#impact | Social Impact, Social Entrepreneurship, Careers for Social Good Regina Larko

“To describe my mother would be to write about a hurricane in its perfect power. Or the climbing, falling colors of a rainbow.” – Maya Angelou























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Meet Marlene Hofer















Marlene Hofer is a Psychiatrist, Psychotherapist, and Postpartum Doula, who passionately champions women’s causes. She’s not only dedicated to her work but also to fostering a supportive community for mothers in Zurich, Switzerland. Marlene’s journey intersects with that of #impact founder Regina Larko, her close friend of over two decades, starting from their days as Sinology students at the University of Vienna.In this episode, Marlene and Regina talk about something that is very close to both of their hearts. You will hear them talk about an adventure that’s both beautiful and heartbreaking, something that fills them personally with so much love, joy but also rage and despair.







The Emotional Spectrum of Motherhood







“Love, joy, rage, despair.” These are just a few of the emotional coordinates on the map of motherhood within the complex system mothers find themselves.Marlene elaborates on the multifaceted nature of these feelings and invites us to explore the depths of how we personally experience motherhood.







The Hardest Thing About Becoming a Mom







What’s the hardest thing about becoming a mom? Marlene and Regina reflect on the challenges, offering vulnerable insights into the profound changes that they have experienced in their own lives as they became mothers.







“And while it makes perfect sense , that the mother and the baby are a unit even after the baby is born (…) That’s the human condition that the women and the kid are connected but that’s why it’s also so easy and a real pitfall that women lose themselves in the process. They give so much and they dissolve. They do not even transform in the process of becoming a mother (…) their boundaries get all mixed up.”Marlene Hofer







Building “The Village”















Marlene is building a nurturing community for mothers, aptly named “The Village.” It’s not just a community; it’s a safe space for mothers to find support and understanding.







Mothering the Mother







What does this expression mean to Marlene, and how does it translate into her work and advocacy for mothers?

















“Mother is a verb”

Marlene Hofer







Marlene challenges conventional ideas of power, portraying motherhood as a bottom-up force, the root of family and society, an entity that transcends traditional power dynamics.







The Birth of Postpartum Doula Work















“How did your postpartum doula work come to be?” They explore.Marlene shares her story – a tale of passion, empathy, and the desire to support women during one of the most transformative phases of their lives.







A Passion for Change















Marlene advocates for unity among women and families, emphasizing the strength found in collective action against systemic challenges. Sharing experiences, whether online or offline,

Listen in to join the 7 years of #impact Podcast anniversary that’s sees old and new podcast guests, community members, guest host, the most loyal fans and friends of the #impact come together as they share their voices and personal notes on what the show means to them.























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“This podcast is a gift that keeps giving.”Regina Larko







Learn about the podcast’s beginnings, its challenges, and the triumphs that have made it a top-ranking show. 







But this isn’t just #impact founder Regina Larko’s story – it’s a snapshot from community members who have been touched by #impact.







As we listen to co-host Belinda Esterhammer and guests reminisce, laugh, and occasionally tear up, we are reminded of the power of community. 







“It’s been my greatest joy to see this community of #impact grow.”Regina Larko







From the first sponsor (thank you, Retykle!) who believed in the vision to the guests who became hosts and mentors, every story underscores the podcast’s core message: together, we can make a difference.







This episode is for anyone who strives to create change. 







“”I’m feeling a lot of emotions. I’m feeling happy and grateful.”Regina Larko























Regina’s reflection on the 1134 liters of coffee consumed in service of the podcast is a humorous nod to the tireless dedication behind the scenes.























As the episode draws to a close with a cake reveal and a collective high-five, listeners are left with a sense of hope. 







#impact podcast has not only provided a platform for impactful stories but has also inspired listeners to embark on their own journeys of change.







So, whether you’ve been with #impact from the start or are just tuning in, this episode is a celebration of all that has been achieved and all that is yet to come. 







Join the party, share in the joy, and be inspired to make your own impact in the world. 







Listen now and become part of a community that believes in the power of positive change.















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Featured guests:









* Regina Larko https://www.linkedin.com/in/regina-larko/







* Belinda Esterhammer https://www.linkedin.com/in/esterhammer/







* S.Alice Mong https://www.linkedin.com/in/s-alice-mong-4267bb15/







* Amel Derragui https://www.linkedin.com/in/amel-derragui-3a11384/

Meet Catherine Gurtin, Chief Executive Officer of PathFinders Hong Kong. PathFinders mission is to ensure the most vulnerable and unsupported children in Hong Kong are protected and respected, and their migrant mothers are empowered to find a path to a brighter future.























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A Journey of Passion and Purpose















Catherine Gurtin’s journey spans over a decade of work on child rights and protection across Asia. Passionate about uniting people for common goals, Catherine’s commitment led her to PathFinders in 2019, after a significant tenure with Save the Children. But her story doesn’t stop at the professional; she’s also a devoted wife, mother of two, and, in Hong Kong, a working professional thanks to the invaluable support of a migrant domestic worker.







Lessons in Humanity















PathFinders, in its 15th year, strives to protect vulnerable children and empower migrant mothers toward brighter futures.







In our conversation, Catherine shares insights into her complex and transformative experiences with PathFinders. From facing the crises that unfolded during the pandemic to impactful collaboration with her peers, she unveils the depth of her learnings about humanity.







“It’s only when you step outside of your comfort zone that you realize you have so much more courage and strength than you ever knew you were capable of”Catherine Gurtin







Celebrating the Community















Catherine’s emphasis on teamwork is evident in a heartfelt sharing of each team members’ and ambassador community contribution towards their common goal.









“People often comment that from the moment they walk through our door, they feel an overwhelming sense of energy. Truly, one would be hard pressed to find a more passionate, committed and talented group of people. Thank you team, for the daily inspiration and support that you offer me. I couldn’t be more proud of all that we are achieving together to ensure every child born to a migrant mother is protected and receives a fair start in life!”

Catherine Gurtin shares on Pathfinder’s Social Media channels







There’s so much to learn from Catherine’s lessons about motivating a team during the most challenging moments too. Because how can you keep showing up despite the setbacks, the often heartbreaking cases that their crises and prevention team works on. How do you keep showing up as a leader then? Catherine will share how.







Building Community Amidst Crisis















PathFinders’ emblem is the sunflower, symbolizing resilience and warmth. Catherine shares the organization’s values, emphasizing collaboration, dedication, and the importance of diverse backgrounds and skills in making it through hurdles and setbacks.This season on #impact is all about community, and PathFinders lives and breathes this spirit. In our conversation, Catherine candidly discusses two challenging moments—both tied to the impact on migrant domestic workers during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Meet Claire Murigande, Creator & Host of the award nominated podcast ‘Narratives of Purpose’. Claire Murigande is a forward-looking curious mind with the vision to amplify social impact through audio storytelling.























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Meet Claire Murigande 















Claire is known to empower and inspire people and as you start listening to this episode you will understand why.







She is a passionate advocate for the furthering and advancement of women in the business of healthcare. You will also often find her on stages speaking on topics such as self-awareness, inclusive leadership, social impact, gender parity, inclusion and health equity.Growing up as a third culture kid in Switzerland she built a career in the life sciences industry. Now she leverages her professional and personal background as she is building an audio first platform and community with her podcast production Narratives of Purpose.







Why audio?















A Podcaster sharing about her passion for telling impactful audio stories – needless to say that you will feel the love for the medium that Claire brings to the conversation from the first minute.







The human voice, with its capacity to convey emotion and nuance, brings an unparalleled authenticity to storytelling. Claire’s podcast leverages this emotional resonance to connect with listeners on a deep level. The subtle inflections, pauses, and cadence in her conversations add layers of depth, creating emotional touchpoints that linger long after the episode concludes. This emotional engagement is a driving force behind the transformative potential of audio storytelling.







Celebrating and Reflecting on the Wins and the Fails







Claire recently celebrated the third anniversary of her podcast, ‘Narratives of Purpose.’ In this episode we explore the highs of this journey and also inquire about any failures that have shaped her growth. What she learned from successes and setbacks in the world of impactful storytelling will inspire you to look at your own impact making ambitions from a different angle.







From the challenges of highlighting inspiring stories during a pandemic to the beauty of unexpected connections, Claire shares her insights gained from her podcasting journey.







Embracing Diversity and Belonging















Claire, growing up as a third-culture kid, sheds light on the concept of belonging. How has her diverse background shaped the conversations on her podcast? What unique perspectives does she bring to discussions on self-awareness and inclusivity? Tune in to discover the richness diversity brings to her own podcast as well to us here at #impact.























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In this episode you will meet 3 individuals that ask themselves hard questions about growing their impact as they reflect on the work it really takes when building something from scratch. Which kind of collaborations can foster meaningful change? What kind of thinking is needed? How do we go from ideas to action? Their advice will set you up for paving your own way without neglecting your needs or mental health.























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Meet our guest host – Christopher Ritsch 















In the early stages of his academic journey, he unearthed his passion for entrepreneurship. It was during his overseas semester that he had the chance to craft a startup concept over a single weekend at Techstars Weekend. His passion for sustainability and sports has consistently driven his pursuits, both in his post-graduation work with diverse sustainable startups and in his personal pursuits.







Today, he is on a mission with his platform “Limitless Impact” to bridge the worlds of impact-driven entrepreneurs and change-makers. Building on a promising synergy between an influencer’s expansive reach and an entrepreneur’s innovative thinking, he is on a mission to uncover how this combination can be a driving force for positive global change.







Meet our featured guests







Alexandra Kick, co-founder of Thinkubator















As an impact entrepreneur, Alexandra is convinced that business can become part of the solution to the multiple crises we experience. Besides the circular economy, she is also passionate about linking gender equity and climate action.







“Aligning work with impact is beautiful but exhausting at the same time. I had a hard time to establish healthy boundaries that allow me to rest and say – it’s enough.”Alexandra Kick







Astrid Aschenbrenner, Entrepreneur, Einzelstück & Fashion Revolution















Astrid works as a content creator and activist. Founder of the slow fashion brand Einzelstück and co-founder of Fashion Revolution Austria she is wearing many hats.Her passion for driving change has led her into burn out in the past which is why she also focuses on raising awareness around mental health in her own podcast Schauma mal, that she co-hosts with Sophie Richter.







Asked about the most difficult moment she had to overcome in her impact journey so far she shares:







“Managing a start-up on my own without any background whatsoever. I am a complete autodidact, which can be challenging especially in the beginning, because you have to just trust in your idea and success.” Astrid Aschenbrenner







In this episode, we explore the journey of building organizations from the ground up. Our guests talk about the challenges and excitement of social entrepreneurship, offering practical advice for those passionate about making a difference.Tune in to get tips on navigating growth challenges, maintaining mental well-being, and understanding the dedication and collaborations needed for launching social impact initiatives. Whether you’re an experienced entrepreneur or just starting out,

As an independent production we are so grateful to work with sponsors that totally get us. Today we say thanks to our sponsor The Resilience Initiative. The Resilience Initiative promotes resilience around the world through their writing, speaking, and education programs. Their new course, HOW to Fortify Your Resilience, is designed to help people like you discover the joy of building a resilient life through meaningful connections and a robust support system.























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Picture this: life as a game, with the odds stacked against you. Imagine the playing field, not a pitch or court, but the concrete confines of a prison yard. In this episode, we explore the intersection of resilience and rehabilitation through sports within correctional facilities – and beyond.







Meet Ricardo Parger, Founder of Phönix – Training for Life















Born in Vienna to a Spanish mother and an Austrian father, Ricardo  studied law not just to apply it, but to rethink it. He is currently pursuing a doctoral degree in the sociology of law, focusing on climate litigation. In his current roles, he manages Phoenix, Training for Life, an NGO dedicated to social rehabilitation programs within the Austrian prison system and leads the creation of an umbrella organization for mentoring programs in Austria. 







For his work he received the 2021 Social Impact Award. However, his most meaningful achievement is witnessing the transformative impact of his sports programs on young People in prison.







Prison sports project “PHÖNIX” wins Social Impact Award 2021







“Working in Prisons is tough. The atmosphere, the architecture, everything that makes it a so called “total institution””Ricardo Parger







Ricardo realized that  if he wants to change a social system – like prisons or the way our society deals with crime –  he needs to get to know how we currently deal with it. Not only theoretically by studying law for example, but also the reality of it. 















“Losing my freedom for a few minutes only made me grasp how dehuminizing it can be. For thousands of people that are being locked up every year.”Ricardo Parger







Loss of freedom







In this episode Ricardo shares how he experiences this loss of freedom first hand – even if only for a few minutes and how this experience continues to fuel his social impact work further. 







Ricardo believes that change happens when we see the problem, and find allies to solve it – within the system. 







His pilot programme already bears fruit. 















“I learned through the training what it means to be there for each other and how to give each other advice instead of dragging each other down,” shared one of the individuals that was part of the pilot programme at the correctional facility Korneuburg.







It’s a team effort