Lisa Burke Show
A place for conversation that spans life in Luxembourg and beyond. Each week an international guest list reflects on the week's news, plus a whole host of other topics: politics to pollination; education to entrepreneurship; science to singing. Luxembourg sits in the beating heart of Europe and its diverse population provides a global perspective on a number of world issues.
Episodes
The €8.3 Trillion Question: Can Luxembourg Build the Talent to Match Its Money?, 13/06/2026
ALFI's Serge Weyland and McGill's Patrick Augustin on funds, Europe's pension time bomb, and why financial literacy may be its most urgent lesson.
Luxembourg is known to many as the heart of European finance, yet the story of how it earned that title is one we rarely hear told plainly. On this episode, I sat down with two guests perfectly placed to tell it: Serge Weyland, CEO of the Association o
Beauty Entrepreneur Putting Luxembourg on the Business Map, 06/06/2026
Henrietta Orosz reveals how beauty became her business, moving from service-provider to judge, author and inventor.
It was a genuine pleasure to host Henrietta in the studio. Her story is a reminder that the most interesting careers are usually the ones that require courage, and that Luxembourg is slowly becoming a place for beauty businesses too.
“Beauty is not just surface. It is psychology, c
How do we educate people for a future that no one can predict?, 30/05/2026
AI, Talent and the Future of Europe: Why Universities Matter More Than Ever
As AI reshapes jobs, health and society, University of Luxembourg Rector Jens Kreisel explains why universities matter more than ever.
The future belongs to people who can learn, adapt and think critically. That was the central message from University of Luxembourg Rector Jens Kreisel when he joined The Lisa Burke Show f
Europe's quiet banker is now buying rocket launchers and bridges, 23/05/2026
The man who helps finance Europe's defence: Robert de Groot, vice president of the European Investment Bank
There is a particular kind of power that comes with someone who decides, quietly, which ideas get funded and which don't. Robert de Groot, and his team, holds that power over an extraordinary range of things: military bridges in Poland, rocket launchers in Spain, satellite-to-smartphone sta
Stop Shouting. Start Whispering, 16/05/2026
From entrepreneurial burnout to authorship on realignment, Pascal Wiscour-Conter shares his learnings
You know that feeling when someone speaks and every single word lands? Not because they're loud or made slick slides or rehearsed an elevator pitch to death, but because you sense they mean it? Pascal Wiscour-Conter calls this alignment and has spent three years building the science to prove it.
Eurovision Is Never Just a Song Contest, 11/05/2026
Boycotts, soft power, and sequined bodysuits - the definitive guide to Eurovision 2026 with two of Luxembourg's sharpest voices
If you think Eurovision is nothing more than glitter, key changes, and strategic voting between neighbours, think again. Seventy years in, Europe's biggest song contest continues to be fun alongside the loaded messaging and controversy. Five countries are boycotting. The
What’s the capital of Europe - where does Europe live?, 09/05/2026
A film about bureaucracy, jazz, and the story of how three cities:Strasbourg, Luxembourg & Brussels, became the unlikely home of a continent's big idea.
It's the founding question nobody thought to ask. Six nations sat down after World War II, determined never to fight again, and forgot to decide where they'd actually meet. In the middle of the night on July 23rd, 1952, exhausted negotiators gave
Stop Hiding Behind Your Slides, 07/05/2026
Dirk Daenen, the man who brought TEDx to Luxembourg, reveals the science and the secrets behind becoming a truly confident speaker.
You'd think the man who coaches Luxembourg's most compelling public speakers would have been born fearless on stage. You'd be wrong. Professor Dirk Daenen, communication expert, TEDx Luxembourg organiser, and the person quietly responsible for some of the most-watche
Cycling Across Europe to Fuel Breast Cancer Research, 02/05/2026
Entrepreneur René Beltjens pedals 7,000km from Estonia to Gibraltar with 2Wheels4Purpose to raise €1 million for breast cancer research at Saint‑Luc.
René Beltjens is a brilliant business man, co‑founder of Alter Domus amongst many more accolades, but as a young family man he had to endure the very hardest family situation. His young wife was diagnosed with breast cancer aged just 30 right after
The Luxembourg Winemakers Putting the Moselle on the World Map, 25/04/2026
Consultant oenologist Jean Cao and organic winemakers Jeff Konsbrück and Mathieu Schmit reveal why Luxembourg wines deserve global recognition.
