This was the first time he travelled alone as an adult, aged 43. All of this was historically linked to his own feeling of unworthiness and inadequacy. Sean's story begins in childhood, marked by years of not feeling “good enough.” This relentless inner critic eventually manifested as incessant running and starvation. After a couple of compliments on how he looked through initial fitness, he was locked into an ever-increasing path of torturous training. He was training to become invisible. He was running himself to death. By his forties, with four children observing this pattern, Sean's daily life was consumed by a regime where he was running many kilometres before ‘breakfast'. We don't mention how many kilometres as this can be a trigger of competition for other anorexics who may feel they are not doing enough in comparison. His ‘breakfast' would be the toast crusts after his children had eaten. They would remember the first time he eventually sat with them to eat a ‘normal' meal. His daughter commented at that moment that he thought his dad only ever ran and ate different food to them. Sean was lucky. A voice inside his head found a way to ask for help. When he arrived at St Patrick's Mental Health Services in Dublin, they told him he was extremely close to death and needed urgent, instant treatment. Over a period of many weeks, Sean unlocked the hold this disease had over his head. He promised himself that if he could get through those months and gain recovery, he would dedicate his voice to this cause. And that is what he has done. Sean transformed his feelings towards himself, and took a path to healing through Compassion-Focused Therapy. One of the exercises was to write a letter to himself: a letter of forgiveness and love. “That letter lifted something off my shoulders, I realised it wasn't my fault. I am good enough.” Today, Sean is a Shine See Change Ambassador, a member of NIMC's lived experience committee (NIMC is the National Implementation Monitoring Committee that  oversees  ''Sharing The Vision'' Mental Health Policy in Ireland), part of the Service User & Supporters Council at St Patrick's Mental Health Services. He also appeared in the RTÉ documentary Anorexia: My Family and Me, helping to reshape how we talk about eating disorders. In our conversation, Sean shares how recovery means learning to speak kindly to oneself. We discuss the importance of the words used as a community around food and body image; seemingly harmless words about food, fitness or weight can deeply affect those in fragile states of mind. Sean is particularly invested in working with Fitness Studios. Here, right under the observation of health advocates, lies a slightly hidden story of obsessive fitness to the point of anorexia athletica. This episode is a reminder that even the hardest stories can lead to healing when spoken aloud. https://www.instagram.com/seanblake80/?hl=en https://www.stpatricks.ie/ https://about.rte.ie/2024/10/14/rte-airs-compelling-new-documentary-anorexia-my-family-me/ https://www.bodywhys.ie/ https://www.instagram.com/gamian_europe?igsh=MTVqZzd1cmNlNWk5Mw%3D%3D

Sean Blake is lucky to be alive. Through recovery via self-compassion Sean now advocates for early intervention & understanding of this mental illness. Sean Blake, an Irishman from Swords, Dublin, made his way to a Brain Conference in Brussels a couple of weeks ago. This was the first time he travelled alone as an adult, aged 43. All of this was historically linked to his own feeling of unworthiness and inadequacy. Sean's story begins in childhood, marked by years of not feeling “good enough.” This relentless inner critic eventually manifested as incessant running and starvation. After a couple of compliments on how he looked through initial fitness, he was locked into an ever-increasing path of torturous training. He was training to become invisible. He was running himself to death. By his forties, with four children observing this pattern, Sean's daily life was consumed by a regime where he was running many kilometres before ‘breakfast'. We don't mention how many kilometres as this can be a trigger of competition for other anorexics who may feel they are not doing enough in comparison. His ‘breakfast' would be the toast crusts after his children had eaten. They would remember the first time he eventually sat with them to eat a ‘normal' meal. His daughter commented at that moment that he thought his dad only ever ran and ate different food to them. Sean was lucky. A voice inside his head found a way to ask for help. When he arrived at St Patrick's Mental Health Services in Dublin, they told him he was extremely close to death and needed urgent, instant treatment. Over a period of many weeks, Sean unlocked the hold this disease had over his head. He promised himself that if he could get through those months and gain recovery, he would dedicate his voice to this cause. And that is what he has done. Sean transformed his feelings towards himself, and took a path to healing through Compassion-Focused Therapy. One of the exercises was to write a letter to himself: a letter of forgiveness and love. “That letter lifted something off my shoulders, I realised it wasn't my fault. I am good enough.” Today, Sean is a Shine See Change Ambassador, a member of NIMC's lived experience committee (NIMC is the National Implementation Monitoring Committee that  oversees  ''Sharing The Vision'' Mental Health Policy in Ireland), part of the Service User & Supporters Council at St Patrick's Mental Health Services. He also appeared in the RTÉ documentary Anorexia: My Family and Me, helping to reshape how we talk about eating disorders. In our conversation, Sean shares how recovery means learning to speak kindly to oneself. We discuss the importance of the words used as a community around food and body image; seemingly harmless words about food, fitness or weight can deeply affect those in fragile states of mind. Sean is particularly invested in working with Fitness Studios. Here, right under the observation of health advocates, lies a slightly hidden story of obsessive fitness to the point of anorexia athletica. This episode is a reminder that even the hardest stories can lead to healing when spoken aloud. https://www.instagram.com/seanblake80/?hl=en https://www.stpatricks.ie/ https://about.rte.ie/2024/10/14/rte-airs-compelling-new-documentary-anorexia-my-family-me/ https://www.bodywhys.ie/ https://www.instagram.com/gamian_europe?igsh=MTVqZzd1cmNlNWk5Mw%3D%3D

Exploring timeless lessons from the Philosopher Emperor at Trier's State Exhibition with Dr. Viola Skiba and Helena Huber. Across the border from Luxembourg, in Germany's oldest city, two of Trier's leading museums, the Rheinisches Landesmuseum and the Stadtmuseum Simeonstift, have joined forces for an extraordinary state exhibition on Marcus Aurelius. This collaborative showcase invites visitors to explore one of Rome's most fascinating figures: the Philosopher Emperor whose reflections on Stoicism and virtue continue to inspire thinkers, leaders, and citizens nearly two thousand years later. In this episode Lisa Burke speaks with Dr. Viola Skiba, Director of the Stadtmuseum Simeonstift, and Helena Huber, Curator at the Rheinisches Landesmuseum Trier. Together, they unpack the meaning of good governance: what makes a good leader? And for whom? This is a question as urgent today as it was in the Roman Empire. “Marcus Aurelius is remembered as the ‘good emperor',” explains Huber. “But his reign was far from peaceful. His stoic philosophy guided him through wars, plague, and political turmoil — and it still offers lessons for ethical leadership today.” Dr. Skiba adds: “The question of good governance is universal and timeless. From antiquity to our modern democracies, people have always asked: what makes a good ruler, and for whom?” The exhibition is divided between the two museums. The Landesmuseum explores Marcus Aurelius: Emperor, Commander, Philosopher, combining archaeological treasures with philosophical interpretation. The Stadtmuseum complements this with What Is Good Government? Here, they examine ideals of leadership, justice, and representation through history including striking medieval imagery where kings symbolically kissed or even shared a bed to show peace and trust to their people. Beyond the exhibition's intellectual richness, visitors can immerse themselves in Trier's extraordinary Roman heritage: the Porta Nigra, vast thermal baths, and some of Europe's most important mosaics. As Huber puts it, “The Romans left us their Instagram of the time; images and monuments showing how they wanted to be remembered.” For today's audiences, Marcus Aurelius is more than a historical figure. His Meditations, a private diary of self-discipline, justice, and humility, continue to offer a mirror for leadership and citizenship in the 21st century. “Peace, justice, prosperity and the common good: these are still the foundations of what we all seek,” says Skiba. “Marcus Aurelius helps us remember that good governance begins with virtue.” https://www.trier-info.de/en/package-offers/marc-aurel-2025

Lisa Burke on Today Radio explores timeless lessons from the philosopher emperor at Trier's state exhibition with Dr Viola Skiba and Helena Huber. Across the border from Luxembourg, in Germany's oldest city, two of Trier's leading museums, the Rheinisches Landesmuseum and the Stadtmuseum Simeonstift, have joined forces for an extraordinary state exhibition on Marcus Aurelius. This collaborative showcase invites visitors to explore one of Rome's most fascinating figures: the Philosopher Emperor whose reflections on Stoicism and virtue continue to inspire thinkers, leaders, and citizens nearly two thousand years later. In this episode Lisa Burke speaks with Dr. Viola Skiba, Director of the Stadtmuseum Simeonstift, and Helena Huber, Curator at the Rheinisches Landesmuseum Trier. Together, they unpack the meaning of good governance: what makes a good leader? And for whom? This is a question as urgent today as it was in the Roman Empire. “Marcus Aurelius is remembered as the ‘good emperor',” explains Huber. “But his reign was far from peaceful. His stoic philosophy guided him through wars, plague, and political turmoil — and it still offers lessons for ethical leadership today.” Dr. Skiba adds: “The question of good governance is universal and timeless. From antiquity to our modern democracies, people have always asked: what makes a good ruler, and for whom?” The exhibition is divided between the two museums. The Landesmuseum explores Marcus Aurelius: Emperor, Commander, Philosopher, combining archaeological treasures with philosophical interpretation. The Stadtmuseum complements this with What Is Good Government? Here, they examine ideals of leadership, justice, and representation through history including striking medieval imagery where kings symbolically kissed or even shared a bed to show peace and trust to their people. Beyond the exhibition's intellectual richness, visitors can immerse themselves in Trier's extraordinary Roman heritage: the Porta Nigra, vast thermal baths, and some of Europe's most important mosaics. As Huber puts it, “The Romans left us their Instagram of the time; images and monuments showing how they wanted to be remembered.” For today's audiences, Marcus Aurelius is more than a historical figure. His Meditations, a private diary of self-discipline, justice, and humility, continue to offer a mirror for leadership and citizenship in the 21st century. “Peace, justice, prosperity and the common good: these are still the foundations of what we all seek,” says Skiba. “Marcus Aurelius helps us remember that good governance begins with virtue.” https://www.trier-info.de/en/package-offers/marc-aurel-2025

Two Poles pushing human limits: one running marathons in nearly every country on Earth, the other summiting the world's highest peaks What drives a person to test the limits of body and spirit? Wojtek Machnik and Magdalena Skawińska,both Polish-born adventurers have redefined what it means to explore the world and the inner frontiers of discipline and resilience. Wojtek Machnik: Running the World, One Country at a Time Wojtek Machnik is a man in motion: he's visited 193 countries and ran 238 marathons in 181 of them. After 12 years in corporate banking and insurance, he left it all behind in 2016 to create a company combining travel and running, aligned with his own life's mission. Wojtek founded a travel agency for marathon enthusiasts, became a dive instructor, and then, in 2018, launched his life's defining challenge: the 249 Challenge, to complete a marathon in every country and territory on Earth. From December 2018 to December 2019, he ran 66 marathons in 66 countries, setting a world record for the most marathons completed in different countries within one year. When COVID-19 halted global races, Wojtek's creativity continued despite confinement due to quarantine: he famously ran a marathon in flip-flops around his bed, completing 5,626 loops of a 7.5m circuit. This viral act of defiance inspired runners worldwide. Later that year, Wotjek broke another world record for the shortest marathon loop — just 5 metres, requiring 8,440 laps and 13 hours of sheer determination. By 2020, Wojtek had become the first Pole in history and only the 16th person in the world to complete marathons in 100 countries. His goals remain as ambitious as ever: “I plan to reach 300 marathons in 200 countries by my 50th birthday, on June 20, 2027.” Beyond his personal achievements, Wojtek has also brought marathons to nations that had none, including Syria, Guyana, and Suriname, creating platforms for unity, health, and peace through sport. In 2022, in partnership with the Syrian Olympic Committee and Ministry of Tourism, he helped launch the Damascus International Marathon, the first major international sports event in Syria since the war. The following year, runners from 30 countries participated. Next stops: Ethiopia, Djibouti, Eritrea, and Somalia as part of his planned Horn of Africa Marathon Challenge (2026). “Running connects people beyond politics, borders, and beliefs,” Wojtek says. “It's the simplest way to explore, and to understand, our shared world.” Magdalena and her Mountains If Wojtek runs across the world, Magdalena Skawińska climbs it. Magdalena Skawińska's father was deeply attached to the mountains and from as early as was possible, Magdalena and her mother joined him on these expeditions in Poland, getting up at 2am to hit the mountain tracks before any trails got ‘busy' or, more notably, bad weather set in. As a young child Magdalena didn't always realise the power of this time together, bonding as a family, nor the power of extremely tough self discipline which was instilled. Since then, Magdalena who, by the way has a demanding day-time job as a lawyer in Luxembourg, has summited several of the worlds highest peak: Mont Blanc (4,808 m) Kilimanjaro (5,895 m) Elbrus (5,642 m) Aconcagua (6,962 m) Kazbek (5,047 m) Mera Peak (6,476 m) – her first Himalayan 6,000er Lenin Peak (7,134 m) – her first 7,000m summit, conquered in 2024 For Magdalena, mountaineering is more than sport — it's a spiritual and philosophical act of empowerment. She has travelled to Yemen, Syria, and Armenia, combining her expeditions with photography and cultural immersion, using her lens to capture both landscapes and the human stories within them. “Climbing and travelling to unconventional destinations is about reclaiming your own individuality and quiet courage,” she explains. “It's about defying expectations, especially as a woman, and believing deeply in your own strength, perseverance, and dreams.” Her story embodies balance between ambition and courage plus reflection and wonder.

Two Poles pushing human limits: one running marathons in nearly every country on Earth, the other summiting the world's highest peaks; both pushing human endurance for personal strength. What drives a person to test the limits of body and spirit? Wojtek Machnik and Magdalena Skawińska,both Polish-born adventurers have redefined what it means to explore the world and the inner frontiers of discipline and resilience. Wojtek Machnik: Running the World, One Country at a Time Wojtek Machnik is a man in motion: he's visited 193 countries and ran 238 marathons in 181 of them. After 12 years in corporate banking and insurance, he left it all behind in 2016 to create a company combining travel and running, aligned with his own life's mission. Wojtek founded a travel agency for marathon enthusiasts, became a dive instructor, and then, in 2018, launched his life's defining challenge: the 249 Challenge, to complete a marathon in every country and territory on Earth. From December 2018 to December 2019, he ran 66 marathons in 66 countries, setting a world record for the most marathons completed in different countries within one year. When COVID-19 halted global races, Wojtek's creativity continued despite confinement due to quarantine: he famously ran a marathon in flip-flops around his bed, completing 5,626 loops of a 7.5m circuit. This viral act of defiance inspired runners worldwide. Later that year, Wotjek broke another world record for the shortest marathon loop — just 5 metres, requiring 8,440 laps and 13 hours of sheer determination. By 2020, Wojtek had become the first Pole in history and only the 16th person in the world to complete marathons in 100 countries. His goals remain as ambitious as ever: “I plan to reach 300 marathons in 200 countries by my 50th birthday, on June 20, 2027.” Beyond his personal achievements, Wojtek has also brought marathons to nations that had none, including Syria, Guyana, and Suriname, creating platforms for unity, health, and peace through sport. In 2022, in partnership with the Syrian Olympic Committee and Ministry of Tourism, he helped launch the Damascus International Marathon, the first major international sports event in Syria since the war. The following year, runners from 30 countries participated. Next stops: Ethiopia, Djibouti, Eritrea, and Somalia as part of his planned Horn of Africa Marathon Challenge (2026). “Running connects people beyond politics, borders, and beliefs,” Wojtek says. “It's the simplest way to explore, and to understand, our shared world.” Magdalena and her Mountains If Wojtek runs across the world, Magdalena Skawińska climbs it. Magdalena Skawińska's father was deeply attached to the mountains and from as early as was possible, Magdalena and her mother joined him on these expeditions in Poland, getting up at 2am to hit the mountain tracks before any trails got ‘busy' or, more notably, bad weather set in. As a young child Magdalena didn't always realise the power of this time together, bonding as a family, nor the power of extremely tough self discipline which was instilled. Since then, Magdalena who, by the way has a demanding day-time job as a lawyer in Luxembourg, has summited several of the worlds highest peak: Mont Blanc (4,808 m) Kilimanjaro (5,895 m) Elbrus (5,642 m) Aconcagua (6,962 m) Kazbek (5,047 m) Mera Peak (6,476 m) – her first Himalayan 6,000er Lenin Peak (7,134 m) – her first 7,000m summit, conquered in 2024 For Magdalena, mountaineering is more than sport — it's a spiritual and philosophical act of empowerment. She has travelled to Yemen, Syria, and Armenia, combining her expeditions with photography and cultural immersion, using her lens to capture both landscapes and the human stories within them. “Climbing and travelling to unconventional destinations is about reclaiming your own individuality and quiet courage,” she explains. “It's about defying expectations, especially as a woman, and believing deeply in your own strength, perseverance, and dreams.” Her story embodies balance between ambition and courage plus reflection and wonder.

