Souvni On The Mike
Souvni On The Mike stands as a vibrant cultural beacon in the digital soundscape, offering a weekly immersion into the heart of Haitian language and life. Every Friday night at 8 PM, this Haitian Creole podcast transforms the airwaves into a dynamic classroom and cultural salon, where education, entertainment, and community connection converge. The show's very name, "Souvni," meaning "Remember," signals its core mission: to be a living archive of cherished experiences and a bridge between generations of Haitians, both at home and across the diaspora.At its foundation, the program is a powerful tool for language acquisition. Recognizing the challenges...
#43 - Traumatization and the Memory of Colonization
Send us Fan Mail
This week Souvni and Valentin take listeners on a humorous yet thought-provoking journey through “Traumatization and the Memory of Colonization.” Using storytelling, satire, Haitian proverbs, and plenty of laughter, they explore how historical wounds can become so normal that we stop recognizing them as wounds at all. From growing up without electricity to being praised for being “strong” while carrying invisible burdens, the episode asks an important question: Are some of the things we call resilience actually survival habits passed down through generations? And as always, the learning continues with humor. In this week's L...
#42 - Between Prayer and Therapy: The Balance We All Need
Send us Fan Mail
In this episode of Souvni On The Mike, Souvni and Valentin unpack one of the most fascinating parts of Haitian culture, the way we treat everything, from high blood pressure to heartbreak, with a mix of ancestral remedies, loud prayers, and modern medicine. Haitians will drink 'lettuce water', bless the walls, drink garlic tea, and still show up at the doctor’s office just to see if they want to add anything else.
But when the issue is stress, emotional overload, or mental imbalance? Suddenly, everyone gets quiet. Suddenly, 'lage sa na...
#41- Heavy Truth, Easy Lies: How the Brain Falls for Manipulation
Send us Fan Mail
In this episode, Souvni and Valentin dive deep into the hidden psychology behind manipulation, from politics to personal relationships. Why does the brain choose a comforting lie over a painful truth? Why do we fall for fear‑based messages, emotional traps, and invented enemies? And how do manipulators, whether a politician, a partner, or a friend, use our own survival instincts against us?
Through real stories, humor, and sharp insight, this episode reveals how the brain avoids pain, how propaganda hijacks our emotions, and how everyday people can be pulled into fa...
#40 - Sèvo ki ap Chanje
Send us Fan Mail
In this episode of Souvni on the Mike we dive into Haitian Psychology 101 and the idea of a brain that never stops changing, exploring how intelligence isn’t automatic just because you have a brain, how neuroplasticity helps Haitians adapt in a new country, and why even lifelong stress can be rewired through calm and repetition. Souvni and Valentin break down big concepts with humor, culture, and real‑life examples, including the unforgettable story of Matant Bèbèt, the former countryside farmer who becomes the WhatsApp Queen. And in this week’s Lafamill...
#39 - Haitian Identity Crisis
Send us Fan Mail
In today’s episode of Souvni on the Mike, we dive into Haitian identity crisis through real stories, humor, and heartfelt reflection. Souvni and Valentin explore what happens when Ayiti and the diaspora collide inside one person, how history shapes emotion, and why so many Haitians feel caught between cultures. From pastors losing their sense of purpose to parents navigating new rules in a foreign land, the show reveals how identity confusion is not weakness but a sign of searching for truth. Then we shift into La Famille Pòt, where Ovila’s visit...
#38 - Four Haitian Women Walk Into a Room…
Send us Fan Mail
In this week’s episode of Souvni on the Mike, we dive into the four powerhouse archetypes that shape Haitian womanhood: the Poto Mitan, the Madan Sara, the Fanm Dyaspora, and the Fanm Tulututu. Through humor, storytelling, and cultural reflection, Souvni and Valentin explore how each of these women carries a different kind of strength, economic, emotional, global, and creative, and how together they form the four pillars of Haitian identity.
From Madan Sara’s fearless hustle, to Poto Mitan’s quiet...
#37 - The Leadership Hat Keeps Moving: Haitian Family Roles in Motion
Send us Fan Mail
In this episode, Souvni and Valentin dive into one of the most surprising and hilarious truths of Haitian life: the family structure is evolving, and comedy is the flashlight that helps us see it clearly.From “paper traditions” that say the father is the head of the household, to the real‑life situations where the mother, grandmother, or even the kids end up steering the ship, this conversation explores how Haitian families adapt in the diaspora.Economic shifts, cultural expectations, distance, new work schedules, and technology all reshape who leads, who decides, and who teache...#36 - The Haitian American Dream
Send us Fan Mail
In today’s episode, Souvni and Valentin take listeners on a sharp, funny, and honest journey through what Haitians imagine the American Dream to be, and what it actually feels like once you land in the United States. From the hopes packed inside a suitcase leaving Port-au-Prince to the shock of cold weather, nonstop work, taxes, bills, and the pressure of “Time is Money,” this episode explores how comedy becomes a survival tool for immigrants navigating a demanding new world.
