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It's Day 3 of IAAPA Expo Europe, and this episode of Skip the Queue brings you insights from industry leaders. Hear from Andreas Andersen (Liseberg), Peter van der Schans (IAAPA EMEA), Laura Read (Marwell Zoo), Aaron Wilson (ProSlide), and Robbi Jones (Katapult) on resilience, creativity, and the future of attractions.Skip the Queue is brought to you by Rubber Cheese, a digital agency that builds remarkable systems and websites for attractions that helps them increase their visitor numbers. Your host is Paul Marden, with co host Andy Povey and roving reporter Claire Furnival.If you like what you hear, you can subscribe on iTunes, Spotify, and all the usual channels by searching Skip the Queue or visit our website SkiptheQueue.fm.If you've enjoyed this podcast, please leave us a five star review, it really helps others find us. And remember to follow us on LinkedIn. Show references:  https://www.liseberg.se/en/https://www.linkedin.com/in/andreas-veilstrup-andersen/Andreas Veilstrup Andersen is the CEO and President of the Liseberg Group, Sweden – operating one of Scandinavia's most visited amusement parks. Andreas has a legal and financial background and has been working in the amusement park industry since 2000.  First in several capacities at Tivoli Gardens in Copenhagen, Denmark, later as Vice President of European operations at IAAPA EMEA in Brussels, Belgium. Andreas was the 2018 Chairman of IAAPA. He currently holds board positions at Farup Sommerland and Alsik Hotel in Denmark, as well as Momentum Leisure and Leo's Lekland, Europe's largest chain of FEC's. Andreas is heading up IAAPA's sustainability initiatives, and occasionally blogs on https://reflections.liseberg.se/.Plus, live from the Day 3 of the IAAPA Expo Europe show floor, we catch up with:Aaron Wilson - Vice President, Business Development Europe & Latin America, Proslide Technologyhttps://www.proslide.com/https://www.linkedin.com/in/aaronlouiswilson/Robbie Jones - Insights Director, Katapaulthttps://www.katapult.co.uk/https://www.linkedin.com/in/mrrobbiejones/Peter van der Schans - Executive Director & Vice President, IAAPA EMEAhttps://iaapa.org/expos-and-events/expo-europehttps://www.linkedin.com/in/peter-van-der-schans-87715717/Laura Read - Chief Executive, Marwell Zoohttps://www.marwell.org.uk/https://www.linkedin.com/in/laura-read-she-her-98110726/ Transcriptions:  Paul Marden: Welcome to Skip the Queue, the podcast about the world's best attractions and the amazing people that work in them. I'm your host, Paul Marden, and together with my co-host, Andy Povey, and roving reporter Claire Furnival, we're here at day 3 of IAAPA Expo Europe. On today's show, Andy talks to Andreas Andersen, CEO and President of iseberg Group, about resilience. I meet Peter van der Schans from IAAPA EMEA, and we catch up with Laura Read from Marwell Zoo. First, let's go over to Andy.Andy Povey: So I'm joined now by Andreas Andersen, who's the chief exec of Liseberg, Scandinavia's most visited amusement park. Andreas, welcome to Barcelona. It's very good to see you here. Can you tell the listeners at home a little bit about Liseberg and what you do there?Andreas Andersen:  Sure. So I'm heading up one of the classic regional city-based parks in Northern Europe. So you have Liseberg, you have Tivoli in Copenhagen, you have Kornalund in Stockholm, and Linnanmaki in Helsinki. And we're part of this tradition of parks that have a very strong community base and a long history. Liseberg is 102 years old and three years old. And also parks that represent cultural heritage as well as reflect the cities we're located in. Lovely, lovely regional park in downtown Gothenburg. And if you haven't been, you should come visit.Andy Povey: Absolutely. I must admit, I haven't made it there myself yet. It's on the bucket list. So our theme for today's recording is about recovery and resilience. And recently, in your blog address, you wrote that you feel like for the past four years, you've been in constant crisis mode. Can you tell us a little bit more about that?Andreas Andersen: Well, I think a lot of executives or just people working in this industry can recognise that the last four or five years have been very turbulent, very, very, very volatile.Andreas Andersen: It all started with the pandemic in March 2020, we were at Lisa closed down for 17 months, so we didn't have any any business at all for for 17 months. Then we reopened in the middle of '21, very very hard— you know, with a lot of restrictions and an organisation that had not been you know operating anything for a long time and we also had to let go a lot of people. Then in '22, I think everybody experienced this giant rush, you know, that everybody wanted to get back into the park. So we couldn't really keep up with demand. And that was stressful in a different way. In '23, the market in the Nordics really suffered for some reason. It was a wit, summer and inflation, and interest rates.Andreas Andersen: And everything that went with, you could say, sort of the beginning of an economic downturn. And then, in 2024, our biggest investment, our biggest project expansion in the last 100 years, a large new indoor water park burned down. So it feels like these four or five years has really been this chain of crisis that we've had to get over and manage, basically.Andy Povey: Yeah, I mean, what we're hearing from people on the show floor is that the economic and political unrest that we have all over the Western world is creating some turbulence in the market. So talk to us a little bit more about the fire at Oceania. What happened?Andreas Andersen: We had been building the water park for almost three years, and we were six, seven weeks away from handover. It was some of the last works on the right installation that went wrong. It was a plastic welding that overheated, and these things happen, as you know.Andreas Andersen: Unfortunately, we lost a colleague in the fire and that was basically, you could say, that overshadowed, I would say, everything, especially in the first weeks. Andreas Andersen: That was devastating to all of us and obviously, especially his family. But soon after, we also had to make some decisions. You know, did we want to rebuild? How did we want to rebuild? At what pace? How would we finance? etc. etc. So you also very quickly move into the next phase of a crisis management and that is recovery. And we've been in that phase ever since. Andy Povey: Interesting. It's a devastating situation. I mean, your concern obviously has to be for the team and the people involved— not just those affected directly, but everybody on the floor who feels an emotional impact from this situation. So what tips would you give, as a leader, going through a situation like that, to anyone else listening who may be facing their own challenges?Andreas Andersen:  Well, I think I learned a lot during those weeks and months. And I think I learned that in a crisis, especially of this magnitude, everything becomes very naked. Everything becomes very raw. And you cannot really play a role as a leader. You have to be yourself. You have to be authentic. And it's okay to also show emotions and be caught up in this process of figuring out what to do with the project and the team and yourself when you meet challenges of this severity. Andreas Andersen:  So I would say be yourself, but also recognise that I always say that leadership in a crisis is a little bit like your biggest asset is the confidence that people have in you. And that confidence is something you build up over years. It's a little bit like a bank account that you can then draw on when the crisis hits. But you really have to make sure that you have something on that bank account. You can't borrow confidence. It's not up for loan. So you really, you know, crisis management, from a leadership perspective, actually starts a lot earlier than the crisis. It's about, you know, building a team that works well together, that trusts you and has confidence in you. And then, when the crisis hits, you know, you can draw on that trust, draw on that confidence. So I think that's two of the learnings that I had during this process.Andy Povey: I love the idea of the bank that you can draw on. We're making deposits in our bank every day, not just as a commercial leadership level, but a personal level as well. You need to have that resilience built in yourself. A lovely analogy. And I really love the idea of authenticity. So, if we move on now to talking a little bit more about what we do in an attraction, I think authenticity plays a really big part in that. So, how important is it for you to keep innovating at Liseberg?Andreas Andersen: It's super important because we are in a regional market. I mean, if you look at how our guests are composed, you know, we have 90% Swedish people and then 10%, maybe 12% in a good year from other, especially Nordic countries. But the majority are Swedish and about 60% of our total volume is actually from the local market. And if you want to attract the local market and you want to drive revisitation, Gothenburg is a large city, but it's not a huge city. You have to keep the product fresh. You have to reinvest, reinvent, and constantly adapt. And I think that's actually... part of the, you could say, the formula for these Nordic city-based parks that we've actually had to all reinvent, you know, throughout our history. I mean, Tivoli, that was founded in 1843, it was built by this crazy entrepreneur called Geo Carstensen.Andreas Andersen: And when Tivoli opened on the 15th of August, it was late, it was over budget, and it was not quite finished. And he got a question from a journalist, you know, asking him, you know, when will Tivoli be finished? And his response was, 'Never.' Tivoli will never be finished. And I think, you know, it's almost 200 years ago that he said this, but I think it encompasses sort of the real DNA of our industry that we have to constantly evolve with our guests and reinvent ourselves. And I think, again, that the city, the Nordic city-based parks have really been quite good at that.Andy Povey: Obviously, I mean, Liseberg with 100 years, Tivoli with almost 200 years. There's something good there. You're doing something right. So more recently, you've taken a position with, I'm going to pronounce this awfully, Leo's Lekland. Compare and contrast Liseberg to Europe's largest chain of family entertainment centres?Andreas Andersen:  I mean, there are a lot of similarities and also a lot of differences. I think what is interesting for me, you know, working with Leos is that it's, in many ways, the model is the same. I mean, you pay an entrance fee, you spend a few hours with your family, you may eat a lunch or buy an ice cream or a plush animal. So in many ways, it's the same. But I think, when we're talking about these attractions that are really designed for shorter visits, there is a convenience perspective to them that it's slightly different than, you know, visiting an amusement park or a theme park for a full day. I remember once I had a conversation with one of our competitors in this market, not FECs as such, but, you know, these shorter visits, you know, two, three-hour visit attractions, very often midway attractionsAndreas Andersen: And he said, 'What we sell is actually not.' necessarily an experience, it is two hours spent and I think that's a little bit of a different perspective on an attraction that you actually also go to, Leo's Lekland, to have your kids, you know, be really really tired when they get home, you know, in today's world, where everything is a lot of a lot of stuff is digital and and the kids sit there with their with the tablets and their phones and or their game consoles or they're online with their friends. I think play has a huge and important role to play in the development of motoric and social skills for kids. I think physical play will be something we're going to discuss a lot in the decades to come, because I think we lost a couple of generations the last 20 years. And I think that's a super dangerous thing. So getting back to your question, a lot of similarities, but there are also some differences and I've learned a lot by working with them.Andy Povey: Fantastic. The talk about play really resonates. We lost a year, maybe 18 months through COVID. I have 11-year-old twin girls. I love the idea that me taking them to our local FEC on a Saturday morning so I could recover from a hangover while they went and played was a really positive, good parent thing to do. So thank you for that. We're at the show. What are you looking forward to seeing when you get out on the show floor, when we eventually let you go out on the show floor?Andreas Andersen:  Oh! I very rarely have a plan. I like to just stroll around. Actually, I see it a little bit like visiting an amusement park. You shop for experiences and you see what happens. I think one of the great things about these expos is the fact that, and that's probably what I look most forward to, is that you meet your industry colleagues.Andreas Andersen:  A company like ours, Liseberg, we do not exist; we do not operate within a chain structure. We do not have a corporate mother that knows a lot about what we do. We do not have other parks that we can benchmark with. So these shows is also a little bit a way for us to get out of the bubble and meet other people that work with the same thing as we do. So it's actually not as much the expo floor or the events or the educational program as it is meeting the people. I enjoy.Andy Povey: Andreas, it's been great talking to you. Thank you very much for your time and have a fantastic show.Andreas Andersen:  And I wish you the very same. Thank you.Paul Marden: Now let's head over to the show floor. So we are here on the ProSlide stand, and I'm here with Aaron. Aaron, introduce yourself. Tell us a little bit about ProSlide.Aaron  Wilson: Hi, nice to meet you. Thanks for coming in. I'm Aaron Wilson, Senior Vice President, Business Development, EMEA, with ProSlide. I've been with ProSlide for nine years. We're focused really on the design and innovation of rides. That's where we really form the nucleus of who ProSlide is.Paul Marden: Okay, so what are you launching here at this year's IAAPA?Aaron  Wilson:  Yeah, so let's walk over here to our model table. Where we have a large model of our newest feature, which is the Hive. We actually opened up two rides this year, one at Chimelong in China, the most attended water park in the world. Paul Marden: Wow. Aaron  Wilson:  And that's with a five-person family raft, everyone seated facing each other.Paul Marden: That's amazing. So you're going through this on a five-person ring kind of thing?Aaron  Wilson:  Exactly, a five-person tube. So it's a tight radius helix curve. So as you enter, you're entering into a completely open, basically cathedral space. But as you're dropping and turning very quickly, you're staying really stuck along the outside of the wall, feeling those centrifugal forces. And you have a 360-degree global view. So you're able to look forward, backwards, upwards, down. See everywhere where you came from and where you're headed.Paul Marden: It's amazing, isn't it? Because you've got transparent sides on it. So you can see outside as well.Aaron  Wilson:  Absolutely. And there's a ton of theming potential here. In the middle is a support structure. And so we're working on theming there in the middle, if we can. Special effects around the outside. In this case, it's transparent. Exactly.Paul Marden: You've got some amazing models on the table here. This is one of those rides that you can't really bring to IAAPA and experience in real life because we'd all have to be in our swimmers.Aaron  Wilson:  Unfortunately, yes.Paul Marden: But some amazing, amazing models. What's innovative about this? What's this bringing to the market, which is unusual?Aaron  Wilson:  So you have that 360-degree helix turn. We've completely opened it up. So normally in a turn, you can only see a few meters in front of you. In this case, it's a feature that's completely open as you're making that turn. And so you can see everywhere, right? Up and down, forwards, backwards. And that's really part of the differentiation. But obviously the biggest sensation is actually that experience you feel as you have those centrifugal forces around the outside. With a five-person boat, you're looking at about 800 pounds, and you're whipping around the outside, gaining tons of speed throughout. So it's really exciting. The additional interesting thing about this element is we're also doing a two-person tube and a small compact footprint.Aaron  Wilson:  So it's very adaptable for indoor parks or even outdoor parks that don't have a ton of space. That compact footprint gives a lot of flexibility in the design.Paul Marden: So you've got this in China at the moment, you say?Aaron  Wilson:  Yep, and one in the US. And there are a lot more to come in the next one to two years already programmed and open. So we're really excited about this for the water parks.Paul Marden: That's amazing. So we've been asking everybody to get their crystal ball out and tell us trends for 2026. Where do you think the market is going? What do you think that we can expect to see this time next year at IAAPA? Aaron  Wilson:  Water coasters. Water coasters are the big thing. Paul Marden: What on earth is a water coaster? Aaron  Wilson:  Yeah, well, let's head over here to another model table. We have a couple of examples here. So I would say, like in the last couple of years, specifically speaking about Europe, we've seen an amazing response to our water coaster technology using water propulsion. We call it the rocket blast.Paul Marden: Right.Aaron  Wilson:  And so what you have is a series of injectors placed along the uphill sections that actually push the boat uphill. That's amazing. And so with that technology, we're able to do a number of things. And this actually, this ride opened about a year and a half ago at Land of Legends in Turkey. This is, you know, one of the biggest things that will stand out to you here is, as you're looking around all the models, what's very common with a water park is you have—gravity-fed rides, meaning you climb a tower and use gravity to go down. Paul Marden:  This is very flat and long. Aaron  Wilson:  Exactly. This is built essentially on grade. There's no tower here. So, I mean, the first thing is accessibility. So now, as you know, there's no steps. You know, water parks are historically very difficult to meet accessibility. Paul Marden: Yeah. Do you know, I've never thought of that before. But of course, you need to climb the stairs to be able to get to the top of the tower.Aaron  Wilson:  So this case, this is called Turtle Coaster. And this is at Land of Legends. Our guests can walk or, you know, walk or wheel.Paul Marden: Yep.Aaron  Wilson:  As they want up this ramp. This is about four meters off grade. We have a little bit of a drop here. So this is a closed-circuit coaster, right? Meaning the guests are finishing and ending in the same location. Also something different from a water ride. Normally you're going up a tower and finishing in a pool. Here you're finishing and starting at the same location, much like a mechanical dry-growing coaster.Paul Marden: And this, just for listeners' benefit, this has got eight or nine turns in there. It's really, you know. It's going to be a normal coaster-type ride, isn't it?Aaron  Wilson:  This