The ALIVE Method: Laura Jane Thomas

The ALIVE Method: Laura Jane Thomas

Welcome to Episode 46 of The Incredible Machines Podcast! In this thought-provoking conversation, Jon Oliff and Luke Holden sit down with Laura Jane Thomas, an award-winning CMO, brand strategist, and founder of The Aligned Woman Co. We discuss her incredible journey from her early days at Vega, to launching her agency Salt and Candy with Coca-Cola as her first client, to navigating burnout, loss, and personal reinvention.  She shares raw insights on the pressures women face to "tick the boxes," the dangers of masking burnout with medication, and the transformative power of finally asking for help. The conversation covers everything from psychedelic healing and nervous system regulation, to the inspiration behind her flagship course built on the ALIVE methodology - a framework designed to give women the education they were never taught.  Laura's reflections highlight the importance of authenticity, resilience, and the courage to rebuild your life with purpose, even when it means starting over entirely.  This episode is packed with honest conversations, hard-won wisdom, and a deep passion for women's empowerment and education. Whether you're navigating burnout, building a business, or simply trying to figure out where to start "doing the work," there is something profoundly valuable here for you.      ⏱ Timestamped Overview  00:39 – Introduction to Laura Jane Thomas and The Aligned Women Co.  01:35 – The ALIVE Method Explained  06:16 – The Inspiration Behind the Course  08:35 – Advice to Her Younger Self  11:47 – Early Life and Education  16:48 – Studying at Vega  24:57 – Personal Tragedies and Loss  31:50 – Founding Salt and Candy  34:37 – The Meaning Behind "Salt and Candy"  39:48 – Understanding Burnout  45:46 – The Dangers of Misdiagnosis and SSRIs  55:59 – Psychedelics and Mental Health  01:03:38 – Finding Purpose Through Hardship  01:11:13 – The Entrepreneurial Mindset  01:24:53 – The Aligned Women Co. Mission        💬 Quote of the Episode  " If I could just help one woman not have to go through what I went through, my job here is done.” – Laura Jane Thomas        🧠 Related Campaign Example   Allan Grey 2008 “Beautiful” Campaign: Laura chose this ad for its ability to capture the human element and emotion in something so tangible, reflecting her belief in seeing potential where others can't, mirroring her philosophy with Salt and Candy. The ad's closing line, "Always look for potential, and then have the patience to wait for it," resonated deeply with her approach to creativity and entrepreneurship.  Allan Grey 2008 “Beautiful” Campaign: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F0b7AJvkkFo [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F0b7AJvkkFo]     👣 Relevant Links & Mentions    Laura Jane Thomas’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/laura-jane-thomas-consulting/ [https://www.linkedin.com/company/laura-jane-thomas-consulting/]    Laura Jane Thomas’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/alignedlau/ [https://www.instagram.com/alignedlau/]    Laura Jane Thomas’s Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/laurajaneadvisory/ [https://www.facebook.com/laurajaneadvisory/]   Laura Jane Thomas’s Website: https://laurajanethomas.biz/ [https://laurajanethomas.biz/]        🌐 Connect with Tim Africa  🔗 Website: https://www.tim.africa [https://www.tim.africa]   📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tim.africa [https://www.instagram.com/tim.africa]   📘 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/timdotafrica [https://www.facebook.com/timdotafrica]   🎬 TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@tim.africa_ [https://www.tiktok.com/@tim.africa_]      Podcast Page: https://www.pod.tim.africa [https://www.pod.tim.africa]