Souvni breaks down the five basic necessities, housing, food, transportation, communication, and he...
#35 - Terapi Lakay: When Laughter Becomes Survival
Send us Fan Mail
In this episode of Souvni on the Mike, Souvni and Valentin open the month‑long series on Haitian comedy by exploring why laughter is essential to Haitian survival, how humor becomes emotional oxygen, cultural memory, and a gentle way to tell hard truths. They dive into the roots of Haitian comedic tradition, from Bouki and Ti Malis to Languichatte and classic radio feytons, showing how comedy has always helped Haitians carry heavy realities with dignity. The episode features the beloved skit La Famille Pòt, where Ovila, exhausted from being the family’s cook...
#34 - Haiti 2050: The Bold Future We’re Already Building
Send us Fan Mail
In this season finale of Souvni on the Mike, Souvni and Valentin close out twelve weeks of exploring Haiti’s identity, from the nation’s birth in 1804 to the challenges of today, and step boldly into the future. Together, they trace Haiti’s journey from enslavement to liberation, from instability to innovation, and from despair to a new era shaped by technology, education, and rising Haitian professionals.
This episode reveals a powerful projection: gang influence fading, elite domination collapsing, and a modern Haiti emerging through AI, digital infrastructure, diaspora leadership, and youth...
#33 - Haitian Spirituality: The Real National Language
Send us Fan Mail
In this episode, Souvni and Valentin travel beneath the Haitian skin, past the surface, past the stereotypes, straight into the spiritual bloodstream of the Haitian people.
They explore why Haitian spirituality is not a religion, not a doctrine, not a ritual, but a logic, a memory, a feeling, and a national language that isn’t written anywhere, yet every Haitian speaks fluently.
This episode uncovers the six pillars that shape Haitian spiritual identity:
Haitian Logic: the way Haitians interpret dreams, signs, and invisible forces.
Faith as...
#32 - The Psychology of Haitian Pride - Sikoloji Fyète Ayisyen an
Send us Fan Mail
This week on Souvni on the Mike, Souvni and Valentin dive deep into the emotional engine behind Haitian identity. From the unmistakable “Vibrasyon Ayisyen” to the historical backbone that shaped a nation, this episode explores why Haitian pride is not just a feeling, it’s a psychological inheritance. Through humor, storytelling, and sharp cultural insight, they unpack ten weeks of exploring “Under the Haitian Skin,” revealing how resilience, memory, spirituality, and everyday victories keep Haitian pride alive. A powerful, funny, and soul‑warming conversation that honors the past while celebrating the brilliance of Haitians tod...
#31 - Haiti's Unsung Heroes - Ewo Envizib Ayisyen yo
Send us Fan Mail
In this episode, Souvni and Valentin peel back the layers of Haitian identity to reveal the invisible pillars of the country:
the market women who kept the economy alive under embargo,
the spiritual leaders who preserved African memory under slavery,
the artists who carried Haiti’s soul across generations,
the diaspora who sustains the nation from abroad,
and the grassroots organizers who kept communities functioning when institutions collapsed.
Through storytelling, humor, and cultural analysis, the show reminds listeners that Haiti was no...
#30 - The Haitian Immigrant Blueprint: Understanding the Five Faces of Survival
Send us Fan Mail
This week’s episode of Souvni on the Mike dives deep beneath the surface of Haitian migration. We often hear simple explanations, poverty, politics, crisis, but the truth is far more layered, emotional, and human. Haitian immigrants don’t just leave their country; they leave with a hidden operating system, a blueprint shaped by history, culture, trauma, hope, and resilience. This week’s skit, Sizyèm Vizaj Ovila a, brings humor to the blueprint. Ovila discovers she has not five, but six faces, including the terrifying “house‑authority face” that sends ev...
#29 - The Bougie Ones Who Accidentally Started the Haitian Revolution
Send us Fan Mail
This week on Souvni on the Mike, Souvni and Valentin peel back the layers of Haitian society to explore how class, trust, and survival shape everything from the Haitian Revolution to modern healthcare.
We dive into the ironic, hilarious, and very real story of the free people of color, wealthy, privileged, and educated, yet denied equality. In trying to secure their own rights, they accidentally armed enslaved Africans, who promptly decided to fight for everyone’s freedom instead.
