Beyond The Feathers

Mikaela Ian
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  • Society & Culture

Caribbean Carnival is more than feathers, fetes and the road. Behind the spectacle is a world of culture, creativity, business, music, travel and tradition — and the people who make it all happen. Beyond the Feathers, hosted by Caribbean cultural storyteller Mikaela Ian, goes beyond what you see on the road to explore the people, stories and conversations shaping Carnival across the Caribbean and its diaspora. From the DJs travelling the Carnival circuit and the creators documenting it, to the artists, entrepreneurs, tourism leaders, masqueraders and cultural figures shaping the experience, each episode takes you deeper into the world behind one of the Caribbean’s most recognisable cultural celebrations. We’re talking about the music and the Mas, the history and the money, the traditions we protect, the ways Carnival is evolving — and the conversations the culture is having right now. Whether you’ve been playing Mas for years, you’re planning your first Carnival, or you’ve only ever watched from afar, there’s a whole world beyond the feathers. New episodes weekly with Mikaela Ian.

Episodes

  1. 6d ago

    Why Spicemas Is Not Your Average Carnival

    Spicemas is Grenada's carnival, and more and more people are talking about it. What makes it so special, and what does its growing popularity mean for the island? Mikaela Ian sits down with Tornia Charles, Chief Marketing Officer for Pure Grenada, to talk about the culture, the business and the future of the festival. Tornia explains why Spicemas is a preservation of heritage and not just feathers and costumes. She traces Jab Jab back to the days of slavery as an act of defiance and celebration. She also covers how tourism, the diaspora and press trips have helped the festival grow without losing its authenticity. Along the way she shares what first-timers need to know about J’ouvert, Monday Night Mas and Soca Monarch, and why Grenada is worth visiting long after

  2. Oct 23

    Tony X on Carnival Culture, Reading the Crowd, and Grenada’s Authenticity

    Mikaela Ian talks with Tony X about growing up around Trinidadian carnival culture and building a career as an MC and DJ on the international carnival circuit. They explore how he reads a crowd, why different places call for different musical choices, and how DJs can help songs become hits.Tony also shares the less visible side of the work: constant travel, little sleep, time away from family, networking, and the commitment it takes to keep going. Later, he explains what makes Grenada Carnival special to him: its confidence in its own culture and its refusal to change to suit outsiders. The conversation wraps with a quick-fire this-or-that round. Key topicsHow Tony’s grandmother and early experiences with soca helped shape his love of carnivalThe seasonal rhythm of touring and how downtime gives him a chance to reset with familyTony’s path from DJing as a teenager to working in radio and receiving international bookingsWhy a DJ or MC has to adapt to each crowd and understand the local cultureHow repetition and a DJ’s belief in a track can help a song catch onWhy different songs create different feelings—and what makes a track move a crowdThe realities behind the carnival circuit, including travel, sleep, family time, and networkingWhat Tony appreciates about Bermuda’s people and the way the island celebrates socaWhy he considers Grenada Carnival one of the best: it stays true to its own cultureThe rapid-fire this-or-that round

  3. Oct 9

    Voice: The Song That Changed Everything

    Trinidadian singer-songwriter Voice is one of soca’s leading artists, best known for hits including Cheers to Life, Far From Finished and Year for Love. In this episode of Beyond the Feathers, Voice sits down with Mikaela Ian to talk about the song that changed his career, almost walking away from music, what soca means to him and creating music that becomes part of people’s Carnival memories. He also opens up about vulnerability, songwriting as a form of self-expression and the music inspiring him today — before taking on Carnival This or That. Beyond the Feathers, hosted by Caribbean Cultural Storyteller and Host Mikaela Ian, goes beyond what you see on the road to explore the people, culture, music, business and conversations shaping Caribbean Carnival.

  • 3 Episodes

About

Caribbean Carnival is more than feathers, fetes and the road. Behind the spectacle is a world of culture, creativity, business, music, travel and tradition — and the people who make it all happen. Beyond the Feathers, hosted by Caribbean cultural storyteller Mikaela Ian, goes beyond what you see on the road to explore the people, stories and conversations shaping Carnival across the Caribbean and its diaspora. From the DJs travelling the Carnival circuit and the creators documenting it, to the artists, entrepreneurs, tourism leaders, masqueraders and cultural figures shaping the experience, each episode takes you deeper into the world behind one of the Caribbean’s most recognisable cultural celebrations. We’re talking about the music and the Mas, the history and the money, the traditions we protect, the ways Carnival is evolving — and the conversations the culture is having right now. Whether you’ve been playing Mas for years, you’re planning your first Carnival, or you’ve only ever watched from afar, there’s a whole world beyond the feathers. New episodes weekly with Mikaela Ian.

Information

  • Creator
    Mikaela Ian
  • Years Active
    2026
  • Episodes
    3
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Mikaela Ian
  • Show Website
    Beyond The Feathers