Welcome to the Jazz Lion’s Den, a journey through Levy Lee Simon’s debut Memoir Odyssey Towards The Light This episode of the Jazz Lion's Den features a dramatic and vivid excerpt from his time at Star Hill, a hardcore treatment facility, highlighting the intense and emotionally charged experiences he faced. This marked a critical turning point in Simon's life, filled with real-life characters and raw honesty about his battle with addiction. And for more on Levy Lee Simon: BOOK: https://www.amaz...
Nov 07, 2024•33 min
An Emmy-nominated TV journalist, Christine O'Donnell, recounts her unexpected firing from a Fox News station following a misunderstood social media post. She details her challenging journey from being misjudged and outcast in the news industry to rediscovering her self-worth through therapy and starting a successful podcast agency. This conversation, filled with personal anecdotes and professional insights, highlights resilience, the evolving nature of media, and the importance of storytelling i...
Nov 05, 2024•1 hr 4 min
Hilary Phelps, the sister of Olympic swimmer Michael Phelps, shares her journey of keeping her sobriety a secret. She discusses her childhood, growing up in a supportive and dedicated family, and her early success as a competitive swimmer. However, she also opens up about her struggles with self-doubt and anxiety, which led her to turn to alcohol and drugs as a way to cope. Phelps talks about the impact of these substances on her mental health and how they affected her performance in swimming co...
Oct 31, 2024•20 min
Hilary Phelps, the sister of Olympic swimmer Michael Phelps, shares her journey of keeping her sobriety a secret. She discusses her childhood, growing up in a supportive and dedicated family, and her early success as a competitive swimmer. However, she also opens up about her struggles with self-doubt and anxiety, which led her to turn to alcohol and drugs as a way to cope. Phelps talks about the impact of these substances on her mental health and how they affected her performance in swimming co...
Oct 29, 2024•1 hr 8 min
In this heartfelt and deeply moving podcast episode, host Laura Cathcart Robbins and guest Nikki Mark discuss Nikki's personal journey of grief and healing following the sudden passing of her son, Tommy, at the age of 12. Nikki, the author of 'Tommy's Field: Love, Loss, and the Goal of a Lifetime', shares how her son's spirit inspired a community to come together to build 'Tommy's Field', a soccer field that serves as a place of play and remembrance. Throughout the conversation, Nikki reflects o...
Oct 24, 2024•19 min
In this episode of 'The Only One in the Room,' Laura Cathcart Robbins and Scott Slaughter interview Nikki Mark, author of 'Tommy's Field,' who shares her profound journey of healing after the loss of her son, Tommy. Nikki delves into how soccer became a beacon of hope, leading to the creation of Tommy's Field and her involvement in the TM 23 Foundation. Despite her non-religious upbringing, Nikki discusses the spiritual connection she maintains with Tommy, narrated through poignant stories and s...
Oct 22, 2024•1 hr
In this thought-provoking podcast episode, host Laura Cathcart Robbins and her co-host, Scott Slaughter, converse with Yusuf Dahl, an entrepreneur, educator, and advocate. Dahl shares his compelling journey from a troubled youth and prison sentence to becoming a Princeton graduate and a staunch advocate for housing reform. The discussion highlights Yusuf's early life in Milwaukee, his experiences with the juvenile and prison systems, and how he transformed his life with the help of mentors and s...
Oct 17, 2024•18 min
In this thought-provoking podcast episode, host Laura Cathcart Robbins and her co-host, Scott Slaughter, converse with Yusuf Dahl, an entrepreneur, educator, and advocate. Dahl shares his compelling journey from a troubled youth and prison sentence to becoming a Princeton graduate and a staunch advocate for housing reform. The discussion highlights Yusuf's early life in Milwaukee, his experiences with the juvenile and prison systems, and how he transformed his life with the help of mentors and s...
Oct 15, 2024•1 hr 4 min
In this episode of 'The Only One in the Room' podcast, host Laura Cathcart Robbins interviews Veronica Cisneros, a licensed marriage and family therapist and women's coach. Veronica recounts her tumultuous upbringing with a gang member and heroin addict father and a tenaciously supporting mother. She shares her near-divorce experience and how she and her husband, Willie, overcame childhood dysfunction. Through compelling storytelling, the episode explores the transformation of their troubled mar...
Oct 10, 2024•23 min
In this episode of 'The Only One in the Room' podcast, host Laura Cathcart Robbins interviews Veronica Cisneros, a licensed marriage and family therapist and women's coach. Veronica recounts her tumultuous upbringing with a gang member and heroin addict father and a tenaciously supporting mother. She shares her near-divorce experience and how she and her husband, Willie, overcame childhood dysfunction. Through compelling storytelling, the episode explores the transformation of their troubled mar...
