In this season finale of Through the Fog, host Pierre du Plessis dives deep with financial planner, entrepreneur, and thinker Nathan Mersereau. Broadcasting from opposite ends of the globe, Pierre and Nathan explore how our stories around money shape our lives, the pitfalls of measuring success purely through wealth, and the transformative power of introspection.

From soup kitchens to billionaire compounds, Nathan's story challenges listeners to reconsider what it means to be truly wealthy.

Links:

- True Wealth Assessment” and “Money Personality Quiz” https://planningalt.com/quiz-assessment-landing-page

- Book: The Untethered Soul, Michael A. Singer https://amzn.eu/d/eQdrl7Y

- Find Nathan: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nathan-mersereau-cfp%C2%AE-a984761/

Timestamps:

00:00 - Where do you find yourself today?

01:48 - Tell us a bit about Nathan. Who are you?

04:40 - What is Nathan's craziest idea?

05:34 - What did you want to be when you were growing up?

08:22 - Did you think money was the ultimate marker of success?

10:38 - When did you realise what life is really about?

13:40 - Did you ever feel like money was tainted or wrong?

17:06 - Why do you think people are so obsessed with money?

20:08 - Why is money the marker that we use?

23:12 - When is enough, enough?

29:02 - Have you encountered wealthy people who aren’t lonely?

32:25 - How did you get to that point of seeing wealth differently?

36:34 - How do the habits that create success become imprisoning?

43:35 - What are some practical steps to self-reflect and start a new path?

47:58 - Are those communities you described the wealthiest people on the planet?

50:19 - Is money objectively scarce or abundant?

54:55 - What’s the soup story Miranda told me to ask about?

58:09 - How do you make big life decisions?

01:12:46 - What’s one of the worst decisions you’ve ever made?

01:14:42 - Have you had the chance to speak to your father about that?

01:16:55 - What lies ahead for you?

01:24:09 - What is a quote that you live by?

01:25:47 - Where can people find you online if they want to connect or follow you? “True Wealth Assessment” and “Money Personality Quiz” · Book: The Untethered Soul, Michael A. Singer · Find Nathan

In this episode of Through the Fog, Pierre sits down with Guy Ellis, global entrepreneur, investor, and co-founder of the Lekker Network. With over 60 board, advisory, and founder roles, Guy shares a wealth of insight into entrepreneurship, emotional intelligence, and the power of helping others. From his roots as a wannabe “Dr. Farmer” to his groundbreaking work at Harvard and across global markets, Guy explores how authentic connection can unlock transformative opportunities. Tune in for a heartfelt conversation about patriotism, privilege, purpose, and how South Africans can—and are—changing the world.

Links:

Guy Ellis - https://www.linkedin.com/in/guy-ellis/

Guy's first book is out soon: The Negotiation Code

Timestamps:

00:00 - Introduction and quick banter

01:00 - Meet Guy Ellis: Global entrepreneur & Harvard instructor

02:25 - The origin of a “Dr. Farmer” dream

04:50 - Helping others and early signs of a mission

06:00 - Defining “Expansion through Connection”

07:30 - Is the self-made man a myth?

09:30 - A pivotal moment: reshaping a business from scratch

13:50 - The origin story of the Lekker Network

17:30 - Building intentional, impactful networks

20:50 - The importance of helping without agenda

23:30 - Living abroad but loving South Africa

27:00 - What it means to be South African

30:00 - Fixing South Africa: Right person, right seat

34:00 - South African talent and the Springboks metaphor

36:00 - Challenges in government and business alignment

39:00 - How small business owners can make change

41:00 - What gives Guy hope for the country

44:00 - South Africans abroad: Not traitors, just dispersed impact

46:00 - The uniquely South African spirit of friendliness and resilience

49:00 - The cultural magic of meeting South Africans abroad

51:30 - Emotional connection and nostalgia for home

54:00 - The role of adversity in creating grit and talent

56:00 - Overcoming scarcity mindsets

58:00 - Celebrating informal connections and spontaneous chats

1:00:00 - Picking South Africa’s “one thing” to rally around

1:02:00 - The challenge of focus in national strategy

1:04:00 - Harnessing the power of South Africans globally

1:07:00 - Reclaiming civic agency: citizens should direct the government

1:10:00 - Breaking free from limiting narratives and perceived disloyalty

1:13:00 - Creating the bridge from now to a brighter future

1:16:00 - Humility vs. self-deprecation among South Africans

1:18:00 - Closing thoughts: freedom, connection, and what comes next

In this deeply personal and visionary episode, Pierre speaks with Justinus, a passionate entrepreneur and co-founder of WeThinkCode_, about building a more equitable South Africa. They dive into Justinus’s background, his love for rugby, and the transformative power of access to education and opportunity. From developing world-class coders from underserved communities to launching a bold new initiative inspired by South Africa’s Rugby World Cup victories, Justinus shares a blueprint for national renewal rooted in inclusivity and grit.

