Conversation Changers

Salzburg Global
  • 5.0 (1)
  • Non-Profit
  • Updated fortnightly

Change begins with conversation. For over 75 years, Salzburg Global has brought together diverse voices at Schloss Leopoldskron to tackle the world’s most pressing challenges. Now, we’re opening the doors even wider. Introducing Conversation Changers — our brand new podcast where thought leaders, artists, policymakers, and change-makers from around the globe come together to reframe dialogue, explore new ideas, and imagine better futures. Join us now and be part of changing the conversation!

  1. 15 hr ago

    Student Activism and the Future of Education with Alison Bellwood & Gloria Figueroa

    How can we empower the next generation to shape their future amidst a backdrop of global uncertainty, rapid technological change, and shifting educational paradigms? In this episode of Conversation Changers, host Eric Olander explores the evolving landscape of student activism and the urgent need for a new intergenerational dialogue. While today’s youth face unprecedented pressures, from climate change to the rise of artificial intelligence, they are also demonstrating remarkable agency, critical thinking, and a desire to build a better world. Joining the conversation are Salzburg Global Fellows Gloria Figueroa, General Director of the San José de las Vegas School in Colombia, and Alison Bellwood, Founder of World’s Largest Lesson and Executive Director at Project Everyone, a UK-based creative communications agency dedicated to the UN Sustainable Development Goals. Together, they discuss why listening to young people is essential for our collective future and how we can move beyond tokenistic engagement to true power-sharing. From debating the role of AI in the classroom to reimagining the purpose of education, this episode investigates how educators, policymakers, and young people can collaborate to navigate these turbulent times. Chapters:  00:00 The State of Youth Employment and Activism 03:02 Defining Activism in the Modern Context 06:01 The Importance of Listening to Young Voices 09:05 Generational Perspectives on Change 11:56 The Role of AI in Education 17:57 Navigating the AI Era in Learning 24:01 Changing the Conversation on Education About The Guests: Alison Bellwood & Gloria Figueroa Alison Bellwood is the founder of the World's Largest Lesson. She developed the idea in 2014 and works alongside partner UNICEF to encourage the inclusion of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in K-12 learning as a means of weaving sustainability and social action throughout students' school experience. She is also Executive Director of Youth and Education at Project Everyone. Her work includes supporting educators with creative resources for learning that give both educators and students insight into new ways of learning, providing a platform for student voice and advocating for educational transformation. Alison has brought her previous creative and communications background at Unilever, PepsiCo and Interpublic Group together with experience of engaging education projects to develop a program that has engaged millions of teachers and students in understanding the SDGs and applying them to their own local context. She has a degree in Economics and Social History from the University of York, UK. Follow Alison on LinkedIn here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alison-bellwood-65503ab/   About The Guests: Gloria Figueroa Gloria Mercedes Figueroa Ortiz is the General Director at San José de Las Vegas Corporation in Colombia. She is passionate about education as one of the great solutions for the world's problems and a visionary of the future of learning through ICT and Sustainability, to enhance opportunities for students and citizens of the world. Mrs Figueroa Ortiz holds a Master of Education, specialising in Pedagogy and Human Management. Follow Gloria Figueroa on LinkedIn here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gfigueroao   About The Host: Eric Olander  Eric Olander is a veteran journalist and media executive with over 30 years of experience reporting for world-leading organisations, including CNN, France 24, and the BBC World Service. He is a Salzburg Global Fellow and the Co-Founder and Editor-in-Chief of The China-Global South Project, an independent media initiative exploring global engagement with the developing world. Follow Eric Olander here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/olander   Find out more about Salzburg Global: https://www.salzburgglobal.org

    30 min

  2. 4 Jun

    Tech, Migration, and the Fight Against Isolation with Shizuka 'Zucca' Nagahama & Sanchari Chandra

