Level with Me

Is menstruation a private issue or a public matter? Most people assume it's the former - but the reality is far more complex.In this episode, I host Dr. Maria Carmen Punzi, researcher, advisor, and advocate who has spent nearly a decade working at the intersection of menstrual health, gender equality, and public policy. From advising businesses and organizations to presenting research at the European Parliament, Maria Carmen is on a mission to break the silence around menstruation and reframe it as the systemic issue it truly is.We cover a lot of ground in this conversation:🩸 Body literacy — what it means to truly understand the language of your own body, and why most of us were never taught it🩸 The workplace, gender equality, and who our systems were built for — and what needs to change🩸 The "weaker body" myth — how we see as the male body as the default standard, and what that has cost women for decades🩸 Period poverty in Europe — shocking findings from research presented at the EU Parliament, and why period poverty affects far more people than national poverty rates suggest🩸 AI and period tracking apps — the hidden risks of free apps, data privacy, and what responsible design should actually look likeWhether you menstruate or not, this conversation will change how you think about our society healthcare, and equality.00:00 Introduction01:32 How Maria Carmen got into menstrual health research09:59 What is body literacy?14:43 The strengths of the menstrual cycle19:20 Red flags you shouldn't ignore23:31 Self-advocacy in the healthcare system28:54 The menstruation taboo is everywhere35:10 Free period products in public spaces38:14 Menstruation as a gender equality issue47:37 Period poverty in Europe57:53 AI and period tracking apps1:03:41 Key takeaways

Quin Blokzijl is on a mission to challenge an overlooked inequality in society: the divide between university-educated and practically educated people.Despite making up a large part of the population, people with practical education are heavily underrepresented in politics, media, and public debate. Quin has experienced this firsthand — from being excluded based on educational level to working within institutions such as the European Parliament.Today, he works as a garbage collector by choice, while using his platform to question how we define intelligence, success, and value in society.In this conversation, we explore:- Why are vocationally educated people underrepresented in politics- How the system reinforces inequality- Why many people feel excluded from democracy- The link between this divide and rising populism- What politicians and society can do differently- How we currently determine one's worth, and what is the problem with this- How to break out of our bubbles and why it is so important This episode challenges how we think about work, intelligence, and who gets a voice. Quin brings bold ideas, like the need for politicians to do hands-on work, or for more people to work "50-50" - both outside and the office. 👷🏽‍♂️ Guest: Quin Blokzijl Garbage Collector & Opinion LeaderFollow Quin's work on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/quinblokzijl/Or LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/quinblokzijl/🎙 Hosted by Vera BaloLevel With Me — nuanced conversations about the topics shaping modern life in Europe.Follow for my journey of building the podcast, as well as critical thinking material: Substack: https://substack.com/@verabaloLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vera-balo/Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/6RJfOMuau3H2bPJPqj6qAn?si=389f7f4e32b54451Apple Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/nl/podcast/level-with-me/id18762298360:00 Intro1:13 Quin’s journey & early influences4:27 Experiencing the education divide5:19 Why he became a garbage collector7:21 Life on the job & social perceptions11:38 Elites vs workers: key differences14:15 Core issues: money, pressure & recognition15:53 His mission explained17:29 Are vocational workers excluded from democracy?21:57 Representation & political inequality27:14 Why many feel disconnected from politics30:15 The communication gap in public debate34:18 Should politicians do physical work?40:30 Solutions & what needs to change44:12 What happened to unions?46:05 Climate, class & communication51:23 Quin’s future plans53:52 What individuals can do55:08 Breaking out of your bubble57:14 Outro

We live in the most medically advanced societies in history. And yet, when serious illness enters someone’s life, families often feel completely unprepared.In this episode of Level With Me, I speak with Nara Moripen, founder of PAL, about what really happens when a diagnosis changes everything.We talk about:What “serious illness” actually meansThe shock of diagnosis and the importance of asking about prognosisThe hidden role of family caregiversCaregiver burnout and how to prevent itWhy palliative care is misunderstood — and why it should start earlierThe funding and systemic gaps across EuropeWhy we need to talk more openly about death, grief, and serious illnessThis is a conversation for patients, caregivers, colleagues, friends — and anyone who will one day face serious illness in their circle. Because we all will.00:00 Why serious illness still catches us unprepared01:05 Nara’s story: From consultant to caregiver04:28 The patient journey: Medical, emotional & practical challenges16:11 The diagnosis phase and asking about prognosis27:34 The conversations families need to have30:53 What it really means to be a caregiver38:55 What palliative care actually is (and why it matters early)43:55 System gaps: Funding, access, and inequality49:02 Caregiver burnout and balancing work & life53:33 How workplaces, friends & society can do better1:00:10 Innovation, AI & hope for the future1:04:05 Breaking the taboo around illness, death & grief

Does democracy actually work the way we think it does?In this episode, I speak with political philosopher Jason Brennan, author of Against Democracy, about the fundamental flaw he sees in modern democratic systems: voters have almost no incentive to become informed.We discuss alternatives to democracy, such as epistocracy, the rule of the knowledgeable. But we also talk about the concepts of rational ignorance, tribal politics, democratic backsliding, and the potential of technology.Level With Me explores polarizing topics shaping modern life in Europe through nuanced conversations that encourage critical thinking.

Introducing Level With Me, a podcast I’m creating to encourage critical thinking, especially here in Europe.I plan to explore the issues shaping modern life — from culture and politics to technology, business, and lifestyle.Most conversations today take place in echo chambers. Podcasts often let guests present their narratives without challenge, nuance, or context. Level With Me is my attempt to do things differently: to ask challenging questions, think more deeply, and explore the complexity behind the headlines.If you’re curious about the world, bored of oversimplified narratives, or want to hear perspectives that challenge your assumptions, I’d love to have you on this journey.

What does it really mean to have an impactful career? Do you need privilege, elite education, and work on the world's biggest problems to make a difference?In this episode, I’m joined by Jan-Willem van Putten, co-founder of the School for Moral Ambition, for a deep and honest conversation about purpose, responsibility, and what meaningful work looks like in an unequal world.We talk about:What a career with positive impact actually is (and what it isn’t)Why many people might be wasting their talentThe idea of moral ambitionThe “Triple S framework”: sizable, solvable, and sorely overlooked problemsWhether hands-on jobs like teaching or nursing are recognized as impactfulActing locally versus solving complex global problemsPrivilege, responsibility, and who should do moreBurnout, trade-offs, money, and the real lifestyle behind impact careersWhy community mattersPractical first steps you can take - even if you can’t change careers right nowThis episode is for you if you’ve ever:Felt stuck in a job that pays well but feels emptyWanted to “do good” but felt overwhelmed by the scale of the world’s problemsQuestioned whether small actions really matterVisit the School for Moral Ambition to take the first step towards a job with a positive impact: https://www.moralambition.org/