Episodes
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Thriving Through Breaks: Balance & Success
Episode 13 of a series of podcasts on taking conscious breaks from work.
In this episode, Petro du Pisani speaks to Omri van Zyl (CEO of RussellStone Capital) about taking career breaks and sabbaticals for adventure and self-reflection.
Omri discusses how these breaks helped him reset, gain new perspectives, and eventually led him to change careers from corporate to the agriculture sector.
Omri emphasizes the importance of finding a balance between ambition and one's adventurous spirit, and how visualization, meditation, and healthy habits have been instrumental in his journey.
He also highlights the value of having mentors and coaches to guide personal growth. The conversation touches on themes of freedom, energy, and living a deliberate life aligned with one's values and aspirations. More about Petro du Pisani and On Change here · Solid Gold Podcasts · Connect with Petro · Solid Gold Podcasts -
Lessons from a longer-than-intended break.
Episode 12 of a series of podcasts on taking conscious breaks from work.
In this episode, Petro du Pisani interviews Mike Stopforth, a serial entrepreneur and seasoned marketing and communications professional, who took an extended break after selling his digital marketing business in 2018.
Mike shares his journey of pursuing a master’s degree, navigating challenges during the COVID-19 pandemic, and reflecting on personal growth, family connections, and lessons in entrepreneurship.
He emphasises the value of executing ideas, refining thoughts through writing, and seeking help when needed. Mike has since started two new businesses and re-joined a digital marketing company, applying insights from his "reinvention period" to his new ventures. More about Petro du Pisani and On Change here · Solid Gold Podcasts · Connect with Petro · Solid Gold Podcasts -
Missing episodes?
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Burnout as a catalyst: Pamela's journey to a career pivot.
Episode 11 of a series of podcasts on taking conscious breaks from work.
In this episode, Petro du Pisani speaks to Pamela Naidoo-Amegio, an executive leader and geoscientist. Pamela shares her journey of taking a sabbatical in 2015 after nearly burning out.
Pamela reflects on her reasons for the break, the gap between her expectations and reality, and the transformative lessons learned. Pamela used the time for self-reflection, pursuing hobbies, and ultimately pivoting her career from mining to the nuclear industry.
She highlights the importance of self-care, recognising burnout, and working breaks into her work-life to maintain balance and foster personal growth. More about Petro du Pisani and On Change here · Connect with Petro · Solid Gold Podcasts -
Moving from a fear mindset to a world of opportunity.
Episode 10 of a series of podcasts on taking conscious breaks from work.
In this episode, Petro du Pisani speaks to Sas Wessels, a seasoned mechanical engineer and business improvement professional in the mining industry, about his recent sabbatical from corporate life.
After years of facing numerous company restructures, Sas shares what led him to take this intentional break, including his initial fears around financial security and the planning that went into it.
He describes how the sabbatical is allowing him to explore options like consulting, further studies, and personal passions, shifting his mindset from fear to opportunity. Sas reflects on the transformative impact the experience had on his work-life balance and priorities. More about Petro du Pisani and On Change here · Connect with Petro · Solid Gold Podcasts · Solid Gold Podcasts -
First Love Yourself.
Episode 9 of a series of podcasts on taking conscious breaks from work.
In this episode, Petro du Pisani speaks to career and leadership coach Briony Liber about her sabbatical after 25 years in the corporate world. She took a sabbatical after experiencing burnout due to a lifetime of not managing boundaries, overworking, and people-pleasing.
Briony shares her journey of self-reflection through baking, traveling, journaling, and studying coaching. Briony highlights the importance of work-life balance, setting boundaries, and taking breaks before getting to the point of burnout.
After her break, Briony reinvented herself as a coach and business owner. Her story underscores the value of purposeful time off for personal and professional growth. More about Petro du Pisani and On Change here · Connect with Petro · Solid Gold Podcasts -
From Doing to Being.
Episode 8 of a series of podcasts on taking conscious breaks from work.
