Best Automation Town Podcasts (2025)

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Rugby Fever Rises: World Rugby Drops Teaser Ahead of 2027 Draw 9:12

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14h ago9:12

9:12

Joining Amy MacIver to break down the 2027 Rugby World cup draw and what it means for the Springboks and global rugby is Jan De Koning, independent rugby analyst and seasoned commentator on the game’s biggest moments. Presenter John Maytham is an actor and author-turned-talk radio veteran and seasoned journalist. His show serves a round-up of local…

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The latest from the Modack trial: With EWN’s Carlo Petersen 5:44

15h ago5:44

5:44

EWN senior journalist Carlo Petersen, breaks down the Nafiz Modack trial in a chat with Amy McIver. Presenter John Maytham is an actor and author-turned-talk radio veteran and seasoned journalist. His show serves a round-up of local and international news coupled with the latest in business, sport, traffic and weather. The host’s eclectic interests…

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Oxford’s Word of 2025: Why ‘Rage Bait’ Rules the Internet 9:01

15h ago9:01

9:01

Amy MacIver is joined by Chairperson of the Linguistics Department at the University of the Western Cape, Professor Amiena Peck to discuss Oxford’s word of the year for 2025 - “rage bait”. Presenter John Maytham is an actor and author-turned-talk radio veteran and seasoned journalist. His show serves a round-up of local and international news coupl…

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Eleven Escapes in Two Months – Is SAPS Losing Control? 9:18

15h ago9:18

9:18

Amy MacIver is joined by Llewellyn MacMaster, Chairperson of the Cape Crime Crisis Coalition to unpack the growing trend of prisoners escaping police custody in South Africa. Presenter John Maytham is an actor and author-turned-talk radio veteran and seasoned journalist. His show serves a round-up of local and international news coupled with the la…

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Inside the Spy Scandal: Dlomo, Zuma, and the Missing Millions 6:10

16h ago6:10

6:10

Amy McIver is joined by News24 journalist, Kyle Cowan on the charges against, alleged Zuma spy Thulani Dlomo. Presenter John Maytham is an actor and author-turned-talk radio veteran and seasoned journalist. His show serves a round-up of local and international news coupled with the latest in business, sport, traffic and weather. The host’s eclectic…

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The Hidden Crisis: SA Undercounts Disability by 90% 7:58

16h ago7:58

7:58

Amy MacIver speaks to Kara Mara Moss — CEO of STEPS, a non-profit that has spent 20 years transforming clubfoot care in South Africa. Through 48 public health clinics across all nine provinces, STEPS has already gathered anonymised, POPIA-compliant data on more than 12,000 children, proving how practical, ethical, low-cost data systems can change c…

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DStv Subscribers Hit Hard: What’s Behind the Big Blow? 9:48

16h ago9:48

9:48

To unpack what this means for subscribers and the future of streaming in South Africa, Amy MacIver speaks to Toby Shapshak, renowned tech journalist, editor, and publisher of Stuff magazine. Toby has been tracking the evolution of pay-TV and streaming for years and joins us to break down the implications of this big shift. Presenter John Maytham is…

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Property Tax Showdown: Cape Town Residents vs Rising Rates 9:11

16h ago9:11

9:11

Amy McIver speaks to the Cape Town Collective Ratepayers' Association’s Bas Zuidberg, regarding the ongoing court case about the city’s tariffs on buildings. Presenter John Maytham is an actor and author-turned-talk radio veteran and seasoned journalist. His show serves a round-up of local and international news coupled with the latest in business,…

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Private Chefs for Short-Term Rentals with Yhangry 19:33

1d ago19:33

19:33

In this episode of the Hospitable Hosts podcast, we speak with Siddhi Mittal, co-founder of Yhangry, about the growing trend of private chef experiences in vacation rentals. Siddhi shares her journey from finance to hospitality, the evolution of Yhangry, and how they are bridging the gap between private chefs and guests. The conversation explores t…

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Ransomware in a Small Town, Radio Stations Hacked, & Teen OPSEC 1:01:06