Sex, love, and attachment affect our health, happiness, and identity. How are love and intimacy affected by our biology, our backgrounds, and how can we develop an environment for it to flourish? I've done a lot of reading about how long ‘love' lasts: the being ‘in-love' part, how that fades, but might, if you're lucky and work at it, evolve into another form of long-term love. Or it ends. Well, apparently desire isn't doomed to fade after three years, but could actually deepen and transform across a lifetime. It's still a little taboo and certain aspects of this remain unspoken, often due to feelings of shame or inadequacy. So, with my hope to bring clarity and courage to difficult conversations, I was joined by three wonderful voices: Professor Francesco Bianchi-Demicheli, Associate Professor at the University of Geneva and a world-leading sexologist, whose work spans neuroscience, literature, and the psychology of intimacy. Guy Brandenbourger, health advocate and founder of Health A Gesondheet Luxembourg - CAP ʰOR™️, who has made it his mission to put sexuality and longevity at the heart of public health debates. Marie-Adélaïde Leclercq-Olhagaray, Editor-in-Chief of Elle Luxembourg, who understands from her readers that love and relationships are among the most pressing questions women, and men, are seeking answers to today.  Attachment: The Blueprint of Intimacy Attachment is the architecture of how we love as adults. Professor Bianchi explained that our early bonds set patterns of intimacy: secure, anxious, avoidant, or disorganised. These invisible scripts influence how we choose partners, navigate desire, and respond to closeness or conflict. Now as children we don't have much agency over the situation of family we're born into. But the good news is that these patterns are not fixed. Encounters with secure, loving partners, or the deep work of psychotherapy, can reshape attachment. Love Beyond the Myth of Three Years Perhaps the most liberating truth revealed in this conversation is that the so-called “three-year limit” on love is a dangerous myth. Using brain imaging, Bianchi has shown that love can ignite neural networks across a lifetime. Passion can evolve into intimacy, companionship, and shared purpose. Love can metamorphose and grow if we nurture playfulness. Couples who play together regulate stress, fuel creativity, and keep joy alive. “Play is not frivolous,” he said. “It's a survival skill for love.” Sexuality Across Life's Stages Sexuality is not confined to youth. From puberty to pregnancy, perimenopause to andropause, hormonal transitions profoundly shape desire, mood, and connection. Too often, these changes are dismissed or medicalised without acknowledging their impact on intimacy. Marie-Adélaïde highlighted how women, in particular, are reframing midlife. Financial independence has shifted dynamics: women no longer remain in relationships out of necessity, but from choice. Increasingly, they seek companionship without obligation: “not a nurse, not a cook, but a partner,” as she put it. Marie-Adélaïde also spoke about the clear shift for financially independent mid-life women to choose, possibly even marry, a partner but not live with them.  Guy underscored why addressing these realities is urgent for public health. Longevity without quality of life, intimacy, and purpose is incomplete. His CAP hOR™ framework argues for prevention across the first 1,000 days of life, adolescence, adulthood, and senior years, and of course sexual health is part of overall health. Guy also spoke about the often very fixable issues of erectile dysfunction, which many men are too ashamed to speak about. And yet a large percentage of these issues can be treated.  Intimacy and Passion through artistic endeavours Professor Bianchi observed that society still divides pleasure into acceptable and unacceptable forms. We applaud someone for practising violin eight hours a day, but stigmatise the same dedication to intimacy. This double standard silences us, when in truth pleasure is not indulgence but evolution: our way of learning, connecting, and discovering meaning. “We don't just receive passion from the sky,” says Bianchi, “We create it, and we can recreate it.” Beyond his scientific work, Professor Bianchi-Demicheli has also created TIAMOFORTE - a groundbreaking fusion of science, poetry, and music. In these poetic-scientific recitals, his words as a sexologist, poet, and storyteller intertwine with the artistry of a pianist, blending knowledge with emotion. The performances explore desire, love, and human bonds not only as biological or psychological forces, but as deeply cultural and creative ones. Music, literature, and art, he argues, are essential in sustaining intimacy, rekindling passion, and expressing what neuroscience alone cannot capture. In this way, TIAMOFORTE is a living, real-time experiment in how creativity deepens connection, playfulness, and the shared ecstasy of being alive together. And so hopefully you can sit back, relax and enjoy this show, learning that love can become a lifelong energy to be reshaped, reignited, and deepened. Attachment styles can be redrawn and redeveloped. And sexuality, in all its phases, is not a shameful secret but a powerful thread in the tapestry of health, happiness, and purpose. https://www.linkedin.com/in/francesco-bianchi-demicheli-a5177535/?originalSubdomain=ch https://www.linkedin.com/in/guy-brandenbourger-5b586228/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/marieadelaideleclercqolhagaray/ https://www.elle.lu/fr/

When a sizeable section of his students told Dr. Abdelfattah Abusrour they want to die, he changed his life to help heal their trauma This week I had the honour to share space with Dr. Abdelfattah Abusrour, founder of the Alrowwad Cultural & Arts Society located in the Aida Refugee Camp in Bethlehem, Palestine. Abdelfattah Abusrour was born into a refugee family after the 1948 Nakba. His parents lost ten of their fourteen children to poverty, displacement, and disease. Despite their enormous losses, they raised him with compassion not hatred. “Even with a just cause,” his father told him, “if you carry hate, you lose your humanity.” Abusrour won a scholarship to study in France, where he completed a PhD in biological and medical engineering. However, he always wanted to return home and did so firstly as a teacher. It was when teaching that he realised a large proportion of his students had no hope at all - they told him they wanted to die; a stark reflection of life under occupation. And so he stopped teaching and founded Alrowwad, a community arts centre that uses theatre, dance, photography, and storytelling to transform despair into dignity. He calls this work “Beautiful Resistance.” 
“Art is not just therapy,” says Abusrour, “It's a creative process that allows people to auto-heal, to find peace within, and to become peace-builders in their communities.” At the heart of Alrowwad are children and women. Through performance and expression, these children find confidence, purpose, and joy. The women's programmes focus on economic independence and the idea that ‘women change the world' beginning in their own homes. Abusrour refuses to show images of Palestinians as helpless. “We are not objects of pity. We are people of creativity and imagination.” His mission: to build peace with respect and dignity, not charity. Touring with Alrowwad's theatre troupe across Europe and the US, he has seen audiences deeply moved as we share our humanity. “Differences are gifts that should enrich us, not divide us.” https://alrowwad.org/en/?lang=en https://www.linkedin.com/company/alrowwad-cultural-arts-society/?originalSubdomain=ps https://www.linkedin.com/in/abdelfattah-abusrour-822a048/?originalSubdomain=ps

Sex, love & attachment shape health, happiness & identity. How do biology & background influence intimacy, and how can we help it thrive? I've done a lot of reading about how long ‘love' lasts: the being ‘in-love' part, how that fades, but might, if you're lucky and work at it, evolve into another form of long-term love. Or it ends. Well, apparently desire isn't doomed to fade after three years, but could actually deepen and transform across a lifetime. It's still a little taboo and certain aspects of this remain unspoken, often due to feelings of shame or inadequacy. So, with my hope to bring clarity and courage to difficult conversations, I was joined by three wonderful voices: Professor Francesco Bianchi-Demicheli, Associate Professor at the University of Geneva and a world-leading sexologist, whose work spans neuroscience, literature, and the psychology of intimacy. Guy Brandenbourger, health advocate and founder of Health A Gesondheet Luxembourg - CAP ʰOR™️, who has made it his mission to put sexuality and longevity at the heart of public health debates. Marie-Adélaïde Leclercq-Olhagaray, Editor-in-Chief of Elle Luxembourg, who understands from her readers that love and relationships are among the most pressing questions women, and men, are seeking answers to today.  Attachment: The Blueprint of Intimacy Attachment is the architecture of how we love as adults. Professor Bianchi explained that our early bonds set patterns of intimacy: secure, anxious, avoidant, or disorganised. These invisible scripts influence how we choose partners, navigate desire, and respond to closeness or conflict. Now as children we don't have much agency over the situation of family we're born into. But the good news is that these patterns are not fixed. Encounters with secure, loving partners, or the deep work of psychotherapy, can reshape attachment. Love Beyond the Myth of Three Years Perhaps the most liberating truth revealed in this conversation is that the so-called “three-year limit” on love is a dangerous myth. Using brain imaging, Bianchi has shown that love can ignite neural networks across a lifetime. Passion can evolve into intimacy, companionship, and shared purpose. Love can metamorphose and grow if we nurture playfulness. Couples who play together regulate stress, fuel creativity, and keep joy alive. “Play is not frivolous,” he said. “It's a survival skill for love.” Sexuality Across Life's Stages Sexuality is not confined to youth. From puberty to pregnancy, perimenopause to andropause, hormonal transitions profoundly shape desire, mood, and connection. Too often, these changes are dismissed or medicalised without acknowledging their impact on intimacy. Marie-Adélaïde highlighted how women, in particular, are reframing midlife. Financial independence has shifted dynamics: women no longer remain in relationships out of necessity, but from choice. Increasingly, they seek companionship without obligation: “not a nurse, not a cook, but a partner,” as she put it. Marie-Adélaïde also spoke about the clear shift for financially independent mid-life women to choose, possibly even marry, a partner but not live with them.  Guy underscored why addressing these realities is urgent for public health. Longevity without quality of life, intimacy, and purpose is incomplete. His CAP hOR™ framework argues for prevention across the first 1,000 days of life, adolescence, adulthood, and senior years, and of course sexual health is part of overall health. Guy also spoke about the often very fixable issues of erectile dysfunction, which many men are too ashamed to speak about. And yet a large percentage of these issues can be treated.  Intimacy and Passion through artistic endeavours Professor Bianchi observed that society still divides pleasure into acceptable and unacceptable forms. We applaud someone for practising violin eight hours a day, but stigmatise the same dedication to intimacy. This double standard silences us, when in truth pleasure is not indulgence but evolution: our way of learning, connecting, and discovering meaning. “We don't just receive passion from the sky,” says Bianchi, “We create it, and we can recreate it.” Beyond his scientific work, Professor Bianchi-Demicheli has also created TIAMOFORTE - a groundbreaking fusion of science, poetry, and music. In these poetic-scientific recitals, his words as a sexologist, poet, and storyteller intertwine with the artistry of a pianist, blending knowledge with emotion. The performances explore desire, love, and human bonds not only as biological or psychological forces, but as deeply cultural and creative ones. Music, literature, and art, he argues, are essential in sustaining intimacy, rekindling passion, and expressing what neuroscience alone cannot capture. In this way, TIAMOFORTE is a living, real-time experiment in how creativity deepens connection, playfulness, and the shared ecstasy of being alive together. And so hopefully you can sit back, relax and enjoy this show, learning that love can become a lifelong energy to be reshaped, reignited, and deepened. Attachment styles can be redrawn and redeveloped. And sexuality, in all its phases, is not a shameful secret but a powerful thread in the tapestry of health, happiness, and purpose. https://www.linkedin.com/in/francesco-bianchi-demicheli-a5177535/?originalSubdomain=ch https://www.linkedin.com/in/guy-brandenbourger-5b586228/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/marieadelaideleclercqolhagaray/ https://www.elle.lu/fr/

When a sizeable section of his students told Dr. Abdelfattah Abusrour they want to die, he changed his life to help heal their trauma. This week I had the honour to share space with Dr. Abdelfattah Abusrour, founder of the Alrowwad Cultural & Arts Society located in the Aida Refugee Camp in Bethlehem, Palestine. Abdelfattah Abusrour was born into a refugee family after the 1948 Nakba. His parents lost ten of their fourteen children to poverty, displacement, and disease. Despite their enormous losses, they raised him with compassion not hatred. “Even with a just cause,” his father told him, “if you carry hate, you lose your humanity.” Abusrour won a scholarship to study in France, where he completed a PhD in biological and medical engineering. However, he always wanted to return home and did so firstly as a teacher. It was when teaching that he realised a large proportion of his students had no hope at all - they told him they wanted to die; a stark reflection of life under occupation. And so he stopped teaching and founded Alrowwad, a community arts centre that uses theatre, dance, photography, and storytelling to transform despair into dignity. He calls this work “Beautiful Resistance.” 
“Art is not just therapy,” says Abusrour, “It's a creative process that allows people to auto-heal, to find peace within, and to become peace-builders in their communities.” At the heart of Alrowwad are children and women. Through performance and expression, these children find confidence, purpose, and joy. The women's programmes focus on economic independence and the idea that ‘women change the world' beginning in their own homes. Abusrour refuses to show images of Palestinians as helpless. “We are not objects of pity. We are people of creativity and imagination.” His mission: to build peace with respect and dignity, not charity. Touring with Alrowwad's theatre troupe across Europe and the US, he has seen audiences deeply moved as we share our humanity. “Differences are gifts that should enrich us, not divide us.” https://alrowwad.org/en/?lang=en https://www.linkedin.com/company/alrowwad-cultural-arts-society/?originalSubdomain=ps https://www.linkedin.com/in/abdelfattah-abusrour-822a048/?originalSubdomain=ps

From Madrid to Luxembourg, BMX legend Viki Gómez and his wife Alexandra share their story of the sport, sponsorship, artistry, resilience and dreams for the sport's future. When you think of BMX, images of ramps, flips, and adrenaline-fueled stunts may come to mind. But for Viki Gómez, the Spanish-born, six-time World Champion in BMX Flatland, the sport is art form on two wheels. For over two decades, Viki has pushed the limits of what's possible, carving out a career of creativity, athleticism, and global recognition. That's what Red Bull spotted and why, since 2003, Viki has been a Red Bull Athlete - one of the very first BMX riders to gain such a sponsorship. This partnership also helped to catapult BMX Flatland to be seen as a serious international sport, requiring skill, creativity and practiced technique. Red Bull's backing gave Viki the chance to travel all over the world, inspiring so many young people, some who had never seen a bike before. “It meant credibility,” Viki reflected. “It gave me the chance to keep innovating.” Behind the titles, trophies, and TEDx talks, there is also a working and loving partnership off the bike. His wife, Alexandra Gobran, originally from Luxembourg and raised in Sweden, has been instrumental in steering his professional journey. With a background in law and sports management, she co-founded GG.M. Gobran Gomez Management. In Luxembourg, they've brought international projects to life — from the Red Bull 3EN1 events at Péitruss Skatepark to cultural collaborations with UNESCO and ESCH2022. In 2024, they spearheaded the UEC European Championships in BMX Flatland at Rotondes, in collaboration with the Luxembourg National Cycling Federation, the Sports Ministry, and the City of Luxembourg. Of course, as with all sports at the highest levels, injuries are ever-present realities. This has helped Viki and his wife develop their latest venture, VIKING Cykles, which merges sport, design, and sustainability, producing premium titanium gravel and BMX parts. Follow Viki & Alexandra: Instagram: @vikigomezbmx | @alexandra.gg Projects: @vikingbmxtitanium | @letzridelu | @ggmmgmt Website: www.ggmimage.com Get in touch  Contact Lisa here. Tune in to The Lisa Burke Show on Today Radio Saturdays at 11am, Sundays at noon, and Tuesdays at 11am. Watch the full interview on RTL Play, join the conversation on Spotify and Apple Podcasts.

From Madrid to Luxembourg, BMX legend Viki & Alexandra share their story of the sport, sponsorship, artistry & resilience When you think of BMX, images of ramps, flips, and adrenaline-fueled stunts may come to mind. But for Viki Gómez, the Spanish-born, six-time World Champion in BMX Flatland, the sport is art form on two wheels. For over two decades, Viki has pushed the limits of what's possible, carving out a career of creativity, athleticism, and global recognition. That's what Red Bull spotted and why, since 2003, Viki has been a Red Bull Athlete - one of the very first BMX riders to gain such a sponsorship. This partnership also helped to catapult BMX Flatland to be seen as a serious international sport, requiring skill, creativity and practiced technique. Red Bull's backing gave Viki the chance to travel all over the world, inspiring so many young people, some who had never seen a bike before. “It meant credibility,” Viki reflected. “It gave me the chance to keep innovating.” Behind the titles, trophies, and TEDx talks, there is also a working and loving partnership off the bike. His wife, Alexandra Gobran, originally from Luxembourg and raised in Sweden, has been instrumental in steering his professional journey. With a background in law and sports management, she co-founded GG.M. Gobran Gomez Management. In Luxembourg, they've brought international projects to life — from the Red Bull 3EN1 events at Péitruss Skatepark to cultural collaborations with UNESCO and ESCH2022. In 2024, they spearheaded the UEC European Championships in BMX Flatland at Rotondes, in collaboration with the Luxembourg National Cycling Federation, the Sports Ministry, and the City of Luxembourg. Of course, as with all sports at the highest levels, injuries are ever-present realities. This has helped Viki and his wife develop their latest venture, VIKING Cykles, which merges sport, design, and sustainability, producing premium titanium gravel and BMX parts. Follow Viki & Alexandra: Instagram: @vikigomezbmx | @alexandra.gg Projects: @vikingbmxtitanium | @letzridelu | @ggmmgmt Website: www.ggmimage.com Get in touch  Contact Lisa here. Tune in to The Lisa Burke Show on Today Radio Saturdays at 11am, Sundays at noon, and Tuesdays at 11am. Watch the full interview on RTL Play, join the conversation on Spotify and Apple Podcasts.

