From World News to Crypto Frontiers, my guests this week are Sasha Kehoe and Christopher Jack, who gives us a quick history of money, how Luxembourg became a financial centre and what the country needs to do next, with digital assets.

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 Programme, joins us to unravel the fascinating history of finance in Luxembourg, from its steel roots to its rise as a global financial powerhouse and its bold leap into the world of digital assets and crypto.

Sasha Kehoe’s News Roundup

Sasha Kehoe is back on the show, much to the delight of listeners who’ve missed her warmth. We discuss the passing of Pope Francis, its impact on Luxembourg and the world, and speculation that Cardinal Hollerich is a contender. The ongoing Ukraine conflict is ever-present with more difficult news this week.

For a lighter touch, Sasha dives into studies on Luxembourg’s drivers (we don’t fair well), the emotional bonds between dogs and their owners, and Kawasaki’s futuristic ride-on robot lion-proof that the future is closer than we think!

Christopher Jack: Luxembourg’s Financial Evolution and the Digital Asset Revolution

Christopher Jack takes us on a quick journey through the evolution of money. He explains the three pillars of money - means of exchange, unit of account, and store of value, and most especially how trust underpins every financial system, from ancient bartering to today’s digital currencies.

Christopher then unpacks why Luxembourg became a financial hub. In the 1970s, as the steel industry declined, Luxembourg pivoted fast, offering attractive tax laws and regulatory clarity. The listing of the first Eurobond in 1963 and the adoption of the UCITS directive in 1988 cemented Luxembourg’s status as a global financial centre, now managing over $7 trillion in assets.

Looking ahead, Christopher explores Luxembourg’s push into digital assets and crypto. With pioneering blockchain laws and the EU’s MiCA regulation, Luxembourg is positioning itself at the forefront of the digital finance revolution. Tokenization, stablecoins, and new regulatory frameworks promise to democratize investment and reshape global markets-if the country can balance innovation with robust oversight.

Luxembourg’s necessity to adapt fast, stay stable and secure

Luxembourg’s story is one of adaptation and trust. Its future as a financial leader depends on attracting top talent, fostering innovation, and staying agile in a rapidly changing world.

https://www.linkedin.com/in/christopher-jack-3953b2142/

https://www.jbs.cam.ac.uk/faculty-research/centres/alternative-finance/the-digital-assets-programme/

https://www.jbs.cam.ac.uk/faculty-research/centres/alternative-finance/

This Easter on The Lisa Burke Show, neuroscientist and newly baptised Christian Baroness Susan Greenfield reflects on a life of scientific discovery, spiritual awakening, and the enduring quest to understand consciousness.

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 renewal and rebirth arrives, it is a profound privilege to share with you a conversation that speaks to the mind and the soul, with a science icon of mine.

For the first time, newly baptised Baroness Susan Greenfield will mark this Easter as a Christian.

Classics to Pharmacology

Baroness Susan Greenfield began her intellectual life immersed in Ancient Greek and Latin thanks to an inspirational teacher, and it was there that the seeds of her fierce curiosity took root. For Susan, the Classics developed a rigorously disciplined way of thinking: a mental gymnasium that trained her to ask the deepest questions of what it means to be human.

“The Romans and Greeks dealt with love, fate, identity - questions we still grapple with. We’ve advanced technologically, but philosophically? Not much.”

This foundation in classics led her, perhaps surprisingly, into science. Encouraged by a bold Oxford pharmacologist who told her she could “tell us about Homer during the coffee break,” despite not knowing the basics of chemistry, Susan entered neuroscience. Since then, she has gone on to lead research groups at Oxford and founded the biotech company Neuro-Bio Ltd, devoted to early-stage diagnostics and interventions for Alzheimer’s disease. Susan is also affiliated with the Oxford Institute of Population Ageing, where she confronts one of our century’s greatest challenges: how to extend our health span, alongside lifespan.

Alzheimer’s, Cognitive Capital & Consciousness

The Alzheimer’s research Susan leads is revolutionary. She and her team have devoted over 40 years to identifying molecules that could stop neuronal death potentially before symptoms even begin. With a latency window of 10 to 20 years between brain degeneration and visible symptoms, Susan envisions a three-step screening model, starting at home, to catch the disease early enough for real prevention.

Yet she is just as passionate about prevention through lifestyle. Cognitive capital may well be the new GDP. A daily life filled with rich conversation, curiosity and mental stimulation is just as vital to our brains as sleep or diet.

“The brain should be part of the school curriculum,” Susan insists. “Ten-year-olds can grasp it. It’s their brain, their identity. Why should they wait until university?”

Susan’s take on consciousness brings us to a realm we haven’t quite been able to grasp yet in words or measurement. “It’s subjective, immeasurable… and that makes it terrifying for many scientists.” She distinguishes between the brain, the mind and consciousness. And then there is the soul.

