Hear, hear!

What would our economic region be without courageous people who inspire others with their ideas and projects, successfully master crises, and break new ground? It is precisely such optimistic, purpose-driven individuals that IHK Aachen gives a platform with its MutMacher (roughly, “Encouragers”) podcast. “With this new audio format, we want to make business topics more approachable and motivate listeners to look optimistically into the future and realize their ideas," says IHK CEO Michael F. Bayer.

The range of topics is varied, but connected by the MutMacher motif. Whether it is climate change, the energy crisis, or a shortage of skilled workers – the stories told by our interviewees typically touch upon the major problems and challenges of our time. "Specifically, it's about new beginnings and the personal stories of people who also talk openly here about their fates and experiences," explains moderator Sarah Koll. "Two episodes were particularly touching: Pablo Villalobos immigrated from Ecuador and successfully completed his education here in Aachen – despite having to cope with language barriers and cultural differences; Rica Reinisch became a victim of forced doping as a young competitive swimmer in the former GDR and eventually completely reinvented herself as an entrepreneur in the Aachen region.”

A recent hot topic was presented by Stefanie Peters, Managing Partner of NEUMAN & ESSER GROUP, in the first podcast episode. Peters is one of the most well-known entrepreneurs in the local hydrogen scene. In addition to her professional activities in her company, which has many years of experience in the compression of hydrogen, she is a member of Germany’s Hydrogen Council and a pioneer in the Hydrogen Hub Aachen, a network that aims to develop the region into a hotspot for the hydrogen economy. In the podcast, she explains the potential of hydrogen technology for the energy transition, how and why she is involved in this field, and what the region needs to become a true MutMacher in this area. (see also "How Hydrogen Moves the Region" in "keep in touch" No. 73)

New Episodes

The new episodes are also worth listening to: In October, Manuela Baier was our guest. As the owner of the four-star Landhotel Kallbach in Simonskall, she is now faced with her next big challenge: the energy crisis – after already weathering the Covid-19 pandemic and then the flood disaster last year. The 56-year-old reports on the measures she and her team are taking to save energy in the winter months, how she is persuading guests to do their share, and how she manages not to lose heart even now amid yet another crisis. She also provides insights into her varied career: After 30 years in the textile industry and most recently as a board member of a corporation, she was looking for a new vocation that would fulfill her both professionally and personally. She found happiness as a hotel manager in the Eifel village of Simonskall, which she revived with her ideas and entrepreneurial spirit.

The November episode will feature an RWTH alumna: Marcella Hansch has made it her mission to clean up our plastic-polluted rivers and oceans. The 36-year-old is CEO of everwave foundation gGmbH in Aachen and internationally known for her commitment as a "savior of the seas". In an interview with Sarah Koll, she tells us how she came to her vocation, where everwave technologies are already in use, and what educational activities are undertaken. Listeners will also gain insight into the personality of this pioneer. Has she always felt connected to nature? Where did she get the courage to give up her job as an architect and completely dedicate herself to her mission? How does she manage this big task as a mother of two small children? And, finally, she also gives an answer to the question: Will we be able to solve our plastic problem? A question that concerns us all.