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The Digital Jamaica Podcast

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A podcast dedicated to amplifying Jamaican voices in digital and tech spaces.
39 Episodes
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Glen Henry is the Founder and Project Director of Sprite Wrench Studios. A micro games development studio based in Kingston, Jamaica. As  the "loudest Member" of the Jamaica Game Developer Society (JGDS), he uses his experience to nurture and encourage the growth of the region's Game Development sector. In this episode Glen shares why he is hesitant about Blockchain and some of the misgivings he has specifically as a gaming insider. It's not that he isn't excited about new technology, and he's not dismissing web 3 outright, but he's just not impressed with the current state of the space and believes there already exists better, more sustainable ways for gamers and creatives to earn. If you like the Digital Jamaica Podcast, rate the show and leave a review. Follow Digital Jamaica on social media on Instagram, Twitter and LinkedIn. You can also catch us over on YouTube and visit the blog.
Donald Porter, is a World class Blockchain developer, Decentralized Autonomous Organization (DAO) expert and Crypto enthusiast.   I call him Mr. Blockchain because of the seemingly endless reservoir of knowledge he has of this technology as well as all the interesting ideas he has on how this technology can be applied. I invited Donald to share some of those ideas, and in particular ways in which Blockchain technology can be used to address localized and perennial problems within our governance systems. He is a passionate advocate with a thousand ideas and we would do well to ensure that type of knowledge,  ambition and willingness is put to good use locally. If you like the Digital Jamaica Podcast, rate the show and leave a review. Follow Digital Jamaica on social media on Instagram, Twitter and LinkedIn. You can also catch us over on YouTube and visit the blog.
On this episode of the Digital Jamaica Podcast I had an illuminating conversation with David Palmer, Blockchain Lead for IoT at Vodafone Business a British based multinational telecommunications company. David and I connected on LinkedIn because of our shared interest in preparing young Jamaicans for the Future of Work. David firmly believes that there are a lot of opportunities in the web 3 space that can bring social mobility, career opportunities and wider productivity to young Jamaicans. David wants to expand our imagination as to what the future of work can look like, it’s not just about being employable, but thinks that young people should not have to be dependent on fan employer but rather by harnessing the potential of web3 technologies like blockchain, NFTs and the emerging metaverse young professionals can create opportunities for themselves. Enterprising young people in Jamaica with innovative business ideas can collaborate globally by forming digital identities, virtual bank accounts and pooling wallets to create a virtual business and bank account which can be used for one or more business transactions. This is just one of the ways David feels web 3 technologies can be used for good. Support the Digital Jamaica Podcast for more stories like this … Download the episodes, subscribe, and leave a review. Follow Digital Jamaica on social media on Instagram, Twitte and LinkedIn. You can also catch us over on YouTube and visit the blog.
From our lost files... Last year Jonathan Sinclair and I connected on LinkedIn and got together to have this short but insightful tête-à-tête about the shifts in digital culture from London to Jamaica and the need for digital transformative systems and aggressive integration. Follow Digital Jamaica on our social media pages on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook, If you liked this episode please download, subscribe and leave a review.
Kalilah had a hunch that the time was right to start talking about financial literacy. After all as an award winning journalist she had access to  esoteric information and the privilege of being able to attract people the know to her platform. What's more she quickly realized that she did not need the permission of traditional media gate-keepers to broadcast, or to earn and that where the money truly resided was in building her own brand and platform. And so despite having a toddler, being on her 3rd pregnancy, contracting Covid and no longer having the 'safety' net of a successful job, Kalilah Reynolds decided to jump into her passion of bringing financial literacy to the masses.  The reward for standing in her conviction? 26 million dollars in revenue in under a year. Find out more about Kalilah Reynolds media here ... Subscribe to her YouTube channel here and follow her on Instagram, Twitter and LinkedIn
Major tech publication, TechCrunch recently (and in dramatic fashion) exposed several vulnerabilities in JamCovid, the Government of Jamaica's (GOJ's) Covid App. The story has caused an uncomfortable stir on the local tech scene not just because of the astounding negligence it has brought to light but because of the botched response from both the GOJ and the app developer Amber which has, in effect devolved the situation into an international scandal. What's worst is the glaring lack of subject matter experts among local media personnel who seem to be struggling to ask the right questions much less being able to adequately scrutinize the answers. Add to that mix the glaring dissimilarities between the information on the ground and what Tech Crunch (with receipts to boot) has been dishing on Twitter. Of course this has led to general confusion in the public space with the populace left to speculate about motives and fault.  IT'S A MESS!!! So, in an attempt at rational and informed discourse on the issue I have invited local cyber security Trevor Forrest to the table to piece together the timeline of what happened, who the players are, what the consequences may be and the lasting impact this shit storm will have on the local tech community and Jamaica. Find links to things mentioned during this episode on the blog and follow the show on our social media pages on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook, If you liked this episode please download, subscribe and leave a review.
