372: Guyana, Carnival Traditions & Jamaica’s Barrel Children: Melissa Noel on Telling Diaspora Stories with Depth

Learn the meaning of Carnival traditions like jab jab & stilt walking & get recs for visiting Guyana.

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ON THIS EPISODE

In Part 2 of this conversation, award-winning journalist Melissa Noel joins Matt to explore how diaspora stories are told—and why depth, context, and care matter. Melissa unpacks the cultural and political meaning behind Caribbean Carnival traditions, shares her personal recommendations for experiencing her home country of Guyana beyond the surface, and reflects on the impact of her Pulitzer-supported reporting on Jamaica’s barrel children and the long-term impact of migration on families. From ethical considerations when interviewing vulnerable communities to the extractive dynamics of tourism and the responsibility of storytellers, this episode examines how culture, migration, and power intersect—and how travel and journalism can be practiced with intention, accountability, and respect.

→ Full show notes with direct links to everything discussed are available here.

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