What if success is not measured by what you accumulate, but by what lets you sleep at night?

Anton and Ben sit down with Dr Manny Pohl in Episode 20 of A Stranger, A Suitcase, and A Story. Our first episode of 2026, and a fitting one to begin the year.

Manny’s story starts on the Blyvooruitzicht gold mine near Carletonville, a place defined by hard work, hierarchy, and deep community. It’s where he learned early that who you are, and how you treat people, matters long after the mine closes.

Manny did not migrate chasing adventure. He moved for his three sons to give them opportunity, stability, and a fair shot at the future. Australia was a deliberate choice. What followed was a leadership journey shaped less by titles than by principles: courage to make hard calls, humility to start again, and an unwavering belief that relationships are built by how you show up when no one is watching.

Along the way, Manny became a Freeman of the City of London and was appointed a Member of the Order of Australia, not for self-promotion, but for contribution. Yet when asked what he carried with him, Manny does not talk about awards. He talks about a simple rule that guided every decision: it’s better to sleep well than to eat well.

This episode is about community, ethics, and the quiet moments that define a life - treating everyone with dignity, pulling the trigger when your values demand it, and understanding that success without integrity costs too much.

When faced with a choice that advances your career but compromises your values—what would you do?

🎧 Listen to Episode 20 at https://3spod.com
Also available on Spotify, YouTube, and Apple Podcasts.

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