Author

This season on the Island Woman podcast, I’m talking to Caribbean women founders, industry experts and thought leaders about how we can make maximum economic impact and protect our health and wellbeing.

Joining me in the season premiere is Tanja Gittens, chartered accountant, global nomad, budget guru and author of the book “Living Loud on a Budget: Authentic Financial Living”. Tanja has officially retired from the corporate world to build the Living Loud on a Budget™ brand. She talks candidly about:

➡️ Why guts and gumption, not qualifications or experience, form the number #1 power package for Caribbean Women entrepreneurs
➡️ How she took the unconventional nomad path while being a practising chartered accountant
➡️ Financial wellness, health and healing trauma to live out loud
➡️ Merging personal experiences, beliefs and professional skills to build a brand
➡️ The scale of her level of ambition and personal well-being
➡️ Prioritising health and wellbeing on the career path
➡️ Living out loud
➡️ Her advice for other Caribbean founders (having an emergency fund and more)

00:00 Empowering Caribbean Women Entrepreneurs
02:33 The Importance of Guts and Gumption
04:59 Breaking the Mould of Traditional Accounting
09:30 Choosing the Unconventional Path
14:52 Building a Brand: Living Loud on a Budget™
19:30 Understanding Emotional Spending and Cultural Influences
24:45 Balancing Ambition and Well-Being
27:35 Advice for Aspiring Caribbean Women Entrepreneurs
32:03 Defining Living Out Loud
35:30 Final notes
36:10 Podcast outro

#IslandWomanPodcast #Caribbeanwomenentrepreneurs #CaribbeanWomenFounders #financialwellness #livingoutloud #financialwellness #gutsandgumption #CaribbeanEntrepreneur

In this episode of Behind the Mic, I sit down with Dr. Kevin Greenidge, Governor of the Central Bank of Barbados and GUBA Vanguard Award nominee, to explore his extraordinary journey from humble beginnings to national leadership. We talk about his belief that purpose and vision can transform lives, the economic turnaround of Barbados through the BERT program, and the role of innovation in shaping the island’s financial future. Dr. Greenidge also shares insight on the orange economy, the upcoming BIM Pay system, and how creativity and culture can drive true economic growth.

B-Sides Track of the Week: Hero by Mariah Carey — a song that reminds us that everything we need to rise above life’s challenges already exists within us.

💽 Listen to our B-Sides Track of the Week playlist on Spotify or YouTube:
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/2EysXGOWrzoQ3Zmp34VWLx
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLOCTSuUwMT0fHHhB6oPtaEYyTh2OWq7zY

Quote: “We are very rich culturally. We are rich in talent. But we have yet to become rich from culture and to become rich from our talent.”

Chapters

01:24 Meet Dr. Kevin Greenidge
02:14 B-Sides Track of the Week
05:38 Being Nominated for the GUBA Vanguard Award
22:13 The Power of the Orange Economy
24:49 The Financial Transformation with BIM Pay

Follow Behind the Mic wherever you listen to podcasts, and don’t forget to
subscribe on YouTube for more stories of vision, culture, and transformation.

Credits: Hosted by Wize Grazette. Edited and produced by Storytime Studios.

In this bonus episode of Behind the Mic, I’m celebrating a huge milestone in my journey, receiving the 2025 Black Podcasting Awards Legend Award. After more than a decade in podcasting, it still feels surreal to be called a legend. You’ll hear the full acceptance speech from the ceremony, my reflections on what this moment means, and how I’m focusing on helping creators thrive in the growing orange economy.

I also talk about my new podcast, Coop Back Podcast, where I kick it with my cousins Alex and Kevin about life, anime, and the everyday twists of adulthood in Barbados and abroad.

Featured Quote:
“Legend… it’s a powerful word. And when I started podcasting 13 years ago, it was not something that I had in the cards.”

Chapters:
1:48 – Learn about my new podcast Coop Back
3:23 – Acceptance speech
4:35 – Next episode teaser

Thanks for tuning in to Behind the Mic, hosted by Wize Grazette. Follow me on Instagram and Twitter @TheRealWize, and stay tuned for the next episode featuring Dr. Kevin Greenidge, Governor of the Barbados Central Bank.

Credits:
Special thanks to Storytime Studios for editing and producing this podcast.

Sober Soldiers! One of the culture’s key players pulled up for a proper sit-down. We spoke about his journey through the game; from radio to rap, the highs, the lessons, and everything in between.
Speedsta got candid about legacy, growth, and staying true to himself in an ever-shifting industry. It’s a real conversation with someone who’s seen it all and still moves with love for the culture.
Tap in.