Sisterhood of the Travelling Mgowo

Episode 17: The Cost of Saying Goodbye 06.07.2026 39min

Death is never an easy topic to talk about, but it's one of the most important conversations we can have.In this episode, we unpack the emotional and financial realities of funerals in South Africa, the burden that often falls on families when there isn't a plan in place, and why having honest conversations about death can be one of the greatest acts of care for the people we leave behind.We also explore how cultural expectations can add pressure during an already difficult time, and what it really means to prepare for the inevitable with dignity and intention.This episode is brought to you in partnership with Metropolitan. We take a look at the Metropolitan No Lapse Funeral Growth Plan, a flexible funeral solution designed for people with irregular incomes, including freelancers and those in the gig economy, and discuss how products like these can help ease the financial burden on loved ones when it matters most.

Episode 16: Pivot or Persevere? 29.06.2026 59min

In this episode, we unpack the realities of navigating a career pivot and the impact it can have on your mental health. From the uncertainty of starting over to the financial pressures that often come with choosing a different path, we explore what it means to prioritise yourself while managing the practical realities of adulthood.We also discuss the challenges of freelancing, dealing with debt and payment obligations during difficult seasons, and why honest communication is one of the most important tools you can have when you're in a tight spot. Whether it's speaking to clients, loved ones, or financial institutions, asking for help and communicating your circumstances can make all the difference.

Episode 15: We Need To Talk About South Africa 22.06.2026 51min

In this episode, we dive into some of the difficult conversations happening in South Africa right now - from xenophobia and Afrophobia to identity, belonging, and the realities many young people are facing.We reflect on the pressure of navigating adulthood, the importance of giving ourselves grace, and what it means to take care of ourselves while trying to survive in a challenging environment.We also unpack some of the myths around migration, public services, and inequality, while having an honest conversation about where frustration is directed and how we can move forward as a country.A thoughtful conversation about pride, pain, responsibility, and the South Africa we all share.

Episode 14: The Distance, The Growth, The Sisterhood 15.06.2026 47min

In this episode, we're joined by Sinesipho's younger sister Nicky for a conversation about what sisterhood has looked like throughout the different stages of our lives.We chat about the realities of being the oldest versus the youngest sibling, how birth order can shape the roles we take on in our families, and the ways those roles have influenced who we are today. From childhood misunderstandings and sibling disagreements to learning how to support one another as adults, we reflect on the journey of growing up together.

Episode 13: I’m Not Okay, and That’s Okay | A Mid-Year Reality Check 08.06.2026 52min

In this mid-year check-in, we’re getting honest about what it feels like to be in the "thick of failure". From navigating the weight of an ADHD diagnosis to rejecting the pressure of burnout culture, we discuss what happens when high agency meets low motivation. Whether you're "busy resting" or struggling to model agency when you’ve lost interest, this episode is a reminder to anchor your self-worth in who you are, not what you achieve.

Episode 12: Skincare 101 | Understanding Adult Acne 01.06.2026 53min

In this episode, skincare influencer and Nelo Skin founder Luna Nqiwa joins the show to demystify adult acne and foundational skincare. Breaking down the common triggers (from hormones and hygiene to diet and environmental pollution) the discussion reframes acne as a chronic condition to be managed rather than a war to be won. Luna provides an essential roadmap for building an effective routine, explaining the necessity of tailored cleansers, hydrators, and the non-negotiable use of broad-spectrum sunscreen.

Episode 11: Winter Bae: Cold In the Streets, Suspicious in the Sheets 25.05.2026 1h

In this episode of we are joined by our guest, Mbuso, for a candid conversation about navigating the "streets" of Johannesburg during the winter. The discussion moves from reflections on city identity and the creative scene to a deep dive into modern dating dynamics and emotional survival.

Episode 10: The "Going Under" Checklist: Identifying Your Mental Red Flags 18.05.2026 44min

As the weather shifts and the days get shorter, many of us start to feel a familiar heaviness. In this episode, we’re having a real conversation about navigating "the funk", from identifying the early warning signs of Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) to managing the overwhelming weight of overstimulation.

