My platform’s 5th birthday: over to the experts
On 1 February 2021, I launched my website and podcast series holding my breath, but now my platform proudly showcases the expertise of 160 individuals from over the world. What a privilege to amplify the voices of health, wellness & relationship professionals, creatives, and courageous individuals confronting huge challenges. I treasure the birthday wishes many of them have sent me - a virtual celebration spanning continents! Do join us below.
Feeling like a straw ;-)
Helpful, solid content never comes out of thin air. Each podcast and article offered on my website is co-created with an individual closely connected to the subject. As a journalist, I can do no more than present the information I’m given - no expert, no content. (I do, at times, feel a little like the straw bridging the gap between the smoothie and the person sipping at it!)
I’m deeply grateful for the expertise, generosity, and perspective of the professionals who assist me in offer life-enhancing ‘smoothies.’ I hold their birthday wishes close to my heart.
Savour these wishes with me … and if you’re curious about any of these well-wishers, just follow the link to their article or episode. They’re knowledgeable - and really interesting!
“Happy 5 years Mariette Snyman! Here's to health, wellness, and good relationships! Thank you for exposing us to multiple voices on how we can understand and transform our lives in an ever-changing world. May there be many more!”
Julian Jansen, vryskutjoernalis, skrywer, oud-onderwyser en voormalige provinsiale woordvoerder vir gemeenskapsveiligheid van die Strand. Hier is meer inligting.
“Happy 5th birthday to CLEAR, CALM & HELPFUL …
Mariette, thank you for creating a podcast that so gently and wisely reminds us how to take care of ourselves and each other. Your voice, insight, and compassion have made a real difference. Here’s to five meaningful years, and many more to come!”
Dr. Melodie de Jager, human development specialist and founder of the Mind Moves Institute, currently from rural Mpumalanga. Learn more here.
“Congratulations with this milestone, Mariette! Five fingers, a full hand of meaningful years. Thank you for inviting clear, calm, and helpful conversations to our world. It is such a gift!”
Cozette Laubser, Programme Director of BabyGym Institute International, Advanced BabyGym Instructor, Birth Doula and Childbirth Educator from Johannesburg. Learn more here.
“Happy birthday to you and your wonderful platform. Thank you for five years of valuable information and priceless connection and community. May you and your work continue to inspire and inform for many more years to come.”
Judy Klipin, Master Life Coach, facilitator and trainer based in Johannesburg. Learn more here.
“Thank you, Mariette for a unique and truly meaningful contribution, that enriched not only the participants lives, but also every person that’s been exposed to it. May the next year be the best year ever, where you continue to holistically touch people lives and make a real difference.”
Dr Rina de Klerk-Weyer, learning and development specialist, author, and life coach who focuses on Emotional Intelligence, from Johannesburg. You can learn more here.
"Happy 5th Birthday to Mariette's wellness website - the go-to hub for all things related to mental and physical wellbeing! Calm, Clear and Helpful Podcast was such an inspiration for my own podcast. I will always remember our delightful chat, and I'm so honoured to be its East Asian representative! May Mariette's professionalism, compassion and intelligence continue to enlighten us from all over the world for many years to come!"
Dr Sandy To, sociologist, author and podcaster from Hong Kong. Learn more here.
Mariette: Also listen to my solo podcast, where I share my bumpy, exhilarating journey from losing my job as a magazine journalist to entrepreneurship and podcasting.
“Congratulations with 5 years of your podcast!
Thanks for the opportunity for people to tell their stories.
Stories set the inner life into motion, and show us the way out.
Thanks for inspiring us.”
Amore Bekker, raakprater en skrywer van Johannesburg. Hier is meer inligting.
“Happy 5th Birthday to Calm, Clear and Helpful 🎉
This show has become a steady, grounding voice in a noisy world. Through thoughtful conversations and carefully held space, you’ve created something that truly lives up to its name while offering clarity, calm, and practical wisdom to listeners around the globe!
Five years of consistency, care, and meaningful dialogue is no small achievement. I’m grateful to be part of this journey and excited to see the continued impact this show will have in the years ahead.
"
Donna Kunde, podcast profit coach, bestselling author and radio personality from Richmond, Virginia, USA. Find more information here.
“Congratulations to Mariette Snyman on reaching this wonderful five-year milestone.
Your platform has become a thoughtful, trusted space for meaningful conversations around health, wellness, and relationships, and it’s been a pleasure to be part of this journey. Thank you for the care, curiosity, and integrity you bring to amplifying diverse professional voices.
Wishing you continued growth, impact, and many more years of inspired storytelling.”
Prof. Rayne Stroebel, founder and managing director of GERATEC (Gerontological Research, Training, Education, and Caring) in Cape Town. You can find more info here.
“Congrats on 5 years of awesome posts and interviews. Here's to many more.”
Cherry Armstrong, palliative care nursing sister, author, and founder of a non-profit organisation, based in Durban. More info here.
