The Curious Exchange

Yolande Botha

Curious about living a happier, healthier, more conscious life? Then this is for you. But unlike other podcasts, this one is a recording of a LIVE event where audience members join the conversation. And hey, if you're in the neighbourhood, come join: it that takes place every month on the 2nd Wed, in the heart of Cape Town, South Africa.And your host? Yolande Botha - Creative director, truth seeker, people connector, dancer, food lover and joy spreader. 

Épisodes

  1. Conscious relationship advice for couples and singles

    15 JANV.

    Conscious relationship advice for couples and singles

    What if you could design the relationships you truly want instead of repeating old patterns? In this episode, relationship coach Shelley Lewin, AKA The Relationship Architect, shares practical tools for building fulfilling relationships — whether you’re single, dating, or in a long-term partnership. Shelley explores how to gain clarity in love, break unhelpful relationship patterns, strengthen communication, and navigate key relationship crossroads with confidence. ***PLEASE SUBSCRIBE and share our channel with friends and fam who could benefit, all around the world, so we can keep bringing you incredible people and their wisdom.*** ___________________________________ EMPOWER YOURSELF MORE: 🔥 Website: https://tracoaching.com/ IG: @relationshiparchitect Chat to her about coaching you, solo or with a partner. Or order her book Uncomplicated Love. ___________________________________ CONTENT IN THIS EPISODE: 00:00 – Why “merging” in love can be unhealthy (codependence vs connection) 00:01 – Meet Shelley Lewin: relationship coach for singles and couples 00:02 – Coach vs therapist: why solutions live in the present and future 00:04 – Somatic work and embodied healing (not just talk therapy) 00:07 – Uncomplicated love: remove the barriers to love 00:08 – The relationship blueprint: “you + me = us” (the “us space”) 00:10 – Are you contributing or contaminating the relationship? 00:12 – The 3 pillars of lasting love: compatibility, intimacy, partnership 00:12 – Compatibility: does this person bring out the best or worst in you? 00:15 – Deal breakers: why knowing yourself is the key to healthy relationships 00:19 – How to identify your requirements vs needs vs nice-to-haves 00:20 – Intimacy: vulnerability, healing childhood wounds, and emotional safety 00:21 – Attachment styles explained: anxious vs avoidant 00:27 – Why we choose incompatible relationships: attachment vs authenticity 00:31 – After kids: losing the “us” and how relationships survive a “drought” 00:34 – Interdependence vs codependence 00:37 – Relationships must evolve: recalibrate, reinvent, renew the partnership 00:43 – When separation is loving: conscious uncoupling 00:44 – When both need healing: giving each other space 00:49 – Dating deliberately: become relationship-ready ___________________________________ The Curious Exchange: Instagram: @thecuriousexchange Website: https://www.thecuriousexchange.com/ 🎙 Watch this + other episodes on YouTube. 📍Come to a live event, if you're in Cape Town South Africa. There's one every month, on the 2nd Wed of every month.  Keep learning. Stay curious! *Disclaimer: The ideas shared on this podcast are here to inform, inspire and spark reflection — but they’re not a substitute for personalised guidance from a qualified professional. Whether it’s support from a coach, therapist or medical practitioner, please seek the right help when you need it. Trust your own inner compass and the wisdom of those you trust.

    55 min
  2. Why Chasing Success Won't Heal Men's Pain

    15 JANV.

    Why Chasing Success Won't Heal Men's Pain

    If you're feeling unfulfilled, anxious, lost, disconnected from the joy of life or any combination of these, this is for you. Volker Schlettwein is an incredible leadership coach and facilitator of men’s healing journeys, specialising in breathwork, embodiment and emotional integration. His work helps men move beyond emotional suppression, reconnect with their hearts, and heal the wounds beneath external striving — offering a grounded path to strength through vulnerability. ***PLEASE SUBSCRIBE and share our channel with friends and fam who could benefit, all around the world, so we can keep bringing you incredible people and their wisdom.*** ___________________________________ EMPOWER YOURSELF MORE: 🔥 Website: https://volkerschlettwein.com/ IG: @volkerschlettwein  See what offerings he has that can support you.  ___________________________________ CONTENT IN THIS EPISODE: 00:00 – A message to men struggling with pain and disconnection 00:06 – Stop running: healing the wounded masculine from the inside 01:18 – Volker’s work: men’s healing, breathwork and safe spaces 04:05 – Guided breathwork to calm the nervous system and open the heart 08:03 – Volker’s mission: connection, authenticity and heart-led living 09:22 – His story: trauma, emotional shutdown and losing vulnerability 10:34 – From head to heart: the real men’s healing journey 14:40 – The original wound: self-worth, conditioning and childhood trauma 15:39 – Why we become achievers, people-pleasers and peacekeepers 18:46 – “It wasn’t that bad” is still trauma: how the body remembers 20:02 – Boys don’t cry: emotional suppression and the wounded masculine 21:34 – Chasing success won’t heal pain: why external validation fails 21:58 – Vulnerability is the path: feeling emotions vs avoiding them 25:13 – When life falls apart: divorce, grief and the breaking point 26:55 – Initiation vs victim mindset: turning pain into growth 28:05 – The hidden disconnect: “perfect life” on the outside, empty inside 31:01 – Authentic confidence comes from the heart, not the mask 33:19 – Depression, disease and suppressed emotions: the body keeps score 35:47 – How Volker works: getting the mind on board + inner child healing 47:30 – Daily practice: replace judgement with curiosity (how to start healing) ___________________________________ The Curious Exchange: Instagram: ⁠@thecuriousexchange⁠ Website: ⁠www.thecuriousexchange.com⁠ 🎙 Watch this + other episodes on ⁠YouTube. ⁠  📍Come to a live event, if you're in Cape Town South Africa.There's one every month, on the 2nd Wed of every month.  Keep learning. Stay curious! *Disclaimer: The ideas shared on this podcast are here to inform, inspire and spark reflection — but they’re not a substitute for personalised guidance from a qualified professional. Whether it’s support from a coach, therapist or medical practitioner, please seek the right help when you need it. Trust your own inner compass and the wisdom of those you trust.

