Send us Fan Mail

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

Send us Fan Mail

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.

Send us Fan Mail

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.

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

Send us Fan Mail

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.

Send us Fan Mail

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

Send us Fan Mail

Step into a celebration of Trinidad and Tobago's cultural heartbeat as we mark Emancipation Day with powerful reflections on the guardians of our heritage. This special episode weaves together the melodious rapso rhythms of Karega Mandela while taking you behind the curtain of my recent conversations with some of our nation's most brilliant minds.

From the theatrical brilliance of Tyker Phillips confronting difficult social issues through art, to the extraordinary journey of Maxine Williams from Trinidad to Yale to global business leadership at Facebook, each story reveals a different facet of our collective identity. You'll hear my genuine awe at sitting across from these luminaries, and the unexpected moments that transformed these interviews into profound exchanges.

I share the fascinating backstory of my conversation with comedian Junior Lee, whose wisdom at just 28 years old (with 15 years already in his craft!) demonstrates why "overnight success" is a myth worth dispelling. These aren't just interviews—they're living archives of wisdom that our young people desperately need to hear in a world full of competing voices.

The episode takes an introspective turn as I discuss why this documentation matters so deeply. When we celebrate our cultural icons while they're still with us, we create pathways for future generations to see possibilities beyond their immediate circumstances. As Trinidad navigates complex social challenges, these documented conversations might be the very roadmaps our youth need.

Join me in embracing the mission of cultural preservation, celebrating our legends, and building bridges through meaningful conversations. And if these stories resonate with you, consider supporting our new Patreon to help ensure these important cultural archives continue to grow.

Send us Fan Mail

In this wildly funny and unexpectedly honest episode, Jr Lee sits down with Corie for a raw conversation about comedy, politics, family, friendship, and fighting for relevance. From lying on the podcast table to explaining why he can’t get a visa — nothing is off limits.

He breaks down his approach to skits, why he doesn’t beg for followers, and how he deals with being misunderstood. They talk about grief, schooldays, raising children, and why Jr Lee feels loyalty to his audience over the algorithm.

🎧 Listen on Spotify, Apple, and all major audio platforms

📺 Subscribe to the channel for new episodes every Monday

#coriesheppardpodcast #jrlee #trinipodcast #trinitiktok #caribbeancomedy

Send us Fan Mail

In this powerful episode, Corie sits down with Maxine Williams, VP Head of Accessibility and Engagement at Meta (formerly Chief Diversity Officer), Rhodes Scholar, Oxford and Yale graduate,  for an honest, inspiring, and deeply Trinidadian conversation. From acting on stage in Earl Lovelace's the Dragon Can't Dance with Brother Resistance and playing the evil Isis in Westwood Park, to working alongside Mark Zuckerberg at one of the world’s most influential tech companies, Maxine shares the personal and professional journey that led her from WoodBrook, POS to Silicon Valley boardrooms.

They discuss the magic of Carnival, the legacy of Peter Minshall, the future of AI and assistive tech, and what it really takes to get a job at a company like Meta. Maxine also reflects on imposter syndrome, community, the power of representation, and why excellence gives you the freedom to choose your own path.

This one is full of laughter, real talk, and lessons for anyone navigating creativity, identity, and career on a global scale — all while staying rooted in the Caribbean spirit.

—

The process/steps by which parents can go from "I think my child might have a learning difference to getting them assessed, diagnosed and a learning plan made begins with getting a psycho educational assessment done. To do this:
1) Ask for feedback from teachers about your child's learning experience and schedule a meeting with the Principal. Get a referral letter from the Principal.
2) Take the letter to the Ministry of Education Student Support Services Division (SSSD) and ask for a free Developmental Assessment of your child https://www.moe.gov.tt/student-support-services-division-sssd/
868) 622-2181.
3) If you would like to get an assessment done sooner and have the means to pay, there are a couple of options:  contact the UWI School of Education PEDIC clinic https://sta.uwi.edu/FHE/education/content/pedic
Or
Select a psychologist from the website of T&T Association of Psychologists
https://psychologytt.org
(868) 794-TTAP (8827)

There are also some NGOs that provide assessments to certain populations in their field or catchment area eg:
* Dyslexia Association for specific Reading based assessments and 
* The Cotton Tree Foundation for children enrolled in their core programmes and in the communities they serve.

Send us Fan Mail

In this week’s episode, playwright and cultural force Tyker Phillip brings real Jamette energy and opens up about the making of her acclaimed play Poison, a gripping drama born from the haunting lyrics of Dexter Dapp’s “Breaking News.” She breaks down her creative process, the casting of Nikolai Salcedo and Tafar Chia, and why she chose intimate spaces to make the audience sit in discomfort.

We dive into her Belmont roots, her work with Belmont Freetown, and how mentors like Raymond Choo Kong, Tony Hall and Sprangalang shaped her path. From Mansplain to her iconic flag woman performance, Tyker speaks on what it means to create art that is culturally grounded, politically charged, and spiritually necessary.

Click the link in my bio for the full episode

#coriesheppardpodcast #tyker #belmontfreetown #poisonplay 

Send us Fan Mail

In this bonus episode we get back with super producer XplicitMevon for an unfiltered conversation that dives even deeper into the beats, stories, and realities behind some of Trinidad & Tobago’s most impactful music.

Mevon recounts his transformative experience leading a music workshop in Anguilla—where he was welcomed like royalty—and contrasts that with the lack of recognition at home. He shares the powerful, never-before-heard backstory behind “Anxiety,” the emotional collaboration with Patrice Roberts recorded just days before tragedy struck.

The conversation explores:

• Why soca is often seen as an “old man’s genre” and how that’s locking out young artists
• The origins of Trapso, blending hip hop, soca, and Trini slang
• Creating timeless hits like “Ponani,” “Annie,” “Come Home,” “Sugar Daddy,” and “Every Time”
• The systemic barriers that keep emerging talent off the radio and out of fetes
• How memes and double entendre still shape modern soca
• The importance of documenting these stories for the next generation

Whether you’re a longtime fan of Caribbean music or simply curious about the creative process behind Carnival anthems, this episode is full of honest reflections, cultural insights, and moments that might change the way you hear the music forever.

👉 Subscribe, share, and click the link in my bio to hear the full story.

#Soca #Trinidad #XplicitMevon #Calypso #Trapso #Carnival #MusicPodcast