For singles: could personalised matchmaking work for you?

Are you single and yearning for a steady relationship, but not sure if it will happen - and how? Global matchmaker and life coach Michelle de Lange explains how matchmaking can help individuals find authentic long-term relationships. She discusses in-person and virtual dating (local or international), first dates, addressing emotional baggage, and how to handle feeling shy or awkward.

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Emotional health, Challenge yourself Mariette Snyman Emotional health, Challenge yourself Mariette Snyman

The healing canvas: a doctor’s journey of reinvention through art

Can the unsettling experience of retirement lead to fresh discoveries, a more expansive identity and a deepened contribution? Dr Vasu Tolia outlines her transition from medicine and academic work to visual art, starting as a complete beginner in a new field and evolving into a different person by maintaining her healing focus. She discusses the neuroscience behind beauty as biological nourishment and the advantages of art rotation.

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Emotional health, Challenge yourself Mariette Snyman Emotional health, Challenge yourself Mariette Snyman

Leilani Snyman Kuter: entrepreneurskap, depressie, menopouse, opregtheid en kasterolie

Hoe hanteer jy die oppe en veral die awwe van die lewe - terwyl jy jou lewenslus en geloof behou? Entrepreneur en planmaker Leilani Snyman Kuter van Krulkop-Hub praat oor haar loopbaan, hartsmense, ‘n random geaardheid, finansiële druk, sakewenke, ‘n dik vel, thrifting en groei.

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Emotional health Mariette Snyman Emotional health Mariette Snyman

Suffering or feeling exhausted? Re-energise yourself with mindfulness and self-compassion

Are you tender with yourself? Transformational coach and change consultant Gail Cox probes what mindfulness and self-compassion really entail, including slowing down and softening, being where your feet are, and ‘kind-ing your mind.’ Relating stories from her own life, she illuminates having a free pass versus giving oneself a permission slip, and healing from psoriasis. Sponsored content.

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Dr Elna Rudolph: the 5 sex languages – what you need to know 

Since couples seldom speak the same “sex language,” their primary needs may not be met. Sexologist and global sexual health advocate Dr Elna Rudolph explains why communicating about intimacy may feel awkward. She outlines the 5 sex languages, offering a useful framework to understand lovers’ “types” and suggests impactful phrases to use when making love. Sensitive content, meant for adult listeners.

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Emotional health, Parenting Mariette Snyman Emotional health, Parenting Mariette Snyman

Emotional dysregulation as a key component of ADHD

Understanding that emotional dysregulation is a brain-related symptom in individuals with ADHD can counter shame and offer hope. Counselling psychologist Ronel Carver discusses ADHD and its effects, executive functioning deficit, emotional dysregulation and rejection sensitive dysphoria. Concerning ADHD and emotional dysregulation, she highlights different treatment options - particularly BWRT, which changes neural pathways to elicit a preferred response. Ronel outlines the advantages of addressing challenges with brain-based therapy.

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Emotional health, Love & intimacy, Parenting Mariette Snyman Emotional health, Love & intimacy, Parenting Mariette Snyman

Annette Zeelie: How Brain Gym can boost couples’ relationships

Wouldn’t it be helpful if you and your partner knew whether one of you had a “blocked” eye or ear? Educational kinesiologist Annette Zeelie explains how Brain Gym® can determine individuals’ stress profiles, and enhance brain function through targeted movement. Children as well as adults can improve their concentration, communication, memory, stress management, emotional self-regulation, self-confidence, sport and academic achievement – and relationships.

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Families: how storytelling can clarify shared values and strengthen bonds

Did you know that stories are the most effective way to embed behaviour in the human brain? President of The Storytellers Channel and international radio show host Gayle Turner explains how intentional storytelling – and listening – can help parents instil values, aid decision making and cultivate a sense of belonging in their children. Wisely sharing lived experiences can teach others perseverance in the face of adversity and deepen precious connections.

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Emotional health, Love & intimacy, Parenting Mariette Snyman Emotional health, Love & intimacy, Parenting Mariette Snyman

Odette van Rensburg: creating documentaries on social behaviour

Have you ever felt disconnected from yourself or others, or struggled with an issue you couldn’t openly discuss? Independent film maker Odette van Rensburg highlights the difficulties and rewards of making documentaries on taboo issues like suicide, suicide ideation and unexpected forms of domestic violence. Thought-provoking films like ‘Disconnected’ and ‘A Shell of Herself’ challenge us to look beyond others’ masks, confront our own feelings, and establish stronger connections. Sensitive content, intended for adults: suicide and domestic violence are discussed.

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Emotional health, Challenge yourself Mariette Snyman Emotional health, Challenge yourself Mariette Snyman

Marielle Wolmarans: How fasting can benefit your body and mind

When is fasting a good idea? Which factors can indicate the form of fasting that suits you best? Functional medicine health coach Marielle Wolmarans offers advice, noting challenges and benefits associated with different types of fasting, and how fasting relates to emotional eating and neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimers. She highlights the Keto diet, Bredesen protocol coaching, and daily habits that support fasting.

