Beyond The Bubble

Andras Baneth

Conversations with expats and locals in Brussels on their stories and ideas about the world. We discuss politics, global issues, AI, business, technology, society, ethics, religion, communication, marketing, psychology, self-discovery and more, to understand the world beyond the EU and outside our current paradigm.

  1. 17 HR AGO

    #35: Cultural Identity; European Sovereignty; Conservative Federalism; Civilization vs. Disorder

    In this episode of Beyond the Bubble, Andras welcomes Nikodem, director of communications of Ave Europa, for a conversation about European federalism, identity, and the political and economic pressures shaping Europe today. Nikodem explains why building a conservative pan-European political force that can move beyond national fragmentation and push toward a more unified and resilient Europe is needed. They discuss the main challenges facing the continent, including geopolitical threats from Russia and shifting relations with the United States, economic woes despite strong fundamentals, and the impact of migration on social cohesion and public trust. The conversation explores why existing federalist movements have struggled to gain broad support, arguing that they often fail to address the practical concerns of everyday Europeans, especially around security, economic opportunity, and cultural continuity. Andras challenges how such an ambitious project could realistically overcome national interests, institutional constraints, and voter skepticism, leading to a deeper discussion on incentives within EU structures, the need for transnational parties, and the limits of current governance models.They also reflect on European identity, looking at its roots through philosophy, political traditions, and cultural evolution, while acknowledging tensions between liberal values and the need for societal stability. The episode closes on Nikodem’s background in philosophy and storytelling, and his belief that Europe needs a new narrative to thrive in a fragmented and competitive global landscape.

    1hr 8min

  2. 17 HR AGO

    #34: Air Defence; Security vs Safety; Military Decisions and Hierarchy; Modern Warfare

    In this episode of Beyond the Bubble, Andras speaks with Belgian Air Force Colonel Yvo Dierick, who is transitioning out of active duty after nearly 39 years of service. Yvo reflects on a career dedicated to protecting air bases, military infrastructure, and personnel in Belgium and abroad, and explains the layered system behind modern security, from personnel vetting and physical protection to cyber defense. The conversation explores how NATO air policing works, how military teams make critical decisions under pressure, and why training, trust, and teamwork are essential in high-stakes environments.They discuss the relationship between the military and political leadership, Belgium’s changing national security policy, and the growing role of defense in protecting civilian infrastructure. Yvo also explains how years of budget cuts weakened certain capabilities and why rebuilding them now takes time, especially as new threats such as drones, cyber sabotage, and influence operations become more prominent.The discussion expands into broader questions about the nature of war, resources, ideology, and why societies fight. Yvo shares his perspective that security should begin with identifying what a country values and wants to protect, before focusing on threats. They also examine the rise of artificial intelligence in warfare and why he believes humans must remain in the decision loop for life-and-death choices.Finally, Yvo reflects on what motivated him to join the military, shaped by his grandparents’ experiences during World War II and his desire to protect his country and community. He recounts a tense night under attack while serving in Kabul and shares a personal story about faith during a military pilgrimage to Lourdes, closing a wide-ranging conversation about duty, security, technology, and the human motivations behind war.

    1hr 33min

  3. 4 DAYS AGO

    #33: Hidden Children; War Parents; Surviving the Holocaust; Loss and Resilience; Survival & Identity

    Born in Antwerp in September 1939 to Polish Jewish parents, Regina was only two and a half when she was placed in hiding with a non-Jewish couple, Anna and Charles, who risked their lives to protect her while her parents moved between multiple hiding places.She shares how she was reunited with her parents after three and a half years, struggling to reconnect after growing up in two different worlds. Alongside her story, she recounts her husband’s experience: his parents were deported to Auschwitz and murdered, while he survived in hiding but lost nearly his entire family. Regina reflects on identity, the long silence of hidden children, and the courage of those who chose to save others. She speaks about rebuilding her life, her later work as an entrepreneur who ran a Kosher Chinese restaurant, and community leader. She recounts her ongoing efforts to educate young people about the Holocaust. Her message is clear: remember the past, honour those who acted with courage, and never take human dignity for granted.This episode is strictly for education and reflection purposes, the views shared are those of the guests.

