Choosing to Matter

About Choosing to Matter

What does it mean to live with intention in a world that pulls us in every direction? This podcast explores the everyday decisions that shape our futures. Hosted by Chris Luebkeman and brought to you by [Y]our 2040, each episode invites a guest to slow down, share a drink, and reflect on how they navigate complexity, purpose, and change. From creatives to change-makers, these are honest conversations that spark action and remind us we all have the power to choose to matter.

Publisher

Chris Luebkeman

Category

business · education

Language

en

Explicit

No

First episode

29 Oct 2025

Latest episode

8 Apr 2026

Latest episodes

18 episodes in the feed.

1. 

   8 Apr 2026

   Navigating Complexity and Community with David Harding

   🎙️ Choosing to Matter: Cocktails with Chris Navigating Complexity and Community with David Harding Episode 17 In this episode, Chris sits down with David Harding - submariner, strategist, and change-maker. From a young man determined to join the British Navy to a career spent beneath the ocean, David's path has carried him from military service to leading major infrastructure projects, and now to shaping policy and investment in Sydney. Along the way, he discovered purpose in building and bringing together teams - whether on submarines, in the Australian outback, in corporates or within communities striving for cohesion and hope. What drives David is a belief in teamwork, trust, and the quiet power of community. In this conversation, he reflects on the leadership lessons he has carried from the Navy into construction, policy, and social initiatives; from nation-building railways to mentoring First Nations youth and supporting social cohesion through sport. Together, he and Chris explore resilience, complexity, and the choices that bind us to one another. This is a conversation about leadership, belonging, and the strength of community. 🍸 Cocktail of the episode: Australian Chardonnay 🎧 A thought to leave you with: What choices will you make to strengthen trust and resilience in the communities you belong to? Episode Resources: David Harding (https://www.linkedin.com/in/david-harding-a8b90320/) NSW (https://www.linkedin.com/company/nswgovernment/) Connect with Choosing to Matter Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/choosingtomatter/): @choosingtomatter LinkedIn: @choosingtomatter Explore all our platforms Credits: Host: Chris Luebkeman Executive Producer: Jonelle Simunich Guest Relations: Taline Frantz Editors: Viktoria Bacheva and Asmita Mehta Sound Designer: Taline Frantz Design and Manager: Kinny Tran-Marazza Graphic Designer: Nazaré Sarabúa Presented by: [Y]our 2040 Website: your2040.com/podcast

2. 

   25 Mar 2026

   The Stories We Dance with Cathy Marston

   🎙️ Choosing to Matter: Cocktails with Chris The Stories We Dance with Cathy Marston Episode 16 In this episode, Chris sits down with Cathy Marston, choreographer, artistic director of the Ballett Zürich, and a masterful storyteller through dance. Cathy's path began with ballet training in Cambridge and continued at the Royal Ballet School before unfolding into a distinguished international career. She went on to direct Bern Ballet, became an Associate Artist at the Royal Opera House, and, since August 2023, has led the Ballett Zürich, attracting world-class dancers from across the globe. Her choreography is deeply literary; a signature of her work. Cathy has brought to life adaptations of Jane Eyre, Victoria (Queen Victoria's story), and the critically acclaimed The Cellist, based on Jacqueline du Pré's life. Her most recent big success was Ian McEwans bestselling novel 'Atonement', and her upcoming work is an adaptation of Romeo & Juliet (May 23, 2026); another ambitious leap in narrative ballet. What drives Cathy is the conviction that dance is empathy in motion - a way to reach across time, emotion, and story. In this conversation, she reflects on the responsibility of leading a company and the importance of reviving and reimagining choreography as living, enduring art. Together, we explore the discipline of craft, the daring of innovation, and the courage required to pass on knowledge while nurturing new voices. This is a stirring conversation about narrative, empathy, and the stories we carry forward. 🍸 Cocktail of the episode: Mojito 🎧 A thought to leave you with: What stories can only be told through movement, and how might they change the way we understand one another? Episode Resources: Cathy Marston (https://www.cathymarston.com/)Opernhaus Zurich Connect with Choosing to Matter Instagram : @choosingtomatter LinkedIn : @choosingtomatter Explore all our platforms Credits: Host: Chris Luebkeman Executive Producer: Jonelle Simunich Guest Relations: Taline Frantz Editors: Viktoria Bacheva and Asmita Mehta Sound Designer: Taline Frantz Design and Manager: Kinny Tran-Marazza Graphic Designer: Nazaré Sarabúa Recorded at the Schweizerhof Hotel Zurich Presented by: [Y]our 2040 Website: your2040.com/podcast

3. 