is a 420-meter-long coaster. You're looking at about a minute-and-a-half water ride, which is crazy. Most water rides are about 30 seconds, you know? So it's a really long experience. You have eight uphill last sections, along with what else is unique with our technology is we're able to incorporate these flat last sections. So much like a mechanical coaster has that launch element to it. We're able to do that with water propulsion. So right off the stop, you have this completely flat launch blast. Up, you're getting the elevation. You go around for 420 meters, a series of flying saucer features, uphill sections. Coming back into a water channel.Aaron  Wilson:  And landing in the landing pool, it picks you up on a moving station conveyor. So this conveyor is actually moving at a very slow pace. Guests are cutting off and getting back on.Paul Marden: This is not a lazy river, is it? That you're just sat around for a little while. This is going to hair around.Aaron  Wilson:  Absolutely not. And then here at Siam Park is another coaster here. We opened up in '23. Doolin. So you had two lanes.Paul Marden: Oh, wow.Aaron  Wilson:  And you're racing side by side throughout the experience.Paul Marden: That is amazing. Well, Aaron, look— it's been wonderful to meet you. Find out more about what you're doing here. Looks super, super exciting. I want to get my swimmers on and go and try some, but maybe not whilst we're here in Barcelona, but maybe one time soon.Andy Povey: So we're on the show floor again and I'm with Robbie Jones from Katapult. Robbie, please tell the listeners at home a little bit about Katapult, what you do with them.Robbie  Jones: So we design themed attractions, experiences and destinations. So that can be anything from theme parks all the way through to museums. And our— I guess our core competency is design stage, so pre-concept designs. We get involved quite a lot in theme parks that are very early stages. And my role in that is quite unique within the team of creatives and designers, in that I look towards the insights. So sometimes I work with feasibility partners to kind of pull together the economic requirements for a theme park or an attraction to exist. But more often than not, it's about the guest journey, the guest behaviour, how can we make the guest experience as best as possible by understanding information research that we might have already but also doing some primary research as well to make sure we're creating like that amazing moment for every person that walks through the door.Andy Povey: Fantastic. That sounds really, really impressive. Looking back over 2025, what are your key takeaways from this year so far?Robbie  Jones: Goodness, me. I think I'll speak with a lot of what the industry would say, which is it's been a little bit sticky in places in 2025. There's certainly been more maybes than yeses or nos in terms of projects. But I think we're starting to see things beginning to move. Someone's put some oil in the engine somewhere, which is great. And there's some really exciting projects coming up. Obviously, as a UK-based company, seeing the likes of Universal, Poodie Foo, setting up shop. It's going to be really interesting to see how that impacts not just the UK, but the European market as well.Andy Povey: I couldn't agree more. I really, really look forward to seeing that anticipated improvement in quality of experience that we'll get across the UK. So looking forward to '26 now, what are you anticipating as being the exciting things we're talking about in 12 months' time?Robbie  Jones: Gosh, I mean, I think there will be an element of a quiet time, I think, especially with the new build theme parks, whether that's in the UK or, of course, in the Middle East. I think there'll be an element of quiet that we need to get used to in terms of waiting to see what the next big thing is or the next IP that's going to be in those rides. But I certainly see a lot more positive vibes coming out of the industry. I think we'll see more exciting local experiences, maybe not just big global ones. And yeah, just on the horizon, maybe plenty more opportunity and positivity.Paul Marden: It has been my first IAAPA Expo, and I've had a whale of a time. And I am joined here by Peter van der Schans, the VP and Exec Director of IAAPA EMEA. Peter. Tell me a little bit about what the show has been like for you because I've had an amazing time.Peter van der Schans: Well, so did I. The funny thing is we've always worked so hard on these expos. It takes a hell of a lot of time and it all comes back in this one week. And once you exit that plane or train or however you arrive, you start in a bus and then it's over before you know it.Peter van der Schans: And the week is done and you fall in this big black hole. That's where we're going now. So it's been a wonderful week and it's great to see all our members and every industry leader that is visiting us. We're a small team at IAAPA. We're not a huge organisation, but we have our members supporting us. It's a team effort from both IAAPA and our members, basically. And it's only pride.Paul Marden: One of the most important parts of the show, I think, is the educational side of what you do. There's been a big educational program. Are there any big themes that you've spotted coming out of that education strand?Peter van der Schans: So the education program actually is built with our members and by our members. So, of course, we guide it and shape it. But it's actually done by our members. So it's our members saying, 'Hey, this is where I have issues with. This is the trends I see. This is where I think this is going, which makes it always accurate because we have that industry knowledge by our members.' So in that sense, what we saw this year, there's a lot of focus on AI, obviously, the hot topic nowadays. Paul Marden: It's not a single interview I do where somebody hasn't dropped AI into it. So it's a hot topic.Peter van der Schans: It's a hot topic. And I'm very curious also to see where it's going because right now, if you see execution, the focus is much on back office. For example, Parks Reunidos for example, shared on stage, that they can now predict their next, the next day in visitor numbers with accuracy of 93% which is perfect. Things like that. But I'm curious exactly to see how it's going to evolve in the future to the front end. So what is that visitor going to see in the future? Whenever I go to a theme park, for example, will I be recognised by my name? And if I ride a ride, will the animatronic know my name, for example? Things like that. I think there's limitless possibilities.Peter van der Schans: And we're just at the verge of the beginning. And it's also so, so, so excited about that education program that we share what we know and we work together to get to that point to make it better. Paul Marden: Yeah, absolutely. The collaboration in this sector is just amazing. And IAAPA is just the living proof of that. So many smiling faces. You know that there were competitors together on stands just chatting and enjoying. It's a really enriching experience seeing everybody work together.Peter van der Schans: It is, it is. And the funny thing is I've worked in this industry since I was 16. I started as a ride operator. I didn't know any better than when I had an issue when I became supervisor and manager that I could call the park at the other end of the country and ask, like, 'Hey, how are you dealing with this?' And they helped me. And then I worked at the cinema industry and suddenly I realised that that is not that common in all industries, to say it lightly. It was much more competitive and I didn't want to share anything and really opened my eyes in a way that I realised, like, 'hey, this is special'. And also made me realise that IAAPA plays a big part in that as well, as an organisation to bring all those people together, to provide that platform to work together.Paul Marden: Yes, the facilitators of the community, aren't you? I'm going to ask you a slightly controversial question here. Outside of show hours, what has been your favourite party or event? And you can name drop any one of them. It's absolutely fine. Nobody will be upset with you.Peter van der Schans: I must say the ballpark reception, obviously for the British people. Always good beers. The Tuesday events with the opening ceremony, where we really kick off the week. They made me dance again. I don't recommend watching that back, but that's always just a fun, fun morning where we really kick off the week with a big energy, with a nice connection to the host city as well. Peter van der Schans: It's always fun to work on that and to execute that, but also the evening event, the opening reception where we gather. Well, this year we had 1,400 industry professionals coming together and mixing, mingling in Tibidabo. Without rain, thankfully. Paul Marden: Well, yes, this is the thing. So I was watching the skies thinking this could go really badly wrong. The BBC weather forecasts were not looking good. Peter van der Schans: There's this tradition in Barcelona that you bring eggs to nuns and they make sure you'll have good weather. We did that. We brought three dozens.Paul Marden: Took a lot of eggs. There was a lot of eggs broken in the making of this party. But you did very well. We're at the end. And everybody gets to heave a big sigh of relief that the show's done. It's in the can. But there's also a touch of sadness and fondness looking forward to what comes next. So next year, what have you got coming up first? I understand there's something in the Middle East.Peter van der Schans: Yeah, absolutely. We actually last year at this expo in Amsterdam, we announced the launch of our newest expo, IAAPA Expo Middle East, which is actually the first time in IAAPA's history that we built a new expo from scratch.Peter van der Schans: Never done that before, our members and and people in the industry ask us year after year like, 'When is IAAPA coming to the Middle East?' Of course, there's a huge amount of investments going on in that region. It's crazy. And in that sense, we we simply listen to our members and decide that this is the time we need to go. And we're excited to get closer and closer to the actual launch of the event in March in 2026 in Abu Dhabi.Paul Marden: So March 2026, Abu Dhabi is our next event. But there is another event coming next year. IAAPA is coming to London, which I'm very pleased about. Tell me, is the planning all starting on Monday? Are you already a long way through planning? Plans you can share with me about what's coming up in London?Peter van der Schans: We will have an exciting program for sure, but we're not there yet with with the actual education programme. That takes a little bit more of time, but we do have the show Florencial already and that's looking to be another record-breaking show. What I think also remarkable is that we will have one third more education than we will have in our previous show. So we always had two conference rooms— we'll have three in London. So we'll have actually quite a big increase in our educational offerings as well.Paul Marden: That's amazing. I cannot wait. This has been my first IAAPA, but it won't be my last IAAPA. I think I can confidently say that. So grateful for you and the team inviting us along as Skip the Queue to be part of what you've been doing. We've had an amazing time and I cannot wait to see you again in London.Peter van der Schans: Thank you very much and happy to have you here.Paul Marden: We are here at the end of day three of IAAPA Expo Europe. We've had a wonderful time. Andy Povey: I'm broken. Paul Marden: Oh man, I'm going home a broken man. The voice is barely holding on. I am here with Laura Read from Marwell Zoo. Welcome to Skip the Queue, Laura.Laura Read: Hello. Thank you for having me.Paul Marden: Laura, what's it been like for you? What's the benefit of coming to IAAPA for you?Laura Read: So this is my first IAAPA. For me, this was all around looking at what's new for visitor attractions, what's innovative, what's coming up, and what could we potentially bring to the visitors of Marwell Zoo that might be exciting and might drive more visitors to come to us, really, ultimately. It's all about, for us, diversification, keeping the zoo product at the core of our offer, obviously, but seeing how we can augment that with other things.Paul Marden: So what can we expect? Is it going to be a 4D immersive ride experience? Water slides? Or are you looking for something that enriches the in-real-life experience for you? And it's a bit more low-tech.Laura Read: Oh, I'd love to put in like a water park. Do you know what? That's something like the coolest stalls. Like going around going, 'oh, I'd love to design a water park. That's so fun. No, no'. So for us, it's really about looking at sort of smaller, lower-level, new attractions that we can bring in, you know, we're primarily a family audience. So it's what do kids want to play on? You know, I've seen some really cool little ride-on Jeeps that we think would work really, really well because we also want to stay true to our ethos. You know, Marwell's built its reputation on our conservation work, our hands-on conservation work in the field, you know, reversing species decline and also around sustainability. So sustainability is really core to our offer.Laura Read: This is not about turning Marwell into a theme park or a water park or anything like that, because the animals are still very much the stars of the show, as is the conservation work. But it's about how we can best utilise our space to provide that density of guest experience. And I think seeing all the things here today. That's where the inspiration comes in.Paul Marden: I think it's really interesting, isn't it? Because when you take your kids to the zoo, you need some space. You need a palate cleanser between the animals, don't you? To give the kids time to burn off some energy, to do something a little bit different. And then they come back re-energised and you're hiding the vegetables. You're teaching them about the conservation efforts and all the really important stuff that you do, but hidden around lots of things that keep them happy and engaged in what's going on.Laura Read: Exactly. The problem with zoos is the animals— they don't care that they're the exhibits.Laura Read: And, you know, we are a primarily outdoor attraction. Extremes of heat, rainy days, animals disappear. We know that. We know that the perennial problem is: I didn't see any animals because we have really, really high animal welfare levels and standards. And if those animals want to go off show and take themselves off to bed or away from the public view, they all can and should and do. So we need something that can keep kids particularly engaged and entertained, hopefully getting across a bit of education and messaging as well at the same time. That's a massive tick in the box. But, you know, it fills in the gaps when those animals just aren't playing ball.Paul Marden: Yeah, absolutely. Andy, what's been the highlight of day three for you, mate?Andy Povey: So I think it's actually talking to Laura.Paul Marden: Such a charmer.Andy Povey: Let me finish. Let me justify. It's really picking up the fact that this isn't just a theme park show. Yeah. There are elements for everything you could possibly do any day out any attraction, even in any shopping centre or any place you go to where there's large crowds of people— so it's all of that kind of stuff. I think is it's refreshing to see it through someone else's eyes, through our conversations.Laura Read: I was going to say, 'I have to say,'  Before I was chief exec at Marwell, I ran a really large, shopping centre like retail, leisure, events, and destination. And I'm amazed that this is not on more commercial real estate people's radar. I look to see if there's anyone from a previous company here, then there isn't on the attendees list. And I'm like, 'Wow,' this is all the stuff that we should have been thinking about five years ago, ten years ago, when we were realising that diversification from a retail point of view is so important because of online shopping. So that's really interesting what you say. It's not just the theme parks.Andy Povey: No, absolutely not. It's all about the day out. And ultimately, that's all. We're all here to do is we work in a fun industry, and fun doesn't have to just be an amusement park.Paul Marden: Yeah, I found it really interesting. Seeing the things that I've seen has stretched my definition of what a visitor attraction actually is, because it is more than just a theme park. As you wander around and you see the different exhibitors, I was expecting to see... The ride designers and some of the really cool tech that I've seen. But there was other stuff that I've seen that I just hadn't expected.Andy Povey: No, I mean, I was chatting yesterday to a guy who supplies park benches and litter bins.  You see them everywhere. Paul Marden: I say the park bench thing. I remember when I was working at the Botanic Gardens in Wales as it was being built, the importance of the park bench and sitting on them. And they were beautiful park benches, but they were also super comfy. The importance of a park bench, like a good toilet, can't be underestimated.Laura Read: You can always tell someone who works in visitor attraction operations, when they go to any other visitor attraction, they take pictures of the bins. I think that is an absolute giveaway. When I go places with my family and the kids are there, taking pictures of animals or taking pictures of each other or whatever they're doing. And I'm there. Oh, I'm just gonna take a picture of that sign. You know, like.Andy Povey: I have another confession to make. I had a conversation with my wife who took the kids to an attraction a couple of weeks ago. And I was most distressed that she hadn't taken a picture of the till for me.Paul Marden: Oh, you would know what the part number and everything about that till, wouldn't you? Such a retail geek.Paul Marden: Laura, thank you so much for joining us on Skip the Queue. It has been delightful. I feel that there might be a full episode coming on, talking about the zoo, if you'll have me.Laura Read: Yes, absolutely. Bring it on. Paul Marden: Oh, wonderful. Thank you so much.Andy Povey: Andy, take me to the airport.Paul Marden: If you enjoyed this episode, please like and comment in your podcast app. It really helps more people to find us. Show notes and links to all our guests this week are available on our website, skipthequeue.fm. It's been a massive team effort to take Skip the Queue to IAAPA. A huge thank you to Emily Burrows and Sami Entwistle, Steve Folland and Wenalyn Dionaldo, Claire Furnival and Andy Povey, as well as Erica Washington-Perry and her team at IAAPA Global Communications.Paul Marden: Next week, we're wrapping up our IAAPA theme, talking to Choni Fernandez, Chief Sustainability Officer at PortAventura Entertainment, and Jakob Wahl, President and CEO of IAAPA. See you then.  The 2025 Visitor Attraction Website Survey is now LIVE! Dive into groundbreaking benchmarks for the industryGain a better understanding of how to achieve the highest conversion ratesExplore the "why" behind visitor attraction site performanceLearn the impact of website optimisation and visitor engagement on conversion ratesUncover key steps to enhance user experience for greater conversionsTake the Rubber Cheese Visitor Attraction Website Survey Report

