Send us a Text Message. Shoutout to you if you're joining us for the first time, and thank you for coming back to listen; your support is greatly appreciated. In this exciting talk with the quantum leaping physicist, we discuss knowing thyself from several of viewpoints, including history, education, and tools to aid you on your own journey. We als…

Send us a Text Message. Thanks for listening if you are joining for the first time, hope you enjoy the conversation and peace and love to you for coming back to listen. Although the term "safe spaces" is frequently used in casual conversations, what does it actually mean? We explore the impportance and quality of conversations held in such spaces a…

Send us a Text Message. Thanks for listening if you are joining for the first time, hope you enjoy the conversation and peace and love to you for coming back to listen. Many males avoid using the word patriarchy because they perceive it as an attack on their gender. Some activists have even asserted that men of African origin are not entitled to pr…

Send us a Text Message. Thanks for listening if you are joining for the first time, hope you enjoy the conversation and peace and love to you for coming back to listen. On episode 60 we explore men's emotional language with Clinical Psychologist, Matthew Steele. We discuss the impact of testosterone and men’s emotions. Looking at family as a space …

Send us a Text Message. Thanks for listening if you are joining for the first time, hope you enjoy the conversation and peace and love to you for coming back to listen. On episode 59 I met with Malose Langa at The University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg to discuss his insights and reflections on working with men and boys. We discuss the impac…

Send us a Text Message. Thanks for listening if you are joining for the first time, hope you enjoy the conversation and peace and love to you for coming back to listen. On episode 58 I speak to Marketing Executive, Podcast and Radio host Ratiba Mohale about his views on faith and being a man of value, he also shares why he views family as a corners…

Send us a Text Message. Through reading his books, articles and watching Tom Golden on ​⁠his YouTube channel, Men Are Good, his work opened my eyes to the misconceptions and subtle signs that go unnoticed in men’s emotional domain. I’ve reflected on how his work relates to me as a South African man and how some of the observations he shared in his …

Send us a Text Message. Welcome to Season 4 of Manned Up Conversations. If you are new to the platform, thank you for tuning in. I invite you to listen in with an open mind, our stories and conversations give you a refreshing perspective on manhood, reflections on issues affecting men and some suggestions on what we can do to enjoy a wholistic life…

Send us a Text Message. In our latest episode, we close off with a conversation with Anele Ndlovu, a women's leadership and mental health advocate who also runs an engaging platform "The Tea with Anele Ndlovu." We catch up after several interactions since her first men's mental health event in November 2022 to learn about her journey with mental he…

Send us a Text Message. The theme for the 16 Days of Activism Campaign for 2023 is: “Accelerating actions to end gender-based violence & femicide: leaving no one behind” it is in this light that we share our first episode highlighting men's violence against women and children with Australian Professor, Michael Flood. We explore the framing of viole…

Send us a Text Message. In episode 53, we connect with Mesh Kekana to talk about the journey of his organization Dads In The Picture. We also explore how boys are being raised differently from girls in the home and the importance of teaching boys skills that enable them to take care of their own home and families. Mesh also questions some of the st…

Send us a Text Message. In episode 52, we connect with David Miller to explore his work on the relationship between black fathers and daughters. Some of the key talking points in this conversation include the marginalization of black fathers, creating opportunities and space for bonding through various activities for fathers to get to know their da…

Send us a Text Message. In episode 51, we take a deep dive into the world of the masculine archetypes with Ruwan Meepagala. We unpack his journey into coaching, navigating the seemingly saturated coaching space, his learnings as a new father and how that impacts on his coaching conversations. Ruwan also shares how he ended up in a cult and highligh…

Send us a Text Message. In episode 50, we celebrate another milestone episode in line with 50 years of Hip Hop. Joining me to reflect on lessons, experiences and how Hip Hop impacts it's participants and followers, I'm joined by legendary producer Nyambz. We discuss the collaborative approach to creating music, his decision to not partake in the dr…

Send us a Text Message. In episode 49, we reconnect with Melusi Tshabalala for a follow up episode since we covered his book Magenge, We Need To Talk. In this episode we learn about his entrepreneurial journey with Gogo Magic Family Eatery and his vision creating culturally appropriate spaces for African people to enjoy food while gathering with fa…

Send us a Text Message. In episode 48, we explore a life of imperfection with Mrs South Africa 2023 finalist, Nekisha Lupke. Nekisha takes us through her childhood in Durban where she witnessed violence, abuse in different forms and how this experience impacted her mental health. We talk about pretty privilege and being bullied in school because of…

