The Natasha Stuart Podcast

In this episode, Jamie Thompson shares with us much of his journey to becoming and being a professional dancer, teacher, and choreographer. A journey that was by no means easy. From being a struggling student, not knowing how he will get the finances to get through his next semester - to his struggle and rise above the stigma of being a dancer, a male dancer in particular in Belize - to now being in the cast of Broadway's award-winning musical The Lion King.  

There is so much to learn here from Jamie, and his message. So excited and grateful to have him on the show! 

FOLLOW JAMIE: 

Instagram: 

Jamie Thompson

JT Arts Foundation

Kungo Dance

This episode begins with an excerpt from Dominique's podcast, Walasaha. I chose to do this because it's very difficult to describe Dominique in so many words, so I figured it would be best to show you. I still cannot find words that would be sufficient to describe Dominique and all her achievements. For this reason, I urge you if you don't already, to follow her. You can also Google her to see all her amazing accomplishments, the list is endless. Dominique is a changemaker and she will definitely be leaving Belize a better place than she found it!

Show Notes: 

Podcast Begins [7:39] 

FOLLOW DOMINIQUE:

Podcast: Walasaha (available on all podcast platforms) 

Twitter 

Instagram

LinkedIn

Dominique's Must-Reads:  

Dear Ijeawele: A Feminist Manifesto by Chiamanda Ngoze Adiche

Pedagogy of the Oppressed by Paulo Friere

Eloquent Rage by Brittney Cooper

X Communication by Evan X Hyde or really any words this man writes most accessible via the From the Publisher Column in the Amandala

Groundings with my Brothers by Walter Rodney

God the Politician by Peterkins Manyong

Free Yuh Mind by Aondofe Iyo

Dominique's favorite essay that every activist or citizen of a nation must read: Walter Rodney and the Question of Power by CLR James

Here is an important conversation we should all be having, across the world! We all can learn more and do better in regards to our environment. Climate change professionals have been calling our attention because we really do need to pay attention to the current status of our environment. I hope you listen closely to what Andre shares in this episode. I know some of us have become more environmentally conscious but most of us, myself included can be doing a much better job. We all need to be whistleblowers when it comes to this topic. And once we understand what is at stake, who is responsible, who needs to be held accountable, how we all can do a better job then I think together we can leave the world a better place than we found it. But it's vital that we do sooner than later, we simply can't continue to ignore this for our own convenience because soon enough there will be no convenience.

SHOW NOTES: 

Andre's Podcast: MadaFyah on Twitter coming out early April! 

Books: A Trip Too Far Rosaleen Duffy

News Letter: Generation Dread

Ya'axche Conservation Trust

In this episode, I have a conversation with Vladimir Vargas, who has found passion in travel and exploration. Vladimir recently spent two years backpacking North, Central, and South America through couch surging and hitchhiking. Of course, the pandemic brought his travels to a pause but Vladimir reached out to me in hopes of encouraging others to go out and experience different people and cultures whenever we can, in authentic ways, to live with the people and totally immersing. I agree that travel is the biggest and best way to learn and grow!  

 Check out Vladimir's Blog:  https://naaya.net/

In this episode, I am joined by Cherisse Halsall, whom we may all know from Channel 7 News. Only having started covering the news in 2019 and already becoming one of the most familiar faces and voices in Belize news. Cherisse shares her journey with us, her experience moving to Spain back in 2008, and her experience with nepotism, a hot topic here in Belize. She also shares more about the rock band Ansenthium, which she also a member of from a PR standpoint. In this episode, Cherisse also shares some of her most memorable and difficult moments as a reporter. She also encourages us to move obstacles out of our way, to dream big and beyond!   

Follow Cherisse on IG especially if you are a musician or aspiring musician!

In this episode, I am joined by Ronelli Requena, the woman behind the wedding dresses. Ronelli shares much of her journey with us and how everything that anyone has ever said she couldn't do was only a driving force in her life and led her to who she is today. There were several reminders in this episode of all the things we let stop us from achieving our goals. I hope to have Ronelli back as there's so much more to learn about her story, her brand, and her goals. I hope you all enjoy!

Instagram: @Zayvhabyronelli

BELTRAIDE

Camp Joy

In this episode, I am joined by Marlon Andrews, investor, Forex trader and business owner. Marlon gets very candid in the conversation, he shares with us some of the harsh realities and life circumstances he faced and how he was able to turn his life around.

Marlon on Instagram

Marley Top 10 Books

1. Outwitting The Devil - Napoleon Hill

2. The power of positive thinking - Norman Vincent Peale

3. Garrain Jones - Change Your Mindset Change Your Life.

4. Your wish is your command - Kevin Trudeau

5. The power of your subconscious mind - Joseph Murphy.

6. Miracle powers for infinite riches - Joseph Murphy

7. Can’t Hurt Me - David Googins

8. Rich Dad Poor Dad - Robert Kiosaki

9. Think & Grow Rich - Napoleon Hill

10. The Magic Of Thinking Big - David Schwartz

Bonus - The Strangest Secret - Earl Nightingale : https://youtu.be/NbBHR_CD56M

Marley Top 10 Quotes.

1. I’ve Never Allowed My Schooling To Get In The Way Of My Education - Mark Twain

2. You Don’t Have To Be Great To Get Started, But You Have To Get Started To Be Great - Zig Ziglar

3. I Believe That I Am Always Divinely Guided, I Believe That I Will Always Take The Right Turn Of The Road, I Believe That God Will Always Make A Way, Where There Is No way - Norman Vincent Peale

4. People May Forget What You Did, People May Forget What You Said, But No one Is Ever Going To Forget How You Made Them Feel - Maya Angelou

5. Nothing In Life Has Any Meaning Except For The Meaning That You Give To It - Garrain Jones

6. You Must Be Willing To Do The Things Today Others Wont Do, In Order To Have The Things Tomorrow Others Wont Have - Les Brown

7. Success Is Something You Attract By The Person You Become - Jim Rohn

8. Ego Is The Anastasia That Deadens The Pain Of Stupidity/Pride Is The Burden Of A Foolish Person - Michelangelo

9. Never Let Success Get To Your Head, Never Let Failure Get To Your Heart - Zaid K.

10. I Am No Longer Cursed By Poverty Because I Took Possession Of My Own Mind - Andrew Carnegie

Bonus Quote - If You Think You Can Or If You Think You Can’t, You’re Right! - Henry Ford

Natasha’s Current Top 10 books

In this episode, I am joined by Belize's youngest member of the City Council, Allan Pollard Jr. who is now running for a second term in the upcoming municipal elections. Allan shares his story of how he decided to put his name on a ballot 3 years ago, some realities of being a councillor and growing up in Southside Belize City. He shares some of his experience running in the General elections and some advice for those aspiring to do great things and to be the change we wish to see. 

 **Apparently, councillor is spelled both ways (councilor and councillor) since I edited the video already we'll stick with councillor. That's how we spell it in Belize.  

 Social: Instagram: @allanpbz 

In this conversation, we become more acquainted with our new Miss Universe Belize. We learn more about Iris's upbringing, we learn more about her struggles with domestic abuse, her experience in pageantry, and just the motivation we might all need to believe in ourselves and go for our goals!  

Connect: 

Iris Salguero: Instagram: @Irissalguero_ 

Miss Universe Belize: Instagram: @Missuniversebelize

Email: [email protected]