On this week’s episode of Open Mic Life, host Stoyana jumps a few months back and revisits a fan-favorite segment—weddings, love, and family. Recorded just weeks before her own wedding, this episode features a heartfelt conversation with Vivien, who shares her firsthand experience of planning a wedding from abroad.

From navigating the wedding industry to the influence of movies and social media on our expectations, Stoyana and Vivien explore the realities behind saying “I do.” They discuss the professionals who make weddings possible—photographers, florists, caterers—and even touch on intellectual property concerns in the wedding world. With plenty of practical do’s and don’ts, this episode is a must-listen for brides-to-be and anyone curious about what goes on behind the scenes of a modern wedding.

Vivien reflects on her own wedding, offering insights into what she would have done differently and sharing the special moments she’ll cherish forever. As a Hungarian living in Luxembourg with her husband, she also sheds light on the experience of building a life far from family. While living abroad comes with challenges, she highlights the positives—creating their own family unit, establishing new traditions, and strengthening their marriage on their own terms.

Beyond weddings, Stoyana and Vivien dive into the importance of community for those who live away from their home countries. They discuss the “village” that many expatriates build around themselves to foster a sense of belonging, as well as the balance between preserving one’s culture and fully embracing a new home.

Whether you're in the midst of wedding planning, adjusting to life in a new country, or simply interested in the dynamics of love and family, this episode has something for you. Tune in for an honest, insightful, and heartwarming conversation on Open Mic Life.

Don’t forget, every week you can listen to Open Mic Life on RTL Play and all major streaming platforms. Follow Open Mic Life on Instagram to become part of the upcoming episodes through listeners’ submissions on topics that interest you.

This week on Open Mic Life, guest host Haik Pogosian sits down with Chris Sigaloff, a visionary entrepreneur redefining the concept of libraries. As the founder of a tech-driven library initiative, Sigaloff is at the forefront of designing the "library of the future." Her passion for innovation and access to knowledge stems from her upbringing in a small village, where libraries represented a gateway to privilege, discovery, and opportunity. Today, she is leading a movement to transform these spaces into dynamic hubs for learning, creativity, and community engagement.

What exactly is the library of the future? Sigaloff envisions it as a cutting-edge public space—an incubator for future learning that equips young people with essential skills. More than just a repository of books, this library will be a forward-thinking environment integrating new technology, sustainability, and design to remain relevant for contemporary society and beyond.

The flagship project, OBA Next, will be located in South Amsterdam—a vibrant but underserved community with immense talent and potential. Spanning an impressive 8,000 square meters, this innovative space will offer young people the resources to develop their talents and explore emerging fields such as artificial intelligence, gamification, media production, and sustainability.

Inspired by TUMO, a pioneering free after-school program for children in Yerevan, Armenia, Sigaloff has partnered with private companies, sponsors, and municipalities to experiment with a hybrid model that bridges public and private sectors. The goal? To create an inclusive space where ordinary individuals can accomplish extraordinary things.

The project also aims to tackle a significant challenge—balancing the asymmetry between public and private partnerships while aligning stakeholders toward a shared vision. OBA Next will provide a platform for companies to test new concepts while making a lasting social impact. Until the official opening in 2030, organizers are launching experimental lab programs to refine their approach. By 2025, the team will explore collaborations across music, film, media, technology, and more, ensuring that the library becomes a cornerstone of future education.

As the journey unfolds, the team continues to seek the right partners and funding sources to bring this vision to life. Want to hear more about how Chris Sigaloff and her team are shaping the future of libraries? Tune in to this episode of Open Mic Life for an inspiring conversation about trailblazing, innovation, and the power of accessible learning spaces.

Don't miss a moment – tune in every week on RTL Play and all major podcast platforms.

This week on Open Mic Life, Stoyana dives into an inspiring story of adventure, risk, and reinvention. Meet Hugues, a bar-certified corporate lawyer, and Charline, a digital resilience officer at a Luxembourg bank—two ambitious professionals who did what many only dream of. They quit their stable jobs, bought a van, and hit the road, embracing the unknown in search of freedom and discovery.

But this isn’t just another wanderlust-fueled escape. Their journey was a carefully crafted balance between spontaneity and strategy, adventure and responsibility. From the snow-covered peaks of Cap Nord to the sun-soaked shores of the French Riviera, and even the bustling streets of Casablanca, they navigated breathtaking landscapes, cultural surprises, and the unexpected realities of living in a five-square-meter home.

In this episode, Hugues and Charline pull back the curtain on the full experience—the excitement, the fears, and the logistics that made it all possible. They share insights on budgeting, career considerations, and the emotional impact of stepping away from a structured life. They also tackle a key question many hesitate to ask: How do you prepare to return?

As their travels evolved, so did their mindset. Instead of seeing their return as the "end of the adventure," they approached it as the next phase of the journey. They planned their comeback with the same thoughtful approach they had when setting out, ensuring they wouldn’t feel lost or unprepared. This shift in perspective—from carefree explorers back to professionals—became a defining lesson of their trip: embracing change as a constant, rather than an interruption.

If you've ever dreamed of packing up and hitting the road, this episode will light a spark. Whether you're considering a big leap, a short adventure, or simply looking to redefine your approach to life’s transitions, this conversation is for you.

Tune in now on RTL Play and all major streaming platforms—you won’t want to miss this one!