Sunside Kingdom Show
The SunSide Kingdom is a podcast series created by John (JAM) Sandiford that highlights impactful role models from the Dutch Caribbean, including Aruba, Bonaire, Curaçao, Saba, Sint Eustatius, Sint Maarten, and Suriname. This show aims to share the inspiring stories of individuals from the region and its diaspora who are making significant contributions across various fields, both locally and internationally. Each episode features engaging interviews that showcase the success and influence of these figures, encouraging positive change through their narratives.
S04E01 : Loudahlia, Alesco and Paul from SEDC SXM | Nobody Tells You How Hard It Is to Start a Business
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What does it really take to start a business, change your environment, and build a different life?
In this special Season 4 episode of the Sun Side Kingdom Show, we sit down at the Sint Maarten Entrepreneurship Development Center (SEDC) with three aspiring and established entrepreneurs to talk about the realities of doing business on Sint Maarten.
From turning a side hustle into a full-time business, to learning how to market yourself, find mentors, manage...
S03E11 : Mingli Chung | Transforming pain into purpose
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In this powerful conversation, Mingli Chung, a mindful leader, trauma-informed coach, and founder of Ki Connect Solutions, opens up about her journey from corporate success to deep healing work.
She shares how understanding trauma and energy changed her life, her business, and even her health after surviving breast cancer.
Join host Jam Sandiford as they dive into how purpose, presence, and emotional intelligence can truly transform the way we lead and live.
S03E10: Tyson Lopez | Leadership for a Sustainable Future
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In this inspiring episode of The Sunset Kingdom Show, we sit down with the CEO of the Aruba Conservation Foundation, Tyson Lopez from Aruba. 🌿
From growing up on Aruba to representing the island at the United Nations, he has dedicated his life to protecting nature, empowering youth, and building a sustainable future.
Discover how purpose-driven leadership is transforming conservation on the island — and why protecting nature is about protecting our own future. If you care...
S03E10: Tyson Lopez | Leadership for a Sustainable Future
In this inspiring episode of The Sunset Kingdom Show, we sit down with the CEO of the Aruba Conservation Foundation, Tyson Lopez from Aruba. 🌿
From growing up on Aruba to representing the island at the United Nations, he has dedicated his life to protecting nature, empowering youth, and building a sustainable future.
Discover how purpose-driven leadership is transforming conservation on the island, and why protecting nature is about protecting our own future. If you care about environmental sustainability, leadership, or Caribbean role models, this is a must-watch.
🎙️ Hosted by John Sandiford
🙋🏻♂️ Guest: Tyson Lopez<...
S3E9: Elona | Soulful Voice on Music, Struggles & The Vulnerable Hour
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Dive into the journey of Elona, a powerful singer-songwriter from Sint Maarten/ Saint Martin, whose sound blends the soul of R&B with the energy of Afrobeats. In this episode of The Sunny Side Kingdom Show, Elona opens up to host John Sandiford, about her path as an independent artist, her debut EP The Vulnerable Hour, performing in London, building her own studio, and how vulnerability shapes her music.
S3E8: Queen-Anne "Queeny" Bergen | Stop Playing Safe, Reinvent Your Life Like This
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In this inspiring episode of the Sunny Side Kingdom Show, we sit down with Queenie, a dynamic leader from Aruba who has reinvented herself time and time again. From leading one of the island’s biggest Carnival groups, to co-founding the Women Empowering Women Foundation, to raising her kids while running businesses — Queenie embodies resilience, purpose, and joy.
S3E7: Bianca "BB Bad" Dijkhoffz | From Dancer to DJ and World Tours in 2 years
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In this episode of The Sunset Kingdom Show, we sit down with Bianca Dijkhoffz, aka BB Bad, a powerhouse Caribbean creative who went from dancing on Jimmy Fallon and touring with Chris Brown to spinning stadiums as the official DJ for Karol G.
From her roots in Sint Maarten to owning stages across the globe, Bianca shares her story of resilience, transformation, and raw creative energy — including her struggles with ADHD, navigating male-dominated industries, and what it...
