OMR Podcast
OMR-Gründer Philipp Westermeyer trifft regelmäßig die spannendsten Menschen aus Wirtschaft, Unterhaltung, Sport oder auch Musik zum Interview, vom Unternehmer über Gründer von Startups bis zu Investoren. Im OMR Podcast spricht er mit ihnen über ihr Business, ihre Erfolgsrezepte und Entwicklungen im Tech-Bereich, bei der Digitalisierung insgesamt oder generell über die Lage der Welt.
Season 4
S4 E5: Christiane Underberg, Unternehmerin
Underberg has been producing bitters for more than 175 years. The company also owns brands such as Asbach Uralt and Pitu, but the company was in crisis a few years ago. With new management and new ideas, the company in Rheinberg is now working on the balancing act between trends and tradition. Company owner Christiane Underberg and manager Michael Söhlke explain in the OMR podcast how they intend to achieve this.
45 min | Feb 01, 2025S4 E8: Philipp Schröder
Within just four years, Philipp Schröder has turned the Hamburg-based energy startup 1Komma5Grad into a unicorn. However, the founder and former Tesla Germany chief has much bigger plans. He envisions creating a trillion-dollar company out of Europe in the energy sector. The installation of solar panels and heat pumps is just the first step; in the long term, Philipp Schröder dreams of building an energy equivalent to Apple.
90 min | Sep 09, 2024S4 E9: Alicia Schmidt, Profi-Leichtathletin
Alica Schmidt has long held the title of Germany's most widely followed athlete. The 25-year-old track and field star has nearly five million followers on Instagram alone. This year, she aims to achieve success in her signature event, the 400-meter race. Her ultimate dream is to compete in the Olympic Games in Paris. Financially, she would likely be independent even without athletic triumphs – she has been sponsored by the German fashion brand Hugo Boss since 2021.
60 min | Dec 03, 2024S4 E12: Miriam Meckel und Léa Steinacker
Miriam Meckel and Léa Steinacker have been working for years on the question of how technology and artificial intelligence will change the world - and what this actually means for society. In the OMR podcast, the scientists and founders of the further education platform Ada talk about their business, the dangers and opportunities of AI and the question of whether they are currently in contact with their investor, a subsidiary of René Benko's Signa empire.
68 min | Feb 01, 2025S4 E18: Katja Krasavice, Musikerin
Bullied in school, she now has nearly four million Instagram followers and several number-one albums: Katja Krasavice has seen a meteoric rise over the past decade. In the OMR Podcast, she discusses her beginnings as a YouTuber, her conflict with Dieter Bohlen on the jury of "Deutschland sucht den Superstar," and her million-dollar business on OnlyFans.
71 min | Dec 03, 2024S4 E19: Christoph Schramm und Michael Götz
Christoph Schramm's career as a pizza entrepreneur began with a pizzeria in Passau. Since then, he has built up Gustavo Gusto, a rapidly growing provider of frozen pizza with a recent turnover of around 120 million euros. In the OMR podcast, company founder Schramm and marketing mastermind Michael Götz talk about the marketing tricks they used to break the pizza duopoly of Dr. Oetker and Wagner, how they managed to set up production for several hundred thousand pizzas without major investors and how they now want to expand the brand abroad.
77 min | Feb 01, 2025S4 E27: Nico Rosberg, Ex-Rennfahrer und Investor
Nico Rosberg Launches €75 Million Fund with Rosberg Ventures: Investments in Top VC Firms, Mars Invitation from Elon Musk, and Thoughts on F1 Return
72 min | Sep 11, 2024S4 E28: Max Heinemann, CEO Gebr. Heinemann
Everyone knows the airport shops selling cigarettes, perfume, and giant Toblerones. Max Heinemann is the heir of the family that has been running many of these stores, as well as luxury boutiques at airports, for decades. But that’s not all. Gebr. Heinemann is also a global player in supplying airlines and cruise operators, with nearly 4 billion euros in annual revenue. In the OMR Podcast, the fifth-generation CEO talks about the unique challenges of the travel retail business, dealing with luxury brands, and innovative delivery approaches.
92 min | Aug 27, 2024S4 E30: Oliver Bierhoff, Ex-DFB-Manager
Oliver Bierhoff is a soccer legend: European Championship titles as a player, World Cup titles as a manager. However, he was not always loved by the public. Bierhoff polarized and became one of the faces of the commercialization of soccer. In the OMR Podcast, Oliver Bierhoff reveals why he often doesn't understand the attitude of many fans, how he planned the new beginnings in his life - and why he is now active in the financial business.
97 min | Feb 01, 2025S4 E31: Jürgen Schmidhuber
AI pioneer Jürgen Schmidhuber discusses the opportunities and risks of artificial intelligence and the importance of Germany as a location in the OMR Podcast. The German computer scientist developed the key foundations for the algorithms that are currently revolutionizing the world as we know it. He continues to conduct research and blogs about AI
71 min | Aug 19, 2024S4 E32: Joerg Ehmer, Deutschlandchef Burger King
In 2023, the undercover reporters from "Team Wallraff" uncovered numerous issues at the fast-food chain Burger King, leading to negative headlines. The company responded swiftly. With lawyer Jörg Ehmer as the new CEO, the franchise chain is undergoing reforms, including inspection visits. In the OMR Podcast, the former CEO of Apollo-Optik discusses his transition from the eyewear business to the burger industry, the success of vegetarian products, and reveals why Burger King needs to become more digital.
83 min | Aug 19, 2024S4 E33: Heiko Modell, Michael Beitl
Why throw away tons of fruit pits when they can be used to make food? This is the approach of the Austrian startup Kern Tec, which has partnered with the private dairy company Bauer to launch a product line based on apricot pits. Bauer, best known for its signature yogurt "Der große Bauer," is a family-owned company with a long tradition but is fully aware that the dairy business cannot afford to stand still.