   11 Mar 2026

   Rethinking Value and Building Regenerative Worlds with Gil Friend

   🎙️ Choosing to Matter: Cocktails with Chris Rethinking Value and Building Regenerative Worlds with Gil Friend Episode 15 In this episode, Chris sits down with Gil Friend, strategist, translator, and sustainability pioneer. From a curious, science-minded kid in New York to working alongside Buckminster Fuller on the World Game, Gil's path has always intertwined curiosity with contribution. He went on to become one of the first Chief Sustainability Officers in the United States, serving the City of Palo Alto, and has advised global companies, investors, and cities through his career. His journey has carried him from cooking in natural food restaurants to shaping sustainability strategies for major corporations and public agencies; always with an eye on pushing the bounds of the possible. Gil describes himself as a "scout from the future," a pollinator of ideas, and a translator between worlds. What drives him is the conviction that the world can work for all life, if we organize ourselves with imagination and care. In this conversation, Chris and Gil explore systems thinking, the business case for sustainability, and leadership as a blend of outward action and inner dialogue. They reflect on how to move from abstract urgency to grounded action and how to lead with both clarity and compassion. This is a conversation about the creative possibilities of the living world. 🍸 Cocktail of the episode: Rasa — an adaptogenic herbal brew with chicory, burdock, mushrooms, and cocoa. 🎧 A thought to leave you with: What becomes possible when we treat sustainability not as an add-on, but as the core logic of business? Episode Resources: Gil Friend (https://www.linkedin.com/in/gfriend/) Natural Logic Inc. (https://www.linkedin.com/company/natural-logic/) Connect with Choosing to Matter Instagram: @choosingtomatter LinkedIn: @choosingtomatter Explore all our platforms Credits: Host: Chris Luebkeman Executive Producer: Jonelle Simunich Guest Relations: Taline Frantz Editors: Viktoria Bacheva and Asmita Mehta Sound Designer: Taline Frantz Design and Manager: Kinny Tran-Marazza Graphic Designer: Nazaré Sarabúa Presented by: [Y]our 2040 Website: your2040.com/podcast

4. 

   25 Feb 2026

   From Scramjets to Sustainable Design with Anne Kovachevich

   🎙️ Choosing to Matter: Cocktails with Chris From Scramjets to Sustainable Design with Anne Kovachevich Episode 14 In this episode, Chris sits down with Anne Kovachevich, engineer, futurist, and sustainability pioneer. From her early fascination with physics and scramjets to her current role shaping the cities of tomorrow, Anne's path has been guided by curiosity and resilience. A formative trip to Serbia - and her first introduction to coffee - offers a glimpse of the playful, human side behind her rigorous professional journey. At the core of Anne's work is a conviction that the built environment must serve both people and planet. She reflects on leading the design of sustainable precincts in Brisbane ahead of the 2032 Olympics, weaving together technology, nature, and community. Together, we explore systems thinking, the complexity of human behavior, and how vision can turn abstract sustainability into lived experience. This is a thoughtful conversation about imagination, resilience, and the choices we make today that will shape the cities of tomorrow. 🍸 Cocktail of the episode: Espresso Martini 🎧 A thought to leave you with: How can the spaces you design nurture both human and planetary health? Episode Resources: Anne Kovachevich Mott MacDonald (https://www.linkedin.com/company/mott-macdonald/) Connect with Choosing to Matter Instagram: @choosingtomatter LinkedIn: @choosingtomatter Explore all our platforms Credits: Host: Chris Luebkeman Executive Producer: Jonelle Simunich Guest Relations: Taline Frantz Editors: Viktoria Bacheva and Asmita Mehta Sound Designer: Taline Frantz Design and Manager: Kinny Tran-Marazza Graphic Designer: Nazaré Sarabúa Presented by: [Y]our 2040 Website: your2040.com/podcast

5. 