Faith and the Soul

“I think the riddle of consciousness is somehow tied up with what we call the soul,” she muses, a space she now embraces more openly.

Raised in a home divided between Jewish and Christian grandparents, married to a self-proclaimed atheist, Susan has now found faith in her own way. “I feel a deeper sensitivity to faith now,” she confides. “I believe in God more than I used to.”

Her faith journey culminated in a quiet baptism last year. “This Easter,” she says, “feels like my first.” For a neuroscientist whose every instinct is to explore and analyse, this act of surrender is to someone bigger than oneself. It doesn’t conflict with her science; it deepens it. “Consciousness may vary in degrees,” she says, “like sleep or anaesthesia. So why not faith?”

Female leadership

A scientist style icon, Susan has always been unapologetically herself. “I cultivated my look as a kind of armour,” she explains, “but it also reflects who I am—curious, expressive, unwilling to conform.”

Now as a CEO, Susan calls on all of us, especially women, to invest, support, and mentor. Indeed, only 2% of venture capital still goes to women.

“Leadership,” she says, “is about vision, not control. It’s about showing what’s possible.” She embodies this truth in every aspect of her life—from the lab to the Lords.

Legacy is in addressing the big questions

In reflecting on her legacy, Susan doesn’t cite awards. She returns, instead, to the passion of discovery. “Just doing the science is the reward,” she says, echoing physicist Richard Feynman. And to young people unsure of their path, she offers the same wisdom that has shaped her own life: don’t be afraid to ask the big questions. “It’s better to ask some of the questions than to know all the answers.”

Happy Easter in whatever way you plan to spend the weekend.

To follow more from Susan Greenfield:


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 was a bouquet of unexpected wisdom.

First up, Rick Serrano, philosopher, engineer, and Harvard MBA, returned with his relationship roadmap now available in book form: “All You Need is 10 Cherries.”  This method to finding one’s perfect life partner offers a structured framework to navigate your options —five cherries for self-awareness and five for action. From recognising doubts and defining values to the financial equivalent of the ‘Sunk Love Fallacy.’

Rick urges us to approach relationships with the same discipline we apply to business. One of his main principles can be summarised here: “If you were not in this relationship today, would you enter it? If the answer is no, you already know what to do.”

Rick’s philosophy stretches beyond romance. His new workshop “The Quest for Meaning – Unveiling Your Life’s Purpose” invites participants to envision their lives in 2040, both with current constraints and without. He combines forward vision with retrospective reflection, helping people identify patterns, possibilities, and pathways to an extraordinary life because he believes we owe ourselves nothing less.

The theme of self-reclamation was echoed by comedians Jess Bauldry and Marta Correia, co-founders of Frilly Curtains Comedy Club and Festrogen Festival. They spoke of comedy as a healing force, particularly for women reclaiming their identity after traumatic life events such as divorce. Marta shared a poignant story of reading her “letter to the universe” onstage from which an audience member came up to her afterwards and told her that was how she found her own husband!

Sophie Jablonski and Minna Schmidt of Flourish Financially joined once more to bring a fresh, empathetic take on economic empowerment with the “Four Seasons of Financial Health”. Spring is a time for planting seeds of confidence in a VUCA world (Volatile, Uncertain, Complex, Ambiguous). The goal is to cultivate financial resilience, emotional steadiness, and long-term thinking amid global instability.

Why is it that many financially savvy women don’t invest. Fear, uncertainty and emotional barriers seem to be the recurring reasons. Sophie and Minna work with women to integrate personal development with financial literacy. They believe it’s about knowing yourself and acting with intention, especially during turbulent times.

So, whether you're rethinking your savings strategy, relationship status, or life purpose, hopefully this episode can serve as a catalyst to seek out your extra-ordinary life with intention.

But first, clean your airplane.

Attend the upcoming Festrogen Festival in Luxembourg here.

A gift to explore your Financial Wellbeing

Flourish Financially are happy to offer my listeners access to their exclusive self-assessment tool, the Financial Flourishing Scale. Grounded in research from positive psychology and financial resilience, it helps individuals reflect on their current relationship with money—whether they’re thriving, surviving, or languishing. https://bit.ly/flourishing-scale

https://www.linkedin.com/in/rick-serrano-luxembourg/

https://festrogenfestival.com/

https://www.instagram.com/comicbyaccident/

https://www.instagram.com/frillycurtainscomedy/

https://drsophiecoaching.com/

https://www.minnaschmidt.com/

https://flourishfinancially.org/

From butterflies to birds, experts and citizen scientists unite 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 manner.

