LearnShift

David Fischanger & Ramona Bordea

LearnShift – the podcast where CURIOSITY rewrites CAREERS LearnShift is a podcast that explores how education can transform lives. Each episode tells a real story of someone who used the idea of lifelong learning and unique background to create a different career path—often connecting business with other fields, from technology and healthcare to sustainability, arts, or leadership. The vision is simple: by hearing how others navigated their journeys—their challenges, turning points, and lessons—we can all gain fresh perspectives, learn from real experiences, and find inspiration for our own paths. It’s especially valuable for MBA students, graduates, and professionals considering a change, because it offers authentic, lived examples of how learning fuels growth and transformation beyond the classroom. In short, LearnShift is about sharing stories that help everyone see what’s possible.

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  1. 26/03 In science, 9 out of 10 approaches fail. But it's not failure,it's an additional piece of information that leads to success - Dr. Irina Shreyber

    20. JAN.

    26/03 In science, 9 out of 10 approaches fail. But it's not failure,it's an additional piece of information that leads to success - Dr. Irina Shreyber

    In this episode of LearnShift, hosts Ramona and David engage in a captivating conversation with Dr. Irina Schreiber, a particle physicist who played a pivotal role in the discovery of the Higgs boson at CERN. Irina shares her unique journey from growing up in Arkhangelsk, Russia, to working at one of the world's leading research centers in Geneva. She discusses her decision to pursue an MBA while working in a scientific environment, emphasizing the importance of bridging the gap between science and business. Irina's passion for science is evident as she explains how her experiences have shaped her approach to project management and communication, highlighting the significance of curiosity and continuous learning in her career. Keywords Higgs boson, particle physics, MBA, project management, CERN, lifelong learning, science communication, career pivot, women in science, curiosity Takeaways Science doesn't have borders and nationality. You have to dive in; it's scary, but it helps. There is no failure; only additional learning steps. Follow your heart and be curious about what you do. Don't be afraid to ask stupid questions. Sound bites "You should do science only because of love." "You have to dive in; it's scary, but it helps." "In nine out of ten approaches you will fail." Chapters 00:00 Introduction to LearnShift and Guest Introduction 05:05 Irina's Journey from Russia to CERN 12:17 Challenges of Learning and Adapting in a New Environment 17:05 Understanding CERN and the Higgs Boson 22:47 Transitioning from Science to Business 29:26 Connecting Science and Project Management 35:54 The Importance of Diversity in Science 40:01 Advice for Women in Male-Dominated Fields 42:55 Framework for Communicating Complex Concepts 45:15 Rapid Fire Questions and Closing Thoughts

    1 Std. 2 Min.
  2. 26/02 special WU Ball 2026 - curiosity, collaboration, lifelong learning, and the importance of community in personal and professional growth

    13. JAN.

    26/02 special WU Ball 2026 - curiosity, collaboration, lifelong learning, and the importance of community in personal and professional growth

    In this episode of Learn Shift, hosts Ramona and David are hitting the dance floor – but they’re bringing their cameras along. Both are capturing quick video interviews with WU Ball 2026 guests about their biggest “LearnShift” moments. The result? A special video episode celebrating how this incredible community continuously learns and transforms. Explore themes of curiosity, collaboration, lifelong learning, and the importance of community in personal and professional growth. Participants share their experiences and insights on how diverse skills and connections have shaped their journeys, emphasizing the value of teamwork and continuous learning in achieving success. Big thanks to ⁠WU Executive Academy⁠ for the invitation! Takeaways: + Everything is possible when you believe in yourself. + Collaboration enhances potential and opportunities. + Lifelong learning involves challenging oneself with new ideas. + Staying connected to curious and bold people is vital. + Small steps lead to significant achievements over time. + Communication is essential for opening doors in careers. + Unexpected skills can lead to surprising career paths. + The power of community motivates individuals to succeed. + Diverse backgrounds enrich the learning experience. + Education is a journey that fosters personal growth. Chapters: 00:00 Exploring Curiosity and Connection 02:54 The Power of Collaboration 06:11 Lifelong Learning and Personal Growth 09:01 Reflections on Education and Community

