The Honest Hour Podcast

The obstacles that arise in the pursuit of our goals are sometimes the real goals themselves. How do we know for sure? Know your WHY, your values, and your priorities. Those little speed bumps that show up in the pursuit of our goals are sometimes where the real magic happens, as we are forced to reassess "why are we doing this?" "what do I want to achieve here?" "is my time frame realistic?" Obstacles help us clearly identify our objectives with our goals and help us have a greater sense of self and inner peace. In this episode I break down my goals for the podcast, and some "speed bumps" life has put in my way in the pursuit of this Podcast Channel. I get real and personal, as well as give my own nuggets of wisdom on goal setting. Enjoy! Follow us on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/thehonesthourpodcast/ --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/christina-masureik/support

This episode's guest is a mindset and intuitive eating coach who helps people go from self-sabotage to having a greater sense of self and, as a result, more self-control. In her own words, Purdey helps the overthinking, people-pleasing, I'm not good enough perfectionist (maybe permanently starting a diet) learn to thrive, be you and be happy. Having grown up with a love for food, connection, and understanding, Purdey's unique journey took her from culinary school, to yachting and now to coaching. Having studied Health and Life Coaching, CBT, NLP, Mindfulness, and Applied psychology, it was when she was working as a personal chef on super yachts that she realized binge eating, procrastination, people pleasing, and similar behaviors could not be corrected until the greater problem of these symptoms was addressed – our mindset. This episode will teach you how to drop the insecurity, comfort eating and people pleasing and, in the process, become and celebrate your own unique self. Connect with Purdey on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/purdeyscoaching/ Listen to her on The Project Friend Podcast at https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/project-friend-podcast/id1618647216 --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/christina-masureik/support

Ashley Abboushi is an international model, human rights activist and CEO of the A Suite Global. If you follow her on social, you will know she is SUPER motivating. Ashley is committed to helping others live their best life while having fun along the way, and making a positive impact in the world. In today's episode, we unpacked Ashley's story, her why and all her motivational tips to help us live our best lives too. Further, we talked about all things self-worth related. We discussed healthy boundaries, how our perception shapes our reality, and positive social circles. If you're looking for motivation for your life, this episode is for you. You can connect with Ashley on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/ashleyabboushi/ --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/christina-masureik/support

Today's guest, Rue Cornfield, is the founder of online health brand “Healthyish”. Having always been healthy and a fan of regular exercise, Rue found herself feeling low during lockdown with kids at home. Gosh, I can relate to this, and I am sure many of you can too! Feeling herself slipping into this feeling of low, she sought a way to stay inspired and birthed her little brainchild, healthyish. Rue's approach to health is simple. She aims for balanced, wholesome foods for the busy and modern person. The Healthyish brand lives on Instagram where followers can be inspired to prioritise their health in achievable ways. Rue is dedicated to empowering people to aspire to be their most healthyish and happiest selves. To get to know Rue more, visit her on Instagram at: Healthyish Lifestyle - https://www.instagram.com/healthy_ish.lifestyle/?hl=en Healthyish Coach - https://www.instagram.com/thehealthy.ish_coach/?hl=en Creative Hub - https://www.instagram.com/my.creative.hub_/?hl=en --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/christina-masureik/support

In today's episode of The Hones Hour Podcast, I spoke with former social worker and student wellness advocate and mentor, Simone Johnston. It was enlightening to say the least, speaking with Simone. Her background of working closely with victims of assault and abuse, her vast knowledge of psychology, human emotion, South Africa's culturally and economically diverse communities, has left me with much food for thought on many things after our deep conversation. From the poverty cycle to the impact of social media on the mental health of our youth, Simone and I covered it all. We discussed her role as Head of Student Wellness at a South African private school, as well as how parents can work at keeping the lines of communication open with their children to prevent sexual abuse as well as anxiety, depression and general dis-ease in the current societal circumstances we find ourselves in amid the digital landscape and a global pandemic. To find out more about Simone you can: Connect with her on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/iamsimone_johnston/ Listen to her Podcast at https://podcasts.apple.com/za/podcast/something-to-say/id1508974308 --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/christina-masureik/support

Do you want to go off birth control? Are your cycles irregular? Are you scared of becoming pregnant? Are you desperate to become pregnant? Want to know more about your hormones and how they impact the rest of your health and wellness? If you find yourself pondering these questions, this episode is for you. Rona Mirimi is an educator of the Fertility Awareness Method (FAM) of conception and contraception. With a powerful personal story and her education and experience in this field, Rona is the expert you have been looking for on guidance to understanding your own fertility. We got granular in this episode, discussing the effects of hormonal birth control and the copper IUD. We discussed how a woman can learn to track her cycles naturally, and be free of synthetic hormones or invasive IUDs without the fear of becoming pregnant.  I also got super personal in this one, sharing my own trying to conceive journeys, history with birth control and my miscarriage in 2021. To connect with Rona: Visit her website at https://ronamirimi.co.za/ Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/rona.fertilityaware/?hl=en If you enjoyed this episode, don't forget to subscribe, leave a review and share it with your friends and family on social media. Tag us on Instagram @thehonesthourpodcast, or connect with your host @christinamasureik. --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/christina-masureik/support

Meg Faure is an Occupational Therapist, infant specialist, and the co-author of 8 parenting titles, including the best-selling Baby Sense and Weaning Sense books. Meg has been working with parents for over 20 years, starting out in a clinical practice. Today, Meg has helped thousands of parents across the globe get out of survival mode and into their own rhythm of modern conscious parenting. As a parenting expert and mum of 3, Meg understands your challenges and has made it her life's work to support parents with confidence by providing balanced, down-to-earth guidance for raising resilient and happy children. In today's episode Meg breaks down newborn sleep & feeding routines, and we go in to the concept of helping our children learn to self regulate. To connect with Meg: Visit her Website at https://megfaure.com/ Instagram https://www.instagram.com/megfaure.sense/ Download the Parent Sense App at https://parentsense.app/ --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/christina-masureik/support

Founded by local Mom Tiggy Potgieter, Cherry Melon is a line of maternity clothes in South Africa, born out of necessity. When she was pregnant with her first child 17 years ago, Tiggy saw a need for uncomplicated, every day pregnancy clothes for real-life moms. Tiggy found that regular, non-pregnancy clothing was too restrictive for a pregnant Moms growing body, as they did not accommodate for all the changes we go through. This is why she went on to organically develop a whole line of clothes that would support a pregnant body, all the way through to the post-partem and breastfeeding journey, and beyond. Best of all, when you buy Cherry Melon, you can rest assure you are supporting craftswomen with growing families of their own. This is truly a brand for Moms by Moms. In today's episode, we discussed the journey of Cherry Melon as a business and how the customers needs truly are at the core of their values. Further, we looked at how Cherry Melon compares to other maternity lines and who the ideal Cherry Melon customer is. To connect with the brand online, visit them on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/cherrymelonmaternity/?hl=en To shop Cherry Melon, visit https://www.cherrymelon.co.za/ --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/christina-masureik/support