64 min | Aug 19, 2024S4 E34: Thomas Hagedorn, Abrissunternehmer
"Gelernt habe ich gar nichts", bekennt Thomas Hagedorn direkt zum Beginn dieser OMR Podcast-Episode. Dafür ist die Zwischenbilanz des 53-Jährigen beachtlich. Sein 1997 mit einem Bagger gegründetes Unternehmen setzt mittlerweile über eine halbe Milliarde Euro um, beschäftigt mehr als 2000 Menschen und ist von einem Abbruchunternehmen zu einem Rundum-Dienstleister der Baubranche herangewachsen. Mit Schüttflix und Brownfield24 betreibt die Hagedorn Gruppe zwei innovative Plattformen, um die Digitalisierung der Baubranche voranzutreiben. Noch wichtiger ist aber die Vision des Unternehmers: Rückbauprozesse und Recyclingquoten so zu optimieren, dass für Neubauten keine neuen Flächen und weniger neue Baustoffe benötigt werden.
68 min | Aug 19, 2024S4 E35: Ralph Denk, Radsport Manager
Ralph Denk started his first cycling team to promote his bike shop, never imagining it would one day become one of the world's most successful cycling franchises. Today, as the team manager of Bora - hansgrohe, he's competing for major titles and dreaming of a Tour de France victory. To achieve this, he has even partnered with the world's most famous sports sponsor. In the OMR Podcast, Ralph Denk reveals how he convinced Red Bull to join the team.
74 min | Aug 19, 2024S4 E36: Tim Schäcker, Luis Freitag, Elevatorboys
It all started in 2021 with an elevator and a spontaneous idea for a video. Today, the Elevator Boys have 2.4 million followers on TikTok, collaborate with globally recognized brands, and attend major events like Milan Fashion Week. In the OMR Podcast, Tim Schaecker and Luis Freitag discuss how their group came together, their meeting with Brad Pitt, the founding of a new social network, and their goal to break through as a boy band with their own music.
59 min | Aug 19, 2024S4 E37: Niklas Hellemann, Cybersecurity Experte
Firewalls and secure passwords—when it comes to cybersecurity, many first think of technical solutions for protection. However, the Cologne-based startup Sosafe focuses on those who can often pose the greatest danger to companies: their own employees. In the OMR Podcast, founder Niklas Hellemann explains why cybercrime is as much about psychology as it is about technology, how companies can protect themselves, and how AI is changing the threat landscape.
60 min | Aug 19, 2024S4 E38: Kai Wawrzinek, Goodgames
Kai Wawrzinek started buying websites with his brother at a young age before the two went on to found Goodgame Studios. Within just a few years, they transformed the game provider into a company with hundreds of millions of euros in revenue and around 1,400 employees. However, the rapid rise didn't last forever. Today, Kai Wawrzinek has a new project—and he's taking on global giants like Amazon and Google.
88 min | Aug 19, 2024S4 E39: Eduard Dörrenberg, Alpecin
With products like Alpecin and Plantur 39, the Dr. Wolff Group has seen significant revenue growth in recent years, now generating nearly €400 million. In the OMR Podcast, company CEO Eduard Dörrenberg explains the connection between the caffeine shampoo Alpecin and the beverage Red Bull, why even an Amazon private label caffeine shampoo doesn't keep him up at night, and why Germany urgently needs an update.
61 min | Aug 19, 2024S4 E40: Steffen Henssler, TV Koch
Steffen Henssler is one of Germany's most famous TV chefs, filling large venues as a live entertainer and successfully selling his own cooking utensils online. In the OMR Podcast, he spoke with Philipp Westermeyer about the role a lottery win played in his life, how he prefers to cook at home, and the current situation with his sushi delivery chain, Go by Steffen Henssler.
90 min | Aug 19, 2024S4 E41: Erik Podzuweit, Gründer
With humorous slogans on billboards all over Germany, Scalable Capital has recently attracted a lot of attention. In the OMR Podcast, founder Erik Podzuweit discusses the company's transformation from a robo-advisor to a neobroker and the strategy behind the ad campaign. He also reveals why Scalable Capital would have a hard time becoming a jersey sponsor for a football club, why he now personally engages in lobbying in political Berlin, and which product the company has nearly ready to go in case of potential legal changes.
77 min | Aug 19, 2024S4 E42: Ben Bernschneider, Stillegende
Ben Bernschneider is nearly 47 years old when his career as an influencer begins. This was not planned; it is the result of a life crisis. Ben Bernschneider is financially broke and emotionally in a rut—but he has retained his passion for aesthetics. He films his first reel for Instagram. And what happens next is something he probably never thought possible.
75 min | Aug 19, 2024S4 E44: Carsten Cramer, Jan-Henrik Gruszecki
A few days before the Champions League final, it was revealed that the defense company Rheinmetall and Bundesliga club Borussia Dortmund had agreed on a partnership. The deal secures millions for BVB but also sparks discussions among fans and observers of the club. In the OMR Podcast, BVB managers Carsten Cramer and Jan-Henrik Gruszecki discuss how the deal came about, the financial differences between the leagues in Germany and England, BVB's business model, and much more.
55 min | Aug 19, 2024S4 E45: Nina Zimmermann
Kununu, with 380,000 profiles on the platform, is Germany's largest review portal for workplaces, yet many people are still unfamiliar with the name. CEO Nina Zimmermann wants to change that. In the OMR Podcast, she shared with Philipp Westermeyer how she plans to achieve this, which types of reviews pose a problem for Kununu, and what users should be mindful of when comparing potential employers.
66 min | Aug 19, 2024S4 E46: Norbert Himmler, ZDF Intendant
ZDF has been the most popular TV channel in Germany for many years, primarily funded by broadcasting fees, amounting to 2.5 billion euros in 2023 alone. Despite this, ZDF still needs to cut costs. In the OMR Podcast, Director-General Norbert Himmler explains how the network plans to balance cost-saving measures with innovation. He also reveals strategies to better engage younger audiences and discusses why satire shows like Jan Böhmermann's cause him a lot of trouble, yet are ultimately worth it.
89 min | Aug 19, 2024S4 E47: Lili Radu, Vee Collective
Lili Radu founded her first bag label right after finishing her studies—and even managed to impress the global giant Apple. Now, with Vee Collective, she has even bigger ambitions. Her "Everyday Bag" is aimed at becoming the new Longchamp Pliage, the best-selling bag in the world. To achieve this, Lili Radu is focusing on collaborations with Gwyneth Paltrow, tapping into the growing U.S. market.
62 min | Aug 19, 2024S4 E49: Nick Jue, ING-Deutschland Chef
Through savings account offers and advertising featuring basketball star Dirk Nowitzki, ING Germany has become the largest direct bank in the country, with the goal of reaching ten million customers firmly in sight. In the OMR and Finance Forward podcast, CEO Nick Jue shares his thoughts on the advertising impact of interest rates on savings, whether he's worried about competitors like Trade Republic and Scalable Capital, and what changes he wants to make to the brand.
