YouTube

Yeah, we know it’s been a minute. But look at the bright side, we here now Sober Soldiers, back with what can be called the parlay of all parlays. We kicked it off with shoes and got a bit carried away there. But that had nothing on the way we delved into events just before going into all the music that has dropped. Sober Soldiers, lock in. It’s a parlay.

In this episode of Behind the Mic, host Wize Grazette sits down with Talib Jasir, founder of the Afros & Audio Podcast Festival, to explore how one man’s vision reshaped the landscape for Black podcasters across the nation.
Talib shares how his passion for storytelling and audio fiction led to the creation of a thriving national community for independent creators, the challenges of sustaining Afros & Audio without major funding, and why this year’s event in Baltimore will be its final celebration. Together, they dive into his personal journey, creative growth, and what’s next for the movement he built.

🎧 B-Sides Track of the Week: “Lucky” by Tish Hyman — a soulful reminder to stay grounded in gratitude and perseverance through creative highs and lows.

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

💽 Listen to our B-Sides Track of the Week playlist on Youtube:

“We are the most powerful people in this industry. The podcast industry doesn’t exist without podcasters.” — Talib Jasir

Chapters
01:27 — Talib’s Journey and Afros & Audio
03:19 — B-Side Track of the Week
04:50 — Talib Jasir before Afros & Audio
12:10 — Trials & Tribulations
14:58 — Final Afros & Audio Podcast Festival

Subscribe to Behind the Mic wherever you listen and leave a five-star rating — on both Spotify and Apple Podcasts if you’re a real one.

Follow Talib Jasir on Instagram and Twitter @TalibJasir and visit AfrosAndAudio.com
.
Follow Wize Grazette on Instagram and X @TheRealWize.

🎙️ Behind the Mic: Hosted by Wize Grazette is Powered by Offscript Podcast Network.
🎧 Edited and produced by The Indie Creative Network and Storytime Studios.

#podcast #podcasts #podcasting

In this episode of Afronomics, we sit down with Phillip Karaya — entrepreneur, real estate investor, and Founder of Karaya Consulting & Finance with Phil. Phillip also serves as the Chapter President of the U.S.–Africa Chamber of Commerce, where he helps connect U.S., African, and Caribbean businesses.

From growing up with strong Kenyan family values to leading investment projects in Atlanta, Phillip shares how community, culture, and purpose shaped his entrepreneurial path.

💬 Topics include:

The meaning behind common “Black-isms” and cultural language

How family and faith build the foundation for leadership

Why community and service matter more than money

Creating bridges between Africa and the diaspora through business

🎧 Tune in for insight, humor, and a celebration of Black excellence and global unity.

#Afronomics #PhillipKaraya #DiasporaBusiness #AfricanEntrepreneurs #RealEstateInvesting #communitywealth

––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

–––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––

Season two of Behind the Mic opens with a powerhouse conversation between host Wize Grazette and Lady Dentaa Amoateng, the Founder and President of GUBA Enterprise. Known for her mission to Grow, Unite, Build Africa, Lady Dentaa has spent over 16 years creating opportunities that connect Africans across the diaspora.

This episode dives into the upcoming GUBA Awards Barbados, supported by the Prime Minister’s Office, Invest Barbados, BTMI, and the National Cultural Foundation. Lady Dentaa shares how this year’s theme, Reclaiming Our Atlantic Destiny, aligns with the shared history and future of Africa and the Caribbean, unveiling details about the Trade and Investment Conference, cultural collaborations, and the first-ever chartered flight from Ghana to Barbados.

Lady Dentaa also opens up about her journey from pediatric nurse and TV actress to receiving a diplomatic passport, all while raising four children who embody Ghanaian heritage through their names and values.