Justinus is a serial entrepreneur, having been co-founder at Private Property Holdings and WeThinkCode_ in South Africa, Entabeni Systems and Umgundi Holdings in Canada. He has been in the Entrepreneurs' Organization for 14 years, and has been part of 5 chapters over that period.Today Justinus and his wife are building a business focussed on optimizing for impact not just value. An avid sports fan and traveller he loves visiting live sports events all over the world with his family and spends many hours next to sport fields supporting his two teenage kids.When you meet him, be sure to ask if he enjoys Nando’s.

Links and books:

Hidden Potential by Adam Grant

👉 https://exclusivebooks.co.za/products/9780753560051

Grit: The Power of Passion and Perseverance by Angela Duckworth

👉 https://exclusivebooks.co.za/products/9781785040207

Time to Think by Nancy Kline

👉 https://exclusivebooks.co.za/products/9780706377453

The Art of Possibility by Rosamund Stone Zander & Benjamin Zander

👉 https://www.penguinrandomhouse.co.za/book/art-possibility-practices-leadership-relationship-and-passion/9780142001103

https://wethinkcode.co.za/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/justinusadriaanse

Timestamps:

[00:01:00] Justinus on Lowveld living and escaping Cape Town winters.

[00:03:44] Pretoria roots, rugby dreams, and school memories.

[00:06:39] The spark for WeThinkCode_: bridging access and building coders.

[00:08:01] From 50,000 applicants to 500 students: creating a scalable tech pipeline.

[00:09:54] Gender parity and diversity in tech education.

[00:10:54] Graduation day: joy, family pride, and life-changing milestones.

[00:12:00] A new mission: Project 95 and the dream of five more World Cup wins.

[00:15:43] Rugby development lessons from Ireland and South Africa’s Eastern Cape.

[00:17:00] Sunday rugby in small towns: discovering forgotten fields and fanatical culture.

[00:20:05] The impact of malnutrition on athletic potential.

[00:24:24] Why “95” is more than a number—it’s a national memory.

[00:26:00] Access vs. outcomes: the quota question and educational inequality.

[00:30:50] Screening for grit and agency at WeThinkCode_.

[00:33:00] Holding standards high while removing financial barriers.

[00:36:44] Why success requires stability over decades—not just talent.

[00:39:12] Comparing school funding models in the US and Canada.

[00:42:00] Recreating high-performing public schools across the nation.

[00:43:29] Why rugby is more than a game: a symbol of belonging and memory.

[00:45:51] Settling in Ontario, Canada: skiing, seasons, and new routines.

[00:46:58] How skiing became a lifelong passion—and the excuse to move abroad.

[00:49:40] Life lessons from the slopes: discomfort, growth, and persistence.

[00:52:00] Teaching kids courage, taking calculated risks, and embracing adventure.

[00:56:00] The rhythm of family life, travel, and the search for balance.

[01:00:00] The link between nostalgia, passion, and purpose.

[01:05:00] Building identity through shared rituals and cultural storytelling.

[01:10:00] Creating community in diaspora—keeping South Africa close while living abroad.

[01:15:00] Future plans: nomadic living, giving back, and staying connected.

[01:20:00] Justinus’s vision for legacy, leadership, and long-term impact.

[01:25:00] Final reflections: leaning into the discomfort and doing the hard things.

In this engaging and thought-provoking episode, Pierre sits down with futurist and economist Bronwyn Williams. Together, they dive deep into what it means to live purposefully in a chaotic world, the future of work in an age of AI, and how to retain agency in a society leaning towards automation and comfort. Bronwyn discusses the value of being a professional outsider, the illusion of goals for the hyper-intelligent, and her unconventional approach to decision-making and success. It’s a conversation that challenges norms and offers rich insights into how we think about work, value, and freedom.

Timestamps:

[00:01:10] – Where are you right now? Bronwyn on the liminal, nomadic millennial state.

00:02:11] – Why goals don’t work for really smart people.

[00:04:34] – A day in Bronwyn’s life: reading, writing, and speaking.

[00:06:30] – How Bronwyn uses AI to aid in the creative process, not replace it.

[00:09:50] – Her mission as a professional observer and outsider.

[00:13:29] – From spy dreams to futurist: Bronwyn’s unconventional career path.

[00:14:52] – Is studying still worthwhile? Bronwyn breaks it down.

