Monaco Info - The Podcast

Our guest today left his family in native Germany at 16 to pursue surfing in Hawaii. He became the first European to win the World Surf League's XXL/Big Wave Award and, in 2020, broke the Guinness World Record for surfing a wave the height of an eight-story building. The wave explorer developed the technology that measured the largest breaking wave ever scientifically recorded and continues to push for advanced safety in big wave surfing. His story is now playing on the big screen and he's about to launch a new foundation about waves, water and the planet. You may see him surfing in front of the Yacht Club on his foil board, meet Monaco resident Sebastian Steudtner.Hosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

Our guest today is a University of Monaco alumna who started off her career as a TV presenter for Monte-Carlo SAT and reported for Eurosport. Born in Strasbourg to a French mother and German father, the Monaco entrepreneur founded 5 Star Events and created the Bal de Noël in support of the Princess Grace Hospital's maternity ward, building it into a 20-year fixture on the country's philanthropic calendar. And the socialite launched the Women of Monaco Club, Lunch and Awards, with an International Action Committee that stretches far beyond the shores of the Principality. Meet Sandrine Knoell. Hosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

Our guest today started out as a lawyer before co-founding one of the UK's most successful legal recruitment consultancies. But, in 2010, the keynote speaker stepped off the corporate treadmill to follow a deeper calling. He retrained in psychotherapy, moved to Monaco, and started Riviera Wellbeing. The therapist became a household name with his popular show "Wellbeing Window" on Riviera Radio before swapping the bedroom for the boardroom as an executive coach to CEOs. He has since created the new Monaco Business Circle, an invitation-only forum for senior leaders in the Principality looking to maximise their success. Meet Monaco resident, Gavin Sharpe.Hosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

Our guest today is a Brazilian-born Monegasque entrepreneur and media tycoon whose life reads like a modern saga of global ambition, influence and celebrity. After earning a law degree in Rio, he moved to the U.S. and set his sights on commodity trading where he earned the nickname "King of Coffee" for expanding into Russia. Fluent in multiple languages, he went on to become the CEO, Publisher and Executive Editor of Forbes Monaco and Forbes Netherlands. And with a digital rolodex of billionaires and famous names, he took his publishing vision a step further and launched The Monegasque™, a magazine for the country's affluent and elite. Dynamic and driven, he is also the mastermind behind the Principality's first art biennial. Meet Monaco resident Luiz Costa Macambira.Hosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

This episode with Martin Doyle is like masterclass on "The Troubles", with the "Dirty Linen" author offering a clear, compelling guide to one of Ireland's most complex periods in a way that every listener can understand. His new book... and film, both come out in Spring 2026.Hosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

Our guest today was just 12 years old when he made his first hat. It was three feet wide and became front page news when his mother wore it to Royal Ascot. Despite having no formal training, the Londoner attracted A-List clients early on with a style "less about couture and more about theatre". One of his hats can be found in the Victoria & Albert Museum, another was nominated by the Guinness World Records as the most expensive hat in the world in the 21st century. Having earned his place in British design history, the hat maker and sculptor – who's also a DJ – added to his legacy by launching the first rocket into space for the sake of Art. Meet Monaco resident David Shilling.Hosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

Our guest today was so inspired by women pioneers like Jane Goodall that she applied for an internship with the Dutch embassy and found herself in Nairobi as a field researcher at a nature reserve. Seeing the Rift Valley with its herds of elephants and zebras became a defining moment for a career in conservation, which eventually led to an appointment as the first female Director General of the WWF International. Welcome Kirsten Schuijt.Hosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

Our guest today has been called Formula One's First Lady. By age 8, she was karting competitively in Scotland and in 2012 made history by joining Williams as a development driver, becoming the first woman in over two decades to participate in an F1 race weekend. After retiring from the driver's seat, she headed the Venturi Formula E team and now serves as Managing Director of the F1 Academy, an all-female racing championship. She is an executive producer alongside Reese Witherspoon for the Academy's series on Netflix, and her new memoir, Driven, is sure to inspire generations of girls both on and off the track. Meet Monaco resident Susie Wolff.Hosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

Our guest today comes from rowing royalty out of Philadelphia. His grandfather was a 3-time Olympic gold medalist and is considered one of the greatest American oarsmen of all time. His father was a 4-time Olympian and 6-time U.S. National Champion who became President of the U.S. Olympic Committee. Yet the Harvard alumnus was a pentathlete before switching to skulling, and holds the varsity team record for the biggest come-from-behind victory in the history of the Harvard-Yale Regatta. The first cousin of Prince Albert is President of the U.S. chapter of the Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation and is in town for National Day and the Challenge Prince Albert II rowing cup. Meet John B. Kelly IIIHosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