B-Sides Track of the Week: Adonai by Sarkodie — a gospel-infused anthem blending rap, soul, and spiritual power.
💽 Listen to our B-Sides Track of the Week playlist on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/2EysXGOWrzoQ3Zmp34VWLx

Featured Quote: “We need to reclaim our land destiny, reclaim our people, and start doing things together.” – Lady Dentaa

Chapters:
00:00 Welcome to Season Two!
00:52 Upcoming Cultural Events
01:18 Introducing Lady Dentaa Amoateng
01:46 Lady Dentaa’s Journey
03:02 B-Sides Track of the Week
04:08 The GUBA Awards and Its Impact
10:09 Reclaiming Our Atlantic Destiny

Subscribe to Behind the Mic on YouTube, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, iHeartRadio, and Pandora.

Follow @TheRealWize for updates, and connect with @Dentaa_Show and @GUBAAwards to learn more about the GUBA movement.

🌺Calling Caribbean women founders, experts and change makers to be our guests in Season 3 🌺
👉🏽 Are you one of them, or do you know someone who is?
Email diannensquires@diannensquires.com with a short bio and links to your/their work.
——————————
We’ve reached the end of Season 2 of the Island Woman Podcast, and what a season it’s been. From the cultural power of breadfruit and the structure behind successful side hustles, to the surprising ways Caribbean women are shaping wellness and wealth, this season has been a celebration of our stories, our brilliance, and our potential.

In this final episode, I share 5 of my favourite moments from across the season and put out a call to Caribbean women founders, leaders, and experts to join the conversation in Season 3.

In this episode:
0:00 – Welcome & Season 3 call for guests
0:44 – Why Caribbean women’s economic power matters now more than ever
2:05 – Breadfruit & food heritage with nutritionist Carla Ramsay
3:19 – An antidote to doomscrolling: holding on to hope
4:34 – Shauna Marshall on scaling your solopreneur business
5:27 – Mialisa Garnes on the unseen threats to women’s wellness
7:27 – Why health is wealth is more than a saying — it’s a strategy

Season 3: Your Voice Is Needed
We’re dedicating the next season to the women shaping the future of the Caribbean: founders, innovators, culture shifters, and experts building solutions from the ground up.
👉🏽 Are you one of them, or do you know someone who is? Email diannensquires@diannensquires.com with a short bio and links to their work.

🔥 Why this conversation matters
Between 2000 and 2010, growth in women’s income in Latin America and the Caribbean reduced poverty by 30%. Imagine what’s possible if more of us build successful businesses, create opportunities, and lead with vision — while staying grounded in health, joy, and wellbeing.

💬 If this episode inspired you, like, comment, share, and subscribe. It helps more island women discover stories that reflect our realities and possibilities.
#IslandWomanPodcast #CaribbeanWomen #WomenLeadership #CaribbeanFounders #CaribbeanWomenInBusiness #CaribbeanStories #WomenEntrepreneurs #IslandWomen #WomenShapingTheCaribbean #HolisticWealth #CaribbeanPodcast #WomenBuildingImpact

Sober Soldiers, on this episode, we sat down with Flvme to dive into his brand-new album Black and White, revisit his past projects, and unpack his journey in the game so far. He opened up about growth, creative freedom, collaborations, and what fans can expect next.
It’s a proper deep-dive with one of the most consistent voices in SA hip hop. Trust us, this one’s a dope one, tap in!

Season 2 of Behind the Mic: Hosted by Wize Grazette is here! This new season expands the vision bringing you interviews not just with REVOLT hosts but also with cultural curators, allies, and creators shaping the future of the creator economy. Expect full interviews, narrated episodes, limited series, and audio-only drops that keep the essence of podcasting alive.
Tap in, follow @TheRealWize, and subscribe so you don’t miss what’s next.

Credits:
Hosted by Wize Grazette.
Produced and edited by The Indie Creative Network and Storytime Studios.

#podcast #podcasts #podcastclips

Are you a Caribbean woman expert, founder, or creative ready to be more visible without the overwhelm? This episode is your roadmap to strategic visibility that builds credibility, authority, and high-value opportunities.
We explore what really counts when it comes to visibility: focusing on 2–3 core pillars that define what you want to be known for. Learn how thought leadership can amplify your authority, differentiate your business, and attract the right opportunities over time.

