Can we guess which African country made the jollof rice just by tasting it? 👀🍚 In this episode, we blind taste different jollof dishes and try to guess the country behind each one. This isn’t just about food… It’s about pride, culture, and who really has the best jollof 🔥
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In Episode 11 of Afronomics, we interview Rennie Curran, former UGA football star turned NFL athlete, now a sought-after speaker and business leader. Rennie shares invaluable insights on developing leadership qualities, navigating the tough transition from sports to other pursuits, and practicing gratitude for life’s unseen blessings. He also reflects on his emotional, life-changing trip…
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Not only are Caribbean islands picturesque locations for international films, they are ripe for development of a thriving International Film and TV industry based in the Caribbean. Kerri Birch, Co-founder of 13 Degrees North Productions shares why she’s living her dream in an industry with yet few players in the Caribbean with Dianne N Squires on this episode of the Island Woman Podcast. She also shares why it’s important for young people to see Film and TV in the region as an industry for viable careers.
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I loved this conversation with Kerri Birch who co-founded Film and TV Production Company 13 Degrees North Productions with her husband Kirk. I knew when the business was a fledgling startup and today Kerri and Kirk can boast of the several international and local productions they’ve put their stamp on including, most recently, a Victoria’s Secret campaign.
We discuss her 20-year journey in the industry and why she is proof that careers in the industry, in the Caribbean are viable. She also shares the tough realities of work in film and TV and underscores why gratitude is her important grounding practice.
How’s Kerri doing on the ambition/wellbeing Island Woman scale. It’s a bit top heavy but she’s working on it.
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Timestamps & Chapter Descriptions
00:00 – Excerpts: Kerri Birch on viability of Caribbean Film Industry
00:43 – Intro: Island Woman Podcast companion for Caribbean Founders & Kerri Birch Caribbean Film and TV Industry Powerhouse
01:22 – A Slate of Caribbean Productions & The Power of Gratitude
04:13 – Navigating the Regional Film Industry
05:17 – Quiet Leadership and Building Confidence on International Sets
05:47 – Knowing Your Worth: Working with Vogue & Below Deck
08:17 – Navigating Chaotic Production Logistics in Barbados
08:57 – Shifting the Narrative: Film as a Viable Career for Caribbean Youth
10:34 – Telling Our Collective History and Shared Caribbean Experiences
12:43 – The Symbiotic Relationship with Foreign Film Crews
14:37 – Using Inevitable Industry Downtime to Develop Original Content
16:33 – Working with Your Spouse: Setting Healthy Boundaries at Home
19:43 – Scoring Ambition vs. Well-Being on a Scale of 1 to 10
21:08 – Realising a Childhood Dream: Living Big Ambition
23:12 – Facing Burnout: Choosing Future Well-Being Over “Hustle”
25:32 – Teaching the Next Generation of Filmmakers at BCC
26:56 – “Once Upon a Frame”: Paying tribute to Tragically Killed 13-year-old Seanathan Chase, Youth Literacy, and Short Film Adaptation
28:57 – Sponsoring or Donating to “Once Upon a Frame” and Local Tax Incentives
30:35 – Outro
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Get in Touch
The official website (diannesquires.com) is currently offline as we undergo a structural brand rebuild.
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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Connect with Kerri Birch
IG: @thatbirchgirl
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kerribirch/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/kerri.birch.5/
13 Degrees North:
Email: info@13degreesnorthpro.com
Website: www.13degreesnorthpro.com
Facebook: www.facebook.com/13degreesnorthproductions
Instagram: @13degreesnorth
Donate to “Once Upon a Frame” Schools’ Project
Email: info@13degreesnorthpro.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. Through DNSC, her work centres on elevating voice, visibility and impact for Caribbean changemakers.
#islandwomanpodcast #caribbeanwomeninbusiness #caribbeanpodcast #filmandtv #careersinfilmandTV #caribbeanstories
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Not only are Caribbean islands picturesque locations for international films, they are ripe for development of a thriving International Film and TV industry based in the Caribbean. Kerri Birch, Co-founder of 13 Degrees North Productions, shares why she’s living her dream in an industry with yet few players in the Caribbean with Dianne N Squires…
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In Episode 10 of Afronomics, we sit down with King Kwame, an entrepreneur, philanthropist, and international speaker. Kwame shares his journey of starting multiple businesses, including car rentals, a vegan catering company, and a house-flipping enterprise, while also traveling the globe to speak and give back. We dive into the importance of bridging the gap…
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In this special Q&A episode of Afronomics, we’re answering your questions! From whether we’d attend a Diddy party to debating the HBCU vs. PWI college experience, we cover it all. We also dive into the pros and cons of social media, share stories about pledging fraternities, and roast each other for good measure. It’s fun,…
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