As I sat in the Doin’ It Major (DIM) studio in The Valley, I found myself drawn in by a kind of honesty that’s rarely captured on tape. The set was comfortable and intimate, conversation flowed freely, and the vibes were candid. I was witnessing a recording of the Cocktales podcast – a platform co-hosted by Diquan Reid and Yoann Romney (aka DJ Bless), built as a safe space for men to unpack emotions, wellness, hardship, and, on this particular evening, a rather bold topic: men’s sexual health.
Hot topic? Without a doubt. But, a necessary one.
Anguilla has its men’s week panels and workshops, sure, but this felt… different. Raw, real, and with a splash of humour to boot. As I watched the hosts’ banter with their guest doctor, bouncing between laughs and sobering truths, it became clear: Cocktales isn’t just a podcast. It’s a movement in the making.
Before filming, The Anguillian sat down with the show’s co-hosts Diquan and Yoann, along with two of the key women behind the curtain: Ms. Kemoloy Murphy of the Gender Affairs Unit and Ms. April Richardson of the Ministry of Health and National Chronic Disease Unit. It turns out, Cocktales is the result of thoughtful collaboration, creative risk-taking, and a shared vision to give men the space to be more than just “tough”.
According to April, the spark for the show came while she was working at the Health Promotion Unit in 2020. “I wanted to do something around men’s health and fertility,” she explained. “Everything at the time was focused on women. But men matter too.”
She sought to host a forum, but Covid, of course, shifted plans. And those plans evolved into doing a podcast.
What started as a well-received Zoom interview in 2020 slowly evolved. April later moved to the Ministry of Health and Chronic Disease Unit and, teaming up with Kemoloy at Gender Affairs, decided to breathe new life into the idea. “We brought Diquan in, along with some others, and did four episodes in 2023. After a break, we returned with new energy and clearer goals. It became a real collaboration.”
And that cheeky title? Yes, it’s exactly what you think – but with a clever twist. “I came up with the name, Cocktales – C-O-C-K-T-A-L-E-S,” April said, laughing. “It’s about men telling their stories. A play on words, yes, but we wanted something that would grab people.”
Grab, it certainly has, as the podcast has received positive feedback so far from its growing audience.
For the hosts, their life experiences shaped the show’s unapologetic tone. Diquan said, “Hardship and pain make us stronger and wiser… How can I now convey this information to my peers as men so they don’t have to go through the same things?” Yoann, who initially debuted on the podcast as a guest, echoed that sentiment: “With that experience, you can pass on information. I wasn’t always this person. That evolution shaped me and made me want to be part of this.”
Although tailored for men, Cocktales quickly attracted a large female audience. Yoann quipped, “If ten people stop me on the street, eight are women saying they watched.”
Their goal? “I just want everyone to tune in,” Diquan said, encouraging listeners to comment, reach out if something resonates, or even ask for clarity. “It’s about creating conversations.”
Kemoloy added that Cocktales complements established services like the SAFE hotline (497 7233), the national men’s programme, and an upcoming mentorship initiative. “We’re using different media to bring conversations around mental health,” she said.
Yoann stressed the deeper need: “Men are closed off to societal comments… Cocktales gives us a voice.” Diquan also noted the mental burden men carry: “There’re a lot of kids and young men who don’t have hope and feel pressured. Through mentorship and this podcast, we can open these conversations without fear of ridicule.”
The hosts’ chemistry on air reflects genuine camaraderie. Yoann describes it as “the perfect madness” – their different perspectives blending to keep conversations real and exciting.
Looking ahead, they have big plans. Yoann wants Cocktales to go global. “I don’t want this to stay limited to our 16-mile island. I want to see it touching people, giving everybody a platform to just speak on.” Diquan imagines live forums in Anguilla and even collaboration events in St Martin. “It’s a big deal where it is. Now we need to reach out more.” For now, their home base remains DIM studio – and they love it there.
This isn’t just another social media project. It’s a space where men can talk, joke, reflect, and grow. Where tales – yes, cocktales – can change lives.
Episodes of Cocktales are available via the Gender Affairs Unit and National Chronic Disease Unit’s Facebook and Instagram pages, and viewers can also keep up with the podcast directly by following Cocktales on its own social media accounts. The aforementioned newly filmed episode is set to be released on July 17th, 2025, and in true Cocktales fashion, Yoann, with a grin and a laugh, teased, “A lot of madness is coming your way.”
The team also encourages viewers to follow, share, send feedback, pitch episode ideas, or even throw their name in the ring to appear on future episodes.
Because here in Anguilla, men are finally being heard. One delicious conversation at a time.
Article By Janissa Fleming
