Carry On Friends: The Caribbean American Experience

Send us Fan Mail Welcome to back to another episode of Caribbean Adjacent, a series within the Carry On Friends Podcast!  Tiffany Cohen is back on the podcast and this time she is with her husband Jorge. They are dynamic husband-and-wife duo behind Flor de la Jara, an olive oil brand rooted in generations of Spanish farming and powered by cross-cultural connection.  In this episode, they shared th...

Send us Fan Mail The destruction of Grenada's Carriacou Museum during Hurricane Beryl reveals a critical vulnerability in Caribbean cultural preservation that goes far beyond one building. When Majella Mark witnessed the museum's roof torn away, she saw decades of irreplaceable historical artifacts—from ancestral diaries to rare photographs—exposed to the elements, threatening to erase c...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode we discuss the stereotypes that Caribbean American women face in the workplace.  Join us as we kick off with Deanna, a vibrant soca music party blogger, who dives into her experiences of how her Guyanese heritage often becomes a central topic at work. Contrastingly, Alysia, our returning guest, shares her decision to keep her West Indian background private in her p...

Send us Fan Mail Caribbean-American women are leaders—but do our workplaces recognize that? In this episode, Dr. Kerry Mitchell Brown joins me to unpack how cultural identity is a leadership strength. From code-switching to radical self-care, we explore what it means to lead boldly, confidently, and Caribbean. Takeaways: Cultural identity is not a weakness—it’s a strategic advantage. Workplace nar...

Send us Fan Mail This episode introduces The Caribbean Diaspora Experience Model™ (CDEM) . The model offers a guide for understanding how Caribbean cultural identity forms, evolves, and expresses itself in diaspora communities. Based on real-life experiences and stories shared through ten years of podcasting, this model validates the diverse ways people connect to their Caribbean heritage outside...

Send us Fan Mail Jermaine Rowe is a Jamaican-born storyteller, professor, theater maker, and cultural curator. Jermaine shares his incredible journey from Spanish Town, Jamaica to the global stage, blending Caribbean folklore with contemporary storytelling. This conversation dives deep into the intersections of identity, creativity, mentorship, and the challenges and triumphs of being a multi-hyph...

Send us Fan Mail Welcome to Caribbean Adjacent, a brand-new series within the Carry On Friends Podcast!  Randy Pulayya is back on the podcast and this time he is with his wife Shauna. They are dynamic husband-and-wife duo behind West Indies Pepper Sauce,  From meeting at JFK Airport to blending their Guyanese and Vietnamese-American backgrounds, Randy and Shauna share their journey of embracing ea...

Send us Fan Mail What happens when life hits you with multiple life-altering challenges at once? For Nicole Dubois, it was the catalyst for a profound journey of healing, self-discovery, and ultimately, sharing her story with the world. Nicole's memoir "Unparalyzed" began during a solo trip to Greece—a journey she took after leaving a note on the refrigerator for her husband of 17 y...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode, Anthea McLaughlin from the Caribbean Philanthropic Alliance helps to reshape our understanding of disaster relief and philanthropy across the Caribbean's 22 nations. Together they explore how strategic, year-round support builds stronger communities that can withstand increasingly severe climate events. Caribbean philanthropy isn't just for wealthy donor...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode, I’m taking a moment to reflect on the powerful conversations had on the podcast so far this year—with the team behind Sugar Dumplin’ , Natalie Bennett, Diana McCaulay, and Malene Barnett. What started as individual interviews became something more—more clear and focused themes around cultural preservation, identity navigation, and evolving expressions of Caribbean...

Send us Fan Mail This episode's guest is multidisciplinary artist, textile designer, and author Malene Barnett. From her Caribbean heritage (St. Vincent & Jamaica) to her latest book, Crafted Kinship: Inside the Creative Practices of Contemporary Black Caribbean Makers, Malene shares insights on art, storytelling, and preserving cultural traditions. Discover the power of art, kinship, and...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode acclaimed Jamaican author Diana McCaulay to discuss her latest novel "A House for Miss Pauline." Before we get to the book Diana and I discuss her journey from insurance professional to environmental activist; Jamaica's changing landscape, environmental challenges, the delicate balance between preservation and progress. We dive into the inspiration b...