    56 min
  3. Gene Keys: unlock your gifts

    28/11/2025

    Gene Keys: unlock your gifts

    What if you could understand who you are beneath conditioning, expectations and performance pressure? In this inspiring conversation, leadership and Gene Keys coach Alexia Usgaard explains how your energetic blueprint reveals your purpose, your leadership style and the most aligned way to live, work and thrive. You’ll learn how the Gene Keys can help you make clearer decisions, move past distraction, honour your energy, and lead in a way only you can. About Alexia Usgaard: Alexia is a leadership and Gene Keys coach who helps high-performing women and men reconnect with who they were before the world told them who to be. After a successful career in Silicon Valley, she now supports clients around the world in purpose and conscious self-expression. ***Please subscribe and share our channel with friends and fam who could benefit, all around the world, so we can keep bringing you incredible people and their wisdom.*** ___________________________________ EMPOWER YOURSELF MORE: 🔥 Learn more about Alexia and see how you could work with her. Find out about her offerings and her podcast Elevate Daily. Website: https://alexiausgaard.com/ IG: https://www.instagram.com/alexia_usgaard/?hl=en ___________________________________ The Curious Exchange: Instagram: @thecuriousexchange Website: https://www.thecuriousexchange.com/ 🎙 Watch all the episodes on YouTube. 📍Come to a live event, if you're in Cape Town South Africa. There's one every month, on the 2nd Wed of every month.  Keep learning. Stay curious! *Disclaimer: The ideas shared on this podcast are here to inform, inspire and spark reflection — but they’re not a substitute for personalised guidance from a qualified professional. Whether it’s support from a coach, therapist or medical practitioner, please seek the right help when you need it. Trust your own inner compass and the wisdom of those you trust.

    50 min
  4. Career and business advice for a better world

    27/11/2025

    Career and business advice for a better world

    What if your career could feel alive, meaningful and on-purpose? In this conversation, business transformation coach Rowan Belchers shares how to build a purpose-driven, conscious career and bring more vitality, meaning and “sacred success” into your work. Learn why so many people feel dulled or stuck at work and what you can do to revitalise your career (and life).  About Rowan Belchers:  Rowan is an internationally recognised CEO and leadership coach and founder of Lockstep, working with organisations around the world to build more conscious, sustainable, purpose-led businesses. ___________________________________ EMPOWER YOURSELF MORE:🔥 Get 10% off when you book Rowan's keynote talk From Dust to Diamonds.  Quote the code: Curious10Learn more and book here: https://lockstep.global/listen/from-dust-to-diamonds/ Or see how he could help transform your business.https://lockstep.global/ ___________________________________ The Curious Exchange:Instagram: @thecuriousexchangeWebsite: https://www.thecuriousexchange.com/ 🎙 Watch all the episodes on ⁠YouTube⁠ 📍Come to a live event, if you're in Cape Town South Africa. There's one every month, on the 2nd Wed of every month.  Keep learning. Stay curious! *Disclaimer: The ideas shared on this podcast are here to inform, inspire and spark reflection — but they’re not a substitute for personalised guidance from a qualified professional. Whether it’s support from a coach, therapist or medical practitioner, please seek the right help when you need it. Trust your own inner compass and the wisdom of those you trust.

    48 min

À propos

Curious about living a happier, healthier, more conscious life? Then this is for you. But unlike other podcasts, this one is a recording of a LIVE event where audience members join the conversation. And hey, if you're in the neighbourhood, come join: it that takes place every month on the 2nd Wed, in the heart of Cape Town, South Africa.And your host? Yolande Botha - Creative director, truth seeker, people connector, dancer, food lover and joy spreader.