

Only One In The Room
Laura Cathcart Robbins
Hosted by Laura Cathcart Robbins, a writer and a recovery thriver and survivor, Laura found herself in an all too familiar position. In September 2018, she was the only black woman in the room at Brave Magic, a famed writer’s retreat. After it was over, she wrote about her “only one” experience in The Huffington Post and comments started flooding into her DM. These comments were from people from all races, ethnicities, creeds, and nationalities who had felt “othered”. Laura beautifully interviews a person about their Only One story each episode and addresses as many of those DM’s as possible in the process. In this podcast, you’ll hear raw, vulnerable accounts from people who are, like most of us, just eager to connect. Our hope is that The Only One In The Room will inspire a change of perspective in how we all see and hear each other’s stories. We want you to think twice before judging the person standing next to you at a party, in the pick-up line at school, or in a crowded subway car. This is a podcast for anyone who has ever felt alone in a room full of people – which is to say, that this podcast is for everyone.
Episodes
Mentioned books

Feb 9, 2021 • 51min
Rebecca Metz Is The Only One Who Wouldn’t Change a Thing Episode 76
What if, while growing up, you found that you preferred sneakers to heels and jeans to dresses? And because you didn’t really fit in with your peers, you thought maybe if things were different, if you were different, life might be easier.Actress, Rebecca Metz, chimed in once on set and joined the chorus of women talking about going on a diet.But what would you do if your co-worker wondered aloud why you would want to alter yourself for a part, when you were already working? Would you dismiss her comment as flattery and start counting calories? Or would you realize that being comfortable in your own skin is actually your greatest asset? More from Rebecca Metz:Website: http://rebeccametz.comFinding Rebecca Metz:Twitter & Instagram: @therebeccametzBe sure not to miss Scott Talks on Wednesdays, our Sunday release called SUNDAY EDITION & our brand new series On My Nightstand releasing on Fridays by subscribing to the show wherever you listen to podcasts. Join our Only One In The Room Facebook Group if you'd like to ask a question of any of our upcoming guests for this series. Also visit the website www.theonlyonepod.com for the latest from our host Laura Cathcart Robbins like featured articles and more.We love hearing from you in the comments on iTunes and while you're there don't forget to rate us, subscribe and share the show!All of us at The Only One In The Room wish you safety and wellness during this challenging time. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Feb 7, 2021 • 33min
SUNDAY EDITION: Vaughn Rush Is The Only Black, Gay, Male-Entertainer/Iraq War Veteran In The Room
In December of 2010, the House and Senate voted in favor of repealing and over-turning the policy known as "don't ask, don't tell." President Obama then signed it into law in December of 2010 and then the following year, the nation decided that homosexuals would no longer fear discharge from the military by admitting to their sexual preference. Over 13,000 servicemen and women were discharged for being gay while the don't ask, don't tell policy was in effect.Today, we have Vaughn Rush, a male entertainer and Iraq War veteran who lives in San Diego California. Originally from Jamaica, Queens, New York, Vaughn grew up studying theater and dance. He served 7 years in the military as a Behavioral Health Specialist and Combat medic, deploying to Iraq in 2010 in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. Facebook: seanvaughncarter Instagram: @deadliftdanceBe sure not to miss our weekly full episodes on Tuesdays, Scott Talks on Wednesdays & brand new series On My Nightstand on Fridays by subscribing to the show wherever you listen to podcasts. Join our Only One In The Room Facebook Group if you'd like to ask a question of any of our upcoming guests for this series. Also visit the website www.theonlyonepod.com for the latest from our host Laura Cathcart Robbins like featured articles and more.We love hearing from you in the comments on iTunes and while you're there don't forget to rate us, subscribe and share the show!All of us at The Only One In The Room wish you safety and wellness during this challenging time. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Feb 5, 2021 • 3min
Presenting On My Nightstand