    1hr 36min

  4. 19 MAR

    #32: Train & Rail in Europe; Future of Transport; Defence Logistics; Signal vs. Noise

    In this episode of Beyond the Bubble, Andras speaks with Enno Wiebe, Director General of the European Rail Supply Industry, about how Europe’s railway system really works behind the scenes. Trained as a civil engineer in Dresden and shaped by early professional experience at Deutsche Bahn, the UIC in Paris, and Brussels, Enno shares how a lifelong fascination with trains turned into a career spanning operations, regulation, and now manufacturing.They discuss the complex structure of the rail ecosystem: operators, infrastructure managers, manufacturers, lessors, and regulators all interacting within a fragmented system shaped by 200 years of national standards. Enno explains why crossing a border can still mean changing locomotives and drivers, how different signalling systems slow freight traffic, and why interoperability remains one of Europe’s biggest technical and political challenges.Military mobility, climate goals, and supply chain resilience are now accelerating efforts to harmonise systems such as the European Rail Traffic Management System. Enno discusses the tension between national pride and European integration, the long timelines of infrastructure investment, and the need for consistent political commitment to high-speed rail and cross-border freight.They also explore global competition, including China’s growing footprint in infrastructure, Europe’s role as a world leader in rail technology, and new opportunities in Latin America, Africa, and Central Asia. Along the way, Enno reflects on innovation, automation, sustainability, and why rail should become the default choice for moving both people and goods across the continent.

    1hr 3min

  5. 23 FEB

    #31: Iran’s Past & Future; Islamism And the Left; Tolerance And Its Limits; Democracy or Theocracy

    In this episode of Beyond the Bubble, Andras speaks with Darya Safai, a Belgian Member of Parliament born in Iran, for a direct and educational conversation about freedom, identity, and the future of Iran. Darya recounts her early activism as a dentistry student in Tehran, the 1999 student protests, her arrest and time in prison, and the decision to flee the country after becoming a target of the regime. She explains what daily life under the Islamic Republic meant for women, what she thinks about the distinction between Islam and political Islam, and how the system sustains itself through repression, ideology, and international alliances.Darya explains how the 1979 revolution unfolded, why she believes the regime was never truly popular, and why she sees Reza Pahlavi as a legitimate democratic alternative. She argues that the Iranian struggle is not only about women’s rights or economic hardship, but about reclaiming national identity rooted in Persia’s pre-Islamic heritage, symbolised by the lion and the sun. The conversation also addresses the role of Western media, the alliance between parts of the political left and Islamist movements, the silence around Iranian victims compared to other conflicts, and what she views as Europe’s strategic weakness toward Tehran.Throughout the episode, Darya connects Iran’s internal repression to its regional influence, from support for proxy groups to the use of drones in Ukraine and other international conflicts. She calls for a clear Western stance, warns against negotiating with the current regime, and explains why regime change is a historic opportunity. The episode closes on the personal cost of activism, the risks she and her family face, and her conviction that Iran will ultimately return to a secular, democratic path aligned with its deeper cultural roots.Content Warning: this episode contains mention of extreme violence, death, trauma and abuse, relating to the events unfolding in Iran. Viewer discretion is advised. We removed specific segments to comply with Spotify’s terms & conditions.Toggle the subtitles for extra clarification. This material is strictly for educational purposes (edsa).Views expressed are those of the guests.