Send us a Text Message. In episode 47 we touch base and connect with author of Monring Thoughts By Zibuse Kunene. Zibuse describes how sharing empowering words on WhatsApp and social media grew into a huge community of people who looked forward to starting their day. We talk about the value of having a morning ritual and setting your intention for …

Send us a Text Message. In episode 46 of Manned Up Conversations we broaddcast from Atteridgeville, Pretoria to Harlem, New York with co-author and editor of Cultural Silence and Wounded Souls: Black Men Speak About Mental Health, Mark Tuggle. We explore various topics in this conversation including the importance of black men developing a language…

Send us a Text Message. In this episode I connect with music psychotherapist Nsamu Moonga to explore how we can use artistic expression to create a society we know in our heart is possible. We discuss how moving from person centered to monetary centered economies have affected our understanding of hospitality and our ability connect with others. We…

Send us a Text Message. This is a bonus episode where I share how the journey of Manned Up Conversations has helped me over the past 2 years since 9 July 2021. Lots of lessons learned, people lost but most importantly has helped me find my voice and express myself without that negative self talk holding me back from sharing my story. More of these …

Send us a Text Message. In this episode we take a holistic approach to mental wellbeing by discussing the developments made in understanding how mental health affects us emotionally, behaviourally, cognitively including the important but often overlooked spiritual or belief system particularly in African cultures. We explore how black psychologists…

Send us a Text Message. In this episode we discuss being baptized and reborn into a faith-based life, we unpack transitioning from working in corporate to the NGO space. My guests also shares how his view on marriage and raising his sons after a living a life caught up "in-the-world" before being saved. We also explore discipleship and mentoring yo…

Send us a Text Message. In this episode we get to grips with men's psychology by highlighting how men respond to scarcity and lack of opportunities in an unbalanced society like South Africa. We discuss how the female dominated counselling and therapy industry has somehow overlooked and misunderstood the male lived experience and how we can create …

Send us a Text Message. In this episode we share a lived experience of coping with grief and loss. My guest Tichaona Chitsinde lost his child then his wife to health complications and details how he processed and dealt with this heavy emotional experience. We discuss the support he received from friends and family, therapy and taking it one day at …

Send us a Text Message. In this episode we explore the lived experience of Ntimbwe Mpamba who's survived multiple medical procedures and still lives with HIV for 40 years. He shares the story of how a family secret about a condition that could've possibly ruined his life ended up saving him. Please don't forget to subscribe to gain access to all ou…

Send us a Text Message. In this episode we highlight some topics covered the best selling book Wake Up Woman with the author who is affectionately known as Uncle L by scores of radio and television audiences who tune in for his insights on relationships. We begin by discussing the influences that led to the book, then unpack friendships between men…

Send us a Text Message. In this episode I connect with Oakland, CA native WarriorRic to detail his journey of starting life over in South Africa more than 20 years ago and unpack his experience of the country, culture and people. We discuss the importance of greeting in African culture and how he experienced Ubuntu and was embraced by South African…

Send us a Text Message. In this episode we head to Javett-UP to explore how artists are using their expression to change the narrative around how men and black people are depicted in media and fine arts. To help unpack this topic I'm joined by the exceptionally talented and experienced CEO, Lekgetho Makola. We discuss his journey in fine arts and l…

Send us a Text Message. Do you find yourself putting off thing that you know deep down in your heart you really want to do? Well if you are like me and you keep getting in your own way when it comes to doing the things that really matter to you then this episode is for you. To explore how these so called limiting beliefs stops us from expanding and…

Send us a Text Message. "We all exist in so many different communities and that's empowering. Because if I'm not getting what I need in the communities I have, I might need to look elsewhere" Support groups are a great source of help for many people struggling with mental illnesses or anyone looking for a place to connect with people with similar l…

Send us a Text Message. Welcome back to season 3. We highlight the importance of protecting your sexual energy and how using or misusing it can affect your spiritual wellbeing. My guest shares how going down the wrong path can lead to struggle and a hard time trying to undo the bondage you've attached to yourself through casual sexual encounters, a…

Send us a Text Message. According to studies 1 in 15 men in South Africa will develop prostate cancer in their lifetime. This affects between 1 in 4 to 1 in 6 black men compared to 1 in 8 to 1 in 9 white men in South Africa. To help us Get Real About Prostate Cancer and wrap up our series on Men's Health, my guest shares her experience in assisting…

Send us a Text Message. In his thirties, Torsten Koehler, the founder of Love Your Nuts Foundation, was diagnosed with testicular cancer in 1995 ironically whilst educating young teenagers about sex education at a school where he was employed as a teacher. He joins me to talk about “the shy cancer which is the most common cancer in the age group 15…