    What happens to the human heart when economic migration forces a choice between supporting your family and actually seeing them grow up? In this episode of Conversation Changers, host Eric Olander dives into a poorly understood aspect of the global migration debate: the steep emotional and mental toll of social isolation. While political headlines focus on border policies and economic metrics, millions of migrants are quietly navigating intense loneliness, separated from their support networks and families by thousands of miles and rigid visa restrictions. Joining the conversation are Salzburg Global Fellows Shizuka "Zucca" Nagahama, project lead and founding member of the communication startup Tonari, and Sanchari Chandra, an independent Indian researcher and social scientist. Together, they share how the Japan-India Transformative Technology Network is pioneering the use of immersive, "always-on" technology to bridge the physical gap between Indian healthcare workers in Japan and their loved ones back home. From the technical hurdles of creating life-sized digital portals to the systematic cultural barriers surrounding mental health, this episode explores how innovative design can transform human connection across vast distances. Chapters: 00:00 Introduction to Migration Challenges 03:03 The Japan-India Transformative Technology Network 05:57 Understanding Migrant Well-Being 08:50 Technology as a Solution for Isolation 12:05 Pilot Projects and Future Potential 14:55 Scaling Challenges and Opportunities 17:54 The Importance of Belonging 20:57 Concluding Thoughts on Migration and Technology About The Guests: Shizuka 'Zucca' Nagahama & Sanchari Chandra  Shizuka Nagahama is a Salzburg Global Fellow and a project lead with the Japan-India Transformative Technology Network. She is a founding member of Tonari, a startup that builds cutting-edge, space-connecting technologies. Shizuka leads the non-profit side of the enterprise, focusing on impact-driven projects that utilise recycled units to support critical social use cases, including migration and human connection. Having moved across different countries her whole life, she is deeply passionate about creating a world without the barrier of distance, ensuring people feel a true sense of belonging wherever they live. Follow Shizuka 'Zucca' Nagahama on LinkedIn here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/shizuka-zucca-nagahama-52364489/  Sanchari Chandra  Sanchari Chandra is a Salzburg Global Fellow, an independent Indian researcher and social scientist. Working on the research side of the Japan-India Transformative Technology Network, her work focuses on evaluating the mental health, anxiety, and social stability of first-generation migrant workers. Sanchari is dedicated to exploring how structural isolation impacts human health and how immersive communication tools can build trust, foster cultural assimilation, and provide essential emotional stability. Follow Sanchari Chandra on LinkedIn here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sanchari-c-b9778788/  About The Host: Eric Olander  Eric Olander is a veteran journalist and media executive with over 30 years of experience reporting for world-leading organisations, including CNN, France 24, and the BBC World Service. He is a Salzburg Global Fellow and the Co-Founder and Editor-in-Chief of The China-Global South Project, an independent media initiative exploring global engagement with the developing world. Follow Eric Olander here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/olander Find out more about Salzburg Global: https://www.salzburgglobal.org/

