Rui Morais, CEO of Dis-Chem Pharmacies and prior to that, the youngest CFO of a listed company in South Africa, sits down with Debbie Goodman to discuss the real story behind Dis-Chem's much-misreported restructure, and why it's actually a signal of bold ambition, not downsizing. With 200 new roles being created alongside the reorganisation, Rui explains how Dis-Chem is evolving from a retail pharmacy into South Africa's healthcare authority, backed by an innovation hub, strategic partnerships, and a board deeply aligned on purpose. The conversation goes behind the scenes of one of the most publicly scrutinized CEO successions in South African corporate history, exploring the unexpected tension, identity shifts, and emotional complexity that no governance framework fully prepares you for. Throughout, Rui emerges as a leader who is deeply purposeful, refreshingly candid, and unafraid to swing for the fences.

Join Lee Naik, CEO of TransUnion Africa, for an honest, grounded, and deeply human conversation about what it really takes to lead a major business transformation. Lee shares the hard-won lessons from his remarkable journey: 20 years at Accenture, a defining midlife inflection point at 40, and the bold leap into a CEO role he'd never held before. Far from a polished highlight reel, Lee unpacks the unglamorous realities of turnaround leadership - the loneliness, the self-doubt, the early mornings, and the moments where the buck unquestionably stops with you.

In this rich and candid conversation, Debbie chats with Nonku Pitje, CEO of Discovery Corporate and Employee Benefits - the first woman and first Black person to hold that role - whose 22-year journey through eight roles at Discovery is itself a masterclass in growth through staying. Nonku reframes the women-in-the-workplace conversation away from confidence and imposter syndrome, instead exposing the structural and financial forces that leave women retiring with 30% less than men. She shares the work behind Discovery Women Move, a platform by and for women that achieved its gender representation goal 18 months ahead of schedule, and draws a powerful line between financial insecurity and emotional wellbeing. Throughout, Nonku weaves in deeply personal stories, from her mother's "20 Rands from starvation" to the solemn weight of her own appointment as CEO, leaving listeners with one clear word: possibility.

Jurie Strydom is the newly appointed Group CEO of Old Mutual, one of South Africa's most iconic financial institutions, who took an unconventional path to the top — stepping out of a portfolio NED life and back into the fire.

Jeanette Marais, South Africa's first female CEO of a major listed financial services group, reveals what it really takes to stay in the top seat.

On Work and Revolution podcast exposes the real forces reshaping leadership, talent, and the future of work. Hosted by Debbie Goodman - CEO of Jack Hammer Global, a top executive search firm, author, advisor, and speaker - this podcast dives into bold ideas and honest conversations with CEO's reshaping today’s workplaces and redefining what great leadership looks like.   If you’re a CEO, founder, or changemaker hungry for real insight into workplace trends, hiring strategy, and organizational transformation, this is your space to listen, learn, and lead differently.   ✦ Explore more insights, guest details, and episode transcripts at: jhammerglobal.com ✦ Follow Debbie on LinkedIn | YouTube   ✦ Subscribe, share, and spark your own work revolution. 🎧

Connect with Ronak on LinkedIn HERERonak's websiteConnect with Debbie on LinkedIn HEREJack Hammer website On Work and Revolution podcast exposes the real forces reshaping leadership, talent, and the future of work. Hosted by Debbie Goodman - CEO of Jack Hammer Global, a top executive search firm, author, advisor, and speaker - this podcast dives into bold ideas and honest conversations with CEO's reshaping today’s workplaces and redefining what great leadership looks like. If you’re a CEO, founder, or changemaker hungry for real insight into workplace trends, hiring strategy, and organizational transformation, this is your space to listen, learn, and lead differently. ✦ Explore more insights, guest details, and episode transcripts at: jhammerglobal.com✦ Follow Debbie on LinkedIn | YouTube ✦ Subscribe, share, and spark your own work revolution. 🎧

60% of candidates have had a negative hiring experience – and 72% of them talk about it. Online. Loudly. In this episode, Debbie Goodman unpacks why ghosting, disrespect, and treating candidates like commodities is costing companies top talent, and damaging reputations. Even headhunted execs are walking away due to negative experiences. Debbie shares practical ways to fix broken interview processes and build respectful, human-centred hiring experiences. In an AI-driven world, treating people well isn’t just the right thing to do – it’s your competitive edge.

75% of job seekers find new roles through networking – not job boards. In this illuminating episode, Debbie Goodman is joined by Advaita Naidoo, MD Africa at Jack Hammer Global, to explore why the job market feels tougher than ever and what candidates need to do differently. From the rise of AI in recruitment to the decline of ‘spray-and-pray’ job applications, they unpack the real strategies that get results in 2025. If you’re sending out resumes and hearing crickets, this episode is your lifeline.

Do you have a talent pipeline problem? In this episode of On Work and Revolution, Debbie Goodman talks candidly about why succession plans often fail, offering a behind-the-scenes look at the corporate dramas that unfold during leadership transitions. From boardroom politics and last-minute reversals to the lack of viable internal candidates, she exposes the human and structural challenges that derail even the best-laid plans. Using real-world examples, including a high-profile leadership shake-up in South Africa’s financial sector, she highlights the need for transparency, flexibility, and proactive leadership development. Ultimately, succession planning is both an art and a science—one that requires adaptability, continuous talent nurturing, and a willingness to embrace uncertainty.