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Johnny Q is one of Trinidad & Tobago’s most iconic entrepreneurs — but his journey didn’t start in business. It started with DJing, sound systems, and figuring things out in real time.

In this episode of The Corie Sheppard Podcast, we sit down with Johnny Q to unpack how he built multiple businesses across events, hardware, auto parts, and entertainment — often with zero experience.

He shares the story of opening a hardware business overnight during COVID, the thinking behind his viral marketing campaigns like the “Tarzan” ad, and the mindset required to take risks and execute at scale.

We also dive into:

• The evolution of Trinidad’s entertainment industry
• The real economics behind Carnival and events
• Why customer experience matters more than being right
• Missed opportunities in tourism and local business
• And what young entrepreneurs need to understand about starting

This is a masterclass in entrepreneurship, adaptability, and building a household name in the Caribbean.

00:00 Introduction
00:22 Meet Johnny Q
01:02 Opening a hardware business overnight
02:52 Learning business with zero experience
03:40 The viral “Tarzan” ad strategy
06:26 Early days as a DJ
08:59 Breaking into radio and changing the culture
12:20 How DJs transformed radio in Trinidad
14:20 The evolution of parties and live entertainment
20:19 Building stages and solving problems
25:43 From DJ to entrepreneur
27:10 Expanding into events, tents, and rentals
32:04 Starting in business with no formal training
33:45 The turning point: building a sound system business
38:47 The business of entertainment and networking
42:09 Scaling the rental and events business
45:58 Expanding into security and other ventures
48:05 Getting into the bar business
51:25 Entering hardware and auto parts
53:44 Building the Q Power brand
54:23 Customer service philosophy
57:08 Being hands-on in business
01:02:59 Why the events business isn’t as profitable as it seems
01:06:20 The reality of running events
01:09:23 Creating Monday Madness
01:12:42 The truth about Soca Monarch and performance
01:15:14 The rise of new artists
01:16:51 Giving back with the Evolution band
01:19:49 Developing young talent
01:22:25 Why Trinidad is missing opportunities in tourism
01:32:20 Supporting artists and the Carnival economy
01:34:56 The venue crisis and its impact
01:36:52 Why consultation matters in decision-making
01:41:17 Challenges faced during Carnival
01:45:27 The business reality behind Carnival bands
01:45:59 Fixing the road and parade experience
01:47:01 Final thoughts

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In this powerful and heartfelt conversation, Corie sits down with Josie, the creator of the growing social media platform Autistically Speaking, where she shares the real, unfiltered journey of raising her son Andre, a young adult on the autism spectrum.

Originally from Sangre Grande, Josie has spent over two decades living abroad but remains deeply connected to Trinidad & Tobago and its culture. Through her page Autistically Speaking, she documents everyday life with Andre — from barbershop conversations and grocery runs to music, soca, and family moments — showing that autism does not mean a life without joy, growth, or independence.

Andre’s personality, honesty, and love for music have made him a favourite among followers, while Josie’s candid storytelling and advocacy have created a supportive community for parents navigating similar journeys.

In this episode, they discuss:

• Andre’s autism diagnosis and early developmental challenges
• The cultural stigma around disabilities in Caribbean communities
• How Josie turned social media into a support network for families
• Teaching independence, life skills, and resilience
• Andre’s love for soca music and Trinidadian culture
• The mission behind Autistically Speaking and building an autism community in Trinidad & Tobago

This is a conversation about parenthood, patience, culture, and purpose — and about finding joy in milestones that society often overlooks.

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DJ Bravo: From Santa Cruz to Global Champion | The Corie Sheppard Podcast

Dwayne “DJ Bravo” Bravo is one of the most iconic cricketers in the history of West Indies cricket and one of the most successful T20 players of all time. In this episode of The Corie Sheppard Podcast, Bravo reflects on his journey from growing up in Santa Cruz and playing cricket in Tranquillity to becoming a global champion on the biggest stages in world cricket.

Bravo shares powerful stories about his upbringing, the influence of his father, and the early mentors who shaped his discipline and love for the game. He explains how joining the Queen’s Park Cricket Club as a child transformed his understanding of structure and professionalism, ultimately setting the foundation for his international career.

The conversation explores Bravo’s debut for West Indies at Lord’s under Brian Lara, the sacrifices he made early in his career, and the mindset that helped him thrive under pressure in high-stakes moments. Bravo also discusses the evolution of T20 cricket, his role in redefining the all-rounder position, and how his success helped inspire the next generation of West Indies cricketers.

