Sep 25

Andrew Wolhuter: cabin crew to leadership expert, following passion over the plan

Andrew Wolhuter never followed a plan. Cabin crew at 19, Etihad's youngest cabin manager at 25, into hotel leadership, into consulting for global brands, into building his own career as a leadership and rejection speaker and certified psychometrician, every step came from chasing what pulled him. In this episode, Andrew shares the whole story, walking away from an 11 year flying career, the accidentaljump into learning and development, the COVID reset, and building a subject matter expert career from nothing. He also makes a real case on a question getting louder right now, whether university is still the right call when so many graduates come out the other side without work, pointing to South Africa's old industry training board model and a line from Richard Branson that sums up his philosophy, what if we train them and they leave? But what if we don't, and they stay? It's a story about following your dreams and passions and finding your own version of the top. Part two is coming. Subscribe so you don't miss it. Andrew's links: ● LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/andrewwolhuter/ ● Website: https://andrewwolhuter.com/index.html ● Podcast: https://andrewwolhuter.com/pages/podcast.html#listen Who's behind the desk is Cape Town Office's podcast, featuring the members and founders working out of our space. New episodes drop here first, subscribe so you catch part two.

Aug 28

Why Millions of Africans Can't Access Their Own Laws with Greg Kempe, Laws.Africa

Most people never think about where "the law" actually lives, until they need it. In most African countries, it's either impossible to find or locked behind a paywall. On this episode of Who's Behind The Desk?, Lizelle sits down with Greg Kempe, co-founder of Laws.Africa, a nonprofit digitizing legal information across 20+ African countries, from court judgments to century-old municipal bylaws. A former AWS/EC2 engineer turned accidental legal-tech founder, Greg explains why a PDF is "where useful information goes to die," how they turn scanned, dusty government gazettes into structured, searchable data, and why access to law is as much an economic issue as a human rights one. They get into it all: the funding crunch since USAID pulled back, why judges are sometimes nervous about their rulings going public, the miscarriage-of-justice cases caused simply by people never seeing the law that applies to them, and Greg's genuinely thoughtful take on where AI helps (research, grounding, structured legal data) versus where it's dangerous (legal "oracle" answers with no accountability). In this episode: What Laws.Africa actually does, and why it's a nonprofit, not a startupThe difference between Anglophone (common law) and Francophone (civil law) legal traditions, and why that matters for scaling across the continentWhy "consolidation" (keeping updated law up to date) is the unglamorous, unfunded hard partReal cases where lack of access to law led to injusticeHiring across Africa remotely, and why South African tech talent is pricier than you'd thinkAI in the legal world: hallucination risk, ground rules for using it with a team, and why "AI slop" is a real cost Connect with Greg on Linkedin - https://www.linkedin.com/in/gregkempe/ Links: Laws.Africa: laws.africa South Africa's Law Library: lawlibrary.org.za Recorded at Cape Town Office (CTO) as part of our ongoing series introducing you to the people behind the desks in our coworking community.

Jun 5

Buying a Cape Town Apartment? Krysia Narramore on What Nobody Tells You About Body Corporates

Krysia Narramore is an independent professional trustee and chairman, one of the very few in South Africa. She found her way into this niche, highly specialised role by accident: buying a flat in Cape Town without knowing what a body corporate even was. In this episode, Krysia joins Lizelle to demystify sectional title property in South Africa, from what a body corporate is and how it functions, to the financial obligations that catch buyers completely off guard. They get into reserve funds, special levies, 10-year maintenance plans, the challenge of managing Airbnb-heavy buildings, and what an independent trustee actually does (and why most buildings probably need one). If you're considering buying an apartment in Cape Town, to live in or as an investment, Krysia shares the exact things you need to check before you sign. Practical, honest, and eye-opening. Who's Behind the Desk is Cape Town Office's member podcast. Every guest is a CTO member. More: https://www.proxyprop.com/ | info@proxyprop.com

Apr 17

Beyond the Logo: Storytelling, Ethics, and Building a Brand That Lasts with Nat Chrzanowska

In this episode of Who’s Behind the Desk, we sit down with Natalia Chrzanowska, a freelance brand marketing and digital strategist working across global B2B businesses. From Poland to Cape Town, this conversation tracks her path into independent work and her philosophy on brand, content, and creative output in a space that’s increasingly crowded. We cover: Building a career across roles, teams, and marketsThe shift from full-time work to freelance — and what actually changesHow strong ideas translate into campaigns that reach and resonateThe reality of producing content in a high-volume digital environmentWhere AI fits into the workflow as a tool, not a replacement Natalia’s perspective is direct and practical. A storyteller at heart, she reflects on lessons from her career, including how a recent post on AI unexpectedly went viral on LinkedIn. If you're building a business, working in marketing, or trying to produce work that actually lands, this episode will give you something useful. Connect with Natalia:https://www.linkedin.com/in/nat-chrzanowska/ Follow the show and subscribe , it’s free, and it helps Cape Town Office connect with more people who are actively building and contributing. Recorded at our coworking space in the heart of the East City, Cape Town.