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Emotional health Mariette Snyman Emotional health Mariette Snyman

Dr Arien’s journey: coping with retinopathy, depression and stroke

Instead of losing all hope when faced with a debilitating eye condition, stroke and acute depression, Dr Arien van der Merwe found ways to grow into a more perceptive, empathic healer. She explains how neuroplasticity helped her recover from paralysis, discusses the placebo versus the nocebo effect and metabolic syndrome, and lists her personal tips for self-care.

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Emotional health, Love & intimacy Mariette Snyman Emotional health, Love & intimacy Mariette Snyman

Chanette Paul: ‘n nuwe roman, passievolle tonele en wanopvattings oor skryf

Ná 51 romans daag moedswillige karakters, vertwyfeling en die gevaar van selfplagiaat haar steeds uit, sê die bekroonde romanskrywer Chanette Paul. Sy praat oor  haar jongste roman, “Déjà Vu,” die onvoorsiene verband tussen haar storie en ‘n moord in Australië, die skryf van vurige tonele en haar eie ervaring van prekognisie. Chanette verduidelik hoe die debat oor die waarde van Afrikaanse literêre werk versus ontspanningsfiksie benader kan word en wys op ‘n wanopvatting rakende skrywers wat dalk nét gegrond is...

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Emotional health, Parenting Mariette Snyman Emotional health, Parenting Mariette Snyman

 Dr. Albert Bramante: ADHD is a creative superpower, not a curse

ADHD is often labelled “a problem.” Dr Albert Bramante, New York talent agent with a background in psychology, suggests ways to reframe the so-called drawbacks of being neurodivergent. He offers practical advice on creating systems that honour the way the brain works, redefining success and failure, handling criticism, and countering self-sabotaging behaviour.

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Emotional health, Challenge yourself Mariette Snyman Emotional health, Challenge yourself Mariette Snyman

Post-retirement mastery: acing a piano exam with finger joint prostheses

When retiring from a busy urology practice, Dr Hans Rabe (now 76) set himself the goal of playing UNISA’s most advanced piano exam. Despite having to play through the pain due to autoimmune arthritis, he achieved an A+. Savour this story of retirement, reinvention and resilience, told with a quirky sense of humour.

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Parenting, Emotional health, Challenge yourself Mariette Snyman Parenting, Emotional health, Challenge yourself Mariette Snyman

Children with level 1 autism: a plea for understanding and inclusion

How does a parent deal with not only the stigma, but misconceptions attached to high-functioning autism? Social worker Mariette Cawood candidly speaks about how this affects a child and its parents, facilitating the child’s relationship with teachers and other individuals, dealing with specific challenges, and the 3 phases of autism. She voices the grief many parents experience and urges other adults to educate themselves and promote a more supportive, inclusive environment.

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Emotional health, Challenge yourself Mariette Snyman Emotional health, Challenge yourself Mariette Snyman

Navigate your unknown: lessons from open-water swimming bootcamp

Which adventure would take you out of your comfort zone, pique your senses, and invigorate you with growth? Transformational coach and change consultant Gail Cox extracts life & leadership lessons from open-water swimming in Mallorca. She considers saying yes to a challenge despite not being quite ready, meeting her own edge, bravely navigating constantly shifting waters, breathing in a different way, and creating space for recovery.

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Emotional health, Love & intimacy Mariette Snyman Emotional health, Love & intimacy Mariette Snyman

How to cope when your partner has a chronic illness

Chronic disease alters the daily functioning and quality of life of the individual with the diagnosis - the same applies to their partner. Educational psychologist Lidalize Grobler explores the physical, emotional and financial challenges a couple may face, energy budgeting, realistic expectations, and flare-ups. She offers valuable pointers on creating emotional safety, deepening trust, and finding intimacy in shared resilience.

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Emotional health, Love & intimacy Mariette Snyman Emotional health, Love & intimacy Mariette Snyman

Cecelia Jansen: being a single mom, breast cancer, and newfound love

Raising four children as a single parent, receiving a breast cancer diagnosis and undergoing a nine-hour surgical procedure - amidst other losses - could not extinguish Cecelia Jansen’s faith. Then she met a man who looked beyond her scars, saw her heart, and helped her realise a life-long dream. Listen to an inspiring story of courage and hope.

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Emotional health, Challenge yourself Mariette Snyman Emotional health, Challenge yourself Mariette Snyman

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy: how to handle unruly thoughts and feelings

Even though our thoughts are mental events, not facts, we may find them overwhelming. Clinical psychologist Dr Colinda Linde explains how ACT teaches us psychological flexibility, including unhooking ourselves from self-criticism and riding out discomfort or anxiety. She discusses the 6 core processes involved in ACT, and committing to actions that serve our values.

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Emotional health, Challenge yourself Mariette Snyman Emotional health, Challenge yourself Mariette Snyman

Sonja Blignaut: being a waysfinder in a complex world  

Do you experience our world as secure and predictable, or find it overwhelming and anxiety provoking? “Complexity nerd” Sonja Blignaut  considers how AfrikaBurn mirrors life’s complexity, becoming comfortable with being uncomfortable, the difference between complicated and complex systems, and developing 4 meta-skills aimed at thriving in an entangled world.

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