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On this episode of Behind the Mic, I’m joined by Mokgethwa, aka Big Warra and a whole bunch of other akas, co-host of The Sobering Podcast, one of South Africa’s most respected Hip-Hop podcasts. We dig into the pod’s 10-year journey, what it took to build from scratch, and how Big Warra’s curiosity growing up in Limpopo shaped his love for music, media, and storytelling.

B-Sides Track of the Week:Big Warra picks I Bore by Onipa, a continental groove that’s become his go-to track on socials and in life.

Rapid-Fire Game:In a word association round, Warra drops 90s gems, cipher shoutouts, and unexpected picks in honor of Black Music Month.

Featured Quote:”AKA was a star before he was a star. He always carried himself like one.”

Chapters:
00:27 – Guest Introduction: Big Warra
01:01 – The Sobering Podcast Journey
02:37 – Music Talk: B-Sides Track of the Week
03:47 – Behind the Mic: Big Warra’s Background
06:28 – The Birth of The Sobering Podcast
10:25 – Remembering AKA

Follow Big Warra on Instagram and X: @Big_WarraFollow The Sobering Podcast: @TheSoberingPod

Credits:Hosted by Wize Grazette. Produced by The Indie Creative Network and Storytime Studios. Powered by REVOLT Podcast Network.

Do you want more opportunities to do what you’re great at, but feel awkward talking about your work? You’re not alone. In this episode of the Island Woman Podcast, I share how women, especially Caribbean women can show up and speak clearly about their work without feeling like a showoff.

You’ll explore:
✅ Why clarity is the first step to meaningful visibility
✅ How to speak about your value without self-promotion that feels icky
✅ Cultural nuances that make visibility more complex (and more powerful)
✅ Three core tips to get grounded in how to speak clearly about your work
Whether you’re pivoting your career, building a consulting business, or just ready to be seen this is your invitation to do it in a way that’s clear, honest, and aligned with your values.

🔗 Mentioned in the Episode:
📦 Clarity & Visibility Package — a 1:1 strategy experience by Island Woman Media & Messaging
Book a discovery call: https://calendly.com/diannensquires/discovery-call

🌴 Connect with Dianne: linkedin.com/in/dianne-n-squires-a2389132

💛 Sponsored by: Made Alive Design & Co.
Motion graphics and podcast video editing for creators who want to show up beautifully.
📧 Contact: akeem@madealive.me; Instagram: @madealive.design

Watch other episodes of the Island Woman podcast:
➡️50 Not Too Late To Change – https://youtu.be/LyPZZhZCRBc
➡️Buy Less, Use it More: Responsible Consumption – https://youtu.be/ktpo-61Ii3Q
➡️Staying Well As An Island Woman – https://youtu.be/3Voy04HFwfE
➡️Island Woman Freedom – https://youtu.be/dFvMPooEiZ0
➡️Stay-at-home Work my Island Woman Way – https://youtu.be/gle1PvTS6A8?si=WmXKUSWLQNYzhlAH
➡️Nature Nostalgia – https://youtu.be/OD9pGZkQS0w
➡️Why Saying No Can Lead to a Better Life – https://youtu.be/jcna4-435jQ?si=C6lrchbU9kpcFj70
➡️Why Caribbean Women Are Rethinking Success – https://youtu.be/fUAbkrQEN1U
➡️Career Fog to Focus: Career Fog to Focus: 4 Clarity Anchors for Women Redefining Success | Island Woman Podcast EP. 9 https://youtu.be/e1g94zJEXCw

#IslandWomanPodcast #VisibilityWithoutHustle #CaribbeanWomenInBusiness #ClarityAndConfidence #DianneSquires

Feeling lost after leaving a job title behind? You’re not alone.
In this first episode of the Island Woman Clarity Series, we explore how to move from career fog to focus with 4 powerful clarity anchors every woman (or man) needs when redefining success on her (his) own terms.
Whether you’re shifting from a 9-5 to consulting, entrepreneurship, or simply seeking a new path, this episode will help you root yourself in your values, define success your way, and build the confidence to show up and be seen.

