Seedpod

What do you get when you mix a german paint chemist with an environmental activist? 

Bernard Lembeck is just that. He is an interesting mix of personality with a very measured, scientific and gentle approach to life intertwined with a courageous pioneering entrepreneur who has been making environmentally friendly paint products under the brand Pro nature for almost 20 years, before it was even a thing. I enjoyed seeing a completely different perspective of our beautiful country and exploring the ins and outs of an industry I previously knew nothing about. Our conversation left me with a heightened awareness around the products we use in our daily lives yet don’t even question.

This weeks guest Joshua Cox is Passionate about justice and social change, and the power of technology to create positive change at scale. He worked in international development and social activism for 10 years before founding his social enterprise (www.fixforward.com) Five years ago which creates opportunities for tradesmen from low-income communities to grow successful businesses. Josh is one of the many South Africans who are truly involved in driving change in the country and has a very positive outlook on our future. We discussed how he decided to become a social entrepreneur and some of the challenges he has faced on his journey. This one was a story of inspiration, enjoy.

Dave is a real digital native who has a global voice teaching organisations to create change through building communities and cultures online. he is passionate about what he does having worked with the UN, presented to world Leaders at Davos and is a World Economic Forum Young Global Leader. We spoke about education, the influence of digital media on our lives and how we create change within this landscape.

Alex's passion has always been in health and human optimisation. Her teachings are a very unique amalgamation of  shamanism, mysticism, a deep understanding of the human body through her studies of Ayurveda and Natural Hygiene; steeped deeply into Christ consciousness and the knowing, that we as a species are evolving beyond what we ever thought possible. Everything Alex teaches, she lives -fully without  compromise whilst constantly evolving and refining the process. Alex is a true pioneer in her field and has the ability to guide people through massive transformations and healings in the most elegant and deeply authentic of ways.

This week I had the privilege of sitting down with one of South Africa’s design legends, Haldane Martin. Haldane is a multi award winning, internationally acclaimed furniture and interiors designer. You may know some of his classics like the Zulu mama Chair and the Shongololo Sofa. Our conversation spans his early years as a rebellious skate border to falling in love with the chair to his latest collection which is focusing on sustainability. We delved into how his mind works, how he continues to keep innovating and some of his design processes. Anyone with an interest in design will love this conversation as much as I did.

Leonie Joubert is a multi-award-winning South African author, who has contributed to more than 10 books, and uses different ways of storytelling to help people grapple with many of today's tough issues as we try to find ways to live together on a this planet. She focuses on topics like climate and environmental change, energy policy, cities as development hubs, food security and more recently, her work delves into the realm of public mental health. Our conversation specifically looks at the uses of psilocyben in the treatment of mental issues such as anxiety and depression through Leonie's own viewpoint and experience with the plant.

This week I have the pleasure if sitting down with Aunnie Patton Power to discuss her view on our current financial models, innovation coming out of South Africa and some of her experiences as a women in the Impact Investment arena. Aunnie is a global thought leader on Impact Investment, Innovative finance and Technology for Impact. She works with organisations across the globe, has been published by leading publications including WEF and SSIR, and currently resides as a lecturer at the GSB in Cape Town.

Brett divides his life into before his time at the Ranch with Osho and after, it was that impactful in his journey to discovering himself. In this weeks podcast we delve into some of his experiences there and how they have left a lasting impact on him. From the series of events that took him across the world to Oregon to him creating the Moonbag and the Drumcafe, Brett has always found himself at the right place at the right time to hugely positive effect time and time again. Join us on this entertaining journey.

Kate Ball is a wellbeing entrepreneur who focuses on creating ways in which to help people improve themselves through yoga, meditation and healthy food. She relies on the signs of the universe to guide her from one endeavour to the next while using her own life experience to drive her decisions. From new age breath work to ancient plant medicines, Kate has tried them all and approaches life with a diverse tool set for contentment and wellbeing.

From commercials director to sustainability entrepreneur, Deon Robbertze is shaking up the closedmindedness of society towards climate change. He calls himself an Anglicised Dutchman. But his real passion is Africa - her people, her music, her many cultures. And to create a circular economy. It's about opportunity - see the problem, find the solution and capitalise on it. There is hope! Jobs can be created while we clean up our mess.