For our 400th episode, we are joined by Development Journalist and award-winning Writer Gerard Best, who turns the tables and interviews the ICT Pulse Podcast Creator and Host, Michele Marius. During their conversation, and among other things, they revisit earlier milestones of the Podcast, discuss the current state of media and information platforms worldwide, along with who might be Michele’s dream guest, and which one is better, doubles or roti?

 

This episode is also available on SoundCloud, Apple Podcasts, Spotify and Amazon Music.

When the ICT Pulse Podcast launched on 18 April 2018, we did not set goals or milestones beyond starting the activity and maintaining the grind of the episode release schedule. Now eight years later, we have 400 episodes under our belt! How did that happen?

Long story short, through dedication. Trying to find guests and topics, scheduling interviews and discussions, scrambling to have a backup plan when confirmed appointments get cancelled at the last minute, and once the recording is in the can, editing and preparing the accompanying article. It is a lot.

The North Star of ICT Pulse and the Podcast has been the tagline, “Discussing ICT issues from a Caribbean perspective“, and in reflecting on what we have accomplished so far, I am convinced there are still interesting Caribbean stories to tell and experiences to share. The region’s tech scene continues to evolve, and we are also a hotbed of innovation, but often, we still do not truly know what is happening in our own backyard.

At the same time, it is fitting to acknowledge and thank all who have contributed and shared their expertise on the Podcast, as well as our listening audience, to allow us to reach our 400th episode. We are truly grateful.

 

Introducing our guest host

Gerard Best

Gerard Best is a Caribbean writer, Development Journalist and Communications Consultant whose work sits at the intersection of human and internet development. He is currently developing a literary anthology exploring life in the AI era.

 

Insights into our conversation

Chatting with Gerard is always fun and based on the questions that guided our conversation (see below), it allowed for reflection whilst also considering how far the region has come over the past eight years.

  1. ICT Pulse, as a blog, predates the podcast. What made you decide to add audio?
  2. When you recorded episode one, what did success look like in your head? Was 400 even imaginable?
  3. Which episode has gotten the most attention? Why do you think that is?
  4. Episode 100 — April 2020 Nerissa Golden of Goldenmedia interviewed you about your journey creating ICT Pulse. That interview landed right at the start of the pandemic. How did that reshape what the podcast covered, or who was willing to talk?
  5. Episode 200 — April 2022 Ingrid Riley of SiliconCaribe turned the tables and interviewed you, discussing how Caribbean governments can better support tech entrepreneurship and innovation. Four hundred episodes in, do you have an answer?
  6. Episode 300 — 2024 You celebrated with Trevor Forrest of 876 Technology Solutions, discussing the internet we should want in 2024 and beyond. In 2026 and in the lead-up to this 400th episode, are we any closer to the Internet that we should want?
  7. What’s the episode you’re most proud of, and why?
  8. 400 episodes is a long time to be curious about anything. What still genuinely surprises you?

It was also not lost on both Gerard and me how the media landscape has changed over the years. With the influx of social media, in particular, we all have options about how and what types of content we consume. At the same time, it has resulted in many news platforms and blogs, both within and outside the Caribbean region, either going out of business or reducing their offerings.

It is thus becoming increasingly important that we, in the region, intentionally nurture and support our homegrown platforms, especially since some degree of vocation is necessary for them to continue, especially when remuneration or other forms of support are not readily evident. We are, however, hopeful that the upcoming generation will be prepared to take up the mantle and soar higher than we thought possible.

 

We would love to hear your thoughts!

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!

 

Select links

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

 

 

Images credit:  G Best;  M Marius; StockSnap (Pixabay);  ICT Pulse/ICT Pulse Consulting Limited; Canva

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

Podcast editing support: Mayra Bonilla Lopez