Solid Gold Podcasts #BeHeard

Nadia Davids is an award-winning playwright, novelist, and short story writer. She won the Caine Prize in 2024 for her short story 'Bridling'. Her latest novel CAPE FEVER has been released to great acclaim, published by Simon & Schuster. Nadia joins Fiona Snyckers and Gail Schimmel to talk about how postcolonial fiction does not have to be bleak or hopeless and why she chose the Gothic form for her most recent novel. She talks about the special relationship she has always had with Cape Town and why CAPE FEVER could not have been set anywhere else. For more details about the books, movies, series, and podcasts that are discussed on the show, sign up here for our weekly newsletter: https://mailchi.mp/icon/the-hidden-lives-of-writers-newsletter-signup Ask your writing-related questions here: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSc8i1_vFmUwsd7E_nvPgQOtqEscvZIircT0imdHm_qYJK5eXA/viewform Fiona and Gail would love to hear from you. Please join the conversation here: Email: [email protected] Instagram: @thehiddenlivesofwriterspod Twitter: @hiddenwriterpod YouTube: The Hidden Lives of Writers Threads: @thehiddenlivesofwriters Facebook discussion group: The Hidden Lives of Writers Follow us on Instagram · Chat with us on Twitter · Join our Facebook group · Subscribe to us on YouTube · Join our newsletter · Ask your writing-related questions here

The Author: A Duality of Science and Heart: Dr. Karen Singh is not your typical oncologist specialist. Known to her patients as Dr. Gentle Hands, she operates from a philosophy that medicine must be attached to the heart. While her daily life involves the rigours of radiation oncology, her creative output is fuelled by the gold she sees in every patient—recognising them not as numbers, but as mothers, fathers, and siblings. Singh’s path to storytelling began in her own childhood. Born with a squint that required major surgery, she spent weeks with her eyes patched, forced to rely on the heard word, through radio and audiobooks. This period of darkness sparked a vivid imagination, teaching her early on that stories are a vital precursor to resilience. The Catalyst: The Bat-Eared Observer: The inspiration for Mama’s Garden of Hope came from a poignant moment in her clinic. Dr. Singh observed a young girl sitting on the outskirts of a consultation, colouring, but with bat ears strained to catch the complex conversation between her parents and herself. Dr. Singh realised that while much is said about parents supporting children, very little focuses on the children who support their parents through a cancer journey. She wrote the book to: • Open difficult discussions between parents and children. • Invite children into the process so they don’t feel like they are looking through a glass window. • Break the "C-word" taboo by naming the illness, thereby making it something that can be dealt with. The Story: A Garden of Resilience: The book uses the metaphor of a garden to symbolise the shifting seasons of a cancer journey. It is a narrative of hope, courage, and new beginnings. • Visual Narrative: Dr. Singh worked closely with a Japan-based illustrator to ensure the passage of time was depicted accurately, specifically through the mother’s hair, which transitions from long to short during chemotherapy, and begins to grow back as the seasons change. • Inclusive Design: In a thoughtful nod to her medical expertise, the book features unusually large print. This isn't just for children; it’s designed for patients undergoing chemotherapy whose vision may be blurred or impaired, allowing them to read comfortably with their children. The Creative Process: While the story was sparked by a drive home in traffic and written over a single weekend, the production took six months. Dr. Singh is a hybrid publisher, maintaining high editorial standards and creative control. She utilised her three children as her first editors, ensuring the language resonated with a younger audience without being out in the clouds or overly clinical. Impact and Philanthropy: For Dr. Singh, this is a mission of healing, not a commercial venture. • CHOC Partnership: All profits from the book are donated to CHOC (Children’s Cancer Foundation). Rather than a traditional launch party, she used the funds to stock the kitchen cupboards of CHOC houses. • Interactive Healing: When performing the book at literary festivals, she uses puppets and role-play, discovering that children have deeply mature questions about screening, causes of cancer, and grief. Looking Ahead: Addressing the Unhappy Ending: While Mama’s Garden of Hope focuses on resilience and survival, Dr. Singh acknowledges that not every journey ends happily. Prompted by children who asked, "What if Mama dies?", she has committed to writing a future book focused on grief and loss. Her goal is to treat children's feelings with the respect they deserve, providing a sensitive roadmap for the most difficult conversations a family can face. https://www.tiktok.com/@sacred.heart.oncology?_t=8j9GEFjvYaU&_r=1 · Discover more about Dr. Singh's Sacred Heart Oncology on her Instagram page · Dr. Singh's journey on Facebook · Call Gavin

Dr. Karen Singh's heartfelt story where a child can understand Cancer. The story follows a cheerful young girl named Emma and her mother, who live in a charming village. They spend their afternoons bonding in their magical garden, a place filled with vibrant flowers, bees, and butterflies. Together, they tend to the plants, pull weeds, and watch the garden blossom from an outdoor swing. The narrative shifts when Mama begins to feel constantly tired, losing her energy and her bright smile. Sitting on their swing, Mama gently explains to Emma that she has cancer, describing it as a tiny weed trying to grow in her body. Emma initially offers to pull the weed out herself, just as she does in the garden. Mama explains that a team of doctors will help: a surgeon to cut out the weed and an oncologist to use chemotherapy and radiation to kill any secret roots left behind. Emma vows to take care of her mother, becoming "Mama's little helper". Throughout the treatment process, Emma lifts Mama’s spirits through tiny little gestures that bring Mama comfort, including making up stories, fluffing pillows and reassuring Mama that she is still as beautiful as a flower when the treatments cause her hair to fall out. As the seasons change, Mama experiences both weak days and encouraging days where she is strong enough to sit outside and watch Emma garden. Eventually, after months of treatment, Mama receives the news that she is cancer-free. The story concludes with a large celebration in their garden with friends who served as pillars of support. Emma and Mama share a final moment under the stars, promising to face all future challenges together, just as they tackle weeds in their garden. The catalyst for Mama’s Garden of Hope occurred during a routine clinic day for Dr. Karen Singh, a specialist radiation oncologist. She observed a young girl sitting outside a consultation room; though the girl appeared busy colouring, Dr. Singh noticed her bat ears actively listening to her parents' difficult medical conversation. Recognising that children often understand far more than adults give them credit for, Dr. Singh saw how overwhelmed parents struggled to explain their cancer journey to their kids. She conceived the book as a communication tool to bridge this gap. She wanted to help families invite children into the process so they wouldn't feel left "on the outside looking through a glass window." Importantly, the book flips the traditional narrative: rather than just focusing on parents supporting kids, it honours the children who quietly support their parents through a medical crisis. Once the idea struck, the creative process moved with incredible speed. The narrative began unfolding in Dr. Singh's mind while she was sitting in traffic on her drive home. The very next morning, she began drafting, and the entire story poured out over a single weekend.To ensure the tone was perfect, Dr. Singh utilised her three children as her first editors. They read through the manuscript with her, pointing out what resonated, what sounded too silly, and where the language felt too much like a clinical medical textbook. Their input ensured the story remained grounded, accessible, and emotionally honest. While the writing took only a weekend, bringing the book to life visually took six months. Dr. Singh collaborated with an illustrator based in Japan, navigating time zones and back-and-forth revisions to perfectly capture her highly specific vision. Find out more about Mama's Garden of Hope on Dr. Singh's TikTok page. · Dr. Singh's Instagram for more about Mama's Garden of Hope · Dr. Singh's Facebook page, Sacred Heart Oncology, with the link below · Want to share something with us? · Our podcasts are also available on Spotify · Our podcasts are also available on Apple · Join the Solid Gold Story Time mailing list

