The Gareth Cliff Show

Genius' and Lunatic's Live on the Same Street 29.05.2026 2h 14min

Personal brand or just an influencer with a ring light? Gareth and Ben kick off the Friday with a real conversation about whether building a personal brand actually matters, and where the line is between genuine influence and just performing for the algorithm. They also take a look at the Enhanced Games, which promised to rewrite the record books and largely didn't, and ask a spicy question: is aspiration just the rich putting their lifestyle on a pedestal for everyone else to stare at? Then Mike Sharman pulls up a chair. Gareth and Mike get into what actually makes content worth watching, and the entrepreneurial journey gets an honest autopsy. Yes, there are moments of pure joy. But mostly? It's a grind. Blood, sweat, tears, and a lot of staring at a screen wondering if any of it is working. They close out on a fascinating question about narcissism and whether a healthy ego is a business asset or the thing that quietly burns it all down.

Gym Bathrooms, Temu Cars & Bok Dreams 22.05.2026 1h 52min

Gareth and Mash kick off Friday with a rant about people who feel the need to be loud all the time… especially in places like the gym bathroom. That spirals into a debate about the absolute worst places to take a phone call — and yes, the gym remains high on the list. Ben joins the show fresh off his club’s Premier League title win, bringing all the humility you’d expect. The guys also unpack China cars and ask the important question: are they actually any better than the stuff you’d find on Temu? Later, Rory Phelan from Tourvest Destination Management joins the show for a must-listen chat for sports fans, breaking down the incredible Rugby World Cup travel experiences available as the Springboks chase an historic three-peat. Plus, Jonathan Fine returns to discuss the FMAS Summit and how crypto is beginning to reshape industries across the globe.

Let Them Eat Cupcakes & How Our Money Is Changing 15.05.2026 1h 56min

Leigh-Ann Mol is back and the team wastes no time diving into the big debates. Why do women love flowers, and why can't men see the value in them? And is being a short king actually an underrated advantage, or is height still the ultimate flex? The crew unpacks both. The team also speak on the latest findings around the Ramaphosa Phala Phala situation. Then, Jonathan Fine and Lourens Reichert join Gareth to break down everything from the Finance Magnates Africa Summit — what it means for the continent, how crypto is reshaping the way we think about money, and why AI is accelerating the change faster than most people are ready for.

Back, Bothered & Motivated | ft. Simon Phillips 08.05.2026 2h 9min

The team is back and the world didn't exactly slow down while they were gone. Gareth and Ben catch up on everything that's been happening, including yet another assassination attempt on Donald Trump. They also turn their attention closer to home — or at least, closer to the couch — as they unpack the growing Gen Z trend of grieving the end of a weekend. Is it a mental health conversation worth having, or has an entire generation gone soft? Either way, it makes for great radio. Then, Simon Phillips joins the show — the man behind the inspiring #SimonSaysServe movement. Simon's story is one of the most compelling you'll hear: a life rebuilt from the ground up, a decision to follow his heart when nothing was certain, and a reminder that reinvention is always possible. His message is simple but powerful — everyone has a story — and his is one you won't want to miss.

Begging for Coachella & Fixing South Africa 24.04.2026 2h 2min

Gareth and Ben kick off Friday by taking aim at influencers who are willing to literally beg for brand deals just to make it to Coachella — but are influencers even influential anymore? The conversation then shifts to the surprising return of old-school dating trends that feel straight out of the early 1900s. Mash jumps in to stir things up with a take on “looksmaxxing” and body image, before DA Deputy Federal Chair Cilliers Brink joins the show to unpack the party’s 2026 manifesto and their plan to fix some of South Africa’s most broken cities.

Influencers, Idiots & A Stray Tissue 17.04.2026 2h

Gareth and Ben kick off their Friday unpacking the latest drama from the Madlanga Commission — including a mysterious stray tissue that’s got people talking. They dive into the bizarre world of looksmaxxing after its so-called leader, Clavicular, nearly overdoses, raising serious questions about the trend. The Comments Section LIVE returns with Bitcoin Boet… who’s baking bread? Yes, really. Plus, Clinton Els from Your Africa joins the guys to spotlight some of the continent’s most exciting travel destinations. Gareth wraps things up with a look at the latest stories making waves around the world.

