Corie Sheppard Podcast

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Corie dedicates this episode to the late matriarch “Mama Doreen,” whose Girl Guides guard-of-honour in a packed Tacarigua church sparked a bigger conversation: the crisis of community and how strong institutions can pull Trinidad & Tobago back from its apparent moral decline. Anchored by memories from the funeral and repass—hymns, kaiso, and hard truths—Corie argues that movements like Girl Guides, Brownies, Scouts, Cadets, school bands, and the Police Band don’t just “nice up” events; they form citizens, bridge generations, and repair trust between youth and the State.

We salute bandmaster Anthony “Mr” Prospect and explore what Independence parades actually mean, why cancelling them matters, and how pageantry signals “we are us.” We touch this year’s National Awards, asking how we value cultural workers next to sport and politics. In the music lane: Leon “Smooth” Edwards’ iconic Panorama moments; why brass belongs in our sound; and a canon defence of Shorty—“Endless Vibrations,” “Om Shanti,” and the unfinished business of credit. There’s a lively detour into Scorch’s 101 soca list—criteria, crowd reaction vs cultural impact—and a real-life car-ride debate about youth music vs parents’ music. We also reason through police-in-schools optics, state-of-emergency fatigue, and how uniformed performance (yes, send the Police Band into communities playing the youths’ songs) can soften hardened lines.

It’s gratitude, history, and kaiso—offered for Mama, inspired by the Girl Guides, and focused on rebuilding the institutions that can steady a wobbling society. Click the link in my bio for the full episode. #coriesheppardpodcast

00:21 World Song / Girl Guides opening
01:34 Dedication to “Mama Doreen” & why this episode
19:27 Hymn that still speaks (“…humble themselves…”)
22:08 Kaiso at the repass, institutions we’re losing
30:21 Police Band IG clip & the power of performance
36:57 Youth music vs parents’ music (the school-run debate)
40:25 Kaiso set: in loving memory
43:51 Who is Anthony “Mr” Prospect? (bio + legacy)
1:00:11 Republic/Independence, awards, and culture as culture
1:10:27 Leon “Smooth” Edwards & iconic Panorama moments
1:13:46 Independence kaiso, Scorch 101 criteria, why Shorty matters
1:27:31 “Oom Shanti” & the case for compensation/credit
1:29:17 DNA—Mama’s favourite; why some songs live forever
1:32:39 “Dedicated to Memory” (Rudder) & roll call of greats
1:38:39 “My Way” — final tribute to Mama Doreen

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This week on The Corie Sheppard Podcast, we sit down with Chromatics — rapper, radio host, and founder of OUR Radio — to talk about music, entrepreneurship, and the courage to carve your own path.

From the cultural shockwaves of Carnival Rap Up to the reflective storytelling of Tobago Chokey, Chromatics shares how he built his career on authenticity and adaptability. He opens up about the dream of performing on the Skinner Park and Dimanche Gras stages, the lessons learned in timing and stagecraft, and why slowing down an acoustic version gave his music new life.

We also dive into the origin story of OUR Radio: how he walked away from traditional stations, built his own platform during the pandemic, and created a space dedicated to local artists across genres. At the heart of it all is his philosophy of “making passion profitable” — a lesson for anyone chasing a vision against the odds.

This is a conversation about legacy, culture, and entrepreneurship in Trinidad & Tobago’s music scene.

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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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