2024 world champion Simon Margetts shares 4,000 years of history This episode is for sport lovers with a taste for history and a fondness for the gems rarely found in mainstream coverage. Robin sits down with Simon Margetts, 2024 Cornish Wrestling world champion, to uncover one of sport's most remarkable hidden stories: a martial art older than the Greek Olympics that once packed arenas from Cornwall to California, Johannesburg to Japan. Simon traces Cornish Wrestling back to the Tailteann Games of ancient Ireland, circa 2000 BC, explaining how the Celtic jacket-grappling tradition spread through Brittany with Cornish settlers around 500 AD, how it likely influenced Jigoro Kano's invention of the judo gi after his 1888 tour of the West, and why medieval knights were explicitly taught to throw opponents using Cornish techniques before finishing them with a blade. References to the 1688 Academy of Armory and a 1679 tournament in St James's Park with a prize fund worth roughly one million pounds today bring the history vividly to life. The South Africa connection is a standout segment for any listener with roots in the Witwatersrand. Robin reveals the Cornish origins of Redruth, Alberton, and street names like Padstow Crescent, while Simon shares his database of over 15,000 historical Cornish Wrestling results, including tournament records from Krugersdorp, Vereeniging, Roodepoort, Boksburg, and Johannesburg. Cornish miners travelled specifically to South Africa for the prize money, often paid in chunks of gold, and the last claimed South African heavyweight champion, T.H. Greger of Redruth, Cornwall, held his title as late as 1953. The episode closes with a look at the sport's modern revival: the connection to MMA and Brazilian jiu-jitsu training, the role of FILC (Federation International Lutte Celtique), the 10,000-strong Breton wrestling community of Gouren, and why folk wrestling is trending globally. A brief book note on Roy Shaw's bare-knuckle memoir Pretty Boy and a sharp observation on sport, technology, and infrastructure round out the episode. Cornish Wrestling Association · FILC - Federation International Lutte Celtique · Pretty Boy by Roy Shaw (Blake Publishing) · Connect with Simon Margetts on LinkedIn

Is beef still about competition, or has it become performance? Are OGs creating space for the next generation, or competing with them for relevance? This week, we dive into the tension shaping South African hip-hop right now. From ongoing clashes between artists to the unspoken divide between generations, we question what’s really at stake: respect, relevance, or control of the culture. We revisit the SoundCloud era and its role in redefining the “underground,” highlighting how artists like PatrickxxLee and J Molley disrupted traditional pathways and shifted what it meant to come up in the game, and what that looks like 10 years later for new artists such as Kindly Nxsh, BabyDaiz, K1llbrady, and more. We also challenge both sides. Are OGs evolving with the culture, or resisting it? Are newer artists building something meaningful, or just moving faster without direction? Visit TBKS website · Follow TBKS on Facebook · Follow TBKS on Twitter · Follow TBKS on Instagram

And meeting them where they're at. In this episode of Messy, Daniel Atlin sits down with Mary Anne Chambers, former Ontario cabinet minister, banking executive, and lifelong advocate for equity and access, to explore what it truly means to lead in complex, purpose and people-centered systems. From her early experiences growing up in Jamaica, where she learned to understand lives different from her own, to her work as a bank executive, to a member of government and minister shaping policies that expanded access to education and childcare, Mary Anne reflects on the power of empathy, integrity, and lived experience in leadership. This conversation goes beyond titles and achievements. It’s about how leaders navigate competing pressures, balance politics with purpose, and make decisions that serve the public good, even when those decisions are difficult. At its core, this episode is a reminder that leadership in the mess isn’t about control or authority. It’s an inspiring and motivating conversation about connection and meeting people where they are, listening deeply, and bringing others along toward a shared future. Key Takeaways: • Empathy is not soft, rather it’s essential for effective leadership • People’s decisions make sense only when you understand their context • Structural barriers often hide opportunity and talent • Leadership is about influence, not just authority • Good public policy requires long-term thinking not quick fixes • Trust and integrity are a leader’s most valuable capital • Listening does not mean agreeing, it means understanding • Leadership is about bringing people along, not pushing them forward. I hope you'll find this conversation helpful and motivating in getting through the mess. If you like it, please write a review and share it with a friend. Working through messes is easier with others. Mary Anne Chambers' profile as Chancellor at the University of Guelph · Website · Connect with Daniel on LinkedIn

The confidence gaps, pivotal mentors, and leadership lessons behind a 17-year tech business. Carmel Peinke built a business intelligence platform from scratch without ever writing a line of code. This episode is for women in mid-to-senior leadership who are weighing up a leap into the C-suite or entrepreneurship and want an honest, practical account of what that actually takes. Carmel traces the full arc: a chance entry into the FMCG sector, launching Lipton Iced Tea in South Africa for Smolin, spotting a data gap that no one was solving, and persuading a tech partner to build what became E-Route to Market - a real-time analytics and route-to-market platform now 17 years in market. She opens up on the self-doubt that nearly stopped her going after big clients, the moment she nearly lost herself to masculine leadership expectations, and the structured morning self-talk routine she uses to stay focused and move forward. Key topics include: how to lead a technical team without technical skills; building a business in a male-dominated industry; why relationships and trust are the real growth engine in B2B sales; how to network with genuine curiosity rather than a sales pitch; the difference between masculine and feminine confidence in business development; values-based decision making and when to walk away from a client; and what authentic leadership looks like when you own the company. Carmel also shares her vision for getting more women into data science and technology - and why consumer behaviour expertise is exactly the skill the sector is missing. Host Petro du Pisani is an executive coach working with women at middle to senior leadership level who want to step into more senior roles. If this conversation resonates, visit Petro's website to explore one-to-one coaching. Connect with Petro · Solid Gold Podcasts

Marguerite Poland is one of South Africa's most decorated authors, having won the Percy Fitzpatrick Award numerous times, as well as the Order of Ikamang for lifetime achievement. Her career spans many decades and includes books for children, works of non-fiction, and several critically acclaimed novels for adults. Marguerite joins Fiona Snyckers and Gail Schimmel to talk about her earliest love for storytelling and what she would say now to a young mother who wants to write while struggling with the challenges of domestic life. For more details about the books, movies, series, and podcasts that are discussed on the show, sign up here for our weekly newsletter: https://mailchi.mp/icon/the-hidden-lives-of-writers-newsletter-signup Ask your writing-related questions here: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSc8i1_vFmUwsd7E_nvPgQOtqEscvZIircT0imdHm_qYJK5eXA/viewform Fiona and Gail would love to hear from you. Please join the conversation here: Email: [email protected] Instagram: @thehiddenlivesofwriterspod Twitter: @hiddenwriterpod YouTube: The Hidden Lives of Writers Threads: @thehiddenlivesofwriters Facebook discussion group: The Hidden Lives of Writers Follow us on Instagram · Chat with us on Twitter · Join our Facebook group · Subscribe to us on YouTube · Join our newsletter · Ask your writing-related questions here