Dr. Youri Martin, Senior R&T Engineer in biodiversity at LIST, is at the heart of Luxembourg’s monitoring systems. As principal investigator of the BIODIV project, Youri and his team track protected species using standardised data methods. He coordinates the Luxembourg Pollinator Monitoring Scheme, where volunteers conduct pollinator transect walks and pan trapping to observe bees, butterflies and other insects.

“Consistency in data is everything. It allows us to see real trends,  and the picture is concerning.” Over 60% of butterfly mass abundance has declined in just over a decade.

Citizen science has gripped John Park, who created Bee Together.  From identifying butterflies to pan-trapping pollinators, John works hands-on with LIST and is cited among contributors to the new Butterfly Atlas of Luxembourg.

“Unless someone like you cares a whole awful lot, nothing is going to get better. It's not,” he quotes from The Lorax. John’s work has even contributed to published research on genetic drift in insects .

Joining us from Austria was Gerid Hager, a research scholar at IIASA and a key figure in the EU’s FRAMEwork project and Urban ReLeaf initiative. Gerid emphasised the strength of collaborative data collection from farmers and citizens alike.

“This isn't just about data, it’s about community, ownership, and the cultural shift towards biodiversity-friendly agriculture.”

On the birding front, Patric Lorgé, field ornithologist at natur&ëmwelt, has spent decades building Luxembourg’s bird monitoring network. With over 120 volunteers, he has standardised the national tracking of bird populations and authored Vögel Luxemburgs. Patric has personally observed 283 of the 336 bird species in Luxembourg, contributing vital knowledge to EU conservation frameworks like Natura 2000.

Digitally documenting this natural world is Paul Braun, Digital Curator at the National Museum of Natural History Luxembourg (MNHNL). As the Luxembourg node manager for GBIF and site manager of iNaturalist.lu, Paul promotes citizen science through technology. The iNaturalist app, he explains, allows users to photograph and identify wild species globally. "The data doesn't just sit there—it feeds into research, policy, and international conservation."

The show also highlighted the upcoming City Nature Challenge, a global bioblitz encouraging everyone to document as many species as possible in their city using iNaturalist. Last year Luxembourg contributed over 9,000 observations. “This is where science becomes personal and powerful,” says Paul.

So, whether you’re walking transects, installing pan traps, identifying birds or just using an app in your garden, you are a vital part of Luxembourg’s biodiversity mission. The data you collect today could shape conservation policy tomorrow. As Youri said, “We can’t protect what we don’t understand. And we can’t understand what we don’t observe.”

https://www.list.lu/en/environment/project/biodiv-iiia/

https://www.list.lu/en/environment/project/lupoms/

https://beetogetherlux.wordpress.com/

https://iiasa.ac.at/

https://www.naturemweltasbl.lu/produit/exemple-de-produit-4/

https://www.mnhn.lu/science/2024/07/11/ferrantia-90/

https://recodo.io/

https://iiasa.ac.at/blog/sep-2023/reshaping-local-frontiers-of-farming-and-biodiversity

https://www.naturemweltasbl.lu/centrale-ornithologique/

https://www.ornitho.lu/

https://www.mnhn.lu/

https://www.gbif.org/

https://inaturalist.lu/

https://www.citynaturechallenge.org/

https://www.list.lu/

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 leave everything behind and begin the journey to find a new home. Their story, spanning seven countries, is one of unimaginable hardship and enforced determination.

Bushra and Mahmood fled Yemen in 2017 with their three young sons aged just 3, 6 and 9 at the time. The political unrest and increasing danger made their home untenable. Bushra, once employed by the US Embassy, faced life-threatening risks as tensions escalated. Mahmood had worked for Yemen’s Ministry of Agriculture. Both had built stable, professional lives – lives that were upended due to war.

Their journey from Yemen went via Oman, Malaysia, Iran, Turkey, Greece, Spain, Belgium, and finally, Luxembourg. In Iran they were living in forests at border with Turkey and had to climb mountains at night and walk, with their three young boys, for two weeks to the capital city of Ankara.

There, they paid for a treacherous boat crossing to Kos, captained by someone who didn’t know the way. On Kos, where they lived for six months in awful conditions, Mahmood built them a shelter.

Finally, they reached Luxembourg in 2019. A new chapter. A place of peace. Another baby. They could not have envisaged still living in camps in 2025.

A Hidden Struggle in the Heart of Europe

Since arriving in Luxembourg, Bushra and Mahmood have been housed in various refugee camps. Six years later, they’re still there. Currently, they live in two small rooms in a camp in Luxembourg City, sharing bathroom and kitchen facilities with five other families. And they pay for it – over €1,100 per month.

Despite Luxembourg’s wealth and reputation for high living standards, their search for a stable home seems insurmountable. Their teenage sons, now in school in Clervaux, spend four hours a day commuting to and from school. Bushra, works but her health has been deeply impacted by relentless stress. Mahmood, has to manage the travel logistics for the children and support their education, alongside learning French.

