Through the Fog

Pierre du Plessis

This is a fortnightly podcast that explores some of life's biggest questions: "What do I do now, where do I go next, what do I do with this one precious life?" Through open and honest conversations with people doing their best work; founders, artists, musicians, and pioneers, we delve into why these people made the choices they did that led them to where they find themselves today. We all hit moments where the path ahead feels unclear, where doubt creeps in, and every decision feels like a gamble, this is about those moments. Hosted by Pierre, a strategist and systematic theologian who’s spent years helping people and businesses make their way through the fog. This is for anyone trying to find their way and do their best work. Expect honest conversations, hard-won insights, and real strategies to help you move forward, even when you can’t see the whole map.

  1. Ep 12/12 True Wealth, Stories and Soup with Nathan Mersereau.

    12/14/2025

    Ep 12/12 True Wealth, Stories and Soup with Nathan Mersereau.

    In this season finale of Through the Fog, host Pierre du Plessis dives deep with financial planner, entrepreneur, and thinker Nathan Mersereau. Broadcasting from opposite ends of the globe, Pierre and Nathan explore how our stories around money shape our lives, the pitfalls of measuring success purely through wealth, and the transformative power of introspection. From soup kitchens to billionaire compounds, Nathan's story challenges listeners to reconsider what it means to be truly wealthy. Links: - True Wealth Assessment” and “Money Personality Quiz” https://planningalt.com/quiz-assessment-landing-page - Book: The Untethered Soul, Michael A. Singer https://amzn.eu/d/eQdrl7Y - Find Nathan: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nathan-mersereau-cfp%C2%AE-a984761/ Timestamps: 00:00 - Where do you find yourself today? 01:48 - Tell us a bit about Nathan. Who are you? 04:40 - What is Nathan's craziest idea? 05:34 - What did you want to be when you were growing up? 08:22 - Did you think money was the ultimate marker of success? 10:38 - When did you realise what life is really about? 13:40 - Did you ever feel like money was tainted or wrong? 17:06 - Why do you think people are so obsessed with money? 20:08 - Why is money the marker that we use? 23:12 - When is enough, enough? 29:02 - Have you encountered wealthy people who aren’t lonely? 32:25 - How did you get to that point of seeing wealth differently? 36:34 - How do the habits that create success become imprisoning? 43:35 - What are some practical steps to self-reflect and start a new path? 47:58 - Are those communities you described the wealthiest people on the planet? 50:19 - Is money objectively scarce or abundant? 54:55 - What’s the soup story Miranda told me to ask about? 58:09 - How do you make big life decisions? 01:12:46 - What’s one of the worst decisions you’ve ever made? 01:14:42 - Have you had the chance to speak to your father about that? 01:16:55 - What lies ahead for you? 01:24:09 - What is a quote that you live by? 01:25:47 - Where can people find you online if they want to connect or follow you? “True Wealth Assessment” and “Money Personality Quiz” · Book: The Untethered Soul, Michael A. Singer · Find Nathan