We have seen the turmoil and chaos that the Trump Administration's tariffs have caused over recent weeks and months. Since President Trump's trade announcements, countries have been rushing to make new trade agreements, find new markets for their exports, as well as prepare for possible trade wars. In her address to the IIEA, Cecilia Malmström discusses the effect that US trade policy has had on Europe and the wider world. She also explores the impact US tariffs will have on how other countries will conduct trade in the future. About the Speaker: Cecilia Malmström served as European Commissioner for Trade from 2014 to 2019, and as European Commissioner for Home Affairs from 2010 to 2014. She was a member of the European Parliament from 1999 until 2006. She was also Minister for EU Affairs in the Swedish Government from 2006 to 2010. As European commissioner for Trade, Ms Malmström represented the European Union in the World Trade Organisation (WTO) and other international trade bodies. In this role, she was responsible for negotiating bilateral trade agreements with key countries, including agreements with Canada, Japan, Mexico, Singapore, Vietnam, and the four founding Mercosur countries. Ms Malmström joined the Peterson Institute for International Economics (PIIE) as non-resident Senior Fellow in June 2021 and hosts the PIIE's Trade Winds, a biweekly virtual event series. She is also a visiting Professor at the School of Business, Economics and Law at the University of Gothenburg. She holds a PhD in Political Science from the University of Gothenburg.

