While discussions about four-day workweeks and work-life balance continue, Nena Brockhaus asserts that work-life balance is the great deception of our era. People cannot expect society to take responsibility for their entire lives from birth to death. Previously, social advancement was the focus. The exceptional banker Alfred Herrhausen was advised by his father: “As I see it, you are at least of average intelligence, and if you work one hour more every day than others, it should work out.” Today, however, those who work hard often lose out. Effort is seen as outdated. Extra effort, overtime, or working on Sundays and holidays are frequently viewed as unreasonable burdens. A society oriented toward state redistribution reacts with indignation and criticism toward those demanding more work and higher performance.
- Generation Y and Generation Z: a life for the limelight
A young woman paints her nails deep red, then puts away the dishwasher. This might seem ordinary, but she, whom we’ll call Sarah, records it all on camera. She wants to be watched by strangers. It sounds odd, but it’s true—at least on Instagram. Here, everyday trivialities become a stage for satisfying the desire for recognition. Never before has self-presentation been so easy. Seventy-one percent of Instagram users worldwide are under 35. Their Instagram behavior reveals what motivates Generation Y and Generation Z.
Here is an excerpt of her moderations and expertise:
- 10. Deutscher Vermögensverwaltertag 2025, Frankfurt
- Kita Aktionstag 2024, Moderation, Düsseldorf
- CAPInside Firmentagung 2024, Keynote “Die Werte der alten weisen Männer”, Düsseldorf
- Moderation of Salon M 2024, How can internal and external communication improve company visibility?, Munich
- Volksbank 2024 New Year’s reception, keynote speech “Alte WEISE Männer”, Geldern
- Moderation of the Young Entrepreneurs’ Summit 2023, Berlin
- Live discussion with Philipp Amthor and Kevin Kühnert, Berlin
- Laudatory speech for Sarna Röser, Innovator of the Year Award 2023, Berlin
- Business talk The Pioneer, Berlin
- Tyrolean Economic Forum 2023, Keynote “Politics & Society at a Crossroads: Is the Center Losing Ground?”, Innsbruck
- Future Day 2023, Munich
- Muswiesen Summit 2023, Keynote “Alte WEISE Männer”, Rot am See
- New Work Xing, 2023, Hamburg
- Keynote “Alte WEISE Männer 2023”, Havanna Lounge, Bremen
- Panel discussion with NRW Interior Minister Herbert Reul 2023, Mayersche Buchhandlung, Düsseldorf
- Wolfsgipfel 2023, Berlin
- Panel discussion on the energy crisis 2023, Villa Lessing, Saarbrücken
- Anniversary celebration RUHR REAL Commercial Real Estate 2023, Essen
- Keynote “Die Lage der Nation” 2022, Havanna Lounge, Bremen
- Panel discussion Freedom & Personal Responsibility 2022 Villa Lessing, Saarbrücken
- Stern Diskuthek Körber Stiftung 2022, Hamburg
- Startup Teens Award 2021, Axel Springer SE, Berlin
- Summit of Young Entrepreneurs 2021, Berlin
- Congress for a Resilient Democracy 2021, Berlin
- Fit Tech Summit 2019, Hubert Burda Media, Munich
- Pioneer of Lifestyle Event 2019, Frankfurt
- Assistants Congress, Handelsblatt Media Group, 2019
- Panel discussion “A cashless society?” for Think Young 2019, Brussels
- Building my tomorrow Economy Festival, Handelsblatt Media Group 2018, Cologne
- Ada Love Lace Festival, Wirtschaftswoche 2018, Berlin
- C-Level Suite, Handelsblatt 2018, Berlin
- Work-life balance: The life lie of our time
While discussions about four-day workweeks and work-life balance continue, Nena Brockhaus asserts that work-life balance is the great deception of our era. People cannot expect society to take responsibility for their entire lives from birth to death. Previously, social advancement was the focus. The exceptional banker Alfred Herrhausen was advised by his father: “As I see it, you are at least of average intelligence, and if you work one hour more every day than others, it should work out.” Today, however, those who work hard often lose out. Effort is seen as outdated. Extra effort, overtime, or working on Sundays and holidays are frequently viewed as unreasonable burdens. A society oriented toward state redistribution reacts with indignation and criticism toward those demanding more work and higher performance.
- Generation Y and Generation Z: a life for the limelight
A young woman paints her nails deep red, then puts away the dishwasher. This might seem ordinary, but she, whom we’ll call Sarah, records it all on camera. She wants to be watched by strangers. It sounds odd, but it’s true—at least on Instagram. Here, everyday trivialities become a stage for satisfying the desire for recognition. Never before has self-presentation been so easy. Seventy-one percent of Instagram users worldwide are under 35. Their Instagram behavior reveals what motivates Generation Y and Generation Z.
