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Makwa Returns to The Sobering

Six years later, Makwa is back on The Sobering for a conversation that’s equal parts reflection and evolution.

We caught up on everything that’s happened since we last sat down, from the lessons he’s learned and the experiences that have shaped him, to his current state of mind and the perspective he’s gained along the way. We also spoke about family, growth, and how those responsibilities continue to influence the man behind the music.

Of course, we got into the new music, his creative process, and how he’s continued to push himself artistically while staying true to who he is.

A candid conversation with one of the most influential voices in South African music, six years in the making. Tap in.

Twelve years running a successful marketing agency from Barbados taught Christina Hunte a lot not only about marketing but about the mindset, money moves and systems needed to stay successful. It’s no wonder other entrepreneurs kept asking her for tips. Today, she has turned that demand into a full-fledged business coaching business – Dream Builders Institute. It’s not the first pivot she’s made over the years, and even as someone with more introverted than extroverted tendencies, she’s stayed visible throughout. Why? She tells Island Woman podcast host Dianne N Squires it’s because her mission to help is greater than her fear of being seen.
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I thoroughly enjoyed my conversation with Christina Hunte, Founder of the Dream Builders Institute, on this week’s episode. She founded the boutique marketing agency Kreativ Edge and made it a success, being featured as one of Barbados’ top 30 entrepreneurs under 30 along the way. Throughout her 12 years running Kreativ Edge, her business savvy, genuine social media presence and obvious attention to clients’ success attracted other entrepreneurs to her, asking for guidance. Business coaching became a “side thing” until it didn’t.

We talk about:
Her big ambition and simple grounding practices
Being visible and transparent while navigating career evolution
What prompted the transition from Kreativ Edge to Dream Builders Institute
How Dream Builders Institute Helps Entrepreneurs
Where she sits now on the Island Woman Ambition/Wellbeing scale

Timestamps

00:00 Introduction to Christina Hunte
03:18 Christina’s Entrepreneurial Journey
05:57 Transitioning to Business Coaching
08:14 The Role of Psychology in Business
11:18 Navigating Visibility as an Introvert
15:01 Building Trust with an Evolving Audience
17:23 The Dream Builders Institute
20:03 Program Structure and Evolution
21:44 Embracing Change and New Identities
23:44 Ambition vs. Well-being
26:52 Final Thoughts and Contact Information
28:41 Who is a fit for Dream Builders Institute
31:43 Podcast outro

Get in Touch
To 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, follow our WhatsApp channel.
📲 https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029Vb7lcdnEFeXrxlKuY31L
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Connect with Dianne
LinkedIn: @Dianne N Squires
linkedin.com/in/dianne-n-squires-a2389132

Email: diannensquires@diannensquires.com

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Connect with Christina Hunte
Instagram: @IamChristinaHunte – https://www.instagram.com/iamchristinahunte/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/christinahunte/
Website:https://christinahunte.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.

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#islandwomanpodcast #caribbeanwomeninbusiness #caribbeanpodcast #CaribbeanBusinessCoach #BigandSimpleLife

Caribbean Skincare | Science, Art, Culture, Simplicity | Simply Ashyara, Founder House of Ash

The skin is a dynamic ecosystem and what we see as breakouts or other issues are signals from elsewhere in the body and mind, says Simply Ashyara, a skincare formulator and Founder of House of Ash. She discusses her formulation process, blending science, art and culture and examples of the multi-purpose, multi-sensory, pro-planet products created by House of Ash with Dianne N Squires on the Island Woman podcast this week. No ten-step routines needed, just skincare made simple.

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Simply Ashyara speaks my language when it comes to skincare – keep it simple, no ten-step routines necessary. At age eight, her great aunt gifted her the Elizabeth Arden Red Door fragrance. She was captivated by the scent, the colour and the packaging which revealed the product behind a “red door”. Later, at 14, she visited Lush, a cosmetics retailer in England. The total experience of scents, packaging, and products built on the Red Door experience and triggered her interest in formulation. That idea of total experience set the tone for her approach to formulation, blending science, art and culture to produce multi-sensory, multi-purpose, pro-planet products.