🔗 Mentioned in the episode:
Rooted & Ready Clarity & Visibility Package →
Book a discovery call: https://calendly.com/diannensquires/discovery-call

🎥 Sponsored by Made Alive Design & Co. →
For motion graphics, video editing, packaging design
Instagram: @madealive.design; Email: akeem@madealive.me

⏱ Chapters
0:00 – Intro & Scenario
1:40 – The Clarity Series: What It’s About
3:02 – Why Clarity Is Foundational
3:53 – Anchor 1: Know Who You Are
4:38 – Anchor 2: Know Your Values
5:48 – Anchor 3: Know Your Definition of Success
6:38 – Anchor 4: Know What You Want to Be Known For
7:18 – Visibility That Feels Good
7:57 – Rooted & Ready Offer
9:24 – Outro & Community Invitation
👇 Let’s build clarity together:
📝 What’s one thing you’re brilliant at but haven’t fully owned yet? Drop it in the comments. We’re here to cheer you on.
🔔 Subscribe to the channel for more episodes in this series and more grounded conversations on clarity, confidence, and redefining success.

Watch other episodes of the Island Woman podcast:

➡️50 Not Too Late To Change – https://youtu.be/LyPZZhZCRBc
➡️Buy Less, Use it More: Responsible Consumption – https://youtu.be/ktpo-61Ii3Q
➡️Staying Well As An Island Woman – https://youtu.be/3Voy04HFwfE
➡️Island Woman Freedom – https://youtu.be/dFvMPooEiZ0
➡️Stay-at-home Work my Island Woman Way – https://youtu.be/gle1PvTS6A8?si=WmXKUSWLQNYzhlAH
➡️Nature Nostalgia – https://youtu.be/OD9pGZkQS0w
➡️Why Saying No Can Lead to a Better Life – https://youtu.be/jcna4-435jQ?si=C6lrchbU9kpcFj70
➡️Why Caribbean Women Are Rethinking Success – https://youtu.be/fUAbkrQEN1U

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🎙 About the Island Woman Podcast
Hosted by Dianne Squires AKA D-Anne, this podcast is for people walking bold, simple, values-led paths to success. Rooted in the Caribbean but speaking to soul-led women everywhere.
🌴 Listen, learn, and walk your own way. Welcome to the Island Woman Podcast.

#CareerChange #ClarityAndConfidence #IslandWomanPodcast #WomenRedefiningSuccess #RootedAndReady

We’re switching things up this week with a special update from Behind the Mic: Powered by REVOLT Podcast Network.

As Season One winds down, I’m sharing what’s next: Behind the Mic is taking a break starting at the end of June, but we’re not disappearing. Starting in July, tune in for our new summer series: Behind the Mic Bytes. Each week, we’ll revisit standout moments from past episodes, with a monthly focus on themes like Disability Pride, Back to School, Wellness, and Fashion & Culture.

🔊 To give you a taste of what’s coming, I pulled a few of my favorite clips:
— NeAndre Broussard on showing up with light and purpose
— Lynae Vanee on finding clarity at Spelman and redefining Black history
— Freddie on how HBCUs shaped her confidence and career
— And a throwback from our “Attitude Era” with Krista B talking wrestling and growing up in Bed-Stuy

Let’s close this season strong, June is both Black Music Month and Pride Month, so trust me, we’re going big with these final guests. Then catch me all summer with a few bonus drop-ins and updates. Hit subscribe, leave a review, and share your favorite Behind the Mic moments with us.

Chapters

00:28 Special Episode Announcement
00:50 Upcoming Content Overview
01:28 Personal Reflections and Inspirations
02:15 HBCU Experiences and Impact
04:44 Career and Personal Growth
05:45 Wrestling Memories
06:35 Season Recap and Future Plans

🎧 Host: Wize Grazette
🎙 Powered by: REVOLT Podcast Network
🎛 Produced by: The Indie Creative Network and Storytime Studios

Subscribe on YouTube, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, wherever you get your fix.
Follow me @TheRealWize on X and Instagram.

Sober soldiers, we’re going on a parade today, a championship parade. We got the iconic Larry O’Brien Trophy and special guest Norman Nhlapo in the studio. We delve into the essence of championship glory, from the NBA Playoffs to the upcoming BAL Finals. But before that, we touch on some music, events, and sneakers. It’s a pseudo-parlay, but on a championship level. Enjoy!

