How It Ticks: The Swiss Culture, Business & Life Podcast

Jan-Egbert Sturm is the Director of the KOF Swiss Economic Institute at ETH Zurich and one of Switzerland’s leading macroeconomists. In this episode, we explore how Switzerland is navigating an increasingly unpredictable global economy. Jan-Egbert explains how resilient the Swiss economy really is, why Switzerland was hit so hard by recent US tariffs, and what early effects Swiss exporters are alr...

My guest today is Nora Wilhelm, a systems change strategist, social innovator, and co-founder of Collaboratio Helvetica . Her work focuses on helping people and organizations understand the complex systems that shape society and what needs to happen to implement real, lasting change. Expect to learn about the magnitude of global problems and why traditional approaches often fail. We discuss what i...

My guest today is Mathias Müller, an elected member of the SVP party in the Grand Council of the Canton of Bern. He is a career officer in the Swiss Army and was previously the commander of recruitment for the Swiss Armed Forces. In addition to his military and political work, he is an author and hosts the official podcast of the Swiss Armed Forces. Expect to learn about the paradox of a peaceful...

My guest today is Sebastian Huber, an expert in global trade and luxury goods with a deep focus on the business dynamics of Asia, particularly China. As a lecturer and researcher at the Lucerne University of Applied Sciences and Arts, and with a background that includes global roles at luxury brands like Montblanc, he brings a unique perspective on Switzerland's place in the global market. Exp...

My guest today is Javier Pérez-Ramírez, a full Professor of Catalysis Engineering at ETH Zurich, director of the NCCR Catalysis, and Chair of the Editorial Board of Green Chemistry. He and his team design chemical solutions to solve one of the world’s biggest environmental challenges, plastic waste. His work has been widely recognized with several awards. Expect to learn about the magnitude of the...

Elsbeth Stern is a cognitive psychologist and Professor Emeritus of Teaching-Learning Research at ETH Zurich. We delve into her extensive expertise to gain a deeper understanding of intelligence, its development, and its role in a changing world. The conversation addresses common myths about learning and provides a critical look at modern education. Expect to learn about what intelligence really i...

My guest today is Tanya Deans, the creator and author of the popular Swiss hiking blog, Swiss Family Fun . Tanya's journey from a Swiss expat to a leading guide in Swiss travel has made her blog a go-to resource for anyone looking to explore the country's incredible hiking trails and experiences. Expect to learn about top hike recommendations for various groups, including visiting families...

My guest today is Tanya Deans, the creator and author of the popular Swiss hiking blog, Swiss Family Fun . Tanya's journey from a Swiss expat to a leading guide in Swiss travel has made her blog a go-to resource for anyone looking to explore the country's incredible hiking trails and experiences. Expect to learn about the inspiration behind Swiss Family Fun and its evolution from a persona...

James Blake Wiener, a historian, writer, and Co-Founder of the World History Encyclopedia, joins How It Ticks to explore remarkable Swiss stories throughout history. His research illuminates global history through unique cross-cultural exchanges and individual narratives. This is Part 5 of our special 5-part series, focusing on The Ticinese and the Australian Gold Rush . We delve into the compelli...

James Blake Wiener, a historian, writer, and Co-Founder of the World History Encyclopedia, joins How It Ticks to explore remarkable Swiss stories throughout history. His research illuminates global history through unique cross-cultural exchanges and individual narratives. This is Part 4 of our special 5-part series, focusing on Johann Ludwig Burckhardt: An Intrepid Swiss Explorer . We delve into t...

James Blake Wiener, a historian, writer, and Co-Founder of the World History Encyclopedia, joins How It Ticks to explore remarkable Swiss stories throughout history. His research illuminates global history through unique cross-cultural exchanges and individual narratives. This is Part 3 of our special 5-part series, focusing on Albert Gallatin: A Swiss Founding Father . We delve into the life and...

James Blake Wiener, a historian and writer, and a Co-Founder of the World History Encyclopedia, joins me to discuss Swiss stories throughout history. His work explores various aspects of global history, often highlighting cross-cultural exchanges and the narratives of individuals. Expect to learn about the experiences of Swiss passengers on the Titanic and the Lusitania, the role of Albert Gallati...

