Speakers

Tilen Artač

earned his master's degree in cello at the Academy of Music in Zagreb and continued his music education at the Academy of Music in Graz. He is the host of the satirical show Kaj dogaja? (What's Going On?) and the winner of the third season of Znan obraz ima svoj glas (Your Face Sounds Familiar). As part of the GodArt duo, he performed with world-renowned stand-up comedian, impersonator and Police Academy actor Michael Winslow. In 2012, he received the Frane Milčinski – Ježek Award, presented by RTV Slovenija for outstanding original achievements or a creative body of work in radio and television that follows the tradition of Ježek's noble spirit.

Maruša Andrinek Kerec

is the author of the tech podcast Odbita do bita [Crazy to Bits], host of the morning and mid-morning programme on Val 202, a Prekmurje gal hard at work in Ljubljana, who still likes to return home to recharge her batteries, which, fortunately, have much more power in them than any smartphone.

Boštjan Anžin

recently wrapped up his almost decade-long stint as a RTV Slovenija correspondent in Belgrade, where he regularly stretched his scope beyond the daily agendas of news agencies all the way to Banja Luka, Sarajevo, Sofia, Tirana, Bucharest, Pristina and Athens, much to the delight of viewers, listeners and readers. He has also been a correspondent in Berlin, a journalist and a television presenter.

Cilla Benkö

is the CEO and Director General for Swedish Radio, the publicly funded Public Service radio in Sweden as well as Vice-President of the European Broadcasting Union. She has 40 years’ experience of producing radio and working with digitalization of the media landscape. Cilla Benkö holds a master’s degree in journalism from Stockholm University alongside studies at New York University and Executive leadership from IMD in Lausanne, Switzerland. Cilla Benkö is passionate about journalism and works for a thriving audio based media landscape.

Mariša Bizjak

has been working at the Koper Regional Centre for nearly a decade, working as a radio correspondent from the Posočje region for all Radio Slovenija programmes. Even more than reporting on daily news in the field, she enjoys seeking out interesting people and topics for longer features. Time and again, she finds that with sound and words, she can create stories that truly captivate listeners.

Samantha Broun

is an award-winning radio and multimedia producer, based in Massachusetts. She served for many years as Managing Editor of Transom.org and works with Atlantic Public Media. Her documentaries have won honors including a duPont-Columbia Award, a Third Coast Audio Festival Award, a Dart Award, and she has been a finalist for a Peabody. A former Nieman Journalism Fellow at Harvard, Samantha trained in audio storytelling at the Salt Institute for Documentary Studies, and came to the work after an earlier career in education and youth mentoring. Through projects like Small True Things, she focuses on giving voice to often unheard perspectives and crafting intimate, deeply human stories.

Neža Borkovič

is a journalist at Val 202 who creates scientific content for children and adults, while also devoting much of her time to stories about people on the margins of society, like migrants, the homeless and the elderly. In recent months, she has been putting most of her energy into the Prison Radio project. This is a unique rehabilitation programme in which inmates from all Slovenian prisons not only listen to radio broadcasts but also create their own.

Marko Bratuš

spent the past few years as artistic director of the Nova Gorica Theatre and has now made the swap to the Mladinsko Theatre. On the music scene, he is better known as Small Tokk. With his trademark mix of professionalism, creativity, wit and accessibility, he played a key role in launching Slovenia's first online video media platform, vest.si, twenty years ago.

Nataša Briški

is a podcaster and consultant in strategic communication and new media. With many years of experience in journalism, television presenting and hosting various events, she now trains individuals and teams to communicate clearly, credibly and effectively in a world where attention is the most valuable currency.

Beti Burger

is a journalist at Delo who loves to immerse herself in people's stories and write them down as portraits. Over the past year, she has also been creating videos for the Delo social media channels, trying to capture the flow of time and reach a wider audience. When she is not writing, baking pies or cakes, she can be found walking in the woods or hiking up anything from a nearby hill to a two-thousand-metre peak.

Tomaž Celestina

is a long-time political journalist and commentator on the news programme of Radio Slovenija. He invites sharp and unexpected guests to the microphone, and his questions, laced with a touch of mischievous humour, are much the same.

Mojca Delač

hosts the Thursday morning programme on Prvi. For the past decade, she has been the creator of Možgani na dlani [Brain at Hand], where, together with local and international experts, she explains brain science in a people-friendly way, tracks the latest research, and offers listeners a dose of morning brain training. She joined the radio as a teenager, the same time she also became the national champion in logic. Her studies later took her abroad, including to the United Kingdom.

