About 38 million people have diabetes in the United States. 1 in 300 Americans will develop diabetes in their lifetime; 1 in 15 with a family history of the disease. Inexplicably, cases of Type 1 diabetes in America are on the rise. In recognition of National Diabetes Month, this week’s episode features a group of extraordinary women who are working to raise funds and awareness to put diabetes out of business: Allison Aston, Dr. Natasha Leibel and Lynn Starr. Allison Aston is a parent of a child with Type 1 Diabetes. She is Senior Vice President Partnerships, Events and Charitable Giving of Veronica Beard and through her work featuring Breakthrough TD1 as its highlighted charity through its VB Gives Back program, has raised hundreds of thousands of dollars for diabetes research and awareness. A leading expert in diabetes treatment, Dr. Natasha Leibel is the Director of the Pediatric Diabetes Program at Columbia University Irving Medical Center. Lynn Starr is Breakthrough T1D’s chief global advocacy officer. She provides strategic and operational leadership to advance the organization’s mission globally through legislative, regulatory and health policy actions. She and her daughter were both diagnosed with Type 1 as adults. In this episode, this illustrious group of guests talk about what it is like to be a parent with a child who is managing the disease, current treatment options, the exciting new therapies that are delaying its onset and the groundbreaking research that could lead to the eradication of this disease. To learn all you need to know about diabetes and its promise for the cure and for a daily boost of inspiration, this episode is for you! If you enjoy the show, please rate and review. Be sure to follow us on Instagram @TheInterviewWithLeslie. A new podcast is released every Wednesday.
Last week, I had the distinct honor and pleasure to interview Jean Becker on her new book Character Matters: And Other Life Lessons from George H.W. Bush. I wanted to interview Jean as soon as I heard about Character Matters. I am writing this email on election day knowing this episode will be released tomorrow, November 6th. No matter the outcome of the election, half of our country will be distressed and demoralized by its outcome. The example of the life and service of President Bush is a message that our seemingly divided country needs now more than ever. Jean Becker served as chief of staff for President George H.W. Bush for nearly twenty-five years. She’s the editor of Pearls of Wisdom by Barbara Bush and author of the New York Times bestseller The Man I Knew: The Amazing Story of George H.W. Bush’s Post Presidency. Her latest book, Character Matters: And Other Life Lessons from George H.W. Bush, was released in April 2024. In this episode, Jean tells hilarious, poignant, and compelling stories about President Bush. She shares anecdotes about how President Bush cast political differences aside, embraced bipartisanship and put his country before himself. From calls with world leaders, to befriending his SNL impersonator Dana Carvey to enlisting George Clooney for a hospital opening because he loved his character on ER, Character Matters is a collection of essays from those who knew him best. In today's political climate, all of us should embrace the life lessons and legacy of George H.W. Bush as an example of how to come together as Americans. If you enjoy the show, please rate and review. Be sure to follow us on Instagram @TheInterviewWithLeslie. A new podcast is released every Wednesday.
In the United States alone, 1 in 8 women will develop breast cancer in their lifetime, and women have a 1 in 43 chance of dying from the disease. October is Breast Cancer Awareness month, so before this month ends, Leslie sits down with Dr. Vandana Abramson, superstar breast cancer specialist. Dr. Abramson is a medical oncologist specializing in the treatment of Breast Cancer. She is a Professor of Medicine, holds the Donna S. Hall endowed chair, and co-leads the Breast Cancer Research Program at the Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center here in Nashville. When she is not maintaining a busy clinical practice, Dr. Abramson has extensive experience leading clinical trials for breast cancer and has co-authored over 100 papers on breast cancer. A graduate of The University of Chicago Pritzker School of Medicine, she completed her Internal Medicine Residency at Harvard’s Brigham and Women’s Hospital before completing her Hematology/Oncology fellowship at the University of Pennsylvania. Dr. Abramson also serves on the National Cancer Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN) breast cancer guidelines committee. In this episode, Leslie talks with Dr. Abramson about high risks for developing breast cancer, the latest in screenings, uncommon symptoms, what to look for in a doctor, and the exciting new developments and research that is happening right now to find a cure. If you want to know everything you need to know about breast cancer, this is an episode you will not want to miss. If you enjoy the show, please rate and review. Be sure to follow us on Instagram @TheInterviewWithLeslie. A new podcast is released every Wednesday.
