The Incredible Machines

Welcome to another episode of The Incredible Machines Podcast! In this inspiring conversation, Jon Oliff sits down with Debra Clelland, CEO of Deaf Kids International and a powerhouse of perseverance, humility, and vision. From her early days growing up in South Africa and battling feelings of uncertainty, to years spent navigating the high-pressure world of investment banking in London, Debra opens up about the pivotal moments and...

In Episode 18 of The Incredible Machines Podcast, hosts Jon Oliff and Luke Holden sit down with legendary entrepreneur, speaker, author, and provocateur, Richard Mulholland—the mind behind Missing Link, 21 Tanks, and Too Many Robots—for a deep-dive into creativity, courage, and the art (and science) of relentless reinvention. 

From his Glasgow roots and punk rock beginnings to making CEOs into rockstars and transforming the busines...

In Episode 17 of The Incredible Machines Podcast, hosts Jon Oliff and Luke Holden sit down with Gordon Reid—financial advisor, philanthropist, and multi-discipline endurance athlete—for a high-energy, heart-led conversation on grit, giving, and growth. 

From 16-hour days in retail to grueling army marches, to building a print business and pivoting into finance during COVID, Gordon shares how he’s embraced every challenge with humor...

Welcome to another inspiring episode of The Incredible Machines Podcast! 

In Episode 16, we sit down with Cindy Norcott — entrepreneur, motivational speaker, non-profit founder, and the definition of unstoppable. 

As the founder of Pro Talent, author of How to Be Unstoppable, and visionary behind the Robin Hood Foundation, Cindy shares her extraordinary journey from humble beginnings to becoming a force for change in both business ...

In Episode 15 of The Incredible Machines Podcast, hosts Jon Oliff and Luke Holden sit down with Dr Pepe Marais—co-founder of Joe Public and South African thought leader on conscious leadership—for a profound conversation on purpose, personal transformation, and the creative power of business. 

From near-death experiences to overcoming social phobia, and from launching one of South Africa’s most iconic agencies to shaping education ...

Welcome to another powerful episode of The Incredible Machines Podcast! In Episode 14, hosts Jon Oliff and Luke Holden sit down with Oscar Chalupsky, a world champion paddler, Olympian, and endurance athlete, to discuss his unbreakable mindset, defying the odds, and what it takes to achieve sustained success. From winning his first world championship at 15 to competing at the highest levels well into his sixties, Oscar’s relentless...

Welcome to another exciting episode of The Incredible Machines Podcast, where we delve into the fascinating journeys of individuals who are making waves in their respective fields. In the 13th episode, with Mawanda and Simon, our host Jon Oliff sits down with two remarkable guests.  

Mawanda, a video coach and entrepreneur with a penchant for personal branding and video content creation, shares his inspiring story of resilience and...

Welcome to another captivating episode of The Incredible Machines Podcast. In this episode, hosts Jon Oliff and Luke Holden are thrilled to sit down with Nhlanhla Khambule, an inspiring entrepreneur and the CEO of Edinvest. 

Don't miss this opportunity to learn what makes Nhlanhla an 'incredible machine' and how he is transforming lives through education and innovation. 

💡 Guest Bio: 

Nhlanhla Khambule is a resilient individual wh...

Welcome to another enlightening episode of The Incredible Machines Podcast! Today, we are thrilled to host Siya Gule, a remarkable entrepreneur and the CEO of Beapo, a company revolutionizing the supply chain and strategic sourcing industries. 

In this episode, Jon Oliff and co-host Luke Holden delve into Siya's inspiring journey from humble beginnings, to becoming a highly esteemed leader in his field. Siya shares heartfelt storie...

Welcome to a special episode of The Incredible Machines Podcast! 🎙️ In this inspiring conversation, hosts Jon Oliff and Luke Holden sit down with Dale Tomlinson, the visionary creative leader behind The Hardy Boys, one of South Africa’s most celebrated advertising agencies. With a remarkable career spanning over 30 years, Dale shares his journey from an art student to the founder of an agency that redefined creativity in Durban a...

In this episode, hosts Jon Oliff and Luke Holden sit down with the dynamic Steven Eayrs, a serial entrepreneur with a diverse background spanning retail, motorbikes, and entertainment. Known for his deep understanding of customer experience and his authentic approach to business, Steven shares insights from his extensive journey in entrepreneurship. Join us as Steven delves into the importance of building trusted relationships with...

In this episode, you'll hear thrilling stories of Mark's near-miss encounters with dangerous waves, his achievements under immense pressure, and the tight-knit camaraderie among South African surfers. Mark shares lessons from his mentors, insights on mental preparation, and the importance of resilience in sports and business. You'll also get a glimpse into Mark’s personal life, his dedication to staying close to the ocean, and the ...

In Episode 06, hosts Jon Oliff and Luke Holden sit down with the inspiring Zayn Nabbi. Zayn is an award-winning journalist, a former senior producer at CNN, and a passionate advocate for diversity and inclusion. Beyond his professional achievements, Zayn's journey encompasses diverse experiences, from his remarkable stint as a top-four contestant on "Survivor" to his journey as an immigrant pondering the role sport plays in his hom...

Welcome to a transformative episode of The Incredible Machines podcast! In this episode, hosts Jon Oliff and Luke Holden sit down with the inspiring Naretha Pretorius. Known for her profound influence as an educator, artist, and “thinking facilitator,” Naretha shares her journey of navigating creativity, radical disruption, and the importance of fostering authentic thinking. With a remarkable career that includes launching the IIE...

In Episode 05, hosts Jon Oliff and Luke Holden sit down with the remarkable Dr Nerisha Maharaj. Known for her multi-faceted expertise as a global executive coach, author, yoga/meditation teacher,  scholar of ancient Indian philosophy, academic and chartered accountant, Dr Maharaj blends profound insights into spirituality and leadership in a way that resonates with both personal and professional growth. Whether you're a regular pod...

Overview: In this episode of The Incredible Machines Podcast, we sit down with Grant Oliff, a seasoned entrepreneur and expert in digital transformation, to explore his unique leadership journey. Grant shares his experiences navigating diverse industries—from owning MMA gyms in South Africa to spearheading digital transformation projects in the UK. He delves into his philosophy on resilience, adaptability, and the human element of ...

Podcast Website: https://www.pod.tim.africa/ Overview: Welcome to The Incredible Machines Podcast! In today’s episode, titled "How to Lead with the Heart," hosts Jon Oliff and Luke Holden delve into a thought-provoking conversation with Byron Maclean, a traditional doctor and activist deeply rooted in Indigenous healing practices. Byron shares his powerful journey from a Western medical background to finding solace and purpose wi...

Podcast Website: https://www.pod.tim.africa/ Overview: Welcome to The Incredible Machines Podcast! In today's episode, we're excited to bring you an insightful conversation with Sean Tickner, a prosthetics and orthotics clinician currently residing in New Zealand. Born and raised in Durban, Sean has over 20 years of experience in his field, focusing on individualized care and building trust with his patients. Join hosts Luke Hold...

Overview: In the first episode of "The Incredible Machines Podcast," Jon Oliff and Luke Holden introduce the podcast's premise: to explore and celebrate incredible people doing incredible things while learning what makes them tick. Jon shares an engaging personal anecdote about meeting rugby legend Bryan Habana, which illustrates what he considers an "incredible machine"—someone who can change the atmosphere of a room simply by wal...