Episode 9: Seasons come to pass V2 11.05.2026 58min

In this week’s episode, we revisit a conversation we had seven years ago and reflect on just how much life has changed since then. From our mid-twenties to our early thirties, we talk about the personal and professional shifts that shaped us — motherhood, navigating deep loss, and learning to move away from loud, half-formed opinions toward a life that feels more grounded, intentional, and private. We also share why having a strong community matters, and how we’ve come to value the humanity and effort behind the journey, not just the outcome

Episode 8: Waiting for a Miracle & Confronting Passivity in Our Lives 04.05.2026 57min

In this episode of Sisterhood of the Traveling Mgowo, we delve into the concept of the "passive woman" and the impact of passivity on personal development and community. We explore how societal structures, specifically patriarchal conditioning, often encourage women to remain passive to be considered "good" or desirable

Episode 7: It Takes A Village But Are You A Villager? 27.04.2026 56min

This week, we expand on the idea of community and how we show up in the spaces that hold us. If the price of community is inconvenience, how much are we paying before we ask our community to pay it forward?Listen and join the conversation in the comments below. Follow for more @smgowo on Facebook, Instagram and TikTok.

Episode 6: Whose Identity Is It Anyway? 20.04.2026 57min

Navigating adulthood means outgrowing things, people and spaces that no longer fit who we are becoming. This conversation delves into the responsibility we all individually have to cultivate our own sense of belonging as adults - it is up to us to find the spaces where we feel most like ourselves. Follow us @smgowo on YouTube, Instagram and TikTok.

Episode 5: Checking Your Envy Before You Scroll | Navigating Jealousy 13.04.2026 1h 1min

What happens when our social media feeds make us more jealous instead of more inspired? In a digital world geared to show us constant imagery about the how the other side lives, it is difficult not to get consumed by feelings of lack and inadequacy - the gateway to envy. This week, we discuss and maybe even intellectualise emotion to get more comfortable with it in an effort to recognise it and move past it. When last did you confront your own envy? Let us know below! Find us @smgowo on Instagram, TikTok and Facebook for more.

Episode 4: Be For Real. Then What? 06.04.2026 58min

This week we ask: we’re always screaming “be real”… but what does that even mean?We unpack our relationship with authenticity, what it means when people in our lives are not being real and how quickly we can resist it when it’s uncomfortable or costs us something.

Episode 3: The Death of the Squad: Friendship in our 30s 30.03.2026 1h 1min

We regret to announce the passing of “the squad.” 🕊️ Cause of death: growth, difference, whyling and outgrowing the need to be the same. On this episode, we talk all about going from squad centered friendships to more individual friendships. So tell us, have you experienced this?

Episode 2: Are we as generous as we think we are? 23.03.2026 1h 3min

Why do some people withhold when they have enough to give?In this episode, we get into something we’ve all experienced but struggled to name —rationing. The quiet, calculated way people hold back resources, opportunities, information, or support based on what they think you have or don’t have. The generosity that comes with conditions attached. The help that never quite arrives.We unpack where this behaviour comes from, what it says about the people who do it, and share our own experiences of being on the receiving end of it. Because this is something that happens in workplaces, in friendships, in families — and we think it’s time we talked about it openly.

Episode 1: Ngumbuyo ke lo: We're back — and it feels like coming home 16.03.2026 41min

In our very first episode of this new chapter, we sit down to do what we do best: talk. Honestly, openly, and without a filter. We get into where life has taken us since you last heard from us, what's changed, what hasn't, and why — after everything — we knew we had to come back to this microphone.Ngumbuyo ke Lo. We're back.

Episode 13: Is This Goodbye? 03.11.2023 42min

So... we need to have a little chat.

Episode 12: We're Reflecting Again Part 1 19.07.2023 34min

One thing about us, we will reflect! It's good to be back and on this episode we catch you up on all things SMgowo as well as some reflections on social media and how we have been using it. We are also introducing a new segment where we read out some listener questions and comments and hopefully try and address them! Stay tuned for part 2. Don't forget to rate our podcast on your favourite streaming platforms and follow us on IG, Youtube and Twitter @SMgowo!

Episode 11: The Value of Identifying Red Flags 03.02.2023 37min

The episode title peaks for itself. We try to reflect on what good identifying red flags does for us... It's a whole lot tougher than we think. Don't forget to follow us on the socials @SMgowo and rate us on your favourite podcast streaming platform.