Seon 180

In this episode of SEON180, host Leslie Ann Seon sits down with investment expert Ashvin Murugesu to break down the basics of building wealth in “Your Journey to Financial Freedom Starts Here.” From understanding the difference between saving and investing to opening your first investment account, Ashvin simplifies the process for beginners at any income level. With experience at Goldman Sachs, Blue Crest, and FortCay Investment Advisors, he shares real-world strategies to help you build a balanced portfolio, avoid common pitfalls, and start growing your money with confidence. Note: This episode is for educational purposes only and does not constitute financial advice.

In this eye-opening episode of SEON180, host Leslie Ann Seon engages in an important conversation with Dr. Hazel Da Breo—Grenadian-Canadian psychotherapist, psychology professor, and trauma specialist—about the pervasive effects of helicopter parenting. Dr. Da Breo examines how excessive parental control, driven by anxiety or cultural pressures, impacts children’s emotional resilience and problem-solving abilities, with lasting consequences into adulthood, including struggles with decision-making and relationships. Drawing from clinical experience and Caribbean family dynamics, she offers actionable strategies for parents to step back and nurture independence, while also guiding adults raised under overbearing care to reclaim autonomy and self-trust. From defining healthy boundaries to exploring therapeutic recovery, this discussion is essential for anyone navigating modern parenting challenges or healing from its long-term effects. This episode blends psychological expertise with real-world solutions—though it’s no substitute for personalized professional support.

What happens when AI meets the classroom? In this episode of SEON180, we sit down with Dr. Kimberly Becker and Dr. Jessica Parker, the visionary co-founders of Moxie AI, to explore how artificial intelligence is revolutionizing higher education. They break down everything from smarter online learning and research assistance to the rising need for AI literacy in both students and educators. The conversation also tackles ethical concerns, like plagiarism in the age of generative tools, and how institutions can responsibly implement AI in diverse learning environments. With a special lens on the Caribbean context, this episode sheds light on bridging digital gaps and building a future where AI enhances access, equity, and innovation in education.

Host Leslie Ann Seon tackles a topic many men avoid but all need to hear in this candid conversation with Dr. Jonathan Noël, a pioneering robotic urologist trained across three global healthcare systems. Dr. Noël dismantles myths about erectile dysfunction (ED), revealing it as both a common condition and a potential red flag for heart disease, diabetes, or hormonal imbalances. From lifestyle fixes to cutting-edge robotic surgeries and regenerative therapies like stem cells, he breaks down today’s most effective treatments—including when medications work (or don’t)—while addressing the psychological barriers that keep men from seeking help. With insights from over 100 robotic procedures and a mission to destigmatize men’s health, Dr. Noël offers practical advice for prevention, candid doctor conversations, and hope through medical advances. This episode is a must-listen for men at any age, but not a substitute for personalized care.

In this inspiring episode of Seon180, host Leslie Ann Seon sits down with Grenada’s Olympic legends Sir Kirani James and Lindon Victor, OBE to discuss their extraordinary journeys from small-island beginnings to global podiums. Kirani, Grenada’s first Olympic medalist and the only 400m sprinter to podium at three consecutive Games, shares the emotional story behind his historic 2012 gold, while Lindon opens up about his grueling path to decathlon bronze at Paris 2024 and how his foundation empowers young Caribbean athletes. Beyond their medals, this conversation explores resilience, legacy, and the unique challenges of competing for a small nation—offering powerful insights from two trailblazers who continue to uplift their homeland and inspire the world. Chapters (00:03:14) - Part A: Kirani James(00:29:05) - Part B: Lindon Victor

Join host Leslie Ann Seon for a critical conversation with Dr. Ainka Granderson, climate resilience expert and Programme Manager at the Caribbean Natural Resources Institute (CANARI). Hailing from Trinidad and Tobago, Dr. Granderson brings over eight years of experience in climate adaptation across small island states, along with her leadership in the Caribbean Climate Justice Alliance, a coalition of 60+ organizations advocating for equitable climate action. In this episode, we explore pressing issues like intensifying hurricanes, water scarcity, and economic instability—and what Caribbean nations can do to build resilience. Dr. Granderson breaks down the science behind worsening weather patterns, innovative solutions for struggling farmers, and the region’s fight for stronger global climate policies and funding. With a Ph.D. in Resource Management, she offers sharp insights into how the Caribbean can adapt, advocate, and secure a sustainable future. Don’t miss this urgent discussion at the intersection of climate justice and survival.

An episode on Investment Migration Programs, unravelling untruths and misconceptions, with a laser focus on the Caribbean countries that offer them. The conversation captures what exactly is investment migration, its history and massive expansion and popularity globally. The threats to Caribbean programs and the volatility they face due to policy decisions by bigger countries is also explored, concluding on ways to respond as a region.

Leslie-Ann Seon chats with prolific aviation research and policy practitioner Ian Bertrand out of Trinidad and Tobago to discuss regional air travel: the challenges and opportunities. On this episode, the two candidly and critically examine regional air travel from a multisectoral lens: the role of governments, private sector, tourism bodies, and the Caribbean public. Our audience will enjoy this discussion as the pair dive deeply into the wide range of setbacks/issues that continue to curtail the ease and access of airlift in the region. One can expect to walk away with a better understanding and appreciation of why travel within the region is so expensive; and why this teething issue has not been solved or seen any reprieve in recent times. Solutions for a reliable truly connected travel framework is suggested in the hope of helping policymakers and stakeholders arrive at comprehensive and collaborative blueprint to shift the needle for regional air travel; once and for all.

