Mental Health in Tech

In this candid conversation, guest Salma Alam-Naylor joins hosts Schalk Venter , Schalk Neethling , and Kate van Niekerk to unpack her thought-provoking article " Why Women in Tech Isn't Enough. " The discussion explores why segregated tech groups, while well-intentioned, may be perpetuating the very problems they aim to solve. Key topics covered: * The paradox of "women in tech" spaces that exclu...

In this roundtable, the hosts and guests, Miriam , Geoff , and Hidde , dig into the messy overlap between mental health and technology. We talk about the real human consequences of modern tooling, from the ethics of AI and how it’s changing labor, to the ongoing fight for web accessibility and the moral obligations designers and engineers carry. The conversation ranges from personal stories about...

What happens when the work you love starts to drain the life out of you, or disappears altogether? In this episode, the two Schalks sit down with Kate van Niekerk ( She Can Do ), design strategist, researcher, and wordsmith, for an honest and compassionate conversation about burnout, identity, and navigating the messy middle of tech careers. Kate shares her story of being laid off, the emotional w...

In this powerful and deeply personal episode of Mental Health in Tech , we’re joined by developer, entrepreneur, and educator Saron Yitbarek . Saron opens up about her experience living with bipolar disorder, confronting the fear that her manic highs were tied to her creativity and identity, and the emotional journey toward accepting medication and treatment. “I was scared that if I took medicatio...

In this episode of "Mental Health in Tech," Geoff Graham, alongside hosts Schalk Neethling and Schalk Venter, delves into the complexities of content creation in the age of AI, reflecting on the challenges of maintaining quality and authenticity in a rapidly evolving tech landscape. Geoff shares his personal and professional journey, marked by the emotional impact of the CSS-Tricks acquisition by...

Geoff Graham, known for his work with CSS Tricks and Smashing Magazine joins hosts Schalk Neethling and Schalk Venter for this episode of the Mental Health in Tech podcast. As has become customary, they start with a simple yet powerful practice that sets the stage for a candid conversation about the often-overlooked mental health struggles faced by many in the tech industry. Geoff shares his journ...

 In this episode of the Mental Health in Tech podcast, hosts Schalk Neethling and Schalk Venter are joined by Kai Katschthaler to discuss the profound mental health impact of the various challenges faced by those who work in the tech industry. The conversation delves into the immense pressures tech professionals face, including the challenges of finding employment in an oversaturated job market an...

In this episode, host Schalk Neethling interviews Jennifer Weis, the founder of Mission Save A Life, a nonprofit organization dedicated to raising awareness, promoting education, and driving action around mental health and suicide prevention. Jen shares her journey and the genesis of Mission Save A Life, which was born out of the tragic loss of her son's friend to suicide. Take care of yourself wh...

This episode of the Mental Health in Tech podcast features Erik Andersen, also known as the world’s happiest software engineer, who delves into the mental health challenges faced by developers in the tech industry, and the importance of supporting junior developers and fostering a supportive tech community. Erik shares that while he does call himself the world’s happiest software engineer, this is...

In this episode of the Mental Health in Tech podcast, Schalk Venter and I spoke with Russ Jones about the mental health landscape from a broader perspective. Russ, known for his ADHD Big Brother podcast, opened up about his late ADHD diagnosis and its profound impact on his life and career decisions. With a backdrop of personal anecdotes and a collective understanding of mental health challenges,...

The episode features a deep dive into Darko Arnautovic's professional journey in the tech industry, highlighting the challenges and growth he experienced. It covers his transition from initial technician roles to more senior roles in web development and management. A recurring theme in the podcast was Darko's mental health struggles, particularly in the context of his professional life. He spoke c...

In this episode of the Mental Health in Tech podcast, hosts Schalk Neethling and Schalk Venter, along with guest Kevin Ball (KBall), discuss the often-overlooked emotional and interpersonal aspects of working in technology. They highlight the unique challenges faced by those in tech, especially programmers, in terms of mental health and the often intense pressures when building a startup. The conv...

In this episode of the Mental Health in Tech podcast, co-hosts Schalk Neethling and Schalk Venter delve into a conversation with Jeremy Nagel, creator of Focus Bear, examining the intersection of cognitive science, mental well-being, and technology's impact on our daily lives. The discussion revolves around implementing behavioral strategies to mitigate tech-induced anxiety and distraction. They n...

In this captivating episode titled "Self-Acceptance, Embracing Vulnerability, and Creating a Supportive Work Culture," guest Bavani Chetty shares her journey towards self-acceptance, highlighting the challenges and rewards of embracing one's true self. We discuss loneliness, how an accurate diagnosis can make a world of difference, how pushing oneself into uncomfortable positions is a means for gr...

This episode of Mental Health in Tech features guest Casey Watts and delves into the interplay between mental health and technology, highlighting Casey's background in both psychology and tech. A significant portion of the discussion revolves around the importance of community-led initiatives in the tech industry and how these differ from corporate-driven meetups. Casey introduces the concept of t...

This episode of the Mental Health in Tech podcast features an in-depth conversation with Candice Grobler, who shares her journey through various mental health challenges while working in the tech industry. Candice discusses her diagnosis of complex post-traumatic stress disorder and how it impacted her professional life. The conversation covers the lack of support and understanding she experienced...

In this episode of the Mental Health in Tech podcast guest Liesel Bester, COO at IO Digital , discusses the complexities of managing mental health in the fast-paced tech industry. Liesel and the hosts, Schalk Venter and Schalk Neethling, delve into how rapid technological changes add stress and anxiety in the workplace. Liesel emphasizes the importance of mental health education within teams, advo...

In the debut episode of the mental health in tech podcast hosted by Schalk Neethling and Schalk Venter, the guest is Gideon, who shares his struggles with imposter syndrome and a difficult time in his life when his wife was diagnosed with cancer. Gideon opens up about his experiences with imposter syndrome, a common mental health issue that affects many people in the tech industry. He describes th...