1d ago1:01:06

1:01:06

In this episode, Ryan Williams Sr. and Shannon Tynes discuss the latest cybersecurity news, including a ransomware attack on a small Ohio village and the FCC's warnings about cybersecurity risks. They dive into the importance of operational security (OPSEC) and cyber hygiene, share personal reflections on Thanksgiving, and explore various entertain…

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From Missing Millions to Mercenaries: What Crimes Could Be in Play? 8:45

1d ago8:45

8:45

We speak to Dr Guy Lamb, criminologist and expert on policing and organised crime, to unpack the legality, the risks, and potential prosecutions emerging from these unfolding cases where several men were lured to Russia for a bodyguard training in Russia, but find themselves emersed in war in Ukraine. Presenter John Maytham is an actor and author-t…

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Senzo Mchunu to give his testimony at the Madlanga commission 5:28

1d ago5:28

5:28

Joining Amy MacIver, is Orrin Singh, Eyewitness News correspondent, who has been following the Madlanga Commission proceedings and brings us the latest from Pretoria. Presenter John Maytham is an actor and author-turned-talk radio veteran and seasoned journalist. His show serves a round-up of local and international news coupled with the latest in …

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Poetic prompts: Making AI help you build nuclear weapons 5:54

1d ago5:54

5:54

Amy MacIver is joined by Jan Vermeulen, Editor at MyBroadband, to help us unpack the implications of this study — what it means for AI safety, national security, and the internet as we know it. Jan has been tracking the rapid evolution of AI guardrails and the escalating arms race between developers and jailbreakers, and he joins us to make sense o…

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Luxury Sets Sail: Southern Africa’s Superyacht Frontier 7:54

1d ago7:54

7:54

Amy MacIver is joined by Veda Pretorius, the driving force behind Superyacht Cape Town and the Southern Africa Superyacht Route working group, to unpack how this route is being shaped and what it could mean for coastal communities, tourism, and the marine economy. Presenter John Maytham is an actor and author-turned-talk radio veteran and seasoned …

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Gayton Mckenzie supporting the funds cut for Art Festivals: Reaction from the Cape Town Carnival 7:40

1d ago7:40

7:40

Amy MacIver touches base with Jay Douwes, CEO of Cape Town Carnival, on Gayton Mckenzie's decision to cut funding for Arts Festivals. Presenter John Maytham is an actor and author-turned-talk radio veteran and seasoned journalist. His show serves a round-up of local and international news coupled with the latest in business, sport, traffic and weat…

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Eastern Cape Education slammed for “losing” R500 million grant 6:23

1d ago6:23

6:23

Amy MacIver is joined by Hendrick Makaneta, Education specialist, to understand how an already struggling province could let half a billion rand slip through its fingers, and what this means for the future of education in the Eastern Cape. Presenter John Maytham is an actor and author-turned-talk radio veteran and seasoned journalist. His show serv…

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How cosmic rays grounded a fleet of aircraft 8:04

1d ago8:04

8:04

Amy MacIver speaks to independent aviation expert Guy Leitch, who has been following the rollout of updates, the science behind bit flips, and what this means for the future of aircraft reliability. Presenter John Maytham is an actor and author-turned-talk radio veteran and seasoned journalist. His show serves a round-up of local and international …

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Matric Rage: Expensive rite of passage 7:01

1d ago7:01

7:01

Amy MacIver speaks to freelance writer Elaine King, who has been reporting on the realities of Rage, the impact on local businesses, and the mounting burden it places on families Presenter John Maytham is an actor and author-turned-talk radio veteran and seasoned journalist. His show serves a round-up of local and international news coupled with th…

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Sanctions Etzebeth might face and implications for Boks 10:13

3d ago10:13

10:13

To help unpack the fallout — from the likely length of Etzebeth’s suspension to the impact on the Boks’ strategy moving forward — Amy MacIver speak to Craig Ray, Daily Maverick sports editor, whose insights combine analysis of South Africa’s rugby culture, player behavior, and competitive dynamics. Presenter John Maytham is an actor and author-turn…

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Is Danny Jordaan Holding SAFA Back? 7:45

3d ago7:45

7:45

Amy MacIver is joined by Sizwe Mbebe, editor at SoccerBeat, one of the sharpest voices dissecting South African football politics. He’s been tracking Danny Jordaan’s presidency, the financial instability inside SAFA, and the growing calls for new leadership. Presenter John Maytham is an actor and author-turned-talk radio veteran and seasoned journa…

