Your Highest Version: Recent Episodes
Your Highest Version
A podcast aimed at helping individuals move from the lowest version of themselves, to the highest version of themselves. Your highest version stands on 4 pillars: (1) Personal Development (2) Promoting Healthy Relationships (3) Intentional Career Growth and (4) Navigating Diversity Conversations.
Hosted by Hope Mathole
Ever wondered what the role of HR at work is?? Moratuwa has you covered. I had a very insightful conversation with my friend & human resource practitioner, Moratuwa Motsemme. We explored the role of HR at length, touched on the application process and how one can verify a potential place of employment. We wrapped up our conversation by speaking about the recruitment process, cv's and the work culture fit. Moratuwa advises job seekers to ask questions rather than assume, as one can assume incorrectly and miss great work opportunities.
In this episode Michaela and I discuss the importance of mental health professionals such as psychologists, counsellors and social workers taking care care of their own mental health. We speak about how unanticipated life encounters can push us into our comfort zones, but also bring about growth in us as individuals. Michaela also leaves us with a gentle reminder of the fact that we are human before we are mental health workers, therfore we should also be open to receive when we are served by others, the same way that we serve our patients.
Michaela's private practice is in Pretoria east. Website: https://michaelacorbett.com/
In this episode Hope briefly reflects on the Mental Health Check-In event she hosted via her female NPO. She then proceeds to talking about the mind-and-body connection, to demonstrate how intertwined physical and mental health are. Suicide signs and management are discussed and she closes off with giving general mental health tips while reminding you to do something for your mental health today... Happy Mental Health Day YHV family!!!
Free Resources:
Lifeline: 0861 322 322
SADAG: 011 234 4837
Suicide Crisis Lifeline: 0800 567 567
Trauma Helpline: 0800 205 026
A good old girl chat (as always) between Hope and Dzuni but this episode is kept it a lot shorter than the last one they did together. In this episode Dzuni and Hope unpack some of the challenges of growing up black; from being first borns, to being female children... You don't want to miss this one.
Grab a chair, sit down and join Hope as she has a conversation about mentorship with one of her mentee's Njabulo. They share their journey leading up to their mentor-and-mentee relationship, the importance of mentorship and why they believe mentorship is important.
In this Episode Hope is joined by her friend Skye and they tackle the conversation of skin lightening/bleaching. Skye’s Masters research is on this topic and she shares some of her findings as she has been researching the topic. She also shares the dangers and after effect of using products that have ingredients such as mercury.
In this episode Hope shares her experience of studying for her Counselling Psychology board exam, which she had in June 2021. She reflects on the amount of time she took to study (in total), touches on the difference between preparing for an oral exam vs a written exam. She also lets us in on the study methods she used. ...And lastly reminds us of how incredible our brains are, in that we have muscle memory and should learn to trust ourselves.
In this episode Hope engages in conversation with Shirley Kaliko, the founder and president of an NPO called Women of Substance Women of Great Worth. They speak about Shirley's professional career and how she found her voice in the entertainment industry as a model. Shirley also shares how she found her passion for women empowerment and community projects - which she thanks her mother for. Lastly they speak about the Mother/Father Wound conference hosted by Shirley on 30 April 2022, in which Hope is one of the speakers.
Tickets are still available, make sure to make your purchase and don't miss out.
Resources:
-Facebook Page: Women of Substance Women of Great Worth.
-Instagram: @womenofsubstancenpo
-Contact Details: 082 621 1143
In this episode Hope sets the tone for what will be season two of Your Highest Version. She also gets candid about her unemployment journey and the depressive state she found herself in, in that period. And leaves you with some encouragement.
Contact Details:
yhv.yourhighestversion@gmail.com.
Instagram: @yourhighestversion
If your are struggling with depression or any other mental health difficulties, here's a list of resources:
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SADAG: 011 234 4837 & @sadag_official (Instagram) & www.sadag.org.
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Life Line : 086 132 2322.
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Suicide Crisis Lifeline: 080 056 7565.
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Trauma Helpline: 080 020 5026.
In this episode Hope is joined by her Purpose-SumSum, Lindiwe and they briefly overview season one and speak about what to expect in season 2.
