Can loosening one’s grip on long-held beliefs lead to renewed vitality and extended time to cherish life? Dancer, wordsmith and data squirrel Yvonne Shapiro shares how shifting from resistance to acceptance influenced her journey with breast cancer and non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma. She explores the raw terrain of fear, trauma and joy, and “being both well and ill at the same time.”

Are you raising a child who is neurodivergent, or are you curious about child-led parenting? Creative manager & recruiter and coach Benita Conde shares the lessons, challenges and rewards of raising a child who marches to the beat of his own drum. She discusses seeking aligned educational spaces, navigating societal expectations, honouring her son’s intrinsic motivation, and how to view labels like ADHD.

What can you expect from therapy? How do you find the right therapist?  Using a brain-based perspective, clinical psychologist Shelley Hall explains why the prospect of therapy may feel daunting, the importance of realistic expectations and trust, and what to do before, during and after a session. She offers advice on navigating therapy for your child and discusses the efficacy of BrainWorking Recursive Therapy for all ages.

What exactly does life coaching offer, and what will it require from you? Neuro and mindset coach Maryke Swarts discusses the goals and different types of coaching, how to screen coaches, and misconceptions to avoid. She explains how coaching can support you in making desired changes, forming new habits, letting go of limiting patterns and beliefs, and keep you accountable.

Considering having your child attend an online high school and wondering how to make it work? Wayne Langridge, CEO and founder of WFA Online High School, discusses value-driven education, developing entrepreneurial skills, and attending online classes in real time. He emphasises growing children’s self-esteem and letting teachers feel heard and valued, and explains how challenges like social interaction can be met in an online context. Sponsored content.

Do you sometimes feel that - despite your best efforts - you have no control over what happens in your life? Or, perhaps, that the only person you can fully rely upon is yourself? Counselling psychologist Ronel Carver explains how loss of control may be expressed as learned helplessness or hyperindependence. She considers the causes of these survival reactions and their effects, e.g. apathy, procrastination and low mood, or burnout, avoiding vulnerability and chronic anxiety. Ronel describes BrainWorking Recursive Therapy as a cost-effective, brain-based technique that can provide relief and hope.  

How can intuition be used as a strategic decision-making tool? Creative manager & recruiter and coach Benita Conde explains how to access your intuition, discern between fear and excitement, put clarity into action, and develop embodied self-trust. She recommends taking intuitive walks and building a radically loved life.

Retirement may signal the end of your career, but not of “you.” Coaching psychologist Lizanne de Jong discusses pain points, including a loss of status, usefulness, structure, and well-being. She explores the 4 retirement personalities, the phases and domains of retirement, and how transitioning to retirement may differ for men and women. Discover how the Retirement Wheel and journalling can help you purposefully negotiate this demanding transition.

For the next three weeks I’m revisiting some powerful menopause conversations from the podcast archive. What do you need to know about hormone production to support your body? How can you regulate your nervous system during this time of upheaval? Is menopause the beginning of the end, or the start of your most creative years? Whether you’re navigating this transition yourself or supporting a loved one, I trust you’ll gain direction, clarity, and comfort.

Caring for a loved one living with dementia can be profoundly taxing. Gerontologist and dementia consultant Daniela Russo applies eight rules from an ancient text on warfare to lighten this load. Learn how to identify the real “enemy,” interpret challenging behaviour, and avoid unnecessary battles. Discover ways to encourage autonomy while offering support. Moments of safety and connection spell true victory.

What is your most precious currency: time or money? Do you need to be ‘always available’? Entrepreneur and business consultant Michael Glenister introduces his personal development guide Take Back Time, proving that you cannot value your time unless you value yourself. Learn to reclaim control over your time - not by squeezing more into each day, but by reflecting on your values, priorities, and purpose. Michael offers a strategic approach to aligning your daily choices with your deepest values, honouring what matters most and experiencing true fulfilment.

What do men typically expect from relationships? What do they tend to struggle with? Clinical psychologist Thabang Tlaka considers why men are sensitive to language, how their priorities differ from those of women, and issues including financial pressures, emotional availability, self-expression, and congruence. He offers tools for strengthening romantic relationships and ways to promote peace in the home.

Autoimmune disease affects 10% of the world population and poses significant challenges. Health and wellness coach Dr Amy Behimer explains how acquiring healthier, evidence-based habits helps her live well with MS and other diagnoses. Shifting one’s focus to what one can control to create “autoimmune health” is doable - when approached strategically and with adequate support.

In this solo podcast, Mariette opens up about losing her job and identity as a women’s magazine journalist and proceeding to create her own wellness platform. Using Martha Beck’s change cycle, she discusses feeling like “bug soup,” taking a leap of faith, accepting help, and planning and monetizing her offering. She shares encountering huge challenges, exciting opportunities for expansion, one game changer, and the big-hearted support of her loved ones, clients, colleagues, friends and – importantly – her audience.

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 take a peek!

What does it take to recover from any form of addiction? ‘Soberness’ podcast host Cat Greenleaf shares her journey out of fame and into recovery, healing from substance abuse, job loss, and life-long depression. She considers why there is no single, one-size-fits-all path to sobriety, navigating shame and guilt, how loved ones may help, and how real-life stories can act as road maps.

Have you ever considered how your inner world affects the atmosphere in your home and your children? Holistic wellness and massage practitioner Berna Terblanche discusses how children’s behaviour can reflect the emotional “weather” surrounding them, how to hold your feelings responsibly, and practical ways to ground yourself and calm your child. Gently healing inner child wounds and practising self-regulation are impactful forms of love.

If you’re in midlife or beyond, the challenges you face may include career dissatisfaction, retirement, self-doubt and stressful family relationships. Psychologist Martsie Dreyer explores learning curves the older generation have successfully navigated, and issues such as technological growth, unpredictability and children abroad. She discusses avoiding energy vampires and growing a mindset that boosts flexibility and resilience.

To keep you company on the holiday stretch, I’ve selected some of my most-listened-to podcasts. Moreover, there are hundreds of podcast episodes and articles on this website (in English and Afrikaans) to help you experience an increased sense of coming home to yourself…

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.