Swung by Straubing, Germany and Gothenburg, Sweden for lunch

In this episode of Career in Ruins, Derek and Lawrence finally sit down—successfully!—with Dr. Robin Rönnlund, classical archaeologist at the University of Gothenburg and the Swedish Institute at Athens. After two failed recording attempts (one lost to rooftop wine, the other to a rustling coat), Robin joins us from the field in Greece to talk about excavations at ancient Vlochos, the challenges of running international projects, and what it takes to build strong connections with local communities. We dive into Robin's archaeological journey, from being inspired by Jacques Cousteau on VHS to becoming a specialist in ancient urbanism, and explore the realities of funding, teamwork, and early-career research in Greece. Plus: Viking runes on a marble lion in Venice, thoughts on prehistoric parenting, and why missed deadlines can sometimes change your life for the better.   Follow the Project:

My Story   Talk 26  Off-campus Activities Most of what I have said about our years at Mattersey so far has related to what happened on the campus, and that was certainly where we spent most of our time. But our ministry was by no means confined to the campus. It was becoming increasingly international and interdenominational. So in this talk I'll begin by describing some of my activities within Britain which took place beyond the College campus before proceeding to our travels in Europe and further afield.   Activities within Britain Apart from my regular preaching in local churches around the country my main activities in Britain during this centred around:   The AoG Executive Council My relationships with the charismatic renewal and expanding my writing ministry.   The AoG Executive Council I have already mentioned some of the positions I had held within AoG before becoming Principal of the Bible College, but in 1984 I was elected to the Executive Council. This was important because it meant that the College had a voice at national level and that I could ensure that the interests of the College were always taken into consideration. And it became even more relevant when in 1987 I became its chairman, a position I held until 2007 when the structure of AoG was radically changed and about which I shall say more in a later talk.   Since its inception in 1924 the final authority in AoG was the General Council which met annually at the General Conference. The role of the Executive was to take responsibility between conferences for promoting and safeguarding the welfare of the Fellowship. It was a great privilege for me to serve alongside respected older brothers like Veyne Austin, Herbert Harrison, Aaron Linford, Keith Monument, Aeron Morgan, Keith Munday, John Phillips, Douglas Quy, and Colin Whittaker, as well as younger men like Paul Newberry, Warwick Shenton, and Paul Weaver, who were all newly appointed at the same time as me.   Each year the Executive Council elected its own chairman to serve for a year and in 1987 I was appointed. These elections were always held by secret ballot, and I was surprised to be reappointed year after year for the next 20 years. This obviously gave me added responsibility especially when it was decided in 1993 to form AoG Inc., which made Executive Council members the sole members of a new charitable company, Assemblies of God Incorporated.   The purpose of the company was to protect AoG churches and ministers from any personal liability for actions taken by AoG. This was felt necessary to avoid any crises like the vast debt that had been incurred by the Overseas Missions Council over a situation that had arisen in Paderborn, the details of which I do not need to go into here. The Board of Directors of this new company was comprised of all members of the Executive Council. As directors we were given financial responsibility for the affairs of the Fellowship with the safeguard that each director was only personally liable up to the value of £1. It also gave us legal power over all the assets of the Fellowship without reference to the Conference. However, as we were appointed by the General Council by being elected to the Executive Council at the General Conference, we were always aware of our responsibility to abide by the wishes of the Fellowship as a whole. Despite the legal authority we had been given, as a matter of integrity we would never have taken independent action on any major matter without bringing it to Conference. This, as we will see later, was to change in 2007.   My relationship with the Charismatic Renewal But my ministry in Britain was by no means confined to AoG. I had not grown up in AoG and ever since I heard about the baptism in the Spirit my heart has always been for Christians of other denominations to come into the experience. That had been a major part of my ministry when I had travelled round the universities in the sixties, preaching and laying hands on people to receive the Spirit. Those were the days when the charismatic renewal was getting under way, and in the seventies, while we were at Basingstoke, I had good fellowship with Barney Coombs, the Spirit-filled pastor of the Baptist Church, who was holding regular ministers' breakfasts and monthly All Saints Nights for Christians of all denominations to hear about the things of the Spirit.   So when, early in my time at Mattersey I received an invitation from Michael Harper to attend something called the Charismatic Leaders' Conference at Whirlow Grange near Sheffield, I was pleased to accept. It was at these conferences that I met people like Roger and Faith Forster, David Pawson, Terry Virgo, Colin Urquhart, Gerald Coates and other charismatic leaders.   For several years I was part of the planning committee that organised these conferences some of which were held at Mattersey. I was also a member of committee that planned the International Charismatic Consultation on Worldwide Evangelisation (ICCOWE) held in Brighton in June 1991.   I continued to participate in the conferences throughout and beyond my time at Mattersey, and in fact at the time of writing this I am expecting to attend one this year. I have learnt that, although Pentecostals in Britain have been considerably influenced by charismatics, there is still very much that they can learn from us. For example, I am told by friends and family members that even in flourishing charismatic churches there is still little clear teaching on the baptism in the Spirit and spiritual gifts. But sadly, the same could be said of many Pentecostal churches.   So it became my vision that Mattersey should become more than a college that prepared people to be AoG ministers and missionaries, and we advertised the college as having a distinctly charismatic emphasis. As a result several of our graduates are now doing a great job for God as Anglican, Baptist, or Methodist ministers. It also had the benefit of introducing AoG students at Mattersey to a wider cross-section of the Christian church than just their own denomination.   Expanding my writing ministry But whether it be in AoG or any other denomination, the fact is that people need teaching. Genuine spiritual experience comes from a correct understanding of biblical truth. That was surely the purpose of a Bible College! And as it is not possible for everyone to come to Bible College, I was determined to make our teaching more readily available to a wider audience. I was able to do this in some measure through articles I contributed to the AoG magazine and Renewal, but in 1998 I had a distinct impression that the Lord wanted me to write more books, using the teaching I was giving at Mattersey as a basis.   That expanding my writing ministry was the way the Lord was leading me was confirmed in a wonderful way by César Castellanos who in 1998 was the guest preacher at our AoG conference in Prestatyn. At the end of a late-night meeting where César had been speaking to the members of our Executive Council and their wives, he prayed for each one of us in turn. When he came to me, instead of praying, he prophesied. His prophecy included the following statement: This is what the Holy Spirit says: I will greatly anoint your pen and your writing will be a blessing to thousands and thousands of people. Now that prophecy was remarkable for at least three reasons. Firstly, César did not know me. He had only just met me that evening. Secondly, he knew I was a Christian leader, but he did not know that I was a writer! And thirdly, as I have said, in the weeks leading up to that conference I had been feeling that God wanted me to give more time to writing. César's prophecy came as a wonderful confirmation. Since that time I have written several more books, some of which have been translated into at least fifteen different languages. They have certainly reached thousands already. I'm so grateful to the Lord that even while we were still at Mattersey he was still using me to be a blessing beyond Mattersey, not only in the UK but much further afield. But that brings me to my ministry in Europe.   Activities in Europe In an earlier talk I explained how my ministry in Europe began in the seventies while pastoring the church in Basingstoke. This was as the result of contacts with Willy Droz in Switzerland and George and Warren Flattery, American missionaries working in Belgium. These relationships continued while we were at Mattersey. For several years Eileen and I led teams of students on missions to Switzerland and I had regular contact with the Flatterys through the work with I.C.I., Continental Bible College, and EPTA.   And indeed, most of my work in Europe was related to either: EPTA, the European Pentecostal Theological Association, or PEF, The Pentecostal European Fellowship   The European Pentecostal Theological Association EPTA was formed as a result of the Pentecostal European Conference held in The Hague in August 1978 at which I had been invited to preach. Apart from the main meetings held each morning and evening there were workshops each afternoon for various special interest groups including Bible Colleges. As the recently appointed Principal at Mattersey I was naturally interested to attend these and found them very helpful.   It was good to meet with faculty and staff from other Bible Colleges and share what we were doing and what our hopes for the future were. I found myself wondering if it would be possible for us to meet on an annual basis.  The PEC conferences were held every three years, so it was clear that something separate from PEC needed to be organised, and I suggested this while a few of us were chatting after one of the sessions.   As there seemed to be a general agreement about the matter, we decided to look for a suitable venue and dates for the following year. I knew already that the European Pentecostal Fellowship were holding a conference in Vienna in 1979 and suggested that this might be a good time to hold a planning meeting. (EPF and PEC were at that time separate bodies, but a few years later merged to form the Pentecostal European Fellowship, about which I will say more later).   So in 1979 Eileen and I, along with several other AoG personnel, attended the EPF conference in Vienna. The meeting with other Bible College people was not an official part of the conference but was tagged on at the end. However, during the conference itself I was unexpectedly asked by John Wildrianne to be the speaker at one of the sessions, as a brother from France who was scheduled to speak had been unable to come.   The subject was Spiritual Gifts and fortunately I already had plenty of material on that topic and was grateful for the opportunity to speak to leaders from across Europe on a subject that was close to my heart. The talk was well received and, together with my preaching in the Hague the previous year, proved to be the beginning of a much wider ministry in Europe than I had ever expected.   The meeting for Bible College leaders that we had arranged to take place after the conference lasted only a couple of hours but was a good starting point at which it was agreed to call ourselves EPTA, the European Pentecostal Theological Association. At the invitation of the brothers from ICI, we agreed to hold our first conference the following year in Brussels where, in addition to hearing papers on subjects of mutual interest, we would discuss a doctrinal statement for EPTA, conditions of membership and other related matters.   The meeting in Brussels was a great success and was the first of many annual gatherings of college personnel from all over Western Europe. And when Eastern Europe opened up after the destruction of the Berlin Wall in 1989, we were delighted to welcome delegates from those countries too. Over the years conferences were held in England, Germany, Belgium, Holland, Sweden, Norway, Finland, Denmark, Switzerland, Poland, Slovakia, France, and Portugal.   They were times of great blessing. Despite the name, they were not just an opportunity for theological discussion. Their primary purpose was for colleges to help each other by sharing mutual concerns, many of which had little to do with theology! It was good to know that other colleges faced the same problems as you did – practical issues like student discipline, catering, timetable, finance, governance and, something which was a major topic for several years, accreditation.   In addition to all this there were great times of worship and prayer. Working in a Bible College often means facing stressful challenges and faculty and staff found EPTA conferences times of refreshing and spiritual renewal. And they were especially relaxing when we held them during the summer vacations when many combined them with a family holiday. The ones held at Mattersey were particularly popular.   Eileen and I formed great relationships with many of our EPTA friends and trips to EPTA helped forge stronger relationships with our own faculty members too. I well remember the fun we had when we travelled by minibus to Germany with Dave and Beryl Allen and Brian and Audrey Quar, spending a few days relaxing in Switzerland before staying with friends in Heidenheim enabling us to attend the PEF Conference near Stuttgart followed by an EPTA conference in Erzhausen. Much of the blessing we enjoyed at Mattersey sprang from the strength of those relationships.   For many years I served on the planning committee for these conferences. In the days before the internet this necessitated flying to various venues in Europe most of which I enjoyed immensely despite the occasional problem with flights, and the anxiety you experience when you don't speak the language and the person you're expecting to pick you up doesn't arrive! The American brother who was picking me up had mistaken my arrival time at Stuttgart, which was 14.40 as 4.30 in the afternoon! But we learn from these experiences – I know he did – and these trips also gave me opportunity to preach in one of the local churches on Sunday morning before flying back in time for work at Mattersey on Monday.   But possibly the most fruitful result of founding EPTA was the openings it gave me to teach and preach in several of its affiliated colleges. I have taught courses both at bachelors and masters level in Sweden, Finland, Germany, Poland, Denmark, Germany, Portugal, and Ireland. I made several visits to Sweden where the system was rather different from the other countries I have mentioned. Because of the number of large Pentecostal churches there, there was no national college, but there were several colleges offering full-time courses based in the local church. The church at Gothenburg, for example, when I preached there had a Sunday morning congregation of over 2000 and had a large enough complex to house a full time Bible college.   Stig and Marianne Hedstrom, who led that college, had brought a party of young people to Mattersey and heard me teach on spiritual gifts, told me that they needed this teaching in Sweden and asked me if I would come. On two separate occasions they organised teaching tours for me, the first starting at Gothenburg on the west coast and travelling across to Stockholm on the east. En route I visited colleges in Jonkoping, Linkoping,  Mariannelund, and Brommaskolen and Kaggeholme,  both in Stockholm. On the second tour about two years later I visited the same places but in reverse order, this time travelling east to west.   Some of the other countries I mentioned, Belgium, Finland and Portugal for example, I also visited more frequently after my time at Mattersey and I will comment on them in a later talk. But what most of them had in common was the fact that my initial contact with each of them came through EPTA. So whether it was the annual conference, or the trips to help plan them, or teaching in some of its member colleges, EPTA was a source of personal enrichment for me, and I will always be grateful to God for the prompting he gave me to suggest it back in the PEC conference in 1978.   Next time – more about PEF and my involvement with the World Pentecostal Conference.

This week, your host Wil Chung teams up with elite athletes Becky Neal, Jamie Gane, and Tamar Barclay to bring you a preview of the OCR World Championships in Gothenburg, Sweden. From brutal obstacles to terrain tactics, they dive into what it really takes to conquer the course—and spotlight the athletes making serious waves. Plus, Chris Shipley joins to break down the toughest races in OCR. Whether you're chasing podiums or just chasing grit, this is your inside line to the strategies, stories, and competitors that matter. Follow Wil chung  on  Instagram by Clicking Here or on YouTube by Clicking Here Becky Neal is on Instagram Here Jamie Gane is on Instagram Here Tamar Barclay is on Instagram Here   If you have any questions about the show or would like to explore advertising opportunities, feel free to reach out to us at admin@ukocr.com.

In September 2014, the world's first baby was born to a mother with a transplanted womb, making headlines around the globe.Malin Stenberg had the pioneering surgery over a year earlier when she received the donated organ from a family friend, giving birth to her son Vincent at Sahlgrenska University Hospital in Sweden.Reena Stanton-Sharma speaks to Prof Pernilla Dahm-Kähler, who was a member of the talented team whose dedication would help bring Vincent into the world.Eye-witness accounts brought to life by archive. Witness History is for those fascinated by the past. We take you to the events that have shaped our world through the eyes of the people who were there. For nine minutes every day, we take you back in time and all over the world, to examine wars, coups, scientific discoveries, cultural moments and much more. Recent episodes explore everything from the death of Adolf Hitler, the first spacewalk and the making of the movie Jaws, to celebrity tortoise Lonesome George, the Kobe earthquake and the invention of superglue. We look at the lives of some of the most famous leaders, artists, scientists and personalities in history, including: Eva Peron – Argentina's Evita; President Ronald Reagan and his famous ‘tear down this wall' speech; Thomas Keneally on why he wrote Schindler's List; and Jacques Derrida, France's ‘rock star' philosopher. You can learn all about fascinating and surprising stories, such as the civil rights swimming protest; the disastrous D-Day rehearsal; and the death of one of the world's oldest languages.(Photo: Prof Pernilla Dahm-Kähler. Credit: University of Gothenburg)

Per Friden is a bowyer based in Sweden who has been carving bows for nearly ten years. He is also a forest manager tending to 3000 hectares of Swedish public land, and feels fortunate to spend so much of his time among trees. Per and his bows can be found on Instagram @nordic_selfbows.Please enjoy this episode of Project Quiver on Salish Wolf with Per Friden.          Episode Links: https://www.instagram.com/nordic_selfbows/Project Quiver at Anchor Point ExpeditionsSummary:In this conversation, Todd and Per explore the journey of bow building, discussing its therapeutic nature, the learning process, and the community surrounding the craft. Per shares his experiences as a self-taught bowyer, the materials he uses, and the joy he finds in crafting bows. They also touch on the importance of archery in Per's life, his teaching experiences, and the connection between nature and craftsmanship. The conversation highlights the challenges and rewards of pursuing a passion for bow making.Show Notes:Per started bow building as a therapeutic outlet during a tough time in his life.Bow building combines Per's love for the outdoors and working with his hands.He learned bow making primarily through YouTube tutorials and trial and error.Per enjoys sharing his knowledge with others through teaching bow building classes.He prefers to carve bows for himself rather than taking commissions.The community of bow makers in Sweden is small but supportive.Per finds joy in the variety of materials available for bow making.He emphasizes the importance of focus and presence while crafting bows.Per's work as a forest manager informs his understanding of wood selection for bow making.The connection to nature is a significant aspect of Per's bow building experience.Chapters:00:00 Introduction to Bow Building Journey02:45 The Therapeutic Nature of Crafting Bows05:37 Self-Taught Skills and Community Connections08:30 Materials and Techniques in Bow Making11:24 The Personal Connection to Archery14:17 Teaching Bow Building to Others16:55 Challenges and Learning in Bow Crafting19:41 Tools and Techniques in Bow Making22:43 Exploring Unique Woods and Materials25:48 The Therapeutic Benefits of Crafting28:09 Journey into Carpentry and Home Renovation28:42 A Career in Forestry Management30:59 Daily Life in Forestry32:45 Public Access and Wildlife Encounters34:48 Family Life and Outdoor Activities36:26 Seasonal Changes and Outdoor Pursuits37:59 Life in Gothenburg and Travel Plans39:56 Innovations in Bow Making43:20 Social Media and Craftsmanship49:24 Looking Ahead: Future Plans and Workshops

Joining together the righteous forces of Obsequiae and Inexorum for some Gothenburg-style melodeath throwback, it's been nearly two and a half years since the release of Majesties' debut album Vast Reaches Unclaimed (20 Buck Spin) and it's still a favorite amongst some of us here at Nine Circles. A follow-up may not (yet) be upon us, but myself and a couple others had the utmost privilege of catching their incredible live debut at this year's Fire in the Mountains festival on the Blackfeet Nation in Montana. I had asked the core trio of Tanner, Carl Skildum, and Matt Kirkwold if they were down for an interview at some point during the festival; naturally it's hard to arrange such a meeting with no cell service and schedules all over the place (not to mention not wanting to miss a ton of killer bands), but Tanner and I were able to set aside some time to record on the shore of Two Medicine Lake right near the festival grounds. We discussed how the show went, nerded out about classic melodic extreme metal (a lot), and more. Check back in the not-too-distant future as more from Majesties is on the horizon!HUGE thanks to Tanner for the time and audio assist! 9C LINKS: Website | Facebook | Twitter (X) | Instagram | Bluesky

Missed the Show? Catch Up Now!  Eurovision Showcase with Ciaran Urry-Tuttiett Forest FM – 92.3 & 98.9 FM If you missed this week's Eurovision Showcase, don't worry — you can listen again anytime and enjoy all the incredible Eurovision music and fun!  Here's what's waiting for you in this week's show: Brand New Music from Switzerland's 2002 Eurovision star Francine Jordi  with her uplifting new German single “Alles wird gut” (“Everything Will Be Fine”)  Listener Requests from Worthing, Gothenburg, Montréal, and Türkiye  Rob's Random Request – always a surprise! Best of the Rest featuring classics from Sweden & the UK in the 1980s  Live & Kicking – this week we're heading to Iceland!     Listen Again Now: https://escshowcase.podbean.com    Whether you're a lifelong Eurovision fan or just discovering the magic, this week's episode is packed with new music, nostalgia, and Eurovision gems you won't want to miss!   #EurovisionShowcase #ListenAgain #ForestFM #Eurovision #FrancineJordi #AllesWirdGut #EurovisionFamily #RadioShow

The UK, France and Germany have begun the process of reimposing UN sanctions on Iran over its nuclear program. The move will trigger a so-called snapback mechanism under the 2015 nuclear deal.The three European powers took the step in a letter to the UN Security Council on Thursday. The Council now has 30 days to decide whether to continue sanctions relief or let it expire. Is time running out for diplomacy? What would a potential snapback of UN sanctions mean for Iran and its nuclear decisions? And what impact could a collapse in talks have on an already fragile Middle East? Host Zhao Ying is joined by Kamal Makili-Aliyev, Associate Professor at the School of Global Studies, University of Gothenburg; Zhang Chuchu, Deputy Director of the Center for Middle Eastern Studies, Fudan University.