Send us a Text Message. To continue our series on Men's Month, we travel to Midvaal to meet with the Executive Mayor Peter Teixeira to have an informal but insightful chat about him fathering 3 amazing children and married to his beautiful wife whom he married at a young age. We discuss his upbringing and venture into how the pressure of his career…

Send us a Text Message. To kick off Men's Health Month we took The Urology Hospital in Hatfield, Pretoria to talk to Dr K Ijane about some of the issues surrounding how men are dealing with the issues of prostate cancer and the process involved when seeking help. He explains the relationship between GPs and other doctors who are part their network …

Send us a Text Message. "44% of all boys in South Africa has suffered some form of sexual abuse by age 18." We talk to Martin Pelders to discuss his work in empowering survivors of sexual abuse. We unpack the foundations of his company MatrixMen and tackle myths surrounding sexual abuse victims. He shares insights on how abuse affects the victims o…

Send us a Text Message. The voice(s) in our head often work against us and limit our ability to live in our truth and reach our fullest potential. We hide, deny and suppress certain parts of ourselves in order to appear perfect and well put together to the world around us. My guest Mervin Canham pulled up to share how The Mankind Project South Afri…

Send us a Text Message. In this episode I talk to Buntu Magqibelo and we highlight Doda Ndoda - I Am My Brother's Keeper's work which started out as men's departments within the church and eventually became a secular organization to embrace and work with men from different walks of life . We talk about men losing interest in the church, tradition i…

Send us a Text Message. "Physical separation should not stop you from meaningfully taking part in your little one’s life. It’s much easier for mothers to build a bond with their child during pregnancy and in the early days, especially if they are breastfeeding. With dads, you have to form this bond more intentionally in other ways." In one of our p…

Send us a Text Message. Drama therapy is a form of psychotherapy. It involves using drama and theatre techniques to help people resolve conflicts and problems. It may also allow individuals to develop self-awareness, express emotions, and improve relationships. To help unpack this topic I'm joined by Wits University Drama Therapist, Sibusiso Vonder…

Send us a Text Message. On this episode we discuss the culture of addiction. To help me unpack this topic i'm joined by legendary Hip Hop Producer, Ootz The Afronaut who was once considered and nominated Hip Hop producer of the year by South African publication Hype magazine. Ootz share his battles with alcohol and drug addiction highlighting some …

Send us a Text Message. In recent years organizations have been at the forefront of addressing fathers' absence and involvement in South African families. One of the organizations leading this cause is Heartlines through their vital and wide-reaching initiative #FathersMatterZA. Lereko Mfono joins me to discuss the impact of their work with men in …

Send us a Text Message. The world of work has changed and its becoming increasingly important for us to adopt strategies to help us develop skills that will help us advance in our career. On today's episode we discuss careers, side hustles and strategies to consider as you prepare the path to conquer your chosen career or business. We also unpack h…

Send us a Text Message. Bullying has been part of our lives from a young age, whether we were the one being bullied or witnessed someone else being bullied, and we simply wrote it off as boys being boys or kids playful nature. But rarely do we stop and think about how the person being bullied is affected, My guest Shakes Dlutu runs impactful worksh…

Send us a Text Message. What is it about those thoughts that never seem to leave us? Good or bad, we all have hundreds if not thousands of thoughts running through our minds at the same time, so we need to be mindful of the thoughts that we entertain. My guests KC Dinoke considers himself a student of the mind and believes that if we can sustain th…

Send us a Text Message. Adversity has a strange way of awakening our resilient spirit, giving us the ability to turn some of worst tragedies into triumphs, my guests Arabile Gumede joins me to talk about his journey into financial journalism, the challenges of growing up in a single parent home and we highlight the importance of surrounding yoursel…

Send us a Text Message. Interracial couples are not as uncommon as they were before South Africa became the so called "rainbow nation" and even when we see these couples we chuckle and wonder about the complexities their relationship might deal with on a daily basis. From culture shock, lobola negotiations and just a general difference in the way o…

Send us a Text Message. Do you think South African men are experiencing an identity crisis? Are black men in South Africa experiencing an identity crisis? Considering our long history with apartheid and the developments post this shameful period, black people and black men in particular have risen to positions of power. But even at the height of th…

Send us a Text Message. Ever wonder why there's so much secrecy around mental health in the black community? Well, in this episode we unpack and discuss some of the stigma around mental health and male suicide by highlighting some of the common causes and preventative measures we can take in helping ourselves or our loved ones who might be struggli…

Send us a Text Message. In this episode I connect with media elder Dan Moyane to discuss the importance of telling your story in his memoir “I Don't Want To Die Unknown”. We unpack why our stories need to be documented instead of being only told through oral tradition. Dan Moyane shares lessons that were taught by his late parents, we discuss the i…