In this episode, Petro du Pisani speaks with Dr Zaheera Soomar about her transformative sabbatical after 20 years in the corporate world. Zaheera shares her journey of overcoming self-doubt, regaining a sense of purpose, and finding balance through reflection, adventure, and completing her doctoral thesis. She reflects on the importance of breaks, work-life alignment, and prioritising values as she prepares to re-enter the workforce with a renewed perspective.
This inspiring conversation emphasises the value of intentional pauses for self-discovery and long-term well-being. More about Petro du Pisani and On Change here · Connect with Petro · Solid Gold Podcasts · Solid Gold Podcasts -
A story of personal healing, self-discovery, and a bold new way of being.
Episode 7 of a series of podcasts on taking conscious breaks from work.
In this episode, freelance writer and editor Louise Rapley opens up about her transformative sabbatical. During this time, Louise transitioned from a textbook editor to writing her memoir, confronting her past traumas, and embracing self-discovery.
She shares how the sabbatical allowed her to heal, set boundaries, connect with, and understand her inner child. Though her memoir remains unpublished, the experience led to profound personal growth and a new perspective on work-life balance. More about Petro du Pisani and On Change here · Connect with Petro · Solid Gold Podcasts · Solid Gold Podcasts -
From overwork to self-care and career pivots.
Episode 6 of a series of podcasts on taking conscious breaks from work.
In this episode, Petro du Pisani speaks to Dr Gargi Mishra about taking career breaks or sabbaticals.
Gargi shares her experience of taking an intentional break during the COVID-19 pandemic when she realized she was overworking and neglecting her health. During the break, she re-skilled herself and eventually pivoted to being a futurist.
She discusses the importance of planning finances, being patient for the right opportunity, setting boundaries between work and personal life, and practicing self-care habits like exercise and mindfulness.
When this episode was recorded, Gargi was on a mini-break seeking opportunities aligned with her interests in strategy, foresight, and academia. More about Petro du Pisani and On Change here · Connect with Petro · Solid Gold Podcasts · Solid Gold Podcasts -
Pausing with Purpose: Giving back, Parenthood, and Resilience.
Episode 5 of a series of podcasts on taking conscious breaks from work.
In this episode, Petro du Pisani speaks to Thea Weeks who shares her transformative journey of taking three significant career breaks. In her breaks, Thea worked for an NGO for 5 years, focused on her new baby, and had to adapt to life and work after losing hearing in one ear.
Thea offers deep insights into the motivations behind each break, how she prepared, and the challenges she faced both personally and professionally.
Throughout the conversation Thea highlights the importance of listening to your body's signals and knowing when to pause. She emphasizes the invaluable support from mentors and coaches and she shares the lessons learned on adaptability and maintaining a support network.
Thea also emphasises the value of taking smaller breaks regularly to avoid burnout and incorporating work-life balance practices like hybrid work environments. More about Petro du Pisani and On Change here · Connect with Petro · Solid Gold Podcasts -
Health First: The Power of taking a Career Break for Self-Care.
Episode 4 of a series of podcasts on taking conscious breaks from work.
In this episode, Petro du Pisani speaks to Ntseiseng Lephole about her experience of taking a career break to focus on health issues and to further her studies. Ntseiseng highlights the importance of self-care, reflection, and finding a work-life balance. She emphasizes the need to listen to one's body and prioritize health over work demands. After her break, Ntseiseng returned to the workforce but faced challenges in managing stress levels again. She eventually found a better balance by incorporating healthy habits like exercise, journaling, and meditation into her routine.
The conversation underscores the value of taking breaks for personal growth, rejuvenation, and reassessing priorities. More about Petro du Pisani and On Change here · Connect with Petro · Solid Gold Podcasts · Solid Gold Podcasts -
The transformative power of a sabbatical.
Episode 3 of a series of podcasts on taking conscious breaks from work. In this episode, Petro du Pisani speaks to Hermien Uys, a corporate lawyer in the mining industry.
Hermien took a sabbatical in 2017-2018. She discusses her motivations for taking the break which include a desire for travel and personal enrichment.