In today’s episode, Leslie sits down with renowned developmental psychologist Dr. Aliza Pressman to talk about her New York Times bestselling book, The 5 Principles of Parenting: Your Essential Guide to Raising Good Humans Aliza is also the Co-Founding Director of the Mount Sinai Parenting Center, and assistant clinical professor at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai and the host of the award-winning podcast Raising Good Humans. Leslie and Aliza talk through each of these principles of parenting – all of which are backed by science – and explore how using these tools can help our children develop resilience. This episode is a must listen for any parent out there… If you enjoy the show, please rate and review. Be sure to follow us on Instagram @TheInterviewWithLeslie. A new podcast is released every Wednesday.
In today’s episode, Leslie sits down with lifestyle expert, parent, author, entrepreneur and old friend, Alexis Swanson Traina. Among all the fabulous hats Alexis wears, Alexis is the Founder and CEO of HiNOTE a free app that allows individuals to text, post and share personalized, digital notes -- everything from invitations to birthday wishes, thank you notes and more in just a few taps…. this service is as unique and glamorous as Alexis herself…so make sure to download it in the App Store. In this episode, Alexis and Leslie talk about her background, her inspiration for HiNOTE, and the juggling act of her life as an entrepreneur, mom, wine connoisseur, hostess and much, much more… This is a conversation you won’t want to miss… If you enjoy the show, please rate and review. Be sure to follow us on Instagram @TheInterviewWithLeslie. A new podcast is released every Wednesday.
Today’s episode is all about cannabis! Have you ever wondered what is the difference between CBD, THC, Hemp, Cannabis? Or why is cannabis legalized in some states and not others? What’s its history? What markets are growing in Europe and worldwide? Today, Leslie has all the answers to these questions and more. Leslie is sitting down with Will Muecke, a real expert in the cannabis investment space. Will is the co-founding managing member and Chief Investment Officer for Artemis Growth Partners. Artemis is a private equity platform dedicated to investing 100 percent in the cannabis industry worldwide. Artemis Growth oversees $400 million in assets under management. Before Artemis, Will was the co-founding managing partner of CoreCo private equity and the former co-head of the healthcare services sector in the healthcare investment banking group at Goldman Sachs. In our conversation, Will and Leslie talk about the history of cannabis and its criminalization, the state of cannabis in the United States today, the growth of cannabis in European markets and the future of cannabis in both the U.S. and worldwide. If you ever wanted to know more about cannabis as a cannabis consumer, an interested investor, or just for talking points at your next dinner party… this is an episode for you… If you enjoy the show, please rate and review. Be sure to follow us on Instagram @TheInterviewWithLeslie. A new podcast is released every Wednesday/
Today, Leslie is sitting down with celebrity interior designer, Vicky Charles. Vicky leads the juggernaut design firm, Charles and Co. Consistently voted as one of Architectural Digest’s TOP 100 Interior Design Firms, with offices in New York, London and Bassano, Italy. Vicky has a flair for producing imaginative and eclectic interiors for both residential and commercial projects worldwide. Having worked as the Design Director at Soho House for twenty years, Vicky’s reputation for defining the Soho House aesthetic precedes her, as does the amazing interiors she has designed for her celebrity clients like the Clooneys, Beckhams, Mila Kunis and Ashton Kutcher, Harry Styles, the list goes on. In this episode, Vicky and I talk about her incredible career – how she got her start waiting tables at the Soho House to working her way through the ranks to its Design Director, her following her passions, her design inspirations, her balancing work and family…..and what’s next for Vicky Charles…. This is an episode you won’t want to miss. If you enjoy the show, please rate and review. Be sure to follow us on Instagram @TheInterviewWithLeslie. A new podcast is released every Wednesday.
