In collaboration with Falling Walls Female Science Talents, Female Speaking Berlin for Berlin Science Week 2025
THE bEAR presents
BEYOND NOW
True stories from women shaping the future of science
Meet our protagonists
Seven brilliant women scientists from around the world step away from their data and onto the stage — to share something science rarely allows space for: the human story behind the research.
Each tells a true, personal story in just seven minutes. Raw. Vulnerable. Alive. These stories walk the line between curiosity and courage, discovery and doubt, heartbreak and hope.
It’s an evening that reveals the challenges and triumphs of women in science — and reminds us that behind every breakthrough is a person, and behind every person, a search for meaning.
Through humor, honesty, and heart, BEYOND NOW connects science with story and people with each other.
Because when we listen to the human side of science, we see the future a little differently.
THE STORYTELLERS
Charlotte Berrezueta Palacios
Charlotte’s story is titled:
Guanjin Wang
Guanjin’s story is titled:
Hari Priya Pettugani
Priya’s story is titled:
Islamist Abidemi Raji
Abi’s story is titled:
Maira Jimenez
Maira’s story is titled:
Nereyda Y. Ortiz Osejo
Nereyda’s story is titled:
Paola Carrillo-Bustamante
Paola’s story is titled:
Hosts & Musician
Ilya Chester
Esther de Bruijn
Founder & Director of THE bEAR | Producer & Co-Host of Beyond Now
Originally from Philadelphia, Dyane may just be the most German-like American you’ll ever meet. A former theatre director and choreographer, she once told stories with moving bodies — now she tells them with moving words.
As a speaker coach for scientists, researchers, and leaders, Dyane helps complex ideas become clear, human, and memorable. Through her company Moving Speaker and as co-founder of Female Speaking Berlin, she’s trained hundreds of women and scientists around the world to speak with confidence and authenticity.
Her clients include the Helmholtz Association, Roche pRED, Berlin Science Week, and the Falling Walls Foundation — organizations that, like Dyane, believe that the future of science depends on how well we share its stories.
Every third Friday evening, she transforms into the beating heart of THE bEAR — Berlin’s longest-running stage for true, personal stories — hosting, cheering, and occasionally arm-twisting Berliners to step up and speak from the heart.
“I believe stories help us make sense of this chaos we call life.”
Discover her latest passion project: truestoriesberlin.com
Say hello: dyane@thebear-storytelling.de
Veronica Louis
Dr. Inga Patarčic on stage at THE bEAR’s Berlin Science Week show.
Tuesday, 4. October 2025
19 hrs. Doors open
19:30 hrs. Stories begin
Show hosts: Dyane Neiman; Esther de Bruijn, Veronica Louis
Music: James Harper
Producers: Dyane Neiman, Esther de Bruijn
Light: Torsten Eißrich
The BEYOND NOW show is made possible by the enthusiasm of our storytellers, our team of volunteers and with our partners: Berlin Science Week, Falling Walls-Female Science Talents, Female Speaking Berlin, Moving-Speaker.com, Berlin Erleben Youtube Channel, Unmaking Boxes, Sales Chakra.