56 min | Aug 19, 2024S4 E50: Verena Zander
Verena Zander was a manager at Amazon before taking over as the CEO of Just Spices. The founders of the Düsseldorf-based spice startup stepped back after its acquisition by the U.S. giant Kraft Heinz. Now, Verena Zander is tasked with driving the company's growth, aiming to turn double-digit million revenues into triple-digit figures. However, the challenges are significant. In the OMR Podcast, Verena Zander explains why she initially decided to reduce the product range, how she plans to conquer the U.S. market with Just Spices, and why a spice advent calendar costing nearly 100 euros has become one of the most important revenue drivers.
56 min | Aug 19, 2024S4 E51: Stephan Schäfer, Bestseller Autor
Stephan Schäfer rose from journalist to co-CEO of RTL Germany. But then, surprisingly, his departure followed. He made a fresh start, wrote a novel—and immediately scored a bestseller. In the OMR podcast, Stephan Schäfer discusses why, after a successful media career, he decided to take an entirely new path at nearly 50 years old.
51 min | Sep 25, 2024S4 E54: Robert Bosch, CMO Sunday Natural
Self-optimization, veganism, longevity—several mega-trends are fueling the rapidly growing market for dietary supplements. Sunday Natural, based in Berlin, is a leading player in this space. The startup became a unicorn in just ten years without external capital. Following its acquisition by investor CVC—reportedly for 800 million euros—the company is now focused on expanding across Europe.
45 min | Aug 19, 2024S4 E55: Philipp Povel und Malte Huffmann
In 2010, Malte Huffmann and Philipp Povel moved from Berlin to Brazil to build a Zalando clone on behalf of Rocket Internet. They discuss the rocky journey from being nobodies in a foreign land to becoming market leaders, their experiences with Oliver Samwer, what they are grateful to him for, and how they are now bringing the buy-now-pay-later model to the B2B sector with their new Berlin-based startup Mondu, all in this anecdote-filled episode of the OMR Podcast.
67 min | Sep 25, 2024S4 E56: Holger Hübner, Wacken Open Air Festival
What started over 40 years ago as a pub joke has now become a business generating tens of millions in revenue, with spin-off events and its own themed cruise. In the OMR Podcast, Wacken co-founder Holger Hübner shares incredible anecdotes from the early years, discusses the rapid growth since the 90s, talks about existential crises, and reveals his plans for the future of W.O.A. (Wacken Open Air).
66 min | Aug 19, 2024S4 E62: Arne Freundt, Puma-CEO
In November 2022, Arne Freundt took over as CEO of Puma after his predecessor, Björn Gulden, made a surprising move to archrival Adidas. In the OMR Podcast, Arne Freundt talks about his path to the top of Puma, collaborations with global stars like Neymar, and, of course, the jersey partnership with Check24, which allowed Puma to create a massive hype during the European Football Championship in Germany.
69 min | Dec 03, 2024S4 E63: Thomas und Jo Wünsche
Founded 90 years ago as a grain trading company, the Wünsche Group is now involved in international trade across numerous product segments. The Hamburg-based trading company sells everything from tomato paste to clothing and sports equipment, generating an annual revenue of 700 million euros. Aldi has been one of its major customers for over 60 years. In the OMR podcast, Thomas Wünsche and his daughter Jo discuss family business disputes, the private-label market, social media as a career path, and growing competition from Chinese discount retailers like Temu and Shein.
77 min | Oct 18, 2024S4 E65: Pip Klöckner, KI Update
The video in which Philipp "Pip" Klöckner discusses the current state of artificial intelligence has been viewed nearly 300,000 times. That’s reason enough to invite him back as an expert on the OMR Podcast—especially since the field continues to evolve rapidly. In the podcast, Pip Klöckner explains why he doesn’t believe in drastic impacts on the job market, why he still expects surprises from German AI startups, and why, despite all the risks, he remains optimistic about AI.
68 min | Oct 18, 2024S4 E66: Dirk Nowitzki, Basketball-Legende
Over 30,000 points, a championship with the Dallas Mavericks, NBA MVP: Dirk Nowitzki has achieved more in his basketball career than any other German player before him – and yet he has remained remarkably down-to-earth. In the OMR Podcast, Dirk Nowitzki reflects on key moments in his career, discusses opponents and teammates such as Michael Jordan, Kobe Bryant, and Dennis Rodman, and reveals what role he could see himself in the future.
90 min | Sep 09, 2024S4 E67: Josef Ackermann, Ex-Deutsche-Bank-Chef
Josef Ackermann was the first foreign CEO at the helm of Deutsche Bank – and one of its most influential. Under his leadership, the bank reached the top tier globally, survived the financial crisis without state aid, but years later had to pay billions of euros to settle legal disputes. In the OMR Podcast, he discusses the differences between the German and American bank bailouts, conversations with former Chancellor Angela Merkel, and an unusual meeting with Russia's President Vladimir Putin.
81 min | May 05, 2025S4 E68: Richard Lutz, Deutsche-Bahn Chef
The infrastructure is dilapidated, the trains are late, and the staff is frustrated—the Deutsche Bahn is currently facing many issues. In the OMR Podcast, CEO Richard Lutz discusses the causes of these problems, the construction projects aimed at improvements, and his own career within the company.
73 min | Sep 26, 2024S4 E69: Nils Aldag, Sunfire-Gründer
Green Hydrogen for Industry: How a Machinery Startup from Dresden is Driving the Decarbonization of the German Economy. The Dresden-based startup Sunfire manufactures electrolyzers. The hydrogen produced with these systems is the fuel for building a post-fossil industry. In the OMR Podcast, Sunfire founder Nils Aldag discusses the challenging early days, the investors (including Amazon), and the economic potential of his company. He also reveals why the gas and oil state of Saudi Arabia is particularly interested in his products.