Jillian Vigrass (Author, English Teacher and Storyteller) unpacks her children's book, Ozzee the Dozy Mozzee. Lynn Joffe interviews Jillian Vigrass, educator and author of 'Ozzee the Dozy Mozzee', a children's picture book that teaches malaria prevention to children from age 7 upwards through entertaining, anthropomorphised storytelling. Jillian explains how years living in Ethiopia and visiting her son in Kenya exposed her to the scale of the malaria crisis - one child dies every minute from malaria in Africa - and how she set out to write edutainment that gives children the knowledge and responsibility to protect themselves and their families. The book covers insect repellent, mosquito nets, covering up at dusk and the biology of plasmodia parasites, all woven into an engaging narrative about a reluctant female mosquito named Ozzee. The episode covers the book's unique distribution model; every full price copy sold funds one and a half copies for children in malaria endemic regions of Africa. Blue Poppy Publishing backed the project editorially and commercially. Jillian's next priority is to seek translation into French, Portuguese and Swahili, targeting Francophone West Africa, Tanzania, Zanzibar and Kenya, where malaria infection is highest. The book is designed for classroom use and community distribution across sub Saharan Africa. Ozzee is ready for the kind of sponsorship that turns a self funded passion project into a continent-wide early childhood education resource This episode is for corporates, CSI managers and ECD funders looking for proven, purposeful children's content that delivers measurable impact in Africa. Ozzy the Dozy Mozzy - Blue Puppy Publishing · Wangari Maathai Foundation - Nobel Peace Prize laureate · Call Gavin

Nestled at the entrance to Lebombo, one of Singita’s properties in the Kruger National Park, the Gallery of Treasures is a multi-sensory space designed to reveal the often-unseen elements of this remarkable landscape. Created in collaboration with artists and creatives from across Southern Africa, it brings together art, nature, and storytelling. In this roundtable conversation with Tatenda Chidora, Laurie van Heerden, Christopher Parker, and Jack Fillery, we explore the thinking behind the Gallery of Treasures, the natural world as a source of inspiration, and each artist’s creative process — as well as what they hope guests take away from the experience. At its core, the Gallery is about noticing the beauty, complexity, and interconnectedness of all life, from seed pods to wildlife, and everything in between. Discover Lebombo · Discover Singita Kruger National Park · Explore Tatenda Chidora's work · Explore Laurie van Heerden's work · Explore Christopher Parker's work · Explore Jack Fillery's work · Explore Metamorphosis, a collaboration between Singita and Tatenda · Singita website

Despite billions invested in offices, many workplaces still fail to deliver what matters most: better performance, stronger relationships, and meaningful collaboration. In this episode, Tracey Camilleri and Adrian Davidson unpack why so many offices fall short and what needs to change. They explore the limitations of designing for cost and convenience, and argue for a shift toward environments that reflect how humans truly operate: socially, emotionally, and in teams. From the loss of apprenticeship in hybrid work to the missed opportunity of designing for belonging and trust, this conversation offers a roadmap for creating spaces that people not only use, but genuinely value. JLL website · Connect with Adrian on LinkedIn · Website · LinkedIn · Follow on Instagram · Connect with Tracey Camilleri on LinkedIn · Connect with Sam Rockey on LinkedIn

Shaun Chennells and Ricardo Teixeira talk money discussions before marriage. “LifeQs at the Altar” follows a couple as they navigate shared finances in a new marriage. It highlights how different money habits and beliefs can surface, and how thoughtful guidance can help turn uncertainty into partnership. BDO Wealth Website

What does it mean to build an agricultural system that is not just more efficient; but more just? In this episode of Let's Talk Data, Lebogang Langa sits down with Faith Burn, Chief Technology and Operations Officer at the Land and Agricultural Development Bank of South Africa. Faith has led technology across some of South Africa's most complex organisations - Eskom, Novartis, Tsebo, and now Land Bank. In this conversation, she speaks candidly about the digital divide facing rural farmers, the ethics of agricultural data ownership, and what it would take for South Africa to move from talking about inclusion to actually building it.

Peter Smith (Independent | Professional Boxing Trainer and Former Heavyweight Contender) From Peter Smith in the boxing ring to Peter Cossins' grand race This episode is for sports fans who love the raw, unvarnished stories behind the headlines: a South African heavyweight who sparred with the best in America, nearly fought Mike Tyson, and shook hands with Don King in a Beverly Hills hotel room - and a vivid retelling of the chaotic, lawless first Tour de France in 1903. If you grew up watching boxing or cycling and want the behind-the-scenes reality, this one is for you. Peter Smith grew up in a boxing household shaped by his father Cozy Smith, a legendary South African fighter who went within a whisker of a world title. Peter traces his own journey from junior amateur champion to professional heavyweight contender: 22 fights, 20 wins, 9 KOs. He recounts his first pro knockout that left his opponent stretchered out of the ring, the Coxsackie virus that wrecked his weight camp before a WBU Super Cruiserweight title shot, and the broken nose he carried into a 10th-round war he still won on points. He describes what it actually feels like to be knocked down for the first time - the physical detachment, the lights, the delayed legs - in terms most fighters never articulate. In America, Peter trained under Odell Hadley, the quietly legendary trainer who once worked with Tony Tubbs, and later absorbed the Cus D'Amato peekaboo style under Kevin Young, a trainer who grew up in the D'Amato household. He fought on the undercard of major cards at the Great Western Forum - home of the LA Lakers - beat David Veta on Fox Television, and was on the short list to fight Mike Tyson in China, brokered by Shelley Finkel, before the Don King signing that unravelled everything. The Don King story - the limousine to the Beverly Hills Hotel, the unsigned contract, the signing bonus that never arrived, the missed Tyson fight - is told here in full for the first time. Now a trainer of champions, Peter coaches WBC Bridgerweight champion Kevin Arena, heading into a title defence in Belgium against Riot Murray, and heavyweight prospect Keaton Gomes, who reached the WBC Grand Prix semi-finals in Saudi Arabia. He closes with a trainer's philosophy that separates fighters who train with purpose from those who merely keep busy - and explains why skill and intentional development beat raw talent every time. The second half of the episode reviews Peter Cossins' book Butcher, Blacksmith, Acrobat, Sweep - a vivid account of the 1903 Tour de France, created by Henri Desgrange to boost readership for his magazine L'Auto. Sixty riders, six stages, 2,428 kilometres, fixed-gear bikes weighing up to 17 kilograms, roads designed for horses, riding through the night. The cast includes Maurice Garin, an Italian-born Frenchman whose parents allegedly traded him for a wheel of cheese, and an assortment of chimney sweeps, circus acrobats and handlebar-moustachioed villains. Robin also covers current rugby controversies: the Springbok bomb squad debate, the proposed Rugby 360 global franchise league, and the upcoming South Africa vs New Zealand quadrennial tour, with a preview of Cornish wrestling world champion Simon Marcus coming in a future episode. Butcher, Blacksmith, Acrobat, Sweep by Peter Cossins · WBC Boxing

