Corie Sheppard Podcast
byCorie Sheppard
ComedyInterviewsNewsEntertainmentSocietyCulture
The Corie Sheppard PodcastA trusted space for honest, Caribbean-rooted conversations that connect generations, challenge norms, and celebrate culture through real stories and perspectives.Hosted by Corie Sheppard-Babb, the podcast explores the lives, journeys, and ideas of the Caribbean’s most compelling voices—artists, entrepreneurs, cultural leaders, changemakers, and everyday people with powerful stories. Each episode goes beyond headlines and hype to uncover the values, history, humour, struggle, and brilliance that shape who we are.Whether it’s music, business, creativity, identity, advocacy, or community, this podcast holds space for the kind of dialogue that inspires reflection, empowers expression, and preserves our le...
Episodes(40 episodes)
Jules Sobion: 20 Years Gambling on Carnival — Why Caesar’s Army Is Changing
Send us Fan MailFor 20 years, Jules Sobion has helped shape some of the Caribbean's most unforgettable Carnival experiences through Caesar's Army. But behind the sold-out events, spectacular productions and international success is a business he describes as “the casino.”In this revealing conversation on The Corie Sheppard Podcast, Jules explains why producing events is such a high-stakes business, the challenges of building Caesar's Army, and why he's now preparing to take the brand in an entirely new direction.🎧 THE CONVERSATION CONTINUES ON PATREONThere's more to this co...
Published: Oct 24, 2026Duration: 1h 16m 59s
Angela Hunte: The Real Story Behind “Empire State of Mind,” “Party Done” & Learning to Walk Again
Send us Fan MailAngela Hunte helped write an anthem the world knows. Behind the music is a story of rejection, recognition, motherhood—and a health crisis that changed everything.In this episode of The Corie Sheppard Podcast, Angela shares the unexpected journey behind “Empire State of Mind”: writing it while homesick in London, its initial rejection, Lady Gaga’s interest, and why she believed Alicia Keys should sing the hook instead of her.From growing up between Brooklyn and Trinidad to finding her place in the music industry, Angela takes us inside a career...
Published: Oct 19, 2026Duration: 1h 22m 39s
Teddyson John: Starting Over, Finding His Voice & Life Beyond “Allez”
Send us Fan MailAlready established in Saint Lucia, Teddyson John had to introduce himself all over again in Trinidad. “Allez” opened the door—but his story goes far beyond one hit.Teddyson joins us to talk about teaching himself instruments, leaving school two weeks before his exams, and navigating the tension between his church upbringing and his passion for performing.We explore the meaning behind “Allez,” the pressure to deliver a new hit every Carnival, his friendship with Kes, and representing Saint Lucia on the Tiny Desk stage. He also shares the vision beh...
Published: Oct 12, 2026Duration: 1h 14m 2s
His Father Wanted a Doctor. He Chose Music | Carl “Beaver” Henderson
Send us Fan MailHis father wanted him to become a doctor. Carl “Beaver” Henderson imagined that future—and realised he could be successful and still be unhappy.He walked into his pre-med exam, handed in a blank paper and never went back.This week on The Corie Sheppard Podcast, we sit down with musician, producer and pioneer Carl “Beaver” Henderson for a conversation about choosing your own path, challenging convention and helping shape the sound of Trinidad and Tobago.Beaver takes us inside his sessions with Shadow and Lord Shorty, his unexpe...
Published: Oct 10, 2026Duration: 1h 22m 51s
Chucky Gordon: Music Saved My Life | The Corie Sheppard Podcast
Send us Fan MailBehind Chucky Gordon’s smile and stage presence is a story of depression, self-doubt, and finding a reason to keep going.Roderick “Chucky” Gordon joins us for an honest, funny, and fearless conversation about how the performing arts helped save his life, his search for his father’s attention and approval, and the journey to finding his own voice.The two-time Calypso Monarch also opens up about the shock of missing the finals, the pressures of speaking truth to power, and why he refuses to compromise his convictions. From soca suc...
Published: Oct 6, 2026Duration: 1h 29m 17s
From Laventille to the High Court: Justice Westmin James’ Unlikely Journey
Send us Fan MailJustice Westmin James’ journey to the bench didn’t begin where many might expect.Born in Morvant/Laventille and raised without significant financial means, he attended Mucurapo Junior Secondary, St James Secondary and Tranquility Government Secondary before eventually making his way to the Faculty of Law at The University of the West Indies, graduating with First Class Honours and later earning a scholarship to study at Cambridge. transcript-judging-in-the-real-…Today, Justice James is a Judge of the High Court of Trinidad and Tobago, a Judge on the Caribbean Community Administrative Tribun...
