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From Milan to Arena, from Synergy Soca Star to the founding of Trinidad & Tobago Restaurant Week — Shira Mohammed’s story is one of grit, creativity, and culture. In this episode, we trace her unlikely journey from a love child in Italy to becoming the driving force behind one of the country’s biggest culinary festivals. Shira opens up about the hustle behind Restaurant Week, the parallels with Carnival, the challenges of sponsorship, and her vision to brand Trinidad & Tobago as the culinary capital of the Caribbean. Along the way, we also revisit Synergy Soca Star, Fireball’s breakthrough, the rise of influencers in food culture, and her deep personal journey balancing heritage, culture shock, and passion

0:00 Intro & Restaurant Week origins

7:40 Dates & growth over 13 years

13:40 Why September: slow season strategy

20:00 Branding T&T as culinary capital

26:00 Street food, COVID pivot & takeaway model

33:00 Influencers, bloggers & restaurant marketing

39:30 Growing up in Italy & moving to Trinidad

51:00 Arena village culture shock

1:01:00 Lakshmi Girls & finding identity

1:11:00 Early jobs & discovering marketing

1:18:00 Synergy Soca Star & Fireball breakthrough

1:28:00 Corporate events → Restaurant Week vision

1:39:00 The future of Restaurant Week

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This week on The Corie Sheppard Podcast, we sit down with Gary Aboud — businessman, activist, and long-time Corporate Secretary of Fishermen and Friends of the Sea (FFOS).

From building Mode Alive into one of Trinidad and Tobago’s most recognizable retail brands to decades of outspoken advocacy on issues like oil spills, coastal protection, and sustainable fishing, Gary has never shied away from standing up for what he believes in.

In this wide-ranging conversation, we cover:

• The origins and growth of Mode Alive and his approach to running a data-driven business.
• Why he believes entrepreneurship and small business are central to national development.
• The launch of his YES Program to support young entrepreneurs and educators.
• His views on environmental protection, public health, and what true sustainability means for Trinidad and Tobago.
• How personal experiences shaped his passion for justice, unity, and nation-building.

It’s a powerful and candid conversation about business, activism, and responsibility — and why speaking out matters.

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#coriesheppardpodcast #GaryAboud #ModeAlive #FFOS #TrinidadAndTobago #entrepreneurship #advocacy #sustainability

0:00 Introduction to Gary Abud

7:23 Data-Driven Business Approach

18:16 The YES Program for Entrepreneurs

30:22 Educational Challenges and Personal Journey

43:27 Environmental Advocacy and Fisheries

1:00:43 Social Responsibility in Business

1:14:51 Origins of Mood Life Store

1:29:36 Rebuilding After Disaster

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Cindy-Ann Boisson | Comedy, Honesty & Owning the Trini Accent

This week on The Corie Sheppard Podcast, comedian Cindy-Ann Boisson joins me for a hilarious and powerful conversation about the craft of stand-up, surviving the grind, and staying authentic. We talk about her upcoming comedy competition Punched Up, why repeating jokes is part of the art form, and the balance between silence and punchlines.

Cindy-Ann shares raw stories—from almost being assaulted in Florida and escaping by diving out of a moving car, to navigating U.S. comedy clubs with her unapologetic Trini accent. We get into what makes Caribbean audiences unique, why she insists on “no intermission” shows, and her Red Woman Tour that’s taking Caribbean stand-up to stages across North America.

This episode blends sharp humour with deep honesty about tragedy, time, gender bias in comedy, and the challenge of creating space for Caribbean women on international stages.

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#coriesheppardpodcast #cindyannboisson #standupcomedy #trinicomedy #culture

0:00 Welcome and Introduction to Cindy-Ann

15:25 Punched Up: Creating a Stand-Up Comedy Competition

30:12 The Art of Working Out Jokes and Stage Presence

45:20 Embracing Cultural Identity in Comedy

1:02:35 From Tragedy to Comedy: Personal Storytelling

1:19:18 Comedy Career Beginnings and Development

1:30:56 Gender Barriers in Comedy

1:38:27 Comedy Inspirations and Mount Rushmore

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We sit down with Stacey Sobers — calypsonian, actor, and entrepreneur — for an inspiring conversation on music, resilience, and community. Stacey shares her journey from growing up in Chaguanas to starring in Queen of the Road - Calypso Rose: The Musical, the untold story behind “Let Me Know When You’re Coming,” and the moment that shifted her from soca to calypso.

We talk about women in kaiso, mentorship, and the realities of competition at Skinner Park and the Savannah, her 2018 Calypso Queen win, and how she’s building her own sold-out concert brand Crackers & Cheese.

This episode is about more than music — it’s about gratitude, perseverance, and creating space for the next generation.

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00:00 – Intro

01:00 – Queen of the Road Calypso Rose musical

03:00 – Butterflies & nerves

04:20 – Exhaustion & rest

06:30 – Cast & band dynamics

07:12 – Learning lyrics

11:02 – “Let Me Know When You’re Coming”

13:20 – From soca to kaiso

20:00 – Party Time & early shows

21:05 – Family & Marlon Asher

23:00 – Competitions begin

24:30 – Voice training at COSTAATT

28:12 – Turning point after tragedy

31:20 – Winning Calypso Queen

36:10 – Challenges for women

43:00 – Skinner Park vs. Savannah

49:20 – Competing until 50

56:08 – “Respect the Tribe”

1:06:25 – Mentors & spiritual support

1:09:16 – Husband as manager

1:14:10 – Crackers & Cheese brand

1:18:14 – Pan at the centre

1:19:56 – Building sustainable shows

1:22:16 – Café Blue as hub

1:25:20 – Advice to young women

1:27:10 – Kaiso call & response

1:28:59 – Closing & Crackers & Cheese plug

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Kit Israel | From Kan Kan to Folklore, Calypso with a K, and the Future of Caribbean Music

Kit Israel of AdvoKit Productions joins The Corie Sheppard Podcast for a deep dive into the music, culture, and vision that drive his work. The son of legendary musician and producer Roger Israel, Kit brings both heritage and innovation to the table — combining his degree in Mathematics with his passion for sound to approach music as both science and art.