David Cornwell is the author of the critically acclaimed novel HELL OF A COUNTRY, which has been making waves since its release date. David joins Fiona Snyckers and Gail Schimmel to talk about the challenges of writing a fictional reimagining of real-life events and how he made his creative choices. We also discuss his first novel LIKE IT MATTERS and the literary antecedents behind it. For more details about the books, movies, series, and podcasts that are discussed on the show, sign up here for our weekly newsletter: https://mailchi.mp/icon/the-hidden-lives-of-writers-newsletter-signup Ask your writing-related questions here: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSc8i1_vFmUwsd7E_nvPgQOtqEscvZIircT0imdHm_qYJK5eXA/viewform Fiona and Gail would love to hear from you. Please join the conversation here: Email: [email protected] Instagram: @thehiddenlivesofwriterspod Twitter: @hiddenwriterpod YouTube: The Hidden Lives of Writers Threads: @thehiddenlivesofwriters Facebook discussion group: The Hidden Lives of Writers Follow us on Instagram · Chat with us on Twitter · Join our Facebook group · Subscribe to us on YouTube · Join our newsletter · Ask your writing-related questions here

Don't be afraid to try something new. What does it take to lead in systems that are complex, constrained, and constantly changing? Daniel Atlin sits down with David Agnew, President of Seneca Polytechnic, whose career has spanned politics, finance, international development, and higher education. One common is stepping into organisations at moments of tension, transition, and uncertainty. This conversation explores what leadership really looks like in public institutions, where the stakes are high, the problems are rarely neat, and the pressure to act is constant. It’s about navigating competing demands, making decisions you know will be unpopular, and holding steady in the storm. Key insights: 1. Leadership is holding tension, not resolving it. Organisations want stability but reality demands change. 2. Not all “mess” is the same. It can be a transition, a leadership gap, or a system under pressure 3. Public institutions operate under different rules. Unlike businesses, they don’t choose their customers and can’t walk away from problems 4. Leadership is not a popularity contest. Leaders must make decisions without full agreement, withstand criticism, and accept not everyone will be satisfied 5. Inner sensemaking shapes outer action. Before decisions there is a process happening internally: What matters? What do I stand for? What am I willing to act on? 6. Time horizons matter. In many public systems today's decisions may not yield results for years. Leaders must think long-term but act in the present, and manage expectations in between 7. Careers and leadership journeys are rarely linear. Plans change, opportunities emerge, and growth often comes from stepping into the unknown This episode is a reminder that leadership in messy systems isn’t about having the answers. What some people see as a mess, others see as meaningful work. Connect with David Agnew on LinkedIn · Seneca Polytechnic Website · Website · Connect with Daniel on LinkedIn

In this episode, we explore a new legal advisory report produced for the South African BDS Coalition, examining South Africa’s obligations in relation to the continued export of coal to Israel. Sunny Morgan of the PSA South Africa hosts SA BDS Coalition's Roshan Dadoo, and lawyer and author of the report, Sirhaan Ché Khan in discussion. Grounded in international law, constitutional principles, and the lived realities of Palestinians, the conversation unpacks how decades of dispossession, occupation, and systemic violence intersect with global systems of trade and energy. We ask what it means for South Africa to move beyond symbolic solidarity, and whether economic activity, including coal exports, can amount to complicity in ongoing international crimes. The report at the centre of this discussion argues that South Africa has both the legal authority and the constitutional duty to act. It highlights how existing legislation enables the state to regulate and even prohibit exports in the public interest, raising urgent questions about accountability, coherence, and political will. As calls grow for the South African government to halt coal exports to Israel, activists argue that such trade contributes to Israel’s energy supply and, by extension, its military capacity. This episode situates that demand within a broader climate justice and global solidarity framework, where energy, law, and justice are deeply intertwined. Advisory Report to DTIC on Coal Sale to Israel · South African BDS Coalition · Palestine Solidarity Alliance - South Africa · Website · Facebook · Instagram

Karen Jennings is an internationally acclaimed author whose work has been rewarded with a Booker Prize longlisting. Karen joins Fiona Snyckers and Gail Schimmel to talk about how new ideas sometimes come to her in the form of a colour, and how she writes multiple drafts of the same manuscript in search of incremental improvement. She describes where she was and what she was doing when she found out about the Booker longlisting. For more details about the books, movies, series, and podcasts that are discussed on the show, sign up here for our weekly newsletter: https://mailchi.mp/icon/the-hidden-lives-of-writers-newsletter-signup Ask your writing-related questions here: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSc8i1_vFmUwsd7E_nvPgQOtqEscvZIircT0imdHm_qYJK5eXA/viewform Fiona and Gail would love to hear from you. Please join the conversation here: Email: [email protected] Instagram: @thehiddenlivesofwriterspod Twitter: @hiddenwriterpod YouTube: The Hidden Lives of Writers Threads: @thehiddenlivesofwriters Facebook discussion group: The Hidden Lives of Writers Follow us on Instagram · Chat with us on Twitter · Join our Facebook group · Subscribe to us on YouTube · Join our newsletter · Ask your writing-related questions here

How Billionaires think, act, and shape our world. Connect with Gus in LinkedIn · Connect with Jonathan on LinkedIn · Email Solid Gold · For links to buy this book

In this episode, The Solutionists unpack how and why work isn’t working for workers, employers - or customers. Along with special guest, work futurist, Reanna Brown, they unpack why “skills” won’t save jobs, how surveillance management is sacrificing outcomes (and people) for metrics and question if HR as we know it has a future at all… But don’t worry, The Solutionists also leave you with some solutions too, on how to realign value (and values) between workers, businesses and the human beings they serve. Make work work again · Connect with Reanna on LinkedIn · Work Futures Website · Survive the AI Apocalypse website · Connect with Bronwyn on LinkedIn · Connect with Sharon on LinkedIn · Follow Bronwyn on Instagram · Follow Sharon on Instagram

Jassy Mackenzie is a multi-award-nominated author who combines talent with hard work and an excellent head for business. Jassy joins Fiona Snyckers and Gail Schimmel to talk about how she got her start writing gritty, Joburg-based crime, before being approached to write with James Patterson. She talks about the obligations of being a contracted ghostwriter and how she is already planning to ensure the longevity of her writing career. For more details about the books, movies, series, and podcasts that are discussed on the show, sign up here for our weekly newsletter: https://mailchi.mp/icon/the-hidden-lives-of-writers-newsletter-signup Ask your writing-related questions here: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSc8i1_vFmUwsd7E_nvPgQOtqEscvZIircT0imdHm_qYJK5eXA/viewform Fiona and Gail would love to hear from you. Please join the conversation here: Email: [email protected] Instagram: @thehiddenlivesofwriterspod Twitter: @hiddenwriterpod YouTube: The Hidden Lives of Writers Threads: @thehiddenlivesofwriters Facebook discussion group: The Hidden Lives of Writers Follow us on Instagram · Chat with us on Twitter · Join our Facebook group · Subscribe to us on YouTube · Join our newsletter · Ask your writing-related questions here

Most banks are still tinkering at the edges. Bank Zero bet everything on building differently. Behind that bet is a technology leader who has spent decades learning not just how to build systems, but how to build the judgment to know which system to build. Gita Daya is CIO of Bank Zero and one of the most experienced technology leaders in South African financial services. In this conversation we cover the architectural philosophy behind one of the continent's boldest banking experiments, the real meaning of innovation in a heavily regulated industry, and what AI is actually exposing about the state of technology leadership across the sector. But the conversation goes further than technology. We talk about power, identity, stewardship and what it means to build something you'll eventually have to hand to someone else. It's a rare combination, technical depth and genuine human honesty from a leader at the top of her field.