Here is an excerpt of her moderations and expertise:
- 10. Deutscher Vermögensverwaltertag 2025, Frankfurt
- Kita Aktionstag 2024, Moderation, Düsseldorf
- CAPInside Firmentagung 2024, Keynote “Die Werte der alten weisen Männer”, Düsseldorf
- Moderation of Salon M 2024, How can internal and external communication improve company visibility?, Munich
- Volksbank 2024 New Year’s reception, keynote speech “Alte WEISE Männer”, Geldern
- Moderation of the Young Entrepreneurs’ Summit 2023, Berlin
- Live discussion with Philipp Amthor and Kevin Kühnert, Berlin
- Laudatory speech for Sarna Röser, Innovator of the Year Award 2023, Berlin
- Business talk The Pioneer, Berlin
- Tyrolean Economic Forum 2023, Keynote “Politics & Society at a Crossroads: Is the Center Losing Ground?”, Innsbruck
- Future Day 2023, Munich
- Muswiesen Summit 2023, Keynote “Alte WEISE Männer”, Rot am See
- New Work Xing, 2023, Hamburg
- Keynote “Alte WEISE Männer 2023”, Havanna Lounge, Bremen
- Panel discussion with NRW Interior Minister Herbert Reul 2023, Mayersche Buchhandlung, Düsseldorf
- Wolfsgipfel 2023, Berlin
- Panel discussion on the energy crisis 2023, Villa Lessing, Saarbrücken
- Anniversary celebration RUHR REAL Commercial Real Estate 2023, Essen
- Keynote “Die Lage der Nation” 2022, Havanna Lounge, Bremen
- Panel discussion Freedom & Personal Responsibility 2022 Villa Lessing, Saarbrücken
- Stern Diskuthek Körber Stiftung 2022, Hamburg
- Startup Teens Award 2021, Axel Springer SE, Berlin
- Summit of Young Entrepreneurs 2021, Berlin
- Congress for a Resilient Democracy 2021, Berlin
- Fit Tech Summit 2019, Hubert Burda Media, Munich
- Pioneer of Lifestyle Event 2019, Frankfurt
- Assistants Congress, Handelsblatt Media Group, 2019
- Panel discussion “A cashless society?” for Think Young 2019, Brussels
- Building my tomorrow Economy Festival, Handelsblatt Media Group 2018, Cologne
- Ada Love Lace Festival, Wirtschaftswoche 2018, Berlin
- C-Level Suite, Handelsblatt 2018, Berlin
Nena Brockhaus is among the most prominent media figures of the new generation.
She established herself early in political and business journalism with her clear viewpoints and sharp analyses, working at Handelsblatt where she interviewed many leading politicians and business executives. At 26, she released her first SPIEGEL bestseller, Unfollow. With five SPIEGEL bestsellers, she ranks as one of the country’s most successful young authors. Her most recent book, Mehr Geld als Verstand (More Money than Sense), immediately reached number one on the SPIEGEL bestseller list and ignited widespread discussion on wealth, motivation, and personal accountability. Since March 2024, she has been writing the column “Nena und die andere Meinung” for FOCUS online.
Her political talk show “Viertel nach Acht” (Quarter Past Eight) on BILD TV brought her nationwide recognition. Since November 10, 2025, she has hosted her own program on WELT TV, “Meinungsfreiheit mit Nena Brockhaus” (Freedom of Expression with Nena Brockhaus), where she engages with notable guests on current political and economic topics three times weekly. Beyond television, Nena leads live events and delivers lectures on meritocracy, freedom, and political responsibility. She advocates for the courage to voice opinions, intellectual independence, and addressing topics others avoid.
Nena Brockhaus Lecture topics
- Old WISE MEN – what we can learn from them
Recent years have been extremely demanding, yet the skills for self-responsible management of change and crisis have faded from focus. Instead, there has been an emphasis on nurturing individual sensitivities, which, when widespread in society, could risk Germany becoming the “sick man of Europe” once again.
- Entitlement attitude 1: Expecting the state to handle everything
- Demanding attitude 2: Bachelor’s and master’s degrees for everyone!
- Demanding attitude 3: Prioritizing and insisting on work-life balance
To address the crises of our era, a return to traditional values and virtues is urgently needed. The knowledge exists, and passing on these values remains possible. In this compelling lecture, Nena Brockhaus explores the value systems of those born in the 1940s and 1950s. What advice do figures like Heiner Lauterbach, Mario Adorf, Thomas Strüngmann, Wolfgang Reitzle, Stefan Aust, and Edmund Stoiber offer for managing today’s crises?