The Surfer’s Code with Shaun Tomson

Welcome to Episode 45 of The Incredible Machines Podcast! In this thought-provoking conversation, Jon Oliff and Luke Holden sit down with Shaun Tomson, a legendary South African surfing world champion, entrepreneur, author, and leadership speaker. From his remarkable upbringing in Durban, shaped by two extraordinary parents who each survived the Second World War, to becoming one of the most celebrated surfers of his generation, Shaun's story is one of courage, resilience, and profound purpose.  He shares the origins of the iconic Instinct brand, his time at Patagonia under Yvon Chouinard, and the deeply personal journey that led him to develop the Surfer's Code; a powerful 12-line framework for living with intention, hope, and integrity. Shaun speaks about his loss, redemption, and the transformative moment at a wave called Sunrise that helped him find his way back.  Now a globally sought-after leadership speaker and educator, Shaun has taken the values of surfing into boardrooms, schools, universities, seal teams, and rehab clinics. He’s helping hundreds of thousands of people shift from stress, anxiety, and disconnection toward hope and purpose.   This episode is packed with wisdom, humour, heart, and hard-won life lessons. Whether you're a surfer, a leader, an entrepreneur, or simply someone looking for a better way to navigate the waves of life; this one is for you.      ⏱ Timestamped Overview  00:57 – Introduction to Shaun Tomson  06:48 – Parenting and Early Career Lessons  16:27 – The Power of Storytelling and The Surfer's Code  19:21 – Changing Mindsets from Sad to Hopeful  27:43 – South African Identity and Leadership  35:21 – Purpose is the New Profit  41:42 – I Will Paddle Around the Impact Zone  49:41 – I Will Take the Drop with Commitment  53:41 – I Will Never Fight a Riptide  59:24 – I Will Always Paddle Back Out  01:17:36 – I Will Watch Out for Other Surfers  01:20:27 – There Will Always Be Another Wave  01:30:00 – Emotional Contagion and Social Responsibility  01:38:47 – The Origin of The Surfer's Code  01:41:27 – Reclaiming the Instinct Brand  01:45:59 – The "Waiting for Waves" Ad        💬 Quote of the Episode  "Human stories, human experience, and human interaction are what's going to save humanity.” – Shaun Tomson        🧠 Related Campaign Example   Instinct's "Waiting for Waves is Okay" Print Advert by the Rod Dyer Group: Shaun loves how it tells the story of surfing's meditative waiting as purposeful, contrasting it with people who "spend their lives waiting for nothing," and notes that copies have remained on surf shop walls for 30-50 years. It was also close to him as it was for his first and iconic surf apparel brand founded in 1979.          👣 Relevant Links & Mentions    Shaun Tomson’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/shaun-tomson-42a57213/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/shaun-tomson-42a57213/]  Shaun Tomson’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/shauntomson/ [https://www.instagram.com/shauntomson/]    Shaun Tomson’s Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/shauntomsonathlete/ [https://www.facebook.com/shauntomsonathlete/]    Shaun Thmson’s Twitter: https://x.com/shauntomson [https://x.com/shauntomson]    Shaun Tomson’s Website: https://shauntomson.com/ [https://shauntomson.com/]       The Surfer and the Sage Website: https://surferandthesage.com/  [https://surferandthesage.com/]  The Surfer and the Sage Book: https://www.amazon.com/Surfer-Sage-Guide-Survive-Lifes/dp/1641706554 [https://www.amazon.com/Surfer-Sage-Guide-Survive-Lifes/dp/1641706554]    The Code Book: https://www.amazon.com/Code-Power-I-Will/dp/1423634292 [https://www.amazon.com/Code-Power-I-Will/dp/1423634292]   Surfer’s Code Book: https://www.amazon.com/Surfers-Code-Simple-Lessons-Through/dp/1423622278 [https://www.amazon.com/Surfers-Code-Simple-Lessons-Through/dp/1423622278]     Shaun Tomson Press Release from Santa Barbara Independant: https://www.independent.com/2025/06/04/shaun-tomson-and-the-evolution-of-instinct/ [https://www.independent.com/2025/06/04/shaun-tomson-and-the-evolution-of-instinct/]      Shaun Tomson Today TV Interview: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9lBeQec7-Aw [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9lBeQec7-Aw]    Shaun Tomson CGTN Africa TV Interview: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L-OUNCfi7UI [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L-OUNCfi7UI]       🌐 Connect with Tim Africa  🔗 Website: https://www.tim.africa [https://www.tim.africa]   📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tim.africa [https://www.instagram.com/tim.africa]   📘 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/timdotafrica [https://www.facebook.com/timdotafrica]   🎬 TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@tim.africa_ [https://www.tiktok.com/@tim.africa_]      Podcast Page: https://www.pod.tim.africa [https://www.pod.tim.africa]