How media helps to shape the conversation around innovation & social good to create global impact. This week my guests are: - Pierre-Yves Lanneau Saint Léger, CEO of Forbes Luxembourg and Silicon Luxembourg - Jess Bauldry, Editor-in-Chief of Forbes Luxembourg - Genna Elvin, co-founder of Tadaweb and President of Pulse, Luxembourg's largest startup association. - Anne Goeres, founder of Philantree Why Forbes Came to Luxembourg For Pierre-Yves Lanneau Saint Léger, the arrival of Forbes in Luxembourg was a recognition that our success stories deserve a global stage. Forbes embodies the values of celebrating entrepreneurship and Luxembourg is now part of the global Forbes family (49 editions). Pierre-Yves also highlights the continuing importance of Silicon Luxembourg, launched 13 years ago as a blog and now a vibrant community of 40,000 followers. “If you create your startup, you are in Silicon; when you sell your startup, you are in Forbes,” he quipped, neatly capturing the lifecycle of highly successful entrepreneurship. Storytelling and Connection Jess Bauldry knows that in Luxembourg, connections and jobs are often fostered through in-person engagement, especially in the startup sector. “So many business deals and jobs here are still made through face-to-face encounters, not just applications.” Storytelling is business necessity. Nonetheless, Jess and her team at Forbes and Silicon Luxembourg are highly attuned to spotlighting innovators who may not be the loudest in the room but are making transformative contributions without the self-promotion. She feels it is their job to shine a spotlight on people like this, rather than the ‘same faces' constantly. Building a Startup Nation Genna Elvin has become the pin-up girl for entrepreneurial tech success in Luxembourg. From modest beginnings in Brussels to developing Tadaweb in Luxembourg, the team has grown from nothing to 150 employees, raised €40 million in capital and expanded internationally with offices in Luxembourg, Paris, London and the United States. Recognised as one of Forbes' Top 100 Female Founders in Europe, Genna now also leads Pulse, Luxembourg's largest startup association. Elvin recalled being told a decade ago that Luxembourg could never attract top talent. “That's not true,” she insisted. Instead, her company recruit globally, offering newcomers an instant community and support system. From an in-person welcome to apartments on arrival, to thoughtful gestures like helping employees navigate supermarkets,  Tadaweb put people first. “At a human level, you need to get the base right if you want to execute at a high level,” she said, referencing Maslow's hierarchy of needs. Her perspective also touched on Luxembourg's risk-averse culture, often cited as a barrier to innovation. While family-run businesses might make caution understandable, Genna knows that progress requires calculated risks. Philanthropy: Love for humanity Anne Goeres, who previously ran Luxembourg's children's cancer foundation, has now founded Philantree, an organisation designed to help businesses and families channel their wealth into meaningful impact. Goerges explained that while terms like charity, foundation or non-profit differ in structure, their essence is the same: love of humanity. “It always starts with a group of people committed to a cause,” she said, noting that even the largest organisations begin with small acts of compassion. Today, she sees a shift toward long-term partnerships rather than one-off donations. “Companies want to integrate philanthropy into their culture, aligning their values with those of their employees,” she said. This approach not only deepens impact but also helps unite generations around shared purpose. ESG: Beyond Box-Ticking Of course, philanthropy and sustainability are not immune to scepticism. Regulations can sometimes feel bureaucratic, and companies risk treating ESG commitments as box-ticking exercises. Yet Pierre-Yves and Bauldry agree that in today's job market, values-driven business is non-negotiable. Millennials and Gen Z want purposeful careers. Without them, companies will lose talent, and no amount of AI can replace that. That is why Forbes Luxembourg continues to highlight stories that blend profit with purpose. From entrepreneurs innovating in health and space tech to executives shaping green finance, the magazine seeks to showcase leaders who both earn and spend wisely, with an eye toward long-term wellbeing. The Future: Voices That Matter As Luxembourg prepares to unveil its Forbes Under 30 list, the challenge is not just to identify the loudest voices but to find and elevate those who deliver true, lasting impact. There is still time to apply or nominate someone! “Some founders don't have time for self-promotion,” Bauldry admitted. “Our job is to find them, investigate, and shine a light on their work.” This inclusive approach reflects the broader Luxembourg ecosystem: diverse, international, ambitious, yet grounded in a sense of community. https://philantree.lu/ https://www.tadaweb.com/ https://www.gennaelvin.com/ https://www.forbes.lu/ https://www.siliconluxembourg.lu/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/pylsl/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/jess-bauldry/?originalSubdomain=lu https://www.forbes.lu/under-30/

How media helps to shape the conversation around innovation and social good to create global impact. This week my guests are: - Pierre-Yves Lanneau Saint Léger, CEO of Forbes Luxembourg and Silicon Luxembourg - Jess Bauldry, Editor-in-Chief of Forbes Luxembourg - Genna Elvin, co-founder of Tadaweb and President of Pulse, Luxembourg's largest startup association. - Anne Goeres, founder of Philantree Why Forbes Came to Luxembourg For Pierre-Yves Lanneau Saint Léger, the arrival of Forbes in Luxembourg was a recognition that our success stories deserve a global stage. Forbes embodies the values of celebrating entrepreneurship and Luxembourg is now part of the global Forbes family (49 editions). Pierre-Yves also highlights the continuing importance of Silicon Luxembourg, launched 13 years ago as a blog and now a vibrant community of 40,000 followers. “If you create your startup, you are in Silicon; when you sell your startup, you are in Forbes,” he quipped, neatly capturing the lifecycle of highly successful entrepreneurship. Storytelling and Connection Jess Bauldry knows that in Luxembourg, connections and jobs are often fostered through in-person engagement, especially in the startup sector. “So many business deals and jobs here are still made through face-to-face encounters, not just applications.” Storytelling is business necessity. Nonetheless, Jess and her team at Forbes and Silicon Luxembourg are highly attuned to spotlighting innovators who may not be the loudest in the room but are making transformative contributions without the self-promotion. She feels it is their job to shine a spotlight on people like this, rather than the ‘same faces' constantly. Building a Startup Nation Genna Elvin has become the pin-up girl for entrepreneurial tech success in Luxembourg. From modest beginnings in Brussels to developing Tadaweb in Luxembourg, the team has grown from nothing to 150 employees, raised €40 million in capital and expanded internationally with offices in Luxembourg, Paris, London and the United States. Recognised as one of Forbes' Top 100 Female Founders in Europe, Genna now also leads Pulse, Luxembourg's largest startup association. Elvin recalled being told a decade ago that Luxembourg could never attract top talent. “That's not true,” she insisted. Instead, her company recruit globally, offering newcomers an instant community and support system. From an in-person welcome to apartments on arrival, to thoughtful gestures like helping employees navigate supermarkets,  Tadaweb put people first. “At a human level, you need to get the base right if you want to execute at a high level,” she said, referencing Maslow's hierarchy of needs. Her perspective also touched on Luxembourg's risk-averse culture, often cited as a barrier to innovation. While family-run businesses might make caution understandable, Genna knows that progress requires calculated risks. Philanthropy: Love for humanity Anne Goeres, who previously ran Luxembourg's children's cancer foundation, has now founded Philantree, an organisation designed to help businesses and families channel their wealth into meaningful impact. Goerges explained that while terms like charity, foundation or non-profit differ in structure, their essence is the same: love of humanity. “It always starts with a group of people committed to a cause,” she said, noting that even the largest organisations begin with small acts of compassion. Today, she sees a shift toward long-term partnerships rather than one-off donations. “Companies want to integrate philanthropy into their culture, aligning their values with those of their employees,” she said. This approach not only deepens impact but also helps unite generations around shared purpose. ESG: Beyond Box-Ticking Of course, philanthropy and sustainability are not immune to scepticism. Regulations can sometimes feel bureaucratic, and companies risk treating ESG commitments as box-ticking exercises. Yet Pierre-Yves and Bauldry agree that in today's job market, values-driven business is non-negotiable. Millennials and Gen Z want purposeful careers. Without them, companies will lose talent, and no amount of AI can replace that. That is why Forbes Luxembourg continues to highlight stories that blend profit with purpose. From entrepreneurs innovating in health and space tech to executives shaping green finance, the magazine seeks to showcase leaders who both earn and spend wisely, with an eye toward long-term wellbeing. The Future: Voices That Matter As Luxembourg prepares to unveil its Forbes Under 30 list, the challenge is not just to identify the loudest voices but to find and elevate those who deliver true, lasting impact. There is still time to apply or nominate someone! “Some founders don't have time for self-promotion,” Bauldry admitted. “Our job is to find them, investigate, and shine a light on their work.” This inclusive approach reflects the broader Luxembourg ecosystem: diverse, international, ambitious, yet grounded in a sense of community. https://philantree.lu/ https://www.tadaweb.com/ https://www.gennaelvin.com/ https://www.forbes.lu/ https://www.siliconluxembourg.lu/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/pylsl/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/jess-bauldry/?originalSubdomain=lu https://www.forbes.lu/under-30/

Rhea Wessel joins Lisa Burke to explain thought leadership through the written word: find your niche, write with generosity & gift expert ideas to others Rhea Wessel is an American journalist, author, and educator based in Frankfurt. For many years, she has written reports for well-known media giants such as The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal and the BBC. Through this time, having spoken with thousands of experts in their field, Rhea noticed the difficulty in getting them to figure out what their main idea was, and how to write about it, delivering their unique understanding and knowledge to a much wider audience. And so she decided to map out her process so that we can all learn. Rhea has written a book, Write like a Thought Leader, and also founded the Institute for Thought Leadership to share her process for bringing clear, engaging thought-leadership writing to a wider world. What Is Thought Leadership According to Rhea, thought leadership isn't something we bestow unto ourselves but is a status acknowledge by others, earned by generously sharing unique, actionable ideas that help solve real problems. In Wessel's words, a true thought leader “gives away their best ideas to help people” and builds trust through both generosity and consistency. What makes a good idea? Wessel identifies five essential qualities: - Novelty - Usefulness - Clarity - Brevity - Zinger / wow effect These attributes provoke the reader's interest, solve a genuine challenge, and spark an ‘Aha!' moment. The Three-Step Process: Find It, Frame It, Flesh It Out Rhea has developed an easy, three-step writing model, outlined in her book.  First, ‘Find It': pinpoint your niche where deep expertise, true passion, and a unique viewpoint overlap. It has to come from the heart: intellectual curiosity matched with a drive to make a difference. Second, ‘Frame It': this is about journalistic story-framing, zooming in on the most original, relevant angle for your audience and knowing what to leave out, so the core idea shines. Wessel teaches a five-step story-framing system to help experts map their field and surface compelling, headline-ready story topics. Finally, ‘Flesh It Out': here, the focus shifts to execution. Wessel stresses writing with clarity, authenticity, and a conversational tone.  Short, Sharp, and Generous In the shifting media landscape, where everyone from global corporations to solo-preneurs can shape conversations through digital articles (especially on platforms like LinkedIn), podcasts, and even short-form posts. Wessel advises budding thought leaders to start with several well-crafted articles (700–1100 words is ideal), focused on a single consistent theme, to build a visible ‘necklace' of expertise. Facing the Fears: Confidence, Consistency, and Courage Sometimes psychological hurdles stop experts from writing: fear of giving away too much, imposter syndrome, perfectionism, or risking ridicule. Wessel's coaching draws on techniques like free-writing, purpose work, and simply starting with a supportive friend or editor. She reframes her work as being a midwife for world-changing ideas that might otherwise stay locked in someone's head. The Role of AI: Friend, Not Replacement While AI tools can help with idea scouting and drafting, Rhea cautions that a human voice, honed through personal experience and reflection, remains irreplaceable. “AI can't capture your true voice unless it has a body of work to learn from,” she notes, urging experts to first develop their unique style organically. Giving Ideas Wings Rhea's final clear encouragement: start articulating what matters most, seek out genuine feedback, choose the format that suits your strengths, and do the work of clarifying your message. True thought leadership is about service, not ego—it's helping audiences navigate complexity through clarity and trust. In today's world, those trusted voices are needed now more than ever.

On the latest episode of The Lisa Burke Show, host Lisa Burke spoke with Rhea Wessel, an American journalist and strategist who founded the Institute for Thought Leadership. Rhea Wessel is an American journalist, author, and educator based in Frankfurt. For many years, she has written reports for well-known media giants such as The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal and the BBC. Through this time, having spoken with thousands of experts in their field, Rhea noticed the difficulty in getting them to figure out what their main idea was, and how to write about it, delivering their unique understanding and knowledge to a much wider audience. And so she decided to map out her process so that we can all learn. Rhea has written a book, Write like a Thought Leader, and also founded the Institute for Thought Leadership to share her process for bringing clear, engaging thought-leadership writing to a wider world. What Is Thought Leadership According to Rhea, thought leadership isn't something we bestow unto ourselves but is a status acknowledge by others, earned by generously sharing unique, actionable ideas that help solve real problems. In Wessel's words, a true thought leader “gives away their best ideas to help people” and builds trust through both generosity and consistency. What makes a good idea? Wessel identifies five essential qualities: - Novelty - Usefulness - Clarity - Brevity - Zinger / wow effect These attributes provoke the reader's interest, solve a genuine challenge, and spark an ‘Aha!' moment. The Three-Step Process: Find It, Frame It, Flesh It Out Rhea has developed an easy, three-step writing model, outlined in her book.  First, ‘Find It': pinpoint your niche where deep expertise, true passion, and a unique viewpoint overlap. It has to come from the heart: intellectual curiosity matched with a drive to make a difference. Second, ‘Frame It': this is about journalistic story-framing, zooming in on the most original, relevant angle for your audience and knowing what to leave out, so the core idea shines. Wessel teaches a five-step story-framing system to help experts map their field and surface compelling, headline-ready story topics. Finally, ‘Flesh It Out': here, the focus shifts to execution. Wessel stresses writing with clarity, authenticity, and a conversational tone.  Short, Sharp, and Generous In the shifting media landscape, where everyone from global corporations to solo-preneurs can shape conversations through digital articles (especially on platforms like LinkedIn), podcasts, and even short-form posts. Wessel advises budding thought leaders to start with several well-crafted articles (700–1100 words is ideal), focused on a single consistent theme, to build a visible ‘necklace' of expertise. Facing the Fears: Confidence, Consistency, and Courage Sometimes psychological hurdles stop experts from writing: fear of giving away too much, imposter syndrome, perfectionism, or risking ridicule. Wessel's coaching draws on techniques like free-writing, purpose work, and simply starting with a supportive friend or editor. She reframes her work as being a midwife for world-changing ideas that might otherwise stay locked in someone's head. The Role of AI: Friend, Not Replacement While AI tools can help with idea scouting and drafting, Rhea cautions that a human voice, honed through personal experience and reflection, remains irreplaceable. “AI can't capture your true voice unless it has a body of work to learn from,” she notes, urging experts to first develop their unique style organically. Giving Ideas Wings Rhea's final clear encouragement: start articulating what matters most, seek out genuine feedback, choose the format that suits your strengths, and do the work of clarifying your message. True thought leadership is about service, not ego—it's helping audiences navigate complexity through clarity and trust. In today's world, those trusted voices are needed now more than ever.

Christine Nehrenhausen & Sven Clement candidly share their partnership from teenage school radio, to marriage and political life. Christine Nehrenhausen and Sven Clement's partnership is a remarkable life of young love kindled with radio, political ideals and family-centred resilience. Their story, which they share so openly, traces its roots to Schülerradio, where they first met as teenagers. Elected Sven was elected to parliament quite unexpectedly aged just 29. For Christine this shock was an abrupt and overwhelming shift into the public eye. Overnight, expectations piled up on her: strangers assumed wealth and addressed her as "Madame la Députée." Despite outside perceptions, their inherent values remained unchanged. Transparency and Cybersecurity Transparency defines Sven's work with the Pirate Party, especially on digital security and government accountability. He championed public awareness by exposing vulnerabilities like the Medico Sportif data breach, emphasising the importance of whistleblowing and the dangers faced by those who reveal systemic flaws. His political career has increasingly focused on using his technological expertise to ask crucial questions about Luxembourg's digital infrastructure, pressing for genuine reforms amid the emergence of hybrid warfare and cyberattacks. Facing Miscarriage Alone Yet, the couple's journey has not been without its deeply personal trials. Christine spoke candidly about suffering a miscarriage while Sven was abroad for parliamentary work, highlighting the isolation and lack of emotional support in Luxembourg's healthcare system. Her experience spurred both public advocacy and personal healing, including Sven's article in Lëtzebuerger Land and Christine's podcast, "YODO—You Only Die Once," which tackles grief and mental health. Their openness has brought comfort to many, shining a light on taboo struggles faced by countless families. Baby Mia Navigating family life alongside their careers, Christine and Sven encountered unique challenges: the birth of their daughter Mia, administrative obstacles in accessing early childhood education, and Christine's own recovery from a severe injury while on maternity leave. Self-Employment in Luxembourg  Self-employment has also shaped their path. Both have faced the complexities of Luxembourg's tax and social security systems, with Christine crediting Sven's support and encouragement for her entrepreneurial ventures. Their story brought attention to the urgent need for reform, advocating for simpler processes and greater protection for independent workers who too often face sudden, heavy financial burdens. Open conversations on Mental Health & Vulnerability Christine and Sven argue for a society that embraces vulnerability, mental health openness, and gender-inclusive empathy. Their openness on these issues is a powerful call for the destigmatising of mental illness, recognising the humanity behind both public office and private struggle. Their hope is for a Luxembourg where more people are empowered to speak up and political leaders listen to those whose voices are too often quieted.

Christine Nehrenhausen and Sven Clement candidly share insights on their partnership from teenage school radio to marriage and political life. Christine Nehrenhausen and Sven Clement's partnership is a remarkable life of young love kindled with radio, political ideals and family-centred resilience. Their story, which they share so openly, traces its roots to Schülerradio, where they first met as teenagers. Elected Sven was elected to parliament quite unexpectedly aged just 29. For Christine this shock was an abrupt and overwhelming shift into the public eye. Overnight, expectations piled up on her: strangers assumed wealth and addressed her as "Madame la Députée." Despite outside perceptions, their inherent values remained unchanged. Transparency and Cybersecurity Transparency defines Sven's work with the Pirate Party, especially on digital security and government accountability. He championed public awareness by exposing vulnerabilities like the Medico Sportif data breach, emphasising the importance of whistleblowing and the dangers faced by those who reveal systemic flaws. His political career has increasingly focused on using his technological expertise to ask crucial questions about Luxembourg's digital infrastructure, pressing for genuine reforms amid the emergence of hybrid warfare and cyberattacks. Facing Miscarriage Alone Yet, the couple's journey has not been without its deeply personal trials. Christine spoke candidly about suffering a miscarriage while Sven was abroad for parliamentary work, highlighting the isolation and lack of emotional support in Luxembourg's healthcare system. Her experience spurred both public advocacy and personal healing, including Sven's article in Lëtzebuerger Land and Christine's podcast, "YODO—You Only Die Once," which tackles grief and mental health. Their openness has brought comfort to many, shining a light on taboo struggles faced by countless families. Baby Mia Navigating family life alongside their careers, Christine and Sven encountered unique challenges: the birth of their daughter Mia, administrative obstacles in accessing early childhood education, and Christine's own recovery from a severe injury while on maternity leave. Self-Employment in Luxembourg  Self-employment has also shaped their path. Both have faced the complexities of Luxembourg's tax and social security systems, with Christine crediting Sven's support and encouragement for her entrepreneurial ventures. Their story brought attention to the urgent need for reform, advocating for simpler processes and greater protection for independent workers who too often face sudden, heavy financial burdens. Open conversations on Mental Health & Vulnerability Christine and Sven argue for a society that embraces vulnerability, mental health openness, and gender-inclusive empathy. Their openness on these issues is a powerful call for the destigmatising of mental illness, recognising the humanity behind both public office and private struggle. Their hope is for a Luxembourg where more people are empowered to speak up and political leaders listen to those whose voices are too often quieted.

