In this episode of the Mental Health in Tech podcast, Schalk Venter and I spoke with Russ Jones about the mental health landscape from a broader perspective. Russ, known for his ADHD Big Brother podcast, opened up about his late ADHD diagnosis and its profound impact on his life and career decisions. With a backdrop of personal anecdotes and a collective understanding of mental health challenges, this conversation was both enlightening and deeply humanizing. We explored the complexities of mental health challenges, sharing our own experiences with anxiety, depression, and the incessant pressur ..read more

The episode features a deep dive into Darko Arnautovic's professional journey in the tech industry, highlighting the challenges and growth he experienced. It covers his transition from initial technician roles to more senior roles in web development and management. A recurring theme in the podcast was Darko's mental health struggles, particularly in the context of his professional life. He spoke candidly about feeling unsupported and isolated in certain roles, leading to his decision to leave positions where he felt he wasn't set up to succeed. Darko's narrative highlighted the importance of m ..read more

In this episode of the Mental Health in Tech podcast, hosts Schalk Neethling and Schalk Venter, along with guest Kevin Ball (KBall), discuss the often-overlooked emotional and interpersonal aspects of working in technology. They highlight the unique challenges faced by those in tech, especially programmers, in terms of mental health and the often intense pressures when building a startup. The conversation brings to light the critical importance of soft skills and the role of open source as a valuable learning and networking platform. The hosts and guest emphasize the need for authenticity in n ..read more

In this episode of the Mental Health in Tech podcast, co-hosts Schalk Neethling and Schalk Venter delve into a conversation with Jeremy Nagel, creator of Focus Bear, examining the intersection of cognitive science, mental well-being, and technology's impact on our daily lives. The discussion revolves around implementing behavioral strategies to mitigate tech-induced anxiety and distraction. They navigate the nuances of utilizing digital tools like Focus Bear as a means to bolster the 'planner brain' against our more primal instincts, reinforcing the notion that self-discipline can be cultivate ..read more

In this captivating episode titled "Self-Acceptance, Embracing Vulnerability, and Creating a Supportive Work Culture," guest Bavani Chetty shares her journey towards self-acceptance, highlighting the challenges and rewards of embracing one's true self. We discuss loneliness, how an accurate diagnosis can make a world of difference, how pushing oneself into uncomfortable positions is a means for growth, the importance of cultivating a supportive work culture, and how finding the right therapist for you can be life-changing. Take care of yourself while listening. We touch on sensitive topics as ..read more

This episode of Mental Health in Tech features guest Casey Watts and delves into the interplay between mental health and technology, highlighting Casey's background in both psychology and tech. A significant portion of the discussion revolves around the importance of community-led initiatives in the tech industry and how these differ from corporate-driven meetups. Casey introduces the concept of the six levels of validation, derived from Dialectical Behavioral Therapy, as an effective communication tool. The conversation also addresses the pervasive issue of burnout in the tech industry. Casey ..read more

This episode of the Mental Health in Tech podcast features an in-depth conversation with Candice Grobler, who shares her journey through various mental health challenges while working in the tech industry. Candice discusses her diagnosis of complex post-traumatic stress disorder and how it impacted her professional life. The conversation covers the lack of support and understanding she experienced in the workplace, highlighting the critical need for employers to create environments that support mental health. The co-hosts, Schalk Neethling and Schalk Venter, engage with Candice in a discussion ..read more

In this episode of the Mental Health in Tech podcast guest Liesel Bester, COO at IO Digital, discusses the complexities of managing mental health in the fast-paced tech industry. Liesel and the hosts, Schalk Venter and Schalk Neethling, delve into how rapid technological changes add stress and anxiety in the workplace. Liesel emphasizes the importance of mental health education within teams, advocating for leadership roles to be proactive in recognizing and addressing mental health issues. She shares her own experiences, including the challenges of balancing a demanding job with personal menta ..read more

In the debut episode of the mental health in tech podcast hosted by Schalk Neethling and Schalk Venter, the guest is Gideon, who shares his struggles with imposter syndrome and a difficult time in his life when his wife was diagnosed with cancer. Gideon opens up about his experiences with imposter syndrome, a common mental health issue that affects many people in the tech industry. He describes the constant fear of being exposed as a fraud, despite his success and accomplishments in his career. Gideon then shares a particularly challenging time in his life when his wife was diagnosed with canc ..read more