Carry On Friends: The Caribbean American Experience

Send us Fan Mail In this Carry On Friends, Style & Vibes, Reels & Riddims crossover episode Mikelah and I chat with with Jessica Shaw a Jamaica American TV Producer about her upcoming documentary " Roots Rock Reggae Souls " which has received an overwhelming response on social media. We talk about "Souls" being a catchall term Jamaicans use for music from a variety of g...

Send us Fan Mail Paul C. Brunson, is a dynamic Jamaican American television host, author, and professional matchmaker. Learn how Paul transitioned from the high-octane world of investment banking to managing a Turkish billionaire's investments, and ultimately becoming one of the first full-time Black matchmakers globally. Paul sheds light on his motivations for entering the matchmaking indust...

Send us Fan Mail What if everything you thought you knew about Caribbean cuisine was wrong? Join us for a flavorful exploration of the vibrant and diverse world of Caribbean food in this episode of Strictly Facts. We welcome three extraordinary guests: Jamaican-Canadian chef Noel Cunningham, seasoned home cook Leslie Enston, and Caribbean paleo cooking expert Althea Brown. Together, they share the...

Send us Fan Mail In our episode, Tiffany also opens up about her entrepreneurial journey with her husband as they merge Jamaican and Spanish traditions to create their unique olive oil brand, Flor de la Jara. We discuss the challenges they face in the import-export business and the strengths they leverage to navigate these obstacles. Discover the incredible health benefits of their preservative-fr...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode I sit down with Darren, an athlete with rich Jamaican and Guyanese heritage, to explore his latest venture, Backcourt, which is set to transform Caribbean sports experiences. From the monumental Jamaica Boys and Girls Champs to the pulse-pounding cricket matches, Darren shares how Backcourt aims to offer the most authentic and electrifying sports tourism packages....

Send us Fan Mail Can tracing your roots transform your understanding of family and self? In this episode I share my personal journey to uncover my Caribbean ancestry. Inspired by my fascination with history and guided by the methods seen in "Finding Your Roots," I delve into the complexities and joys of piecing together my family tree. From contacting Jamaican genealogical agencies to fi...

Send us Fan Mail Embark on a remarkable journey through Caribbean history with us as we welcome Martine Powers, the senior host of the Washington Post Reports, as well as the host creator of the gripping series "The Empty Grave of Comrade Bishop." Martine's personal connection to the Caribbean, stemming from her Trinidadian heritage and family ties to Grenada, brings an intimate and...

Send us Fan Mail From the nature island to the international stage, join us as we sit down with the multifaceted Jael Joseph from Dominica, whose journey is as rich as the music she champions. Our episode kicks off with tales from Jael's upbringing, her eclectic career trajectory, and her fierce advocacy for Dominican Culture, Music, Producers and Artists. We also discuss her film on the Kali...

Send us Fan Mail Have you ever felt like a yellow tulip in a sea of pink, daring to stand out yet unsure if you should? Join me as I share my challenges of trying to fit in when I naturally stand out. This episode isn't just about me; it's about all of us who've navigated the complexities of fitting in and shining as our true selves. We'll explore the delicate dance between con...

Send us Fan Mail Carry On Friends has been a journey! As the host, I've sometimes felt the weight of creation on my shoulders, balancing life's incessant demands with crafting meaningful content for you, the listeners. In today's heartfelt reflection, I unwrap the struggles and triumphs of this journey. A pivotal conversation with Helena, better known as ThatNurseCanCook, shed new l...

Send us Fan Mail When Helena Faustin, also affectionately known as That Nurse Can Cook, graced us with her presence on the show, we uncovered more than just the ingredients to her tantalizing Jamaican dishes. We journeyed together through her story, which is steeped in rich culture and spiced with personal transformation. Our conversation navigated  the audacious decision to take her kitchen creat...

Send us Fan Mail Unlock the secrets to globe-trotting on a budget with Joanna Niles where she spills the beans on making travel affordable without skimping on fun. This episode isn't just about saving pennies; it's a roadmap to rich, cultural experiences through planning. Joanna, a seasoned writer and adventurer, joins us to debunk myths about the 'right time to buy airfare' an...

