Beats and the Quiet Within: Liam Magner on the House of Motherly

FOR the month of November, The House of Motherly is holding space for men and their mental health. Each week, I will speak with extraordinary men to explore courage, vulnerability, and the often-unspoken world of big feelings.

This week’s guest is Liam Magner, a man who has spent years making South Africa laugh, dance, and lean into joy. His name has become synonymous with bold beats, Veranda Panda, and dancefloors heaving in unison.

Yet behind the strobe lights and pulsating music lies a story far more layered - one that echoes with self-doubt, resilience, and humour. Liam arrived with his trademark wit, Splashy Fen T shirt and a twinkle in his eye, but what unfolded in our conversation was so much more than punchlines and performance anecdotes.

He shared memories of his childhood, including the legendary “cult” he started at school in honour of his dog, a story that had us both in stitches and perfectly encapsulated his quirky, imaginative spirit. But soon, we dipped beneath the surface.

He spoke honestly about the quieter realities of life on and off stage. The imposter syndrome that can creep in even when you’ve played to packed houses. The nagging voice that tells you you’re not enough, despite the applause ringing in your ears. The challenge of navigating the loud and the quiet and the exhilarating noise of performance contrasted with the stillness of solitude, where self-doubt sometimes feels the loudest of all.

This was the heart of our conversation: the recognition that men, even those who appear confident and larger-than-life, carry tender struggles too. Liam’s willingness to talk about his inner critic, his vulnerabilities, and how he 'self brothers' was not just refreshing, it was profoundly moving. Humour threaded its way through the episode, as it so often does with Liam. But it wasn’t used to hide the truth; rather it became a bridge to it.

He reminded us that comedy can be both a salve and a sword, a way of navigating the chaos of life while also cutting through to what really matters. We spoke, too, about creativity as therapy. For Liam, making music, performing, and telling stories aren’t simply artistic pursuits; they’re acts of survival, grounding, and healing. His artistry allows him to externalise what might otherwise remain stuck inside. It was a powerful reminder that creative expression is not a luxury but a lifeline.

As our chat drew to a close, I asked Liam what he would say to someone listening who was struggling with similar feelings of self-doubt. His answer was as candid as it was courageous: 'don't think what you are going through is special’. That single thought has lingered with me since. How often do we sit in the eye of our storm feeling like this is just a ‘me' thing, making us feel even more isolated and alone.

Liam’s words remind us that growth doesn’t come from perfection it comes from slowing down and dipping into the power of community. For me, this is what The House of Motherly is all about: holding stories with love and care, creating space for honesty, and celebrating both the noise and the quiet within.

This episode with Liam was funny, heartfelt, and deeply human, a conversation that proves that even those who bring the noise also carry quiet struggles, and that there is great strength in admitting as much. So, in the spirit of Movember and in honour of men’s mental health, may this episode remind us all, men and women alike, to lean into courage, embrace our vulnerabilities, and remember that laughter and honesty can coexist as beautifully as drums and a big punch baseline.

Beats & the Quiet Within can be heard on Spotify.

SUNDAY TRIBUNE