Through this time of uncertainty and unpredictability there has been a priority shift and re-evaluation of new direction. How do you navigate life’s challenges. Move from anxiety to action; from procrastinating to progress; from fear of failure to taking risks; from blaming others to self-responsibility; from criticism to kindness and from self-doubt to self-esteem. Join ‘DrD’ in conversation with Arni Witkin as they discuss his book ‘It’s not a Big Thing in Life”, on Thrive with ‘DrD’.

2020 has been a year filled with personal, relationship, family, business and global challenges. We have experienced uncertainty, lack of predictability, loss of jobs, money, physical contact and huge mental health issues. How do we not let suffering go to waste? Are there lessons that can be learned and sustained to improve our present and our future? What can we take into 2021 that will generate new possibilities and greater fulfillment? In this podcast, the final one for 2020, ‘DrD’ discusses: • Priority Shift • Gratitude • Resilience • The healing power of support • Balance between taking control and trusting the process • Being a more integrated member of the human race • Self-compassion and kindness Make the rest of your life the best of your life on Thrive with ‘DrD’. Happy Holidays and happy 2021!

Join ‘DrD’ in conversation with John Edmonson, CEO of Life Works Foundation in Texax, about the art of forgiveness. Here's a short segment of the podcast.

Have you ever been stuck in a moment that you cannot forget or move on from? In this week's Thrive with 'DrD' podcast, we explore forgiveness and reconciliation. "People think forgiveness is redeeming other people's behaviour. That's not the case at all. What's wrong is wrong. But, we want to be free [which is where forgiveness comes in]," says our guest, John Edmonson. We explore: * Why forgiveness is necessary * If reconciliation is always possible * How to deal with betrayal and pain * We look at the unresolved conflict that can be passed on through generations Join ‘DrD’ in conversation with John Edmonson, CEO of Life Works Foundation in Texas, USA. John is a Mindfulness, Health, Wellness and Recovery expert.

In this week's podcast, we meet Istanbul-based Şule Kutlay Gandur - an international leadership coach, TEDx Speaker and resilience expert. She and 'DrD' unpack and discuss resilience and how to develop it. They examine: • Why resilience is so fundamental to our lives, especially during challenging times? • They look at whether we are born with resilience or if it can be developed • How resilience manifests in our lives • If it's possible to engender resilience in our children *Şule Kutlay's website: www.sulekutlay.com

Three-time Grammy Award winner, fifteen-time Grammy nominee; Frank Zappa, Van Halen and Whitesnake lead guitarist; composer, singer, songwriter, and producer Steve Vai unpacks his life experiences and shares his ideas in this week's Thrive with 'DrD' podcast. Steve Vai talks about his career in music and how it's helped teach him his most valuable lessons, including: • Understanding the power of desire • Dealing with fear through influencing your thoughts • Knowing that you are in control of your life • Being aware and expressing gratitude and appreciation • Experiencing joy, creativity, abundance and love. Join Steve Vai and ‘DrD’ Dorianne Weil as they recognise that America and the world are on the brink of possibility and integrative change. *Music courtesy of Steve Vai.

You and your future: Seeing the light in 2021 with David Shapiro In this podcast, we look at: • Understanding the global impact of the USA elections • Experiencing renewed optimism and collective relief • Receiving expert investment tips. David asks, and answers: "Will those companies that got us through the pandemic, continue to thrive? Will they still dominate and also what other permanent changes will we see?" • Understanding the sustainable impact of the pandemic -- what have been the losses and what have been the gains? Join ‘DrD’ Dorianne Weil and well-known financial adviser, equity market expert and radio commentator David Shapiro - to look at where we’ve been, where we are, and where we're going.

Bryan Schimmel* is widely regarded as one of the leading and most diverse Music Directors, Arrangers and Orchestrators in South Africa. Aside from a story of success as a musician, his story is one of facing, overcoming and living with challenges, and beating the odds. Bryan has succeeded as a musician despite being a stutterer his entire life, as well as a victim of bullying, homophobia and a very difficult relationship with his late father. He is a recovered crystal meth addict and he's been HIV+ for around two decades. Bryan lived in the US from 1995 – 2002. When his life was at its most dire and desperate, he made a choice to return to South Africa to reclaim his life, reboot his career and became one of the most successful musicians in South Africa. Bryan talks to 'DrD' Dorianne Weil about that journey. * With a career of more than thirty years, Bryan Schimmel has worked in theatre, special events, recording and television across a full spectrum of music from rock bands to Big Bands, string quartets to symphony orchestras. pop to hip-hop. His theatre credits include music direction of PRISCILLA QUEEN OF THE DESERT, ANNIE, JERSEY BOYS, DREAMGIRLS, CHICAGO, WE WILL ROCK YOU, RENT and THOROUGHLY MODERN MILLIE working alongside international creative teams. He co-created the original A HANDFUL OF KEYS in 1994 and played the first 350 performances. Most recently, Bryan arranged and conducted a 45-piece orchestra for five sold-out performances of JONATHAN ROXMOUTH: The Musicals in Concert.

The end-of-year holidays are fast-approaching, and while this is a time of joy and connection for many, it can also be a stressful time for various reasons, including strained family dynamics and financial pressures. In this week's Thrive with 'DrD' podcast, Dorianne Weil gives some practical advice for how to approach the holiday season, especially in the light of what's been an already stressful year. She mentions some ways to ensure they bring you more joy than stress.