They have filled out hundreds of housing applications – public and private. But the answer is always the same: too expensive, too large a family, or simply, no response at all.

Their story is one of many – but one we rarely hear.

Luxembourg’s Deepening Housing Crisis

To shed light on the broader context, I was joined by RTL’s French-language housing journalist, Gaël Arellano. His reporting has laid bare the critical state of housing in Luxembourg.

Why is renting so hard – and so expensive?

It’s a perfect storm:

- Population growth vs. housing supply: Luxembourg needs to build around 6,000 new homes per year to keep up with demand. In the last two years, only 700–800 homes were built annually.

- Collapse of new construction: Rising interest rates and stagnant prices have stalled new builds.

- Pressure shift: As buying has become unaffordable, pressure has shifted to the rental market, pushing rents higher.

- Discrimination: Gaël has spoken with real estate agents who confirm that some landlords openly discriminate – against nationalities, large families, even people with children.

Though laws exist to cap rent or ensure fair treatment, enforcement is often absent or toothless. And for refugee families like Bushra and Mahmood’s, who may not have perfect credit histories or high incomes, the barriers multiply.

A Home, Not Just a House

Despite all this, Bushra and Mahmood remain incredibly gracious and resilient. Their sons are doing their best in school and have many friends, but they crave a normal, stable home life.

“They just want to invite their friends over. They want to feel normal.”

They simply want what every parent wants: a stable home where their children can grow, dream, and belong. Luxembourg is their home now.

So let’s ask ourselves – and our community – what can be done? We know the housing situation in Luxembourg is extremely tough, but so much moreso for refugees who are living in limbo.

Bushra and Mahmood’s story is so deeply humbling. A family who simply want to start their life from scratch and a build a home for their family.

https://play.rtl.lu/shows/fr/la-bulle-immo/episodes

Fashioning a future with style, strength & storytelling: ELLE magazine's Editor-in-Chief, a French actress-singer, two fashion designers... my guests this week open up about the need for sincerity in branding oneself or a product, and finding alignment in life and with your work.

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 ambassador; Marie-Adélaïde Leclercq-Olhagaray, editor-in-chief of ELLE Luxembourg; Elena Gromova, a fashion business consultant; and Senay Simsek Trierweiler, founder of Soul7 Couture. Each guest united through the common theme of finding one’s voice and turning passion into purpose.

The birth of ELLE Luxembourg and the power of words

Marie-Adélaïde shared the journey of launching ELLE Luxembourg, celebrating its first anniversary with a cover story featuring the Grand Duchess. More than just a fashion magazine, ELLE stands as a platform for women’s voices across generations. 

“Words give birth to ideas—maieutics is the art of giving birth through dialogue.” 

Marie-Adélaïde spoke about communication being so much more than just words, either written or spoken. 

“The power of words is immense... you need to choose them wisely. ”  

Aurélia Khazan: combining creative endeavours for a full career

Aurélia Khazan, radiant and multifaceted, joined us from Paris. Aurélia spoke candidly about managing a creative career across continents while staying true to herself. 

“We can’t wait for the phone to ring like Prince Charming—today, women must take an active role in shaping their careers.”  

Recounting feedback from a French agent who said she “smiled too much,” Aurelia responded with grace: “Art is about sincerity, not distance.” Her career across France, India, and beyond reflects a fearless embrace of multicultural storytelling through performance and activism.

“Beauty is not a face. It's what you do. It's how you live. It’s how you give back.”

Senay’s Soul7 Story

Senay’s journey was one of strength, style, and innovation. A psychologist turned designer, she created Soul7 Couture to blend elegance with activewear, crafting pieces that work both in and outside the gym. After being diagnosed with cancer in 2020, her brand became a creative outlet that supported her recovery. 

“I didn’t fight cancer—I learned to live with it. I never gave up on my dreams.” 

Her recent appearance at Miami Fashion Week marked a significant step in taking her Luxembourgish label to the international stage. Senay also talks about how it was not so easy to set-up a business in Luxembourg, but this was not the experience of Elena. 

Branding with Meaning - Fashion Business Lab

Elena Gromova, founder of Fashion Business Lab and No.Rainer, highlighted the importance of authenticity in branding. Having transitioned from finance to fashion, she emphasised the emotional core of every successful brand. 

As Marie-Adélaïde said, “Branding is who you are; marketing is what you offer. You need both feet to move forward.” 

Elena’s raincoat label, No.Rainer, was inspired by Luxembourg’s weather and the desire to build something meaningful. 

“Luxembourg surprised me—it’s small but full of creative potential.”