    32 min

  3. 14 May

    Resistance and The Power of Neighbouring with Amanda Lovelee & Carl Swanson 

    What happens when a community decides to stand between their neighbours and a federal crackdown? In this episode of Conversation Changers, host Eric Olander explores the aftermath of an unprecedented immigration crackdown in the United States, where aggressive raids and mass deportations have become a daily reality. While the administration aimed for a swift, large-scale operation, they met a wall of resistance in an unexpected place: Minneapolis. Joining the conversation are Salzburg Global Fellows Amanda Lovelee, a Parks Ambassador and artist who works as a "translator" between government and communities, and Carl Atiya Swanson, an organisational strategist and founder of Cast Consulting. Together, they reflect on the "violent puncturing" of the American self-image and how a city built on a history of organising turned "neighbouring" into a life-saving act of defiance. From the front lines of the Twin Cities to the intersection of climate anxiety and community care, this episode examines how collective memory and local relationships can dismantle systemic aggression. Chapters:  00:00 The 2025-2026 Crackdown and the Minneapolis Turning Point 03:20 Making the Invisible Visible: Witnessing Dystopia on a Tuesday 06:00 Why Minneapolis? Diversity, Political Targets, and Block-by-Block Care 09:00 Cycles of Trauma: From George Floyd to the 2026 Occupation 11:20 Resilience Through Neighbouring: Insights from Climate Anxiety Research 15:00 Race and Privilege: Puncturing the "Normative State" 20:40 The Power of "Doing Your Part": Nappies, Costco Runs, and Collective Momentum 25:10 Changing the Conversation: Relationship-Building as the Ultimate Power About The Guests: Amanda Lovelee & Carl Swanson  Amanda Lovelee is an artist who works in civic systems as a translator between government and community with the goal of building places where everyone belongs. She currently works as the Parks Ambassador for the Metropolitan Council, based in the Twin Cities, where her job is to connect people to the outdoors with a focus on equity. The creative tools Amanda has created for community engagement and connection have been used and replicated across the US. She is interested in how people connect and the spaces in which they do. Amanda holds an MFA in Visual Studies from the Minneapolis College of Art and Design and a BFA in Photography from the University of Hartford. Amanda is a Fellow of Salzburg Global Seminar. Follow Amanda here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/amandalovelee/  Carl Atiya Swanson is a creative with an MBA, a third-culture kid, and a practical optimist. Swanson is the founder of Cast Consulting, an organizational facilitation and strategy practice working with clients in the civic, cultural, and entrepreneurship sectors. Swanson is a nonprofit leader, artist, and advocate with 20 years of professional experience, including as Executive Director of the National Independent Venue Foundation and Associate Director of Springboard for the Arts. He is a Cultural Innovator Fellow with Salzburg Global and trained in Facilitation for Racial Justice by the Interaction Institute for Social Change. Swanson holds a BA in Studio Art from the University of Southern California and an MBA from the University of St. Thomas Opus College of Business. He is based in Minneapolis with his wife, two boys, and two cats. Follow Carl here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/carlatiyaswanson/  About The Host:  Eric Olander is a veteran journalist and media executive with over 30 years of experience reporting for world-leading organisations, including CNN, France 24, and the BBC World Service. He is a Salzburg Global Fellow and the Co-Founder and Editor-in-Chief of The China-Global South Project, an independent media initiative exploring global engagement with the developing world. Follow Eric here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/olander  Find out more about Salzburg Global: https://www.salzburgglobal.org

