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Lorato Trok speaks to Lynn Joffe about her chapter book, Rosina's Dream. In this episode of Solid Gold Stakeholders, Lynn Joffe chats to renowned South African author and early literacy activist, Lorato Trok. As the Executive Director of the Nal’ibali Trust, Lorato has spent over two decades championing the power of stories. We dive deep into the heart of her award-winning book, Rosina’s Dream. Lorato shares the journey of uncovering this incredible, unsung true story: the biography of an athlete whose potential was stifled by the apartheid regime, yet whose resilience and spirit triumphed. From the hurdles of sexism and systemic oppression to the ultimate love story that defined her life, Rosina’s Dream is more than just a book; it is a vital piece of reclaimed history for a new generation. Beyond the pages, the two authors discuss the urgent necessity of mother-tongue storytelling and the vital role of oral tradition as a precursor to reading and writing. Lorato opens up about her own upbringing, where her mother’s nightly oral stories became the spark for her lifelong passion for literature. Join us for a fascinating conversation on how we can bridge the literacy gap by honouring our indigenous knowledge and ensuring our children see themselves reflected in the stories they read. Buy the book now · Call Gavin

The Author: A Duality of Science and Heart: Dr. Karen Singh is not your typical oncologist specialist. Known to her patients as Dr. Gentle Hands, she operates from a philosophy that medicine must be attached to the heart. While her daily life involves the rigours of radiation oncology, her creative output is fuelled by the gold she sees in every patient—recognising them not as numbers, but as mothers, fathers, and siblings. Singh’s path to storytelling began in her own childhood. Born with a squint that required major surgery, she spent weeks with her eyes patched, forced to rely on the heard word, through radio and audiobooks. This period of darkness sparked a vivid imagination, teaching her early on that stories are a vital precursor to resilience. The Catalyst: The Bat-Eared Observer: The inspiration for Mama’s Garden of Hope came from a poignant moment in her clinic. Dr. Singh observed a young girl sitting on the outskirts of a consultation, colouring, but with bat ears strained to catch the complex conversation between her parents and herself. Dr. Singh realised that while much is said about parents supporting children, very little focuses on the children who support their parents through a cancer journey. She wrote the book to: • Open difficult discussions between parents and children. • Invite children into the process so they don’t feel like they are looking through a glass window. • Break the "C-word" taboo by naming the illness, thereby making it something that can be dealt with. The Story: A Garden of Resilience: The book uses the metaphor of a garden to symbolise the shifting seasons of a cancer journey. It is a narrative of hope, courage, and new beginnings. • Visual Narrative: Dr. Singh worked closely with a Japan-based illustrator to ensure the passage of time was depicted accurately, specifically through the mother’s hair, which transitions from long to short during chemotherapy, and begins to grow back as the seasons change. • Inclusive Design: In a thoughtful nod to her medical expertise, the book features unusually large print. This isn't just for children; it’s designed for patients undergoing chemotherapy whose vision may be blurred or impaired, allowing them to read comfortably with their children. The Creative Process: While the story was sparked by a drive home in traffic and written over a single weekend, the production took six months. Dr. Singh is a hybrid publisher, maintaining high editorial standards and creative control. She utilised her three children as her first editors, ensuring the language resonated with a younger audience without being out in the clouds or overly clinical. Impact and Philanthropy: For Dr. Singh, this is a mission of healing, not a commercial venture. • CHOC Partnership: All profits from the book are donated to CHOC (Children’s Cancer Foundation). Rather than a traditional launch party, she used the funds to stock the kitchen cupboards of CHOC houses. • Interactive Healing: When performing the book at literary festivals, she uses puppets and role-play, discovering that children have deeply mature questions about screening, causes of cancer, and grief. Looking Ahead: Addressing the Unhappy Ending: While Mama’s Garden of Hope focuses on resilience and survival, Dr. Singh acknowledges that not every journey ends happily. Prompted by children who asked, "What if Mama dies?", she has committed to writing a future book focused on grief and loss. Her goal is to treat children's feelings with the respect they deserve, providing a sensitive roadmap for the most difficult conversations a family can face. https://www.tiktok.com/@sacred.heart.oncology?_t=8j9GEFjvYaU&_r=1 · Discover more about Dr. Singh's Sacred Heart Oncology on her Instagram page · Dr. Singh's journey on Facebook · Call Gavin