Body Cams, Bad Decisions & Broken Roads 10.04.2026 2h 22min

Gareth and Ben unpack our strange obsession with celebrity downfalls — especially those raw DUI body cam moments that go viral. They also break down rising tensions in the Strait of Hormuz and why it matters globally. Tumi Morake brings humour and perspective, from her joke about coming back as a butch lesbian to the impact of a new game she’s worked on that’s shining a light on African talent. Plus, Gareth and Tumi tackle Helen’s pothole stunt and the bigger question: who’s to blame for failing basic service delivery?

AI Slop, Gender Myths & Podcast Control 27.03.2026 1h 47min

Gareth Cliff is back, unpacking the rise of AI-generated “slop” and asking where real content disappeared to. Dr Hanan breaks down the Greater Male Variability Hypothesis (and why women aren’t actually “crazy”), while Jonathan Warncke from the SA Podcasters Guild weighs in on potential government regulation—and what it means for authenticity in podcasting.

LIV Golf Chaos, Temu Dangers & Haydn Porteous' Comeback 20.03.2026 2h 58min

Gareth and Ben kick off Friday with their take on South Africa’s first LIV Golf event, before diving into the risks of buying steaks and seafood from Temu—and the absurdity of convenience culture in 2026. Maria Watkins joins the team to talk about Gorilla Tracking in Rwanda, and how even the President helps on Spring Cleaning Day. Dr Alastair McAlpine breaks down what you actually need to know about GLP-1s, and Haydn Porteous shares his journey through mental health struggles and his comeback to pro golf.

Global Politics, Orania Property & The Impact of DJ Warras 13.03.2026 3h

Gareth kicks off the show with a fiery rant about the current state of government and South Africa’s global alliances. Ben joins the conversation to break down the latest in sport, including the buzz around the first LIV Golf event on South African soil. Mash dives into the property market in Orania and unpacks the curious trend of “Ozempic Face,” with some well-known celebrities showing the effects. And, Beverly Stock, mother of the late Warrick “DJ Warras” Stock, joins the show to reflect on the loss of her son and the profound impact his life — and passing — has had on South Africans.

Gun Laws, Global Tensions and Eating Disorders 06.03.2026 2h 59min

Gareth and Leigh-Ann unpack the shifting landscape of global geopolitics and what South Africa’s potential role could look like in the event of a wider global conflict. Hanan delivers a powerful monologue on eating disorders, questioning whether society truly treats them as the serious mental health issue they are. Simon Wilkins from Galetti joins the conversation to discuss his incredible 36km swim across the icy English Channel, and Gideon Joubert weighs in on a major issue facing South Africans right now — the proposed new gun laws and what they could mean for personal safety and security.

Ranking Lesbians & Olympic Village Chaos 27.02.2026 2h 40min

Did we get it wrong from the start? Gareth Cliff and Leigh-Ann Mol kick things off by unpacking why people cling to unnecessary memories instead of holding onto the small bits of good that actually matter. Dr Hanan joins the conversation as the team asks a bold question: in a world where everyone is self-diagnosed as depressed or anxious, where did all the actual crazy people go? Things take a chaotic turn as the crew ranks the Top 10 lesbians purely on who looks the part — fashion, energy, and unapologetic confidence all count. And finally, Matt C Smith sits down to share his journey to the Olympics, including some unforgettable and slightly wild stories from inside the Olympic Village.