Helping People, People Better: Colleen Wilson

Welcome to Episode 44 of The Incredible Machines Podcast! In this thought-provoking conversation, Jon Oliff and Luke Holden sit down with Colleen Wilson, a Durban-based transformational consultant, coach, speaker, trainer and mentor whose work brings together the Enneagram, nervous system literacy, parenting support, personal development and team dynamics.   From growing up in Durban and reflecting on a privileged, steady childhood, to experiencing early loss, complex relationships, chronic illness, motherhood, entrepreneurship and personal reinvention, Colleen shares the life experiences that shaped her path into human development. Colleen describes herself as an Enneagram 5, and her work is rooted in helping people understand themselves more clearly, navigate life more consciously and show up with greater honesty, steadiness and humanity.   They explore the extraordinary within ordinary life, the cost and gift of struggle, what it means to be “okay in the not okay”, and why self-awareness is not a luxury but a practical tool for better relationships, better leadership and better living.  This episode moves through themes of grief, parenting, the Enneagram, nervous system regulation, and the ongoing work of becoming more at home in yourself. Whether you’re a parent, leader, entrepreneur, or simply someone trying to navigate life with more grace, this conversation offers a powerful invitation: know yourself, grow yourself and show yourself.  ⏱ Timestamped Overview 02:43 – Introduction to Kevin and a Remarkably Ordinary Life 05:06 – A Life of Two Halves  09:13 – First Encounter with Hardship 12:35 – Pivoting from Commerce to Human Behavior  16:36 – The Journey into Parenting 20:19 – The Science of Human Relationships 23:05 – Family Background and Early Lessons  28:09 – Early Career and Entrepreneurial Ventures  33:22 – Meeting Her Husband and a 20-Year Health Journey  38:50 – Daily Practices for Well-being  49:26 – Passion for the Enneagram 54:46 – Being Open About Your Enneagram Type 01:00:37 – Coming Home to Yourself  01:04:25 – PlayStation Ad Discussion  01:09:53 – The Importance of Authenticity 01:12:18 – Finding Your True Self 01:18:42 – The Meaning of "Human Navigator" 01:35:55 – Giving Up Alcohol 01:38:54 – Working with Individuals vs. Groups  01:39:35 – Colleen's Outlines Her Three Brands 💬 Quote of the Episode  " I really wanted to like myself. I really wanted to get to that point where I liked who I was, as a wife, as a leader, as a mum, as a daughter, as a friend.” – Colleen Wilson    🧠 Related Campaign Example PlayStation Double Life Advert: This is not the kind of advert Colleen Wilson would typically choose, but that’s exactly why it stands out. What resonated with her is how it challenges the way we define ourselves. We’re often quick to label who we are, but through her work with the Enneagram, she encourages a shift from saying I am to I can be. Identity isn’t fixed, it’s fluid, shaped by context, environment, and experience.  Colleen values how the advert reflects the full range of who we are, including the parts we tend to avoid. By embracing both the visible and shadow sides of our personality, we move closer to wholeness rather than limiting ourselves to a single identity. At its core, it speaks to her belief in knowing yourself fully, not just the parts that are easy to accept.  PlayStation Double Life Advert: https://youtu.be/QIW4HMl81hw [https://youtu.be/QIW4HMl81hw]     👣 Relevant Links & Mentions    Colleen Wilson’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/colleen-wilson-982a6a6/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/colleen-wilson-982a6a6/]   Colleen Wilson’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/colleen_wilson_contemplative/ [https://www.instagram.com/colleen_wilson_contemplative/]    Colleen Wilson’s Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/colleenwilsoncoach/ [https://www.facebook.com/colleenwilsoncoach/]    Colleen Wilson’s YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@colleenwilsoncoaching101 [https://www.youtube.com/@colleenwilsoncoaching101]   Colleen Wilson’s Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1q7FEuwxRu8e2AOVnex5z1 [https://open.spotify.com/show/1q7FEuwxRu8e2AOVnex5z1]  Colleen Wilson’s Website: https://colleenwilson.co/ [https://colleenwilson.co/]   Colleen Wilson’s Speaker Profile: https://redjacketspeakers.co.za/colleen-wilson [https://redjacketspeakers.co.za/colleen-wilson]   The Enneagram: Colleen describes the Enneagram as a powerful framework for understanding personality, unconscious patterns and the pathway towards healthier self-expression. Her own site describes it as a tool that offers insight into why we behave as we do and how we can move towards the highest expression of ourselves. View our package for teams: https://colleenwilson.co/at-work/leadership-team-enneagram-discovery-journey/ [https://colleenwilson.co/at-work/leadership-team-enneagram-discovery-journey/]   Odyssey Magazine: Colleen mentions writing for Odyssey Magazine and sharing work around coming home to yourself. Odyssey has also featured Colleen in conversation around the Enneagram, healing and navigating life’s threshold moments.    🌐 Connect with Tim Africa  🔗 Website: https://www.tim.africa [https://www.tim.africa]   📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tim.africa [https://www.instagram.com/tim.africa]  📘 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/timdotafrica [https://www.facebook.com/timdotafrica]  🎬 TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@tim.africa_ [https://www.tiktok.com/@tim.africa-]     Podcast Page: https://www.pod.tim.africa [https://www.pod.tim.africa]