S3E6: Lucienne Lacle | Leading with Purpose: Caribbean Tech, Identity & Impact
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Lucienne Lacle is building more than products—she’s building a movement. As a FinTech leader, university lecturer, and founder of WIP Aruba, she’s reshaping how Aruba thinks about technology, education, and purpose. In this powerful conversation with host John Sandiford, Lucienne opens up about her personal journey, the mentors who shaped her, and why the Caribbean needs bold, tech-driven solutions now more than ever.
S3E5: Sarah-Quita Offringa | Waves, Fear & World Titles. Inside the Mind of a Champion!
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Host John Sandiford travels to Aruba to meet Sarah-Quita Offringa, who's dominated the ocean with 25 world titles, but she isn’t finished. In this episode of the SunSide Kingdom Show, the Aruban icon opens up about facing her fears in monster waves, why retiring at your “peak” is overrated, life beyond the podium, what scares her most, her love affair with windsurfing, and staying Caribbean strong. "If I’m not competing, I fear falling into an abyss of nothingn...
S3E4: Justin Niessen | No Fear, Just Fire. The mindset behind a Culinary Empire!
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Host John Sandiford travels to Curaçao to meet with Justin Niessen, a culinary chef and entrepreneur behind Mondi, a Caribbean fine dining concept with two restaurants in the Netherlands and one in Curaçao. Born and raised in Curaçao, Justin is on a mission to put Caribbean cuisine on the map, inviting others to taste the richness of the culture, while giving his own community something to take pride in.
With a deep passion for...
S3E3: Jody Morgan | Island Mindset, Global Vision: The Power of Authenticity
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In this episode, John Sandiford is joined by Jody Morgan, an entrepreneur, designer, and podcast co-host of @bitethebulletpod.
Born in Saba and connected to Suriname and St. Lucia, Jody moved to the Netherlands at 17 to pursue her passion for business, creativity, and making an impact.
As the founder of Peaque Consultancy, Jody blends her love for design, community, and storytelling through the podcast. In this conversation, she reflects on her journey of resilience, cultural...
S2E10: Denzel Richardson | The Baseball Game & Beyond the Field: The Highs, Lows & What's Next
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Welcome to SunSide Kingdom! The place where we highlight Dutch Caribbean Role Models making impact in the world!
In this episode of the SunSide Kingdom Show, Denzel Richardson delivers a powerful motivational speech, sharing his journey through baseball, the challenges he's overcome, and the life lessons he's learned along the way.
As a Black Caribbean athlete and mental health advocate, Denzel discusses his evolution and the importance of perseverance, growth, and helping others. This...
S3E2: Hadie Leonie | Manifesting: An Inspiring Life Through Teaching & Podcasting
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In this episode, John Sandiford is joined by Hadie Leonie, an educator, creative, and podcast host of Bite the Bullet podcast, connected to Caribbean culture. Raised in Sint Maarten, she grew up with strong values and a passion for storytelling, education, and representation. Now based in the Netherlands, she teaches English in The Hague, using education to uplift and inspire.
Beyond the classroom, Hadie channels her creativity through the Bite the Bullet Podcast, sparking meaningful conversations...
S3 E1: Zillah "Jolie" Duzon-Hazel | Manifesting Dreams: From Sint-Maarten to NYFW
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want to know more? Watch the full episode now on YouTube!
Join host John Sandiford as he sits down with Zillah "Jolie" Duzon-Hazel, a Caribbean fashion designer, mural artist, and founder of the fashion brand Jolie Duzon. Zillah shares her inspiring journey of turning her passion for art, culture, and fashion design into reality, from creating her first collection to showcasing her designs at New York Fashion Week.
Discover how she uses art to...
S2E9: Shirma Rouse | From Musician to Mogul – Growing, Thriving, and Giving Back
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Welcome to SunSide Kingdom! The place where we highlight Dutch Caribbean Role Models making impact in the world!