The tiny stretch of vineyards along Luxembourg's Moselle River, just 42 kilometres of slopes producing some of Europe's most distinctive white wines and Crémants, remains remarkably unknown to the wider wine world. On The Lisa Burke Show this week, three
Lithuania's Minister of Foreign Affairs, Kęstutis Budrys, 24/04/2026
"I never felt that Lithuania is a soft target. I saw Brussels always as the softest target of all."
Lithuania's Foreign Minister, Kęstutis Budrys, passionately lays out why Europe must wake up to the war already being waged against it in this interview.
"If we are not doing this, there will be a huge price. And believe me, that price will be much higher than 5% of GDP."
Drawing on more than 2
Conscious coalition of Ambassadors for Ukraine, 18/04/2026
Ambassadors unite to defend Ukraine & keep Europe's attention from drifting. How an Advocacy Coalition is turning solidarity into sustained action.
In the studio this week: six female ambassadors plus a Ukrainian representative. Between them, decades of global diplomatic experience. We discuss how to keep a continent's consciousness alive when the news cycle is relentless and fatigue sets in.
M
Nicolaj Coster-Waldau on Climate, Greenland and Cooperation, 21/03/2026
Actor and UNDP Goodwill Ambassador on climate action, inequality, education, and the power of optimism.
Nicolaj Coster-Waldau, famed for his role in Game of Thrones as Jamie Lannister, takes his role as a UNDP Goodwill Ambassador very seriously. Nicolaj spoke with urgency and optimism about the need for cooperation, climate action, and stronger global institutions in an increasingly fragmented wo
Defending Our Future: Why Ukraine’s Fight is the Frontline of European Security, 21/03/2026
Nobel laureate Oleksandra Matviichuk and Deputy Minister Alona Shkrum join Lisa Burke to discuss the Advocacy Coalition and the cost of silence for Europe
My Guests:
- Her Excellency Ambassador Barbara Karpetová, Ambassador of the Czech Republic to the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg
- Inna Yaramenko, the Representative of the Ukrainian Parliament Commissioner for Human Rights in the Grand Duchy of
Irish Minister Jennifer Murnane-O’Connor, 17/03/2026
From Graiguecullen to Luxembourg - a visit ahead of Ireland’s EU Presidency, as Carlow is paired with the Grand Duchy.
I never thought I’d be able to get Killeshin into an article - my home village in Ireland, where my father grew up, and where he is now buried.
However, it turns out that Minister Jennifer Murnane O’Connor knew my dad, goes to Killeshin at least once a month and is also a first
Luxembourg Teens Become Diplomats for a Day: Empowering Future Female Leaders, 15/03/2026
Nine young ladies discuss closing intersectional gaps, crisis management, and why the world needs more female diplomats now.
The Future of Diplomacy is Female: A Masterclass in Leadership
Lisa's studio was filled with the energy of nine bright young ladies aged 16 to 19. They won the 'Diplomat for a Day' competition, a joint initiative by the British and Canadian embassies designed to encourage
President Nadia Calviño, Nikolai Coster-Waldau, Oleksandra Matviichuk, Sławosz Uznański-Wiśniewski: A Strong Europe in a Changing World: EIB Group Forum 2026, 14/03/2026
Insights from the EIB Group Forum 2026: EIB President Nadia Calviño joins global leaders to discuss security, space, and why dignity is our best defence.
The EIB Group Forum 2026, held in the heart of Luxembourg, served as a powerful reminder that Europe is no longer taking its security, energy, or democratic values for granted. Under the theme "A Strong Europe in a Changing World," a stellar lin
Europe’s AI Superstar Slams “Catastrophic” Hiring Rules in Europe, 13/03/2026
Mistral AI’s CEO Arthur Mensch calls time on 3‑Month Notice periods and points to the lack of CMOs in Europe, not talented engineering.
Europe’s AI Champion With a Warning
Arthur Mensch, co‑founder and CEO of Mistral AI, has become one of Europe’s most visible AI leaders, scaling his company from zero to around 800 employees in under three years. Speaking at the EIB Group Forum, he combined opti
Pastor Sally Azar, Ashraf Al-Ajrami: Israel Palestine: Two Voices on Occupation, Identity, and Europe’s Role, 07/03/2026
Jerusalem pastor Sally Azar and analyst Ashraf Al-Ajrami on daily life under occupation, peace principles, and what Europe can do now.
