Only One In The Room

Jesse Leon is an author, motivational speaker, social impact consultant, and a certified executive coach. He creates public-private partnerships, grant-making programs, and impact investment funds to address affordable housing, sex-trafficking, addiction, mental health, and LGBTQ+ issues. His memoir I’m Not Broken is available wherever you get your books. And his TedxTalk about sex trafficking can be seen here: https://youtu.be/hFFiP9gSZSM?si=oJ64yZsuCK2bXXBN This is Jesse’s first appearance on The Only One in the Room Laura opens the conversation by asking Jesse about the difference between sex trafficking and human trafficking. Jesse then shares his story of being sexually molested for years, starting at the age of 11. He goes on the explain why he never spoke up about his attacks and felt forced to shoulder the burden of protecting his family as a child. Laura asks Jesse about a particularly bad fight he got into in the 9th grade, and how that experience led him to reveal to people that he was being sexually assaulted. Jesse talks a little bit about restorative justice before getting into his sobriety journey. After getting sober, Jesse attended both UC Berkley and Harvard. He discusses being two spirited and gives a reaction to his TedxTalk on sex trafficking. For more on Jesse:BOOK: https://www.amazon.com/Im-Not-Broken-Jesse-Leon/dp/0593466519Email_ jesseleonauthor@gmail.comWebsite_ www.jesseleon-author.comInstagram: @jesse_leon_authorLinkedIn: / jesus-jesse-leon Facebook: JesseLeonAuthorX: @jesseleonauthorBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/only-one-in-the-room--6052418/support. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Ann Batchelder is the author of Craving Spring: A mother’s quest, a daughter’s depression, and the Greek myth that brought them together. She served as Editor of Fiberarts Magazine and was a guest curator for the Asheville Art Museum. Ann has kept a mindfulness practice since 2004, is the mother of two adult children, and lives with her husband in Asheville, N.C. This is Ann’s first appearance on The Only One In The Room. Ann talks to Laura about how her journaling led to her memoir, and discovering how deep her daughter’s depression really was. This leads her to talk about the eating disorder that her daughter developed, which led to a drug addiction as well. It wasn’t until her daughter invited her to therapy that she realized her daughter was addicted to heroin. After going to Al-Anon, discovering the Greek myth of Demeter and Persephone, and her daughter getting arrested, Ann finally got the courage to begin her healing process, which led to her daughter’s healing as well. This included really learning how to sit with her feelings and to not submit to kneejerk reactions. Before they wrap, Ann shares how her daughter is doing today, and talks a little more about the Greek myth that helped her heal her relationship with her daughter. For more on Ann Batchelder:Email: acbatchelder@gmail.comWebsite: www.annbatchelder.comBOOK: https://www.amazon.com/Craving-Spring-daughters-depression-together-ebook/dp/B0CJK2VNMP IG: https://www.threads.net/@annbatchelderFB: www.facebook.com/ann.batchelder.9Visit our website: https://theonlyonepod.com/ for full interviews, videos, event dates, articles and more. Follow the show on all social media channels: @TheOnlyOneInTheRoom Become a Patreon member for exclusive content, including additional episodes every month, as well as behind the scenes podcast footage. https://www.patreon.com/theonlyonepodcast And send us your questions so we can answer them on the show: TheOnlyOnePod@Gmail.comBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/only-one-in-the-room--6052418/support. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Ann Batchelder is the author of Craving Spring: A mother’s quest, a daughter’s depression, and the Greek myth that brought them together. She served as Editor of Fiberarts Magazine and was a guest curator for the Asheville Art Museum. Ann has kept a mindfulness practice since 2004, is the mother of two adult children, and lives with her husband in Asheville, N.C. This is Ann’s first appearance on The Only One In The Room. Ann talks to Laura about how her journaling led to her memoir, and discovering how deep her daughter’s depression really was. This leads her to talk about the eating disorder that her daughter developed, which led to a drug addiction as well. It wasn’t until her daughter invited her to therapy that she realized her daughter was addicted to heroin. After going to Al-Anon, discovering the Greek myth of Demeter and Persephone, and her daughter getting arrested, Ann finally got the courage to begin her healing process, which led to her daughter’s healing as well. This included really learning how to sit with her