A Harvard survey found that 44% of Gen Z young adults feel like they don't matter to others and 34% reported loneliness. A Gallup survey found that 31% of Gen Zers ages 12 to 26 often don’t feel loved, 35% often don't feel supported, and 30% always or often feel like nobody knows them well. While these statistics are alarming, thankfully there is a movement working to address this crisis. In this episode, Leslie speaks with Dr. Sarah Bennison. Dr. Bennison is the CEO and Co-Founder of The Mattering Movement. Dr. Sarah Bennison is an educational leader, activist, and founder of Trinity School (NYC) Office of Public Service, a thought leading service-learning initiative engaging students, faculty, families and alumni in ongoing, meaningful community engagement work and social impact curriculum. She started her career in New York City public schools in the South Bronx and has more than twenty-five years of teaching and leadership experience. She is also an adjunct professor at New York University. Dr. Bennison co-founded the Mattering Movement along with journalist Jennie Wallace who is the author of bestselling book Never Enough: When Achievement Culture Becomes Toxic-and What We Can Do About It, two other remarkable women, Kimberly Kravis and Kim Towner. The Mattering Movement is working to address the pandemic of loneliness and despair that is plaguing our children and adolescents today. Dr. Bennison and Leslie talk about this crisis facing our kids and what you can do to help your children and even yourselves develop a happier more fulfilled life – a life that “matters”. This is an episode you will not want to miss… If you enjoy the show, please rate and review. Be sure to follow us on Instagram @TheInterviewWithLeslie. A new podcast is released every Wednesday."
Leslie is thrilled to be back with Part Two of her conversation with the incredibly talented Grammy-nominated recording artist, songwriter, activist, and filmmaker John Forté. In Part 1 John and Leslie talked about his incredible life leading up to his producing the Fugees multi-platinum record, The Score, and his subsequent collaborations with Wyclef Jean. Part 1 ended with John’s arrest at Newark Airport following a drug sting operation. We pick up here in Part 2 where Leslie and John talk about his time in prison, the commutation of his sentence by President George W. Bush, and, most importantly, the amazing life, family, and career John has built since then… John’s story is one of promise, hope, redemption, and love… Tune in to Part 2 with John Forté! If you enjoy the show, please rate and review. Be sure to follow us on Instagram @TheInterviewWithLeslie. A new podcast is released every Wednesday.
I am very happy to be back after my brief summer hiatus to bring to you a truly inspirational story of someone who has experienced all of life’s highs and lows and has come through it all thanks to grace, resilience, great friends, and incredible talent. Today I am honored to be speaking with Grammy-nominated recording artist, songwriter, activist, filmmaker and friend, John Forte. John is probably best known for writing and producing songs for The Fugees and their multi-platinum record The Score, and for his subsequent collaborations with Wyclef Jean. After huge success as a producer in the late 90s and following the tough unsuccessful (in John’s mind at the time) release of his first album, Poly Sci, John went into a deep isolation. Then when an opportunity presented itself for him to work as a middleman connecting people who were acting as drug couriers, John took it. His focus was less on the work he was doing and more on what he could do with the money he was making – make more music. In July of 2000, Forté was arrested at Newark International Airport. As he explained to GQ magazine back in 2022, “I was picking up two carriers who had already been cooperating in a controlled sting, because they’d been caught and apprehended with 14 kilograms of liquid cocaine,” he says. He was sentenced to the mandatory minimum of 14 years and incarcerated at FCI Loretto, a low-security federal prison in Pennsylvania. With friends like Carly Simon and with support from an unlikely ally then Senator Orin Hatch from Utah, Forte’s case was presented to President George W Bush for commutation and his sentence was commuted. After serving 7 years, John was finally free. John left prison and went on to do what he was always called to do – make music. For more than two decades, John has produced solo albums and a myriad of collaborative projects. John is currently composing the score and writing/producing the soundtrack for the forthcoming “Kerouac’s Road: Beat of a Nation” for Universal, he also recently scored the forthcoming 6-part HBO series “Eyes on the Prize”. John’s music has also been featured in films and television, including the Emmy-nominated “Momentum Generation” for HBO. John also created The Brooklyn Nets inaugural theme song back in 2012, a very personal thing for him as a Brooklyn native. The film, The Russian Winter, was released in 2012, following John’s concert tour through Russia while exploring his life up until then. A second film about John’s life is currently in production, Settling the Score. John is also very involved in prison reform and social justice initiatives – all while he is enjoying his life as a father of two living on Martha’s Vineyard. In this two-part interview – John and I talk about his upbringing, his incredible career, his time in prison, his incredible commutation by President Bush and all the amazing work he has accomplished since then - not to mention the wonderful life he has built – savoring the simple pleasures in life like fishing and being a Dad, while writing, making music and producing films. John’s story is one of promise, hope, redemption, and love. His life and example move and inspire me - I know it will you too... If you enjoy the show, please rate and review us on Apple Podcasts, and follow us on Instagram at The Interview with Leslie. A new podcast is released every Wednesday.
