Elana Afrika-Bredenkamp

"When We feel completely overwhelmed, We might describe it as a crisis..." Are we living in a time of multiple levels of crises? In this discussion we unpack the mental & physical process of solving 'the crisis.' Dr Simone Silver is our guest this week, and a specialist in the field of the Mind-Body-Health connection. How does stress affect our physical health? And what should we do in a time of c...

There are many Seasons in our lives, good ones, bad ones, ones where We are thriving, or seasons where We just don't feel like making it through... And you might be wondering, when is it my Season to bloom and sparkle? Ons gesels met 3 merkwaardige Vroue wat openhartig vertel van hul moeilike, en opwindende, "Seisoene." Maar elke moeilike seisoen gebeur dalk met 'n goeie rede, en sodra ons besluit...

Let’s be honest, Networking feels a lot harder when We’re exhausted, the shirt You’re wearing has a mystery stain, kids' homework is keeping us busy, and most of us would rather be sleeping instead of attending yet another gathering. But, what If you’re a Mom who wants to build business connections, and struggle with the awkward small talk? Well, then this Podcast is for you! We are breaking down...

"Dyslexia is not a disease." It simply needs comfort & patience... Taking the time to understand how dyslexia works is the first step to offer help, says our guest this week, remedial therapist, Elizna Prinsloo. From the age of 5, signs of dyslexia might become more prevalent, but without understanding the concept, both parents and teachers might think a child is simply stubborn or lazy. Children...

When life takes an unexpected turn, and relationships become the prison from which we think we'll never escape... it's only a strong will, determination, and tough decisions that help us to break free. Stephanie Baartman is the embodiment of just that. As one of South Africa's rising stars in entertainment, on TV, theatre, and broadcast media, she is a true survivor. A story, not often shared, tha...

My Child has ADHD... did I do something wrong? Psychiatrist Dr Gagu Matsebula, our guest, makes it clear: parents, we did nothing wrong. Neurodivergent children is a complex concept, but in this discussion we unpack the details. We share helpful advice for educational institutions like schools, and those taking care of children, offering creative solutions for ADHD children that might initially ap...

"PCOS" is now called "PMOS"... A simple name change, that makes a profound impact on women's health (and getting the correct diagnosis). Previously, the name referred mostly to the reproductive system, specifically, cyst related. Often, this resulted in a misdiagnosis or complete lack of support and treatment. With "PMOS" the entire endocrine (hormonal) and metabolic systems are included. A combin...

Since his passing in March 2023 we still fondly remember his voice, the charming character, the reality TV shows... but mostly, the joyful manner in which he approached every challenge he faced, including the one that ultimately took his life, cancer. In this discussion, recorded in February 2020 (that was never broadcast), Mark reflects on his journey in radio, laughs about the hardships, candidl...

"The most powerful thing you can do as a parent, to help with your child's speech development, is to Read for them..." In this episode we learn How speech development for our children starts from day one, even before they speak a single word! In this fascinating episode we are joined by a professional Speech Therapist, Stephanie Thompson. She explains that new research makes it clear: speech devel...

"Often, we bath our children too often..." What are the hidden dangers for my baby's skin? Are there common warning signs for skin problems among kids? This week we discuss the red flags and warning signs for common skin problems. Sometimes, over the counter treatment is sufficient, but occasionally we need a professional's help. How do we know when a minor skin problem could turn into a serious h...

"Relationships don't heal themselves, it's up to us to take that step, and repair the brokenness..." Cutting off a parent or child is a last-resort decision, and we might live with deep regret or confusion about this decision. How do we change our attitude about parent-child relationships and be the stronger person that takes a leap of faith, and try heal the wounds? We are joined by clinical psyc...

Do you have a Will? When last was it updated? What about my children? What happens to my personal belongings when I pass on? Having a Will is one way of securing our children's future. In this week's episode we explore the many different aspects about writing a Will. How do we make it legal, how to safeguard against common mistakes, and simply understanding why having such a document in the first...

"Create the habit of cooking at home, making food with your children, and controlling the nutrients and type of food your family eats" Managing our Sugar intake is perhaps the key to great dental & oral health, which in turn is the foundation of good, long-term health. Eating too much sugar from a young age is in fact detrimental for our physical health as we grow older. Therefore, making meals at...