    1h 29m
  2. Ep 11/12 - Negotiating, luck, and boardrooms with Guy Ellis

    09/28/2025

    Ep 11/12 - Negotiating, luck, and boardrooms with Guy Ellis

    In this episode of Through the Fog, Pierre sits down with Guy Ellis, global entrepreneur, investor, and co-founder of the Lekker Network. With over 60 board, advisory, and founder roles, Guy shares a wealth of insight into entrepreneurship, emotional intelligence, and the power of helping others. From his roots as a wannabe “Dr. Farmer” to his groundbreaking work at Harvard and across global markets, Guy explores how authentic connection can unlock transformative opportunities. Tune in for a heartfelt conversation about patriotism, privilege, purpose, and how South Africans can—and are—changing the world. Links: Guy Ellis - https://www.linkedin.com/in/guy-ellis/ Guy's first book is out soon: The Negotiation Code Timestamps: 00:00 - Introduction and quick banter 01:00 - Meet Guy Ellis: Global entrepreneur & Harvard instructor 02:25 - The origin of a “Dr. Farmer” dream 04:50 - Helping others and early signs of a mission 06:00 - Defining “Expansion through Connection” 07:30 - Is the self-made man a myth? 09:30 - A pivotal moment: reshaping a business from scratch 13:50 - The origin story of the Lekker Network 17:30 - Building intentional, impactful networks 20:50 - The importance of helping without agenda 23:30 - Living abroad but loving South Africa 27:00 - What it means to be South African 30:00 - Fixing South Africa: Right person, right seat 34:00 - South African talent and the Springboks metaphor 36:00 - Challenges in government and business alignment 39:00 - How small business owners can make change 41:00 - What gives Guy hope for the country 44:00 - South Africans abroad: Not traitors, just dispersed impact 46:00 - The uniquely South African spirit of friendliness and resilience 49:00 - The cultural magic of meeting South Africans abroad 51:30 - Emotional connection and nostalgia for home 54:00 - The role of adversity in creating grit and talent 56:00 - Overcoming scarcity mindsets 58:00 - Celebrating informal connections and spontaneous chats 1:00:00 - Picking South Africa’s “one thing” to rally around 1:02:00 - The challenge of focus in national strategy 1:04:00 - Harnessing the power of South Africans globally 1:07:00 - Reclaiming civic agency: citizens should direct the government 1:10:00 - Breaking free from limiting narratives and perceived disloyalty 1:13:00 - Creating the bridge from now to a brighter future 1:16:00 - Humility vs. self-deprecation among South Africans 1:18:00 - Closing thoughts: freedom, connection, and what comes next

    1h 37m
  3. Ep 10/12: On Equality, code, and rugby with Justinus Adriaanse

    08/31/2025

    Ep 10/12: On Equality, code, and rugby with Justinus Adriaanse

    In this deeply personal and visionary episode, Pierre speaks with Justinus, a passionate entrepreneur and co-founder of WeThinkCode_, about building a more equitable South Africa. They dive into Justinus’s background, his love for rugby, and the transformative power of access to education and opportunity. From developing world-class coders from underserved communities to launching a bold new initiative inspired by South Africa’s Rugby World Cup victories, Justinus shares a blueprint for national renewal rooted in inclusivity and grit. Justinus is a serial entrepreneur, having been co-founder at Private Property Holdings and WeThinkCode_ in South Africa, Entabeni Systems and Umgundi Holdings in Canada. He has been in the Entrepreneurs' Organization for 14 years, and has been part of 5 chapters over that period.Today Justinus and his wife are building a business focussed on optimizing for impact not just value. An avid sports fan and traveller he loves visiting live sports events all over the world with his family and spends many hours next to sport fields supporting his two teenage kids.When you meet him, be sure to ask if he enjoys Nando’s. Links and books: Hidden Potential by Adam Grant 👉 https://exclusivebooks.co.za/products/9780753560051 Grit: The Power of Passion and Perseverance by Angela Duckworth 👉 https://exclusivebooks.co.za/products/9781785040207 Time to Think by Nancy Kline 👉 https://exclusivebooks.co.za/products/9780706377453 The Art of Possibility by Rosamund Stone Zander & Benjamin Zander 👉 https://www.penguinrandomhouse.co.za/book/art-possibility-practices-leadership-relationship-and-passion/9780142001103 https://wethinkcode.co.za/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/justinusadriaanse Timestamps: [00:01:00] Justinus on Lowveld living and escaping Cape Town winters. [00:03:44] Pretoria roots, rugby dreams, and school memories. [00:06:39] The spark for WeThinkCode_: bridging access and building coders. [00:08:01] From 50,000 applicants to 500 students: creating a scalable tech pipeline. [00:09:54] Gender parity and diversity in tech education. [00:10:54] Graduation day: joy, family pride, and life-changing milestones. [00:12:00] A new mission: Project 95 and the dream of five more World Cup wins. [00:15:43] Rugby development lessons from Ireland and South Africa’s Eastern Cape. [00:17:00] Sunday rugby in small towns: discovering forgotten fields and fanatical culture. [00:20:05] The impact of malnutrition on athletic potential. [00:24:24] Why “95” is more than a number—it’s a national memory. [00:26:00] Access vs. outcomes: the quota question and educational inequality. [00:30:50] Screening for grit and agency at WeThinkCode_. [00:33:00] Holding standards high while removing financial barriers. [00:36:44] Why success requires stability over decades—not just talent. [00:39:12] Comparing school funding models in the US and Canada. [00:42:00] Recreating high-performing public schools across the nation. [00:43:29] Why rugby is more than a game: a symbol of belonging and memory. [00:45:51] Settling in Ontario, Canada: skiing, seasons, and new routines. [00:46:58] How skiing became a lifelong passion—and the excuse to move abroad. [00:49:40] Life lessons from the slopes: discomfort, growth, and persistence. [00:52:00] Teaching kids courage, taking calculated risks, and embracing adventure. [00:56:00] The rhythm of family life, travel, and the search for balance. [01:00:00] The link between nostalgia, passion, and purpose. [01:05:00] Building identity through shared rituals and cultural storytelling. [01:10:00] Creating community in diaspora—keeping South Africa close while living abroad. [01:15:00] Future plans: nomadic living, giving back, and staying connected. [01:20:00] Justinus’s vision for legacy, leadership, and long-term impact. [01:25:00] Final reflections: leaning into the discomfort and doing the hard things.