Episode 11 (16 June):
Elliottah and Michaela fall under the 1% of individuals who make it into Psychology masters selection in their first year of applying. They stopped by to have a conversation with Hope about their experience of masters selection and how they prepared for the process. They also get into a candid conversation about the importance of self-care for professionals in the Psychology field, while emphasizing the fact that self-care practices don’t need to cost much.
Contact Details:
Elliottah: @elliottah_M & elliottahmakgato@gmail.com.
Michaela: michaelalourens@gmail.com.
Resources:
Cognition & Co
Instagram: @cognitionandco
Website: linktr.ee/cognitionandco
In this episode the tables are turned and Hope is in the hot seat, as her Purpose-SumSum, Lindiwe asks the questions. Lindiwe asks Hope about her female NPO (Contagious Classy Divas Network). They delve into a conversation about how CCDN came about, its vision and how it aims to serve women. ...and ofcourse there is a sprinkle of petty throughout the conversation.
Resources & contact details:
-Twitter: CCDN_diva
-Facebook pages: Hope Mathole & Contagious Classy Diva’s Network
-Instagram: @contagiousdiva
-Blog: Hopemathole.blogspot.com
-Emails:ccdn.hopeisabrand@gmail.com yhv.yourhighestversion@gmail.com.
Book recommendation:The Dance of Intimacy-Harriet Lerner
In this episode Hope is joined by light (pun intended) and black girl magic. Boipelo and Nomtha are directors of Nokhanya Psychometrics. They dropped by to speak to Hope about their journey of becoming Psychometrists, what is required and about their company. They also touch on toxic work environments and how such environments can suck out the passions we have and trick us into believing we’re no longer passionate.
Contact Details:
boipelo@nokhanya.co.za
Nomtha@nokhanya.co.za
Instagram: @nokhanya_pychometrics
Website: nokhanya.co.za
Hope is joined by one of her closest friends Dzuni to talk all things Research Psychology. Dzuni outlines the Research Psychology master’s program she did and shares her experience. Dzuni and Hope also speak extensively about the importance of the supervisor-to-student relationship when doing one’s masters research (dissertation). They give tips on how students can navigate this relationship, while also encouraging students to be assertive and to advocate for themselves. Contact details: -@dzuni_b (Instagram) & Dzunisani.dzu@gmail.com. Resources: Cognition & Co Instagram: @cognitionandco Website: linktr.ee/cognitionandco Instagram: @psyssa_student_division Free Online Assessments: -Myers Briggs -DISC -Enneagram -VIA Character strengths
In this episode Hope is joined by her dear friend Patricia and they transparently share about their experience of abuse in the church space, and by religious leaders. Patricia describes some of her intimate experiences of how inappropriate their spiritual father (at the time) was towards her and so many other young girls in the church. They both highlight possible red flags one can look out for & validate the experience of those who may be going through the same thing…
On a lighter note though, they touch on their friendship and how they managed to evolve from bonding over brokenness to building a healthy sisterhood which is now 7+ years old.
In this episode Hope is joined by Sylvia & Monique to speak about their Counselling Psychology masters selection experience. They touch on the selection process itself and how the master’s program is designed. Hope jokingly describes their different personalities and how this helped them learn from each other as peers who did their internship at the same institution. Both Sylvia and Monique are Counselling Psychologists, one in private practice and the other working in the Medico-legal field.
Contact Details:
Sylvia: Sylviakruger94@gmail.com
Monique: miqi22.mr@gmail.com
Resources:
Cognition & Co
Instagram: @cognitionandco
Website: linktr.ee/cognitionandco
SADAG: @sadag_official (Instagram) & www.sadag.org.
Johan and Skye are back, but this time to speak about a project called Shades of Humanity, which both them and Hope co-host. This is a project that focuses on racial reconciliation and exploring alternative narratives. The three of them speak about the project and about why it is so crucial to engage in conversations pertaining to racism. They also individually share what their understanding of white privilege is… Yup, they took it all the way there. Contact details: -Johan: jvdhoogt@gmail.com -Skye: skyentsokota@gmail.com Podcast: Email: shadesofhumanity4@gmail.com Shades of Humanity. Available on Anchor, Spotify and all platforms where podcasts are free. YouTube video resources: - Grieving Breonna- Racial Trauma and Black Women’s mental Health Dr Anita Phillips - Reese Witherspoon talks with Dr Anita Phillips about black trauma and white privilege. - Body language – A Conversation on Race - Restoration in the body of Christ – Dr Anita Phillips.
