Seedpod is a podcast dedicated to the people shaping our world through entrepreneurship, sustainability and design.

We started this project in the hope of exploring unique perspectives on the issues facing the society we live in. Designer and entrepreneur Lee Rael is doing just that by having authentic conversations with  talented creatives, innovative entrepreneurs and environmental pioneers from around the world. By unpacking their wisdom, insights and personal stories, Lee hopes to inspire and educate, and maybe even entertain.

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Seedpod is a podcast dedicated to the people shaping the country through entrepreneurship, sustainability and design.

We started this project in the hope of exploring some unique perspectives on the issues facing the society we live in. Designer and entrepreneur Lee Rael is doing just that by having authentic conversations with South Africa’s talented creatives, innovative entrepreneurs and environmental pioneers. By unpacking their wisdom, insights and personal stories, Lee hopes to inspire and educate, and maybe even entertain.


Each of our guests are making an impact in their own way. Listen to their stories by clicking below:

98 – Peter Schelstraete: We have all the solutions


After 2 decades as an executive and Coca Cola Peter did a complete 180 after some serious life moments and is now the cofounder of Unbuntoo a solutions platform for sustainable technologies.

97 – Misha Teasdale: Moving the needle


Misha Teasdale needs little introduction. As the self proclaimed Tree-E-O of Greenpop South Africa, a tree planting land restoration organization, he aims to not only facilitate the healing of our planet but ourselves as well.

96 – Jakob Trollbäck: Creative Multiplication


Earlier this year at design Indaba I had the pleasure of talking to in my mind one of the most influential designers alive today, Swedish graphic designer Jakob Trollbäck.

95 – Peetachai (Neil) Dejkraisak: Creating new opportunities


Peetachai Dejkraisak or more simply known as Niel is the co-founder and CEO of Jasberry a sustainable social enterprise that seeks to solve some of the worlds most pressing issues.

94 – Maryke Musson: Remember to care


My guest for this week, Maryke Musson has worked in the marine science field for the past 25 years, and she is currently the CEO of the Two Oceans Aquarium Education Foundation.

93 – Nhlanhla Mahlangu: Chant of a nation


Nhlanhla Mahlangu known both locally and internationally for his richly choreographed theatrical productions shares his views on the state of our nation.

92 – Justin Needham: The business of waste


Justin Needham is pioneering the waste sector once again by bringing the reverse vending machine concept to our shores.

91 – George van der Schyff: Pristine heart


George van der Schyff heads up Pristine Earth Collective, an NGO based in Cape Town working in the environment and specifically plastics waste and pollution.

90 – Paul Cocksedge: Inspiring joy


Paul Cocksedge is adept at seeing everyday problems that cry out for design solutions – and he’s intent upon solving these problems in elegant and unexpected ways.

89 – Ian Dommisse: To Ecobrick or not


In 2013 Ian Dommisse founded The EcoBrick Exchange (EBE), a recycling non-profit, which aims to use upcycled plastic waste as a building material.

88 – Manu Prakash: Democritising science


Born in Meerut, India, Manu Prakash did his master’s and PhD in applied physics at MIT before founding the Prakash Lab at Stanford where he co-invented the Foldscope.

87 – Rowan le Roux: Business for good


Rowan le Roux has been involved in sustainable activities for over 15 years from ecological economic research, to environmental finance and is now Operations Director at the Branson Centre for Entrepreneurship in South Africa.

86 – Catalina Lotero: Natural by design


Together with a multidisciplinary team, Catalina Lotero is tackling the global energy crisis with a surprisingly simple, plant-based idea.

85 – Pavitray Pillay: Active Awareness


This weeks guest, Pavitray Pillay, is the manager of the WWF (SASSI) program or Southern African Sustainable Seafood Initiative.

84 – Debbie Millman: Design your life


“Named “one of the most creative people in business” by Fast Company, and “one of the most influential designers working today” by Graphic Design USA, Debbie Millman is also an author, educator, curator and host of the Design Matters podcast.

83 – Nicki Russell: Big heart, big impact


Last year as part of the Foodnext series I had the privilege of chatting to Nicki Russel, head of Innovation at Pick n Pay.

82 – Vukheta Mukhari: Nature sees no waste


Vukheta Mukhari is involved with a ground-breaking project that creates ‘bio-bricks’ from human urine. Enough said!