Dr Jenny Rose is a clinical psychologist, a parent-child expert, and a mom to 3 young girls. Having worked in the field of clinical psychology for over 12 years, she is now a specialist in the field of parenting. Further, Dr Rose lectures at two local universities. Dr Rose believes in conscious parenting and is on a mission to make information accessible and digestible by all parents through providing resources, tools, and strategies for everyday living. She believes that raising our kids to be secure, resilient, and confident is the ultimate goal. In today's chat, we discussed all the things about conscious parenting. We dived in to being aware of our own childhood trauma and triggers, the difference between gentle parenting and conscious parenting, the need for healthy boundaries, sibling relationships and appropriate disciplinary responses. This episode has so much incredible value to all parents. You can get all these nuggets of wisdom that Dr Rose shares on her Instagram account at https://www.instagram.com/drjennyrose/?hl=en. But first, listen to today's episode. For more information on the Toddler Play Conference visit https://toddlerplayconference.com/. To sign up for one of Dr Rose's parenting courses visit https://drjennyrose.com/courses/ --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/christina-masureik/support

Monique Davies is a South African Mom of three, and a practicing Occupational Therapist (OT) in Durban, South Africa. Monique is all about connection and believes that play is the path to understanding and improving a child's behavior's and development. I decided to have an OT on the show due to my recent experience with my son who has just begun OT himself. As a Mom who was completely unfamiliar with the field of OT, I was overwhelmed. I did not understand the language of the the OT assessment, I had moments where I blamed myself for some of his delays, and I had sleepless nights worrying about what the future would hold. All in all, I was lost, confused and in a very lonely place trying to wrap my head around understanding my child's developmental needs. So I was very grateful for this conversation with Monique. Not only to expand my own understanding, but to share it with parents and caretakers near and far so they too can understand more about recognizing the signs of developmental delays, disorders, difficulties, etc. This episode is not just for those with children in OT or for those interested in neuro-diversity. This episode is for anyone interested in understanding more on the latest evidence based science about early childhood education, childhood development, delays versus disorders, and the power of play in childhood. This episode is not for your to make a diagnosis or assumption on your own. For more information on you or your child's personal neurological needs, please see your local GP for a referral to the right specialist. For more information on Monique Davies and to connect with her, please visit https://www.instagram.com/theconnectionconsciousmom/?hl=en. For more information on her product Sea Glass Soft Play, visit https://www.instagram.com/seaglass_softplay/?hl=en. --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/christina-masureik/support

Helen Nicholson is the author of a new book titled Mindfulness, How to stay sane in an insane world. Not only is her book making mindfulness easy and accessible to all, but it is a collection of Helen's personal experiences with burn-out, mindfulness and her own business and personal lessons on how to not just cope, but to thrive in today's post-pandemic world. Buy the book at https://www.takealot.com/mindfulness-how-to-stay-sane-in-an-insane-world/PLID90144953 Connect with Helen at https://www.instagram.com/helennicholson92/?hl=en --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/christina-masureik/support

Dr Daphne Lyell is a homoeopath and integrative GP with a special interest in all things related to women's health, child health, gut health, and diet. She focuses on health and building resilience instead of fighting disease. Dr Lyell also has a particular interest in the birth process and the transformative postpartum period. She has a keen interest in educating and empowering parents. She helps equip them with the knowledge to treat their kids at home. In this episode, we get to know Dr Lyell a little better, her call to integrative medicine, her focus on women and children, as well as her upcoming Holistic Child Health 101 Course. She has created Homeopathic kits to complement the course, or to be used by parents simply interested in being self-reliant. I am so honoured to have this chat with Dr Lyell as I saw her as a patient years ago at the beginning of my own health care journey. I can personally attest she is a doctor with remarkable empathy and compassion. She truly cares about each patient individually and is passionate about effective and holistic approaches to getting their body and mind health back on track in an achievable manner. For more about Dr Daphne Lyell, visit her website at https://drdaphnelyell.co.za/ Find her on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/dr_daphne_lyell/ --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/christina-masureik/support

Hello from your host, Christina Masureik. This is the first episode I have recorded since December 2020. In this episode I unpack why I took a long break, and what my plans are with the podcast moving forward. This one will be loved by Mom's who struggle with the juggle, have made mistakes, have had to re-prioritize over and over again, and who still want to make time for themselves and their hobbies without sacrificing their families. I hope you enjoy the episode! Love, Christina --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/christina-masureik/support

In this episode I chat with Campfire Conversations founder, Nicolette Louw. Nicolette is a former Speech Therapist who, after navigating her own midlife trauma alone, saw the need for more authentic & healing conversations in our communities. Her journey to seeking deeper conversations with the people around her led her to establish a company called Campfire Conversations. Campfire is a philosophy, a practise & a structure rooted in holding space, vulnerability, non-judgmental awareness & self-processing. These conversations take place among groups of around five people and these engagements are governed by four central pillars. In this first ever dive into the "why" behind Nicolette's Campfire Conversations, we unpack how the idea came about, the four central pillars of deeper and more connective conversations, and why this approach to listening and sharing is so important for us individually and as a society. You can connect more with Nicolette at: Website: http://www.mycampfire.org/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/my_campfire/ Email: n.louw@mweb.co.za --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/christina-masureik/support

Deepak John is a first generation South African. He and his family journeyed from Kerala, India to South Africa in the late 1980's. They lived in townships until 1994 when apartheid finally ended. In this episode, we unpack how Deepak felt as a first generation South African and the social dichotomy he faced growing up in a community that was starkly different from the traditional Indian culture his parents hailed from. In addition to his eclectic cultural upbringing, Deepak has a fascinating take on Christian theology and he shares it with us all in this episode. While his parents raised him with conservative and traditional Christian beliefs, Deepak's own experiences and curiosities led him to discover a different truth about Jesus, as well as a very new age interest in energy, health, and mindset. Further, we discussed his higher education in actuarial science, his arranged marriage, and so much more. It was truly fascinating to learn more about Deepak and his views. Have a listen. I hope you enjoy this episode! --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/christina-masureik/support

Episode Disclaimer: Before you make any decisions about your health, especially when it comes to medication, please consult your own medical professionals. Nicole Starbuck is a published author, intuitive expert, quantum energy healer, spiritual mentor, and life coach empowering female entrepreneurs to become the best version of themselves so they can experience more peace, joy, and love. As a spiritual mentor and life coach, Nicole serves female entrepreneurs who want to have it all while putting themselves first. She helps them build their online empires without the burnout. Nicole has her own personal experience with anxiety and depression and is committed to helping women become the best version of themselves. Nicole is here today to share her top personal growth strategies and self-care tips so we too can go from anxious to aligned. Connect with Nicole: Website - https://nicolestarbuck.com/ Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/nicole.starbuck/?hl=en The Book - https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B085VPB9FX/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=B085VPB9FX&linkCode=as2&tag=artistarbuck-20&linkId=2e9cc85d78d9ef0b17f0a330df0c1fe4 --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/christina-masureik/support

Zulke Krouwkam grew up in Bethlehem, a small town in the Free State in South Africa. At the age of 14 she started to have seizures, which began to greatly affect her normal functioning, and her life. She eventually moved to the Cape Town in 2012 where, despite undergoing 4 major brain operations during her time at University, she successfully completed her studies. Today, 8 years later, Zulke is now officially a self-proclaimed native Capetonian, living a magical life with her partner and running her own creative business. In this episode, we unpack the story behind Zulke's transformation from seizure sufferer to entrepreneurial success. I hope that in listening to Zulke's journey, you find inspiration in your own life, regardless of your circumstances. Personally, I found Zulke's story to be one of courage, faith, and resilience. Her attitude of gratitude and hope in what is yet to come is both refreshing and inspiring. You can find Zulke online at: Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/zkdesigners.co.za/?hl=en Website - https://www.zkdesigners.co.za/ --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/christina-masureik/support