Were We Wrong About Everything? Epstein, MJ, and the Death of Truth 20.02.2026 3h 8min

Did we have it all wrong the whole time? Gareth Cliff and Ben Karpinski start their day diving headfirst into the Epstein Files and the explosive question of whether Michael Jackson may have been a protector of children, not a predator. Dr Hanan joins the show as the team challenge the long-held myth that women are naturally more empathetic — the science might surprise you. Mash steps in to unpack cognitive development and how “TikTok slop” is hijacking attention and rewarding dopamine addiction. And in an era of outrage, algorithms, and misinformation, is telling the truth harder than ever? Investigative journalist Lourensa Eckard weighs in from the front lines of truth after more than a decade in the field.

Influence, Epstein & Exit Visas 13.02.2026 2h 59min

Do we need to suffer for kids to bloom? That’s the uncomfortable question that kicks off today’s conversation as the team unpacks Gen Z mental-health buzzwords and the culture shaping them. Levi Brown joins the show to talk DeInfluencing — what it really means, why it matters, and how he’s using his platform to push back against brands like Virgin Active in the name of accountability. Gareth Cliff and Ben Karpinski then dive headfirst into the latest Epstein file drop, attempting to connect the dots as the rabbit hole gets darker and deeper. Plus, Matthew Fubbs from The Holiday Factory breaks down which countries South Africans can travel to visa-free — and why now might be the time to pack a bag.

Untouchable: Power, Crime & Politics 06.02.2026 3h

This episode gets uncomfortable—in the best way. Gareth Cliff unpacks the Epstein files, power, and the mindset of those who believe they’re untouchable at the top of the pyramid. We’re joined by Safe Citizen founder Jonathan Deal to talk protecting South Africans amid rising crime, before Wesley Jacobs weighs in on the by-election and how military discipline shapes his political outlook.

Politics, Predictions & the Chaos of Modern Dating 30.01.2026 3h 3min

A year after the elections, Gareth Cliff looks ahead and makes bold predictions about the future of South Africa’s Government of National Unity – and wonders who might mysteriously land on the 2026 Death Pool. The team unpacks what they call the “true epidemic” and why the title fits a little too well. Relationship expert Sacha Jack joins the conversation alongside superfan Neil Meintjies to offer a refreshingly practical take on modern dating and how to actually make it work in 2026.

Secrets, Sex & Soft Power 23.01.2026 3h 3min

Gareth digs into Donald Trump’s view on South Africa — and just how much US intelligence really knows about the country (hint: it’s more than you think). Dr Hanan joins the conversation on the loneliness that often comes with healing, before the team unpacks the real forces behind today’s growing sex recession. Plus, Martin Weist from Tourvest Travel Services breaks down travel trends for 2026, and Robbie Kruse chats to Gareth about golf-fluencing, influence culture, and the shifting media landscape in South Africa.

Sobriety, Surveillance & South African Survival 16.01.2026 3h 2min

Gen Z has ditched alcohol but picked up what exactly? Gareth, Leigh-Ann and Ben question the fun levels of a sober generation, tackle the Emotional January Hangover, and debate what “starting the year strong” even means anymore. Gareth also sits down with comedian and content creator Themba Robins to discuss dodgy Airbnb cameras, airport chaos, and the uniquely South African art of laughing through the struggle.

Straight to the Meat & Twisted Dad Energy ft Trevor Gumbi 09.01.2026 3h 1min

Gareth and Leigh-Ann kick off the year with a KeDezemba recap, setting the tone for a no-holds-barred start. Ben joins the mix as the trio unpack why the default human setting seems to be “ready for war,” before Gareth and Mash dive into a new dating app that skips the small talk and goes straight to the meat and potatoes — literally. Comedian Trevor Gumbi drops in and gets refreshingly real about dad life, creativity, and embracing his inner “twisted individual.”

Calling Out Power and Powering Up Young Men 12.12.2025 2h 55min

Gareth Cliff opens the show with a no-holds-barred take on the ANC and President Ramaphosa’s growing disconnect from the country. Leigh-Ann jumps in with an update on her whirlwind week, while Ben’s sports report derails quickly thanks to Producer James poking his Arsenal–Liverpool opinions. Andrew Birch wraps the episode with a straight-talking chat about discipline, masculinity, protecting your household, and what it really takes to become a man of purpose.