Seon 180

In this inspiring episode of Seon180, host Leslie Ann Seon sits down with Grenada's Olympic legends Sir Kirani James and Lindon Victor, OBE to discuss their extraordinary journeys from small-island beginnings to global podiums. Kirani, Grenada's first Olympic medalist and the only 400m sprinter to podium at three consecutive Games, shares the emotional story behind his historic 2012 gold, while Lindon opens up about his grueling path to decathlon bronze at Paris 2024 and how his foundation empowers young Caribbean athletes. Beyond their medals, this conversation explores resilience, legacy, and the unique challenges of competing for a small nation—offering powerful insights from two trailblazers who continue to uplift their homeland and inspire the world. Chapters (00:03:14) - Part A: Kirani James(00:29:05) - Part B: Lindon Victor

An episode on Investment Migration Programs, unravelling untruths and misconceptions, with a laser focus on the Caribbean countries that offer them. The conversation captures what exactly is investment migration, its history and massive expansion and popularity globally. The threats to Caribbean programs and the volatility they face due to policy decisions by bigger countries is also explored, concluding on ways to respond as a region.

Leslie-Ann Seon chats with prolific aviation research and policy practitioner Ian Bertrand out of Trinidad and Tobago to discuss regional air travel: the challenges and opportunities. On this episode, the two candidly and critically examine regional air travel from a multisectoral lens: the role of governments, private sector, tourism bodies, and the Caribbean public. Our audience will enjoy this discussion as the pair dive deeply into the wide range of setbacks/issues that continue to curtail the ease and access of airlift in the region. One can expect to walk away with a better understanding and appreciation of why travel within the region is so expensive; and why this teething issue has not been solved or seen any reprieve in recent times. Solutions for a reliable truly connected travel framework is suggested in the hope of helping policymakers and stakeholders arrive at comprehensive and collaborative blueprint to shift the needle for regional air travel; once and for all.

Dr. Trotman and host Leslie-Ann discuss depression from a clinical standpoint, focusing on how it manifests in children, teens, and men. Dr. Trotman starts by defining depression and highlights the difference between bouts of depression and being clinically depressed. The audience can expect to learn about how depression manifests itself differently in the three target groups under discussion: children, teens, and men, and how family and loved ones can help. The discussion dives deeper into why men struggle with sharing how they feel and how it is tied to how boys and girls are socialized differently. The episode wraps up highlighting that depression is treatable and gives practical advice on how to spot and manage depression.

Leslie-Ann chats with Dr. Adrian Rhudd, a Urologist from Antigua, and they discuss men’s health, which both see as a timely topic. The episode aims to unravel issues and taboos around prostate health and why men need to get regular health checks. Dr. Rhudd discusses the prostate, what it is, what it does, the types of tests used in doctors’ offices to check the prostrate and the signs and early warnings for cancer of the prostate and other less fatal prostate issues, such as enlarged prostate. They discuss the drawbacks of men not wanting to do check-ups and dismiss false ideations about general prostate health and men’s machismo in relation to health checks in general.

In this episode, Leslie-Ann sits down with her childhood friend, Shadel Nyack-Compton, a Mother, career Lawyer and Award-winning Businesswoman, who is the owner and managing director of internationally renowned Belmont Estate. The Estate continues to break records and sustainably empower locals through marrying agriculture and tourism, tapping into the natural heritage and landscape of the estate. Belmont Estate recently was voted the number one tourist attraction by U.S. News and World Report. Seon and Shadel discuss her bold move in embarking on this project years ago, to practice agriculture in rural Grenada and make it attractive for visitors and for locals, and how she manages to recalibrate. They start off discussing the inspiration behind Shadel moving back to Grenada and turning this struggling family business into a powerhouse in the tourism industry in Grenada and the Caribbean. Shadel discusses the risks she took returning to Grenada to take over this business, to help out her grandmother with the business, and create a family legacy, and in the process give back to her family, the rural community and country that had given her so much.

Leslie-Ann chats with Dr. Kester Nedd, dissecting Alzheimer’s and Dementia, from a clinical, social, and economic standpoint within the Caribbean context. From the discussion, one will learn about Alzheimer’s and Dementia, understand the differences, causes, symptoms, and how it can be treated, through pharmacological and no pharmacological treatments in the early stages. Characteristics of presenting symptoms for the degenerative diseases are highlighted; while sound advice and key takeaways are given about care and support systems for custodians taking care of loved one’s suffering. The conversation takes a deep dive into how the brain works and how lifestyle, genetics, traumatic brain injury and the natural course of aging all shape the presentation of the disease in persons diagnosed. Ethical issues concerning the care of persons in and out of lucidity, denial, and out-of-character behavior, and how to manage as caretakers are also discussed. The Caribbean’s readiness to support and provide proper services for the aging population is discussed and areas to improve geriatric services holistically, were highlighted. In essence, anyone listening to this episode will leave well-informed, with sound advice to use or share with someone, as Alzheimer's and Dementia continues to plague many Caribbean households.