🕛Timestamps:
00:00: Intro – The Entrepreneurial Path to Visibility
03:03: Building Authority Through Thought Leadership
05:40: Crafting a Distinctive Visibility Strategy

Why Visibility Matters:
Visibility is more than showing up; it’s a deliberate strategy to grow influence, establish trust, and expand your impact. If you’ve been wondering whether increased visibility is worth it, this episode offers clarity and actionable insights.

👉🏾Go From Invisible To In-Demand With The Rooted And Ready Programme
If you’re ready to start your visibility journey with guidance tailored to your expertise and goals, the Rooted & Ready 1:1 coaching programme is here to help.
👉🏾Email diannensquires@diannensquires.com with the subject line: Tell Me About Rooted and Ready to learn more.

#IslandWomanPodcast #WomenEntrepreneurs #ThoughtLeadership #VisibilityStrategy #FemaleFounders #RootedAndReady #CaribbeanWomenInBusiness #EntrepreneurshipTips

In this episode of Afronomics, we sit down with Henry Moses Mamulu — Founder of The Yield Group, investor in tech start-ups, commodities trader, and independent financial consultant since 2018. Henry shares his journey from finance to entrepreneurship, and the lessons he’s learned about partnerships, strategy, and bringing like-minded investors together.

✅Henry’s top 3 movies & what they reveal about him
✅How he got into investing in tech & commodities
✅What strong investment partnerships look like
✅How to connect investors with shared values and goals

If you’re interested in finance, tech, or the future of African investment, this is an episode you don’t want to miss.

––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

–––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––

Is it possible to be penalised for being successful? And does this happen more often to women? In this episode of the Island Woman Podcast, I explore what I call the “success penalty” — the quiet but heavy cost women sometimes pay for shining too brightly.

From the fear of being “too visible” to research-backed evidence of backlash against successful women, we dive into why achievements that should open doors can sometimes close them instead. And we ask: Who really loses when women shrink themselves to fit into the status quo?

Whether you’re a Caribbean woman entrepreneur, an expert building authority, or a creative navigating the tension between visibility and backlash, this conversation is for you.
———————–
Inside this episode:
– Real conversations with women leaders who fear being too successful
– The concept of intentional invisibility and how it limits careers and businesses
– Why women face harsher judgments than men when they excel
– How this shows up in small Caribbean communities

A powerful reframe: how to navigate the success penalty without shrinking yourself
—————–
🌺 Rooted & Ready Coaching
The Rooted & Ready programme was created to help women founders, consultants, and experts show up with clarity and courage, without being drained by social media. If you’re ready to be visible, build your authority, and attract higher-level opportunities,
Email me at diannensquires@diannensquires.com with the subject line: Tell Me About Rooted and Ready.
—————-
📌 Related episode: [Why Caribbean Women are Rethinking Success – Ep. 8, Season 1]
https://youtu.be/fUAbkrQEN1U?si=UrxmQSxznWxTN2Qk

Studies referenced:
Sweetha Ballakrishnen, Priya Fielding-Singh and Bella Maggliozi and titled, Intentional Invisibility: Professional Women and the Navigation of Workplace Constraints – https://www.researchgate.net/publication/325110839_Intentional_Invisibility_Professional_Women_And_The_Navigation_Of_Workplace_Constraints

Madeline E. Heilman et al., Penalties for Success: reactions to women who succeed at male gender-typed tasks – https://www.researchgate.net/publication/8545836_Penalties_for_Success_Reactions_to_Women_Who_Succeed_at_Male_Gender-Typed_Tasks
—————————
💬 Let’s continue the conversation:
Have you ever felt the “success penalty” in your career, business, or community? Drop a comment. I’d love to hear your story.
—————————–
🔗 Connect with me
Website: https://www.diannensquires.com
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/dianne-n-squires-a2389132
——————————-
#IslandWomanPodcast #CaribbeanWomenEntrepreneurs #HolisticWealth #CaribbeanVoices #VisibilityMatters