Apr 10

The Paycheck Was Good. The Life Wasn’t. So I Changed It. Who's Behind the Desk w/ Stuart Fairbairns

In this episode of Who's Behind the Desk, I sat down withExecutive Coach Stuart Fairbairns, founder of Motivate Coaching, author, and creator of The Living Room. A man who has mastered the art of successful career pivot more than anyone I know. From working pop-up bars in Camps Bay, while studying fineart at Ruth Prowse School of Art, to launching a successful corporate career in digital marketing strategy, making a U-turn back into nature conservation projects to eventually leadershipdevelopment and executive coaching, Stuart's journey is a masterclass in transformation, adaptability, and self-discovery. Never Stop Climbing In this conversation, Stuart shares: How he recognized when it was time to pivot and howlife-changing moments often happen on a quiet Tuesday morning with a cup of tea, not with fireworks.The perfect training hospitality provided in honing peopleskills and the art of listening .Marketing, and effective leadership (spoiler: it's all aboutlistening to and understanding people).Why self-trust is the foundation for every major lifedecision. The power of curiosity. The importance of psychological safety, and real human The philosophy behind his upcoming book Do it Your Way Thelife you want isn’t out there, it’s in you and The Living Room a community designed to help you understand yourself and what you truly want out of life. Whether you're struggling with your current role, afraid tomake a change, or simply looking to reach higher in your career journey, Stuart's insights about continuous learning, authentic self-leadership, and the courage to transform will inspire you to take that next step. "You are enough. And the one place you can always comeback to is you." Links & Resources: Motivate Coaching www.motivate-coaching.com The Living Room www.motivate-coaching.com/thelivingroom Stuart's Upcoming Book: Do It Your Way: The Life Your WantIsn't Out There. It's In You. Connect with Stuart on Linkedin, https://www.linkedin.com/in/stuartfairbairns/ Featured in: Cape Town Office: Who's Behind the Desk Series ________________________________________ Don't forget to like, share, and subscribe. And share this with someone you know who could use that extra edge, that little boost, or maybe just a different perspective on what's possible for their career and life. You might be exactly what they needed to hear today. Recorded at our Cape Town office. This episode of Who’s Behind the Desk was recorded andsponsored by Cape Town Office : made for and by the community of coworkers. Cape Town Office is a coworking space built forentrepreneurs, creators, freelancers, and remote teams who believe great ideas grow faster around other people. Learn more about the community: https://capetownoffice.com/ If you enjoyed this conversation, please like, share, andsubscribe. Send this episode to someone building something interesting. New episodes of Who’s Behind the Desk explore the founders,creators, and builders shaping ideas, businesses, and communities, one desk ata time.

Apr 2

Why Search Ads Beat Social Media Every Time and other insights from Andre Timms, a Google Partner and Ads Expert

What’s the fastest way for a small business to waste money on marketing? Running Google Ads without understanding how they actually work. In this episode, we sit down with Andre Timms, a Google Partner and Search Ads specialist, to break down what most business owners get completely wrong about paid advertising and why throwing money at social media is often the least effective move you can make. Andre shares his journey from hospitality to digital marketing, and what he’s learned managing campaigns across multiple industries and global markets. From keyword strategy and user intent to the real difference between SEO and Search Ads, this conversation cuts through the noise and gets straight to what actually drives results. We dive into: The biggest mistakes small business owners make when running Google Ads Why Google’s own recommendations can cost you more money The critical difference between high-intent search traffic vs passive social scrolling How user behavior changes across industries, cities, and markets Why DIY ad management often leads to wasted budget The real role of AI in marketing and where it falls short If you’re spending money on ads and not seeing results, this episode will challenge how you think about digital marketing. Recorded at our Cape Town office. This episode of Who’s Behind the Desk was recorded and sponsored by Cape Town Office : made for and by the community of coworkers. Cape Town Office is a coworking space built for entrepreneurs, creators, freelancers, and remote teams who believe great ideas grow faster around other people. Learn more about the community: https://capetownoffice.com/ If you enjoyed this conversation, please like, share, and subscribe. Send this episode to someone building something interesting. New episodes of Who’s Behind the Desk explore the founders, creators, and builders shaping ideas, businesses, and communities, one desk at a time.