Physical movement + mental stimulation combined, plus food, sleep and motivation I know you're all busy and might only read the first paragraph so I'll summarise what I can from the interview here, but of course, please do listen / watch the interview as you'll get so much more from the conversation between my guests.  The core takeaways from our experts for boosting both lifespan and healthspan: - Challenge your brain: Aim for tasks you succeed at 70 - 80% of the time. - Move with purpose of thought: Combine high-intensity bursts with cognitive challenges. - Food: Favour a Mediterranean-style diet rich in plants, healthy fats, and quality protein. - Sleep: Aim for 7 - 9 hours nightly, prioritising quality as much as quantity. - Stay motivated: Choose activities you actually enjoy; consistency is key. It's one thing to live a long life. It's another to live it well: physically sharp, mentally agile, and emotionally engaged. This week on The Lisa Burke Show, my guests are three leaders in neuroscience, nutrition, and biohacking who share the latest, evidence-based ways to extend your health span. Professor Thorben Hülsdünker is a performance neuroscientist and sport neurophysiologist at LUNEX. His research bridges the gap between how the brain and body adapt to training, with practical insights for everyone from elite athletes to ‘normal' adults looking to stay sharp. Myriam Jacobs, a sports and clinical dietitian, now works full-time with the Luxembourg Institute for High Performance in Sport. With a career spanning hospital work in diabetes and obesity to elite sports nutrition, she knows what fuels what is needed for each individual body and at what time of day. Manlio Lo Giudice is a mechanical engineer turned human potential coach, trainer, biohacker, and co-founder of MobiGym: Luxembourg's first longevity fitness studio. He's hosted longevity meetups around the globe, spoken with pioneers like Bryan Johnson and Aubrey de Grey, and tested countless self-optimisation strategies on himself. Professor Hülsdünker starts by reminding us that, evolutionarily, our brains weren't designed to last beyond 50. That's why natural cognitive decline is so common in later life, but not inevitable. Just as we strengthen muscles, we can train the brain. Thorben does not like most of the “brain training” apps as they rarely translate into real-life benefits. He believes in a blend of movement and mental challenges. That's why ball sports, dance, or running whilst solving mental puzzles are best to produce the growth factors that keep neurons thriving. Sleep is another silent superpower. Beyond memory consolidation, deep sleep clears away toxins that can accelerate dementia risk. Shift workers and those with irregular schedules face added challenges, making sleep quality crucial to their health. From the kitchen, Myriam made the case for the Mediterranean way of eating which is not a diet but a lifestyle rich in plants, nuts, olive oil, fish, and limited red meat. On wine, the advice is still moving. Protein does matter, but so does the timing of its intake. As we age we should spread it across the day for optimal absorption. Manlio brought the biohacker's perspective, drawing on the Pareto Principle: 80% of the benefits often come from 20% of our actions. He suggests to focus on the minimum effective dose of exercise to trigger adaptation, avoid chronic stress, and use short, sharp challenges to strengthen both brain and body. Fasting, done wisely, can act as a beneficial stressor, stimulating cellular ‘clean-up' processes like autophagy, but should be tailored to individual needs and lifestyles. When it comes to the whole array of technological devices we can use or wear, Professor Hülsdünker suggests that even if they're not accurate, they might be able to show trends. The whole industry around longevity and all of the apps available to us to track, monitor alter are there if this aids your motivation, but motivation is another large part of what we need it order to develop habits. If you can find a way to physically move whilst using your brain, and eat ‘well' for your body and its needs, do this with a supportive social circle… then you're on your way to living a good and long life. https://www.linkedin.com/in/thorbenhuelsduenker/ https://lunex.lu/ https://lihps.lu/what-we-offer/sports-nutrition/ https://lihps.lu/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/manlio-lo-giudice-a8b7773/

Physical movement + mental stimulation combined, plus food, sleep and motivation. I know you're all busy and might only read the first paragraph so I'll summarise what I can from the interview here, but of course, please do listen / watch the interview as you'll get so much more from the conversation between my guests.  The core takeaways from our experts for boosting both lifespan and healthspan: - Challenge your brain: Aim for tasks you succeed at 70 - 80% of the time. - Move with purpose of thought: Combine high-intensity bursts with cognitive challenges. - Food: Favour a Mediterranean-style diet rich in plants, healthy fats, and quality protein. - Sleep: Aim for 7 - 9 hours nightly, prioritising quality as much as quantity. - Stay motivated: Choose activities you actually enjoy; consistency is key. It's one thing to live a long life. It's another to live it well: physically sharp, mentally agile, and emotionally engaged. This week on The Lisa Burke Show, my guests are three leaders in neuroscience, nutrition, and biohacking who share the latest, evidence-based ways to extend your health span. Professor Thorben Hülsdünker is a performance neuroscientist and sport neurophysiologist at LUNEX. His research bridges the gap between how the brain and body adapt to training, with practical insights for everyone from elite athletes to ‘normal' adults looking to stay sharp. Myriam Jacobs, a sports and clinical dietitian, now works full-time with the Luxembourg Institute for High Performance in Sport. With a career spanning hospital work in diabetes and obesity to elite sports nutrition, she knows what fuels what is needed for each individual body and at what time of day. Manlio Lo Giudice is a mechanical engineer turned human potential coach, trainer, biohacker, and co-founder of MobiGym: Luxembourg's first longevity fitness studio. He's hosted longevity meetups around the globe, spoken with pioneers like Bryan Johnson and Aubrey de Grey, and tested countless self-optimisation strategies on himself. Professor Hülsdünker starts by reminding us that, evolutionarily, our brains weren't designed to last beyond 50. That's why natural cognitive decline is so common in later life, but not inevitable. Just as we strengthen muscles, we can train the brain. Thorben does not like most of the “brain training” apps as they rarely translate into real-life benefits. He believes in a blend of movement and mental challenges. That's why ball sports, dance, or running whilst solving mental puzzles are best to produce the growth factors that keep neurons thriving. Sleep is another silent superpower. Beyond memory consolidation, deep sleep clears away toxins that can accelerate dementia risk. Shift workers and those with irregular schedules face added challenges, making sleep quality crucial to their health. From the kitchen, Myriam made the case for the Mediterranean way of eating which is not a diet but a lifestyle rich in plants, nuts, olive oil, fish, and limited red meat. On wine, the advice is still moving. Protein does matter, but so does the timing of its intake. As we age we should spread it across the day for optimal absorption. Manlio brought the biohacker's perspective, drawing on the Pareto Principle: 80% of the benefits often come from 20% of our actions. He suggests to focus on the minimum effective dose of exercise to trigger adaptation, avoid chronic stress, and use short, sharp challenges to strengthen both brain and body. Fasting, done wisely, can act as a beneficial stressor, stimulating cellular ‘clean-up' processes like autophagy, but should be tailored to individual needs and lifestyles. When it comes to the whole array of technological devices we can use or wear, Professor Hülsdünker suggests that even if they're not accurate, they might be able to show trends. The whole industry around longevity and all of the apps available to us to track, monitor alter are there if this aids your motivation, but motivation is another large part of what we need it order to develop habits. If you can find a way to physically move whilst using your brain, and eat ‘well' for your body and its needs, do this with a supportive social circle… then you're on your way to living a good and long life. https://www.linkedin.com/in/thorbenhuelsduenker/ https://lunex.lu/ https://lihps.lu/what-we-offer/sports-nutrition/ https://lihps.lu/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/manlio-lo-giudice-a8b7773/

The Thrilling World of Horseback Archery combines trust and precision as Nico Thielen and blind rider Nadine Schumacher share their dynamic, niche sport. Horseback archery isn't your typical weekend sport. Imagine galloping at 50 km/h, letting go of the reins, holding onto your horse with just your legs and swiftly releasing arrows at a moving target. Now imagine doing this with no sight. Nico Thielen, a horseback archery coach based in Luxembourg, knows precisely how exhilarating and demanding this ancient martial art can be. Having competed internationally, from Hungary to Jordan, Nico champions this revitalised discipline that requires profound trust between rider and horse. Yet Nico's most remarkable coaching challenge is Nadine Schumacher, who became blind two years ago due to complications from Type 1 Diabetes, exacerbated by severe and chronic stress. Despite this life-altering event, she is determined not to let blindness define her limitations. Nadine's journey into horseback archery began through a friend's introduction to Nico and his fiancée, Sarah Elmquist, who embraced the unique challenge of trying to teach someone who cannot see. Both certified coaches trained in Hungary, they adapted their training methods ingeniously. Nadine shoots by the rhythmic sound of a metronome placed on targets, proving sight is not the only means of achieving pinpoint accuracy. The synergy between horse and rider is profound, especially given that horses, highly sensitive prey animals, mirror human emotions. For Nadine, whose connection to horses was already strong from years as a riding therapist, horseback archery became a natural extension of her understanding of non-verbal communication. Nico highlights the emotional intelligence required in horseback archery, emphasising harmony rather than dominance. "Horses prefer a softer, more intuitive energy," he notes, pointing out why women often excel in equestrian sports. He also shares a fascinating insight about herd dynamics: it's typically the oldest female horse leading through wisdom and experience, a concept he humorously suggests humans might adopt in leadership roles. Both Nico and Nadine stress the therapeutic aspect of their sport. For Nadine, horseback archery represents a remarkable physical and mental challenge, providing immense satisfaction with every arrow hitting its mark. Her resilience serves as an inspiring testament that obstacles, even blindness, can become gateways to extraordinary achievements.  You can also hear the perspective of Nadine's son, Sam, in this show who came to accompany his mother.  You can find both Nico, his finacée Sarah and Nadine competing in the Limpach Open Horseback Archery Festival this weekend.  More information can be found here: Find Nico on instagram here: https://www.instagram.com/bow.rider/ And Nadine here: https://www.instagram.com/souls_in_balance_hobscheid/ Join D'Arc Angels here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/224446304261833/

The Thrilling World of horseback archery combines trust and precision as Nico Thielen and blind rider Nadine Schumacher share their dynamic, niche sport. Horseback archery isn't your typical weekend sport. Imagine galloping at 50 km/h, letting go of the reins, holding onto your horse with just your legs and swiftly releasing arrows at a moving target. Now imagine doing this with no sight. Nico Thielen, a horseback archery coach based in Luxembourg, knows precisely how exhilarating and demanding this ancient martial art can be. Having competed internationally, from Hungary to Jordan, Nico champions this revitalised discipline that requires profound trust between rider and horse. Yet Nico's most remarkable coaching challenge is Nadine Schumacher, who became blind two years ago due to complications from Type 1 Diabetes, exacerbated by severe and chronic stress. Despite this life-altering event, she is determined not to let blindness define her limitations. Nadine's journey into horseback archery began through a friend's introduction to Nico and his fiancée, Sarah Elmquist, who embraced the unique challenge of trying to teach someone who cannot see. Both certified coaches trained in Hungary, they adapted their training methods ingeniously. Nadine shoots by the rhythmic sound of a metronome placed on targets, proving sight is not the only means of achieving pinpoint accuracy. The synergy between horse and rider is profound, especially given that horses, highly sensitive prey animals, mirror human emotions. For Nadine, whose connection to horses was already strong from years as a riding therapist, horseback archery became a natural extension of her understanding of non-verbal communication. Nico highlights the emotional intelligence required in horseback archery, emphasising harmony rather than dominance. "Horses prefer a softer, more intuitive energy," he notes, pointing out why women often excel in equestrian sports. He also shares a fascinating insight about herd dynamics: it's typically the oldest female horse leading through wisdom and experience, a concept he humorously suggests humans might adopt in leadership roles. Both Nico and Nadine stress the therapeutic aspect of their sport. For Nadine, horseback archery represents a remarkable physical and mental challenge, providing immense satisfaction with every arrow hitting its mark. Her resilience serves as an inspiring testament that obstacles, even blindness, can become gateways to extraordinary achievements.  You can also hear the perspective of Nadine's son, Sam, in this show who came to accompany his mother.  You can find both Nico, his finacée Sarah and Nadine competing in the Limpach Open Horseback Archery Festival this weekend.  More information can be found here: Find Nico on instagram here: https://www.instagram.com/bow.rider/ And Nadine here: https://www.instagram.com/souls_in_balance_hobscheid/ Join D'Arc Angels here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/224446304261833/

Trauma in rural France; leadership through equine coaching: Isabelle Constantini and Christine Hansen share how horses, an innate willingness to try new things and adapt has built resilience and reinvention. Isabelle Constantini's life has taken her from Parisian theatre stages to the rugged countryside of the South of France. A former actress, film director and casting director, Isabelle also competed in amateur equestrian championships. However, she had always harboured a dream to live in the south of France in nature with her beloved horses. And so she did it. This bold move to rural France with her 10-year-old daughter changed everything. Seeking a simpler life in nature, Isabelle instead faced harassment from hunters, which cost her her prized horse's career, and bullying from some neighbours which ultimately forced her to move. One method of overcoming the pain endured was writing. Isabelle, through introspection, and an abiding commitment to non-violence wrote a novel about self-discovery and endurance. "Empathy," she said, "is one of the few things left to us as humans." It's a theme she now champions, alongside energy healing, vegetarianism, and a life led by connection to the natural world. “Where leaders learn from the herd” Joining Isabelle in studio was Christine Hansen, who came to horse riding at the age of 38. A former teacher turned coach and entrepreneur, Christine now offers corporate leadership training through equine-assisted learning. This course is co-owned and co-run by Anne Ludovicy who owns Centre Équestre Kehlen, where the course takes place. At the heart of her approach lies one truth: horses don't lie. As prey animals, their survival depends on reading body language and energy. "They are honest, intuitive mirrors," Christine explained, "and they'll react to your presence, not your title.” The result is a powerful feedback loop that can transform leadership styles, challenge self-perceptions, and foster authentic communication. And you don't have to be able to ride a horse; in fact, most participants rarely mount a horse at all. Instead, they engage in grounded observation, interaction and reflection. “The smallest pony can change the way you see yourself,” she said. Both women emphasised the profound healing horses can offer. For Isabelle, they've been a spiritual anchor through life's upheavals. For Christine, they are tools for insight, calm, and self-regulation, even helping to teach breathing and mindset shifts in moments of high stress.

Trauma in rural France; leadership through equine coaching: Isabelle Constantini & Christine Hansen share the transformative power of horses to resilience. Isabelle Constantini's life has taken her from Parisian theatre stages to the rugged countryside of the South of France. A former actress, film director and casting director, Isabelle also competed in amateur equestrian championships. However, she had always harboured a dream to live in the south of France in nature with her beloved horses. And so she did it. This bold move to rural France with her 10-year-old daughter changed everything. Seeking a simpler life in nature, Isabelle instead faced harassment from hunters, which cost her her prized horse's career, and bullying from some neighbours which ultimately forced her to move. One method of overcoming the pain endured was writing. Isabelle, through introspection, and an abiding commitment to non-violence wrote a novel about self-discovery and endurance. "Empathy," she said, "is one of the few things left to us as humans." It's a theme she now champions, alongside energy healing, vegetarianism, and a life led by connection to the natural world. “Where leaders learn from the herd” Joining Isabelle in studio was Christine Hansen, who came to horse riding at the age of 38. A former teacher turned coach and entrepreneur, Christine now offers corporate leadership training through equine-assisted learning. This course is co-owned and co-run by Anne Ludovicy who owns Centre Équestre Kehlen, where the course takes place. At the heart of her approach lies one truth: horses don't lie. As prey animals, their survival depends on reading body language and energy. "They are honest, intuitive mirrors," Christine explained, "and they'll react to your presence, not your title.” The result is a powerful feedback loop that can transform leadership styles, challenge self-perceptions, and foster authentic communication. And you don't have to be able to ride a horse; in fact, most participants rarely mount a horse at all. Instead, they engage in grounded observation, interaction and reflection. “The smallest pony can change the way you see yourself,” she said. Both women emphasised the profound healing horses can offer. For Isabelle, they've been a spiritual anchor through life's upheavals. For Christine, they are tools for insight, calm, and self-regulation, even helping to teach breathing and mindset shifts in moments of high stress.

Paul Binsfeld, Honorary Consul of Luxembourg to Arizona and New Mexico brings Arizona delegation to Luxembourg Paul Binsfeld, Honorary Consul of Luxembourg to Arizona and New Mexico since 2021, reached out to me after listening to the show with Geoff Thompson about the Luxembourg diaspora in America. Paul has been in Luxembourg for over a week now, as part of the 128-strong delegation of Honorary Consuls to Luxembourg from around the world. They were met by Minister Bettel, Prime Minister Frieden, The Chamber of Commerce and Foreign Ministry, and rounded off the day with a reception at Colmar-Berg Castle with Hereditary Grand Duke Guillaume. Since then the itinerary has been packed, coupled with meetings for a group of high-level Arizona space and business delegates to  explore new potential partnerships. Brett Mecum is a distinguished government relations professional and space policy expert.  He was appointed by the Arizona Speaker of the House to the Arizona Space Commission in 2024, and was instrumental in passing the Arizona House Bill 2254, and securing $1.5 million for the Space Analog Moon and Mars Mission at Biosphere 2.  Currently, Breet is a 2025 Bertelsmann Foundation Fellow, focusing on the Geopolitics of Space. Elizabeth Christensen is Vice President of Business Development, BlackStar Orbital and is in Luxembourg to form strategic European partnerships to develop new markets for BlackStar's reusable space systems. They view Europe as an important market to work with, and Luxembourg is an obvious hub. The delegation also reflected on the shared values between Luxembourg and Arizona: both regions are shaping the future of defence, commercial space and regulatory frameworks. Luxembourg's model of entrepreneurial diplomacy and strategic openness has created a clear signal to all consuls that Luxembourg is open for business and partnerships. https://play.rtl.lu/shows/en/in-conversation-with-lisa-burke/episodes/n/2312858 https://www.linkedin.com/in/paulbinsfeld/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/elizabeth-christensen-2rd/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/brettmecum/

Paul Binsfeld, Honorary Consul of Luxembourg to Arizona and New Mexico, escorted an Arizona delegation to Luxembourg. Paul Binsfeld, Honorary Consul of Luxembourg to Arizona and New Mexico since 2021, reached out to me after listening to the show with Geoff Thompson about the Luxembourg diaspora in America. Paul has been in Luxembourg for over a week now, as part of the 128-strong delegation of Honorary Consuls to Luxembourg from around the world. They were met by Minister Bettel, Prime Minister Frieden, The Chamber of Commerce and Foreign Ministry, and rounded off the day with a reception at Colmar-Berg Castle with Hereditary Grand Duke Guillaume. Since then the itinerary has been packed, coupled with meetings for a group of high-level Arizona space and business delegates to  explore new potential partnerships. Brett Mecum is a distinguished government relations professional and space policy expert.  He was appointed by the Arizona Speaker of the House to the Arizona Space Commission in 2024, and was instrumental in passing the Arizona House Bill 2254, and securing $1.5 million for the Space Analog Moon and Mars Mission at Biosphere 2.  Currently, Breet is a 2025 Bertelsmann Foundation Fellow, focusing on the Geopolitics of Space. Elizabeth Christensen is Vice President of Business Development, BlackStar Orbital and is in Luxembourg to form strategic European partnerships to develop new markets for BlackStar's reusable space systems. They view Europe as an important market to work with, and Luxembourg is an obvious hub. The delegation also reflected on the shared values between Luxembourg and Arizona: both regions are shaping the future of defence, commercial space and regulatory frameworks. Luxembourg's model of entrepreneurial diplomacy and strategic openness has created a clear signal to all consuls that Luxembourg is open for business and partnerships. https://play.rtl.lu/shows/en/in-conversation-with-lisa-burke/episodes/n/2312858 https://www.linkedin.com/in/paulbinsfeld/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/elizabeth-christensen-2rd/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/brettmecum/