[00:18:39] – What gives Bronwyn hope? People who plant trees.

[00:19:34] – What makes her angry? The myth of no agency.

[00:25:49] – Why we can’t have liberty, equality, and fraternity all at once.

[00:32:53] – How Bronwyn makes decisions and navigates life.

[00:37:35] – Embracing unemployability and escaping the “soggy middle”.

[00:41:55] – The delusion of value in middle-class salary jobs.

[00:44:00] – The psychological impact of overpaid roles and perceived entitlement.

[00:46:15] – Technological progress and the risk to the squishy middle.

[00:48:45] – How Bronwyn defines value and agency in a world of automation.

[00:50:20] – Why most people crave direction over freedom.

[00:53:00] – The outsider’s role in leadership, foresight, and change.

[00:56:15] – The myth of the benign dictator and the desire to escape responsibility.

[00:59:00] – What Jesus, Voltaire, and Mary Poppins have in common with futurists.

[01:01:30] – Final thoughts on belief, free will, and the agency to shape the future.

LINKS

More about Pierre: https://thisispierre.co

Find Bronwyn on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bronwynwilliams/

More about Bronwyn's work: https://fluxtrends.co.za

Get her latest book: Survive the AI Apocalypse: https://www.takealot.com/survive-the-ai-apocalypse/PLID98648877

In this episode of Through the Fog, we sit down with Flip van der Merwe, former Springbok rugby player turned French-resident strategist. Flip shares his remarkable journey from growing up on a farm in the Kalahari, to playing international rugby, to raising a bilingual family abroad. We explore the interplay between tradition and modernity, the challenges of choosing where to raise children, the search for meaning beyond sport, and how language, faith, and culture weave into identity.

00:00 Introduction and Background

08:27 Navigating Language and Cultural Identity

19:02 Religion and Family Traditions

27:03 Childhood Dreams and Rugby Journey

32:54 Blessings and Curses of Talent

38:36 Education and Career Pathways

45:44 The Impact of Choices on Identity

54:40 Legacy and Masculinity in Modern Society

01:00:52 Legacy and Lessons from the Past

01:07:01 Navigating Difficult Conversations

01:13:05 Finding Joy in Parenthood and Fitness

01:19:34 Future Aspirations and Impact

In this episode of Through the Fog, I sit down with Sarah Rice, an organizational culture strategist and coach who has spent over two decades helping founders and leaders navigate the complex, often contradictory expectations of modern leadership.

We explore the hidden pressures on entrepreneurs to become both “priests and parents” to their teams, how culture shapes behavior, and the power of being honest about your motives, even if they’re not pretty.

Sarah also shares her personal journey through recovery, the lessons she’s learned about over identification with work, and why embodied leadership matters more than ever. This candid, warm, and occasionally irreverent conversation is a must-listen for anyone steering a business, and themselves, through uncertainty.

Chapters

00:00 Navigating Transitions and Personal Growth

02:57 The Venn Diagram of Identity

05:41 The Role of Business in Community

08:47 Mental Health and Leadership Responsibilities

11:51 The Pressure on Leaders

14:31 Learning from Other Organizational Structures

17:40 The Importance of Values in Business

20:44 Defining Authentic Values

23:33 The Role of Storytelling in Values

26:29 The Complexity of Truth and Oversharing

29:26 The Importance of Community and Relationships

32:20 Lessons from Personal Connections

35:10 Embracing Uncertainty and Surrendering Control

42:42 The Role of Spirituality in the Workplace

49:42 Decision-Making and Intuition

01:00:50 The Power of the 12-Step Program

01:05:14 Navigating Paradox and Duality

01:09:07 Future Aspirations and Coaching Goals

Find Sarah here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sarahelizabethrice/

More about me and the show here: https://thisispierre.co/podcast

In this heartfelt and insight-rich conversation, I sat down with my friend and mentor Andrew Smith, co-founder of YuppieChef and now co-creator of Brave Hardy. From the early days of web design to building one of South Africa's most beloved kitchenware brands, Andrew shared his journey of entrepreneurship, vulnerability, resilience, and the art of “staying in the game.” Whether you’re a founder navigating uncertainty or someone in transition, this episode is packed with lessons on strategy, partnership, and purpose.

Timestamps

00:00 – 03:05 Welcome and introduction to Andrew Smith’s path through strategy, creativity, and burnout.

03:06 – 06:22 Childhood roles and emotional survival strategies—learning to be "the helpful one."

06:23 – 10:44 Anxiety and burnout during his time at Yuppiechef: the moment his body said “no” to high performance.

