Shows
Open Mic LifeCreating a Life Abroad: Love, Community, HomeOn this week’s episode of Open Mic Life, host Stoyana jumps a few months back and revisits a fan-favorite segment—weddings, love, and family. Recorded just weeks before her own wedding, this episode features a heartfelt conversation with Vivien, who shares her firsthand experience of planning a wedding from abroad.From navigating the wedding industry to the influence of movies and social media on our expectations, Stoyana and Vivien explore the realities behind saying “I do.” They discuss the professionals who make weddings possible—photographers, florists, caterers—and even touch on intellectual property concerns in the wedding worl...2025-03-2821 min
Open Mic LifeReimagining Libraries: Building the Future of LearningThis week on Open Mic Life, guest host Haik Pogosian sits down with Chris Sigaloff, a visionary entrepreneur redefining the concept of libraries. As the founder of a tech-driven library initiative, Sigaloff is at the forefront of designing the "library of the future." Her passion for innovation and access to knowledge stems from her upbringing in a small village, where libraries represented a gateway to privilege, discovery, and opportunity. Today, she is leading a movement to transform these spaces into dynamic hubs for learning, creativity, and community engagement.What exactly is the library of the future? Sigaloff...2025-03-2147 min
Open Mic LifeTrading Suits for Van Life: An AdventureThis week on Open Mic Life, Stoyana dives into an inspiring story of adventure, risk, and reinvention. Meet Hugues, a bar-certified corporate lawyer, and Charline, a digital resilience officer at a Luxembourg bank—two ambitious professionals who did what many only dream of. They quit their stable jobs, bought a van, and hit the road, embracing the unknown in search of freedom and discovery.But this isn’t just another wanderlust-fueled escape. Their journey was a carefully crafted balance between spontaneity and strategy, adventure and responsibility. From the snow-covered peaks of Cap Nord to the sun-soaked shores of t...2025-03-1436 min
Open Mic LifeSeason 3 premier - A new chapter begins!The wait is over—Season 3 of Open Mic Life is here! Host Stoyanna returns with a fresh season filled with captivating conversations, thought-provoking discussions, and a renewed commitment to exploring the art of converstion.In this premiere episode, we take a look back at the highlights of Season 2, a season packed with diverse and inspiring stories. One of the standout moments was the Small Business Summit, a special series featuring 15 Luxembourg based entrepreneurs sharing their journeys—the highs, the lows, and the passion that fuels their work. They sharfe how they got started, what helped them, what stoo...2025-03-0805 min
Open Mic LifeSmall Business Summit #5 Creating a mindful business around unlocking the body’s potentialIn the fifth and final episode of Open Mic Life’s holiday series, Small Business Summit, host Stoyana invites listeners on a journey with two women who have dedicated their careers to reconnecting people with their bodies. In today’s fast-paced, technology-driven world, these entrepreneurs are carving out paths to help others slow down, listen to their bodies, and restore balance. Through thought-provoking conversations, Stoyana sheds light on how holistic practices can help heal not only physical pain but also nurture mental and emotional well-being.Meet the guestsStoyana’s guests are Ana, a chiropractor specia...2024-12-1530 min
Open Mic LifeSmall Business Summit #4 The courage to pivot into your true self In the fourth episode of Open Mic Life’s holiday series, Small Business Summit, host Stoyana showcases the journeys of three dynamic women in Luxembourg who defied expectations, embraced their creativity, and built ventures that reflect their values and strengthen their communities. It’s a celebration of entrepreneurship, resilience, and the cultural connections that breathe life into small businesses.Meet the EntrepreneursFirst, we meet Clare and Marie, business partners and good friends who’ve cultivated a unique venture dedicated to mindful living. Their journey began as a practical solution—sharing rental costs in Luxembourg’s competit...2024-12-1427 min
Open Mic LifeSmall Business Summit #3 How wishing for a service turns into a thriving businessIn the third episode of Open Mic Life's holiday series, Small Business Summit, host Stoyana takes listeners on an inspiring journey through the stories of three remarkable women in Luxembourg who turned their personal wishes into impactful businesses. This episode celebrates not just entrepreneurship but also the power of community and culture in shaping ventures that make a difference.Meet the VisionariesFounder of Nyki, a social tutoring company, Laure Talavet-Omont’s mission is rooted in bridging the gap of social inequality. Driven by the belief that education should be accessible, she designed a unique pr...2024-12-1329 min
Open Mic LifeSmall Business Summit #2 From coding to fitness to love – How three entrepreneurs built communities around their passionsDive into the second episode of Open Mic Life's holiday series, Small Business Summit, where host Stoyana explores the vibrant tapestry of small, women-owned businesses in Luxembourg. In this captivating installment, she introduces three inspiring entrepreneurs who have turned their passions into thriving ventures, creating not only businesses but also communities that uplift and empower others.Meet the guestsFirst up is Madhumalti Sharma, founder of the non-profit Workshop4Me. Motivated by her children's curiosity about coding, Madhumalti launched an organization that empowers young minds to embrace technology. Her mission? To bridge generational gaps and...2024-12-1232 min