64 min | Sep 26, 2024S4 E70: Ulrich Wolters, Unternehmer
The former top manager offers rare insights into the discount empire. Almost everyone in Germany knows Aldi, but little is known about the history of the discount empire. The Albrecht brothers, Theo (Aldi Nord) and Karl (Aldi Süd), were long considered the richest Germans, yet they were virtually invisible in public. One person who was closely connected to Karl Albrecht for many years is Ulrich Wolters. He worked alongside the founder to run the Aldi Süd business for many years, transforming the small supermarket chain into an internationally operating retail heavyweight. In the OMR Podcast, he discusses his career alongside Karl Albrecht, the key decisions that led to success, his doubts about the business models of Shein and Temu, and the potential of his latest retail project, Action.
85 min | Sep 26, 2024S4 E71: Sebastian Steinau, Luxus-Immobilien Makler
The native of Sauerland is one of the most successful brokers for luxury apartments in New York. The city that never sleeps. The Big Apple. The world capital. There are many nicknames for the US metropolis New York. For Sauerland native Sebastian Steinau, it is above all the most efficient and complex real estate market in the world, seemingly immune to any crisis. And as one of the most successful "real estate dealers," he has certainly played a part in that. In the first episode of a small New York series on the OMR podcast, he shares how he went from Sauerland to the Caribbean and eventually to New York—and how the business of selling multi-million-dollar apartments works.
76 min | Sep 24, 2024S4 E72: Fabian Heilemann, Investor
As a teenager, Fabian Heilemann had one goal: he wanted to become rich. Together with his brother, he founded the startup DailyDeal, which led to a rapid rise and a $100 million exit to Google. However, this didn’t bring him happiness. From a Porsche-driving workaholic, he transformed into a committed cargo bike rider who regularly takes time off for meditation. Today, he invests millions in sustainable startups. But the question remains: can you really make money while protecting the climate?
79 min | Oct 08, 2024S4 E73: Volker Gruhn, Adesso Gründer
Volker Gruhn started his career in a corporation but quickly realized: This isn't for me. Instead, he became a professor of computer science and, on the side, founded the IT service provider Adesso. Today, the company generates more than a billion euros in revenue with 10,000 employees. In the OMR podcast, Volker Gruhn talks about building the company, the importance of European AI solutions, and why a former football manager from Borussia Dortmund sits on the board of a software company.
61 min | Oct 08, 2024S4 E74: Die 500 reichsten Deutschen
The German economy is in crisis, yet the wealth of the richest German tech entrepreneurs has surged significantly over the past year. Manager Magazin has updated its list of the 500 richest Germans. For the OMR podcast, deputy editor-in-chief Simone Salden compiled an overview of the 20 wealthiest tech entrepreneurs. Topping the list is a founder and investor who left Germany many years ago.
55 min | Oct 08, 2024S4 E75: Sascha Peljhan, Naketano Gründer
When Naketano announced its closure in 2018, many in the fashion industry thought it was a marketing stunt. At the time, the signature hoodies with drawstrings and faux leather emblems were bestsellers, both online and in physical stores. After years of growth, the fashion brand was at its peak. Why would anyone give up a business that generates millions in profit? But the two founders from Essen were serious: they called it quits, leaving not only many unanswered questions but also a painful gap for retailers and online stores like About You. Six years later, Sascha Peljhan revealed on the OMR podcast why they decided to end it back then, and—most importantly—why selling the brand was never an option for them.
69 min | Oct 08, 2024S4 E76: Tim Raue, Sternekoch
Tim Raue is not only one of Germany’s best chefs; he’s also part of the international top tier. At just 23, he became head chef before starting his own business with his then-wife. They opened Restaurant Tim Raue, which has held two Michelin stars since 2012. Today, he runs seven additional restaurants and is planning a new one in the Berlin TV Tower. Raue has also built an extensive business portfolio outside the kitchen. In the OMR Podcast, he spoke with Philipp Westermeyer about his challenging childhood and youth, his latest projects, and the current challenges in the restaurant industry.
80 min | Nov 06, 2024S4 E77: Christian Sewing und Oliver Zeidler
It is a letter that changes everything. It was written by Oliver Zeidler while preparing for the Olympic Games in Paris in search of a sponsor. Addressee: Deutsche Bank CEO Christian Sewing. So far, Germany's largest financial institution has not sponsored individual athletes. An exception is made for Oliver Zeidler. Why? The two reveal it in the OMR Podcast.
72 min | May 05, 2025S4 E78: Nils Glagau, Orthomol CEO
Joining the family business wasn’t initially on Nils Glagau's agenda. Instead of studying business administration, he pursued anthropology, and instead of internships at consulting firms, he assisted with excavations in Central America and Asia. The early death of his father changed everything. In the OMR Podcast, Glagau talks about his entry into the supplement manufacturer Orthomol, the secret formula for doubling revenues to over 150 million euros, and the rumors that he's currently looking for a buyer for his company.
65 min | Nov 06, 2024S4 E79: Willi Bruckbauer, BORA-Gründer
How a carpenter developed an innovative ventilation system into a luxury must-have in the kitchen sector: Willi Bruckbauer says he finds it hard to give up. So he just keeps going after major kitchen appliance manufacturers dismiss his idea when he presents it: a ventilation system that pulls steam downward. In the OMR Podcast, the entrepreneur shares how he managed to sell BORA ventilation systems for several thousand euros – and with which new products he aims to become a major player in the kitchen market.
66 min | Nov 06, 2024S4 E80: Jonas Deichmann, Ultra-Ausdauersportler
For Jonas Deichmann, the fun begins where others would have long given up: a bike tour from Cape to Cape or 120 triathlons on 120 consecutive days – German ultra-athlete Jonas Deichmann is famous for his insane endurance stunts. In the OMR Podcast, the 37-year-old explains why he chose a career in adventure, why the story is more important to him than the record, how he finances his projects, and why he once spent a night – voluntarily – in an Egyptian prison.
75 min | Nov 06, 2024S4 E81: Richard Enning, Mr.-Wash-Chef
With conveyor belt interior cleaning, entrepreneur Richard Enning revolutionized the market. Richard Enning was just a child when his father opened the first car wash in Düsseldorf. Sixty years later, the company Mr. Wash operates massive car wash complexes at around 40 locations, generating approximately 300 million euros in revenue. The key to its success was the conveyor belt interior cleaning introduced by Richard Enning. In the OMR Podcast, the entrepreneur reveals why he sometimes sits by the roadside to count cars when scouting new locations, why mass processing and quality don’t have to be mutually exclusive, and why he isn’t afraid of the mobility shift with car sharing and similar trends.
