Jus' Ah Conversation

What does it really mean to raise a child with special needs — and how much of that experience does the wider public actually understand?

In Season 4, Episode 4 of Jus’ Ah Conversation, hosts Fabian Belgrave and Dionne Best are joined by Orlanda Atherly, Parent and Down Syndrome Advocate; Ann-Marie Johnson, Parent and Disability Advocate; and Tracey Knight-Lloyd, Autism Advocate and Parent for an honest conversation about the realities families face every day.

From navigating education and healthcare to managing public perceptions, finding appropriate support and dealing with the emotional and financial demands of parenting, this episode goes beyond assumptions and gives parents space to speak from lived experience.

Orlanda shares his journey raising his daughter Haylee, who was born with Down syndrome and congenital heart disease. Ann-Marie speaks about caring for a son living with intractable epilepsy and advocating for stronger support systems, while Tracey reflects on autism, acceptance, inclusion and creating environments where children can thrive.

But this conversation is not about pity.

It is about understanding, inclusion, acceptance and recognising the experiences of families whose challenges are often unseen.

📺 Watch on YouTube (@thebgis)
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The climate is changing, technology is moving quickly, and the way we produce food has to keep evolving with it.

In Season 4, Episode 3 of Jus’ Ah Conversation, hosts Mikul Elcock and Aisha Reid explore what it really means to farm smarter in Barbados — and whether climate-smart agriculture can help build a stronger, more resilient food system.

Joining the conversation are Dr. Shantal Munro-Knight, Minister of Agriculture, Food and Nutritional Security; Dr. Chelston W. D. Brathwaite, Agricultural Development Expert and Former IICA Director General; Dr. David Bynoe, Agronomist, Economist and Sustainable Development Specialist National Coordinator, GEF SGP UNDP; and John Hunte, Permaculture and Community Agriculture Advocate.

Together, they explore everything from soil health, water management and sustainable farming practices to greenhouses, hydroponics, drones, sensors, artificial intelligence and precision agriculture.

But farming smarter is about more than technology. The conversation also gets into financing, policy, infrastructure, getting more young people involved in agriculture, and ensuring that innovation actually reaches the farmers who need it.

As Barbados looks toward greater food security, the question is not simply whether we can grow more — but whether we can grow differently, adapt faster and build an agricultural sector ready for the future.

📺 Watch on YouTube (@thebgis)
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Drones, robotics, coding kits and remote-controlled technology are often treated as toys — but what happens when we start looking at them as tools?

In Season 4, Episode 2 of Jus’ Ah Conversation, we explore how these technologies are already being used in agriculture, mapping, environmental monitoring, education, disaster response and other emerging industries — and what that could mean for Barbados.

Joining the conversation are Professor David Oscar Yawson, Director of CERMES at UWI Cave Hill, and Jelani Payne, Robotics & STEM Education Advocate with Robot Adventures.

The discussion looks at the opportunities these technologies can create, particularly for young innovators, educators, researchers and entrepreneurs, while also tackling the real concerns around safety, regulation, licensing and responsible use.

How do we manage the risks without shutting down innovation? And are we doing enough to prepare Barbadians to use these technologies productively?

From toys to tools, this conversation is about what becomes possible when technology is given purpose.

📺 Watch on YouTube (@thebgis)
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Why do some young people feel like no matter how hard they try, they still can’t get ahead?

In this episode of Jus’ Ah Conversation, Mikul Elcock and Aisha Reid sit down with Shakir Daisley, Janae Husbands, and Omari Cheltenham for a real conversation about youth, opportunity, pressure, and the growing feeling among some young people that the future is slipping further out of reach.

From the cost of living and housing affordability to education, employment, social media comparison, mental health, and the pressure to “make it,” this episode looks at the gap between what young people are told is possible and what they actually experience.

Is it hopelessness? Is it a lack of opportunity? Or is it a sign that systems, communities, and conversations need to change?

This is a grounded discussion about what young people are facing, what they need, and why listening to them matters.

🎧 Listen on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music, and wherever you get your podcasts.
📺 Watch the full episode on YouTube (@thebgis).

Money can feel stressful, confusing, and sometimes completely out of reach — but getting a better handle on it starts with honest, practical conversations.

In this episode of Jus’ Ah Conversation, Aisha Reid and special guest host Sharon Austin Gilmore sit down with Nikita Gibson, Marcia Armstrong, Dwayne Jones, and Kelly Jones for a real conversation about money that makes sense.

From budgeting and saving to credit, debt, financial habits, and the pressure of rising living costs, this episode looks at how people can start making stronger decisions with what they have.

The conversation also explores Dwayne and Kelly’s journey to becoming debt-free after paying off approximately $67,000, and what that experience can teach others about discipline, teamwork, sacrifice, and financial freedom.

This is not a conversation about pretending money is easy. It is about building confidence, facing the numbers, and taking the next step toward breaking free.

📺 Watch the full episode on YouTube (@thebgis).
🎧 Listen on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music, and wherever you get your podcasts.

Bashment Soca is one of the most talked-about sounds in Barbados — loved by many, criticised by others, and impossible to ignore.

In this episode of Jus’ Ah Conversation, hosts Aisha Reid and Fabian Belgrave dive into the culture, controversy, and energy surrounding Bashment Soca. From its Dancehall influence and Soca foundation to its role in Crop Over, youth culture, entertainment, and national identity, this conversation explores why the genre continues to stir such strong reactions.

