In the final episode of Season 2, Bennett and Jordyn close out the year with a powerful reflection on gratitude — not just as a feel-good emotion, but as a transformative tool for career growth and wellbeing.

Joined by voice note contributions from listeners, previous guests, and industry professionals, this episode explores how gratitude shapes resilience, leadership, motivation, and personal development.

Whether 2025 was your year of breakthrough, rebuilding, or steady progress, this conversation invites you to pause, look back, and honour the journey.

• ✨ What You'll Learn in This Episode1. The neuroscience behind gratitudeHow expressing thankfulness activates the brain's reward system
• Why gratitude increases dopamine & serotonin
• Link between gratitude and reduced cortisol, better sleep, improved overall wellbeing
• 2. How gratitude impacts your careerA mindset shift from perfection → progress
• How appreciation shapes better teams and workplace culture
• Evidence from Harvard, UC Berkeley & HBR on productivity, performance, and morale
• Why grateful people are more motivated, hopeful, and resilient

3. Listeners share their storiesThroughout the episode, you'll hear 30–60 second voice notes responding to prompts like:

• "What are you grateful for in your career this year?"
• "Who had the biggest impact on your professional journey?"
• "What challenge shaped your growth?"
• "What message of gratitude would you share with your team or community?"

These authentic, heartfelt reflections help paint a beautiful picture of what gratitude looks like in real careers across South Africa and beyond.

• 🎧 Featuring Voice Notes From:Wesley Pillay
• Eden Toohey-Ogle
• Mario Ogle
• Chad Whitby
• Myisha Fredericks
• Nina Toohey
• Nicolette Van Wyk
• Shana

💡 Key Quotes From the Episode"Gratitude shifts our focus from what's missing to what's meaningful." — Bennett

"When we pause long enough to look back with thankfulness, we start to see how even the tough moments shaped who we're becoming." — Jordyn

"Gratitude isn't just a mindset — it's a wellness tool." — Jordyn

"Workplaces where gratitude is practiced don't just operate — they flourish." — Bennett

• 🧠 Research MentionedUC Berkeley Greater Good Science Center — studies on gratitude & mental health
• Harvard Health — links between gratitude and physical wellbeing
• Harvard Business Review — appreciation increases productivity by 50%

🌻 Episode Prompts (Used for Listener Voice Notes)Use these to journal, reflect, or share your own story:

1. What are you grateful for in your career this year?
2. Who has been a meaningful part of your professional journey?
3. What lesson or challenge helped shape your growth?
4. If you could express gratitude to your workplace or community, what would you say?

💡 Episode Summary

In this episode, we dive into one of the biggest shifts shaping the future of work — Artificial Intelligence. AI isn't just for tech experts or Silicon Valley startups. It's a tool that's already transforming how ordinary people solve real problems, build businesses, and serve communities.

Our guest, Chad Whitby, shares how curiosity turned into innovation when he used AI to create Plug — a platform that connects hospitality professionals with real job opportunities. From using ChatGPT to prototype ideas, to launching a functional product without the "perfect app," Chad shows that with the right mindset, AI can help you work smarter, not harder.

• 🔍 In This EpisodeHow AI moved from hype to hands-on help for new entrepreneurs
• Chad's journey from idea to launch with minimal resources
• Why simplicity beats perfection when building your first product
• Practical ways to use AI tools (like ChatGPT) to accelerate your business idea
• Encouragement for aspiring founders who feel intimidated by technology
• What's next for Plug — and the future of AI in the hospitality industry
• 🧠 Key TakeawaysAI doesn't replace creativity — it enhances it.
• You don't need a coding degree to build something impactful.
• Start small. Learn fast. Launch anyway.
• The future belongs to those who experiment.

🔗 Connect with the Guest

Chad Whitby

👉 LinkedIn | Dawn Design Co. | Plug Platform

🎧 Listen & SubscribeDon't miss an episode of Career Horizons, where we explore the real stories and strategies shaping modern careers.

Follow us on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you listen.

📢 Brought to you byETD Consulting — empowering young professionals and entrepreneurs to lead with clarity, courage, and purpose.

🎙️ Career Horizons Season 2, Episode 4

Topic: Emotional Intelligence in the Workplace

Host: Bennett Van Wyk

Guests: Nina Toohey & Myisha Fredericks

Emotional Intelligence (EI) — it's not on your CV, but it can determine how far you go in your career.

In this episode of Career Horizons, host Bennett Van Wyk sits down with Nina Toohey, a trauma and relationship therapist with over 20 years of experience in mental health and corporate wellness, and Myisha Fredericks, a career development specialist and mental health advocate. Together, they unpack what Emotional Intelligence really means, why it matters in the modern workplace, and how it can transform the way we lead, communicate, and grow.

💡 From breaking down the five key components of EI — self-awareness, self-regulation, motivation, empathy, and social skills — to sharing real-life stories and practical strategies for developing emotional maturity, this episode is packed with insights to help you thrive both personally and professionally.

