Stories Between Sips

René sits down with her former colleague O’dine, an Afrikaans teacher who has taught at both co-ed and single-sex schools, to reflect on how the classroom has evolved. From the days before smartphones to the hyper-digital learners of today, they unpack how education—and educators—have had to adapt.✨ We’re also preparing our final episode for the season, and we want to hear from you:* How has being a listener or viewer of Stories Between Sips impacted you?* What would you like to see in our next season?Send us your response via voice note, short video clip, or written message!📩 Contact: Instagram @storiesbetweensipspodcast | TikTok @storiesbetweensipspod This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit storiesbetweensips.substack.com

René shares her journey across three countries—South Africa, South Korea, and Qatar—to reflect on how teaching has changed over the past decade. From chalkboards to TikTok, what does it mean to teach the digital generation? Grab your cup and settle in.🎧 Follow @storiesbetweensipspodcast on Instagram and @storiesbetweensipspod on TikTok. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit storiesbetweensips.substack.com

In this week’s guest episode, René chats with Milla — someone who’s formed a powerful, enduring bond with Ilze over the years. Their friendship may not have started in childhood, but it has become one rooted in loyalty, growth, and deep understanding.Together, Milla and René talk about what it takes to build and maintain adult friendships, the beauty of sisterhood, and the ways our closest connections shape us — especially when they evolve later in life.This episode is a celebration of friendships that find us exactly when we need them. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit storiesbetweensips.substack.com

In this solo episode, René gets honest about how complex adult friendship can be — especially when you grow up without being taught how to nurture emotional connections. She reflects on sisterhood, friendships with men, the shifting nature of relationships, and how the loss of her parents reshaped the way she connects with others.From childhood dynamics to expat loneliness, this episode holds space for the grief and grace of evolving friendships — and the peace that comes with loving people from a distance.Whether you’re holding on, letting go, or searching for your people — this is for you. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit storiesbetweensips.substack.com

Next week on Stories Between Sips, we explore the messy beauty of adult friendship. In Monday’s solo episode, René opens up about learning (and unlearning) how to be a friend — from childhood gaps in emotional education to navigating connection, distance, and grief as an adult. Then on Friday, she sits down with Milla, Ilze’s lifelong best friend, for a heartfelt conversation about sisterhood, evolving bonds, and the kind of friendship that lasts through decades.Whether you're holding onto old friends or hoping to make new ones — this one’s for you. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit storiesbetweensips.substack.com