Mar 27

Apple (nearly) Broke his Business. So he went to Cupertino. Who's Behind The Desk Thorsten Rauser

In this episode of Who's Behind the Desk, I sat down with Thorsten Rauser, founder of Binary Family, to unpack his journey from Germany to Cape Town. A long-term member of Cape Town Office, this chat was well overdue. Raus shares his story from being kicked out of his own startup by investors that led to him starting The Binary Family in 2006. He reflects on the golden age of the Apple APP Store in the early 2000's and how that changed overnight after Steve Jobs died. From great search rankings on the store to literally impossible to find. Instead of giving up, he starts a petition with fellow developers and shares how he got a meeting with the 'man in charge' of that algorithmic change in Cupertino.Today, the Binary Family suite of games can be found on Android (Google Play), Nintendo Switch, XBox, Microsoft and of course Apple. If you're interested in startups, innovation, gaming, or building a business in today’s economy, you'll love this conversation. Have a question for Raus? Connect with him on LinkedIn, here. Links:https://thebinaryfamily.com/This episode of Who’s Behind the Desk was recorded and sponsored by Cape Town Office : made for and by the community of coworkers.Cape Town Office is a coworking space built for entrepreneurs, creators, freelancers, and remote teams who believe great ideas grow faster around other people.Learn more about the community: https://capetownoffice.com/If you enjoyed this conversation, please like, share, and subscribe. Send this episode to someone building something interesting.New episodes of Who’s Behind the Desk explore the founders, creators, and builders shaping ideas, businesses, and communities, one desk at a time.

Mar 11

Building Battora: Technology, Creativity, and Africa’s Untold Stories

In this episode of Who’s Behind the Desk, Lizelle sits down with developer and entrepreneur Tanya Chikopera, founder of Battora, a platform designed to spotlight African creatives and connect talent across the continent. Tanya shares the journey from working as a developer in Cape Town to leaving a stable tech role to pursue a much bigger vision: building digital infrastructure that helps African artists, filmmakers, musicians, and storytellers get discovered, booked, funded, and supported. What began as late-night coding sessions after work slowly evolved into a mission to rethink how African creative talent is represented globally. Battora aims to bridge the gap between creativity and opportunity by helping artists build discoverable profiles, connect with collaborators, access educational resources, and create sustainable careers. Lizelle and Tanya explore the realities of building a startup while holding a full-time job, the challenges creatives face with monetization and visibility, and how technology when used thoughtfully can amplify authentic African voices. The conversation also dives into the impact of AI on the creative economy, the importance of community, and why Africa’s diversity and cultural depth may be one of its greatest creative advantages. This episode is a thoughtful look at entrepreneurship, technology, and storytelling and the power of building platforms that help communities create together. Battora https://www.battora.com/ Bizcommunity https://www.bizcommunity.com/ Cape Town Office https://capetownoffice.com/ This episode was recorded and sponsored by Cape Town Office, made for and by the community of coworkers. Chapters 00:00 Introduction and Tanya’s background00:31 The inception of Battora and its African vision04:33 The journey of building Battora while working full-time08:36 Discovery and matching for African creatives11:51 Supporting artists with booking and funding modules14:06 Monetization, content protection, and AI challenges19:45 Authenticity, community, and Africa’s unique story24:13 The power of diversity and cross-cultural exchange29:11 Next steps, collaboration, and community building33:35 Inspiring African stories and global impact35:52 Surprising encounters and future visions This episode of Who’s Behind the Desk was recorded and sponsored by Cape Town Office : made for and by the community of coworkers. Cape Town Office is a coworking space built for entrepreneurs, creators, freelancers, and remote teams who believe great ideas grow faster around other people. Learn more about the community: https://capetownoffice.com/ If you enjoyed this conversation, please like, share, and subscribe. Send this episode to someone building something interesting. New episodes of Who’s Behind the Desk explore the founders, creators, and builders shaping ideas, businesses, and communities, one desk at a time.