My guests this week are Rev. Sally Azar, political analyst and former Palestinian Minister of Prisoners’ Affairs Ashraf Al-Ajrami, and Meryem-Lyn Oral, Communications Manager from EPICON.
Rev. Sally Azar and Ashraf Al-Ajrami came to Luxembourg with the EU-funded
Lord Chancellor Chris Smith on AI, Education, Free Speech and the Future, 28/02/2026
Cambridge Chancellor joins Lisa Burke to explore AI’s impact on education, free speech, climate challenges and why universities still matter.
On this episode of The Lisa Burke Show, Lisa welcomes The Rt Hon the Lord Chris Smith, Baron Smith of Finsbury and the 109th Chancellor of the University of Cambridge. A former Labour Cabinet Minister, culture champion, environmental leader and the first op
How to Thrive in the Age of Artificial Intelligence, 21/02/2026
Where can we retain the human touch, impactfully, in the age of AI? Thomas Scherer, cloud architect & computer scientist working for Google joins Lisa.
One Saturday night, Thomas sat down with Gemini and asked, "What will make me the happiest person in the world?" Over the course of the next few hours, he got some fascinating results. All of this is part of the story of AI in our lives today, b
Nathan Sneyd, Tony Whiteman, Matthew Dennis-Soto: Rugby culture, community and Oxbridge meets RCL, 20/02/2026
Rugby Club Luxembourg hosts Oxbridge this weekend in Stade Josy Barthel.
This weekend on The Lisa Burke Show, rugby takes centre stage as Rugby Club Luxembourg (RCL) prepares to welcome a combined Oxford-Cambridge “Oxbridge” team to Stade Josy Barthel for what is believed to be their first ever visit to the Grand Duchy. Seniors player and schools rugby coordinator Matthew Dennis Soto explains tha
Veronique Scheer, Gabrielle Staiger, Rick Serrano: Movement and Love: the most refined dance of all, 14/02/2026
The power of movement & defining the love you want: movement choirs; nervous system regulation & a ten-step path to figure out the type of love you deserve
On this episode of The Lisa Burke Show, dancers Veronique Scheer and Gabrielle Staiger talk about how the body stores emotions. Mentor Rick Serrano walks through a simple checklist to define a partner that matches your life goals and one deser
Natalia Wrona, Dr Susanne Folchette-Tomasewski, Anthony Sternotte: How to Build Confidence, 07/02/2026
How do you show up in your own body, to yourself? What’s your own internal dialogue? And how does that manifest as confidence?
Confidence is a trainable skill, which is a good thing as it can influence so many aspects of our lives from work to personal relationships, even to the relationship we have with our own body and mind. It’s shaped by mindset, nutrition, hormones and fluctuates through t
Work in Luxembourg: Winning the Global Race for Talent, 31/01/2026
Luxembourg depends on international talent and launched Work in Luxembourg this week to attract, integrate and retain global skills.
Luxembourg is competing in a global race for talent. With the launch of Work in Luxembourg, a national portal and brand, the country is reshaping how international professionals discover, choose and settle in the Grand Duchy. Talent attraction, integration and reten
How music can shift our perception of time, with Pascal Schumacher, 25/01/2026
Plus the RESET Festival at Neimënster
Luxembourg vibraphonist and composer Pascal Schumacher has spent a career sculpting sound, as a composer and performer. A deep admirer of Philip Glass, Pascal has become more interested in the concept of time and how our perception of time can be shifted with music.
A metronome is a minimal music instrument
We open the show with Schumacher’s shimmering “Re
Gen Z to Baby Boomers - our Generational Attitudes in the Workplace, 24/01/2026
Luxembourg School of Business research challenges generational stereotypes on job-hopping, hybrid work and values.
Are younger generations really less loyal at work? Do they care more about purpose than pay? And is hybrid working fundamentally a Gen Z demand?
A new Luxembourg School of Business (LSB) report, conducted by Dr Adam Petersen suggests the answers are far more nuanced than the headli
Dr. Sergio Coronado: founder of the Luxembourg Tech School, 19/01/2026
LTS celebrates 10 years of educating young minds to create, code and pitch ideas directly to business.
