The Gareth Cliff Show

15.08.2025 pt 1 On our final Friday show before a major format change, Gareth and Ben delivered a whirlwind of sports, politics, and jaw-dropping oddities. They kicked off with news that Fridays will soon be longer and packed with live guests, before diving into Ben’s golf plans and a comical look at Donald Trump’s armored “Batmobile” golf cart. The sporting lineup was huge — from the Rugby Championship and MTN8 semi-finals to Premier League kick-off and UFC 319’s explosive showdown between Drius and Kamzat.

The conversation took stranger turns with an outrageous 1970s tale dubbed tape,” mixing disbelief with dark humour, and a sharp discussion about violent taxi versus e-hailing clashes in Soweto. The hosts also unpacked global politics — from New Zealand’s criticism of Israel to the UK’s royal gossip — while never straying too far from the banter and audience interaction that keep their community hooked.

It was a send-off show that had everything: high-stakes sport, political fire, absurd human behaviour, and street-level South African realities — a perfect snapshot of why the live format keeps our audience coming back.

13.08.2025 pt 2 In a wide-ranging and unapologetically honest chat, comedian Kurt takes us from the smell of leather bench seats in classic cars to the uncomfortable sting of racism, making the case for humor as a bridge between people. Along the way, he rips into modern cars’ soulless designs, the quirks of South Africa’s “celebrity” class, and why some insults sting more in certain cultures than others. There’s no sacred cow — whether it’s customer service disasters, the politics of apologies, or the absurdity of cancel culture, Kurt calls it as he sees it.

The conversation swerves between personal and political — one minute dissecting the global decline of genuine fame through the lens of Will Smith, the next debating the raw power of swear words and whether censoring them just makes them stronger. From the grind of running a comedy club to the difference between killing it on stage versus online, it’s a masterclass in navigating the modern cultural minefield — all ending with a hilariously bittersweet sign-off about birthdays, ghosted dates, and funeral fashion.

13.08. 2025 pt 1 Comedians Dave Levinson and Kurt Schoonrat join Gareth in studio for a mix of sharp wit, war stories from the stage, and some brutal honesty about life in comedy and South Africa. From overpriced steaks and coffee shop economics to the chaos of early shows and the reality of hecklers, it’s a hilarious yet revealing look at the hustle behind the punchlines.

The conversation swerves from absurd bathroom encounters and bizarre dreams to bigger questions about leadership, politics, and the state of the nation. It’s part roast, part reality check – with just enough satire to make the truth go down a little easier.

Parenting expert Dr. Ken Resnik joins to flip the script on modern parenting trends, pushing for calm authority, boundaries, and fostering independence over overprotection.

The decline in basic social skills and etiquette, accelerated by generational shifts and tech dependence, is eroding how we connect — at home, at work, and in society at large. Parenting today faces a maze of conflicting advice, overdiagnosis, and societal pressures. Dr. Resnik offers clarity with practical, calm, and structured guidance. The crossroads of technology, mental health, and social behavior demands balance — ensuring innovation supports, not replaces, the emotional depth of human relationships.

From the erosion of manners to the modern parenting maze, from AI’s promise to its pitfalls, the episode is a call for common sense, resilience, and genuine connection in a distracted world.

The team signs off their final Monday show before moving to Fridays with a sharp, unfiltered dive into hot-button topics — starting with the furore over politician Gayton McKenzie’s use of a racial slur. They challenge the social media outrage cycle, calling for resilience, context, and less performative anger. There’s a nostalgic but pragmatic look at how radio has evolved, why clinging to the past risks irrelevance, and how audiences have shifted.

Joined by renowned psychologist and head of the Anxiety and Trauma Clinic in Johannesburg, DR Hanan Bushkin as the they speak on more increased number of Gen Z turning to AI chatbots for mental health solution and support.

08.08.25 Pt 2 - Gareth Cliff and Ben Karpinski dive into the differences in how women and men handle competition — from the workplace to friendships — and why it often plays out with different emotional stakes. Things get a little hairy (literally) as they unpack bizarre gym habits, including the questionable choice of shaving in the locker room. Later, Siegfried Lokotsch joins the conversation to explore the dangers of misinformation and how Trump’s tariffs are shaking up South African businesses.

08.08.25 Pt 1 - Gareth Cliff and Ben Karpinski kick off Friday with the lukewarm cultural clash of Sydney Sweeney vs Beyoncé — a debate no one asked for but everyone seems to have an opinion on. Things get wilder with a headline about a man hunting a buffalo, only for the audience to side with the animal. Ben wraps it up with his uniquely crafted sports report to gear you up for the weekend.

06.08.25 Pt 2 - Gareth Cliff is joined by all-round sports guy Stefano Vigoriti for a frank discussion on the troubled state of South African water polo. From the lack of clear pathways for athletes to the deep-rooted mismanagement stalling progress, they unpack how poor leadership is holding the sport back. The conversation also widens to explore the bigger picture—how nationalism and the identity of individual countries continue to shape global sport.

06.08.25 Pt 1 - Gareth Cliff is joined by motivational speaker Gavin Sharples for a powerful conversation about authenticity in a world dominated by filters and facades. They unpack the vital role of family in shaping a child’s future, debate which parent has the greater influence, and reflect on Gavin’s early days as a police officer—offering bold thoughts on how to fix a broken system.

04.08.25 Pt 2 - Gareth Cliff and Leigh-Ann Mol dive into the ripple effects of Trump’s tariffs on South Africans — including a shocking case of a company losing its entire staff overnight. Gareth reflects on the “gut state of being” and how to stay grounded in an increasingly chaotic world. Plus, the team unpacks the staggering amounts of money being thrown at Joburg’s leadership… with little to show for it.