"When a female goes through menopause she ages 30% faster than normal over a period of 5 years" It's the reality of growing older. But, there is hope! For this week's Podcast we invited a Biomedical Scientist and specialist in Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Dr Judey Pretorius, to give us the secrets to healthier looking skin, especially for women going through menopause. When we age, our skin also weak...

"Trust God's plan, be patient in life when things don't work out right now, because there's a reason for that..." In this captivating episode Adele Koolen shares the heartbreaking story behind the joy of finally finding the boy that went viral, her adopted son, Desmond "Desi" Koolen. Adoption changed her life for the better, after 7 years of failed attempts to get pregnant, Adele Koolen says that...

"Where I grew up, not many kids make it out... gangsterism, drugs, it's rough… My Journey with IVF is not the only miracle I am grateful for today... this could have been far worse for me" Candice Williams, Mrs Universe-South Africa 2025, is our guest this week. She is a prominent advocate for IVF. Today she reflects on the difficult road she had to endure, just to be able to give birth to her own...

"Substance abuse was my inner child driving my life… and the day I moved him to the back seat and took control... I became sober, and my life changed forever" Darren Maule, one of South Africa's most endearing (& busiest) entertainers, reveals a deeply personal side of his life in this exclusive Podcast interview. Join Darren & Elana as they journey through Darren's tumultuous life as a young chil...

"A safe, secure space... creates a regulated, calm mental state of being..." Why is Mental Health so important? What are the typical red flags with children? Let's learn the recipe for success, the tools we need to balance our minds, and empower our mental health! Our guest is Dr. Tanya van Aswegen, a mental health consultant and an advocate for abuse survivors. She specialises in parent-child att...

The Skin always tells us... healthy body, or toxic, unhealthy body. It's one of the first tell-tale signs when we see a rash, or skin break-out. And summer season is here! It's the perfect time to learn more about skincare and skin health. Sunblock, beach days, good food & festive times, but guard yourself against instant skin damage that might stay with you for a lifetime. Lezille Bouwer, from Ep...

Chad Saaiman and wife Savanah have just become the proud parents of twin babies - a "double blessing," says Chad, after a traumatic experience earlier this year. In this episode Chad talks about his most personal experience, and how life has changed for the better. "I always found tremendous inspiration from my own Mother... she worked hard to achieve success in every job she ever did, never allow...

"... brush your teeth in the day to keep your friends; and brush your teeth at night to keep your teeth" Habits turn good health into (a lifetime of) great health! Taking care of our teeth and dental health directly impact your physical health. Your dental health can strengthen your immune system – make sure you keep your immune system working optimally by taking care of your mouth! Our guest this...

"Most doctors don't get training in menopause, it's often misdiagnosed." "There are more than 90 symptoms for menopause!" Karen Nebe is a 'menopause coach' and shares her experience with helping Women through menopause (and perimenopause); How to help Men deal with the situation; and what the most common symptoms are when menopause starts to happen. Karen says that improving self-awareness has hel...

"There's a big difference between 'baby blues' and post-natal depression," "We might not even realise that we need help... because getting out of depression..." This week our guest shares a deeply personal story, but one that inspires true courage, perseverance, and self-determination - to make a change, and become a better Mom for her baby boy. Kelebogile is a brave Mom and lives to share her tru...

"I never knew how much mouth breathing affects my dental health, my physical health & even the shape of my face!” In this week's Podcast, Oral Hygienist, Naseema Osman, reveals startling facts about the problems we face with habitual mouth breathing as opposed to nasal breathing. Why does mouth breathing affect our health & our entire facial development so much? And how do I fix this for my young...

"The world is a difficult place, it will beat you down, and it will keep you there, if you let it. You never give up!" That's the motto that Anrika Bruinders lives by, and she's our special guest this week on Baby Brunch. Mom, Wife, Businesswoman, 17-times IVF survivor... and a true fighter! Anrika never gave up, even after a surrogate con-artist fooled them out of a baby, she still looked ahead a...