Making the case for leadership as a practice, not a performance. In this episode, Charlotte Otter talks to Tanmay Vora about leadership, visual storytelling, non-linear careers, and what it really takes to build a meaningful reputation. Tanmay is a founder, visual leadership facilitator, TEDx speaker, author, blogger, and former software executive who has spent more than 25 years helping people and organisations make sense of complexity. Tanmay’s believes that brevity is a gift. He shares how blogging and Twitter’s old 140-character limit taught him to sharpen his thinking, communicate clearly, and distil complex ideas into something people can actually absorb. That discipline eventually led him into visual storytelling, sketch notes, and illustrating bestselling books, including titles by Tiffany Bova. Charlotte and Tanmay explore the power of discipline over motivation, and why showing up consistently matters more than waiting to feel inspired. They also talk about non-linear careers and why purpose should be seen not as a prison, but as a playground. Tanmay’s metaphor of human beings as diamonds with multiple facets rather than coins with two sides is one of the standout ideas in this episode, especially in a world where work and careers are changing fast. The conversation also goes deep on modern leadership. Tanmay makes the case for leadership as a practice, not a performance. Instead of command-and-control, he argues for grace, decency, curiosity, inclusion, and wayfinding together. His line that leadership stems from your being, not your doing is one of the most powerful moments in the episode. Charlotte and Tanmay also discuss personal reputation, how to build trust by working out loud, and why real influence is a byproduct of character, generosity, and consistency. If you care about leadership communication, personal brand, visual thinking, career development, or changing outdated leadership archetypes, this episode is full of insight. It’s thoughtful, practical, and deeply human. In this episode, you’ll hear about: * Visual storytelling and why it matters in a distracted world * Why discipline beats motivation * Non-linear careers and tiny experiments * Leadership as grace, not performance * Reputation, trust, and working out loud Follow Tanmay on LinkedIn · Tanmay's work · Tanmay's books · · Follow Charlotte on LinkedIn · Subscribe to Speech Bubbles the newsletter · Link to buy We Need New Leaders

🎧 In this episode of the Africa For Zero Waste Podcast, Dr. Nana Antwi Boasiako, Director of Climate Vulnerability and Adaptation at the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) of Ghana and Chair of the Africa Group of Negotiators (AGN), talks to host Desmond Alugnoa, GAIA Africa's Zero Waste & Climate Program Manager about the implementation of Nationally Determined Contributions in Africa with the growing climate crisis. The current gap between pledged commitments and on-the-ground action is widening to meet the 1.5°C climate target. While higher ambition is necessary, unimplemented pledges do not reduce emissions 🌍 Africa for Zero Waste Facebook · Follow Africa for Zero Waste on Instagram

I am Lovely and Dark tackles bullying and colourism head-on and triumphs. Lynn Joffe and Ntombi The Voice chat about Ntombi's debut children's story. Author and storyteller Lynn Joffe chats to Ntombi The Voice, presenter and broadcaster, about her debut children’s book, I Am Lovely and Dark. Drawing from the perspective of her inner child, Ntombi relates a tale of discovering inner and outer beauty and self-confidence, overcoming prejudice to rise and shine. Order the book and get a free mirror and affirmation cards · Call Gavin

A story of self-discovery through the eyes of a child who outsmarts bullies. Ntombi The Voice, award-winning broadcaster, reads her inspiring children’s story, I Am Lovely and Dark, a tale of self-discovery and overcoming prejudice. Seen through the eyes of her inner child, this story resonates with any child who has experienced bullying, showing how you can truly rise and shine. Order the book from Ntombi and get a free mirror and affirmation cards · Want to share something with us? · Our podcasts are also available on Spotify · Our podcasts are also available on Apple · Join the Solid Gold Story Time mailing list

Mike Nicol is one of South Africa's leading crime writers. His Mace Bishop and Fish Pescado series have enthralled readers for years. Mike joins Fiona Snyckers and Gail Schimmel to talk about how he once wallpapered a room in his house with rejection letters. He describes how he found his latest protagonist Zara Dewane lurking in an earlier novel and decided to give her a story of her own. Falls the Shadow is out now from Pan Macmillan. For more details about the books, movies, series, and podcasts that are discussed on the show, sign up here for our weekly newsletter: https://mailchi.mp/icon/the-hidden-lives-of-writers-newsletter-signup Ask your writing-related questions here: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSc8i1_vFmUwsd7E_nvPgQOtqEscvZIircT0imdHm_qYJK5eXA/viewform Fiona and Gail would love to hear from you. Please join the conversation here: Email: [email protected] Instagram: @thehiddenlivesofwriterspod Twitter: @hiddenwriterpod YouTube: The Hidden Lives of Writers Threads: @thehiddenlivesofwriters Facebook discussion group: The Hidden Lives of Writers Follow us on Instagram · Chat with us on Twitter · Join our Facebook group · Subscribe to us on YouTube · Join our newsletter · Ask your writing-related questions here

Conscious habit formation will empower your leadership and bring balance. In this episode, Laura-Jean Evens, a neuroscience coach and leadership development consultant, sits down with endurance coach and business leader Charl Kaschula to explore the powerful intersection between endurance sport, neuroscience, and conscious leadership. Charl shares compelling stories — from guiding a blind runner through the New York Marathon to navigating extreme endurance races — and unpacks how these experiences translate into high-performance thinking in business. 10 Key takeaways: - Performance is Not Linear (Growth comes from reflecting on both success and failure) - Rest & Recovery is power for your performance (Strategic pauses unlock creativity, clarity, and innovation) - Identity drives performance (Sustainable performance is rooted in belief, not pressure) - Visualisation builds confidence (Mental rehearsal is a powerful tool) - Progression feels motivation (achieving one goal also leads to the next big win) - Breaking big goals into small wins (makes impossible targets achievable) - Turning walls into doors (Strategically pacing yourself through the pain reduces the panic) - Pressure is a privilege (it's an indication of capability and aligned expectations) - Leadership is shared awareness (shared commitment, trust and clear communication) - Exercise and conscious breaks enable leadership resets Connect with Charl Kaschula · Follow Laura-Jean on LinkedIn · Follow Take New Ground on Instagram · Follow Take New Ground on X · Follow Take New Ground on Facebook · Follow Take New Ground on Substack