I took a bit of a break from recording on here (a nearly FOUR week break!). I have really missed this space but, to be honest, I needed the break to focus on other things for a while, namely work and family commitments. Thus, I decided to kill two birds with one stone today. I wanted to 1. break my hiatus (it was hard, I felt nervous!) 2. attempt my idea of recording a podcast while simultaneously recording live on Instagram. I felt nervous, sick (have a cold), insecure and definitely not like my best self. BUT, I believe that we need to fail in order to get better and that consistency is the strongest component of having a plan. Glad to be back! Enjoy this episode and get in touch if you have questions or feedback. I am on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/christinamasureik/?hl=en --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/christina-masureik/support

Bernice obtained her BSc (HONS) Dietetics degree at the University of Stellenbosch. She has been successful in many fields of health and wellness including fertility and nutrition, in retail and private practice for several years. She is passionate about nutrition and wellness and has helped many patients reach a position of improved health through personalized eating plans, dietary and supplement recommendations. She is an advocate for proactive medicine, such as through the use of DNA testing and food intolerance testing. As a Registered Dietitian, Bernice has gained experience working as a Clinical Dietitian specifically with intensive care patients, neonates, rehabilitation patients as well as general medical patients. She has been involved in private practice helping patients achieve lifestyle changes for better health outcomes as well as assisting in specific health conditions. In this chat, we uncover the differences between food intolerances and food allergies, as well as outline how to repair a leaky gut. Listen in to learn more about food intolerance testing, and how you can live a healthier more "gut health friendly" lifestyle today. Connect with Bernice & Optiway Website - www.optiway.co.za Istagram - https://www.instagram.com/optiwayza/?hl=en Bernice - https://www.instagram.com/bernice_rd/?hl=en --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/christina-masureik/support

Sarah Heintz is a Digital Marketing Strategist with a master's in psychology. She has nearly 10 strong years of experience in PPC marketing and digital media strategy. In addition to all that, she is a single Mom to two twin girls, running her business as an expat in Cape Town. In our chat we discuss how she ended up as an expat in Cape Town, her life as a single #mompreneur - how she raises twin girls while scaling a new business. Further, we discuss the ins and outs and all you need to know about your digital marketing strategy. You can connect with Sarah online at: Personal Instagram https://www.instagram.com/the.fox.mom/?hl=en Business Instagram https://www.instagram.com/digital_fox_agency/?hl=en Website https://digitalfox.co.za/ --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/christina-masureik/support

Melissa Reid is a Certified Holistic Nutritionist and the founder of Shine Health. Born and raised in Toronto, Melissa came to live in Cape Town at the age of 18 and stayed to raise her family here. A mom to 2 teenage boys, it was her youngest son's health issues that led her down a path to studying natural nutrition. She currently runs 21 day detoxes, offering her clients a range of positive results from weight loss to improved mood, and she is here today to enlighten us all a little more on her personal journey, as well as share her top nutrition tips. Connect with Melissa at: Website https://shinehealthnutrition.com/ Instagram https://www.instagram.com/shinehealthandhappiness/ --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/christina-masureik/support

MARGARET HIRSCH is the Co-founder & Chief Operations Officer of Hirsch's Homestores in Southern Africa and is a champion of empowering others to achieve their best lives, both personally and professionally. She is A BILLIONARE who came from rough beginnings. She is 70 years old and was named top women in business only 5 years ago, so she is just getting started. Today she is here with us to share moments of her personal journey, her top tips in business and her passion behind lifting others as she rises. Connect with Margaret at: Website: https://margarethirsch.co.za/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/margaret_hirsch/ --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/christina-masureik/support

Vusi Vokwana is a Cape Town Mom to 3, born and bred in Langa and is passionate about improving township economies. Having been raised by a father who was an avid entrepreneur with multiple businesses across the Cape Flats in the western cape of South Africa, Vusi was inspired by her fathers vision and, after studying abroad for many years, decided to deepen her own roots in the upliftment of human settlements. Vusi is now embedded in township economy structures as General Secretary for Lagunya Business Association, as well as the National African Federated Chamber of Commerce and Industry (NAFCOC) on a both Provincial and National level. She is passionate about the township and rural market and I am so honored to share her passion and her story here with you all today. Enjoy this episode! Learn more about Kasi Catalyst at http://www.kasicatalyst.co.za/ --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/christina-masureik/support

I was inspired recently by a post I saw on social media to discuss with you all the personal responsibility factor we each have to determine our happiness in life. Here are 8 ways to find more peace and joy in your life. Enjoy! --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/christina-masureik/support

Natalie Russell is a single Mom to 2 boys, a certified mindset coach, trained organisational counselor, and a youth worker. It was Natalie's own journey of healing from trauma that led her to all the rewarding work she now does in the mental health space. In addition to her work as a professional mindset coach, Natalie has worked with the youth, mental health, and addictions for the last 17 years. She came on to The Honest Hour Podcast recently to shed some of her top nuggets of wisdom with us all. Enjoy this episode! Connect with Natalie: Website https://findingfreedomcoaching.com/ Instagram https://www.instagram.com/iamnatalierussell/ --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/christina-masureik/support

About Mimi Mimi Nicklin is an experienced marketer and strategist, and a well-known empathetic leader. For over fifteen years she has been working across the globe with her clients to drive stand out creative interventions that lead to profitable business and culture change. Driven by the pursuit of bringing conscientiousness to the role and impact of leadership, with a desire to make the world of work a more empathetic, valuable and sustainably healthy place to be, Mimi has released her first book, “Softening The Edge”. She is also a keynote speaker and columnist. About Our Chat Mimi's big thing is helping people lead more fulfilled lives & careers through applying empathy in their thought processes. In this episode, we discussed how Mimi became an empathetic leader and how we can all apply her principles of empathy to our own lives in order to become better versions of ourselves and have healthier human relationships. Connect with Mimi Website https://www.miminicklin.com/ Instagram https://www.instagram.com/miminicklin/ Softening the Edge Book https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/9948340094?pf_rd_r=VAWNH6TPH0RZHXAJP6Y4&pf_rd_p=edaba0ee-c2fe-4124-9f5d-b31d6b1bfbee --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/christina-masureik/support

How can we be an ally in an ever-divided world? I had the most incredible and thought-provoking chat recently with global motivational dynamo Ricardo Gressel, aka Warrior Ric. In our discussion, we addressed why Warrior Ric, who hails originally from the America's (like yours truly), has a deep connection to South Africa, as well as his hopes for a better future for all its citizens. A graduate of Stanford University holding more 20 years of marketing and communications experience building blue chip brands across Africa and America, Ric now works in motivational speaking, specifically as a motivator for participants of obstacle course races (OCR). Ric honestly believes that doing things such as obstacle course racing is a perfect metaphor for helping us overcome everyday life challenges. He says that true greatness comes from within. We spoke about “failing forward,” and humans innate fear of change and of failing. Lastly, Ric shared his thoughts and views on the global war on racial injustices, on Black Lives Matter, and how we can all become better allies for the disadvantaged and oppressed. It was a true honour to speak with such a powerhouse of motivation and knowledge and I look forward to following Warrior Ric's journey in helping others reach their highest selves. The next awesome event he is an ambassador for is the Spar Women's Virtual Challenge themed “Be Sunshine.” I signed up for this challenge and I encourage you all to do so too! I think we can all learn more about the world by walking in each other's shoes for a bit. Happy listening! Connect: Warrior Ric https://warriorric.co.za/ Warrior Ric on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/thewarriorric/?hl=en Spar Women's Virtual Challenge https://sparvirtualchallenge.co.za/ --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/christina-masureik/support

