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Sober Soldiers, it’s the parlay way!

In this episode we get into the shows we’ve been watching, including our thoughts on The Odyssey, what’s been on repeat in our playlists, the latest sneaker conversations, and the events that have caught our attention. As always, one topic leads to another, and before you know it, we’re unpacking everything from music and film to the little moments that make the culture what it is.

Tap in

Dianne Squires explores the layered concept of voice – audible, figurative, and expressive – and its importance for influencing change within Caribbean communities.
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I’ve been talking about speaking up for ourselves, our businesses and the impact we want to create as Caribbean women founders. But what I haven’t explained is what I mean when I say “voice” and why it is important. I break down the three layers of ‘voice’ and how they all point to a free, if not always easy, way to create change.

Timestamps

00:00 Introduction (What is my Voice and why this isn’t a simple question?)
01:30 The three layers of voice
03:24 Voice as a tool for influence and change
04:40 Big Media’s External Voice and its Influence on Modern Caribbean identity
05:29 The importance of strategic voice for impact (examples from Island Woman podcast guests)
08:06 A word to introverts on using the power of voice
08:44 Call to action: share your voice and join initiatives
10:30 Outro
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🟥Share your real-life experiences of workplace visibility and voice. How has speaking up shaped your career?

👉🏾 Take the Workplace Visibility and Voice Survey: https://forms.gle/tPZGjNniFxnGWMET9
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🟥Get 30 days of guided practice to help you sharpen your voice with your most critical audience – yourself. Join the waitlist for Executive Voice Lab™ – new cohort starting in September 2026. Once you register, we’ll email you programme details and next steps.

👉🏾Sign up for the Executive Voice Lab™ Waitlist Signup – https://forms.gle/RgeHfxzvSpdpvgpW8

*Please note: Being on the waitlist does not guarantee a spot and no payments are required until your place is confirmed.
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Related Episodes:

International Film & TV Production – Caribbean Style | Kerri Birch, Co-founder, 13 Degrees North – https://youtu.be/pBEgFsRwSj8

Strive, Be Visible, Protect Your Peace: Jackie Chambers de Freitas, Salesforce VP AI, Transformation – https://youtu.be/0MupCpoFF4c

Caribbean Skincare | Science, Art, Culture, Simplicity | Simply Ashyara, Founder House of Ash – https://youtu.be/kBDWqQnOHCM
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Connect with Island Woman
Follow the podcast, get direct access to upcoming masterclass updates, and secure private invitations for the Rooted and Ready 90-day program or the Island Woman Authority Suite by following our WhatsApp channel.
📲 https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029Vb7lcdnEFeXrxlKuY31L
or email: diannensquires@diannensquires.com
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Connect with Dianne N Squires
LinkedIn: @Dianne N Squires
linkedin.com/in/dianne-n-squires-a2389132

Email: diannensquires@diannensquires.com
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Dianne N. Squires is a Strategic Communications leader, Founder of Dianne N Squires Consulting (DNSC), and host of the Island Woman Podcast. Her work centres on elevating voice, visibility and impact for Caribbean changemakers.

#IslandWomanpodcast #Caribbeanwomenfounders #voiceforchange #yourvoicematters #caribbeanpodcast

In this episode, Dianne Squires addresses the challenges faced by Caribbean women leaders in speaking up for themselves and their businesses. She shares five key reasons why many women hesitate to voice their opinions and expertise and offers practical advice on overcoming these barriers. The conversation emphasises the importance of self-leadership, practice, and navigating professional ethics while maintaining visibility and authority in the workplace.

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In last week’s episode, I asked the question to Caribbean Women founders and leaders, “Why don’t we speak up for ourselves, our businesses and the impact we want to see?”

This week, I’m offering 5 answers to that question based on my personal experience as a Caribbean Founder and my interaction and work with other Caribbean women founders and leaders in business.

Timestamps:
00:00 Intro: A message to Caribbean women founders and leaders
00:34 Share Your Perspectives on Workplace Visibility and Voice
01:44 Don’t wait for permission to speak
03:43 Acknowledge that you’re ready and your insights count
05:09 Overcoming the fear of being wrong
07:07 Practice speaking up to yourself
09:45 Honouring confidentiality while sharing lessons
12:28 Outro
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🟥Share your real-life experiences of workplace visibility and voice. How has speaking up shaped your career?

👉🏾 Take the Workplace Visibility and Voice Survey: https://forms.gle/tPZGjNniFxnGWMET9
————
🟥Get 30 days of guided practice to help you sharpen your voice with your most critical audience – yourself. Join the waitlist for Executive Voice Lab™ – new cohort starting in September 2026. Once you register, we’ll email you programme details and next steps.

