Podcasts - Smiling Gecko

Hannes Schmid in conversation with…

Here, we will share conversations that Hannes has recorded, or will record, with guests in The Gong’s podcast studios at irregular intervals.

Most explore their perspectives on life and work at the Smiling Gecko Campus. They offer fascinating listening both for those who have already visited us in Cambodia and for those who have yet to make the trip.

We hope you enjoy listening.

Tanja Grandits

I feel a very strong connection with Mariya.

Born in Swabia, Tanja Grandits has been head chef and owner of Restaurant Stucki in Basel since 2008. Under her leadership, it has earned two Michelin stars and 19 GaultMillau points. Grandits is particularly known for her creative use of aromas, combining colours, scents and spices in surprising compositions. Her dishes unite precision, lightness and sensuality. Alongside her restaurant work, she publishes cookbooks and helps shape contemporary Swiss fine dining through her distinctive style.

Didier Cuche

I don’t know whether anything else like Smiling Gecko exists anywhere in the world.

Didier Cuche is a former Swiss ski racer and one of history’s most successful downhill and super-G specialists. His World Cup career began in 1993, with his international breakthrough coming in the late 1990s. He competed in 369 World Cup races, achieved 67 podium finishes and won 21 times, including five unforgettable downhill victories on the Streif in Kitzbühel, where he remains the sole record holder. His greatest triumph came at the 2009 World Championships in Val-d’Isère, where he won super-G gold. He also took silver at the 1998 Winter Olympics in Nagano. Schweizer Illustrierte devoted a cover story to his visit to Smiling Gecko.

Freddy Burger

It took me two days to take in everything you have done here.

Freddy Burger is an influential Swiss music and show producer, concert promoter and entrepreneur. He began his career as a concert organiser and manager in the 1960s, before taking over the management of international entertainer Udo Jürgens in 1977. Over the decades, Burger built an entertainment empire. He founded FBM Entertainment, which operates venues and events including Theater 11 in Zurich, Musical Theater Basel and the Thunerseespiele. His contribution to Swiss show business has earned several honours, including a Xaver Award for lifetime achievement. We had the pleasure of welcoming Freddy Burger to celebrate his 80th birthday on our campus.

Theron Feemster

When we drove through the campus gate, it felt as though we were entering a completely different world.

Theron “Neff-U” Feemster is an American music producer and songwriter. Born in Inglewood, California, he is among the influential hip-hop and R&B producers of the 2000s and 2010s. Feemster has worked with internationally successful artists including Kanye West, Jay-Z, Beyoncé, Rihanna, Drake, Mary J. Blige and 50 Cent. His work has received numerous awards. On the Smiling Gecko Campus, he recorded the Christmas song “I am glad, it’s Christmas” with the Gong Talent Group, among other projects.

Christoph Bugnon

Smiling Gecko is not an aid organisation, but a development enterprise.

Christoph Bugnon is a Swiss banking executive who helped shape Urner Kantonalbank (UKB) over many years. After roles at Luzerner Kantonalbank and Aargauische Kantonalbank, he joined UKB in 2010 as Head of Market. He became CEO in 2017 and held the position until choosing to leave at the end of 2025. One of his first activities in early retirement was a visit to the Smiling Gecko Campus.

Petra Fischer

Seeing people flourish and develop here is the most wonderful thing.

Petra Fischer is a marketing specialist with a strong banking background. Her impressive career includes roles at Swiss private bank Julius Baer and Urner Kantonalbank. She has also worked for the Europa Forum in Lucerne and FIFA, football’s world governing body. She visited Smiling Gecko during an extended trip through Asia that took her to Cambodia and Laos.

Hannes Schmid

Hannes Schmid not only asks questions; he is also a highly entertaining storyteller. You can hear that here too. In the “Konferenzdialog” podcast, he spoke with Carolin Roth for twenty minutes. Recorded at the Swiss Economy Forum 2025 in Interlaken, the conversation was kindly provided by NZZ Connect, which also holds the copyright. Our sincere thanks to them.