Paying It Forward: Simon Nicolson

Welcome to Episode 43 of The Incredible Machines Podcast! In this thought-provoking conversation, Jon Oliff and Luke Holden sit down with Simon Nicolson, an Executive for Institutional Advancement at Emeris, and the driving force behind one of SA's most significant private higher education rebrands.   From his formative years growing up in Pinetown and Pietermaritzburg, to navigating the challenges of national service, university life, and a career that took him from newspaper advertising to retail and ultimately into private higher education, Simon shares a fascinating and honest account of the journey that shaped him.  He reflects on the landmark rebranding of Varsity College to Emeris, the evolving landscape of private higher education in South Africa, the transformative power of sport as a brand-building tool, and his deep belief in campaigns that don't just communicate but genuinely change the world. Along the way, we explore themes of lateral thinking, conscious capitalism, kindness as a leadership philosophy, and the exponential potential of paying it forward.  This episode is packed with hard-won insights, candid self-reflection, and a genuine passion for education, people, and the future of South Africa. Whether you're a marketer, an educator, a leader, or simply someone who loves a good story, there is something here for everyone.        ⏱ Timestamped Overview  00:07 – Introduction to Kevin, Early Life and Family Background  02:13 – Reflecting on Life’s Highs and Lows   03:55 – High School Challenges and Teenage Years  06:02 – University and Army Years    07:34 – Day Boy vs. Boarder School Experience    09:01 – Army Service and Its Impact  14:56 – Discipline and Personal Development     18:44 – Early Work Experience and Bartending    21:09 – Meeting His Wife and Early Relationships   24:39 – Family Game Drives and Conservation Influence   27:07 – Academic Background and MBA  28:11 – Value of Communication Skills in Business   32:10 – Career in Marketing and Transition to Education  38:22 – Private vs. Public Higher Education in South Africa    41:14 – Future of Private Universities and Student Experience    51:37 – Personalization, Chatbots, and Communication Etiquette    57:58 – Africa’s Future and STEM Growth  01:03:48 – Transformative Campaigns: ‘Like a Girl’ and ‘Pay It Forward’    01:14:25 – Kindness, Leadership, and Nurturing Culture  01:29:10 – Philanthropy and Access to Education  01:36:19 – Corporate Culture and Conscious Capitalism    01:39:55 – Favourite Quotes and Lateral Thinking  01:43:11 – Influential Books and Deeper Thinking  01:56:23 – Emeris University Rebrand: Process and Teamwork        💬 Quote of the Episode  "AI is going to be bigger than the invention of the World Wide Web; it will enter every aspect of life, and it’s crazy to think you can avoid or suppress it; you have to incorporate it” – Simon Nicolson        🧠 Related Campaign Example   MTN Qhubeka TV Advert: Simon chose this advert because it demonstrates the power of marketing to challenge stereotypes and inspire positive change. The initiatives inspired participants to “pay it forward”.  MTN Qhubeka TV Advert: https://youtu.be/mmYVbW5yisc [https://youtu.be/mmYVbW5yisc]         👣 Relevant Links    LinkedIn: https://za.linkedin.com/in/simon-nicolson-99600116 [https://za.linkedin.com/in/simon-nicolson-99600116]   Emeris LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/emeris/ [https://www.linkedin.com/company/emeris/]   Emeris Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/emeris_za/ [https://www.instagram.com/emeris_za/]   Emeris Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/emerisZA [https://www.facebook.com/emerisZA]   Emeris TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@emeris_za [https://www.tiktok.com/@emeris_za]   Emeris YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@Emeris_ZA [https://www.youtube.com/@Emeris_ZA]   Emeris Twitter: https://x.com/Emeris_ZA [https://x.com/Emeris_ZA]   Emeris Website: https://www.emeris.ac.za/ [https://www.emeris.ac.za/]       🌐 Connect with Tim Africa  🔗 Website: https://www.tim.africa [https://www.tim.africa/]  📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tim.africa [https://www.instagram.com/tim.africa]  📘 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/timdotafrica [https://www.facebook.com/timdotafrica]  🎬 TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@tim.africa_  [https://www.tiktok.com/@tim.africa_]  Podcast Page: https://www.pod.tim.africa [https://www.pod.tim.africa/]