   11 Feb 2026

   Crafting Hospitality and Clarity with Andreas Stöckli

   🎙️ Choosing to Matter: Cocktails with Chris Crafting Hospitality and Clarity with Andreas Stöckli Episode 13 In this episode, Chris sits down with Andreas Stöckli, hotelier, chef-turned-general manager, and steward of one of Zurich's landmark hotels. From cutting his fingers as a teenage apprentice in the kitchen to guiding a historic property through its transformation into a five-star destination, Andreas has built his career on hospitality with people at the center. His journey spans adventures abroad and hard-learned lessons in kitchens from South Africa to The Bahamas, charting a steady climb from chef's whites to the front office. What drives Andreas is the belief that hospitality is about honesty, presence, and creating spaces where others feel safe and cared for. In this conversation, he reflects on leadership as clarity in action, balancing tradition with innovation, weaving sustainability into luxury, and the quiet strength of influencing what we can. This is a conversation about leadership, hospitality, and the power of belonging. 🍸 Cocktail of the episode: A straight, smoky whisky. honest, raw, and clear. 🎧 A thought to leave you with: How might leadership look if we approached it like the hospitality industry - creating clarity, care, and belonging for everyone we serve? Episode Resources: Andreas Stöckli Hotel Schweizerhof Zurich Connect with Choosing to Matter Instagram: @choosingtomatter LinkedIn: @choosingtomatter Explore all our platforms Credits: Host: Chris Luebkeman Executive Producer: Jonelle Simunich Guest Relations: Taline Frantz Editors: Viktoria Bacheva and Asmita Mehta Sound Designer: Taline Frantz Design and Manager: Kinny Tran-Marazza Graphic Designer: Nazaré Sarabúa Recorded at the Schweizerhof Hotel Zürich Presented by: [Y]our 2040 Website: your2040.com/podcast

6. 

   10 Feb 2026

   Turning Capital into Positive Energy with Christin ter Braak-Forstinger

   🎙️ Choosing to Matter: Cocktails with Chris Turning Capital into Positive Energy with Christin ter Braak-Forstinger Episode 12 In this episode, Chris sits down with Christin ter Braak-Forstinger, impact investor, author, and co-founder of Chi Impact Capital. From growing up in a small baroque Austrian town to leading one of Europe's pioneering circular investment firms, Christin's journey has been shaped by passion, clarity of purpose, and a belief that finance supports a fulfilling life. Her story is colored by memories of fly fishing with her father, the influence of a warmhearted grandmother who urged her to "move mountains," and a serendipitous turn that kept her from working in the World Trade Center just days before 9/11. What drives Christin is the conviction that money is positive energy, and that intentional investment can solve root causes. She reflects on co-founding Brave Aurora, an NGO in Ghana that shaped her mission, and on building Chi Impact Capital to back transformative, regenerative business models. Together, we explore themes of systems change, collective responsibility, and how intention, in both yoga and finance, can shape the futures we create. This is an inspiring conversation about the power of investing with purpose. 🍸 Cocktail of the episode: Basil Smash 🎧 A thought to leave you with: How might your money serve you, and others better? Episode Resources Christin ter Braak-Forstinger Chi Impact Capital (https://www.linkedin.com/company/chi-impact-capital/) Conscious Investing by Christin ter Braak-Forstinger Connect with Choosing to Matter Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/choosingtomatter/): @choosingtomatter LinkedIn: @choosingtomatter Explore all our platforms Credits: Host: Chris Luebkeman Executive Producer: Jonelle Simunich Guest Relations: Taline Frantz Editors: Viktoria Bacheva and Asmita Mehta Sound Designer: Taline Frantz Design and Manager: Kinny Tran-Marazza Graphic Designer: Nazaré Sarabúa Recorded at the Schweizerhof Hotel Zurich Presented by: [Y]our 2040 Website: your2040.com/podcast

7. 

   14 Jan 2026

   Poetic Trails with Darco Cazin

   🎙️ Choosing to Matter: Cocktails with Chris Poetic Trails with Darco Cazin Episode 11 In this episode, Chris meets with Darco Cazin, child of the Alps, entrepreneur, and founder of Allegra. From a Swiss mountain village to building an international movement for sustainable mountain biking, his path is shaped by the clarity of alpine life and a curiosity for the wider world. His story interlaces building trails with his grandfather, a mother's dream of running a hotel, and his own commitment to give back to the mountains that raised him. What moves him is simple: black coffee, water from the stream, and ideas that matter. Darco reflects on creating Allegra as a platform for others to thrive, slowing down into stillness, and exploring how poetry, open space, and presence can shape the future of communities. Themes of identity, resilience, and shared imagination run through his journey as he speaks to what it means to live authentically in changing times. This is a conversation about belonging, contribution, and the courage to release, so that something new may emerge." 🍸 Cocktail of the episode: Black coffee 🎧 A thought to leave you with: What trails are you leaving behind for others to walk along? Episode Resources: Darco Cazin Darco's Substack: https://darcocazin.substack.com/ Allegra's: www.helloallegra.com (https://www.helloallegra.com/) Connect with Choosing to Matter Instagram: @choosingtomatter LinkedIn: @choosingtomatter Explore all our platforms Credits: Host: Chris Luebkeman Executive Producer: Jonelle Simunich Guest Relations: Taline Frantz Editors: Viktoria Bacheva and Asmita Mehta Sound Designer: Taline Frantz Design and Manager: Kinny Tran-Marazza Graphic Designer: Nazaré Sarabúa Recorded at the Schweizerhof Hotel Zürich Presented by: [Y]our 2040 Website: your2040.com/podcast

8. 

