In this episode, hosts Binci Heeb and Mirela Dimofte are joined by Thomas Gassenbauer and Brigitte Roy from Cognizant for an open conversation about generational perspectives, leadership, and the evolving world of work.

We explore what it means to build a meaningful career across generations—how curiosity, adaptability, and candid conversations can bridge age and experience gaps in the workplace. Brigitte introduces the concept of a “spiral career,” where growth isn’t linear but guided by exploration and self-awareness.

We also reflect on how mental health and career pressure show up differently for Gen Z and more experienced professionals, and why embracing vulnerability is key to creating trust across teams.

From creativity in tech to navigating cultural diversity, Brigitte and Thomas share insights from their global careers—including a powerful story about gender bias and the importance of being vocal about your goals.

Whether you’re just starting out or in a leadership role, this episode offers honest reflections and practical takeaways on building inclusive, future-ready teams.

Podcast Resources

• Learn more about Cognizant Website

• Connect with Thomas Gassenbauer Linkedin

• Connect with Brigitte Roy Linkedin

You can follow us on 

• Binci Heeb LinkedIn

• Mirela Dimofte LinkedIn

• The Broker News Website

In this inspiring episode, Mirela Dimofte and Binci Heeb welcome Andreea Prange, a seasoned insurance executive at AXA Switzerland, to discuss her professional journey, her leadership philosophy, and her passionate advocacy for financial inclusion, gender equality, and financial education.

Andrea shares insights from her cross-industry career in consulting, telecommunications, and insurance, as well as her personal perspective as a mother and a proud Swiss-Romanian professional. She also speaks about the impact she drives at AXA, both in terms of strategy and through broader societal initiatives.

Key takeaways with Andreea Prange.

• Leadership should focus on treating team members with respect and understanding.

• Financial education is lacking in schools and needs to be prioritized.

• Women face a significant pension gap compared to men.

• It's essential for women to have their own bank accounts for financial security.

• Equality in the workplace is about providing equal opportunities for all.

• AXA is actively supporting women's sports and promoting gender equality.

• AXA's initiatives include mentoring programs and flexible work arrangements for parents.

You can follow our guest 

Andreea Prange LinkedIn

You can follow us on 

Binci Heeb LinkedIn

Mirela Dimofte LinkedIn

The Broker News Website

Chapters 

00:00 Introduction to Andreea Prange and Her Journey

03:03 Leadership Values and Team Dynamics

05:49 Financial Inclusion and Women's Empowerment

09:05 The Importance of Financial Education

12:12 Equality and Opportunities in the Workplace

15:12 Supporting Women in Sports and Insurance

17:56 AXA's Initiatives for Gender Equality

21:01 The Future of Women's Football and Sponsorship

23:57 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

In today’s episode of thebrokernews Podcast, hosts Binci Heeb and Mirela Dimofte dive into a topic that affects us all—stress. We’re joined by stress coach Chris Wilson, who shares powerful insights on how to better understand and manage the stress we carry. Chris works with individuals and companies to help people catch stress before it snowballs into burnout, and his practical, relatable approach made for a really eye-opening conversation.

Chris breaks down the difference between helpful and harmful stress, and why many of us are walking around with more tension than we realize. It’s not that we don’t know we need sleep, better food, or more downtime—it’s that we often don’t feel we deserve to take that time. He challenges us to rethink how we treat ourselves and to stop wearing stress like a badge of honor.

We also talk about some of the new tools being used to measure stress, like wearables and even saliva tests. While it sounds futuristic, it’s already helping people see just how much stress they’re actually under. Sometimes it takes hard data to convince us to slow down, especially when everything looks fine on the surface.

And of course, we couldn’t ignore the role work plays in all of this. Chris shares a fresh perspective inspired by athletes—three weeks of high focus followed by one week to recover. It’s a rhythm that could prevent burnout if more of us—and our workplaces—adopted it. Whether you’re feeling the pressure or trying to support others who are, this episode offers real tools and food for thought

You can follow our guest 

Chris Wilson  LinkedIn

Chris Wilson Website

You can follow us on 

Binci Heeb LinkedIn

Mirela Dimofte LinkedIn

The Broker News Website

Chapters

00:00 – Welcome to the Broken News Podcast: Meet Your Hosts

03:04 – What Is Stress? The Difference Between Good and Bad Stress

05:58 – How Lifestyle Choices Influence Your Stress Levels

08:49 – Why Self-Care Feels Hard and How to Make It Easier

12:13 – How Workplace Culture Fuels Chronic Stress

15:04 – Tools and Tech to Measure and Manage Your Stress

18:06 – Tackling Job Stress: What Organizations Can Actually Do

20:57 – Can Insurance Support Your Mental Health?