76 min | Nov 06, 2024S4 E82: Alexander Geiser, FGS-CEO
Alexander Geiser is arguably the most influential communication expert in the country. The CEO of consultancy FGS Global represents the who's who of German business. The "Manager Magazin" once dubbed him "The Whisperer." In the OMR Podcast, the German-Canadian discusses the mood in Germany’s executive suites, the potential consequences of a Donald Trump victory in the U.S., and what it will take for Germany to emerge from its current crisis.
60 min | Nov 07, 2024S4 E83: Karsten Wildberger, MediamarktSaturn CEO
22 billion euros in revenue but only 1.5 billion euros in market value: Karsten Wildberger is tasked with preparing the once-struggling consumer electronics giant MediaMarktSaturn for the future. In the OMR Podcast, the CEO of parent company Ceconomy discusses painful staff cuts, the newly launched service initiative, and the future of the Saturn brand.
78 min | Nov 07, 2024S4 E84: Bobby Dekeyser, Unternehmer
Bobby Dekeyser founded the premium garden furniture manufacturer Dedon and sold it for a high multimillion amount. He received a professional contract with FC Bayern Munich after meeting the goalkeeping legend Jean-Marie Pfaff at breakfast in a hotel. He now lives on a farm with llamas in Ibiza, where podcast host Philipp Westermeyer met him for an interview. In the OMR Podcast, he reveals how coincidences have developed into great opportunities – and how he reorganized his life after the much-too-early death of his wife.
105 min | May 05, 2025S4 E85: Stefan Povaly, J.P. Morgan Deutschlandchef
He was the Germany head of the world's most valuable bank, and now he serves as Co-Head of Global Corporate Banking in Europe: Stefan Povaly. For more than 20 years, he has been with J.P. Morgan, the bank that earns more profit in a year than the entire market value of Deutsche Bank. In the OMR Podcast, the banker talks about his biggest deals, the reasons behind J.P. Morgan's strong performance, and a new regulation aimed at improving work-life balance, which limits many employees to "only" 80 hours per week.
55 min | Dec 09, 2024S4 E86: Mai Thi Nguyen-Kim, Wissenschaftsjournalistin
The plan seemed clear: After studying chemistry, Mai Thi Nguyen-Kim was convinced her career path would lead to BASF, where her father also worked. But then everything turned out differently. In the OMR Podcast, she shares how a series of fortunate coincidences made her Germany's most famous science journalist, her thoughts on Elon Musk, the role money plays in her life, and why we should all be in love with the periodic table.
94 min | Dec 09, 2024S4 E87: Robert Kittel, Pretty Hotels Gründer
Robert Kittel travels the world to find the most beautiful hotels. But apparently it's not that easy. “Pretty Hotels” is the name of the portal he set up - and despite 400 requests, only 15 to 20 new offers appear each year. In the OMR podcast, the founder explains how he has built up a community around the hotel recommendations, why he is not aiming for the mass market - and how a column for Playboy contributed to the idea of Pretty Hotels.
72 min | Jan 07, 2025S4 E89: Mario Kohle, Enpal-CEO
Mario Kohle and his team have catapulted the turnover of energy start-up Enpal to almost one billion euros in just a few years. But now the market for renewable energies is in crisis and some competitors are already pulling out. In the OMR podcast, the founder reveals why he remains convinced that an energy company the size of Amazon can be built up with solar and co. despite what Mario Kohle calls a “year of consolidation”.
62 min | Jan 07, 2025S4 E90: Andreas W. Herb
Andreas W. Herb started out as a banking trainee running a nightclub on the side before building a multimillion-dollar beverage business with the MBG Group. From Paderborn, he has shaken up the market with brands like Salitos, Effect, and 9 Mile Vodka—and in the process, he has become a social media star himself. In the OMR Podcast, the CEO shares how he creates his content, why he doesn’t believe in the long-term success of creator brands in iced tea or energy drinks, and why the MBG Group is now even venturing into caviar.
105 min | Dec 09, 2024S4 E92: Constantin Buschmann, Brabus-CEO
Constantin Buschmann's father turned the Bottrop-based company Brabus into probably the world's best-known car tuner. Then the senior boss died unexpectedly. His son is now reorganizing the company. Constantin Buschmann wants to turn the car tuner into a globally coveted luxury brand - and is now even having boats and caravans designed for it.
81 min | Jan 07, 2025S4 E93: Palina Rojinski, Schauspielerin und Moderatorin
Palina Rojinski has become an integral part of the German television landscape. She made it big as a sidekick for Joko and Klaas, but has long been successful on her own, currently as part of the jury for “The Masked Singer”: As an entrepreneur, she is in the astro business, she has just filmed for the Apple TV series “Where's Wanda?” and works as an advertising face with various brands. In the OMR podcast, she revealed how she manages to juggle everything.
77 min | Jan 07, 2025S4 E94: Michael Miebach, Mastercard-CEO
For three years, Michael Miebach has been the CEO of Mastercard - responsible for a company valued at over 550 billion euros on the stock market. In the OMR podcast, the manager discusses his rise to the top of the US corporation, the differences between Mastercard and competitors like American Express, and the significant growth opportunities in business payment processing.
60 min | May 05, 2025S4 E95: Andreas Wiele, P7S1-Aufsichtsratschef
For nearly two decades, Andreas Wiele was one of the key managers at Axel Springer. However, when private equity investor KKR entered in 2019, he decided to exit. In the OMR Podcast, Andreas Wiele explains why, at the age of 57, he chose to reinvent himself professionally. Today, he is an investor, has founded an energy startup, and as Chairman of the Supervisory Board, he must prepare the struggling television company ProSiebenSat.1 for the streaming era. He sees one thing completely differently than competitor RTL.
78 min | May 05, 2025S4 E96: Clueso und Olaf Meinking
Clueso is known for big hits such as “Die schönsten Tage”, “Flugmodus” and “Du warst immer dabei”. But few people know that he not only stands on stage and performs, but also knows exactly what's going on from a business perspective during his concert tours. Together with his manager Olaf Meinking, the musician has founded his own label and a company for music and concert productions. In the OMR podcast, they talk about their collaboration, the evolution of the music industry, the connection to the fanbase and how they combine creative work and business.