   17 Dec 2025

   Shaping Philanthropy's Next Chapter with Sarah Howard

   🎙️ Choosing to Matter: Cocktails with Chris Shaping Philanthropy's Next Chapter with Sarah Howard Episode 10 In this episode, Chris sits down with Sarah Howard, connector, storyteller, and Managing Director of the Global Philanthropy Forum. From her beginnings in California as a filmmaker capturing human stories across South Sudan, Honduras, and small island states, Sarah has woven together a career at the intersection of media, philanthropy, and systems change. Her journey has been shaped as much by serendipity, as by her own determination to engage with the world directly. What drives Sarah is a belief that philanthropy can be society's "risk capital," helping us leap into new possibilities at a time of tectonic shifts in climate, technology, and governance. She shares how legacy, storytelling, and lived experience inform her work to make philanthropy fit for purpose in the 21st century, while also exploring the deeper human values that must guide how we shape the future. This is a conversation about vision, legacy, and the drive to design new systems of value. 🍸 Cocktail of the episode: A Vesper martini 🎧 A thought to leave you with: What philanthropic risks would you take today to ensure a better tomorrow for all? Episode Resources: Sarah Howard (https://www.linkedin.com/in/sarahgerberhoward/)Global Philanthropy Forum Connect with Choosing to Matter Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/choosingtomatter/): @choosingtomatter LinkedIn: @choosingtomatter Explore all our platforms Credits: Host: Chris Luebkeman Executive Producer: Jonelle Simunich Guest Relations: Taline Frantz Editors: Viktoria Bacheva and Asmita Mehta Sound Designer: Taline Frantz Design and Manager: Kinny Tran-Marazza Graphic Designer: Nazaré Sarabúa Presented by: [Y]our 2040 Website: your2040.com/podcast

9. 

   3 Dec 2025

   Physics, Serendipity, and the Future of Journalism with Felix Graf

   🎙️ Choosing to Matter: Cocktails with Chris Physics, Serendipity, and the Future of Journalism with Felix Graf Episode 9 In this episode, Chris sits down with Felix Graf, physicist turned media leader, lifelong learner, and jazz enthusiast. From a youth steeped in music and philosophy to his PhD in quantum optics; he is now CEO of Switzerland's biggest newspaper. Felix's path has been anything but linear. Hes traveled the world and has worked in more industries than anyone we know. A love affair with Brazil, his father's advice and many serendipitous turns make his story both surprising and deeply human. At the heart of Felix's work is a search for the right questions. Whether in physics, energy, or journalism, he has been guided by curiosity, resilience, and the conviction that truth and communication matter for a thriving democracy. Together, we explore themes of technology, responsibility, collective action, and how we can imagine a livable future without making it "simpler than it is." This is a conversation about serendipity, leadership, and the choices that shape our shared tomorrow. 🍸 Cocktail of the episode: Mojito (virgin) 🎧 A thought to leave you with: What role does trusted journalism play in sustaining the kind of community you want to live in? Episode Resources Felix Graf (https://www.linkedin.com/in/felixgraf/)NZZ Connect with Choosing to Matter Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/choosingtomatter/): @choosingtomatter LinkedIn: @choosingtomatter Explore all our platforms Credits: Host: Chris Luebkeman Executive Producer: Jonelle Simunich Guest Relations: Taline Frantz Editors: Viktoria Bacheva and Asmita Mehta Sound Designer: Taline Frantz Design and Manager: Kinny Tran-Marazza Graphic Designer: Nazaré Sarabúa Recorded at Schweizerhof Hotel Zürich Presented by: [Y]our 2040 Website: your2040.com/podcast

10. 