Public Service = Designing Fairness at Scale. In this episode of Messy, Daniel Atlin is joined by Sara Hurley, former Chief Dental Officer for England, a leader whose career spans frontline clinical care, military service, and senior government leadership. Few have operated as consistently at the intersection of individual care, institutional complexity, and public policy. Sara offers a deeply reflective account of leadership in the mess. Drawing on her experience during COVID, she describes what it feels like to make decisions when there are no good options — only trade-offs. In these moments, she argues, leadership is not about projecting certainty, but about holding uncertainty on behalf of others, while maintaining trust, clarity, and integrity. The conversation moves fluidly between the personal and the systemic: • The shift from authority to trust as the foundation of leadership • The emotional labour of carrying responsibility in complex systems • The challenge of leading in environments where outcomes are delayed, diffuse, and often invisible • The importance of stewardship — leaving systems better than you found them, even if the impact unfolds long after you’ve left Sara also makes a compelling case for public service as one of the last places where fairness can be intentionally designed into systems at scale — an idea that feels increasingly urgent in a time of institutional mistrust. At its core, this episode is about sensemaking: how leaders navigate ambiguity internally, while shaping systems externally. It’s a conversation about leadership in the real world: messy, human, and deeply consequential. If you like this episode please write a review and share it with a friend. Sara Hurley's LinkedIn · Website · Connect with Daniel on LinkedIn

At Singita, food tells the story of the people and cultures of Africa and the generations who came before them. It’s a portal to the diversity of the continent and the richness of its traditions. A way for guests to deepen their understanding and experience of where they are. A means to bring people together, to soften them, and help them grow closer. In this episode, Mia Neethling, Executive Chef and Guest Experience Lead at Singita Grumeti, speaks with Mbhali Khoza, Sous Chef at Singita Kruger National Park, and Michael Matera, Head Chef at Sasakwa. Their conversation explores how Singita’s chefs honour Africa’s varied natural and cultural heritage on the plate, the impact of the Singita Community Culinary School, how our food offering differs across regions and properties, and what the future of cooking looks like on the African continent. If you enjoyed this episode, you can read more about the confluence of culture and culinary craft at Singita Grumeti in the latest volume of the Singita Magazine. Read the story · Find out more about the Singita Community Culinary School · Explore Singita Grumeti · Explore Singita Kruger National Park · Browse our website

Sally Andrew is a South African literary superstar. Her Tannie Maria books are loved by many thousands of readers and have been turned into a successful international TV series. Sally joins Fiona Snyckers and Gail Schimmel to talk about how she plots her books under a huge and ancient tree, and how the voice of Tannie Maria arrived in her head fully formed. The fifth book in the Tannie Maria series, Wild Things Never Die, will be available in May. For more details about the books, movies, series, and podcasts that are discussed on the show, sign up here for our weekly newsletter: https://mailchi.mp/icon/the-hidden-lives-of-writers-newsletter-signup Ask your writing-related questions here: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSc8i1_vFmUwsd7E_nvPgQOtqEscvZIircT0imdHm_qYJK5eXA/viewform Fiona and Gail would love to hear from you. Please join the conversation here: Email: [email protected] Instagram: @thehiddenlivesofwriterspod Twitter: @hiddenwriterpod YouTube: The Hidden Lives of Writers Threads: @thehiddenlivesofwriters Facebook discussion group: The Hidden Lives of Writers Follow us on Instagram · Chat with us on Twitter · Join our Facebook group · Subscribe to us on YouTube · Join our newsletter · Ask your writing-related questions here

Building leadership across borders, systems, and cultures. In this episode, Charlotte Otter speaks with Kave Bulambo: founder, TEDx speaker, talent expert, and cultural transformation advocate. Kave is the force behind BlackInTech Berlin, the first community of people of African descent in tech in Germany, and the founder of Talent Diverse, which connects diverse talent with inclusive organisations. Born in Congo, raised in Durban, South Africa, and now based in Berlin, Kave brings a rich and deeply human perspective to leadership, diversity, and work. She shares how crossing borders geographically, socially, and professionally shaped her ability to connect with people from all walks of life and gave her the confidence to become a natural bridge builder. Together, Charlotte and Kave explore one of the biggest myths in the diversity conversation: that Europe lacks underrepresented talent. Kave argues the real problem is not talent, but systems. Too many organisations still lack the structures, promotion pathways, and inclusive hiring practices needed to bring diverse talent in and help it thrive once inside. This is a warm, thoughtful conversation about leadership, inclusion, personal branding, community building, and changing the old archetype of who gets to lead. In this episode, you’ll hear: * Why underrepresented talent is being failed by systems, not ambition * What inclusive organisations do differently * How to think about personal branding and reputation with integrity * Why leadership often begins before anyone officially gives you the title This episode is for anyone interested in leadership, diversity, inclusion, reputation, women in tech, underrepresented talent, career growth, and building a more human future of work. Follow Kave on LinkedIn · BlackInTech Berlin · Check out the Emerging Women Leaders Conference · · Follow Charlotte on LinkedIn · Subscribe to Speech Bubbles the newsletter · Link to buy We Need New Leaders

Global real estate investment trusts (REITs) are expanding rapidly into new asset classes and regions. In this episode, industry leaders discuss the major trends shaping the sector — from infrastructure investment and capital flows to new markets entering the REIT ecosystem. The discussion also examines South Africa’s position in the global REIT landscape, the role of the Global REIT Alliance, and how technology and policy will influence real estate investment in the coming years.

Purpose-built student accommodation in South Africa is evolving from a niche real estate category into a scalable investment platform with strong fundamentals. In this episode, the panel explores why demand for student housing continues to grow, how investors evaluate the sector, and why operational execution is just as important as capital deployment. The conversation covers the investment case, regulatory environment, operational risks, and the social impact of student accommodation, highlighting how quality housing can improve student outcomes while delivering resilient returns.

Rethinking higher education — and finding your purpose. What if the real problem with higher education isn’t funding, technology, or rankings, but the model itself? In this episode, Daniel Atlin speaks with Tim Blackman, former Vice-Chancellor and President of the Open University, about whether the dominant university model is simply out of sync with modern life. While most universities still organise learning around a single intensive period in early adulthood, Tim argues that the future lies in lifelong learning, shorter credentials, and education woven throughout people’s working lives. Drawing on his experience leading one of the largest and most distinctive universities in the UK, he reflects on the challenge of changing institutions that are structurally designed to protect the status quo. But this conversation is also deeply personal. While in his role leading the Open University, Tim was diagnosed with stage four prostate cancer. The experience forced a profound pause, prompting him to reflect on legacy, responsibility, and a simple but powerful question: What kind of world do I want to leave my grandchildren? That moment sharpened his focus on the larger purpose of higher education. In his recent paper for the Higher Education Policy Institute, Tim argues that universities should orient themselves around a guiding mission: helping to build a sustainable economy: environmentally, socially, and financially. The discussion ranges from institutional leadership and lifelong learning to the challenge of misinformation in an increasingly fragmented knowledge landscape. Above all, it’s a conversation about purpose and the reminder that it is never too late to rethink your work, your impact, and the difference you want to make. In a messy world, Tim reminds us that leadership isn’t just about managing institutions - it’s about deciding what really matters with the time we have. Connect with Tim on LinkedIn · The HEPI paper · Website · Connect with Daniel on LinkedIn