Published: Oct 3, 2026Duration: 1h 7m 19s
He Grew Up Without a TV. Then He Built Synergy TV | Peter C. Lewis
Send us Fan MailPeter C. Lewis grew up watching television through a neighbour’s window. Years later, he created Synergy TV and helped put a generation of Caribbean talent on screen.We sit down with Peter to trace the journey from the Bread Boys and his years in soca to performing with Machel Montano and building a television station from the ground up. He shares the night he finally found his confidence on stage, the work behind Synergy’s early shows, and the personal promise that led him back to his faith.Watc...
Published: Sep 28, 2026Duration: 1h 17m 2s
Ralph Gonsalves: “My Spirit Is Not Defeated” | Life After 25 Years in Power
Send us Fan MailAfter nearly 25 years as Prime Minister of St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Dr. Ralph Gonsalves joins us for a candid and wide-ranging conversation about losing power, accepting the will of the electorate and adjusting to his new role as Leader of the Opposition.He reveals why he removed every personal possession—even his toothbrush—from the Prime Minister’s residence before each election and explains the philosophy behind his declaration: “My brain is not defeated. My spirit is not defeated.”We explore his Trinidadian roots, relationship with Kamla Persad-Bissessar, lifelong f...
Published: Sep 21, 2026Duration: 1h 25m 55s
Alex Jordan: The Voice That Raised a Generation
Send us Fan MailLong before she became one of the Caribbean’s most recognisable sporting voices, Alex Jordan was building a career that would take her from radio in Barbados to the BBC, SportsMax, the Olympic Games and the CPL.In this wide-ranging conversation, Alex shares the unlikely path behind her success—from leaving a comfortable life in Barbados and struggling to find her break in London, to learning live television while the entire region watched. She speaks candidly about overcoming the fear of looking unprepared, finding confidence in what she uniquely brings to broa...
Published: Sep 19, 2026Duration: 1h 5m 59s
He Sold Everything to Survive—Then Built Fitt St | Adrian Chandler
Send us Fan MailAdrian Chandler is the founder of Strictly FX, the boss behind Fitt St and a co-founder of Air Committee—but his journey has included enormous risks, painful losses and moments when survival was far from guaranteed.Adrian takes us behind the scenes of Trinidad and Tobago’s events industry, revealing the real cost of producing major Carnival experiences, why large crowds do not always mean profit and what happened with Keyshia Cole’s shortened performance at RB Brunch.He also opens up about losing his father, the death of his br...
Published: Sep 12, 2026Duration: 1h 7m 51s
Third Bass: The Untold Story of Trinidad’s Urban Radio Revolution
Send us Fan MailBefore urban radio became part of everyday life in Trinidad and Tobago, Adrian “Third Bass” Hackshaw was among the young DJs helping to take the music of the streets, maxi taxis and record shops onto national radio.In this episode, Third Bass takes us from the little boy who practised being a radio announcer at home to becoming one of the pioneering voices of 98.9 FM and 96.1 FM.He shares how Third Bass was formed, why he left his first 9-to-5 job before lunchtime, the rise of Dancehall Good to Bean...
Published: Sep 7, 2026Duration: 1h 9m 35s
I Survived the Unthinkable—and Chose to Thrive | Gayatree Dipchan
Send us Fan MailBehavioural psychotherapist and body-language expert Gayatree Dipchan shares the deeply personal story of surviving a violent sexual assault—and the long journey from trauma to healing, purpose and peace.Gayatree opens up about the night that changed the course of her life, the relationships that helped her survive, raising and protecting her daughter, and why she refuses to let her most traumatic experience define the rest of her story.We also explore what our bodies communicate when words cannot, the cultural norms that leave children vulnerable, and what it tr...
Published: Sep 5, 2026Duration: 1h 18m 45s
Destra: “I Love My Soca. I Love My God.” | The Corie Sheppard Podcast
Send us Fan MailDestra Garcia has spent more than two decades becoming one of the defining voices and performers in soca. But behind the Queen of Bacchanal is a story of faith, family, ambition, sacrifice and an unwavering love for Caribbean culture.In this episode of The Corie Sheppard Podcast, Destra takes us from growing up as a pastor’s kid and becoming “addicted” to the applause at just 10 years old, to Roy Cape taking her under his wing, her decision to go solo and the songs that would eventually travel around the world.👑...
