How It Ticks

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 Switzerland’s justice system compares to countries like France, Germany, and the U.S., why rehabilitation is prioritized over punishment, and how the controversial juvenile justice framework operates. Nora also discusses what life is like inside Swiss prisons, how criminal records affect future employment, and the ways Switzerland handles international and immigration-related legal cases. If you’re curious about Swiss law, justice philosophy, or crime trends, this conversation is packed with insights.CONTACT Noralinkedin.com/in/nora-markwalder-4277765bCONTACT MIKEhttps://howitticks.ch/contact-page/TRANSCRIPThttps://howitticks.ch/podcast/justice-in-switzerland/TIMESTAMPS00:00 Foreigners in the Swiss justice system: are they treated differently?04:00 How the juvenile justice system works—and why 18 is a hard cutoff10:00 Trends in Swiss crime rates and the legacy of Zurich’s heroin epidemic18:00 The role of victims in Swiss criminal cases and the limits of restorative justice24:00 Political influence on Swiss criminal law through public votes30:00 What Nora would change about the justice system + the impact of AI on legal work

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 Switzerland’s justice system compares to countries like France, Germany, and the U.S., why rehabilitation is prioritized over punishment, and how the controversial juvenile justice framework operates. Nora also discusses what life is like inside Swiss prisons, how criminal records affect future employment, and the ways Switzerland handles international and immigration-related legal cases. If you’re curious about Swiss law, justice philosophy, or crime trends, this conversation is packed with insights.CONTACT NORAlinkedin.com/in/nora-markwalder-4277765bCONTACT MIKEhttps://howitticks.ch/contact-page/TRANSCRIPThttps://howitticks.ch/podcast/justice-in-switzerland/TIMESTAMPS00:00 Why Nora chose criminal law and her journey from prosecution to academia03:00 How the Swiss criminal justice process works: investigation to sentencing07:30 Key differences between Swiss and common law systems12:00 Why incarceration is rare in Switzerland and how monetary penalties work16:00 How rehabilitation is prioritized over punishment24:00 What prison life looks like in Switzerland and different levels of prison security

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 culture and governance. We explore how the Federal Council operates without a central head of state, how political and cultural diversity is kept thanks to a gentleman’s agreement, and what it means to work in politics while maintaining another full-time job. Patricia also reflects on why it took so long for women to gain voting rights, and the current debates around expanding civic participation.CONTACT PATRICIAPatricia Schafer | LinkedinCONTACT MIKEhttps://howitticks.ch/contact-page/TRANSCRIPThttps://howitticks.ch/podcast/patricia-schafer-direct-democracy/TIMESTAMPS00:00 Introduction to Patricia Schafer and Swiss Politics02:01 Understanding Direct Democracy07:48 The Role of Public Votes and Elected Officials18:38 Swiss Federal Council Explained25:05 The Unique Militia System in Swiss Politics30:09 Challenges and Future of Swiss Democracy37:19 Civic Participation and Voting Rights42:55 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

In this engaging discussion, Alex Mari—personal branding expert and digital marketing strategist—shares insights on reshaping your personal brand later in your career. He emphasizes the increasing relevance of personal branding, even in traditional roles. Alex explains the concept of a career portfolio and how it facilitates managing diverse interests. He also discusses the importance of authenticity, reflection, and understanding your 'why' to create a meaningful professional identity that resonates with others.

Alex Mari, a personal branding expert and strategic digital marketer, shares invaluable insights on reshaping your personal brand—especially vital for those transitioning careers. He explains why personal branding matters now more than ever and how visibility, consistency, and authenticity are critical. Alex addresses fears around self-promotion, discussing cultural differences in branding, particularly in Switzerland. He also emphasizes the need for a personal brand to reflect one's multifaceted interests beyond just job titles, making it relevant for anyone in today’s workforce.

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 between animal and plant-based proteins, why alternative proteins are designed to mimic meat, and the potential health and environmental impacts of highly processed substitutes. Laura also discusses her work on ProFillet, a fish fillet alternative created for the XPrize Feed the Next Billion competition, and the challenges of scaling sustainable protein solutions. We touch on gaps in nutrition science, the disconnect between research and real-world applications, and the future of alternative proteins—from lab-grown meat to insect-based options.CONTACT LAURAlinkedin.com/in/lhacklCONTACT MIKEhttps://howitticks.ch/contact-page/TRANSCRIPThttps://howitticks.ch/podcast/the-surprising-truth-about-protein-meat-alternatives-laura-hackl-20/TIMESTAMPS00:00 Introduction03:15 Lessons from conducting nutrition research in Ghana and India09:30 Challenges of measuring real-world nutrition15:45 Why nutrition research produces conflicting results22:10 The funding and biases that shape food science research27:30 Developing plant-based fish: challenges in taste, texture, and nutrition34:20 Are plant-based meat substitutes truly healthy and sustainable?40:45 The potential of insect-based and lab-grown meat as alternative proteins47:10 The lack of thorough sustainability assessments in food innovation

