Grace Matlhape is the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of SmartStart, driving an inspiring social franchise that is revolutionising access to high-quality early learning opportunities. Prior to her role at SmartStart, she served as the CEO of loveLife, a nationally acclaimed organisation dedicated to HIV prevention and fostering social and behavioural change among young people. With an extensive background in social justice and development in South Africa, Grace possesses a deep-seated passion for implementing innovative strategies that amplify the impact of evidence-based programmes. Her work focuses on reaching and positively influencing large segments of the population, ultimately striving for lasting change. She serves on various boards, leveraging her expertise to guide strategic decisions that benefit society at large. Grace is not just a leader; she is a catalyst for positive change, and her impact continues to ripple throughout society. 

In this episode, we take a deep dive into the life of Grace and her views about how to move our country forward. 

Subjects covered in this first part include:

1. YWCA - Young Women's Christian Association 
2. loveLife
3. Donnela Meadows - Thinking in Systems 
4. Viola Davis - Finding Me
5. Education in South Africa 
6. Poverty in South Africa 

[email protected] 

Late upload from May.

We recorded an episode online so apologies that the audio is not the greatest but hopefully, you are inspired by the conversation. The discussions in this episode are centred around balancing motherhood and work life. All three of our guests are Industrial and Organisational Psychologist by day and supermoms all the time. 

Charlotte Crisp - Consultant and IO Psychologist, Shine
Kamogelo Makate - OD Specialist and IO Psychologist, Afrimat
Nicole Providas - Consultant and IO Psychologist, Shine
Papi Seopa - Consultant and Researcher, Shine

If you would like to reach out to us, email [email protected] 

This is part 2 of our conversation with Nicholas Janni. In this episode, we touched on:

1. Collective trauma healing
2. Racism, colonialism and the holocaust 
3. Psychological safety 
4. The deep inner work that all leaders must do
5. What it means to be anchored in the highest vertical frequency


If you would like to reach out to us, email [email protected] 

 In this first part of a two-part episode, we sat down with Nicholas Janni in South Africa. The morning before recording the episode, we enjoyed a 3-hour breakfast talk led by Nicholas with 30 other business leaders.

Subjects covered in this first part are:
- Trauma healing and unaddressed pain
- Sense and perception
- Deep relationships can bring up our deepest wounding. But can be very healing
- Deep democracy

Books
- The Way of Zen by Alan Watts
- Towards a Poor Theatre by Jerzy Grotowski 

In this episode, we continue our conversation with Dr Matthew Critchlow on resilience.  We explore topics such as:

- Michael Jordan and Andy Murray 
- The resilience subscales 
- Applicability of the RQi at an individual level, team level and organisational level
- Toxic positivity and strengths in overdrive
- Grit vs resilience
- Meaning and purpose
- Stress in relation to resilience 

If you would like to get in touch with us, email [email protected] 

After working in the corporate and pharmaceutical industry, Dr Matthew Crtitchow developed an interest in human development and wellness; and more specifically with resilience. He along with Dr Julian Edwards from the Open University, Justin Haroun and Kate Fismer from the Westminster Centre for Resilience developed a psychometric tool called the RQi to measure this character trait. This is only one part of the body of work that he has put together to help organisations and teams become more resilient. 

In recent years, he spends most of his time managing his business Kirros Consulting and developing leaders and organisations for success. In this part 1 of a 2-part episode, we discuss his career, the RQi and how organisations can set themselves up for success. 

This episode was recorded in South Africa during Dr Critchlow's work trip. 

Episode host: Papi Seopa
Episode co-host: Jenny Leclezio
Featured: Michelle Smorfitt 

RAW Talk is a product of Shine Consulting.