5 Mid Mornings

A few years ago, phrases like "protect your peace," "set boundaries," "prioritise your mental health," and "that's toxic" became part of our everyday vocabulary.

And that's not necessarily a bad thing. Therapy language has helped many of us recognise unhealthy relationships, communicate our needs better, and take our mental health more seriously. Words like boundaries, gaslighting, triggers and self-care have gone from therapy rooms to TikTok, group chats and everyday conversations.

But have we swung too far in the other direction?

Psychologists have started talking about the rise of "therapy speak" — the use of psychological terms in everyday life. While greater awareness of mental health is a positive thing, some experts warn that terms like gaslighting, narcissist, toxic and even boundaries are sometimes being overused or misused

We've all heard it:

• "I'm protecting my peace."
• "That's a boundary."
• "That relationship was toxic."

Do you think therapy language has helped us understand ourselves better, or are we analysing every interaction a little too much? 

Nokwanda Khumalo is a corporate executive, entrepreneur and Co-Founder of Soul Speaks, as well as the author and curator of Leading with Grace: A Soul Speaks Anthology, which brings together the stories of 32 remarkable South African women and explores leadership, resilience, purpose and courage. 

Joining her today is Nomkhosi, one of the women featured in the anthology. Nomkhosi is a young leader and Programs Manager at Business and Arts South Africa, where she works at the intersection of arts and business, helping creatives commercialise their work and developing programmes that support the creative sector.

Actress Mamodibe Ramodibe joins 5 Mid Mornings for a quick chat on a masters paper she wrote on morally complex black women on screen.

Who’s that female TV character you absolutely love to hate? The complicated, messy, morally questionable one you just can’t stop watching?

There’s been a shift in the way women are portrayed on our screens.

We’re moving away from female characters who are simply good or bad. We’re seeing women who are ambitious, messy, powerful, flawed, complicated sometimes completely unhinged and somehow, we still find ourselves rooting for them.

Think Cookie Lyon, Olivia Pope, Annalise Keating, Villanelle, Cersei Lannister, Blair Waldorf — women who make questionable choices, cross lines and get things wrong, but are so layered that we understand them… and sometimes even defend them.

I love that the entertainmet industry is showing us how diverse women are in real life and are shifting from just giving us the sweetheart or extreme villian.

This Women's Month marks 1 month since the inception of the Mama Mosima Grace Educational Foundation and we spoke to the Founder, Sylverster Mashilo. The creation of the foundation is in honour of his mom's passing and as an organisation seeks to address some of the issues that women face in society.

For previous generations, having children was often seen as a natural part of adulthood. You finished school, built a career, got married and started a family. But that timeline seems to be changing.

A 2026 study published in the South African Medical Journal found that births recorded in South Africa’s public-sector healthcare facilities fell by 20% between 2021 and 2025. More South Africans are choosing to have children later in life, while others are questioning whether parenthood is something they want at all.

My 20-year-old cousin recently told me she doesn’t plan on having children until she’s 40. And honestly, she’s not alone. The rising cost of housing, childcare and education, changing career priorities and evolving ideas about relationships are all influencing the way people think about starting a family.

What’s the biggest factor influencing your decision about having children: money, your career, your relationship, or simply not wanting them?

Celebrities have enormous platforms. Millions of us follow them, stream their music, watch their movies and pay attention to what they say. And if your favourite celebrity never comments on what’s happening in South Africa or around the world, does it change the way you see them?

South Africa’s latest unemployment figures are out, and unfortunately, the picture has gotten worse. The official unemployment rate has risen to 33.6% in the second quarter of 2026, up from 32.7% in the previous quarter.

That means around 8.5 million South Africans are officially unemployed, while the number of employed people has fallen to 16.7 million.

And it’s young people who continue to be the hardest hit.

Are you a big fan of true crime documentaries?

Women make up the majority of true crime audiences, with some studies suggesting they account for around 80% of listeners and viewers. Psychologists believe this is partly because true crime helps women understand danger, recognize warning signs, and learn how to navigate potentially risky situations. But it's not all about fear—many women also find true crime oddly relaxing because, unlike real life, these stories usually have a clear beginning, middle, and end, offering a sense of closure and justice.

Gen Z appears to be changing the way it approaches alcohol, with more young people choosing sobriety, moderation or simply drinking less. The conversation also extends to millennials, many of whom are reassessing their relationship with drinking for reasons including health, fitness, finances, productivity and personal experiences. Is this a lasting cultural shift or just another wellness trend that will eventually fade. Listeners share why they choose not to drink, how growing up around alcohol has influenced their choices, and whether a life without alcohol is becoming the new normal.