The Good Network

In this week's episode of The Good Interview we had the pleasure of conversing with Jaco van Schalkwyk, Founder of The Character Company, an organisation which provides mentors and role-models to boys who are living with the burden of an absent father. Remembering his own childhood experience of not having a father in the household and the struggles and trials which inevitably arose as a result, Jaco recognised the need, and so created The Character Company as a means not only to combat the negative impacts of those facing the same situation, but also to help uplift and guide them toward brighter outcomes. The passion Jaco has for the work that The Character Company does is truly remarkable, as his emphatic responses evidently showcase. In this interview we tackle the difficult realities of those boys living without fathers, the urgent need for us as South Africans to come together as a community to address gender-based violence and its causes, the importance of the company we keep and how it invariably affects us, as well as the general outlining of how The Character Company goes about mentoring, supporting single-parent households, and much more.

If you’re a surfer, a lover of the oceans, or just an environmental conservation enthusiast, join us as Colin from The Good Newspaper interviews CPT locals Bryan Haw and Cameron Paton, founders of the surf-lifestyle shop The Kook Co. The interview centres its discussion around the mindset and vision that was the impetus for their passion project and its continual development, the process of manufacturing the eco-friendly alternatives they sell, to their drive and desire in aiding the community through various initiatives, as well as exciting future projects in the works. For those who are interested in getting to know the companies, (and the individuals who run them) who are at the forefront in creating a more sustainable world, this is the interview for you.

In this week's episode we had the honour and privilege of getting to know Percy Maphologela, the 24-year-old founder and head of EquiXToken Capital. Percy's journey has been one of continued resilience with regards to his vision. Having overcome many boundaries both within the industry and his personal life, he has had the tenacity to manifest his dreams, although not without help, as he mentions the importance of having a support structure, and how indebted he feels towards all those who invested in and helped him along the way. One such person was his mother, who instilled in him the dedication, drive and perseverance necessary to encourage him to fulfill his vision. In this interview we get to see more about his personal journey, including his growing pains through the years before the business was started, the importance of self-education and being able to direct oneself, his message of hope for young Africans, the impetus for EquiXToken Capital's creation, what keeps him inspired, motivated and much more. If you're a budding young entrepreneur looking for guidance, someone who keeps up with the technological climate and its rapid growth, or just want to find out more about Financial Technologies and how they are shaping the present and future of our economies, this is the interview for you!

The Good Interview is back this week with featured guest Anton Lategan, who has been working with EcoTraining for the last 27 years. Anton radiates passion and enthusiasm for both his privileged position, (that of being able to spend everyday working in nature) and for the environment itself. Join us as we delve into the mission and vision behind EcoTraining, including how they've grown, where they operate, and future plans. Furthermore, topics tackled range from the importance of our interconnectedness with the rest of the world and our responsibility of stewardship toward all life on the planet, to the importance of ESG initiatives, the definition of success, and much more! If you're somebody who keeps up with sustainable advances within business, an advocate for championing the needs of our natural world, or just someone interested in environmental education, this is an interview you won't want to miss out on!

In today's Good Interview we find out what it's like inside the mind of Rodney Norman, a rather eccentric stand-up comedian and YouTuber from The US. Join us as we attempt to understand the method behind the "madness" of his approach to comedy, how he started and why. Furthermore, we also cover a wide array of topics ranging from failure being a necessary stepping-stone to success, to the importance of learning to be aware of the present, dealing with change, breaking down barriers to better connect with others, and much more! If you value the knowledge to be gained from deeper discussions on what it means to be a human being, if you're somebody looking for a fresh perspective, or just a lover of comedy, we're sure there's something in here for you. The themes echoed in this interview we believe are things common to all people: What it means to live in a world that's always changing, the pursuit of happiness, the fear that is bred from inadequacy, reactionary existence as opposed to a more conscientious manner of being. There are so many things that have the potential to bring us closer together as human beings if we only allowed them their fruition, even suffering - that which we would rather do without - has the capacity to be transformational, not only in one's own life, but in the regeneration of society as a whole. Let us try to be more present in our own lives, so that we might be able to be present for others. The sentiment is the same, even if the words have been reiterated countless times: A better world starts with you. Why? Because the greatest change anyone can make in the world is to be authentically themselves, and from that seed of authenticity sprouts the oak of equality.

In today's Good Interview we are joined by world-traveler and author Charles Koopman. His latest book, "Man in the Mirror" is inspired through his travels over a 100 countries. The book is centered around his first-hand experiences, and is a mixture of travel vlog, philosophical reflection, and anecdote. With a heart for people, Charles chats about the important lessons learnt from his travels, events that impacted his perception of the world, and how we can better cultivate inclusiveness between cultures. For those with wanderlust, who are interested in breaking down boundaries, or simply wish to learn more about Charles Koopman and his experiences, this is a must watch interview!

In today's Good Interview, we have the wonderful privilege of hosting Gerlinde and Mukesh, who have been dedicated advocates of The Art of Living for over the past two decades and counting. Founded in 1981 by the world-renowned humanitarian and spiritual teacher Gurudev Sri Sri Ravi Shankar; The Art of Living is more than a principle; it embodies a philosophy of living life to its fullest and transcends being merely a movement as it extends beyond organisational boundaries. At its core, it fosters inner peace and strives to unite people from diverse cultures, traditions, religions, and nationalities, reminding us of our shared goal to uplift human life globally. With a goal of turning every tear into smile, anger into compassion and hatred into unconditional love. If you're somebody who is seeking a more balanced and harmonious life, this is an interview you won't want to miss out on!

In today's episode of TGI, we were lucky enough to converse with Matthew Silver, who has had a few of his street performances go viral, the leading amongst them being "Words of Wisdom from an Unexpected Citizen". Matthew is known for his uninhibited antics, unrestrained expression, and unique performances, whereby he wished to "make the world laugh as an act of peace". It has been more than a decade since his video went viral, and in our conversation we got the chance to get to know the person behind the performer. Passionate and subversive, Matthew has lately been investing in his workshops called "Releasing the Inner-Idiot" whereby he attempts to help others express their "inner child", or as he prefers to call it, their "Inner-Idiot" through various means. The vision behind this came from his belief that most people end up ignoring or suppressing their Inner-Child and the consequences which ensue as a result. So join us as we peer at the world through the lens of Matthew Silver, with a range of topics covered, from the bondage that results from a focus on "freedom", the importance of changing perspective, and the capacity for words to create wars within us, to the releasing of one's Inner-Idiot, the rise of AI, the search for Liberation and much more!