    1h 35m
  4. Ep 9/12: Surviving the AI Apocalypse, the future of work and true value with Bronwyn Williams

    08/03/2025

    Ep 9/12: Surviving the AI Apocalypse, the future of work and true value with Bronwyn Williams

    In this engaging and thought-provoking episode, Pierre sits down with futurist and economist Bronwyn Williams. Together, they dive deep into what it means to live purposefully in a chaotic world, the future of work in an age of AI, and how to retain agency in a society leaning towards automation and comfort. Bronwyn discusses the value of being a professional outsider, the illusion of goals for the hyper-intelligent, and her unconventional approach to decision-making and success. It’s a conversation that challenges norms and offers rich insights into how we think about work, value, and freedom. Timestamps: [00:01:10] – Where are you right now? Bronwyn on the liminal, nomadic millennial state. 00:02:11] – Why goals don’t work for really smart people. [00:04:34] – A day in Bronwyn’s life: reading, writing, and speaking. [00:06:30] – How Bronwyn uses AI to aid in the creative process, not replace it. [00:09:50] – Her mission as a professional observer and outsider. [00:13:29] – From spy dreams to futurist: Bronwyn’s unconventional career path. [00:14:52] – Is studying still worthwhile? Bronwyn breaks it down. [00:18:39] – What gives Bronwyn hope? People who plant trees. [00:19:34] – What makes her angry? The myth of no agency. [00:25:49] – Why we can’t have liberty, equality, and fraternity all at once. [00:32:53] – How Bronwyn makes decisions and navigates life. [00:37:35] – Embracing unemployability and escaping the “soggy middle”. [00:41:55] – The delusion of value in middle-class salary jobs. [00:44:00] – The psychological impact of overpaid roles and perceived entitlement. [00:46:15] – Technological progress and the risk to the squishy middle. [00:48:45] – How Bronwyn defines value and agency in a world of automation. [00:50:20] – Why most people crave direction over freedom. [00:53:00] – The outsider’s role in leadership, foresight, and change. [00:56:15] – The myth of the benign dictator and the desire to escape responsibility. [00:59:00] – What Jesus, Voltaire, and Mary Poppins have in common with futurists. [01:01:30] – Final thoughts on belief, free will, and the agency to shape the future. LINKS More about Pierre: https://thisispierre.co Find Bronwyn on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bronwynwilliams/ More about Bronwyn's work: https://fluxtrends.co.za Get her latest book: Survive the AI Apocalypse: https://www.takealot.com/survive-the-ai-apocalypse/PLID98648877

    1h 12m
  5. Ep 8/12: Finding Identity Beyond the Game – Flip van der Merwe on Rugby, Expat Life, and Meaning

    07/20/2025

    Ep 8/12: Finding Identity Beyond the Game – Flip van der Merwe on Rugby, Expat Life, and Meaning

