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

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 is and the influence of both nature and nurture. We discuss the value of taking an IQ test, and whether the idea of being a "math person" or an "art person" is scientifically supported. The conversation also provides Elsbeth's assessment of the current Swiss education system, her vision for an ideal school of the future, and the essential skills children need to develop for an AI-influenced world.CONTACT ELSBETH ETHZ_ElsbethSternCONTACT MIKEhttps://howitticks.ch/contact-page/TRANSCRIPThttps://howitticks.ch/podcast/elsbeth-stern-intelligence-education/TIMESTAMPS00:00 Defining intelligence and cognitive flexibility.00:01:06 The value of taking an IQ test.00:07:05 Nature vs. nurture and intelligence.00:13:58 How an average person's intelligence evolves over time.00:24:00 Assessing the Swiss education system.00:38:52 The impact of AI on learning.00:44:06 Critical skills for an AI-influenced world.00:46:58 Intelligence and autism.

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, tourists looking to avoid crowds, and families with young children. Tanya also shares her favorite lesser-known trails, offers tips for hiking in different seasons, provides advice for enjoying stunning views on a budget, and outlines essential preparation considerations for different types of Swiss hikes.CONTACT TANYAhttps://swissfamilyfun.com/contact/CONTACT MIKEhttps://howitticks.ch/contact-page/TIMESTAMPS00:00 Best hikes for visiting family (Chäserrugg, Stoos)00:04:36 Top trails for tourists looking to avoid crowds (Zermatt, Jungfrau, Rigi)00:11:50 Hidden gems for experienced hikers (Brienz Rothorn, Surenen Pass, Segnesboden)00:18:15 Winter hiking and snowshoeing tips00:21:40 Hiking Switzerland on a budget: passes, picnics, and smart choices00:28:30 Essential safety and preparation tips for all Swiss hikes

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 personal project to a comprehensive travel platform. We discuss the challenges Tanya faced during its growth and gain insights into her business model, including how the blog is sustained through sponsors, partners, and digital products.CONTACT TANYAhttps://swissfamilyfun.com/contact/CONTACT MIKEhttps://howitticks.ch/contact-page/TIMESTAMPS01:45 Introduction to Tanya Dean and Swiss Family Fun02:12 From expat hobby to a popular Swiss travel blog06:00 The turning point: Monetizing Swiss Family Fun and overcoming burnout11:33 Adapting to change: From ads to affiliate revenue & digital products14:40 Key lessons for entrepreneurs: Always listen to your audience26:45 The challenge of scaling: Why hiring help is the next big step

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 compelling story of migrants from Switzerland's Ticino region who journeyed to the other side of the world in the mid-19th century in hopes of striking gold and building new lives.Expect to learn about the motivations behind this significant Swiss migration, the challenges faced by Ticinese individuals during their arduous journey to Australia, and their experiences on the goldfields. We discuss their contributions to Australian society and the lasting impact their adventures had both in their new home and back in Ticino.Read the original article by James Blake Wiener here:https://blog.nationalmuseum.ch/en/2023/12/the-ticinese-and-the-australian-gold-rush/Listen to the full 5-Part Series:⁠Part 1: The Swiss on the Titanic⁠⁠Part 2: The Swiss on the Lusitania ⁠⁠⁠⁠Part 3: Albert Gallatin: A Swiss Founding Father⁠⁠⁠⁠Part 4: Johann Ludwig Burckhardt: An Intrepid Swiss Explorer⁠⁠Connect with James Blake Wiener:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jameswiener/Connect with How It Ticks:Website: https://howitticks.ch/contact-page/Full Transcript: https://howitticks.ch/podcast/swiss-stories-james-blake/If you found this historical journey compelling, please like, subscribe, and leave a comment below! What did you find most surprising about the Ticinese experience in the Australian Gold Rush?

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 the fascinating life of this Swiss adventurer, known for his daring travels across the Middle East and his significant contribution to archaeology, including his "rediscovery" of Petra.Expect to learn about Johann Ludwig Burckhardt's background and his motivations for his extensive explorations. We discuss his journeys through regions like Syria, Egypt, Arabia, and Nubia, his methods for blending in with local cultures, and the challenges he faced. The conversation highlights his monumental discovery of Petra and his lasting legacy in the world of exploration and Orientalism.Read the original article by James Blake Wiener here:https://blog.nationalmuseum.ch/2024/08/johann-ludwig-burckhardt-schweizer-entdecker/Listen to the full 5-Part Series:⁠Part 1: The Swiss on the Titanic⁠⁠Part 2: The Swiss on the Lusitania ⁠⁠⁠⁠Part 3: Albert Gallatin: A Swiss Founding Father⁠⁠⁠⁠Part 5: The Ticinese and the Australian Gold Rush⁠⁠Chapters:Coming Soon:Connect with James Blake Wiener:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jameswiener/Connect with How It Ticks:Website: https://howitticks.ch/contact-page/Full Transcript: https://howitticks.ch/podcast/swiss-stories-james-blake/