Skye and Johan join Hope in a conversation about Clinical Psychology Masters selection. They reflect on how they experienced some of the activities done in their selection process. They also speak about the challenges of being a master’s student, while also reminiscing on some fond memories about the journey. We also find out from the YHV lightening round they played, that Johan knows lyrics to Taylor Swift’s songs and that Skye listens to rap music.
Contact details:
-Johan: jvdhoogt@gmail.com
-Skye: skyentsokota@gmail.com
Resources:
Cognition & Co
Instagram: @cognitionandco
Website: linktr.ee/cognitionandco
Have you been applying for a master’s in psychology and not getting through??? In this episode Hope speaks to Monique, a 2nd year Clinical Psychology master’s student who has had quite the journey. Monique candidly description her four-year journey of applying for masters. She also touches on how one can deal with rejection and gives advise on what to do to prepare for master’s selection. Contact Details: MoniquePsych (YouTube) @Moniquepsych (Instagram) Moniquevanhattum23@gmail.com Resources: Cognition & Co Instagram: @cognitionandco Website: linktr.ee/cognitionandco Book recommendation: A Critical Psychology of the Postcolonial: The Mind of Apartheid – Derek Hook
In this episode Tintswalo Mashele joins Hope to speak about her initiative called “That Forbidden Fruit”. This initiative shines a light on the taboo topic of women’s sexual health and empowering women to penetrate different spaces where they are normally overlooked. Tinie & Hope also briefly share about their celibacy journeys.
Tine contact details:
-Linkedin – Founder of That Forbidden Fruit
Resources:
-The Wait- Devon and Meagan Goods (book and devotional).
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=10sGiyDH-rM
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uNGEMl6WnaI
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8zw7AXwnb8M
Dr Eve – podcast, website, and books.
Background noises. The phone vibrating and coughing due to voice strain… Join Hope as she figures out this podcasting thing. In this first episode Hope tells you a bit about who she is and what she is passionate about. She also breaks down the four pillars which Your Highest Version stands on, shares the vision and what can be expected from this podcast.
Resources & contact details:
-Twitter: CCDN_diva
-Facebook pages: Hope Mathole & Contagious Classy Diva’s Network
-Instagram: @contagiousdiva
-Blog: Hopemathole.blogspot.com
-Emails:ccdn.hopeisabrand@gmail.com & yhv.yourhighestversion@gmail.com.
Season 1 premiers next week. Yup we're exactly a week away from hearing what Hope-M has been cooking up for you this season. But in the meantime she wanted you to laugh a little as you prepare your hearts to receive season 1. In this short clip she has put together a couple of behind the scenes and blooper clips. Enjoy!!!
Links:
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4SftrMyzmHhuFoiC3Bwpvq
RadioPublic: https://radiopublic.com/your-highest-version-G4klY1
Breaker: https://www.breaker.audio/your-highest-version
PocketCasts: https://pca.st/ipwb3net
Castbox: https://castbox.fm/channel/Your-Highest-Version-id3814663?country=us
Google Podcasts: https://www.google.com/podcasts?feed=aHR0cHM6Ly9hbmNob3IuZm0vcy80YjliYzViYy9wb2RjYXN0L3Jzcw==
The intersection between race, gender and career.
"I originally wrote this piece on the 14th August 2019. This was the first time all the facets of who I was came together is a way that never made sense for me before. I decided to share this with you at the hopes that it will help you reflect on your facets and how they all intersect, I also hope you embrace every single one of those facets and are not ashamed of any, because all of them come together to create the beautiful whole that is you''. Hope M.
Resource: http://hopemathole.blogspot.com/
In this season I allow you to be a fly on the wall and hear the sort of conversations I have on a daily with significant people in my life. This is a way for you to get to know me better as the podcast host. I'm also very excited about a mini-series I'll be doing on Psychology Masters selection; this is to help future candidates to get the sense of what selection is like and hear different people's experience.
Season 1 premiers Wednesday, 1 April 2021.