TGE Media The Great Equalizer

The Great Equalizer

An honest, unfiltered, unapologetic and (at times) irreverent parenting and lifestyle podcast about the realities of being a mom (or dad!) in the 2020s.

Launched in 2018 by journalist Sam Herbst and marketing maven Charlene Armstrong, this podcast aims to debunk the myth of “perfect parenting” through personal (and balanced) accounts of our mothering highs and lows all while tackling a host of relatable lifestyle topics.

And – because we can hardly pretend to have our own sh*t together – our episodes often include interviews with experts who do.

Our mission? A representative and inclusive parenting and lifestyle platform that strikes a realistic balance between celebration, commiseration and education, because motherhood and parenting is a complex beast and we shouldn't pretend otherwise. #nojudgies
Monthly English Explicit South Africa Kids & Family · Relationships Narrated by Production: Autumn Aperture ARGH! Studios Editor: Ray Herbst Sound Stephen Kriel
119 Episodes
100 – 119

Episode 16: The Lies We Tell Our Kids

This week on The Great Equalizer, Sam is playing second fiddle, Charlene is in awe of her not-so-little boy and we talk the lies we tell our kids (peppered with some early sex-ed). How do you feel about being blatantly honest with your kids from the get-go? Or do you…
1 Feb 2019 58 min

Episode 15: Amandla, Ubuntu Baba! Amandla!

This week on The Great Equalizer, Sam is on the go-slow and a little in denial, Charlene is letting go of her baby boy and it’s fucking hard :( and we talk the Ubuntu Baba/Woolies debacle. We discuss whether we'll be boycotting Woolworths for wronging the little guy and also…
25 Jan 2019 1 hr 01 min

Episode 14: New Year's Resolutions

This week on The Great Equalizer… BRING ON 2019! Sam is so ready for some fresh starts, Charlene speaks is hitting the reset button and we interview Annette Brokensha, MD of the Johannesburg Children’s Home. ALSO, we chat New Years Resolutions… #bringon2019 #newyearsresolutions #anewstart #afreshstart #givingback #whatcanwedo #theyearinreview
28 Dec 2018 1 hr 04 min

Episode 13: Things to do in Joburg

This week on The Great Equalizer, Sam is fully booked, Charlene speaks fluent mermaid and we talk about things to do with your kid during your Joburg Staycation. ALSO, we review this year’ Snow White pantomime (it was a goody). #outandabout #jozi #joburglife #joburgliving #thingstodo #cityofgold #kidfriendly #staycation
20 Dec 2018 1 hr 08 min

Episode 12: Jealous Moms

This week on The Great Equalizer, Sam is but a shadow of her former self, Charlene is lost and we talk jealous moms! ALSO, we catch you up on all our giveaways and what’s next on The Great Equalizer. #jealousymakesyounasty #greenwithenvy #jealousmoms #notdoingitatyou #itsmenotyou
14 Dec 2018 39 min

Episode 11 – Discipline

This week on The Great Equalizer, Sam met a boy and now she’s in love. Charlene is tired of being tired and we’re talking corporal punishment... JOKES! But we do chat to discipline guru Dereck Jackson who gives us some tips on how to wrangle our kids. Dereck is no…
7 Dec 2018 51 min

Bonus Episode! My Feeling Friends

On this bonus episode of The Great Equalizer we chat to the three uber talented boss moms that made the My Feeling Friends book series a reality. Created by registered counsellor Phillippa Morassi, My Feeling Friends is a series of stories that aim to assist little children in managing big…
24 Nov 2018 15 min

Episode 10: BOOKS!