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 profound influence of this Swiss-born statesman who played a pivotal role in early American politics, serving alongside figures like Thomas Jefferson and Benjamin Franklin.Expect to learn about Albert Gallatin's Swiss origins and his path to becoming a key figure in American history, including his contributions as Treasury Secretary and diplomat. We discuss how his unique background may have influenced his political philosophy and his lasting legacy in shaping the young United States.Read the original article by James Blake Wiener here:https://blog.nationalmuseum.ch/en/2021/01/albert-gallatin-a-swiss-founding-father/Listen to the full 5-Part Series:⁠Part 1: The Swiss on the Titanic⁠⁠Part 2: The Swiss on the Lusitania ⁠⁠⁠⁠Part 4: Johann Ludwig Burckhardt: An Intrepid Swiss Explorer⁠⁠⁠⁠Part 5: The Ticinese and the Australian Gold Rush⁠⁠Connect with James Blake Wiener:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jameswiener/Connect with How It Ticks:Website: https://howitticks.ch/contact-page/Full Transcript: https://howitticks.ch/podcast/swiss-stories-james-blake/

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 Gallatin as a Swiss-born figure in American history, the expeditions of Swiss explorer Johann Ludwig Burckhardt, and the experiences of Ticinese migrants during the Australian Gold Rush. This conversation highlights how Swiss individuals engaged with significant global events across different periods and locations.This is Part 2 of a 5 part series covering The Lusitania and the fate of it's Swiss passengers. The original article written by James can be found here:https://blog.nationalmuseum.ch/en/2024/05/the-sinking-of-the-lusitania-and-the-fate-of-its-swiss-passengers/Listen to the full 5-Part Series:Part 1: The Swiss on the Titanic⁠Part 3: Albert Gallatin: A Swiss Founding Father⁠⁠Part 4: Johann Ludwig Burckhardt: An Intrepid Swiss Explorer⁠⁠Part 5: The Ticinese and the Australian Gold Rush⁠Chapters00:00 Introduction to the Lusitania Story00:00:55 What Was the Lusitania?00:06:05 The Lusitania as a War Target and German-American Ties00:09:50 The Swiss on Board and a Survivor's Story00:15:30 Germany's Response to the Sinking00:17:30 Why It's Hard to Blame Just One SideConnect with James Blake Wiener:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jameswiener/https://blog.nationalmuseum.ch/en/author/james-wiener/Connect with How It Ticks:Website: https://howitticks.ch/contact-page/Full Transcript: https://howitticks.ch/podcast/swiss-stories-james-blake/

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 stories of Swiss passengers aboard the ill-fated ship, uncovering their backgrounds, their hopes, and the tragic circumstances they faced.Expect to learn about the personal experiences of Swiss individuals linked to the Titanic disaster, how their stories fit into the broader narrative of Swiss history and global events, and the historical context of maritime travel in that era. This conversation highlights how Swiss individuals engaged with significant global events.Read the original article by James Blake Wiener here:https://blog.nationalmuseum.ch/en/2024/04/swiss-on-the-titanic/Listen to the full 5-Part Series:Part 2: The Swiss on the Lusitania Part 3: Albert Gallatin: A Swiss Founding FatherPart 4: Johann Ludwig Burckhardt: An Intrepid Swiss ExplorerPart 5: The Ticinese and the Australian Gold RushChapters:00:00 Meet James Blake Wiener04:45 Swiss People on the Titanic09:40 Why Swiss People Sailed on the Titanic15:45 The Good Reputation of Swiss Workers16:30 Personal Stories and How They Were FoundConnect with James Blake Wiener:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jameswiener/https://blog.nationalmuseum.ch/en/author/james-wiener/Connect with How It Ticks:Website: https://howitticks.ch/contact-page/Full Transcript: https://howitticks.ch/podcast/swiss-stories-james-blake/

Episode SummaryKathrin 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 respected contributor to space exploration despite not having a national space agency, what the Rosetta mission revealed about the early solar system, and why the discovery of amino acids on comet 67P was such a scientific milestone. Kathrin also shares her reflections on leading a decades-long mission, the challenges of space engineering, and what she hopes future generations will discover among the stars.CONTACT KATHRINhttps://space.unibe.ch/research/groups/rosina/index_eng.htmlCONTACT MIKEhttps://howitticks.ch/contact-page/TRANSCRIPTTBDTIMESTAMPS00:00 How Kathrin accidentally entered space science through job logistics04:00 Switzerland’s early involvement in space missions and Apollo 1107:00 Why precision engineering made Switzerland a valuable ESA partner09:00 Women in STEM and leadership during the Rosetta mission12:00 Building, testing, and launching an instrument to orbit a comet18:00 What comets reveal about the early solar system and the origins of life26:00 How Rosetta was steered, calibrated, and kept on track from Earth38:00 Discovering organic molecules and why glycine was such a big deal

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 focused on retreating into the Alps. Jakob also breaks down Switzerland’s trade and financial ties with Nazi Germany, including gold transfers and the country’s role as a safe haven for German assets.If you’re curious about Swiss wartime diplomacy, military preparedness, or the controversies that followed, this conversation offers rare historical insight.CONTACT Jakobhttps://www.hist.uzh.ch/de/fachbereiche/neuzeit/emeritiert/tanner.htmlCONTACT MIKEhttps://howitticks.ch/contact-page/TRANSCRIPThttps://howitticks.ch/podcast/switzerland-ww2-history-jakob-tanner/TIMESTAMPS00:00 Refugee policies and Switzerland’s stance toward Jewish asylum seekers06:00 The limits of direct democracy and why women didn’t get the vote until 197112:00 German invasion plans: Operation Tannenbaum and strategic miscalculations18:00 Would the Reduit defense plan have worked? What was actually built?24:00 Cultural and agricultural resistance within Switzerland during wartime30:00 Post-war relations with Germany and the long road to historical reflection