In this episode, John chats with Shirma Rouse about her journey through life and music. Shirma shares the ups and downs of the spotlight, the challenges of independence, and lessons from her childhood on Sint Eustatius. She reflects on giving back, building her business, and advice for her younger self, offering inspiration for dreamers everywhere.
You...
S2E8: Eva Croes | Uncovering Family Roots and Dancing to Inspire the Next Generation
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Welcome to SunSide Kingdom! The place where we highlight Dutch Caribbean Role Models making impact in the world!
Eva Croes is a passionate dance teacher who inspires her students to create impact through the art of dance. As her journey unfolds, she uncovers a hidden secret about her father's side of the family while reflecting on the mentors who shaped her path.
Listen to her podcast - Be Right Back |
Bai Bin...
S2E7: John Sandiford | 5 Essential Life Lessons for Dutch Caribbean Students
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Welcome to SunSide Kingdom! The place where we highlight Dutch Caribbean Role Models making impact in the world!
In this special episode of the Sunside Kingdom Show, Sint Maarten-born entrepreneur John Sandiford shares his invaluable advice with Dutch Caribbean students embarking on their college journey in the Netherlands. Drawing from his own experiences living and working between the Caribbean and Europe, John highlights five key lessons that will set you up for success in your academic...
S2E6: Dylan van Arneman | From Bonaire to CERN: Inside the World's Largest Physics Lab
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In today’s episode of The Sun Side Kingdom Show, John Sandiford interviews Dylan Van Arneman, a young physicist, who shares his journey to discovering his passion for physics and his work at the CERN facility in Amsterdam. From earning his Master's and PhD. degrees to aiming to change the world through his research, Dylan recounts how he became one of the few people from Bonaire to work at CERN in Switzerland. He also talks about his mission to...
S2E5: David Levy Maduro | Fintech Innovator with a Heart for Community Service
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Join host John Sandiford as he talks with David Levy Maduro, co-owner of CX Pay and a leading figure in Caribbean fintech. Discover how David is transforming payment solutions across the region and empowering others in digital finance through his roles as a trainer and consultant.
Learn about his commitment to community service with the Lions Club and his innovative, compassionate approach to leadership.
Welcome to SunSide Kingdom! The place where we highlight Dutch...
S2E4: Shenin Lebrun | Changing the Game: Helping More Women of Color Succeed in Business
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Join host John Sandiford as he talks with Shenin Lebrun, founder of Hustle and Heart Consultancy. Shenin shares her inspiring journey from EMEA Director at Nike to turning her side hustle into a successful business, earning various accolades, and even becoming a producer. Discover how she is helping women of color succeed in business through her passion, resilience, and leadership. Dive into the lessons learned, triumphs celebrated, and wisdom shared.
Welcome to SunSide Kingdom! The place...
S2E3: Alvin Obersi | Building the Obersi Legacy Over 40 Years
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Join host John Sandiford together with his guest Alvin Obersi, of the Obersi Group as he shares his entrepreneurial journey, his successes, failures, and the lessons he's learned along the way from his birthplace Bonaire, to the Dutch Caribbean region and internationally in an illustrious 40 year entrepreneurial career.
Welcome to SunSide Kingdom! The place where we highlight Dutch Caribbean Role Models making impact in the world!
You can find Alvin Obersi on:
...
S2E2: Marwan Rozier | Fintech: The next big thing for the Caribbean
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Tune in as Marwan Rozier, Founder and CEO of Girasol Payment Solutions, reveals how his innovative fintech company is revolutionizing digital payments in the Caribbean. Discover how Rozier is overcoming challenges and partnering with industry giants like Mastercard to transform the region's payment infrastructure.
Welcome to SunSide Kingdom! The place where we highlight Dutch Caribbean Role Models making impact in the world!
You can find Marwan Rozier on:
LinkedIn: / marwan-rozier-9366a1112
<...S2E1: Melissa Gumbs | Transforming Sint Maarten: Leading Change with Party for Progress
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In our first episode of season 2 of the Sunside Kingdom Show, John Sandiford talks with Melissa Gumbs, a key political leader from Sint Maarten. They chat about her role in making big changes in her community and what drives her passion for progress. Tune in to learn about her journey and the impact she’s making.