Housing is one of the most emotionally charged, personally impactful, and politically complex issues in Luxembourg today. Housing is one of the most emotionally charged, personally impactful, and politically complex issues in Luxembourg today.  In today's show, my guests are: - Minister Claude Meisch, who holds the portfolios for Housing and Spatial Planning; and Education, Children and Youth, talks about the way in which he sees the picture to be tackeld and his ideas for doing so. - Professor Lindsay Flynn, Associate Professor of Political Science and Public Policy at the University of Luxembourg, examines the causes and consequences of housing-driven inequality in Europe and North America. - Martin Stoz, a real estate and social entrepreneur, whose estate agency gives away one third of its commission to a charity of the seller's choice.  Minister Meisch: Build Faster, Smarter, Fairer Minister Meisch outlines a housing landscape shaped by rapid economic growth, population expansion, and a growing disconnect between incomes and housing prices. “We want to be a country where every family finds an affordable home,” he says, but current waiting lists have over 5,500 families are on the public housing waiting list, and many more have simply given up trying. To tackle this, the government is pushing through 40 new measures to simplify building procedures, accelerate planning, and prioritise affordable housing, particularly near transport hubs and employment zones. Spatial planning also must include schooling, healthcare, green spaces, and de-centralisation, away from just Luxembourg city and Esch, to include projects such as the Nordstad, to develop Ettelbrück and Diekirch as northern urban centres. Define Affordable: A Moving Target Prof. Lindsay Flynn draws a sharp distinction between policy definitions of affordable housing and people's lived realities. “When people say ‘affordable', they mean affordable for them – not a statistical bracket,” she notes. Her research, funded by the FNR's PROPEL project, focuses on the ripple effects of housing inequality – particularly among young people and renters. Unlike many EU countries, Luxembourg offers both rental and ownership options under the affordable label. However, whether these are truly accessible depends on income, mortgage access, and policy eligibility – highlighting the mismatch between public definitions and private experience. Renting Realities: What Tenants Are Up Against Prof. Flynn's team recently led a landmark study for Mieterschutz Luxembourg, delving into tenant experiences in the private rental market. The findings included mould and landlords commonly ignoring repair requests. Even when tenants have legal rights, many lack the time, money, or confidence, especially in a foreign language, to enforce them. One practical solution she proposes is to download a letter template to support tenants in communicating formally with landlords. But “many fear retaliation. They don't want to make a fuss.” Youth Extended: The Hidden Costs of Inaccessibility Young people are increasingly stuck at home longer, delaying not only homeownership but life itself: settling down with a partner, starting families, building a financial base. Flynn warns that the housing crisis is “not just about shelter. It's shaping our demographics, our birth rates, and our economic futures.” Her transatlantic studies show striking similarities between Europe and North America: housing costs directly correlate with smaller families and fewer life milestones. “It's not always delay,” she says. “Sometimes, it's trade-off. Life choices are being forgone because of rent.” Immigration, Inclusion & Infrastructure Luxembourg can't cap immigration under EU law. So instead, it must anticipate growth. That means not only more homes, but more schools, including three new international public schools planned by 2028, and better integration. “Only one-third of children in Luxembourg speak Luxembourgish or German at home,”  notes Minister Meisch. Flexibility in education, housing, and planning is essential for cohesion. Can Design Save the City? What about the aesthetics of housing? Minister Meisch admits not all new developments are beautiful, and that's a problem. While individual communes control architectural regulations, the Ministry of the Interior is working on harmonising rules. Public developers like the Fonds du Logement are increasingly showcasing that affordability and design don't have to be mutually exclusive. A Human-Centred Real Estate Model Finally, Martin Stoz of Together Immo offers a fresh take: a for-profit real estate agency that donates a third of every commission to a charity of the seller's choice. “I wanted my work to have meaning,” he explains. Stoz hopes to build a model of conscious capitalism in a sector often criticised for its contribution to inequality. Do write to tell us about your housing experiences in Luxembourg. https://www.uni.lu/fhse-en/people/lindsay-flynn/ https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nordstad https://together-immo.lu/ https://snhbm.lu/ https://fondsdulogement.lu/fr

Minister Meisch outlines his plan, alongside Professor Lindsay Flynn discussing house-driven inequality and Martin Stoz highlighting his estate agency's community initiatives. Housing is one of the most emotionally charged, personally impactful, and politically complex issues in Luxembourg today.  In today's show, my guests are: - Minister Claude Meisch, who holds the portfolios for Housing and Spatial Planning; and Education, Children and Youth, talks about the way in which he sees the picture to be tackeld and his ideas for doing so. - Professor Lindsay Flynn, Associate Professor of Political Science and Public Policy at the University of Luxembourg, examines the causes and consequences of housing-driven inequality in Europe and North America. - Martin Stoz, a real estate and social entrepreneur, whose estate agency gives away one third of its commission to a charity of the seller's choice.  Minister Meisch: Build Faster, Smarter, Fairer Minister Meisch outlines a housing landscape shaped by rapid economic growth, population expansion, and a growing disconnect between incomes and housing prices. “We want to be a country where every family finds an affordable home,” he says, but current waiting lists have over 5,500 families are on the public housing waiting list, and many more have simply given up trying. To tackle this, the government is pushing through 40 new measures to simplify building procedures, accelerate planning, and prioritise affordable housing, particularly near transport hubs and employment zones. Spatial planning also must include schooling, healthcare, green spaces, and de-centralisation, away from just Luxembourg city and Esch, to include projects such as the Nordstad, to develop Ettelbrück and Diekirch as northern urban centres. Define Affordable: A Moving Target Prof. Lindsay Flynn draws a sharp distinction between policy definitions of affordable housing and people's lived realities. “When people say ‘affordable', they mean affordable for them – not a statistical bracket,” she notes. Her research, funded by the FNR's PROPEL project, focuses on the ripple effects of housing inequality – particularly among young people and renters. Unlike many EU countries, Luxembourg offers both rental and ownership options under the affordable label. However, whether these are truly accessible depends on income, mortgage access, and policy eligibility – highlighting the mismatch between public definitions and private experience. Renting Realities: What Tenants Are Up Against Prof. Flynn's team recently led a landmark study for Mieterschutz Luxembourg, delving into tenant experiences in the private rental market. The findings included mould and landlords commonly ignoring repair requests. Even when tenants have legal rights, many lack the time, money, or confidence, especially in a foreign language, to enforce them. One practical solution she proposes is to download a letter template to support tenants in communicating formally with landlords. But “many fear retaliation. They don't want to make a fuss.” Youth Extended: The Hidden Costs of Inaccessibility Young people are increasingly stuck at home longer, delaying not only homeownership but life itself: settling down with a partner, starting families, building a financial base. Flynn warns that the housing crisis is “not just about shelter. It's shaping our demographics, our birth rates, and our economic futures.” Her transatlantic studies show striking similarities between Europe and North America: housing costs directly correlate with smaller families and fewer life milestones. “It's not always delay,” she says. “Sometimes, it's trade-off. Life choices are being forgone because of rent.” Immigration, Inclusion & Infrastructure Luxembourg can't cap immigration under EU law. So instead, it must anticipate growth. That means not only more homes, but more schools, including three new international public schools planned by 2028, and better integration. “Only one-third of children in Luxembourg speak Luxembourgish or German at home,”  notes Minister Meisch. Flexibility in education, housing, and planning is essential for cohesion. Can Design Save the City? What about the aesthetics of housing? Minister Meisch admits not all new developments are beautiful, and that's a problem. While individual communes control architectural regulations, the Ministry of the Interior is working on harmonising rules. Public developers like the Fonds du Logement are increasingly showcasing that affordability and design don't have to be mutually exclusive. A Human-Centred Real Estate Model Finally, Martin Stoz of Together Immo offers a fresh take: a for-profit real estate agency that donates a third of every commission to a charity of the seller's choice. “I wanted my work to have meaning,” he explains. Stoz hopes to build a model of conscious capitalism in a sector often criticised for its contribution to inequality. Do write to tell us about your housing experiences in Luxembourg. https://www.uni.lu/fhse-en/people/lindsay-flynn/ https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nordstad https://together-immo.lu/ https://snhbm.lu/ https://fondsdulogement.lu/fr

Clara Moraru & Ivan Leal Martins remind us that democracy grows stronger when more people participate. Real democracy starts with us: our concerns, our friends and family, and more globally our concerns for the world we are in and will leave behind. Politics and law-making creates the scaffold of our society. Whether you're a long-time Luxembourg resident, a recent arrival, a young voter, or simply someone who wants to make a difference, this episode should help guide to becoming politically empowered. Clara Moraru, founder of Politics for All, and Ivan Leal Martins from Wecitizens join me in studio to share how we can all help shape society by participating, speaking up, and even running for office. Why Local Politics Matter — Even If You Can't Vote “You pay taxes. Your children go to school here. You contribute to society — so why wouldn't you be involved in politics?” Clara asks passionately. Her organisation, Politics for All, is demystifying the political system in Luxembourg for residents who may feel excluded, especially foreign nationals. “We have to make people aware that not voting doesn't mean you don't have a voice. You can participate in public consultations. You can go to communal council meetings. You can be present and active in the local debate.” Youth Participation Ivan Leal Martins, European Project Manager at Wecitizens, is leading efforts to connect youth with democratic action. “Sometimes people say young people are not interested in politics. That's not true. They are political, they just express it differently.” He adds: “They protest. They care about the environment. What we're trying to do is help them connect that energy with the political structures that can amplify their voice.” With projects like MEP4aDay and EU Talks & Bites, Ivan is facilitating moments where students meet policymakers, simulate legislative roles, and realise the European Parliament is not a distant monolith but a platform they can influence. “We want young people to feel like they belong to Europe,” Ivan says. “That they are part of something bigger and that their voice matters not only in the classroom but in the European Union.” Politics Without Borders: Luxembourg & Wallonia  This summer marks the start of a 16-month cross-border project: Demystifying Local Politics, connecting communities in Luxembourg and Wallonia. With support from the EU, the initiative will feature civic education workshops, local government engagement, and the production of Voices of Diversity, a media project giving the spotlight to foreign residents who have stepped into public life. More Accessible Politics Throughout the episode, both guests highlighted the need for simpler, more transparent civic education and to bring opportunities that are freely available into school life. The goal of both Clara and Ivan is clear - remove psychological and linguistic barriers that discourage participation and create a more inclusive political culture, especially for minorities, youth, and foreign nationals. How you can get involved: Sign up for events, workshops, and Parliament visits Run as a local candidate — even if you weren't born in Luxembourg Use your platforms to highlight underrepresented voices Subscribe to newsletters at Politics for All or Wecitizens Explore EU opportunities via the European Youth Portal https://www.politicsforall.lu/ https://youth.europa.eu/home_en https://www.wecitizens-lu.org/

Clara Moraru and Ivan Leal Martins are actively involved in creating political dialogue for all and remind us that democracy grows stronger when more people participate. Real democracy starts with us: our concerns, our friends and family, and more globally our concerns for the world we are in and will leave behind. Politics and law-making creates the scaffold of our society. Whether you're a long-time Luxembourg resident, a recent arrival, a young voter, or simply someone who wants to make a difference, this episode should help guide to becoming politically empowered. Clara Moraru, founder of Politics for All, and Ivan Leal Martins from Wecitizens join me in studio to share how we can all help shape society by participating, speaking up, and even running for office. Why Local Politics Matter — Even If You Can't Vote “You pay taxes. Your children go to school here. You contribute to society — so why wouldn't you be involved in politics?” Clara asks passionately. Her organisation, Politics for All, is demystifying the political system in Luxembourg for residents who may feel excluded, especially foreign nationals. “We have to make people aware that not voting doesn't mean you don't have a voice. You can participate in public consultations. You can go to communal council meetings. You can be present and active in the local debate.” Youth Participation Ivan Leal Martins, European Project Manager at Wecitizens, is leading efforts to connect youth with democratic action. “Sometimes people say young people are not interested in politics. That's not true. They are political, they just express it differently.” He adds: “They protest. They care about the environment. What we're trying to do is help them connect that energy with the political structures that can amplify their voice.” With projects like MEP4aDay and EU Talks & Bites, Ivan is facilitating moments where students meet policymakers, simulate legislative roles, and realise the European Parliament is not a distant monolith but a platform they can influence. “We want young people to feel like they belong to Europe,” Ivan says. “That they are part of something bigger and that their voice matters not only in the classroom but in the European Union.” Politics Without Borders: Luxembourg & Wallonia  This summer marks the start of a 16-month cross-border project: Demystifying Local Politics, connecting communities in Luxembourg and Wallonia. With support from the EU, the initiative will feature civic education workshops, local government engagement, and the production of Voices of Diversity, a media project giving the spotlight to foreign residents who have stepped into public life. More Accessible Politics Throughout the episode, both guests highlighted the need for simpler, more transparent civic education and to bring opportunities that are freely available into school life. The goal of both Clara and Ivan is clear - remove psychological and linguistic barriers that discourage participation and create a more inclusive political culture, especially for minorities, youth, and foreign nationals. How you can get involved: Sign up for events, workshops, and Parliament visits Run as a local candidate — even if you weren't born in Luxembourg Use your platforms to highlight underrepresented voices Subscribe to newsletters at Politics for All or Wecitizens Explore EU opportunities via the European Youth Portal https://www.politicsforall.lu/ https://youth.europa.eu/home_en https://www.wecitizens-lu.org/

From planting forests to refugee kitchens, Vicki Hansen reveals the stories of awardees from the 13th Luxembourg Peace Prize. Vicki Hansen is President of the Schengen Peace Foundation, a Luxembourg-based nonprofit dedicated to global peace-building through its two main initiatives: the World Peace Forum and the Luxembourg Peace. Today heralds the 13th Luxembourg Peace Prize, and the awardees come from all over the world. This is a story of hope and people with tremendous purpose and passion, despite so much our our world feeling fractured today. “Peace isn't just the absence of war—it's a culture, a choice, a way of life.” The foundation's origin rests with two men who realised they were the first generation not to pass on war stories. What if peace could become the new inheritance? The sad thought is that this might not be the case for our children today, which is why, I think, this conversation matters even more. Outstanding Award for Peace Tony Rinaudo is an Australian agronomist regenerating deserts through his concept of farmer-managed natural regeneration (FMNR). Tony lived in Niger Republic in the 1980s when he worked on this technique, and now it flourishes across 26 countries. Outstanding Peace Journalism Gloria Laker is a fearless journalist from Uganda. She's trained over 700 others to report in highly sensitive conflict zones. “Peace journalism is the art of choosing healing over harm,” she says. Outstanding Peace Process Dror Rubin and Ghardir Hani are an Israeli-Palestinian duo using interfaith dialogue to heal generations of division. Dror says “Trust will be built upon introduction, we were not forced to live next to each other, we were chosen to be neighbours in the holy land- not one on top of the other but next to one another.” Outstanding Peace Support Chiche! is a restaurant chain in Luxembourg run entirely by refugees, proving that inclusion can dignified. Food, says Vicki, is a universal language for peace. Their motto is ‘inclusion is delicious'! Outstanding Peace Activism Jennifer Teege, a German New York Times bestselling author was adopted but discovered that her grandfather was a Nazi commandant. She turned personal shock and trauma into a life of reconciliation. Her mantra is that “Peace starts in our heads.” Outstanding Peace Activism The World Central Kitchen is another story led to the connection through food and the grace a good meal bestows on all sides. This phenomenon, the WCF, is led by Michelin starred chef José Andrés. His team serve 500 million meals across war zones and disasters. “Everyone deserves a hot meal served with dignity,” Through it all, Vicki's voice is steady, hopeful, fierce. “We can't outsource peace, we must be that fourth leg at the table.” This is a reference to the prize's sculpture—three legs of a chair with the invitation to join the conversation and be part of the solution. Peace isn't a dream—it's a decision. And it's ours to make.

From planting forests to refugee kitchens, Vicki Hansen reveals the stories of awardees from the 13th Luxembourg Peace Prize Vicki Hansen is President of the Schengen Peace Foundation, a Luxembourg-based nonprofit dedicated to global peace-building through its two main initiatives: the World Peace Forum and the Luxembourg Peace. Today heralds the 13th Luxembourg Peace Prize, and the awardees come from all over the world. This is a story of hope and people with tremendous purpose and passion, despite so much our our world feeling fractured today. “Peace isn't just the absence of war—it's a culture, a choice, a way of life.” The foundation's origin rests with two men who realised they were the first generation not to pass on war stories. What if peace could become the new inheritance? The sad thought is that this might not be the case for our children today, which is why, I think, this conversation matters even more. Outstanding Award for Peace Tony Rinaudo is an Australian agronomist regenerating deserts through his concept of farmer-managed natural regeneration (FMNR). Tony lived in Niger Republic in the 1980s when he worked on this technique, and now it flourishes across 26 countries. Outstanding Peace Journalism Gloria Laker is a fearless journalist from Uganda. She's trained over 700 others to report in highly sensitive conflict zones. “Peace journalism is the art of choosing healing over harm,” she says. Outstanding Peace Process Dror Rubin and Ghardir Hani are an Israeli-Palestinian duo using interfaith dialogue to heal generations of division. Dror says “Trust will be built upon introduction, we were not forced to live next to each other, we were chosen to be neighbours in the holy land- not one on top of the other but next to one another.” Outstanding Peace Support Chiche! is a restaurant chain in Luxembourg run entirely by refugees, proving that inclusion can dignified. Food, says Vicki, is a universal language for peace. Their motto is ‘inclusion is delicious'! Outstanding Peace Activism Jennifer Teege, a German New York Times bestselling author was adopted but discovered that her grandfather was a Nazi commandant. She turned personal shock and trauma into a life of reconciliation. Her mantra is that “Peace starts in our heads.” Outstanding Peace Activism The World Central Kitchen is another story led to the connection through food and the grace a good meal bestows on all sides. This phenomenon, the WCF, is led by Michelin starred chef José Andrés. His team serve 500 million meals across war zones and disasters. “Everyone deserves a hot meal served with dignity,” Through it all, Vicki's voice is steady, hopeful, fierce. “We can't outsource peace, we must be that fourth leg at the table.” This is a reference to the prize's sculpture—three legs of a chair with the invitation to join the conversation and be part of the solution. Peace isn't a dream—it's a decision. And it's ours to make.

