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Nigel Nicholson is one of the most influential voices behind media in Trinidad & Tobago — founder of Star Broadcasting and the man responsible for training some of the biggest personalities on radio today.

In this episode, we go deep into the fundamentals of broadcasting that most people overlook — from why reading is the “miracle cure” for confidence, to the real skill of connecting with an audience, and why you can’t hide behind the music forever.

We also reflect on my own journey through his program — from struggling with nerves and public speaking to building The Corie Sheppard Podcast — and the lessons that still shape how I approach every interview today.

This conversation is about more than radio. It’s about discipline, preparation, authenticity, and what it really takes to build a voice that people want to listen to.

Topics include:

The real fundamentals of great broadcasting

Why reading improves confidence, vocabulary, and delivery

How to make guests comfortable in interviews

The importance of authenticity and performance

The evolution of radio vs podcasting

What young media talent gets wrong today

Behind-the-scenes of building media careers

Whether you’re into radio, podcasting, content creation, or public speaking — this episode is a masterclass.

👉 Click the link in my bio for the full episode

#coriesheppardpodcast #trinidadpodcast #media #broadcasting #podcasttips #caribbeanculture #communication

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Patrick “Mista Vybe” Gordon joins The Corie Sheppard Podcast for a deep dive into one of the most influential yet under-told journeys in Trinidad & Tobago’s music and cultural landscape.

From his early days in Kiskidee Karavan and the Party Time era, to being a member of Black Mayl and working closely with $hel $hok, Mista Vybe shares firsthand insight into a generation that reshaped youth culture and music in the Caribbean.

We explore:

• The origins and impact of Kiskidee Karavan
• The rise of youth-driven music in Trinidad & Tobago
• His role in Black Mayl and early soca evolution
• Writing “Billie Jean Soca” for Andy Stephenson (“the local Michael Jackson”)
• The creation of the iconic 98.9 Radi-Yo jingle
• The transition from group success to solo identity as Mista Vybe
• Behind-the-scenes stories from an era that changed Caribbean entertainment

This episode is a must-watch for anyone interested in soca history, Caribbean culture, and the stories behind the movement.

🎧 Click the link in my bio for the full episode

#coriesheppardpodcast #mistavybe #patrickgordon #kiskideekaravan #blackmayl #soca #caribbeanculture #trinidadandtobago #musicpodcast

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Johnny Q is one of Trinidad & Tobago’s most iconic entrepreneurs — but his journey didn’t start in business. It started with DJing, sound systems, and figuring things out in real time.

In this episode of The Corie Sheppard Podcast, we sit down with Johnny Q to unpack how he built multiple businesses across events, hardware, auto parts, and entertainment — often with zero experience.

He shares the story of opening a hardware business overnight during COVID, the thinking behind his viral marketing campaigns like the “Tarzan” ad, and the mindset required to take risks and execute at scale.

We also dive into:

• The evolution of Trinidad’s entertainment industry
• The real economics behind Carnival and events
• Why customer experience matters more than being right
• Missed opportunities in tourism and local business
• And what young entrepreneurs need to understand about starting

This is a masterclass in entrepreneurship, adaptability, and building a household name in the Caribbean.

00:00 Introduction
00:22 Meet Johnny Q
01:02 Opening a hardware business overnight
02:52 Learning business with zero experience
03:40 The viral “Tarzan” ad strategy
06:26 Early days as a DJ
08:59 Breaking into radio and changing the culture
12:20 How DJs transformed radio in Trinidad
14:20 The evolution of parties and live entertainment
20:19 Building stages and solving problems
25:43 From DJ to entrepreneur
27:10 Expanding into events, tents, and rentals
32:04 Starting in business with no formal training
33:45 The turning point: building a sound system business
38:47 The business of entertainment and networking
42:09 Scaling the rental and events business
45:58 Expanding into security and other ventures
48:05 Getting into the bar business
51:25 Entering hardware and auto parts
53:44 Building the Q Power brand
54:23 Customer service philosophy
57:08 Being hands-on in business
01:02:59 Why the events business isn’t as profitable as it seems
01:06:20 The reality of running events
01:09:23 Creating Monday Madness
01:12:42 The truth about Soca Monarch and performance
01:15:14 The rise of new artists
01:16:51 Giving back with the Evolution band
01:19:49 Developing young talent
01:22:25 Why Trinidad is missing opportunities in tourism
01:32:20 Supporting artists and the Carnival economy
01:34:56 The venue crisis and its impact
01:36:52 Why consultation matters in decision-making
01:41:17 Challenges faced during Carnival
01:45:27 The business reality behind Carnival bands
01:45:59 Fixing the road and parade experience
01:47:01 Final thoughts