CO-CURIOUS

Peter Pearlson has spent 40 years behind mixing consoles for many of music's biggest artists. His real expertise isn't sound engineering—it's the space between the notes.
He reveals why deep listening means stopping our performance of opinions, and what it means to serve a vision rather than your ego.
If you've ever waited for someone to stop talking so you could respond, this will challenge how you think about listening.

Shayne Mann (Singularity University SA) joins David to explore AI as a “third voice” in our heads: an always-on collaborator that will question, translate, and nudge us in real time. We cover why exponential tech blindsides most leaders, daily AI workflows, and attention addiction. Expect clear takes on wearable assistants, learning that sticks, and how to stay human as change accelerates.

Dr. Rob Stegmann, Head of Academics at Boston City Campus, argues that compliance-led accreditation smothers real learning. We unpack South Africa’s move toward self-approval, under-resourced councils, and the lure of box-ticking. His case: shift from rule-following to quality consciousness. This episode will change how you see accreditation.

When surfing legend Shaun Tomson lost his 15-year-old son, he faced a choice: fall into the abyss of "what if" or find a way to paddle back out. Drawing on lessons from a lifetime in the ocean and his son's final words - "the light shines ahead" - Shaun created a simple yet powerful method that has transformed hundreds of thousands of lives. In this raw and moving conversation, he shares how 12 lines beginning with "I will" became a code for turning personal devastation into collective hope, to give you a simple tool for turning pain into purpose in just 12 minutes.

Creativity isn't about being artistic - it's about intelligence in action. But most companies accidentally crush it through benchmarking, perfectionism, and fear of mistakes. Celia Falkenberg and Nina Pearse of Creativity Wake-Up reveal how organisations can unlock the creative thinking that drives real innovation, sharing practical tools to spot opportunities in workplace friction, reframe challenges as "what if" questions, and use mind-mapping techniques that generate breakthrough solutions in just 90 seconds.

What happens when an actuary becomes the CEO of South Africa's leading psychology college? Lance Katz discovered that the supposed tension between academic excellence and financial sustainability is actually a false choice. This isn't about choosing between profit and purpose—it's about designing systems where both can thrive.

Industrial and organisational psychologist Dr. Bill Relyea reveals how our ego's protective mechanisms create dangerous blind spots in leadership and life. Bill includes the one practice to change everything.

David is joined by burnout coach Maude Burger-Smith for this raw conversation about the exhausting act of appearing okay while struggling inside, exploring why we're dying lonely in our busy lives - and how honest vulnerability might be the quiet revolution we need.

Two South African entrepreneurs reveal why copying Silicon Valley's "move fast, break things" mentality is a dangerous trap for South African startups. From the isolation complex holding back African innovation to the hidden costs of efficiency-obsessed cultures, Louis Janse van Rensburg and Louis-Neil Korsten discuss entrepreneurial ecosystems that serve communities, not just growth metrics. They challenge founders to stop playing entrepreneur and start doing the unglamorous work that actually builds lasting companies - offering practical steps to shift from imitation to innovation in the…

Learn from a corporate capability academy expert four essential elements to transform failing corporate academies into vibrant learning ecosystems that people actually use.

We explore why effective culture change requires a counterintuitive approach. Discover how creating an exclusive 'small world' of change agents can transform organisational culture more effectively than company-wide initiatives. Dave shares practical insights on leveraging people, artifacts, rituals, tools, and stories to create aspirational change that scales naturally, challenging conventional wisdom about inclusivity in the process of transformation.

Sarah challenges traditional views of neurodivergence, revealing how conditions like ADHD and autism offer unique strengths that organisations desperately need to create more innovative, honest, and productive workplaces. The conversation explores how neuroinclusive cultures can address rising workplace disengagement to provide differentiation in competitive environments.

A young leader who blends social justice advocacy with business intelligence to create sustainable education access through crowdfunding, corporate partnerships, and student empowerment

From unconscious privilege to what men need to hear—a raw conversation exposing how society teaches us to unlearn our natural state of unity and what it takes to find our way back.

Trapped in compliance checklists and KPI obsession? Discover the framework for transforming reluctant participants into engaged learners to remove the disconnect between compliance and capability.

David and Dr. James Keevy explore how micro-credentials could transform access to education while navigating quality assurance challenges. Learn how South Africa is carefully building a system that protects disadvantaged learners while embracing the future of learning recognition beyond traditional qualifications.

With half a million new learners expected in South African schools and declining education budgets, the status quo is set to worsen. John Molver, founder of Proteus Advisory, cuts through the headlines about record pass rates to reveal what's really happening in our education system and shares how every South African can contribute to transforming our schools, whether they have children in the system or not.

"We know more about ChatGPT than our own thinking" - Morné Mostert challenges everything you thought about executive learning. From quantum curriculum to why emotional intelligence might be overrated, we explore the power of not knowing.

Award-winning strategist Pierre Du Plessis reveals the hidden advantages that keep us tethered to our flaws, and challenges conventional wisdom about personal and organisational growth.

Wesgro's education specialist Wendy Viljoen outlines how public-private partnerships can transform South Africa's struggling education system amid teacher cuts and classroom overcrowding.

Former corporate executive Lita Currie reveals how learning to embrace imperfect art transformed her career and now helps business leaders think visually, proving that creative skills can be developed at any stage of life.

Through a twist of fate, former people avoider Tracey Clark becomes one of South Africa's top leadership coaches, revealing how brain science and the power of pause can transform our relationship with self and others.

Digital marketing expert Renier Lombard reveals why chasing quick wins on LinkedIn fails, and how embracing imperfection and a giving mindset transforms your personal brand from forgettable to magnetic.

InScape COO Dr. Carin Stoltz-Urban demonstrates how education and business can align through a "redemptive business model" that dedicates half of profits to scholarships and community development. Join us as we explore sustainable education and the evolving landscape of academic credentials.

In a world obsessed with winning, this episode challenges leaders through the lens of 'Player Zero' to consider letting go of scoring to build more resilient, collaborative, and effective organisations.

David speaks with global futurist John Sanei about why success feels empty and what to do about it, rethinking success in an age of uncertainty, and how to journey from certainty to adaptability.

David speaks with airline Captain Laurence Graham, who challenges traditional academic prerequisites that prevent many natural leaders from accessing this development.

David speaks with Digital Transformation expert Mike Perk about how well-intentioned leaders are unknowingly destroying their people.

David speaks with leadership coach David Joshua about how his ADHD diagnosis led him to reject Ritalin in favour of mindful practices, and how learning to pause in an overwhelmed world is the competitive edge we've been searching for.

David speaks with Apex Education founder and CEO Jana Du Plooy about how care and commerce can coexist to transform lives.

David explores the critical shift from doing Agile to being Agile with Myles Hopkins, challenging organisations to embrace horizontal value creation and future-focused strategies for sustainable success.

David speaks with Eduvos CEO Siegie Brownlee about the universal challenge faced by higher education institutions and industry, and the challenge of preparing graduates for industry and life.

David speaks with Leadership and Change consultant Carrie Pratt about how corporate leaders can learn from social movements to drive inclusivity and meaningful change in business.

David speaks with Founder of MySocialLife Dean McCoubrey about the role of parents, teachers and the village in digital education, and the importance of relatability in connecting with kids.

David speaks with CEO of Heavy Chef Fred Roed about discerning between a strategy and goals, to avoid the 'statements of desire' trap.

David speaks with CEO of Five Lens People Development Colin Adam about learning versus knowledge, and the changing nature of learning.

David speaks with CEO of 50Plus-Skills Lynda Smith about retaining eldership, and challenging ageism through embracing generational intelligence in organisational learning and culture.

David speaks with Distinguished Professor of Education Jonathan Jansen about collaboration, leadership, and resource allocation in achieving a better balance of intellectual and financial priorities in learning organisations.

David speaks with international advisor and inventor of the Mindset Index Morné Mostert about rethinking finance and value, and addressing behaviour by understanding and addressing mindset.

David speaks with Christel House CEO Adri Marais about the curriculum with a capital C, the role of governance in education, and the importance of long-term patient capital.

David speaks with Founder of Pentacle virtual business school Eddie Obeng about the challenge of satisfying multiple stakeholders in organisational learning and development, and aligning individual aspirations with organisational goals.

David speaks with Learning Advisory member Martin Hall about enhancing feedback and support with AI, including generative AI and the future of education.

David speaks with Chief Creative Officer of Joe Public Pepe Marais about the role of fear and belief in the imbalance of learning and commercial priorities.

David speaks with CEO of The Heavy Chef Foundation Louis Janse van Rensburg about the power of relationships in balancing learning excellence and financial performance.

David speaks with Orenda Strategy and Advisory CEO Tebogo Mekgoe about defining growth, and the unintended consequences of capitalism in balancing learning excellence and financial performance.

David speaks with Henley Business School Dean Jon Foster-Pedley about the challenges of financing education, and insights on scaling and growth in education.

David speaks with Dube Tradeport Aerotropolis Director Rudi Kimmie about fostering creativity and innovation through experiential learning, and prioritising sustainability in learning organisations.

David speaks with CentralKnowledge CEO Ajay Pangarkar about the importance of aligning learning and business, and overcoming apathy and disruption in learning.

David speaks with CEO of xTech Capital Willem van der Post about the inconceivable nature of exponential growth, and confronting the overwhelming un-knownness in learning and financial performance.

David speaks with Google Chief Marketing Officer Mzamo Masito about the importance of historical and situational context in defining diversity, and challenging the misconception that diversity is an inconvenience.

David speaks with Arbinger Institute Director Frank de Beer about mindset and its impact on organisations, and rebuilding morale in learning organisations.