Bojan Emeršič

is an established Slovenian actor and a leading member of the SNG Drama Ljubljana theatre. He is widely recognised for his many theatre and film roles, and especially for his appearances in television series. He is also the recipient of an impressive array of accolades, including two Borštnik Awards. He is no stranger to acting, even in a father role.

Boštjan Gorenc - Pižama

is a versatile creator, a great enthusiast of literature and an unobtrusive promoter of reading. He is a writer, translator, stand-up comedian, proven rapper, and much more, as well as a podcaster. When communicating with audiences, his wit is always based on his broad knowledge and refined sense of dramaturgy.

Miha Goršin

is the author of the podcast Očka se pofočka [Daddy's Got It]. He loves to be a dad. After studying product design, he looked for a job that would allow him to put parenting first. He recently decided to switch to a 6-hour working day so that he could spend more quality time with his children.

Saša Grčman

is a proofreader at Radio Slovenija, part of the team behind the Speech Assistant, who prepares and edits its entries, and one of the contributors to the Language section of the RTV Slovenija Multimedia Centre. She is a regular guest on the radio programmes Kiks [Slip] on Prvi, Jezikanje [Blabbering] on Val 202 and Jezikovni pogovori [Lingo Talks]on Ars.

Matjaž Gruden

is a lawyer who has spent most of his professional career at the Council of Europe. For him, human rights are not just a slogan buried in bureaucratic paperwork, but an inalienable achievement of civilisation worth fighting for. He also pursues this conviction as a columnist for the Večer newspaper, where he incisively charts the erosion of the world order, while holding fast to his characteristic hope that all is not yet lost. In doing so, he draws convincingly on his many years of experience in the world of diplomacy.

Hana Hawlina

is a socio-cultural psychologist who pursued her academic training in the United Kingdom and Switzerland. She is currently a researcher at the Institute of Criminology at the Faculty of Law in Ljubljana. She is always eager to bite into the apple of questions, analyses and depths of social neuroscience – from imagination, morality, cooperation and visions of the future to exclusion and the darker sides of human coexistence.

Darja Hlavka Godina

has worked as a music designer for radio, television, theatre and film for over 40 years. She works on the most demanding projects, not only as a music designer, but also contributes to the field of music dramaturgy and music direction. She has received the Polde Bibič Award and the RTV Award, both for her life's work.

Matej Hrastar

is a former sports journalist and reporter who has successfully turned to covering foreign affairs, while also being quite at home with domestic political analysis. He always seeks to understand the strategies at play behind the scenes and aims to bring fresh perspectives and insights to the airwaves, drawing the best from his interlocutors.

Ksenija Horvat

is the director of Televizija Slovenija. She brings to the role her extensive television experience and strong professional reputation. She has hosted Sunday interviews, Odmevi, TV-dnevnik, Studio City, and has also gained experience in the Slovenian section of the BBC World Service, so she is no stranger to working in a radio studio environment either.

Damir Ibrahimkadić

is a sound designer with a master's degree in production, specialising in mastering, restoration and sound editing at Radio Slovenija.

Blaž Iaria

is a rapper and songwriter from Tolmin. His voice fuses the power of words with the warmth of live sound. His music is not just a captured matrix of bits, but a space where classical instruments meet the storytelling of rap.

Manica Janežič Ambrožič

is the host of Odmevi on Televizija Slovenija. A former editor of television news programmes, she recognises both quality and developmental gaps within RTV Slovenija’s programming. Above all, she remains a journalist who has also made a name for herself in the past as the author of foreign affairs programmes and pre-election debates.

Marko Jeran

is a chemist and researcher at the Jožef Stefan Institute. He will be the one peering at sugar through a microscope to explain the difference between glucose and sucrose. In the meantime, he is already gathering the tools and ingredients for some fun sugar experiments.

Ana Jurc

is a journalist at the RTV Slovenija Multimedia Centre, reporting mainly on culture. Her film reviews are a trusted reference and a helpful guide for audiences, as are her book recommendations. She is an indispensable commentator on the Oscars, while podcasts and music keep her company on her daily journeys.

Borut Kampuš

works with music. For him, music is the connective tissue, it is everywhere and has always been there, which is why he chose radio as his medium. He works as a radio presenter, music editor and creator of music programmes, such as Offstage on Radio Si.