Oct 08, 2024•1 hr 4 min
Toni Will, the only female professional hockey general manager, discusses her experiences and challenges in a male-dominated industry, in which she can be the only female in the room during board meetings. She also talks about her commitment to living an alcohol-free and drug-free lifestyle. Toni shares her love for her community in Kalamazoo, Michigan, and the philanthropic initiatives, such as the Kalamazoo Promise, that make it a special place to live. She discusses her passion for diversity,...
Oct 03, 2024•24 min
Toni Will, the only female professional hockey general manager, discusses her experiences and challenges in a male-dominated industry in which she can be the only female in the room during board meetings. She also talks about her commitment to living an alcohol-free and drug-free lifestyle. Toni shares her love for her community in Kalamazoo, Michigan, and the philanthropic initiatives, such as the Kalamazoo Promise, make it a special place to live. She discusses her passion for diversity, equit...
Oct 01, 2024•1 hr 5 min
The Only One in the Room host Laura Cathcart Robbins is joined by HyeseungSong, a first-generation Korean American artist and author . Today’s interview explores themes of living in the 'shoulds,' navigating college life, the model minority myth, mental health, and the pursuit of success. Hyeseung shares her experiences growing up as an Asian American immigrant, dealing with conditional love, and hiding her family's imperfections. She discusses the pressure to excel academically and the impact o...
Sep 26, 2024•19 min
In this episode of 'The Only One in the Room,' host Laura Cathcart Robbins interviews Hyeseung Song, a first-generation Korean painter, and author of 'Docile: Memoirs of a Not So Perfect Asian Girl.' Hyeseung shares her experiences growing up under the pressures of the model minority myth and societal expectations and how she ultimately found solace and unconditional self-expression through art. The conversation delves into themes of mental health, cultural identity, and the evolving definition ...
Sep 24, 2024•1 hr 4 min
In this episode of 'The Only One in the Room,' host Laura Cathcart Robbins is joined by Myra Flynn, host of the podcast Homegoings. This Emmy-nominated show explores Black stories and experiences through the lens of art. They discuss Myra's journey in journalism, her mixed-race upbringing in predominantly white Vermont, and how her experiences shape her understanding and portrayal of Black identity. The conversation dives into topics like interracial marriage, biracial identity, systemic racism,...
Sep 19, 2024•22 min
In this episode of 'The Only One in the Room,' host Laura Cathcart Robbins is joined by Myra Flynn, host of the podcast Homegoings. This Emmy-nominated show explores Black stories and experiences through the lens of art. They discuss Myra's journey in journalism, her mixed-race upbringing in predominantly white Vermont, and how her experiences shape her understanding and portrayal of Black identity. The conversation dives into topics like interracial marriage, biracial identity, systemic racism,...
Sep 17, 2024•51 min
Myra Flynn Myra Flynn joined Vermont Public in March 2021 and is Homegoings's DEIB Advisor, Host, and Executive Producer. Raised in Vermont, Myra Flynn is an accomplished musician who has come to know the lay of the dirt road and that much more intimately through touring both well-known and obscure stages all around the state and beyond. She also has experience as a teaching artist and wore many hats at the Burlington Free Press , including features reporter and correspondent, before her pursuit...
Sep 12, 2024•47 min
Navigating Love and Expectations with Todd Baratz In this insightful episode of 'The Only One in the Room' podcast, host Laura Cathcart Robbins chats with psychotherapist and sex therapist Todd Baratz about dating, relationships, and the importance of managing expectations. Todd shares personal stories from his difficult upbringing, struggles with depression and substance use, and how these experiences led him to his profession. He discusses the common issues he encounters in his practice, such ...
Sep 10, 2024•56 min
In this episode of 'The Only One in the Room,' host Laura Cathcart Robbins speaks with Annie Gedger, who shares poignant insights into her life after the tragic loss of her husband while she was six months pregnant. Annie discusses how she navigated single motherhood, the process of grieving, and eventually learning to love again. Listeners gain a heartfelt understanding of Annie's journey through captivating stories about keeping her late husband's memory alive for her son and the importance of...
Sep 05, 2024•29 min
In this episode of 'The Only One in the Room,' host Laura Cathcart Robbins speaks with Annie Gedger, who shares poignant insights into her life after the tragic loss of her husband while she was six months pregnant. Annie discusses how she navigated single motherhood, the process of grieving, and eventually learning to love again. Listeners gain a heartfelt understanding of Annie's journey through captivating stories about keeping her late husband's memory alive for her son and the importance of...