We talk about:
The role of cultural stories in skincare formulation
The importance of understanding skin as a dynamic ecosystem
Sustainable and eco-conscious product development
The impact of stress and mental health on skin
The significance of multi-sensory experiences in skincare

Timestamps
00:00 Introduction to Simply Ashyara and House of Ash
05:03 The Role of a Skincare Formulator
09:32 The Story Behind House of Ash
14:36 Mind, Skin, and Gut Connection
17:15 The Philosophy of Less is More
21:02 Balancing Ambition and Wellbeing
25:17 Advice for Caribbean Women Entrepreneurs

Get in Touch
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 Simply Ashyara and House of Ash

Substack: As Analogs 2.0
IG: @ _HouseofAsh; https://www.instagram.com/_houseofash/
IG: @SimplyAshyara; https://www.instagram.com/simplyashyara/

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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 #skincare #Caribbean #caribbeanwomeninbusiness

Masculinity has become one of the most debated topics in modern society.

In this hosts-only episode, we dive into what it means to be a man today and explore the changing expectations placed on men in relationships, careers, families, and society.

Whether you agree or disagree, this is a conversation that affects everyone.

What does masculinity mean to you?

Do you think society is moving in the right direction when it comes to defining manhood?

👇 Let us know in the comments!

#Masculinity #Manhood #ModernMen #Relationships #Podcast #AfricanPodcast #SelfDevelopment #Leadership #mensissues

––Music Credits–––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––

RIDDIM | Afrobeat Library | Music For Content Creators
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fm9_E41jmVA
Creative Commons — Attribution – CC BY-NC-ND 4.0
Affiliated YouTube channel | https://www.youtube.com/c/KaseemBada

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Sober Soldiers wr back with another parlay. On this episode, we got into the NBA Finals, recapped some of the events we’ve attended lately, and unpacked the music that’s been soundtracking the year so far. With the year at its halfway mark, we shared some of our favourite releases and verses that stood out the most to us

We also touched on the excitement around upcoming global tournaments, the conversations around the lack of support for Bafana Bafana, and, of course, checked in on what’s happening in the world of sneakers.

Sports, music, culture, and a few unexpected tangents along the way. Tap in

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

In this episode, we sit down with Gordon Tembo — philanthropist, leadership coach, and advocate for transformation across Africa. 🇿🇲🌍

This conversation dives into what it really takes to create meaningful impact on the continent, beyond social media narratives and headlines.

What do you think Africa needs MOST right now — leadership, investment, or unity?

#Africa #AfricanEntrepreneurship #Leadership #Zambia #AfricanPodcast #BusinessInAfrica #africandevelopment

––Music Credits–––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––

RIDDIM | Afrobeat Library | Music For Content Creators
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fm9_E41jmVA
Creative Commons — Attribution – CC BY-NC-ND 4.0
Affiliated YouTube channel | https://www.youtube.com/c/KaseemBada

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Caribbean women pursuing their professional goals on the global stage carry both the distinction and the burden of representation, coming from cultures where excellence is the standard. While striving to be exceptional is vital, protecting your peace and mental health is paramount for sustainable success. Jackie Chambers de Freitas, a 20-year tech executive and current Salesforce VP of AI Delivery and Transformation, breaks down the cost and benefit of corporate leadership with Dianne Squires, founder of Dianne N Squires Consulting (DNSC), on this episode of the Island Woman podcast.

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Jackie Chambers de Freitas is deliberate about using her voice and visibility as a tech leader to encourage other women to aspire to higher levels of achievement in the space. And she does so while acknowledging that the cost of leadership can be high and attention to mental health must be intentional. I soaked up her wisdom and straightforward approach in our conversation on this week’s episode. She was transparent about being mindful of her own mental health, having seen it affect members of her family. We also explored how she’s applied her agile methodology philosophy to her personal life and how women over 45 can embrace inevitable shifts in their careers and the power of AI.

