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So much has changed since I recorded this episode. At the time of recording, Kieron Pollard held the prestigious position of Windies T20 and One-day cricket captain.  However, on April 20th 2022, Polly (as he is affectionately called by many West Indian fans) announced his retirement from international cricket.  Well that one hit me for 6! Pun intended That announcement made my interview with him even more meaningful as we explored the significance of becoming a father and making difficult decisions that impacted his family. We also discussed contractual obligations vs parental obligations and the impact of setting a positive foundation for his children.  Polly acknowledges the mammoth task that his wife Jenna has played in his life and that of their children and recognizes that he probably wouldn’t have made such tremendous strides in his career without her support. Of course, we had a bit of fun “in the nets” to end off. Hope you enjoy Please subscribe, rate and share so our Caribbean voices can be heard around the world! IG:@_miss.informed_

When was the last time you met someone and it felt like you knew them for a lifetime?  Well that pretty much sums up my chat with Lisa...easy, engaging and informative!   Lisa is an award-winning TV broadcaster & reporter who currently works as the host for ‘Taste the Islands’, an international culinary adventure show streaming on Amazon Prime TV. She is also entering her 12th season as the host of ‘School Duel’ a premier high school academic game show in South Florida. As a TV host and On-air personality, Lisa has most notably served as the in-arena reporter for the Miami Heat’s HEATV. She was also featured as Miami’s top 40 under 40 leaders of tomorrow in Legacy Magazine. Lisa recently started her own PR company called the LA PR firm. Interested in working with Lisa, see her details: www.thelaprfirm.com [email protected]  Please subscribe, rate and share so our Caribbean voices can be heard around the world! IG:@_miss.informed_  

My guest, Jihan Williams, takes us on an emotional journey, describing in crystal clear terms her initial struggle with infertility and the associated challenges when there is no explanation. "What's wrong with me now?" leads to an unexpected answer. Unfortunately, this story, doesn't follow a familiar trajectory. Jihan is straightforward in acknowledging that there is nothing you can say to a woman who has recently suffered a loss to make her feel better, but you can certainly make her feel worse.  Hear how she suggests this sensitive matter be addressed. Grab your copy of Jihan's book on Amazon: Buy Here! Jihan's song choice: "Tasha Page Lockart" - Why not me. How to get in touch with Jihan: Web: www.jihanwilliams.com Instagram: @jihanawilliams Facebook: @Jihan A. Williams Email: [email protected]; [email protected] Please subscribe, rate and share so our Caribbean voices can be heard around the world! IG:@_miss.informed_    

Today’s episode is the second part of my fiery chat with Daniella, Kiola and Naette.  If you haven’t yet listened to part one, please check out episode 22 before listening to this one.  These three ladies discuss the sacrifices that they have made in their lives, with a major one being not residing in their place of birth, yet they’ve been able to find joy and peace as they navigate parenthood.   Here are the beautiful songs mentioned by the ladies:   “Before the Day Star” by Kobo Town: https://youtu.be/I1Qfjh3QuNs “Space for a Heart” by Freetown Collective: https://youtu.be/OP33d8xM2fs “Keep the Beat” by Lin-Manuel Miranda & Ynairaly Simo from the movie Vivo: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NnNM4C3i_V8&authuser=0 “Not an easy road” by Buju Banton: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I02Kd_FIklg   Please subscribe, rate and share so our Caribbean voices can be heard around the world!   IG:@_miss.informed_

Today’s episode felt like a stroll down the famous, some may say infamous, Frederick Street, Port of Spain, Trinidad & Tobago.  It had been a while since I last chatted amongst a group of Trinbagonians, even if it was virtually, the banter was so invigorating that the energy was palpable, listen and tell me if you felt it too.  This fireside, sometimes bonfire, chat was centered around the fact that we are all raising a child (or children) outside of the Caribbean, and in many ways, I don’t think any of us thought this would be our reality. Today is Part 1 of a 2-part episode exploring the complexities of emigration, cultural preservation and assimilation all while traversing the journey that is motherhood.  Naette, Daniella and Kiola are transparent about their experiences and offer unique opinions on how they’re managing the delicate issues associated with some of the most challenging life transitions any person can face. This one is for you my fellow Diasporan parent!