The Power of Storytelling in a Fast-Paced World

The conversation turned to the contrast between fast-paced social media and the depth of long-form content. Marie-Adélaïde spoke of the balance in ELLE between daily digital articles and print features that “live longer” on readers’ coffee tables.

Elena, who produces beautifully crafted short videos, noted, “You need to show what’s behind the picture. A 15-second video can be a hook, but sincerity is what builds a lasting connection.”

As Marie-Adélaïde said, ELLE Luxembourg has a multi-generational audience and readership. They have to craft stories and interviews that appeal to all. 

Whether building a fashion brand, launching a media platform, or navigating a global creative career, the message was clear: authenticity, adaptability, and self-belief matter most, plus knowing your audience. 

https://www.instagram.com/aureliakhazan_officiel/

https://www.facebook.com/aureliakhazan.page/

www.elle.lu

Instagram: @elle_luxembourg" rel="noopener noreferrer">https://www.imdb.com/name/nm3549980/

https://www.instagram.com/aureliakhazan_officiel/

https://www.facebook.com/aureliakhazan.page/

www.elle.lu

Instagram: @elle_luxembourg

  www.soul7couture.com

https://norainer.com

https://www.instagram.com/no.rainer/

https://www.instagram.com/fashion.business.lab/

Member of Parliament, Paul Galles, came to politics via the unconventional route of priesthood. We talk about this, his zest for life, philosophies he abides by 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 politician: commitment to faith, community, and the pursuit of happiness for all.

Spiritual awakening

 

As a teenager, we all confront the big questions of life, and that's when Paul's spiritual journey began. Aged 15, he was on a Christian retreat which ignited his connection to God.

Coming from a family of mathematicians and scientists, Paul has always been keenly aware of the intersections between faith and reason. Contrary to the notion that religion and science are incompatible, he believes they complement one another. Faith, he asserts, seeks to understand meaning and purpose, while science unravels the mechanics of the universe. His upbringing reinforced the idea that curiosity and belief are not at odds but rather enrich each other, a philosophy that continues to shape his worldview and political approach.

 

After studying theology, aged 21, he had the opportunity to travel to Brazil to observe the community developed by a Dutch priest who lived there. He was immersed in a vibrant community, "A joyful, lively, young Church that dances and is socially engaged". This experience deepened his faith and ignited a passion for social justice.

From Priesthood to Social Advocacy

After 11 years as a priest, Paul faced the challenges of remaining celibate, something he feels should not be a requirement for priests. Although he stepped away from the clergy, it was not as a rejection of his spiritual path, but an evolution of it. Transitioning to social work, he joined Young Caritas Luxembourg as a project coordinator, focusing on youth volunteerism in the social sector. His work emphasized the importance of solidarity and community engagement, reflecting his enduring commitment to societal well-being.

In 2016, Paul was awarded the prestigious European Citizen Prize for his outstanding contributions to society. This honor, bestowed by the European Parliament, recognizes individuals and organizations that promote European values, solidarity, and cross-border cooperation. For Paul, this was an affirmation of his lifelong mission to serve others, both within and beyond Luxembourg and he dedicated it to the team. 

Stepping into the Political Arena

Paul's foray into politics was a natural progression of his advocacy work. Joining the Christian Social People's Party (CSV) in 2016, he quickly became a prominent figure, serving as Deputy Secretary-General and later as Vice-President. His electoral success continued through 2017, 2018, and from 2023, where he serves as an Alderman responsible for children and youth in Luxembourg City.

Philosophies Rooted in Compassion

Central to Paul's ethos is a profound belief in the dignity of every individual and the pursuit of happiness. Inspired by Robert Baden-Powell’s words, he emphasizes that true happiness stems not from wealth or career success but from living a life of purpose and love. Paul’s commitment extends to environmental justice, social solidarity, and the fight against poverty, with a particular focus on empowering children and youth.

A Vision for a Happier Society

In my preparation with Paul, he posed some introspective questions that challenge us to reflect on our lives:

What are you thankful for?

What impresses your heart so deeply?

Which wounds of the world do you want to be healed?

How do you see the world if you want it to be perfect?

These questions, he believes, should be integral to our education system, fostering a generation that values emotional intelligence, creativity, and genuine human connection.

Embracing Life's Rhythms

Beyond his professional endeavors, Paul finds energy in various passions: a strong network of family and friends, faith, sports, 5Rhythms dance, open-mindedness towards diverse beliefs, astronomy, and philosophy. These interests not only rejuvenate him but also provide a holistic perspective on life, enriching his approach to public service.

Paul's story is one of evolution, guided by faith, introspection, and an unwavering commitment to making the world a better place. His journey from priesthood to politics serves as an inspiring reminder that our paths may change, but the core values of compassion, justice, and love remain steadfast.