Aleš Kocjan

is a journalist in the foreign affairs department of Radio Slovenija and, together with Tanja Starič, co-host of the popular domestic politics podcast Umetnost možnega [The Art of the Possible]. He is also the author of Petkove centrifuge [Friday Centrifuges] and a former editor who returned to radio after many years working for the newspaper Večer.

Boris Kokalj

is the frontman of Kokosy, one of Slovenia's leading new wave bands, and host of the morning show on Val 202. He has also added podcast hosting to his repertoire. Independent, honest, creative and sensitive, he is carving out his own path and building a steadily growing community of like-minded people and enthusiasts.

Blaž Koritnik

is a physician, neurologist and neuroscientist, and Head of the Clinical Institute of Clinical Neurophysiology at the University Medical Centre Ljubljana. He specialises in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), which remains one of the most relentless diseases of the nervous system, and is a member of several international professional associations dedicated to the disorder. He is also active in raising awareness about the brain, its functioning and health, making complex topics accessible to the public on various occasions.

Edita Kudláčová

is the Head of Radio at the European Broadcasting Union (EBU). She works in the broader field of radio and the audio industry, dealing primarily with strategic issues related to the future of radio, such as audio content distribution, European legislation, and technological and content innovation. Before joining the EBU, she worked for Czech public radio, where she was responsible for innovation and the development of new formats.

Ajda Kus

is a journalist and presenter at Val 202. She is truly radio-curious. Alongside her passion for all things radio, she creates the programme Radiovedni [Radiocurious], for which she and her team have received the Prometheus of Science Award this year. She has also been the Blabber on duty on the Jezikanje [Blabbering] show for a year now. After attending Rob Rosenthal's workshop last year, she now particularly enjoys heading into the field, where she "interrogates" her guests in their "natural habitat".

Bojan Leskovec

takes on the toughest morning of the week – Monday. With calm assurance, he helps listeners ease into the days ahead and face the week's challenges. In his talk show Prvaki tedna [Champions of the Week], he welcomes thoughtful, successful and courageous guests who share fresh perspectives, speak their minds and spark new ideas over a cup of tea or coffee.

Ana Maglov

is a doctor-to-be who lives with type 1 diabetes and is a member of the advisory board of the SWEET Initiative, an international diabetes registry network. She emphasises that sugar is fuel for the body, but the body can only use it if it has the right key, which we call insulin.

Yann Legarson

Fueled by a passion for radio and technology, Yann Legarson embarked on his journey as a radio host before venturing into entrepreneurship and innovation, leading him to the role as Head of Development and Digital Marketing at Les Indés Radios. In 2020, Yann assumed the position of Managing Director at Radioplayer France, successfully launching its platform just a year later. Fast forward to 2024, and Yann serves as the CEO of Radioplayer, with a clear objective: to rapidly expand Radioplayer’s global presence and solidify its position as a key player in empowering radio to maintain its relevance and prominence in the connected world – in cars, homes and on any device listeners tune in to content.

Alenka Marinič

is a graduate philosopher and historian, as well as an independent creator in the field of performing arts. She is a founding member of the Narobov Collective, with which she has performed widely at home and abroad, earning numerous national and international accolades, including the prestigious Ježek Award in 2008. Since 2013, she has been intensively involved in the Globus Hystericus society, organising various theatre workshops and working as a performing artist in the field of street, clown and physical theatre.

Jure Mastnak

has been a member of the Radio Gaga team for 25 years and also worked as a sports journalist at Radio Slovenia for 13 years. Beyond radio, he is a regular contributor to the television programme Kaj dogaja? (What's Going On?). For more than 20 years, he has also been active in cartoon dubbing, delighting audiences at home and abroad with his performances.

Breda Jelen Sobočan

is a psychiatrist and psychotherapist, president of the Association of Psychotherapists of Slovenia, poet and leading expert. She has the ability to make the workings of the human brain accessible – in relationships both early and mature, with oneself and with others – as well as to illuminate mental challenges and society's responses to life and the times we live in, all in a direct, decisive and witty manner.

Žana Juvan

is an assistant at the Multimedia Laboratory of the Faculty of Electrical Engineering, University of Ljubljana, where she co-creates and implements training programmes for the TeachXR project and is responsible for the project's visual identity. As part of her teaching work, she shares her experience and knowledge on user interface design, photography, video editing and colour matching, particularly in 3D modelling and animation. She is also active in accessibility and research, contributing to a better future for people who rely on technology for equal inclusion in contemporary society.

