We reach!

In this episode we recap the 2020 season (I don’t know whose idea it was to try to do that on Ash Wednesday but clearly that did not work…so we’re doing it now!). We revisit the Road March and Soca Monarch competitions and of course we get into some serious conversation about what’s next for International Soca Monarch, how the competition could be improved and most importantly, how do we create meaning and value behind it.

Follow us on social media @SOAPBOXcbean and subscribe to our channels. #SOAPBOX #SOCAorDie #SOD # Carnival2021

In the Finale we wrap up what was perhaps our quickest season yet! Full of interviews and insights, this season started earlier than anticipated but our guests were on-board to get on their SOAPBOX at a moment's notice. To our panels, listeners and viewers - THANK YOU!

We'll be back for Season 5 of SOAPBOX! and for Season 2 of our spin-off SOCA or Die!

Until then, #GetOnYourSOAPBOX

Look out for our video cast and follow us on Facebook, YouTube, iTunes, Soundcloud, Apple Podcasts and Google Podcasts and our website www.soapboxpodcast.com

What’s in a budget? In this episode, instead of just doing a recap of the Minister of Finance’s presentation, I take you through the budget process and budget debate. Typically, the tradition is that commentators rush to be the first and immediately respond to the Minister’s presentation…but is that the best practice? Especially given that the Minister’s presentation or “Budget Day” is really only the beginning of the debate and only the tip of the iceberg.

In the recap, we go through what stood out to me from the “Budget Day” presentation, key measures announced by the government and the Opposition Leader’s response. We go through the macro-economic outlook and some key figures presented to the nation.

#GetOnYourSOAPBOX

Look out for our video cast and follow us on Facebook, YouTube, iTunes, Soundcloud, Apple Podcasts and Google Podcasts and our website www.soapboxpodcast.com

In this episode we recap the swearing-in of the new government in Trinidad and Tobago and some of the surprise Ministers and portfolios. I give my perspectives on the things that we should look out for and some of the shifts within the Cabinet. Definitely a lot for us to delve into in the future. We discuss the appointments to the Senate: government, opposition and independent senators. As the Twelfth Republican Parliament takes shape, we have some exciting things in store! Now more than ever before we are ready to #GetOnOurSOAPBOX!

Look out for our video cast and follow us on Facebook, YouTube, iTunes, Soundcloud, Apple Podcasts and Google Podcasts and our website www.soapboxpodcast.com !

After an external perspective in the last episode, we reflect locally on the General Elections 2020 in Trinidad and Tobago. We are chatting with Daniella James and Daryll Griffth, and this time we dig a little deeper into the campaigns – the songs, the ads, the manifestos and the lead up to the polls. We consider youth participation; misinformation; and the role of social media in the campaign. Hear about the voting experience given the pandemic and our ideas on what the next administration and future elections might look like!

#GetOnYourSOAPBOX

Look out for the videocast on Facebook and Youtube!

In this episode, we get an external voice to discuss the result of the Trinidad and Tobago election and provide some political and regional perspectives on the Trinidad and Tobago. We chat about international observers; what is next for the leaders of various political parties; my revelations about politics in Trinidad and Tobago; marginal seats and third parties; and the regional outlook and Caribbean elections this year and those to come.

It’s a long one! So grab a snack!

NB: Data from the Elections and Boundaries Commission was not public at the time of recording, due to recounts taking place in five (5) constituencies.

Episode Guide (to be updated soon):

• Initial reaction to the result

• Third parties

• Voter turnout

• Leadership and what next

• Recounts and Marginal Seats

• Observers

• Regional outlook and elections to come

Look out for the videocast on Facebook and Youtube: SOAPBOX (Caribbean) – for this and other episodes this season!

#GetOnYourSOAPBOX

With rights, come responsibilities.

Not voting is effectively picking a side anyway... without registering your views.

Historical oppression, voter suppression and active participation – there is always a choice to be made.

Regardless of who you vote for, civic engagement is necessary in this "group project" and passive citizenship must be a thing of the past.

The most effective way to #GetOnYourSOAPBOX is to go out and vote!

Part 3/3: In this final segment we continue exploring the website, looking at the economic statistics that could be used to help the electorate make an informed decision. We explore new opportunities for socio-economic data analysis and explaining it, in layman's terms, to the public. As I said in part 1, data without analysis is sometimes just as dangerous as no data at all! The Picong Party is working to ensure that data is accurate, credible and well analysed.

What's even more useful is that the platform includes the manifesto of all parties contesting the elections. They do so in a matrix-type set-up which allows the public to look at particular policy areas and compare manifestos, side-by-side!

A lot went into this platform and there is definitely more to come! Can’t wait to see how it grows!

#GetOnYourSOAPBOX #Vote2020

www.soapboxpodcast.com www.thepicongparty.com

Check out the video of our chat, soon to be released on Facebook and Youtube.

Part 2/3: Picong Party shows us their platform and we get into some of the polling trends in various constituencies! I was so excited, can you tell? This information would definitely help our country to move past (what in my estimation is) lazy political analysis of “tribal voting” into more in-depth research and analysis of how we vote, why we vote and who we support from cycle to cycle. We discuss how and why this data is being collected and presented in one space.

If you want to see us explore the functionality of the website, check out our soon-to-be-released video-cast on Facebook and Youtube!

#GetOnYourSOAPBOX #Vote2020

www.soapboxpodcast.com www.thepicongparty.com

In this three-part special, we chat with Duane Swift about The Picong Party – a platform dedicated to elections in Trinidad and Tobago and data to inform the electorate. We get into how the platform developed, the motivation behind the project, his team and so much more! There is definitely a need and young people are filling the gap!

Part 1/3 #GetOnYourSOAPBOX #Vote2020

www.soapboxpodcast.com www.thepicongparty.com

Check out the video of our chat, soon to be released on Facebook and Youtube.