For a deeper insight into Paul's philosophies and his vision for a happier society, tune in to our full conversation on RTL Today.

We do also talk about the Council of Europe but this conversation will be a larger one when I interview Ambassador Ragnhildur Arnljósdóttir in a few weeks time.

www.paulgalles.lu

https://www.linkedin.com/in/paul-galles-b6897429?utm_source=share&utm_campaign=share_via&utm_content=profile&utm_medium=ios_app

https://www.facebook.com/share/19UyFpEioy/?mibextid=wwXIfr

Multiple Sclerosis (MS) is a complex neurological condition that impacts an estimated 2.8 million people worldwide. 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 the fundamental mechanism of MS in terms anyone can understand: "The brain communicates using electrical signals. These signals travel from one neuron to another through axons, which are protected by myelin sheets that help accelerate the transmission of these signals. In MS, the immune system mistakenly attacks these myelin sheets, leading to demyelination.”

This disruption in communication between neurons explains why MS symptoms can vary so dramatically - the location of demyelination determines which functions are affected. "It could be the motor cortex, resulting in mobility issues, or the visual cortex, causing problems with vision," Dr. Tayeb noted.

While the exact cause of MS remains unknown, researchers have identified several factors that may contribute to its development. According to our panel, MS is significantly more prevalent in women, who represent approximately 65% of MS patients - possibly due to women's more active immune systems making them more susceptible to autoimmune conditions like MS.

Geographic distribution also offers clues, with higher rates in regions farther from the equator such as Canada, northern United States, and parts of Europe (with Denmark having a particularly high prevalence). This pattern has led scientists to investigate a potential link with vitamin D deficiency, though studies remain inconclusive.

The Patient Experience: Hassan's Journey

Few stories illustrate the unpredictable nature of MS better than that of Hassan Nada, entrepreneur, journalist, and self-described "MS warrior." Hassan's first symptom appeared in 2018 when he suddenly lost vision in his right eye while on holiday in Egypt.

"I woke up one day, and out of nowhere, my vision was blurry to the point where I thought I was blind," Hassan recalled. Despite seeing an ophthalmologist, his condition went undiagnosed as MS. His vision eventually returned after treatment with corticosteroids.

Four years later, after moving to Luxembourg, Hassan experienced sciatic nerve pain and numbness in his lower body. His general practitioner recognized the connection between his previous episode of optic neuritis and his current symptoms, immediately suspecting MS.

"She screamed at me and had me go to the ER right away," Hassan shared. After extensive testing, including MRIs, blood tests, and a spinal fluid sample, the diagnosis was confirmed: Hassan had multiple sclerosis.

The emotional impact of this diagnosis was profound. "My life changed from that moment onwards, and I went into complete depression," he admitted. But through the unwavering support of his wife and access to modern treatments, Hassan has found ways to adapt and advocate for others with MS.

Treatment Approaches: Managing an Incurable Condition

While MS currently has no cure, Dr. Tayeb emphasized that it is treatable. "Notwithstanding the fact that MS is incurable, it is treatable," he stated. "The problem is that every patient is different. The trajectory of the progression, diseases, symptoms are different.”

Disease-modifying therapies (DMTs) aim to slow the progression of MS by suppressing or modulating the immune system. These treatments vary widely in their administration methods (pills, injections, infusions) and side effect profiles.

Hassan's treatment journey illustrates the often challenging process of finding the right approach. After being diagnosed, he was unable to receive his doctor's first-choice treatment due to having a virus that made it dangerous for him. He then tried a pill-based DMT that, despite its high success rate with other patients, didn't work for him. Finally, he found success with a monthly subcutaneous injection called Kesimpta.

"Last week I went to the neurologist office depressed," Hassan shared. "I was like, 'I know it didn't work.' She's like, 'No, it actually worked. There are no new lesions. You can now make long-term plans in life.’"

Innovative Approaches: The Brain's Virtual Gym

Dr. Tayeb and Samaher Garbaya, co-founders of MyelinZ, are taking a different approach to MS management. Their "virtual gym for the brain" uses neurotechnology to promote neuroplasticity - the brain's ability to form new neural connections.

"We're trying to promote neuroplasticity in the brain," Dr. Tayeb explained. Their platform uses games to stimulate specific brain regions while measuring brain activity. Using machine learning, they analyze six different digital biomarkers to create personalized brain exercises.

This approach draws inspiration from research showing that activities like playing musical instruments or singing can activate certain brain areas, potentially slowing disease progression by strengthening neural pathways.

The Role of Support: Community and Family

Multiple speakers emphasized that MS affects not just the individual but their entire support network. Anne Leurs, who manages the Multiple Sclerosis Society in Luxembourg, noted that MS typically appears between ages 20-40 - a critical period when people are building careers, starting families, and establishing their adult lives.