This is an episode about owning your balance in the workplace and embracing your personal power to thrive. The conversation covers remaining flexible and open to refining personal goals and being true to yourself, always. The burnout culture is discussed, and practical advice is given on how to embrace the ideal of the work-life balance, manage stress, and prioritize your mental health and wellness. More and more, there seems to be a generation gap in the workplace between generation X and millennials, and the conversation dissects how the two generations can work and learn from each other. Emotional intelligence is also discussed at length, and the listener will walk away knowing what emotional intelligence is, how to use it and why it is an important skill to master in order to thrive as a leader, employee, and individual. According to Krystal, owning your voice and embracing the fact that your voice has value, being respectful of other voices, and using empathy, are practical ways to navigate in life and the workplace. In essence, this episode uncovers the “soft skills” that one should strive to develop to show up as their best self every day.

First-generation, Trinidadian actress, living and working in Los Angeles, Tiffany Yvonne Cox, chats with Leslie-Ann about how she navigates as a person of colour with Caribbean roots in Trinidad and Grenada, in the entertainment industry in America.

Leslie-Ann and Dr. Earl Brewster discuss women’s health, with a special focus on menopause and overall reproductive health. They break down the term “menopause” and the issues surrounding this transitional phase all women go through when they get to a certain age, generally between 45 and 55. From understanding the different types of menopause and the unique role estrogen plays, treatment, and access to support services in the Caribbean; this episode captures the topic in a new light. Dr. Brewster takes time to dissect misconceptions and taboos about menopause and the benefits of treatments like hormonal replacement therapy. He also highlights symptoms of menopause that are not so widely known. Our audience will definitely learn about preparing the body for menopause, soothing measures through natural remedies, and just general “did you know” information.

In this episode, Leslie-Ann and the Governor of the Eastern Caribbean Central Bank, Timothy Antoine discussed the very relevant and urgent topic of finance and banking in the Caribbean, in light of global trends, standards, and digitization, as well as the looming world economic crisis. Governor Antoine gives real-life tips to individuals, families, and businesses on how they can weather the impending economic storm and own their own prosperity, economic stability, and growth in the process.

In this episode, Leslie-Ann sits down with Petra Roach, CEO of the Grenada Tourism Authority, to discuss Tourism in the Caribbean. They discuss Petra’s background and how she came to be regarded as a tourism expert. They then go into the discussion of Caribbean tourism in the wake of the pandemic, and what Petra and other practitioners have had to do differently in marketing the destinations, including bridging some of the sectors, and focusing on unique marketing, such as highlighting what is intrinsic to each destination. They also discuss the challenges of intra-regional travel and the plans to address those going forward.

Dr. Annette Rahael and host, Leslie-Ann Seon, discuss challenges faced by Caribbean Family-owned businesses and how businesses can take preventative steps to ensure success. They discuss the crucial issue of succession planning, which many business owners often fail to do in a timely manner. The Episode follows from a topic in season 1 regarding the importance of building generational wealth and creating a new mindset among Caribbean nationals to start focusing on wealth generation and passing it down to families, even when it means hiring independent help to ensure that this is realized. Follow us on Instagram, or Facebook! Want to get in touch? Have a story to share? Send us a email at contact@seon180.com. For transcripts, notes and links to previous episodes check out our website.

Dr. Barriteau and Leslie-Ann discuss Leadership, in particular the topic of Women in Leadership, in which Dr. Barriteau shares her own journey to leadership at the Caribbean’s premier academic tertiary institution, the University of the West Indies-Cavehill. They touch on the challenges, and obstacles that women face as they climb the ladder to success, and establish why it is important for more women to step up, and why it is important for women to support women and to have female role models. In doing so, the discussion hones in on the host’s and guest’s very own regional and global female idols.

This Episode, The Face of Aesthetic Medicine, with Dr. Paula Fakhre, seeks to educate the public on the practice of Aesthetic Medicine as a form of self-care. Dr. Fakhre aims to share her expertise to help normalize and break the taboos surrounding aesthetic care, and to educate on the benefits and different types of treatments offered in the field, which can go a long way in enhancing self-confidence, and aiding self-care. Treatments discussed include acne removal, hair removal and laser treatments, hyperpigmentation, treatment for keloids, vaginal tightening treatments, Botox, among others. The listening public gets a sneak peek of what is being done in several neighbouring islands, as Dr. Fakhre shares the similar experiences and highlights of colleagues offering aesthetic medicine across several Caribbean Islands.

The Premier of Nevis, Mark Brantley, and host, Leslie-Ann, discuss Caribbean Politics and the way forward as individual countries and in the context of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM). Mark shares his personal views and gives an overview of regional politics in the context of the geopolitical landscape and foreign policy. They addressed issues faced by the region and how they can be rectified through combined efforts, not only at a regional level but on a global scale, to initiate change. He envisions a Caribbean Community that supports each other, creating a conducive environment for national and regional growth, free trade, and free movement of people looking for opportunities regionally. Brantley also spoke of reestablishing ties with our motherland (Africa) so that both regions can benefit from our ancestral past and create a stronger future.

We’ll be kicking off SEON180 Season 2 with a little throwback to Season 1, where we flip the mic and Lisa Taylor interviews me! We’ll be talking about highlights and takeaways from Season 1. If you didn't catch last season's episodes, you can catch up on all of the episodes here -www.SEON180.com. Hope you enjoy!