Then we jump into a comedic skit with La Famille Pòt...
#28 - A Deportation Story
Send us Fan Mail
In this week’s episode of Souvni on the Mike, we enter the heart of the Haitian immigrant experience through the powerful journey of Gèlin, a mother whose life is upended by a single email: “Your TPS status is no longer valid.” What follows is a raw, emotional passage through fear, memory, identity, and survival, from the cold van ride, to the airport return, to the moment she must explain danger to a child born in safety. Souvni and Valentin break down the truth behind modern immigration realities, the los...
#27 - The Sh!thole Generation: Born from Passive Aggressive Racism
Send us Fan Mail
Week 5 of Under the Haitian Skin takes us straight into the uncomfortable truth: the global disrespect, misrepresentation, and subtle hostility Haiti has endured for generations. In this episode, Souvni coins the term Passive‑Aggressive Racism, a modern, quiet, “smiling‑while‑blocking‑you” form of discrimination that hides behind politeness and political correctness.
It’s the kind of racism that smiles at you while calculating how to keep you from rising, that opens the VIP door for some but leaves Haitians knocking outsi...
#26 - The First Night After Haitian Independence Day
Send us Fan Mail
This episode of Souvni on the Mike dives into the silence and shock that followed Haiti’s independence. Souvni and Valentin guide listeners through the emotional aftermath of victory, when the enslaved woke to a world without the morning bell, without commands, without fear. The show explores how freedom felt like both breath and fire, a new rhythm of life beginning after centuries of bondage. It paints the first sunrise of liberty through the eyes of elders rebuilding, youth discovering identity, and women restoring life with care, love, and the sacred act of ma...
#25 - A Day in the Life of Jean-Jacques Dessalines
Send us Fan Mail
In Week 3 of our Summer 2026 series, Under the Haitian Skin, we step beyond the history books and into the lived reality of Jean‑Jacques Dessalines, not the myth, not the propaganda, but the man.
This episode takes listeners through a single day in Dessalines’ life, revealing the emotional truth behind the figure the world thinks it knows. We explore how a child born in chains became the architect of Haiti’s independence, and how the world used his name as a lens to judge an entire nation.
Through a powerf...
#24 - The Sins of Haiti - Punished for Freedom (Part 2)
Send us Fan Mail
In Part 2 of this powerful series, Souvni digs deeper into Haiti’s past to expose the true cost of freedom, not the cost Haitians chose, but the cost the world forced upon them. After the triumph of 1804, no nation congratulated Haiti; instead, they punished it. They isolated the new Black republic, imposed embargoes, blocked trade, and launched diplomatic schemes designed to break a nation that dared to stand tall. This episode traces how France demanded reparations for losing enslaved people, how the United States invaded, seized Haiti’s gold, and installed an occupation that...
#23 - The Sins of Haiti: Dared to Be Free (Part 1)
Send us Fan Mail
(Summer 2026 - Under the Haitian Skin Series)
“The Sins of Haiti: Dared to Be Free” is the electrifying first episode of a 12‑part summer series, Under the Haitian Skin, airing from June 12 to August 28, 2026. In this riveting 30‑minute journey, Souvni and Valentin peel back the layers of history to reveal the truth behind what the world once called Haiti’s greatest sin, the audacity to be free.
With a blend of poetic narration, humor, and unflinching honesty, this episode transports listeners back to a time ...
#22 - Love Letter to Haiti
Send us Fan Mail
In this episode, Souvni takes listeners on a wild, imaginative tour of Haiti, not through maps, but through the human body. Si Ayiti te yon moun, ki pati nan kò a chak depatman ta ye? From the proud crown of the North to the steady spine of the Centre to the heartbeat of the West, we explore the country through a fresh, playful lens that blends culture, geography, and personality. Explore how each region becomes a living character through Haiti’s body map, department personalities, and symbolic storytelling.
Then, inside La Fam...
#21 - Lavi San Filtè Doesn't Give a Danm
Send us Fan Mail
"Lavi San Filtè Doesn’t Give a Danm” is the unapologetic, unfiltered space where real life meets real talk. In a world drowning in filters, pressure, noise, and digital madness, this show cuts straight through the nonsense. We break down the chaos of modern life, social media toxicity, scams, stress, survival, mental health, and the common sense of not giving a damn about things that drain your spirit. This isn’t self‑help. This isn’t preaching. This is clarity with attitude, culture with comedy, and truth with a Haitian backbone. A space to breathe...