"It's a very difficult period, this period of diagnosis," Anne observed. "It's a chronicle disease. This means that you will have to live your life on with this disease.”

Hassan's experience underscores the crucial role of support systems. "MS either breaks a couple or it makes them the strongest couple in the world," he remarked. When first diagnosed, he told his wife she should leave. "She's like, 'It's because I love you that I'm not leaving, and we're going to make it out of this stronger than ever.'" Five years later, she remains his "backbone," managing his appointments and ensuring he takes his medications.

For those without close family support, community organizations like the Multiple Sclerosis Society provide vital resources, information, and connection.

Complementary Approaches: The Mind-Body Connection

Mariette Lentz, a Luxembourgish soprano who specializes in the Alexander Technique, offered insights into complementary approaches that can help manage MS symptoms and improve quality of life.

The Alexander Technique is "a mental technique" focused on "exploring the relationship between our thoughts and our movement," Mariette explained. While not a therapy or cure, it offers tools to help reduce stress and bring the nervous system to a calmer state - particularly valuable for MS patients who often experience anxiety related to their unpredictable symptoms. This, naturally, is a method that can help us all. 

The Daily Reality

Hassan painted a vivid picture of what daily life with MS can entail: "Imagine waking up every day of your life with the worst hangover in the world without having to drink.”

Despite this challenge, he maintains a positive outlook and has channeled his experience into advocacy work, connecting with MS communities around the world. "I'm disclosing some personal parts of my life in hopes that it's actually going to benefit people," he explained.

Looking Forward: Hope in Research and Community

While MS remains incurable, advances in treatment options continue to improve outcomes for patients. From traditional DMTs to innovative approaches like brain-computer interfaces and neuroplasticity training, the landscape of MS management is evolving rapidly.

As our conversation demonstrated, the combination of cutting-edge medical science, dedicated healthcare professionals, strong personal support systems, and community resources creates a foundation for living well despite MS.

For those navigating the complex journey of MS - whether as patients, family members, or healthcare providers - knowledge and community remain powerful tools. By continuing to share stories like Hassan's and insights from experts like Dr. Tayeb, Samaher Garbaya, Anne Leurs, and Mariette Lentz, we can work toward greater understanding and better support for everyone affected by this challenging condition.

https://myelinz.com

https://www.msweb.lu/wp/

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 and a burden on family and society for care.

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 EU population was aged 65 years or older. In 2019, an Alzheimer Europe report on the prevalence of dementia estimated that there were about 9 million people living with the disease in Europe. This number is projected to double by 2050, rising towards 19 million in the European region. Globally, there are around 55 million people worldwide who are living with dementia. However, research is now showing that up to 45% of dementias could be prevented: by addressing a range of modifiable risk factors, at different stages of our lives.

My guests today are:

Dr. Ange Bradshaw: Director for Research at Alzheimer’s Europe

Dr. Joëlle Fritz: Research and Strategy Specialist, Luxembourg Institute of Health

Dr. Francesca Mangialasche: Geriatrician, Division of Clinical Geriatrics: Alzheimer Research Center Department of Neurobiology, Care Sciences and Society, Karolinska Institutet and Executive Director of the World-Wide FINGERS Global Scientific Coordinating Center at the FINGERS Brain Health Institute

Hassan Fadli: Founder, 5 Ironmans Beat Alzheimer's Association

The 2024 World Alzheimer’s report noted that 80% of people think dementia is a normal part of ageing, and 65% of healthcare professionals.

Only 2% of the population are affected by rare genetic factors but for most of us this is not the case. ‘Modifiable risk factors’ can be replaced to deter and stall dementia.

Francesca Mangialasce is based at the Karolinska Institute in Sweden, and also works as executive director of the ‘FINGERS’ Brain Health Institute, founded by Professor Mija Kivipelto, a world renowned researcher in the field of Alzheimer's disease and Dementia.

FBHI is dedicated to promoting healthy brain aging and preventing cognitive impairment and dementia through innovative multi-domain clinical research and the fast translation of these results into personalised clinical practice.

Brain is our main capital, and there is so much we can do to promote brain health. Studies have show that cardiovascular and metabolic disorders such as high blood pressure, high blood cholesterol, high blood sugar or diabetes are risk factors for dementia. There are many other emerging factors such as hearing impairment, vision loss, impaired oral health. 

Being mentally, physically and socially active during life is important to reduce the risk of memory problems in old age. Secondary and tertiary prevention is also really important, even at the later stages of disease with therapies including art, dance and cognitive stimulation therapy . 

The FINGER study across 70 countries shows that a multi-domain approach can benefit cognition:exercise, healthy diet, cognitive training, good control of metabolic/vascular disorders, and social stimulation.

