The Gareth Cliff Show

19.09.25 Pt 2 - Gareth Cliff and Ben Karpinski kick things off with stories from Ben’s recent trip to Thailand — including a wild “Montecasino on steroids.” Ben brings his trademark colourful sports update before the team welcome Roger Racks, a proud son of the South. Gareth also sits down with culinary legend David Higgs and creative visionary Deen Woodman to unpack the magic behind Luxurious Marble Circus 2025. The Real Network

19.09.25 Pt 1 - Gareth Cliff and Leigh-Ann Mol unpack how everything the government lays hands on somehow turns from gold to dust. They dive into Candace Owens’ fiery clash with the French over a gender case gone wrong, and explore the troubling question of why some people openly celebrate an assassination — no matter their political stance. The Real Network

12.09.25 Pt 2 - Gareth Cliff and Ben Karpinski dive into the weirdest viral moments from the past week – and debate which South African accent takes the crown for being the most annoying (sorry, Roger Racks from the South!). Later, Nosipho Maketo-van den Bragt and Producer Patrick join the conversation to unpack the future of film and media, what’s happening in South Africa’s creative landscape, and why AVIJOZI is the event to watch this weekend for media and tech lovers. The Real Network

12.09.25 Pt 1 - Gareth Cliff kicks off with a raw monologue on the shocking assassination of Charlie Kirk – unpacking how it’s shaken South Africans and rippled across the globe. Was he just a pawn in a much bigger game for simply speaking his truth? Ben adds his fiery take, fueling the debate. The show then swerves into lighter territory, celebrating the quirks of UK cuisine and wondering out loud what exactly is in Kelly Osbourne’s water. The Real Network

05.09.25 Pt 2 - Gareth is joined by Mash and Ben for a hilarious deep dive into some questionable bathroom habits — including whether it’s humanly possible to sneeze and use the toilet at the same time. The trio then debates double standards between men and women, and wrap things up by asking: when someone says “let me finish,” does it actually mean they’re talking nonsense? The Real Network

05.09.25 Pt 1 - Gareth Cliff and Leigh-Ann Mol kick off Friday with a fiery chat about how frustrating old people can be — sparked by Gareth’s run-in that tested his patience. Leigh-Ann opens up about starting her Ozempic journey and what lies ahead, while Dr Hanan steps in to unpack Gen Z’s growing dependence on AI for companionship. The Real Network

29.08.25 Pt 2 - Gareth Cliff and Ben Karpinski dive into the wild world of killer orcas and their attacks on the ocean’s giants, before switching gears to sports banter and the ultimate “breakfast beer” after the Springboks’ New Zealand tour. Later, the team welcomes Angela Yeung — a remarkable woman who climbed Everest with the mission to uplift 1,000,000 people by 2035. She opens up about the breathtaking highs, brutal lows, and life lessons from her incredible journey. The Real Network

29.08.25 Pt 1 - Gareth Cliff and Leigh-Ann Mol dive into the great bathroom debates — from the “right” way to wipe to how many showers a week really count. Then, Gareth sits down with Simon Wilkins, who’s gearing up to conquer the brutal English Channel. With the support of Jonathan Gerber and the TAG Foundation, Simon shares what it takes — physically and mentally — to chase a feat few dare attempt. The Real Network

22.08.25 Pt 2 Gareth Cliff and Ben Karpinski dive into a wild story about a woman who celebrated beating cancer by hooking up with 200 men — sparking a broader discussion about the secrets and strange origins of Scientology, from alien myths to modern controversies. Mash joins in with a look at the latest lifestyle buzz around “Ozempic butt,” as well as the dangers of self-driving cars that can unexpectedly grind to a halt in the middle of the road. To end things off on a high note, the team celebrates this week’s Beautiful Moment: proudly South African words like “gatvol” officially making their way into the Oxford Dictionary. The Real Network

22.08.25 Pt 1 - Gareth Cliff and Leigh-Ann Mol open the show by tackling the strange silence of President Cyril Ramaphosa, who seems to have gone missing in action while the country faces crisis after crisis. Their conversation takes a sharp turn into international politics, as they debate Donald Trump’s rise to “rockstar” status and what that means for global leadership. Clinical psychologist Dr Hanan Bushkin joins the discussion alongside Ben Karpinski to unpack the worrying reality of South African schools — where classrooms are starting to resemble battlegrounds instead of safe learning spaces. The team wrap things up with a heated sports report, as Ben breaks down the frustration of South African fans following Dricus du Plessis’ tough loss, and yet another defeat to Australia that has left local supporters feeling bruised. The Real Network

15.08.2025 pt 2 In this episode, Gareth and Ben dive into the complex debate around multiculturalism, arguing that while Europe’s model has eroded cultural identity, South Africa’s unique mix of traditions thrives without forced assimilation. They slam the homogenisation of culture into bland commercialism and champion cultural pride. The conversation shifts to Sydney Sweeney’s American Eagle ad controversy, poking fun at the small but loud group of critics and exploring modern attitudes toward beauty and body image. From there, we share the story of Chloe Walker, who underwent forehead reduction surgery to boost her confidence, sparking a discussion on cosmetic surgery, self-improvement, and moving beyond childhood insecurities. In a bizarre turn, they dissect reports of Vladimir Putin traveling with a bulletproof suitcase containing his own bodily waste to avoid espionage, noting the paranoia and ego such measures reveal. The show wraps with a listener poll on the new three-hour format, with most respondents disliking it — though the gents vow to push ahead regardless. The Real Network

