Carry On Friends: The Caribbean American Experience – Details, episodes & analysis

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In this episode acclaimed Jamaican author Diana McCaulay to discuss her latest novel "A House for Miss Pauline."

Before we get to the book Diana and I discuss her journey from insurance professional to environmental activist; Jamaica's changing landscape, environmental challenges, the delicate balance between preservation and progress.

We dive into the inspiration behind the novel, "A House for Miss Pauline," which explores themes of land, legacy, and connection. We also discuss: 

• The role of great houses in modern Jamaica'
• Intergenerational relationships in Caribbean culture
• The importance of storytelling and the vital importance of preserving our elders' stories. 

Connect with Diana McCaulay: Website | Instagram

Get "A House for Miss Pauline"

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I'm circling back! Carey Lee Dixon, also known as Carey Digital returns to the podcast for the first time since 2018 to reflect on her entrepreneurial evolution, career pivots, and the power of community.

Since her last appearance, Carey has navigated challenges—from being fired and finding resilience to becoming a Canva Design Community Ambassador and a champion for women entrepreneurs.

But this episode is extra special—we’re also celebrating 10 years of the Carry On Friends Podcast! 

In this conversation, we dive into:

• How Carey’s journey has evolved since 2018
• The impact of mentorship, collaboration & creative storytelling
• Lessons learned from building brands & communities
• Why it’s important to pause, reflect & celebrate progress

Whether you’re a content creator, entrepreneur, or someone navigating career transitions, this episode is filled with insights and motivation to keep pushing forward.

Connect with Carey - Website | YouTube | Instagram

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1. Join the Community:
   Sign up for one of our paid memberships to access "The After Show", early episode releases, exclusive content and connect with like-minded individuals. JOIN TODAY!
2. Donate:
   If you believe in our mission and want to help amplify Caribbean voices, consider making a donation.
3. Get Merch:
   Support Carry On Friends by purchasing merchandise from our store.

Connect with @carryonfriends - Instagram | Facebook | YouTube
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As a first-generation Guyanese American, Randy Pulayya's journey from the vibrant streets of Richmond Hill, Queens, to over 60 countries, has uniquely shaped his entrepreneurial vision. In this episode, Randy shares his experiences living in Southeast Asia and the curiosity he encountered about Caribbean culture, drawing fascinating parallels between Caribbean and Asian culinary traditions.

Randy takes us behind the scenes of building West Indies Pepper Sauce, shedding light on the complexities of entering major retail markets like Walmart and Whole Foods. He talks about the financial challenges, such as slot-in fees and cash flow management, while discussing his motivation to share cultural heritage through this flavorful venture. His story is a testament to the power of community support and maintaining a strong Caribbean identity amid the hurdles of scaling a premium brand.

Celebrate with us as Randy and his wife, Shauna, launch an initiative to increase Caribbean brand representation in local stores. This venture not only showcases their dedication to cultural storytelling but also highlights the resilience and innovation required to thrive as entrepreneurs. Randy's admiration for the cultural narratives behind each brand is evident, and he encourages us all to embrace our heritage with pride and passion.

Connect with West Indies Peppa Sauce: Website | Instagram

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1. Join the Community:
   Sign up for one of our paid memberships to access "The After Show", early episode releases, exclusive content and connect with like-minded individuals. JOIN TODAY!
2. Donate:
   If you believe in our mission and want to help amplify Caribbean voices, consider making a donation.
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   Support Carry On Friends by purchasing merchandise from our store.

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Jamaican born Marlon Anguin, is an engineer leading a product team at Verizon with a focus primarily on sports and technology.

In this episode we talk about 5G, or as he coined it, the fourth industrial revolution. As well as his team at Verizon’s partnership with the NFL to produce an innovative, technological, in and out of stadium fan experience due to Covid-19, for this year's Superbowl.

We touched points on how impactful these developments will be once available in the Caribbean, not only for sports focused events but entertainment on a whole.

Check out Strictly Facts: A Guide to Caribbean History & Culture

Connect with Marlon Anguin - Linkedin

Connect with @carryonfriends - Twitter | Instagram | Facebook


Enjoyed the show?  Please remember to leave a rating and review in Apple Podcasts. 

