"3W's are undoubtedly changing this world: Weather Web Women". Dr. Kiran Bedi

This International Women's Day 2022, Tea-talk celebrates the contribution of women with Dr. Kiran Bedi, Hon'ble Former Lieutenant Governor of Puducherry, the first woman to join Indian Police Services, Civilian Police Advisor at United nations, a powerful advocate for women whose accomplishments are an inspiration to women everywhere.

Let's learn more about her recently published book Fearless Governance, her humanitarian work at one of the most notorious prisons, her fearless attitude, battling issues like corruption, financial prudence, cultivating leadership skills, education movements of underserved children, and much more.

Radio 4 Brainports special anniversary edition with Dr. Kiran Bedi only on Tea-Talk!

Internationals coming to Eindhoven often are taken by surprise during Carnaval. Crazy days in the soutern part of the Netherlands. The city suddenly is so different from being a hotspot in technology and innovation. At Radio 4 Brainport, we invited Limi (from Austria) and Peter (from the deep south of the country) to dive into the roots of Carnaval.

Your chance to make a difference: Many internationals can vote for the  city counsil. As an expat, do you wonder whether you can vote or not? How does the city council work, how can you choose your local politician? We have two special guests on Tea-Talk- Madam Councilor Miriam Frosi, Innovation manager at the Ministry of Infrastructure, and Chaitali Ray Sengupta -  a renowned Author, Journalist, Language Teacher, and also the first-time candidate. 

Listen to Tea-Talk with Karishma and Supriya on Radio 4 Brainport.

If you get a "stempas" in the mail, make sure that you do not thow it away. It is your official invitation to vote for the city counsil. Radio 4 Brainport hosted Eva de Bruijn and Jess Oberlin to discuss how international can also have their say in how the city of Eindhoven develops. They share their experience in actively participating in local politics. And of course they pitch what Groen Links stands for, not only at a national level but specifically what is means for Eindhoven. In a program hosted by Jean-Paul Linnartz, Eva and Jess debate affordable housing and affordable designer studios, social welfare for everyone, an a responsible green city.

If you get a "stempas" in the mail, make sure that you do not throw it away. It is your official invitation to vote for the city counsil. Radio 4 Brainport hosted Eva de Bruijn and Jess Oberlin to discuss how international can also have their say in how the city of Eindhoven develops. They share their experience in actively participating in local politics. And of course they pitch what Groen Links stands for, not only at a national level but specifically what is means for Eindhoven, but that will be covered more in Part 2. In a program hosted by Jean-Paul Linnartz, Eva and Jess debate affordable housing and affordable designer studios, social welfare for everyone, an a responsible green city.

A year of the Tiger is approaching. Every year we ask our Chinese internationals how they celebrate the spring festival.  How do you celebrate the Chinese New Year in Eindhoven? How do you make your dumplings? Are you also wearing something red?

Jean-Paul Linnartz hosted Xiaochen Liu and Garbo Wen at Radio 4  Brainport, the Eindhoven expat station on DAB+ and 747 AM

After our first-in-the-Netherlands media report on the risks that COVID seems to spread via aerosols, Radio 4 Brainport had another chance to speak to Prof. Bert Blocken. Time for an update.

Two years after our interview in March 2020, we know much more about how COVID spreads, but it has taken far too long before virologists and even the WHO took aerosols seriously. By now, the aerosol route is generally accepted as a serious risk. We now know that viruses cannot hop from one aerosol to another, but can travel far via directly exhaled aerosols when people cough, sneeze or just sing. There remains discussion about whether delayed infections can occur via air conditioning ducts that keep circulating the same air for prolonged periods. But it is clear that properly controlled air flow and air cleaning can avoid many infections that would occur in poorly ventilated rooms.

Scientific research addressed two stages: the airflow engineering research on the reduction of the risk of circulating infected aerosols and the medical virologists research question of to what extent small amounts of aerosols can still infect people.

Bert Blocken was heavily disappointed by how media, politicians but even scientists from other disciplinesmisinterpreted properly conducted engineering research. In particular, the engineering community has developed theories that are later used as common knowledge and common sense. One would not have to hypothesis-test the fundamental laws of physics. Nonetheless, there seems a lot of unjustified criticism to properly conducted research work. More seriously, he missed the acknowledgements from decision makers and even from scientists that certain things were not known at an early stage of the pandemic. It took the World Health Organization 16 monthsto take the aerosol risks seriously.

Reducing the risk of infection heavily depends on ventilation. A wide-spread misperception is that the best ventilation is natural ventilation. Well-designed buildings have mechanical ventilation that can effectively reduce infection risks. Indeed, controlled airflows are the most efficient, and are a proven technology in residential and other buildings worldwide. In addition, air cleaning is a proven technology as well, used in professional environments such as surgery rooms and clean rooms. In addition, UV disinfection can wipe out viruses in upper air areas in the room. In the interview with Radio 4 Brainport, Prof Blocken dives into details of how these systems can reduce viral load. In fact, at a series of schools in Belgium and the Netherlands, air cleaners are being installed in a new project.

But not all air cleaners are effective. Bert Blocken does not see it as a professor’s role to recommend specific products, but he sees an urgent need for the public to know what systems are effective and which are poorly performing. He recommends and urges governments and the EU to swiftly come with certification of aircleaning products.

These and more insightful stories, ..  directly from the real Bert Blocken. Also, we hear about his personal journey of being a subject of debate, and even being impersonated on social media.

The interview was conducted via Teams. Archive Photo from 2019, when we chatted about cycling and wind tunnel research.

The Chinese New Year is approaching: A year of the Tiger. Every year we ask our Chinese internationals how they celebrate the spring festival.  How do you celebrate CNY in Eindhoven? What decorations and couplets do you post? Do you recoginize that tigers are competitive and ambitious people, but also generous? 

Jean-Paul Linnartz hosted Xiaochen Liu and Garbo Wen at Radio 4  Brainport, the Eindhoven expat station on DAB+ and 747 AM

For the generation of children, years of education and social contact have been affected by corona at critical periods in their development. Let's talk about lingering effects of unfinished learning, parents facing dilemmas to risk Covid infections or risk normal childhood. International families are in a different position than native Dutch families when it comes to facilitating the development of their children. While the region maintained a strong economy, COVID does affect the interactions that are so typical of our Brainport eco-system and may affect sourcing international talent. Paradigm shifts come along maybe once in a generation. The COVID-19 pandemic has created multiple paradigms shifts the likes of which have never before seen. How will we, the region, and us individually come out of it?

Joining us is a panel of honorable guests: Alderman Stijn Steenbakkers, Councilor Miriam Frosi, and Education Director Geert Simons who professionally see the impact. Yet, Radio 4 Brainport, also invites parents and students, Beena E Arunraj, Karishma Vij, and Anushka. As an interim director of Eindhoven News, Beena hears the voice of many internationals.

Mental wellness is often taken for granted and neglected, especially when you live in such a high-tech region. Meanwhile, the seriousness of it should not be underestimated. The source of stress and depression can come from anywhere, including your work, family and environment.

Coming from her own experience, Irene Anggreeni once worked in a high-pressure profession and suffered from depression. She survived and would like to help others with her experience and expertise. She is now a certified dance therapist and mental wellness coach and founder at Expat Wellbeing.

Stephen Harianto hosted this interview on Radio 4 Brainport. November 23, 2021.