Geoff Thompson's documentary, Luxembourg in America, shows the continued and important connections between American ancestors from the wave of Luxembourg immigrants to the U.S. Midwest After a round-up of the ever evolving and heavy news of our times, with Sasha Kehoe, my guest this week is Geoff Thompson. Geoff is known for many things in Luxembourg, but most recently has turned his hands and brain to documentary making. Mid-19th century exodus In the mid-19th century, due to Napoleonic law here in Luxembourg which meant equal sharing of inheritance, once sustainable farms became unsustainable when divided between large numbers of children. And so, some shares were sold to siblings and that money was used to pay for the voyage to the ‘free world'. Geoff Thompson's documentary Luxembourg in America visits their descendants in places like Wisconsin, Illinois, and Iowa, and sees the heritage that is both celebrated and remaining. A Personal Exploration of Heritage Geoff Thompson, who is also President of the British & Irish Film Festival Luxembourg, shared his motivation: “It started with a simple curiosity – how had these Luxembourg communities preserved so much of their identity? What I found was an entire parallel Luxembourg, alive and well in small towns across the Midwest.” From townships like Dacada and Belgium in Wisconsin to the Luxembourg American Cultural Society (LACS) housed in a traditional stone home, the film uncovers an "island of Luxembourgish culture" preserved across oceans and generations. Thompson brings the audience along to the annual “Luxembourg under the Stars” summer festival, where Bofferding beer flows, Träipen (blood sausage) contests are held, and Moselle wine is imported and enjoyed. Midwestern Roots, European Branches The importance of maintaining and exploring one's heritage is deeply evident in this documentary, underscoring our internal need to know where we come from. By deepening our roots on this earth, we seem to feel more connected to our time and place in history. This documentary shows the shared journeys of these Luxembourg-Americans back to Luxembourg for visits, and vice versa, where Luxembourg officials visit the American diaspora. Notably, it is when some of the American Luxembourgers find family connections still alive here in Luxembourg that the magic deepens. The roots grow stronger and that ancestral bond over time is secured today. For Luxembourg nationals and many of us who live in Luxembourg, coming from other countries, this film highlights our own movements and distance from our own roots. It provokes conversation and reflection on multiculturalism, belonging, and identity. Half of Luxembourg's current population is of foreign background. Yet, just like the Luxembourg-Americans abroad, the modern Grand Duchy is also navigating what it means to preserve culture in a globally connected society. We often think of emigration as loss, and indeed one third of the population of Luxembourg was lost at the time, but it grew in another part of the world, maintaining what culture there was. This cultural identity is most evident in food, the passing down of recipes, the religion and of course the language. You can watch the documentary here: https://m.imdb.com/title/tt33996768/

On the latest episode of The Lisa Burke Show, four remarkable women – scientists, divers, and educators – join Lisa to share how landlocked Luxembourg is making waves in ocean conservation ahead of the 2025 UN Ocean Conference. My guests are:  Dr. Anna Schleimer:  Marine biologist, President & Co-founder of Odyssea Dr. Lexi Grosbusch: Science Mediator, Luxembourg Science Center Clarissa Ausilio: Scientific Mediator, Luxembourg Science Center Lorieza (Lori) Neuberger-Castillo: Scientist, Scuba diver, Odyssea Committee Member, Founder of Diving Escapades As the world prepares for the UN Ocean Conference 2025 in Nice, we welcome four incredible women who are passionate about advocating for the protection of our oceans and all of the incredible life therein.  Dr. Anna Schleimer, President of Odyssea and a marine biologist has spent years researching wildlife in our oceans, which has taken her from the coral reefs of Guadeloupe to the icy Gulf of St. Lawrence.  “There are still so many unanswered questions about the biggest animals on the planet,” she said. “We're seeing shifts in whale distributions due to warming waters. Even critically endangered species like the North Atlantic right whales are suddenly appearing in new areas, and facing new threats.” Dr. Lexi Grosbusch, a science communicator at the Luxembourg Science Center, shared how her journey began on Belgian beaches and was catalysed by a formative marine biology trip to the Seychelles led by Dr. Robert Hofrichter. “That excursion changed everything for me,” she explained. “Diving opened my eyes to a world we're all connected to, but often forget.” Clarissa Ausilio, Lexi's colleague and co-creator of Luxembourg Ocean Days, described how their event grew out of a shared passion.  “We wanted to do something fun and meaningful,” she said. “Ocean science isn't just for coastal nations. Luxembourg had hundreds of students eager to learn last year and we're expanding the programme this June.” Lorieza (Lori) Neuberger-Castillo brought a deeply personal connection. Raised in a Philippine fishing village where the sea was her playground, trained as a scientist in Australia, where the Great Barrier Reef was on her doorstep, and now a scientist and scuba diver in Luxembourg, she founded Diving Escapades to promote sustainable travel.  “Scuba diving changed the way I saw everything—its beauty and its fragility.” Despite being landlocked, Luxembourg is part of this story. As Anna reminded us, “Even our rivers flow to the sea. What we do here matters.” Luxembourg Ocean Days 2025 (June 11–15) promises interactive school workshops, public exhibits, and family activities—all underpinned by science and hope, taking place at the Luxembourg Science Center As Anna said, “The ocean has already bought us time. Now it's our turn to act.” https://www.odyssea.lu/en/ https://divingescapades.com/ocean-conservation/ https://www.science-center.lu/en/ocean-days-2nd-edition-june-2025 https://www.linkedin.com/in/lorieza/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/clarissa-ausilio-032045276/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/anna-schleimer-63224876/

Luxembourg may be landlocked, but these women are proving you don't need a coastline to care deeply and act boldly for our oceans. My guests are:  Dr. Anna Schleimer:  Marine biologist, President & Co-founder of Odyssea Dr. Lexi Grosbusch: Science Mediator, Luxembourg Science Center Clarissa Ausilio: Scientific Mediator, Luxembourg Science Center Lorieza (Lori) Neuberger-Castillo: Scientist, Scuba diver, Odyssea Committee Member, Founder of Diving Escapades As the world prepares for the UN Ocean Conference 2025 in Nice, we welcome four incredible women who are passionate about advocating for the protection of our oceans and all of the incredible life therein.  Dr. Anna Schleimer, President of Odyssea and a marine biologist has spent years researching wildlife in our oceans, which has taken her from the coral reefs of Guadeloupe to the icy Gulf of St. Lawrence.  “There are still so many unanswered questions about the biggest animals on the planet,” she said. “We're seeing shifts in whale distributions due to warming waters. Even critically endangered species like the North Atlantic right whales are suddenly appearing in new areas, and facing new threats.” Dr. Lexi Grosbusch, a science communicator at the Luxembourg Science Center, shared how her journey began on Belgian beaches and was catalysed by a formative marine biology trip to the Seychelles led by Dr. Robert Hofrichter. “That excursion changed everything for me,” she explained. “Diving opened my eyes to a world we're all connected to, but often forget.” Clarissa Ausilio, Lexi's colleague and co-creator of Luxembourg Ocean Days, described how their event grew out of a shared passion.  “We wanted to do something fun and meaningful,” she said. “Ocean science isn't just for coastal nations. Luxembourg had hundreds of students eager to learn last year and we're expanding the programme this June.” Lorieza (Lori) Neuberger-Castillo brought a deeply personal connection. Raised in a Philippine fishing village where the sea was her playground, trained as a scientist in Australia, where the Great Barrier Reef was on her doorstep, and now a scientist and scuba diver in Luxembourg, she founded Diving Escapades to promote sustainable travel.  “Scuba diving changed the way I saw everything—its beauty and its fragility.” Despite being landlocked, Luxembourg is part of this story. As Anna reminded us, “Even our rivers flow to the sea. What we do here matters.” Luxembourg Ocean Days 2025 (June 11–15) promises interactive school workshops, public exhibits, and family activities—all underpinned by science and hope, taking place at the Luxembourg Science Center As Anna said, “The ocean has already bought us time. Now it's our turn to act.” https://www.odyssea.lu/en/ https://divingescapades.com/ocean-conservation/ https://www.science-center.lu/en/ocean-days-2nd-edition-june-2025 https://www.linkedin.com/in/lorieza/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/clarissa-ausilio-032045276/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/anna-schleimer-63224876/

From Olympic training to injury prevention, Luxembourg hosts the world's brightest minds to prove why maths might just be sport's secret superpower. After a round-up of mid-week news with Sasha Kehoe, my guests this week are: - Prof. Christophe Ley – Main organiser of MathSport International; leads the Modelling, Interdisciplinary Research, Data Science, Applied Mathematics and Statistics group at the University of Luxembourg.  - Prof. Romain Seil – World-renowned orthopaedic knee surgeon, IOC advisor, Director of the Neurosciences and Musculoskeletal Diseases Division at Centre Hospitalier de Luxembourg; co-founder of the European Society of Sports Traumatology, knee Surgery and Arthroscopy - ESSKA's Pediatric ACL registry and previous President of ESSKA, amongst many other organisations. - Prof. Thorben Hülsdünker – Professor in Performance Neuroscience and Sport Neurophysiology, Head of the Neurophysiology and Motor Control Research Area at LUNEX. - Alwin de Prins – Former Olympian and Managing Director at the Luxembourg Institute for High Performance in Sports (LIHPS) - Katarzyna Szczerba – PhD student with Prof. Ley, using machine learning with medical data to best use this data for injury prevention, and much more.  This week on The Lisa Burke Show, we dive deep into a blend of brain and brawn as Luxembourg hosts the 11th International MathSport Conference. While it may sound niche, what's unfolding here could revolutionise how athletes train, recover—and even avoid career-ending injuries. And not just athletes as many injuries are caused by people unprepared for activities they undertake once a year, such as skiing. Held from June 4–6 in the Coque and LUNEX University, the conference unites elite athletes, data scientists, surgeons and policymakers to explore how mathematics, data science and AI are transforming global sport. A Surgeon's Warning Professor Romain Seil, Luxembourg's globally celebrated knee specialist, put it bluntly: "If I could ban two sports for injury prevention, it would be football and alpine skiing." His data from years in the operating room is compelling. ACL injuries are devastating, often leading to early joint replacements. Professor Seil hopes we can increasingly pool real data to reform training, and embed prevention strategies from grass-roots to Olympic levels. “Coaches often don't realise the long-term damage until multiple players are injured. Data is how we change that.” Brains Behind the Brawn Professor Thorben Hülsdünker of LUNEX added another dimension with a focus on the connection of our body with our brain. He studies the neurophysiology of elite performance, from how athletes see and react, and how training can rewire the brain. “The brain is the next frontier of sports training,” he said. “Understanding it will define the next generation of champions.” Prof Hülsdünker knows that the best training targets both muscles and minds, combining sport science with neuroscience. AI Gets Personal PhD student AI-enhanced Cox Model blends machine learning with statistical models to predict runner injuries, and other medical issues, before they happen. “We're building tools that doctors and coaches can understand: simple, interpretable, but powerful enough to prevent injury.” Her AI-enhanced Cox Model is one of the standout presentations at MathSport 2025. From Pool to Policy Alwin de Prins, a three-time Olympic swimmer and now Director of LIHPS, reflects on what's changed since his competitive days: “I never had this level of support as an athlete. Now, our goal is to optimise not just performance, but well-being and life after sport.” His mission includes dual career planning, athlete health, and placing Luxembourg firmly on the map as a sporting—and scientific—nation. Why Luxembourg? Why Now? Professor Christophe Ley, the heart of this year's conference, pulled it all together: “Sport is full of data. We want to extract meaning from it—not just for medals, but for health, safety, and strategy.” With keynote talks ranging from sports analytics to injury prevention and economics, MathSport 2025 puts Luxembourg at the centre of a growing global movement: data-driven sport. https://www.linkedin.com/in/alwindeprins/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/christophe-ley-b71607166/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/romain-seil-9952172a/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/thorbenhuelsduenker/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/katarzyna-szczerba-4402b9192/ Get in touch  Tune in to The Lisa Burke Show on Today Radio Saturdays at 11am, Sundays at noon, and Tuesdays at 11am. Watch on RTL Play. Subscribe, rate, and review the podcast on Apple or Spotify!

From Olympic training to injury prevention, Luxembourg hosts the world's brightest minds to prove why maths might just be sport's secret superpower. After a round-up of mid-week news with Sasha Kehoe, my guests this week are: - Prof. Christophe Ley – Main organiser of MathSport International; leads the Modelling, Interdisciplinary Research, Data Science, Applied Mathematics and Statistics group at the University of Luxembourg.  - Prof. Romain Seil – World-renowned orthopaedic knee surgeon, IOC advisor, Director of the Neurosciences and Musculoskeletal Diseases Division at Centre Hospitalier de Luxembourg; co-founder of the European Society of Sports Traumatology, knee Surgery and Arthroscopy - ESSKA's Pediatric ACL registry and previous President of ESSKA, amongst many other organisations. - Prof. Thorben Hülsdünker – Professor in Performance Neuroscience and Sport Neurophysiology, Head of the Neurophysiology and Motor Control Research Area at LUNEX. - Alwin de Prins – Former Olympian and Managing Director at the Luxembourg Institute for High Performance in Sports (LIHPS) - Katarzyna Szczerba – PhD student with Prof. Ley, using machine learning with medical data to best use this data for injury prevention, and much more.  This week on The Lisa Burke Show, we dive deep into a blend of brain and brawn as Luxembourg hosts the 11th International MathSport Conference. While it may sound niche, what's unfolding here could revolutionise how athletes train, recover—and even avoid career-ending injuries. And not just athletes as many injuries are caused by people unprepared for activities they undertake once a year, such as skiing. Held from June 4–6 in the Coque and LUNEX University, the conference unites elite athletes, data scientists, surgeons and policymakers to explore how mathematics, data science and AI are transforming global sport. A Surgeon's Warning Professor Romain Seil, Luxembourg's globally celebrated knee specialist, put it bluntly: "If I could ban two sports for injury prevention, it would be football and alpine skiing." His data from years in the operating room is compelling. ACL injuries are devastating, often leading to early joint replacements. Professor Seil hopes we can increasingly pool real data to reform training, and embed prevention strategies from grass-roots to Olympic levels. “Coaches often don't realise the long-term damage until multiple players are injured. Data is how we change that.” Brains Behind the Brawn Professor Thorben Hülsdünker of LUNEX added another dimension with a focus on the connection of our body with our brain. He studies the neurophysiology of elite performance, from how athletes see and react, and how training can rewire the brain. “The brain is the next frontier of sports training,” he said. “Understanding it will define the next generation of champions.” Prof Hülsdünker knows that the best training targets both muscles and minds, combining sport science with neuroscience. AI Gets Personal PhD student AI-enhanced Cox Model blends machine learning with statistical models to predict runner injuries, and other medical issues, before they happen. “We're building tools that doctors and coaches can understand: simple, interpretable, but powerful enough to prevent injury.” Her AI-enhanced Cox Model is one of the standout presentations at MathSport 2025. From Pool to Policy Alwin de Prins, a three-time Olympic swimmer and now Director of LIHPS, reflects on what's changed since his competitive days: “I never had this level of support as an athlete. Now, our goal is to optimise not just performance, but well-being and life after sport.” His mission includes dual career planning, athlete health, and placing Luxembourg firmly on the map as a sporting—and scientific—nation. Why Luxembourg? Why Now? Professor Christophe Ley, the heart of this year's conference, pulled it all together: “Sport is full of data. We want to extract meaning from it—not just for medals, but for health, safety, and strategy.” With keynote talks ranging from sports analytics to injury prevention and economics, MathSport 2025 puts Luxembourg at the centre of a growing global movement: data-driven sport. https://www.linkedin.com/in/alwindeprins/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/christophe-ley-b71607166/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/romain-seil-9952172a/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/thorbenhuelsduenker/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/katarzyna-szczerba-4402b9192/ Get in touch  Tune in to The Lisa Burke Show on Today Radio Saturdays at 11am, Sundays at noon, and Tuesdays at 11am. Watch on RTL Play. Subscribe, rate, and review the podcast on Apple or Spotify!