Dr. Sergio Coronado is a man with a very busy day job, as CIO of NSPA. Perhaps he is in that position due to the chance he got as a 12 year old to learn to code plus a great mentor. Sergio showed a natural affinity in the after school club, which was noticed by the trainer, who took it upon him
Iain Fish, Amy Lee, Tanya Irene, Catherine Cooke: ISL pioneers new pathway to holistic education, 20/12/2025
The International School of Luxembourg is amongst the first in the world to offer the new Global Impact Diploma (GID) alongside the IB
This interview was done in December before the tragic passing of Amy Lee. You can find a tribute to Amy from the ISL community here:
https://www.islux.lu/news/~board/public-update/post/in-memory-of-amy-lee
The International School of Luxembourg (ISL) is now amon
Ambassador Barbara Karpetová: Charles IV: Visionary Who Shaped Europe from the Heart of Bohemia, 13/12/2025
Ambassador Karpetova links the Czech Republic to Luxembourg through the life of the beloved Charles IV
Ambassador Barbara Karpetová, the Czech Republic Ambassador to Luxembourg, is a Doctor of Social Anthropology. As such, she is fascinated by the way in which our world is shaped by humans and their choices or actions. Charles IV, a man so omnipresent in the lives of Czech people still today, is
Modern Espionage: Undermining Corporations & Global Power, 22/11/2025
Kenneth Lasoen joins Lisa Burke to expose modern espionage, from cyberattacks to insider threats and the hidden power struggles shaping our world today.
I wonder if John Le Carré's protagonist spy, George Smiley, could recognise the world of tradecraft today.
Dr Kenneth Lasoen is one of Europe’s foremost intelligence and security scholars. He serves as Associate Professor of Intelligence & Secu
From the Hands of Masters: De Mains de Maîtres, 15/11/2025
The Czech republic is the Pays d’Honneur for this biennial event. De Mains De Maîtres is dedicated to the profound artistry of making things by hand.
This, the 5th edition of the biennale, has grown into one of the most prestigious applied Art and Design events in the Greater Region. De Mains de Maîtres was founded in 2016 under the patronage of Their Royal Highnesses, the Grand Duke and Grand Du
Anorexia through excessive sport - the male voice, 01/11/2025
Sean Blake is lucky to be alive. Through recovery via self-compassion Sean now advocates for early intervention & understanding of this mental illness.
Sean Blake, an Irishman from Swords, Dublin, made his way to a Brain Conference in Brussels a couple of weeks ago. This was the first time he travelled alone as an adult, aged 43. All of this was historically linked to his own feeling of unworthin
Marcus Aurelius: What Is Good Governance?, 24/10/2025
Exploring timeless lessons from the Philosopher Emperor at Trier’s State Exhibition with Dr. Viola Skiba and Helena Huber.
Across the border from Luxembourg, in Germany’s oldest city, two of Trier’s leading museums, the Rheinisches Landesmuseum and the Stadtmuseum Simeonstift, have joined forces for an extraordinary state exhibition on Marcus Aurelius.
This collaborative showcase invites visito
Running the World and Climbing Its Peaks: Wojtek Machnik & Magdalena Skawińska, 18/10/2025
Two Poles pushing human limits: one running marathons in nearly every country on Earth, the other summiting the world’s highest peaks
What drives a person to test the limits of body and spirit? Wojtek Machnik and Magdalena Skawińska,both Polish-born adventurers have redefined what it means to explore the world and the inner frontiers of discipline and resilience.
Wojtek Machnik: Running the Worl
Beautiful Resistance - Art in Palestine to heal trauma, 11/10/2025
When a sizeable section of his students told Dr. Abdelfattah Abusrour they want to die, he changed his life to help heal their trauma
This week I had the honour to share space with Dr. Abdelfattah Abusrour, founder of the Alrowwad Cultural & Arts Society located in the Aida Refugee Camp in Bethlehem, Palestine.
Abdelfattah Abusrour was born into a refugee family after the 1948 Nakba. His parents
Love, Desire, and Attachment: can love and intimacy last, 04/10/2025
Sex, love & attachment shape health, happiness & identity. How do biology & background influence intimacy, and how can we help it thrive?
I’ve done a lot of reading about how long ‘love’ lasts: the being ‘in-love’ part, how that fades, but might, if you’re lucky and work at it, evolve into another form of long-term love. Or it ends. Well, apparently desire isn’t doomed to fade after three years,
BMX Legend Viki Gómez & wife Alexandra Gobran, 26/09/2025
From Madrid to Luxembourg, BMX legend Viki & Alexandra share their story of the sport, sponsorship, artistry & resilience
When you think of BMX, images of ramps, flips, and adrenaline-fueled stunts may come to mind. But for Viki Gómez, the Spanish-born, six-time World Champion in BMX Flatland, the sport is art form on two wheels. For over two decades, Viki has pushed the limits of what’s possible
Forbes & Silicon Luxembourg; Start-ups & Philanthropy, 20/09/2025
How media helps to shape the conversation around innovation & social good to create global impact.