    19 Nov 2025

    Narratives that Move the World with Ana Rold

    🎙️ Choosing to Matter: Cocktails with Chris Narratives that Move the World with Ana Rold Episode 8 In this episode, Chris sits down with Ana Rold, media entrepreneur, futurist, and founder of Diplomatic Courier and World in 2050. Ana was a child refugee who learned to adapt to new surroundings and gained a unique perspective on how other cultures and societies live. Years later, after moving to the USA, she went on to build platforms that shape global dialogues. Her journey is marked by resilience, curiosity, and communication. Her move to Boston opened the door to new cultures, ideas, and possibilities; a turning point that set her on the path toward building Diplomatic Courier a global platform for meaningful dialogues. What drives Ana is a conviction that truth and storytelling matter in building collective intelligence for a better world. She reflects on navigating disinformation, the role of narratives in shaping belief, and how fostering dialogue across divides can help the future "arrive well." Together, she and Chris explore themes of resilience, foresight, and the responsibility of turning words into action. This is a conversation about truth, dialogue, and the courage to create spaces where ideas drive change. 🍸 Cocktail of the episode: Cape Cod 🎧 A thought to leave you with: How are you using your voice, today, to shape a future you want to live in? Episode Resources: Ana Rold (https://www.linkedin.com/in/acarcanirold/) Diplomatic Courier (https://www.diplomaticourier.com/) World in 2050 (https://worldin2050.diplomaticourier.com/) Connect with Choosing to Matter Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/choosingtomatter/): @choosingtomatter LinkedIn: @choosingtomatter Explore all our platforms Credits: Host: Chris Luebkeman Executive Producer: Jonelle Simunich Guest Relations: Taline Frantz Editors: Viktoria Bacheva and Asmita Mehta Sound Designer: Taline Frantz Design and Manager: Kinny Tran-Marazza Graphic Designer: Nazaré Sarabúa Presented by: [Y]our 2040 Website: your2040.com/podcast

11. 

    5 Nov 2025

    Coffee, Resilience, and Supply Chains with Ramon Schalch

    🎙️ Choosing to Matter: Cocktails with Chris Coffee, Resilience, and Supply Chains with Ramon Schalch Episode 7 In this episode, Chris sits down with Ramon Schalch, CEO of Vi Collective, hiker, cyclist, and lifelong adventurer. From early dreams of becoming a professional ice hockey player to rebuilding his path after a career-ending injury, Ramon found a new calling in coffee. What began as childhood fascination with the smell of beans grew into a journey across Colombia's coffee farms and eventually to leading one of Switzerland's most recognized sustainable coffee brands. Ramon shares what drives his work today: building resilient value chains, strengthening the lives of coffee farmers, and exploring innovation from 3D-printed clay cups to global collaborations in sustainable farming. Together, he and Chris explore the meaning of choice in business, in community, and in shaping a livable future. This is an inspiring conversation about resilience, responsibility, and the quiet power of daily choices. 🍸 Cocktail of the episode: Espresso Martini (virgin) 🎧 A thought to leave you with: Do you know your coffee (or tea) supply chain? Episode Resources: Ramon Schalch ViCAFE Connect with Choosing to Matter Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/choosingtomatter/): @choosingtomatter LinkedIn: @choosingtomatter Explore all our platforms Credits: Host: Chris Luebkeman Executive Producer: Jonelle Simunich Guest Relations: Taline Frantz Editors: Viktoria Bacheva and Asmita Mehta Sound Designer: Taline Frantz Design and Manager: Kinny Tran-Marazza Graphic Designer: Nazaré Sarabúa Recorded at the Schweizerhof Hotel Zürich Presented by: [Y]our 2040 Website: your2040.com/podcast (https://www.linkedin.com/company/vicafe-ag/) (https://www.linkedin.com/company/vicafe-ag/)

12. 

    2 Nov 2025

    The Serendipity of Science with Zina Cinker

    🎙️ Choosing to Matter: Cocktails with Chris The Serendipity of Science with Zina Cinker Episode 6 In this episode, Chris sits down with Dr. Zina Cinker, physicist, global platform creator, and Director General of MATTER. From a childhood shaped by both art and science, to a chance discovery of graphene, to launching PuzzleX and Xpanse as platforms that translate deep science into human stories and explore how Quantum connects to everything, Zina's journey is driven by curiosity, serendipity, and a fearless embrace of the unknown. Her love of Isaac Asimov, the Sufi wisdom passed down through her family, and her refusal to fit into any one box make her path as unconventional as it is inspiring. What drives Zina is the belief that science is not just discovery, but translation, the ability to bring the awe of new knowledge into forms that move people. Together, we explore the power of serendipity, the role of creativity in science, and why embracing complexity can spark entirely new ways of seeing the future. This is an inspiring conversation about risk, intuition, and the courage to create what doesn't yet exist. 🍸 Cocktail of the episode: Whisky (Laphroaig) + Tea 🎧 A thought to leave you with: How do we harness exponential technologies with enough imagination - and responsibility - to serve humanity? Episode Resources: Zina Cinker (https://www.linkedin.com/in/zinacinker/)PuzzleX Xpanse MATTER Connect with Choosing to Matter Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/choosingtomatter/): @choosingtomatter LinkedIn: @choosingtomatter Explore all our platforms Credits: Host: Chris Luebkeman Executive Producer: Jonelle Simunich Guest Relations: Taline Frantz Editors: Viktoria Bacheva and Asmita Mehta Sound Designer: Taline Frantz Design and Manager: Kinny Tran-Marazza Graphic Designer: Nazaré Sarabúa Presented by: [Y]our 2040 Website: your2040.com/podcast

13. 