Jillian Vigrass (Author, English Teacher and Storyteller) unpacks her children's book, Ozzee the Dozy Mozzee. Lynn Joffe interviews Jillian Vigrass, educator and author of 'Ozzee the Dozy Mozzee', a children's picture book that teaches malaria prevention to children from age 7 upwards through entertaining, anthropomorphised storytelling. Jillian explains how years living in Ethiopia and visiting her son in Kenya exposed her to the scale of the malaria crisis - one child dies every minute from malaria in Africa - and how she set out to write edutainment that gives children the knowledge and responsibility to protect themselves and their families. The book covers insect repellent, mosquito nets, covering up at dusk and the biology of plasmodia parasites, all woven into an engaging narrative about a reluctant female mosquito named Ozzee. The episode covers the book's unique distribution model; every full price copy sold funds one and a half copies for children in malaria endemic regions of Africa. Blue Poppy Publishing backed the project editorially and commercially. Jillian's next priority is to seek translation into French, Portuguese and Swahili, targeting Francophone West Africa, Tanzania, Zanzibar and Kenya, where malaria infection is highest. The book is designed for classroom use and community distribution across sub Saharan Africa. Ozzee is ready for the kind of sponsorship that turns a self funded passion project into a continent-wide early childhood education resource This episode is for corporates, CSI managers and ECD funders looking for proven, purposeful children's content that delivers measurable impact in Africa. Ozzy the Dozy Mozzy - Blue Puppy Publishing · Wangari Maathai Foundation - Nobel Peace Prize laureate · Call Gavin

I am Lovely and Dark tackles bullying and colourism head-on and triumphs. Lynn Joffe and Ntombi The Voice chat about Ntombi's debut children's story. Author and storyteller Lynn Joffe chats to Ntombi The Voice, presenter and broadcaster, about her debut children’s book, I Am Lovely and Dark. Drawing from the perspective of her inner child, Ntombi relates a tale of discovering inner and outer beauty and self-confidence, overcoming prejudice to rise and shine. Order the book and get a free mirror and affirmation cards · Call Gavin

Lynn Joffe and author Sewela Langeni share the inspiration heart behind Making Friends with Feelings, Sewela's debut children’s book crafted to help boys break the silent cycle of emotional internalisation. Drawing from her sons’ experiences and her visionary leadership at Book Circle Capital, Sewela champions African literature and the vital preservation of mother-tongue literacy, especially for young children. Langeni and Joffe explore the intersection of identity, heritage, and audio storytelling. It’s a masterclass in entrepreneurship with a conscience, ensuring the next generation stays expressive, grounded, and culturally connected. The stories are published on the award-winning podcast, Solid Gold Story Time. The book is illustrated by Subi Bosa. You can find the story here · Call Gavin

Lynn Joffe interviews academic, writer and storyteller Nokuthula Mazibuko Msimang about her charming children’s book, Soweto Tea Party. Nokuthula read the book in English and isiZulu for the Solid Gold Story Time podcast (link?) The book, available in English and isiZulu, is a reflection on her childhood during apartheid, where her parents protected her with love, encouragement and music. The two women discuss the challenges and triumphs of mother tongue storytelling in South Africa and their experiences of engaging, inspiring and reaching young children with the power of reading and the heard word. Call Gavin

Diana Ferrus chats to Lynn Joffe about her fascinating children's storybook. Lynn Joffe interviews acclaimed author, poet and storyteller, Dr Diana Ferrus, about her fascinating children’s storybook, The Boy Who Loved to Dance,’ published by New Africa Books in English and Afrikaans, and read by the author on Solid Gold Story Time. Their discussion ranges from Diana’s extensive experience of authorship and the difference between traditional and self-publishing. Ferrus speaks about the content, themes and messages of Die Seun Wat Net Wou Dans, the story of Johaar Mosaval, a Muslim boy from District 6, whose passion for dance led him from the streets of Cape Town to the grand stages of the world. And home again. · Call Gavin