In this episode, Leslie sits down with Tom Seeman, author of the compelling memoir, Animals I Want to See. Tom's extraordinary journey takes us from the projects of Toledo, Ohio, where he grew up as one of twelve children in extreme poverty, to the hallowed halls of Yale and Harvard Law School. Tom's story is a testament to the power of determination, resilience, and the impact of unexpected heroes. From neighbors to teachers, Tom's life was shaped by mentors who saw his potential and guided him toward success. Today, Tom enjoys a thriving career in private equity and dedicates himself to giving back to the institutions and organizations that played crucial roles in his transformation. Join Leslie and Tom as they delve into the experiences that forged his character, the challenges he overcame, and the lessons he learned along the way. Tune in for an uplifting discussion that will not only inspire you but also reignite your belief in the power of perseverance and the potential for positive change, no matter where you start in life. If you enjoy The Interview with Leslie, please subscribe on your favorite platform and leave us a review. Follow us on Instagram @theinterviewwithleslie.
The hottest topic today for women in their 40s and 50s – both literally and figuratively - is menopause! For something that is one of just two certainties in life for women - menopause and death – it is shocking how little OB/GYNs know about menopause or how few women are getting adequate treatment to relieve some of the crippling symptoms of perimenopause. The statistics are staggering – 80 percent of Ob/gyns are untrained in menopause, 75 percent of doctors are uncomfortable talking to patients about menopause symptoms and 75 percent of women who seek care don’t receive any treatment. In this episode, Leslie speaks with Joanna Strober, CEO and co-founder of Midi Health. Joanna has spent her career building businesses that unlock the potential of women and their families. It was Joanna’s own experience struggling with the symptoms of menopause, yet finding no answers, that led her to create Midi Health. Midi Health is a virtual care clinic created by specialists in perimenopause and menopause and it is covered by insurance. Herself a Midi patient, Leslie talks with Joanna about what women can do to treat the symptoms of menopause - from hormone replacement therapy to prescriptions to supplements and lifestyle changes. For our female listeners, get ready to take lots of notes as the episode is filled with tons of information and tips for managing your menopause. For our male listeners, this episode is for you too! At some point you will have a woman in your life that will go through menopause, and you need to know what’s in store. If you enjoy The Interview with Leslie, please subscribe on your favorite platform and leave us a review. Follow us on Instagram @theinterviewwithleslie.
Have you ever wondered how celebrities on the red carpet look so amazing? How do they have the perfect hair that lasts for hours? Who are the creators behind these magical looks? In today’s episode, Leslie sits down and speaks with “The Hollywood Hitmaker of Hair” – Adir Abergel. Adir is the creative force behind some of the most memorable moments in celebrity hairstyling. His work has been seen gracing the covers of magazines, red carpets, and runways worldwide. Adir’s client list contains some of the biggest names in Hollywood: Kristen Stewart, Rooney Mara, Marion Cotillard, Gwyneth Paltrow, Kristen Dunst, Reese Witherspoon, Anne Hathaway, and the list goes on and on… From collaborating with Mario Testino and Annie Leibovitz to styling shoots for Vogue and Harper’s Bazaar, even creating looks for Dior and Chanel… Adir has been transforming the hair industry since his early days as an apprentice for hair guru Arthur Johns. Adir is also the Creative Director for Virtue Labs - a revolutionary hair care brand that is the first to use pure, human Keratin in its products. On top of all that, Adir has won countless awards for his work. He most recently received the Hair Artist of The Year at @dailyfrontrow Los Angeles Fashion Awards – an honor presented to him by his dear friend and client Jennifer Garner. This conversation between Adir and Leslie is entertaining and full of life stories, celebrity anecdotes, and all of the best-kept hair secrets that Adir shares with his A-List clients. If you enjoy The Interview with Leslie, please subscribe on your favorite platform and leave us a review. Follow us on Instagram @theinterviewwithleslie.
