What happens when two badass songwriters get a $4.78 royalty check for a global hit? They start a revolution.

In this episode of The Stiletto Room, I sit down with my dear friends Kay Hanley (Letters to Cleo, “Here & Now”) and Michelle Lewis (Cher, Little Mix, Andra Day) to revisit the wild story of how we founded SONA (Songwriters of North America). From walking into my office with questions, to organizing hundreds of writers overnight, to suing the Department of Justice (yes, we really did that)—this is the untold story of how songwriters finally got a seat at the table.

We also get real about sobriety, survival, chasing each other down the street into rehab, motherhood, and why protecting creators isn’t just about money—it’s about dignity.

This conversation is funny, fiery, and historic. If you’ve ever loved a song, you owe these women—and every songwriter—a listen.

About Kay Hanley:

Kay Hanley is an Emmy and Peabody Award-winning songwriter, activist, and lead singer of Boston alt-rock band Letters To Cleo, known for hits like Here and Now and Awake. After acclaimed albums and her solo release Cherry Marmalade, the band reunited in 2016 for sold-out U.S. tours and new music. Kay’s voice and songs appear in films like Josie and the Pussycats and 10 Things I Hate About You, and she co-wrote the Star Trek: Strange New Worlds musical episode Subspace Rhapsody. She has written songs for Doc McStuffins (Peabody Award), Vampirina, Ada Twist, Scientist, and Emmy-winning We The People. Hanley co-founded SONA (Songwriters of North America) and serves on the Mechanical Licensing Collective, advocating for songwriter rights in the streaming era.

About Michelle Lewis:

Michelle Lewis is an Emmy and Peabody Award-winning songwriter, composer, and advocate for music creators’ rights. She has written singles for Cher, Amy Grant, Andra Day, and Little Mix, and Emmy-winning songs for Bubble Guppies, The Loud House, Julie and the Phantoms, and Disney’s Doc McStuffins. Michelle co-created and executive produces Disney Jr.’s Kindergarten The Musical. As co-founder and CEO of SONA (Songwriters of North America) and the SONA Foundation, she helped pass the Music Modernization Act, fought for fair streaming royalties, healthcare, and protections, and now advocates for ethical guardrails in AI. She also serves on the Board of Directors at ASCAP, amplifying songwriter voices worldwide.

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Jason Lee is not here to play small — and he never has. From surviving foster care and gun violence to becoming Vice Mayor of Stockton and founder of Hollywood Unlocked, Jason’s life is a masterclass in using street smarts, grit, and unapologetic truth-telling to shake up every room he enters.

In this episode, we go all in: how he went from labor organizing and taking on corrupt unions to building one of the most influential media platforms in urban culture. We talk about running for office after a brutal political betrayal, holding brands accountable for fake “diversity” pledges, and why he refuses to play nice when the stakes are our communities, our kids, and our culture.

Jason is equal parts activist, dealmaker, and disruptor — the rare leader who will sit in a City Council meeting one day and in a room with Cardi B the next. This is a conversation about power, purpose, and the courage to say what everyone else is too scared to.

About Jason Lee:

Jason Lee is a seasoned entrepreneur, media innovator, and community advocate recently elected to represent District 6 on the Stockton City Council. As CEO and founder of Hollywood Unlocked, a leading multimedia entertainment platform valued at over $50 million, Jason’s dynamic career spans labor relations, business development, and civic engagement. After six years in education and probation, Jason transitioned to labor relations in 2006, joining the Service Employees International Union (SEIU). Rising from union representative to staff director within the Kaiser Permanente division, he later became a labor representative for the California Nurses Association, where he negotiated contracts for registered nurses and earned a reputation for resolving complex issues. In 2015, Jason launched Hollywood Unlocked, now a major force in entertainment and cultural commentary. Its rapid growth, combined with the launch of The Jason Lee Show in 2023, cemented Jason’s role as a key voice for underrepresented communities. Beyond entertainment, he spearheaded Healthcare Unlocked, an initiative to provide affordable healthcare to one million Americans, blending business innovation with meaningful social impact. In 2024, Jason ran for Stockton City Council’s District 6, a diverse community facing economic inequality, public safety challenges, and limited youth opportunities. His campaign focused on public safety, economic growth, youth programs, and affordable housing. His historic victory reflects his deep understanding of the community’s struggles and his vision for transformative change.

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What do Jessica Alba, Hollywood’s elite, and my own face all have in common? Shani Darden. She’s the esthetician-turned-entrepreneur who went from rolling around in music videos to creating the go-to skin care line trusted by celebrities and Sephora shoppers worldwide.

In this episode of The Stiletto Room, Shani opens up about her journey from a small town in upstate New York to becoming one of the most respected Black female founders in beauty. She talks about her obsession with skin care as a kid, the leap from giving facials in her back house to opening her own energy-infused studio, and the product that changed the game: Retinol Reform.

We get into it all — building a business as a woman of color, the pressure of perfection in Hollywood, surviving the pandemic launch of her Sephora line, and why reputation is the only real currency. And yes, we even talk about her pet turtle Mitch.

This conversation is raw, funny, and full of wisdom — a must-listen for anyone chasing their passion and glowing while doing it.

About Shani Darden:

Considered the secret behind Hollywood’s most flawless faces, expert esthetician Shani Darden sets herself apart with her results-oriented approach to skin care. Her passion for simple, yet effective solutions has earned her clients’ trust and respect in a town where beauty, health, and wellness standards are high. Shani trained as an aesthetician under a leading dermatologist, eventually going out on her own. She developed a passion for creating products she could not find, sending clients home with custom-made formulas between visits. Her Retinol Reform® serum quickly built a huge celebrity following. Today, Shani is sharing her proven formulas and trusted expertise so people everywhere can achieve their best skin. In June 2019, Shani opened her first flagship studio in Beverly Hills where she treats clients, develops high-performance formulas, and shares her expertise with her followers on social media.

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