Sep 03, 2024•59 min
Imagine growing up with a famous dad and 11 siblings, four of whom, your brothers, were all, like you, named George. George “Monk” Foreman III, entrepreneur, boxing trainer and former business manager of his legendary father, businessman and two-time heavy weight champion, George Foreman Sr, started to train at age nineteen to pursue a career in boxing, like his dad. But what would you do if you discovered you liked the boxing workout, but not the violence? Would you leave the ring forever, or w...
Aug 29, 2024•17 min
Imagine growing up with a famous dad and 11 siblings, four of whom, your brothers, were all, like you, named George. George “Monk” Foreman III, entrepreneur, boxing trainer and former business manager of his legendary father, businessman and two-time heavy weight champion, George Foreman Sr, started to train at age nineteen to pursue a career in boxing, like his dad. But what would you do if you discovered you liked the boxing workout, but not the violence? Would you leave the ring forever, or w...
Aug 27, 2024•1 hr 2 min
What if you hit a wall while swimming across the English channel and felt it was impossible to go on? Ryan Strm Rd, multiple Guinness Book, World record holder, inspirational speaker, world-renowned, extreme swimmer, author, and single dad, still had four hours to swim. And he knew that if he put so much his one hand on the support boat running alongside him, it would all be over. So what would you do if it was getting dark and the ocean was so cold that you could no longer feel your arms? Would...
Aug 22, 2024•19 min
What if you hit a wall while swimming across the English channel and felt it was impossible to go on? Ryan Strm Rd, multiple Guinness Book, World record holder, inspirational speaker, world-renowned, extreme swimmer, author, and single dad, still had four hours to swim. And he knew that if he put so much his one hand on the support boat running alongside him, it would all be over. So what would you do if it was getting dark and the ocean was so cold that you could no longer feel your arms? Would...
Aug 20, 2024•58 min
America’s most decorated Winter Olympian, short track speed skater, Apolo Ohno, began full-time training at age thirteen, and the following year, he became the youngest U.S. National Champion. But what would you do if, after dedicating your teenage and young adult years to your sport, you found yourself ready to retire, but there was no process in place to prepare you for your post-Olympic life? Would you stay in your sport for a few additional years because you were afraid to leave? Or would yo...
Aug 15, 2024•18 min
America’s most decorated Winter Olympian, short track speed skater, Apolo Ohno, began full-time training at age thirteen, and the following year, he became the youngest U.S. National Champion. But what would you do if, after dedicating your teenage and young adult years to your sport, you found yourself ready to retire, but there was no process in place to prepare you for your post-Olympic life? Would you stay in your sport for a few additional years because you were afraid to leave? Or would yo...
Aug 13, 2024•56 min
Imagine growing up with prosthetics from the thighs down. Paralympic athlete Roderick Sewell was born missing his tibia in both legs, and he and his mother experienced homelessness for several years, starting when he was just eight years old. So what would you do if, at age ten, you felt a freedom you’d never before known - in the water? Would you assume that your disability would keep you from being an athlete? Or would you grow up and train for the Ironman World Championships, becoming the fir...
Aug 08, 2024•19 min
Imagine growing up with prosthetics from the thighs down. Paralympic athlete Roderick Sewell was born missing his tibia in both legs, and he and his mother experienced homelessness for several years, starting when he was just eight years old. So what would you do if, at age ten, you felt a freedom you’d never before known - in the water? Would you assume that your disability would keep you from being an athlete? Or would you grow up and train for the Ironman World Championships, becoming the fir...
Aug 06, 2024•54 min
What if you’d trained for the moment when you could win the Rugby World Cup Final? Podcaster and World Rugby Hall Of Famer Jonny Wilkinson scored the winning drop goal in the last minute in the 2003 Rugby World Cup and instantly became one of the world's most recognizable people. But what would you do if you sank into a mire of confusion, defeat, and grief instead of savoring the moment you'd worked so hard for? Would you do whatever you could to recapture the feeling of that win? Or would you c...
Aug 01, 2024•22 min
What if you’d trained for the moment when you could win the Rugby World Cup Final? Podcaster and World Rugby Hall Of Famer Jonny Wilkinson scored the winning drop goal in the last minute in the 2003 Rugby World Cup and instantly became one of the world's most recognizable people. But what would you do if you sank into a mire of confusion, defeat, and grief instead of savoring the moment you'd worked so hard for? Would you do whatever you could to recapture the feeling of that win? Or would you c...
Jul 30, 2024•59 min
