Season 2 of Our voice, our future has officially launched. In episode 1, host Kayang Gagiano, Chief Partnerships Officer at The Reach Trust, is joined by Lisa Voortman, Co-Founder of Grow ECD, for a deeply honest conversation about the emotional lives of young children growing up in increasingly noisy environments.
Together, they unpack the quiet pressures many children are carrying – comparison, exclusion, overstimulation, bullying and the growing influence of screens and social media on childhood development.
What makes the conversation so powerful is how relatable it feels. At the centre of the discussion is a reminder that resilience is often shaped in ordinary moments. Bedtime routines. Shared meals. Predictability. Adults slowing down long enough to truly listen.
One story shared during the episode reflects just how deeply childhood experiences can stay with us. A memory of arriving at a school dress-up day feeling completely out of place and humiliated in a handmade costume became a wider reflection on rejection, belonging and how easily a child’s confidence can be shaped by seemingly small moments.
The discussion also explores what bullying looks like in early childhood spaces. Often, it is less about aggression and more about exclusion – not being invited to play, being left out or made to feel invisible. As Lisa explains, emotional skills like empathy and self-regulation are not automatic. They are learned through guidance, modelling and nurturing care.
Technology and screen time also form a major part of the conversation. Rather than demonising technology, the episode encourages parents and caregivers to think carefully about the age of introduction, the quality of content and the impact constant stimulation can have on developing brains.
As Lisa notes during the episode:
“A child under five, their brain is still developing incredibly fast. You add quick responses, light, sound and movement – their brain isn’t designed for that.”
At its heart, this episode is about something many adults are searching for – how to raise emotionally secure and resilient children in a world that often feels loud, fast and overwhelming.
Season 2 of Our voice, our future will continue exploring the issues shaping childhood, care and opportunity in South Africa through honest conversations and lived experience.
To hear the full conversation between Kayang and Lisa, listen to episode 1 of Our voice, our future today and follow the podcast to stay connected as new episodes are released throughout the season.
