Calm, Clear & Helpful

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 b...

Listeners’ favourites holiday replay no. 5: Are you getting enough sleep? Clinical and neuropsychologist Mark Eaton considers possible causes of sleep deprivation, including anxiety, traumas associated with sleeping, and disorders such as sleep apnoea. He explains how sleep challenges may affect us physically, psychologically, socially and cognitively and suggests interventions - notably the fast-...

Listeners’ favourites holiday replay no. 4: How about a safe, total-body exercise that burns more calories than walking but requires less exertion - and impacts your joints less? Nordic Walker and trainer Lohra de Waal discusses this fast-growing sport, suitable to all ages and many chronic, medical or geriatric conditions. She discusses research findings, the advantages of Nordic Walking, suitabl...

Listeners’ favourites holiday replay no. 3: How can you communicate with someone living with cognitive impairment in a way that benefits both you and them? Dr. Rayne Stroebel clarifies the World Health Organisation’s view that the consciousness of individuals with dementia is never lost. He offers practical pointers for being deeply present and caring in a relational way, suited to family members...

Listeners’ favourites holiday replay no. 2: 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. This episode's podcast notes and photog...

Listeners’ favourites holiday replay no. 1: With heart-wrenching honesty Jawaahier Petersen recalls the murder of her father, the music icon Taliep Petersen. She describes how the trauma started with an earlier attempt on his life, the loss and betrayal she and her siblings experienced, and how she suffered from depression and panic attacks. In her mid-thirties, Jawaahier finds herself back in the...

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. miingle.co.z...

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...

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. www.youtube.com · Hierdie episode se potgooi-notas en foto's · www.mariettesnyman.co.za · www.f...

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. www.gailcoxcoaching.com &m...

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 listener...

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, wh...

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-conf...

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 perseveranc...

Have you ever felt disconnected from yourself or others, or struggled with an issue you couldn’t openly discuss? Independent filmmaker 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 b...

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 h...

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. www.mariettesnyman.co.za ·...

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...

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. www.mariettesnyman.co.za · bra...

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. www.mariettesnyman.co.za · This episode's podcast notes and photograph &midd...

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 adu...

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...

Re-framing your lifestyle to include frequent movement needs to be fun! Naturopath, wellness & spiritual coach and massage therapist Dr Francois du Toit discusses the benefits of primal movement patterns such as the resting squat, how to optimise preferred forms of movement by using experiential goal setting, and ways to gain self-knowledge resulting in joyful, energetic living. www.mariettesnyman...

Why would you need to “work hard” to maintain a low self-esteem? Human development specialist Dr Melodie de Jager explores our uniqueness, the phases of life we experience, the impact of our birth, and how we’re shaped by our genes and early childhood. She suggests ways to change limiting thought patterns, since brain plasticity means our past needn’t dictate our future. www.mariettesnyman.co.za &...

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 findi...