    2 Nov 2025

    Nature, Cities, and Endurance with Russell Galt

    🎙️ Choosing to Matter: Cocktails with Chris Nature, Cities, and Endurance with Russell Galt Episode 5 In this episode, Chris sits down with Russell Galt, ecologist, strategist, and lifelong advocate for the natural world. From growing up in the Scottish Highlands to tracking hyenas in South Africa, cycling across Continents, and now working at the intersection of conservation, cities, and carbon markets, Russell's journey is one of curiosity, courage, and commitment. Along the way, his love for whisky and bagpipes, and his stories of wilderness encounters, bring a deeply personal dimension to his path. What drives Russell's work is a conviction that nothing is too broken to be repaired. Not bicycles, not communities, not even our relationship with nature. Together, we explore the lessons of resilience, the urgent need to reimagine cities as ecosystems, and the power of individual choices to ripple outward. This is a hopeful conversation about endurance, generosity, and building futures where people and nature thrive together. 🍸 Cocktail of the episode: Whisky [Talisker] 🎧 A thought to leave you with: What if every city was designed as an ecosystem: resilient, alive, and deeply connected to nature? Episode Resources: Russell Galt (https://www.linkedin.com/in/rmgalt/)Nature Broking Connect with Choosing to Matter Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/choosingtomatter/): @choosingtomatter LinkedIn: @choosingtomatter Explore all our platforms Credits: Host: Chris Luebkeman Executive Producer: Jonelle Simunich Guest Relations: Taline Frantz Editors: Viktoria Bacheva and Asmita Mehta Sound Designer: Taline Frantz Design and Manager: Kinny Tran-Marazza Graphic Designer: Nazaré Sarabúa Presented by: [Y]our 2040 Website: your2040.com/podcast Subscribe & Listen: Wherever you get your podcasts.

14. 

    30 Oct 2025

    Climate Extremes and Urgent Choices with Sonia Seneviratne

    Climate Extremes and Urgent Choices with Sonia Seneviratne Episode 4 In this episode, Chris sits down with Sonia Seneviratne, climate scientist, professor at ETH Zurich, and a leading voice in climate extremes. From her early fascination with astrophysics and childhood astronomy books to pivotal moments in the Amazon rainforest and now shaping global climate assessments, Sonia's journey is one of curiosity turned into environmental responsibility. What drives Sonia's work is a deep commitment to fact-checking reality and speaking truth at the intersection of science and society. Together, we explore her path from physics and biology to environmental science, her role as a coordinating lead author and bureau member of the IPCC - and Vice Chair of the IPCC's Working Group I - she sees herself as both a teacher and a "climate doctor." This is a powerful and inspiring conversation about truth, responsibility, and the urgent choices before us. 🍸 Cocktail of the episode: Black Tea 📍 The ingredients: 00:30 Tea, roots, and Sri Lankan connections 03:00 A Voyager and the dream of astrophysics 04:00 Shifting from the stars to our planet's emergency 06:00 Biology, physics, and finding a path toward environmental science 09:00 Rainforests, shamans, and seeing the atmosphere is alive 12:00 A family of musicians and entrepreneurs 19:00 Droughts, vegetation, and the hidden role of water in CO₂ cycles 22:00 The 1.5°C report and why every fraction of a degree matters 26:00 Wearing many hats: scientist, teacher, translator, advocate 29:00 Inspired by truth-tellers and exposing propaganda 34:00 Understanding extreme events through physics and statistics 37:00 Redefining "normal": when extremes become the baseline 39:00 The limits of adaptation and why mitigation is essential 41:00 Family, weekends, and finding joy outside the climate crisis 45:00 Net zero as a journey; one step at a time 47:00 Healthy diets, lifestyle shifts, and climate as a mutual benefit 49:00 Choosing to matter: the first step is personal 50:00 Looking back from the future: decisions you'll be proud of 51:00 Closing reflections and gratitude 🎧 A thought to leave you with: What happens when science is the clearest voice in the room? Episode Resources: Sonia Seneviratne (https://www.linkedin.com/in/sonia-i-seneviratne-a3312665/) ETH Zurich (https://ethz.ch/en.html) IPCC (https://www.ipcc.ch/) Connect with Choosing to Matter Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/choosingtomatter/): @choosingtomatter LinkedIn: @choosingtomatter Explore all our platforms Credits: Host: Chris Luebkeman Executive Producer: Jonelle Simunich Guest Relations: Taline Frantz Editors: Viktoria Bacheva and Asmita Mehta Sound Designer: Taline Frantz Design and Manager: Kinny Tran-Marazza Graphic Designer: Nazaré Sarabúa Recorded at the Schweizerhof Hotel Zürich Presented by: [Y]our 2040 Website: your2040.com/podcast

15. 