    31 min

  4. 30 Apr

    Human Flourishing: The True Purpose of Education with Vishal Talreja

    Is the traditional education system preparing young people for a world of work that no longer exists, or is it causing harm to the most vulnerable? In this episode of Conversation Changers, host Eric Olander explores the shifting landscape of global education and the workforce. As the economy transitions from a traditional "triangle" model to a "diamond" shape, entry-level opportunities for young people are shrinking, and the rise of artificial intelligence is rendering rote-based learning antiquated. Joining the conversation is Vishal Talreja, a Salzburg Global Fellow and the co-founder of Dream a Dream, a charitable trust in India that has impacted over three million children. Talreja argues that current systems—particularly in highly competitive environments like India—fail to account for the "adverse circumstances" faced by children from disadvantaged backgrounds, often leading to a "failure to thrive". From the "Creative Life Skills" approach to the necessity of compassionate adults in a child's life, this episode offers a profound look at how we can redefine success to focus on human flourishing and societal well-being. In this episode we’ll delve into:  The Diamond Economy: Why the traditional entry points into the workforce are disappearing and what this means for the next generation.Developmental Milestones and Adversity: Understanding how poverty, neglect, and violence prevent children from reaching critical milestones before they even enter the classroom.The Creative Life Skills Approach: How play, the arts, and experiential learning build the resilience and adaptability needed for an uncertain future.The Power of a Caring Adult: Why the presence of one non-judgemental mentor can be the ultimate "game changer" for a child’s trajectory.Shifting the Mindset of Success: A call to move the goalposts of education away from mere financial gain towards "human flourishing" and "planetary thriving".Systemic Reform and Advocacy: The challenges of convincing tradition-bound governments and competitive parents to embrace more compassionate, holistic educational models. About The Guest: Vishal Talreja Vishal Talreja co-founded Dream a Dream along with 11 others. Vishal is an Ashoka Fellow, an Eisenhower Fellow, a Salzburg Global Seminar Fellow and a board member at PYE Global and Goonj. He has previously been a founding director of Unltd India and a board member of India Cares Foundation. He is the co-founder of Karanga - a Global Alliance on Life Skills and SEL. Vishal has been recognized as an "Architect of the Future" by the Waldzell Institut in Austria. He is also an advisor and mentor to Reap Benefit and is deeply committed to mentoring start-up NGOs and young social entrepreneurs. He is a TEDx Speaker, active writer on development challenges and human-interest stories and a poet. In 2018, he was awarded the 'Heroes of Bengaluru' award. Vishal believes that if we can re-imagine learning to develop empathy, creative thinking, problem solving and collaborative working skills amongst young people, they will be able to overcome adversity and flourish in this fast-changing world. Follow Vishal Talreja on LinkedIn here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vishaltalreja/ Find out more about Dream a Dream here: https://dreamadream.org/  About The Host: Eric Olander Eric Olander is a veteran journalist and media executive with over 30 years of experience reporting for world-leading organisations including CNN, France 24, and the BBC World Service. He is a Salzburg Global Fellow and the Co-Founder and Editor-in-Chief of The China-Global South Project, an independent media initiative exploring global engagement with the developing world. Follow Eric Olander on LinkedIn here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/olander Find out more about Salzburg Global: https://www.salzburgglobal.org

    29 min

  5. 16 Apr

    Challenging Western Myths About China’s Rise with Chandran Nair

    Is China an expansionist threat to the global order, or a misunderstood civilisational state focused on internal harmony and stability? In this episode of Conversation Changers, host Eric Olander explores the meteoric rise of China—a country that has transformed from a state where food was rationed with coupons to the world’s largest economy by purchasing power parity in just four decades. Joining the conversation is Chandran Nair, a Salzburg Global Fellow, Founder and CEO of the Global Institute For Tomorrow (GIFT) and the principal author of the provocative new book, Understanding China: Governance, Socio-Economics, Global Influence. Nair challenges the prevailing Western narrative that China is a "tyranny" run by autocrats.  Drawing on his lived experience in Southeast Asia and China, he argues that the current friction between the East and West stems less from Chinese aggression and more from a deep-seated Western fear of losing four centuries of global privilege. From the "China Formula" of meritocracy and anti-corruption to the unique challenges of rural revitalisation, this episode offers a vital perspective from the Global South on how to navigate a multipolar 21st century. In this episode, we delve into:  The Civilisational State: Why viewing China through a Western political lens leads to profound misunderstandings of its goals and governance. The Fear of Lost Privilege: An analysis of why the US and Europe perceive China’s growth as a threat to their historical dominance. The China Formula: The three pillars of China’s success: meritocracy, a communitarian view of service, and a hardline stance on corruption. Economic Re-imagination: Why China is holding onto low-end manufacturing while pivoting toward food security and rural revitalisation. The Risk of Miscalculation: The danger of "hot wars" and why the world needs enlightened leadership to move beyond a "number one" mindset. Trust and Partnership: A roadmap for how Africa, Southeast Asia, and the West can engage with China as a peer rather than a proxy. Chapters:  00:00 China's Transformation: A Personal Reflection 03:06 Understanding China: Key Misunderstandings 06:02 China's Global Role: Perceptions and Realities 12:13 China's Economic Aspirations and Challenges 18:08 Lessons for the Global South: The China Model 24:02 Navigating US-China Relations: Risks and Opportunities 29:56 Changing the Narrative: A Call for Understanding About The Guest: Chandran Nair Chandran Nair is a Salzburg Global Fellow and the Founder and CEO of the Global Institute For Tomorrow (GIFT). A prolific author and advocate, his work focuses on re-evaluating the role of the state and challenging neoliberal economic models. He is the principal author of Understanding China: Governance, Socio-Economics, Global Influence and the author of The Sustainable State. Born in Malaysia and of Indian descent, Nair brings a unique vantage point on the shifting dynamics between the West and the Global South. Follow Chandran Nair on LinkedIn HERE The Book ‘Understanding China: Governance, Socio-Economics, Global Influence’ is available HERE About The Host: Eric Olander Eric Olander is a veteran journalist and media executive with over 30 years of experience reporting for world-leading organisations including CNN, France 24, and the BBC World Service. He is a Salzburg Global Fellow and the Co-Founder and Editor-in-Chief of The China-Global South Project, an independent media initiative exploring global engagement with the developing world. Follow Eric Olander on LinkedIn HERE Find out more about Salzburg Global at https://www.salzburgglobal.org

