The Room She Built

Pam Newman & Karen Loader
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  • Entrepreneurship

The Room She Built is a podcast for women who didn't wait for permission. Hosted by Pam Newman and Karen Loader, two women who have built businesses, careers, and lives inside systems that were never designed for them. The Room She Built features honest conversations about leadership, ambition, identity, resilience, and what it really takes to create success on your own terms. Each episode features candid stories from founders, executives, creatives, and changemakers who have challenged expectations, navigated setbacks, and built something meaningful. No polished corporate narratives. No pretending to have it all figured out. Just real conversations about the wins, the struggles, the lessons, and the moments that changed everything. Whether you're building a business, leading a team, reinventing yourself, or simply looking for a room where your voice belongs, pull up a chair. This room was built for you.

Episodes

  1. 3d ago

    Ep 8: We Need to Talk About Money, with Seanice Kacungira

    Seanice started her first “business” at seven, selling her neighbour’s guavas so she could buy herself a burger. She went into radio at 16 and went on to build a digital agency operating across six countries, alongside ventures in training and property. But this episode isn’t really about her impressive rap sheet. We dig into our relationship with money: the beliefs we inherit, why women often struggle to ask for more, the link between money and self-worth, and the invisible financial ceilings we place on ourselves. Seanice shares why she believes everyone should know their “freedom number”, why she’s literally named her money Cindy Lou, and how she has learned to make money something to work with, rather than fear. We also talk about the less glamorous side of entrepreneurship: failure, burnout, making very expensive mistakes, knowing when to walk away, and learning that success is rarely a straight line. Seanice is refreshingly candid about all of it, including the moments when things have gone horribly wrong and the mindset that has helped her keep moving forward: “Everything is working out for me.” This is a conversation about money, yes. But it’s also about ambition, resilience, self-worth, and giving ourselves permission to want more without being ashamed of it. We need to talk about money. So we did. Follow Seanice on Socials: https://www.linkedin.com/in/seanice/ https://www.instagram.com/seanice_kacungira/ Learn more about her ventures: https://seanicekacungira.com/ https://bluflamingo.net/ https://chandelierproperties.africa/ https://digicon.academy/

  2. Sep 23

    Ep 7: Between the Rooms Vol. 1

    What Five Conversations Have Taught Us Six episodes in, we’re taking a seat on the other side of the conversation. In our first Between the Rooms episode, it’s just the two of us, reflecting on the incredible women who have joined us so far, the conversations that have stayed with us, and the themes that keep appearing, despite every story being completely different. We talk about reinvention, and the idea that choosing a path doesn’t mean you have to stay on it forever. About the people in our corner who give us the confidence to take the next step. About ambition, and how our definition of success changes as we move through different seasons of life. We unpack the constant juggle between work, family, relationships, health and everything else we’re trying to hold at once, and the uncomfortable truth that sometimes, something has to give. We also come back to one of the ideas at the heart of The Room She Built: permission. Are we waiting for someone else to tell us we belong in the room, or are we willing to trust ourselves enough to walk into it anyway? One of the biggest things we’ve noticed is just how quietly so many accomplished women carry their success. Again and again, women we find extraordinary have questioned whether their story is interesting enough to tell. And perhaps that’s exactly why these stories need to be told. We also share a little of what it’s actually been like building this podcast, from the joy of the conversations to the tech, editing, scheduling, guest wrangling and occasional panic behind the scenes. Six episodes down, we’re even more convinced that there are incredible stories everywhere. They don’t need to be polished, perfect or attached to hundreds of thousands of followers. They just need to be real. In this episode, we talk about: Reinvention and allowing yourself to change directionHow our definitions of success and ambition evolveConfidence, self-trust and the importance of having people in your cornerCreating systems that support the way you work and liveThe myth of having everything perfectly balancedGiving yourself permission instead of waiting for someone else to give it to youConsistency versus complacency, and continuing to show up with purposeThe question driven women rarely ask themselves: when is enough, enough?Why so many successful women downplay what they’ve achievedVulnerability, authenticity and the messy reality behind the glossy version of successWhat we’ve learned from making The Room She Built so farWhere we hope to take the room nextThis is Between the Rooms: a chance for us to stop every few episodes, look back at the conversations we’ve had, and ask what they’re teaching us. And if there’s one thing we know already, it’s that we’re only getting started. If there’s a woman whose story deserves a seat in this room, send her our way. She doesn’t need a huge following or an impressive title. We’re interested in the story behind the person. Wherever the story takes us, we’ll build the room.

