SBE Podcast

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Apr 2026

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About the show

Welcome to the SBE Podcast: The place where we share interesting stories of interesting people all around the School of Business and Economics in Maastricht.

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25 recent

April 23, 20261 hr 2 min

How to rationally decide in the supermarket | Niels Holtrop | SBE Podcast #27 - Ageing Special

How to rationally decide in the supermarket | Niels Holtrop | SBE Podcast #26 (Ageing Special)In this episode of the SBE Podcast, we are happy to invite Niels Holtrop. Together, we discuss how retail organizations organize their environments for their customers, how the transformation towards e-commerce shapes consumer behavior, and how we make decisions about our own health overall.Do claims about food have an effect on our buying decisions? What are the main claims that make us buy something at all? How can we keep a clear head within all the promotions in a supermarket? And how can ageing and diseases be connected to this topic?These and many more questions are answered by Niels Holtrop, who is working at Maastricht University as an Associate Professor. Having an academic background in Marketing, he pursued his PhD in Groningen and published important research in journals like the Journal of Retailing or the International Journal of Research in Marketing. His passion for decision making and health brought him to Maastricht, where he now researches the use of econometric and statistical methods to improve marketing decisions and measure consumer choice. In the SBE Podcast, he shares his opinion on the responsibility of retailers and how he keeps a clear head when doing groceries.

March 11, 202659 min

Can we have several careers? | Julian Ashwin | SBE Podcast #26 - Ageing special

In this episode of the SBE Podcast, we are happy to invite Julian Ashwin. Together, we discuss how health can be measured, how ageing impacts our working decisions, and how health and ageing are relevant for fundamental societal developments. Also, we discuss the question if it becomes the new normal to follow several career paths.How can health be defined, and which new measures are needed? What should health measurement do? What impacts people’s decisions to stop working? What are the political challenges and strategies to deal with ageing and health? Is it likely that we will have many different careers in the future instead of just one?These and many more questions are answered by Julian Ashwin, who has worked at Maastricht University as an Assistant Professor in Economics since 2023. Having an academic background in Philosophy, Politics, and Economics at the University of Oxford, he pursued his PhD in the UK and worked in renowned positions at Goldman Sachs, the European Central Bank or the World Bank. His passion for researching health and ageing from an economic perspective brought him from Oxford to Maastricht where he now researches macroeconomics, aging and longevity, natural language processing methods, expectations and learning. In the SBE Podcast, he shares his opinion on what needs to change in researching health and how he sees ageing in his own career.

January 27, 20261 hr 2 min

How to Speak with Confidence & Actually Enjoy It | Jakob Manthei | SBE Podcast #25

In this episode of the SBE Podcast, we are happy to inviteJakob Manthei. Together, we discuss what is needed for breathtaking presentations and how to overcome the struggles of public speaking. Also, we learn practical tricks to immediately boost our self-confidence andpresentation performance.What is needed for a great presentation in each environment?What practical tricks help to overcome the fear of presenting? What does it look like to support top managers in their public speaking styles? How did Jakob support the official world champion of public presentations? And how doesit feel to be an entrepreneur at such a young age?These and many more questions are answered by Jakob Manthei, who graduated from Maastricht University in 2021 and since then pursues a steep career as an entrepreneur (Complete Presenter) and coach. During an exchangesemester, he found his passion for speaking and presenting, which led him not only to become a self-employed coach for public presentations but also to become an entrepreneur who helps top managers and global companies find theirunique presentation style. His unique career offers insights into what it means to be an entrepreneur at such a young age and to work with top managers around the world. He also shares practical tips that help every student improve theirpresentation skills and provides great methods for getting better every day.

October 28, 202553 min

How to find the right career path | Inge Dijksman | SBE Podcast #24

In this episode of the SBE Podcast, we are happy to inviteInge Dijksman. Together, we discuss how it is to work as a self-employed HR coach as well as working in a global company. Also, we speak about how difficult it sometimes can be to find the right career path and what helps in overcoming this challenge.How does the work-life in a global Dutch company look, andwhat is it like to travel the world because of the job? How does the decision of becoming self-employed change everything, and how does the life of an entrepreneur differ? How should someone deal with the feeling of not knowingwhat to do after graduating, while everyone seems to have a plan? And what are the actual opportunities for business students after finishing their degree?These and many more questions are answered by Inge Dijksman, who graduated from Maastricht University and took an exciting career afterward. From having her first job at the University itself, to joining one of the largest Dutch companies, to actually starting her own business, Inge takes us through all the challenges and rewards that this journey holds for her. Her unique career also opens great insights into the worry many students face: „What should I do when I graduate? And what do I actually would like to do instead of „having“ to do?“ Because usually, the right path for each student is a different one.

September 3, 202539 min

Giving Students a Voice | Cedric Pots | SBE Podcast #23

In this podcast special of the SBE Podcast, we are happy to invite Cedric Pots. Together, we discuss the role of a student representative in the context of different stakeholders at Maastricht University, but also how extracurricular activities and broad curiosity can shape unique CV’s.What is a student representative actually doing and how much influence does he have on the decisions the board of a university takes? What does it need to get this influential role and become the voice of the students of a faculty? Why are extracurricular activities still underrated, and how can they boost a CV? How do activities like this pay off in terms of career planning? And why can „non-linear“ career paths give advantages when it comes to preparing for a professional life?These and many more questions are answered by Cedric Pots, who served as student representative for SBE from 2023 to 2025. Here, he represented the interests of students and influenced the decisions made by the SBE board. Apart from that, he’s about to finish his Master’s degrees in Econometrics & Operations Research and Corporate & Commercial Law. While simultaneously pursuing a Pre-Master’s degree in Philosophy at Tilburg University, Cedric, as a Maastricht native, shares his experience in being deeply involved in SBE, how his curiosity led him to study in many different fields, and why sports is an important reason he manages to balance between so many different activities.

