One of South Africa's most beloved comedians. A storyteller. A playwright. A theatre icon. The creator of unforgettable characters like Aunty Merle. And a performer who has spent nearly three decades making audiences laugh across South Africa and beyond. But behind the laughter is a story few people know.

In this episode, Marc Lottering reflects on his journey from a pastor's son growing up in Retreat to becoming one of the country's most celebrated entertainers. He shares how the women around his family's kitchen table inspired some of South Africa's most iconic characters, and why storytelling has always been at the heart of his work.

Marc opens up about the years before success, the setbacks that tested him, and the moments he thought might end his career. From being told to stick to advertising instead of comedy, to navigating public mistakes and finding his way through them, he reflects on the experiences that shaped both the performer and the person.

The conversation explores the cost of a life spent making others laugh, the pressure of carrying joy into a divided world, and what happens when the applause fades and the real person steps off stage. Along the way, Marc reflects on love, partnership, imperfection and the lessons he's learned from a lifetime of helping people find laughter.

This is a conversation about humour, acceptance and the power of showing up as yourself.

One of South Africa's most beloved comedians. A storyteller. A playwright. A theatre icon. The creator of unforgettable characters like Aunty Merle. And a performer who has spent nearly three decades making audiences laugh across South Africa and beyond. But behind the laughter is a story few people know.
In this episode, Marc Lottering reflects on his journey from a pastor's son growing up in Retreat to becoming one of the country's most celebrated entertainers. He shares how the women around his family's kitchen table inspired some of South Africa's most iconic characters, and why storytelling has always been at the heart of his work.
Marc opens up about the years before success, the setbacks that tested him, and the moments he thought might end his career. From being told to stick to advertising instead of comedy, to navigating public mistakes and finding his way through them, he reflects on the experiences that shaped both the performer and the person.
The conversation explores the cost of a life spent making others laugh, the pressure of carrying joy into a divided world, and what happens when the applause fades and the real person steps off stage. Along the way, Marc reflects on love, partnership, imperfection and the lessons he's learned from a lifetime of helping people find laughter.
This is a conversation about humour, acceptance and the power of showing up as yourself.

Nobody prepares you for the moment life shifts beneath your feet. A job. A relationship. A version of yourself you thought you knew. One day it's there, and the next, it isn't.

Shift Happens with Richard Sutton is a podcast for anyone who's in that space right now. Not perfect answers... just honest conversations with people who've been there and kept going.

Sometimes the most helpful thing isn't advice, but knowing you're not alone in it. Shift Happens with Richard Sutton - from 18 May 2026.

Watch/Listen on primediaplus.com, the Primedia+ app, Spotify & Apple Podcasts.

Nobody prepares you for the moment life shifts beneath your feet.&nbsp;A job. A relationship. A version of yourself you thought you knew. One day it's there, and the next, it isn't.
Shift Happens with Richard Sutton is a podcast for anyone who's in that space right now. Not perfect answers... just honest conversations with people who've been there and kept going.
Sometimes the most helpful thing isn't advice, but knowing you're not alone in it. Shift Happens with Richard Sutton - from 18 May 2026.
Watch/Listen on primediaplus.com, the Primedia+ app, Spotify &amp; Apple Podcasts.

Shift Happens 

Shift Happens with Richard Sutton is a podcast about transformation, elevation, and becoming the best version of yourself.

Through people’s stories, we explore what happens when life applies pressure, when things change, and when doubt or failure forces a shift. These are honest conversations about the moments that shape us, and what we can learn from them.

This is not about perfect stories. It’s about real ones, and the small, often unseen shifts that change everything. This podcast is a tool to help you learn through the experiences of others, and navigate your own.

Richard Sutton is the founder and CEO of SuttonHealth and The Performance Code, and a global expert in stress management, resilience, and human performance. He is the author of The Stress Code, Stressproof – The Game Plan, and Shift Happens, which distils 25 years of science and lived experience into practical ways to work with stress, burnout, and self-doubt.

Watch/Listen on primediaplus.com, the Primedia+ app, Spotify & Apple Podcasts.

Shift Happens with Richard Sutton is a podcast about transformation, elevation, and becoming the best version of yourself.
Through people&rsquo;s stories, we explore what happens when life applies pressure, when things change, and when doubt or failure forces a shift. These are honest conversations about the moments that shape us, and what we can learn from them.
This is not about perfect stories. It&rsquo;s about real ones, and the small, often unseen shifts that change everything. This podcast is a tool to help you learn through the experiences of others, and navigate your own.
Richard Sutton is the founder and CEO of SuttonHealth and The Performance Code, and a global expert in stress management, resilience, and human performance. He is the author of The Stress Code, Stressproof &ndash; The Game Plan, and Shift Happens, which distils 25 years of science and lived experience into practical ways to work with stress, burnout, and self-doubt.
Watch/Listen on primediaplus.com, the Primedia+ app, Spotify &amp; Apple Podcasts.

Shift Happens with Richard Sutton | Marc Lottering on Humour, Acceptance and Joy

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/5dcefa8e-00a9-4595-8ce1-a4ab0080f142/clips/a9dceedd-e1fd-4890-bf2d-b46a00630106/transcript