Feb 25

Taiwan to Cape Town, journey of a content creator

This episode of Who’s Behind the Desk, I chat to Igarashi Harumi, a Taiwanese content creator with nearly 150k followers who splits her year between Taiwan and Cape Town. Igarashi shares her journey from journalism to content creation, how she built a loyal online community, and the practical realities of monetising content and effective engagement. We explore cross-cultural living, personal branding, audience trust, and what it takes to turn storytelling into a sustainable career. Recorded at Cape Town Office. Follow Igarashi here:https://www.instagram.com/lgarashii/reels/ https://www.tiktok.com/@lgarashii https://stan.store/igarashi https://www.youtube.com/@igarashiharumii

04/23/2025

Making Healthcare in Africa smarter with data, and a cold Coca-Cola with Jordan Levinson

In this episode of Who’s Behind the Desk, I sit down with Jordan Levinson, a digital transformation and change management specialist working at the intersection of tech, data, and healthcare across Africa. As part of Project Last Mile, Jordan helps design smarter ways to deliver critical healthcare supplies from medication to equipment, serving the continent’s most remote and under served communities with smart research and data application. We talk about how Project Last Mile leverages Coca-Cola's expansive distribution network and supply chain expertise to enhance public health systems, ensuring life-saving medicines reach even the most isolated areas. A wonderful public/private partnership Our conversation also covers the impact of recent funding cuts by DOGE to USAID, and Jordan shares her personal journey from the fast pace of New York City to finding purpose in Cape Town. If you’re into innovation, global impact, or just love a good story about finding your calling, this one’s for you. If you'd like to learn more about the work Jordan does or perhaps chat to her about an upcoming project, reach out to her on LinkedIn. As always, this episode was lovingly stitched together in the editing process by VoiceNote Productions and recorded in our coworking space, Cape Town Office.

06/25/2024

If Video killed the Radio Star, is AI killing the Creative? With Mark Risk

In this episode I sat down with Mark Risk, Storyboard artist and lifelong creative to discuss and unpack this tricky subject. The conversation is unscripted and explorative with no agenda or specific outcome in mind. Mark and I often have these chats in the office, usually over a morning coffee and sometimes with a fresh doughnut in hand, so we decided to take it to the studio. The question of AI, the acceleration and enormously easy access does beg the question... What becomes of our creativity when everything is instantly delivered to us visually? We don't know the answer or indeed the longterm effects that the daily use of AI applications will have, but it is a question worth asking and exploring. I hope you enjoy this episode and as always, please share this far and wide to help us grow our audience. Recorded at Cape Town Office: a vibrant and creative coworking community in Cape Town. Edited and assembled by the team at Voicenote Productions.

03/12/2024

Storyboard to Screen with Mark Risk

Ever wonder what a Storyboard Artist is? Cape Town Office, Founder Lizelle van Rhyn sits down with Mark Risk, a longtime member and Storyboard Artist. Originally from Dublin, Ireland, and now based in Cape Town, Mark has become one of the foremost storyboard artists in South Africa, both for commercials and features. His spacial awareness background in architecture translates to a ready appreciation and understanding of camera angle and lensing, and interpretation of action sequences andstunts. See more on Mark's work, here https://www.imdb.com/name/nm3134497/bio/?ref_=nm_ov_bio_sm This podcast was recorded and produced in our coworking space and lovingly edited by Voicenote. https://voicenote.co.za/

Who's Behind The Desk?

Episodes

Andrew Wolhuter: cabin crew to leadership expert, following passion over the plan

Why Millions of Africans Can't Access Their Own Laws with Greg Kempe, Laws.Africa

Buying a Cape Town Apartment? Krysia Narramore on What Nobody Tells You About Body Corporates

Beyond the Logo: Storytelling, Ethics, and Building a Brand That Lasts with Nat Chrzanowska

The Paycheck Was Good. The Life Wasn’t. So I Changed It. Who's Behind the Desk w/ Stuart Fairbairns

Why Search Ads Beat Social Media Every Time and other insights from Andre Timms, a Google Partner and Ads Expert

Apple (nearly) Broke his Business. So he went to Cupertino. Who's Behind The Desk Thorsten Rauser

Building Battora: Technology, Creativity, and Africa’s Untold Stories

Taiwan to Cape Town, journey of a content creator

Making Healthcare in Africa smarter with data, and a cold Coca-Cola with Jordan Levinson

If Video killed the Radio Star, is AI killing the Creative? With Mark Risk

Storyboard to Screen with Mark Risk

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