The Jabber

What happens to your ‘sovereign values’ when your income is no longer guaranteed? This week, we discuss the intense psychological shift of moving into a commission-based role. We explore how to resist the urge to make money the ‘purpose’ of our work and why focusing on the craft is the only way to survive ‘year one’ of a career pivot. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this wit...

Is the ‘logistical tax’ of modern parenting higher than it used to be? We dive into the relentless schedule of the modern family. We compare the ‘free-range’ childhoods of the past to the curated logistics of today and discuss how to maintain your own sovereignty while being the ‘engine’ for everyone else. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get ac...

As my son enters his teenage years, I find myself drafting a ‘survival guide’ for him - only to realise it’s exactly what I need for my own mid-life pivot. We discuss dreaming big, the danger of "wishing it away," and why being yourself is the only way to stay sovereign at any age. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, v...

What happens when the ‘outsider’ finally gets invited inside? This week, we discuss the Bloomberg insight into Bitcoin’s institutional era and how it applies to our personal lives. We explore the internal hubris and external jealousy that follow success, and why staying grounded is the only way to avoid becoming a victim of your own wins. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this...

We all want the harvest, but few of us want the first year of a lemon tree. This week, we explore why gardening is the ultimate metaphor for business and personal transitions. We discuss the Fool's Garden "Lemon Tree" syndrome and why the most important growth happens underground before you ever see a single piece of fruit. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other sub...

We think we grow out of star charts, but adult behaviour is driven by the same simple rewards. This week, we unpack a recent change in a gym reward program and discuss why 'almost free' is psychologically more expensive than 'free.' It’s a lesson in habit-building, momentum, and the high cost of minor inconveniences. YouTube · Substack This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss...

What happens when you present Michael Burry’s data to a crowd of Bitcoin "HODLers"? This week, we explore the hilarious and frustrating reality of the Dunning-Kruger effect. From Bitcoin price points to global energy debates, we look at why we’ve traded nuance for echo chambers. YouTube · Substack This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get acce...

Is it the work, or the worry? This week, we explore the "Sidewalk Theory" - that moment when we stop to watch the changes instead of driving them. Drawing on a classic Jeff Bezos insight, we discuss why the present moment is the only place where stress actually disappears. YouTube · Substack This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to...

A 4.5-hour drive offers plenty of time for reflection. This week, we get raw about the transition from a team-based corporate culture to the solo-driven world of commission. It’s a talk about identity, the "Creative Wall," and the reality of batting for yourself. YouTube · Substack This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus epis...

When self-control fails, the contract begins. This week, we explore the "Tech Agreement" - an AI-assisted family contract designed to teach an 8 and 12-year-old the value of moderation in a digital-first world. YouTube · Substack This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit keepjabbering.substack.com

This week on The Jabber, we trade the cricket pitch for the Rollercade. We discuss the transition from primary to high school and the literal struggle of letting go of the safety rail in middle age. A lesson in core strength, family memories, and why the kids have it right when they refuse to fear the fall. YouTube · Substack This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with...

Elon Musk and Larry Fink don't agree on everything, but they agree on this: Optimism is a better way to live. This week, we dive into the "unhappy palace" of modern media, the spiral of bad news, and why being an optimist - even if you're occasionally wrong - is the only way to navigate the "b******t." YouTube · Substack This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other...

Yesterday’s radical ideas are today’s basic requirements. This week on The Jabber, we explore the psychology of the "outlier" - looking at how US housing, aviation, and AI follow the same path from "crazy" to "commonplace." Don't get caught napping while the world evolves. YouTube · Substack This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to...

As Januworry comes to a close, we explore the trap of the "cheap bargain." Inspired by Warren Buffett, we discuss why value always beats price, even when the budget is tight, and how to make your Rands last in the longest month of the year. YouTube · Substack This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit keepjabberi...

Is your "system" holding you back? This week on The Jabber, we look at the fall of Ruben Amorim and the rise of Michael Carrick to discuss a vital life lesson: adaptability. Whether you’re a lifelong Chelsea fan or just trying to navigate a changing workplace, learning when to ditch yesterday’s logic is the key to surviving the turbulence. YouTube · Substack This is a public episode. If you...

Remember when making plans meant hanging up the landline and just showing up? This week on The Jabber, we look at how communication has evolved from the "brick" cellphone era to a world of constant WhatsApp coordination. We explore the "death of the phone call," the struggle of decoding teenage acronyms, and why - despite our parental panics - the next generation is probably going to be just fine....

"Never miss a Monday." It sounds simple, but it's the foundation of every good routine. This week on The Jabber, we explore the habits that silently stall our progress. Inspired by the work of Sahil Bloom, we discuss why the "constant jog" is a trap, why complaining is a dead end, and how to stop overthinking and start doing. YouTube · Substack This is a public episode. If you would like to...

Is there a "right" time to become great? This week on The Jabber, we dive into the polarising paths of Tiger Woods and Roger Federer to discuss the dangers of the comparison trap. Whether you’re a ‘specialist’ who starts early or a ‘generalist’ finding your way, we explore why excellence is about personal determination rather than keeping up with the person next to you. A reminder for every parent...

In this episode of The Jabber, we revisit the rigorous, patient lessons of the classic Boycott on Batting to explore the value of the "long game." As my eldest navigates the fast and furious environment of a franchise cricket tournament, we discuss the danger of "over-awe" - the mental burnout that comes from trying to learn too much, too fast. I share our family’s "One-and-One" strategy for incre...

It’s the first week back, and while parents everywhere are breathing a sigh of relief, the social feeds are flooded with "First Day" photos. This week, I’m looking at the "small sweat" of digital privacy. When does a child’s image stop being a parental memory and start being a permanent digital footprint? From private WhatsApp groups to the "hostile arena" of open social networks, we’re navigating...

My eldest has officially joined "the club." At twelve years old, he now has a computer in his pocket. But as we navigated this rite of passage, I was struck by how the world tries to sell us independence through the lens of debt. From 48-month phone contracts to financing a bottle of scotch, we explore the "slow-motion inflation" that’s stretching our lives - and our loans - to the breaking point....

In a "super coddled world," how do we give our children the tools to navigate life on their own? This week, I’m reflecting on my 1998 gap year in the UK - a time of living on a six-pence and discovering the true meaning of independence through a red double-decker bus. Fast forward to 2026 in Cape Town, and I’m putting those same lessons to the test with my eldest. We’re swapping the "parental Uber...

What happens when a hobby starts to feel like a "social contract" you can’t keep? In this first episode of 2026, we’re looking at the power of names and the weight of expectations. After 24 episodes, I sought out some expert "tough love" from Gavin Kennedy at Solid Gold Podcasts. The diagnosis? The word "Daily" had become a stressing millstone - a temporal trap that turns unbridled joy into a chor...

What do you do when your Grade Two child insists on changing schools, but can't articulate why? In this personal episode, our host shares a central parenting conundrum: accommodating his youngest son’s persistent, yet unexplained, request to move schools - a decision that throws a wrench into the family's dual-school schedule. This mystery sparks a broader reflection on sibling dynamics: Is the yo...

Who can forget the pain of Blockbuster's late fees? In this motivational episode, we explore the incredible journey of Netflix, which began as a simple snail mail DVD service focused on solving a single customer problem, and today boasts a market capitalisation of over $400 billion with 300 million subscribers. Using this media behemoth's humble beginnings as a 'dare to dream' parable, we discuss...