    In this episode of Through the Fog, we sit down with Flip van der Merwe, former Springbok rugby player turned French-resident strategist. Flip shares his remarkable journey from growing up on a farm in the Kalahari, to playing international rugby, to raising a bilingual family abroad. We explore the interplay between tradition and modernity, the challenges of choosing where to raise children, the search for meaning beyond sport, and how language, faith, and culture weave into identity. 00:00 Introduction and Background 08:27 Navigating Language and Cultural Identity 19:02 Religion and Family Traditions 27:03 Childhood Dreams and Rugby Journey 32:54 Blessings and Curses of Talent 38:36 Education and Career Pathways 45:44 The Impact of Choices on Identity 54:40 Legacy and Masculinity in Modern Society 01:00:52 Legacy and Lessons from the Past 01:07:01 Navigating Difficult Conversations 01:13:05 Finding Joy in Parenthood and Fitness 01:19:34 Future Aspirations and Impact

    1h 26m
  6. Ep 7/12: From PR to Presence, a conversation about culture, founders and addiction with Sarah Rice

    07/07/2025

    Ep 7/12: From PR to Presence, a conversation about culture, founders and addiction with Sarah Rice

    In this episode of Through the Fog, I sit down with Sarah Rice, an organizational culture strategist and coach who has spent over two decades helping founders and leaders navigate the complex, often contradictory expectations of modern leadership. We explore the hidden pressures on entrepreneurs to become both “priests and parents” to their teams, how culture shapes behavior, and the power of being honest about your motives, even if they’re not pretty. Sarah also shares her personal journey through recovery, the lessons she’s learned about over identification with work, and why embodied leadership matters more than ever. This candid, warm, and occasionally irreverent conversation is a must-listen for anyone steering a business, and themselves, through uncertainty. Chapters 00:00 Navigating Transitions and Personal Growth 02:57 The Venn Diagram of Identity 05:41 The Role of Business in Community 08:47 Mental Health and Leadership Responsibilities 11:51 The Pressure on Leaders 14:31 Learning from Other Organizational Structures 17:40 The Importance of Values in Business 20:44 Defining Authentic Values 23:33 The Role of Storytelling in Values 26:29 The Complexity of Truth and Oversharing 29:26 The Importance of Community and Relationships 32:20 Lessons from Personal Connections 35:10 Embracing Uncertainty and Surrendering Control 42:42 The Role of Spirituality in the Workplace 49:42 Decision-Making and Intuition 01:00:50 The Power of the 12-Step Program 01:05:14 Navigating Paradox and Duality 01:09:07 Future Aspirations and Coaching Goals Find Sarah here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sarahelizabethrice/ More about me and the show here: https://thisispierre.co/podcast

    1h 26m
  7. Ep 6/12 || Life post Yuppiechef, Luck and Strategy with Andrew Smith

    06/20/2025

    Ep 6/12 || Life post Yuppiechef, Luck and Strategy with Andrew Smith

    In this heartfelt and insight-rich conversation, I sat down with my friend and mentor Andrew Smith, co-founder of YuppieChef and now co-creator of Brave Hardy. From the early days of web design to building one of South Africa's most beloved kitchenware brands, Andrew shared his journey of entrepreneurship, vulnerability, resilience, and the art of “staying in the game.” Whether you’re a founder navigating uncertainty or someone in transition, this episode is packed with lessons on strategy, partnership, and purpose. Timestamps 00:00 – 03:05 Welcome and introduction to Andrew Smith’s path through strategy, creativity, and burnout. 03:06 – 06:22 Childhood roles and emotional survival strategies—learning to be "the helpful one." 06:23 – 10:44 Anxiety and burnout during his time at Yuppiechef: the moment his body said “no” to high performance. 10:45 – 15:20 Leaving Yuppiechef and the identity crisis that followed. The grief of losing professional purpose. 15:21 – 20:34 Adjusting to life outside a known brand and role. What happens when you’re no longer “the Yuppiechef guy.” 20:35 – 26:12 Unlearning the need to perform for approval and validation—inside and outside the workplace. 26:13 – 32:00 Practicing emotional honesty, discomfort, and not rushing to fix things. 32:01 – 37:26 The liminal space after leaving Yuppiechef: identity shifts, awkward pauses, and not having a plan. 37:27 – 43:10 Writing as a healing tool. Reclaiming voice after stepping away from branded storytelling. 43:11 – 48:19 Building new rhythms of work—especially when you’re no longer on someone else's clock. 48:20 – 54:00 Redefining ambition in the wake of burnout: what goals matter now? 54:01 – 59:35 Navigating masculinity and internalized narratives about being useful, successful, and strong. 59:36 – 1:06:09 Letting go of usefulness: the slow detachment from career-shaped identity. 1:06:10 – 1:11:23 Recognizing old instincts—especially the reflex to prove value or fix things in conversations. 1:11:24 – 1:17:05 Reclaiming creative desire: the difference between generative curiosity and hustle. 1:17:06 – 1:21:40 Holding space for grief and tenderness. Accepting that rest doesn’t always feel good at first. 1:21:41 – 1:26:03 Creating from presence—not productivity. Imagining a different relationship with work. 1:26:04 – 1:30:09 Closing reflections: what the fog has taught him, and what he hopes others will allow themselves to feel. Find Andrew on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/agsmith/ Brave Hardy: https://bravehardy.com More about me on https://thisispierre.co #entrepreneurship #founders #strategy