81 – Gift Lubele: What it means to be human


I was really impressed by Gift. For such a a young man with a very unique perspective, born from his humble beginnings, and a very sharp mind he has such a clear sense of purpose that I could not help but be inspired and uplifted by this conversation.

80 – Stephen Fern: A new world Ark


Stephen has created Ark2030 which has among others the ambitious goal of restoring 500 Million hectares of land to their pre-industrial state by 2030.

79 – Jon Duncan: Shared Value


Jon leads the Responsible Investment Programme at Old Mutual which is focused on driving the systematic integration of (ESG) issues across the Old Mutual group..

78 – COVID 19 Series: Episode 4 – Seraj Toefy


Seraj Toefy joins me on Seedpod again bringing with him a wealth of knowledge to talk about entrepreneurship and what is like for business owners during this difficult time of COVID-19.

77 – COVID 19 Series: Episode 3 – Fred Roed


Fred Roed runs the Heavy Chef events platform and entrepreneurship community, is a seasoned entrepreneur himself and is well respected across the board for good reason.

76 – COVID 19 Series: Episode 2 – Gavin Shaskolsky


In this conversation I tap into the deep wisdom and intentionality that Gavin brings to everything he does.

75 – COVID 19 Series: Episode 1 – Thomas Brennan


Thomas lives in China half his time, has worked in healthcare and now in finance so I believe has a unique perspective to bring and I hope some clarity and ideas for moving forward in this unprecedented time.

74 – Bas Timmer: Seeing the unseen


A few weeks ago I had the privilege of being at Design Indaba 2020 interviewing some of the leading creative minds from around the world. Meet Bas he was one of them.

73 – Zachariah George: Be human for a little bit


There are 2 sides to Zach, the startup, corporate, finance, hustle side and the free flowing, hippie, musician side. Lets meet the other side...

72 – Lee Rael: Who am I?


This week the tables are turned and I am interviewed by my friend Rayne Stoebel. Our conversation doesn't really go into what I do for a living and my work but rather asks the deeper question of who I am?

71 – Karoline Hanks: Carry your own


This weeks guest Karoline Hanks is a passionate anti-SUP campaigner, and has been spear-heading a campaign against the use of plastic water sachets in road running in South Africa for over five years.

70 – Sipamandla Manqele: Let us be gracious and kind


Sipamandla has been named one of South Africas’ top 200 Young People to watch in 2019 by Mail and Guardian. She is inspired by the African continent, its diverse cultures and its quest for social and economic unity and wants to play a role in the implementation of free and fair trade across Africa.

69 – Carmen Stevens: Anything is possible


This week's guest Carmen Stevens is the first post apartheid Black female wine maker and her story is an incredible one.

68 – Thomas Brennan: Lets be Franc


This week I sit down with Franc co founder Thomas Brennan who is a Rhodes scholarship recipient, ex Google employee, MIT researcher and ex Discovery Health technology and innovation team leader with a passion for the health sector and finance.

67 – Abe Cambridge: Monetized Sunshine


Abe Cambridge is a serial energy entrepreneur who establishes businesses and projects that use solar energy to effect socio-economic change.

66 – Nicola Jenkin: Where does your food come from?


Nicola Jerkin has 20 years of experience working in the sustainability field, advises the UN and SA government on foodwaste and brings a fresh perspective to the topic and approach to solving our issues.

64 – Tracey Davies: Social Capital


This weeks guest Tracey Davies runs Just Share which is a non-profit shareholder activism and responsible investment organisation that promotes the use of investor power for a fairer South Africa.

63 – Lorren de Kock: A world of plastic


Lorren heads up the Plastics team at WWF where she works with the various stakeholders in the industry to find solutions to the problems we face.

62 – Makoma Lekalakala: Will you stand up?


Makoma and Liz McDaid, were awarded the 2018 Goldman Environmental Prize for the African region, for their groundbreaking work on using the justice system to stop a Russian-South African nuclear deal in 2017.

61 – Mkhululi Silandela: How secure is our food?


Joining us for this week’s episode is Mkhululi Silandela,  Senior Manager for the Sustainable Agriculture & Smallholder-Support program at WWF-SA. 