Tune in for part 2 featuring world-renowned mezzo-soprano opera superstar, Denyce Graves. Denyce has graced all the major world opera house stages and concert halls during her 30+ year long career. From humble beginnings to winning a Grammy for Best Opera Recording, Denyce's talent is unmatched. Leslie and Denyce discuss her greatest mentors, inspirations, the three tenors, and her greatest passion - The Denyce Graves Foundation. Founded in 2021, The Denyce Graves Foundation focuses on educating and mentoring the future generation of opera singers while honoring the history of vocal artists that are less known but have had a major impact on the arts in America. Their motto: "Artistic excellence has no racial, physical, or economic limitations." If you enjoy The Interview with Leslie, please subscribe on your favorite platform and leave us a review. Follow us on Instagram @theinterviewwithleslie.
Tune in for a new episode featuring world-renowned mezzo-soprano opera superstar, Denyce Graves. Denyce has graced all the major world opera house stages and concert halls during her 30+ year long career. From humble beginnings to winning a Grammy for Best Opera Recording, Denyce's talent is unmatched. Leslie and Denyce discuss her greatest mentors, inspirations, the three tenors, and her greatest passion - The Denyce Graves Foundation. Founded in 2021, The Denyce Graves Foundation focuses on educating and mentoring the future generation of opera singers while honoring the history of vocal artists that are less known but have had a major impact on the arts in America. Their motto: "Artistic excellence has no racial, physical, or economic limitations." Leslie and Denyce had such an amazing conversation that we are splitting it into two parts! Part two will be released on July 10, 2024 at 7 AM EST If you enjoy The Interview with Leslie, please subscribe on your favorite platform and leave us a review. Follow us on Instagram @theinterviewwithleslie.
In honor of the fashion shows in Paris this week, we are reaching into The Interview’s archives to bring you Leslie’s interview with fashion icon, Deeda Blair. The woman Harper’s Bazaar calls, “the very embodiment of style and substance”, Deeda Blair, A Force for Good is a conversation not to be missed. Listen to Episode 13 of The Interview with Leslie and step into the magical world of Deeda Blair — legendary hostess, fashion maven, and a force for good with her extraordinary philanthropic work in science and medicine. If you enjoy The Interview with Leslie, please subscribe on your favorite platform and leave us a review. Follow us on Instagram @theinterviewwithleslie. -------- NEXT WEEK! Stay tuned for a new episode featuring world-renowned mezzo-soprano opera superstar, Denyce Graves. In this episode, Leslie and Denyce talk about her rise from humble beginnings to the stage of the Met, her career as one of the greatest ever mezzo-soprano opera singers and her life’s work of supporting students of color in the classical vocal arts through her teaching and the work of her foundation, the Denyce Graves Foundation. Leslie and Denyce also discuss her exciting new residency collaboration happening right in Leslie’s neighborhood. Tune in to this new episode, next Wednesday, July 3rd.