Listen to Lynn Joffe chatting to Khutso Swafo, author and publisher of Palesa, Flower of the Forest, her intriguing children’s book about caring and sharing our planet with every living thing. Their conversation covers Khutso’s journey to publication and her inspiration for the book: her very own daughter, her flower, Palesa. Parks and Read · Buy the book now · Call Gavin

Author and storyteller, Lynn Joffe, interviews Gomolemo Moagi about her new children’s story, ‘Bontle’s New Wheels', published by New Africa Books as a storybook in English and Sesotho and as two episodes on Solid Gold Story Time. Their discussion ranges from Gomolemo’s experience of her story going out into the world, the world of words and being saved by books, and the strong women who have raised her along her journey to publication. New Africa Books published Bontle's New Wheels in English and Sesotho. · Call Gavin

Lynn Joffe, producer of Solid Gold Story Time chats to Amanda Horwitz about her delightful children's book 'Lulu and Sarge in the Bee-sting Operation'. Amanda discusses the inspiration behind the book, which is based on her two real life dachshunds, Lulu and Sarge. The two women, who share a background in copywriting, chat about Amanda’s publishing journey, future projects and how the core idea in the book sets an example of what's possible in life for us to live a beautiful, wholesome, content life together. Connect with Amanda · Listen to Lulu & Sarge in the Bee-sting Operation · Call Gavin

Join Lynn Joffe in conversation with Lara Nathan about her book 'Jamie Shai and His Superpower', which is based on her son Jamie who has cerebral palsy. Lara explains that cerebral palsy affects Jamie's muscle control, limiting his physical abilities but not his cognitive functions. Jamie communicates through an eye-tracking device and has a remarkable ability to connect with people through his smile. Lara emphasizes the importance of seeing differently abled individuals as special and encourages interaction with them. She discusses Jamie's schooling, his relationships with siblings, and the family dynamics. Lara expresses her desire for the book to be shared widely to promote understanding and acceptance of differently abled individuals. The interview concludes with information on where to purchase the book and how to contact Lara directly. Listen to Lara reading this book · Call Gavin

It is said that JFK defeated Nixon partly because of how they each appeared on the first televised presidential debate. Kennedy looked good and confident, and Nixon "sweaty and shifty." Since then we've had a Facebook election, a Twitter one, and even a Google one. Listen to this snippet from the Prof G Markets podcast about how the 2024 election, with Trump on Rogan, has turned out to be the podcast election. This long from conversation with politicians will shape who wins over the next few years. Listen to the full episode · Call Gavin

In this snippet, hear Scott Galloway's take on activist investor, Eliott, using podcasts to influence stakeholders in the runup to a vote. Listen to the full episode · Call Gavin

Listen to Malcolm speak passionately about where podcasts fit into the media landscape. And why he uses spoken word in some instances over the written word. Listen to the full interview · Call Gavin

A talk discussing key aspects of the podcasting industry and medium. It covers the extreme income inequality where the top podcasts take most revenue, the importance of Joe Rogan in growing the industry, the peak and recent slowdown in new podcast launches, the still fast growth and high advertising rates for top podcasts, and reasons why podcast ads outperform other digital ads including the intimate listener relationship. Action items involve researching the podcast advertising market potential and targeting podcast sponsorships. Extreme Inequality in Podcast Monetization. A few top podcasts take nearly all revenue and profits. Podcasting is likely not self-sustaining outside the top 1000 shows. The advertising market concentrates heavily among the top 500 podcasts. Joe Rogan's Pivotal Impact. Joe Rogan has been crucial in driving podcasting into the mainstream. His show defines key aspects of the medium and has fueled tremendous industry growth. Podcasting Growth Peaking. Podcasting saw over 1 million new shows launch in 2020 but only 220,000 in 2021. Existing shows are also exiting as growth slows despite still being faster than most other media. Top Podcasts Remain Highly Profitable. The top podcasts can operate profitably at scale with production costs around $500k-1m annually. Their high 60-90% ad margins and $40-45 CPMs make them great small media businesses. Intimacy Drives Strong Engagement. Listeners feel personal connections to hosts by hearing voices in intimate contexts over time. This drives 70-90% ad listen-through rates and higher engagement versus other digital ads. Listen to the full episode · Call Gavin