- Politics, Economy & Society: The state of the nation
Finance, Corona, Energy – these are just a few examples of the current crisis-related challenges. Although transforming Germany’s energy supply is one of the most complex post-war tasks, the term “crisis” is now overused and hastily applied. Media and experts frequently describe the present as an age of crises, often painting near-apocalyptic scenarios. The message: nothing will ever be as prosperous and carefree as before. Individuals also face personal crises, whether in marriage, midlife, or career. The 21st-century individual often focuses intensely on personal issues. A division is visible: some younger people strive for social advancement or to maintain their parents’ living standards, while others engage in academic circles or dream of unconditional basic income. To put it bluntly: some pay taxes, generate wealth, and install solar panels, while others shape debates on Twitter.
- Work-life balance: The life lie of our time
While discussions about four-day workweeks and work-life balance continue, Nena Brockhaus asserts that work-life balance is the great deception of our era. People cannot expect society to take responsibility for their entire lives from birth to death. Previously, social advancement was the focus. The exceptional banker Alfred Herrhausen was advised by his father: “As I see it, you are at least of average intelligence, and if you work one hour more every day than others, it should work out.” Today, however, those who work hard often lose out. Effort is seen as outdated. Extra effort, overtime, or working on Sundays and holidays are frequently viewed as unreasonable burdens. A society oriented toward state redistribution reacts with indignation and criticism toward those demanding more work and higher performance.
- Generation Y and Generation Z: a life for the limelight
A young woman paints her nails deep red, then puts away the dishwasher. This might seem ordinary, but she, whom we’ll call Sarah, records it all on camera. She wants to be watched by strangers. It sounds odd, but it’s true—at least on Instagram. Here, everyday trivialities become a stage for satisfying the desire for recognition. Never before has self-presentation been so easy. Seventy-one percent of Instagram users worldwide are under 35. Their Instagram behavior reveals what motivates Generation Y and Generation Z.
Here is an excerpt of her moderations and expertise:
- 10. Deutscher Vermögensverwaltertag 2025, Frankfurt
- Kita Aktionstag 2024, Moderation, Düsseldorf
- CAPInside Firmentagung 2024, Keynote “Die Werte der alten weisen Männer”, Düsseldorf
- Moderation of Salon M 2024, How can internal and external communication improve company visibility?, Munich
- Volksbank 2024 New Year’s reception, keynote speech “Alte WEISE Männer”, Geldern
- Moderation of the Young Entrepreneurs’ Summit 2023, Berlin
- Live discussion with Philipp Amthor and Kevin Kühnert, Berlin
- Laudatory speech for Sarna Röser, Innovator of the Year Award 2023, Berlin
- Business talk The Pioneer, Berlin
- Tyrolean Economic Forum 2023, Keynote “Politics & Society at a Crossroads: Is the Center Losing Ground?”, Innsbruck
- Future Day 2023, Munich
- Muswiesen Summit 2023, Keynote “Alte WEISE Männer”, Rot am See
- New Work Xing, 2023, Hamburg
- Keynote “Alte WEISE Männer 2023”, Havanna Lounge, Bremen
- Panel discussion with NRW Interior Minister Herbert Reul 2023, Mayersche Buchhandlung, Düsseldorf
- Wolfsgipfel 2023, Berlin
- Panel discussion on the energy crisis 2023, Villa Lessing, Saarbrücken
- Anniversary celebration RUHR REAL Commercial Real Estate 2023, Essen
- Keynote “Die Lage der Nation” 2022, Havanna Lounge, Bremen
- Panel discussion Freedom & Personal Responsibility 2022 Villa Lessing, Saarbrücken
- Stern Diskuthek Körber Stiftung 2022, Hamburg
- Startup Teens Award 2021, Axel Springer SE, Berlin
- Summit of Young Entrepreneurs 2021, Berlin
- Congress for a Resilient Democracy 2021, Berlin
- Fit Tech Summit 2019, Hubert Burda Media, Munich
- Pioneer of Lifestyle Event 2019, Frankfurt
- Assistants Congress, Handelsblatt Media Group, 2019
- Panel discussion “A cashless society?” for Think Young 2019, Brussels
- Building my tomorrow Economy Festival, Handelsblatt Media Group 2018, Cologne
- Ada Love Lace Festival, Wirtschaftswoche 2018, Berlin
- C-Level Suite, Handelsblatt 2018, Berlin