Digby Robinson (@digzbrft) is an Australian musician and lead singer in the rock band Big Red Fire Truck . When his schedule allows for it, he also teams up with PWA (Pro Wrestling Australia) where he performs as an in-ring wrestler. Spandex, sunsets and suplexes... In this high-voltage, neon-soaked episode 1 hr long conversation, Digby gets to share his love and appreciation not only for glam rock and pro wrestling - but also the joining of the two worlds. Together with podcast host Henrik Valis we go on a wild ride through music, identity, performance, and the enduring mythos of the 1980s:- The joy of playing music and attending live shows- paying homage to Ozzy Osbourne and Hulk Hogan- as well as Digby's GOATs of pro wrestling & glam rockSince the beginning of 2025, Digby and his Big Red Fire Truck have been gracing this podcast with their song Trouble in Paradise as the intro theme. Also, keep a heads up for new music coming out - 4 more singles in 2025 & album dropping in 2026!Now, let's listen to the episode

In this episode of my podcast, The Global Agora, Niklas Harring, Associate Professor at the Department of Political Science at the University of Gothenburg, discusses the complex relationship between public concern over climate change and actual support for climate policies. While surveys consistently show that Europeans overwhelmingly view climate change as a serious threat and support ambitious climate goals, there remains a striking gap between this concern and acceptance of concrete measures such as carbon pricing or the removal of fossil fuel subsidies. Harring explains why fairness perceptions and political leadership are key to bridging this gap, how public experiences of climate impacts shape attitudes, and why hope and effective communication are essential for sustaining climate action in democratic societies. And what does he think about Greta Thunberg, and about the effect of the Donald Trump administration's actions on fighting climate change? Listen to our conversation. And if you enjoy what I do, please support me on Ko-fi! Thank you. ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://ko-fi.com/amatisak

Teddie Dahlin was born in Norway and graduated from Business School in Gothenburg, Sweden with a degree in International Marketing and Economics. She has worked as a freelance music journalist for several magazines in the UK, most notably Vive le Rock, and she's written 5 published books.In 2012, after a bad experience with a UK publisher, Teddie established New Haven Publishing to put out her book, A Vicious Love Story: Remembering the Real Sid Vicious, which is her account of being the 16-year-old translator for the Sex Pistols during a leg of their 1977 Scandinavian Tour. It was New Haven's first book. A Vicious Love Story takes us through Teddie's unique encounter with Sid Vicious and the Sex Pistols, including a fascinating cast of characters surrounding the band, such as Neon Leon, Eileen Polk, Peter Gravelle, Kenny Gordon, and Howie Pyro. I've read A Vicious Love Story and can tell you I was thoroughly engrossed by Teddie's description of what it was like for her at such a young age to be tossed into the middle of a fairly wild scene with such dynamic punk rockers, especially as she became quite close to Sid Vicious.Since 2012, New Haven Publishing has grown substantially, now representing 200 authors with a catalogue of 250 books that are heavily anchored in the music and entertainment industry. New Haven also has several imprints: Phoenix Press Kids books, Viking Press Comics, Portland Press Novels, and in the United States, New Haven Publishing US. For the record, Teddie and I have known one another for several years as I've had the privilege of interviewing numerous New Haven Publishing authors, including Tim Quinn, Jimmy Ryan, Jon Kremer, and the one and only Suzi Quatro.https://www.newhavenpublishingltd.com/

On the show this time, it’s the R&B-electronica solo record of Little Dragon front-human Yukimi. Yukimi is a Swedish singer and songwriter, known for starting the band Little Dragon with her high schoolmates and for her collaboration with Gorillaz on their Plastic Beach album. Her stunning vocals have been featured on tracks by DJ Shadow, De La Soul and Odesza. She’s performed with Jose Gonzalez, with whom she shares a hometown - they are both from the city of Gothenburg. She’s recorded a solo record titled For You and released it on Ninja Tune in 2025. Recorded April 30, 2025 Elinam Stream of Consciousness Sad Makeup Rules of School Runaway Watch the full Live on KEXP session on YouTube.Support the show: https://www.kexp.org/donateSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the show this time, it’s the R&B-electronica solo record of Little Dragon front-human Yukimi. Yukimi is a Swedish singer and songwriter, known for starting the band Little Dragon with her high schoolmates and for her collaboration with Gorillaz on their Plastic Beach album. Her stunning vocals have been featured on tracks by DJ Shadow, De La Soul and Odesza. She’s performed with Jose Gonzalez, with whom she shares a hometown - they are both from the city of Gothenburg. She’s recorded a solo record titled For You and released it on Ninja Tune in 2025. Recorded April 30, 2025 Elinam Stream of Consciousness Sad Makeup Rules of School Runaway Watch the full Live on KEXP session on YouTube.Support the show: https://www.kexp.org/donateSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Welcome back to the LuxeGen Group Chat! This week, Saroop is joined by Elle and India to dish on the ultimate summer hot list – from Copenhagen Fashion Week to LVMH investing in Dishoom (yes, really). They dive into this week's viral hits, including the Beis x Gap hoodie-neck-pillow, the “Surviving Dejon” book and the Gen Z blank-stare phenomenon. Elle spills all from her trip to Way Out West Festival in Gothenburg, plus we get the lowdown on All Points East and Love International lineups. Music highlights include new albums from Kaytranada, Taylor Swift, Sabrina Carpenter and the return of the pop-girl era with Zara Larsson and Katy B. Fashion-wise, they share under-the-radar favourites like Miista khaki sneakers, Mais x Frida trousers and Kai Collective's latest drop. They finish with a round-up of upcoming films – from Weapons and Materialists to The Conjuring – and all the content flooding our For You Pages this week.Follow us on:Instagram | https://bit.ly/3X0xm27TikTok | http://bit.ly/3jvwlBEPodcast | https://open.spotify.com/show/60SxAVVuD3LrgLdlKuy3uH Panel:Saroop Sangha | @saroop.k.s | https://www.instagram.com/saroop.k.s/?hl=en-gb M&S Pure Cotton Bermuda Shorts | https://tidd.ly/4n2Io4H India Agyeman | @indaagy | https://www.instagram.com/indiaagy/?hl=en By Maline Birger Amani Organic Cotton Tank Top (Similar) | https://tinyurl.com/ahkzmm2t Havaianas Square Toe Flip Flops | https://asos.bbgqo9.net/xLDyAv Elle Magill | @eleanormagill | https://www.instagram.com/eleanormagill/?hl=en Topshop Everyday Tee | https://asos.bbgqo9.net/jeAzK0 Damson Madder Charlotte Midi Skirt | https://tinyurl.com/4t9648vk Gina Tricot Belt With Silver Detail | https://asos.bbgqo9.net/55PAON Loveness Lee Jewellery | https://www.lovenesslee.com/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Welcome back to the LuxeGen Group Chat! This week, Saroop is joined by Elle and India to dish on the ultimate summer hot list – from Copenhagen Fashion Week to LVMH investing in Dishoom (yes, really). They dive into this week's viral hits, including the Beis x Gap hoodie-neck-pillow, the “Surviving Dejon” book and the Gen Z blank-stare phenomenon. Elle spills all from her trip to Way Out West Festival in Gothenburg, plus we get the lowdown on All Points East and Love International lineups. Music highlights include new albums from Kaytranada, Taylor Swift, Sabrina Carpenter and the return of the pop-girl era with Zara Larsson and Katy B. Fashion-wise, they share under-the-radar favourites like Miista khaki sneakers, Mais x Frida trousers and Kai Collective's latest drop. They finish with a round-up of upcoming films – from Weapons and Materialists to The Conjuring – and all the content flooding our For You Pages this week.Follow us on:Instagram | https://bit.ly/3X0xm27TikTok | http://bit.ly/3jvwlBEPodcast | https://open.spotify.com/show/60SxAVVuD3LrgLdlKuy3uH Panel:Saroop Sangha | @saroop.k.s | https://www.instagram.com/saroop.k.s/?hl=en-gb M&S Pure Cotton Bermuda Shorts | https://tidd.ly/4n2Io4H India Agyeman | @indaagy | https://www.instagram.com/indiaagy/?hl=en By Maline Birger Amani Organic Cotton Tank Top (Similar) | https://tinyurl.com/ahkzmm2t Havaianas Square Toe Flip Flops | https://asos.bbgqo9.net/xLDyAv Elle Magill | @eleanormagill | https://www.instagram.com/eleanormagill/?hl=en Topshop Everyday Tee | https://asos.bbgqo9.net/jeAzK0 Damson Madder Charlotte Midi Skirt | https://tinyurl.com/4t9648vk Gina Tricot Belt With Silver Detail | https://asos.bbgqo9.net/55PAON Loveness Lee Jewellery | https://www.lovenesslee.com/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Russia has announced it will stop abiding by the now-defunct INF treaty with the United States.The announcement came just days after Trump ordered the repositioning of two nuclear submarines in response to what he called "threatening comments" from former Russian President Dmitry Medvedev, now deputy chair of Russia's security council.Is this the beginning of a new nuclear arms race? What happens when nuclear posturing, once considered a taboo topic, plays out over social media between world leaders? And eighty years after Hiroshima and Nagasaki, have we forgotten the reality of nuclear war and the moral restraint that once held it at bay?Host Zhao Ying is joined by Kamal Makili-Aliyev, Associate Professor at the School of Global Studies, University of Gothenburg, Joseph Siracusa, Professor of Global Futures, Curtin University in Australia, Zhang Xin, Deputy Director of the Center for Russian Studies at East China Normal University.

This episode of Street Culture Podcast has a different sound – English, because our guest is the iconic carrier of European breaking history from Sweden, Bboy Freeze. So the quotes in the carousel are in the language of flow and cipher. What did the first wave of hip-hop in Europe look like? Why was breaking in the 80s an act of rebellion, not just a trend? What did hip-hop sound like before it was played on the radio? And how did the streets of Gothenburg differ from the streets of Kharkiv? In the thirteenth episode of the second season of Street Culture Podcast, we go back to the 80s, when breaking was just emerging in Sweden. These were the times of VHS tapes, disco clubs for teenagers, and the first battles in school hallways. That's when it all began – with robot dance, Rocksteady crew tapes, and roller skating parties. Everything that is now called a scene was then simply called «being in your neighborhood and wanting to dance». Bboy Freeze's story is a journey from living room floors and the first belly mill to the creation of the legendary Ghost Crew. It's a conversation about contrasts – when someone trained with city support, and someone else under threat of arrest due to VHS. When someone had clubs and tours, and someone else had only concrete and stubbornness. We talk not only about dance but also about a generation that didn't stop when it became «unfashionable». About the dark ages of Scandinavian breaking, which laid the foundation for everything that exists now. About those times when one had to fight not for medals, but for the very existence of culture. Listen to Street Culture Podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, SoundCloud, and MEGOGO Audio. We preserve history while it still breathes. We are creating a new season of the podcast about Ukrainian street culture together with Street Culture & uabreaking & Algorytm NGO and Egor Dach. Find out how breaking history was made and how breaking became an Olympic discipline from training in a residential area.