Jana Morelj

spent many years as one of the hosts of the morning show on Radio 1, and viewers know her as a former weather presenter on POP TV. A passionate music enthusiast, she took a new career step less than a year ago, becoming the leading voice of the new Radio 1 Rock and host of the Backstage video podcast.

Andrej Karoli

is one of Slovenia's most recognisable radio voices, an indispensable creator of the (musical) image of Val 202 and a pioneer of numerous radio formats. As host of Popevka tedna [Song of the Week], the morning programme, music editor and former editor of the Music Department, he has been behind many shows and productions, from Dan 202 [Day 202] and Živooke (Live Radio Performances) to podcasts about Vlado Kreslin and Siddharta.

Kaja Novosel

is a dramaturge and critic. During her studies at the Academy of Theatre, Radio, Film and Television in Ljubljana, she focused primarily on playwriting. Several of her texts adapted for radio have been produced by Radio Slovenija. Among the most successful is the radio play Periferija [Periphery], which was selected for the competition programme of two international media festivals. In 2025, she is the selector of the competition programme of the 61st Maribor Theatre Festival (Festival Borštnikovo srečanje). She also works as a Slovenian Sign Language interpreter.

Metka Pavšič

is an actress from Idrija who is devoted to theatre, singing and, above all, the search for beauty and meaning. Through singing and theatre, she explores voice and body, using them to step into other people’s lives and different worlds. As an actress, she works with the Nasmeh Theatre for the Blind and Visually Impaired, the Idrija Drama Society, the Linhart Stage, a London musical and various vocal ensembles.

Aleš Petejan

is a marketing director at Mastercard Slovenia with over 15 years of experience in marketing and communications. He began his career as a sports journalist for the Večer newspaper before turning his focus to marketing. Since 2018, he has led marketing and communications at Mastercard Slovenia, aligning local campaigns with the strategy of the global brand. His work is distinguished by high professional standards, innovation and a passion for creating distinctive campaigns with lasting impact.

Janko Petrovec

is the editor-in-chief of Radio Koper. Before that, he worked for eight years as a correspondent for RTV Slovenija in Rome. From neighbouring Italy, he reported to Slovenian audiences not only on current socio-political events, but also on stories that are all too often overlooked – from art and humanism to the everyday struggles of ordinary people. In this way, he truly brought Italy closer to Slovenia. He is also a translator, writer and trained actor and has worked as a television presenter.

Zvezdan Pirtošek

is a physician, neurologist and neuroscientist, Head of the Department of Neurology at the Faculty of Medicine in Ljubljana, and a member of several national and international professional associations dedicated to the research and treatment of neurological conditions. He is also President of the Trepetlika Association for people with Parkinson's disease and other extrapyramidal disorders, and serves on the expert council of Spominčica – Alzheimer Slovenia. He is a tireless and inexhaustible source of stories and insights into the brain, whose understanding he likes to intertwine with knowledge of history, philosophy and art.

Nastja Poljšak

is a Director of Digital Media at Omnicom Media Group and started her career in the world of health sciences, but her passion for communication and creativity soon led her to the rapidly evolving field of advertising. In her work, she combines analytical thinking and empathy to transform complex digital landscapes into clear, effective strategies for regional and global clients. She believes that real solutions emerge when challenges are turned into opportunities. Where the future of audio advertising is taking us, who is setting the trends and which audio stories could be the next big commercial success are the topics she will be discussing at the festival.

Saška Rakef

is a director and playwright. She studied Performance Arts at the Central School of Speech and Drama, London, UK, and continued her master's studies at the Academy of Theatre, Radio, Film and Television in Ljubljana, specialising in radio and theatre directing. Her plays and radio dramas have been presented at various festivals. She works at Ars as a director in the Drama Department of Radio Slovenija.

Lenart J. Kučić

is Advisor to the Minister of Culture for media. He is the author and co-author of several investigations and studies on media ownership in Slovenia. As a journalist for the Delo newspaper, he has been tracking the social and cultural shifts driven by information and communication technologies for more than twenty years. He furthered his journalism training at The Guardian in London and has contributed to several new media projects, including the investigative media Pod črto [Under the Line], the Marsowci podcast network and the online magazine Disenz.