“Congrats on your five-year milestone, Mariette! Keep up the great work!”
Neil Bierbaum, Mindset and Executive coach from Johannesburg. Learn more here.
“Happy 5th Birthday, mariettesnyman.co.za!
I celebrate your milestone and appreciate your work so much.
Here's to the next five years of you helping professionals polish their voices and sharing their gifts.
“
Gayle Turner, Co-founder & President of The Storytellers Channel and International Radio Show Host from Richmond, Virginia, USA. Find more info here.
“Happy birthday on the 5th year of your platform, and thank you for being an inspiration to all the contributors. I wish you all the best for your next five years.
"
Gail Cameron, Executive Coach and Founder and Managing Director of The Image Excellence (IE) Group, from Johannesburg. Learn more here.
“Congratulations on five years of www.mariettesnyman.co.za. It has been a privilege to contribute to a platform that facilitates clear, responsible conversations about mental health. Our discussion on BWRT, trauma, and grief in children reflected Mariette’s ability to engage complex psychological material with sensitivity and clarity. I look forward to seeing the platform continue to grow and contribute to informed dialogue in this field.”
Shelley Hall, clinical psychologist, certified BWRT Practitioner and international mentor and supervisor for The Terence Watts (BWRT) Institute from Empangeni: learn more here.
“Congratulations on five wonderful years, Mariette. Thank you for creating such a thoughtful and trustworthy platform where meaningful conversations can unfold and be shared with a global audience. Your commitment to amplifying insightful voices truly makes a difference. I’m honored to be part of this journey and wish you continued growth, connection, and impact in the years ahead."
Dr Vasu Tolia, pediatric gastroenterologist, visual artist, and advocate for healing through creativity from Bloomfield Hills, Michigan, USA. More information available here.
“Five years of mariettesnyman.co.za — and what a journey it’s been. Thank you for creating a platform that informs, connects, and normalises conversations about mental health and well-being. Congratulations on this milestone! Here’s to many more years of impact!”
Prof. Christine Lochner, clinical psychologist and researcher at the universities of Stellenbosch and Cape Town, based in Cape Town. Learn more here.
“Congratulations to you, Mariette, and five years of ‘Calm, clear and helpful’ advice. May your podcast and articles inspire growth for even more people in the next five years!
“
Dr Ingrid Artus, counselling psychologist and Director of the Westpsych Psychology Practice in Johannesburg. Learn more here.
"Happy 5th Birthday to www.mariettesnyman.co.za - Wishing many more years of enriching the world with digestible wellness information! Your contribution to trending conversations is a valued part of our work in health and the collaboration is deeply appreciated.”
Tanya Muir, occupational therapist and sleep health practitioner from Johannesburg: the “Sleep OT”.
“Happy 5th year to the most encouraging and informative platform. I have listened to many amazing conversations which enlighten, inform and inspire. Well done! Here's to the next 5! Congratulations!”
Mandy Mulders, motivational speaker and former Pilates instructor from Fish Hoek. Here’s more information.
“Wishing you and your amazing podcast series a very happy birthday!! What an amazing series of podcasts you have provided.
🎉🥳
Everything of the best for you and your podcast series going forward.”
Morag Scordilis, clinical social worker from Cape Town. Learn more here.
“It gives me great pleasure to congratulate you on the fifth birthday of your platform. I believe you added great value to a large number of people and institutions over the past five years and will continue to do so with passion and devotion.”
Sas Otto, accredited mediator and former teacher from Stellenbosch. Find more information here.
“Happy 5th birthday, Mariette. It has been a great honour for me to be included in your podcast. May your platform continue to grow and enhance people's lives.
“
Benita Bester (formerly Benita Kropman), physiotherapist and founder of the Lyno® Method, from Dubai. Here you’ll find more information.
“On this day we honor Mariette and her 5 years of sharing her communication talent and skills as a podcaster with a message of health and wellness in every area of life. It is my honor to pay tribute to you and the many years to come in introducing
Healers, Teachers, and Leaders on your podcast.”
Dr Njideka Olatunde, naturopathic practitioner, author, educator, researcher and TV & radio host from Baltimore, USA. More information here.
“Baie geluk met ’n inspirerende platform, waar sulke waardevolle inligting gedeel word.”
Suzanne Kotze, entrepreneur en mede-eienaar van Stylvol.co.za. Klik hier vir meer inligting.
“May your podcast continue to grow and may the love you bring to it multiply and return to you!”
Liezl Thom, master transformation coach, broadcasting journalist, media training consultant, motivational speaker and author from Centurion. Here’s more information.
My warmest thanks to each expert for making this milestone memorable, and to each reader and listener … without whom this platform would not exist!
Here’s to forward motion, open skies, and the joy of what lies ahead.
Images of well-wishers: supplied
Image of balloons: Pexels
Image of smoothies: Unsplash