Parenting doesn’t come with a manual — but that doesn’t mean parents have to figure everything out on their own.

In Season 4, Episode 5 of Jus’ Ah Conversation, we take a closer look at the Parent Empowerment Programme and the practical support being offered to help parents navigate the realities of raising children today.

Joining the conversation are Dr. Terrie Blackman, Parent Empowerment Programme Project Coordinator; Fabian Sargeant, Parent Empowerment Programme Content Specialist; and Faith Bascombe, Social Worker, Rehabilitation Therapist and Parent Empowerment Programme Facilitator.

The discussion explores communication, discipline, parental stress, resilience, family relationships and the importance of building stronger connections between home and school.

It also looks at how programmes such as Lime and Learn are creating spaces where parents can share experiences, ask questions and gain practical tools they can apply at home.

Because empowering children also means empowering the people raising them.

📺 Watch on YouTube (@thebgis)
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What does it really mean to raise a child with special needs — and how much of that experience does the wider public actually understand?

In Season 4, Episode 4 of Jus’ Ah Conversation, hosts Fabian Belgrave and Dionne Best are joined by Orlanda Atherly, Parent and Down Syndrome Advocate; Ann-Marie Johnson, Parent and Disability Advocate; and Tracey Knight-Lloyd, Autism Advocate and Parent for an honest conversation about the realities families face every day.

From navigating education and healthcare to managing public perceptions, finding appropriate support and dealing with the emotional and financial demands of parenting, this episode goes beyond assumptions and gives parents space to speak from lived experience.

Orlanda shares his journey raising his daughter Haylee, who was born with Down syndrome and congenital heart disease. Ann-Marie speaks about caring for a son living with intractable epilepsy and advocating for stronger support systems, while Tracey reflects on autism, acceptance, inclusion and creating environments where children can thrive.

But this conversation is not about pity.

It is about understanding, inclusion, acceptance and recognising the experiences of families whose challenges are often unseen.

📺 Watch on YouTube (@thebgis)
🎧 Listen on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music and wherever you get your podcasts.

The climate is changing, technology is moving quickly, and the way we produce food has to keep evolving with it.

In Season 4, Episode 3 of Jus’ Ah Conversation, hosts Mikul Elcock and Aisha Reid explore what it really means to farm smarter in Barbados — and whether climate-smart agriculture can help build a stronger, more resilient food system.

Joining the conversation are Dr. Shantal Munro-Knight, Minister of Agriculture, Food and Nutritional Security; Dr. Chelston W. D. Brathwaite, Agricultural Development Expert and Former IICA Director General; Dr. David Bynoe, Agronomist, Economist and Sustainable Development Specialist; and John Hunte, Permaculture and Community Agriculture Advocate.

Together, they explore everything from soil health, water management and sustainable farming practices to greenhouses, hydroponics, drones, sensors, artificial intelligence and precision agriculture.

But farming smarter is about more than technology. The conversation also gets into financing, policy, infrastructure, getting more young people involved in agriculture, and ensuring that innovation actually reaches the farmers who need it.

As Barbados looks toward greater food security, the question is not simply whether we can grow more — but whether we can grow differently, adapt faster and build an agricultural sector ready for the future.

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Drones, robotics, coding kits and remote-controlled technology are often treated as toys — but what happens when we start looking at them as tools?

In Season 4, Episode 2 of Jus’ Ah Conversation, we explore how these technologies are already being used in agriculture, mapping, environmental monitoring, education, disaster response and other emerging industries — and what that could mean for Barbados.

Joining the conversation are Professor David Oscar Yawson, Director of CERMES at UWI Cave Hill, and Jelani Payne, Robotics & STEM Education Advocate with Robot Adventures.

The discussion looks at the opportunities these technologies can create, particularly for young innovators, educators, researchers and entrepreneurs, while also tackling the real concerns around safety, regulation, licensing and responsible use.

How do we manage the risks without shutting down innovation? And are we doing enough to prepare Barbadians to use these technologies productively?

From toys to tools, this conversation is about what becomes possible when technology is given purpose.

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Why do some young people feel like no matter how hard they try, they still can’t get ahead?

In this episode of Jus’ Ah Conversation, Mikul Elcock and Aisha Reid sit down with Shakir Daisley, Janae Husbands, and Omari Cheltenham for a real conversation about youth, opportunity, pressure, and the growing feeling among some young people that the future is slipping further out of reach.

