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

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/

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 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/TRANSCRIPThttps://howitticks.ch/podcast/switzerland-space-science-kathrin-altwegg/TIMESTAMPS00:00 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

Jakob Tanner, professor emeritus of modern history at the University of Zurich, delves into Switzerland’s intricate role during WWII. He explains how neutrality shaped daily life amid Nazi threats, balancing fear of invasion with efforts to maintain stability. The discussion highlights the controversial economic links with Nazi Germany, including the banking haven for looted assets and gold transactions. Tanner also addresses the Reduit strategy, which involved plans for retreating into the Alps. This conversation offers a rare glimpse into Switzerland's wartime complexities.

Nora Markwalder, a former prosecutor and professor of criminal law at the University of St. Gallen, shares her extensive knowledge on Switzerland’s criminal justice system. She reveals how the system prioritizes rehabilitation over punishment, offering a pointed comparison with laws in France and the U.S. Nora also discusses the complexities of sentencing for foreign nationals, the juvenile justice framework, and the evolving trends in crime rates. Insights into Swiss prison life and the handling of international legal cases round out this enlightening conversation.

Nora Markwalder, a former prosecutor and professor of criminal law at the University of St. Gallen, dives deep into how Switzerland handles crime. She explains how the Swiss system favors rehabilitation over punishment and what sets it apart from countries like the U.S. and France. From unique monetary penalties to life in Swiss prisons, Nora shares insights on the challenges of reintegration for former inmates and the rights of victims. The discussion also touches on the complexities of navigating language barriers in Swiss courtrooms.

Patricia Schafer, a Swiss political scientist and civic educator, explores the quirks of Switzerland's democracy. She delves into direct democracy, explaining how citizens shape governance through public votes. Patricia highlights the unique structure of the Swiss Federal Council, where decisions are made collectively without a central leader. She discusses the historical fight for women's voting rights and the current debates around inclusivity in civic participation, including extending rights to long-term residents and lowering the voting age.

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.