Stories Between Sips

A South African podcast for stories that matter
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  • PERSONAL JOURNALS
  • EVERY TWO WEEKS

Hosted by René van Niekerk, this podcast is about the stories of South African people that often go unheard. Grab a cuppa, sit down and let's chat! storiesbetweensips.substack.com

  1. Episode 5, Part 2: From Chalkboards to TikTok

    25/07/2025

    Episode 5, Part 2: From Chalkboards to TikTok

    René sits down with her former colleague O’dine, an Afrikaans teacher who has taught at both co-ed and single-sex schools, to reflect on how the classroom has evolved. From the days before smartphones to the hyper-digital learners of today, they unpack how education—and educators—have had to adapt. ✨ We’re also preparing our final episode for the season, and we want to hear from you: * How has being a listener or viewer of Stories Between Sips impacted you? * What would you like to see in our next season? Send us your response via voice note, short video clip, or written message!📩 Contact: Instagram @storiesbetweensipspodcast | TikTok @storiesbetweensipspod This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit storiesbetweensips.substack.com

    27 min

  2. 23/07/2025

    Episode 5, Part 1: Teaching Then vs Now

    René shares her journey across three countries—South Africa, South Korea, and Qatar—to reflect on how teaching has changed over the past decade. From chalkboards to TikTok, what does it mean to teach the digital generation? Grab your cup and settle in. 🎧 Follow @storiesbetweensipspodcast on Instagram and @storiesbetweensipspod on TikTok. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit storiesbetweensips.substack.com

    9 min
  3. Episode 4, Part 2: Friendship

    27/06/2025

    Episode 4, Part 2: Friendship

    In this week’s guest episode, René chats with Milla — someone who’s formed a powerful, enduring bond with Ilze over the years. Their friendship may not have started in childhood, but it has become one rooted in loyalty, growth, and deep understanding. Together, Milla and René talk about what it takes to build and maintain adult friendships, the beauty of sisterhood, and the ways our closest connections shape us — especially when they evolve later in life. This episode is a celebration of friendships that find us exactly when we need them. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit storiesbetweensips.substack.com

    25 min
  4. Episode 4, Part 1: Friendships

    23/06/2025

    Episode 4, Part 1: Friendships

    In this solo episode, René gets honest about how complex adult friendship can be — especially when you grow up without being taught how to nurture emotional connections. She reflects on sisterhood, friendships with men, the shifting nature of relationships, and how the loss of her parents reshaped the way she connects with others.From childhood dynamics to expat loneliness, this episode holds space for the grief and grace of evolving friendships — and the peace that comes with loving people from a distance.Whether you’re holding on, letting go, or searching for your people — this is for you. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit storiesbetweensips.substack.com

    8 min
  5. Coming up next on Stories Between Sips

    22/06/2025

    Coming up next on Stories Between Sips

    Next week on Stories Between Sips, we explore the messy beauty of adult friendship. In Monday’s solo episode, René opens up about learning (and unlearning) how to be a friend — from childhood gaps in emotional education to navigating connection, distance, and grief as an adult. Then on Friday, she sits down with Milla, Ilze’s lifelong best friend, for a heartfelt conversation about sisterhood, evolving bonds, and the kind of friendship that lasts through decades. Whether you're holding onto old friends or hoping to make new ones — this one’s for you. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit storiesbetweensips.substack.com

    1 min
  6. Episode 3, Part 2: Grieving Far From Home

    14/06/2025

    Episode 3, Part 2: Grieving Far From Home

    What does it mean to grieve when you're far from everything familiar? In this episode, I speak with Renate Mayer — someone I went to high school with — who now lives in the U.S. with her husband John and is currently on the path to becoming a death doula. We talk about the heartbreak of losing a parent while living abroad, the silence of family who don’t show up, and how grief can reshape your sense of connection and calling. Renate opens up about her own journey and how personal loss led her toward supporting others in the sacred space of end-of-life care. This conversation is about distance, death, and discovering meaning in the midst of pain. Follow Stories Between Sips for more real, reflective conversations. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit storiesbetweensips.substack.com

    40 min
  7. Episode 3, Part 1: How Grief Changes Everything

    09/06/2025

    Episode 3, Part 1: How Grief Changes Everything

    In this solo episode, I share the most personal story I've ever told — losing my mom in 2021 and my dad in 2024. I talk about the guilt of being far from home, how grief affected my relationship with my brother and my dad, and what it felt like when family didn’t show up. This isn’t a guide to “getting over it.” It’s an honest look at what it means to carry loss — and to slowly find your way through. Follow Stories Between Sips and join me for a conversation we don’t have nearly enough. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit storiesbetweensips.substack.com

    9 min
  8. 🖤 NEXT WEEK ON STORIES BETWEEN SIPS 🖤

    07/06/2025

    🖤 NEXT WEEK ON STORIES BETWEEN SIPS 🖤

    Grief changes everything — your identity, your relationships, your sense of home. On Monday, I share my story of losing both my parents — my mom in 2021 and my dad in 2024 — and how that grief shaped me. Then on Friday, I’m joined by my high school friend Renate Mayer, now living in the U.S., as we talk about grieving across oceans and the family who showed up… and who didn’t. Two episodes. One honest conversation. Follow @storiesbetweensipspodcast and meet me in the silence between the sips. #StoriesBetweenSips #GriefJourney #PodcastPreview #HealingOutLoud #BlackWomenPodcasters This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit storiesbetweensips.substack.com

    1 min
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About

Hosted by René van Niekerk, this podcast is about the stories of South African people that often go unheard. Grab a cuppa, sit down and let's chat! storiesbetweensips.substack.com

Information

  • Creator
    A South African podcast for stories that matter
  • Years Active
    2K
  • Episodes
    13
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Stories Between Sips
  • Show Website
    Stories Between Sips