As Benjamin Franklin once said, nothing in life is certain except death and taxes. Yet many of us are wholly unprepared for the inevitable. We have a lot of questions… “How can we pass along our estate and protect our assets? Do we need a trust? What if we can no longer make decisions for ourselves? And how can we pass along our assets without tax liability?” There are so many questions surrounding estate planning. In this episode, we have two of the most well-respected experts in estate planning, David Posner and Jillian E. Merns of Willkie Farr and Gallagher. David and Jillian are both Partners of Willkie’s Private Wealth Group. Their practice focuses on counseling high-net-worth individuals and family offices on various legal matters, including estate planning and estate/trust administration. They have extensive experience in the development and execution of sophisticated estate plans and wealth preservation techniques, including the preparation of complex wills, trusts, and related instruments. In today's episode, Jillian and David provide an incredible overview of the estate planning process, what we should all be thinking about, what documents and tools we need, what the best practices are, and advice for how we should be structuring our estate. It was an incredible privilege and honor to have such superstars on the podcast. I learned a tremendous amount from them both and I know that you will too. If you enjoy The Interview with Leslie, please subscribe on your favorite platform and leave us a review. Follow us on Instagram @theinterviewwithleslie.
The number of women who die giving birth in the U.S. each year has doubled in the last two decades. Black women are three times more likely to die from pregnancy related complications, and 80% of maternal deaths in the U.S. could have been prevented. These are just some of the staggering statistics on women’s healthcare in the U.S. Dr. Denise Howard has devoted her career to women’s health care. Specifically, she works tirelessly to help identify ways that health practitioners and hospital systems can deliver first rate preventative care and interventions so that women’s health problems are diagnosed early, and so that women’s health care emergencies are identified and treated so that no woman falls through the cracks. Dr. Howard is the Site Chief at New York-Presbyterian Brooklyn Methodist Hospital, Vice Chair in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology at Weill Cornell Medicine, and an Associate Professor of Clinical Obstetrics and Gynecology. A native of Columbus, MS., Dr. Howard completed her undergraduate work at the University of Mississippi and then attended Johns Hopkins, receiving a MD in 1993. She completed a residency in Obstetrics and Gynecology at the University of Pittsburgh’s Magee Women’s Hospital in 1997 and then a fellowship in Urogynecology at the University of Michigan. In this episode, Dr. Howard talks with Leslie about disparities in women health outcomes – from female cancer diagnoses to maternal mortality – and the practices and procedures that can be implemented to address them. Dr. Howard is a real inspiration. Leslie learned so much, and thoroughly enjoyed their conversation – she knows you will too. If you enjoy The Interview with Leslie, please subscribe on your favorite platform and leave us a review. Follow us on Instagram @theinterviewwithleslie.
In today’s episode, Leslie sits down with Lacy Garcia -- Founder and CEO of Willow. Willow is an award-winning platform that connects women, Gen X, Millennial and Gen Z consumers with their ideal financial advisor. Like a dating app, Willow provides a free concierge matching service to individuals, connecting them with the best fit financial advisor who they can connect with on a personal level. Lacy started Willow after her own personal experience of going through a divorce as a young mom and needing an advisor who could both support her through this life transition, and help her reach her financial goals. In this episode, Lacy and Leslie discuss all kinds of financial tips - the importance of financial literacy and the value of having financial goals. They touch on various topics including budgeting, emergency funds, 529 Plans, and retirement investing. Whether you are looking for financial ideas, are curious about how to find a good advisor, or just want to be inspired by a woman who started a company in response to a need she saw in the marketplace - tune in to this episode! If you enjoy The Interview with Leslie, please subscribe on your favorite platform and leave us a review. Follow us on Instagram @theinterviewwithleslie.
In today’s episode, Leslie sits down with Ed O’Keefe — an award-winning TV producer, reporter, and author. While as a Harvard Kennedy School Fellow, O’Keefe stumbled upon some unpublished letters between Theodore Roosevelt and two of the most important women in his life: his daughter Alice and his sister Bamie. As a lifelong admirer of Roosevelt, Ed delved into the influence these relationships had on Roosevelt and his rise to the Presidency in his debut novel, “The Loves of Theodore Roosevelt – The Women Who Created a President”. Ed and Leslie talk about Roosevelt’s incredible life and legacy and the women in his life that gave its shape and meaning, they explore Roosevelt’s legacy and the incredible museum that is being built in his honor in North Dakota led by Ed as the new CEO of the Theodore Roosevelt Presidential Library Foundation. For history lovers, this is an episode you don’t want to miss! If you enjoy The Interview with Leslie, please subscribe on your favorite platform and leave us a review. Follow us on Instagram @theinterviewwithleslie.