Talk without Borders

Shabnam Madadzadeh: Iran, Protest, and the Fight for Democracy

In this episode of Talk Without Borders, I speak with Iranian activist and former political prisoner Shabnam Madadzadeh. Shabnam was arrested as a university student for her involvement in the student movement and spent five years in Iranian prisons, including time in solitary confinement inside Tehran’s notorious Evin Prison. In this conversation, she shares her personal experiences with imprisonment, interrogation, psychological pressure, and the realities of political dissent inside Iran. We also discuss the structure of power in Iran, the role of the Supreme Leader and the Revolutionary Guard, the protest movements led by students and young people, and the broader struggle for democratic change. Because the geopolitical situation changed significantly after our initial recording, this episode also includes a second, shorter conversation recorded after the escalation of the conflict involving Iran, Israel, and the United States. In that follow-up discussion, we explore how the war affects the prospects for internal change, resistance movements, media coverage, and the future of Iran. Topics include: * Political imprisonment in Iran * Solitary confinement and psychological pressure * Student protests and resistance movements * Theocracy vs democratic governance * The role of the IRGC * Western policy toward Iran * Media narratives and international pressure * The future of political change in Iran Talk Without Borders is a long-form conversational podcast exploring politics, culture, media, technology, and society through in-depth discussions with guests from Luxembourg, Europe, and beyond.

Ep. 12 - Paul Schonenberg: Leadership, Lobbying & Influence in Luxembourg

Paul Schonenberg is the Chairman and CEO of the American Chamber of Commerce in Luxembourg, and a former U.S. Air Force officer who served at the Pentagon and NATO. In this episode, we talked about his journey from military life to civilian leadership, what it means to reinvent yourself professionally, and why he believes expats are Luxembourg’s greatest untapped asset. We also explored the deeper layers of integration and why forming friendships in Luxembourg can take years. Along the way, we touched on education, political inclusion, transatlantic relations, and how to bridge the cultural silos that still shape life in Luxembourg.

Ep. 11 - Katja Rausch: Why Ethics can´t be an Afterthought in Tech

Katja Rausch is a professor, consultant, and founder of the House of Ethics. In this episode of Talking Without Borders, we discuss why ethics must be built into AI from the beginning rather than treated as an afterthought. The conversation covers her critique of generative AI trained on stolen data, the role of privacy laws in shaping big tech, and the problem of corporate “ethics washing.” Katja also explains the concept of swarm ethics and shares why she believes trust and responsibility must remain at the center of technological development.

Ep. 10 - Sam Elsey: Why Young People Tune out from Politics

Sam Elsey is a political advisor and active member of Luxembourg’s Democratic Party (DP). He’s part of a younger generation that thinks differently about politics, media, and how to engage people - especially Gen Z. In this conversation, we talked about the shift in how young people consume content, the power of curiosity and subverting expectations, and why traditional messaging often fails to connect with newer and younger audiences. We also touched on political engagement, digital communication, misinformation, and what it means to earn someone’s attention in 2025.

Ep. 9 - Pit Peporte: The Surprising Truth about Luxembourg's Identity

Pit Peporte is a researcher and historical consultant, and one of the leading voices when it comes to understanding how nations build their stories and identities. In this episode, we talk about the myths, symbols, and narratives that shaped Luxembourg’s identity - many of which are still shaping political discourse today. We also touch on the rewriting of constitutions, the legacy of occupation, and how small countries like Luxembourg craft their voice in a world of bigger powers.