    30 Oct 2025

    From Snowy Slopes to Climate Science with Reto Knutti

    🎙️ Choosing to Matter: Cocktails with Chris From Snowy Slopes to Climate Science with Reto Knutti Episode 3 In this episode, Chris sits down with Dr. Reto Knutti, climate scientist, professor at ETH Zurich, and a trusted voice on climate science in Switzerland. Here we explore Reto's personal journey from a ski village in the Bernese Alps to becoming a leading figure in global climate modeling and science communication. Through stories of mountaineering, margaritas in Colorado, and early inspirations in physics, Reto shares what drives his work: not just understanding climate change, but helping society make meaningful, informed decisions. Together, we discuss the complexity of climate modeling, the tensions between science and advocacy, and what it means to "choose to matter" in a world that urgently needs collective action. This is a deeply thoughtful and hopeful conversation about science, trust, and finding clarity in a time of global uncertainty. 🍸 Cocktail of the episode: Margarita 📍 The ingredients: 00:30 Welcome and favorite drink 00:59 Memories of Colorado and cultural connection 02:11 Growing up in the Swiss Alps 03:16 Early academic interests and discovering physics 04:43 Entry into climate science and working with Thomas Stocker 11:58 Modeling climate change: from box models to complex systems 15:10 What we've learned—and still don't know—about climate impacts 22:56 Science, politics, and the limits of advocacy 25:45 The fine line between scientific facts and opinion 28:00 The challenge of communicating complexity in a simplified world 29:35 What inspires hope, and what does not in today's climate landscape 33:26 The role of individual vs. political action in driving change 36:16 Why net zero demands more than technology 39:20 We can't afford to stay in the sleeping bag: on taking action 43:04 What it means to matter as a scientist in society 50:58 Reflections on choosing to make a difference 🎧 A thought to leave you with: What role will trust in science play as we experience a warming world? Episode Resources: Reto Knutti (https://www.linkedin.com/in/reto-knutti-48958922/) ETH Zürich (https://ethz.ch/en.html) Connect with Choosing to Matter Instagram: @choosingtomatter LinkedIn: @choosingtomatter Explore all our platforms Credits: Host: Chris Luebkeman Executive Producer: Jonelle Simunich Guest Relations: Taline Frantz Editors: Viktoria Bacheva and Asmita Mehta Sound Designer: Taline Frantz Design and Manager: Kinny Tran-Marazza Graphic Designer: Nazaré Sarabúa Recorded at the Schweizerhof Hotel Zürich Presented by: [Y]our 2040 Website: your2040.com/podcast

16. 

    30 Oct 2025

    Workforce Innovation and Equity with Cynthia Hansen

    🎙️ Choosing to Matter: Cocktails with Chris Workforce Innovation and Equity with Cynthia Hansen Episode 2 In this episode, Chris sits down with Cynthia Hansen - Managing Director of the Innovation Foundation empowered by the Adecco Group, and a change-maker in global workforce inclusion. Together, they explore Cynthia's journey from her first job at a veterinary office to teaching in Japan, leading initiatives at the World Economic Forum, and now steering a foundation that pushes the boundaries of corporate philanthropy. Along the way, Cynthia shares how her personal story - from growing up in a multicultural family on the U.S.A. West Coast to raising trilingual children in Switzerland has shaped her vision for a more inclusive and opportunity-rich future. She reflects on the art of balancing professional ambition with personal fulfillment, the power of small actions, and why embracing both grit and humanity is essential for leadership. This is a thoughtful and inspiring conversation about purpose, agency, and crafting a legacy that truly matters in a complex, interconnected world. 📍 The ingredients: 00:30 Welcome and favorite drink 02:23 Early career beginnings: veterinary office to convalescent hospital 06:16 Leading the Innovation Foundation and redefining corporate philanthropy 10:58 Family transitions, trilingual kids, and life in Switzerland 12:24 Career pivots: from aspiring vet to professor to global leader 16:19 International experiences and lessons from Japan 18:12 Designing with, not for communities 22:02 Conversations with her kids on stereotypes and identity 22:56 Hopes for future generations and climate-conscious living 23:45 Making high-stakes choices as a CEO 26:27 What inspires change and what keeps her going 27:30 Books that leave a mark: from India to leprosy to social change 30:22 Technology, AI, and the "serendipity engine" 34:30 Looking ahead to 2050: challenges, hope, and self-correcting systems 37:04 Balancing life, leadership, and letting go of what doesn't matter 41:58 Lessons learned and staying true to a personal North Star 🍸 Cocktail of the episode: Cosmopolitan 🎧 A thought to leave you with: How do we create systems that unlock human agency? Episode Resources: Cynthia Hansen (https://www.linkedin.com/in/cynthia-hansen/) Innovation Foundation (https://www.adeccogroup.com/innovationfoundation) YouTube (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MKVdM2-bpCs) Connect with Choosing to Matter Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/choosingtomatter/) : @choosingtomatter LinkedIn : @choosingtomatter Explore all our platforms Credits: Host: Chris Luebkeman Executive Producer: Jonelle Simunich Guest Relations: Taline Frantz Editors: Viktoria Bacheva and Asmita Mehta Sound Designer: Taline Frantz Design and Manager: Kinny Tran-Marazza Graphic Designer: Nazaré Sarabúa Recorded with our partners at the Schweizerhof Hotel Zürich Presented by: [Y]our 2040 Website: your2040.com/podcast Subscribe & Listen: Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts.

