Claim OwnershipHolding on to Unicorns and Rainbows
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© 2025 Elena Schuh & Kerstin Papenfuss
Description
Hosted by Kerstin and Elena, two good friends and visionary scientists, who believe that optimism and critical thinking can go hand in hand.
This podcast is their place to question the status quo and imagine what could be – from the everyday mundane to the big ideas.
From rethinking how we fund and develop drugs, to the mental load of working parents, to why female founders are still underrepresented – each conversation challenges how things are done and opens up new ways of seeing.
Sometimes they'll bring in guests who have exciting stories to tell, sometimes it’s just them, unpacking the messy middle between vision and reality.
A mix of facts (they do like things backed by solid data), ideas, and stories from their own and their guests’ experiences bring each topic to life.
About the Hosts
Kerstin Papenfuss is a scientist, entrepreneur, and systems thinker. As Director of Pharma at Deep Science Ventures, she leads the creation and development of novel therapeutics for unmet medical needs. With more than a decade of experience across oncology, signal transduction, biotechnology, and pharmaceutical markets, she brings a rare blend of scientific depth and strategic vision. Kerstin is also a mother of two young children, sports-enthusiast and is based in London.
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kerstin-papenfuss/
Elena Schuh is a scientist and (visual) storyteller. As founder of Benchtime Stories, she has spent the past decade helping pharma and biotech teams communicate complex science in a clear yet fun way. Drawing on her previous experience in both big pharma and academia, she brings multiple perspectives to the table. Elena is also a sports-lover, outdoors-enthusiast, mother of three young children and lives in the Netherlands.
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/elena-schuh-ph-d-31a88820/
This podcast is their place to question the status quo and imagine what could be – from the everyday mundane to the big ideas.
From rethinking how we fund and develop drugs, to the mental load of working parents, to why female founders are still underrepresented – each conversation challenges how things are done and opens up new ways of seeing.
Sometimes they'll bring in guests who have exciting stories to tell, sometimes it’s just them, unpacking the messy middle between vision and reality.
A mix of facts (they do like things backed by solid data), ideas, and stories from their own and their guests’ experiences bring each topic to life.
About the Hosts
Kerstin Papenfuss is a scientist, entrepreneur, and systems thinker. As Director of Pharma at Deep Science Ventures, she leads the creation and development of novel therapeutics for unmet medical needs. With more than a decade of experience across oncology, signal transduction, biotechnology, and pharmaceutical markets, she brings a rare blend of scientific depth and strategic vision. Kerstin is also a mother of two young children, sports-enthusiast and is based in London.
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kerstin-papenfuss/
Elena Schuh is a scientist and (visual) storyteller. As founder of Benchtime Stories, she has spent the past decade helping pharma and biotech teams communicate complex science in a clear yet fun way. Drawing on her previous experience in both big pharma and academia, she brings multiple perspectives to the table. Elena is also a sports-lover, outdoors-enthusiast, mother of three young children and lives in the Netherlands.
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/elena-schuh-ph-d-31a88820/
5 Episodes
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In this episode, Elena and Kerstin welcome Melina and Agata, co-founders of Ovo Labs, a startup focused on improving egg quality and fertility treatments.They discuss their backgrounds, the journey of founding Ovo Labs, the science behind egg aging, and the emotional impact of infertility.The conversation highlights the importance of innovative solutions in reproductive health and the challenges faced by startups in the biotech industry.Homepage Ovo Labs: https://www.ovo-labs.com/LinkedIn Agata Zielinska: https://www.linkedin.com/in/agata-zielinska-18a97494/LinkedIn Melina Schuh: https://www.linkedin.com/in/melina-schuh-841894311/LinkedIn Kerstin Papenfuss: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kerstin-papenfuss/LinkedIn Elena Schuh: https://www.linkedin.com/in/elena-schuh-ph-d-31a88820/
In this end-of-year episode, Kerstin and Elena reflect on their personal and professional journeys throughout the year.They discuss the challenges faced in the biotech investment sector this year, celebrate their wins, and share insights on navigating the ups and downs of business.The conversation also touches on the impact of AI, the importance of maintaining personal connections, and their aspirations for the upcoming year, 2026.LinkedIn Kerstin Papenfuss: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kerstin-papenfuss/LinkedIn Elena Schuh: https://www.linkedin.com/in/elena-schuh-ph-d-31a88820/
In this episode, hosts Kerstin and Elena discuss the importance of exercise for health and longevity, sharing personal experiences and insights on how to incorporate physical activity into busy lives.They explore strategies for making exercise enjoyable, the role of accountability, and the impact of childhood sports on adult fitness habits.The conversation also touches on innovations in fitness technology and the importance of building sustainable habits for long-term well-being.LinkedIn Kerstin Papenfuss: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kerstin-papenfuss/LinkedIn Elena Schuh: https://www.linkedin.com/in/elena-schuh-ph-d-31a88820/
In this episode, Elena and Kerstin discuss the challenges of modern life, including feelings of overwhelm and loneliness, particularly among parents.They introduce the concept of the MVP (Minimal Viable Product) approach to life, emphasizing the importance of prioritizing essential tasks and lowering expectations to reduce stress.The conversation touches on societal pressures, the impact of urban design on community connections, and the need for conscious choices in distributing responsibilities at home.They also explore cultural differences in parenting and the effects of COVID-19 on social interactions, concluding with a call to action for listeners to reflect on their own priorities and connections.LinkedIn Kerstin Papenfuss: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kerstin-papenfuss/LinkedIn Elena Schuh: https://www.linkedin.com/in/elena-schuh-ph-d-31a88820/
In this inaugural episode of 'Holding on to Unicorns and Rainbows', hosts Elena and Kerstin discuss the landscape of female founders in deep tech startups.They share their personal journeys, the challenges women face in entrepreneurship, and the motivations that drive them to start their own ventures.The conversation highlights the importance of support systems, the perception of risk, and the need for greater awareness and initiatives to encourage female entrepreneurship.The episode concludes with thoughts on future initiatives to foster diversity in the startup ecosystem.LinkedIn Kerstin Papenfuss: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kerstin-papenfuss/LinkedIn Elena Schuh: https://www.linkedin.com/in/elena-schuh-ph-d-31a88820/
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