DBI Launches Duisburg Podcast “City of Transformation”
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New Audio Format Brings the City's Transformation to Life from Many Perspectives
Duisburg, January 7, 2026. Duisburg has a new podcast: With “City of Transformation,” Wirtschaftsentwicklung Duisburg Business & Innovation GmbH (DBI) brings the city’s transformation to life—from the perspectives of business, academia, education, culture, sports, and politics. The podcast is aimed at anyone who wants to understand how transformation works, which stakeholders are collaborating to make it happen—and why solutions from Duisburg are relevant for all of Germany.
Discussions on urban development and the sustainability of the location
Guests from the worlds of business, science, education, culture, sports, and politics
The event kicks off with Martina Voss-Tecklenburg; the host is radio journalist Ralph Sina
Now available on all major platforms, such as Spotify and Apple
“With ‘City of Transformation,’ we’re linking Duisburg’s transformation to many well-known figures,” says Rasmus C. Beck, managing director of Duisburg Business & Innovation GmbH. “Based on their own impressions, our guests highlight the strengths and opportunities the city offers today—and the ideas for the future that are emerging here.”
To kick things off, “City of Transformation” profiles a figure who has always embodied change: Martina Voss-Tecklenburg. The former national soccer coach, entrepreneur, and Duisburg native talks about values and responsibility, about the city’s image in the world—and also about resistance.
Martina Voss-Tecklenburg: “As a proud resident of Duisburg, I’m excited to talk about the challenges and opportunities of a city that sometimes sells itself short and still has room to grow in terms of its reputation outside the city. Wherever I go, I promote an image that does the city much more justice.”
Radio journalist Ralph Sina, a longtime WDR correspondent in Brussels and Washington, hosts the discussions. Sina: “As someone from the Ruhr region, I noticed this time and again during my time abroad. Whether in New York or Dar es Salaam: Duisburg is a household name. The DBI podcast brings transformation to life—with compelling guests, ranging from the chair of the German Council of Economic Experts to the new head of DB Cargo.”
The following people are featured in the episodes:
January 7: Martina Voss-Tecklenburg, former national soccer coach and entrepreneur
January 21: Bernhard Osburg (Chairman of the Executive Board of DB Cargo, formerly CEO of thyssenkrupp Steel)
February 4: Giordana Sperling-Doppstadt (Member of the Executive Board of duisport – Duisburger Hafen AG)
February 18: Reiner Eckhardt (CEO of the iconic brand Caramba)
March 4: Christine Bleks (Founder and Executive Director of the award-winning project “Exchange Education for Housing” in Marxloh)
March 18: Ulrich Grillo (CEO of Grillo-Werke, former President of the BDI)
April 1: Prof. Dr. Monika Schnitzer (Chair of the German Council of Economic Experts)
April 15: Dr. Söke Dinkla (Director of the Lehmbruck Museum)
April 29: Selcuk Kilic (Managing Director of Derewa GmbH)
May 13: Prof. Dr. Barbara Albert (President of the University of Duisburg-Essen)
In addition, a bonus episode featuring special guests is planned.
“City of Transformation – The Duisburg Podcast”: Now available on all major platforms, such as Spotify and Apple.