By the time Chris landed in fourth form (grade 10) he had already found his lane and was testing the hell out of those boundaries. In second form he was busy 'acquiring' source codes for games, editing the characters or altogether rebuilding those games. In third form his games were so popular online that it got the attention of the makers of Dragon Ball Z. Let us say they were not flattered by the similarities nor were they interested in friendly competition so they sent him and his nerd gamer friends a cease and desist letter.  Christopher Gayle a.k.a Chris Gizzada is a Jamaican tech prodigy. A completely self taught programmer, software designer & developer. And, now founder of Gizzada Limited, a premier, world class software development company creating apps that "help people get things done."  What makes me truly excited about Chris and his team at Gizzada Limited is that they are behind some of the most innovative software solutions coming out of Jamaica at the moment. What's more they are collaborating with other young innovators like Yekini Wallen-Bryan and his team at PreeLabs to create affordable world class, high tech devices and solutions for the everyday Jamaican.  Jamaica is decades behind the curve so we need more visionary, innovative, out-of-the-box, non-traditional and non-linear thinkers like these two to lead the tech revolution in Jamaica. Maybe then we can finally stop playing catch up and GET THERE already.  Connect with Christopher on social media to stay up to date on all the wonderful  tech happenings Gizzada and his friends gets up to. ︾ Find show notes and links to some of the things mentioned during this episode on the blog and follow the show on our social media pages on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook, If you liked this episode please leave a review and share, it is very much appreciated.
 "I am a strong believer in the journey being the reward, and everything we do in our lives, the good things, the bad things, the hard things,the easy things, the failures, the wins, they make us who we are today." - Naomi Garrick All I can say after this amazing conversation is,  Naomi is one brave woman. Listening to her talk about her journey to becoming Naomi Garrick the PR Chick I couldn't help but think this must be what showing up in your own life looks like.  ︾ Naomi is Jamaica's resident Public Relations guru and personal branding coach nee expert. She is an international speaker and author of three books on personal branding. She is also the head of Garrick Communications a Public Relations  company she founded back in 2009 that's still going strong.  ︾ Naomi, a certified Reputation Champion by the Public Relations Society of America has worked with over 100 brands and individuals and has been in the business side public relations for over 16 years. In 2017 Naomi became a Scotiabank Vision Achiever and has been recognized by the Jamaica Gleaner for her work in Communications. ︾  This episode is from my 'lost files'. It was one of the recordings I thought I had lost in a  systems melt down a couple months ago. Thankfully, I was able to piece it back together and  am so glad I was able to publish because baaaabbbaaay Naomi went through the ABC'S of branding on social media and it was like sitting in on one of her amazing coaching sessions. So get your pens and notebooks ready to catch some of the gems she dropped throughout the episode ... Enjoy!  ︾ Connect with Naomi Garrick on social media or her website for workshops, coaching sessions and to get your hands on her books. ︾ Find show notes and links to some of the things mentioned during this episode on the blog and follow the show on our social media pages on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook, If you liked this episode please leave a review and share, it is very much appreciated.
Denell Florius is the unlikely hero of this story who after fanboying  over an electric car started dreaming up ways to make renewable energy a thing, so he quit his high profile job and the rest as they say is green technology history.   In this episode I talk to Denell Florius half of the genius duo (the other being Zaina Pamphile) behind EcoCarib.com an award-winning green tech company out of Saint Lucia.   Find show notes and links to some things mentioned during this episode on the blog and follow the show on our social media pages on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook, If you liked this episode please leave a review and share, it is very much appreciated.