Timestamps
00:00 – Shaping corporate identity: Your internal Compass over External Expectations
00:08 – Introducing Jackie Chambers de Freitas
00:52 – Island Woman Podcast Intro
02:08 – 3 Survival Tips for Women Navigating the Global Corporate C-Suite
03:16 – Caribbean Heritage: Jackie’s Roots
04:54 – The Importance of Visibility as a “Unicorn” leader
07:59 – Prioritising Mental Health for Caribbean Women Striving for Excellence
08:49 – Setting Boundaries, Protecting Your Peace: Balancing the Importance and the Cost of Visibility
10:23 – Agile Philosophy and AI Transformation: Iterative Change at Speed
14:22 – Applying Agile Philosophy to Personal Life Goals
17:03 – Experiencing Joy as a Woman in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths)
20:08 – The “Boon and Burden” of being a Unicorn
22:19 – The Strength of a Caribbean Value System for Playing Big as a Unicorn
24:20 – Jackie rates herself on the Ambition/Wellbeing Scale
28:58 – Navigating Inevitable Career Shifts in the World of AI: Leaning into Personal Brand Development for Women Over 45
31:27 – Embracing AI Skills, Broadening Career Horizons for Women Over 45

Get in Touch
The official website (diannesquires.com) is currently offline by intentional design as we undergo a structural brand rebuild.
To bypass the public digital noise, 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, follow our curated WhatsApp channel.
📲 https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029Vb7lcdnEFeXrxlKuY31L
—————
Connect with Dianne
LinkedIn: @Dianne N Squires
linkedin.com/in/dianne-n-squires-a2389132

Email: diannensquires@diannensquires.com

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Connect with Jackie Chambers de Freitas
LinkedIn: @Jackie Chambers de Freitas
https://www.linkedin.com/in/jackie-defreitas/

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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 #caribbeanpodcast #caribbeanwomeninbusiness #protectyourpeace #womeninleadership

This week, we sat down with Tshego Santana for an honest conversation about the experiences that shaped him into the man and artist he is today.

We spoke about his upbringing, stepping into fatherhood, and how dancehall continues to influence his sound and creative identity. We also got into the balance of being a “young grootman”, navigating growth, responsibility, and the pressure of evolving while staying true to yourself.

Tap in Sober Soldiers

You may be the “expert” in the room, but if you practice poor communication habits, you may never be listened to or taken seriously. Island Woman and Founder of Dianne N Squires Consulting, Dianne Squires, shares 3 communication habits experts can practice daily to elevate their voice and build authority in this week’s episode of the Island Woman podcast.
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After 16 years in marketing communications at every level, eight of those years running my own consulting practice, I know it’s the simple things done consistently that shape the voice of authority. In today’s episode, I break down three simple habits that experts can adopt to ensure their professional opinion is heard and taken seriously.

I talk about the unfortunate situation you create when you focus only on problems, and what you should do instead (hint: Do you have a pathway to a solution?). I share why it’s important to put every activity you do into the context of a broader organisational strategy. Finally, I reveal the simple “meeting math” to practice – have your 1 to 3 meeting objectives ready to go before any meeting to purposefully participate.

Timestamps

01:22 – Don’t Just Be a Problem Identifier, suggest solutions
03:25 – Couch Your Tactical Activities in the Context of the Wider Strategy
06:09 – “Meeting Math”

Get in Touch
The official website (diannesquires.com) is currently offline by intentional design as we undergo a structural brand rebuild.
To bypass the public digital noise, 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, follow our curated WhatsApp channel.
📲 https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029Vb7lcdnEFeXrxlKuY31L

Connect with Dianne
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. Through DNSC, her work centres on elevating voice, visibility and impact for Caribbean changemakers.

#islandwomanpodcast #buildauthority #caribbeanpodcast #communicationskills #leadershipskills