July 8, 202549 min

Leading through crisis: A C-Suite Conversation | David Jongen | SBE Podcast # 22

Born in 1964 in Heerlen, David Jongen studied Public Administration at the University of Twente. His career began in public service, including as City Manager of The Hague (2000–2006) and Board Member of the UWV (Dutch Employee Insurance Agency). In 2011, he became Chairman of the Board of Atrium Medical Center Parkstad in Heerlen. That same year, he took on the role of CEO of Zuyderland Care Group, a position he still holds today.In this episode, we explore what it takes to lead a major healthcare organization through crisis, recovery, and transformation. From rebuilding trust and navigating mergers to tackling today’s most pressing healthcare challenges, David Jongen shares his vision for the future of regional healthcare in the Netherlands

May 1, 202550 min

Housing, habits and hard choices | Dr. Dirk Brounen | SBE Podcast # 21

In this podcast special of the SBE Podcast, we are happy to invite Prof. Dr. Dirk Brounen. Together, we discuss two main topics: housing and household finance.What does it actually mean to study housing and household finance? What leads humans to sometimes irrational decisions when it comes to spending their money? Why ishousing in cities like Maastricht, especially for students, so difficult, and what are possible solutions to solve this problem? And does it still make sense to buy a house?Questions like these are answered by Prof. Dr. Dirk Brounen, who holds the chair of Housing & Household Finance at the Financial Department of SBE andMaastricht University since 2024. Previously, Dirk Brounen worked as a professor at the Universities of Tilburg and Rotterdam, and pursued his PhD atthe University of Amsterdam. He’s one of the most renowned Dutch scientists in the areas of housing and real estate and advises pension funds, investors, ministries, and regulators. He’s also the author of the book "Nooit Meer Slapend Arm” and published several papers in globally relevant journals like the Journal of Urban Economics and the Journal of European Real Estate Research.

January 16, 202554 min

Internationalisation | Dr. Michaella Vanore | SBE Podcast #19

In this podcast special, our host, Dóra Gal, invites Dr. Michaella Vanore. Together, they talk about the impact of internationalisation.---Dr. Michaella Vanore is a research fellow at the United Nations University-MERIT and Maastricht University, where she has worked since 2009 as a researcher, lecturer, and policy analyst with a focus on migration and development, child-focused social protection, and mixed-methodology research and training. In the course of her work, Michaella has explored the many development impacts of diasporas on their countries of ancestral origin and residence, including relating to supporting trade and private sector development, and has advised governments on developing diaspora engagement policies and programmes. She has also examined social protection regimes and their consequences for children and families, including those children and families affected by migration. She teaches extensively on migration and citizenship-related topics and is passionate about helping researchers of all stages better understand the methodological choices they make. Since September 2023 she has also been the programme director of the BSc Global Studies, an interdisciplinary bachelor programme developed and taught by staff from all faculties of Maastricht University.---Follow us on Instagram: https://bit.ly/39BPTgt Follow us on Facebook: https://bit.ly/2VkIgCq Follow us on LinkedIn: https://bit.ly/3fVdZUk

October 30, 202433 min

Consultancy, AI, and Learning in Organisations |Dirk Schwendt - Accenture| SBE Podcast special

In this podcast special, our host Dóra Gal invites Dirk Schwendt from Accenture to share some insights on the ins and outs of being in the consultancy world, the fear of AI 'taking our jobs', and more. -- 00:00 Intro 03:55 How does the know-how transfer work? 07:04 How do you measure success in this industry? 09:04 Designing the implementation. 10:36 How to retain train talent in the organization? 15:10 What are the biggest assets of a consultant at Accenture? 17:03 Is AI already taking some jobs away and how can we deal with it? 20:56 Overview of clients and training services at Accenture. 23:08 Typical bottlenecks in such projects. 25:50 The dream team. 28:32 What skills do YOU need to enter this field? 30.55 Die Lernkurve – a podcast by Dirk Schwendt --- Follow us on Instagram: https://bit.ly/39BPTgt Follow us on Facebook: https://bit.ly/2VkIgCq Follow us on LinkedIn: https://bit.ly/3fVdZUk

September 18, 2024Episode 1854 min

Being a Female Entrepreneur | Pomme Theunissen | SBE Podcast #18

In this episode, we welcomed Pomme Theunissen to discuss her research regarding women in entrepreneurship. Pomme is an Assistant Professor at Maastricht University School of Business and Economics. Her research interests lie mainly (yet not exclusively) in female entrepreneurship, entrepreneurial finance, crowdfunding, and gender. -- 00:00 Intro 04:25 The biggest challenges in setting up a business: 09:24 The idea or the team? 10:25 How does the gender of the entrepreneur influence the business? 21:31 Mompreneurship and returning to the workforce 26:38 Gender and financing 36:55 Menstrual cycles are affecting everyone 51:18 Outro --- Follow us on Instagram: https://bit.ly/39BPTgt Follow us on Facebook: https://bit.ly/2VkIgCq Follow us on LinkedIn: https://bit.ly/3fVdZUk