How can Europe reshape its place in the Space world to take more autonomy? We began this week's episode of The Lisa Burke Show with Sasha Kehoe's round-up of global news. From the diplomatic unease surrounding Donald Trump's controversial allegations against South Africa, to critical updates on humanitarian aid delays in Gaza and Luxembourg's shifting pension policies. The segment also touched on CargoLux's heartwarming mission rescuing two brown bears, and the growing geopolitical stature of Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni internationally.  Europe's place in the Space Economy François Leproux has just published his second book on space: 'La nouvelle conquête spatiale: quelle place pour l'Europe face au NewSpace?', and he brought a passionate perspective on why Europe must reclaim ambition in crewed spaceflight. A space engineer and author, François is building on his first book about the Hermes shuttle. He believes that Europe has the technical foundation, through Ariane rockets, industrial expertise, and past collaborations on the ISS, to lead independently. Yet without a sovereign crewed space program, François warns that Europe risks becoming irrelevant in the geopolitical narrative of space exploration. His call is urgent: invest in autonomy, unify internally, and inspire a new generation with human-led missions. Joining us online from Paris, Aurélie Bressollette, CEO of Latitude, offered a commercial lens on the space economy. With a formidable background at Airbus, OHB, and Redwire, Aurélie now leads a company pioneering dedicated satellite launch services. She debunked the myth of cost-per-kilo dominance by SpaceX, advocating instead for an ‘Uber-to-the-stars' solution that prioritises mission specificity over brute launch mass. Her view: Europe's competitive edge lies not just in technology, but in agility, customer responsiveness, and institutional backing that can support nimble NewSpace players. With strategic orbits like sun-synchronous within reach, her optimism is grounded in engineering reality. Dr. Laetitia Cesari completed our stellar panel with her legal and policy insight into outer space governance. A practitioner and researcher with expertise in cybersecurity, in-orbit servicing, and the upcoming EU Space Act, Laetitia emphasised the complexity of coordinating Europe's multi-layered space apparatus. ESA, the EU, and national agencies must align more efficiently, she said, if Europe is to compete with faster-moving powers. Defense, though historically out of ESA's remit, is now tightly interwoven with space policy, as satellites become essential for secure communication and surveillance. Laetitia's insights highlighted how law and policy are not just supporting acts, but mission-critical elements. Whether through political will, commercial innovation, or regulatory harmonisation, the message was clear: Europe has the tools and must now use them strategically. The ISS is nearing retirement, Artemis is Moon-bound, and commercial stations are on the horizon. If Europe doesn't step up, it risks becoming a subcontractor in a future it should be helping to lead. Contact Lisa here https://www.linkedin.com/in/lisa-burke-4272276/?originalSubdomain=lu http://www.linkedin.com/in/françois-leproux-63347263 https://www.deboecksuperieur.com/livre/9782807369757-la-nouvelle-conquete-spatiale https://www.editions-jpo.com/fr/accueil/228-hermes-une-ambition-en-heritage-9782373011395.html https://www.linkedin.com/in/aur%C3%A9lie-bressollette-06b7598/details/education/ https://www.degaullefleurance.com/annuaire/laetitia-cesari/

This week on The Lisa Burke Show, a powerhouse panel of experts explored Europe's precarious position in the new space race, urging urgent action to reclaim leadership through innovation, unity, and sovereign ambition. We began this week's episode of The Lisa Burke Show with Sasha Kehoe's round-up of global news. From the diplomatic unease surrounding Donald Trump's controversial allegations against South Africa, to critical updates on humanitarian aid delays in Gaza and Luxembourg's shifting pension policies. The segment also touched on CargoLux's heartwarming mission rescuing two brown bears, and the growing geopolitical stature of Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni internationally.  Europe's place in the Space Economy François Leproux has just published his second book on space: 'La nouvelle conquête spatiale: quelle place pour l'Europe face au NewSpace?', and he brought a passionate perspective on why Europe must reclaim ambition in crewed spaceflight. A space engineer and author, François is building on his first book about the Hermes shuttle. He believes that Europe has the technical foundation, through Ariane rockets, industrial expertise, and past collaborations on the ISS, to lead independently. Yet without a sovereign crewed space program, François warns that Europe risks becoming irrelevant in the geopolitical narrative of space exploration. His call is urgent: invest in autonomy, unify internally, and inspire a new generation with human-led missions. Joining us online from Paris, Aurélie Bressollette, CEO of Latitude, offered a commercial lens on the space economy. With a formidable background at Airbus, OHB, and Redwire, Aurélie now leads a company pioneering dedicated satellite launch services. She debunked the myth of cost-per-kilo dominance by SpaceX, advocating instead for an ‘Uber-to-the-stars' solution that prioritises mission specificity over brute launch mass. Her view: Europe's competitive edge lies not just in technology, but in agility, customer responsiveness, and institutional backing that can support nimble NewSpace players. With strategic orbits like sun-synchronous within reach, her optimism is grounded in engineering reality. Dr. Laetitia Cesari completed our stellar panel with her legal and policy insight into outer space governance. A practitioner and researcher with expertise in cybersecurity, in-orbit servicing, and the upcoming EU Space Act, Laetitia emphasised the complexity of coordinating Europe's multi-layered space apparatus. ESA, the EU, and national agencies must align more efficiently, she said, if Europe is to compete with faster-moving powers. Defense, though historically out of ESA's remit, is now tightly interwoven with space policy, as satellites become essential for secure communication and surveillance. Laetitia's insights highlighted how law and policy are not just supporting acts, but mission-critical elements. Whether through political will, commercial innovation, or regulatory harmonisation, the message was clear: Europe has the tools and must now use them strategically. The ISS is nearing retirement, Artemis is Moon-bound, and commercial stations are on the horizon. If Europe doesn't step up, it risks becoming a subcontractor in a future it should be helping to lead. Contact Lisa here https://www.linkedin.com/in/lisa-burke-4272276/?originalSubdomain=lu http://www.linkedin.com/in/françois-leproux-63347263 https://www.deboecksuperieur.com/livre/9782807369757-la-nouvelle-conquete-spatiale https://www.editions-jpo.com/fr/accueil/228-hermes-une-ambition-en-heritage-9782373011395.html https://www.linkedin.com/in/aur%C3%A9lie-bressollette-06b7598/details/education/ https://www.degaullefleurance.com/annuaire/laetitia-cesari/

"The people in the audience looked at the pictures, and the people in the pictures looked back at them. They recognised each other." Edward Steichen Eurovision Mania & World News  After a late night commentating, Meredith Moss comes onto my show this week to talk about the second semi-final, featuring Luxembourg's very own Laura Thorn, who made it through to the finals, to be held on Saturday 17th May in Basel. Sasha Kehoe keeps us abreast of the week's news, which is unceasingly heavy. From Russia-Ukraine talks in Istanbul, to UN relief chief Tom Fletcher's scathing account of Israel's denial of life-saving supplies to be allowed entry into Gaza for over ten weeks, thereby leading to starvation. We also talk about Trump's trip to the Middle East, where the Qatari President gave him a gift of a new Air Force One. In Luxembourg news this week, Prime Minister Luc Frieden announced that Luxembourg will increase its defending spending from €800 million to €1.2 billion by the end of 2025, five years earlier than originally planned. He also unveiled changes to the pension retirement age. Family of Man - Edward Steichen The CNA, Centre National de l'audovisuel International Symposium 2025, will celebrate 70 Years of The Family of Man at Clervaux Castle on Saturday May 24 2025. To talk about the life of Edward Steichen, and the legacy of The Family of Man exhibition, I'm joined by:  Claire di Felice, curator and Head of the Steichen Collections at the Centre national de l'audiovisuel (CNA) in Luxembourg. Gerd Hurm, Professor emeritus of American Literature and Culture at the University of Trier, founding director of the Trier Center for American Studies (TCAS), and advisory board member of the Obama Institute for Transnational American Studies at Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz. He is co-editor of The Family of Man Revisited: Photography in a Global Age and author of a widely acclaimed 2019 biography on Steichen. Emilia Sánchez González is a PhD researcher at the University of Luxembourg's Centre for Contemporary and Digital History (C²DH), working on a new transmedia project - FoMLEG (The Legacy of The Family of Man), exploring its international tour during the Cold War (1955–1963) and its history in Luxembourg since 1965. Edward Steichen - photographer curator In 1955, a visionary Luxembourg-American photographer changed the language of photography and its audience. Edward Steichen, then director of photography at New York's Museum of Modern Art (MoMA), unveiled The Family of Man - an exhibition of 503 black-and-white photographs from 68 countries, curated to tell the story of humanity in all its raw, real, and radiant yet connected beauty. Seven decades later, this exhibition lives on at Clervaux Castle and the story it tells still resonates with global audiences of all ages. A Living Exhibition The Family of Man was revolutionary in 1955 as one of the world's first immersive photo exhibitions, not just displaying images, but using scenography, the visual rhythm and space between photos. “You become the film director of your own human experience”,  explained Professor Hurm. The intention was to remind a post-war world that despite borders and ideologies, we have, first and foremost, a shared humanity and a shared earth. It was as much political as it was poetic. “Steichen understood that the medium of photography could be a tool for peace,” Hurm added. “It was democratic, emotional, and immediate.” Home in Luxembourg For Claire di Felice it's about stewardship. Her role is not just about preserving the work but reactivating it, making it speak again. Having initially studied law, Claire returned to her artistic roots to work alongside her father, renowned curator Paul di Felice. Together they co-founded MAI Photographie, a publishing house for limited-edition artist books. “It's strange,” she smiled, “how you try to leave a path and still end up on it.” The Global South's Forgotten Story Emilia Sánchez González is helping to complete the narrative that The Family of Man began. As part of the FNR-funded FoMLEG project (The Legacy of The Family of Man), she is tracking the exhibition's global tour from 1955–1963, with a special focus on its journey through the Global South — Latin America, Africa, Asia — regions often omitted in Cold War history. “We realised we were missing half the story,” said Emilia. “In Calcutta alone, 29,000 people saw the exhibition in one day. That matters. Their perspectives matter.” Her work highlights active audiences, which is what we all are when we pass through such a curated visual storytelling. Education Through Empathy A major part of the CNA's 70th anniversary programming is educational. With crises of war, displacement, and division growing, The Family of Man offers a visual gateway into empathy-based learning. “We've launched a children's audioguide created by children,” Claire shared, “as well as a platform of activities for schools. The aim is to let children interpret and relate to the images on their own terms.”  This is visual storytelling not just for passive viewing, but for active engagement. And it's working. Edward Steichen's Legacy remains relevant  As Professor Hurm's student recently commented, the photos are all in black and white, but they have so much colour. The themes of our lives remain the same. We still see our faces in those who lived and walked this earth 70 years ago. https://eurovision.tv/participant/laura-thorn-2025 https://cna.public.lu/fr.html https://www.uni-trier.de/index.php?id=64580

"The people in the audience looked at the pictures, and the people in the pictures looked back at them. They recognised each other." Edward Steichen Eurovision Mania & World News  After a late night commentating, Meredith Moss comes onto my show this week to talk about the second semi-final, featuring Luxembourg's very own Laura Thorn, who made it through to the finals, to be held on Saturday 17th May in Basel. Sasha Kehoe keeps us abreast of the week's news, which is unceasingly heavy. From Russia-Ukraine talks in Istanbul, to UN relief chief Tom Fletcher's scathing account of Israel's denial of life-saving supplies to be allowed entry into Gaza for over ten weeks, thereby leading to starvation. We also talk about Trump's trip to the Middle East, where the Qatari President gave him a gift of a new Air Force One. In Luxembourg news this week, Prime Minister Luc Frieden announced that Luxembourg will increase its defending spending from €800 million to €1.2 billion by the end of 2025, five years earlier than originally planned. He also unveiled changes to the pension retirement age. Family of Man - Edward Steichen The CNA, Centre National de l'audovisuel International Symposium 2025, will celebrate 70 Years of The Family of Man at Clervaux Castle on Saturday May 24 2025. To talk about the life of Edward Steichen, and the legacy of The Family of Man exhibition, I'm joined by:  Claire di Felice, curator and Head of the Steichen Collections at the Centre national de l'audiovisuel (CNA) in Luxembourg. Gerd Hurm, Professor emeritus of American Literature and Culture at the University of Trier, founding director of the Trier Center for American Studies (TCAS), and advisory board member of the Obama Institute for Transnational American Studies at Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz. He is co-editor of The Family of Man Revisited: Photography in a Global Age and author of a widely acclaimed 2019 biography on Steichen. Emilia Sánchez González is a PhD researcher at the University of Luxembourg's Centre for Contemporary and Digital History (C²DH), working on a new transmedia project - FoMLEG (The Legacy of The Family of Man), exploring its international tour during the Cold War (1955–1963) and its history in Luxembourg since 1965. Edward Steichen - photographer curator In 1955, a visionary Luxembourg-American photographer changed the language of photography and its audience. Edward Steichen, then director of photography at New York's Museum of Modern Art (MoMA), unveiled The Family of Man - an exhibition of 503 black-and-white photographs from 68 countries, curated to tell the story of humanity in all its raw, real, and radiant yet connected beauty. Seven decades later, this exhibition lives on at Clervaux Castle and the story it tells still resonates with global audiences of all ages. A Living Exhibition The Family of Man was revolutionary in 1955 as one of the world's first immersive photo exhibitions, not just displaying images, but using scenography, the visual rhythm and space between photos. “You become the film director of your own human experience”,  explained Professor Hurm. The intention was to remind a post-war world that despite borders and ideologies, we have, first and foremost, a shared humanity and a shared earth. It was as much political as it was poetic. “Steichen understood that the medium of photography could be a tool for peace,” Hurm added. “It was democratic, emotional, and immediate.” Home in Luxembourg For Claire di Felice it's about stewardship. Her role is not just about preserving the work but reactivating it, making it speak again. Having initially studied law, Claire returned to her artistic roots to work alongside her father, renowned curator Paul di Felice. Together they co-founded MAI Photographie, a publishing house for limited-edition artist books. “It's strange,” she smiled, “how you try to leave a path and still end up on it.” The Global South's Forgotten Story Emilia Sánchez González is helping to complete the narrative that The Family of Man began. As part of the FNR-funded FoMLEG project (The Legacy of The Family of Man), she is tracking the exhibition's global tour from 1955–1963, with a special focus on its journey through the Global South — Latin America, Africa, Asia — regions often omitted in Cold War history. “We realised we were missing half the story,” said Emilia. “In Calcutta alone, 29,000 people saw the exhibition in one day. That matters. Their perspectives matter.” Her work highlights active audiences, which is what we all are when we pass through such a curated visual storytelling. Education Through Empathy A major part of the CNA's 70th anniversary programming is educational. With crises of war, displacement, and division growing, The Family of Man offers a visual gateway into empathy-based learning. “We've launched a children's audioguide created by children,” Claire shared, “as well as a platform of activities for schools. The aim is to let children interpret and relate to the images on their own terms.”  This is visual storytelling not just for passive viewing, but for active engagement. And it's working. Edward Steichen's Legacy remains relevant  As Professor Hurm's student recently commented, the photos are all in black and white, but they have so much colour. The themes of our lives remain the same. We still see our faces in those who lived and walked this earth 70 years ago. https://eurovision.tv/participant/laura-thorn-2025 https://cna.public.lu/fr.html https://www.uni-trier.de/index.php?id=64580

The story of six entrepreneurs' bold pivot into climate action to spark a global movement investing in real decarbonizing solutions. Arthur Auboeuf: Social Stardom to Team for the Planet Arthur Auboeuf was born in a tiny village near Geneva. Whilst a young student, in his spare time, he built an incredible social business with viral humor and music communities online, ultimately reaching over 10 million followers. He sold these ventures young and became part of the entrepreneurial elite of Europe. But despite his monetary and social success, Auboeuf felt increasingly disillusioned as he saw his talents serve fleeting digital addiction rather than lasting impact. Witnessing climate change devastate his childhood ski slopes and forests ignited a deeper purpose, to use his entrepreneurial toolkit not for profit, but for the planet. Team for the Planet: A Business Model to Battle Climate Change Founded in 2019 by Auboeuf and five fellow entrepreneurs, Team for the Planet is a mission-driven company using the power of collective intelligence and capital to detect, fund and scale the world's most impactful decarbonizing innovations. Unlike traditional funds, TFTP is not for profit. Anyone, from students to CEOs, can become a shareholder for just €1, helping to select innovations, assess their global potential, and bring them to market. The goal is to identify tech (or even low/no-tech) solutions that already exist but haven't scaled—and give them the entrepreneurial engine to do so. My guests today also include Emma Scribe, Head of Major Investors, and Geoffrey Crofte, shareholder + evaluator. Crowd-Powered Climate Action What makes Team for the Planet different is its radical openness. With over 128,000 shareholders worldwide, the community isn't just a passive group of donors, it's an army of trained evaluators, investors, and ambassadors. All over the world, from developers to designers, people contribute time, skills, and capital. Together, they've reviewed over 1,600 innovations, leading to investment in 13 climate-tech companies. These solutions range from wave-powered energy to CO₂-to-sand conversion, all aimed at cutting emissions on a global scale. The Climate Dividend: Profit in Planetary Terms Forget financial ROI. TFTP invented the Climate Dividend—a metric that tells shareholders exactly how many tons of CO₂ their investment has avoided or captured. This indicator, developed in partnership with institutions like ADEME and recognised by the UN, enables investors to measure real climate impact rather than hypothetical financial returns. It's become a tool used by over 100 funds to track the environmental performance of their portfolios. Open-Source Innovation, Shared Globally Team for the Planet doesn't just scale green startups—it shares their tech freely. Once a company is funded and functioning, its innovation is made open source, allowing any business to adopt it. In return, those adopters must report usage (to calculate CO₂ impact) and share improvements. This bold model ensures that breakthrough solutions don't stay locked in one market or one monopoly—they ripple out globally for maximum effect. Luxembourg's investment of people and business Though still in early days, Luxembourg is an exciting frontier for TFTP. With only a few hundred shareholders, the country's financial ecosystem, global talent mix, and green ambitions make it a strategic springboard. Local scientists like Thomas Gibon are already involved, and companies like Circu Li-ion have adopted the Climate Dividend metric. In Auboeuf's words, “Luxembourg is a green field” waiting to be cultivated. How You Can Join Whether you're a student, scientist, investor, or want to make a difference, there's a role for you at Team for the Planet. You can invest money, time, or expertise. You can become an evaluator, reader, or ambassador. Or you can simply buy a €1 share and know you're part of something that has already avoided 40,000 tons of CO₂—a figure equal to 40,000 Paris–New York flights. Connect & Learn More