    35 min

  6. 31 Mar

    The Mirage of Diplomacy: Navigating the New Phase of the Iran Conflict with Aaron David Miller

    Is the war in Iran truly shifting from the battlefield to the negotiating table, or are we witnessing a sophisticated diplomatic ruse? In this episode of Conversation Changers, our co-hosts Eric Olander and Martin Weiss (President and CEO of Salzburg Global) are joined by a true heavyweight of international diplomacy, Aaron David Miller. Aaron is a veteran US State Department advisor who spent 24 years at the department and served six Secretaries of State as an advisor on Arab-Israeli negotiations. He is also a senior fellow at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace in Washington. As whispers of settlement proposals emerge from intermediaries in Pakistan and Egypt, Aaron, Eric and Martin provide a sobering reality check. They explore the deep-seated trust deficit following recent decapitation strikes and the rise of a new, hardened leadership in Tehran. From the prospect of 200-dollar-a-barrel oil to the complex power dynamics between Donald Trump and Benjamin Netanyahu, this conversation unpicks the broad contours of a conflict that is reshaping the global order. In this episode, we delve into: The Scepticism of Negotiations: Why the current talk about talks may be more performative than substantive. The Three Pillars of Diplomacy: The essential elements—willing parties, mutual urgency, and an agreed end state—that are currently missing from the conflict. A Leadership in Transition: The impact of the February 28th strikes on the Iranian regime and the emergence of Mojtaba Khamenei.  The Pain Threshold and Regime Preservation: How the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) views survival, deterrence, and the cost of war. The Global Economic Fallout: The skyrocketing energy prices affecting everyone from Austrian commuters to Sri Lankan workers. The Trump-Netanyahu Exit Strategy: Whether the US President’s domestic re-election priorities in 2026 will eventually force a conclusion to the hostilities. Chapters: 00:00 Introduction to Conversation Changers 02:30 War or Diplomacy: Where are we on the spectrum? 03:24 The three prerequisites for serious negotiations  08:07 The crisis of trust and decapitation strikes 10:45 Regime preservation and the pain threshold 12:51 The feasibility of ground troops 14:55 Differing calculations: The US vs Israel 16:41 Netanyahu, Trump, and the path to an exit 20:09 Economic fallout: 200-dollar oil and global consequences 22:02 Strategic defeat or victory? Finding a way out About the Guest: Aaron David Miller Aaron David Miller is a senior fellow at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace in Washington. Previously, he spent 24 years at the US State Department, where he served six Secretaries of State as an advisor on Arab-Israeli negotiations. He is a frequent commentator on US foreign policy and Middle East affairs. Find out more about Aaron David Miller HERE About the Co-Host: Martin Weiss Martin Weiss is the President and Chief Executive Officer of Salzburg Global. Prior to this role, Martin spent more than 30 years in the Austrian diplomatic corps, serving as Austria’s ambassador to the United States, Israel, and Cyprus. During his career, he also served as the Director of the Press and Information Department at the Austrian Embassy in Washington.  Find out more about Martin Weiss HERE About the Host: Eric Olander Eric Olander is a veteran journalist and media executive with over 30 years of experience reporting for world-leading organisations including CNN, France 24, and the BBC World Service. He is a Salzburg Global Fellow and the Co-Founder and Editor-in-Chief of The China-Global South Project, an independent media initiative exploring global engagement with the developing world. Follow Eric on LinkedIn HERE Find out more about Salzburg Global at https://www.salzburgglobal.org/

