Growing Greatness: Dr Pepe Marais

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 and societal impact, Pepe’s journey is as raw and real as it is inspiring. 

This episode dives deep into the inner work behind outer success—exploring identity, ego, trauma, entrepreneurship, and how businesses can (and should) be vehicles for meaningful change. 

🔗 Whether you're an entrepreneur, a creative, or just someone looking to live and lead with more purpose—this is a must-listen. 

 

📚 Timestamped Overview 

00:00 – Introduction: The birth of an incredible machine  06:00 – Death, rebirth, and a business partnership saved by fate  ️12:30 – Social phobia, authenticity, and the path to public speaking  18:00 – Growing Greatness: The book and its personal roots  26:45 – Why business is the second most creative act (after children)  35:00 – The education crisis in South Africa and systemic failure  43:00 – The power of entrepreneurial learning and cellular experience  51:00 – Diversity, purpose, and the unseen forces that shape us  1:00:00 – Conscious capitalism: Why business needs soul  1:10:00 – Testing for consciousness and the Dana Kruger effect  1:25:00 – Building a purpose for South Africa 

 

🔴 In This Episode: 

💬 "The Worst Thing Is the Best Thing"  Pepe explains how life’s greatest challenges—from trauma to heartbreak—have become his biggest sources of growth. 

💬 The Power of Purpose in Business  Discover why Pepe believes the success of Joe Public was fueled not by chasing money, but by aligning with purpose. 

💬 Education as Economic Liberation  Why fixing South Africa’s education system is critical to national transformation—and why he's shifted focus from schooling to leadership. 

💬 From Social Phobia to TEDx  Hear how Pepe overcame debilitating anxiety to become a powerful speaker, author, and changemaker. 

💬 The Creative Force of Entrepreneurship  Starting a business isn’t just economic—Pepe calls it one of the most spiritual and creative acts available to humans. 

 

Relevant Links: 

The Egg - A Short Story: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h6fcK_fRYaI&t=2s 

Joe Public Website: https://joepublic.co.za/  

Dr Pepe Marais: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dr-pepe-marais-ba142811?originalSubdomain=za  

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