From the cost of living and housing affordability to education, employment, social media comparison, mental health, and the pressure to “make it,” this episode looks at the gap between what young people are told is possible and what they actually experience.

Is it hopelessness? Is it a lack of opportunity? Or is it a sign that systems, communities, and conversations need to change?

This is a grounded discussion about what young people are facing, what they need, and why listening to them matters.

🎧 Listen on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music, and wherever you get your podcasts.
📺 Watch the full episode on YouTube (@thebgis).

Money can feel stressful, confusing, and sometimes completely out of reach — but getting a better handle on it starts with honest, practical conversations.

In this episode of Jus’ Ah Conversation, Aisha Reid and special guest host Sharon Austin Gilmore sit down with Nikita Gibson, Marcia Armstrong, Dwayne Jones, and Kelly Jones for a real conversation about money that makes sense.

From budgeting and saving to credit, debt, financial habits, and the pressure of rising living costs, this episode looks at how people can start making stronger decisions with what they have.

The conversation also explores Dwayne and Kelly’s journey to becoming debt-free after paying off approximately $67,000, and what that experience can teach others about discipline, teamwork, sacrifice, and financial freedom.

This is not a conversation about pretending money is easy. It is about building confidence, facing the numbers, and taking the next step toward breaking free.

📺 Watch the full episode on YouTube (@thebgis).
🎧 Listen on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music, and wherever you get your podcasts.

Bashment Soca is one of the most talked-about sounds in Barbados — loved by many, criticised by others, and impossible to ignore.

In this episode of Jus’ Ah Conversation, hosts Aisha Reid and Fabian Belgrave dive into the culture, controversy, and energy surrounding Bashment Soca. From its Dancehall influence and Soca foundation to its role in Crop Over, youth culture, entertainment, and national identity, this conversation explores why the genre continues to stir such strong reactions.

Joining the discussion are Rudy Maloney, Dane Marshall, and Patrick “Salt” Bellamy, bringing perspectives from music, entertainment, events, promotion, and cultural commentary.

Together, they unpack the big questions: Is Bashment Soca simply fun and expression? Has it been unfairly judged? What responsibility do artistes, promoters, and audiences have? And why does this genre continue to hold such a powerful place in Barbados’ cultural conversation?

Whether you love it, question it, or just want to understand the debate, this is a conversation worth hearing.

🎧 Listen on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music, and wherever you get your podcasts.
📺 Watch the full episode on YouTube (@thebgis).

Workplace wellness is about more than gym memberships and the occasional team-building day. It’s about culture, inclusion, mental wellbeing, safety, and whether people can truly thrive where they work.

In this episode of Jus’ Ah Conversation, we take a closer look at what workplace wellness really means in Barbados — not just as an idea, but in practice.

Joining the conversation are Dionne Harris, Director & Strategy Lead in the Ministry of Labour, Social Security and the Third Sector; Celia Patricia Collymore (CPC), Founder & Senior Project Manager of Bajan Fusion; and Roseanna Tudor, Operations Manager at the Barbados Council for the Disabled.

Together, they explore how policy, leadership, accessibility, and everyday workplace culture all shape employee wellbeing. From the role of employers to the lived realities of workers, this is a grounded discussion on what it will take to build healthier, more supportive workplaces across Barbados.

🎧 Listen on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music, and wherever you get your podcasts.
📺 Watch the full episode on YouTube (@thebgis).

YOUTUBE DESCRIPTION
What does workplace wellness actually look like in Barbados?

In this episode of Jus’ Ah Conversation, we move beyond the buzzwords and get into the real conversation about wellbeing at work — from policy and leadership to inclusion, accessibility, and workplace culture.

Joining the discussion are:

Dionne Harris — Director & Strategy Lead, Ministry of Labour, Social Security and the Third Sector
Celia Patricia Collymore (CPC) — Founder & Senior Project Manager, Bajan Fusion
Roseanna Tudor — Operations Manager, Barbados Council for the Disabled

Together, they unpack what healthier workplaces could and should look like in Barbados, and why wellness has to be more than a policy on paper.

💬 Join the conversation in the comments.

📺 Watch on YouTube (@thebgis)
🎧 Listen on Spotify, Apple Podcasts & Amazon Music

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