The Creative Frequency Podcast

Executive Producer / Cohost Rachel Fenderson & Cohost Radika Myers

Our Podcast focuses on the intersection of creativity and business—culturally situated in the Heartbeat of Jamaica and abroad. The Creative Frequency podcast, produced by the Institute of Caribbean Studies (ICS) within the Faculty of Humanities and Education at The University of the West Indies (UWI), Mona, is dedicated to exploring the dynamic intersection of culture and commerce across the region. Directed by Dr. Dave Gosse, the program spotlights the innovative spirit of Jamaican entrepreneurs who are building and scaling creative businesses. Co-hosted by MPhil/PhD Scholar Rachel Fenderson and CCI Scholar Radika Myers, the show leverages academic insight and local expertise to investigate how figures like Model/Actor Dane Jones, Perfumier Edwin Bruce of (Prince D'Bruce), gourmet caterer Chef Candace Carr, and Director of Technology and Community Engagement Damion Johnson of (S.E.T.A.S) are defining success on their own terms, often challenging traditional industry standards and colonial legacies. The essence of this podcast is a deep dive into Cultural Studies through the lens of economic entrepreneurship. It examines the practical realities of launching and sustaining creative brands—from custom high-end fragrances and niche culinary arts to community-engaged mobile technology and professional acting—within the Jamaican and wider Caribbean economy. By allocating dedicated segments to cultural expressions like "Tek Time Fi Chat" and centering discussions on topics like regional stereotypes, authentic representation, and community investment, the podcast aims to preserve, interrogate, and celebrate Jamaican cultural identity as a powerful driver of innovation and economic resilience for the entire region. Executive Producer & Cohost Rachel Fenderson. Follow us @ICSMONA @TheCreativeFrequencyPodcast

Episodes

  1. The Cultural Statesman: Music Production, Legislative Reform, & The Leader of the Opposition Mr. Mark J. Golding

    3d ago

    The Cultural Statesman: Music Production, Legislative Reform, & The Leader of the Opposition Mr. Mark J. Golding

    Today on The Creative Frequency Podcast, we welcome a true multi-hyphenate visionary whose career defies traditional boundaries, seamlessly bridging the worlds of high finance, commercial law, national politics, and Jamaican music culture: Mr. Mark J. Golding. While many know him as a leading Jamaican attorney, an Oxford, Norman Manley Law School, & The University of London-educated legal scholar, as well as a prominent investment banker who co-founded pioneering financial institutions like Dehring Bunting & Golding (DB&G) and Proven Investments Limited. He is also the Senior Partner of HART MUIRHEAD FATTA: one of Jamaica’s Leadership Law firms. Mr. Golding’s trajectory has always been deeply intertwined with the heartbeat of Caribbean creativity. His entry into the music business actually began during his days as a law student in the 1980s, when he stepped into the role of concert promoter, organizing a major live show featuring legendary reggae acts including Gregory Isaacs, Beres Hammond, and Ziggy Marley & The Melody Makers. That early passion evolved into a serious creative pursuit in the late 1990s when he partnered with Ray Hitchins to form the independent music label and production house, Riverside Music. Far from a silent investor, Mr. Golding possessed a deep, wide-ranging knowledge of reggae and an immersive love for DJs and Dancehall culture. As a lyricist and producer, Mr. Golding developed a unique ability to write specifically for the voice and persona of the artists he collaborated with. His approach was built on genuine human connection—vibing with new artists, getting to know them deeply, and using that authentic interest to break the ice in the studio. This collaborative chemistry birthed award-winning music: Riverside Music went on to secure Jamaica Music Awards for both production and song arranging. Under their stewardship, the label worked with Toots Hibbert, Richie Stephens, Sheryl Lee Ralph, Brian and Tony Gold, Nadine Sutherland, Cindy Breakspeare, Buccaneer, Kris Bentley of Inner Circle, Monty Alexander, Della Manley and more. Recognizing the vulnerabilities facing local creatives, Mr. Golding leveraged his dual expertise to provide legal and financial backing, helping artists navigate the business. Beyond the studio, Mr. Golding’s legislative legacy is fundamentally tied to cultural and social transformation. As Jamaica's Minister of Justice (2012–2016), he guided 121 Acts of Parliament into law, most notably leading the historic 2015 reformation of the Dangerous Drugs Act which decriminalized marijuana—a legislative shift with profound implications for the Rastafarian community and the local creative economy. Today, as the Leader of the Opposition and the People’s National Party (PNP), he continues to champion the architects of Jamaican culture, repeatedly making headlines for his passionate advocacy in Parliament to officially confer the title of National Hero upon the legendary Bob Marley. Coupled with his ongoing commitment to his family's philanthropic legacy—serving as Chairman of the Sir John Golding Rehabilitation Centre (formerly known as Mona Rehabilitation Foundation) to advance the welfare of persons living with disabilities, an organization pioneered by his parents Sir John Golding and Lady Patricia Golding— Mr. Golding embodies the philosophy that true leadership means serving the people, protecting the culture, and honoring the creative spirit. He joins us on The Creative Frequency Podcast to discuss his dynamic journey as a creative entrepreneur, the intersection of law and entertainment, and his vision for pushing the Caribbean's cultural industries into an empowered, category-defying future. Interviewed By Cohosts: Rachel Fenderson & Radika Myers Executive Produced by: Rachel Ann Fenderson