Social media is here to stay. As parents we try and find some balance for our kids in this digital age of devices and screens. What advice can we offer parents to help avoid and deal with the potentially harmful effects of social media on our children? Can social media benefit rather than cost us? Digital parenting expert, Josh Ramsey, co-founder of BeInTouch.org.za - joins 'DrD' today to discuss the explosive new Netflix documentary, The Social Dilemma, which looks at the reality of mass systematic manipulation of human vulnerability by the biggest tech companies in the world.

Join ‘DrD’ Dorianne Weil in conversation with Daryl Brown as he shares his very personal story of deep depression, failed suicide in the London Underground, losing both legs and his subsequent journey from survival to thrival. This story comes in World Mental Health Awareness Month*, and Daryl's message is one of challenging the stigma of mental illness and mental health; finding your voice and experiencing the healing power of support. He and Dorianne also talk about the importance of authentic vulnerability; of questioning assumptions and being kind and compassionate to yourself. *The World Health Organization defines mental health as “a state of well-being in which every individual realises his or her own potential, can cope with the normal stresses of life, can work productively and fruitfully, and is able to make a contribution to his or her community.”

These days we aim simply for survival .. getting through another day. What can we learn from couples who Thrive? Do they have less challenges or fewer problems? Of course not! It’s not whether there are difficulties .. it’s how they deal with them that determines Thrival. Join ‘ DrD ‘ as she answers your questions and discusses 3 characteristics of healthy couples: 1. Space but not distance. Closeness but not intrusion 2. Task Negotiation - who does what around here? 3. Communication: how to talk so your partner listens. And how to listen so your partner talks.

In the latest Thrive with 'DrD' podcast, clinical psychologist Dorianne Weil explores the five stages of grief and how they relate to the state of the world due to the Coronavirus pandemic. What stage are you at - anger, denial, bargaining, sadness or acceptance? 'DrD' helps to make sense of our state of mind at this unprecedented time. She explores the concept of global mourning, and looks at why there's been an increase in the divorce rate.

Has your relationship taken strain over the past several months of lockdown living? Many couples have been together 24/7 - whereas previously they'd have time apart during the working day, and would reunite in the evening. 'DrD' Dorianne Weil has received numerous emails around this topic, and has some very practical advice for repairing or building a stronger relationship.

'DrD' Dorianne Weil is breaking with the podcast's regular format this week, in order to respond to some of your questions around living and surviving - and thriving - in this so-called new normal. 'DrD' - a clinical psychologist - has three key pieces of advice for those of us who're trying to cope in the coronavirus pandemic, including those who’re working on the frontline. It's practical advice that everyone coping in this pandemic needs to know, and share with loved ones. She also has a really profound comparison with the after effects of the horrific 9-11 terror attacks in New York in 2001.

Gaynor Young, an acclaimed actress and opera singer, had just performer in a play at the State Theatre in Pretoria when tragedy struck. During a change in scenery on stage, Gaynor took one false step and found herself tumbling off the stage, and ultimately down five floors to the basement level. It was an horrific fall of 18 metres onto a concrete floor. Gaynor broke almost every bone in her face and body and suffered a brain hemorrhage. What kept her going? She says it was the healing power of love. Gaynor never, ever gave up. Join ‘DrD’ and Gaynor as they talk about her journey to survival and then thrival.

Your personal energy levels determine it all, says leadership and business coach Colin Hall - who has over 60 years of business experience and who runs the 'Learning to Lead' programme. "If your energy's low, your brain is not fully functional," he tells 'DrD'. Colin is the ex-CEO of WoolTru, and the former MD of South African Breweries. He believes that all effectiveness is related to energy. So, how do we charge our batteries in a sustainable way, especially when your energy is your most precious resource, while negative energy is your heaviest burden? In this podcast, you'll find practical tips on how to charge your battery.

Your innermost dominant thought becomes your outermost ‘tangible reality’. That's the belief of Dr John Demartini, Human Behavioural Specialist, Educator, Internationally Published Author and Business Consultant. He talks to 'DrD' about how to understand negative self talk – where it comes from and what purpose it serves; why you don't need to “fake it ‘til you make it” – he says authentic confidence is a natural by-product of living in alignment with your highest values; and how to develop authentic confidence – by focusing your energies on goals that naturally inspire you! Listen here... * Note this episode was recorded before the national lockdown.

Did you know that people who are happier have substantially higher income; get sick less often and recover more quickly; have higher tolerance for pain, more tolerance for stress and less memory loss? *Justin Cohen - bestselling author, global speaker and transformational coach - believes there are practical things you can do every day to be happier. In this podcast, he speaks to 'DrD' Dorianne Weil about the science of happiness. *Along with Harvard professor Matt Killingsworth, Justin Cohen was the positive psychology expert on the global 'Joy takes you further' happiness campaign. He hosted Gurus on CNBC Africa where he interviewed some of the world’s leading experts on success. He is the host and coach on Mnet’s 'The Single Wives' starting on the 3rd of September. Justin is a doctoral candidate at Middlesex University in London.

Parenting in a digital world - where real predators roam - can be really tricky. ‘Be in Touch’ was initiated by Josh Ramsey to educate, connect and protect families and schools, and enable our children to ‘thrive’ in this current digital world. In this podcast, Josh and 'DrD' discuss essential interventions and how to maximise technology safely for the benefit of our children. They also tackle: • Screen time – quality over quantity • Digital Family Alliance Forum – keeping your family connected • Device\App\Game settings • Parental insurance and control – prevent cyber-attacks and predatory grooming