Overview: On 14 July, Times Live shared an article titled, “Cotton On to the fact that black lives matter,” spotlighting the defamation suit that Influencer and Blogger Shan Fourie laid out against a group of women who subsequently dubbed their collective movement #dontshushme. The article can be found at https://www.timeslive.co.za/news/south-africa/2020-07-14-cotton-on-to-the-fact-that-black-lives-matter/. Durban based lifestyle blogger with over 15K followers and Mom to 3, Shan Fourie was publicly called a racist after she used her own platform to elevate discussions around diversity by inviting her friend, singer-songwriter, entrepreneur and women's empowerment activist LeAnne Dlamini to share an open letter to white mamas about raising inclusive children. This is Shan and LeAnne's honest story. Remember, “People are hard to hate close up. Move in.” Brene Brown in Braving the Wilderness Links: Open Letter to White Mama's from LeAnne D: https://shanfourie.co.za/anopenletter/ About EGH (End Girl Hate) Campaign: https://www.ldhworld.com/aboutldh Media Statement: I have taken the last few days to allow the commentary on this Podcast to run it's full course - having especially noted requests from a number of thought leaders on this issue to allow WOC to speak, without their voices being overshadowed or interrupted. There can be no doubt that the issue at hand is one that is deeply emotive and consequentially steeped in controversy. I understand the concerns raised, in full. The aim of my Podcast is to provide a safe, inclusive space for divergent voices to have honest conversations about the issues that matter. This is because I believe that making progress towards true healing and unity is possible only when we are brave enough to engage, wholeheartedly, on the tough issues - however uncomfortable. As my post stated, women on both sides of the issue - including a number whom are not subject to any possibly pending litigation - were actively invited to share their respective stories. Despite the discomfort, controversy and criticism that I have received, what has unfolded in the social media commentary was unavoidable and I have made no attempts to interject or to shut that commentary down before it has run it's full course. That is because the nature of this discussion is steeped in deep pain, which will take time to resolve, through hard, honest conversation across existing divides. As the host of The Honest Hour Podcast, my aim has and will always be to provide an open and inclusive platform for all voices. I stand in unison with each women bravely speaking their truth so we can pave a way forward, together. In order to contribute to constructive change, I continue to welcome guests from all sides of any narrative on to the Podcast to chat openly - as I have done with this issue. I remain committed to continue hosting a safe place for divergent voices to be heard, should those voices choose to actively engage as I have offered. --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/christina-masureik/support

Author of soon to be released book, “How I Lost Myself,” Claire Lagerwall is a jack of all trades, but words are the sharpest tools in her box. Writer extraordinaire, Mom to 3, and resilient as they come, I absolutely loved my chat on The Honest Hour Podcast with Claire today. Having studied English and Psychology as well as an Honours Degree in Psychology and then another Honours in Education, Claire embarked on adulthood with the intention to specialise in EduPsych. While it did not pan out that way, her loud, vivacious, creative, musical, and neurodiverse self, found its beat in a little bit of everything, and in the end, mostly in writing. We talk about her book, about character shaping and getting the confidence to write without the chains of fearing failure. We discuss adoption (we are both adopted kids), forgiveness through contextual understanding, raising the next generation in a home centred on faith, and so much more. If you want to laugh, and feel inspired, listen to this honest conversation. You can connect with Claire at: Instagram: www.instagram.com/clairelagerwall Facebook: www.facebook.com/clairealagerwall Website: www.clairelagerwall.com Get the Book: https://clairelagerwall.com/buy-online/ --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/christina-masureik/support

In this episode of The Honest Hour Podcast I speak with Vision Board and Intuitive Writing Facilitator, Sonja McKaiser I met Sonja in the flesh in October 2018 after attending one of her amazing and transformative vision board workshops with a group of other South African bloggers. The experience was a humbling, grounding and incredibly healing one to say the least. It set me on a journey of seeking deeper intuitive understanding of myself, my experiences, and my perceptions so much that I ended up doing two more workshops between the first one and the beginning of 2020. In our chat, Sonja and I unpack what a vision board workshop is, why it is more powerful to do one in a guided manner, and just exactly how my own life changed after attending her workshops as well as some other expressive writing workshops. Get in touch with Sonja at: Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/thecreativespacewithsonja/ Website - https://sonjamckaiser.com/ Join her next workshop - https://www.instagram.com/p/CC87zkRJ4bK/ --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/christina-masureik/support

Bianca Venter is a South African Mom Blogger & professional child therapist who is simplifying things to live an authentic lifestyle. She is also passionate about sharing her own personal and professional pockets of wisdom along the way. In this episode of The Honest Hour Podcast, I ask Bianca to elaborate on normal child "misbehavior" or "toddler outbursts" versus symptoms of autism. We discuss the genius of an autistic child, their ability to overcome dysfunctional behaviors with therapy, and how we can teach our children to self-regulate from an early age, as well as learn how to be the much-needed "functional" adults in the room. We had a good laugh about my own parenting mishaps, as well as my coffee addiction compared to her uber healthy lifestyle. Bianca is a breath of fresh air in the Mom Blogger world, authentic in all her content, words, and wisdom. She is truly passionate not only about her role as a mother and a child therapist, but also about heartfelt connection in the online influencer landscape. To find out more about Bianca and receive sprinkles of her wisdom and inspiration online, follow her at: Blog - http://www.authenticmom.co.za/ Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/authenticmomblog/ --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/christina-masureik/support

According to Thetab.com, “The phrase toxic positivity is the culture of portraying yourself as being happy no matter what. You are basically switched off to anything which might be viewed as negative. It's also the idea of encouraging people to always see the bright side, and not open up about anything bad.” And I think that, in the culture of positivity and ‘look on the bright side' that we are all living in now, it is time we have an open conversation about the harmful flip side of this in our communities. I have ALWAYS been one to err on the side of glass half full, see the positive, find the silver lining, give the benefit of the doubt, root for the underdog, etc. But I have NEVER been about denial, falsity, superficiality, or downright FAKE culture. I think that by pretending to be OK when we may actually be suffering, or just facing a new challenge, we not only do ourselves a disservice, but we hurt our communities as well, especially if you have an audience or an influence. We see this in the Mom blog culture, with "influencers", in celebrity news, in the mainstream media and, per the example I cited repeatedly on this episode of The Honest Hour, in Rachel Hollis's narrative on marriage, namely in the Podcast she hosts with her soon to be ex-husband called “Rise Together”. Share your positive lifestyle, share your happy thoughts, inspiring quotes, great advice, all of it. But do not preach positive when you are suffering. Do not stay silent either. Heal out loud, share your vulnerabilities, return to humanity. --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/christina-masureik/support