    1h 30m
  2. The Canvas Scenographer: Diaspora Narratives, Historical Metaphors, & Michael Elliott

    Jun 5

    The Canvas Scenographer: Diaspora Narratives, Historical Metaphors, & Michael Elliott

    We are joined by a profound visual narrator and "Conceptual Scenographer of the canvas" who has spent over two decades documenting the Caribbean’s social and historical pulse: Michael Elliott. A graduate of the Edna Manley College of the Visual and Performing Arts, Michael has evolved into a globally recognized figure whose photorealistic paintings serve as both windows into the past and mirrors for the present. His work is a masterclass in the use of metaphor—utilizing relatable symbols like tea and watermelon to tackle heavyweight themes of migration, politics, and the enduring legacy of slavery. From his iconic 'Windrush Series', which has moved from gallery walls to public murals in Kingston and the UK, to his 'Vanilla Country' collection addressing racial injustice in the US, Michael proves that art is an essential tool for social commentary. His reach is truly international, with appearances in the National Gallery of Jamaica and a long-standing partnership with the Diaspora Vibe Cultural Arts Incubator in Miami. His works are held in the permanent collections of the Bank of Jamaica, the Smithsonian, and most notably, the National Museum of African American History and Culture. Currently featured in the inaugural exhibition at the V&A East in London which is a branch of the Victoria and Albert Museum, titled ‘The Music is Black: A British Story’, Michael joins us on The Creative Frequency Podcast to discuss his trajectory as a UWI MA Cultural Studies scholar and artist, and how he uses creative symbolism to navigate the complexities of identity in the African Diaspora. Interviewed by Cohost: Radika Myers Executive Produced by: Rachel Ann Fenderson

    1 hr

Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
6 Ratings

About

Our Podcast focuses on the intersection of creativity and business—culturally situated in the Heartbeat of Jamaica and abroad. The Creative Frequency podcast, produced by the Institute of Caribbean Studies (ICS) within the Faculty of Humanities and Education at The University of the West Indies (UWI), Mona, is dedicated to exploring the dynamic intersection of culture and commerce across the region. Directed by Dr. Dave Gosse, the program spotlights the innovative spirit of Jamaican entrepreneurs who are building and scaling creative businesses. Co-hosted by MPhil/PhD Scholar Rachel Fenderson and CCI Scholar Radika Myers, the show leverages academic insight and local expertise to investigate how figures like Model/Actor Dane Jones, Perfumier Edwin Bruce of (Prince D'Bruce), gourmet caterer Chef Candace Carr, and Director of Technology and Community Engagement Damion Johnson of (S.E.T.A.S) are defining success on their own terms, often challenging traditional industry standards and colonial legacies. The essence of this podcast is a deep dive into Cultural Studies through the lens of economic entrepreneurship. It examines the practical realities of launching and sustaining creative brands—from custom high-end fragrances and niche culinary arts to community-engaged mobile technology and professional acting—within the Jamaican and wider Caribbean economy. By allocating dedicated segments to cultural expressions like "Tek Time Fi Chat" and centering discussions on topics like regional stereotypes, authentic representation, and community investment, the podcast aims to preserve, interrogate, and celebrate Jamaican cultural identity as a powerful driver of innovation and economic resilience for the entire region. Executive Producer & Cohost Rachel Fenderson. Follow us @ICSMONA @TheCreativeFrequencyPodcast