85 min | Jan 07, 2025S4 E97: Kajo Hiesl und Vladislav Gachyn, Goldie-Gründer
Famous food bloggers are celebrating their burgers, with queues sometimes forming meters long outside the stores: Chefs Kajo Hiesl and Vladislav Gachyn have created a huge amount of hype around the Smashburger from their fast food franchise Goldies. In the OMR podcast, the two talk about their beginnings in one of Germany's best restaurants, their expansion plans and the fundamental differences to other German burger concepts such as the “Hans im Glück” franchise.
57 min | Jan 07, 2025Season 3
S3 E1: Patrick Andrä, Gründer Hometogo
The market for vacation homes is extremely fragmented and has yet to be consolidated by major U.S. platforms. This presents an opportunity for the Berlin-based startup Hometogo. However, after a rapid increase in valuation, especially at the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, the stock price of the once-unicorn has recently plummeted. In the OMR Podcast, founder and CEO Patrick Andrae explains how he aims to change the stock market's perception of his company, how Hometogo hacked the SEO game with television advertising, and why he recently reached out to the EU Commission out of frustration with Google. 🎧 Den OMR Podcast mit Philipp Westermeyer gibt es auf allen Podcast-Plattformen 🎧 Abonnieren auf Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4rION5Qm2nPvDbzIB1wUiH?si=7dd02e6e5590445b Abonnieren auf Apple Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/de/podcast/omr-podcast/id1056312052
80 min | Sep 12, 2024S3 E3: Sebastian Gundel, Obi-CEO
The hardware store chain known for its orange beavers is familiar to almost everyone, but that doesn’t protect the eight-billion-euro company from competitors like Amazon & Co. In the OMR Podcast, the new CEO Sebastian Gundel reveals why Obi will aim to become a solutions provider, potentially offering photovoltaic systems, the future role of franchise partners, and which product has seen a dramatic increase in demand due to rapidly rising heating costs.
56 min | Sep 12, 2024S3 E4: Katrin Suder, Multi-Aufsichtsrätin
Katrin Suder has made a career that would take other people two lifetimes. She studied, obtained a doctorate (and studied again on the side), became a partner at McKinsey, State Secretary in the Ministry of Defense, headed the Federal Government's Digital Council, now sits on several supervisory boards and also has three children to look after - all at the age of just 51. In the OMR podcast, Katrin Suder explains why more people from the world of business need to move into politics - and what question she asked the artificial intelligence company ChatGPT.
66 min | Feb 01, 2025S3 E7: Andreas Thümmler, Unternehmer
Andreas Thümmler has orchestrated million-dollar deals and thrown extravagant parties. With his M&A boutique Corporate Finance Partners, he stirred up the German tech scene in the early 2000s. He then stepped back to fulfill a dream: opening his own whiskey distillery. With St. Kilian, he is now aiming for new heights again—and he is already dreaming of creating his own virtual whiskey currency.
86 min | Sep 12, 2024S3 E9: Rolf Habben Jansen, Hapag Lloyd CEO
The shipping company Hapag Lloyd made more profit in 2022 from container shipping than some DAX companies are worth on the stock market: €17.5 billion. Billionaire and major shareholder Klaus-Michael Kühne is expected to receive more than €3 billion in dividends this year alone. The rainmaker of the company is Rolf Habben Jansen. Under his leadership, the stock price has more than tenfold increased. Nonetheless, the CEO remains sober and factual in the OMR Podcast. He knows that the year 2022 was likely an exception—and the company continues to face significant challenges ahead.
53 min | Sep 12, 2024S3 E13: Marcus Wolter, TV-Produzent
Stefan Raab, Heike Makatsch, Matthias Opdenhövel, Lotto King Karl – all these big stars of the entertainment business have one man in common: Marcus Wolter. Once a would-be pop star, then a music and later TV producer, he is now the CEO of Banijay Germany, the German branch of the world's largest independent content production company. In the OMR Podcast, Wolter talks with Philipp Westermeyer about his unconventional career and the stars he has discovered. They discuss talent, chance, and a lot of hard work.
41 min | Sep 12, 2024S3 E25: Andrea Petkovic, Tennis-Star
Andrea Petković reached the semifinals of a Grand Slam tournament and broke into the top 10 of the world rankings during her career. She retired from tennis in 2022. In the OMR Podcast, she talks about her new life as an author and host, her time at Harvard, and her tennis matches against Serena Williams.
51 min | Sep 12, 2024S3 E39: Verona Pooth
In the late 1990s, Verona Pooth became a German advertising icon with commercials for brands like Iglo, Schwartau, and the directory assistance number 11880. In the OMR Podcast, she shares how the legendary catchphrase "Da werden Sie geholfen" ("There you will be helped") came about, how she achieved a Gold Record despite having no singing talent, and why working as a model at a young age taught her to quickly develop people skills.
78 min | Dec 03, 2024S3 E41: Frank Thelen, Investor
Almost at the peak of Tech Euphoria in the markets, Frank Thelen launched his own fund, 10xDNA. Since then, the valuation has collapsed, a topic frequently discussed in the media. In the OMR Podcast, the investor reveals why he doesn’t regret the move, reflects on the past months, and explains why Elon Musk’s purchase of Twitter for over $40 billion wasn’t a mistake.
68 min | Sep 11, 2024S3 E46: Anna Engelschall, Fitness-Influencerin
Anna Engelschall has built up a career as a fitness influencer in just three years. Around six million people follow the Instagram and YouTube channels of “Growingannanas”. In the OMR podcast, she told Philipp Westermeyer what triggered her success and how she wants to develop her brand further.
49 min | Feb 01, 2025S E
Philipp Westermeyer Meets Boris Becker in Munich: Discussing 40 Years in the Spotlight, His Ambivalent Relationship with Fame, Plans for the Boris Becker Brand, and a Comeback on the Edge of the Tennis Court
93 min | Sep 11, 2024Season 2
S2 E2: Marc Gebauer, Luxus-Influencer
Marc Gebauer developed an early interest in luxury watches—from Rolex to Patek Philippe. He has since turned his passion into a successful business, with clients including actors Elyas M'Barek and Moritz Bleibtreu. However, trading watches is meant to be just one of several revenue streams. Together with his mother, the Rhinelander is now planning the next step.