Send us Fan Mail I'm circling back! Carey Lee Dixon, also known as Carey Digital returns to the podcast for the first time since 2018 to reflect on her entrepreneurial evolution, career pivots, and the power of community. Since her last appearance, Carey has navigated challenges—from being fired and finding resilience to becoming a Canva Design Community Ambassador and a champion for women en...

Send us Fan Mail This episode features Jamaican American, Natalie Bennett who shares her journey from working at Google to entrepreneurship after facing layoffs. The conversation highlights redefining success, finding one's purpose, and the importance of personal leadership. • Exploring success beyond accolades • Understanding the impact of layoffs • Emphasizing the significance of personal &...

Send us Fan Mail Tristan Barrocks and Donisha Prendergast join us for a lively conversation that explores the heart and soul of Jamaican storytelling. Tristan's film "Sugar Dumplin" starring Oliver Samuels is a heartfelt story of family, dementia, and cultural legacy. This conversation celebrates Jamaican artistry and storytelling. Learn about the vision for the project, its social...

Send us Fan Mail This episode celebrates a major milestone - ten years of Carry On Friends! Thank you for your support over the years. I will be celebrating the milestone all year long and would love to hear from you. Which episodes are your favorite, or who is your favorite guest? Your stories and reflections will be featured throughout the year, so don't hesitate to share. As we commemorate...

Send us Fan Mail Is the Caribbean prepared for the next hurricane season, or are we stuck in a reactive cycle? As I look back on the turmoil of the 2024 hurricane season, I question the chaotic and fragmented approach to disaster relief efforts in the diaspora. Many in the diaspora are eager to help but are caught in a web of mistrust surrounding donation processes. The absence of a centralized or...

Send us Fan Mail As we prepare for 2025, I'm excited to unveil a major milestone— January 13, 2025 will be the 10th anniversary of the launch of the Carry On Friends Podcast! 🎉 In celebration of the 10th anniversary of the podcast and looking to the future, I am excited to announce the birth of the Carry On Friends membership community!  The Carry On Friends Community of Friends Membership w...

Send us Fan Mail Reggae Carols, Christmas Hymns: Caribbean Christmas Vibes! In this debut of the Sounds and Color series, I dive into the music that shaped my holidays in Jamaica—from classic hymns and American Christmas staples to Reggae-infused carols and Dancehall riddims. I revisit the music that bring the season alive.  Chat to Mi! What's your favorite Christmas hymn from their childhood...

Send us Fan Mail Have you ever felt trapped in the endless cycle of learning without ever taking action? In this episode hear my strategies for mitigating the grip of information overload and found a way to prioritize actionable learning. This episode is a must-listen for entrepreneurs, content creators, and business professionals who find themselves constantly seeking the latest strategies but ne...

Send us Fan Mail Imagine being stuck in the endless grind of a long commute and an unfulfilling job while pregnant. That's where Jamila Soufrant found herself before she stumbled upon the FIRE movement, a discovery that would propel her into a life of financial independence. This episode takes you through Jamila's inspiring journey from her Brooklyn roots to becoming a leading voice in f...

Send us Fan Mail As a first-generation Guyanese American, Randy Pulayya's journey from the vibrant streets of Richmond Hill, Queens, to over 60 countries, has uniquely shaped his entrepreneurial vision. In this episode, Randy shares his experiences living in Southeast Asia and the curiosity he encountered about Caribbean culture, drawing fascinating parallels between Caribbean and Asian culin...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode Shari, a spirited Jamaican entrepreneur, shares her remarkable journey from Jamaica to the UK, to the bustling streets of New York, and finally to Kampala, Uganda. Starting with her challenging yet eye-opening experiences in the UK, Shari talks about adapting to new environments and finding inspiration in unexpected places. Her story is a testament to the power of...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode I sit down with J.O., a multifaceted Jamaican American filmmaker, songwriter, and content creator whose journey is nothing short of inspiring. From the musically rich influences of Bob Marley and Michael Jackson during his childhood to the pivotal moment of appearing on Extreme Makeover in 2005, J.O. shares his story of perseverance, growth, and relentless ambition...

Send us Fan Mail Have you ever faced the heart-wrenching dilemma of ending a friendship? In our latest episode of Carry On Friends, I'm thrilled to welcome the wonderful hosts of the Queens of Social Work podcast, Queen H and Queen P. These remarkable women share their Caribbean roots and how they came together to create a podcast that resonates deeply with their audience. We kick things off...