Open Mic LifeSmall Business Summit #1 Bringing together 3 business owners in different seasons of entrepreneurshipToday marks the premiere of Open Mic Life's holiday series, Small Business Summit, where host Stoyana shines a spotlight on the vibrant world of small, women-owned businesses in Luxembourg.In this compelling episode, Stoyana delves into the journeys of three remarkable entrepreneurs who have turned their passions into thrivin g professions, offering inspiration and insight to anyone dreaming of starting their own venture.Luxembourg may be celebrated as a hub for multinational corporations, but this series explores a less-charted yet equally vital side of the economy: small and micro-businesses that cater to the nuanced needs...2024-12-1139 min
Open Mic LifeAre you a small business owner? This episode is for you!Luxembourg is renowned as a global financial powerhouse and a prime business hub attracting some of the world’s biggest corporations, many of which establish their European headquarters here. But beyond the towering skyscrapers and multinational giants lies a vibrant ecosystem of small business owners, entrepreneurs who infuse the city with creativity, resilience, and passion.Shining a Spotlight on Small Businesses This holiday season, podcast host Stoyana is taking the spotlight off the boardrooms and shining it on small business owners with the Small Business Summit. This special series aims to provide a platform for local entrepreneurs to...2024-12-0708 min
Open Mic LifeThe building block(chain) of entrepreneurship with Thijs MaasThis week on Open Mic Life, Dutch entrepreneur Thijs Maas shares his remarkable journey from academia to building and selling a successful startup. Thijs dives deep into his expertise in blockchain and startups, access to crypto, offering valuable insights for aspiring entrepreneurs navigating the challenges of starting and scaling a business.One of the key themes Thijs emphasizes is the importance of believing in yourself and your vision. For most entrepreneurs, that initial belief often comes from family and friends, who are typically the first to fund your idea.Thijs doesn’t shy away from sh...2024-11-3037 min
Open Mic LifeRadio: The Media Connecting Community - Insights with Sam SteenRadio is arguably the media that stands the test of time and technological evolution. While it was the main source of information once to streaming it online or having it on in the background while driving – everyone listens to radio.On this week’s episode of Open Mic Life, host Stoyana Ivanova interview’s Today RTL’s program director and host of the daily “The Sam Steen Show”. Sam brings a wealth of insight into the world of radio—its impact, its staying power, and its unique role as a classic medium for connection in a fast-evolving media landscap...2024-11-1539 min
Open Mic LifeLove Beyond Borders - Navigating International Marriage and Destination WeddingsIn a world where borders are increasingly blurred, love knows no nationality, no boundaries, and certainly no limits. On this week’s episode of Open Mic Life, host Stoyana dives into the heart of international romance and destination weddings with her guest, Diana Kazaniecki. Together, they explore what it means to fall in love and build a life with someone from a different culture, and the unique beauty and challenges that come with planning a wedding away from home.Pack your bags (no passport required!) as Stoyana and Diana take listeners on a journey through the Netherlands, Bu...2024-11-0846 min
Open Mic LifeMastering the Art of Auctions_A Conversation with Sotheby's Andrea JungmannThe world of art auctions is one of glamour and prestige, uniting people through a shared passion for art, and iconic paintings by old masters regularly make headlines for achieving record-breaking prices at spectacular events in global art hubs.These masterpieces pass into the hands of new owners, continuing their rich histories. But behind the scenes, there’s more than just spectacle – there’s sentiment, complex negotiations, and sometimes restitution, particularly for works wrongfully acquired through the tragedies of war.At the heart of these transactions are the auction houses, where art and luxury lovers gather...2024-10-2540 min
Open Mic LifeRedefining 'I Do' Traditional Wedding vs ElopementIn today’s world, families and weddings come in all shapes and sizes, and there’s no one "right" way to start your own. Whether you envision a big celebration surrounded by family, friends, and loved ones, or an intimate day with just you and your partner, the choice is yours—and it’s perfect, whatever you decide.While a quick trip to Las Vegas for a chapel wedding might not be an option for those of us in Europe, Luxembourg offers its own unique perks for couples considering elopement. In fact, it's one of the few countrie...2024-10-1822 min
Open Mic LifeWelcome to SEASON 2! We are back, WELCOME TO SEASON 2! On this episode Stoyana discusses with Haik what listeners can expect following the successful pilot season. They tease the incredible guests lineup, introduce a bonus series and give several life and professional updates.2024-10-1117 min
Open Mic LifeSeason Finale - What is the next chapter?The Season 1 Finale is here! On this weeks episode Stoyana and Haik reflect on season 1. They discuss the essence of what bringing a passion project to life is - blood, sweat, tears and an immense amount of joy. They share their takeaways from the first season and their dreams about the next chapter.2024-03-3030 min
