Calm, Clear & Helpful

Ep. 55 The decision that helped me find my way out of depression

Some time ago, Clive Vanderwagen felt he didn’t want to live anymore. Three weeks in a psychiatric hospital led to a marked mind-shift, followed by far-reaching career and lifestyle changes. Listen to Clive’s sincere account of re-framing challenges such as his mother’s suicide when he was a young boy; simple…

8 Feb 2022 46 min

Ep. 54 Bullying affects children and adults: how this can be approached

“Behind the smile, a hidden knife”: have you or a loved one ever been targeted? Bullying occurs in families, at school, at work and in cyberspace. Clinical social worker Morag Scordilis discusses the imbalance of power at the heart of bullying, examples of physical, verbal and social bullying, the effect…

1 Feb 2022 1 hr 05 min

Ep. 51 How – and why – to get the life coach you need

What is life coaching and when is it the right choice? What are the benefits and how do you find a suitable coach? Maryke Groenewald talks about the costs, whether it is worth your while, and how the Covid-19 pandemic led to the founding of Coaches Network SA, a platform…

11 Jan 2022 27 min

Ep. 50 How to bring your happy back

Can one learn to be happy? Absolutely, says personal transformation specialist Angela Hardy. The key lies in understanding how our minds create our feelings. Along with clarifying the working of the brain, the importance of being aware of our thoughts and of relaxing the body, Angela offers practical tips to…

4 Jan 2022 49 min

Ep. 49 Raad vir ouers wat hoor hul kind is gay: hoe nou verder?

Pastorale narratiewe terapeut dr. Marietjie van Loggerenberg praat oor die hantering van ‘n kind wat uit die kas kom, skok en skaamte, wanpersepsies rakende gay-wees, en die vrees vir verwerping en seksueel oordraagbare siektes. Sy gee raad - ook vir ouers wat ‘n geloofstryd beleef - en omlyn 7 stappe…

28 Dec 2021 36 min

Ep. 53 How to trust yourself around food

Do you have a complex, guilt-ridden relationship with food? Would you like to get to a place of healing and freedom around eating? Health coach Zena le Roux discusses factors shaping our eating habits and practical ways to tune into our bodies. Restoring our physiological balance, addressing emotional issues, and…

27 Dec 2021 36 min

Ep. 52 Excess weight: what your subconscious is trying to tell you

When we want to lose weight, we often overlook the symbolic messages our subconscious sends us via the body. Dr. Hannetjie van Zyl-Edeling explains how excess weight can function as protection, have hidden advantages, and relate to our family context. She discusses ways in which emotional eating can be addressed…

26 Dec 2021 27 min

Ep. 48 Developing a healthy lifestyle: ditching guilt

Does creating a healthy lifestyle seem like a daunting prospect? Getting rid of guilt makes it much easier. Health coach Zena le Roux discusses self-reproach around eating and exercising, explains which “external voices” should be disregarded, and advocates understanding of the gut-brain connection and other aspects of holistic well-being.

21 Dec 2021 29 min

Ep. 47 Ecopsychology: what nature can do for us and we for her

Clinical psychologist Jeffrey Rink’s love of psychotherapy, nature, traditional African culture, symbolism and meditation come together in his intimate wilderness retreats. Don’t miss his stories about the mopani trees, elephant dung and termitaria – they inform and delight! Jeffrey explains what Ecopsychology is, how a sense of humour features on…

14 Dec 2021 1 hr 09 min

Ep. 46 The key to developing self-esteem, self-worth and self-love

Personal transformation specialist Angela Hardy demonstrates that unconditional self-love is, in fact, possible. She explains why striving to be a better person is counter-productive, how knowing the nature of the mind can change one’s approach, and that clearing self-sabotage programs can lead to genuine and lasting acceptance of oneself.

7 Dec 2021 42 min

Ep. 45 Communication between head, heart and gut: listening and understanding

Dr. Helene van Diemen discusses the advantages of effective communication between body, mind and soul, what gets in the way of understanding our inner workings, and how unresolved emotional issues can relate to disease. She offers practical tips on listening to our body and trusting our intuition, and clarifies the…

30 Nov 2021 44 min

Ep. 44 Jawaahier Petersen: Holding my own pen

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. At the age…

23 Nov 2021 1 hr 11 min

Ep. 43 Reiki: how this energy healing method works and can help

Dr. Carel-Piet van Eeden, integrative practitioner, priest and independent Reiki Master from Johannesburg, explains what Reiki is, where it originated, how it works, what it feels like, and how it relates to the laying on of hands.

16 Nov 2021 33 min

Ep. 42 Women and sexually transmitted infections: dealing with stigma and shame

Being sexually active can lead to contracting an STI. Dr. Jireh Serfontein, medical doctor and sexologist, tells podcast host Mariette Snyman about common sexually transmitted infections, their symptoms, testing, treatment and the effect on one’s health and partner. She discusses the management of shame, stigma and “STI phobia”. Sensitive content:…

9 Nov 2021 30 min

Ep. 41 Teenagers: understanding who they are and what they need

Do you need a manual for your teen? A book written by a psychiatrist for teens and their parents clarifies the changes in teenagers’ brains and bodies; the challenges they face; and the support they require to form a healthy identity. Dr. Terri Henderson explains how knowledge and informed choices…

2 Nov 2021 53 min

Ep. 40 Cancer and other illnesses: 6 ways to optimise your healing journey

Dr. Carel-Piet van Eeden’s experience of cancer inspired him to leave his corporate position and become an integrative practitioner. He supports others on similar journeys, honouring the fact that this process sometimes excludes physical recovery. Carel-Piet explains how nutrition, supplements, exploring emotional links to disease, NLP, Reiki and mindfulness can…

26 Oct 2021 55 min

Ep. 39 My kind is gay: 12 vrae wat ouers vra

Wanneer jy hoor jou dogter is lesbies of jou seun is gay, het jy sinvolle inligting nodig. Dr. Marietjie van Loggerenberg, pastorale narratiewe terapeut, bespreek navorsing oor die oorsake van homoseksualiteit, wanopvattings, die vrees vir verwerping, opbouende kommunikasie, en die geloofstryd wat gelowige ouers (en hul gay kind) kan beleef…

19 Oct 2021 37 min

Ep. 38 The impact of trauma and chronic stress on the body

Clinical psychologist Heleen Loubser explains how trauma and chronic stress affect the body, contributing to emotional problems and physical health conditions. She discusses the fight/flight/freeze response, what happens when a survival response is not completed and which symptoms may follow. Heleen shows how these adverse effects can be addressed through…

12 Oct 2021 51 min

Ep. 37 Balancing family relationships when a parent has a limiting condition

A parent’s loss of capacity can be temporary or long-term and may include physical disability, mental health issues, ageing - even stress. Low vision consultant Jenny Webster describes how changing your thinking around limitation can help you find practical solutions, foster independence, and ease relationships. She talks about the challenges,…

5 Oct 2021 41 min

Ep. 36 What would you like to tell your 16-year-old self?

What happened when you were sixteen? Were you dealing with challenges, triumphs, or a monotonous existence? Counselling psychologist Eleen Polson invites us to reflect on our own, inner 16-year-old self in ways that help us reconnect with our body, creativity, and free-flowing feminine energy, and explains how sisterhood can nourish…

28 Sep 2021 26 min