This week my guests are:
- Pierre-Yves Lanneau Saint Léger, CEO of Forbes Luxembourg and Silicon Luxembourg
- Jess Bauldry, Editor-in-Chief of Forbes Luxembourg
- Genna Elvin, co-founder of Tadaweb and President of Pulse, Luxembourg’s largest startup association.
- Anne Goeres, founder of Philant
Thought Leadership: the power of writing your story, 13/09/2025
Rhea Wessel joins Lisa Burke to explain thought leadership through the written word: find your niche, write with generosity & gift expert ideas to others
Rhea Wessel is an American journalist, author, and educator based in Frankfurt. For many years, she has written reports for well-known media giants such as The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal and the BBC. Through this time, having spoken
Politics, Partnership & Perseverance: Christine & Sven, 16/08/2025
Christine Nehrenhausen & Sven Clement candidly share their partnership from teenage school radio, to marriage and political life.
Christine Nehrenhausen and Sven Clement’s partnership is a remarkable life of young love kindled with radio, political ideals and family-centred resilience. Their story, which they share so openly, traces its roots to Schülerradio, where they first met as teenagers.
E
The Longevity Equation, 09/08/2025
Physical movement + mental stimulation combined, plus food, sleep and motivation
I know you’re all busy and might only read the first paragraph so I’ll summarise what I can from the interview here, but of course, please do listen / watch the interview as you’ll get so much more from the conversation between my guests.
The core takeaways from our experts for boosting both lifespan and healthspan:
The resurgence of Horseback Archery, and doing that when blind, 02/08/2025
The Thrilling World of Horseback Archery combines trust and precision as Nico Thielen and blind rider Nadine Schumacher share their dynamic, niche sport.
Horseback archery isn't your typical weekend sport. Imagine galloping at 50 km/h, letting go of the reins, holding onto your horse with just your legs and swiftly releasing arrows at a moving target. Now imagine doing this with no sight.
Nico T
From Harassment to Healing: Horses, Resilience and Empathy, 25/07/2025
Trauma in rural France; leadership through equine coaching: Isabelle Constantini & Christine Hansen share the transformative power of horses to resilience.
Isabelle Constantini’s life has taken her from Parisian theatre stages to the rugged countryside of the South of France. A former actress, film director and casting director, Isabelle also competed in amateur equestrian championships. However,
Honorary Consuls visit Luxembourg - delegtion from Arizona, 19/07/2025
Paul Binsfeld, Honorary Consul of Luxembourg to Arizona and New Mexico brings Arizona delegation to Luxembourg
Paul Binsfeld, Honorary Consul of Luxembourg to Arizona and New Mexico since 2021, reached out to me after listening to the show with Geoff Thompson about the Luxembourg diaspora in America.
Paul has been in Luxembourg for over a week now, as part of the 128-strong delegation of Honorar
Housing - Can Luxembourg Keep Pace with its People?, 11/07/2025
Housing is one of the most emotionally charged, personally impactful, and politically complex issues in Luxembourg today.
Housing is one of the most emotionally charged, personally impactful, and politically complex issues in Luxembourg today.
In today's show, my guests are:
- Minister Claude Meisch, who holds the portfolios for Housing and Spatial Planning; and Education, Children and Youth,
Citizen Politics - how to get involved and why it matters, 05/07/2025
Clara Moraru & Ivan Leal Martins remind us that democracy grows stronger when more people participate.
Real democracy starts with us: our concerns, our friends and family, and more globally our concerns for the world we are in and will leave behind.
Politics and law-making creates the scaffold of our society. Whether you’re a long-time Luxembourg resident, a recent arrival, a young voter, or sim
Putting Peace Back in the Headlines, 27/06/2025
From planting forests to refugee kitchens, Vicki Hansen reveals the stories of awardees from the 13th Luxembourg Peace Prize
Vicki Hansen is President of the Schengen Peace Foundation, a Luxembourg-based nonprofit dedicated to global peace-building through its two main initiatives: the World Peace Forum and the Luxembourg Peace. Today heralds the 13th Luxembourg Peace Prize, and the awardees come
Our Oceans & why we should care, 07/06/2025
Luxembourg may be landlocked, but these women are proving you don’t need a coastline to care deeply and act boldly for our oceans.