Check out @nbafinalstrophy @nbaafricaofficial for more info.
#NBAPlayoffs #NBAAfrica

In this special 2.0 edition, we dive deep with digital griot and cultural truth-teller Lynae Vanee. From viral “Parking Lot Pimpin’ monologues to her upcoming show on Revolt TV, Lynae continues to challenge minds and shift narratives. We discuss her creative journey, academic roots, and what it means to keep it “Black, but brief.” And because this is a CFGB 2.0… it’s games, gems, and good vibes all around.

Hey y’all, welcome back to the CareFreeBlackGirl podcast—where Black girls are carefree on purpose! It’s your host Dr. Phoenix  and we’re coming at you with a 2.0 episode that’s giving intention and hot girl intellect! Today we’re celebrating a voice that’s redefining cultural commentary with poetry, power, and purpose. Welcome, Lynae Vanee!”

Topics + Questions:
“Let’s talk about the lot…”What inspired you to start Parking Lot Pimpin’? Did you ever expect it to go viral the way it did?
Academic Meets ActivistYou have degrees from Spelman and BU. How do your academic roots influence your storytelling and activism?
Revolt TV’s ‘The People’s Brief’Congratulations on your new show! What can we expect from The People’s Brief on Revolt?How does this new format allow you to dig deeper into culture, politics, and pop culture?
Production ModeWhat’s it been like creating your own production company, From the Lot?Do you feel like the industry is finally ready for conscious content creators like you?
Self-Care + BalanceYou pour so much into your audience—what are the ways you pour into yourself?

On this episode of Behind the Mic, I sit down with poet, educator, and storyteller Lynae Vanee—whose voice hits like a sermon and a cipher at once. You’ve seen her on Parking Lot Pimpin’, but now she’s stepping into a new lane with her REVOLT show The People’s Brief, premiering May 20th.

B-Sides Track of the Week:
Lynae shares a slept-on gem from Cameo’s Word Up album “You Can Have the World.” It’s her daily reminder that dreaming big is never too much.

From there, we talk about the woman who changed everything for her, Coach Ray and how Spelman sharpened not just her skills, but her sense of self. She opens up about what HBCUs really teach you and why her EARTHGANG feature was both unexpected and unforgettable.

“We shouldn’t be teaching Black kids how to plug into the real world—we should be teaching them how to disrupt it.” – Lynae Vanee

Chapters
00:44 – Introducing Today’s Guest: Lynae Vanee
00:59 – Lynae Vanee’s New Show on REVOLT
02:18 – Lynae’s Inspirational Playlist Pick
03:43 – Coach Ray: A Key Influence in Lynae’s Journey
05:38 – Choosing Spelman and the HBCU Experience
09:37 – EARTHGANG Collaboration: A Poetic Journey
11:38 – Rapid Fire Round of Rank It

If you’re feeling the episode, subscribe, rate us five stars, and watch The People’s Brief on REVOLT.

📱 Follow Lynae Vanee: @LynaeVanee
🎧 Tap into the B-Sides Track of the Week playlist on Spotify.

🎙️ Behind the Mic is hosted by Wize Grazette.
🎛️ Produced and edited by The Indie Creative Network and Storytime Studios

What does success look like for us Caribbean Island Women now?
For those of us who’ve walked the corporate path but stepped away, how can we still fuel our big ambitions?
In this week’s episode, I reflect on:
– Growing up in a house of strong women
– Why financial independence was non-negotiable
– The hidden cost of “success” as we once knew it
– Why more of us are saying no to sacrificing health, reputation, family, or respect
– What a new version of success looks like — built on our terms

Are we still ambitious? Always. But the rules are changing.

This is about walking the path to a BIG, simple life where financial freedom and contentment coexist.