Stigma

Hassan Fadli’s father faced stigma in the village he lived all his life. This stigma deepens the pain of the suffering, knowing you are losing ‘yourself’. It is also a burden for the caregivers at a time when family and friends need the most help to support their loved one.  

Hassan promised his father to work towards breaking this stigma and founded the 5 Ironmans initiative. Hassan has also made a documentary of his advocacy work alongside the endurance sport to reach people from children in schools across Europe to the Queen of Sweden.  His aim is to bring brain health into normal conversation, break the stigma, and integrate brain health awareness into public discourse. 

Luxembourg support

Joëlle Fritz is working  as Research and Strategy Specialist at the Luxembourg Institute of Health where she aims to bridge research to clinical care. "Programme démence prevention" (pdp) is a programme raising awareness on modifiable risk factors for dementia prevention and promotes life style changes.

PDP is an integrated prevention concept funded by Luxembourg's Ministry of Health and Social Security. PDP is currently coordinated by the Centre Hospitalier  de Luxembourg in collaboration with national institutions (Luxembourg Institute of Health and Luxembourg Centre for System's Biomedicine at the University of Luxembourg) and partner associations (listed below). It is important to start as early as possible in the prevention of dementia, and so the PDP Braincoach app was created, accessible via browser to everyone also outside Luxembourg: www.pdp-app.lu

Associations related in Luxembourg:

L’Association nationale des diététiciens du Luxembourg: www.andl.lu

ZithaAktiv: www.zithaaktiv.lu  

Club Seniors of HELP asbl: www.help.lu

Club Senior “Schwaarze Wee” Dudelange:   www.schwaarzewee.lu

Lëtzebuerger Verein fir Gediechtnistraining: www.lvgt.lu

NEUROvitalis home and digital

Info-Zenter Demenz:   www.demenz.lu

Association Luxembourg Alzheimer (ala) : www.ala.lu 

Longevity with health 

The results are clear, for dementia and living a long life with good health: we need to put in place good habits of physical, social and mental health. 

Links to the notes above:

https://www.5ironmansbeatalzheimer.com

www.pdp.lu

https://www.alzheimer-europe.org

https://fbhi.se/sv/

https://www.linkedin.com/company/fingers-brain-health-institute/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/miia-kivipelto-8a8b1b3b/

https://www.chl.lu/fr

https://m3s.gouvernement.lu/en.html

https://www.uni.lu/lcsb-en/

https://ki.se/en

Coming up for air after being trapped in the fog of a cycle of domestic abuse – the story of (mostly) women who have finally found the strength to leave.

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 shelters of victims, they realised this was the story they wanted to tell instead.

‘Breathing Underwater’ (Hors d’Haleine) is the result. Produced by Samsa Film, this Luxembourgish independent feature-length film was released in cinemas on 13th of November 2024 and will be re-shown on 7 March ahead of Women’s International Day on 8 March. Eric is the director and Rae Lyn is the co-writer and Director of Photography. www.breathingunderwater-film.com

My other guest, Christine Renzi, is a social worker who has worked with women and children at Foyer Sud for many years. Today she is part of a team that runs “Log-in”, part of Conseil National des Femmes du Luxembourg, CNFL.

Eric and Rae Lyn talk about the strength of women in the shelters they visited, the camaraderie and strife they share as they figure out a new path ahead. Eric mentions the fact that most of these women are ex-pats as Luxembourgish people tend to reconnect with family or friends here in these situations.

Christine tells us that even though some women (as it is mostly women) return, they usually, eventually, leave when the time is ready for them.

Both Christine, and Eric & Rae Lyn, have brought their work into schools and every time, whatever the socio-economic demographic, they have children come to talk to them as they know what this is about, they have lived it. Or they walk out as it is too painful for them to relive it.

Domestic abuse comes in many forms and it is not always physical. Psychological abuse can be more harmful in ways as it constantly chips away at the other’s confidence, gaining control of that person, making them feel as though they live in a fog of doubt. The victim’s circle diminishes, they may loose work and certainly loose confidence. Often there is a trigger to leave the home, and often this trigger is the children. 

Of course men are also victims although the figures at the moment for men are much lower than for women. Nonetheless, in Luxembourg law, both genders are seen in equitable terms.

What makes a (mostly) man abuse another? Eric says that his conversations with psychologists suggest it happens with these men are not in contact with their emotions. “The patriarchy hurts both sides”.

If you want to check the violence scale, here is a good resource:

https://oivf.seinesaintdenis.fr/app/uploads/2022/06/violentometre-2019-anglais.pdf

If you need help and support in Luxembourg please contact:

www.violence.lu

You can find more information from Eurostat here:

https://ec.europa.eu/eurostat/web/products-eurostat-news/w/ddn-20241125-3 

www.breathingunderwater-film.com