    1h 33m
  8. Ep 5/12 || Oryx Desert Salt, Soul and Starting again - Samantha Skyring

    06/09/2025

    Ep 5/12 || Oryx Desert Salt, Soul and Starting again - Samantha Skyring

    In this deeply inspiring episode of Through the Fog, Pierre speaks with Samantha Skyring, adventurer, visionary, and founder of the globally loved Oryx Desert Salt. From a transformative kayaking journey and losing her island dream, to single motherhood and building a business rooted in purpose, Samantha opens up about the intentionality behind everything she does. Expect powerful stories about resilience, spiritual connection, team empowerment, and the surprising truth about the white crystal we all consume daily. If you've ever wondered how to blend soul with strategy, this is the conversation. 00:00 – 03:04 Opening: Introducing Samantha’s work at the intersection of spirituality, systems, and self-inquiry. 03:05 – 07:35 Samantha reflects on her teenage years and early sense of spiritual authority. Feeling more connected to the mystical than the practical. 07:36 – 12:20 Family dynamics, religious language, and the complexities of being “the good child” who carried others' emotional weight. 12:21 – 17:58 Unpacking ambition, spiritual bypassing, and how disembodiment can hide in high-performance environments. 17:59 – 23:14 Therapy, body-based practice, and the moment she realized “words weren't enough.” 23:15 – 28:49 How early roles shaped her adult patterns of caretaking, control, and over-functioning. 28:50 – 33:41 Shifting from achievement to presence: learning to let go of “doing” as a form of worth. 33:42 – 39:08 The disillusionment with coaching and spiritual branding. Feeling like a fraud while holding space for others. 39:09 – 44:25 Rupture and recalibration: what happens when you deconstruct your public identity. 44:26 – 50:12 Power, truth-telling, and the limitations of language in healing work. 50:13 – 55:39 Working with complexity: letting clients bring contradiction, grief, and silence into the room. 55:40 – 1:01:12 What “the fog” feels like in her own life—uncertainty, resistance, and choosing not to rush clarity. 1:01:13 – 1:06:28 The sacred and the secular: finding god in doubt, confusion, and the body. 1:06:29 – 1:12:11 Learning to listen again—why spiritual leadership now means being less certain. 1:12:12 – 1:16:27 Samantha’s practices for being with discomfort and staying open in transition. 1:16:28 – 1:20:15 Final reflections on beauty, complexity, and trusting what's emerging—even when you can’t see it yet. 🔗 Learn more about Oryx: https://oryxdesertsalt.com 💌 Feedback or guest ideas? Email Pierre: hi@thisispierre.co Learn more about pierre https://thisispierre.co

    1h 21m
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About

This is a fortnightly podcast that explores some of life's biggest questions: "What do I do now, where do I go next, what do I do with this one precious life?" Through open and honest conversations with people doing their best work; founders, artists, musicians, and pioneers, we delve into why these people made the choices they did that led them to where they find themselves today. We all hit moments where the path ahead feels unclear, where doubt creeps in, and every decision feels like a gamble, this is about those moments. Hosted by Pierre, a strategist and systematic theologian who’s spent years helping people and businesses make their way through the fog. This is for anyone trying to find their way and do their best work. Expect honest conversations, hard-won insights, and real strategies to help you move forward, even when you can’t see the whole map.

Information

  • Creator
    Pierre du Plessis
  • Years Active
    2K
  • Episodes
    13
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © Pierre du Plessis
  • Show Website
    Through the Fog