Checking in from Sweden

A round-up of the main headlines in Sweden on July 4th, 2025. You can hear more reports on our homepage www.radiosweden.se, or in the app Sveriges Radio. Presenter/Producer: Kris Boswell

Content-Creatorin Julia hat für sich beschlossen, dass sie sich sehr genau aussucht, mit welchen Unternehmen sie zusammenarbeitet. Trotzdem fragt sie sich: Was, wenn ihr mal so richtig viel Geld geboten wird? Eine Gewissensfrage. **********Ihr hört: Gesprächspartnerin: Julia, lehnt als Content-Creatorin die Zusammenarbeit mit Marken ab, die nicht ihren Werten entsprechen Gesprächspartner: Adrian Lerche, Ökonom am Institut für Arbeitsmarkt- und Berufsforschung Gesprächspartnerin: Rita Molzberger, Bildungsphilosophin an der katholischen Hochschule Nordrhein-Westfalen Autor und Host: Przemek Żuk Redaktion: Anne Bohlmann, Friederike Seeger, Timur Gökce, Marcel Bohn Produktion: Norman Wollmacher**********Quellen:Klaffke, M. (2021). Millennials und Generation Z – Charakteristika der nachrückenden Beschäftigten-Generationen. In: Klaffke, M. [Hrsg.] Generationen-Management. Springer Gabler, Wiesbaden.Kristoffersson, E. & Millings, I. (2023). To what extent is sustainability valued when choosing a workplace? [Thesis]. University of Gothenburg. Magbool, M. A. H. B. et al. (2016). Corporate sustainable business practices and talent attraction. Sustainability Accounting, Management and Policy Journal, 7(4), S. 539-559.Hanson-Rasmussen, N., Lauver, K., & Lester, S. (2014). Business student perceptions of environmental sustainability: Examining the job search implications. Journal of Managerial Issues, S. 174-193.**********Mehr zum Thema bei Deutschlandfunk Nova:Work Happiness Report: Was uns bei der Arbeit glücklich machtArbeitsalltag: Was wir wollen, was wir brauchenTraumjob: Wenn uns Plan B glücklich macht **********Den Artikel zum Stück findet ihr hier.**********Ihr könnt uns auch auf diesen Kanälen folgen: TikTok und Instagram .**********Meldet euch!Ihr könnt das Team von Facts & Feelings über Whatsapp erreichen.Uns interessiert: Was beschäftigt euch? Habt ihr ein Thema, über das wir unbedingt in der Sendung und im Podcast sprechen sollen?Schickt uns eine Sprachnachricht oder schreibt uns per 0160-91360852 oder an factsundfeelings@deutschlandradio.de.Wichtig: Wenn ihr diese Nummer speichert und uns eine Nachricht schickt, akzeptiert ihr unsere Regeln zum Datenschutz und bei Whatsapp die Datenschutzrichtlinien von Whatsapp.

A round-up of the main headlines in Sweden on July 1st, 2025. You can hear more reports on our homepage www.radiosweden.se, or in the app Sveriges Radio. Presenter/producer: Kris Boswell.

Namibië se Ashley Martins het Vrydag goud by die Wêreldjeugspele in Gothenburg in Swede verower toe sy die verspring vir o/14's met ‘n afstand van 5,41 meter gewen het. Dit is die eerste keer dat Namibië by dié byeenkoms verteenwoordig word. Martins, deel van die Napso Namibië-span, het só uit Swede reageer:

Namibië se blits, Jaco Potgieter, het Vrydag silwer by die Wêreldjeugspele in Gothenburg in Swede verower met die tweede plek in die 400m-hekkies vir seuns. Potgieter se tyd was 56,07 sekondes. Hy is deel van die Napso-span atlete wat uit tien meisies en tien seuns bestaan, meestal hoërskoolleerlinge. Buiten die byeenkoms in Swede het die span ook in Estonia meegeding. Hulle keer op 1 Julie na Namibië terug.

NATO leaders have agreed to ramp up military spending to 5% of their national GDP by 2035.They made the pledge at a summit in The Hague, following months of pressure from US President Donald Trump.Is NATO bending too far to keep Trump on board, or is this just what modern transatlantic alliance looks like? And does more military spending really make Europe safer, or does it risk triggering a new arms race and provoking more conflicts?Host Zhao Ying is joined by Ruud van Dijk, Professor in History of International Relations, University of Amsterdam; Chen Weihua, China Daily EU Bureau Chief based in Brussels; Kamal Makili-Aliyev, Associate Professor at the School of Global Studies, University of Gothenburg.

Scott McPheeters talks about how his central-Nebraska crops are doing, and shares a market outlook on this From the Field episode of FP Next.

Today we are celebrate 30 Years of The Haunted with founding member and guitar player Patrik Jensen! He tells us about the day he quit his job to go all in on his music career which ended up pioneering an entire genre of extreme metal alongside his peers in the Gothenburg scene (At The Gates, In Flames, Soilwork). The Haunted also just dropped an absolute banger brand new album titled "Songs Of Last Resort" and gives us an extra layer of appreciation for the concept as he explains it was inspired from a riveting real life military procedure called the Letter Of Last Resort. He also leaves us with advice for aspiring musicians and his secret to longevity that is all about never letting that excited 16 year old within you fade away.

My guests are multi-hyphenate creatives and frequent collaborators Edgar Morais and Luke Erberl. Edgar Morais is a filmmaker, photographer and actor. His directorial debut, the short film"Heatstroke", screened in competition at PÖFF, Maryland, ISFF Detmold, FEST New Directors New Films, IndieLisboa among others and won the CinEuphoria award for Best Screenplay. His second short film, "We Won't Forget", world premiered in competition at Palm Springs ShortFest and screened at over 25 festivals worldwide including, Hamptons IFF, IndieLisboa, Woodstock, Tirana, Dresden, Rooftop Films, and Rio de Janeiro. It received the Grand Jury Prize and the award for Best Editing at Castrovillari, the Honorable Mention at FEST New Directors New Films and was selected as Vimeo Staff Pick and Short of the Week. The film received a nomination for a Portuguese Academy Award (Sophia) for Best Short Film. Edgar has directed music videos for bands such as Mothxr and Grammy-nominated Shiny Toy Guns. As an actor, he has worked with directors such as Teresa Sutherland, Victoria Mahoney, and Tiago Guedes in films that have screened at Cannes, Venice, Fantasia, Gothenburg, Vila do Conde, and Rotterdam. Edgar received recent widespread critical acclaim for his starring turn in Albania's submission to the Oscars "A Cup of Coffee and New Shoes On" (Fischer Audience Award winner at Thessaloniki IFF) earning him the award for Best Actor at the Prishtina IFF as well as rave reviews for his performance from the likes of Variety and Screen Daily. Luke Eberl is a filmmaker and actor. His directorial feature film debut, "Choose Connor" screened at Rome Film Festival, Seattle, Newport Beach, Woodstock, CineVegas and Philadelphia, where it won the Jury Prize for Best American Independent. It was released theatrically and on video by Strand Releasing to outstanding reviews by the likes of The New York Times, Los Angeles Times and Washington Post. Luke was subsequently named one of the "10 Young Americans to Watch” by Eric Kohn in MovieMaker Magazine. He has directed music videos for bands such as Mothxr and Grammy-nominated Shiny Toy Guns and the short film "We Won't Forget" which screened at over 25 festivals including Palm Springs ShortFest, Hamptons IFF, Woodstock, Tirana, Dresden, Rooftop Films, IndieLisboa and Rio de Janeiro and won the Grand Jury Prize and the award for Best Editing at Castrovillari, the Honorable Mention at FEST New Directors New Films, was nominated for a Portuguese Academy Award (Sophia) for Best Short Film and was selected as Vimeo Staff Pick and Short of the Week. As an actor he has worked with directors such as Tim Burton, Alfonso Arau, Vincent Paterson, Peter Hoar, and Clint Eastwood on his Oscar-winning "Letters from Iwo Jima". Music in this episode by Kaki King.

Where in the world am I? Eurail Travel planning   Hi there, I'm Dr. Mary Travelbest. I'm in San Diego now, sharing my best travel ideas and working on another book for you to enjoy: 5 Steps to Solo Travel, Part C. I'm about to launch on a 90-day trip around the world.   Listener Story Spotlight I want to tell you about a listener named Kristen. Kristen loves to travel. She recently received a Fullbright Scholarship and took a trip with her husband and sons to a foreign country, Portugal, for several months. She's full of great travel ideas and will be helpful as I continue to travel and make my adventures more mobile. She's encouraging me to keep going in my travels and is a professor in Southern California. Quick fire FAQ: The FAQ for today is:  Do you find that air travel dries your sinuses? Do you get dry and scratchy throats afterward? Yes, it happens. Let's talk about how to rid yourself of this in advance.    How to avoid the dryness of airline flights? The answer:   My solution is Saline Nasal Spray. I bought the 1.5-oz size for $4.00, which will last my entire trip. Before you get dry sinuses, squirt some in each nostril and then relax as it goes to work. What are the ingredients? Water, sodium chloride, disodium phosphate, benzyl alcohol, sodium phosphate, and benzalkonium chloride. Water and salt. There are three ways to use it: Squeeze twice in each nostril, and it delivers a spray, a stream, and a drop upside down. Take your pick. 60-second confidence challenge   Advice for Active Seniors :  “There is no shame in prioritizing and slowing down vs. overdoing. Most injuries happen when people are rushing. “Go slower, arrive sooner” is a helpful mantra.”  (Ellen McCabe) If you like today's Confidence Challenge, Chapter 2 of my book dives deeper buy it on Amazon or https://www.5stepstosolotravel.com   See Book A for addressing all of these items.   Today's destination is Eurail Travel Planning I said: You are traveling in Europe in the Summer of 2025. You arrive in Athens, Greece, then go to Krakow, Warsaw, Poland, Estonia, Finland, Sweden, Norway, and Denmark, and end in Edinburgh, Scotland, where you leave the EU. You will travel for five weeks. How many days will you want to use the Eurail pass for trains and ferries? Plan the trip, including seat fees and senior discounts with these countries, and suggest other places that would be a good stopping point or worth seeing. I am a solo woman in my prime. Include a mention of the low-cost airlines that I should take when not on the train or ferry.   Answer:   1  Where a Eurail day genuinely saves you money Below is every leg: (a) scenic or pricey at full fare and (b) covered or discounted by the pass if the trip is a low-fare train, like under $10.regional hop, we skip the past day and just pay cash—why burn powder you might need later?    1  Day 3 Athens → Kalabaka  €3 IC seat  Sunset over Meteora cliffs—worth the four-hour train.  2  Day 5 Kalabaka → Thessaloníki  free (regional) No supplement, but one more travel day.  3  Day 9 Krakow → Oświęcim (return) free (regional) Auschwitz day trip; counts once.  4  Day 11 Krakow → Warsaw (EIP)  ~PLN 35 ≈ €8  High‑speed, mandatory seat.  5  Day 13 Warsaw → Gdańsk or Toruń (optional)  PLN 3 ≈ €0.70 Use if you “dive” north.  6  Day 16 Tallinn → Helsinki ferry  deck = free; cabin = ‑20 %  Tallink Silja It counts oas ne travel day.  7  Day 17 Helsinki → Tampere & back  €0–€6 VR seat  Eurail Pendolino; book in app.  8  Day 19 Helsinki o/night ferry → Stockholm  deck = free; cabin –20 % Same Tallink perk.  9  Day 21 Stockholm → Uppsala (return)  €0 (regional) Same‑day out‑and‑back.  10  Day 22 Stockholm → Gothenburg  ≈ €7 SJ seat  Eurail Community 3 h X2000.  11  Day 23 Gothenburg → Oslo  free No reservations.  12  Day 25 Oslo → Bergen  ≈ NOK 50 ≈ €4 seat Bergensbanen panorama.  13  Day 26 Bergen → Flåm train + Nærøyfjord boat  boat covered A rail‑and‑fjord combo.  14  Day 30 Copenhagen → Roskilde day‑trip  ≈ €9 seat  Eurail Vikings have & an easy return.  15  Day 32 Edinburgh → Inverness  £0–£5 seat UK still in the Eurail network.   * Fees are 2ᵈ ‑class, summer 2025 published rates.   Total Eurail travel days = 15 – the cap of the 15‑days‑in‑2‑months Senior Global Pass  2  What about the long, awkward gaps? Why wrestle with two‑day rail marathons when a 90‑minute hop costs less than your hostel?   Segment Suggested airline(s) Typical July fare if bought 3 mo ahead Thessaloníki ✈ Krakow Ryanair, Aegean €55–€85 Warsaw ✈ Tallinn airBaltic, LOT, Ryanair €45–€90 Bergen ✈ Copenhagen Norwegian, SAS €65–€110 Copenhagen ✈ Edinburgh easyJet, Ryanair, Norwegian €40–€80   Question: could you train Thessaloníki→Krakow via Budapest? Yes—but it burns 2‑3 pass days plus €30‑€45 in night‑train supplements. The low‑cost flight is simply cheaper and quicker.   3  Five‑week skeleton itinerary   Week Base & ideas Safety‑first extras for a 65‑yr‑old solo traveler  1 Athens 3 d – dawn Acropolis, Plaka food walk → train to Meteora 2 d (monastery sunsets) → Thessaloníki 2 d for Byzantine walls & waterfront. Central hotels near Syntagma & Aristotelous squares; use the eat taxi app after dark.  2 Fly to Krakow 3 d (+ Auschwitz) → Warsaw 2 d → optional day to Toruń or Gdańsk. Women‑only dorms at Greg & Tom (Krakow) and OkiDoki (Warsaw); trains arrive before dusk.  3 Fly to Tallinn 2 d → ferry to Helsinki 3 d with day‑trip to Tampere—Telliskivi creative city, Suomenlinna flat walks; Bolt taxis for late returns.  4 Night ferry to Stockholm 3 d (+ Uppsala) → train to Gothenburg 2 d → rail to Oslo 2 d. Stockholm hostel “City Backpackers” has curtained bunks; carry Rail Planner live‑trip link to share location.  5 Oslo‑Bergen rail & fjords 3 d → Fly to Copenhagen 3 d (+ Roskilde) → Fly to Edinburgh; finish with Highlands loop 4 d (Inverness, Aviemore hikes) before departure. Fjord cruise boats have good handrails; Scottish B&Bs offer single rooms beside stations.   4  Is the pass still worth it? That's $200-250 saved, plus the flexibility to reroute if wildfires, strikes, or your whims intervene.   5  Quick checklist before you lock it in Buy the Senior Global Pass (15 days/2 months) before prices rise.   Book the four trains with limited seats (EIP Poland, X2000 Sweden, Bergensbanen, Copenhagen reservations) as soon as reservations open—usually 60–90 days in advance.   Use the Rail Planner app to activate travel days on the morning you board; keep two blanks until the very end in case you shuffle plans.   Flights: watch Friday flash sales on Ryanair/Norwegian; they routinely drop

