Cultural Podcast – Trinidad and Tobago

Trinidad and Tobago is a small twin island republic off the coast of Venezuela with a population of just under 1.4 million people. It's people are as diverse and complex as the issues affecting them but there is no way for ordinary citizens to be heard. Trinidad and Tobago is usually portrayed as either a party loving paradise or a criminal war zone. While there is truth to both of these classifications are true (Trinidad and Tobago invented calypso music, soca music and the steel pan and there are parts of Trinidad with some of the highest crime rates in the world) the majority of issues and culture are mostly ignored.

I understand that the people are what makes this country so special and I will like to start a podcast to promote just that. On this podcast I will talk to ordinary people to hear how the biggest issues of today like rising unemployment, inflation, a drug trade equal to 20% of the national GDP and a mass Venezuelan exodus of refugees are affecting ordinary citizens. I want to talk to activists and academics to find out what can be done to help solve these problems in a time where politicians are viewed as increasingly corrupt and plagued by nepotism.

But it's not all bad. In the midst of these, mostly self inflicted issues, are the very people that make this country a paradise. Many Trinbagonians are full of warmth, compassion and a unique sense of humor that can only be found in this tiny corner of the world. While trying to get our citizens to face our problems locally, I want to promote our culture internationally so that everyone can see why there is no other place on earth I would rather be that right here in this twin island paradise.

Below is a list of the some of the types of guests that I will like to interview

• - Music artists (soca, calypso) (Our music industry is seasonal with new artists needing to release new songs every year to stay relevant)
• - Actors and comedians (Although few, these individuals are very special and unique)
• - Politicians (Politics is run by a two party system that is perpetuated to a large extent through racism)
• - Ex convicts (we have one of the harshest prison systems in the world)
• - Police officers (Issues like out illegal drug and firearm trade are mostly ignored as well as issues like prostitution, illegal immigration etc.)
• - Illegal Immigrants (Our influx of Venezuelans are risen by around 500%. By ignoring the issue there seems to be tensions rising between Venezuelans and locals
• - Statisticians and Economists (to find out what affects our economy the most and when this recession, which is now over a decade long may end)
• - Psychologists (to discuss our alcoholism and youth suicide rates)

I would love you to join me on facebook, instagram or twitter if you will like to know more of what it means to be a trini. I will be checking those social media platforms daily and I will try my best to respond to everyone as best that I can.