The Real Network

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Channel • 18 Shows

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Updated 14/03/2024
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Updated 04/07/2023

28/04/2021

Robert Sobukwe

Robert Sobukwe was one of the great thinkers and leaders of the struggle for democracy and freedom in South Africa. A humble man of academic bent, he ended up founding the Pan-Africanist Congress and was sentenced to solitary confinement on Robben Island. His story is both sad and inspiring, but without him, we would be living in a very different world. Taylor Blinds & Shutters

28/04/2021

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21 min
22 AUG

Ozempic Butt, Self-Driving Cars & South Africanisms in Oxford

22.08.25 Pt 2 Gareth Cliff and Ben Karpinski dive into a wild story about a woman who celebrated beating cancer by hooking up with 200 men — sparking a broader discussion about the secrets and strange origins of Scientology, from alien myths to modern controversies. Mash joins in with a look at the latest lifestyle buzz around “Ozempic butt,” as well as the dangers of self-driving cars that can unexpectedly grind to a halt in the middle of the road. To end things off on a high note, the team celebrates this week’s Beautiful Moment: proudly South African words like “gatvol” officially making their way into the Oxford Dictionary. The Real Network

22 Aug

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1h 11m
18 JUL

Prisons, Planes & Robben Island Reboot

18.06.25 Pt 2 - Gareth Cliff, Ben Karpinski, and Simphiwe Mthethwa take a ride through the absurd and the intriguing — from a futuristic mode of transport so good Gareth might just remortgage his house, to South Africa’s prison system and creative (and bizarre) ways to keep inmates occupied… like sauna hats. Plus, the team reimagines what a modern-day Robben Island could look like. The Real Network

18 Jul

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52 min
18 JUL

Bin Juice and Bad News

18.06.25 Pt 1 - Gareth Cliff, Ben Karpinski, and Simphiwe Mthethwa kick off your Friday with a wild ride through the headlines. From rising whispers of a potential coup in South Africa to the hilariously tragic ways Brits are coping with the heat (yes, including a man sitting in his dustbin), nothing is off-limits. Plus, the unbelievable story of a woman who seduced multiple monks — all in the name of money The Real Network

18 Jul

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1h 1m
2 JUL

Swingers, Scandals & Space Cadets

02.07.25 Pt 1 - Gareth Cliff and Mash kick off the show with a bang — unpacking how Diddy’s legal team has riled up the swingers community by blaming their lifestyle for his alleged crimes. Then things get wilder: Candace Owens claims Donald Trump called her about Brigitte Macron… and her manhood? Plus, did Katy Perry really go to space, or is she just orbiting reality? The Real Network

2 Jul

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1h 6m
11 AUG

The Monday Morning Farewell, Gayton McKenzie's Racial Slur, Radio Nolstagia

The team signs off their final Monday show before moving to Fridays with a sharp, unfiltered dive into hot-button topics — starting with the furore over politician Gayton McKenzie’s use of a racial slur. They challenge the social media outrage cycle, calling for resilience, context, and less performative anger. There’s a nostalgic but pragmatic look at how radio has evolved, why clinging to the past risks irrelevance, and how audiences have shifted. Joined by renowned psychologist and head of the Anxiety and Trauma Clinic in Johannesburg, DR Hanan Bushkin as the they speak on more increased number of Gen Z turning to AI chatbots for mental health solution and support. The Real Network

11 Aug

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1h 2m
11 AUG

DR Ken Resnik Schools Us On Calmness And Modern Parenting

Parenting expert Dr. Ken Resnik joins to flip the script on modern parenting trends, pushing for calm authority, boundaries, and fostering independence over overprotection. The decline in basic social skills and etiquette, accelerated by generational shifts and tech dependence, is eroding how we connect — at home, at work, and in society at large. Parenting today faces a maze of conflicting advice, overdiagnosis, and societal pressures. Dr. Resnik offers clarity with practical, calm, and structured guidance. The crossroads of technology, mental health, and social behavior demands balance — ensuring innovation supports, not replaces, the emotional depth of human relationships. From the erosion of manners to the modern parenting maze, from AI’s promise to its pitfalls, the episode is a call for common sense, resilience, and genuine connection in a distracted world. The Real Network

11 Aug

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58 min
4 AUG

Trust Your Gut

04.08.25 Pt 2 - Gareth Cliff and Leigh-Ann Mol dive into the ripple effects of Trump’s tariffs on South Africans — including a shocking case of a company losing its entire staff overnight. Gareth reflects on the “gut state of being” and how to stay grounded in an increasingly chaotic world. Plus, the team unpacks the staggering amounts of money being thrown at Joburg’s leadership… with little to show for it. The Real Network

4 Aug

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45 min
15 AUG

Trump’s Armored Golf Cart, Soweto Taxi vs E-Hailing, A Wild Friday Send-off to remember

15.08.2025 pt 1 On our final Friday show before a major format change, Gareth and Ben delivered a whirlwind of sports, politics, and jaw-dropping oddities. They kicked off with news that Fridays will soon be longer and packed with live guests, before diving into Ben’s golf plans and a comical look at Donald Trump’s armored “Batmobile” golf cart. The sporting lineup was huge — from the Rugby Championship and MTN8 semi-finals to Premier League kick-off and UFC 319’s explosive showdown between Drius and Kamzat. The conversation took stranger turns with an outrageous 1970s tale dubbed tape,” mixing disbelief with dark humour, and a sharp discussion about violent taxi versus e-hailing clashes in Soweto. The hosts also unpacked global politics — from New Zealand’s criticism of Israel to the UK’s royal gossip — while never straying too far from the banter and audience interaction that keep their community hooked. It was a send-off show that had everything: high-stakes sport, political fire, absurd human behaviour, and street-level South African realities — a perfect snapshot of why the live format keeps our audience coming back. The Real Network

15 Aug

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59 min
15 AUG

Cultural Identity, Forehead Surgery, Putin’s Bulletproof Poo Case

15.08.2025 pt 2 In this episode, Gareth and Ben dive into the complex debate around multiculturalism, arguing that while Europe’s model has eroded cultural identity, South Africa’s unique mix of traditions thrives without forced assimilation. They slam the homogenisation of culture into bland commercialism and champion cultural pride. The conversation shifts to Sydney Sweeney’s American Eagle ad controversy, poking fun at the small but loud group of critics and exploring modern attitudes toward beauty and body image. From there, we share the story of Chloe Walker, who underwent forehead reduction surgery to boost her confidence, sparking a discussion on cosmetic surgery, self-improvement, and moving beyond childhood insecurities. In a bizarre turn, they dissect reports of Vladimir Putin traveling with a bulletproof suitcase containing his own bodily waste to avoid espionage, noting the paranoia and ego such measures reveal. The show wraps with a listener poll on the new three-hour format, with most respondents disliking it — though the gents vow to push ahead regardless. The Real Network

15 Aug

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58 min

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