The Kate Turkington Show

Kate Turkington sits down with award-winning French author Jean-Baptiste Andrea to unpack his international bestseller Watching Over Her. From fascism and art to love, passion, and the fight against tyranny, Andrea reveals the emotional depth behind his characters, the lyrical beauty of translation, and why he cried while writing it. A moving conversation about history, humanity, and the light we search for in the darkest times.

Kate Turkington opens with one of her classic storytelling moments — the tale of dashing Oxford student-turned-war hero Sandy Pringle — before pivoting to modern-day marvels in South Africa. She sits down with orthopedic surgeon Dr. Michael Barrow to unpack the groundbreaking arrival of robot-assisted knee replacement surgery on the continent. From accuracy within half a millimeter to a personalized approach for every patient, this episode blends history, humanity, and cutting-edge medical innovation.

In this episode, we dive deep with acclaimed crime writer John Connolly, creator of the unforgettable Charlie Parkerseries. From the haunted history of Roger Casement to the blurred lines between good and evil, Connolly unpacks how grief, faith, and the supernatural shape his stories. He opens up about the future of Parker, the possibility of a TV adaptation with Colin Farrell, and how place and history breathe life into his novels. A fascinating conversation about storytelling, morality, and the shadows that bind us all.

Kate Turkington kicks off with a witty travel story before chatting to the co-founder of the Festival of Excellence in Dramatic Arts (FEDA) — a three-week showcase of over 60 high school plays, most written by the students themselves. They unpack the bold themes young people are exploring on stage, from gender-based violence to mental health, and share behind-the-scenes moments that prove theatre in South Africa is alive, daring, and thriving.

This week on The Kate Turkington Show, Kate takes us on a wild, unforgettable journey through the Himalayas — from a hair-raising mountain drive to a spiritual Aarti ceremony on the Ganges. Along the way, she and her daughter unexpectedly meet Everest legend Junko Tabei. Then, Kate chats to Johannesburg GP Dr. Praveer Sooka about his wildest moments as a cruise ship doctor — from helicopter evacuations and turtle bites to the surprising truth about love, loneliness, and health at sea.

Kate Turkington shares a wild student story about guiding tours inside a blue whale on the Thames—yes, really. Then oceanographer Dr. Katye Altieri joins to unpack how pollution in the air is quietly changing our oceans. From nitrogen’s hidden climate impact to research voyages on the SA Agulhas II, this episode dives into the strange and urgent links between us, the sea, and the skies.