How women can take control of their financial destiny. This is the fifth episode of the Powerful Women series of On Change, where we celebrate trail-blazing and visionary women who have chose to lead on their own terms. In this episode, Petro du Pisani speaks with Ann Wilson, best-selling author, speaker, and financial empowerment activist, also known as The Wealth Chef. Ann’s journey to financial freedom began unexpectedly. Trained as a civil engineer, she managed billion-dollar projects around the world. Yet despite her professional success, she found herself struggling with debt and financial confusion. That realisation sparked a powerful personal transformation, from earning income to learning how to create wealth. In this conversation, Ann unpacks the critical difference between being rich and being wealthy, and explains why true financial freedom comes from building assets that generate income without constant effort. She shares practical insights about investing, the power of paying yourself first, and why understanding your “enough number” is key to designing a financially free life. Ann also speaks candidly about why women have historically been excluded from wealth creation and why its essential that women take ownership of their financial futures. *** As a special gift to On Change listeners, Ann has made her 5-day Wealth-made-Simple available free of charge. Use this link to access it: https://go.thewealthchef.com/change This 5-day Wealth Made Simple Challenge is designed to help you define what ‘Wealthy’ truly means for you. Discover the precise amount of money required to live the life you desire, identify your unique financial freedom number needed to attain this lifestyle, understand what you need to be investing in to create it, learn the specific investment strategy to achieve your goals, recognise what your potential obstacles are, and master the methods to overcome them. Do the Wealth-Made-Simple Challenge · Connect with Ann · Connect with Petro · Solid Gold Podcasts

This episode is different. There’s no guest. It’s just me, Daniel Atlin, answering the question I ask every leader who comes on Messy: to riff off the Kierkegaard quote “Life must be lived forwards, but can only be understood backwards." I look back at the moments that shaped my curiosity about leadership, complexity, and what I now call “the mess.” I talk about growing up between cultures and religions, about realising I was gay in the 1980s, about feeling different and discovering that everyone carries a backstory you can’t see. After senior roles across government, cooperative organisations, and higher education, I kept noticing the same pattern: smart people, important missions, and good intentions. And… stalled initiatives, quiet failures, and exhausted leaders. Why is leadership in mission-driven organisations so difficult? That question led me to study leadership more formally at Oxford and HEC Paris and to interview 25 university leader across four countries. What I discovered surprised me. Leaders who navigated complexity most effectively weren’t the ones with perfect strategies but the ones who could make sense of politics, competing narratives, incomplete data, and their own emotional reactions. They were practicing two forms of sensemaking at the same time: 1. Personal sensemaking: regulating emotion, building resilience, understanding how your nervous system affects the organisation. 2. Organisational sensemaking: exploring the terrain, shaping narrative, improvising when plans collide with reality, and adapting collaboratively. When those two disconnect, leadership falters. When they align, something powerful happens. This episode explains what I’ve learned so far, and why naming complexity is oddly liberating. If you’re wrestling with leadership in uncertain times, this episode and the series is for you. Website · Connect with Daniel on LinkedIn

Sleep well, live better. In this episode, Dr Alison Bentley explains that sleeping well involves three key components; sufficient duration, regularity, and good quality sleep, and the major sleep disorders that affect them. Restonic SA Website · Instagram · Facebook · How to buy a bed ·

(And using AI to write your book won't help) In this episode of Speech Bubbles, host Charlotte Otter is joined by Debbie Jenkins - founder, publisher, author, marketing strategist, Stevie Award winner, and self-described horse tickler and wine enthusiast. Jenkins has written 18 books under her own name (plus ghostwritten others) and has been mentoring authors since 2004. Her company Intellectual Perspective Press is one of many businesses she runs. Debbie's central message around AI and publishing is clear: Faster isn’t better, it’s just faster. Charlotte and Debbie explore what AI is doing to publishing, leadership, and credibility and why the biggest risk isn’t speed, but reputation. Debbie says that when authors outsource their words to AI, they risk creating work they can’t defend over time. If someone can’t stand behind what they publish in 10 years, they may be building a trust liability rather than a lasting asset. The conversation also celebrates the messy creative process: nonlinear thinking, detours, doubt, and effort. She describes this as ideas being forged in fire - where the struggle is not a bug, but the source of authenticity, depth, and value. Debbie shares insights from her award-winning book Stop the Credibility Crisis, which introduces a practical framework: credibility sits at the intersection of trust and desirability. In a world where AI can fake both, she encourages genuine experts and leaders to take control of their trust and desirability clues. To get better leaders, we must become better followers, says Debbie. The onus is on us to be more discerning about who we elevate in an age of manufactured personas. Follow Debbie on LinkedIn · More about Debbie · Find Debbie's books · · Follow Charlotte on LinkedIn · Subscribe to Speech Bubbles the newsletter · Link to buy We Need New Leaders

Thank you for joining the South African Council of Shopping Centres. The subject of this podcast is the South Africa Quarterly Retail Trading Density Index, 2025 Quarter 4 results. This index produced by MSCI and sponsored by the South African Council of Shopping Centres, provides a valuable quarterly insight to the broader retail community into the performance of the formal retail property sector. Stay tuned as we hand over to Eileen Andrew, the Vice President of Client Coverage at MSCI Real Estate, for a summary of the Retail Trading Index, fourth quarter results for 2025. Please visit our website www.sacsc.co.za for the latest updates and to download the research report from the member’s section. We look forward to bringing you our next podcast soon! LinkedIn · Facebook · Twitter · Instagram · YouTube · Connect with Eileen on LinkedIn · Website · Events · MSCI Website

If you're not part of the problem, you can't be part of the solution. In this episode of Messy, Daniel Atlin sits down with global facilitator and systems practitioner Adam Kahane to explore what it really means to collaborate when agreement feels impossible. They explore collaboration across deep divides, the courage to see our own part in the problem, and how change often starts in the smallest crack in a hardened system. Drawing from his newly revised second edition of "Collaborating with the Enemy", Adam challenges the romantic idea that collaboration is always the right answer. Instead, he offers a more grounded framework: collaboration is one option among four, alongside forcing, adapting, and exiting. The key question is “When, and under what conditions, is collaboration the most viable path?” The conversation explores several core ideas: • "Enemy-fying": Adam’s invented word for the habit of labeling others as enemies simply because we disagree with them. In polarized systems, this reflex deepens fragmentation and limits our options. • The Three Stretches of Collaboration: 1. Embrace conflict as well as connection 2. Experiment your way forward 3. Recognise your role in the game • Power, Love, and Justice: Drawing on Martin Luther King Jr. and Paul Tillich, Adam frames social change as a tension between the drive to realize oneself (power), the drive to unify the separated (love), and the structures that balance the two (justice). • Failure as Teacher: Adam speaks candidly about mistakes in both professional and personal contexts, arguing that experimentation, not certainty, is the only way forward in complex systems. One of the key take aways for those interested in “Messy” leadership is that collaboration begins not with technique, but with introspection: Who am I in this system? How am I contributing to the very dynamics I’m frustrated by? If you like this episode, share it with a friend. And buy Adam's book! Link to Adam's book: Collaborating with the Enemy · Reos Partners Website · Website · Connect with Daniel on LinkedIn

