Welcome to Episode 33 of The Incredible Machines Podcast! In this thought-provoking conversation, Jon Oliff and Luke Holden sit down with Mzokhona Gumede, a radio presenter who grew up on a farm in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa, in a polygamous family. He shares his challenging upbringing, early fascination with radio, and determination to escape rural life.

Through perseverance, Mzokhona built a successful radio career, growing audiences and embracing both traditional and digital media. In this conversation we explore the evolution of radio, the importance of community, and the role of women in personal and professional life, offering insights and advice for aspiring broadcasters in today’s changing media landscape.

Whether you’re an aspiring broadcaster, a podcaster, or simply passionate about media, this episode distils the most valuable lessons each packed with actionable advice and nuanced perspectives. ⏱ Timestamped Overview

00:40 – Introduction 01:04 – Family Struggles and Hard Work 03:16 – Dreams of Radio 03:54 – Siblings and Family Structure 04:26 – Pursuing Radio in Durban 05:22 – Love for Radio 07:32 – Radio as Escape and Inspiration 09:19 – Favourite Radio Presenters 09:48 – Radio’s Commercialization & Learning 12:09 – Writing a Book and Storytelling 14:20 – Processing the Past 16:00 – Reflections on Polygamy and Family Support 17:34 – Proving Oneself and Finding Community 18:44 – Early Radio Career Challenges 22:14 – Breakthroughs and Career Growth 24:04 – Measuring Radio Success 25:15 – Building a Personal Brand 27:16 – Impact of Social Media 28:38 – Radio vs. Digital Competition 38:18 – Intuition and Target Audience 41:26 – Responsibility and Content Choices 45:06 – Advice for Aspiring Radio Presenters 47:29 – The Future of Radio and Digital 49:17 – Visual Trends in Podcasting 01:00:35 – Changing Family Dynamics 01:05:40 – Advertising and Audio Branding 01:11:44 – Trying New Things and Embracing Failure 01:15:58 – Women as ‘Incredible Machines’ 💬 Quote of the Episode

“Radio made me believe there was something bigger out there.” – Mzokhona Gumede 🧠 Related Campaign Example Kulula’s “Jetsetter” TV Campaign — Mzokhona Gumede relates to its simple, straightforward messaging and how it uses humor and relatability to convey the benefits of the airline’s rewards program. He appreciates the ad’s choice to feature an ordinary person as the central character, making the rewards feel accessible and memorable.

Kulula’s “Jetsetter” TV Campaign: kulula Jetsetter TV - new groupie ad - YouTube

👣 Relevant Links LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mzokhona-gumede-84510532/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mzokhona.gumed Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mzokoloko/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCJfzOm0ejxRY5XMYlYlpT8g 🌐 Connect with Tim Africa

🔗 Website: https://www.tim.africa 📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tim.africa 📘 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/timdotafrica 🎧 Podcast Page: https://www.pod.tim.africa

Welcome to Episode 32 of The Incredible Machines Podcast! In this thought-provoking conversation, Jon Oliff and Luke Holden sit down with JX Gumede, shares his life journey from rural KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa, through educational hardships, family struggles, and transformative experiences in Germany.

JX Gumede and Jon Oliff discuss how AI and technology can either perpetuate or help solve societal issues, emphasizing the need for conscious values. The conversation explores resilience, the importance of recognizing life’s seasons, and the impact of caring versus indifference, especially regarding food waste, malnutrition, and economic disparity.

This episode is packed with personal stories, thought-provoking discussions, and practical insights. Whether you’re interested in personal growth, the impact of AI, or societal issues, there’s something here for you. Plus, it’s a chance to reflect on your own life journey and the influences that have shaped you. ⏱ Timestamped Overview

01:00 – Explaining the Ego Tool 02:03 – AI Life Projection Exercise 04:45 – JX Gumede’s Early Life in KZN 05:39 – Learning English at a Multiracial School 08:47 – Boarding School Experiences 11:26 – Transition to Elite Schools 13:59 – Mother’s Influence and Resilience 15:07 – Reflections on Education and AI 18:26 – Family Financial Hardship and Recovery 22:27 – Scholarship to Study in Germany 24:10 – Experiences in Germany 27:44 – Father’s Legacy and Family Business 32:29 – Mother’s Ambition and Lifelong Learning 38:08 – Mother’s Strategic Thinking and Faith 40:29 – Lessons from Hardship and Humility 43:45 – Advice to Younger Self 45:52 – “Fight the Enemy You Have” Philosophy 53:19 – Awareness, Acceptance, Action Framework 55:21 – The Value of Presence – “Time Flies” Ad 01:01:24 – Reflections on Time and Presence 01:04:03 – AI, Language, and Bias 01:06:07 – Indifference vs. Hate in Society and AI 01:11:33 – Food Waste and Food Justice 01:16:39 – Understanding Food Expiry Labels 01:30:10 – Food Security and Malnutrition in South Africa 01:34:00 – AI, Food Identity, and Values 01:43:38 – AI as a Force Multiplier for Good or Bad 💬 Quote of the Episode