25:45 – Using Data to Prevent Burnout and Improve Wellbeing

28:21 – From Bosses to Teams: How Self-Management Reduces Stress

31:41 – Why Hierarchies Often Make Stress Worse

34:41 – Autonomy at Work: The Key to a Healthier Mind

37:56 – External Pressures vs. Internal Stress: What’s the Link?

39:09 – Myths About Stress Recovery That Need Busting

42:20 – What Chronic Stress Really Does to Your Body

45:50 – Why Data Is Crucial in Understanding and Managing Stress

In this episode of The Broker News Podcast , Binci Heeb and Mirela Dimofte sit down with Newton Bezeng, founder and CEO of Be New Insurance based in Cameroon .Established in 2008, BeNew Insurance distinguishes itself as a micro-insurance technology company that develops insurance solutions tailored to meet the unique needs of its clients. Newton shares the powerful story behind BeNew’s mission to make insurance accessible, especially for low-income communities. 

Newton shares that the lack of insurance penetration is a significant issue across Africa, particularly in Cameroon, where rates hover below 2%. In response to the persistent challenge of who can afford coverage, BeNew has introduced policies as low as $1 per month, ensuring that even the most financially precarious individuals can safeguard their futures.

One of the standout features of BeNew Insurance’s business model is its integration of environmental responsibility into its insurance offerings.His unique model allows people to exchange plastic waste for insurance coverage, combining environmental cleanup with financial protection. 

Newton explains how BeNew is tackling not just insurance gaps, but also environmental and economic challenges, creating a ripple effect of social good. It’s a bold, purpose-driven approach that’s reshaping what insurance can look like in Africa—one policy, and one plastic bottle, at a time.

If you enjoyed this episode, don’t forget to like, follow and share, wherever you get your podcasts. Let’s keep the conversation going—your support helps us reach more people and bring more powerful stories to light!

You can follow our guest 

Newton Bezeng LinkedIn

Newton Bezend Website

You can follow us on

Binci Heeb LinkedIn

Mirela Dimofte LinkedIn

The Broker News Website

Chapters

00:00 – Welcome and Meet Newton Bezing

01:31 – Newton’s Journey: What Drives Him

04:41 – How Be New Insurance Was Born

08:53 – Navigating Challenges in the Insurance Industry

12:56 – Creative, Community-Based Marketing Approaches

17:18 – Linking Insurance with Environmental Action

23:27 – Looking Ahead: Growth and Expansion Plans

26:57 – Fundraising Goals and Tech Innovations Needed

In Episode 5 of Thebrokernews Podcast, Silvia Signoretti, president of the Swiss InsureTech Hub (SIH), discusses the transformation of the insurance industry driven by technology. Originally from Italy, Silvia has spent 25 years in Switzerland, building connections worldwide to foster innovation and collaboration.
Her dedication to teamwork, rooted in 16 years of Scouting, drives her efforts to create cohesion within the industry. Silvia believes effective leadership is about being a role model and creating a safe space for open dialogue. At SIH, she connects established insurers with tech startups to bridge the gap between traditional practices and emerging technologies.
Silvia also advocates for women in leadership, encouraging them to seek support and assert their needs in the workplace. The SIH, with over 600 members, aims to empower its community by facilitating knowledge sharing and collaboration, addressing the evolving insurance landscape.
Looking ahead, Silvia plans to expand the SIH’s network and collaborate with global insurtech hubs to support startups. Her vision positions the SIH as a cornerstone in reshaping the insurance industry towards innovation and inclusivity, championing a collective pursuit of progress.Thebrokernews Podcast Episode 5: Die Versicherungsbranche im Wandel – Einblicke von Silvia Signoretti
In der aktuellen Episode des thebrokernews-Podcasts berichtet Silvia Signoretti, Präsidentin des Swiss InsureTech Hub (SIH), über den Wandel in der Versicherungsbranche.
Mit ihrer dynamischen Persönlichkeit und umfassenden Erfahrung hat sie es sich zur Aufgabe gemacht, Innovation und Zusammenarbeit voranzutreiben. Silvia, die vor 25 Jahren von Italien in die Schweiz zog, nutzt ihre internationalen Verbindungen, um Fachleute zu unterstützen und Gemeinschaften zu stärken.
Während ihrer 16-jährigen Tätigkeit bei den Pfadfindern erlernte sie wichtige Werte der Teamarbeit und Inklusion, die sie in ihrer Karriere umsetzt. Ihr Führungsstil basiert auf Inspiration und der Schaffung eines sicheren Raums für offenen Austausch.
Silvia setzt sich auch für Frauen in Führungspositionen ein und fordert dazu auf, den eigenen Wünschen Ausdruck zu verleihen. Der SIH fungiert als Katalysator für Innovationen, indem er Technologie-Startups mit etablierten Versicherern verbindet. Silvia strebt an, das Netzwerk des Hubs auszubauen und globale Kooperationen zu initiieren.
Silvia Signoretti wird als inspirierende Persönlichkeit wahrgenommen, die die Versicherungslandschaft aktiv neu gestaltet.