It has been a hot minute guys! Fun Fact - "hot minute" historically means "a short time," but in modern age we all use this phrase to mean a long time now, or at least I do! OK so, phew! What a whirlwind. You'll find out more in this episode about why, when and how, but life has led me to become a full time stay at home mom and home-school teacher over night with no professional help. Eeek, this has been an adjustment! But, as always with curve balls, so many revelations and lessons. If you are presently a Mom to kids age 6 or under and find yourself adapting to the lifestyle changes the lock-down has graced us with (insert no more pre-school or nanny), listen in! If I can do it, so can you mama's. Happy listening! --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/christina-masureik/support

Are you a parent to kids under the age of 5 and learning the balance the act of compassion and positive boundaries? If so, today's episode is for you. in fact, even if you are not raising little people, this episode could be applicable to you. If you have ever found yourself facing uncomfortable emotions and situations with people or moments, you can benefit from this conversation about setting positive boundaries and learning to self-regulate. Our guest on this episode of The Honest Hour Podcast is occupational therapist and parenting expert Meg Faure. Speaker and author of SEVEN BEST-SELLING BABY CARE BOOKS, Meg Faure is South Africa's most loved Mom and parenting professional with the actual blueprint to change our parenting journeys. Meg knows the world of the baby as it pertains to the infant's sleep, feeding, development and play and the challenges of early parenting. Fortunately for us newbie parents with no background in occupational therapy, Meg is here to help us all figure it out too. I had the opportunity to meet Meg in person in early 2019 at the launch of her 7th book “Allergy Sense,” co-authored with Dr Sarah Karabus and Kath Megaw. At the time, my youngest son and I were battling food and environmental allergies, but I was also dealing with facing my own “ghosts in the nursery”. I was uncovering buried childhood trauma that was getting in the way of my own ability to self-regulate, and subsequently emotionally interfering with how I was parenting my own toddler children. In our chat, Meg and I look at the phenomenon of our emotional part of the brain and how it can be regulated with awareness and boundaries, as well as how it is never too late to start applying healthier, more functional parenting principles (for ourselves AND our children). We discussed how every parent has a common goal for their child which is to develop strong and well-adjusted little humans with the strength of character and confidence to develop and cultivate their unique optimal potential. While Meg helps parents functionally guide the development of babies from new-born and beyond, the focus of our chat today was mainly on helping regulate a toddler's behavior and guide them through positive boundaries and healthy self-regulation. We address supported independence and what healthy screen time and use looks like for the under 5's, as well as how the global COVID19 pandemic and subsequent shut down of schools has tweaked this regulation a bit. We also look at autonomy in children and how to outline practical situations for positive boundary setting and as well as go from co-regulation to self-regulation for your little ones. Connect with Meg at: Website: https://www.megfaure.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/megfaure.sense/ Parent Sense App: https://parentsense.app/ Play Sense Group: https://playsense.org/ --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/christina-masureik/support

In this episode of The Honest Hour, I chatted with Aisha O'Reilly, founder of Aisha & Life Blog.  On a mission to encourage other women to improve their lives by sharing honest snippets of her own, Aisha is a Mom and blogger extraordinaire with a special passion for sharing her journey with natural African hair, and all the realities of interracial marriage (or just marriage, for that matter), as well as modern motherhood. We discussed so many topics, from motherhood to multi-racial relationships, the need for our generation to understand the history of racism and more. We started off by chatting about how she is pregnant with her second child, in the middle of a strictly enforced lock-down, and then we moved to more complex subjects that are dear to her heart and were enlightening to mine. It was a truly heart-felt and honest conversation. On a deep and personal level, Aisha and I got into the dark truths around the loneliness in pregnancy and in motherhood. We addressed how those niggly childhood wounds surface and how, with grace and true inner awareness, we obtain the opportunity to not only be the loving mothers we want to be for our children, but we also get the chance to re-parent ourselves again. Aisha tells me how motherhood changed the way she sees the world, herself and influences how she engages with her community now. Having traveled the world as the daughter of a diplomat, Aisha grew up with a variety of cultural influences and was exposed to many world views and societal circumstances. However progressive she and her (white) husband were raised though, she faced unexpected negativity and judgement online at times when sharing parts of her life. She had to learn first-hand to navigate the trepidatious waters of racism and digital bullying when sharing her interracial family life publicly. Aisha, and I, wholeheartedly believe that sharing our truths allows others to do the same. And it is through these honest acts of sharing our vulnerabilities and discoveries that we can rise together and collectively BE THE CHANGE. It was incredible and thought provoking to chat with Aisha. She was so easy and natural to open to that I felt like we were old pals! I will certainly be continuing to follow her and her family's journey online, and I encourage you to also. Here is where you can find Aisha: Website: www.aishaandlife.com/ YouTube: www.youtube.com/aishalife Instagram: www.instagram.com/aishaandlife/ --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/christina-masureik/support

In the last week alone SEVEN people, including top local brands and big influencers, have asked me how to get started on their own podcast. It is so easy guys! In this episode I break down how and why I got started, and give you all the steps you need to start your own podcast successfully today, and how to even get paid. Good luck! If you have any questions I am always here to help. Pop me a DM on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/capetownmomchristina/ --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/christina-masureik/support

If you have been following me on social media for the past year (2019-2020), you will know that I got to a point where I felt like I had a problem with drinking. Yes, it is true. After becoming a Mom and watching my childhood trauma and hormone induced anxieties rise like the sun every morning, I found myself at the bottom of a bottle of wine (and sometimes TWO) most nights of the week, and usually chased back with a few cigarettes. I was NOT living my best life (even though I often liked to think that I was). It got to the point where I decided to quit drinking alcohol altogether, forever; and it ended up lasting 9 months. It was in this period of sobriety that I came across the most inspiring high-vibe sober coach, Jen Clements. Jen also used to LOVE drinking alcohol. So much so that the social lubrication of her 20's turned in to self-medication in her 30's. Like me in my big drinking days, Jen also had no outward sign of a problem. Her friends and family respected her, she was a successful lawyer, happily married with two healthy little boys. And she exercised regularly! So, of course, she had no problem, right? The problem, however, was a dark vicious cycle of torment on the inside. Every day she did mental cartwheels waiting for 5pm when she could pour her beloved ice cold sav blanc into a large glass and drink again, ending the mental torment. And almost every day, that innocent one glass of vino would turn into a bottle, even if she were alone. Of course, the next day, she would work on “controlling” her drinking by setting new drinking rules to live by. If you have ever experienced this mental insanity of trying to moderate drinking, you will know what I am talking about here. “No drinking in the week!” “OK only one glass a day.” “I just can't get DRUNK.” “As long as I stop by 9PM.” It drives you crazy! Jen realised that alcohol was starting to take away from her far more than it was giving. And, perhaps, the need to drink at 5PM each day was driven by the previous day's drinking. It was a toxic cycle and she wanted to live in a radically new & free way and, deep down far under the wine haze, she knew it was possible. In Jen's own words, “I became intrigued by sobriety. Let us be clear: TERRIFIED but intrigued... Would my life be better if I stopped the moderation madness? I hadn't hit the stereotypical rock bottom, but did I really need to wait for that?! I decided to try and quit while I was still ahead and see if my life improved.” And so that is just what Jen did. Using her natural lawyer-fuelled research skills to get to the bottom of this mystery around alcohol addiction and the moderation madness, Jen embarked on a journey to not only heal herself but to empower others to do the same. Jen found the EASY path to quitting alcohol for good and, in doing so, to not feel deprived but to THRIVE. Her life transformed in a way that led her to feel liberated, happy and, finally, absolutely FREE. In this episode of The Honest Hour, Jen and I break down her journey of finding the EASE to a sober and thriving life. We talk about how addiction needs to be redefined and the toxic new socially acceptable “mommy drinking culture” of today. Making myself super vulnerable, as I always do, we talk about my own former alcohol abuse problem and how I medicated myself with alcohol to numb childhood trauma. We talk about an incredibly interesting science experiment dubbed “rat park,” and how if we address the root of WHY we abuse alcohol, or any act or substance for that matter, we may actually build ourselves a life we don't want to escape from. Do you want to QUIT WHILE YOU'RE AHEAD? Visit www.thrivalistsobriety.com or https://instagram.com/thrivalistsobriety?igshid=1ltbotdenxuj8 --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/christina-masureik/support