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Support How to Support Carry On Friends

1. Join the Community:
   Sign up for one of our paid memberships to access "The After Show", early episode releases, exclusive content and connect with like-minded individuals. JOIN TODAY!
2. Donate:
   If you believe in our mission and want to help amplify Caribbean voices, consider making a donation.
3. Get Merch:
   Support Carry On Friends by purchasing merchandise from our store.

Connect with @carryonfriends - Instagram | Facebook | YouTube
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Trinidad born, D'shawna Bernard has spent almost a decade shaping a career that is dedicated to progressive politics and partnerships. Her passion for public service has allowed her to work across a range of issues within the public and private sector, all of which have been rooted in equity, accessibility and justice. 

In this episode D'shawna and I talked about:

• Post Election/Political fatigue, trauma and self care. 
• Evaluating our parents'/grandparents' American Dream and reimagine what that dream means for us. 
• Practical tips about participating in the American Political system.

Connect with @carryonfriends - Twitter | Instagram
Connect with D'shawna - Twitter

Enjoyed the show?  Please remember to leave a rating and review in Apple Podcasts. 

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​

Support How to Support Carry On Friends

1. Join the Community:
   Sign up for one of our paid memberships to access "The After Show", early episode releases, exclusive content and connect with like-minded individuals. JOIN TODAY!
2. Donate:
   If you believe in our mission and want to help amplify Caribbean voices, consider making a donation.
3. Get Merch:
   Support Carry On Friends by purchasing merchandise from our store.

Connect with @carryonfriends - Instagram | Facebook | YouTube
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Gizelle Riley is a communications strategist, author of MASTER YOUR MESSAGE LIKE A BOSS BABE, and the founder of DigitalBOSSBABE, a Caribbean podcast turned copywriting studio for mission-driven brands.

In this episode Gizelle and I talked about:

• Who an introvert is and isn't
• Why personal branding is important for everyone, especially introverts
• Practical tips and activities to build your personal brand. 

Action Items:

1. Check out Style & Vibes' interview with Ronnie Tomlinson on Reggae & Dancehall Not Dead but Evolving. 
2. Let Your Voice Be Heard! - Use this form to tell me what topics would you like to hear? Which guest should I interview? Something else? 

Connect with @carryonfriends - Twitter | Instagram
Connect with Gizelle Riley - Website | Instagram | Linkedin

Enjoyed the show?  Please remember to leave a rating and review in Apple Podcasts. 

A Breadfruit Media Production: Twitter 

Support How to Support Carry On Friends

1. Join the Community:
   Sign up for one of our paid memberships to access "The After Show", early episode releases, exclusive content and connect with like-minded individuals. JOIN TODAY!
2. Donate:
   If you believe in our mission and want to help amplify Caribbean voices, consider making a donation.
3. Get Merch:
   Support Carry On Friends by purchasing merchandise from our store.

Connect with @carryonfriends - Instagram | Facebook | YouTube
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In this bonus episode - Christopher Williams flips roles to be a guest host on the podcast. Today he is interviewing the regular host and founder of Carry On Friends, Kerry-Ann.

Tune in and listen to Kerry-Ann being in the guest chair of her own show.  

Connect with @carryonfriends - Twitter | Instagram | Facebook
Connect with Chris Williams - Twitter | Instagram | Linkedin

Enjoyed the show?  Please remember to leave a rating and review in Apple Podcasts. 

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Support How to Support Carry On Friends

1. Join the Community:
   Sign up for one of our paid memberships to access "The After Show", early episode releases, exclusive content and connect with like-minded individuals. JOIN TODAY!
2. Donate:
   If you believe in our mission and want to help amplify Caribbean voices, consider making a donation.
3. Get Merch:
   Support Carry On Friends by purchasing merchandise from our store.

Connect with @carryonfriends - Instagram | Facebook | YouTube
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Debra Sandler, Founder of Mavis Foods, LLC, a startup of Caribbean sauces and marinades. Debra has over 30 years of innovation experience as a seasoned Corporate America Executive at PepsiCo, Johnson & Johnson, most recently as the Chief Health and Wellbeing Officer at Mars. She notably assisted in the launch of innovative products such as Splenda no calorie sweetener and Pretzel M&Ms and also created successful marketing campaigns such as: Snickers commercial with Betty White and the introduction of Ms. Brown M&M. 