During her sabbatical, Hermien traveled to India, volunteered with underprivileged children, took a wine course, and spent time reading and reflecting on mindfulness and meaningfulness.
The key takeaway is the value of taking a career break for personal growth and finding fulfilment beyond professional success. More about Petro du Pisani and On Change here · Connect with Petro · Solid Gold Podcasts · Solid Gold Podcasts -
Self-care, adventure, and realignment to purpose.
Episode 2 of a series of podcasts on taking conscious breaks from the rat-race.
In this episode, Dr. Lizette Spangenberg shares her experiences of taking two sabbaticals from work. The first sabbatical was for a month in 2017 to climb Mount Kilimanjaro and travel through Kenya and Tanzania. The second sabbatical was for three and a half months in 2022 after completing her PhD, during which she took a break from work, traveled, planned her wedding, and reflected on her career path. Lizette emphasises the importance of self-care and seeking professional help when needed. The interview also touches on her passion for design, healthcare, and helping others through her work. More about Petro du Pisani and On Change here · Connect with Petro · Solid Gold Podcasts · Solid Gold Podcasts -
Rediscovering balance between meaningful work and personal fulfilment.
Episode 1 of a series of podcasts on taking conscious breaks from the rat-race.
Fatima Collins, Women in Mining Project Manager (Sibanye-Stillwater), shares her experiences of taking four different breaks throughout her career for different reasons, including travel, self-discovery, studying, and grieving. She emphasises the importance of introspection, finding meaningful work, and maintaining a balance between work and personal fulfilment. The conversation explores the motivations, challenges, and benefits of taking breaks, as well as strategies for reintegrating into the workforce afterwards. Key takeaways include the value of self-reflection, the pursuit of purpose, and the ability to design a life aligned with one's values. More about Petro du Pisani and On Change here · Connect with Petro · Solid Gold Podcasts -
Three innovators talk about their experiences in mining innovation.
In this episode, host Petro du Pisani speaks to Elaine Hattingh (Exxaro Resources) and Sandiso Sibisi (COOi Studios) about innovation and technology in the mining industry. This conversation follows on from a panel discussion at the 2023 Mining Indaba in Cape Town which explored models on how to deploy innovation in the mining industry.
Key topics covered in this podcast include whether and why the mining industry needs innovation given its long history, how to decide which technologies to invest in, the potential of open innovation collaborations, and views on the most promising and exciting future technologies like AI, IoT, robotics, and remote operations.
Elaine mentions that the main reasons for innovation in the mining industry are usually to improve efficiency, productivity, sustainability, safety, and business expansion. The discussion emphasizes the need for collaboration between companies, startups, research institutions, and local communities in developing and deploying new solutions. Connect with Petro · Solid Gold Podcasts -
A lesson on how to navigate in a male-dominated mining work environment.
In this episode, Petro du Pisani speaks to Dr. Patience Mpofu, who is a multi-award winner as one of the most influential women in Mining, and a former Vice President of an Australian listed company. She is a global mining sustainability thought leader (ESG) an IWF fellow alumni, executive leadership coach, and STEM advocate.
In this episode Dr. Mpofu gives an overview of her personal history, a story of grit and determination... and how she ended up writing her No. 1 International best seller "Unleashing my Superpowers," which teaches women how to navigate and succeed in a male-dominated mining work environment. Find Dr. Patience Mpofu here · Peak Performance with Patience · Connect with Petro · Solid Gold Podcasts -
A learning journey conversation with a fellow EMBA student.
I recently completed an Executive MBA through the University of Cape Town's Graduate School of Business. With classes moving on-line (in 2020 and 2021) due to the covid-19 pandemic there wasn't enough time (for me) to connect with fellow students and hear about their research projects.
In this episode, I speak to Karen Nadasen, CEO of PayU. Her research project focused on the relevance of open bank and how to assess whether open banking should be used. Karen patiently explained open banking to me, a non-finance technical person. Her study resulted in her theory of open banking, whether open banking is useful (i.e. would it make a difference if this model is applied) and how this could be applied to the South African banking system. Learn more about the UCT GSB's EMBA programme here · Reach out to Karen Nadasen here · Connect with Petro · Solid Gold Podcasts -
A learning journey conversation with a fellow EMBA student.