My guests are:
Dr. Anna Schleimer: Marine biologist, President & Co-founder of Odyssea
Dr. Lexi Grosbusch: Science Mediator, Luxembourg Science Center
Clarissa Ausilio: Scientific Mediator, Luxembourg Science Center
Lorieza (Lori) Neuberger-Castillo: Scientist, Scub
Can Maths Save Your Knees? The Data-Driven Future of Sport, 31/05/2025
From Olympic training to injury prevention, Luxembourg hosts the world’s brightest minds to prove why maths might just be sport’s secret superpower.
After a round-up of mid-week news with Sasha Kehoe, my guests this week are:
- Prof. Christophe Ley – Main organiser of MathSport International; leads the Modelling, Interdisciplinary Research, Data Science, Applied Mathematics and Statistics group
Europe's Role in Space - subcontractor or leader?, 24/05/2025
How can Europe reshape its place in the Space world to take more autonomy?
We began this week’s episode of The Lisa Burke Show with Sasha Kehoe’s round-up of global news. From the diplomatic unease surrounding Donald Trump’s controversial allegations against South Africa, to critical updates on humanitarian aid delays in Gaza and Luxembourg’s shifting pension policies. The segment also touched on
Edward Steichen - The Family of Man, 70 years on, 17/05/2025
"The people in the audience looked at the pictures, and the people in the pictures looked back at them. They recognised each other." Edward Steichen
Eurovision Mania & World News
After a late night commentating, Meredith Moss comes onto my show this week to talk about the second semi-final, featuring Luxembourg’s very own Laura Thorn, who made it through to the finals, to be held on Saturday 17
Team for the Planet, 03/05/2025
The story of six entrepreneurs' bold pivot into climate action to spark a global movement investing in real decarbonizing solutions.
Arthur Auboeuf: Social Stardom to Team for the Planet
Arthur Auboeuf was born in a tiny village near Geneva. Whilst a young student, in his spare time, he built an incredible social business with viral humor and music communities online, ultimately reaching over 10
Luxembourg’s Financial Evolution and the Digital Asset Revolution, 26/04/2025
From World News to Crypto Frontiers, my guests this week are Sasha Kehoe and Christopher Jack
This week I’m delighted to have Sasha Kehoe back on the show with her signature news roundup. From the passing of Pope Francis and its global significance to lighter stories about Luxembourg’s driving habits and the latest tech marvels.
Christopher Jack, Programme Manager at the Cambridge Digital Assets
From Synapses to the Soul: Baroness Susan Greenfield’s First Easter, 18/04/2025
A deeply personal and philosophical journey through science, identity and newfound faith.
In this exclusive for The Lisa Burke Show, we welcome one of the most visionary minds of our time—a scientist, entrepreneur, author, and House of Lords peer who has dedicated her life to researching the brain and consciousness, and now journeys inward toward faith.
This Easter Sunday, as the season of renew
Purpose, Prosperity and Punchlines - build yourself an extra-ordinary life, 12/04/2025
This week we dig into life’s big questions: how to love, laugh & financially flourish in a world that seems to be doing its best to keep us off balance
On my show this week I have a medley of minds and hearts to tackle life’s most elusive pursuits: purpose, prosperity and punchlines. From the philosophy of love to economic psychology, and a sprinkle of comedy to bind it all together, the episode
Citizen Scientists: Biodiversity needs you!, 05/04/2025
From butterflies to birds, experts and citizen scientists unit in a shared mission to monitor and protect nature’s habitats.
On my show this week, we zoom in on the declining richness of Luxembourg’s biodiversity and why it matters. From powerful EU projects to local volunteers counting butterflies, my guests show how citizen science can be crucial to help collect data in a clear and scientific m
Yemen to Luxembourg - the story of a refugee family, 31/03/2025
After traversing seven countries, and spending six years in camps here, Bushra & Mahmood just want a home to raise their family.
On this week’s episode I had the profound privilege of sitting down with Bushra Ahmed and Mahmood Abdu, a couple whose lives have been defined by a war that is still ongoing in Yemen.
Their courage, endurance, and aspiration for their family’s future drove them to lea
"Branding is who you are, marketing is what you offer", 29/03/2025
Fashion, creativity, and resilience: women redefining style and beauty with their own voice
A Gathering of Creatives
In the latest episode of The Lisa Burke Show, the spotlight turned to creativity, self-alignment and the evolving identity of women in business and the arts.