👉🏾Sign up for the Executive Voice Lab™ Waitlist Signup – https://forms.gle/RgeHfxzvSpdpvgpW8

*Please note: Being on the waitlist does not guarantee a spot and no payments are required until your place is confirmed.

Connect with Island Woman
Follow the podcast, get direct access to upcoming masterclass updates, and secure private invitations for the Rooted and Ready 90-day program or the Island Woman Authority Suite by following our WhatsApp channel.
📲 https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029Vb7lcdnEFeXrxlKuY31L
or email: diannensquires@diannensquires.com
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Connect with Dianne N Squires
LinkedIn: @Dianne N Squires
linkedin.com/in/dianne-n-squires-a2389132

Email: diannensquires@diannensquires.com
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Dianne N. Squires is a Strategic Communications leader, Founder of Dianne N Squires Consulting (DNSC), and host of the Island Woman Podcast. Her work centres on elevating voice, visibility and impact for Caribbean changemakers.

Dianne N Squires, Founder of communications practice DNSC takes a look at her own journey, sharing insights on the importance of voice and visibility for Caribbean woman entrepreneurs – essentially, speaking up about our businesses. This episode explores personal growth, vulnerability and the significance of scaling a business while maintaining wellbeing.

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This episode, I put myself in the hot seat to answer the questions I’ve been asking Caribbean woman leaders and entrepreneurs this season. What is my core work? What motivates that work? How do I rate myself on the ambition/wellbeing scale? It was all inspired by the last episode with Shauna Marshall of SMB Consulting, who encouraged Caribbean entrepreneurs to take ourselves seriously. I asked myself, what would I do if I were taking my communications business (DNSC) seriously, and how would I use the podcast to do that? I’d do what I do for other businesses: speak up about my business!

Timestamps
00:00 Introduction and episode milestone
01:00 Celebrating 45 episodes and the journey so far
03:21 The importance of taking small businesses seriously
04:17 My personal journey from independent consultant to scaling up
06:13 The big ambition: Living the big and simple life
08:09 My simple ritual: Gratitude and connection with nature
10:17 My core work: Elevating Caribbean voices globally
12:55 Women, voice, and impact in business
16:55 The rise of women-owned businesses in Barbados
18:24 The power of vulnerability and sharing personal stories
21:50 Ambition and well-being scale: Where do I stand?
23:09 Balancing ambition with well-being
25:35 How to connect with me and learn more

👉🏾Take the Workplace Visibility and Voice Survey for Caribbean Women and Women of Caribbean Descent (3 minutes max):

🌟 What are your real experiences in the workplace? Complete the “Workplace Visibility and Voice” survey for Caribbean women or women of Caribbean descent here: https://forms.gle/Knmw4LpQwsuBQ6WHA

Related Episodes:
👉🏾 Take Your Caribbean Small Business Seriously | Shauna Marshall, Founder, SMB Consulting Services – https://youtu.be/x9fCePL4WXA
👉🏾 Caribbean Agency Owner Turned Business Coach | Christina Hunte, Dream Builders Institute – https://youtu.be/YgccOGOFEL8?si=KwegY7cnoTCNb1ZI

🌴Connect with Island Woman:

Follow the podcast, get direct access to upcoming masterclass updates, and secure private invitations for the Rooted and Ready 90-day program or the Island Woman Authority Suite by following our WhatsApp channel.
📲 https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029Vb7lcdnEFeXrxlKuY31L
or email: diannensquires@diannensquires.com
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Connect with Dianne N Squires
LinkedIn: @Dianne N Squires
linkedin.com/in/dianne-n-squires-a2389132

Email: diannensquires@diannensquires.com
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Dianne N. Squires is a Strategic Communications leader, Founder of Dianne N Squires Consulting (DNSC), and host of the Island Woman Podcast. Her work centres on elevating voice, visibility and impact for Caribbean changemakers.

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The Island Woman podcast has been recognised by Feedspot as one of the Top 30 Island Podcasts on the web. Feedspot is an RSS Reader that lets you follow your favorite podcasts alongside blogs and news in one place.

Check out the list here: https://podcast.feedspot.com/island_podcasts/?feed_id=8701532&_src=f2_featured_email#h8701532

#IslandWomanPodcast #Caribbeanpodcast #VoiceVisibilityImpact #communicationsstrategy #Caribbeanwomanfounder #ambitionandwellbeing
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Sober Soldiers, this week, we sit down with Dukii Gone Green for one of our most thought-provoking conversations yet.

We unpack his militant upbringing and how it shaped his worldview, his roots in the Vaal rap scene, and the rivalries and tensions that have influenced its story over the years. We also dive deep into his artistic approach to music; how he builds his sound, the intention behind his work, and why authenticity remains at the centre of everything he creates.

An honest conversation about identity, creativity, and the journey of an artist carving out his own lane.

Tap in.