As the producer behind the Kan Kan Riddim, the Folklore Riddim (Hello by Kes, Catching Feelings by Nadia Batson), and hits like Buss Head (Machel & Bunji), Ola (Olatunji), Drink & Party (Ding Dong), Take Me Home (Freetown Collective), and Anxiety (Patrice Roberts), Kit has shaped defining moments in modern soca and calypso.

We talk about his creative philosophy, why he chooses to “bust” new artists instead of relying only on the A-list, the business lessons behind owning your masters, and his bold cultural vision for “Calypso with a K.”

This episode blends artistry, business, and legacy — a must-listen for anyone invested in the future of Caribbean music.

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Kwesi “Hoppy” Hopkinson has been a driving force in Trinidad & Tobago’s entertainment and media landscape for decades. From his teenage years building Radioactive and Players Inc, to shaping the party culture with iconic events like Soca Picnic, to creating platforms such as Scorch Magazine, Scorch Radio, Island E-Tickets, and now Scorch TV — Hoppy’s story is one of vision, branding, and resilience.

In this episode, we talk about:

• The early days of sound clashes, dubplates, and rivalries with Jugglers and others
• How branding and identity (yellow crates, yellow cars, iconic logos) made Radioactive unforgettable
• The entrepreneurial leap from radio personality to media owner
• The birth of Scorch and why ownership mattered more than titles
• His role in providing space for young DJs, artists, and creatives to grow
• The evolution from magazine to radio to TV and the future of Caribbean entertainment

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Marc Jardine: From Fatima Days to the Helm of RBC

In this episode, Corie sits down with Marc Jardine, Managing Director and VP of Commercial Banking at RBC Royal Bank Trinidad and Tobago. They reflect on their shared Fatima College roots, school days, and the importance of mentorship and fatherhood. Marc opens up about his unexpected career path—from dreams of ornithology to finance, agriculture, and now banking leadership.

The conversation dives into life lessons from Fatima, his experiences studying at Morehouse, the realities of oil and gas and agriculture, and how those shaped his approach to business and leadership. Marc also discusses the changing face of banking in Trinidad and Tobago, the role of SMEs, the challenges of foreign exchange, and the importance of balancing technology with personal connection.

Beyond banking, Marc shares candid thoughts on fatherhood, giving back, sustainability, and why beach cleanups, youth mentorship, and personal discipline (yes, even sharpening knives) keep him grounded.

This is a conversation about roots, responsibility, and reshaping what leadership can look like in Trinidad and Tobago.

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In this vibrant and heartfelt conversation, percussionist, vocalist, and cultural advocate Ajibola (Sheena Richardson) joins Corie to share her journey from drumming on her mother’s Bible at age three to gracing stages with icons like Ella Andall, Vaughnette Bigford, Etienne Charles, and Machel Montano. She reflects on her mission with Girls Can Play Drums Too, an initiative empowering women of all ages to embrace rhythm, balance, and self-expression.

Ajibola opens up about her deep cultural roots in parang, calypso, and African rhythms, the spiritual connection she has with the drum, and the discipline needed to sustain a career in music. She discusses her experiences in Best Village, Calypso Fiesta, and the tight-knit creative circles that shaped her artistry. From singing Oshun with Freetown Collective to touring internationally, she shares stories of mentorship, resilience, and the lessons learned from standing alongside some of Trinidad & Tobago’s most powerful voices.

It’s a conversation about culture, empowerment, and the heartbeat of the drum — with plenty of laughter, inspiration, and moments that will make you want to dance.

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Celebrating the Life of Lord Funny – Calypso’s Master of Wit

In this heartfelt and laughter-filled episode, Corie pays tribute to the late great Lord Funny, one of Trinidad and Tobago’s most beloved calypsonians. From his razor-sharp social commentary to his unforgettable humour, Funny’s music could both break the tension in a heated calypso tent and shine a light on the nation’s biggest issues. Corie revisits classics like Farmer Brong, Sweet Sweet Trinidad, and Bamsie, weaving in reflections on the role of comedic calypso in national life.

Alongside the celebration, Corie also dives into recent current affairs, the importance of learning from different voices (including controversial ones), and why listening for what’s useful in someone’s story can unlock personal growth. From funny’s lyrical brilliance to the lessons learned from recent podcast guests, this episode is a mix of cultural memory, social insight, and classic Trini humour.

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In this episode, Corie sits down with the founder of Adam’s Bagelry for an unfiltered conversation about business resilience, brand building, and the mindset it takes to last over 30 years in the game.

They discuss:

• The origin story behind Adam’s Bagelry — and how a bagel shop in New York sparked a lifelong business
• The impact of the 1990 coup on Adam’s first store
• Growing a family business out of his mother’s kitchen
• Scaling from baked goods to sauces, retail, and now expansion
• The role of trust, presence, and community in building customer loyalty
• Why staying relevant means embracing change — from social media to local fruit

This episode is filled with gems on entrepreneurship, legacy, and doing business your way. A must-watch for creatives, business owners, and anyone passionate about building something that lasts.

New episodes drop every Monday — 6am on all audio platforms, 8am on YouTube.

👇🏽 Subscribe, rate, and share if this one speaks to you.

#coriesheppardpodcast #adamsbagelry #trinidadbusiness #caribbeanentrepreneurs #familybusiness #trinidadfoodscene