Talk without Borders
Talk Without Borders is a podcast hosted by John Petit that features in-depth conversations with guests from politics, business, society, and entertainment. The show explores ideas, stories, and challenges shaping Luxembourg and the European Union, offering fresh perspectives and inspiring discovery.
Épisodes
Shabnam Madadzadeh: Iran, Protest, and the Fight for Democracy
In this episode of Talk Without Borders, I speak with Iranian activist and former political prisoner Shabnam Madadzadeh.Shabnam was arrested as a university student for her involvement in the student movement and spent five years in Iranian prisons, including time in solitary confinement inside Tehran’s notorious Evin Prison. In this conversation, she shares her personal experiences with imprisonm
Ep. 12 - Paul Schonenberg: Leadership, Lobbying & Influence in Luxembourg
Paul Schonenberg is the Chairman and CEO of the American Chamber of Commerce in Luxembourg, and a former U.S. Air Force officer who served at the Pentagon and NATO.In this episode, we talked about his journey from military life to civilian leadership, what it means to reinvent yourself professionally, and why he believes expats are Luxembourg’s greatest untapped asset.We also explored the deeper l
Ep. 11 - Katja Rausch: Why Ethics can´t be an Afterthought in Tech
Katja Rausch is a professor, consultant, and founder of the House of Ethics. In this episode of Talking Without Borders, we discuss why ethics must be built into AI from the beginning rather than treated as an afterthought. The conversation covers her critique of generative AI trained on stolen data, the role of privacy laws in shaping big tech, and the problem of corporate “ethics washing.” Katja
Ep. 10 - Sam Elsey: Why Young People Tune out from Politics
Sam Elsey is a political advisor and active member of Luxembourg’s Democratic Party (DP). He’s part of a younger generation that thinks differently about politics, media, and how to engage people - especially Gen Z. In this conversation, we talked about the shift in how young people consume content, the power of curiosity and subverting expectations, and why traditional messaging often fails to co
Ep. 9 - Pit Peporte: The Surprising Truth about Luxembourg's Identity
Pit Peporte is a researcher and historical consultant, and one of the leading voices when it comes to understanding how nations build their stories and identities. In this episode, we talk about the myths, symbols, and narratives that shaped Luxembourg’s identity - many of which are still shaping political discourse today. We also touch on the rewriting of constitutions, the legacy of occupation,
Ep. 8 - Sven Clement: Behind the Scenes of Luxembourg Politics
Sven Clement is a Member of Parliament in Luxembourg and co-founder of the Pirate party. In this episode, we talk about how he "accidentally" founded a political party, sued the Luxembourg government to force transparency, and helped change the constitution. We also get into the topics of digitalization, the EU AI act, bureaucratic red tape, child poverty in a rich country, and why it’s still so h
Ep.7 - Lisa Burke: Purpose, Media & Expats
Lisa Burke is a broadcaster, science communicator, and the voice behind RTL Today’s English-language programming in Luxembourg.In this episode, she shares her personal and professional journey—from her academic background in chemistry to her transition into media, and her life as an expat and single mother rebuilding her career from scratch.We talk about the emotional realities of starting over, w
Ep.6 - Clara Moraru: Entrepreneurship, Politics & Identity
Clara Moraru is a Luxembourg-based entrepreneur, political voice, and President of the Union des Indépendants, an organization representing self-employed professionals and small businesses.In this episode, we talk about her journey from growing up under communism in Romania to launching a language services company in Luxembourg, engaging in local politics, and advocating for freelancers and indepe
Ep.5 - Dietmar Heidemann: Philosophy, AI, and the Digital Age
Dietmar Heidemann is a professor of philosophy at the University of Luxembourg and president of the International Kant Society. His work explores consciousness, ethics, and the role of philosophy in the digital age.In this episode, we explore how philosophical thinking can help us make sense of the digital world, from distinguishing knowledge from information to evaluating the ethics of artificial
Ep.4 - Christos Floros: Politics, Social Media, and the Future of Europe
Christos Floros is a Luxembourg-based politician, President of DP International, and a strong advocate for civic engagement and European values.In this episode, we talked about the current and future political landscape in Luxembourg and the European Union. Christos shares his thoughts on why active participation in politics is crucial, the role social media plays in shaping public opinion, and wh
Ep.3 - Jean Diederich: Navigating Digitalization in Luxembourg & the EU
Jean Diederich is a digitalization expert with over 30 years of experience driving innovation across Luxembourg and the EU. In this episode, we discuss what needs to change for Luxembourg to remain competitive in a rapidly evolving digital world. We also explore the complex role of regulation within the European Union and the digital literacy gap that exists among decision-makers and the general p
Ep.2 - Pascal Wiscour-Conter: Business and Storytelling
Pascal Wiscour-Conter is a seasoned entrepreneur and business consultant whose career path denies normal convention.In this episode, we explore his unconventional journey from launching Luxembourg’s maritime registry for superyachts to mastering storytelling in New York. Pascal shares insights on crafting purpose-driven narratives, the neuroscience behind impactful communication, and the differenc
Ep.1 - Patrick Glauner: Defining AI, Challenges and Opportunities
Dr. Patrick Glauner is a leading expert in Artificial Intelligence and a prominent advocate for ethical and responsible AI adoption. In this episode, we discuss the foundational principles of AI, the rise of tools like ChatGPT, and the economic and societal implications of the EU AI Act. We also explore the challenges of large-scale AI adoption, the ethical dilemmas of integrating AI into critical
