

Calm, Clear & Helpful
Mariette Snyman
If anxiety, heartache, chronic pain or other issues are keeping you awake, listening to "Calm, Clear & Helpful" can bring you comfort and clarity. Ever-curious journalist Mariette Snyman interviews a range of experts on holistic health, love relationships, parenting, and life's phases and challenges. Join us each Tuesday for fresh insights, practical know-how, and for conversations from the heart.
Episodes
Mentioned books

Oct 28, 2025 • 50min
Ep. 230 Emotional dysregulation as a key component of ADHD
Understanding that emotional dysregulation is a brain-related symptom in individuals with ADHD can counter shame and offer hope. Counselling psychologist Ronel Carver discusses ADHD and its effects, executive functioning deficit, emotional dysregulation and rejection sensitive dysphoria. Concerning ADHD and emotional dysregulation, she highlights different treatment options - particularly BWRT, which changes neural pathways to elicit a preferred response. Ronel outlines the advantages of addressing challenges with brain-based therapy. www.westpsych.com · This episode's podcast notes and photograph · www.mariettesnyman.co.za · www.facebook.com · www.instagram.com · www.linkedin.com

Oct 21, 2025 • 31min
Ep 229 Annette Zeelie: How Brain Gym can boost couples’ relationships
Wouldn’t it be helpful if you and your partner knew whether one of you had a “blocked” eye or ear? Educational kinesiologist Annette Zeelie explains how Brain Gym® can determine individuals’ stress profiles, and enhance brain function through targeted movement. Children as well as adults can improve their concentration, communication, memory, stress management, emotional self-regulation, self-confidence, sport and academic achievement – and relationships. www.braingyminsa.co.za · breakthroughsinternational.org · This episode's podcast notes and photograph · www.mariettesnyman.co.za · www.facebook.com · www.instagram.com · www.linkedin.com

Oct 7, 2025 • 60min
Ep. 228 Families: how storytelling can clarify shared values and strengthen bonds
Did you know that stories are the most effective way to embed behaviour in the human brain? President of The Storytellers Channel and international radio show host Gayle Turner explains how intentional storytelling – and listening – can help parents instil values, aid decision making and cultivate a sense of belonging in their children. Wisely sharing lived experiences can teach others perseverance in the face of adversity and deepen precious connections. www.storytellerschannel.com · This episode's podcast notes and photograph · www.mariettesnyman.co.za · www.facebook.com · www.instagram.com · www.linkedin.com

Sep 30, 2025 • 60min
Ep. 227 Odette van Rensburg: Creating documentaries on social behaviour
Have you ever felt disconnected from yourself or others, or struggled with an issue you couldn’t openly discuss? Independent filmmaker Odette van Rensburg highlights the difficulties and rewards of making documentaries on taboo issues like suicide, suicide ideation and unexpected forms of domestic violence. Thought-provoking films like ‘Disconnected’ and ‘A Shell of Herself’ challenge us to look beyond others’ masks, confront our own feelings, and establish stronger connections. Sensitive content, intended for adults: suicide and domestic violence are discussed. www.mariettesnyman.co.za · www.dogsontherunproduction.com · Dogs on the Run Production YouTube channel · This episode's podcast notes and photographs · www.facebook.com · www.instagram.com · www.linkedin.com

Sep 23, 2025 • 43min
Ep. 226 Marielle Wolmarans: How fasting can benefit your body and mind
When is fasting a good idea? Which factors can indicate the form of fasting that suits you best? Functional medicine health coach Marielle Wolmarans offers advice, noting challenges and benefits associated with different types of fasting, and how fasting relates to emotional eating and neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimers. She highlights the Keto diet, Bredesen protocol coaching, and daily habits that support fasting. www.mariettesnyman.co.za · This episode's podcast notes and photograph · www.facebook.com · www.instagram.com · www.linkedin.com

Sep 16, 2025 • 51min
Ep. 225 Dr Arien’s journey: coping with retinopathy, depression and stroke
Instead of losing all hope when faced with a debilitating eye condition, stroke and acute depression, Dr Arien van der Merwe found ways to grow into a more perceptive, empathic healer. She explains how neuroplasticity helped her recover from paralysis, discusses the placebo versus the nocebo effect and metabolic syndrome, and lists her personal tips for self-care. www.mariettesnyman.co.za · This episode's podcast notes and photograph · arianihealth.com · www.facebook.com · www.instagram.com · www.linkedin.com

Sep 9, 2025 • 1h 7min
Ep. 224 Chanette Paul: ‘n nuwe roman, passievolle tonele en wanopvattings oor skryf
Ná 51 romans daag moedswillige karakters, vertwyfeling en die gevaar van selfplagiaat haar steeds uit, sê die bekroonde romanskrywer Chanette Paul. Sy praat oor haar jongste roman, “Déjà Vu,” die onvoorsiene verband tussen haar storie en ‘n moord in Australië, die skryf van vurige tonele en haar eie ervaring van prekognisie. Chanette verduidelik hoe die debat oor die waarde van Afrikaanse literêre werk versus ontspanningsfiksie benader kan word en wys op ‘n wanopvatting rakende skrywers wat dalk nét gegrond is... www.mariettesnyman.co.za · Hierdie episode se potgooi-notas en foto · www.facebook.com · www.instagram.com · www.linkedin.com

Sep 2, 2025 • 35min
Ep. 223 Dr Albert Bramante: ADHD is a creative superpower, not a curse
ADHD is often labelled “a problem.” Dr Albert Bramante, New York talent agent with a background in psychology, suggests ways to reframe the so-called drawbacks of being neurodivergent. He offers practical advice on creating systems that honour the way the brain works, redefining success and failure, handling criticism, and countering self-sabotaging behaviour. www.mariettesnyman.co.za · bramanteartists.com · This episode's podcast notes and photograph · www.facebook.com · www.instagram.com · www.linkedin.com

Aug 26, 2025 • 33min
Ep. 222 Post-retirement mastery: acing a piano exam with finger joint prostheses
When retiring from a busy urology practice, Dr Hans Rabe (now 76) set himself the goal of playing UNISA’s most advanced piano exam. Despite having to play through the pain due to autoimmune arthritis, he achieved an A+. Savour this story of retirement, reinvention and resilience, told with a quirky sense of humour. www.mariettesnyman.co.za · This episode's podcast notes and photograph · Dr Hans Rabe's Up Close & Personal article · www.facebook.com · www.instagram.com · www.linkedin.com

Aug 19, 2025 • 42min
Ep. 221 Children with level 1 autism: a plea for understanding and inclusion
How does a parent deal with not only the stigma, but misconceptions attached to high-functioning autism? Social worker Mariette Cawood candidly speaks about how this affects a child and its parents, facilitating the child’s relationship with teachers and other individuals, dealing with specific challenges, and the 3 phases of autism. She voices the grief many parents experience and urges other adults to educate themselves and promote a more supportive, inclusive environment. www.mariettesnyman.co.za · This episode's podcast notes and photographs · Also read Mariette Cawood's moving open letter. · www.facebook.com · www.instagram.com · www.linkedin.com