Open Mic LifeArt - How does responsible art capture human connection and will AI be the brush or the canvas?On this weeks episode Stoyana interviews Alrivira Ferreira, a visual arist who captures human interaction and connection in different ways. She discusses the balance she finds in her artistic expression in the rich palette between her own art, art restoration and teaching art. Stoyana and Haik discuss the trend of activists attacking famous art pieces and how this affects the view of the public on the causes they are championing. You can learn more about Alvira Ferreira on her website: https://www.alviraferreiraart.com/homeVisit Art Space and see all the courses and workshops...2024-02-0446 min
Open Mic LifeVenture Capital - How to be a technology optimist while investing and how can empathy cause a career switch?On this weeks episode of Open Mic Life, Haik and Stoyana switch roles and you will get to listen to Haiks debut in interviewing our next guest. He welcomes Martin Müller M.D. of Venture Capital at CARMA FUND, focused on investments in Life Sciences & Healthcare. You will hear a conversation about anything between who the greatest basketball player is, medicine and pivoting to venture capital. A crash course into the investment world. A conversation about switching from medicine to investments, and in which areas can they overlap in terms of workflow and approach.2024-01-2745 min
Open Mic LifeJournalism and Media #2 - How to remain properly informed and how AI will change the industry?This week's episode Stoyana starts with e very, very special announcement that also comes as a surprise to Haik. During the second part of the interview with Martin Jonsson of RTL. We start right where we left off and dive deep into how to do our due duligence as media consimers in order to stay properly informed. Haik gets his question, why certain evens get more media coverage than others answred. Finally, Martin elaborates on how AI will change the media and journalism industry, and how that will impact the human aspect. You can read the referenced...2024-01-2128 min
Open Mic LifeJournalism and Media #1 - How to understand and inform society today?For the first episode of 2024 Stoyana has the priveledge to interview RTL Luxembourg Team Lead & Deputy Head of Digital Products, Martin Jonsson. They discuss what it's like for an international to dive into a new society and truly understand it. Martin sheds light on the importance of integrity in journalism and Stoyana asks him about the rhetoric he uses in his pieces.Stoyana and Haik share some updates and fun holiday anecdotes.2024-01-0944 min
Open Mic LifeAcademia - What is the consequence of being a curious individual?Stoyana interviews Prof. Phillip Paiement of Tilburg University on the business that stands behind academia. He answers questions on his research around law and governance in the Anthropocene, posed by Haik. They discuss the impact that right wing parties will have on reaching the climate targets, what life is like in academia, and how to decide on when to pursue a PhD. Tune in to hear this and more.You can reach Prof. Phillip Paiement on P.M.Paiement@tilburguniversity.eduTo learn about and support SHARO foundation go https://sharo.bg/en/2023-12-1043 min
Open Mic LifeThe automotive industry - How to get into your dream job market?On this episode Stoyana interviews an old friend of hers and Haik. Amiel Baluch, born in the Netherlands, grew up in Saudi Arabia, studied marketing and strated his career in the Netherlands and early on achieved his dream of moving to Dubai and working in the car industry. They discuss the differences in consumer behaviour in the Middle East and Europe, the upcoming market trends and technology in cars and what (even if Elon Musk says differntly) is not to be expected in the near future. Tune in to hear about the steps taken to achieve a dream, the...2023-11-2646 min
Open Mic LifeNon-profit organizations - How to be successful and purposeful?Ahead of the festive season, Stoyana is interviewing the founder and CEO of a successful non-profit organization. They discuss the spark that leads you to decide to dedicate your work to a good cause, the challenges you encounter on the way and what takes to grow continuously for 16 years. Haik is of course on the mic, where he discusses with Stoyana the challenges many people face when they would like to get more involved in charitable work.Learn more and support Operation Teddy Bear by clicking on https://plushenomeche.org/en/.2023-11-1644 min
Open Mic LifeCoaching - How to find out what you want to do? On this episode Stoyana and Haik discuss the ever lingering question on is fulfillment and what role attitude plays in it. Later in the episode Stoyana is joined by the 613 Fulfillment Coaching founder Grace Skinkis-Sweeney. They delve into the topic of how different people seek guidance, what moves them to wish to make a change in their lives, what coaching is and how it can be useful in every stage of life.The best way to get in touch with Grace is to reach out through her Instagram page @613fulfillmentcoaching2023-11-0949 min
Open Mic LifeWelcome to Open Mic LifeIn this episode Stoyana introduces the podcast inspiration, meaning and tells the listeners what they can expect from the season. In the second part of the episode she introduces her co-host, Haik. They talk about their backgrounds and what they dream of achieving with the podcast.2023-11-0133 min
Open Mic LifeOpen Mic Life MusicThis is Open Mic Life! The amazing music behind our podcast represents the spirit of the entire production and we are excited to share it with you.2023-10-2900 min