Beyond cricket, Bravo opens up about building the 47 brand, trademarking his identity as an athlete and entertainer, and his unexpected journey into music. He recounts the story behind his global hit “Champion,” the influence of Jamaican dancehall culture, and how his friendship with Beenie Man helped introduce him to the music industry.

The episode also dives into leadership, discipline, fatherhood, and Bravo’s transition into coaching, where he now focuses on developing young players and giving back to the sport that shaped his life.

This is a candid and insightful conversation about ambition, resilience, Caribbean culture, and what it truly means to be a champion.

Topics Covered

• Growing up in Santa Cruz and Tranquillity
• Early cricket development at Queen’s Park Cricket Club
• Making his West Indies debut at Lord’s
• Playing under Brian Lara
• The rise of T20 cricket and the modern all-rounder
• Building the 47 brand and trademarking his identity
• The story behind the song Champion
• Dancehall, Beenie Man, and Bravo’s music journey
• Leadership, discipline, and handling pressure
• Coaching and developing the next generation of cricketers

Watch / Listen to the full episode.
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#coriesheppardpodcast #djbravo #westindiescricket #champion #47 #t20cricket #caribbeanculture #trinidadandtobago #cricketlegend

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In this candid and wide-ranging conversation, former Massy Group CEO Gervase Warner reflects on the setbacks, risks, and defining decisions that shaped his journey from a struggling secondary school student to Harvard Business School, McKinsey partner, and one of the Caribbean’s most influential business leaders.

Warner shares the lesser-known stories behind his path — academic rejection, early professional failures, and the unexpected gap-year experience that strengthened his leadership foundation. He explains why he left a prestigious global consulting career to return to the Caribbean, and how he helped transform Neal & Massy into Massy through culture change, strategic divestment, and purpose-driven leadership.

The episode explores:

Competing — and succeeding — in elite global institutions

Building and leading at McKinsey

Returning home to lead during a complex corporate transition

Rebranding and reorganising a Caribbean conglomerate

Conscious capitalism and why focusing on people can drive stronger performance

Navigating public controversy and leadership under scrutiny

The role of self-awareness, discipline, and personal growth in executive leadership

Race, identity, and responsibility in regional leadership

This is a masterclass in resilience, ambition, and the reality behind corporate leadership at the highest level.

A story about failure, growth, and the courage to evolve.

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This episode is a sneak peek into the kind of conversations our Patreon community enjoys every week — deeper discussions, cultural analysis, and unfiltered reasoning about current events through a Caribbean lens.

We explore:

• How global tensions can impact small nations like Trinidad & Tobago
• The connection between oil, economics, and everyday life at home
• Kaiso as social commentary — from Lord Blakey to Bunji Garlin
• The lasting message behind “nobody wins a war”
• The recent Calypso Monarch controversy
• Kenny Phillips joining the conversation to share his side of the story regarding Helon’s muted mic

As always, the focus is culture, context, and conversation — not noise. We reason through history, music, economics, and media, and reflect on why the microphone still matters in shaping public dialogue.

If you enjoy thoughtful, culturally grounded discussions like this, Patreon is where we go even deeper.

Click the link in my bio for the full episode.
#coriesheppardpodcast

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In this powerful and deeply personal episode of The Corie Sheppard Podcast, we sit down with soca artist Jadel Legere for a raw conversation about resilience, reinvention, and building success on her own terms.

Jade opens up about growing up in a strict religious household, struggling with identity and self-esteem, and how “pink” became a symbol of reclaiming the childhood she never had. From studying law and battling depression to singing in casinos and eventually touring internationally, her journey is one of discipline, manifestation, and relentless belief.

We explore:

• Her transition from church singer to soca performer
• Writing, producing, and engineering her own music
• The business realities of being an independent female artist
• Going viral with “Shake Up Yuh Batty Girl”
• Building consistency without relying on a “monster hit”
• Touring internationally and finding greater reception abroad
• Sacrificing comfort and image to secure financial stability
• Purchasing and investing in property as a long-term strategy
• Turning pain, heartbreak, and criticism into fuel

This episode is about ownership — of your story, your finances, your brand, and your future.