“If something bad can happen to you for no reason, then something good can happen to you for no reason.” – JX Gumede 🧠 Related Campaign Example "Time Flies" TV Commercial — Chosen for its powerful message about being present and appreciating the experiences in each stage of life, rather than always projecting into the future. JX Gumede relates deeply to its theme of recognizing the season you are in, as the ad’s mother learns to embrace the moment with her child instead of wishing time away.

"Time Flies" TV Commercial: Allan Gray: Award winning Ad 2007 👣 Relevant Links LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jxgumede/ Twitter: https://x.com/jxbgumede Biography: https://jxgumede.bio/ JX & Co Website: https://jxandcompany.com/ JX & Co LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jxandcompany/ 🌐 Connect with Tim Africa

🔗 Website: https://www.tim.africa 📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tim.africa 📘 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/timdotafrica 🎧 Podcast Page: https://www.pod.tim.africa

Welcome to Episode 31 of The Incredible Machines Podcast! In this thought-provoking conversation, Jon Oliff and Luke Holden sit down with Wendy Mahoney, is a founder of Newmella & Associates, speaker, leader, and an advocate for human flourishing and speaks about life’s ultimate lesson: “You are enough.” She shares her personal and professional journey, highlighting themes of self-worth, burnout, and resilience. Wendy recounts her early career in media, her struggles with burnout, and her path to healing through therapy and alternative modalities. Wendy discusses the ongoing journey toward wholeness, inspiring listeners with her candid reflections on overcoming challenges and embracing one’s true self.

The conversation explores authenticity, the importance of boundaries, and conscious capitalism. ⏱ Timestamped Overview

00:40 – Introduction and Wendy’s message to her 16-year-old self. 01:09 – Schooling in Durban, university studies, and first steps into media and radio. 02:55 – Early 20s working in Europe, learning resilience, and developing sales and management skills. 10:38 – First experience with burnout, its symptoms, and the importance of rest and self-care. 14:09 – Languages spoken, relationship with her parents, and how family dynamics shaped her drive. 18:12 – Exploration of burnout as a recurring theme, the phoenix metaphor, and learning to set boundaries. 23:21 – Her current strategies for maintaining work-life balance and prioritizing well-being. 29:49 – Her rise in corporate media, the onset of her second burnout, and the role of medication. 36:02 – Becoming Chief Revenue Officer, the pressures of the role, and her third, more physical, burnout. 40:00 – Her hospitalization, ignoring burnout symptoms, and the need for inner work. 46:32 – Midlife crisis, leaving corporate roles, personal lows, and the journey into self-discovery. 50:09 – Use of therapy, NLP, and somatic work for healing. 52:09 – Experiences with ayahuasca, heartbreak, and the transformative power of plant medicine. 57:10 – Importance of somatic healing, breathwork, and non-plant-based methods for nervous system regulation. 01:00:36 – Apple’s “Mother Nature” campaign, praising its creativity, humor, and subtle branding. 01:05:02 – Naming kindness and good-hearted people as her inspiration, emphasizing the value of everyday goodness.

💬 Quote of the Episode

“The privilege of a lifetime is to be who you truly are.” – Wendy Mahoney

🧠 Related Campaign Example Apple’s “Mother Nature” campaign — Wendy admires how Apple turned a dry topic like their integrated sustainability report into a creative, humorous, and refreshingly authentic piece, with Tim Cook’s earnest performance standing out. She appreciates its clever, subtle branding that communicates Apple’s commitment to carbon neutrality by 2030, while championing conscious capitalism and environmental impact without overtly selling.

👣 Relevant Links LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/wendy-mahoney-macbl-223b6144/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/wendy.mahoney.276663 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wendyleamahoney/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCLkwurI72lqpE77gh6ZCsbg Newmella & Associates Website: https://newmella.co.za/ Newmella & Associates LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/newmella-holdings-pty-ltd/ Newmella & Associates Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/newmella/ Newmella & Associates Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/newmella_holdings/ Newmella & Associates X: https://x.com/NeWMella_ 🌐 Connect with Tim Africa

🔗 Website: https://www.tim.africa 📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tim.africa 📘 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/timdotafrica 🎧 Podcast Page: https://www.pod.tim.africa