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The Elon Musk Deportation Petition: Politics or Public Outrage? 9:18

3d ago9:18

9:18

Amy MacIver speaks to US analysts about what will likely happen if President Donald Trump really blocks South Africa from next year’s G20 summit, and why some Americans are trying to get Elon Musk’s US citizenship revoked. Presenter John Maytham is an actor and author-turned-talk radio veteran and seasoned journalist. His show serves a round-up of …

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Duped into War: Can South Africa Bring the 17 Home to Justice? 6:55

3d ago6:55

6:55

To help us unpack The South Africans stranded in Ukraine from a strategic and defence vantage point, Amy MacIver is joined by Helmoed Heitman — one of South Africa’s leading defence analysts, known for his expertise in battlefield dynamics, military law environments, and the complexities of foreign armed conflict. Presenter John Maytham is an actor…

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European defence jitters faced with Russia belligerence 8:07

3d ago8:07

8:07

Independent defence analyst, Paul Beaver, speaks to Amy MacIver about moves in Europe to increase military spending and bolster their armed forces amid heightened geopolitical tensions Presenter John Maytham is an actor and author-turned-talk radio veteran and seasoned journalist. His show serves a round-up of local and international news coupled w…

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Were there any wins for Africa at COP30 10:12

3d ago10:12

10:12

Olivia Rumble, director of Climate Legal, speaks to Amy MacIver about the outcomes of the COP30 which were overshadowed here in South Africa by the G20 summit. Presenter John Maytham is an actor and author-turned-talk radio veteran and seasoned journalist. His show serves a round-up of local and international news coupled with the latest in busines…

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Life After Likes: Australia’s Teen Social Media Ban 10:24

3d ago10:24

10:24

Today, we ask whether a move like this could ever happen in South Africa—legally, socially, or culturally. To help us unpack the implications, we speak to Emma Sadlier, South Africa’s leading social media and law expert, to understand what this global shift in digital policy could mean for our children and our legal landscape Presenter John Maytham…

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Music: Get Lucky Summer with Jules Harding from GoodLuck 6:08

6d ago6:08

6:08

John Maytham is joined by Jules Harding, lead vocalist of GoodLuck and one of the driving forces behind the Get Lucky Summer experience. Jules shares what makes this festival so special, what fans can expect from the 2025/26 season, and why this concert series has grown into one of South Africa’s most loved summer traditions. Presenter John Maytham…

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Who Will Lead the Fight? Six Candidates Shortlisted for SA’s Top Anti-Corruption Role 8:41

6d ago8:41

8:41

To help us make sense of this pivotal moment in selecting the next National Director of Public Prosecutions , John Maytham is joined by Nicole Fritz, Executive Director at the Campaign for Free Expression. Nicole has been a leading voice on accountability, openness, and the independence of South Africa’s democratic institutions — and she joins us n…

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From South Africa to the UAE: The Story Behind Armoured Vehicle Innovation 9:01

6d ago9:01

9:01

To unpack how this covert defence partnership unfolded, what the whistleblower’s documents reveal, and what this means for oversight of South Africa’s arms exports, John Maytham is joined by Michael Marchant, Head of Investigations at Open Secrets — the organisation that broke this story after a three-week court gag order was lifted. Michael walks …

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A Taste of Elegance: Amura Opens at Cape Town’s Iconic Mount Nelson Hotel 7:50

6d ago7:50

7:50

Joining John Maytham to share the vision behind this exciting launch is Carlos Leon, Business Manager of Amura Restaurant. Carlos will give us a glimpse into what diners can expect from this immersive concept that blends Spanish tradition with South African flair. Presenter John Maytham is an actor and author-turned-talk radio veteran and seasoned …

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Books with John Maytham 8:16

6d ago8:16

8:16

Tune in to hear what books caught John Maytham’s attention today. Presenter John Maytham is an actor and author-turned-talk radio veteran and seasoned journalist. His show serves a round-up of local and international news coupled with the latest in business, sport, traffic and weather. The host’s eclectic interests mean the program often surprises …

