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