Corie Sheppard Podcast

Corie Sheppard
  • 4.9 (37)
  • Society & Culture
  • Updated Weekly

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 legacy. It’s culture in conversation—unfiltered, intergenerational, and deeply Caribbean. Listen, subscribe, and be part of the stories that move the region forward.

  1. 14h ago

    Angela Hunte: The Real Story Behind “Empire State of Mind,” “Party Done” & Learning to Walk Again

    Send us Fan Mail Angela 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 spent creating songs across genres, often away from the spotlight. She shares the stories behind “Party Done” with Machel Montano and “Mon Bon Ami,” the encouragement she received from Kes when she considered stepping away from music, and the reality of balancing performing with a newborn at home. In one of the conversation’s most personal moments, Angela opens up about major heart surgery, learning to walk and talk again, and finding renewed purpose through music, television and film. In this conversation: • Growing up between Brooklyn and Trinidad • Ghostwriting, recognition and the business of songwriting • Machel Montano, “Party Done” and motherhood • Creating “Mon Bon Ami” in one take • Kes and finding the motivation to keep making music • The story behind “Empire State of Mind” • Jay-Z, Alicia Keys, Kanye West and Lady Gaga • Heart surgery, recovery, faith and starting again • Building a future in television and film Subscribe to The Corie Sheppard Podcast, share this conversation, and tell us which part stayed with you. #AngelaHunte #EmpireStateOfMind #TheCorieSheppardPodcast

  2. Oct 12

    Teddyson John: Starting Over, Finding His Voice & Life Beyond “Allez”

    Send us Fan Mail Already 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 behind his stripped-back concerts—and why an artiste’s entire body of work deserves to be celebrated. A conversation full of laughter, faith, music and pride in where we come from. 🇱🇨 Enjoyed the episode? Like, share and subscribe to The Corie Sheppard Podcast. For early access and extended conversations, join us on Patreon.

  3. Oct 10

    His Father Wanted a Doctor. He Chose Music | Carl “Beaver” Henderson

    Send us Fan Mail His 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 unexpected first assignment producing Denise Plummer, and the early experiments that helped soca evolve. He also shares the remarkable story of Marlon Asher’s “Ganja Farmer”—from getting little encouragement from radio to finding an audience far beyond Trinidad. We explore: • Leaving medicine for music—and the rift with his father • The lesson Shadow taught him about a “wrong” chord • The Last Supper and his early band days • Funk, technology and the evolution of soca • Why he believes competition prizes can limit creativity • The making and breakthrough of “Ganja Farmer” • His account of early chutney soca experiments • Why young creatives need opportunities and support A conversation about trusting your instincts, staying curious and refusing to let other people define your future. Subscribe and join us in the comments: have you ever had to choose between the life expected of you and the life you wanted? Support The Corie Sheppard Podcast on Patreon for early access and extended conversations. #CorieSheppardPodcast #CarlBeaverHenderson #Soca #TrinidadAndTobago #GanjaFarmer

  4. Oct 6

    Chucky Gordon: Music Saved My Life | The Corie Sheppard Podcast

    Send us Fan Mail Behind 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 success to his signature “Jiggy Calypso,” we explore what it takes to build your own lane—and keep standing in it. In this episode: • Depression, healing, and finding community through music • His father Roland Gordon’s influence and legacy • The disappointment of being left out of the Calypso Monarch finals • Politics, artistic freedom, and the responsibility of a calypsonian • Soca hits, industry cliques, and reclaiming his identity • Bringing calypso to a new generation Subscribe, share, and tell us which part of the conversation stayed with you. For early access and extended episodes, join us: https://www.patreon.com/CorieSheppardPodcast #CorieSheppardPodcast #ChuckyGordon #Calypso #Soca #TrinidadAndTobago

  5. Oct 3

    From Laventille to the High Court: Justice Westmin James’ Unlikely Journey

    Send us Fan Mail Justice 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 Tribunal and the IDB Administrative Tribunal, having previously served as a Judge of the High Courts of Belize and Barbados. In this episode, we go beyond the titles and into the realities of life on the bench: the restrictions judges live with, security concerns, friendships and social media, unconscious bias, the intimidation of the courtroom and why justice can sometimes take so long. We also get into one of the biggest changes facing the legal profession — Artificial Intelligence. Justice James reveals that people are already using AI to represent themselves in court and recounts encountering AI-generated “hallucinations” in legal submissions, which led him to address the ethical use and verification of AI in one of his judgments. transcript-judging-in-the-real-… But at the heart of this conversation is a remarkable Caribbean story about opportunity, education, ambition and what can happen when someone is given a chance. This is Justice Westmin James on The Corie Sheppard Podcast.

  6. Sep 28

    He Grew Up Without a TV. Then He Built Synergy TV | Peter C. Lewis

    Send us Fan Mail Peter 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. Watch the conversation, and tell us: what’s your favourite Peter C. Lewis or Synergy TV memory? For extended conversations, join us on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/CorieSheppardPodcast #PeterCLewis #SynergyTV #CorieSheppardPodcast

  7. Sep 21

    Ralph Gonsalves: “My Spirit Is Not Defeated” | Life After 25 Years in Power

    Send us Fan Mail After 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 friendship with Patrick Manning and what he believes contributed to his government’s electoral defeat. He also reflects on growing up without electricity or pipe-borne water, earning his PhD at 27, living in Uganda under Idi Amin and being accused of serving Cuban and Soviet interests. Gonsalves speaks frankly about Donald Trump, American foreign policy, Venezuela, Cuba, Caribbean sovereignty and why the region must never simply “roll over and play dead.” Plus, he shares the remarkable story behind helping Vybz Kartel receive medical treatment in St. Vincent—and explains why he considers himself the real “World Boss.” Is his political career finally coming to an end? His answer may surprise you. Subscribe, like and share to support more meaningful, Caribbean-rooted conversations. #RalphGonsalves #SaintVincentAndTheGrenadines #CaribbeanPolitics #CorieSheppardPodcast #CARICOM

  8. Sep 19

    Alex Jordan: The Voice That Raised a Generation

    Send us Fan Mail Long 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 broadcasting and why it is perfectly acceptable not to know everything. We also explore her deep connection to Caribbean identity, the intimacy of radio, the voice that helped raise a generation and why she now feels ready to slow down, write and begin a new chapter. This is Alex Jordan beyond cricket: thoughtful, funny, refreshingly honest and unmistakably Caribbean.

See All (355)

4.9
out of 5
37 Ratings

About

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 legacy. It’s culture in conversation—unfiltered, intergenerational, and deeply Caribbean. Listen, subscribe, and be part of the stories that move the region forward.

Information

  • Creator
    Corie Sheppard
  • Years Active
    2020 - 2026
  • Episodes
    355
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Corie Sheppard Podcast
  • Show Website
    Corie Sheppard Podcast

You Might Also Like