Thebrokernews Podcast 4: Building Bridges in Risk Management

StéphaneMartin, co-founder of Risk-!n,didn’t start in risk management—he began in sales and marketing. In 2003, aunique opportunity arose when he was asked to become a risk manager for Arcelor,a global steel company. Despite having no prior experience, he embraced thechallenge, learning risk management from scratch. His journey continued throughmergers and corporate roles, shaping his passion for the field.

Stéphanenoticed a gap in Switzerland’s risk management community—professionals lacked aplatform for meaningful exchange. Before Risk-!n, he created the Swiss Risk Management Forum,an informal peer group. But in 2018, after a wine-fueled conversation with afriend, RISK-IN was born.

Theconference started small (130 attendees) but has since grown to over 300participants, becoming Switzerland’s premier risk management event. Itsmission? Break silos, build bridges—connecting corporate risk managers,insurance professionals, and executives to foster collaboration.

Key Themes at Risk-!n2025

1. Cyber Risk: An Ever-Evolving Threat

Cyberthreats aren’t disappearing—they’re getting worse. With AI accelerating risks,organizations must stay ahead. RISK-IN provides deep dives into dataprotection, emerging threats, and AI-driven security solutions.

2. AI: Opportunity or Risk?

AItools are transforming industries, but lack of transparency raisesconcerns. Risk-!n workshops help professionals navigate AI integrationresponsibly, ensuring risk managers understand both benefits and dangers.

3. ESG: Beyond Compliance

ESGisn’t just about reporting—it’s a competitive advantage. Youngergenerations (like Gen Z) prioritize sustainability when choosing employers.RISK-IN explores how ESG can drive long-term resilience and talentretention.

4. People Risk: The Overlooked Challenge

Stéphanecalls people risk the "least sexy but most complex" topic.It includes:

Companiesmust monitor stress indicators and foster supportive cultures—beforecrises strike.

The Future of Risk-!n

RISK-INremains a networking powerhouse, blending serious discussions with arelaxed atmosphere. With 85 speakers, 41 sessions, and workshops, it’s amust-attend for:

✔ RiskManagers
✔ CFOs &Audit Directors
✔ Insurance& Captive Specialists
✔ SupplyChain & Procurement Leaders

FinalThought: Risk management isn’t just about avoiding threats—it’sabout building bridges across functions to create resilientorganizations.

Wantto join? Risk-!n2025 takes place May 11-13 at the Zurich Marriott. Don’t miss it! 🚀

thebrokernews Episode 3: Women in Leadership – Challenges and Opportunities in Switzerland and Beyond

In the third episode of thebrokernews podcast, hosts Mirela and Binci explore the challenges and opportunities for women in leadership, particularly in Switzerland. Women in Switzerland gained voting rights only in 1971, one of the last European countries to do so. Despite progress, such as an 80% female employment rate, a 12% gender pay gap persists. Maternity leave, introduced in 2005, was a step forward, but the lack of paternity leave policies complicates work-life balance. A 2020 regulation requires large companies to have at least 30% women on boards and 20% in management by 2026, increasing pressure to promote diversity.

Mirela, born in Romania, highlights that women there often receive more support through affordable childcare and a family-friendly environment. At Allianz, she never felt disadvantaged, but discrimination persists, especially outside large corporations.

Binci discusses the rise of female entrepreneurs in Switzerland, thriving in technology, sustainability, and healthcare despite challenges like financing and stereotypes. Mirela shares her experiences as a single mother, encouraging others to seek support.

While Switzerland has made strides, more work is needed to address gender equality. The hosts emphasize the importance of courage and determination for women to pursue leadership roles, regardless of age or circumstances.

In today's podcast Mirela and Binci are talking about how it is when you lose your job when you are 50 or even 60+. Binci was in this position and wrote a few hundreds of letters to apply for a new job, but she didn't even get invited by the companies. It was very hard and in the end it was through her husband who was asked by a friend if he knew a journalist who could write for him. This is how she got a new job. Mirela on the other hand stopped working at a top job in insurance, because she wanted to do something else.
You will find out about her experience and much more.

In the first podcast from thebrokernews, Mirela Dimofte and Binci Heeb talk about what it's like to suffer from a depression and what they will be talking about in their next podcasts – sometimes with or without a guest.

Im ersten Podcast von thebrokernews erzählen Mirela Dimofte und Binci Heeb wie es ist, an einer Depression zu erkranken und auch worüber sie in ihren nächsten Podcasts - manchmal mit oder ohne einen Gast - sprechen werden.