    11 Min.
  3. 26/01 "Why don't you do that more often? Why do you deny yourself this opportunity?" Katarina Stanisavljevic, in the moment that changed everything

    6. JAN.

    26/01 "Why don't you do that more often? Why do you deny yourself this opportunity?" Katarina Stanisavljevic, in the moment that changed everything

    In this episode of Learn Shift, hosts Ramona and David engage with Katarina Stanisavljevic, a life designer and founder of Amazing Next. The conversation explores the transformative power of lifelong learning and the importance of patience in career development. Katarina shares her journey from a successful media career to entrepreneurship, emphasizing the significance of community, continuous learning, and the concept of life design. The discussion also touches on the evolving nature of success, the role of mentorship, and the future trends in business and leadership. Takeaways: Lifelong learning is crucial for career transformation. Patience in career development can lead to greater success. Community support is vital for personal and professional growth. Transitioning from corporate to entrepreneurship requires careful planning. Life design integrates personal and professional aspirations. Success is now defined by impact rather than perfection. Continuous learning should be proactive, not reactive. Mentorship is essential for leaders at all levels. Collaboration across disciplines enhances problem-solving. Embracing change and being agile is key in today's business landscape. Sound bites: "Just do it!" "I aim to add value." "Now it means impact." Chapters: 00:00 Introduction to Lifelong Learning and Career Transformation 02:40 Katarina's Early Career and Leadership Journey 12:58 The Importance of Patience in Career Development 19:06 Transitioning from Corporate to Entrepreneurship 27:27 Understanding Life Design and Its Impact 31:13 The Role of Community in Leadership 33:34 Tools for Continuous Learning and Growth 36:51 Advice for Mid-Career MBA Seekers 40:30 Future Trends in Business and Leadership 42:27 Defining Personal Success and Impact

    57 Min.
  4. 2025/04 "Be brave enough to have dreams which are scaring you. If they don't scare you, then they're not big enough." Elena Petrova, on transformation

    30.12.2025

    2025/04 "Be brave enough to have dreams which are scaring you. If they don't scare you, then they're not big enough." Elena Petrova, on transformation

    In this episode of LearnShift, hosts Ramona and David engage with Elena Petrova, a leader in media solutions and co-founder of HerBizz. They explore Elena's transformative career journey, the impact of education on professional growth, and the significant role of AI in reshaping the media industry. The conversation emphasizes the importance of lifelong learning, embracing failure, and the need for inclusive opportunities in the evolving landscape of work and technology. Takeaways Elena's career is marked by multiple transformations. Education, especially an MBA, can significantly change perspectives. AI is revolutionizing content creation and distribution in media. Future media leaders must be agile and curious. Embracing failure is essential for growth and learning. Networking and partnerships are crucial for success. The media landscape is shifting towards streaming and mobile consumption. Women empowerment in leadership is a key focus for Herbys. Small daily improvements can lead to significant success over time. Inclusivity in learning and development is vital for future growth. Sound bites "Curiosity rewrites career." "Dreams should scare you." "The future is inclusive." Chapters_ 00:00 Introduction to LearnShift Podcast 01:14 Elena Bedrova: A Journey of Transformation 05:42 The Impact of Education on Career Shifts 10:53 AI's Role in Media Transformation 20:42 Future of Broadcasting and Media 25:20 Skills for Future Media Leaders 30:51 Embracing Failure and Learning 34:38 Ensuring Inclusive Learning Opportunities 36:32 Emerging Trends in AI and Media

    45 Min.
  5. 2025/03 What would you do if you discovered you had enough money to retire at 55? Martina Ernst on the Three Dimensions to Success Framework

