Lisa Burke Show

ISL launches new global impact programme.

Ambassador Karpetova links the Czech Republic to Luxembourg through the life of the beloved Charles IV Ambassador Barbara Karpetová, the Czech Republic Ambassador to Luxembourg, is a Doctor of Social Anthropology. As such, she is fascinated by the way in which our world is shaped by humans and their choices or actions. Charles IV, a man so omnipresent in the lives of Czech people still today, is a man worth the study of a social anthropologist, as his life is far from ordinary. And indeed, his father was from Luxembourg.  Few historical figures embody Europe’s interconnected identity as vividly as Emperor Charles IV. Born in 1316 to a Luxembourgish father and a Czech mother, Charles would become one of the most enlightened rulers of the Middle Ages: the greatest Czech of all time according to so many Czech polls, and arguably the most influential Luxembourger in European history. Yet many in Luxembourg remain unaware that this remarkable visionary, whose reign transformed Central Europe, was one of their own. Charles IV’s early life was shaped by trauma and displacement. Taken from his mother at the age of three amid political turmoil, he spent his formative years at the French court, where he absorbed languages, diplomacy, and intellectual rigour. His father, John the Blind of Luxembourg, a charismatic but restless knight-king, embodied glory and instability in equal measure. His mother, Elizabeth of Bohemia, offered emotional depth, cultural identity, and spiritual grounding, although her own tragic life imprinted upon him a lifelong empathy and introspection. These tensions forged a ruler who sought stability, reflection, and humane governance rather than the cycle of destruction so common in his era. Unlike many medieval monarchs who fashioned their legacy through conquest, Charles IV built his through construction and culture. In Prague, he imagined and executed a city worthy of an imperial capital: Charles Bridge, St Vitus Cathedral, the New Town of Prague, and the glittering fortress of Karlštejn, his sanctuary for meditation and prayer. These were not monuments of vanity but investments in civic life, education, and international exchange. Above all, his founding of Charles University in 1348, the first in Central Europe, signalled a radical belief: that a prosperous society begins with knowledge, openness, and shared intellectual endeavour. Charles IV was also a political architect. His Golden Bull of 1356 established clear rules for imperial elections and gave the Holy Roman Empire centuries of stability. This was an achievement so visionary that historians still marvel at its durability today. His reign was defined by diplomacy, multilingual engagement, and the kind of pragmatic cooperation that Luxembourg cherishes today. A fluent speaker of five languages, he travelled extensively, preferring personal dialogue over emissaries. His political style, rooted in listening and persuasion rather than coercion, made him a quietly transformative figure in a turbulent century. Though he carried Luxembourgish blood and Czech devotion in equal measure, Charles IV saw Europe as a unified web long before the concept existed. He moved between courts, cultures, and identities with the ease of a modern European statesman. His values of multilingualism, education, peaceful leadership, and cultural openness mirror those of Luxembourg today, a nation where diversity is not a challenge but a strength. In many ways, Charles IV was Europe before Europe: a bridge between peoples whose life story reminds us that one person, or small countries, can shape the continent in profound ways. This Advent season, his legacy carries a particularly resonant message. In an age of fast decisions and constant noise, Charles IV was a ruler who stopped, reflected, prayed, and reshaped his world with intention. He believed deeply in service, in building rather than breaking, and in leading through wisdom rather than force. His life encourages us to pause, to examine our direction, and to choose the kind of leadership—personal or political—that uplifts rather than divides. For Luxembourg and the Czech Republic, Charles IV is not just shared history; he is shared inspiration. A child of two nations, a builder of cities, a scholar-king, a European long before the invention of the term. He is a reminder that greatness can arise from unlikely circumstances, and that values rooted in openness, stability, and compassion endure across centuries. And in the heart of Prague, where his bridges cross the Vltava and his university still thrives, Charles IV continues to welcome the world, just as he did in life.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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