In this episode of The Great Equalizer, Sam's house is haunted, Charlene is sporting a holiday tan (not) and we talk children's picture books with the gals from Love Books in Melville. PLUS: We showcase four self-made female authors who are killing it in the local book market, and we've…
23 Nov 2018 1 hr 15 min

Episode 9: Christmas

On the latest of The Great Equalizer, Sam is literally the worst, Charlene is taking a breather from projectile vomit BUT it’s all okay because… CHRISTMAS! Also, we've got your definitive Christmas 2018 gift guide, curated by a local paediatric occupational therapist. You're welcome! #christmas2018 #giftguide #onlineshopping #discountcode #christmasshopping #familytraditions…
16 Nov 2018 57 min

Bonus Episode! Being Frank on Tees For Titties

On this bonus episode of The Great Equalizer, we talk titties, tatas, boobies and breasts with the ladies from Being Frank. This uber cool duo are using design to bring about social change, and they've teamed up with Colourspun and Knitted Knockers South Africa to get people thinking about breast…
9 Nov 2018 27 min

Episode 8: Kids' Birthday Parties

This week on The Great Equalizer, Sam is feeling better (thanks for asking), Charlene is on autopilot, and we talk kids’ birthday parties. In the spotlight, the spectacular first birthday showdown organised by fabulous Insta-mommy @thee_blackgeisha_chinadoll, and the take-a-moment-to-consider-the-madness non-event, which was not-organised by mom blogger Being Me Jen. The…
8 Nov 2018 1 hr 08 min

Episode 7 – Never Would I Ever

This week on The Great Equalizer, Sam is overwhelmed and over it, Charlene is a FREE woman, and we play a little game called Never Would I Ever. Also, we went to October’s MamaMeetUp and we tell you ALL about it. #neverwilliever #neversaynever #momfails #liesitellmyself #worldsworstparent #mamameetupsa Show music: •…
1 Nov 2018 1 hr 06 min

Mini Episode 1: Megan Bird

In this episode of The Great Equalizer, Sam speaks to Pretoria-based graphic designer and illustrator, Megan Bird, whose work varies from quirky, intricate illustration to beautiful yet simple corporate identities. Megan has a passion for typography and started her journey as a freelance graphic designer through her first co-founded company,…
22 Oct 2018 21 min

Episode 6: Mom Friends

This week on The Great Equalizer, Sam is solo parenting (again), Charlene has had ENOUGH, and we talk about keeping and making friends after you become a mom. Also: WE HAVE A GIVEAWAY! So stay tuned till the end of the episode to see how you can WIN with The…
20 Oct 2018 50 min

Episode 5: Child Care

This week on The Great Equalizer, Sam calls child services on her ass, Charlene takes stock of what’s important, and we chat about who you leave your child with when they’re not with you. Sam also chats to Charlene about this week’s sponsor, Littlies Nanny Agency: one less thing for…
13 Oct 2018 1 hr 07 min

Episode 4: Maintenance Night

This week on The Great Equalizer, Sam gets a sneak peak of what’s to come, Charlene is drowning in her kids’ bodily fluids, and we chat about getting intimate. *Bow chicka wow wow* P.S. If you raised and/or gave birth to Sam and Charlene (or their spouses), now would be…
3 Oct 2018 49 min

Episode 3: Self Care

This week on The Great Equalizer, Charlene wades through a sea of emotions and Sam gets her ducks in a row. Also, we are talking SELF CARE. Do you know what that is? Neither do we! Jokes aside, we come to realise that being the best versions of ourselves is…
3 Oct 2018 44 min

Episode 2: Lowering Our Expectations

On this episode of The Great Equalizer, Sam doesn't know which way is up or down and Charlene's taking it One. Step. At. A. Time. We also talk about lowering our expectations as mothers. Could this be the coping mechanism we need to ease the pressure of "perfection"? To minimise…
28 Sep 2018 44 min

Episode 1: Hello!

On this first episode of The Great Equalizer, we give some insight into who we are, who we are as mothers, where we find ourselves in this crazy phase of life, and why we've decided to open up about it. We also mention a blog post by Janelle Hatchet of…
27 Sep 2018 37 min
100 – 119