    27 min

  7. 26 Mar

    Peace Through Power: The Pragmatic Origins of the UN with Lukas Haynes

    In this episode of Conversation Changers, host Eric Olander is joined by Lukas Haynes, a Salzburg Global Fellow and author of the provocative new book ‘Peace Through Power: FDR’s Military Leaders and the Pragmatism of the UN Charter’. As the UN faces what Secretary General Antonio Guterres calls a risk of imminent financial collapse and a deepening crisis of legitimacy, Haynes argues that we must look back to the organisation’s founding to understand its future. Far from being a project of world government, Haynes reveals how the UN was meticulously designed by Franklin Roosevelt and his top military brass as a pragmatic framework to manage great power relations and prevent World War III in the atomic age. In this episode, we delve into: The Myth of Idealism: Why the UN was built on Realpolitik and national security interests rather than pure international law. The Military Architects: The overlooked role of US generals and admirals in negotiating a charter that protected American sovereignty. The China Foresight: How Roosevelt and his team anticipated China’s rise as a global power 80 years ago. The Veto and Reform: Why the design flaws of the Security Council are so difficult to change, and whether the organisation can survive without full US engagement. Chapters: 00:00 Introduction to Conversation Changers 02:05 The UN’s Financial Crisis and Legitimacy 03:48 Pragmatism vs Idealism: The Founders’ Intent 08:23 Anticipating the Rise of China 11:12 The Veto, Inclusivity, and the Need for Reform 16:39 The Myth of the Standing Army and Blue Helmets 19:46 Relocating the UN: A Future Beyond New York? 24:04 Changing the Conversation on the UN’s Purpose About the Guest: Lukas Haynes Lukas Haynes is a donor advisor to families and a visiting scholar at the Ralph Bunche Institute for International Studies, CUNY Graduate Center. From 2015-22, he led the David Rockefeller Fund, a family foundation in the United States where he focused on climate change solutions, justice system reform and protecting U.S. democracy. Previously, Haynes was New York director of the John D. & Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation, a fellow at Harvard's Kennedy School of Government and a visiting distinguished fellow at Stanford University Center on Philanthropy and Civil Society. During the Clinton Administration, he served at the U.S. State Department as a speechwriter for Secretary of State Madeleine Albright. He has also held positions at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, the International Crisis Group and Oxfam GB. In 1993, Lukas had the pleasure of returning to the city where he was born and serving as a summer intern of Salzburg Global Seminar. He is a Fellow of Salzburg Global Seminar and serves on the governing boards of the Clara Lionel Foundation and Protect Our Winters Action Fund. Find out more about Lukas Haynes HERE Follow Lukas Haynes on LinkedIn HERE The Book ‘Peace Through Power: FDR’s Military Leaders and the Pragmatism of the UN Charter’ By Lukas Haynes is available HERE About The Host: Eric Olander  Eric Olander is a veteran journalist and media executive with over 30 years of experience reporting for world-leading organisations including CNN, France 24, and the BBC World Service. He is a Salzburg Global Fellow and the Co-Founder and Editor-in-Chief of The China-Global South Project, an independent media initiative exploring global engagement with the developing world. Find out more about Eric Olander HERE Follow Eric Olander on LinkedIn HERE Find out more about Salzburg Global at salzburgglobal.org