57 min | Sep 24, 2024S2 E3: Tarek Müller, About-You-Chef
As CEO of the publicly traded company About You, Tarek Müller Has Been Able to Present Strong Numbers—Yet Recently, the Stock Price of the Fashion Platform Plummeted. In the OMR Podcast, Tarek Müller Discusses the Background, Explains the Tech Strategy of the Hamburg-Based Company, and Reveals Why His First Venture into Reddit Was Short-Lived.
84 min | Sep 11, 2024S2 E7: Montana Black, Streamer
MontanaBlack is Germany's most successful Twitch streamer—and also one of the most controversial. However, his fans love the 34-year-old for his unfiltered style. MontanaBlack started with video games, which he commentated live. He now also runs a clothing label, and his biography became a bestseller. In the OMR podcast, "Monte" shares why he has not appeared on television so far, why he is now launching his own air fresheners, and where the name MontanaBlack actually comes from.
67 min | Sep 24, 2024S2 E8: Markus Lanz, Moderator
As the host of "Wetten, dass..?", Markus Lanz experienced the toughest phase of his career. He has since turned his eponymous talk show into the most important political format on German television. In the 500th episode of the OMR Podcast, he speaks with Philipp Westermeyer about his journey into the media, his interview with Barack Obama, and whether he can really do 300 push-ups.
87 min | Sep 24, 2024S2 E9: Alexander Zverev, Tennisprofi
Alexander Zverev is Germany's top tennis player. In the OMR podcast, he discusses his rise to the top of the world rankings, luxury watches on the tennis court, his investments in sports startups, and a legendary WhatsApp group with TV star Robert Geiss.
49 min | Sep 24, 2024S2 E11: Reinhold Würth, Unternehmerlegende
From two to 84,000 employees and from €80,000 to €17 billion in revenue: Reinhold Würth turned his father's screw trading business into one of the largest family enterprises in the country. The key to success was significant achievements in sales. In the OMR Podcast, the 87-Year-old Würth tells OMR founder Philipp Westermeyer which record could be broken this year—and shares his perspective on Russia's aar of aggression in Ukraine.
64 min | Sep 12, 2024S2 E13: Thomas Wlazik, Tiktok Manager
Thomas Wlazik was a manager at Google for twelve years and now oversees the sales division at TikTok for the DACH region, the Netherlands, and Israel. In the OMR Podcast, he provides insights into the rapid growth of the short-video platform, explains why the number of followers on TikTok is no longer as important, and offers OMR founder Philipp Westermeyer tips on how he could still build a successful account in the network popular among Gen Z, even in his early 40s.
58 min | Sep 12, 2024S2 E14: Marlena Hien & Laurence Saunier
Despite costing over €20 per jar, the demand for Bears with Benefits products has been rising for years. The reason: the gummy bears are not a candy but are designed to help make hair shinier and skin more beautiful. In the OMR Podcast, founders Laurence Saunier and Marlena Hien reveal how they built a million-dollar business without investors, why they're glad they weren’t invited to "Die Höhle der Löwen," and why they have decided to sell their company despite their successes.
52 min | Sep 12, 2024S2 E15: Chris Wolf & Stefan Smalla
Anyone frequenting gyms or consuming protein shakes is likely familiar with ESN, and those engaged with diet products on social media probably know More Nutrition. Both brands, along with several others, belong to The Quality Group (TQG), founded in 2020 in Elmshorn. Mid-year, the group was acquired by the financial investor CVC; the company aims to achieve over €300 million in revenue in 2022. In the OMR Podcast, More Nutrition founder Christian Wolf and TQG CEO Stefan Smalla discuss the strategy and growth of this hidden champion for the first time.
78 min | Sep 12, 2024S2 E16: Oliver Kahn, Fußball-Legende
Since July 2021, Oliver Kahn Has Been CEO of FC Bayern Munich AG. From 1994 to 2008, He Played for the Club as a Goalkeeper, Winning Numerous Titles and Being Considered One of the Best Goalkeepers in the World. His Tenacity on the Field Earned Him Nicknames Like Titan and Kung-Fu Kahn. In the OMR Podcast, He Discusses His Transition Between Careers, His Early Interest in Business, Sponsorship Deals Including One with Tipico, and the Role Professional Football Can Play in Political and Social Discussions.
90 min | Sep 12, 2024Season 1
S1 E1: Saygin Yalcin, Sellanycar Gründer
In Germany, Saygin Yalcin is not well-known. Yet the Bremen-born entrepreneur has already had an exit to Amazon and built a unicorn – but in Dubai. In the OMR podcast, he explains why he wanted to become rich even as a child, what drove him to move to Dubai with just a backpack, and why he gifted super-influencer Kendall Jenner a Rolls Royce for her birthday.
81 min | Oct 18, 2024S1 E2: Julia Bösch, Outfittery
Nearly ten years after its launch, Outfittery has just completed its first profitable quarter. "It will stay that way," says co-founder and CEO Julia Bösch in the OMR podcast. She also shares how her Berlin-based curated shopping startup has gained a six-figure number of customers and achieved an annual turnover of around 100 million euros—and why she believes the right time for Outfittery's business model is only just beginning.
51 min | Oct 08, 2024Season 5
S5 E1: Fritz Keller, Winzer
Fritz Keller grew up with a winemaker as a father and a mother who was a star chef – it was all about good food and drink from the very beginning. Later, he developed his parents' business further and even supplies Aldi, but under a different name, as the winery 'Franz Keller' is meant to remain premium. In the OMR Podcast, Fritz Keller talks about his time as a football functionary, a star restaurant with 4800 wines on the menu, and of course about the wine treasures that are stored in three tunnels that his family once dug into a mountain to store wine.
76 min | May 07, 2025S5 E2: Jaroslaw Kutylowski, DeepL-CEO
In 2017, DeepL launched its first translator and everyone was thrilled: the translations were better than those from Google. Now the company is a multiple unicorn, and the translator is used by many people in their daily work worldwide. Soon it could even completely change the way we conduct professional video calls. DeepL CEO Jarek Kutylowski spoke in the OMR Podcast about his future plans, discussed the competition from Silicon Valley, weighed the pros and cons of AI, and discussed whether it is still meaningful today to learn languages.
57 min | May 07, 2025S5 E3: Pip Klöckner, Investor
For the fourth time, recurring guest Philipp "Pip" Klöckner and OMR founder Philipp Westermeyer meet at the beginning of the year to discuss predictions for the development of the tech, marketing, and startup world. Unlike in previous years, these predictions come not from themselves but from the OMR community. The community has bold theses – from the integration of Greenland into the USA to the takeover of TikTok by Elon Musk. One topic was discussed particularly often.