Whether you're an artist, entrepreneur, or someone rebuilding your life from the ground up, Jade’s honesty and strategy will resonate.

click the link in my bio for the full episode

#coriesheppardpodcast #JadeLegere #SocaMusic #TrinidadAndTobago #WomenInMusic #CaribbeanCulture #MusicIndustry #EntrepreneurMindset

00:00 – Introduction
01:00 – Why Pink Is Her Power
03:30 – The $25,000 Valentine’s Day Booking Request
06:00 – Body Image, Confidence & Public Scrutiny
10:30 – School Days & Being Called “Big Bottom Reds”
14:30 – Heartbreak During Law School
18:20 – “Stand By Another Man” Explained
24:30 – Writing with XplicitMevon
26:00 – Growing Up Strict & Sheltered
30:00 – Reclaiming Her Childhood Through Motherhood
33:00 – Moving House to House Growing Up
36:30 – Religious Upbringing & Identity Struggles
40:00 – Studying Law & Financial Pressure
45:30 – The Casino Turning Point
52:00 – From $3K a Month to $3K a Night
54:30 – Joining Surface & Traffic
58:30 – Going Solo & Learning Music Production
1:06:00 – Creating “Haunted” with Kernal Roberts
1:12:00 – Shake Up Yuh Batty Girl Goes Viral
1:17:00 – Sacrificing Image to Build Property
1:23:00 – Why Breaking into Soca Is Hard
1:30:00 – Touring Internationally vs Local Reception
1:36:00 – Do You Need a Monster Hit?
1:38:30 – Final Reflections

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Carnival 2026 sparked big conversations — and Omari Ashby is not holding back.

In this powerful and deeply cultural breakdown, Omari Ashby joins us to unpack the moments that defined the season: the Calypso Monarch controversy, the Helon broadcast incident, Road March debates, commentary competence, Panorama pride, and the evolving spirit of Juve and mas.

We discuss:
• The semifinal and final judging questions
• Transparency, censorship, and protecting the art form
• Why Terry’s Monarch performance was untouchable
• Voice vs. Machel — and what Road March really represents
• The commercialization of mas and rising fete prices
• The importance of steelpan and youth continuity
• Juve energy, generational shifts, and “phone vs. frenzy”
• Why Carnival is bigger than politics — and always rights itself

Omari brings history, honesty, and perspective — reminding us that Carnival isn’t just wine and bacchanal. It’s rebellion. It’s identity. It’s legacy.

If you care about culture, this conversation matters.

Click the link in my bio for the full episode.
#coriesheppardpodcast #OmariAshby #Carnival2025 #Calypso #RoadMarch #Panorama #TrinidadCarnival

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In Part III of the 3 Canal: Kings of J’Ouvert trilogy, we sit with Roger Roberts — vocalist, producer, theatre practitioner, and one of the foundational voices behind 3 Canal’s sound and philosophy.

From sweeping yards on J’Ouvert morning as a child to commanding Olympic stages with Peter Minshall, Roger reflects on a life shaped by ritual, resistance, and responsibility.

This episode traces the journey behind the voice — from choir training and theatre with Derek Walcott to the pivotal decision to leave a secure banking career after confronting systemic injustice. For Roger, art was never about entertainment alone — it was about reflection, truth-telling, and holding up a mirror to society.

We explore:

• The formation of 3 Canal and the birth of “Blue”
• The chaos and cultural shift of the original Blue J’Ouvert band
• Losing John Isaacs and carrying the group forward
• The discipline behind vocal harmony and performance
• Why Carnival is ritual — not product
• Mentorship, the Black Box, and creating space for young artists
• Trinidad & Tobago as a “zone of peace” and the responsibility of artists to defend that ideal

Roger speaks candidly about closing the J’Ouvert chapter after 30 years, the emotional weight of watching Carnival evolve, and why performance remains the most sacred part of his work.

This is not just the story of a singer.
It is the story of a cultural architect who chose purpose over comfort, stage over security, and truth over applause.

This is Part III of the 3 Canal: Kings of J’Ouvert trilogy.

If you care about Carnival, craft, conscience, and the future of Trinidad & Tobago’s creative identity — this episode is essential listening.

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Mical Teja joins us for a powerful conversation on legacy, resilience, and redefining modern soca through history.

From the making of DNA and its Road March journey, to the deeper cultural intention behind Last Train, Hall of Fame, and Runaway, Teja opens up about songwriting, production, and why emotional connection matters more than hype.

We talk about:

The story behind revisiting calypso classics and preserving heritage

Why he refuses to chase formulas — and how he builds timeless music

Performing in calypso tents and respecting the icons

The National Philharmonic collaboration at NAPA

Panorama, pan arrangements, and cultural responsibility

Dealing with criticism, DJs, and industry pressure

Why Trinidad & Tobago is still the Capital of Carnival

This is a masterclass in artistry, humility, and vision from one of the most important voices in Caribbean music today.

🎧 Click the link in my bio for the full episode.
#coriesheppardpodcast