Welcome to part 2 of the Season finalé!  In this episode we jump straight into the nitty gritty of the postpartum period from both parents' perspective. Please subscribe, rate and share so our Caribbean voices can be heard around the world! IG:@_miss.informed_ @steadyimagemediagroup YouTube: search Chanol Ottley Allen

Surprise! Today’s episode is my treat to you my wonderful listeners.  Many of you have asked me “when do we get to hear your birth story Chanol?” so it is with great pleasure I share our birth story with you today. My husband, Adrian, joins me on today’s episode reminding us that men do need support during pregnancy and the postpartum period, as the emotional toll during this transitionary period for both persons can feel overwhelming. I recruited one of my most articulate, jovial and clever friends to host today’s episode to allow my husband and I to truly focus on sharing our story as authentically as we could.  Omonike, does a remarkable job guiding our conversation even when we both become impassioned.  There was so much for us to share that we made this into a 2-part chat but here’s what you can expect to hear in today’s episode: - How we prepared for labour & delivery, and the mistake of not compiling a playlist prior - The importance of educating yourself regarding the process and procedures of your ObGyn, Midwife or primary care practitioner so that you are able to advocate for yourself - What I would do differently and who else I would include in my birth party if there is a next time Please subscribe, review and share so our Caribbean voices can be heard around the world! Find Adrian on IG  @directoradrianallen and www.steadyimage.co  IG:@_miss.informed_

As many of you know Trinidad and Tobago has been hailed as the land of steelband, calypso, limbo, parang, chutney, soca and carnival.  So it is with great excitement I welcome today's guest, Anya Elias former bandleader of Spice Carinval band and a private section owner and designer at Tribe carnival, to Caribbean Birth Stories. As the title of today's episode suggests, Anya's path to motherhood has been anything but bland and I am truly in awe of her strength in steering her way through it all. Anya has had more miscarriages than she can recount before the arrival of her rainbow baby. She is raw and transparent in the hopes that her story helps soften the pain of loss and isolation experienced after miscarriage. Please subscribe, review and share so our Caribbean voices can be heard around the world! IG:@_miss.informed_

What do you do when the obstacles seem to get in your way of manifesting the family you’ve dreamed of?  My guest on today’s episode walks us down her path from Catholicism to Islam on her journey to motherhood.  Kristy is authentic and brave in our chat, discussing how choosing a person of a different faith to her own impacted the decisions she has made in parenting. We also discuss: - Being pregnant during a pandemic - The differences between singleton and twin pregnancies   - The power of nature/gardening as self-care - Spending time with family and having family support Kristy’s clothing line Zamani Caribbean launched in 2019 and can be found on IG @ zamani_caribbean or in-store at Sun Plaza, Munroe Road Flyover Charlieville IG @ designertrendz_ah Please subscribe, review and share so our Caribbean voices can be heard around the world! Follow on IG:@_miss.informed_

We ended off episode 16 with my guest Chantal describing how her mother supported her choice to not have children and the impact that abscence of parental pressure had on her journey. Let's tune in to hear what Lani and Jan Yves have to contribute to the discussion! No surprise, these ladies stumped me with my own question, I promise to reveal my song choice in the season finalé, so stay tuned. Find the ladies: Chantal @theclrcode on IG, Lani www.mooredaisely.com and Dr. Jan Yves Remy on LinkedIn Please subscribe, review and share so our Caribbean voices can be heard around the world! IG:@_miss.informed_  

Yes, this podcast is about Caribbean women narrating their story of giving birth, but what about the Caribbean women who choose not to have children or circumstances have never aligned to have a child, these same women may be bombarded with THE question...'any children yet?' Well, my guests Chantal, Lani and Jan Yves do not disappoint in today’s first fireside chat; sharing with us their deeply personal, candid and sometimes provocative points of view of being a young woman in the Caribbean without a child. We address difficult questions from the jump examining ideas surrounding being a woman in general terms and in the context of motherhood. Does being from the Caribbean subconsciously place pressure on women to conform and accept motherhood as a natural step in a woman’s life? Is it a binary decision career vs. children? We discuss some of the reasons motherhood isn’t appealing: - Physical changes - No desire or yearning to become a mother - Career - Sacrifice - Breaking generational patterns - Pressure to conform How can we be better friends, colleagues, parents and partners to women of our region who have chosen not to have children? So many questions and thoughts that we had to make this a 2-part conversation. Find the ladies: Chantal @theclrcode on IG, Lani www.mooredaisely.com and Dr. Jan Yves Remy on LinkedIn Please subscribe, review and share so our Caribbean voices can be heard around the world! IG:@_miss.informed_  

Nicosia (or you can just call her Nic) is a time management strategist and Attorney-at-Law. Nicosia hails from the Cayman Islands and tells us all about delivering her baby in Hong Kong. As a time management strategist, Nicosia helps her clients manage the use of their time in an effective, efficient and productive manner. You can keep up with Nicosia on her blog at www.justcallmenic.com and on Instagram @justcallmenic Please subscribe, review and share so our Caribbean voices can be heard around the world!