    29 min

  8. 12 Mar

    The Radical Science of Flexible Thinking with Leor Zmigrod

    Are our political beliefs hard-wired into our biology? In the season two premiere of Conversation Changers, host Eric Olander sits down with Leor Zmigrod, a leading political neuroscientist and Salzburg Global Fellow, to explore the fascinating intersection of brain science and ideology. As we navigate an era of digital echo chambers and increasing political polarisation, Zmigrod’s research reveals that the way we process information is deeply linked to cognitive rigidity—a psychological trait that determines how we adapt to change and uncertainty. Using innovative neuropsychological games, Zmigrod has discovered that our mental flexibility (or lack thereof) can actually predict our susceptibility to extreme and dogmatic ideologies. In this episode, we delve into: The Rewired Brain: How rigid belief systems can physically alter the neural pathways in our brains. The Roots of Extremism: Why some individuals are naturally more predisposed to authoritarianism and xenophobia, with traits often visible from childhood. Nurturing Flexibility: Practical strategies for parents and educators to foster open-mindedness and resilience against “black and white” thinking. The Danger of Identity: How fusing our politics with our personal identity can lead to the dehumanisation of others. Zmigrod, author of the highly anticipated book The Ideological Brain, challenges the idea that “sticking to your guns” is a moral virtue. Instead, she argues that intellectual flexibility is an essential tool for personal well-being and a healthy society. Chapters:   00:00 Introduction to Conversation Changes 01:01 The Impact of Ideologies on Beliefs 05:46 Cognitive Rigidity and Flexibility 12:13 Nurturing Flexibility in Children 18:01 The Intersection of Ideology and Identity 22:57 Changing the Conversation on Ideologies About the Guest: Leor Zmigrod Leor Zmigrod is a political psychologist and neuroscientist, and author of The Ideological Brain. Her research centers on what makes some individuals most susceptible to extreme and dogmatic ideologies. She studied at Cambridge University as a Gates Scholar before winning a Junior Research Fellowship at Churchill College, Cambridge. She has held visiting fellowships at Stanford, Harvard, and both the Berlin and Paris Institutes for Advanced Study. She was listed on ‘Forbes 30 Under 30’ in Science and has won numerous prizes, including the Women of the Future Science Award and the Glushko Prize. Her popular science book The Ideological Brain reveals the psychological and neurobiological traits that predispose some minds to extremism as well as the ways in which immersion in rigid ideologies might transform our brains and bodies. The book is being translated into over 15 languages and has been recognized as one of the most hotly anticipated non-fiction books of 2025 by The Guardian, The Los Angeles Times, New Scientist, and Financial Times. Find out more about Leor Zmigrod here: https://www.salzburgglobal.org/person/leor-zmigrod  Follow Leor Zmigrod on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/leor-zmigrod?originalSubdomain=uk  Leor Zmigrod’s book ‘The Ideological Brain’ is available here: https://linktr.ee/leorzmigrod  About The Host: Eric Olander  Eric Olander is a veteran journalist and media executive with over 30 years of experience reporting for world-leading organizations including CNN, France 24, and the BBC World Service. He is a Salzburg Global Fellow and the Co-Founder and Editor-in-Chief of The China-Global South Project, an independent media initiative exploring global engagement with the developing world. Find out more about Eric here: https://www.salzburgglobal.org/person/eric-olander  Follow Eric on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/olander/  Find out more about Salzburg Global here: https://www.salzburgglobal.org/

    26 min
See All (18)

Trailer

About

Change begins with conversation. For over 75 years, Salzburg Global has brought together diverse voices at Schloss Leopoldskron to tackle the world’s most pressing challenges. Now, we’re opening the doors even wider. Introducing Conversation Changers — our brand new podcast where thought leaders, artists, policymakers, and change-makers from around the globe come together to reframe dialogue, explore new ideas, and imagine better futures. Join us now and be part of changing the conversation!

Information

  • Creator
    Salzburg Global
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    18
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Salzburg Global
  • Show Website
    Conversation Changers