The EUISS' ‘What if’ podcast is a foreign policy foresight conversation: it looks at fictional scenarios discussing questions like: under what circumstances could this come about? What would it mean? Can we prevent it, or how would we have to respond to it? And lastly: how likely is it?
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Mind/work is currently on a post-summer hiatus and recording even more great conversations for you. Join us for when we return on Oct 18th. In the meantime, you can find episode clips and tell us what you want to hear on the show on social media (@mindworkshow). See you in October! Mind/work is a show where we’re exploring mental health in the workplace, one story at a time. I’ve worked in some of the most stressful environments in the world and I’ve seen and felt the toll people and organiz ...
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Col Kim "KC" Campbell on finding and using our courage; the importance of letting go to move forward; and why having a wingman at work and in life is a game-changer.
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Courage is defined as “the mental or moral strength to venture, persevere, and withstand danger, fear, or difficulty.” It’s no wonder then that courage is an integral component of mental health. By calling on the strength inside each and every one of us, we can face challenges that, on the surface, seem insurmountable. Whether its persevering throu…
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Kelly Davies on grief, working through tragedy and loss, and supporting our workplace community after bereavement.
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For every single one of us, grief is a certain and profound component of the fabric of our lives. And yet grief is one of the hardest emotions to process and the most difficult to discuss, particularly when it comes to the workplace. A 2021 survey of employees by the Marie Curie support charity found that 29% of employees were not confident in know…
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Florence Gaub on authenticity at work, how to nurture your team's mental health as a manager, and what we can learn from our failures
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When it comes to mental health in the workplace, the buck stops at the top. A survey of 34,000 people across ten countries revealed that 60% of people worldwide say their job is the biggest factor influencing their mental health. And whether we realize it or not, the way we show up to work, as managers, leaders or colleagues, affects the environmen…
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Asser Khattab on mental health in journalism, how to process overwhelming events, and the importance of prioritising your health.
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46:42
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Some people see work as a job, a means to a paycheck they need to live their lives outside the office. Others see work as a career, climbing the ladder one job at a time. But what happens when your job is not only work, but a mission, a passion or, in the case of my guest today, your life? In 2011, the Arab Spring reached Syria. Syrians of all ages…
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Karma Ekmekji on mental health in constant crisis mode, showing up to work amidst personal and collective trauma, and how the (in)famous Lebanese resilience should not be taken for granted.
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Mental health takes on a whole new meaning when you live in a country in constant crisis. At the age of 40, my guest Karma Ekmekji, a mediation advisor and peace and security professional, along with millions of Lebanese, has lived through multiple upheavals in her lifetime. A devastating civil war, internal conflict, political crime and economic s…
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Congressman Andy Kim on mental health in Congress, the January 6th riots, and the balance between service and family.
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On January 6, 2021, the United States Capitol was stormed by a violent mob, a traumatic and terrifying experience for the entire nation, but particularly those in the building. My guest today, Congressman Andy Kim, was present that day. A photograph of the Congressman cleaning the floors of the Capitol building afterwards went viral, capturing the …
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Dr. Helgi Johannsson on mental health in medicine, how to process trauma as a doctor, and how mentors can model healthy coping mechanisms.
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1:09:56
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Mental health issues among physicians are a silent and global epidemic. In 2021, the British Medical Association reported that nearly two-thirds of doctors in the UK have anxiety or depression. Each year in the US, roughly 300-400 doctors die by suicide. Studies have shown that suicide rates among doctors were 2-3 times higher than the general popu…
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Hagar Chemali on mental health in government, startups and burnouts, and that elusive work-life balance.
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Is there really such a thing as Superman or Superwoman? Being a working parent can sometimes feel overwhelming: trying to balance the responsibilities of parenthood while showing up fully at work can lead to burnout, anxiety and that nagging feeling that you aren’t doing the best that you can, at the office or at home. Add to that a high-pressure e…
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Mind/work Trailer: Mental Health at Work. One Story at a Time.
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Throughout my career, I have seen friends and colleagues suffer the effects of depression, PTSD, anxiety, trauma and more, both personal and work-related. I have suffered many of those symptoms myself through the nature of my work in national security and countering hate and extremism. Like many of you, I’ve experienced first-hand the severely detr…
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Show me the numbers: how are economic forecasts made?
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16:06
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In this episode, Florence Gaub learns from Laura Bardone how the European Commission conducts economic forecasts and discovers that it does not involve a big calculator.By Florence Gaub, Laura Bardone
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From tech to Star Trek: doing foresight in the European Defence Agency
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In this episode, Florence Gaub and Daniel Fiott talk foresight to Jean-Francois Ripoche from the European Defence Agency: how is it used, how is it useful, and why science fiction can help get it done.By Florence Gaub, Daniel Fiott, Jean-François Ripoche
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Star Trek, Unicorns and looking at the future: a conversation with Maroš Šefčovič
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In this special edition of our What if podcast, the EU’s first-ever commissioner for strategic foresight Maroš Šefčovič explains to Florence Gaub what foresight is, how it can help policy-making, and what he thinks generally about the future.By Florence Gaub, Maroš Šefčovič
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In this last episode of our mini-series on strategy, Security and Defence editor Daniel Fiott and Florence Gaub discuss strategy and strategic foresight: how are they different, how do they complement each other, and how are both applied to defence matters?By Daniel Fiott, Florence Gaub
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In the second episode of our mini-series on strategy, Florence Gaub has two guests: the pen-holder of the Strategic Compass, Jean-Pierre van Aubel, and Daniel Fiott, the Security and Defence editor of the EUISS. They discuss whether the Strategic Compass is, or is not, a strategy, how it is being put together, and why it is important for Europe.…
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In this first episode of our mini-series on strategy, EUISS director Gustav Lindstrom explains to Florence Gaub what strategy actually is (and what it is not), how the EU has become more and more strategic in its thinking and actions, and what this all means for the next phase in its strategic trajectory.…
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Why… did we expect democracy in the Arab world?