👉🏽 Share this with a woman who is rethinking success.
💬 Let me know in the comments: What does your version of financial independence look like these days?
🔔 Like, share and subscribe if this resonated and you’re up for a path to a Big and simple life
#IslandWomanPodcast #CaribbeanWomen #FinancialFreedom #WomenEmpowerment #LeakyPipeline #RedefiningSuccess #GlassCeiling #WomenInLeadership
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Watch other episodes of the Island Woman podcast:

➡️50 Not Too Late To Change – https://youtu.be/LyPZZhZCRBc
➡️Buy Less, Use it More: Responsible Consumption – https://youtu.be/ktpo-61Ii3Q
➡️Staying Well As An Island Woman – https://youtu.be/3Voy04HFwfE
➡️Island Woman Freedom – https://youtu.be/dFvMPooEiZ0
➡️Stay-at-home Work my Island Woman Way – https://youtu.be/gle1PvTS6A8?si=WmXKUSWLQNYzhlAH
➡️Nature Nostalgia – https://youtu.be/OD9pGZkQS0w
➡️Why Saying No Can Lead to a Better Life – https://youtu.be/jcna4-435jQ?si=C6lrchbU9kpcFj70

In this episode of Behind the Mic, Wize sits down with Krista B, co-host of Those Wrestling Girls to talk about growing up in Brooklyn, discovering wrestling through her brother, and how the women’s revolution pulled her back into the ring.

From Catholic school DX chants to full-on WWE journalism, Krista shares how wrestling shaped her world and her voice.

Featured Quote:
“Attitude Era was the era to grow up in.”

B-Sides Track of the Week:
Krista loves Reggae and Soca so she added two to the playlist for the culture! “Issa Snack (Remix)” by Nessa Preppy ft. Machel Montano and HoodCelebrityy, and “Wet Me” by Krosfyah. Both are now on our B-Sides playlist on Spotify.

Listen to the B-Sides Track of the week playlist on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/2EysXGOWrzoQ3Zmp34VWLx

Stick around for a rapid-fire round of WWE Word Association—because her take on Monday Night Raw might just surprise you.

Chapters:
00:56 – Welcoming Krista B
01:51 – Krista B’s Background and Career
02:41 – Music and Energizing Playlists
05:07 – Krista B’s Wrestling Journey
08:41 – The Women’s Evolution in Wrestling
13:01 – Rapid Fire Round: WWE Word Association

Subscribe to Behind the Mic wherever you listen to podcasts. Watch the full episode on YouTube and help us hit 14,000 subscribers.

Watch all of Season 1 of Behind the Mic: Powered by REVOLT Podcast Network on Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLOCTSuUwMT0fyOeExh2Sm6xhTdIhHZzSj

Follow Krista B:
Instagram & Twitter: @ms_kristab
Podcast: Those Wrestling Girls on YouTube
TikTok, IG, FB, and Twitter: @ThoseWrestlingGirls

Hosted by Wize Grazette
Produced by The Indie Creative Network & Storytime Studios

Have you ever said yes to something… and immediately regretted it?
In this episode, I share a personal story about missing a dream opportunity because I was already stretched too thin — and what that taught me about saying NO.
Saying no isn’t selfish. It’s strategic. It’s how we protect our time, energy, and space for the YESes that really matter — the ones that align with our values and our vision of a BIG, simple life.
Whether you’re a consultant, a caregiver, or a woman wearing many hats, this episode is a gentle reminder that less can be more in your work life and personal life for your well-being.
🎧 Topics covered:
– How I lost a perfect-fit opportunity by saying yes to too much
– Why island women (and women everywhere) need better boundaries
– The link between overcommitment and women’s health in the Caribbean

Questions to ask yourself when it’s time to say NO

👉🏽 Share this with a woman who gives too much.
💬 Let me know in the comments: What’s one thing you’re saying NO to this season?
🔔 Subscribe for more reflections on intentional living and wellbeing from the Caribbean.
#SayNo #Boundaries #WomenWellbeing #IslandWomanPodcast #BigSimpleLife #CaribbeanWomen #intentionalliving
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Watch other episodes of the Island Woman podcast:

➡️50 Not Too Late To Change – https://youtu.be/LyPZZhZCRBc
➡️Buy Less, Use it More: Responsible Consumption – https://youtu.be/ktpo-61Ii3Q
➡️Staying Well As An Island Woman – https://youtu.be/3Voy04HFwfE
➡️Island Woman Freedom – https://youtu.be/dFvMPooEiZ0
➡️Stay-at-home Work my Island Woman Way – https://youtu.be/gle1PvTS6A8?si=WmXKUSWLQNYzhlAH
➡️Nature Nostalgia – https://youtu.be/OD9pGZkQS0w