This week's episode guest is Tova Olsson who has been teaching yoga and meditation for over 20 years. She holds a MA in religious studies from the University of Gothenburg and is specialised in yogic and tantric traditions. She teaches the philosophy section of several yoga teacher trainings and is appreciated for her skills in storytelling and her ability to explain philosophical ideas in an approachable, embodied and humorous ways. She is currently working on her PhD at Umeå University in Sweden, researching the construction of gender in contemporary, European tantra. Tova offers a variety of online courses on her online platform, one of them being a course on Kashmir Shaivism (Trika Shaivism, nondual Shaiva tantra or classical tantra) – the heart of classical tantra; a course on the philosophy and practices of a masterful tradition.Topics that we cover in this episode:Classical tantraLeft handed and right handed pathsKashmir ShaivismVijñāna Bhairava TantraShiva mythology and energyRudraThe five powers of consciousness: cit, ananda, iccha, jnana, kriya Tattvas Shiva ShaktiKaliVisit Tova: http://www.tovayoga.se/https://www.instagram.com/saraswati_studies/ Kashmir Shaivism: https://saraswati-studies.teachable.com/p/kashmir-shaivism-the-heart-of-classical-tantraVijñāna Bhairava Tantra- tantric meditation for everyday livinghttps://www.instagram.com/saraswati_studies/My Law of Positivism Healing Oracle Card Deck:https://www.lawofpositivism.com/healingoracle.htmlMy book The Law of Positivism – Live a life of higher vibrations, love and gratitude:https://www.lawofpositivism.com/book.html My readings and healing sessions:https://www.lawofpositivism.com/offerings.htmlVisit Law of Positivism:https://www.instagram.com/lawofpositivism/Website: https://www.lawofpositivism.com/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/lawofpositivism/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/lawofpositivism

Plus, Byzantine frontman Chris "OJ" Ojeda joins The Loaded Radio Podcast to discuss the band's monstrous new record, Harbingers. This week's can't-miss podcast features our full The Haunted new album interview with frontman Marco Aro, who dives deep into the band's 8-year journey to create Songs Of Last Resort. We are also joined by Chris "OJ" Ojeda, who gives us the exclusive story behind Byzantine's powerful new album, Harbingers. Finding The Haunted New Album Interview? You're in the Right Place. Looking for an in-depth The Haunted new album interview? You've found it. This week on The Loaded Radio Podcast, we have the immense pleasure of sitting down with vocalist Marco Aro to get the full story behind their monumental comeback album, Songs Of Last Resort. After an eight-year wait that left fans hungry for their signature Gothenburg thrash, The Haunted have returned with a vengeance. We talk with Marco about the creative process, the fan reaction that feels like "coming home," and what it's like to be back on the warpath. This is the conversation fans have been waiting for. Plus: An Exclusive Chat with Byzantine's Chris "OJ" Ojeda As if that weren't enough, we also have a massive interview with one of American metal's most consistent and innovative bandleaders. Chris "OJ" Ojeda of Byzantine joins us to break down their incredible seventh album, Harbingers, which arrives this week via Metal Blade Records. From their new five-piece lineup to the intense recording sessions with producer Peter Wichers (Soilwork), OJ gives us an unfiltered look into the creation of a modern metal masterpiece. Ready to listen? You can hear our full The Haunted new album interview with Marco Aro and our in-depth discussion with Chris "OJ" Ojeda on The Loaded Radio Podcast.

In a world of perpetual motion, there exists a realm of profound stillness—where light doesn't simply illuminate, it transforms. Far from home amid Earth's frozen tundras, time itself seems suspended in crystalline air. In today's podcast, we'll visit these places where time hangs in the balance, and we'll explore the intrepid mix of endurance, patience, and vision it takes to make pictures there. Joining us for this conversation are polar photography specialists Acacia Johnson and Jonas Paurell. From making distinctions between Arctic and Antarctic regions, to learning about the unique challenges involved with photographing there, our polar experts share many valuable insights. In addition to tips about packing and safeguarding camera gear in cold weather climates, we also discuss the importance of managing expectations during such trips, especially when faced with a long wait to see wildlife amid the barren stillness. As Alaskan photographer Acacia Johnson puts it, “… I think going into a trip with kind of a sense of exploration, like the joy of the trip is that you don't know, and it's completely unique to your experience. And whatever you do see is kind of a gift.”   Guests: Acacia Johnson & Jonas Paurell Episode Timeline: 3:37: Acacia Johnson's upbringing in the wilds of Alaska and leaving the area for photo studies at the Rhode Island School of Design in the lower 48. 7:35: Jonas Paurell's youth in Sweden and the impact his first trek to Scandinavian Arctic regions had on his soul. 14:08: The differences between Arctic and Antarctic polar landscapes, plus Acacia's experiences during a winter in Arctic Bay, with no sun for four months. 29:13: Different approaches to storytelling about the Arctic based on subject matter, and capturing an emotion in images that does justice to the landscape. 37:31: The logistics of getting to Arctic and Antarctic locations, and expenses involved with working and living there. 43:19: The Jubilee Expedition Jonas organized to celebrate the 150th anniversary of a legendary Swedish polar expedition to Svalbard. 51:20: Episode Break 51:38: Preparations for a polar expedition and the camera gear Acacia and Jonas pack. 1:00:31: Using a large format camera on polar expeditions, plus managing gear in extreme cold conditions. 1:06:42: Managing expectations for travelers, misconceptions when planning trips, plus different types of vessels used during expeditions to polar regions. 1:16:42: Cultivating an authentic connection to place when photographing polar regions. 1:21:29: The changing ethics of photographing in polar regions, plus findings from Jonas's Jubilee Expedition Guest Bios: Acacia Johnson is a photographer, writer, and a 2023 National Geographic Explorer based in Anchorage, Alaska. Drawn to painterly light and otherworldly landscapes, her work focuses on the environment, conservation, and connections between people and place. Over the past 10 years, she has made more than fifty expeditions to the Arctic and Antarctica as a photographer and a guide—always seeking to inspire wonder and compassion for these remote regions during a time of rapid change. Her photographs have been exhibited internationally and have been featured in The New York Times, The Guardian, National Geographic and TIME magazines, among other publications. In 2021, Acacia was awarded the Canon Female Photojournalist Grant, and in 2022 she received the ICP Infinity Award for Documentary Practices and Photojournalism. Jonas Paurell is an explorer, conservation photographer, photo educator, and speaker from Gothenburg, Sweden. One of his most ambitious projects is a 25-year documentation of the Arctic. Through ski expeditions and icebreaker voyages, he has captured both the resilience and vulnerability of Arctic landscapes, emphasizing the fragility of the region and the urgent need for preservation. In 2022, Jonas launched The Jubilee Expedition, recreating the historic Swedish Polar Expedition of 1872 to highlight this region's rapid melting and the far-reaching impacts of climate change. Jonas is also founder of Terra Photography Expeditions, which offers immersive workshops in both Arctic regions and South American rainforests, helping photographers deepen their connection with nature while refining their craft. Additionally, before dedicating his life to photography, Jonas served as a human rights lawyer for the United Nations. Stay Connected: Acacia Johnson Website Instagram Facebook X Jonas Paurell Website Terra Photography Expedition Instagram Facebook YouTube   Host: Derek Fahsbender Senior Creative Producer: Jill Waterman Senior Technical Producer: Mike Weinstein Executive Producer: Richard Stevens  

This week, we're heading to Gothenburg, Sweden to sit down with Michelin-starred chef Håkan Thörnström — a culinary storyteller with decades of experience turning local, seasonal ingredients into unforgettable meals.Håkan shares how growing up with a garden, a coastline full of seafood, and the scent of his grandmother's baking shaped his lifelong relationship with food. We talk about his passion for ingredient-driven cooking, why he prefers partnering with foragers and small producers over big suppliers, and what makes Nordic cuisine so distinct — clean flavors, seasonal simplicity, and deep respect for nature.He walks us through iconic Swedish traditions like the smörgåsbord and Midsummer celebrations, tells us why Swedish pancakes are rarely found in restaurants, and shares a behind-the-scenes look at what it was like to cook for the Nobel Prize dinner — twice. We even talk about coffee culture, cinnamon buns, and his unexpectedly strong opinions about licorice.Whether you're planning a trip to Sweden, love Nordic flavors, or just want to hear a down-to-earth chef talk about food as a way of life, this episode is packed with warmth, insight, and inspiration.

In this week's episode we talk to Ben and Jerry from Castleknock Community College about their upcoming trip to Gothenburg to play in the world's largest youth handball tournament, the Partille Cup. The All-Ireland champions know that competition will be stiff, but they aim to represent the country with pride on the west coast, and they're hoping that our community can help them with their fund-raising efforts. If you can help, please donate here: https://www.gofundme.com/f/help-us-play-olympic-handball-at-the-partille-cup-in-swedenHandball is a hugely popular sport in Sweden, and this is a great opportunity for the Swedish-Irish community to take an interest in it - who knows, maybe in a generation our children or grandchildren will meet the Swedes at a major tournament!

Hi guys!This time CC sat down with the ledgend that is Rasmus "The Real One" Herbertsson.We talk about his beer bar "Ivans Pilsnerbar", where (else) to go when one finds oneself in Gothenburg and lots more.Tune in and enjoy! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this weeks episode: the Social Democrats are holding their party conference in Gothenburg what direction are they taking ahead of the 2026 election? We hear from political reporter My Rohwedder from newspaper Aftonbladet who is there. Plus, major layoffs at Volvo Cars, changes to the Migration Agency's citizenship routines, and this weekend's Stockholm Marathon.Presenters: Babak Parham & Michael Walsh.