Published: Aug 28, 2026Duration: 1h 12m 29s
They Were Just Having Fun—Then Millions Started Watching | Cheerful Company
Send us Fan MailWhat began as friends laughing, playing games and being themselves became one of Trinidad and Tobago’s most joyful online movements.Avril, KP and Shinzy of Cheerful Company join us for a lively and deeply personal conversation about their friendship, their contrasting personalities and the unexpected journey from casual TikTok videos to millions of views.They share how messages from people struggling with depression inspired the name Cheerful Company, why faith remains at the centre of everything they do, the realities of turning viral content into a business, and how...
Published: Aug 24, 2026Duration: 1h 13m 49s
I Went a Steam… At My Big Age | The Corie Sheppard Podcast
Send us Fan MailThis week’s solo episode starts with an apology to the Mighty Conqueror after last week's search for the “wordiest” calypso — before Corie tells the story of being challenged to attend Lady Lava’s birthday Steam aboard the Harbour Master.From figuring out what you’re actually supposed to wear to a Steam, to arriving at a boat ride at the correct Trinidadian time, trying to keep up with the younger generation, discovering new music and eventually learning that sometimes your body simply tells you when the party is over — it was an experie...
Published: Aug 19, 2026Duration: 1h 29m 29s
I Thought Achievement Made Me Worthy | Veera Bhajan
Send us Fan MailBorn without arms, Veera Bhajan learned from childhood how quickly the world can define someone by what it believes they lack. But behind her remarkable academic achievements and successful legal career was a much deeper struggle involving survival, shame, depression and the pressure to continually prove her worth.In this deeply personal conversation, Veera explains how achievement became connected to acceptance—and why she eventually realised that much of her life had become performative.She takes us inside her childhood in Trinidad and Tobago, being rejected from preschool, learning to...
Published: Aug 17, 2026Duration: 1h 31m 30s
Supplequental Parade Route
Send us Fan MailApparently, Trinidad and Tobago has been having some trouble with words lately — so this week, we're putting our vocabulary to the test.After somehow producing a 30,788-word conversation with KES, I go searching for some of the wordiest and best-written calypsos of all time, with classics from Relator, Mighty Spoiler, Lord Blakie, David Rudder, The Mighty Sparrow and more providing the soundtrack to the conversation.But as always, the music leads us into some bigger discussions.We revisit the debate surrounding the new police and army posts at...
Published: Aug 11, 2026Duration: 1h 22m 43s
🇨🇦🇹🇹 From Afghanistan to Trinidad: A Diplomat’s Extraordinary Journey | Michael Callan
Send us Fan MailWhat takes someone from the Canadian military to Afghanistan, Sudan, Bangladesh, Egypt, Jordan and Algeria — and eventually to Carnival, J’ouvert, panyards and life in Trinidad and Tobago?In this episode of The Corie Sheppard Podcast, we sit down with Michael Callan, High Commissioner of Canada to Trinidad and Tobago, for a wide-ranging conversation about diplomacy, conflict, culture and the experiences that have shaped his life.Michael takes us inside his time in Kandahar, Afghanistan, where he worked as a civilian alongside the military in an increasingly dangerous environment. He r...
Published: Aug 10, 2026Duration: 1h 15m 41s
We Divide Our Own.....But Welcome Everyone Else
Send us Fan MailWhat if the biggest thing dividing Trinidad and Tobago isn't race, politics or religion—but the way we choose to treat each other?This week, I reflect on the response to our Dominic Hadeed interview before exploring the conversations that dominated the Emancipation weekend. From the Indian High Commission controversy and the Emancipation Village to politics, identity and national discourse, one question kept coming back:Why do we so often extend grace to strangers, yet struggle to show that same grace to our own people?Along the wa...
Published: Aug 7, 2026Duration: 1h 31m 9s
Kes on Taking Soca Global, Family & the Mission Behind the Roots, Rock, Soca Tour
Send us Fan MailFresh off the Roots, Rock, Soca Tour, Kes joins The Corie Sheppard Podcast for one of his most personal and insightful conversations to date.Known for timeless hits and electrifying performances, Kes reflects on the journey behind the music, the responsibility of representing the Caribbean on the global stage, and why introducing new audiences to Soca has become his mission.In this episode, we discuss:The vision behind the Roots, Rock, Soca TourTaking Soca to audiences around the worldThe stories behind some of his...
Published: Aug 5, 2026Duration: 2h 30m 15s