To commemorate our 200th episode, the tables are turned, and Ingrid Riley of SiliconCaribe interviews Michele Marius, Host and Producer of the ICT Pulse Podcast. They discuss, among other things: the beginnings of the ICT Pulse Podcast; Is there really a ‘Digital Caribbean’; and How can Caribbean governments better support tech entrepreneurship and innovation in the region.

 

This episode is also available on SoundCloud, Apple iTunes, Google Play Music, Spotify, Amazon Music and on Stitcher!

 

Hello and welcome to the ICT Pulse Podcast!

I’m Michele Marius, your host, and the Editor and Publisher of ICT Pulse, the online platform where we discuss ICT issues from a Caribbean perspective.

The above words have been the start to virtually every episode we have released here on the ICT Pulse Podcast. When our first episode aired on 18 April 2018, achieving 200 episodes was not a thought! Just trying to improve our podcasting skills and to be able to release episodes consistently was the focus. However, nearly four years to the day, we have made it to 200 episodes!

To recognise this milestone, we thought it opportune to take stock of what we, here at ICT Pulse, as well as the Caribbean tech space, have accomplished, whilst also looking ahead.

We also wish to acknowledge the over 250 guests we have had on the Podcast over the past four years and 200 episodes, and the breadth and depth of topics that have been covered, including series on:

  • Expert insights on cyberthreats and security (2018—present)
  • Innovation in the Caribbean (2019)
  • Know your neighbour (2019—2021)
  • The future of work (2020)
  • Tech-driven social enterprises (2021)
  • Fintech in the Caribbean region (2022—present)
  • Artificial Intelligence (2022—present).

We also wish to say a big ‘thank you’ to all of you who have been listening to the ICT Pulse Podcast. We hope you have found the content informative, and that it has added value to you and your appreciation of the Caribbean tech space.

 

Introducing our guest host

Ingrid Riley is an Award-Winning Digital Media Entrepreneur, Caribbean Tech Maven,  Syndicated Tech and Business Blogger, Podcaster, and  Event Producer. She’s behind SiliconCaribe – the trailblazing and disruptive digital media brand, that kickstarted the Tech Start-up Scene in Jamaica, and that’s been influencing the growth of the Caribbean Tech Ecosystem and Digital Caribbean.

SiliconCaribe has been focused on the future of technology in Caribbean Business since 2007. With its Dow Jones syndicated technology blog, podcasts, a roster of technology events, annual lists, email newsletters, and online communities, it’s on a mission to amplify the people, ideas and business driving the rise of the Caribbean Digital Economy and to educate and inspire the next generation of Caribbean entrepreneurs and innovators.

For her work, Ingrid has received many awards including the Private Sector Organisation of Jamaica (PSOJ) 50Under50 Business Leader, and the TechLink Game Changer Caribbean Awards.

 

Insights into our conversation

Chatting with Ingrid is always fun, as it gives us an opportunity to compare notes on what is happening in the Caribbean ICT/technology space. Moreover, and consistent with the title of today’s episode, Ingrid had me reflect on the start of my podcasting journey, as well as to share my thoughts on tech in the region. Below are a few of the questions Ingrid asked during the course of our (very lively!) conversation:

  1. Why did I start the Podcast?
  2. What are some of the more surprising, unusual or telling experiences I have had in doing the Podcast?
  3. What is the Caribbean’s tech story now?
  4. Is there really a ‘Digital Caribbean’?
  5. How can Caribbean governments better support tech entrepreneurship and innovation?
  6. What’s my take on the state of Caribbean start-ups?
  7. How has producing 200 episodes of the ICT Pulse Podcast changed me?

 

We would love to hear from you!

Do leave us a comment either here beneath this article, or on our Facebook or LinkedIn pages, or via Twitter, @ICTPulse.

Also, if you or a member of your network is interested in joining us for an episode, do get in touch.

Let’s make it happen!

 

Below are links to some of the organisations and resources that either were mentioned during the episode, or otherwise, might be useful:

 

 

Images credit:  I Riley;  M Marius; nck_gsl (Pixabay); ICT Pulse

Music credit: The Last Word (Oui Ma Chérie), by Andy Narrell

Podcast editing support: Mayra Bonilla Lopez