Shows / Freshwater Yankee
Freshwater Yankee
Wendell Riley, a Trinidadian creative, community leader, educator, and cultural commentator living in the United States, explores themes of immigrant life, building identity in new places, and finding beauty and humor wherever you may go. Through personal stories, lively discussions, and cultural insights, Freshwater Yankee (a Trinidadian term for someone Americanized after time abroad) explores what makes us different across towns, regions, and countries, and ultimately, what connects us all.
Episodes
- Freshwater Yankee
Lagahoos and Soucouyants and Douen, Oh My!
Send us Fan Mail Happy Spooky Season! In this episode Wendell explores the historical and cultural significance of scary stories around the world, and examines…
- Freshwater Yankee
The First Rule Of Social Media Is You Should Talk About Social Media
Send us Fan Mail In this episode Wendell deconstructs the good, the bad, and the ugly of social media, a global force that is reshaping cultures, societies…
- Freshwater Yankee
I Have Read And Agree To The Terms And Conditions
Send us Fan Mail In this episode Wendell reflects on how technology, and smart devices in particular, can make the world smaller, connecting us across…
- Freshwater Yankee
Chasing Dragons (Stephen Vekovius Part 2 of 2)
Send us Fan Mail Wendell continues his conversation with Stephen Vekovius, entrepreneur, mentor, and native of Louisiana of Syrian and European descent living…
- Freshwater Yankee
The Ugly Duckling (Stephen Vekovius Part 1 of 2)
Send us Fan Mail Wendell chats with Stephen Vekovius, a native of Louisiana with Syrian and European roots, to discuss his experiences growing up slightly…
- Freshwater Yankee
The African Diaspora: A Migration That Shaped The Modern World
Send us Fan Mail Wendell sits down with Dr. Sharlene Sinegal-DeCuir, Department Chair, African American and Diaspora Studies at Xavier University of Louisiana…
- Freshwater Yankee
The World Cup - The Most Beautiful Game
Send us Fan Mail In this episode Wendell reflects on Trinidad and Tobago's history of attempting to qualify for the World Cup, and why the tournament brings…
- Freshwater Yankee
Wandering Westward
Send us Fan Mail Greetings from Sedona, Arizona! In this episode Wendell shares the roots of his fascination with the American Southwest, and talks about the…
- Freshwater Yankee
Linguistics: Episode 1
Send us Fan Mail In this episode Wendell explores the genesis of the way Trinbagonians talk, and gives a tutorial of how to communicate with other Trinis in…
- Freshwater Yankee
This Isn't The Sandwich I Ordered
Send us Fan Mail In this episode, Wendell takes a break from his crazy routine to discuss his experience of being in the "sandwich era" that is middle age, and…
- Freshwater Yankee
Nerds of a Feather
Send us Fan Mail Living in a foreign land can be lonely, especially when it means leaving a safe space of shared culture with those you grew up with. But…
- Freshwater Yankee
Never See Come See
Send us Fan Mail In this episode Wendell discusses the pitfalls of suddenly being exposed to food culture in America when he emigrated to Maryland to study…
- Freshwater Yankee
On Movies, Comics, and Growing Up Trini
Send us Fan Mail Wendell sits with Christopher Riley to talk about growing up in Trinidad in the 70's and 80's and how that influenced their work on comics…
- Freshwater Yankee
Trinidad Carnival 2026 - For The Love of Mas
Send us Fan Mail Wendell looks at Trinidad Carnival through the lens of spectator mas, an artform that saw an evolutionary leap in the 80's and 90's. He also…
- Freshwater Yankee
Trinidad Carnival 2026 – Potential to Kinetic Energy
Send us Fan Mail Wendell gives an oral account of his experiences playing mas in Trinidad and Tobago Carnival, and he explores the personal, emotional, and…
- Freshwater Yankee
Go Potty!
Send us Fan Mail Wendell reflects on his first two pets back in Trinidad and Tobago, and explores the nature of pet ownership in America and how it differs…
- Freshwater Yankee
Home Is Where The Heart Is... Right?
Send us Fan Mail Wendell sits down with Miranda Restovic, President and Executive Director of the Louisiana Endowment for the Humanities and the Executive…
- Freshwater Yankee
A Taco By Any Other Name
Send us Fan Mail Wendell sits down with British-born Dr. Helen Taylor, Provost and Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs at LSU Shreveport to discuss living in…
- Freshwater Yankee
The Journey
Send us Fan Mail Wendell shares his journey as an expatriate- from his early days as a young boy growing up next to Green Corner in Port-of-Spain Trinidad, to…