#20 - Haitians and Their Unsolicited Advice
Send us Fan Mail
In this episode, Souvni and Valentin dive into the hilarious and sometimes chaotic world of good advice, bad advice, and the unsolicited advice nobody asked for. From the wisdom that shaped us to the nonsense that confused us, they unpack the best and worst guidance people receive in life, all with humor, honesty, and that signature Souvni‑on‑the‑Mike energy.
Then, in La Famille Pòt, Dyak faces a real dilemma: a meeting with the Department of Health inspector about some questionable practices at the grocery store where he...
#19 - The Haitian Flag Stands Tall - Drapo Ayisyen Kanpe Kin
Send us Fan Mail
In this Flag Day special, Souvni on the Mike brings history to life with a vivid, cinematic retelling of the birth and evolution of the Haitian flag. Souvni and Valentin explore the courage behind the colors, including five powerful quotes from Jean‑Jacques Dessalines that reveal the steel, fire, and fearless leadership of the man who birthed the flag. And in a warm, humorous twist, La Famille Pòt jumps in as Tika prepares her Haitian Flag Day school project, with Ovila and Dyak adding the...
#18 - The Haitian's Sixth Sense - Sizyèm Sans Ayisyen an
Send us Fan Mail
In today’s episode, Souvni and Valentin dive into the mystery and magic of the Haitian “sixth sense”, that instinct, intuition, and alertness Haitians are famous for. They explore how history, community, and lived experience shape a kind of collective awareness that feels almost supernatural. From reading the wind to sensing trouble before it arrives, they break down why the Haitian sixth sense is so powerful, so sharp, and so deeply rooted in culture.
Then we head over to La Famille Pòt, where hurricane season in Florida turns into pure comedy...
#17 - Respè pou Tèt ou. Lanmou pou Tèt ou! Sa se Self-love!
Send us Fan Mail
In this fiery and heartfelt episode of Souvni on the Mike, Souvni dives deep into one of the most misunderstood topics in the Haitian community: self‑love. With humor, honesty, and a little piman, she breaks down why loving yourself is not selfish, it’s survival, healing, and liberation for the entire family.
Joined by Valentin, the two explore how self‑love affects Haitian men, Haitian women, parents in the diaspora, and marriages that are carrying more emotional weight than t...
#16 - Health, Prevention and the Haitian Lifestyle
Send us Fan Mail
In this powerful and entertaining episode of Souvni on the Mike, Souvni and Valentin take listeners on a deep dive into the health challenges affecting Haitians at home and across the diaspora. From high blood pressure and diabetes to high cholesterol, obesity, arthritis, and cancer, they break down how diet, stress, long work hours, and changing food habits contribute to these conditions, and offer practical, culturally grounded steps for prevention. With warmth, clarity, and cultural pride, they remind the community that prevention is not just medicine, it’s survival, empowerment, and love.<...
#15 - Creole Truth Bombs! - Verite Sou Tanbou!
Send us Fan Mail
Today on Souvni on the Mike, Souvni and Valentin dive into a series of Creole Truth Bombs ,the funny, heartfelt, and unforgettable realities that shape Haitian life at home and in the diaspora. It’s culture, comedy, and memory all in one conversation. We Call it Verite Sou Tanbou!
And in this hilarious La Famille Pòt episode, Ovila comes home furious after spending an entire workday with no lunch, all because she accidentally grabbed the real butter container instead of the “Haitian Tupperware” butter container she filled with rice and beans...
#14 - Lang Manman nou, Lang Peyi nou - Our Mother's Tongue
Send us Fan Mail
Today’s program dives into the remarkable journey of Haitian Creole, a language that survived oppression, stigma, and centuries of misunderstanding to become the official national language of Haiti. We explore the challenges Creole faced, from being dismissed as “patois” to being banned in schools, and how it rose to claim its rightful place as the voice of the Haitian people.
We’ll talk about why Creole is more than a way of speaking, it is identity, memory, resistance, and unity. And we’ll encourage every memb...
#13 - Sakrifis Modèn pou Sèjousi - Modern Sacrifices
Send us Fan Mail
Today's heartfelt radio program explores everyday modern sacrifices, small, intentional acts of selflessness that transform both the giver and receiver. We're talking about sacrifices, little gestures, that could ripple outward, creating unexpected positive changes in communities while profoundly reshaping the lives of those who make them. This program promotes that meaningful change doesn't require grand gestures, but rather the consistent practice of putting others first in small, meaningful ways that honor our shared humanity.
Support the show
Check our website/blog: https://sweetcoconuts.blogspot.com/
#12 - Gason ak Fanm, kilès ki Gen Rezon - Battle of the sexes.
