The Incredible Machines

Welcome to Episode 34 of The Incredible Machines Podcast! In this thought-provoking conversation, Jon Oliff and Luke Holden sit down with Judy Le Roux, a resilient mother and lifelong learner whose journey is marked by adaptation and perseverance. Judy speaks about raising her son Michael, who faced significant medical challenges from birth, and how these experiences shaped her outlook on life. She reflects on her childhood, the pivotal moments that led to career changes, and her willingness to embrace new technology and opportunities.  Throughout the episode, Judy emphasizes the importance of consistency, maintaining a positive mindset, and surrounding oneself with supportive people. She shares how adversity can be a powerful teacher, and how strength is often found in quiet heroes and everyday acts of courage. Together, they explore the value of learning from setbacks, the role of community, and the transformative power of perseverance.  Whether you’re navigating personal challenges, considering a career pivot, or seeking inspiration to overcome obstacles, this episode distils Judy’s most valuable lessons, each packed with actionable advice and interesting perspectives for anyone striving to turn adversity into triumph.  ⏱ Timestamped Overview  00:40 – Introductions, Early Tech and Mindset  02:02 – Mindset and Life Choices  04:53 – Judy’s Childhood and Family Values  07:25 – Michael’s Birth and Early Medical Challenges  08:39 – Medical Journey: Eyes, Legs, and Resilience  11:43 – Turning Point and Choosing to Fight  12:52 – Relentless Search for Solution  14:54 – First Major Surgery and Hope  17:01 – Ongoing Operations and Development  19:27 – School Challenges and Small Victories  21:38 – Resilience in the Face of Setbacks   24:50 – Sales Career and Lessons from Adversity  27:10 – Early Career with a Sandwich Business  32:36 – Family, Culture, and Hiring Philosophy  35:39 – Confidence vs. Arrogance  37:37 – Dealing with Haters and Protecting Your Story  39:50 – Facts Over Emotion and Mentoring Others  44:32 – Resilience Defined and Michael’s Achievement  49:39 – Consistency as a Life Principle   51:20 – Incredible Machines and Inspirations   54:05 – Legacy and Words to Her Son Michael  💬 Quote of the Episode  “No matter what anybody says, don’t give up because it’s your choice and you are in control of your mind.” – Judy Le Roux  🧠 Related Campaign Example     Forest 5000 “Consistency” TV Commercial — Judy loves the ad’s message that “consistency is the only currency that matters” and relates it to her own life: building success one day at a time, even against the odds, is like growing a forest from single seeds. She chose this campaign to highlight how persistence and small daily efforts accumulate into something extraordinary.  Forest 5000 “Consistency” TV Commercial: https://youtu.be/PinzhCzt6Zo  👣 Relevant Links    LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/judy-le-roux-mba-a4097994/   Facebook: https://www.linkedin.com/in/judy-le-roux-mba-a4097994/   Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rjudyle/         🌐 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 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

Welcome to Episode 30 of The Incredible Machines Podcast! In this thought-provoking conversation, Jon Oliff and Luke Holden sit down with Nelisiwe Zuma, a dynamic voice in social media and influencer marketing whose journey began in rural South Africa. She shares how her early life experiences, family values, and community shaped her approach to personal and professional growth. Nelisiwe discusses her transformative journey following a traumatic car accident in 2016, which became a pivotal moment leading to profound resilience, self-discovery, and a renewed sense of purpose.  Nelisiwe unpacks the challenges of overcoming physical and emotional hurdles, honoring the memory of a lost friend, and the ongoing process of healing. She emphasizes the importance of self-love, faith, and the support of community in navigating life’s adversities. This episode offers valuable insights on gratitude, the power of second chances, and the pursuit of evolving dreams. Engage in a heartfelt conversation about her journey from rural beginnings to a thriving career. Nelisiwe shares how her experiences have shaped her unique spirit, her gratitude for new opportunities, and her vision for the future.      ⏱ Timestamped Overview  00:44 – Introduction of Nelisiwe Zuma  02:03 – Self-Discovery After the Accident  02:20 – Advice to Younger Self and Learning from Others  03:51 – Upbringing and Early Life   05:07 – School Years and Being Different  06:51 – Love for the Outdoors and God  07:39 – Embracing Uniqueness and Self-Definition    08:50 – Experience in Modelling and Modelling School  11:22 – Transition to Agency Life and Social Media  13:01 – Creating the Influencer Marketing Role  13:59 – Effort to Fit In and Stand Out Professionally    15:56 – The Car Accident and the Aftermath  20:33 – Hospitalization, Recovery and Loss  24:31 – Life After Recovery and Sobriety  26:07 – Future Plans and Faith  29:54 – Feelings About the Accident Site  35:25 – Favourite Campaign and Professional Pride  39:07 – Never-Ending Adventure and Self-Discovery  42:51 – Farming Aspirations and Office Support  46:13 – Overcoming Dark Times and Asking for Help  49:22 – Self-Love and Setting Boundaries  01:00:15 – Recent Life Changes and Embracing Rest        💬 Quote of the Episode  “You need to be different; either you define yourself or the world will define you.” – Nelisiwe Zuma  🧠 Related Campaign Example   Vaseline Glow Product Launch campaign — Nelisiwe chose this campaign because she was deeply involved from the teaser phase through to the launch, handling teaser content strategy, amplification plans, reporting, and live behind-the-scenes coverage for social media. She poured her creativity and hard work into the project, feeling a strong sense of pride in introducing something new to the South African market that reflected her own journey of standing out and defining herself.       👣 Relevant Links    LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nelisiwe-zuma-54138b104/   Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/neli.zuma.946   Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/neli_zuma/         🌐 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