The Opportunity of Creative Perspective: Kevin Parry

Welcome to Episode 42 of The Incredible Machines Podcast! In this thought-provoking conversation, Jon Oliff and Luke Holden sit down with Kevin Parry, a Durban-based creative director, designer, and endurance athlete. He shares his journey from discovering his creative passion at a young age, navigating the ups and downs of the local design industry, to ultimately leading award-winning campaigns.  He unpacks his personal challenges that shaped his career and outlook; including experiences with failure, family struggles, sobriety, and the importance of vulnerability and mental health, especially for men. The discussion also delves into Kevin’s love for adventure and trail running, his unique approach to design thinking, and the powerful role of community.  Whether you’re a fellow creative, an endurance enthusiast, or just someone seeking resilience and authenticity, this episode offers genuine inspiration, practical wisdom, and a reminder that we all have stories worth sharing.        ⏱ Timestamped Overview  00:41 – Introduction to Kevin, and Humour Preferences   02:56 – Movie Quotes and SNL Character Breaking     08:18 – First Movie Memories and Disney Influence  09:25 – School Memories and Childhood Ads  12:24 – Early Life: Moving from Joburg to Durban  17:00 – Love for South Africa and Japan Travel    18:41 – Japan’s Culture and Design Aesthetic    19:31 – European Destinations and Family Abroad  22:59 – Karate World Champs and Japanese Culture   26:42 – Karate in the Family and Sports for Kids    31:04 – Early Career, Family Struggles and Dropping Out    37:52 – Agency Transitions and Diverse Experience    43:03 – Meaning Behind “In the Beginning” Agency  48:14 – Self-Doubt, Recognition, and Humility  55:22 – Different Sibling Experiences and Therapy  01:00:06 – Pain, Avoidance, and Growth  01:03:08 – Ad Campaign: Robertson’s Spice Reinvention Kitchen   01:10:19 – Content Creation and Digital Assets  01:14:33 – Hardy Boys Agency and Digital Integration  01:20:42 – Vulnerability, Therapy, and Community  01:27:00 – Holistic Health and Mental Resilience  01:30:43 – Reflections on Suffering and Sharing Stories        💬 Quote of the Episode  "The truest form of strength is vulnerability.” – Kevin Parry        🧠 Related Campaign Example   Robertson's Spice Reinvention Kitchen Campaign: — Kevin chose this campaign because it showcased collaboration, creativity, and the integration of identity design, interior architecture, and storytelling, as the restaurant physically transformed daily to highlight different spices. The project was deeply rewarding for its multi-disciplinary approach and required months of planning, with each day’s unique theme reflected in both décor and menus.  Robertson’s Spice Reinvention Kitchen Campaign: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wMxYqVQU7WU  👣 Relevant Links    LinkedIn: https://za.linkedin.com/in/kevparry [https://za.linkedin.com/in/kevparry]  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kev_parry/ [https://www.instagram.com/kev_parry/]  Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/kevin.parry.735 [https://www.facebook.com/kevin.parry.735]  In The Beginning Website: https://cargocollective.com/inthebeginning [https://cargocollective.com/inthebeginning]  In The Beginning Flickr: https://www.flickr.com/photos/in_the_beginning [https://www.flickr.com/photos/in_the_beginning]    Beyond The Finish Line Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/beyondthefinishline24 [https://www.instagram.com/beyondthefinishline24]    Instagram Quote: https://www.instagram.com/reel/CkBeQIIJ22U/ [https://www.instagram.com/reel/CkBeQIIJ22U/]      🌐 Connect with Tim Africa  🔗 Website: https://www.tim.africa [https://www.tim.africa]  📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tim.africa [https://www.instagram.com/tim.africa]  📘 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/timdotafrica [https://www.facebook.com/timdotafrica]  🎬 TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@tim.africa_ [https://www.tiktok.com/@tim.africa_]   🎧 Podcast Page: https://www.pod.tim.africa [https://www.pod.tim.africa]