Jus' Ah Conversation

Is Barbados Ready for Electric Vehicles?

Electric vehicles are no longer a distant idea in Barbados. More people are seeing them on the road, hearing the debate, and asking the same question: are we really ready for this shift? In this episode of Jus’ Ah Conversation, Mikul Elcock and Fabian Belgrave dig into the promise and the practical reality of EV adoption in Barbados. Beyond the hype, what does it actually mean to own, maintain, charge, insure, and respond to electric vehicles in a small island developing state? They’re joined by three guests with very different but equally important perspectives: Christopher McFarlane of Megapower Ltd, bringing insight into the energy and infrastructure side of the conversation. Alexander Barker, an EV Technician, speaking to the technical realities of servicing and maintaining electric vehicles. Marlon Small, Divisional Officer of the Barbados Fire Service, offering a critical emergency response and safety perspective. Together, they unpack some of the biggest questions around EV readiness in Barbados: *  Is the charging infrastructure where it needs to be?  *  Are EVs really affordable when you look beyond the sticker price?  *  Do we have the technical skills and systems in place to support long-term growth?  *  How prepared are emergency services to deal with EV-related incidents?  *  And are Barbadians fully buying into the transition, or still watching from the sidelines?  This is a grounded conversation about innovation, policy, safety, cost, and what it will take for Barbados to move confidently into a more electric future. 🎧 Listen on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music, and wherever you get your podcasts. 📺 Watch the full episode on YouTube (@thebgis).

Is Affordable Housing a Pipe Dream in Barbados?

Affordable housing is one of the biggest concerns facing Barbadians today. Whether you’re trying to rent, buy, or simply plan for the future, the question keeps coming up: is affordable housing in Barbados becoming a pipe dream? In this episode of Jus’ Ah Conversation, hosts Mikul Elcock and Aisha Reid unpack the pressures around housing, home ownership, real estate, and affordability in Barbados. Joining the conversation are: Raquel Thompson – Architect Cherita O’dell – Real Estate Broker Paul Ashby – Chief Executive Officer, SigniaGlobe Financial Group Janelle Bruce – Educator and First-Time Homeowner Together, they explore the realities of the housing market from different angles — design, property, financing, and lived experience. From rising costs and access to mortgages to what first-time buyers are really up against, this is a conversation about more than just houses. It’s about stability, security, and whether ordinary Barbadians can still see a path to owning a home. 🎧 Listen on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music, and wherever you get your podcasts. 📺 Watch the full episode on YouTube (@thebgis).

Honouring Our Elders: The Changing Face of Elder Care

Elder care is changing, and so is the conversation around what it means to age well. In this episode of Jus’ Ah Conversation, hosts Mikul Elcock and Sharifa Medford-Gilkes explore the realities of elder care in Barbados today — from family responsibility and caregiving pressure to active ageing, nutrition, mobility, and maintaining independence for as long as possible. Joining the discussion are: Miss Stacia Whittaker, MPH, RDN — Registered Dietitian Nutritionist with the Ministry of Health & Wellness, working at the St. Michael’s Geriatric Hospital and satellite district hospitals. Ms. Marcia Best — experienced Health Sister and Coordinator on the Advisory and Inspection Committee, with decades of nursing and public health experience. Juliette Downes — Medical Social Worker at the Geriatric Hospital, bringing insight into the emotional, social, and family side of ageing and care. Together, they unpack what elder care looks like in Barbados, the difference between simply living longer and living better, and why movement, muscle-building, nutrition, dignity, and support all matter in the ageing process. 🎧 Listen on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music, and wherever you get your podcasts. 📺 Watch the full episode on YouTube (@thebgis).

Menopause | Breaking the Silence, Talking Truths

Menopause is something many women are expected to endure quietly — but that silence comes at a cost. In this episode of Jus’ Ah Conversation, we open up an honest, informed conversation about menopause and the many ways it affects women’s lives. From hot flashes and sleep disruption to mood changes, mental health struggles, intimacy, and workplace challenges, this discussion goes beyond the usual surface-level talk. This episode explores what menopause really is, why so many women enter this stage without clear information or support, and how myths and stigma continue to shape the experience. It also looks at the importance of balanced medical guidance, better support systems, and treating menopause as more than just a private issue. Joining the conversation are: Dr. Sandra Bynoe — OBGYN and menopause specialist, Dr. Roberta Corona — OBGYN and menopause specialist, BioConnect Deidre Wood — Nutritionist Together, they help break down the facts, challenge the myths, and push for a more open, supportive conversation around menopause. 🎧 Listen on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music, and wherever you get your podcasts. 📺 Watch the full episode on YouTube (@thebgis).

Caring Beyond the Clinic: Tackling Non-Communicable Diseases in Our Communities

Non-communicable diseases continue to affect families and communities across Barbados in a very real way. But tackling NCDs takes more than check-ups and prescriptions — it takes awareness, support, and a deeper understanding of how these conditions shape everyday life. In this episode of Jus’ Ah Conversation, hosts Shayla Murrell and Fabian Belgrave sit down with three guests who each bring a different perspective to the conversation around prevention, advocacy, and community care. Joining them are: Krystal Bowen — communications specialist, cervical cancer and HPV awareness advocate, and founder of @miss_penny246, a platform created in memory of her mother. Trudy Nicole Griffith — registered pharmacist, clinical pharmacist, and former President of the Diabetes and Hypertension Association of Barbados. Antoine Williams — marketing consultant, communications trainer, and community engagement facilitator. Together, they explore how education, storytelling, advocacy, and stronger community support can help shift the fight against NCDs beyond the clinic and into everyday life. 🎧 Listen on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music, and wherever you get your podcasts. 📺 Watch the full episode on YouTube (@thebgis).