In this episode of the Honest Hour, I spoke with self-dubbed “Nesting Gypsy,” Sara Janssen. An unschooling mama to 3 gorgeous girls (and quite the range of chicken babies too!), Sara was absolute sunshine to chat with. Her love for life and natural curiosity is what led her on a journey to start asking all the important questions in early motherhood. Beginning with cloth nappies and a home birth, her path to all-natural parenting ended up placing her in the happiest place she could ever imagine, a home and a heart with no bounds. Set out to live a life she does not have to escape from, Sara and her family are most passionate about creating connection. They believe that home is where the heart is, that we can heal naturally, and that children are born with their own internal self-regulating system. Yip, in the Janssen home there are no “set rules”. These nesting gypsies follow their hearts when it comes to eating time, bedtime and even education. I will confess, when I first heard of “unschooling” last year, I thought it was the highest form of neglect. How could one not send their kids to school?! Brought up in a very dysfunctional childhood myself and put up for adoption at the age of 10, consistent formal education was something I was neglected of until after I was adopted. So, in my mind, school is a privilege, a right and a gift that should be available to all children so they can thrive in life. During my chat with Sara, however, I saw a different side to this proverbial coin. I saw that love in fact is the highest education we can offer our children as it gives a child the confidence to explore and grow at their own pace, wherever they are. I learned that it is the environment created at home that is most important for a child's ability to learn, live and to thrive. The recent COVID19 lockdown in South Africa and my chat with Nesting Gypsy Sara Janssen has inspired me to approach a new way of thinking about my children's education and wellness. Perhaps my love, time and attention are more than enough to help them blossom. Perhaps, I sent them to pre-school far too soon, and it was rather more for ME than for THEM? These honest, thought provoking conversations are why I started the Honest Hour Podcast. By listening to someone else's story, we get the opportunity to question our own methodology and, in doing so, we can learn how to do things even better. To find out more about Sara and her family's rainbow journey visit: INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/nestinggypsy/ WEBSITE: http://www.nestinggypsy.com/ --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/christina-masureik/support

In today's episode I had the honour of speaking with Maris Degener, globally recognized Yogi and mental health crusader from California. Maris became a yoga instructor at the age of 16 after embarking on a lifelong journey of healing and restoration in breath and body movements. I came across Maris's amazing testimony in the Netflix documentary “I Am Maris” by Laura VanZee Taylor and ro*co films which breaks down the link between yoga, eating disorders, and healing. Inspired after I saw the documentary myself in 2018, it was a unique and amazing opportunity to speak with Maris about her journey, and the work she is doing in the mental health space, specifically for America's youth. As someone who suffered from anorexia in my teen years, following a very traumatic childhood, I related deeply to her story as it was told in the documentary. For those who have not seen the documentary or heard of her before, you can find more about Maris and connect with her at: Website: https://www.yogamaris.net/documentary Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/yogamaris/ --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/christina-masureik/support

In this episode of The Honest Hour, I chat with YouTuber & child-focused healthy food enthusiast, Beans Van Zyl. I first came across Beans on Instagram in early 2019 and was attracted to her gourmet-looking but oh-so-easy to make healthy meals and sweet treats. Not only does Beans share the most beautiful content, videos and images of making her own recipes, but she has a way of including her kids in on the action so that it is fun, educational and an amazing opportunity to bond. Before becoming a Mom, Beans studied to be a foundation phase teacher and opened her own successful baking business. As I said in our chat, her journey is a true example of the wisdom Steve Jobs so aptly imparted upon us years ago, “you can't connect the dots looking forward you can only connect them looking backwards.” This was absolutely true for Beans. Who would know that the unique value of her combined love for baking, early childhood development and health would born her brand Coco Bean Cooks? In our chat, we discuss everything “health, cooking and motherhood,” from early led weaning to her own worries about health to her early years of being a picky eater herself and more. Beans believes in healthy and wholesome living and that it centres on balance and joy. She believes in including the kids in on the fun, in teaching them through applicable learning and tangible action, and in taking our health in to our own hands with researching the facts ourselves. Chatting with Beans encouraged me to be more inclusive of my kids on making healthy dishes in the kitchen and encouraging their natural curiosity when it comes to food and our bodies. If you are a Mom on a personal health journey and you want to know how to raise your kids with food confidence, this episode is for you. It does not have to be hard, it can be a journey of fun together and, if anything, and opportunity to learn and grow well on the inside and out, right in your own home. Happy listening! You can connect with Beans more at: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cocobean_cooks/ Website: https://www.cocobeancooks.com Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCroevQFNF4p5ZKNJAVDQ3aw Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/cocobeancooks/ --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/christina-masureik/support

Coming from a background in professional fitness competitions, Jessica Scott was used to finding her value in her size and there was no limit to how small she could be. After becoming a mother, however, she experienced an internal shift. She began her career as a fitness coach, coaching hundreds of women each month to reach their health and fitness goals. It was during this time that she saw clearly that women did not need help knowing what to eat, we have tried it all really. Instead, they needed help navigating their inner world. In her own words, Jessica says “I realized this not just because of the women I was hearing 1000's of intimate stories that brought me to my knees, but I realized this because my own journey transitioned from one of trying to take up less space and be in a smaller body to inquiring into why I was so obsessed with manipulating my body. My journey took me down a road of realizing I had an eating disorder and had been in the thick of disordered eating for years- having started my first diet in 7th grade! Dieting for me became almost a fidget spinner for my mind. I dieted and worked out instead of dealing with the deep and unconscious pains from unresolved trauma.” In this episode, we unpack Jessica's personal journey of uncovering unresolved trauma and undoing the poor coping mechanisms adopted to deal with her pain. Her story is powerful and is a testimony to how the internal work is the most important work. Jessica told me how there was a point where she was standing naked in the mirror with 8 pack abs. She had all the things that Instagram and society says will make us happy, yet as she stood there she was so underwhelmed in the moment. She asked herself "if this isn't it... what is?” She realised it wasn't about how her body looks or what size she is, it is about HER, the real her. This began the internal work to find out who she was, irrespective of outside expectations or attachment. Like many of us, Jessica was a people pleaser and her happiness depended on an image she created, an image woven together from pain. In doing the internal work, Jessica realised what I hope we all come to realise in our own time. She realised that what she really wanted all along was already there. She wanted connection, love, joy, peace and to be worthy without effort. She found her inherent value and realised that her value was always there, regardless of approval, size or money in the bank. Healed, stronger and 20 pounds of self-love heavier, Jessica is 7 years in to helping other women do the same in their lives. She helps people pleasers, perfectionists, women who have been traumatized, women without boundaries, and more to connect to their true selves so they too can heal and thrive. ​She says, “My work is powerful, life changing, and is for women who want a best friend to hear them and help them through the pain and make sense of the confusion. The women I work with are kind - to a fault. The women I work with have chronic illness, health issues and/or mental health issues. They are the salt of the earth. They are unpretentious and know they are here for truth and healing wounds that have been a part of their family for too long. My work is for those who are ready to feel instead of run and learn healthy ways to cope with all the very real and very okay emotions that come with being human. If this is you. If you are ready. I can't wait to meet you. I can't wait to hear your story. I can't wait to help you heal and help you rise.” To find out more about Jessica and her amazing work, you can visit her at: Website: https://www.jessscottcoaching.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jessicascott/ --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/christina-masureik/support

In today's chat I spoke with certified Health and Nutrition Coach, Sam Pearse. While Sam has had a lifelong interest in fitness and health, she has only in recent years learned the science-based evidence of REAL nutrition and become passionate about a mindful approach to sound and nutritional eating. Her top tip? Know the science of food and take the emotion out of eating. Her go-to motto is “Food is FUEL”. In our honest conversation, Sam openly shares her background with food – how she grew up over-exercising and not understanding the nutritional aspect of food. Further, she unpacks her fall into a destructive eating disorder and how it triggered her finally taking personal accountability for her health and healing. We discuss the modern diet trends, obsessive exercise, the binge/purge narrative in today's fitness and health culture, and more. Listen in for inspiration from Sam's personal journey with food and exercise, as well as the science-based wisdom she shares on how to optimize your journey with food and nutrition today, without all the trendy eliminations and restrictions of today's fad diets. Having also battled an eating disorder myself in my teen years, I was moved by Sam's honest account of falling into the trap of coping with pain through the abuse of her body with food. Further, I was enlightened by her intellect and knowledge of the facts around food and learned so much more about eating well for my body's needs. To connect with Sam and find out more, you can reach her at: Website: http://www.samanthapearse.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/iamsampearse/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/thewelllifeza --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/christina-masureik/support

In this episode I spoke with Megan, the light, the truth, the smiles, the brains, and the creator behind the Instagram account @livingcoronapositive. In March 2020 Megan and her family embarked on a fun ski holiday to Switzerland. It was an adventure they looked forward to, a year in the making. News had begun to pop up about the novel corona virus, but at the time there was no outbreak and no travel bans. It was a vastly different time to the one we are now finding ourselves during today's recording on 23 April 2020. It turns out, Megan and her family landed up being in the group of “the first 50 people to test positive for COVID-19 in South Africa.” This was a mere 6 weeks before recording today's episode. A lot has changed, for Megan, her family, South Africa, and the world at large. During our chat, Megan and I unpack her story: when and where her and her family contracted the virus, how they found out, what they did. We also explored her reasons for starting her account @livingcoronapositive, why she felt driven to share her experience openly and her thoughts on the stigma around this novel virus. Further, she shares with us some insights she gained during her phone call with the South African Department of Health. We address the antibody research being done, her advice for people worried about the virus, the facts and fiction, and more. Lastly, we got to the heart of what Megan and I each feel is an important lesson for everyone in this time: to nurture and honour our health, physically, nutritionally, and mentally. Megan shares with us her views on wellness, mindfulness and balance. She also gives us her personal top tips for “living well”. Trust me, it was phenomenal and easy to follow advice! What started out as an honest account of healing from COVID-19 turned in to an opportunity to shine light in a time of darkness, as well as an opportunity to help others. With her positivism, great attitude, educational foundation in biochemistry, and her personal experience with health, wellness and healing from COVID-19, Megan is doing just that. And not only that, her journey has inspired the creation of The Sparkling Hands Project, an initiative aimed at getting hygiene products into the hands of those in our disadvantaged local communities during COVID19. If you are sitting at home in lock-down like the rest of us, fixating on the doom and gloom, the economy, the news, the changing facts and differing research, take a moment to press pause. Listen in to this episode and be enlightened instead of scared for a moment. It will do your mind wonders. Blessings, Christina. You can find Meg at: Website: https://www.livingcoronapositive.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/livingcoronapositive/ Sparkling Hands Project: https://www.livingcoronapositive.com/sparkling-hands --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/christina-masureik/support

In late 2016, after struggling to recover from a common cold, Tracey-Lee realised that she needed to change her way of life. Her doctor informed her that if she did not lose the weight now and commit to a healthy and active lifestyle, that she would develop diabetes and other catastrophic health concerns. Tracey-Lee realised that her way of life then had led her to gain more than 50KGs in the preceding two years and, as such, she chose to make some serious changes. She embarked on a mission to prove to herself that she could achieve anything she put her mind to. In order to remain accountable, Tracey-Lee made the brave and vulnerable decision to share her honest journey on Instagram and created her account @fitnessgirl_za. Initially her intention was for the account to be her commitment device and to act as a visual diary of her own progress and achieved goals. With dedication and commitment and lots of hard work, she endlessly sought the happiness that she believed would undoubtedly be found in her “goal weight”. However, @fitnessgirl_za eventually turned into so much more; it became a testimony of realising her innate worthiness, regardless of her size or weight. The happiness, she realised, was always there irrespective of her weight. Tracey-Lee is the full package. Not only is she a fitness motivator and body positive advocate/influencer, she is also a full time family law attorney. To this day, she holds the eyes of over 22,000 women from around the world, all shapes, sizes and nationalities, who are inspired by her truth, humility and very public internal shift from goals to gratitude. In this episode we unpack how Tracey-Lee's purpose and intentions for her brand shifted from aesthetic weight conscious goals to self-love and body positive goals; all while sharing her mental health shift publicly and with vulnerability over the last 4 years. We discuss why she is a mental health warrior, her tips for how she handles her anxiety, how she juggles the balance between her legal career and her personal brand, and so much more. Most importantly, we address how “healthy” is the new skinny and worthiness is a CHOICE made within. It was a dream to speak with such an authentic, raw, and motivational person – I am truly inspired, and you will be too. Happy listening! To connect with Tracey-Lee online you can find her at: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/fitnessgirl_za/ (@fitnessgirl_za) Twitter: https://twitter.com/fitnessgirl_za?lang=en (@fitnessgirl_za) Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/fitnessgirlza (FITNESSGIRL) Website: https://fitnessgirl.co.za/ --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/christina-masureik/support

I had the honour of speaking with one of the first Mom bloggers I followed on Instagram when I established my brand over a year ago. Her name is Mari-Louise Candiotes, also known as “Just a Mamma,” her self-dubbed nickname. Being “just a Mom” is no easy task, I know this from personal experience. But Mari-Louise is far more than Just a Mamma, let me tell you! Mari-Louise always knew she wanted to be a Mom with a big family. She married her high school sweetheart (her Mr. Perfect) and wanted to study art. After a few years of teaching, she became a Mom herself and, as her Dad says, her education and passions all paid off as she entered the best career she could have imaged for herself – Motherhood and Homemaking with a blog on the side. Listen in to this episode to find out how Mari-Louise juggles it all – motherhood, homemaking, blogging, 3 girls aged 3 - 8, and all in the time of corona lockdown. Trust me, it is more than organisation and commitment – and it won't leave you feeling bad about yourself (far from it!).  This Podcast brought me kindness and humility for my own mothering. We discuss her top tips which include grace, a guide(ish), letting go of guilt and comparison, encouraging independent play, and celebrating your God given strengths (which we often forget are not the same as other people's strengths). Mari-Louise is the most loving Mother, gentle homemaker and kind person I have come across in a long time. If you're not following her already, do it now. Hope you love this listen! www.Justamamma.com https://www.instagram.com/justamamma/ --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/christina-masureik/support