In this episode shares her experience as a Caribbean Woman navigating corporate and her new role as an entrepreneur. In addition, Debra also shares advice to:

1. Anyone still in corporate
2. Anyone in corporate with a side hustle
3. Full time entrepreneur

Action Item:

•  Let Your Voice Be Heard! - Use this form to submit your questions, topics you'd like to hear or guests I should interview etc. 

Connect with Debra Sandler of Mavis Foods / Bazodee - Web | Twitter | Instagram | Facebook 

Connect with @carryonfriends - Twitter | Instagram | Facebook
Enjoyed the show?  Please remember to leave a rating and review in Apple Podcasts. 

A Breadfruit Media Production: Twitter 

Support How to Support Carry On Friends

1. Join the Community:
   Sign up for one of our paid memberships to access "The After Show", early episode releases, exclusive content and connect with like-minded individuals. JOIN TODAY!
2. Donate:
   If you believe in our mission and want to help amplify Caribbean voices, consider making a donation.
3. Get Merch:
   Support Carry On Friends by purchasing merchandise from our store.

Connect with @carryonfriends - Instagram | Facebook | YouTube
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What would you do if you got a second chance at life?

Christopher Williams is CEO of Rockstone Media Group and Associate Publisher of WhereItzAt Magazine. And in this episode we talk about his life changing experience and the message he wants to share with Caribbean Americans.

Action Items:

1. Check out Strictly Facts: A Guide to Caribbean History & Culture 
2. Let Your Voice Be Heard! - Use this form to:
   • Submit your questions, topics you'd like to hear or guests I should interview etc. 

Connect with Chris Williams - Twitter | Instagram | Linkedin

Connect with @carryonfriends - Twitter | Instagram | Facebook
Enjoyed the show?  Please remember to leave a rating and review in Apple Podcasts. 

A Breadfruit Media Production: Twitter 

Support How to Support Carry On Friends

1. Join the Community:
   Sign up for one of our paid memberships to access "The After Show", early episode releases, exclusive content and connect with like-minded individuals. JOIN TODAY!
2. Donate:
   If you believe in our mission and want to help amplify Caribbean voices, consider making a donation.
3. Get Merch:
   Support Carry On Friends by purchasing merchandise from our store.

Connect with @carryonfriends - Instagram | Facebook | YouTube
A Breadfruit Media Production

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Dr. Kari-Lee Grant is an educator and entrepreneur. She is the president and CEO of the Center for Research and Equitable Development LLC, which offers coaching and consulting services to help educators, students, and personnel in education-based community organizations achieve research and equity goals.

She is a 19-year veteran teacher in a public school district in Long Island, where she serves as a Teacher of English to Speakers of Other Languages. Dr. Grant has presented at local, national, and international conferences including the Society for Caribbean Linguistics Biennial Conference in Jamaica in 2016 and the World Education Research Association (WERA) Focal Meeting in Japan in 2019. Dr. Grant considers herself to be a transformative education leader, and  is committed to eliciting excellence and equity in education.

Action Items:

1. Check out Bridge To U - Decolonize Your Curriculum
2. Let Your Voice Be Heard! - Use this form to:
   • Submit your questions, topics you'd like to hear or guests I should interview etc.

Referencies Mentioned:

1. BCLF Launch Tea by the Sea - ( 43:06 to 51 minute mark.)
2. Int'l Podcast Day x Caribbean Podcast Directory (45:46 to 47:25 minute mark.)
3. Dr. Kari-Lee Grant's Dissertation - Transformative Leadership: Eliciting Equity and Excellence in the Education of Immigrant Students from Caribbean Countries Where English is the Medium of Instruction
4. Jamaican Language Unit, UWI Mona
5. Spelling Jamaican the Jamaican Way 
6. Writing Jamaican the Jamaican Way (Raitin Jamiekan Di Jamiekan Wie)
7. Alfabet Ina Jamiekan 

Support How to Support Carry On Friends

1. Join the Community:
   Sign up for one of our paid memberships to access "The After Show", early episode releases, exclusive content and connect with like-minded individuals. JOIN TODAY!
2. Donate:
   If you believe in our mission and want to help amplify Caribbean voices, consider making a donation.
3. Get Merch:
   Support Carry On Friends by purchasing merchandise from our store.

Connect with @carryonfriends - Instagram | Facebook | YouTube
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