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 reality.Expect to learn why income inequality in Switzerland hasn’t increased as much as people think, what unique factors contribute to its stability, and how Switzerland compares to other economies. Melanie explains the widening wealth gap, the historical conditions that have sometimes led to wealth redistribution, and how public perception influences politics and policy.This is part two of my conversation with Melanie, where we challenge common assumptions about inequality and explore what the data actually tells us.CONTACT MELANIElinkedin.com/in/melanie-haenerCONTACT MIKEhttps://howitticks.ch/contact-page/TRANSCRIPThttps://howitticks.ch/podcast/social-mobility-wealth-inequality/TIMESTAMPS00:00 Key findings from Melanie’s study on income and wealth inequality06:15 Why Switzerland’s income inequality has remained stable for over 100 years13:40 The perception gap—why people believe inequality is worse than it is19:50 How tax policies and redistribution shape inequality in Switzerland26:30 The growing wealth gap—what’s driving it, and why it differs from income inequality

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 published and featured in major media.Expect to learn what social mobility really means, how it’s measured, and why Switzerland performs better than expected in income mobility but lags in educational mobility. Melanie explains why high social policies don’t always translate into greater mobility, how Switzerland compares to countries like Germany, Sweden, and the U.S., and whether mobility naturally slows down in wealthier nations. We also discuss the difference between absolute and relative social mobility—and why it matters in economic debates.This is part one of my conversation with Melanie, where we explore the forces shaping social mobility in Switzerland. Stay tuned for part two, where we dive into income and wealth inequality.CONTACT MELANIElinkedin.com/in/melanie-haenerCONTACT MIKEhttps://howitticks.ch/contact-page/TRANSCRIPThttps://howitticks.ch/podcast/social-mobility-wealth-inequality/TIMESTAMPS02:00 Defining social mobility—how family background influences opportunities09:45 How social mobility is measured and key historical trends17:10 Switzerland vs. other countries24:50 The role of education and Switzerland’s dual education system in mobility30:30 The impact of immigration on social mobility

Show NotesLisa 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.Expect to learn the data-driven realities of conception, including the impact of age, stress, and mental health on fertility, and whether knowing too much—like declining egg counts or miscarriage risks—can create counterproductive stress. Lisa shares insights on the transformations women experience during pregnancy and addresses common myths about conception, such as whether timing, position, or even lying with your feet in the air can improve your chances.This is part two of my conversation with Lisa.CONTACT LISALinkedIn:linkedin.com/in/lisa-falco-jonWebsite:https://www.lisafalco.com/BOOK AUTHORED BY LISAhttps://www.goodreads.com/book/show/59096069-go-figureCONTACT MIKEhttps://howitticks.ch/contact-page/orEmail me atmike@howittticks.chTRANSCRIPT00:00 Introduction (not timestamped)02:00 The surprising lack of knowledge about the female body and fertility06:00 How wearable technology can track ovulation and predict fertility10:30 Can you use ovulation tracking as a natural form of contraception?13:30 The role of age in fertility and how chances of conception decline over time18:00 Does stress and mental health impact the ability to conceive?

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.Expect to learn the data-driven realities of conception, including the impact of age, stress, and mental health on fertility, and whether knowing too much—like declining egg counts or miscarriage risks—can create counterproductive stress. Lisa shares insights on the transformations women experience during pregnancy and addresses common myths about conception, such as whether timing, position, or even lying with your feet in the air can improve your chances.This is part one of my conversation with Lisa, exploring the phases of reproductive health and debunking myths with science. Stay tuned for part two, where we dive deeper into this fascinating topic.CONTACT LISALinkedIn:linkedin.com/in/lisa-falco-jonWebsite:https://www.lisafalco.com/BOOK AUTHORED BY LISAhttps://www.goodreads.com/book/show/59096069-go-figureCONTACT MIKEhttps://howitticks.ch/contact-page/orEmail me atmike@howittticks.chTIMESTAMPSPart 1: Understanding Fertility and Pregnancy00:00 – Introduction (not timestamped)02:00 – The surprising lack of knowledge about the female body and fertility06:00 – How wearable technology can track ovulation and predict fertility10:30 – Can you use ovulation tracking as a natural form of contraception?13:30 – The role of age in fertility and how chances of conception decline over time18:00 – Does stress and mental health impact the ability to conceive?