Maja Ratej

is a journalist at Val 202, covering science, health and the environment, driven by an insatiable curiosity for everything new, different and unconventional. Together with her colleagues, she has twice received the Čuvaj journalism award as well as the International Migration Media Award. With the Frekvence X team, she also won the Prometheus of Science Award. She is interested in new horizons in radio, exploring different sound forms and a live, reportage-style approach to radio.

Anja Ramšak Homovec

is the presenter of the morning show on Radio 1 alongside Denis Avdić, Lara Tošić and Miha Deželak. The talkative, sincere, empathetic, smart and funny young woman from the Koroška region is also an indispensable part of high-profile charity campaigns and, in the past, other Radio 1 programmes.

Tadej Sadart

Tadej Sadar is the editor-in-chief of Radio Ognjišče. His love affair with radio began in primary school, when he joined the school radio station, a passion he has remained faithful to for more than thirty years. He has been part of Radio Ognjišče since its offshoots, working as a technician, creating jingles and serving as music editor, before becoming editor-in-chief nine years ago. He first stepped into the world of music with his guitar and went on to lead several choir ensembles for many years.

Boštjan Reberšak

is the editor-in-chief of Val 202. Previously editor of the sports desk, he has long been a journalist, commentator and head of radio projects, closely tied to major sporting events: from European volleyball championships and the Olympic Games to the annual season finale of ski jumping in Planica.

Rob Rosenthal

is probably the best mentor for radio in the United States, at least according to Ira Glass. Many American radio and podcast producers have gone through his school, and his Sound School Podcast is extremely popular. He is also a mentor to many colleagues at Radio Slovenija, sharing his expertise every year at Avdiofestival.

Ana Skrt

is a morning presenter, journalist and online content editor at Prvi. Every Friday, she joins the Radio Ga Ga team and creates popular video content for social media with them. While satire easily finds its audience, other radio content often raises tougher questions as to why and how to keep going on social platforms.

Jernej Sobočan Ivanovič

is the editor of the Music Department at Val 202. He gained his journalistic experience in both radio and online newsrooms, while he keeps abreast of his field of expertise at international conferences. Performing on stage as a drummer with his band represents an important connection to music for him.

Blaž Maljevac

is a long-standing creator at Radio Koper, where he has worked on numerous programmes and projects blending current affairs, entertainment and innovation. He engages audiences both on air and on social media, with a special focus on connecting radio to digital platforms. Always seeking fresh approaches, he works to bring radio closer to younger generations and position it in a contemporary media context.

Ajda Smrekar

is a theatre actress and a member of the ensemble of the Ljubljana City Theatre. She has also appeared in numerous feature films, short films and television films. For her role as Lučka in the film Pot v raj [Ticket to Heaven], she received the Stop Award for Best Actress at the 2014 Festival of Slovenian Film in Portorož. She also does voice-overs for cartoons, appears in radio plays and hosts events.

Maja Stepančič

is a journalist for numerous programmes and a presenter on Val 202, as well as co-author of the podcast Šala za starše [The Parent Joke]. Together with Uršula Zaletelj, she reassures new parents that no one really knows how to play this new role from the start. Through relaxed yet relevant conversations, they also offer advice and solutions to recurring challenges.

Matija Stepišnik

is the long-time editor-in-chief of the Večer newspaper. Though not among the older generation of journalists, he is certainly one of the most experienced. He has weathered numerous moments, actually periods, of crises in management positions, of which there have been plenty in this millennium – and not only for newspapers. He was president of the Slovene Association of Journalists and a columnist for Studio City. A close observer and analyst of domestic political developments, he remains a dedicated advocate of quality journalism and good football.

Jasmina Mihelak Zupančič

is the director and headmistress of the Slovenske Konjice – Zreče School Centre, where she oversees the development of quality programmes and forging ties between the school with the local community, as well as adult education. The school centre is an active partner in the TeachXR project, where it was among the first to host training sessions and presentations of XR technologies for teachers, while also contributing its wealth of experience from past projects in this field to the project. With its proactive and positive approach, it fosters a technologically advanced and innovative learning environment, as well as a sustainable way of transferring knowledge at all levels.

Matjaž Miklič

has been working for the Radio Slovenija music recording and programme production team for over thirty years. He has contributed to acclaimed concert and album recordings. His work is distinguished by a rare sensitivity to the emotional dimension of sound, which is essential for radio drama. Many of the radio plays he co-creates have reached the finals or have received awards at festivals such as Prix Italia, Prix Europa, Prix Ex Aequo, Taktons and the UK International Radio Drama Festival.