Whether you're a student stepping into your first job, a manager navigating team dynamics, or a professional aiming to lead with empathy, this conversation will help you pause, reflect, and grow.

🎧 Tune in to learn how mastering your emotions can unlock your potential at work.

👉 Listen now on Spotify or Apple Podcasts.

#ETDConsulting #CareerHorizons #EmotionalIntelligence #WorkWellness #CareerGrowth

🎙️ Career Horizons Season 2 | Episode 3

Start Before You're Ready: Turning School Hustles into Real Businesses

Have you ever sold snacks between classes, offered tutoring for extra cash, or used your creative skills to make a bit of pocket money? What if those small "side hustles" could actually be the foundation of a real business?

In this episode of Career Horizons, host Bennett Van Wyk sits down with Wesley Pillay — Senior Project Manager and Business Coach at ORTSA, writer, presenter, and motivational speaker — to explore how young people can transform their school hustles into sustainable businesses.

Wesley shares his own journey of spotting opportunities early, starting small, and realizing that the conventional employee path wasn't for him. With practical advice, inspiring stories, and a passion for helping entrepreneurs grow, Wesley breaks down:

✨ Why starting before you're "ready" is often the best move

✨ Three reasons people start businesses (and how to know which one applies to you)

✨ Practical steps to turn a side hustle into a sustainable venture

✨ A powerful story of how small beginnings can grow into something big

✨ Encouragement for anyone who feels they "don't have what it takes"

Whether you're a student, young professional, or aspiring entrepreneur, this conversation will inspire you to stop waiting for the perfect plan and instead take action with what's already in your hands.

In this energising episode of Career Horizons, host Bennett Van Wyk sits down with creative power couple Eden Toohey-Ogle and Mario Ogle to explore how to transform your passion into a profitable, purpose-filled business.

Whether you're a student with a side hustle, a creative trying to find your niche, or someone navigating how to turn your talent into a sustainable income stream — this conversation is packed with real stories, mindset shifts, and practical tools to help you take the next step.

Together, we unpack:

• How to move from hobby to hustle
• Finding your creative lane and niche
• The mindset needed to monetise what you love
• What to do when passion meets burnout
• Practical starting points for launching your creative business

Meet the Guests:

🎨 Eden Toohey-Ogle is a strategist and creative producer who has worked with brands like adidas Originals, Spotify, and STIHL. Her work is rooted in cultural intelligence, creative clarity, and deep respect for people and purpose. Eden is passionate about connecting the dots — from insight to idea, and from idea to action.

🎤 Mario Ogle is a creative director with a strong pulse on youth and internet culture. With over a decade of experience, and a background as a recording artist, Mario builds culturally relevant campaigns that are both artistically authentic and commercially sound.

Key Takeaways:

• You don't have to wait to be "ready" — start small and grow from where you are.
• Passion becomes profitable when you learn to treat it like a business.
• Finding your lane is a journey of self-awareness, experimentation, and community feedback.
• Burnout is real — staying inspired requires healthy boundaries and consistent rest.
• Monetising your gift doesn't mean selling out — it means showing up with clarity and courage.

Resources & Links:

👉 Follow us on Facebook & LinkedIn: @etdconsulting

📲 WhatsApp us: 084 564 1688

📩 Email: [email protected]



Loved this episode?

Share it with a friend, subscribe on Spotify or Apple Podcasts, and leave a review to help others discover Career Horizons. Your creativity is worth investing in — and your next step might be closer than you think.

🎧 Until next time — stay passionate, stay strategic, and keep moving toward your horizon.

Welcome to Season 2 of Career Horizons, where we go beyond the highlight reels and dive into the honest, messy, and inspiring journeys of professional growth. In our premiere episode, guest host Jordyn flips the mic on our usual host, Bennett Van Wyk, as he shares the raw, unfiltered story of his first failed business—and the powerful lessons that came from it.

Bennett is a career development strategist, business mentor, founder of ETD Consulting, MBA candidate, and a seasoned entrepreneur. Today, he opens up about navigating the painful but formative experience of failure and how it shaped him into the leader he is today.

• 🎧 In This Episode:The story behind Bennett's first business—and what inspired him to start it
• The real reasons the business didn't succeed
• How failure impacted his identity and confidence
• What helped him bounce back and keep going
• The practical lessons he now shares with aspiring entrepreneurs
• How that early failure influences how he leads ETD Consulting today

Whether you're a startup founder, a student, or someone trying to get back up after a professional setback, this episode is your reminder that failure isn't the end—it's the classroom.

In this episode of Career Horizons, we explore the world of learnerships—a powerful way for young people to gain work experience and an accredited qualification at the same time. Joining us is Brenda Basson, an expert in learnership management, curriculum development, and student mentorship. Brenda shares valuable insights on what learnerships are, how to apply, and how they can set you up for long-term career success.