    1hr 46min

  6. 16 FEB

    #30: Ideological Capture vs. Truth Seeking; Agree to Disagree; Dogma or Diversity; Academic Freedom

    In this episode of Beyond the Bubble, Andras sits down with Belgian activist and trade lawyer Yohan Benizri, founder of the 451 Institute for a wide-ranging conversation about freedom of speech, academic diversity, democratic resilience, institutional neutrality, and how societies handle disagreement without sliding into conflict.Yohan explains the mission of the 451 Institute and its focus on viewpoint diversity, social cohesion, and protecting the core missions of institutions such as universities, media, courts, and hospitals. The discussion touches on ideological capture, groupthink, and the risks of dogma, drawing parallels between historical lessons from the Enlightenment and today’s political and cultural pressures. They explore constitutional safeguards, the limits of majority rule, the erosion of the rule of law, and why systems should be designed to correct mistakes over time rather than impose fixed worldviews. Yohan also introduces ideas like “attack surface reduction,” “red teaming”, and stress testing institutions to make them more resilient, and reflects on his personal experience in diplomacy and minority advocacy. The episode closes with thoughts on AI as a tool for stress testing and truth seeking, setting the stage for a future conversation on its broader societal impact.https://www.linkedin.com/in/yohanbenizri/

    1hr 6min

  7. 30 JAN

    #29: From Hollywood to Healing; Yoga & Multiple Sclerosis; Self Transformation; Fear & Discipline

    In this episode of Beyond the Bubble, Andras speaks with Garth, an Iyengar yoga teacher from Los Angeles, about having been diagnosed with multiple sclerosis (MS) and how it has reshaped his life through yoga.Garth recounts being diagnosed with MS in the mid-1990s while pursuing an acting career in Hollywood, the fear and uncertainty that followed, and the medical journey that led to an unexpected recommendation from his doctor: yoga and swimming as complementary practices alongside conventional treatment.He explains how discovering Iyengar yoga in L.A. and later in India shortly after leaving the hospital helped him regain his body sensation, strength, and stability, and why its emphasis on alignment, precision, and supportive props made it especially suitable for neurological conditions. As the practice deepened, yoga became more than physical rehabilitation, helping him work through grief, ego, and attachment, and changing how he related to stress, ambition, and expectations.The conversation follows Garth’s path to India to study with B.K.S. Iyengar, the years it took to build enough stability before making that journey, and his transition from student to teacher. Together, Andras and Garth discuss working with people facing chronic and degenerative conditions, the importance of collaboration with medical professionals, and why trust, patience, and realistic goals matter more than quick fixes. The episode covers topics such as courage, fear, and detachment, and how consistent practice can support long-term balance and a meaningful quality of life, even in the presence of illness.https://yogarth.com/https://yoga.org/

    1hr 31min

  8. 16 JAN

    #28: Mental Health Helpline; Ethics vs. Incentives; Lobbying; Anonymous Support

    In this episode of Beyond the Bubble, Andras sits down with Jeremy Jennings, a Brit in Brussels who spent decades at one of the largest global accounting companies before moving into full-time mental health volunteer work.Jeremy reflects on his career from Arthur Andersen to EY where he worked closely with EU institutions on regulation, risk, and liability. He offers an insider view on how large firms engage with policymakers, manage conflicts of interest, and navigated the aftermath of the financial crisis of 2008. The first part of the conversation explores the limits of risk management, the tension between commercial pressure and ethical judgment, and how distance and perspective shape better decision-making.The discussion then moves on to how Jeremy became president of Community Help Service (CHS), an English-speaking, anonymous mental health helpline in Belgium that has evolved from practical expat support into a lifeline for thousands dealing with anxiety, burnout, depression, and suicidal thoughts. He describes how the service operates, how volunteers are trained, why anonymity matters, and what the rising volume of calls says about mental health today.Throughout, the episode connects themes of responsibility, perspective, and service, tracing a clear line from high-level corporate risk to the very human realities of listening, care, and community support.https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeremy-jennings-obe-1276665/https://www.chsbelgium.org/

    56 min
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About

Conversations with expats and locals in Brussels on their stories and ideas about the world. We discuss politics, global issues, AI, business, technology, society, ethics, religion, communication, marketing, psychology, self-discovery and more, to understand the world beyond the EU and outside our current paradigm.

Information

  • Creator
    Andras Baneth
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    35
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Andras Baneth
  • Show Website
    Beyond The Bubble