Governments seize tons of drugs every year — yet the global drug trade continues to expand. Why? In this episode of The Laundromat, Dawn Pretorius examines what actually works in the fight against drug trafficking. From border interdictions and crop eradication to international cooperation and demand reduction, she breaks down why the most visible strategies often produce the least structural impact. The core argument is simple: trafficking survives because profits are successfully laundered. As long as money moves through financial systems, trade channels, shell companies, and professional enablers, drug markets regenerate. For AML and compliance professionals, this episode reframes the debate — the real battleground isn’t at the border. It’s in the financial system. Connect with Dawn on LinkedIn · The Shepherds of Inequality · Beyond Play

In the first 2026 episode of The Laundromat, Dawn Pretorius speaks to veteran investigator Chad Thomas about how organised crime in South Africa has evolved into structured, corporate-style enterprises. From a billion-rand international boiler room scam to the use of boutiques, barber shops and churches as laundering vehicles, Chad exposes how criminal networks professionalise and scale. He discusses South Africa’s cash-heavy economy, the misuse of POPIA, “tick-box” compliance culture, and the real impact of the country’s removal from the FATF grey list. This episode is a hard look at the financial backbone of organised crime — and why disrupting money flows matters more than ever. Connect with Dawn on LinkedIn · The Shepherds of Inequality · Beyond Play

Lynn Joffe and author Sewela Langeni share the inspiration heart behind Making Friends with Feelings, Sewela's debut children’s book crafted to help boys break the silent cycle of emotional internalisation. Drawing from her sons’ experiences and her visionary leadership at Book Circle Capital, Sewela champions African literature and the vital preservation of mother-tongue literacy, especially for young children. Langeni and Joffe explore the intersection of identity, heritage, and audio storytelling. It’s a masterclass in entrepreneurship with a conscience, ensuring the next generation stays expressive, grounded, and culturally connected. The stories are published on the award-winning podcast, Solid Gold Story Time. The book is illustrated by Subi Bosa. You can find the story here · Call Gavin

In her debut children’s book, Making Friends with Feelings, Sewela Langeni challenges the societal stereotype that ‘boys don't cry’ through the story of a young boy named Lubabalo. While other children suggest that boys must be tough, Luba learns to listen to Lesedi, his imaginary friend, who encourages him to fully embrace his emotions. By validating sadness and other feelings, Langeni fosters resilience and open communication, teaching young readers, especially boys, that expressing vulnerability is healthy and normal. Sewela reads the story in English and Sepedi. Illustrated by Subi Bosa. Buy this book now from New Africa Books · Want to share something with us? · Our podcasts are also available on Spotify · Our podcasts are also available on Apple · Join the Solid Gold Story Time mailing list

In her debut children’s book, Making Friends with Feelings, Sewela Langeni challenges the societal stereotype that ‘boys don't cry’ through the story of a young boy named Lubabalo. While other children suggest that boys must be tough, Luba learns to listen to Lesedi, his imaginary friend, who encourages him to fully embrace his emotions. By validating sadness and other feelings, Langeni fosters resilience and open communication, teaching young readers, especially boys, that expressing vulnerability is healthy and normal. Sewela reads the story in English and Sepedi. Illustrated by Subi Bosa. Buy it now from New Africa Books · Want to share something with us? · Our podcasts are also available on Spotify · Our podcasts are also available on Apple · Join the Solid Gold Story Time mailing list

Dr. Kalonji and Dr. Rubushe-Ngwenya join host Zoya Mabuto-Mokoditoa for an informative conversation unpacking fertility preservation and what individuals and couples should consider when thinking about protecting their ability to have children. Together, they explore what fertility preservation is, who it’s for, and the different options available for both men and women. Ferring Facebook · Ferring Instagram

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In this episode of Let’s Talk Data, Lebogang Langa sits down with Wendy Turner Williams to explore what the 2026 Chief Data & AI Officer mandate truly demands. From enterprise intelligence and semantic modelling to board-level accountability, this conversation examines how the role of the CDO is evolving beyond data management into systems leadership. What does it mean to design architectures that don’t just scale technically, but scale responsibly? How do leaders prove ROI while managing regulatory exposure, model risk, and long-term societal impact? Drawing from her leadership across Microsoft, Salesforce, Tableau, and now as Co-Founder of SymphraAI, Wendy shares how enterprise intelligence is shifting from dashboards to decision systems, where semantic clarity, governance discipline, and predictive value are non-negotiable. The conversation also moves beyond enterprise walls to global equity. We challenge the dominant model of AI education partnerships, often structured as one-way transfers of funding, curriculum, or talent. What would a truly reciprocal data and AI education partnership look like between Africa and the United States, where both sides contribute knowledge, shape standards, and learn from one another? This episode is about leadership in the intelligence era: architecting meaning through semantic models, designing systems that outlast market cycles, and redefining global collaboration.

Gershom Aitchison hosts counseling psychologist Candice Yorke and educational leader Jacqueline Aitchison to explore one of the most urgent questions facing parents, educators, and teens today: how do we move beyond merely surviving to truly thriving? They unpack why the modern obsession with constant happiness—fueled by social media, the wellness industry, and diluted self-help promises—often leaves us stuck in coping mode rather than building meaningful, flourishing lives. Drawing on positive psychology, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, and real-world experience with adolescents, the conversation challenges the pursuit of endless highs and instead champions purpose, contribution, emotional capacity, and the courage to sit with discomfort as the true path to well-being. The speakers differentiate happiness (often inward and fleeting) from flourishing (outward-focused, meaning-driven, and built through service to something greater than ourselves). They explore how over-protection, victimhood culture, avoidance of frustration, and the biomedical “quick-fix” approach can unintentionally foster learned helplessness in young people—robbing them of agency, grit, and lifelong resilience. Instead, they advocate intentionally building capacity first: creating a bigger “dam” to hold life’s challenges so resilience and grit can follow naturally. Parents, teachers, and teens will leave with practical insight into the team sport of growth—where schools, families, and young people all have roles to play. This isn’t about slogans or Instagram wellness; it’s an honest call to stop diagnosing only what’s wrong, start strengthening what’s strong, and embrace the uncomfortable work required to live with purpose and flourish. Key takeaways: - Pursuing constant happiness is often self-centered and unsustainable; flourishing comes from meaning, contribution, and service to something bigger than yourself. - Growth requires discomfort and frustration—avoiding these robs young people of motivation to learn, build skills, and develop true capacity. - The biomedical model can over-pathologize normal struggles and create learned helplessness; building strengths and agency must come first (medication has its place but isn’t the full solution). - Capacity precedes resilience and grit: it’s the inner resources that get you back up after life knocks you down—without it, resilience can’t activate. - Over-protection (removing all discomfort) and victim/rescuing/persecutor dynamics (Karpman’s drama triangle) unintentionally teach helplessness instead of agency. - It takes a village—parents, schools, therapists, and the young person themselves must collaborate; real growth is a long-term team effort, not a quick fix or solo journey. Watch on YouTube · EduInc website · Facebook (Public) · Facebook (closed group) · Twitter (closed group) · YouTube · Review us on Google