10:45 – 15:20 Leaving Yuppiechef and the identity crisis that followed. The grief of losing professional purpose.

15:21 – 20:34 Adjusting to life outside a known brand and role. What happens when you’re no longer “the Yuppiechef guy.”

20:35 – 26:12 Unlearning the need to perform for approval and validation—inside and outside the workplace.

26:13 – 32:00 Practicing emotional honesty, discomfort, and not rushing to fix things.

32:01 – 37:26 The liminal space after leaving Yuppiechef: identity shifts, awkward pauses, and not having a plan.

37:27 – 43:10 Writing as a healing tool. Reclaiming voice after stepping away from branded storytelling.

43:11 – 48:19 Building new rhythms of work—especially when you’re no longer on someone else's clock.

48:20 – 54:00 Redefining ambition in the wake of burnout: what goals matter now?

54:01 – 59:35 Navigating masculinity and internalized narratives about being useful, successful, and strong.

59:36 – 1:06:09 Letting go of usefulness: the slow detachment from career-shaped identity.

1:06:10 – 1:11:23 Recognizing old instincts—especially the reflex to prove value or fix things in conversations.

1:11:24 – 1:17:05 Reclaiming creative desire: the difference between generative curiosity and hustle.

1:17:06 – 1:21:40 Holding space for grief and tenderness. Accepting that rest doesn’t always feel good at first.

1:21:41 – 1:26:03 Creating from presence—not productivity. Imagining a different relationship with work.

1:26:04 – 1:30:09 Closing reflections: what the fog has taught him, and what he hopes others will allow themselves to feel.

Find Andrew on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/agsmith/

Brave Hardy: https://bravehardy.com

More about me on https://thisispierre.co

#entrepreneurship #founders #strategy

In this deeply inspiring episode of Through the Fog, Pierre speaks with Samantha Skyring, adventurer, visionary, and founder of the globally loved Oryx Desert Salt.

From a transformative kayaking journey and losing her island dream, to single motherhood and building a business rooted in purpose, Samantha opens up about the intentionality behind everything she does.

Expect powerful stories about resilience, spiritual connection, team empowerment, and the surprising truth about the white crystal we all consume daily. If you've ever wondered how to blend soul with strategy, this is the conversation.

00:00 – 03:04

Opening: Introducing Samantha’s work at the intersection of spirituality, systems, and self-inquiry.

03:05 – 07:35

Samantha reflects on her teenage years and early sense of spiritual authority. Feeling more connected to the mystical than the practical.

07:36 – 12:20

Family dynamics, religious language, and the complexities of being “the good child” who carried others' emotional weight.

12:21 – 17:58

Unpacking ambition, spiritual bypassing, and how disembodiment can hide in high-performance environments.

17:59 – 23:14

Therapy, body-based practice, and the moment she realized “words weren't enough.”

23:15 – 28:49

How early roles shaped her adult patterns of caretaking, control, and over-functioning.

28:50 – 33:41

Shifting from achievement to presence: learning to let go of “doing” as a form of worth.

33:42 – 39:08

The disillusionment with coaching and spiritual branding. Feeling like a fraud while holding space for others.

39:09 – 44:25

Rupture and recalibration: what happens when you deconstruct your public identity.

44:26 – 50:12

Power, truth-telling, and the limitations of language in healing work.

50:13 – 55:39

Working with complexity: letting clients bring contradiction, grief, and silence into the room.

55:40 – 1:01:12

What “the fog” feels like in her own life—uncertainty, resistance, and choosing not to rush clarity.

1:01:13 – 1:06:28

The sacred and the secular: finding god in doubt, confusion, and the body.

1:06:29 – 1:12:11

Learning to listen again—why spiritual leadership now means being less certain.

1:12:12 – 1:16:27

Samantha’s practices for being with discomfort and staying open in transition.

1:16:28 – 1:20:15

Final reflections on beauty, complexity, and trusting what's emerging—even when you can’t see it yet.

🔗 Learn more about Oryx: https://oryxdesertsalt.com

💌 Feedback or guest ideas? Email Pierre: [email protected]

Learn more about pierre https://thisispierre.co

In this episode, I reconnect with someone I’ve known and admired for over two decades, the ever-evolving Dion Chang.

You might know Dion as a fashion icon, trend analyst, and founder of Flux Trends.

But what you probably don’t know is that Dion is now a certified end-of-life companion, yes, a death doula.

This conversation left me both grounded and inspired. We talk about identity, reinvention, what it means to say goodbye, and how ritual can anchor us when life is shifting beneath our feet. Dion’s journey from studying in Paris to midlife cliff-diving (his words) to pet funerals and corporate retirement is a testament to living truthfully, even when the path is unmarked.