I was one of those bookish kids who grew up to be a bookish adult. I love to read almost as much as I love to write - and writing is like oxygen for me - it’s that essential. But reading fills me up and makes me whole in a way that little else does. So as a result, I always have a pile of articles, blog posts, dog-eared chapters, memoirs and essays, stacked on my nightstand. Every one of them is precious to me, to be cherished, read over and over, highlighted, and stickie noted. I’m so excited that I’m going to get to share a reading with you every Friday, on our new segment of the Only One In The Room called On my Nightstand. Some of the readings will be mine, others will be from some of my favorite writers and authors, with their permission, of course. And I hope you continue to listen every Tuesday and Sunday when we drop a new, incredible Only One story from one of our amazing guests.Make sure you're subscribed to the show so that you don't miss the first episode of On My Nightstand on Friday February, 12th, 2021. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Feb 3, 2021 • 14min
Scott Talks To Cara Jones
Scott Slaughter co-host and producer of The Only One In The Room has a short and casual, yet deep conversation with our guest Cara Jones right after the show.Don't miss our Now Normal series releasing every Thursday.Be sure to join our Facebook Group for the most up-to-date info on guests, episodes and more.You can also DM us on Instagram @theonlyoneintheroom or email us via the website at www.theonlyonepod.comAlso visit the website for the latest from our host Laura Cathcart Robbins like live events, appearances, featured articles and more.We love hearing from you in the comments on iTunes and while you're there don't forget to rate us, subscribe and share the show! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Feb 2, 2021 • 51min
Cara Jones Is The Only Ex-Moonie In The Room Episode 75
Cara Jones, a former Emmy Award-Winning journalist and documentary filmmaker, discusses her experience growing up in the Unification Church and making a documentary about it. They explore topics such as identity, the concept of 'blessed children,' growing up in a religious cult, and the struggles of the guest's brother as a gay man within the church.

Jan 31, 2021 • 30min
SUNDAY EDITION: Nahomie and Ronald Are The Only Ones Blessed To Have Children With Sickle Cell Disease
When I was a kid, everyone in our neighborhood knew about sickle cell disease. That is...we all knew that it made Black kids sick, sick enough to go to the hospital sometimes. We knew that it was painful and that the bouts came on suddenly, and caused kids to miss school, families to miss work. The parents of kids with Sickle Cell Disease made a big deal out of every single sneeze and canceled long-awaited sleepovers during flu season, out of what felt like an overabundance of caution. Looking back, I realize that we who didn’t deal with it first hand didn’t really know that much about it. In fact, until long after I was an adult, and Prodigy from the hip-hop duo, Mobb Deep died in 2017, I don’t think I really comprehended Sickle Cell’s fatality. In this very special episode of The Only One In The Room, we talk to Nahomie Acelin and Ronald Felix. Parents who have chosen to grapple with their family’s sickle cell disease in a very special way -- by making their three young sons the stars of a superhero comic book series. The book is available on Amazon in English: https://www.amazon.ca/BATTLE-OTTOGATZ-SUPER-FELIX-BROTHERS/dp/1777248612And also in French: https://www.amazon.ca/Bataille-dOttogatz-Super-Brothers-French-ebook/dp/B08CKJSHVD Social medias : Ronald Facebook : facebook.com/ronald.felix.18Nahomie Facebook : facebook.com/nahomie.acelinNahomie Instagram: instagram.com/nahomieacelinBe sure not to miss our weekly full episodes on Tuesdays and Scott Talks now released on Wednesdays by subscribing to the show wherever you listen to podcasts. Join our Only One In The Room Facebook Group if you'd like to ask a question of any of our upcoming guests for this series. Also visit the website www.theonlyonepod.com for the latest from our host Laura Cathcart Robbins like featured articles and more.We love hearing from you in the comments on iTunes and while you're there don't forget to rate us, subscribe and share the show!All of us at The Only One In The Room wish you safety and wellness during this challenging time. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jan 28, 2021 • 38min
The NOW Normal: Jason Backe Is The Only One Who Refused To Close
For salon owners, the margins are usually tight. “A good salon makes only 5 to 6 percent on the bottom line and has to have the owner working with a full book of clients,” according to Allure Magazine. Monthly business expenses can include everything from payroll, products, cleaning services, utilities, marketing, and of course rent.Unfortunately, all of these costs don’t disappear just because a pandemic has decimated income. Some landlords are threatening legal action if salon owners don’t pay. As some owners struggle to pay rent, digging deeper into minimal cash reserves available, the effect has been felt by every assistant, receptionist, colorist, stylist, and janitor. Here to dive into this we have Jason Backe. Jason is the Founder of Starring by Ted Gibson Salon Concept and Co-creator of Starring by Ted Gibson products. He is also the founder of Worth Up Alliance. Barbicide website: https://barbicide.com/ The Beauty Federation of California Professional