60 – Camille Olianti: Letting go


“It takes time to know what we want to do in our life and how we want to live it; what we deeply believe is the right thing and finding that, I think, is very important.” - Camille Olianti

59 – Sarah Robyn Farrell: Collective future


Sarah Farrell, aka Sustainable Sarah, joins me this week to speak about her contribution to a more sustainable world.  She is really multitalented working as a writer, environmental communicator, climate justice activist and musician.

58 – Rayne Stroebel: Consciousness is never lost


Unlike most children, Rayne Stroebel grew up in an Aged Care Home where his mother was the Matron. One of the striking concepts for me that came from this conversation is that when elderly people are no longer able to communicate outwardly their consciousness is never affected.

57 – Emile Fourie: Making waste matter


Emile is the CEO & Co-Founder of Ywaste, a company that specialised in Food Waste Management by transforming wasted food into organic compost.

56 – Tracey Gilmore: Second Chances


Tracey Gilmore is passionate about uplifting women. She wants to give struggling single mothers a fresh start and the chance to create a better life.

55 – Christina Kaba: Change starts with you


Christina Tenjiwe Kaba is proof that anything is possible. Better known to locals as Mama Kaba, she cares for her community and goes out of her way to prevent anyone from going to bed hungry.

54 – Paddy Upton: The art of leadership


Beyond his accolades Paddy Upton has pioneered a way of thinking about leadership and coaching for many years that centres around honesty, vulnerability and collaboration.

53 – Eugene Oppelt: Cultivating healthy masculinity


Geno is passionate about helping people reach their full potential in life. We spoke about masculinity, role models and mentorship.

52 – Aron Halevi: Gift of Hope


Aron Halevi is a musician, songwriter, producer, and social innovator with a self proclaimed obsessive percussive disorder.

51 – Marlon Parker: Leading from Love


With a heart filled with love, Marlon wants to change lives and make hope contagious. I left this conversation inspired, in awe and filled with hope , what a pleasure to spend time with this amazing human being.

50 – Shani Kay: MBA in positivity


Shani Kay calls herself a Communications and Stakeholder Engagement Specialist who works with global clients to design, produce and amplify content and tools that are relevant, compelling and inspiring.

49 – Brad Shorkend & Andy Golding: Work shouldn’t suck


In this weeks episode for the first time I had 2 guests, Brad Shorkend and Andy Golding who have written a book together called “We Are Still Human!... and work shouldn’t suck!”.

48 – Rob Stokes: Saving the world


Rob stokes is the epitome of an entrepreneurial spirit, he just oozes it. He started off by founding Quirk, arguably South Africa’s most successful digital agency eventually selling to WPP in 2014.

47 – Sally-Anne Kasner: Question everything!


Sally-Anne heads up Circular Vision and is constantly trying to find new ways to change our current linear economy model to be more Circular. Her focus and passion lies in designing waste out of our system.

46 – Max Pichulik: Does pain breed success?


Todays guest Max Pichulik lives and breathes social impact, at scale. Since 2006 After leaving the corporate banking sector Max has been involved in driving access to capital for scalable, impact ventures on the African continent.

45 – Grace Stead: Commited to Change


Grace Stead is a stalwart in the sustainability space here in South Africa and is truly dedicated to her work.

44 – John Sanei: Future Foresight


John Sanei is fascinated by the cross-section of human psychology and future studies, he brings these subjects to audiences around the world through inspirational talks and has just written his third book.

43 – Marine Goldenberg: Digital for the Planet


Marine Goldberg is a French import to South Africa who is small in stature but definitely not in spirit. Living for extended periods as a woman alone in both India and Nigeria prove that she has courage and tenacity.

42 – Marcus Coetzee: Minimalist clarity


Marcus as a management consultant with over 20 years’ experience in providing strategic support to organisations that have a social impact.

41 – Bernard Lembeck: Chemical activism


What do you get when you mix a German paint chemist with an environmental activist?

40 – Joshua Cox: How will you contribute?


Joshua Cox is Passionate about justice and social change, and the power of technology to create positive change at scale.

39 – Dave Duarte: Digitising the revolution


Creating change is not easy, learn from a digital master Dave Duarte how to use community to bring about the change you want to see in the world.

38 – Alex Cousins: Have you suffered enough?


Alex is a true pioneer in her field and has the ability to guide people through massive transformations and healings in the most elegant and deeply authentic of ways.

37 – Haldane Martin: Rebellious love for chairs


Haldane is a multi award winning, internationally acclaimed furniture and interiors designer. You may know some of his classics like the Zulu mama Chair and the Shongololo Sofa.

36 – Leonie Joubert: Rewiring your brain


Leonie Joubert is a multi-award-winning South African author, who has contributed to more than 10 books, and uses different ways of storytelling to help people grapple with many of today's tough issues as we try to find ways to live together on a this planet.

35 – Aunnie Patton Power: The rules need to change


This week I have the pleasure if sitting down with Aunnie Patton Power to discuss her view on our current financial models, innovation coming out of South Africa and some of her experiences as a women in the Impact Investment arena.

34 – Brett Schlesinger: Right place right time


Follow the journey of Brett Schlesinger's life from the ranch in Oregon to with Osho to the co-founding of the Drum cafe where he uses his passion for drumming to inspire thousands.

33 – Kate Ball: The Power of Spirit


Kate Ball is a wellbeing entrepreneur who focuses on creating ways in which to help people improve themselves through yoga, meditation and healthy food. From new age breath work to ancient plant medicines, Kate has tried them all and approaches life with a diverse tool set for contentment and wellbeing.

32 -Deon Robbertze: Crisis can change our world.


A South African success story with a Cannes Lions and a few Loeries in his back pocket, Deon Robbertze spent years with agencies like Saatchi Africa and Ogilvy's Zoom Advertising … this all came to a head when he was called an 'alarmist' regarding his views on climate change. That was the sign - time to change tack. He is now a sustainabilty spokesman /entrepreneur /disruptor and loving it.

31 -Zachariah George: More collaboration – less condescension


For entrepreneours to succeed, it's not just about raising capital. It's about a route to market. Zachariah George gets corporates talking to the little guys, where all the talent lies. Tech levels the playing field.

30 – Andries Rautenbach: Circular ways of reconnecting


As South Africans we are more than capable to affect change - within financial, ecological and social world systems. Andries Rautenbach comes from a technical engineering background and his passion is to create hubs around sustainability issues to affect change on a 'real' scale.

29 – Justin Maxwell: A Passion and Party for Change


There is a yearning within all of us to create a society in which everyone has a voice. In this episode of Seedpod, we are joined by Justin Maxwell to unpack solutions to this question. We explore the importance of unifying our communities and question the structures that have become so entrenched in our society. The change starts with us. Are you brave enough to raise your voice?

28 – Verity Price: Crowdfunding Courage


Get out of your comfort zone with singer/songwriter/motivational speaker, Verity Price, on this week's episode of Seedpod.

27 – Nik Rabinowitz: Wandering, Wondering Jew


What does a Jewish kid with a business science degree do with his life? Nik Rabinowitz defied his destiny and instead of a suit, decided that red fake snakeskin pants were more his thing.

26 – Glen Tyler: 12 Years – the global countdown


You won’t fight for what you don’t know. This week’s guest, Glen Tyler, encourages us to get outside, to foster a love for nature, and to take a long, hard look at how you power your life, and start to deeply register how each decision you make - from how you power your home, your transport, to the food you eat - impacts the globe.

25 – Ryan Fortune: Apocalypse Now? Can’t it be later?


For Ryan Fortune, the phrase, “the end of life as we know it” is not a concern for future generations; it’s a reality he reckons we will be facing within our foreseeable future.

23 – Warren and Tom: Walk With Us


Two young pioneering Mzungu’s and best friends, Tom David and Warren Handley, after summiting Kilimanjaro, undertook to walk home to South Africa.

22 – Schalk van der Merwe: Courage wears a velvet dress


Schalk Van De Merwe chose happiness over job security, and leapt from the advertising industry into being a full-time artist. However, he doesn’t discredit the boardroom lessons he learnt along the way, knowing that the way we interact with art in modern times is constantly evolving, and that building a brand is crucial for success.

21 – Paul Hudson: Showing up


It’s hard work being an authentic creative. This week we chat to Paul Hudson about being authentic in leadership, embracing vulnerability (especially as a man), managing anxiety, and trusting the process.