"Ah my sweet little Lincy Loncs, our precious Blinky Bear. You are always happy, always laughing and giggling and finding fun for the room. But you do not want to listen. EVER. At this stage, you are turning 3 in just over a month. You want to run into the road, buckle your own seat belt, eat chocolate for breakfast, refuse to go to bed, brush your own teeth (except you just don't really do it, you only eat the tooth paste). This feisty independence of yours, while honourable at times, is leaving your mama insane!" About this Episode: Above is an excerpt from my blog, an open letter to my 3-year-old. In this episode I open up about my struggles with parenting feisty toddlers and how my own ghosts in the nursery caused me take pause to heal myself before I could be a more capable mother. It is tough raising kids well, but it is also so rewarding. And no day will look the same. Have a listen and enjoy a laugh or two. I get real honest about the ugliness in my own childhood and mothering journey and how even my own version of an adult star chart helps me get better at it. If we manage ourselves the way we teach our toddlers to manage themselves, we would be thriving wouldn't we?! OK, maybe that is just me haha. Happy listening. Find me on IG at @capetownmomchristina and lets connect. --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/christina-masureik/support

I saw so many people on social media this past month saying things like "Ya! Bring on a New Year! 2019 sucked!" Or versions there of... My 2019 was SO different! I wrote about it on my blog at http://christinamasureik.co.za/write-the-future-with-a-dream/. I can't say that for many years before 2019. But last year for me was trans-formative, healing and so incredible! And I have an amazing trick up my sleeve as to WHY. Listen to find out! HINT: The Creative Space with Sonja had a LOT to do with my amazing year. You can find her at https://sonjamckaiser.com/vision-board-workshops Happy listening and an even happier DREAM COME TRUE of a year for you! --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/christina-masureik/support

Hello lovely listeners, In this episode I speak with Celeste Spritely, a registered counselor and Psychometrist, about her focus on the unique role that Dad's play on early childhood development (ECD) and school readiness (SR). Did you know that it is estimated that over 2 million children in South Africa are fatherless, and 9 million grow-up without fathers? Hands down, this is a tremendous fatherhood challenge for the country. One of the things I learned in our chat today is that father absenteeism is like Kryptonite for their child's success – research showed us that these kids have an: · Increased risk of dropping out of school; · Lower educational attainment · Poorer physical and mental health · Behavioural problems…. Effects lasting well into adulthood. What if WE (yes YOU and I) could all make a difference for South Africa by understanding the need for the role Dad's play in a child developmenet and wellness? Listen to this episode as Celeste unpacks: 1. What is school readiness and how is it measured? 2. Why do we need to focus on fathers? 3. How do dads contribute to their child's school readiness? 4. How did a study on Dad's impact Celeste's life personally as a Mom, researcher and individual? 5. How does Spritely help Dads? 6. Why are personality assessments important for children, teachers and parents in a child ECD? Lastly, here is a FREE gift for our listeners - a downloadable guide to share what those 5 domains of school readiness is all about, to help them measure and support their child's development in those areas. "Do you know what it means for your child to be "school ready"?" Download this quick FREE guide to give you an indication of what to keep track of as you journey through the toddler and pre-school years to formal schooling. Here's the link to subscribe: https://www.subscribepage.com/SpritelyDads Where else can you find Celeste Spritely? Facebook: @spritelycoza or https://www.facebook.com/spritelycoza Insta: @celeste.spritely or https://www.instagram.com/celeste.spritely/ WWW: www.spritely.co.za --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/christina-masureik/support

In today's episode of The Honest Hour I speak with happy homemaker from Johannesburg, Ellie. Ellie is a young SAHM to two beautiful twin girls and a wife to the love of her life. She is passionate about helping women find true joy in their role as women, mothers, wives and homemakers. Despite her happy and full life today, Ellie has a story like us all; and her story did not come without trauma. We touch on it only lightly in this episode, choosing rather to focus on her positive and motivational message. From a young age, Ellie embraced a method of dealing with anxiety & trauma through the good old fashioned art of cleaning. And she is here to inspire other new Mom's to do the same. Ellie's passion and mission through her lifestyle blog "Do It All with Ellie" is to leave a positive footprint in women's hearts to be better in places where we, as women, are so important. Ellie aims to help women live full and joyful lives, bringing glory to God. Ellie creates posts about homemaking, motherhood, motivational cleaning, home organization and much more. Listen to our chat to get a glimpse in to Ellie's beautiful & humble world - her story, hopes, & dreams. You can stay updated on all she is doing at: https://doitallwithellie.com/ https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCiC01JE9ancgqiBiBeD0y5A?app=desktop https://www.instagram.com/doitallwithellie/ --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/christina-masureik/support

A self proclaimed Digital Maven with a nack for content marketing, Tokelo Motsepe is your modern African female entrepreneur. She connects brands to new audiences, is a Fashion Maven, a Lover of local, and is obsessed with Gratitude (just like yours truly!). If you're looking for a modern, fresh and positive perspective on South Africa, look no further. In today's episode, I speak with Tokelo about her experience of growing up as a black female post-apartheid, what it's been like as a modern black female, and her journey from the corporate world to entrepreneurship. www.afrenai.com https://www.instagram.com/tokelomotsepe/ https://www.instagram.com/afredigital/ https://www.instagram.com/afrenai/ https://www.instagram.com/greatnessjournal/ --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/christina-masureik/support

Ever fee STUCK in a rut? Unable to move on from your past? Or your limiting beliefs? Regardless of how you are feeling stuck, it is often in the not so subtle art of LETTING GO that we become empowered by our intentions and choices. Listen in today to hear from Bronwyn and I on our own stories of letting go, as well as our top tips for how you can do the same in your own lives. ABOUT Bronwyn Petzer Bronwyn is a mother, holistic wellness enthusiast, conscious healer, mentor, facilitator and speaker based in Cape Town, South Africa. She was born and grew up in Port Elizabeth and after school graduated with a BComm degree in Marketing & Business Management. She lived in Johannesburg for 14 years and after a career in Sales, Marketing and Events, she realised that she yearned to do more significant work that made a difference and impacted in the lives of others positively. It was learning to overcome own health and life challenges and obstacles over the past decade that fuelled her to pursue a career in healing, mentoring and teaching, in order to share with and inspire others to take control of their lives and start making choices and implementing practices that improve instead of deteriorate their wellbeing and happiness. Bronwyn is committed to facilitating people on their journey to freedom. Whatever freedom means to them. She will also equip you with tools and techniques, to aid any healing, transformation, growth and change process. She is passionate about inspiring people empower themselves to become the master of their own lives and live in purposeful, meaningful and conscious alignment with their divine essence and truth, unconditionally. Bronwyn believes that the only limitation is of the mind and we need let go of holding ourselves back from positively impacting the world. You can find more about Bronwyn at http://www.naturallybronwyn.com/. --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/christina-masureik/support