    23.12.2025

    2025/03 What would you do if you discovered you had enough money to retire at 55? Martina Ernst on the Three Dimensions to Success Framework

    In this episode of LearnShift, Martina Ernst, founder and CEO of FairEqualPay, talks about her career, the challenges of the gender pay gap, and the importance of fairness in corporate management. She shares her experiences with MBA programs, pivotal moments in her career, and the impact of the EU Pay Transparency Directive on companies. She also discusses the challenges of performance management and the need for transparency and diversity in the labor market. Takeaways: Fairness is not equality, but rather taking individual needs into account. Win-win situations are crucial for professional success. Transparency in compensation promotes employee trust. The EU Pay Transparency Directive will force companies to communicate more openly about salaries. Performance management should include continuous feedback, not just annual reviews. Diversity in the workplace is a challenge that requires creativity. Customer needs should be at the heart of every business idea. An MBA can be crucial for career development. Pivot moments can offer unexpected opportunities. Transparent processes are key to employee retention. Titles: Career paths and challenges in the workplace The mission for fairness in working life Sound bites: “Everyone should get a chance.” “Win-win is a magic formula.” “Fairness is not equality.” Chapters: 00:00 Introduction to the podcast and guests 01:13 Martina Ernst: Career and mission 02:12 The path to fairness in the workplace 07:25 Pivot moments in Martina's career 12:07 The importance of an MBA for your career 21:10 The EU Pay Transparency Directive and its impact 29:22 Challenges in performance management 38:15 Preparing for changes in companies 44:07 The ideal compensation system 49:00 Talent shortage and diversity in the labor market 54:58 Closing thoughts and advice for MBA students

    1 Std. 11 Min.
  6. 2025/02 "If you know the demand, you don't have to sell" - Martin Giesswein on Leadership and Proximity to Reality

    16.12.2025

    2025/02 "If you know the demand, you don't have to sell" - Martin Giesswein on Leadership and Proximity to Reality

    In this episode, Ramona and David chat with Martin Giesswein about the importance of learning and digital skills in today's professional world. Martin shares his experiences from different stages of his career and highlights the importance of change, trust, and self-education. He also talks about the challenges of knowledge management and gives advice for future career decisions. "I'm a very bad seller.
But I'm very good at identifying demands.
And if you know the demand, you don't have to sell as people buy automatically." Martin Giesswein, on the skill that changed everything LearnShift Bonus: Get your free 30min Personal Advice (Free for Students, Business Starters) from Martin: ⁠https://calendly.com/giesswein/pa⁠ Chapters: 00:00 Introduction to learning and careers 02:06 The path from school to the digital industry 06:48 The importance of career changes 12:36 Challenges and opportunities in professional life 18:16 The balance between entrepreneurship and personal wellbeing 21:23 Important skills for entrepreneurs 24:20 The role of formal education in learning 28:32 The role of formal education in AI 29:57 Learning through interaction with AI 32:43 The importance of humility and reputation 36:07 Career change and the motivation behind it 38:55 Practical steps for getting started in AI 41:10 Reflection on career and life choices 44:06 The importance of relationships and joie de vivre 46:19 Reality and strategy in your career path 50:31 Error culture and learning from failures 52:25 The balance between career and personal happiness

    55 Min.

Info

LearnShift – the podcast where CURIOSITY rewrites CAREERS LearnShift is a podcast that explores how education can transform lives. Each episode tells a real story of someone who used the idea of lifelong learning and unique background to create a different career path—often connecting business with other fields, from technology and healthcare to sustainability, arts, or leadership. The vision is simple: by hearing how others navigated their journeys—their challenges, turning points, and lessons—we can all gain fresh perspectives, learn from real experiences, and find inspiration for our own paths. It’s especially valuable for MBA students, graduates, and professionals considering a change, because it offers authentic, lived examples of how learning fuels growth and transformation beyond the classroom. In short, LearnShift is about sharing stories that help everyone see what’s possible.