20 – Glen Jordan: Understanding money to work with money


My latest guest is Glen Jordan, Director of IMB – a financial services firm set on empowering people to learn how to work with money.

19 – Frank Solomon: Making waves


Today’s guest is Frank Solomon, a water-man, professional big wave surfer, Emmy award-winning filmmaker and unwitting environmentalist.

18 – Fred Roed: Never trust a skinny chef


Today I am joined by Fred Roed, founder of World Wide creative and now Heavy Chef.

17 – Susan Hill: A Heart of Service


Susan Hill is the Director of Ikhaya le Themba, an NPO situated in Imizamo Yethu, Hout Bay, Cape Town.

16 – Warren Goodman: Live well, travel wide


Today I am joined by Warren Goodman, owner and founder of Wazoogles Superfood. Wazoogles is a 100% plant-based superfood protein blend.

15 – Michael Cowen: Change and disruption


Michael is a podcast host and keynote speaker. He co-hosts the Think WTF podcast with Brett St. Clair. Together they try to make sense of the rapidly changing digital world.

14 – Donna McCallum: Spreading your financial wings


As South Africa’s Fairy Godmother, Donna McCallum educates people on how to relate to, manage, and build wealth around the world.
She helps people break down barriers and build futures filled with hope and abundance.

13 – Nic Heinamann: Let’s talk regeneration


In the week that the SA Government decriminalized Marijuana for use in one's home, we sit down with hemp enthusiast and activist Nic Heinemann to shed some more light on this topic.

12 – Gina Flash: Living your purpose courageously


MENSCH Founder Gina Flash joins us this week to share her remarkable story. Gina is a change maker in the truest sense and works to help others and empower those less fortunate for the betterment of society as a whole.

11 – Alex Hetherington: There’s no Planet B


Leading environmental consultant Alex Hetherington joins us to chat about climate change, the future we face as a nation, as well the crucial role that the younger generation will have to play in helping enact sustainable change.

10 – Mandy Myerson: Bring the change by being it


The brilliant Mandy Myerson, founder of Human Waking joins us on Seedpod to chat all things nutrition, spirituality, philosophy, and so much more. We chat about the state of consumerism in the country and why in order to bring the change, you need to be it.

09 – Marc Rogatschnig: What makes a leader?


Renowned Executive Coach Marc Rogatschnig is in the Seedpod hot seat. Marc tells us what it means to be a good leader, why we need wisdom over information, and why surfing just may be the best form of therapy available.

08 – Tatum Prins: The adventure of a lifetime


In this episode, we are joined by Tatum Prins, a world-renowned endurance and adventure racing athlete. Tatum was one of, if not the top female athletes in her field, competing in some of the toughest events we have ever heard of.

07 – Justin Maxwell: The authenticity of expression


Episode 7 of Seedpod features an illuminating conversation with Justin Maxwell. Justin is a practicing Sangoma, a life coach, a thinker, activist, and one of the most interesting people we've had the pleasure of sitting down with.

06 – Alex Peel: A closer look at consumption


Alex Peel is the owner of the Organic Route store in Hout Bay. Alex is dedicated to promoting the well-being of those on the lower rungs of the food production ladder.

05 – Justin Bonello: Orchestrating an eco-symphony


Justin Bonello is well-known to television audiences around the globe having produced and starred in shows such as the Cooked series and the Ultimate Braai Master.

04 – Janna Kretzmar: Impact, Courage, and Community


Janna Kretzmar is the founder and director of the The Earth Child Project NGO which works with underprivileged kids teaching them yoga, meditation, gardening and life skills.

03 – Caro Copeland: A career of conscious positivity


Tocara Skin & Body Science founder Caro Copeland inspires us with her positive mindset and passion for her products and their benefits. We unpack her history, her struggles, and her vision for entrepreneurship in South Africa.

02 – Seraj Toefy: It’s time to start investing in ideas


Seraj Toefy, MD of Bespoke Media, explains his history and successful migration from print to digital media, as well as offers some insights into the role that entrepreneurship can play in shaping South Africa's future.

01 – Gavin Shaskolsky: How discomfort breeds success


World-renowned Personal leadership development coach Gavin Shaskolsky joins us for the very first episode of Seedpod! In this candid conversation, we uncover what drives him, what frightens him, and what inspires him.