  3. Sep 9

    Ep 6: The Courage to Say Yes, with Becky Motumo-Molete

    This conversation follows Becky’s path from a family rooted in South African music and entertainment to a career built on reinvention across corporate, tourism, sports, broadcasting, and media. It’s a story about adaptability, self-belief, and how saying yes to the right opportunities can open doors far beyond your original plan. From growing up surrounded by some of South Africa’s biggest names in entertainment, to building a career across marketing, tourism, television and sports management, Becky’s story is one of curiosity, constant learning and being willing to say yes before you necessarily know exactly where it will lead. She takes us behind the scenes of becoming Caster Semenya’s manager, and what began as a professional relationship that grew into something far bigger. Becky has stood beside Caster as manager, strategist, advocate and friend through a battle that became one of the most controversial and closely watched stories in international sport. But this conversation goes well beyond sport. We talk about the relationships that shape us, the importance of education and continuing to learn, motherhood, friendship, navigating difficult rooms, and what happens when your work becomes deeply personal. And through it all runs a theme that seems to define Becky’s life: staying open to possibility. Because sometimes you don’t need to know exactly where you’re going. You just need the curiosity to ask, “what next?” and the courage to say yes when the opportunity arrives. In this episode, we talk about: • Growing up around South African entertainment royalty • Why Becky has never been afraid to change direction • Building a career through relationships, curiosity and learning • How she became Caster Semenya’s manager • What it means to advocate for someone when the stakes become deeply personal • The fight around Caster’s right to compete • Navigating power, politics and difficult rooms • Motherhood, friendship and the people who keep you grounded • Why Becky believes so strongly in education and lifelong learning • Saying yes to opportunities, even when you don’t have the whole plan • The excitement, and uncertainty, of asking: what comes next?

  4. Aug 26

    Ep 5: The Relentless Persuit of Better, with Cheyna Wood

    What does it take to compete at the highest level, build a business from scratch, raise three daughters and still keep looking for the next challenge? Cheyna Wood has been competing for most of her life. She represented South Africa in squash from just 12 years old, went on to become the country’s number-one ranked player, reached a world ranking of 60 and later returned to captain the national team. But what stands out about Cheyna isn’t simply what she’s achieved. It’s the drive behind it. In this episode, Cheyna talks candidly about the discipline and sacrifice behind professional sport, the self-doubt she experienced even while competing at an elite level, and why she now realises that her world ranking was only a small part of what the journey gave her. We also talk about the role her mother played in creating opportunities for her, and the lesson Cheyna resisted at the time but carries with her today: people need to know what you need, and sometimes you simply have to ask. That same willingness to put herself out there eventually found its way into business. Cheyna shares how she grew her activewear brand, Cheyna Dot, despite knowing very little about clothing manufacturing, eventually opening her own factory at home and quite literally figuring it out alongside her team. As she puts it, much of the journey has been about “throwing myself in the deep end and hoping that I can swim.” We talk about the realities of building and manufacturing locally in South Africa, moving beyond survival mode as an entrepreneur, motherhood, ambition, and what happens to the competitive instinct when your professional sporting career comes to an end. Because for Cheyna, it never really did. The court may have changed, but the desire to work hard, grow and be better than the day before is still very much there. This is a conversation about discipline, perseverance, putting yourself out there and the relentless pursuit of better. Follow Cheyna on Socials: https://www.instagram.com/cheynadot/ https://www.facebook.com/cheynadot And shop online: https://cheynadot.co.za/

  5. Aug 13

    Ep 4: Changing The Game, with Tandi McCallum

    Professional golfer, coach, SuperSport commentator, mom, and a woman who has spent nearly two decades building a career in a sport that has not always made it easy for women to succeed. Tandi MacCallum started playing golf seriously at 14, after the death of her father, and went on to represent South Africa, compete in Europe, win the SA Women’s Open, and most recently make history as the first woman to win the PGA National Order of Merit. She is also a back-to-back Women’s PGA National Champion. But this conversation is about far more than golf. Tandi opens up about the financial reality of being a female professional athlete, the enormous pressure she placed on herself to make the career work, and the surprising way that taking some of that pressure off actually helped her become a better player. She shares the moment she almost walked away from golf completely, only to play some of the best rounds of her life the very next day, and the lesson that followed: sometimes giving in is very different from giving up. We also talk about motherhood and returning to professional competition just eight weeks after giving birth, the reality of mom guilt, the importance of a strong support system, and how her definition of success has evolved as her life has expanded. Today, Tandi has built a multi-faceted career across playing, coaching and commentary, while also helping to create more opportunities for the next generation of women in golf. In this episode, we talk about: The journey from picking up her father’s golf clubs at 14 to becoming a professional golferCompeting internationally and the reality of life on tourThe financial pressure behind professional women’s sportThe disparity in prize money and sponsorship between men and womenWhy pressure can sometimes make us perform worse, not betterThe moment Tandi almost gave up golf completelyLearning to detach her identity from the resultWhy she believes she is playing some of her best golf at 40Building a career through playing, coaching and SuperSport commentaryReturning to competition eight weeks after becoming a motherMom guilt, support systems and the reality of trying to balance it allWhy enjoyment and fun are underrated ingredients in successThe changing landscape for women in South African golfWhy more sponsorship, tournaments and pathways are still neededMentoring the next generation and sharing the lessons she had to learn the hard way At the heart of this episode is a much bigger question: What changes when you stop trying to prove that you belong and start trusting that you already do? Tandi’s story is one of resilience, reinvention and learning to play her own game, both on and off the course.

