Freshwater Yankee

Wendell Riley
  • 5.0 (12)
  • SOCIETY & CULTURE

Wendell Riley, a Trinidadian creative, community leader, educator, and cultural commentator living in the United States, explores themes of immigrant life, building identity in new places, and finding beauty and humor wherever you may go.  Through personal stories, lively discussions, and cultural insights, Freshwater Yankee (a Trinidadian term for someone Americanized after time abroad) explores what makes us different across towns, regions, and countries, and ultimately, what connects us all. 

Episodes

  1. FEB 24

    Trinidad Carnival 2026 – Potential to Kinetic Energy

    Wendell gives an oral account of his experiences playing mas in Trinidad and Tobago Carnival, and he explores the personal, emotional, and spiritual journey of wearing costumes and ‘jumping up’ on the road on Monday and Tuesday.  Learn more about You: The Masterpiece, presented by Kinetic Mas: https://www.kineticmas.com/synopsis See Wendell's Photos and Videos on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/media/set?vanity=61585711033362&set=a.122117776587190367  Follow Wendell Riley on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/wendell.riley.7  Follow Wendell Riley on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wendell.riley.7

    28 min

  2. FEB 4

    Go Potty!

    Wendell reflects on his first two pets back in Trinidad and Tobago, and explores the nature of pet ownership in America and how it differs from when he was growing up in the Caribbean.  Follow us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61585711033362  Follow Wendell Riley on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/wendell.riley.7  Follow Wendell Riley on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wendell.riley.7

    40 min

  3. JAN 21

    Home Is Where The Heart Is... Right?

    Wendell sits down with Miranda Restovic, President and Executive Director of the Louisiana Endowment for the Humanities and the Executive Director of PRIME TIME, Inc.  Miranda tells her story of coming to America at the age of eleven from Dubrovnik, Croatia, and discusses her work in the Humanities, what the word "home" means, and what it's like revisiting the place where you grew up when you live in another country.  For more information on the LEH, visit: https://leh.org/ For more information on Prime Time Inc., visit: https://primetimefamily.org/  Follow Wendell Riley on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/wendell.riley.7  Follow Wendell Riley on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wendell.riley.7 Follow us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61585711033362

    56 min

  4. JAN 14

    A Taco By Any Other Name

    Wendell sits down with British-born Dr. Helen Taylor, Provost and Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs at LSU Shreveport to discuss living in America, the importance of expanding one's horizons, raising American kids, and the difficulties of ordering at restaurants with an accent in the South.   For more information on LSUS, visit: https://www.lsus.edu/  Follow Wendell Riley on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/wendell.riley.7  Follow Wendell Riley on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wendell.riley.7 Follow us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61585711033362

    50 min

  5. JAN 14

    The Journey

    Wendell shares his journey as an expatriate- from his early days as a young boy growing up next to Green Corner in Port-of-Spain Trinidad, to living in Baltimore, Southwest Virginia, and now Shreveport, Louisiana, and how those stops along the way shaped who he is today. This introductory episode sets the table for the Freshwater Yankee series.  You can find out more about the Robinson Film Center at: https://robinsonfilmcenter.org/ Follow Wendell Riley on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/wendell.riley.7  Follow Wendell Riley on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wendell.riley.7 Follow us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61585711033362

    22 min
  • 5 Episodes

5
out of 5
12 Ratings

About

Wendell Riley, a Trinidadian creative, community leader, educator, and cultural commentator living in the United States, explores themes of immigrant life, building identity in new places, and finding beauty and humor wherever you may go.  Through personal stories, lively discussions, and cultural insights, Freshwater Yankee (a Trinidadian term for someone Americanized after time abroad) explores what makes us different across towns, regions, and countries, and ultimately, what connects us all. 

Information

  • Creator
    Wendell Riley
  • Years Active
    2K
  • Episodes
    5
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Freshwater Yankee
  • Show Website
    Freshwater Yankee