Katja Stojnić

is a journalist and presenter on Val 202, but above all, the author of the Rožnata dolina (Pink Valley) podcast. A free spirit and restless young woman hailing from the Primorska region, she invites extremely interesting people to the microphone, who may still seem different to most, but are in fact people who never cease to amaze, speak from experience and are worth listening to.

Andrej Stopar

is a RTV Slovenija correspondent in the United States and previously spent eight years reporting from Moscow, while also serving as editor of Radio Slovenija's First Programme. His articles appear in Večer and Mladina, and he is the author of the books Pax Putina and Ameriški Rubikon. A historian with a PhD and recipient of the Čuvaj Award for outstanding journalistic achievements, he is distinguished by his characteristic reporting style, profound knowledge and deep understanding of complex foreign policy dynamics.

Zlatko Šabič

is a professor of International Relations at the Faculty of Social Sciences and a researcher at the Centre for International Relations. He is the director of the East Asia Research Centre and a member of the Strategic Council of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Slovenia. He is the recipient of the University of Ljubljana's Golden Plaque for outstanding contributions to the development of scientific, educational and artistic activities and for strengthening the reputation of the University of Ljubljana.

Miha Šalehar

is a lucid, witty, creative, (overly) daring and inexhaustible author working across an ever-growing range of fields and platforms. What began on television and continued on radio has in recent years expanded into (video) podcasts, newspapers, books and the theatre stage.

Katja Štok

is a journalist with experience across all RTV Slovenija platforms. She has produced audio stories for radio, written for MMC, and now also shapes the picture on television. Her reporting focuses mainly on contemporary phenomena, which are, in one way or another, always intertwined with the digital world.

Erika Štular

is a former RTV Slovenija correspondent in Brussels and now a journalist for the news programme. She skilfully and precisely translates numbers on paper into human language. She is known as a sharp interviewer who misses no detail.

Zala Tomašič

is a Member of the European Parliament and a member of the Slovenian Democratic Party. She also studied in England and the United States, where she gained internship experience in the Senate, and continued her traineeship in Brussels. Her experience in the media and knowledge of social media helped her get elected to the European Parliament in 2024, which surprised a lot of people, even more seasoned politicians.

Renato Vindiš

invests professionally in technological equipment and IT, but it is humour that brings him the greatest returns. In business terms, calculations rarely add up completely, yet in socio-political satire, improvised ones always do. Believing that life needs more play, he has kept Radio Ga-Ga as his hobby for nearly 20 years.

Urška Sobočan Ivanovič

is the editor of the programme Ob osmih [At Eight] on Prvi program. She is a historian who loves conversations about the future, both those on the radio and the collective future we create as voters and citizens.

Mirko Štular

is the director of Radio Slovenija and one of the three vice-presidents of the European Broadcasting Union's Radio Committee. He lectures on radio at the Faculty of Social Sciences and at international conferences, and previously worked as a radio journalist and presenter. As former editor-in-chief of Val 202, he steered the station through its digital transformation and established it as a strong brand in Slovenia. In partnership with others, he has planned and led international projects and occasionally collaborated with the French international broadcaster Radio France Internationale. He is also a recipient of the Consortium Veritatis Award from the Slovenian Journalists' Association for outstanding journalistic achievements for his weekly programme Sredi Evrope [In the Middle of Europe].

Anže Vidrih Tomić

is the host of the Tehnična pomoč [Technical Support] podcast, where he tracks the latest in the world of technology and, above all, shares practical tips with listeners. A member of the Val 202 team, he is still known by the nickname "Podcast Sultan" for helping to launch numerous Slovenian podcasts.

Igor Vobič

Igor Vobič is Full Professor in the Department of Journalism and Deputy Head of the Centre for Social Communication Research at the Faculty of Social Sciences, University of Ljubljana. His research focuses on the ideology of journalism, the contradictions of journalism as a profession and the technological changes in the media, critically examining the established social relations in capitalism and their effects on social communication. He publishes his findings in leading international journals in the field of journalism studies and is a member of the editorial board of Digital Journalism magazine.

Vesna Vuk Godina

is a sharp observer of life and a recognised opinion leader. Her widely read columns spark controversy but, above all, invite reflection. Through her books, she sheds light on the complex processes and intricacies of our times. A social and cultural anthropologist, she also lectures at the Faculty of Arts, University of Maribor.