feelings and to not submit to kneejerk reactions. Before they wrap, Ann shares how her daughter is doing today, and talks a little more about the Greek myth that helped her heal her relationship with her daughter.For more on Ann Batchelder:Email: acbatchelder@gmail.comWebsite: www.annbatchelder.comBOOK: https://www.amazon.com/Craving-Spring-daughters-depression-together-ebook/dp/B0CJK2VNMPIG: https://www.threads.net/@annbatchelderFB: www.facebook.com/ann.batchelder.9Visit our website: https://theonlyonepod.com/ for full interviews, videos, event dates, articles and more. Follow the show on all social media channels: @TheOnlyOneInTheRoom Become a Patreon member for exclusive content, including additional episodes every month, as well as behind the scenes podcast footage. https://www.patreon.com/theonlyonepodcast And send us your questions so we can answer them on the show: TheOnlyOnePod@Gmail.comBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/only-one-in-the-room--6052418/support. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Ronit Plank is a Seattle-based Author, Podcaster, and Storyteller. Her work has been published in The New York Times, The Atlantic, The Washington Post, and more. Her podcast Let’s Talk Memoir is available wherever you listen to podcasts. And her book When She Comes Back, about her mother abandoning her to follow a cult in India, is available on Amazon. She makes ser second appearance on The Only One In The Room for this week’s show. Laura and Ronit talk a bit about meeting each other, Ronit’s podcast, and niche podcast communities. Ronit then shares her childhood, growing up on a Kibbutz in Israel and working the fields alongside other children and adults. Ronit recalls her initial thoughts when the October 7th attack happened, and goes on to distinguish the difference between Hamas and Palestinians, as well as the misinformation that comes with labels. After questioning where the hatred of Jewish people come from, Ronit talks about the role that they, and her father, played in the civil rights movement. Ronit and Laura finish the show with a discussion about the possibility of a ceasefire in Gaza, as well as the oppressed vs oppressor narrative that drives many peoples opinions today.You can listen to Ronit’s original appearance on the show from 2021 here: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/ronit-plank-is-the-only-one-whose-mother-left-her-for/id1457399201?i=1000549632557For more on Ronit:Email_ronit@ronitplank.comWebsite_www.ronitplank.com IG: @ronitplankFB: @ronitplankTwittwer/X: @ronitplankBOOK: When She Comes BackPODCAST: Let’s Talk Memoir Visit our website: https://theonlyonepod.com/ for full interviews, videos, event dates, articles and more.Follow the show on all social media channels: @TheOnlyOneInTheRoom Become a Patreon member for exclusive content, including additional episodes every month, as well as behind the scenes podcast footage. https://www.patreon.com/theonlyonepodcast And send us your questions so we can answer them on the show: TheOnlyOnePod@Gmail.comBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/only-one-in-the-room--6052418/support. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Ronit Plank is a Seattle-based Author, Podcaster, and Storyteller. Her work has been published in The New York Times, The Atlantic, The Washington Post, and more. Her podcast Let’s Talk Memoir is available wherever you listen to podcasts. And her book When She Comes Back, about her mother abandoning her to follow a cult in India, is available on Amazon. She makes ser second appearance on The Only One In The Room for this week’s show.Laura and Ronit talk a bit about meeting each other, Ronit’s podcast, and niche podcast communities. Ronit then shares her childhood, growing up on a Kibbutz in Israel and working the fields alongside other children and adults.Ronit recalls her initial thoughts when the October 7th attack happened, and goes on to distinguish the difference between Hamas and Palestinians, as well as the misinformation that comes with labels. After questioning where the hatred of Jewish people come from, Ronit talks about the role that they, and her father, played in the civil rights movement.Ronit and Laura finish the show with a discussion about the possibility of a ceasefire in Gaza, as well as the oppressed vs oppressor narrative that drives many peoples opinions today.You can listen to Ronit’s original appearance on the show from 2021 here: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/ronit-plank-is-the-only-one-whose-mother-left-her-for/id1457399201?i=1000549632557For more on Ronit:Email_ronit@ronitplank.comWebsite_www.ronitplank.comIG: @ronitplankFB: @ronitplankTwittwer/X: @ronitplankBOOK: When She Comes BackPODCAST: Let’s Talk MemoirVisit our website: https://theonlyonepod.com/ for full interviews, videos, event dates, articles and more. Follow the show on all social media channels: @TheOnlyOneInTheRoomBecome a Patreon member for exclusive content, including additional episodes every month, as well as behind the scenes podcast footage. https://www.patreon.com/theonlyonepodcast And send us your questions so we can answer them on the show: TheOnlyOnePod@Gmail.comBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/only-one-in-the-room--6052418/support. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Stefanie Wilder-Taylor is a comedian, author, and podcaster who’s making her second appearance on The Only One In The Room. Her new, best-selling book, Drunk-ish, is all about her journey to sobriety and is available wherever you get your books. She’s been recording her popular parenting & comedy podcast For Crying Out Loud for over 13 years now with her co-host Lynette Carolla. Laura welcomes Stefanie back to the show and two reminisce about their friendship over the years for a bit before diving into sobriety. Stefanie tells a story about the first New Year’s Eve she spent sober, as well as the time she tried her first beer as a teenager. Stefanie then talks about how she would normalize her excessive amounts of drinking, and how being a stand-up comedian helped feed into her addiction. Laura and Stef then have an honest discussion about Xanax addiction and how it’s both similar and different from alcoholism. Stefanie also remembers the time when she was called out by a New York Times journalist, and the online backlash that followed. Before they wrap, Stefanie recalls the event that pushed her to get sober. This leads to a discussion about having a “high-bottom” and getting used to a booze free lifestyle.Check out Stefanie’s first appearance on The Only One In The Room Here: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/stefanie-wilder-taylor-is-the-only-sober-mom-in-the/id1457399201?i=1000437396321For more on Stefanie Wilder-Taylor: Email: babyonbored@gmail.comWebsite: https://stefaniewildertaylor.com/IG:@stefaniewildertaylorFB:@stefaniewildertaylorHer new book: Drunkish https://www.amazon.com/Drunk-ish-Memoir-Loving-Leaving-Alcohol/dp/B0CBCVYRJ4/Her Podcast: For Crying Out Loud https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/for-crying-out-loud/id354082588 Visit our website: https://theonlyonepod.com/ for full interviews, videos, event dates, articles and more. Follow the show on all social media channels: @TheOnlyOneInTheRoom Become a Patreon member for exclusive content, including additional episodes every month, as well as behind the scenes podcast footage. https://www.patreon.com/theonlyonepodcast And send us your questions so we can answer them on the show: TheOnlyOnePod@Gmail.comBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/only-one-in-the-room--6052418/support. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Stefanie Wilder-Taylor is a comedian, author, and podcaster who’s making her second appearance on The Only One In The Room. Her new, best-selling book, Drunk-ish, is all about her journey to sobriety and is available wherever you get your books. She’s been recording her popular parenting & comedy podcast For Crying Out Loud for over 13 years now with her co-host Lynette Carolla. Laura welcomes Stefanie back to the show and two reminisce about their friendship over the years for a bit before diving into sobriety. Stefanie tells a story about the first New Year’s Eve she spent sober, as well as the time she tried her first beer as a teenager. Stefanie then talks about how she would normalize her excessive amounts of drinking, and how being a stand-up comedian helped feed into her addiction. Laura and Stef then have an honest discussion about Xanax addiction and how it’s both similar and different from alcoholism. Stefanie also remembers the time when she was called out by a New York Times journalist, and the online backlash that followed. Before they wrap, Stefanie recalls the event that pushed her to get sober. This leads to a discussion about having a “high-bottom” and getting used to a booze free lifestyle.Check out Stefanie’s first appearance on The Only One In The Room Here: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/stefanie-wilder-taylor-is-the-only-sober-mom-in-the/id1457399201?i=1000437396321For more on Stefanie Wilder-Taylor: Email: babyonbored@gmail.comWebsite: https://stefaniewildertaylor.com/IG:@stefaniewildertaylorFB:@stefaniewildertaylorHer new book: Drunkish https://www.amazon.com/Drunk-ish-Memoir-Loving-Leaving-Alcohol/dp/B0CBCVYRJ4/Her Podcast: For Crying Out Loud https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/for-crying-out-loud/id354082588 Visit our website: https://theonlyonepod.com/ for full interviews, videos, event dates, articles and more. Follow the show on all social media channels: @TheOnlyOneInTheRoom Become a Patreon member for exclusive content, including additional episodes every month, as well as behind the scenes podcast footage. https://www.patreon.com/theonlyonepodcast And send us your questions so we can answer them on the show: TheOnlyOnePod@Gmail.comBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/only-one-in-the-room--6052418/support. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Celebrity dating coach, host of The Dates & Mates Podcast, and the official love expert of The Drew Barrymore Show, Damona Hoffman, returns for a special Valentine’s Day episode as The Only One in the Room who wrote her own love story. She shares what it’s like working on The Drew Barrymore Show as well the work that went into writing her book F the Fairy Tale.Damona then dives into the dating apps, giving some insights on how to properly navigate and engage on them, as well providing some tips to those that may need it. Laura also brings in a profile or two to see what Damona thinks, and how she would advise them if they were her client.Before they wrap, Laura asks Damona about “contradating” and the importance of having shared goals and values when in a committed relationship.For more on Damona:Email: damona@damonahoffman.comWebsite: damonahoffman.comIG : @damonahoffmanTwitter/X : @DamonaHoffmanDamona’s Book – F the Fairy Tale: Rewrite the Dating Myths and Live Your Own Love Story is available on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Fairy-Tale-Rewrite-Dating-Myths-ebook/dp/B0C3ZNZS34?ref_=ast_author_mpbListen to Laura and Damona’s original interview from May 2020:https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-only-one-in-the-room/id1457399201?i=1000473627048Visit our website: www.theonlyonepod.com for full interviews, videos, event dates, articles and more.Follow the show on all social media channels: @TheOnlyOneInTheRoomAnd become a Patreon member for exclusive content, including additional episodes every month, as well as behind the scenes podcast footage: Patreon.com/TheOnlyOnePodcastAnd send us your questions so we can answer them on the show: TheOnlyOnePod@Gmail.comBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/only-one-in-the-room--6052418/support. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Celebrity dating coach, host of The Dates & Mates Podcast, and the official love expert of The Drew Barrymore Show, Damona Hoffman, returns for a special Valentine’s Day episode as The Only One in the Room who wrote her own love story. She shares what it’s like working on The Drew Barrymore Show as well the work that went into writing her book F the Fairy Tale.Damona then dives into the dating apps, giving some insights on how to properly navigate and engage on them, as well providing some tips to those that may need it. Laura also brings in a profile or two to see what Damona thinks, and how she would advise them if they were her client.Before they wrap, Laura asks Damona about “contradating” and the importance of having shared goals and values when in a committed relationship.For more on Damona:Email: damona@damonahoffman.comWebsite: damonahoffman.comIG : @damonahoffmanTwitter/X : @DamonaHoffmanDamona’s Book – F the Fairy Tale: Rewrite the Dating Myths and Live Your Own Love Story is available on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Fairy-Tale-Rewrite-Dating-Myths-ebook/dp/B0C3ZNZS34?ref_=ast_author_mpbListen to Laura and Damona’s original interview from May 2020:https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-only-one-in-the-room/id1457399201?i=1000473627048Visit our website: www.theonlyonepod.com for full interviews, videos, event dates, articles and more.Follow the show on all social media channels: @TheOnlyOneInTheRoomAnd become a Patreon member for exclusive content, including additional episodes every month, as well as behind the scenes podcast footage: Patreon.com/TheOnlyOnePodcastAnd send us your questions so we can answer them on the show: TheOnlyOnePod@Gmail.comBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/only-one-in-the-room--6052418/support. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This episode features Dr. Ronald Cathcart, who has specialized in patients living with HIV since 1989 and has spent the past 14 years as the staff physician at Comprehensive Healthcare in Melbourne, Florida. Dr Cathcart is happy to answer your questions about COVID 19 and/or making better lifestyle choices via email, using the subject line: I HEARD YOUR PODCAST EMAIL: rcathcart@bellsouth.net Recommended Authors: Dr. Michael Gregor Dr. Neal Bernard Nathan PritkinBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/only-one-in-the-room--6052418/support. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices