Made with Impact – The podcast for changemakers
Made with Impact is a podcast about the real, messy journey of building something meaningful. Hosted by Katarina Hagstedt, season one dives into the untold stories behind the creation of Impact Hub Zurich - one of Switzerland’s most iconic spaces for social innovation. From fundraising and burnout to leadership and community, each episode explores a key theme in impact work - told through raw, personal experience. If you're building with purpose or dreaming of starting, these stories will give you the courage to take the next step.
Impact Hub Zurich – The story behind social innovation
This isn’t your typical entrepreneurship podcast. It’s not about quick wins or growth hacks. It’s about the real, raw, human stories behind one of Switzerland’s most iconic hubs for impact-driven work—and the people who quietly (and sometimes chaotically) built it.
This is Made with Impact - Intro
What does it really take to build something meaningful? In this series, we go behind the scenes of Impact Hub Zurich. We hear honest, personal stories of the people who built one of Switzerland’s most well-known places for purpose-driven entrepreneurship.
Pitching the impossible - Episode 1
In this episode, Christoph Birkholz, co-founder of Impact Hub Zurich, shares the early days: three students, a bank, and a bold plan. It’s about the first round of funding, idealism versus reality. Also, learn how to inspire others (and yourself) for a vision that doesn’t yet exist.
Belonging is the strategy - Episode 2
Niels Rot, co-founder of Impact Hub Zurich, shares stories from the early days filled with idealism, open doors, and the search for belonging. It’s about the invisible architecture of a vibrant community. Additionally, learn how to create spaces where people truly feel at home.
Facilitating change - Episode 3
Michel Bachmann, co-founder of Impact Hub Zurich, unexpectedly found himself in the middle of a global conflict. He helped rethink the network. It’s about questions of power, cultural tensions, and personal turning points. We explore how real change becomes possible.
Building big with not enough - Episode 4
Georgios Kontoleon shares how the idea for Kraftwerk turned into an ambitious project – with much improvisation, limited resources, and growing pressure. This episode is about team dynamics, boundaries, and the question of what happens when visions are meant to become reality.
The unexpected leader - Episode 5
Laura Olgiati went from the circus to accounting. Just 24 hours after her predecessor left, she stepped into the lead role during a time of crisis. This episode discusses leadership without a big ego – but with clarity, persistence, and a new perspective on finance as a lever for change.
The community rebuilder - Episode 6
When Karin Andrea-Stefan joined Impact Hub Zurich, the community was growing. However, beneath the surface there was overload. In this episode, she shares how she helped set new boundaries and restore genuine connection – with clarity, care, and difficult conversations.
Managing the grey zone - Episode 7
Laurène Deschamps came to Impact Hub Zurich with the perspective of an activist. She found herself as Head of Partnerships. In the midst of complex negotiations, she shares how to build bridges without losing your values. Her story reveals why real transformation often begins where things get uncomfortable.
Growing community during uncertainty - Episode 8
When everything came to a halt in 2020, coworking suddenly became impossible – but the Impact Hub Zurich community held together. Johanna Windisch and Simone Uster share how they navigated the crisis with empathy, improvisation, and quiet leadership. An episode about listening instead of directing, trust without proximity – and the power of collective resilience.
Inside the Impact - Episode 9
To close out Season 1, Katarina Hagstedt, Laura Olgiati, and Christoph Birkholz answer your questions: When to bring in a co-founder? How does diversity shape founding teams? What does burnout really look like in impact work — and how do we stay grounded, even with AI in the mix? Plus: where to spot the next bold impact startups in Switzerland.
Your journey continues
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Step inside Impact Hub Zurich
Curious about Impact Hub Zurich? Come by and get to know us - learn about who we are and what makes our community so special.
