Welcome to the tenth episode of The Middle Ground, a new talk show and podcast, not on politics, but on the people of Brussels.Andrea Bittnerová is one of Brussels’ most generous LinkedIn voices, known for sharing top locations and weekend gems around the city. A Czech migrant (and proudly so!), event-management expert, and an honest broker of difficult topics, she has spent six years building her reputation as the trusted coordinator of one of Brussels’ most high-profile annual events on EU policy.Drawing on her natural inclination to give and share knowledge, nurtured during her years in the non-profit sector, Andrea transitioned into Brussels-bubble affairs without losing her true self: someone who simply cannot keep insights and tips to herself when she knows they might help others.🎧 Andrea shares her thoughts on sensitive and nerve-tickling topics such as the difference between expats and migrants, insiders and outsiders of the “EU bubble,” and what it feels like to be an outlier among people who moved to Brussels for a partner, a Blue Book traineeship, or a College of Europe scholarship.The episode is hosted by Valeriya Izhyk.Caution: After this episode, you might want to join Living Brussels: https://livingbrussels.beehiiv.com/?u...You can find Andrea on LinkedIn: / andrea-bittnerova .
🔵 About The Middle GroundWe’re Valeriya and Viktorya, two immigrant best friends who came to Brussels from Ukraine and Armenia. We bonded over war, visas, jobs, and endless receptions, and eventually built a home together – with a blue couch overlooking the Belgian capital and the heart of the EU. That couch has become the place where we laugh, vent, and try to make sense of this city we’ve learned to love. One night, we realised Brussels was missing exactly that: a cosy, human space for honest conversations.That’s how The Middle Ground was born: a mix between a talk show and a podcast for all the people of Brussels – not just those with titles and badges, but also those who keep the city alive with their work, love, stories, frustrations, victories, and humour. We want to show a Brussels where everyone belongs, and where you can build a beautiful, happy life even before you’ve “made it.”Every week, we invite someone onto the couch to talk about their journey, their lessons, and the truths we usually only share over coffee or beers. It’s funny, warm, sometimes cheeky, and always real.👉 Join our community: We need you to make this project work. You are the soul of Brussels, your life and your stories keep this city alive. Subscribe, comment, share your thoughts, and let’s find our middle ground together.If you are interested in being a guest, please fill out this form, and we will get back to you: https://forms.gle/bNy9K7iFajXjx9qEA🌍 Follow us:Instagram, LinkedIn & TikTok: @themiddleground.bxlEmail: themiddleground.bxl@gmail.com🔗 Connect with us personally:Valeriya Izhyk → Instagram | LinkedInViktorya Muradyan → Instagram | LinkedIn