Welcome back after a 2 week hiatus! Following my own advice from last week's episode, I took a break to rest and realign with my true intention behind this podcast - which is to be real with the listeners.

So, in this week's episode I'm doing just that by getting real about life - how it can suck, but also isn't impossible to make it suck less. I'll be sharing my experience of life over the last few weeks, with the succession of illnesses I developed, university stress and mental battles, which forced me to slow down and realise how important it is to protect my peace. I hope this advice resonates with you when the going gets tough :)

You know that moment when you’re lying in bed doing absolutely nothing — maybe scrolling, sipping coffee, or contemplating life under your duvet — and suddenly your brain’s like, “Shouldn’t you be… achieving something?” Yeah, that.

This episode is for the overthinkers, overdoers, and honorary members of the “I’ll rest when I’ve earned it” club. We’re talking about the guilt trip that comes with doing sweet nothing — and why it’s so hard to not feel bad about, well… not doing anything.

Expect cozy chaos, existential caffeine-fuelled tangents, and a few reality checks about rest (with some reasons why you could be a hustle maniac), worthiness, and why hustle culture can chill (literally).

So if your to-do list currently includes “relax” — this one’s your sign to actually do it. Press play, take a breath, and let’s romanticize doing nothing together.

Here's a little reminder if you're feeling out of place, confused, down, lost, or a mixed bag of everything. In this episode, I share a personal example of how difficult it's been adjusting to life in Cape Town and how I've been battling in the trenches with this degree - but whenever it gets too much, I find a little comfort in knowing that I am where I am meant to be, exactly in that moment. It doesn't make it easier, but it takes me out of my head and helps remind me of the bigger picture.

I hope that this episode can bring that same comfort for you when the days feel a little heavy :)

Grief isn’t just about funerals and sad movie montages — it sneaks in everywhere. From breakups to losing pets (RIP to my Georgies… yes, I really only know one pet name), even to stolen phones — grief hits us all in different ways.

In this episode, I get real about the messy, awkward, sometimes hilarious ways we grieve. Like crying at the gym mid–breakup (iconic teen cliché) or going through more tissue boxes than seems socially acceptable. But here’s the thing: there’s no gold medal for “best griever.” Whether you’re a crier, a busy bee, or the strong silent type — it all counts.

We’ll chat about the 7 stages of grief (spoiler: they’re not a neat checklist), why crying in public shouldn’t be as taboo as it is, and why your grief — however random or “small” it feels — is still 100% valid.

Grief isn’t a sprint, it’s a marathon… and sometimes, it’s a really weird one.

This week I got the absolute legend to join me on record — if you know me, you love her, and if you don't know me, you will love her: it's the woman who managed to survive parenting me, my Mom, Renate 🎙️! AND this is the very first Liv Long episode (translation: it’s longer than ten minutes because apparently adulting takes a while to explain).

We’re talking about “losing your training wheels,” a.k.a. that terrifying moment when you realise your parents aren’t going to make your decisions forever (tragic, I know). From choosing your own path to owning your mistakes to finally admitting ChatGPT can’t solve your entire life… we cover it all.

Think of this as part sequel to last week’s “stop trying to prove yourself to your parents” episode, part comedy show, and part free therapy session with the van Onselen women.

I love my parents—but wow, have I spent a lot of my life trying to prove myself to them. From crying over a 99.5% in Grade 2 (because apparently half a percent was the end of the world) to hustling so my mom wouldn’t think I was “lazy,” I turned proving myself into a full-time job. Spoiler: it’s exhausting, and honestly, unpaid internships have better benefits.

In this episode, I unpack how that pressure shaped me, why I stopped sharing my test scores with my dad (protect your peace, kids), and how awkward but honest communication actually healed a lot of old wounds. Along the way, I’ll share the biggest lesson I’ve learned: you don’t need to audition for your parents’ approval—you already got the part.

If you’ve ever felt like your life was one big talent show for your parents, this episode is your permission slip to step off stage and just be.

And next week? My mom joins me for the first-ever Liv Long episode, which should be equal parts heartfelt and slightly chaotic.

Welcome to your 20s, where one friend is getting married, another is backpacking Bali, someone’s climbing the corporate ladder, and someone else is… still trying to figure out what day it is. Meanwhile, you’re wondering if liking each other’s Instagram stories still counts as “keeping in touch.”

In this episode, I get real about the chaos of maintaining friendships in your 20s, why it feels like you need a part-time job just to make plans, and how the holy trinity of friendship (proximity, timing, energy) slowly crumbles the moment you leave school.

But it’s not all doom and gloom — I talk about what actually keeps friendships alive (hint: it’s not tagging each other in memes, though that helps), how to know when to hold on vs. let go, and why “quality over quantity” is the mantra we should all tattoo on our foreheads.

If you’ve ever stared at your group chat wondering if you guys are still besties or just really dedicated lurkers, this one’s for you.

I swear I hardly looked at cake or pizza in the last year and all my sizes went up by one or two. Before I did anything crazy I did some research and found some good stuff that no one ever talks about; what actually happens to your body when you become a woman. Yes, we all know puberty changes the game, but at 21 you’re past that, surely?

If you don’t fit into the same jeans as you did a year ago and you’re in your early 20s, or you know someone who cries about not fitting into their jeans who’s in their early 20s, this episode will provide some much needed reassurance. Hold off the juicing diets please ladies, love your bodies - it’s all biology x

This week's episode is more of a casual rant than deep and meaningful insights. I think the last 2 weeks were quite intense I thought I'd lighten the mood a little:

Ever been stared at in the gym but not in a sexy way? Well, this episode is made for you. Ever been the one to stare at people in the gym? I guess this episode works for you too. Basically, then, to all gym go-ers, these next 10 minutes are here for you to relate, learn some tips on how to deal with the uncomfortable gazes and bring some awareness if you're doing the gazing. Happy iron pumping!

A lot of big and daunting words in this episode's title, but don't freak out, I'll explain it all:

Know the saying "Nothing Lasts Forever"? That's basically what impermanence is. Sounds sad, I know, but the point of this episode is to explore how you can use the idea of impermanence to appreciate the present moment and accept change - which feels a little more positive.

So, since this episode will not last forever, as impermanence suggests, try make the most of these next 10 minutes :)

Let's take a moment because she's finally here!

Welcome to Liv in Ten, the very first episode, where I'll be exploring the question: What is stopping you?

Sometimes, there are things in life we want to achieve or get to, but seem to find ourselves hitting a wall (like I have been with this podcast for so long). Maybe, that wall is there for a reason. Maybe you need to face it head on and smash it down to see more clearly what's on the other side, or sometimes you need to let it stand. BUT you'll never know until you face it, and we don't want to be stuck forever.

So sit back, or walk, or drive, or whatever you're doing, for 10 minutes and relax while I give your mind somewhere else to go :)