James Blake Wiener, a historian, writer, and Co-Founder of the World History Encyclopedia, joins How It Ticks to explore remarkable Swiss stories throughout history. His research illuminates global history through unique cross-cultural exchanges and individual narratives. This is Part 1 of our special 5-part series, focusing specifically on The Swiss on the Titanic. We delve into the little-known...

Kathrin Altwegg, astrophysicist and professor emerita at the University of Bern, joins me to discuss Switzerland’s surprising role in global space science. As the head of the ROSINA project—one of the key instruments aboard the European Space Agency’s Rosetta mission—Kathrin played a central role in helping humanity land on a comet for the first time. Expect to learn how Switzerland became a respe...

Jakob Tanner, professor emeritus of modern history at the University of Zurich, joins me to explore Switzerland’s role in World War II and what it really meant to be a “neutral” country surrounded by Nazi-occupied Europe. Expect to learn what daily life looked like for Swiss citizens during the war, how the country balanced fear of invasion with domestic stability, and why the Reduit strategy focu...

Jakob Tanner, professor emeritus of modern history at the University of Zurich, joins me to explore Switzerland’s role in World War II and what it really meant to be a “neutral” country surrounded by Nazi-occupied Europe. Expect to learn what daily life looked like for Swiss citizens during the war, how the country balanced fear of invasion with domestic stability, and why the Reduit strategy focu...

Nora Markwalder, former prosecutor and professor of criminal law and criminology at the University of St. Gallen, joins me to unpack how Switzerland’s criminal justice system really works. Drawing on her deep experience across criminal procedure, white-collar crime, and criminology, Nora explains what happens from the moment a crime is investigated all the way to sentencing. Expect to learn how Sw...

Nora Markwalder, former prosecutor and professor of criminal law and criminology at the University of St. Gallen, joins me to unpack how Switzerland’s criminal justice system really works. Drawing on her deep experience across criminal procedure, white-collar crime, and criminology, Nora explains what happens from the moment a crime is investigated all the way to sentencing. Expect to learn how Sw...

Patricia Schafer , a Swiss political scientist, civic educator, and militia politician who’s built her career around understanding and participating in the country’s political system joins me to unpack the inner workings of Swiss democracy. Expect to learn what makes Switzerland’s political system so unique, why it allows citizens to vote on nearly everything, and how that shapes the country’s cul...

Alex Mari, a personal branding expert, digital marketing strategist, and university lecturer, joins me to explore how professionals can build and reshape their personal brand—especially later in their careers. With a background spanning academia, startups, and corporate leadership, Alex now helps individuals and organisations understand the growing importance of visibility, consistency, and authen...

Alex Mari, a personal branding expert, digital marketing strategist, and university lecturer, joins me to explore how professionals can build and reshape their personal brand—especially later in their careers. With a background spanning academia, startups, and corporate leadership, Alex now helps individuals and organisations understand the growing importance of visibility, consistency, and authen...

Laura Hackl, a leading expert in protein science, nutrition, and sustainability, joins me to explore the future of food and how innovative solutions are addressing global challenges. With a career spanning research on nutrient absorption to developing alternative proteins, Laura shares insights into the science behind what we eat and its broader implications. Expect to learn the key differences be...

Melanie Häner-Müller, an economist specializing in social mobility, income inequality, and economic policy, returns to discuss the realities of income and wealth inequality in Switzerland. As the head of Social Policy at the Institute for Swiss Economic Policy (IWP) in Lucerne, her research has shaped public discussions on economic fairness, social welfare, and the gap between perception and reali...

Melanie Häner-Müller, an economist specializing in social mobility, income inequality, and economic policy, joins me to break down how opportunity is shaped by history, policy, and perception. As the head of Social Policy at the Institute for Swiss Economic Policy (IWP) in Lucerne, Melanie has researched Switzerland’s welfare system, education policies, and economic mobility, with her work widely...

Lisa Falco, a data scientist, digital health expert, and leading figure in women’s health technology, joins me to unpack the science of fertility and reproductive health. With a PhD in Biomedical Imaging and a wealth of experience in FemTech, including her role as Director of Data Science at Ava, Lisa has been at the forefront of leveraging technology to help women better understand their bodies....