 "𝘞𝘦 𝘯𝘦𝘦𝘥 𝘵𝘰 𝘶𝘯𝘥𝘦𝘳𝘴𝘵𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘣𝘶𝘴𝘪𝘯𝘦𝘴𝘴 𝘰𝘧 𝘰𝘶𝘳 𝘥𝘪𝘨𝘪𝘵𝘢𝘭 𝘤𝘰𝘯𝘵𝘦𝘯𝘵, 𝘵𝘰 𝘶𝘯𝘥𝘦𝘳𝘴𝘵𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘣𝘶𝘴𝘪𝘯𝘦𝘴𝘴 𝘰𝘧 𝘰𝘶𝘳 𝘔𝘢𝘳𝘪𝘫𝘶𝘢𝘯𝘢, 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘣𝘶𝘴𝘪𝘯𝘦𝘴𝘴 𝘰𝘧 𝘰𝘶𝘳 𝘴𝘱𝘰𝘳𝘵𝘴, 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘣𝘶𝘴𝘪𝘯𝘦𝘴𝘴 𝘰f 𝘰𝘶𝘳 𝘤u𝘭𝘵𝘶𝘳𝘦, 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘣𝘶𝘴𝘪𝘯𝘦𝘴𝘴 𝘰𝘧 𝘰𝘶𝘳 𝘯𝘢𝘵𝘶𝘳𝘢𝘭 𝘳𝘦𝘴𝘰𝘶𝘳𝘤𝘦𝘴 𝘣𝘦𝘤𝘢𝘶𝘴𝘦 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘵'𝘴 𝘸𝘩𝘢𝘵'𝘴 𝘮𝘪𝘴𝘴𝘪𝘯𝘨."  Is Jamaican content marketable? As far as Ingrid Riley is concerned Jamaican content is more powerful than our Marijuana, but we need to first understand what makes Jamaica special. What defines us, what is our unique selling point (USP), then and only then will we be able to create authentic Jamaican content that can be monetized. It was an incredibly edifying conversation, that went in so many directions with unique insights and perspective from someone who has been a leader in this field for decades. Find show notes and links to some things mentioned during this episode on the blog and follow the show on our social media pages on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook, If you liked this episode please leave a review and share, it is very much appreciated.
It's our third episode and I figured it's the perfect time to formally introduce myself to you. Who is Kadia Francis and what's with all the pineapples? Glad you asked ... I am a Blogger, Podcaster and Digital Brand Development Strategist. I am also a content creator and a PowerPoint Designer.  I became a full-fledged digital entrepreneur when I got fired from my job in April 2018, I kinda knew all along that the 9-5 grind wasn't for me and had day dreamed about going solo, but definitely not so soon. But,  life happens before you're ready sometimes. While that swift kick up the rear set me on my entrepreneurial journey faster than anticipated I don't regret a thing, in fact, I'm so grateful for that jolt.  Find show notes and links to some things mentioned during this episode on the blog and follow the show on our social media pages on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook, If you liked this episode please leave a review and share, it is very much appreciated.
In this episode, I talk to Shaniel Mahoney a stay at home mom, Social Media Strategist and Virtual Assistant from Montego Bay Jamaica.  Shaniel and her husband are the co-founders of Studious VA, a boutique agency that "helps entrepreneurs leverage their social media accounts for brand awareness and industry recognition".  Shaniel talks to us about family, business and how she uses social media to gain freedom and financial independence. It was a fun but meaningful conversation and I'm thankful for having had the chance to talk to her. Find show notes and links to some things mentioned during this episode on the blog and follow the show on our social media pages on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook, If you liked this episode please leave a review and share, it is very much appreciated.
Part two of my sit down with a long time friend and tech nerd  Damion Miller Founding Partner at  Pure Genius Inc.  Damion along with two other friends started Pure Genius Inc. to bridge the gap in the local systems network engineering and web development landscape.  Fast forward years later and Damion is now a world-class web and app developer with a focus now on creating a content platform similar to Netflix for the local market. This was a very lively and deep conversation, we hope you enjoy it as much as we enjoyed recording it, stay tuned for part 2.  Find show notes and links to some things mentioned during this episode on the blog and follow the show on our social media pages on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook, If you liked this episode please leave a review and share, it is very much appreciated.
In our very first episode, I sit down with a long time friend and tech nerd extraordinaire Damion Miller Founding Partner at  Pure Genius Inc.  Damion along with two other friends started Pure Genius Inc. to bridge the gap in the local systems network engineering and web development landscape.  Fast forward years later and Damion is now a world-class web and app developer with a focus now on creating a content platform similar to Netflix for the local market. This was a very lively and deep conversation, we hope you enjoy it as much as we enjoyed recording it, stay tuned for part 2.  Find show notes and links to some things mentioned during this episode on the blog and follow the show on our social media pages on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook, If you liked this episode please leave a review and share, it is very much appreciated.