  6. Jul 29

    Ep 3: The Art of Reinvention, with Kamo Moth

    Some careers are built by following the plan. Others are built by having the courage to walk away from it, and venture into the unknown. This week, we sit down with broadcaster, producer, actress and entrepreneur Kamo Moth for a conversation about identity, reinvention and what happens when you realise that the dream you've been chasing no longer fits the life you want to build. After a decade in radio and entertainment, Kamo made the difficult decision to leave an industry she had worked tirelessly to break into. Together, we unpack the pressure of proving yourself, the cost of ambition, and why walking away from success can sometimes be the bravest decision you'll ever make. From growing up with parents who expected excellence, to navigating heartbreak, confidence, purpose and starting over, this conversation is filled with wisdom for anyone standing at a crossroads. We talk about: Why "just get in the room" became the advice that shaped her careerThe difference between your public identity and who you really areWhy reinvention is impossible without growthGrieving the version of yourself you've had to leave behindBuilding confidence without waiting for permissionThe importance of community, role models and creating spaces where other women can thrive This episode is a reminder that success isn't always about holding on. Sometimes it's about having the courage to let go, trust yourself, and build something even better. If you've ever questioned your next chapter, this conversation is for you.

  7. Jul 15

    Ep 2: Unlimited Beliefs, with Paige Lindenberg

    Breaking Barriers in Motorsport and Motherhood: An Interview with Paige Lindenberg What happens when you grow up believing there are no limits? In this candid episode, Paige Lindenberg shares her inspiring journey navigating a male-dominated motorsport industry while embracing the joys and challenges of motherhood. Her story is a powerful testament to resilience, independence, and redefining success on her own terms. Key Topics: Challenges of being a woman in motorsportThe importance of resilience and mental strengthBalancing motherhood with a racing careerThe role of independence and confidence in successThe impact of upbringing and family support Connect with Paige: Instagram LinkedIn Shelby South Africa - https://shelbysouthafrica.co.za/ Road to Race - https://roadtorace.co.za/ Lindenberg Racing - https://lindenbergracing.co.za/

  8. Trailer

    Welcome to The Room She Built

    What if the stories we hear could change the way we see ourselves? The Room She Built is a space to share the real stories of women building businesses, families, communities, and lives on their own terms. We talk about leadership, resilience, ambition, and the messy middle of success. If you've ever felt like you needed permission to dream bigger, these conversations are for you.

  9. Jun 30

    EPISODE 1: There's a Seat For You Here

    The Room She Built — Pilot Episode Welcome to The Room She Built, where women’s stories, leadership, and honest conversations take center stage. In this first episode, we introduce the vision behind the podcast: a space for real, unpolished stories about success, struggle, permission, and growth. We open up about why we launched the show now, what inspired us to create a platform for women’s voices, and why authenticity matters more than a polished highlight reel. Pam shares how her entrepreneurial journey has been shaped by inconsistency, reinvention, and a deep desire to create community. Karen reflects on her career across hospitality, conservation, and fitness, and how those experiences shaped her belief in building systems, leading with excellence, and creating opportunity for others. Together, we discuss: Why women need more spaces to tell their storiesHow community can replace competitionThe reality behind success and the “messy middle”Why permission starts from withinThe difference between masculine and feminine energy in work and lifeWhat it means to build a room where everyone belongs We also explore topics we’re excited to cover in future episodes, including money, burnout, leadership, resilience, and the unspoken pressures women face while building businesses, families, and communities.This episode is a bold, vulnerable introduction to a podcast rooted in connection, courage, and truth. Key moments The origin story of The Room She BuiltPam and Karen’s personal career journeysWhy community matters more than competitionThe role of women as leaders and protectorsTheir vision for inspiring women across South Africa and beyond Main themes AuthenticityWomen’s voicesLeadershipCommunityResiliencePermissionGrowth Best for listeners who want Honest conversations about entrepreneurshipInspiration from women building meaningful lives and businesses• • A podcast that goes beyond the highlight reel

  • 1 Trailer
    8 Episodes

Trailer

About

The Room She Built is a podcast for women who didn't wait for permission. Hosted by Pam Newman and Karen Loader, two women who have built businesses, careers, and lives inside systems that were never designed for them. The Room She Built features honest conversations about leadership, ambition, identity, resilience, and what it really takes to create success on your own terms. Each episode features candid stories from founders, executives, creatives, and changemakers who have challenged expectations, navigated setbacks, and built something meaningful. No polished corporate narratives. No pretending to have it all figured out. Just real conversations about the wins, the struggles, the lessons, and the moments that changed everything. Whether you're building a business, leading a team, reinventing yourself, or simply looking for a room where your voice belongs, pull up a chair. This room was built for you.

Information

  • Creator
    Pam Newman & Karen Loader
  • Years Active
    2026
  • Episodes
    9
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Pam Newman & Karen Loader

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