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Lighting Up Cape Town: Mayor Geordin Hill-Lewis on Festive Season Plans and New Switch-On Celebrations 7:47

6d ago7:47

7:47

Joining John Maytham to share more about the exciting Festive season plans is Geordin Hill-Lewis, Mayor of Cape Town. He’ll tell us why this year’s festivities are extra special and what residents can look forward to as we ring in the season of joy. Presenter John Maytham is an actor and author-turned-talk radio veteran and seasoned journalist. His…

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A look towards the Stormers vs Munster game: With head coach, John Dobson 8:11

6d ago8:11

8:11

John Maytham speaks to John Dobson, Stormers head coach, about how his team plans to counter Munster’s firepower, the importance of squad depth, and what fans can expect as the Stormers gear up for this crucial away fixture. Presenter John Maytham is an actor and author-turned-talk radio veteran and seasoned journalist. His show serves a round-up o…

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New Hope for South Africa’s Rarest Bird: Second Breeding Site Discovered 10:09

6d ago10:09

10:09

Joining John Maytham to unpack this exciting development is Matt Orolowitz, Birding Ecotours Fellow of Grasslands Conservation and part of BirdLife South Africa’s Landscape Conservation Team. Matt has walked over 500km in search of the Botha’s Lark and led the effort that uncovered this new breeding population. Presenter John Maytham is an actor an…

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Heidi Health, an AI-powered medical scribe and care platform used to automate administrative tasks in healthcare settings. 8:14

7d ago8:14

8:14

John Maytham chats to Dr Jaco Botes about using AI to assist in his patient records. Medical AI scribe Heidi is apparently quite popular amongst physicians across the globe. Presenter John Maytham is an actor and author-turned-talk radio veteran and seasoned journalist. His show serves a round-up of local and international news coupled with the lat…

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From Whisper to Verdict: How the Labour Appeal Court Redefined Sexual Harassment Law 5:36

7d ago5:36

5:36

John Maytham is joined by Audrey Johnson, Executive at ENS in the Employment Practice. Audrey brings deep expertise in labour law and workplace compliance, helping organisations navigate complex disciplinary and review processes Presenter John Maytham is an actor and author-turned-talk radio veteran and seasoned journalist. His show serves a round-…

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Susan Smith Blackburn nomination for SA playwright Amy Jeptha 8:19

7d ago8:19

8:19

John Maytham is joined by Amy Jephta, celebrated playwright, filmmaker, and advocate for authentic South African storytelling – to discuss her nomination for the Susan Blackburn award. Presenter John Maytham is an actor and author-turned-talk radio veteran and seasoned journalist. His show serves a round-up of local and international news coupled w…

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Race Against Outbreak: Vaccinating 7.2 Million Cattle Amid FMD Crisis 7:22

7d ago7:22

7:22

Joining John Maytham to unpack the economic and logistical implications is Wandile Sihlobo, Chief Economist at the Agricultural Business Chamber (Agbiz). Wandile has been at the forefront of analyzing the impact of biosecurity failures on South Africa’s agricultural economy and offers insight into what this vaccination drive means for farmers, mark…

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Burberry, Betrayal, and the Thin Blue Line: Jeff Wicks on Cat Matlala and SAPS 7:34

7d ago7:34

7:34

Investigative journalist Jeff Wicks joins John Maytham to chat about VusiMusi “Cat” Matlala’s testimony at the Police Adhoc Committee. Presenter John Maytham is an actor and author-turned-talk radio veteran and seasoned journalist. His show serves a round-up of local and international news coupled with the latest in business, sport, traffic and wea…

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Plan B with Rebecca Davis 12:01

7d ago12:01

12:01

Rebecca Davis joins John Maytham each week to reflect on just how strange the news can be. From the most important to the very strange, John and Rebecca offer their view of what is happening in our world that makes it at times infuriating, at times inspirational but always fascinating The Money Show is a podcast hosted by well-known journalist and …

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Patricia de Lille Responds: Tourism Under Fire and the SIU Probe Explained 7:39