Dr. Trotman and host Leslie-Ann discuss depression from a clinical standpoint, focusing on how it manifests in children, teens, and men. Dr. Trotman starts by defining depression and highlights the difference between bouts of depression and being clinically depressed. The audience can expect to learn about how depression manifests itself differently in the three target groups under discussion: children, teens, and men, and how family and loved ones can help. The discussion dives deeper into why men struggle with sharing how they feel and how it is tied to how boys and girls are socialized differently. The episode wraps up highlighting that depression is treatable and gives practical advice on how to spot and manage depression.

Leslie-Ann chats with Dr. Adrian Rhudd, a Urologist from Antigua, and they discuss men’s health, which both see as a timely topic. The episode aims to unravel issues and taboos around prostate health and why men need to get regular health checks. Dr. Rhudd discusses the prostate, what it is, what it does, the types of tests used in doctors’ offices to check the prostrate and the signs and early warnings for cancer of the prostate and other less fatal prostate issues, such as enlarged prostate. They discuss the drawbacks of men not wanting to do check-ups and dismiss false ideations about general prostate health and men’s machismo in relation to health checks in general.   

In this episode, Leslie-Ann sits down with her childhood friend, Shadel Nyack-Compton, a Mother, career Lawyer and Award-winning Businesswoman, who is the owner and managing director of internationally renowned Belmont Estate. The Estate continues to break records and sustainably empower locals through marrying agriculture and tourism, tapping into the natural heritage and landscape of the estate. Belmont Estate recently was voted the number one tourist attraction by U.S. News and World Report.  Seon and Shadel discuss her bold move in embarking on this project years ago, to practice agriculture in rural Grenada and make it attractive for visitors and for locals, and how she manages to recalibrate. They start off discussing the inspiration behind Shadel moving back to Grenada and turning this struggling family business into a powerhouse in the tourism industry in Grenada and the Caribbean. Shadel discusses the risks she took returning to Grenada to take over this business, to help out her grandmother with the business, and create a family legacy, and in the process give back to her family, the rural community and country that had given her so much. 

Leslie-Ann chats with Dr. Kester Nedd, dissecting Alzheimer’s and Dementia, from a clinical, social, and economic standpoint within the Caribbean context. From the discussion, one will learn about Alzheimer’s and Dementia, understand the differences, causes, symptoms, and how it can be treated, through pharmacological and no pharmacological treatments in the early stages. Characteristics of presenting symptoms for the degenerative diseases are highlighted; while sound advice and key takeaways are given about care and support systems for custodians taking care of loved one’s suffering. The conversation takes a deep dive into how the brain works and how lifestyle, genetics, traumatic brain injury and the natural course of aging all shape the presentation of the disease in persons diagnosed. Ethical issues concerning the care of persons in and out of lucidity, denial, and out-of-character behavior, and how to manage as caretakers are also discussed. The Caribbean’s readiness to support and provide proper services for the aging population is discussed and areas to improve geriatric services holistically, were highlighted. In essence, anyone listening to this episode will leave well-informed, with sound advice to use or share with someone, as Alzheimer's and Dementia continues to plague many Caribbean households. 

This is an episode about owning your balance in the workplace and embracing your personal power to thrive. The conversation covers remaining flexible and open to refining personal goals and being true to yourself, always. The burnout culture is discussed, and practical advice is given on how to embrace the ideal of the work-life balance, manage stress, and prioritize your mental health and wellness. More and more, there seems to be a generation gap in the workplace between generation X and millennials, and the conversation dissects how the two generations can work and learn from each other. Emotional intelligence is also discussed at length, and the listener will walk away knowing what emotional intelligence is, how to use it and why it is an important skill to master in order to thrive as a leader, employee, and individual.  According to Krystal, owning your voice and embracing the fact that your voice has value, being respectful of other voices, and using empathy, are practical ways to navigate in life and the workplace. In essence, this episode uncovers the “soft skills” that one should strive to develop to show up as their best self every day. 

First-generation, Trinidadian actress, living and working in Los Angeles, Tiffany Yvonne Cox, chats with Leslie-Ann about how she navigates as a person of colour with Caribbean roots in Trinidad and Grenada, in the entertainment industry in America.

Leslie-Ann and Dr. Earl Brewster discuss women’s health, with a special focus on menopause and overall reproductive health. They break down the term “menopause” and the issues surrounding this transitional phase all women go through when they get to a certain age, generally between 45 and 55. From understanding the different types of menopause and the unique role estrogen plays, treatment, and access to support services in the Caribbean; this episode captures the topic in a new light. Dr. Brewster takes time to dissect misconceptions and taboos about menopause and the benefits of treatments like hormonal replacement therapy. He also highlights symptoms of menopause that are not so widely known.  Our audience will definitely learn about preparing the body for menopause, soothing measures through natural remedies, and just general “did you know” information. 

In this episode, Leslie-Ann and the Governor of the Eastern Caribbean Central Bank, Timothy Antoine discussed the very relevant and urgent topic of finance and banking in the Caribbean, in light of global trends, standards, and digitization, as well as the looming world economic crisis. Governor Antoine gives real-life tips to individuals, families, and businesses on how they can weather the impending economic storm and own their own prosperity, economic stability, and growth in the process.