15.08.2025 pt 1 On our final Friday show before a major format change, Gareth and Ben delivered a whirlwind of sports, politics, and jaw-dropping oddities. They kicked off with news that Fridays will soon be longer and packed with live guests, before diving into Ben’s golf plans and a comical look at Donald Trump’s armored “Batmobile” golf cart. The sporting lineup was huge — from the Rugby Championship and MTN8 semi-finals to Premier League kick-off and UFC 319’s explosive showdown between Drius and Kamzat. The conversation took stranger turns with an outrageous 1970s tale dubbed tape,” mixing disbelief with dark humour, and a sharp discussion about violent taxi versus e-hailing clashes in Soweto. The hosts also unpacked global politics — from New Zealand’s criticism of Israel to the UK’s royal gossip — while never straying too far from the banter and audience interaction that keep their community hooked. It was a send-off show that had everything: high-stakes sport, political fire, absurd human behaviour, and street-level South African realities — a perfect snapshot of why the live format keeps our audience coming back. The Real Network

13.08.2025 pt 2 In a wide-ranging and unapologetically honest chat, comedian Kurt takes us from the smell of leather bench seats in classic cars to the uncomfortable sting of racism, making the case for humor as a bridge between people. Along the way, he rips into modern cars’ soulless designs, the quirks of South Africa’s “celebrity” class, and why some insults sting more in certain cultures than others. There’s no sacred cow — whether it’s customer service disasters, the politics of apologies, or the absurdity of cancel culture, Kurt calls it as he sees it. The conversation swerves between personal and political — one minute dissecting the global decline of genuine fame through the lens of Will Smith, the next debating the raw power of swear words and whether censoring them just makes them stronger. From the grind of running a comedy club to the difference between killing it on stage versus online, it’s a masterclass in navigating the modern cultural minefield — all ending with a hilariously bittersweet sign-off about birthdays, ghosted dates, and funeral fashion. The Real Network

13.08. 2025 pt 1 Comedians Dave Levinson and Kurt Schoonrat join Gareth in studio for a mix of sharp wit, war stories from the stage, and some brutal honesty about life in comedy and South Africa. From overpriced steaks and coffee shop economics to the chaos of early shows and the reality of hecklers, it’s a hilarious yet revealing look at the hustle behind the punchlines. The conversation swerves from absurd bathroom encounters and bizarre dreams to bigger questions about leadership, politics, and the state of the nation. It’s part roast, part reality check – with just enough satire to make the truth go down a little easier. The Real Network

Parenting expert Dr. Ken Resnik joins to flip the script on modern parenting trends, pushing for calm authority, boundaries, and fostering independence over overprotection. The decline in basic social skills and etiquette, accelerated by generational shifts and tech dependence, is eroding how we connect — at home, at work, and in society at large. Parenting today faces a maze of conflicting advice, overdiagnosis, and societal pressures. Dr. Resnik offers clarity with practical, calm, and structured guidance. The crossroads of technology, mental health, and social behavior demands balance — ensuring innovation supports, not replaces, the emotional depth of human relationships. From the erosion of manners to the modern parenting maze, from AI’s promise to its pitfalls, the episode is a call for common sense, resilience, and genuine connection in a distracted world. The Real Network

The team signs off their final Monday show before moving to Fridays with a sharp, unfiltered dive into hot-button topics — starting with the furore over politician Gayton McKenzie’s use of a racial slur. They challenge the social media outrage cycle, calling for resilience, context, and less performative anger. There’s a nostalgic but pragmatic look at how radio has evolved, why clinging to the past risks irrelevance, and how audiences have shifted. Joined by renowned psychologist and head of the Anxiety and Trauma Clinic in Johannesburg, DR Hanan Bushkin as the they speak on more increased number of Gen Z turning to AI chatbots for mental health solution and support. The Real Network

08.08.25 Pt 2 - Gareth Cliff and Ben Karpinski dive into the differences in how women and men handle competition — from the workplace to friendships — and why it often plays out with different emotional stakes. Things get a little hairy (literally) as they unpack bizarre gym habits, including the questionable choice of shaving in the locker room. Later, Siegfried Lokotsch joins the conversation to explore the dangers of misinformation and how Trump’s tariffs are shaking up South African businesses. The Real Network

08.08.25 Pt 1 - Gareth Cliff and Ben Karpinski kick off Friday with the lukewarm cultural clash of Sydney Sweeney vs Beyoncé — a debate no one asked for but everyone seems to have an opinion on. Things get wilder with a headline about a man hunting a buffalo, only for the audience to side with the animal. Ben wraps it up with his uniquely crafted sports report to gear you up for the weekend. The Real Network

06.08.25 Pt 2 - Gareth Cliff is joined by all-round sports guy Stefano Vigoriti for a frank discussion on the troubled state of South African water polo. From the lack of clear pathways for athletes to the deep-rooted mismanagement stalling progress, they unpack how poor leadership is holding the sport back. The conversation also widens to explore the bigger picture—how nationalism and the identity of individual countries continue to shape global sport. The Real Network

06.08.25 Pt 1 - Gareth Cliff is joined by motivational speaker Gavin Sharples for a powerful conversation about authenticity in a world dominated by filters and facades. They unpack the vital role of family in shaping a child’s future, debate which parent has the greater influence, and reflect on Gavin’s early days as a police officer—offering bold thoughts on how to fix a broken system. The Real Network