The show featured four guests joining online and in the studio: Aurélia Khazan, French actress, singer and peace ambassad
Paul Galles: Priest to Politician, 22/03/2025
Paul Galles, came to politics via the unconventional route of priesthood. He shares his zest for life, philosophies and the want for happiness for all.
In my latest episode, I had the distinct pleasure of sitting down with Paul Galles, a man whose life journey is steered by excitement and a depth of being.
Despite leaving the priesthood aged 37, Paul's core values remain in his role as a polit
The Disease of 1000 Faces, 15/03/2025
This week we explore the science behind MS, treatment options, and the lived experiences of those navigating life with this chronic illness.
Multiple Sclerosis (MS) has been called "the disease of 1000 faces" for good reason - it manifests differently in almost every person it affects.
Understanding MS: The Science Behind the Disease
Dr. Zied Tayeb, neuroscientist and CEO of MyelinZ, explained
Dementia is not inevitable, 08/03/2025
Many of us are lucky to grow older, and in Europe there is an aging demographic. With this come the diseases of aging such as dementia.
For a long time people have thought this inevitable but we will learn today that, as with so many diseases, lifestyle changes from a young age can counteract this, to reduce the risk of getting dementia and also stabilising mental decline.
In 2021, 20.8% of the
Domestic violence: You are not alone, 01/03/2025
Coming up for air after being in the fog of a cycle of domestic abuse - the story of (mostly) women who have finally left.
After a news review with Sasha Kehoe, the topic of today’s show is Domestic Violence.
Eric Lamhène and Rae Lyn Lee set out to make a film a few years ago where the back-story of one of the characters was domestic abuse. When they started their research in 2017, visiting she
One-way, two-way doors and Fear of Failure in Europe, 15/02/2025
Plus today is International Childhood Cancer day.
When Pascal Wiscour-Conter got invited to speak at an event in the Luxembourg Chamber of Commerce, and then at 'Fuckup Nights' (link below), he realised there was an issue about the fear of failure in Luxembourg. This is an issue more broadly across Europe and is one factor as to why Europe doesn’t seem to be as entrepreneurial as some other count
Palestine, 02/02/2025
"Killing and Starving children is not Jewish. Fighting antisemitism demands decoupling of Jews from Israel.”
Since many people don't have time to read full articles anymore, I want to start by linking to two poignant interviews I've had the privilege of conducting over the last few years:
- Dr. Izzeldin Abuelaish, the first Palestinian doctor to work in an Israeli hospital: lost his wife to le
A Sip of Self-Care, 01/02/2025
Philanthropy and Rare Disease are the topics in this week’s show, after a global news review with Sasha Kehoe.
Philanthropy for Brain Research and Rare Disease
What would you do if you had a spare €10,000 or more to donate? Well, the University of Luxembourg has just opened up a new fund to tackle Alzheimers, Parkinsons, and Rare Diseases. You could become part of their ‘Champions Circle’ and ge
Gut health and good living; Art & Audits from the Acropolis, 25/01/2025
Tips from the renowned Vivamayr clinic on how to have a healthy gut; plus audits set in stone from the Accounts of the Acropolis
This week we start with a news review with Sasha Kehoe, where naturally the focus is on Trump’s inauguration, and the direct flow of executives orders from that point on. The conversation continues to Bettel’s comments on his time working with Trump; who is leaving X a
Predictions for 2025, 18/01/2025
Welcome to 2025 from RTL studios here in Luxembourg! As the new year dawns with blue skies & crisp temperatures, we welcome listeners from around the world
On today’s episode of The Lisa Burke Show, we’re taking a glimpse into the year ahead. What does 2025 hold for geopolitics, technology, culture, and beyond? Joining us is Sasha Kehoe, our seasoned daily news host, adept at finding the most int
Girls in SciTech: Inspiring the Next Generation of Women in STEM, 13/01/2025
The launch of ‘Girls in SciTech’ in Luxembourg last week is a movement aimed at empowering girls to pursue careers in Science, Tech, Engineering & Maths
The Girls in SciTech campagin, coordinated by Professor Serge Haan, brought together high school students, university alumni, industry professionals, and political leaders, all united to tackle the gender imbalance in STEM fields. How can we enco
News Review 2024, 28/12/2024
What a year 2024 has been. It's had it all. Highs and loves and lows, elections and entertainment.