If you're a student wondering about your next steps or a young professional looking for growth opportunities, this episode is for you!

🎙 Episode Overview:

In this episode, we tackle a challenge faced by many: balancing work and study. Bennett Van Wyk is joined by Jordyn Toohey, a seasoned communications and digital marketing specialist, who shares practical advice on staying productive and thriving while juggling these responsibilities. With over eight years of experience and a current part-time student working towards her BA Honours, Jordyn provides relatable, actionable insights to empower listeners in their academic and professional journeys.

1. Setting Clear Goals: Why aligning academic and career aspirations is crucial.
2. Prioritizing Tasks: Tips on managing daily commitments and staying focused.
3. Creating a Consistent Schedule: How structure can make or break your productivity.
4. Learning to Say No: Setting boundaries to protect your time and energy.
5. Using Productivity Tools: Tech hacks like the Pomodoro technique and AI tools to optimize studying.
6. Managing Stress: The importance of breaks, exercise, and mindfulness.
7. Communicating with Stakeholders: How honesty with employers and professors can work to your advantage.
8. Focusing on One Task at a Time: Why multitasking might not be as effective as you think.
9. Building a Support System: Leaning on community and loved ones for encouragement and balance.
10. Rewarding Milestones: Celebrating small wins to stay motivated.

• "Balancing work and study takes trial and error, but with the right strategies, it's manageable and rewarding." – Jordyn Toohey
• "Discipline is like a funnel: narrow in the moment but opening wide to opportunities later." – Jordyn Toohey
• "Ubuntu is 'I am because you are'—lean on your community and celebrate success together." – Jordyn Toohey

• Calendar Apps: For seamless scheduling and reminders.
• Pomodoro Technique: Focus in 25-minute bursts with short breaks in between.
• AI Study Helpers: Tools like Google's Notebook LM for summarizing and creating study notes.

Have questions or want to share your work-study success story? Reach out:

• Facebook & LinkedIn: @etdconsulting
• Email: [email protected]

Stay tuned for our upcoming episode where we explore practical strategies for job hunting in today's competitive market!

🎧 Don't forget to subscribe and leave a review. Thank you for listening to Career Horizons—where we help you explore your potential and inspire growth!

🎓 In this episode of Career Horizons, host Bennett Van Wyk is joined by Mishqah Geldenhuys, a health and wellness coordinator with extensive experience in guiding students through the challenges of higher education. Mishqah has overseen initiatives spanning 12 campuses in the Western Cape, organized over 200 impactful events, and mentored 120 peer educators annually.

Together, they dive into the often-overwhelming university application process. From researching universities and crafting standout applications to preparing for interviews and planning for post-application scenarios, Mishqah shares actionable advice to help students navigate this critical phase with confidence.

• How to Research Universities:
• Practical tips for identifying personal interests, utilizing online resources, attending open days, and understanding different types of universities (e.g., public vs. private or traditional vs. university of technology).
• Comparing Programs:
• Key factors to consider, including curriculum content, accreditation, faculty expertise, support services, and graduate outcomes.
• Mastering the Application Process:
• Step-by-step guidance on completing forms, calculating APS scores, gathering documents, and applying for funding opportunities like NSFAS and scholarships.
• Writing a Standout Personal Statement:
• Tips to highlight your authentic voice, relevant experiences, and passion for your chosen field.
• Preparing for Interviews:
• Strategies to research the university, practice common questions, dress professionally, and make a lasting impression.
• Navigating the Waiting Period:
• Advice on staying academically focused, seeking alternative opportunities, and job shadowing while awaiting university decisions.
• Planning for Acceptance and Rejection:
• How to prepare for both scenarios and remain optimistic while exploring alternative pathways.

• University Research Platforms:
• EduConnect, Department of Higher Education and Training, World University Rankings
• Funding Opportunities:
• NSFAS, bursaries, and private scholarships
• National Benchmark Tests (NBT):
• Understand what they are and how to prepare

• Follow Us: Facebook and LinkedIn: @etdconsulting
• Questions or Topic Suggestions?
• WhatsApp: +27 84 564 1688
• Email: [email protected]

Guest Contact Info:

• Mishqah Geldenhuys on LinkedIn: LinkedIn Profile
• Email: [email protected]

🎧 Don't forget to subscribe, rate, and share this episode with anyone navigating their university journey! Stay tuned for our next episode, and remember: keep exploring and stay inspired.

Join us for the debut episode of Career Horizons as host Bennett Van Wyk sits down with career development expert Myisha Fredericks. With a background in Psychology and Sociology, Myisha shares her insights on how to align your personality with the right subjects and career path. Together, they explore the relationship between personality and profession, how to avoid career delays, and real-life examples of successful career pivots. Whether you're just starting your career journey or already on your path, this episode offers valuable guidance to help you make informed choices. Tune in and stay inspired!