How It Ticks

Whats Next After Protesting, A Guide To Systemic Change | Nora Wilhelm (#32)

How It Ticks — Sun, 23 Nov 2025 14:51:00 +0000

Episode Summary 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 […]

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The Swiss Military: How A Neutral Country Prepares For War | Mathias Müller (#31)

How It Ticks — Tue, 28 Oct 2025 15:04:19 +0000

Episode Summary 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 […]

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How the Swiss trade with China: The Secret to Their Success (#30)

How It Ticks — Tue, 30 Sep 2025 18:47:06 +0000

Episode Summary In this episode, I sit down with 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 […]

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The Truth About Plastic in Switzerland | Javier Pérez-Ramírez (#29)

How It Ticks — Thu, 28 Aug 2025 15:55:17 +0000

Episode Summary In this episode, I sit down with Javier Pérez-Ramírez, a full Professor of Catalysis Engineering at ETH Zurich and a highly cited researcher in the field of chemistry. His work focuses on developing sustainable chemical and energy processes to tackle some of our world’s biggest environmental challenges. Expect to learn about the magnitude […]

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The Truth About Intelligence & Swiss Education | Elsbeth Stern (#28)

How It Ticks — Sat, 16 Aug 2025 11:08:05 +0000

Episode Summary In this episode, I sit down with Elsbeth Stern, a cognitive psychologist and Professor of Teaching-Learning Research at ETH Zurich. We delve into her 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 […]

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Best Hikes in Switzerland 2025! | Swiss Family Fun (#27)

How It Ticks — Tue, 05 Aug 2025 16:23:17 +0000

Episode Summary This episode features Tanya Deans, the creator of the popular Swiss hiking blog Swiss Family Fun. We delve into her unique journey of transforming a personal passion project into a leading online resource for navigating Switzerland’s landscapes and experiences. This episode features Tanya Dean, the creator of the popular Swiss hiking blog Swiss […]

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Remarkable Swiss Stories Through History | James Blake Wiener (#26)

How It Ticks — Sun, 22 Jun 2025 18:27:18 +0000

Episode Summary In this episode, we examine five moments in history that involve Swiss individuals. From maritime events to political roles and exploration, we explore how people from Switzerland engaged with global events. We discuss stories that illustrate various contributions and experiences of Swiss people beyond their home country. Expect to learn about Swiss passengers […]

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How Switzerland Helped Land on a Comet | Swiss Astrophysicist (#25)

How It Ticks — Sun, 25 May 2025 17:43:17 +0000

Episode Summary Switzerland may not have a space agency, but it plays a surprisingly important role in global space exploration. In this episode, we explore the Rosetta mission—the first spacecraft to orbit and land on a comet—and the Swiss-led instrument that made key discoveries along the way. Expect to learn how Swiss engineering helped make […]

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Switzerland’s WWII Story: Navigating Neutrality in a Divided Europe | Jakob Tanner (#24)

How It Ticks — Fri, 16 May 2025 16:24:10 +0000

Episode Summary At the height of Nazi power in 1942, Switzerland was surrounded—geographically and politically—by Axis-controlled countries. While the country maintained a stance of neutrality throughout World War II, that neutrality came with trade-offs, contradictions, and difficult decisions. In this episode, historian Jakob Tanner helps unpack what life was really like in Switzerland during the […]

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Professor of Criminal Law: How Switzerland Punishes Crime Without Destroying Lives (#23)

How It Ticks — Mon, 28 Apr 2025 10:02:46 +0000

Episode Summary 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 […]

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