Beauty AssociatedBeauty Changes Lives Starring by Ted Gibson website: starringbytedgibson.comAmazon.com/tedgibson Ted Gibson Products tedgibson.com Worth Up Alliance worthupalliance.org Instagram @jasonbacke, @worthupalliance, @starringFacebook @Jason BackeBe sure not to miss our weekly full episodes on Tuesdays and Scott Talks now released on Wednesdays by subscribing to the show wherever you listen to podcasts. Join our Only One In The Room Facebook Group if you'd like to ask a question of any of our upcoming guests for this series. Also visit the website www.theonlyonepod.com for the latest from our host Laura Cathcart Robbins like featured articles and more.We love hearing from you in the comments on iTunes and while you're there don't forget to rate us, subscribe and share the show!All of us at The Only One In The Room wish you safety and wellness during this challenging time. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jan 27, 2021 • 7min
Scott Talks To Dani Shapiro
Scott Slaughter co-host and producer of The Only One In The Room has a short and casual, yet deep conversation with our guest Dani Shapiro right after the show.Don't miss our Now Normal series releasing every Thursday.Be sure to join our Facebook Group for the most up-to-date info on guests, episodes and more.You can also DM us on Instagram @theonlyoneintheroom or email us via the website at www.theonlyonepod.comAlso visit the website for the latest from our host Laura Cathcart Robbins like live events, appearances, featured articles and more.We love hearing from you in the comments on iTunes and while you're there don't forget to rate us, subscribe and share the show! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jan 26, 2021 • 1h
Dani Shapiro Is The Only One Uncovering Family Secrets Episode 74
Imagine growing up not looking like the rest of your family, and having people make jokes like, “Where’d she come from?! She must be the milkman’s daughter.”Dani Shapiro, best-selling author, and podcast host took an Ancestry DNA test at 54-years old and discovered that her family had been hiding a secret from her for her entire life.But what would you do if you found out that your father, the father who had raised you, the father you adored, wasn’t your father at all? Would you act as though nothing had changed and go with your life, business as usual? Or would you start a podcast to help other people uncover their own family secrets?More from Dani Shapiro:Listen to the podcast Family SecretsCheck out her website for books, essays, workshops & more: https://danishapiro.comFinding Dani Shapiro:Instagram: @daniwriterTwitter: @danijshapiroBe sure not to miss our weekly full episodes on Tuesdays and Scott Talks now released on Wednesdays by subscribing to the show wherever you listen to podcasts. Join our Only One In The Room Facebook Group if you'd like to ask a question of any of our upcoming guests for this series. Also visit the website www.theonlyonepod.com for the latest from our host Laura Cathcart Robbins like featured articles and more.We love hearing from you in the comments on iTunes and while you're there don't forget to rate us, subscribe and share the show!All of us at The Only One In The Room wish you safety and wellness during this challenging time. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jan 24, 2021 • 42min
SUNDAY EDITION: Chris Hunter Is The Only One Redefining Masculinity
What makes a man a man? Chris Hunter tells us about the experience that changed his mind regarding America’s hypermasculine culture.Chris Hunter is the Co-Founder and CEO of Koia, the 100 percent plant protein drink that is naturally craveable and uses simple ingredients to deliver unparalleled nutrition. His stamp on the beverage industry first began in 2005 with Phusion Projects. After seeing the huge popularity in combining caffeine and alcohol, Hunter and his partners created Four Loko, a high-profile flavored malt beverage that grew to be the eighth largest brewers in the country at its peak.Chris believes plant protein is the future, but that it will only work if people love how it tastes. Koia achieves this as it’s low sugar and high protein but doesn’t compromise on flavor. Koia is now sold in more than 5,000 stores across the country. https://drinkkoia.com/Instagram: @_christopher_hunter & @fourlokoBe sure not to miss our weekly full episodes on Tuesdays and Scott Talks now released on Wednesdays by subscribing to the show wherever you listen to podcasts. Join our Only One In The Room Facebook Group if you'd like to ask a question of any of our upcoming guests for this series. Also visit the website www.theonlyonepod.com for the latest from our host Laura Cathcart Robbins like featured articles and more.We love hearing from you in the comments on iTunes and while you're there don't forget to rate us, subscribe and share the show!All of us at The Only One In The Room wish you safety and wellness during this challenging time. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices