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    29 Oct 2025

    Ocean Swells and Systems Thinking with George Orbelian

    🎙️ Choosing to Matter: Cocktails with Chris Ocean Swells and Systems Thinking with George Orbelian Episode 1 In this episode, Chris sits down with George Orbelian - surfer, innovator, and philosopher inspired by nature and Buckminster Fuller's principle of doing more with less. They dive deep into George's journey from catching ocean waves to becoming a systems thinker who embraces complexity, adaptability, and interconnection to drive purposeful change. Through rich stories of surfing, natural cycles, and sparks of creative insight, George reveals what fuels his work: not only mastering the physical wave but also helping society reconnect with the wisdom embedded in nature to cultivate resilience and innovation. Together, they explore the power of flow, the intricate intelligence of natural systems, and what it truly means to "choose to matter" by navigating life's challenges with curiosity and intention. This episode is a guide to living with greater intention and less friction. From the surf to natures intelligence, this episode will inspire you to embrace complexity and find harmony in chaos. 📍 The ingredients 00:30 Welcome and favorite drink 01:50 Spring water and indigenous wisdom 05:30 Joining the Buckminster Fuller Institute 09:20 Curiosity, speed, and the thrill of learning 12:30 Early encounters with nature and surfing 15:10 Real estate, responsibility, and treating tenants like family 17:00 Wrestling with purpose and finding alignment 21:00 Raising children, growth spurts, and the elegance of human development 23:30 Letting go, trusting the universe, and finding community at Point Bonita 28:30 Buckminster Fuller's design science and anticipatory systems thinking 30:30 Precision, measurement, and what we fail to apply to the environment 33:00 The power of integrity and the role of the individual 35:30 Making the invisible visible and respecting children's innate genius 42:00 Exemplars of change: Tom Chi - At One Ventures 44:00 Respecting nature and women, imagination, and freedom of thought 45:30 The pattern integrity of the Earth 46:30 Flow, surfing, and being in the tube 49:00 Closing reflections on biodiversity, consciousness, and cherishing life 🍸 Cocktail of the episode: Spring water 🎧 A thought to leave you with: What can the rhythm of nature's systems teach us about navigating complexity with grace? Episode Resources: George Orbelian (https://www.linkedin.com/in/george-orbelian-4701597/) Buckminster Fuller Institute (https://www.bfi.org/) World Design Science Decade At One Ventures (https://www.atoneventures.com/) Connect with Choosing to Matter Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/choosingtomatter/) : @choosingtomatter LinkedIn : @choosingtomatter Explore all our platforms Credits: Host: Chris Luebkeman Executive Producer: Jonelle Simunich Guest Relations: Taline Frantz Editors: Viktoria Bacheva and Asmita Mehta Sound Designer: Taline Frantz Design and Manager: Kinny Tran-Marazza Graphic Designer: Nazaré Sarabúa Presented by: [Y]our 2040 Website: your2040.com/podcast

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    29 Oct 2025

    Welcome to Choosing to Matter

    What shapes a life? Sometimes it is the bold decisions. More often, it is the quiet ones, the everyday choices that open doors, shift directions, or help us become who we are meant to be. Choosing to Matter digs into those moments: both the seen and unseen decisions that shape someone's life, work, and way of being in the world. Hosted by Chris Luebkeman and brought to you by @Your2040, each episode is an open, unscripted conversation with someone living with intention. No scripts. Just real people reflecting on how they navigate complexity, change, and purpose—one choice at a time.

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