Anomali joins us from Sweden with an energising hypnotic journey. Anomali joined Cirkus Parallelo as a resident artist in June 2024 and continues to be a mainstay at Gothenburg's festivals and clubs as well as releasing as a producer across deep technos most prominent outlets. Here he provides an impeccably presented session showcasing his fine attention to detail with true sonic craftsmanship and seamless transitions throughout. Follow : Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/anomali.music/ SoundCloud: https://soundcloud.com/anomali_music Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/anomalimusicse Monument x Carbon Carbon is a new music platform designed by and for fans of electronic music. Carbon's goal is to provide a more convenient platform to discover new and relevant content while improving revenues artists and labels can earn from streaming. Visit: urlr.me/mNtbwu Tracklist : Alfred Czital - Transit Adam Pits - Slipstream ARTIFVCT (IN) - The Curse Red Noise - Orbe Synister (IN) - Dizzy Depth ZEEMEN - Zone 5 Veiga, Aleeki - Bxb Hellquist - Flatout Code Therapy - Take Some Time for Acid Hellquist - Wckd Soul Northman - Ara Gearmaster - Parabola (Jeku Remix) Talfelt - Motus Chao Dejan (SE) - Progon Hellquist & Jorine - Not Jorines Track Human Safari - Human Silk (Kaiser Remix) Eman - Ganda Dhant - Existentia Michal Wolski - Clear-Eyed Kuss - Jungle Juice Argie - Sleepless Alpha Tracks - Kaleidoscope Face Exos - Time Of Time Maōh - Dengue CRAVO x Enkō - Erotica BLANKA - Speechless (Adriana Lopez Remix) HUJUS - Combustion (Maccari Remix) KHAS - Splinter Cell Biri & Yogg - Always Silver, Never Gold Hertz Collision - Civiltà delle Macchine Hellquist - Throttle Synister (IN) - Levitation Wave Edward Bei - Emerging Components Luigi Tozzi - Chemosynthesis (Claudio PRC Remix) Trentemøller - Chameleon

Carolina Allen discusses motherhood with Erica Komisar, LCSW and Madeline Wallin from FEFAF and Haro    “Free women. Free women from feeling terrorized and imprisoned by the narrative that unless they are a hard driving career woman, making lots of money competing with men out in the world, that they have no value. Free women, and give them permission to embrace instincts that they feel, but society doesn't give them permission to feel.” - Erica Komisar   “How can we talk about the future of the world if we can't talk about, and especially in a forum that's supposed to be for women, [if] we are not using the word ‘mother' or ‘family' and we're talking about the future?” - Carolina Allen   “We need to use the words more. We need to show motherhood. We need to talk about it so much more and use the correct words. … Nobody exists without the mother!” - Madeline Wallin   https://bigoceanwomen.org/our-work/subscribe/ A graduate of Georgetown and Columbia Universities and The New York Freudian Society, Erica is a psychological consultant bringing parenting and work/life workshops to clinics, schools, corporations, and childcare settings, including The Garden House School, Goldman Sachs, Shearman, and Sterling and SWFS Early Childhood Center.    Erica Komisar is a clinical social worker, psychoanalyst, parent coach, and author. With 40 years of experience in private practice,  she works to alleviate pain in individuals who suffer from depression, anxiety, eating, and other compulsive disorders. By helping them live better lives and have more prosperous, more satisfying relationships, she assists them in achieving their personal and professional goals and living up to their potential.    Erica is also the author of the book Being There: Why Prioritizing Motherhood in the First Three Years Matters and has appeared on major media networks such as CBS, ABC, FOX, and NPR. She regularly contributes to the Wall Street Journal, Washington Post, New York Daily News, and FOX 5 NY. She is a Contributing Editor to the Institute for Family Studies. Her second book, Chicken Little The Sky Isn't Falling: Raising Resilient Adolescents in the New Age of Anxiety was released in 2021.  Her upcoming book, guiding parents through divorcing healthily, will be released in 2025. She lives in New York City with her husband, optometrist, and social entrepreneur  Dr. Jordan Kassalow, with whom she has three teenage and young adult children.   Madeleine Wallin is General Secretary of the European Federation of Parents and Caregivers at Home (FEFAF) as well as the International Coordinator and Board Member for Haro: she previously served as President of both organizations. In her work at FEFAF and Haro, she advocates freedom of choice and equality for parents in Swedish family politics and wants to raise awareness about children's needs and the importance of motherhood. She has been interviewed by and written articles for many magazines, newspapers, and international media including the Wall Street Journal and the BBC. She is a mother of five children between 22 and 36 years of age. She lives in Hyssna, in the countryside close to Gothenburg in Sweden with her husband. Together they founded Malwa Forest AB, a business that manufactures and sells small forestry machines. Madeline is currently one of the owners and a member of the board.   Carolina Allen is the founder and leader of Big Ocean Women, the international maternal feminist organization representing perspectives of faith, family, and motherhood throughout civil society. Carolina holds a B.A. in philosophy from the University of Utah with an emphasis in cultural religions and philosophy of science. Her inspirational and philosophical work has been presented at various international U.N. conferences. She is a native of Brazil, and a fluent trilingual. She and her husband Kawika are parents to 7 children. She is an avid soccer fan and had a brief career as a semi-professional player.

Emerging from the vibrant streets of Oakland, Plague Ritual infuses the music scene with a dynamic and powerful energy. The band is rapidly gaining traction by crafting intense and captivating songs that resonate with a diverse audience. By blending the classic sounds of Gothenburg metal with a contemporary twist, Plague Ritual delivers a compelling fusion of melodic and aggressive guitar work, thunderous drumming, and intense vocal performances that immediately captivate listeners. As they continue to rise, keep a close watch on this band; their ascent to the pinnacle of the metal realm is imminent.Official Links:https://plagueritual.hearnow.com/https://m.facebook.com/people/Plague-Ritual/61559727093314/https://www.instagram.com/plagueritualofficial/Passionate about metal? You'll want to tune in to Flamekeeper™, the show that's electrifying the airwaves. As the host, MRJ brings an unparalleled enthusiasm and deep knowledge of the genre, captivating listeners with every episode. With a penchant for spotlighting up-and-coming artists and hosting insightful interviews, MRJ has cemented Flamekeeper™'s reputation as a must-listen for metal aficionados. And the best part? By rating, reviewing, and sharing the show, you're not just supporting great content – you're also helping Flamekeeper™'s sponsors, ensuring the continued success of this heavy-hitting program.Links to our Sponsors & Partners:Ageless Art Tattoo & Piercing - Clarksville/New Albany:http://www.agelessartclarksville.comhttp://www.agelessartna.comElectric Ladyland:http://Electricladyland420.comPizza DoNisi/MAG BAR:https://pizzadonisi.com/http://magbaroldlouisville.comShadebeast:http://shadebeast.comand use PROMO CODE: "SITH LORD" at check out for a 10% Discount!Creeping Death Designs:http://www.creepingdeathdesigns.comand use PROMO CODE: "METALFORGE10" at check out for a 10% Discount!Record Labels:Unchained Tapes:http://www.unchainedtapes.bigcartel.comand use PROMO CODE: "METALFORGE10" at check out for a 10% Discount!Mercenary Press:http://www.mercenarypress.bigcartel.comand use PROMO CODE: "METALFORGE" at check out for a 10% Discount!Other shows you can listen to:Night Demon Heavy Metal Podcast:http://www.nightdemon.nethttps://open.spotify.com/show/2ozLCAGQ4LdqJwMmeBYJ7k?si=OvvfZsNYRPqywwb86SzrVAZines:Soulgrinder Zine:http://www.facebook.com/soulgrinder.zineOFFICAL LINKS OF THE METAL FORGE®/FLAMEKEEPERhttp://www.metalforgeradio.comhttps://www.flamekeeper.vip FB/IG/TW/TikTok/YouTube - @metalforgeradioFlamekeeper Podcast Network: http://www.youtube.com@flamekeeperpnThe Metal Forge®The Alehorn™Ossont & Battery™UNSLEEVED™Precious Metals™The Metal Forge® Playlist on Spotify:2020https://open.spotify.com/playlist/1yvwNW58ctDIpRzqdUqs6y?si=efcfdf26507b40d52021https://open.spotify.com/playlist/4NamyLbKQ4NRdqFhLo1jGU?si=0798122add2349322022https://open.spotify.com/playlist/3ZWFkf5RV8tDLCbobWmr1h?si=b23a47ce870f4fd82023https://open.spotify.com/playlist/1Jf0nkVFUMbNmhfpxLWb7w?si=3ef101d3a4fb48e32024https://open.spotify.com/playlist/02lPZ2EBiX7IQ05hmH237f?si=d3108244290b4f2cAll Rights Reserved. Any unauthorized reproduction/duplication is expressly forbidden without prior written consent and is punishable by law. Metal Forge Intro I copyright 2020 The Metal Forge® Published by UNTIL I GET IT RIGHT MUSIC/ASCAP. Metal Forge Intro II copyright 2023 The Metal Forge® Published by UNTIL I GET IT RIGHT MUSIC/ASCAP. The Metal Forge®, please contact metalforgeradio@gmail.com for any and all other info. All other music is owned by writers/publishers respectively and is used with permission for means of promotion.©2019-2025 The Metal Forge®

Hailing from Gothenburg, Sweden, singer and songwriter Yukimi gifts the world with new music that makes listeners experience heartache, love and power all at once, packaged in her first solo album titled “For You.” Reset sat down with the singer during her stop in Chicago for her North American “For You” Tour to talk about motherhood, the joys and pains of being alive and connecting to one another. For a full archive of Reset interviews, head over to wbez.org/reset.

This week, we begin with the shocking triple murder in central Uppsala, where three young men were shot dead inside a barbershop. We bring you the latest updates. We also look at the sudden resignation of Johan Pehrson, leader of the Liberal Party, and what it means for Sweden's political center. Political writers Annie Reutersköld and Torbjörn Nilsson weigh in on the party's future—and the possibility of a merger with the Centre Party.Then, we ask if Sweden could face a major blackout, like the one that hit Spain and Portugal this week. MSB's Jan-Olof Olsson explains how ready Sweden really is — and why having cash and a transistor radio might still matter.Finally, we hear from Swedish Radio's Victor Jensen about Volvo Cars plan to cut SEK 18 billion in costs, a move that may lead to major layoffs in Gothenburg and beyond.Presenters: Babak Parham and Dave RussellProducer: Kris Boswell

Episode 86 featuring our guests from Gothenburg, Sweden: The Test Pilots! Joined by Frank Quaranted, we recorded this episode via StreamYard, enjoying coffee while they had some Booze. We discussed their last trip to LA, their connection with fellow Gothenburg band The Nevrotix, and their incredible three-piece sound and approach to psychobilly plus more.   [Episode Links]https://linktr.ee/beerwithbearpodcast?utm_source=linktree_profile_share<sid=a354c8ab-98f3-4da6-8903-b941002fe7e9    

In this episode of Braving Business, we sit down with Ulf Ekberg, co-founder of the iconic Swedish pop group Ace of Base. Rising to global fame in the 1990s with hits like "All That She Wants" and "The Sign," the band sold over 50 million records worldwide, making them one of Sweden's most successful musical exports. Beyond the charts, Ulf's journey is one of transformation. From his early days immersed in Gothenburg's electronic music scene, inspired by bands like Kraftwerk, to co-founding Ace of Base, his passion for technology and music was evident. However, his past associations with extremist groups during his teenage years cast a shadow over his success. Ulf has publicly acknowledged and expressed deep regret for this period, emphasizing that those views are not reflective of who he is today. In recent years, Ulf has channeled his energies into technology and sustainability. He co-founded a music production and management company with Jonas Berggren and has been involved in sustainable impact investing, including serving as a governor for the Stoic Foundation. In this candid conversation, Ulf shares:The origins of Ace of Base and their unexpected rise to fameHis reflections on past mistakes and the journey to personal growthTransitioning from pop stardom to tech entrepreneurship and sustainability initiativesInsights into the music industry's evolution and the role of technologyKey Takeaways:Personal transformation is possible, even after public misstepsDiversifying one's career can lead to fulfilling second actsEmbracing technology and sustainability can drive meaningful changeConnect with Ulf Ekberg:Website: about.me/ulf.ekbergInstagram: @ulfbuddhaLinkedIn: Ulf EkbergContact Us: Visit www.bravingbusiness.com for more episodes and updates.Ulf's story is a testament to the complexities of personal growth, the power of reinvention, and the enduring impact of music and technology. Tune in for an episode that delves deep into the highs and lows of a life lived in the spotlight and beyond.

What's the science behind a sweet tooth? James Gallagher explores whether sugar really can be addicted and what happens in our bodies when we want it and when we eat it. He's joined by Professor Susanne Dickson, who specialises in the neurobiology of appetite at the University of Gothenburg, and Professor James Brown from the School of Biosciences at Aston University.With Easter coming up, James meets dental hygienist and researcher Dr Claire McCarthy from King's College London in the BBC loos to get some top tips on keeping our teeth clean and gets a few pointers on where he could do with brushing up on his technique. Presenter: James Gallagher Producers: Tom Bonnett and Hannah Robins Assistant Producer: Anna Charalambou

What route ahead for the new leader of the Centre Party? Anna-Karin Hatt has been nominated, and her decisions may affect the political landscape in Sweden. There is analysis of the government's spring amendment budget and a visit to the big open-air museum Skansen for some Easter stories in this edition of Radio Sweden Weekly. Plus: how decisions in the White House have affected an exhibition in Gothenburg.Presenters: Ulla Engberg and Dave RussellProducers: Kris Boswell and Sujay Dutt.

A round-up of the main headlines in Sweden on April 16th, 2025. You can hear more reports on our homepage www.radiosweden.se, or in the app Sveriges Radio Play. Presenter/Producer: Kris Boswell

It's tax day, but some of the important policies that are helping your farm maintain profitability are in jeopardy if the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017 is allowed to expire this year. Provisions like the Qualified Business Income Deduction, 100% Bonus Depreciation, and the increased Estate Tax Exemption are critically important to producers across the country. So in this episode, we're talking with two of NCGA's foremost experts about how these policies benefit farmers… and what we can do to preserve them. Andy Jobman is a farmer from Gothenburg, Nebraska, and chairs NCGA's Risk Management Action Team, which has been researching the effects of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act at the farm gate and building up our case to preserve it. And Wayne Stoskopf is NCGA's Director of Public Policy, serving as the D.C. staff liaison for all matters involving tax policy. Together, they'll explain why farmers can't afford to lose these tax protections, what it means for rural communities, and why it's critical for growers to contact their legislators about this issue.