Welcome to SunSide Kingdom! The place where we highlight Dutch Caribbean Role Models making impact in the world!
Yo...
S1E7: Jorien Wuite | How Her Career Path Shaped Her Understanding of Passion, Perseverance, and Politics
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In this insightful episode of the Sunside Kingdom Show, we sit down with the remarkable Jorien Wuite, a trailblazer in leadership and advocacy. Jorien, known for her dynamic career and impactful contributions, shares her perspectives on leadership, overcoming challenges, and fostering positive change.
Welcome to SunSide Kingdom! The place where we highlight Dutch Caribbean Role Models making impact in the world!
🔗 Connect with Jorien:
website: https://d66.nl/mensen/jorien-wuite/
Ins...
S1E6: Rigel Pieters | Rising Above Setbacks: The Journey of a CrossFit Pioneer & Gym Owner
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In this episode experience the rollercoaster journey of Rigel Pieters — Personal Trainer, Gym Owner and Training Innovator. Discover his story of finding himself through the highs and lows of running a gym, losing it all, and ultimately rediscovering his passion for sports.
Welcome to SunSide Kingdom! The place where we highlight Dutch Caribbean Role Models making impact in the world!
You can find Rigel Pieters on:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rigel.pi...
S1E:5 Vincentia Rosen-Sandiford | How Changing Plans Can Reveal Your True Calling
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In this episode, explore the remarkable journey of Vincentia Rosen-Sandiford as she navigates her path from early beginnings in The Netherlands, Sint Maarten, and Dominica. Discover how she overcame numerous challenges and evolved from studying Management, Economics, and Law to becoming the Director of the Bureau of Intellectual Property in Sint Maarten.
Welcome to SunSide Kingdom! The place where we highlight Dutch Caribbean Role Models making impact in the world!
Thanks to Simpson Bay...
S1E4: Fabian Florant | From Olympian and 20x Dutch Champion to Corporate Banker
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In this episode, we explore Fabian Florant's remarkable journey from his early beginnings in Dominica to competing in the U.S., becoming a 20x Dutch National Champion in Triple and Long Jump, and ultimately achieving his dream of becoming an Olympian.
Join us as Fabian shares his inspiring story of dedication and success.
Welcome to SunSide Kingdom! The place where we highlight Dutch Caribbean Role Models making impact in the world!
You...
S1E3: Derek Kusmus | A Jack of All Trades Turns Passion into Sports Media Gold!
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In this episode, Derek Kusmus shares how his passion for music, photography, event management, and sports has transformed into a successful sports media business.
Discover how his diverse interests have come together to create a purposeful and impactful career.
You can find Derek Kusmus on:
Website: https://www.wodphotography.com
FB: h / thewodphotography
IG: / wodphotography
You can find John Sandiford also on:
...
S1E2: Sandy Provacia | The Emotional Journey of Following Your Passion!
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In this episode, Sandy Provacia of FLXN Dance School in Eindhoven shares his journey from a passionate dancer facing skepticism from his parents to achieving success in the dance world. Despite the challenges, his dedication and resilience have propelled him forward, and he’s now looking toward a future filled with even greater accomplishments. Join host John Sandiford, a.k.a. JAM Sandiford, as he delves into Sandy’s inspiring story of perseverance and vision.
Welcome to S...
S1E1: Ife Badejo | How this Islandpreneur Stands in her Purpose!
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People!!!
Welcome to The SunSide Kingdom ☀️ The place where we highlight Dutch Caribbean Role Models making impact in the world!
In our debut episode of The Sunshine Kingdom Show, host John Sandiford (aka Jam Sandiford) sits down with Sint Maarten's own Ife Badejo to delve into the vital connection between purpose and entrepreneurship. Broadcasting from the beautiful, sunny, and friendly island of Sint Maarten, they explore the unique challenges and opportunities that isla...