Roshaun Clarke more popularly known as BAY-C, is an International recording artist and member of the record breaking dancehall reggae group T.O.K. Roshaun is a technologist in his own right being the lead for Spatial Innovision Services, the leading GPS and GIS solutions provider in the Caribbean. In this episode Roshaun and I discuss the exploitative nature of creative industries and how the technologically driven renaissance, and how in this instance web 3 applications like  NFT's can go a long to right some of those wrongs, outing the power back into the hands of the creative. Listen to Bay-C's new Album King Bass here and follow on Instagram. If you like the Digital Jamaica Podcast, rate the show and leave a review. Follow Digital Jamaica on social media on Instagram, Twitter and LinkedIn. You can also catch us over on YouTube and visit the blog.
Shanon Chen-See a.k.a Watchensee works in the NFT space as a Product Marketing Lead at Async Art an NFT platform for interactive and generative art and music, as well she is a creator in the space as a Crypto artist and poet. In this discussion Shannon gets really real about being a Crypto artist, why it is not something she would recommend every artist pursue and how marketing and community are key drivers of success especially for new/small artists. She also talks about the scams plaguing the industry and the struggle to self regulate. Catch Shannon over on Twitter for more useful insights on the crypto art world. If you like the Digital Jamaica Podcast, rate the show and leave a review. Follow Digital Jamaica on social media on Instagram, Twitter and LinkedIn. You can also catch us over on YouTube and visit the blog.
Odayne Haughton is the Head of Data Governance at the National Commercial Bank and a PhD candidate with a focus on Cyber Security and Blockchain at the University of Wales Trinity Saint David. Recently he was a part of a team selected to participate in a Welsh Government funded Blockchain challenge. The team is researching supply chain management specifically as it relates to sustainability and food security in the fishing industry. Find out more about Odayne's research here.  If you like the Digital Jamaica Podcast, rate the show and leave a review. Follow Digital Jamaica on social media on Instagram, Twitter and LinkedIn. You can also catch us over on YouTube and visit the blog.
Nicholas is a tech protege who has been innovating in tech locally and on an international level since his early teens. With his latest projects Nicholas has turned his attention to blockchain technology lending that innovative spirit towards creating workable solutions that marries traditional processes with high tech systems to improve on these processes. In this conversation Nicholas talks about some of these projects as well as share his thoughts on the inevitability of blockchain and applications like crypto and also why he thinks politicking is the reason behind the obvious apprehension to adopt this technology. Because of his experiences working locally and in many of these international spaces he has a rather  interesting perspective which as far as we're concerned qualifies more than most to opine. If you like the Digital Jamaica Podcast, rate the show and leave a review. Follow Digital Jamaica on social media on Instagram, Twitter and LinkedIn. You can also catch us over on YouTube and visit the blog.
In just 4 short years Jamaican born model Chaniel Andran launched a successful career in fashion photography working with top talent and agencies such as IMG models, New York models, Wilhelmina Models and LA models just to name a few and have also shot editorials for no fewer than 10 publications. What makes his story even more amazing is the fact that Chaniel is self taught. His art is pure, raw talent infused with 'Jamaicanness' which shows itself in his style of photography. This is another episode from our lost files series.  Find out more about Chaniel here. Support the Digital Jamaica Podcast for more stories like this … Download the episodes, subscribe, and leave a review. Follow Digital Jamaica on social media on Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, and LinkedIn. You can also catch us over on YouTube and visit the blog.
At just 31 Robin Johnson has carved out a solid career for herself as the go to person for finding, nurturing and 'putting on' talent. Having worked at 3 of arguably the biggest tech companies in the world (Uber, Apple and now Netflix), she has positioned herself to become a bridge for black creatives who traditionally have been excluded from these spaces. Through her organization, the Indie Creator Society and equity free grant program the Indie Creator Fund, Robin leverages the insider access she now has to create inclusive spaces, networks and opportunities in tech and other creative spaces. Find out more about the Indie Creator Society and the Fund here. Support the Digital Jamaica Podcast for more stories like this … Download the episodes, subscribe, and leave a review. Follow Digital Jamaica on social media on Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, and LinkedIn. You can also catch us over on YouTube and visit the blog.
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