The story of six entrepreneurs' bold pivot into climate action to spark a global movement investing in real decarbonising solutions. Arthur Auboeuf: Social Stardom to Team for the Planet Arthur Auboeuf was born in a tiny village near Geneva. Whilst a young student, in his spare time, he built an incredible social business with viral humor and music communities online, ultimately reaching over 10 million followers. He sold these ventures young and became part of the entrepreneurial elite of Europe. But despite his monetary and social success, Auboeuf felt increasingly disillusioned as he saw his talents serve fleeting digital addiction rather than lasting impact. Witnessing climate change devastate his childhood ski slopes and forests ignited a deeper purpose, to use his entrepreneurial toolkit not for profit, but for the planet. Team for the Planet: A Business Model to Battle Climate Change Founded in 2019 by Auboeuf and five fellow entrepreneurs, Team for the Planet is a mission-driven company using the power of collective intelligence and capital to detect, fund and scale the world's most impactful decarbonizing innovations. Unlike traditional funds, TFTP is not for profit. Anyone, from students to CEOs, can become a shareholder for just €1, helping to select innovations, assess their global potential, and bring them to market. The goal is to identify tech (or even low/no-tech) solutions that already exist but haven't scaled—and give them the entrepreneurial engine to do so. My guests today also include Emma Scribe, Head of Major Investors, and Geoffrey Crofte, shareholder + evaluator. Crowd-Powered Climate Action What makes Team for the Planet different is its radical openness. With over 128,000 shareholders worldwide, the community isn't just a passive group of donors, it's an army of trained evaluators, investors, and ambassadors. All over the world, from developers to designers, people contribute time, skills, and capital. Together, they've reviewed over 1,600 innovations, leading to investment in 13 climate-tech companies. These solutions range from wave-powered energy to CO₂-to-sand conversion, all aimed at cutting emissions on a global scale. The Climate Dividend: Profit in Planetary Terms Forget financial ROI. TFTP invented the Climate Dividend—a metric that tells shareholders exactly how many tons of CO₂ their investment has avoided or captured. This indicator, developed in partnership with institutions like ADEME and recognised by the UN, enables investors to measure real climate impact rather than hypothetical financial returns. It's become a tool used by over 100 funds to track the environmental performance of their portfolios. Open-Source Innovation, Shared Globally Team for the Planet doesn't just scale green startups—it shares their tech freely. Once a company is funded and functioning, its innovation is made open source, allowing any business to adopt it. In return, those adopters must report usage (to calculate CO₂ impact) and share improvements. This bold model ensures that breakthrough solutions don't stay locked in one market or one monopoly—they ripple out globally for maximum effect. Luxembourg's investment of people and business Though still in early days, Luxembourg is an exciting frontier for TFTP. With only a few hundred shareholders, the country's financial ecosystem, global talent mix, and green ambitions make it a strategic springboard. Local scientists like Thomas Gibon are already involved, and companies like Circu Li-ion have adopted the Climate Dividend metric. In Auboeuf's words, “Luxembourg is a green field” waiting to be cultivated. How You Can Join Whether you're a student, scientist, investor, or want to make a difference, there's a role for you at Team for the Planet. You can invest money, time, or expertise. You can become an evaluator, reader, or ambassador. Or you can simply buy a €1 share and know you're part of something that has already avoided 40,000 tons of CO₂—a figure equal to 40,000 Paris–New York flights. Connect & Learn More

From World News to Crypto Frontiers, my guests this week are Sasha Kehoe and Christopher Jack This week I'm delighted to have Sasha Kehoe back on the show with her signature news roundup. From the passing of Pope Francis and its global significance to lighter stories about Luxembourg's driving habits and the latest tech marvels. Christopher Jack, Programme Manager at the Cambridge Digital Assets Programme, joins us to unravel the fascinating history of finance in Luxembourg, from its steel roots to its rise as a global financial powerhouse and its bold leap into the world of digital assets and crypto. Sasha Kehoe's News Roundup Sasha Kehoe is back on the show, much to the delight of listeners who've missed her warmth. We discuss the passing of Pope Francis, its impact on Luxembourg and the world, and speculation that Cardinal Hollerich is a contender. The ongoing Ukraine conflict is ever-present with more difficult news this week. For a lighter touch, Sasha dives into studies on Luxembourg's drivers (we don't fair well), the emotional bonds between dogs and their owners, and Kawasaki's futuristic ride-on robot lion-proof that the future is closer than we think! Christopher Jack: Luxembourg's Financial Evolution and the Digital Asset Revolution Christopher Jack takes us on a quick journey through the evolution of money. He explains the three pillars of money - means of exchange, unit of account, and store of value, and most especially how trust underpins every financial system, from ancient bartering to today's digital currencies. Christopher then unpacks why Luxembourg became a financial hub. In the 1970s, as the steel industry declined, Luxembourg pivoted fast, offering attractive tax laws and regulatory clarity. The listing of the first Eurobond in 1963 and the adoption of the UCITS directive in 1988 cemented Luxembourg's status as a global financial centre, now managing over $7 trillion in assets. Looking ahead, Christopher explores Luxembourg's push into digital assets and crypto. With pioneering blockchain laws and the EU's MiCA regulation, Luxembourg is positioning itself at the forefront of the digital finance revolution. Tokenization, stablecoins, and new regulatory frameworks promise to democratize investment and reshape global markets-if the country can balance innovation with robust oversight. Luxembourg's necessity to adapt fast, stay stable and secure Luxembourg's story is one of adaptation and trust. Its future as a financial leader depends on attracting top talent, fostering innovation, and staying agile in a rapidly changing world. https://www.linkedin.com/in/christopher-jack-3953b2142/ https://www.jbs.cam.ac.uk/faculty-research/centres/alternative-finance/the-digital-assets-programme/ https://www.jbs.cam.ac.uk/faculty-research/centres/alternative-finance/

From World News to Crypto Frontiers, my guests this week are Sasha Kehoe and Christopher Jack, who gives us a quick history of money, how Luxembourg became a financial centre and what the country needs to do next, with digital assets. This week I'm delighted to have Sasha Kehoe back on the show with her signature news roundup. From the passing of Pope Francis and its global significance to lighter stories about Luxembourg's driving habits and the latest tech marvels. Christopher Jack, Programme Manager at the Cambridge Digital Assets Programme, joins us to unravel the fascinating history of finance in Luxembourg, from its steel roots to its rise as a global financial powerhouse and its bold leap into the world of digital assets and crypto. Sasha Kehoe's News Roundup Sasha Kehoe is back on the show, much to the delight of listeners who've missed her warmth. We discuss the passing of Pope Francis, its impact on Luxembourg and the world, and speculation that Cardinal Hollerich is a contender. The ongoing Ukraine conflict is ever-present with more difficult news this week. For a lighter touch, Sasha dives into studies on Luxembourg's drivers (we don't fair well), the emotional bonds between dogs and their owners, and Kawasaki's futuristic ride-on robot lion-proof that the future is closer than we think! Christopher Jack: Luxembourg's Financial Evolution and the Digital Asset Revolution Christopher Jack takes us on a quick journey through the evolution of money. He explains the three pillars of money - means of exchange, unit of account, and store of value, and most especially how trust underpins every financial system, from ancient bartering to today's digital currencies. Christopher then unpacks why Luxembourg became a financial hub. In the 1970s, as the steel industry declined, Luxembourg pivoted fast, offering attractive tax laws and regulatory clarity. The listing of the first Eurobond in 1963 and the adoption of the UCITS directive in 1988 cemented Luxembourg's status as a global financial centre, now managing over $7 trillion in assets. Looking ahead, Christopher explores Luxembourg's push into digital assets and crypto. With pioneering blockchain laws and the EU's MiCA regulation, Luxembourg is positioning itself at the forefront of the digital finance revolution. Tokenization, stablecoins, and new regulatory frameworks promise to democratize investment and reshape global markets-if the country can balance innovation with robust oversight. Luxembourg's necessity to adapt fast, stay stable and secure Luxembourg's story is one of adaptation and trust. Its future as a financial leader depends on attracting top talent, fostering innovation, and staying agile in a rapidly changing world. https://www.linkedin.com/in/christopher-jack-3953b2142/ https://www.jbs.cam.ac.uk/faculty-research/centres/alternative-finance/the-digital-assets-programme/ https://www.jbs.cam.ac.uk/faculty-research/centres/alternative-finance/

This Easter on The Lisa Burke Show, neuroscientist and newly baptised Christian Baroness Susan Greenfield reflects on a life of scientific discovery, spiritual awakening, and the enduring quest to understand consciousness. In this exclusive for The Lisa Burke Show, we welcome one of the most visionary minds of our time—a scientist, entrepreneur, author, and House of Lords peer who has dedicated her life to researching the brain and consciousness, and now journeys inward toward faith. This Easter Sunday, as the season of renewal and rebirth arrives, it is a profound privilege to share with you a conversation that speaks to the mind and the soul, with a science icon of mine. For the first time, newly baptised Baroness Susan Greenfield will mark this Easter as a Christian. Classics to Pharmacology Baroness Susan Greenfield began her intellectual life immersed in Ancient Greek and Latin thanks to an inspirational teacher, and it was there that the seeds of her fierce curiosity took root. For Susan, the Classics developed a rigorously disciplined way of thinking: a mental gymnasium that trained her to ask the deepest questions of what it means to be human. “The Romans and Greeks dealt with love, fate, identity - questions we still grapple with. We've advanced technologically, but philosophically? Not much.” This foundation in classics led her, perhaps surprisingly, into science. Encouraged by a bold Oxford pharmacologist who told her she could “tell us about Homer during the coffee break,” despite not knowing the basics of chemistry, Susan entered neuroscience. Since then, she has gone on to lead research groups at Oxford and founded the biotech company Neuro-Bio Ltd, devoted to early-stage diagnostics and interventions for Alzheimer's disease. Susan is also affiliated with the Oxford Institute of Population Ageing, where she confronts one of our century's greatest challenges: how to extend our health span, alongside lifespan. Alzheimer's, Cognitive Capital & Consciousness The Alzheimer's research Susan leads is revolutionary. She and her team have devoted over 40 years to identifying molecules that could stop neuronal death potentially before symptoms even begin. With a latency window of 10 to 20 years between brain degeneration and visible symptoms, Susan envisions a three-step screening model, starting at home, to catch the disease early enough for real prevention. Yet she is just as passionate about prevention through lifestyle. Cognitive capital may well be the new GDP. A daily life filled with rich conversation, curiosity and mental stimulation is just as vital to our brains as sleep or diet. “The brain should be part of the school curriculum,” Susan insists. “Ten-year-olds can grasp it. It's their brain, their identity. Why should they wait until university?” Susan's take on consciousness brings us to a realm we haven't quite been able to grasp yet in words or measurement. “It's subjective, immeasurable… and that makes it terrifying for many scientists.” She distinguishes between the brain, the mind and consciousness. And then there is the soul. Faith and the Soul “I think the riddle of consciousness is somehow tied up with what we call the soul,” she muses, a space she now embraces more openly. Raised in a home divided between Jewish and Christian grandparents, married to a self-proclaimed atheist, Susan has now found faith in her own way. “I feel a deeper sensitivity to faith now,” she confides. “I believe in God more than I used to.” Her faith journey culminated in a quiet baptism last year. “This Easter,” she says, “feels like my first.” For a neuroscientist whose every instinct is to explore and analyse, this act of surrender is to someone bigger than oneself. It doesn't conflict with her science; it deepens it. “Consciousness may vary in degrees,” she says, “like sleep or anaesthesia. So why not faith?” Female leadership A scientist style icon, Susan has always been unapologetically herself. “I cultivated my look as a kind of armour,” she explains, “but it also reflects who I am—curious, expressive, unwilling to conform.” Now as a CEO, Susan calls on all of us, especially women, to invest, support, and mentor. Indeed, only 2% of venture capital still goes to women. “Leadership,” she says, “is about vision, not control. It's about showing what's possible.” She embodies this truth in every aspect of her life—from the lab to the Lords. Legacy is in addressing the big questions In reflecting on her legacy, Susan doesn't cite awards. She returns, instead, to the passion of discovery. “Just doing the science is the reward,” she says, echoing physicist Richard Feynman. And to young people unsure of their path, she offers the same wisdom that has shaped her own life: don't be afraid to ask the big questions. “It's better to ask some of the questions than to know all the answers.” Happy Easter in whatever way you plan to spend the weekend. To follow more from Susan Greenfield:


A deeply personal and philosophical journey through science, identity and newfound faith. In this exclusive for The Lisa Burke Show, we welcome one of the most visionary minds of our time—a scientist, entrepreneur, author, and House of Lords peer who has dedicated her life to researching the brain and consciousness, and now journeys inward toward faith. This Easter Sunday, as the season of renewal and rebirth arrives, it is a profound privilege to share with you a conversation that speaks to the mind and the soul, with a science icon of mine. For the first time, newly baptised Baroness Susan Greenfield will mark this Easter as a Christian. Classics to Pharmacology Baroness Susan Greenfield began her intellectual life immersed in Ancient Greek and Latin thanks to an inspirational teacher, and it was there that the seeds of her fierce curiosity took root. For Susan, the Classics developed a rigorously disciplined way of thinking: a mental gymnasium that trained her to ask the deepest questions of what it means to be human. “The Romans and Greeks dealt with love, fate, identity - questions we still grapple with. We've advanced technologically, but philosophically? Not much.” This foundation in classics led her, perhaps surprisingly, into science. Encouraged by a bold Oxford pharmacologist who told her she could “tell us about Homer during the coffee break,” despite not knowing the basics of chemistry, Susan entered neuroscience. Since then, she has gone on to lead research groups at Oxford and founded the biotech company Neuro-Bio Ltd, devoted to early-stage diagnostics and interventions for Alzheimer's disease. Susan is also affiliated with the Oxford Institute of Population Ageing, where she confronts one of our century's greatest challenges: how to extend our health span, alongside lifespan. Alzheimer's, Cognitive Capital & Consciousness The Alzheimer's research Susan leads is revolutionary. She and her team have devoted over 40 years to identifying molecules that could stop neuronal death potentially before symptoms even begin. With a latency window of 10 to 20 years between brain degeneration and visible symptoms, Susan envisions a three-step screening model, starting at home, to catch the disease early enough for real prevention. Yet she is just as passionate about prevention through lifestyle. Cognitive capital may well be the new GDP. A daily life filled with rich conversation, curiosity and mental stimulation is just as vital to our brains as sleep or diet. “The brain should be part of the school curriculum,” Susan insists. “Ten-year-olds can grasp it. It's their brain, their identity. Why should they wait until university?” Susan's take on consciousness brings us to a realm we haven't quite been able to grasp yet in words or measurement. “It's subjective, immeasurable… and that makes it terrifying for many scientists.” She distinguishes between the brain, the mind and consciousness. And then there is the soul. Faith and the Soul “I think the riddle of consciousness is somehow tied up with what we call the soul,” she muses, a space she now embraces more openly. Raised in a home divided between Jewish and Christian grandparents, married to a self-proclaimed atheist, Susan has now found faith in her own way. “I feel a deeper sensitivity to faith now,” she confides. “I believe in God more than I used to.” Her faith journey culminated in a quiet baptism last year. “This Easter,” she says, “feels like my first.” For a neuroscientist whose every instinct is to explore and analyse, this act of surrender is to someone bigger than oneself. It doesn't conflict with her science; it deepens it. “Consciousness may vary in degrees,” she says, “like sleep or anaesthesia. So why not faith?” Female leadership A scientist style icon, Susan has always been unapologetically herself. “I cultivated my look as a kind of armour,” she explains, “but it also reflects who I am—curious, expressive, unwilling to conform.” Now as a CEO, Susan calls on all of us, especially women, to invest, support, and mentor. Indeed, only 2% of venture capital still goes to women. “Leadership,” she says, “is about vision, not control. It's about showing what's possible.” She embodies this truth in every aspect of her life—from the lab to the Lords. Legacy is in addressing the big questions In reflecting on her legacy, Susan doesn't cite awards. She returns, instead, to the passion of discovery. “Just doing the science is the reward,” she says, echoing physicist Richard Feynman. And to young people unsure of their path, she offers the same wisdom that has shaped her own life: don't be afraid to ask the big questions. “It's better to ask some of the questions than to know all the answers.” Happy Easter in whatever way you plan to spend the weekend. To follow more from Susan Greenfield:


This week we dig into life's big questions: how to love, laugh & financially flourish in a world that seems to be doing its best to keep us off balance On my show this week I have a medley of minds and hearts to tackle life's most elusive pursuits: purpose, prosperity and punchlines. From the philosophy of love to economic psychology, and a sprinkle of comedy to bind it all together, the episode was a bouquet of unexpected wisdom. First up, Rick Serrano, philosopher, engineer, and Harvard MBA, returned with his relationship roadmap now available in book form: “All You Need is 10 Cherries.”  This method to finding one's perfect life partner offers a structured framework to navigate your options —five cherries for self-awareness and five for action. From recognising doubts and defining values to the financial equivalent of the ‘Sunk Love Fallacy.' Rick urges us to approach relationships with the same discipline we apply to business. One of his main principles can be summarised here: “If you were not in this relationship today, would you enter it? If the answer is no, you already know what to do.” Rick's philosophy stretches beyond romance. His new workshop “The Quest for Meaning – Unveiling Your Life's Purpose” invites participants to envision their lives in 2040, both with current constraints and without. He combines forward vision with retrospective reflection, helping people identify patterns, possibilities, and pathways to an extraordinary life because he believes we owe ourselves nothing less. The theme of self-reclamation was echoed by comedians Jess Bauldry and Marta Correia, co-founders of Frilly Curtains Comedy Club and Festrogen Festival. They spoke of comedy as a healing force, particularly for women reclaiming their identity after traumatic life events such as divorce. Marta shared a poignant story of reading her “letter to the universe” onstage from which an audience member came up to her afterwards and told her that was how she found her own husband! Sophie Jablonski and Minna Schmidt of Flourish Financially joined once more to bring a fresh, empathetic take on economic empowerment with the “Four Seasons of Financial Health”. Spring is a time for planting seeds of confidence in a VUCA world (Volatile, Uncertain, Complex, Ambiguous). The goal is to cultivate financial resilience, emotional steadiness, and long-term thinking amid global instability. Why is it that many financially savvy women don't invest. Fear, uncertainty and emotional barriers seem to be the recurring reasons. Sophie and Minna work with women to integrate personal development with financial literacy. They believe it's about knowing yourself and acting with intention, especially during turbulent times. So, whether you're rethinking your savings strategy, relationship status, or life purpose, hopefully this episode can serve as a catalyst to seek out your extra-ordinary life with intention. But first, clean your airplane. Attend the upcoming Festrogen Festival in Luxembourg here. A gift to explore your Financial Wellbeing Flourish Financially are happy to offer my listeners access to their exclusive self-assessment tool, the Financial Flourishing Scale. Grounded in research from positive psychology and financial resilience, it helps individuals reflect on their current relationship with money—whether they're thriving, surviving, or languishing. https://bit.ly/flourishing-scale https://www.linkedin.com/in/rick-serrano-luxembourg/ https://festrogenfestival.com/ https://www.instagram.com/comicbyaccident/ https://www.instagram.com/frillycurtainscomedy/ https://drsophiecoaching.com/ https://www.minnaschmidt.com/ https://flourishfinancially.org/