Barbara Zajc Tekavec

is a clinical dietitian who teaches food science subjects at the Biotechnical Educational Centre in Ljubljana. You can find her on social media, where she regularly posts tips on healthy eating – and she will be treating us to a healthy sugar recipe or two as well.

Julij Zornik

was initially taken by the world of sound at RGL radio, Kanal A and festivals such as Novi rock and Druga godba. He explored sound at the legendary post-production studio in Tivoli, and his accumulated knowledge led him to establish his own sound post-production company called 100. He also collaborated on the projects Granny’s Sexual Life (2021) and Class Enemy (2013). He is the recipient of the Vesna Award for Sound at the Festival of Slovenian Film, two Golden Arenas for Sound at the Pula Film Festival and the Prešeren Fund Award for Sound.

Matevž Pesek

is a researcher at the Faculty of Computer and Information Science, University of Ljubljana, with extensive knowledge in the fields of augmented reality technologies, gamification, sound, rhythm, speech recognition and synthesis. He shares his knowledge with younger generations as a teacher, and as a lecturer and workshop leader within the TeachXR project. He is also involved in the development of VR educational content, language learning (LingoVerse) and motivational approaches through play.

Lucija Vrankar

is a radio and television presenter who feels equally, if not more, at home on social media. Through short, engaging videos, she addresses her audience with ease, humour and confidence, particularly on Instagram. A lover of folk music, she has also appeared in comedy shows on stages across Slovenia.

Blaž Vurnik

is a historian and curator of contemporary history as well as Head of Departments at the City Museum of Ljubljana. He is well acquainted with the history of Cukrarna and its significance for the city. His writings on how sugar production transformed the economic landscape of Slovenia’s capital can be found in the comic book Cukrarna. The Story of the Slovenian Poetic Soul.

Uršula Zaletelj

is a journalist and host of the morning programme on Val 202, as well as co-author of the podcast Šala za starše [The Parent Joke]. Together with Maja Stepančič, she reassures new parents that no one really knows how to play this new role from the start. Through relaxed yet relevant conversations, they also offer advice and solutions to recurring challenges.

Sara Zmrzlak

is a journalist at Radio Maribor. Split between the news and daily editorial desks, she feels most at home in feature reports and storytelling. Rather than attending press conferences, she prefers to spend her day among people, recording the sounds that surround us. She documents the times we live in and continually questions society, the world, and her own existence. Guided by the principles “a story is never finished” and “there’s always room for improvement,” she often finds herself caught in an endless loop of exploration.

Mirjam Oblak

is making a strong impact at the Ministry of Education with the e-Torba [e-Bag] project, bringing positive energy to every initiative she is involved in. With a professional background in history didactics and many years of experience in the digitalisation of education, she ensures that learning materials are accessible, interactive and designed to support independent learning. Her work bridges vision and practice – from shaping strategic directions to developing concrete tools that bring contemporary learning into the classroom.

Klemen Pečnik

is the head of the multimedia centre at the Faculty of Electrical Engineering, a lecturer and a mentor to many students. He is the content manager and coordinator of the TeachXR project at the Faculty of Electrical Engineering, University of Ljubljana, where he contributes to the transfer of knowledge in the fields of multimedia and broadcasting systems, extended reality technologies and user experience through the teaching process. Among other tasks, he leads the preparation of educational modules and the establishment of XR learning laboratories across Slovenia, with a particular focus on developing technical accessibility solutions for the deaf and hard of hearing. In his free time, he is active as a volunteer firefighter and enjoys working on his family farm. He is also a committed advocate of public media services.

Metka Pirc

is a correspondent for Prvi program, bringing the voices of Carinthia to the radio airwaves. A journalistic all-rounder, she has no qualms about wading through mud or sitting opposite the prime minister in a suit, always in search of the human story behind it all.

Aleksander Pozvek

is a versatile comedian best known to the wider public as a member of the legendary Radio Ga Ga team. He regularly delights audiences with his convincing imitations of Janez Janša, Marjan Šarec, Uroš Slak, Karl Erjavec and other well-known Slovenian figures. On Kanal A, he prepares the satirical column Ne resno [Not Serious] as part of the programme Svet [The World], where he comments on current events with his trademark humour. For the past three years, he has also hosted the Bob of the Year award ceremony.