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

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

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 ABOUT THE HERENCIA INITIATIVE https://herencia-global.org/who-we-are/ TIMESTAMPS 00:00 Common misconceptions about sleep 05:00 Individual sleep needs and the myth of 8 hours 12:30 Changes in sleep patterns as we age 18:00 Techniques for falling asleep and managing sleep challenges 25:00 How to create an ideal sleep environment

Annemarie Büttner, Lead of Climate Risk Solutions at Swiss Re, delves into the intricate world of climate risk. She discusses how natural disasters influence global supply chains and the importance of climate risk modeling. Annemarie shares real-world examples, including floods in Spain, and sheds light on the unique climate challenges facing Switzerland. With a focus on urban planning and proactive resilience, she offers practical steps for companies and individuals to prepare for an uncertain future amid climate change.

In this episode, Jörg Sandrock, CEO of Neon and a pioneer in Switzerland's digital banking scene, discusses the hurdles of disrupting a traditional banking landscape. He reveals why Switzerland has lagged in digital banking adoption and how Neon balances innovation with simplicity. Jörg highlights the vital role of AI in their operations and shares insights on their five-year vision for leveraging technology in lending and investments. Tune in for an eye-opening look at the fintech revolution in Switzerland!

Jörg Sandrock, CEO of Neon Bank, is reshaping Switzerland's conservative banking scene with his innovative approach. He discusses the slow digital evolution of Swiss banking and the unique challenges fintech startups face. The conversation dives into balancing simplicity and innovation while scaling effectively. Jörg also shares insights on how generative AI is transforming banking and outlines Neon’s future plans. This is a fascinating look at the intersection of technology and finance in Switzerland.