On the Couch with MEX

Mike van Graan is an award-winning Cape Town playwright, producer and cultural activist, recognised as one of South Africa’s leading contemporary theatre voices. His work uses drama and sharp satire to explore the country’s political and social realities. His plays include Green Man Flashing, My Fellow South Africans & When Swallows Cry. A University of Cape Town drama graduate, he helped shape post-apartheid cultural policy and received an honorary doctorate from the University of Pretoria in 2018 for his contribution to theatre and cultural activism.

Jeremy Marsh, Chief Operating Officer, has been MD and President for companies including Virgin, RCA, BMG and Warner Music Group. He was a key member of teams that launched and developed the careers of Dua Lipa, Ed Sheeran, Soul II Soul, Maxi Priest, Take That, Annie Lennox, M People, Neneh Cherry, and many others. He served Warner for the last 15 years at Warner as Vice Chairman, EVP of International, and Global CMO.Marc Marot, Chief Creative Officer, oversaw U2's career of U2 for 18 years, and during his tenure as Managing Director of Island Records, the label signed Tricky, Pulp, PJ Harvey, The Cranberries, Nine Inch Nails, and NWA. After leaving Island Records, he set up a management company and managed Paul Oakenfold, Richard Ashcroft, Lemon Jelly, and Yusuf Islam (Cat Stevens), among others. Later, as the Chairman of Crown Talent, he played a role in the management of Jessie J, Ella Henderson and Becky Hill.

Yonas Aregai - Chief of StaffYonas brings a range of music industry experience, gained through outward-facing roles spanning talent and business development, brand strategy, and partner relations. As the Chief of Staff, he oversees GSM’s pipeline activity across all funds, and leads strategic marketing efforts for the fund portfolio. Prior roles include General Manager & Partner of MER Group, helping to develop flagship client Alan Walker to become one of the most popular EDM artists worldwide. Yonas holds a BA degree in Marketing Management from the Norwegian School of Management and the University of California, Berkeley. NOMEX recognised him as one of the Nordic Music Industry’s ‘Top 20 under 30’ by NOMEX.

Thursday, 9 pm on CapeTalk with playwright and author Mike Van Graan.Show producer: Barry Maré.

A firsthand account of the music, the controversy, and the South African musicians who helped shape a landmark musical journey.Ashley Kahn experienced the Graceland story from behind the scenes. Having worked on the tour’s production team and served as tour manager for Ladysmith Black Mambazo, he brings a rare personal perspective to a recording that connected South African sounds with audiences around the world.On Thursday, 22 October 2026, at 9pm, the Grammy Award-winning music historian, author and producer joined  Martin Myers on CapeTalk’s The Business of Entertainment to discuss his latest book, Days of Miracle and Wonder: Paul Simon and the Trials and Triumphs of Graceland.Together, Myers and Kahn will explore the creative partnerships, business decisions and political tensions behind the project.Kahn teaches at New York University’s Clive Davis Institute of Recorded Music. His books examine Miles Davis’s Kind of Blue and John Coltrane’s A Love Supreme, and he co-wrote Carlos Santana’s autobiography, The Universal Tone.Expect a conversation about artistic ambition, cultural exchange and the people behind the music, informed by someone who was there.We discuss his latest book, Days of Miracle and Wonder: Paul Simon and the Trials and Triumphs of Graceland.For Myers, this is also a deeply personal conversation. His friendships with the late Ray Phiri and Tony Cedras, whose musicianship formed part of the Graceland recording and touring story, bring an intimate connection to its enduring legacy.

Martin Myers was on the Business of Entertainment on Cape Talk. Myers joined Barry Maré in the studio for a conversation about his journey through the entertainment economy.Usually the interviewer, Myers steps into the guest’s chair to unpack the relationships, lessons and defining moments behind four decades in artist management, publicity, broadcasting and live events.We also looked ahead to Music Exchange, #MEX26, now in its 16th year.

Lauren Bright is an executive coach, AI adoption strategist & founder of BrightSpark Coach, and she was on CapeTalk on Thursday at 9 pm on the show #BusinessOfEntertainmentHer message is simple. AI will transform the way we work, but our greatest competitive advantage will remain unmistakably human. Drawing on psychology, neuroscience and leadership, Lauren’s work challenges audiences to rethink change, embrace AI with confidence, and develop the skills that will matter most in the years ahead. After more than two decades leading teams across the corporate, entertainment, events and non-profit sectors, she now helps organisations prepare for the future of work by combining AI capability with human capability.

How do we embrace artificial intelligence without losing the distinctly human qualities that drive creativity, leadership and meaningful connection?Lauren Bright joined Martin Myers on CapeTalk’s #TheBusinessOfEntertainment for a timely conversation about navigating the rapidly evolving world of AI.An executive coach, AI adoption strategist and founder of BrightSpark Coach, Lauren believes the conversation around AI needs to move beyond simply understanding the technology.As AI continues to reshape how we work, communicate, create and build businesses, the real opportunity is learning how to use these powerful tools while protecting the human qualities that technology cannot replace — curiosity, creativity, empathy, judgement and authentic connection.A thought-provoking conversation about AI, people and the future of work.Listen to the podcast and join the conversation.#CapeTalk #TheBusinessOfEntertainment #LaurenBright #ArtificialIntelligence #AI #FutureOfWork #Leadership #Creativity #MusicExchange

Thurs 24 September 2026, 9 PM on CapeTalk with Roger and Pat de la Harpe Photography.Superb wildlife, travel, and lodge photographers. The new book The African Lion is out now (11 years in the making ).Show producer: Barry Maré.

Last night on CapeTalk at 9 pm on CapeTalk #BusinessOfEntertainment with the brilliant Roger and Pat de la Harpe - doing serious stuff with a camera. Show producer: Barry MaréP.S. The book The African Lion is in store now.