If you’re in the midst of change, or sense it’s coming, this one is for you.

Timestamps:

00:00 – 03:18

Intro: Welcoming Dion Chang and setting up the conversation around future trends, adaptability, and societal disruption.

03:19 – 07:44

Dion’s background: starting in fashion journalism, moving into trend forecasting, and founding Flux Trends.

07:45 – 12:10

Understanding “the new normal” post-2020 and why discomfort is necessary for real innovation.

12:11 – 17:00

The emotional toll of being a trend forecaster—holding space for uncomfortable futures.

17:01 – 21:32

Disruption as a constant: why adaptability is no longer optional, and the businesses that can’t keep up.

21:33 – 26:54

South Africa’s contradictions: living in a country with deep innovation and dysfunction side-by-side.

26:55 – 31:40

How Dion navigates hope and despair in his work. Balancing realism and optimism.

31:41 – 36:18

Trends vs. fads: how Dion reads signals, identifies long arcs of change, and avoids hype.

36:19 – 41:52

The dangers of overusing buzzwords like “resilience” and “innovation”—when they become corporate wallpaper.

41:53 – 47:15

Gen Z as emotional realists: how their relationship to work, identity, and mental health is reshaping the landscape.

47:16 – 52:33

Technology and touch: post-pandemic shifts in human contact, hybrid working, and loneliness.

52:34 – 57:50

Ritual, identity, and the role of culture in stabilizing us during systemic flux.

57:51 – 1:03:05

Forecasting fatigue: what it’s like to see patterns others don’t want to acknowledge.

1:03:06 – 1:08:29

Leading without clarity: Dion shares how he makes decisions in the face of uncertainty.

1:08:30 – 1:14:55

What the fog has taught Dion: letting go of timelines, embracing chaos, and staying curious.

1:14:56 – 1:20:22

Closing reflections: the future is not something to predict—it’s something we shape together.

🔗 Follow Dion:

https://fluxtrends.com

https://www.dionthedoula.com/

https://instagram.com/@dion_chang

https://www.linkedin.com/in/dion-chang-a8b5379/

🎧 Subscribe to Through the Fog and leave us a review if this episode moved you, it helps more fog-walkers find their way.

In this deeply moving and honest conversation, Pierre sits down with artist, teacher, and divorce doula Lira van Staden.

Together they explore the intersections of creativity, loss, personal reinvention, and what it truly means to find your voice again after life doesn’t go according to plan.

Lira shares her journey from a childhood dream shaped by societal expectations to becoming a celebrated public artist and a compassionate guide for those navigating the pain of divorce. They discuss the cultural narratives around marriage, the subtle early signs that relationships are changing, and how grief can be an essential — and even beautiful — part of starting anew.

This episode is a powerful reflection on resilience, authenticity, and the unexpected paths life asks us to walk.

Get in touch with Lira:

Instagram @divorcedoulafindingaway

Whatsapp: 082 524 5375

www.divorcedoulaway.com

Time-stamped Topics

00:00 – 03:14

Introduction: welcoming Lira and setting the stage for a conversation about voice, identity, and healing.

03:15 – 08:06

Growing up with music: Lira’s early life, family dynamics, and discovering her passion for song.

08:07 – 12:40

The spiritual nature of creativity and Lira’s early vision for her music as a tool for uplifting others.

12:41 – 18:55

The stroke: what happened, the early stages of recovery, and the initial fear of losing her voice.

18:56 – 24:12

Relearning language and connection—how losing speech changed her understanding of communication.

24:13 – 29:05

Identity outside of career: what happens when you can no longer be who you’ve always been.

29:06 – 35:11

Living slowly, with presence: learning to rest, listen, and be with herself in new ways.

35:12 – 40:34

The body as teacher: embodiment, patience, and how the body carries wisdom the mind can’t access.

40:35 – 45:22

How creativity returned in new forms—through visuals, silence, and rhythm.

45:23 – 50:01

The relationship between voice and spirit: how singing again helped her reconnect with herself.

50:02 – 55:10

On joy, gratitude, and finding beauty in the ordinary—despite limitation.

55:11 – 1:00:40

What recovery taught her about self-love, patience, and grace.

1:00:41 – 1:06:00

Closing reflections: honoring life as it is, and trusting the long road home.

Key Takeaways

- Grief is not a detour; it is a necessary part of personal transformation

- You can lose yourself in the idea of a life before you realize it

- True love accepts, rather than tries to change, the other person

- New identities are often hidden inside old stories

- Trusting your instincts early can save years of pain

- Post-divorce life is not survival, it can be a season of creativity and hope