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In this episode, Florence Gaub is the guest on her own show and explains to Giovanni Faleg why expectations of a rapid democratisation in the Arab world in 2011 were misplaced. She shows that a profound misunderstanding of democracy and transition towards it led to exaggerated expectations which themselves paved the way for some policy errors. What…
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Why… did we not see the rise of China coming?
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In this episode, Alice Ekman explains to Florence Gaub why people commonly thought that China was going to become a democracy, or alternatively implode economically. We look at why wishful thinking, but also China’s unique historical path, paved the way for surprise in the 2010s. What would we have done differently if we had seen this more clearly …
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Why… did we underestimate Russia’s ambitions?
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In this new mini-series we look at past expectations that turned out to be untrue and try to learn from past mistakes. In our first episode, Stanislav Secrieru and Florence Gaub look at Russia: although people expected the country to be poor and weak, the 2010s witnessed Russia’s geopolitical resurgence. Why did we not see this coming, what can we …
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What if...Russia expands its influence in Belarus?
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In this last episode of the Russia miniseries, Florence Gaub discusses with Andrew Wilson (ECFR) the future trajectory of a Belarus very much under the influence of Russia. How far might Russia go - and how much wiggle room is there for Belarus?By Florence Gaub, Andrew Wilson
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What if...Russia becomes 'the Singapore of steel'?
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24:06
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In this episode, Janis Kluge (SWP) takes Florence Gaub to a future where Russia has reformed its economy with spectacular success. What would have to happen for this to come true, what would it mean - and what stands in the way of this being achievable?By Janis Kluge, Florence Gaub
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In this episode, Sinikukka Saari and Stanislav Secrieru explain to Florence Gaub why there is a danger that Russia may become divided into four Russias: differentiated in economic but also geographic terms - and what this means for the future.By Stanislav Secrieru, Sinikukka Saari, Florence Gaub
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What if…China rode the techno-ticket to power?
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While technology might be just the sum of science and industry, for China it is a pillar of its geopolitical ambition. In this last episode of our miniseries on China, Alice Ekman and Florence Gaub dig deeper into the role of technology in China’s pursuit of power, and take stock of where we are at – and where we are going.…
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As China gains more and more influence on the global stage, the big question is what it intends to achieve with this new status. In this second episode of our miniseries on China, Alice Ekman and Florence Gaub discuss how China has moved from quietist diplomacy to expansive geopolitical ambition, and what this could mean for the rest of the world.…
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What if…China’s diplomacy is more predictable than we think?
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25:17
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China not only has a vision for a different world order, it also has a vision for deploying different diplomatic practices. In this first episode of our mini-series on China, EUISS Senior Analyst Alice Ekman discusses the distinctive methods of Chinese diplomacy with Deputy Director Florence Gaub, explains why these are a challenge for the EU, and …
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What if...Covid-19 impacted the US presidential elections?
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The pandemic has hit the United States harder than any other country; and Americans are scheduled to go to the polls in November. Will the coronavirus lead to a postponement of the elections? And in that case what will happen? Will the virus swing the election in favour of either candidate? EUISS Senior Associate Analyst Simona Soare discusses this…
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Projections show a possible death toll of more than 3 million for Africa, but what if these calculations turn out to be wrong? EUISS Senior Analyst Giovanni Faleg discusses with Florence Gaub whether we can expect lower fatality rates, what this could mean for the continent, and what needs to be done urgently.…
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What if...Covid-19 leads to an escalation of conflicts?
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Currently, 43 states in the world are experiencing ongoing conflicts. What impact will the Covid-19 pandemic have on these conflicts? Will they escalate, or is there perhaps an opportunity for peace? EUISS Senior Associate Analyst Katariina Mustasilta discusses with Florence Gaub how conflict research sheds light on the link between discontent and …
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Russia initially seemed to be doing better than other states when it came to the pandemic, but it has since emerged that the truth is far from what the Kremlin projected. How is Putin managing Covid-19? What do Russians think about it – and what does it mean for Putin's future projects? EUISS Senior Associate Analyst Sinikukka Saari explains it all…
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What if...Covid-19 leads to a decline in remittances to Georgia, Ukraine & Moldova?
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In this episode, EUISS senior analyst Stanislav Secrieru discusses with Florence Gaub what economic impact Covid-19 will have on three Eastern neighbourhood states. Will the flow of remittances cease altogether? How will people and states cope? And what can we do about it?By Florence Gaub, Stanislav Secrieru
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What if...China uses the coronavirus crisis to promote its world vision?
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26:49
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In this episode, EUISS senior analyst Alice Ekman discusses with Florence Gaub how China has not just survived the pandemic crisis but is in fact thriving on it. From the Belt and Road Initiative to its vision for the world in 2050, Beijing is making the most of a crisis other countries are barely managing to cope with - or is it?…
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