How It Ticks

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?

In this episode, Philip reflects on his journey as the first doctor to administer a legal, voluntary, lethal injection and the emotional and professional challenges that followed. We discuss the ongoing Swiss federal investigation into the first use of the Sarco Pod in Schaffhausen, the role of mental health and age in assisted suicide decisions, and the broader ethical and societal implications. Expect to learn about The Peaceful Pill Handbook and its impact, the state of global assisted dying laws, and why Switzerland is at the center of this debate. This conversation is a thought-provoking exploration of human rights, autonomy, and the future of end-of-life choices. CONTACT PHILIP https://x.com/philipnitschke https://www.linkedin.com/in/philip-nitschke-73a2a318 philip@exitinternational.net CONTACT MIKE https://howitticks.ch/contact-page/ or mike@howitticks.ch TIMESTAMPS (00:00) The Sarco Pod: A New Approach to Assisted Suicide (07:30) Legal and Ethical Challenges (14:57) Future of Assisted Suicide Laws (18:48) Closing Thoughts and Personal Reflections

In this episode, Philip reflects on his journey as the first doctor to administer a legal, voluntary, lethal injection and the emotional and professional challenges that followed. We discuss the ongoing Swiss federal investigation into the first use of the Sarco Pod in Schaffhausen, the role of mental health and age in assisted suicide decisions, and the broader ethical and societal implications. Expect to learn about The Peaceful Pill Handbook and its impact, the state of global assisted dying laws, and why Switzerland is at the center of this debate. This conversation is a thought-provoking exploration of human rights, autonomy, and the future of end-of-life choices. CONTACT PHILIP https://x.com/philipnitschke https://www.linkedin.com/in/philip-nitschke-73a2a318 philip@exitinternational.net CONTACT MIKE https://howitticks.ch/contact-page/ or mike@howitticks.ch (00:00) The Accidental Advocate: A Journey Begins (00:47) Facing Opposition: The Struggle with the Medical Profession (02:38) The First Legal Voluntary Lethal Injection (03:14) Challenges and Failures: The Story of Max Bell (09:02) Breaking Ranks: The Case of Bob Dent (22:04) The Peaceful Pill Handbook: Controversy and Impact (30:25) The Comfort of Having Control of Your Life (31:46) Age and Mental Capacity in Assisted Suicide (34:19) The Debate Over Public Information On How To Suicide and Its Consequences

Stefan Legge, Vice Director and Head of Tax & Trade Policy at the University of St. Gallen, joins me to unpack the economic forces shaping Switzerland and the world. With his expertise in trade, debt, and policy reform, Stefan explores how small countries like Switzerland navigate a rapidly changing global economy. Expect to learn why free trade agreements with countries like China and India are critical for Switzerland, the potential fallout of U.S. tariffs, and what lessons can be drawn from Argentina’s experiment with extreme government reduction. Stefan also dives into the challenges of managing national debt, how Switzerland maintains its economic stability, and his surprising take on Bitcoin’s role in the future of finance. This conversation is packed with insights for anyone curious about global economics and Switzerland’s unique approach. CONTACT STEFAN https://stefanlegge.com/contact/ CONTACT MIKE https://howitticks.ch/contact-page/ TRANSCRIPT https://howitticks.ch/podcast/global-debt-stefan-legge/ TIMESTAMPS 00:00 Understanding government debt and its implications 06:00 Lessons from the Eurozone debt crisis and its impact 12:00 Argentina’s experiment with extreme government reduction 18:00 The role of Swiss policies in managing government spending 24:00 The importance of Switzerland’s stable currency 29:00 Stefan’s thoughts on Bitcoin and its potential future

Stefan Legge, Vice Director and Head of Tax & Trade Policy at the University of St. Gallen, joins me to unpack the economic forces shaping Switzerland and the world. With his expertise in trade, debt, and policy reform, Stefan explores how small countries like Switzerland navigate a rapidly changing global economy. Expect to learn why free trade agreements with countries like China and India are critical for Switzerland, the potential fallout of U.S. tariffs, and what lessons can be drawn from Argentina’s experiment with extreme government reduction. Stefan also dives into the challenges of managing national debt, how Switzerland maintains its economic stability, and his surprising take on Bitcoin’s role in the future of finance. This conversation is packed with insights for anyone curious about global economics and Switzerland’s unique approach. CONTACT STEFAN https://stefanlegge.com/contact/ CONTACT MIKE https://howitticks.ch/contact-page/ TRANSCRIPT https://howitticks.ch/podcast/global-debt-stefan-legge/ TIMESTAMPS 00:00 Introduction and defining trade relationships 05:30 Switzerland’s free trade agreements and their importance 12:00 Challenges in establishing a free trade agreement with the U.S. 16:00 Potential impacts of U.S. tariffs on Swiss goods 22:00 Key Swiss exports and their global demand 28:00 The significance of pharmaceutical exports to the U.S.

Caroline Lustenberger, a leading sleep researcher with a PhD in neuroscience from ETH Zurich, joins me to uncover the truths about sleep and its impact on our health and well-being. With her deep expertise, Caroline explores the science behind how and why we sleep, debunks common myths, and provides practical advice for improving sleep quality. Expect to learn why the “8-hour rule” doesn’t apply to everyone, how modern habits like screen time and caffeine affect your sleep, and the role of light and temperature in creating the ideal sleep environment. Caroline also shares insights on the effectiveness of sleep supplements and trackers, managing early morning wake-ups, and her groundbreaking work with the Herencia initiative, which connects sleep research to Alzheimer’s prevention. This episode is packed with actionable tips to help you rest better and wake up refreshed. CONTACT CAROLINE https://www.linkedin.com/in/caroline-lustenberger-891493219/ https://sleepfulness.ch/ BOOK AUTHORED BY CAROLINE ⁠Dieses Buch ist zum Einschlafen⁠ MORE ABOU THE HERENCIA INITIATIVE https://herencia-global.org/who-we-are/ CONTACT MIKE https://howitticks.ch/contact-page/ TIMESTAMPS (00:00) Sleep supplements and their limitations(04:00) Managing early morning wake-ups and understanding sleep debt(08:00) The impact of naps on overall sleep quality(10:00) The role of sleep trackers and emerging sleep research(14:00) The Herencia initiative and its groundbreaking approach to Alzheimer’s