This podcast is about people who live in South Africa and have interesting stories to tell.
Each episode takes you on a journey which we hope creates empathy and greater understanding of the world around us.

Wouter van Warmelo volunteers his time as the ward photographer at Red Cross Children's Hospital in Cape Town, South Africa. He captures images of the children and their families who pass through its wards and gives them printed photographs as a keepsake and a reminder of their courage in the fight to get better. But most inspiring is his interaction with the children.
If you are curious about Wouter van Warmelo's background go read "Tales of a Royal Airforce Pilot" at  https://digitalstoryteller-za.blogspot.com/ 

The Covid -19 pandemic has swept the globe including Africa. In South Africa the entire country has been under strict lock down conditions comparable to those in Europe and the United States. Those with compromising health conditions are considered most at risk.
So what is it like to have cancer and deal with the Covid-19 crisis?
In this episode we talk to someone who is doing just that.
For a full account of her story go to the blog she is writing at www.gailies.com.

The Domestic Violence Act of 1998 mandated that all South African police stations should have a "victim support room". 
These rooms are safe spaces where the victims of domestic abuse or other crimes, are given emotional and confidential support in the traumatic time period shortly after a crime. The rooms are operated by trained volunteers who come from the community. In theory it is a laudable idea but not all police stations comply and sadly there is a lack of community volunteers. 
But Hettie Glass is a "victim support volunteer" who has gone above and beyond the call of duty. 

Kirsten Thomas is a young doctor on the frontline of the COVID-19 pandemic in South Africa. She is doing her internship at a public hospital.
She talks about why she dedicated her life to medicine and gives an insider's perspective on what it's like dealing first hand with the impact of the pandemic.
She also explains why she decompresses doing crazy sports like paragliding.

Imagine you are alone on a small yacht lost at sea with no help in sight. One yachtsman survived when Spencer Oldham and his crew came to his rescue in an 18 hour operation. Spencer Oldham has spent 32 years of his life rescuing people in trouble at sea. 
He does this as a volunteer for the National Sea Rescue Institute in South Africa.
He has some tall tales to tell about his experiences at sea. 
He also talks about how the Covid-19 pandemic has impacted sea rescue operations and its impact on his own life. Despite being a family man and business owner his devotion to saving lives has never stopped. 

Jean Tresfon is passionate about the ocean and its creatures. He has spent 30 years of his life sharing what he sees with the public through his underwater and aerial photographs around the southern tip of Africa. 
He talks about why it took him a while to find his passion, how he learned to fly a gyrocopter so he could fly above the ocean for a very different perspective, how he does not fear holding those in power accountable for their actions and how lockdown had a surprising impact on him.
He feels enormously privileged to have had experiences that most of us will never have and that is why he feels he has a duty to share his stories.
If you want to see Jean's photographs and stories follow him on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/JeanTresfonPhotography

Many of us are going to be living far longer that our parents and grandparents.
At the same time many people who are 50 plus are retiring, being retrenched or jobless. The future stretches ahead where many of us may be living until 90 and we do not know what to do. How will we survive financially ? What is the reason and purpose of our lives in this new season of life?

Lynda Smith is a South African social entrepreneur who has developed expertise in this area over the past fifteen years. She has been looking closely at the major trends that are impacting the 50 plus generation and their future. 

In this episode Lynda talks about the impact of longevity and technology as well as Covid-19. For those of us at a cross roads, what she has to say, is very valuable.

She is the founder of Refirement Network and 50 Plus-Skills and is involved with many similar international organisations. To learn more go to www.50plus-skills.co.za.

A Death Cafe is a group directed discussion of death with no agenda, objectives or themes. It is a discussion group rather than a grief support or counselling session.

Death Cafes are always offered:

- On a not for profit basis

- In an accessible, respectful and confidential space

- With no intention of leading people to any conclusion, product or course of action

- Alongside refreshing drinks and nourishing food – and cake!

In 2010 Jon Underwood from the UK decided to develop projects related to the subject of death,  one of which was to focus on talking about death. In November Jon read about the work of Bernard Crettaz in the Independent newspaper. Inspired by Bernard's work, Jon immediately decided to use similar model for his own project, and Death Cafe was born.

The first Death Cafe in the UK was offered in Jon's house in Hackney, East London in September 2011. It was facilitated by pychotherapist Sue Barsky Reid, Jon's mum. They went on to offer Death Cafes in a range of places including funky cafes, people's houses, cemeteries, a yurt and the Royal Festival Hall.

Jon and Sue Barsky Reid produced a guide to running a Death Cafe, based around the methodology Sue developed. Subsequently hundreds of people have adopted the idea to provide Death Cafes across the globe including South Africa. In this podcast we talk to a facilitator at the Cape Town Death Cafe, Gill Faris. This chapter of the Death Cafe can be found on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/letstalkaboutdeathcpt.