Welcome to the thirteenth episode of The Middle Ground, a talk show and podcast not about politics, but about the people of Brussels.
When Slovenian-born Petra Petan shared on LinkedIn that she was leaving her role in the Cabinet of European Commissioner Paolo Gentiloni to become a full-time mother, the reaction was overwhelming. Friends and colleagues were stunned. Who, at the height of a successful career, chooses to step away for motherhood?
With that single post, Petra sparked a wider conversation in Brussels about ambition, success, and what motherhood means in a modern career. Throughout it all, she continued to express her deep affection for Brussels — a city that, as she puts it, “gives her wings.”
🎧 In this episode, Petra opens up about her journey from Slovenia to Brussels and the many lives she has lived along the way. She reflects on why motherhood is often framed as a penalty for women, what it feels like to find a new rhythm and discover new passions, and her refreshingly unconventional way of finding balance. She also shares why she keeps falling in love with Brussels, her favourite things about the city, and why, for her, the “middle ground” isn’t about slowing down, it’s about accelerating.
The episode is hosted by Viktorya Muradyan.
Follow Petra on:
Caution: After this episode, you might want to take a break from your Commission job.
🔵 About The Middle Ground
We’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 on Instagram, YouTube, LinkedIn, and TikTok
📧 Get in touch with us: themiddleground.bxl@gmail.com
🔗 Connect with the producers and hosts:
Valeriya Izhyk → Instagram | LinkedIn
Viktorya Muradyan → Instagram | LinkedIn