I recently completed an Executive MBA through the University of Cape Town's Graduate School of Business. With classes moving on-line (in 2020 and 2021) due to the covid-19 pandemic there wasn't enough time (for me) to connect with fellow students and hear about their research projects. I decided to interview my fellow students to learn about their research. In this podcast I speak to Jordan Ludlow, who is the managing director of Tradereach.
In his research project Jordan explored the role of shared leadership to improve the flow of strategy development and execution.
In enabling strategic coherence he had three major findings:
1. Shifting from command-and-control to shared leadership;
2. Understanding social constructs (i.e. the underlying story of an organisation);
3. The importance of human agency. Reach out to Jordan Ludlow on LinkedIn · Learn more about UCT's EMBA · Connect with Petro · Solid Gold Podcasts -
A learning journey conversation with a fellow EMBA student.
I recently completed an Executive MBA through the University of Cape Town's Graduate School of Business.
With classes moving on-line (in 2020 and 2021) due to the covid-19 pandemic there wasn't enough time (for me) to connect with fellow students and hear about their research projects. I decided to interview my fellow students to learn about their research.
In this podcast I speak to Dr. Mauritz Venter, CEO and co-founder of AzarGen Biotechnologies about his desire to be a biotech entrepreneur.
Being an entrepreneur is risky, and Mauritz wanted to explore why even in spite of uncertainty, risk and anxiety there was nothing else he would rather do.
This study followed on from the intense reflective practice which is part of the EMBA course.
Delving deeper into his desire to be a biotech entrepreneur he found that this desire was a result of trying to be true to his values in finding a meaningful orientation that would lead to creating a better world. Learn more about UCT's EMBA · Connect with Dr. Mauritz Venter · Connect with Petro · Solid Gold Podcasts -
A learning journey conversation with a fellow EMBA student.
Over the past two years (2020-2021) we have been working towards our Executive MBAs through the University of Cape Town's Graduate Business School. With classes moving on-line due to the covid-19 pandemic there wasn't enough time (for me) to connect with fellow students and hear about their research projects. I decided to interview my fellow students to hear about their research.
In this podcast I speak to Desereé van den Berg (RBS | HR Executive) about her research project which explored the link between remote work and organisation design. Remote or hybrid work is a hot topic as most of us have experienced the shift to remote work over the past couple of years, a trend accelerated due to the covid-19 pandemic.
Desereé tells me more about why she chose this topic, how she did the research and what her major findings were. She also shares how this research changed her and the way she has applied her research in her workplace.
Desereé found that a company's strategy is so intertwined with organisational design that that it is imperative that a strategic decision needs to be made about remote work at the correct level of the organisation. Find out more about the UCT GSB EMBA · Connect with Desereé van den Berg · Connect with Petro · Solid Gold Podcasts -
A learning journey conversation with a fellow EMBA student
In this episode Petro speaks to fellow UCT EMBA student, Chris Smith (Freelance Consultant in Project and Business Management).
Over the past two years (2020-2021) we have been working towards our Executive MBAs through the University of Cape Town's Graduate Business School. With classes moving on-line due to the covid-19 pandemic there wasn't enough time (for me) to connect with fellow students and hear about their research projects. I decided to interview my fellow students to hear about their research.
In this podcast I ask Chris about his research, which focused on improving happiness at work, what leaders can do...and why they should do it. Chris tells me more about why he chose this topic, how he did the research and what his major findings were. He also shares how this research changed him and the way he thinks about finding happiness at work.
Chris found that happiness at work is not necessarily based on rewards and financial gain, but that the most dominant drivers for happiness were purpose and authenticity. He also found that leaders have an important part to play in helping their direct reports find purpose and happiness at work. Find out more about UCT's Graduate School of Business EMBA programme here: · Connect with Chris Smith · Connect with Petro · Solid Gold Podcasts - Show more
