The Corie Sheppard Podcast

Helon Francis Breaks His Silence on the Calypso Monarch Mic Controversy

15K views · 1d ago · 1:20:15

What really happened when Helon Francis' Calypso Monarch performance was interrupted during the television broadcast? Was it a technical failure, something deliberate, or a controversy that exposed deeper issues within the calypso fraternity?

Topics: Introducing Helon Francis · Reconnection – Helon's First Solo Concert · Why Helon Disconnects from the Public · Is Calypso Losing the Younger Generation? · The 2026 Calypso Monarch Controversy · Were Calypsonians Unfairly Excluded?

Kernal Roberts: The Stories Behind Palance, Jumbie & It’s Carnival

21K views · 3d ago · 1:32:05

Guest: Kernal Roberts

You know the songs. Now hear how they happened. Kernal Roberts joins us to share the stories behind “Palance,” “Jumbie” and “It’s Carnival”—from an unexpected phone call and a melody inspired by Roman trumpets to a visit to his father’s statue that helped unlock a missing lyric.

Topics: Meet Kernal Roberts · School days & calypso competitions · Keeping Lord Kitchener’s legacy alive · Remembering his mother & “Sugar Bum Bum” · Pelham Goddard’s contribution to the classics · AI, Suno & the future of music

Viking Ding Dong: The Childhood Pain That Shaped His Life

44K views · 1w ago · 1:29:06

Guest: Viking Ding Dong

Viking Ding Dong had a choice: stay in a familiar role or take a chance on becoming the artist he believed he could be. In one of our most wide-ranging conversations, he shares his journey from Point Fortin and years of overnight radio to touring with Bunji Garlin and Fay-Ann Lyons—and the difficult decision to bet on himself.

Topics: Investing in His Image · Studying the Industry Before Stepping Into Music · Growing Up in Point Fortin · Overnight Radio and Years of Sacrifice · How Ding Dong Got His Name · Working with Swappi and Machel Montano

Jules Sobion: 20 Years Gambling on Carnival — Why Caesar’s Army Is Changing

16K views · 1w ago · 1:17:00

Guest: Jules Sobion

For 20 years, Jules Sobion has helped shape some of the Caribbean's most unforgettable Carnival experiences through Caesar's Army. But behind the sold-out events, spectacular productions and international success is a business he describes as “the casino.”

Topics: Highlights · Welcome to The Corie Sheppard Podcast · Remembering Keith Sobion · Leaving Corporate Life for Caesar’s Army · What It Really Takes to Produce an Event · Why Events Must Evolve

She Co-Wrote “Empire State of Mind.” Then Had to Learn to Walk Again | Angela Hunte

22K views · 2w ago · 1:22:40

Guest: Angela Hunte

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.

Topics: Episode Preview · Welcome Angela Hunte · A Childhood Dream: Performing With a Pan Orchestra · Kes, Flowers on Stage & Almost Missing the Show · When Angela Considered Giving Up Music · Creating “Mon Bon Ami” in One Take

My Brother Died on Wednesday. By Friday, I Had to Deliver | Adrian Chandler

3.3K views · 2w ago · 5:17

Guest: Adrian Chandler

Adrian Chandler opens up about one of the most painful periods of his life: losing his brother while they were working during Carnival week. It happened on Carnival Wednesday. Two days later, Adrian was still responsible for delivering the special effects for Girl Power. While his family was grieving, clients were calling, work had to continue and the responsibilities of running a business did not disappear.

Teddyson John: Leaving School Two Weeks Before His Exams & Betting on Music

12K views · 3w ago · 1:14:03

Guest: Teddyson John

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.

Carl “Beaver” Henderson Exposes Why Trinidad’s Music Industry Is Holding Back Its Own Artistes

23K views · 3w ago · 1:22:52

What happens when an industry refuses to support its own talent? Legendary Trinidadian musician, arranger and producer Carl “Beaver” Henderson joins us on The Corie Sheppard Podcast for a revealing conversation about the evolution of Caribbean music, the obstacles facing local artistes, and why he believes Trinidad and Tobago continues to limit its own creative potential.

Topics: Highlights · Welcome Carl “Beaver” Henderson · Calypso’s craft and celebrating its writers · Shadow, “Dingolay” and “Poverty Is Hell” · The “wrong” chord that taught him a lesson · Rival studios and his first recording sessions

Roderick ‘Chuck’ Gordon: Music Saved My Life | The Corie Sheppard Podcast

15K views · 4w ago · 1:29:18

Behind ‘Chuck’ Gordon’s smile and stage presence is a story of depression, self-doubt, and finding a reason to keep going. Roderick “Chuck” 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.

Topics: Episode Preview · Introducing Chucky Gordon · “Story Time” and the Making of Jiggy Calypso · Speaking Truth to Power · “Look De Press” and Taking Political Sides · The Shock of Missing the Calypso Monarch Finals

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

39K views · 1mo ago · 1:07:20

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-...

Topics: Coming Up · Welcome to The Corie Sheppard Podcast · Introducing Justice Westmin James · The Tranquillity School Days · From Junior Secondary to Sixth Form · Dealing With SEA Disappointment

Remembering The Mighty Sparrow: The Songs, Stories & Legacy of the Calypso King

89K views · 1mo ago · 2:37:23

The Mighty Sparrow gave the Caribbean a soundtrack. This is our celebration of his life, his music and his extraordinary legacy. Born Slinger Francisco, The Mighty Sparrow became one of the defining voices of calypso and one of the Caribbean's most enduring cultural icons.

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

30K views · 1mo ago · 1:17:03

Guest: Peter C. Lewis

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.

Topics: From watching a neighbour’s TV to building his own station · Introducing Peter C. Lewis · Why television captured his imagination · Growing up in church and discovering music · The promise that changed his path · The Bread Boys and his first performances

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

67K views · 1mo ago · 1:25:56

Guest: Ralph Gonsalves

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.

Topics: Introducing Dr. Ralph Gonsalves · His Trinidadian Roots · Kamla, CARICOM and Reparations · Patrick Manning and Trinidad Connections · Foreign Influence and the Election Defeat · Preparing to Leave the Prime Minister’s Residence

Alex Jordan: “I Wasn’t Ready… I Just Said Yes” | From Radio to CPL

85K views · 1mo ago · 1:06:00

Guest: Alex Jordan

Alex Jordan is one of the Caribbean’s most recognisable voices in sports broadcasting — but her journey there was anything but planned. Before the CPL, there was radio. Before cricket commentary, there was music. And before SportsMax, Alex was trying to make her way in London, wondering when her break would come.

Topics: Gumption: Getting Comfortable With Being Uncomfortable · Meet Alex Jordan · Corie’s Embarrassing “Brian” Story · More Than “The CPL Lady” · Growing Up an Athlete in Barbados · Trinidad Humbled Alex at Eight Years Old

He Sold Everything to Survive—Then Built Fitt St | Adrian Chandler

45K views · 1mo ago · 1:07:52

Guest: Adrian Chandler

Adrian Chandler helped transform the scale of event production in Trinidad and Tobago—but when COVID brought the entertainment industry to a complete standstill, survival required a dramatic reinvention. The founder of Strictly FX, co-founder of Air Committee and the man behind Fitt St opens up about selling his boat, vehicles and equipment to keep his business and team afloat.