Founded by Brent Lindeque in 2015 with a mission to change the conversation around South Africa by shining a spotlight on the country's everyday heroes, inspiring people and remarkable acts of kindness, Good Things Guy has grown into a digital publication dedicated to telling the stories that often go untold, says the podcast.
Over the past 11 years, the platform has published more than 30 000 stories, documenting everything from community initiatives and acts of bravery to business innovation, environmental conservation, sport, entertainment and lifestyle. Of those, nearly 10 000 stories have celebrated ordinary South Africans whose compassion, resilience and generosity have made an extraordinary impact in their communities.
At a time when news cycles are often dominated by negativity, Good Things Guy has demonstrated that there is a significant audience seeking stories that inspire hope, celebrate progress and remind South Africans of the good happening around them every day, adds the podcast.
The platform's reach and influence have continued to grow beyond its website through its podcast, which first launched in 2014, making it South Africa's longest-running good news podcast. Since evolving into a video-first format in 2025, the podcast has experienced growth, publishing 75 episodes, including 35 episodes in 2026 alone.
In just the first eight months of 2026, the podcast has attracted more than seven million streams across all platforms, with YouTube and Facebook emerging as its strongest-performing channels. The most-streamed episode to date, featuring the remarkable story of Baby Eden, has generated more than 650 000 views, while the Good Things Guy YouTube channel has grown to over 90 000 subscribers, rapidly approaching the coveted 100 000 milestone, says the podcast.
Goodthingsguy.com has also produced some of South Africa's widely shared feel-good content. Its most-read article of all time, offering a heartfelt explanation about Father Christmas for children, has attracted more than 570 000 readers, highlighting the enduring appetite for meaningful, family-focused storytelling.
For Lindeque, however, the true measure of success has never been the numbers. "When I started Good Things Guy, I simply wanted to prove that good news mattered. Eleven years later, what I'm most proud of isn't the number of stories we've published or the millions of podcast streams — it's the incredible South Africans we've had the privilege of meeting along the way. Every conversation, every story and every act of kindness reminds us that there's so much more good happening around us than we often realise."
Lindeque says the continued growth of the platform demonstrates that audiences are actively seeking authentic, uplifting stories that celebrate the very best of South Africa.
"We've always believed that positive journalism has an important role to play alongside traditional news. People don't want to ignore the challenges facing our country, but they also want to celebrate the people who are solving problems, building communities and creating hope. Those are the stories that deserve to be told."
The podcast has become an extension of that philosophy, creating space for deeper conversations with South Africans who are making a meaningful difference across business, sport, entertainment, conservation, education and community development.
"Podcasting has been part of my journey for more than a decade, but this new chapter has been extraordinary. We've had the privilege of sitting down with some of the country's most inspiring people and sharing their stories with audiences across South Africa and the world. I'm incredibly grateful to everyone who listens, watches and shares our content, and to BetterBond for continuing to support these conversations. It genuinely feels like we're only just getting started."
As Good Things Guy celebrates its 11th anniversary, its mission remains unchanged: to find, tell and amplify the stories that remind South Africans what is possible when people choose kindness, resilience and community, says the podcast.
In an increasingly crowded digital media landscape, Good Things Guy continues to prove that positive storytelling is far more than a niche.
Tyler Vivier, Editor of Good Things Guy, says the milestone is a reflection not only of the platform's longevity, but of the thousands of inspiring South Africans whose stories have helped redefine the country's narrative.
"Celebrating 11 years and nearly 30 000 stories is an incredible milestone for Good Things Guy and for every journalist who has helped shape the platform over the years. Behind each story is an opportunity to uplift, inspire and remind South Africans of the good happening all around them. It's been a privilege to work alongside such a passionate editorial team, sharing stories that build hope and celebrate the very best of our country. Here's to the next 30 000 good things."
As the platform enters its second decade, Good Things Guy is committed to continuing its mission of celebrating the remarkable people, businesses and organisations shaping a brighter future for South Africa — one good story at a time, concludes the podcast.
For more information, visit www.goodthingsguy.com. You can also follow Good Things Guy on Facebook, X, or on Instagram.
*Image courtesy of contributor