Send us Fan Mail Viannca Velez is a passionate advocate for cultural preservation from the Caribbean Cultural Center African Diaspora Institute.  Our discussion starts off with the significance of cultural equity amidst centuries of historical adversity and the essential role of equitable funding to sustain the vibrancy of cultural institutions and practices that shape our identity and future. We...

Send us Fan Mail Our latest episode is a joint episode with Style & Vibes and Reels and Riddims with guests from the Breadfruit Media family. Including Chris Williams and Alexandria Miller as well as friends of the show, Indira, Mikey T and Jendai. We dissect the impact of this film's release on Valentine's Day. From the precise timing to the casting of Kingsley Ben Adir as Bob Marle...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode, I'm circling back to my very first guest on the podcast, Andrew Clarke of Braata Productions. In addition to catching up with Andrew since he last appeared on the show, we discuss: The importance of digital preservation in keeping our vibrant heritage alive.  The representation hurdles confronting Jamaican and Caribbean talents in the mainstream media landsca...

Send us Fan Mail From his humble beginnings in the pews of a church to the helm of Ikon Media, Horane Henry's story unfolds in our latest episode, painting a vivid picture of the Caribbean's potential in the media production landscape. As a Jamaican-born powerhouse in engineering and media production, Horane's curiosity fuels his creative drive, while also shedding light on the mile...

Send us Fan Mail As a follow up to our previous episode, Reframing Competition and Collaborative Success - in this episode you'll hear from some members of the audience and their perspectives on competition.  The episode unwraps the complex emotions that come with competing. You'll hear voices that consider competition an unnerving pressure, preferring to concentrate on their personal pa...

Send us Fan Mail What if competition, typically viewed as a negative force, could be reframed as a catalyst for collaboration and growth? The friends - Chris and Mikelah are back and we're discussing how a healthy competitive spirit can be the key to fostering collective advancement and empowering one another. In our discussion, we try to define competition and explore whether competition is...

Send us Fan Mail Attention, I've interrupted our 2 month holiday break to bring you this bonus episode.  In this episode I get different views on the Hulu series, Black Cake. This discussion emphasizes the importance of accurate cultural representation in media, the need for diverse narratives, and the impact of these factors on viewers' understanding and appreciation of different cultur...

Send us Fan Mail As we wrap up a stellar season of enlightening and engaging conversations on Carry On Friends, it's time to slow down, take a moment to breathe, and reflect on the wonderful journey we've been on together. From life-transforming discussions with Ingrid Murray to humorous banter with White Yardie , and finance-centric wisdom from Keisha Bailey , we've covered a lot o...

Send us Fan Mail Introducing a new series within Carry On Friends call "Circle Back" where I catch up with past guests and check in on what they've been up to since they last appeared on the podcast. In this episode, I catch up with Kamilah Campbell, jewelry designer and founder of The Pink Locket . Kamilah first appeared on the podcast November 2015. Now with 15 years of business o...

Send us Fan Mail Jamaica's real estate scene is booming. In this episode, my guest, Ruth Lacey from Proven Properties guides us through the intriguing and thriving property market of Jamaica. The allure of owning a piece of this tropical paradise is drawing not only Jamaicans living abroad but also international investors. Also discussed in this episode: Sustainable development and environmen...

Send us Fan Mail Join us for an insightful tour around the world with Marcus Haynes, a Brooklyn-based entrepreneur with an intriguing Caribbean-African-American heritage. Picture this - you're a kid from New York, raised in Africa, and you find yourself bewildered in an American college, surrounded by an alcohol-heavy culture, a stark contradiction to the values instilled in you by your Pan-A...

Send us Fan Mail What happens when a Guyanese-American food blogger discovers her gluten sensitivity? How does this revelation transform her understanding of Caribbean cuisine and her own dietary habits? This episode's guest, Althea Brown, shares her riveting journey from discomfort and confusion to awareness and adaptation. Althea opens up about the nuances of the Paleo diet, how it echoes t...

Send us Fan Mail This episode's guest, British-Jamaican-American Marsha Archer, takes us through her compelling journey and dives into the fascinating world of public relations. Public relations is more than just a job for Marsha; it's an art form. We delve into the nuances of crafting a compelling story in PR, and Marsha shares how she ensures her clients stand out, reflecting their bra...