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Talk without Borders

Talk without Borders

by John Petit

Business Politics

Season 1

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 imprisonment, interrogation, psychological pressure, and the realities of political dissent inside Iran. We also discuss the structure of power in Iran, the role of the Supreme Leader and the Revolutionary Guard, the protest movements led by students and young people, and the broader struggle for democratic change. Because the geopolitical situation changed significantly after our initial recording, this episode also includes a second, shorter conversation recorded after the escalation of the conflict involving Iran, Israel, and the United States. In that follow-up discussion, we explore how the war affects the prospects for internal change, resistance movements, media coverage, and the future of Iran. Topics include: Political imprisonment in Iran Solitary confinement and psychological pressure Student protests and resistance movements Theocracy vs democratic governance The role of the IRGC Western policy toward Iran Media narratives and international pressure The future of political change in Iran Talk Without Borders is a long-form conversational podcast exploring politics, culture, media, technology, and society through in-depth discussions with guests from Luxembourg, Europe, and beyond.

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 layers of integration and why forming friendships in Luxembourg can take years. Along the way, we touched on education, political inclusion, transatlantic relations, and how to bridge the cultural silos that still shape life in Luxembourg.

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 also explains the concept of swarm ethics and shares why she believes trust and responsibility must remain at the center of technological development.

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 connect with newer and younger audiences. We also touched on political engagement, digital communication, misinformation, and what it means to earn someone’s attention in 2025.

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, and how small countries like Luxembourg craft their voice in a world of bigger powers.

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 hard to start a business in Luxembourg.

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, what it takes to build a trusted media platform, and the cultural and linguistic silos that still shape life in Luxembourg. Lisa also reflects on the role of media in a fragmented world, her views on artificial intelligence, and the delicate balance between empathy and resilience in public life.

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 independent workers. Clara reflects on cultural integration, gender equality, and the persistent challenges of bridging Luxembourg’s local and international communities. We also dive into the structural gaps in social security for independent workers, and the importance of building a more inclusive and supportive economic system—especially as the nature of work continues to evolve.

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 intelligence. Dietmar also shares his view on the place of religion in modern society, the cultural contrasts between Europe and the U.S., and the risks of declining public discourse in the age of social media.

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 why Europe urgently needs platforms that reflect its own values and principles. We also explore the societal impact of artificial intelligence and how political shifts in the U.S. could influence Europe's strategic direction.

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