89 min | Mar 27, 2025S5 E4: Hans Thomann, Musikhaus Inhaber
Hans Thomann started working in his family’s music store as a child, transforming it into the world's largest music retailer. Music stars from around the globe shop at Thomann, selling about 1000 guitars daily. Even Amazon can't compete with Thomann in the instrument segment. In the OMR Podcast, Hans Thomann discusses the beginnings, his early focus on the online business, the development of his own instrument brands, and why he has never brought external investors on board.
92 min | Mar 27, 2025S5 E5: Jan Beckers, Fondsmanager
Jan Beckers has had turbulent years. With his Bit Capital funds, the investor was one of the most successful and highest-yielding players in Europe during the pandemic. However, then came the crash. Now, thanks to the hype around AI, Bit Capital has returned to a successful path – and the plans are bigger than ever.
73 min | Mar 27, 2025S5 E6: Mathias Döpfner, Axel-Springer-CEO
For nearly 25 years, Mathias Döpfner has led the Berlin-based Springer Group, transforming the traditional publishing house several times during this period. He now aims to take the next step, transforming Axel Springer into the largest digital publisher in the democratic world. In the OMR podcast, Döpfner discusses his strategy, the controversial guest contribution by Elon Musk in the Springer newspaper 'Welt am Sonntag,' and his doubts about whether the occasionally genius Tesla CEO might long-term become a figure threatening democracy.
89 min | Mar 27, 2025S5 E7: Jan-Frederik Arnold, Flightright-CEO
To enforce customer rights, the legal tech company Flightright has even had to stop planes on the runway by a bailiff. To date, more than 600 million euros in compensation for flight delays have been claimed. In the OMR podcast, CEO Jan-Frederik Arnold discusses the beginnings and explains why he now wants to transform Flightright into a broader legal tech player called Allright.
52 min | Mar 27, 2025S5 E8: David Schröder und Tarek Müller
Zalando and About You were long-time rivals, but now the two online shops are joining forces. With the acquisition of About You, Zalando not only strengthens its market position but also gains the final piece needed to expand its B2B business. In the OMR Podcast, Zalando's Co-CEO David Schröder and About You CEO Tarek Müller talk about their secret meetings in Berlin and Hamburg, their joint plans after the acquisition, and what they now hope for from politics.
77 min | May 07, 2025S5 E9: Frank Thelen, Investor
Investor Frank Thelen is known as a great admirer of Tesla CEO Elon Musk. However, he is now actively supporting the far-right AfD in the Bundestag election campaign. In the OMR Podcast, Frank Thelen discusses his current stance on Elon Musk, his general view of German politics, interim losses in the three-digit millions, and his involvement in the rescue of the air taxi startup Lilium Aviation, which, according to Thelen, almost failed due to the disputes within the traffic light coalition.
71 min | May 09, 2025S5 E10: Patrick Zahn, Kik-Chef
At Kik, the textile retailer, customers have the opportunity to purchase a complete outfit for 30 euros. This is promised by Patrick Zahn. In the OMR Podcast, the CEO explains how retailers can maintain such prices, why he focuses more on physical stores than on online business, and why he believes that there is no other industry where the rise from dishwasher to billionaire is possible so quickly.
67 min | May 09, 2025S5 E11: Wybcke Meier, TUI-Cruises-CEO
Discover a new destination every day and reflect on the day over dinner in the onboard restaurant - this is what Germans love about cruises. Germany ranks second in the world's largest cruise markets, just behind the USA. Major providers like Tui Cruises often have fully booked ships. CEO Wybcke Meier discusses the business of travel dreams, which is distorted by the series "Traumschiff", and special voyages with 3000 metal fans onboard in the OMR podcast.
79 min | May 09, 2025S5 E12: Paul Ronzheimer, Journalist
Paul Ronzheimer has established himself as the most well-known journalistic face of Axel Springer in Germany, thanks to his reporting from crisis areas. He now hosts a podcast and a TV documentary series, both bearing his name. In the OMR Podcast, Ronzheimer shares his first experiences in the trenches, talks about YouTubers seeking exciting footage in crisis areas, and expresses his concerns about Germany's future. He also discusses his relationship with former Bild editor Julian Reichelt, his youth as a gay man in East Frisia, and the moment he was captured in a crisis zone.
76 min | May 09, 2025S5 E13: Nono Konopka, Lanch CEO
Over 100 employees, chips in 10,000 supermarkets, hundreds of delivery locations, and their own stores for Loco Chicken and Happy Slice – Lanch has really taken off in less than two years. Co-founder and CEO Nono Konopka talks in the OMR Podcast about virtual kitchens, working with well-known creators (Knossi, Trymacs) and rappers (Luciano), and a new funding round.
72 min | May 13, 2025S5 E14: Thomas Riedel, Riedel Communications-CEO
Thomas Riedel originally started his career as a magician. Today, he runs a company with about 1000 employees and revenue of more than 250 million euros. His technology is even used at concerts by Taylor Swift. In the OMR podcast, the entrepreneur from Wuppertal shares how he reached the top of event technology, which of his hobbies turned into a million-dollar business, and why he is building one of the best techno clubs in the country right in Wuppertal.
60 min | May 13, 2025S5 E15: Michael Käfer, Wiesn-Wirt
In Munich, he operated the legendary P1 and turned an Oktoberfest tent into a hotspot for celebrities – while also building a million-dollar business around the Käfer delicatessen. In the OMR Podcast, delicatessen king Michael Käfer talks about his success, a meeting with former US President Bill Clinton, and the secret to consistently thriving as an Oktoberfest host.
77 min | May 13, 2025Series Synopsis
OMR-Gründer Philipp Westermeyer trifft regelmäßig die spannendsten Menschen aus Wirtschaft, Unterhaltung, Sport oder auch Musik zum Interview, vom Unternehmer über Gründer von Startups bis zu Investoren. Im OMR Podcast spricht er mit ihnen über ihr Business, ihre Erfolgsrezepte und Entwicklungen im Tech-Bereich, bei der Digitalisierung insgesamt oder generell über die Lage der Welt.
Genre: Documentary
Audio Languages: Deutsch
Subtitle Languages: English