Joining the discussion are Rudy Maloney, Dane Marshall, and Patrick “Salt” Bellamy, bringing perspectives from music, entertainment, events, promotion, and cultural commentary.

Together, they unpack the big questions: Is Bashment Soca simply fun and expression? Has it been unfairly judged? What responsibility do artistes, promoters, and audiences have? And why does this genre continue to hold such a powerful place in Barbados’ cultural conversation?

Whether you love it, question it, or just want to understand the debate, this is a conversation worth hearing.

🎧 Listen on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music, and wherever you get your podcasts.
📺 Watch the full episode on YouTube (@thebgis).

Workplace wellness is about more than gym memberships and the occasional team-building day. It’s about culture, inclusion, mental wellbeing, safety, and whether people can truly thrive where they work.

In this episode of Jus’ Ah Conversation, we take a closer look at what workplace wellness really means in Barbados — not just as an idea, but in practice.

Joining the conversation are Dionne Harris, Director & Strategy Lead in the Ministry of Labour, Social Security and the Third Sector; Celia Patricia Collymore (CPC), Founder & Senior Project Manager of Bajan Fusion; and Roseanna Tudor, Operations Manager at the Barbados Council for the Disabled.

Together, they explore how policy, leadership, accessibility, and everyday workplace culture all shape employee wellbeing. From the role of employers to the lived realities of workers, this is a grounded discussion on what it will take to build healthier, more supportive workplaces across Barbados.

🎧 Listen on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music, and wherever you get your podcasts.
📺 Watch the full episode on YouTube (@thebgis).

YOUTUBE DESCRIPTION
What does workplace wellness actually look like in Barbados?

In this episode of Jus’ Ah Conversation, we move beyond the buzzwords and get into the real conversation about wellbeing at work — from policy and leadership to inclusion, accessibility, and workplace culture.

Joining the discussion are:

Dionne Harris — Director & Strategy Lead, Ministry of Labour, Social Security and the Third Sector
Celia Patricia Collymore (CPC) — Founder & Senior Project Manager, Bajan Fusion
Roseanna Tudor — Operations Manager, Barbados Council for the Disabled

Together, they unpack what healthier workplaces could and should look like in Barbados, and why wellness has to be more than a policy on paper.

💬 Join the conversation in the comments.

📺 Watch on YouTube (@thebgis)
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#JusAhConversation
#WorkplaceWellness
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Hurricane season is about more than watching the weather and rushing for supplies at the last minute. Too often, the biggest risks come from what people misunderstand, overlook, or leave too late.

In this episode of Jus’ Ah Conversation, Fabian Belgrave and Sharifa Medford-Gilkes take a closer look at what most people get wrong about hurricane season — from practical preparedness and emergency response to the emotional strain these events can place on individuals and families.

Joining the conversation are Deputy Chief Fire Officer Henderson Patrick of the Barbados Fire Service, Major Robert Harewood, Deputy Director DEM, and Dr. Ayodele Harper, counselling psychologist.

Together, they explore the common mistakes people make before, during, and after storms, the mental and emotional impact of disaster situations, and why true preparedness is about far more than checking a weather update.

This is a timely conversation about readiness, resilience, and how to approach hurricane season with clearer thinking and better habits.

🎧 Listen on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music, and wherever you get your podcasts.
📺 Watch the full episode on YouTube (@thebgis).

Sexual health is still one of those topics people are often uncomfortable talking about — even though the consequences of silence can be serious.

In this episode of Jus’ Ah Conversation, we take a current look at HIV, STIs, and sexual health in 2026. What progress have we made? What myths are still lingering? And where are the biggest gaps in education, testing, prevention, and public understanding?

Joining the conversation are:

Anderson Langdon — Executive Director, BFPA
Dr. Ashlyn Scott-Williams — Director of Clinical Services

Together, they help unpack the realities around sexual health today, from awareness and prevention to stigma, behaviour, and why honest conversation still matters.

This is a timely discussion about health, responsibility, access to information, and the importance of keeping sexual health on the national agenda.

🎧 Listen on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music, and wherever you get your podcasts.
📺 Watch the full episode on YouTube (@thebgis).

Electric vehicles are no longer a distant idea in Barbados. More people are seeing them on the road, hearing the debate, and asking the same question: are we really ready for this shift?

In this episode of Jus’ Ah Conversation, Mikul Elcock and Fabian Belgrave dig into the promise and the practical reality of EV adoption in Barbados. Beyond the hype, what does it actually mean to own, maintain, charge, insure, and respond to electric vehicles in a small island developing state?

They’re joined by three guests with very different but equally important perspectives:

Christopher McFarlane of Megapower Ltd, bringing insight into the energy and infrastructure side of the conversation.
Alexander Barker, an EV Technician, speaking to the technical realities of servicing and maintaining electric vehicles.
Marlon Small, Divisional Officer of the Barbados Fire Service, offering a critical emergency response and safety perspective.

Together, they unpack some of the biggest questions around EV readiness in Barbados:

•  Is the charging infrastructure where it needs to be? 
•  Are EVs really affordable when you look beyond the sticker price? 
•  Do we have the technical skills and systems in place to support long-term growth? 
•  How prepared are emergency services to deal with EV-related incidents? 
•  And are Barbadians fully buying into the transition, or still watching from the sidelines? 

This is a grounded conversation about innovation, policy, safety, cost, and what it will take for Barbados to move confidently into a more electric future.

🎧 Listen on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music, and wherever you get your podcasts.
📺 Watch the full episode on YouTube (@thebgis).