Taylor James Williams — The Craft Behind Carnival

In this episode of the Big & Serious Podcast, Angie Goodaz sits down with Taylor James Williams, Section Leader and Head Designer at Home Grown Carnival, for a deep dive into the artistry, discipline, and cultural legacy behind Toronto’s Carnival scene. From the first sketch of a costume to the moment the section hits the road, Taylor James breaks down the craft, the chaos, and the joy of building mas from the ground up. Together, they explore his history in the Carnival space, the responsibility of leading a section, the behind the scenes work that most masqueraders never see, and the traditions that keep Carnival rooted in community. Taylor James shares parade day wisdom, design secrets, and the emotional weight of creating something people wear to celebrate their identity. With Carnival season warming up and the Caribbean Music Awards nominees shaping the soundtrack of the summer, Angie and Taylor James also talk about how music influences design, how Caribana continues to evolve, and why Carnival remains one of the most important cultural offerings in the diaspora. A conversation about creativity, culture, and the homegrown spirit that keeps Carnival alive. #TaylorJamesWilliams #HomeGrownCarnival #Caribana2026 #CaribbeanMusicAwards #BigAndSeriousPodcast