Send us Fan Mail
Step into the vibrant, complicated world of Haitian gender dynamics where tradition clashes with modern reality. In this raw and unfiltered podcast, we dive deep into the unspoken rules, cultural expectations, and debates that define the battle between men and women in the Haitian tradition. Why are a woman's sins judged so much more harshly than a man's? Join me as we confront the uncomfortable truths about power, respect, and love in our culture. This isn't just about men versus women, it's about breaking the cycles that hold us all back.
...
#11 - Navigating Sexual Health for Young Haitians in the Modern Era
Send us Fan Mail
This podcast addresses the unique sexual health challenges facing young Haitians today. We discuss topics like contraception, STI prevention, healthy relationships, and sexual consent through a Haitian cultural lens. The podcast creates a safe space where young Haitians can get information without judgment, helping them make informed decisions about their sexual wellbeing in today's complex world.
This La Famille Pòt's episode is Dyak's homecoming. Listen to the bittersweet moments every Haitian has experienced when they return to their own homeland.
#10 - So you're from Haiti? - Donk se Ayiti w sòti?
Send us Fan Mail
In this deeply insightful episode, we embark on an empowering journey to master the art of gracefully and confidently responding to the common remarks people make when they discover your beautiful Haitian heritage. We'll explore thoughtful, dignified, and sometimes even witty ways to handle these moments, turning potentially awkward conversations into opportunities for pride and education.
Then, we transition to the heartwarming segment of La Famille Pòt, where Dyak tenderly reflects on his earliest days in the United States. With raw emotion and vivid recollection, he transports us back to a...
#9 - Haitian Natural Medicine - Medsin Fèy Ayisyen
Send us Fan Mail
We are sharing basic recipes for preparing Haitian teas, tonics with specific plants and herbs used to treat common ailments and promote well-being. On La Famille Pòt, Dyak recounts his perilous journey from Haiti to the USA.
Support the show
Check our website/blog: https://sweetcoconuts.blogspot.com/
#8 - Lending a Friend Money. Prete Zanmi Lajan
Send us Fan Mail
Can we lend a friend money without damaging the friendship? In La Famille Pòt, a member of Ovila's savings club dies.
Èske nou ka prete zanmi lajan san nou pa detui amitye a? Nan La famille Pòt, yon manm nan sòl Ovila a mouri.
Support the show
Check our website/blog: https://sweetcoconuts.blogspot.com/
#7 - Divorcing a Very Bad Friend
Send us Fan Mail
In this powerful episode of Souvni On The Mike, Souvni opens with a tribute to Rev. Jesse Jackson before diving into a heartfelt and eye‑opening conversation with Valentin about how, and when, to walk away from a toxic friendship. Together, they unpack the emotional weight of dealing with a draining, disrespectful, boundary‑breaking friend, exploring the courage it takes to reclaim peace, the strategies for ending unhealthy ties, and the strength found in silence and self‑respect. The episode then shifts into a comedic yet meaningful La Famille Pòt skit, where Ovila i...
#6 - Valentine's Day Special
Send us Fan Mail
In this Valentine’s‑themed episode of Souvni On The Mike, Souvni and Valentin dive into an open, honest, and often humorous conversation about intimacy, emotional connection, and the role of sexual wellness in mental health, breaking taboos and encouraging listeners to seek help, communicate, and reclaim joy in their relationships. Blending science, compassion, and Creole‑flavored humor, the discussion explores stress, desire, touch, and the importance of feeling seen and satisfied. The show then shifts into a hilarious La Famille Pòt skit, where Dyak ruins Valentine’s Day by accidentally insulting Ovila’s o...
#5 - Childhood Memories
Send us Fan Mail
In this heartfelt episode of Souvni On The Mike, Souvni and Valentin take listeners on a nostalgic journey back to their childhoods in Haiti, reflecting on the beauty, challenges, and cultural richness of the places that shaped them, from Arcahaie’s seaside traditions and 18 May celebrations to the rural rhythms of Benè and Christmas gatherings in the countryside. Their conversation explores the emotional impact of migration, the struggle to adapt to a new culture, and the bittersweet memories that still anchor them to home. The episode then shifts to a powerful and emotional ins...
#4 - Spill Your Secrets or Not.
Send us Fan Mail
In this lively episode of Souvni On The Mike, Souvni and Valentin dive into a fiery, thought‑provoking conversation about whether romantic partners should reveal all their secrets, touching everything from past relationships to family issues, finances, and the delicate line between honesty and unnecessary hurt. Their back‑and‑forth is warm, funny, and deeply relatable, offering listeners a window into the complexities of trust. The show then shifts into the debut of La Famille Pòt, where Ovila proudly prepares mayi moulen and aransò for her daughter’s foreign boyfriend, only for poor Bryan...