With my colleagues Sasha Kehoe and Vanessa Phelan, we take a look at some of the biggest news stories of 2024.
It was a year of elections, but also of countries coming undone through continuous wars or overthrowing of regimes (Syria and Bangladesh).
Paris hosted the Olympics and added breakdancin
Bangladesh 2.0 - the Youth Voice, 27/12/2024
From the youth uprising of Bangladesh in summer 2024 which overthrew the Awami-led government, a new nation is beginning to sprout.
Bangladesh doesn't hit international headlines so often unless it's for cyclone reasons. It's been quiet and slightly hidden from global news discussion. Why was that?
Well last summer, the youth of Bangladesh ensured their desires for their country was heard.
Duri
Estrangement from parents, 21/12/2024
As we approach the holiday season, where so much emphasis is put on families being together, I wanted to touch on the taboo topic of parental estrangement.
“Dirty Grief” is the phrase Stephanie Peirolo coined to describe that messy landscape of grief when a parent you are estranged from dies.
Stephanie and Eugene S. Robinson are seasoned storytellers through the spoken and written word, along w
“You are not alone” - Mentorship for career goals and self reflection, 14/12/2024
Have you ever looked for a mentor or thought about becoming one? This week’s show explores the benefits on both sides.
Mentorship can help shape careers, foster inclusivity, and make a workplace less lonely by developing stronger connections across teams and experiences. Whether through formal programs or informal connections, mentorship creates opportunities, and nurtures growth on both sides.
COP 29, Carols and Office Hours, 07/12/2024
From a reflection of the COP29 results & what we can do, to Office Hours and a rousing invite to sing Christmas Carols in Echternach next weekend.
On this week’s show we talk to Andrew Ferrone about the latest COP29 results from Baku with Tessa Moeller.
We also have Adam Petersen to tell us about his new show, Office Hours, on Today Radio.
And Jeff Hemmen is inviting us all to either sing, play
Sport for Social Change, 30/11/2024
LUNEX legends undertake the Laponie Trophy to raise money for the Red Cross’s programme to support families with trauma in nature.
Imagine the drudgery of a one hour commute each way to work: France to Luxembourg and back again, to do an office job for the Red Cross Luxembourg. This was Sonia Barjonnet a few years ago. She wanted to do more for her employer, the Luxembourg Red Cross, rather than
Florish Financially, 23/11/2024
Sophie Jablonski and Minna Schmidt are on a mission to help people talk about money, invest whatever the age or starting point, through positive psychology
On The Lisa Burke Show this week, Sasha Kehoe starts off by giving us a reflection of the week's news.
Flourishing Financially in mid-life.
Dr. Sophie Jablonski and Minna Schmidt set up Flourish Financially to help empower people both mental
President of the EU Court of Auditors - Tony Murphy, 16/11/2024
Problems with traceability of the EU’s Covid Recovery Fund is one of the issues Tony Murphy discusses, with concern, on this show.
Irishman Tony Murphy is at the helm of the EU financial watchdog, as President of the European Court of Auditors.
The European Court of Auditors is one of the seven EU institutions and it’s based in Luxembourg. With nearly 1000 staff members, their role is to scrutin
The carbon cost of our homes, 09/11/2024
Should we consider a ‘carbon-wallet’ for our lives, including the whole energy life cycle of a home?
"Build nothing, build less, build efficiently, build with less impact"
Architects have to think of many things. Resource-efficient designs will help reduce the need for new construction and demolition. In a world facing resource scarcity, the way in which materials are sourced and buildings are c
Run in the Dark with Mark Pollock, 01/11/2024
Coping with blindness, then paralysis, to showing us that we can achieve more than we thought possible.
Blindness
Mark Pollock started losing his sight from childhood, culminating in blindness just before his finals at Trinity College Dublin in 1998.
Mark’s blindness is tied to the date of the Good Friday Agreement being signed on 10 April 1998 in Northern Ireland. He speaks of the uncertain ye
Book Club #4, 01/11/2024
Colleagues Vanessa Phelan and Sarah Tapp join Lisa to discuss a bookshop book and more besides.
The first shocking fact about this month‘s Book Club is that we found a communal date after one try. For three working women, with children and other jobs, this is rather remarkable.
We start our discussions by talking about Welcome to the Hyunam-Dong Bookshop by Hwang Bo-Reum.
And, as always, there