Our guest today says the most important thing in her life is breathing. Born in Denmark, she chose a career in finance to please her father but when she moved to Monaco, the blackbelt in jiu-jitsu and waterski champion rebooted as a professional fitness coach. Her real passion though is nature and the ocean, and in 2015 she founded The Animal Fund. The mission of this not-for profit Monaco-based association that is now present in four countries is to educate children about marine conservation but it also champions movements like the Invisible bag. Meet Monaco resident Berit Nielsen Legrand.Hosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

Our guest today is one of the UK's most recognized self-made billionaires. The founder of Phones 4U was one of the first Brits to sign the Giving Pledge promising to give away at least 50% of his wealth, is an advocate for climate action, and calls for a gambling tax to combat "mayhem in society". A passionate developer, he turned a landmark hotel on Cap d'Antibes into a €340 million euro residence. Meanwhile his Caudwell Children charity, which aims to make life fair for disabled and autistic children, celebrates 25 years with its Butterfly Ball in Monaco. Meet John Caudwell. Hosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

Our guest today's life reads like a movie script. Born in London to a British screen play writer mother and American film producer dad who worked on the Beatles movies, the bilingual founder of Pink Ribbon Monaco has addressed the United Nations in New York, is a partner of Oath Gin with Formula One's Valtteri Bottas and she started a craft beer company with American actor, Noah Wylie, who happens to be her step-brother. Welcome Natasha Frost-Savio. Hosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

Saskia Clark is probably the most accomplished female sailor living in Monaco that you've never heard of. With the Americas Cup just announcing each crew will have a female team member, the Olympian is well-placed to teach us more about the sport.Hosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

Our guest today is a World War II veteran who enlisted in the U.S. Army after Pearl Harbor in 1942. Fluent in English, French and Italian, he was assigned to intelligence, intercepting messages, and ended the War in northern Italy, sleeping in Mussolini's bed. Post-war, the American's career at Pan American World Airlines spanned 45-years and included a stint as director in Nice, which is how he developed a close friendship with Prince Rainier and Princess Grace. The honorary godfather to Prince Albert comes to Monaco every year to celebrate his birthday with His Serene Highness. Meet the Honorary Consul of Monaco in San Diego, 104-year-old Max Gurney.Hosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

Our guest today says she's always been a lightning rod for unusual life experiences. She wrote for a campus newsletter with fellow student Stephen King, cofounded a newspaper, and was a spokesperson-turned-lobbyist for a nuclear power plant. All this before the American ever set foot in Monaco 35 years ago. She could never have imagined a career at Stars'n'Bars would make her one of the most beloved figures in the Principality or the stories that it would bring. Welcome Director of Monaco-USA and co-founder of Monaco Pride, Annette Anderson.Hosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

Our guest today describes himself as "a self-motivated, highly-driven entrepreneur and philanthropist". His first company used technology to help Ireland's fishing industry and here in Monaco the resident is CEO of a group of Entertainment, Media and Technology businesses. Yet what put him on the international stage was an idea to challenge teenagers to create high-end wearable fashion from everyday junk. As he explains it, he invented a sport. Welcome the founder and CEO of Junk Kouture, Troy Armour.Hosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

Our guest today is an Ivy League golf champion who built two billion-dollar companies and has designed acclaimed hotels in Uruguay and Italy. His vineyard in Chile that he created from scratch was ranked number two by the World's Best Vineyards last year. On top of that, the Monaco resident speaks five languages, loves to dance the night away, and was once buried alive in an avalanche while heli-skiing in Canada. It's no wonder Forbes magazine once called him the "Most Interesting Man in the World." Meet Alexander Vik.Hosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

How far would you go to pursue your dreams? For Burcu Çetinkaya, the answer will inspire you. The President of the FIA Women in Motorsport Commission was in town for the Monaco E-Prix and shared her astonishing story. Hosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

Our guest today is a genuine Monaco celebrity insider with stories you won't hear elsewhere. He was on the starting grid of 246 Formula One Grand Prix races, celebrated 13 wins, and was the 2001 World Drivers' Championship runner up. The Scottish pundit has remained planted in the world of motorsport as a correspondent with the BBC and now Channel 4. He owns a pub, a television production company and has written two books. And he launched More Than Equal, a program that looks to break down the barriers that have held back female talent in motorsport for the past 50 years. But you'll never guess what he's afraid of. Welcome David "DC" Coulthard. Hosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

Our guest today is an award-winning photojournalist, documentary filmmaker and best-selling author known for capturing the lives of people in conflict zones and marginalized communities. The British-born activist is also committed to working with non-profit associations, like Action Innocence Monaco which raises awareness about the dangers of using the internet to children and their parents. It may surprise listeners to learn that the Monegasque also gives classes in English to students at public schools in Monaco in everything from Plastic Arts and Philosophy to History and Russian. Meet Nick Danziger.Hosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.