7d ago7:39

7:39

Tourism Minister Patricia De Lille joins John Maytham to chat about the SIU investigating alleged maladministration and unlawful spending by the former SA tourism board. Presenter John Maytham is an actor and author-turned-talk radio veteran and seasoned journalist. His show serves a round-up of local and international news coupled with the latest …

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Performance Metrics - Hospitable Town Hall, November 26, 2025 1:06:45

7d ago1:06:45

1:06:45

This Hospitable Town Hall focused on the launch of new metrics and dashboard features, including reporting capabilities and data visualization tools for tracking performance and business optimization. It also covered updates on various product developments and upcoming features. Sleep easy, host confidently with Hospitable. Automate your guest mess…

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FIFA world cup draw twist 6:38

8d ago6:38

6:38

To guide us through the numbers, the stakes, and the strategic realities of the FIFA world cup draw, John Maytham speaks to football analyst Sizwe Mbebe. Presenter John Maytham is an actor and author-turned-talk radio veteran and seasoned journalist. His show serves a round-up of local and international news coupled with the latest in business, spo…

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The Ad-Hoc Committee: The explosive Cat Matlala appearance 5:10

8d ago5:10

5:10

Joining John Maytham to unpack the latest developments from the Ad-Hoc committee, is Babalo Ndenze, Eyewitness News parliamentary correspondent, who has been following the story closely. Presenter John Maytham is an actor and author-turned-talk radio veteran and seasoned journalist. His show serves a round-up of local and international news coupled…

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Are you comfortable with X revealing your account holder? 6:16

8d ago6:16

6:16

To help us break down X’s new location labels, we speak to Arthur Goldstuck, CEO of World Wide Worx, a leading authority on technology trends, digital trust, and online safety. Presenter John Maytham is an actor and author-turned-talk radio veteran and seasoned journalist. His show serves a round-up of local and international news coupled with the …

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Elephants place increasing pressure on trees 12:47

8d ago12:47

12:47

Joining John Maytham to unpack these findings and what they mean for the future of conservation is Dr Robin Cook, former Big Trees Project Manager at Elephants Alive and now Ecology Manager at the Cheetah Conservation Fund in Namibia. Presenter John Maytham is an actor and author-turned-talk radio veteran and seasoned journalist. His show serves a …

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Colleen: The Musical 8:23

8d ago8:23

8:23

Comedian Marc Lottering joins John Maytham to chat about his upcoming show, Colleen the Musical. Presenter John Maytham is an actor and author-turned-talk radio veteran and seasoned journalist. His show serves a round-up of local and international news coupled with the latest in business, sport, traffic and weather. The host’s eclectic interests me…

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UWC launches SA waste forum: Targeting environmental health risk of disposable diapers/ sanitary towels 6:19

8d ago6:19

6:19

Joining John Maytham to unpack the significance of this launch is Professor Marc Kalina, Chairperson of the SA Waste Forum Committee and co-lead of the initiative. Prof Kalina emphasizes that unequal access to waste services—particularly in rural and informal settlements—has created a growing crisis. Presenter John Maytham is an actor and author-tu…

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CAPS: Living with education failure in 2025 7:38

8d ago7:38

7:38

John Maytham speaks to educational anthropologist Esmé van Deventer about the CAPS system and it;s negative effects on students. Presenter John Maytham is an actor and author-turned-talk radio veteran and seasoned journalist. His show serves a round-up of local and international news coupled with the latest in business, sport, traffic and weather. …

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Short-Term Rental Expert Insights on Growth, Pricing, and Guest Experience with Cozy Co-Host 36:27

8d ago36:27

36:27

In this episode of the Hospitable Hosts podcast, we interview Paul Stewart, founder of Cozy Co-Host, who shares insights on scaling a short-term rental management business from zero to nearly 100 properties in just a few years. Paul discusses the competitive landscape of the Jersey Shore market, operational strategies that have contributed to their…

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Tourism Under the Microscope: SIU Steps In 9:14

9d ago9:14

9:14

John Maytham is joined by David Frost, CEO of the Southern Africa Tourism Services Association (SATSA). We’ll unpack what this investigation means for the sector, whether it can restore confidence, and what reforms are needed to prevent a repeat of this governance collapse. Presenter John Maytham is an actor and author-turned-talk radio veteran and…