Writing Feels Like Love Podcast

I spent 15 weeks releasing episodes of this podcast—a genuine milestone for the girl who swore she never finishes anything. Today’s episode is a moment of reflection. A look back at every episode I’ve created–why I recorded them, the stories behind them, and the context that makes them matter. Think of it like a trailer at the end, the kind that ties everything together. I’m so proud of The Waffle Pod. Proud of the low-key jingle we created. Proud of teaching myself new software just to make each episode sharper, cleaner, and better. The growth has been so fulfilling.In these weeks, I’ve discovered the magic of commitment. Of showing up for the things I love, just because I love them. This journey has been deeply rewarding. At times, it’s been triggering. Often, challenging. But always worth it.Thank you for kicking it with me this season. I hope you’ll stick around for the next because we’re just getting started.

We often ask, “What advice would you give your younger self?” — but we don’t realise that our younger selves carry so much wisdom. I’m sharing some advice from the me who had just entered her twenties, to the current 29-year-old me, and leaving you with two quotes that summed up her sentiments:“Love yourself with urgency. Today. Today. Today.” - Upile Chisala“There is a danger in letting people misname you. If you are a fire, do not answer when they call you a spark.” - Upile Chisala

"Even though the tides may change, the ship I'm on knows its way home... and home will always be towards me" - Sisipho SojolaAs a late twenty-something, who's in constant search of understanding herself, the idea of embodying someone else in order 'to become me' never sat well with me. The idea didn’t make sense… Well, that’s until I truly thought about it and realised that true discovery comes from leaving your comfort— and sometimes that's yourself.Listen as I unpack this idea and highlight the importance of having your people remind you of who you are while you're on this journey.Who knows? I might just get an alter ego to see how far it gets me.

For the first time in my life, I was confronted with the reality of being foreign. It brought as many lessons as it did blessings. There's something liberating about completely letting go of yourself to learn anew. Whether it's learning about other people or learning about yourself, the experience leaves more than it takes.Today's episode discusses solo travel to Georgia and Sri Lanka, drawing parallels between those countries, Dubai, and home.

What started as a short, innocent interaction with a colleague became an inner monologue dissecting Cape Town's vs Johannesburg's Black art. And when we speak about Black art and creativity, the conversation will always lead back to our origin, our context, and the reason why we all create: to express ourselves. What a privilege it is to be part of the diaspora, and what a flex to be from South Africa!Music plug: Zoe Modiga - Bengemanzi

This is the audio version of self-soothing because when I recorded this episode, I was on the brink of a spiral. I think the only thing that's helped my anxiety is one: not being around things and people who trigger me, and two: having people to talk me through it when I do. I know my anxiety doesn't realise the difference between a life-altering situation and a silly little meeting, but damn I gotta give it and me some slack sometimes. We're both just trying not to die.

In hindsight, I'd say this letter is dedicated to being present. Trauma and negativity have such a selfish effect of consuming your entire being until it becomes the only thing you see, even when there are things to be thankful for. 2024 saw me in complete survival mode, which led to time-blindness, causing me to postpone tending to myself and not realise how much time I had lost — which is mad. This is a letter that allows me to talk about it now that I've made it to the other side. It's a letter to remind myself that there will always be another side.

This is inspiration in motion, the kind that hits you first thing in the morning, before your mind has fully woken up. It was the pure joy of eureka that drove me to pen this verbal letter to flow state, creating from source and riding that gnarly wave of inspiration. It was brief, sweet, and impactful, so please enjoy.

Not all episodes are about vulnerability. Some, if not most, are about celebrations. Celebrating new starts. Celebrating releasing your voice. Celebrating friends who remind you of the sun you are. Celebrating the moment you finally decide to take yourself seriously. What a time to be alive.

It's the weekend of love, and to put a bow on this beautiful gift we call love, I share some revelations, express my gratitude, and even put some manifestations out there.

This is a love letter for everyone holding it in – trying to be strong, trying to keep it together, to keep themselves from crying. This is for the lonely hearts, the ones who are afraid of letting themselves down and letting it all fall apart. This is your reminder to cry, to release, to use this as remedy. This episode started as a bad experience in a nurse’s chair, and turned out to be the thing I needed for catharsis.

Oh 'corporate', what shall we do with you, ol' girl.The letter I read was from my junior years as an advertising gal, and although so much has changed since writing that letter, a lot of it is still the same. Oh creativity, what a lifelong journey you are.

What started as a chat about having a morning routine turned to an existential chat about purpose, life-work balance and reaffirming this beautiful gift of writing. Totally normal segue.

The beauty of growing up is seeing your parents not as figures that guide you through life, but as people who grow with you. I’ve had the privilege of seeing my own in this way and I’m so glad I do.

Grief-stricken, crashing out, and only the words of my late friend led me to creating this podcast as a declaration of love for her. I hope she’s proud.