There are artists… and then there are American treasures. And today in The Stiletto Room, I sit down with one of the women who shaped my entire life: Melissa Etheridge.

When I tell you her first album catapulted me into my identity, my career, my purpose — baby, that is not an exaggeration. Melissa talks about writing every song herself, getting discovered in a Long Beach women’s bar, breaking through a male-dominated industry, and the moment she realized her authenticity was her superpower long before the world was ready for it.

We talk Grammys, Oscars, touring overseas, her iconic Janis Joplin performance at the Grammys while she was still in cancer treatment, and the spiritual awakening that reshaped her entire life. Melissa opens up about manifesting her dreams — including her new album Rise, her duet with Chris Stapleton, and the foundation she created in honor of her son to revolutionize addiction treatment.

This conversation is about music, resilience, motherhood, activism, joy, and the wild courage it takes to stay authentic for four decades.

Melissa Etheridge doesn’t just inspire — she changes lives. Mine included.

ABOUT MELISSA ETHERIDGE:

Melissa Etheridge is a Grammy- and Oscar-winning rock icon celebrated for her unmistakable vocals, confessional songwriting, and decades of fearless authenticity. She broke through in 1988 with her self-titled debut and became a defining voice of American rock with hits like “Bring Me Some Water,” “Ain’t It Heavy,” “I’m the Only One,” and the Grammy-winning “Come to My Window.”

Her landmark albums Yes I Am and Your Little Secret cemented her place in music history, earning her ASCAP’s Songwriter of the Year. In 2007, she won an Academy Award for “I Need to Wake Up,” written for An Inconvenient Truth. Etheridge has long been a pioneer in LGBTQ+ visibility and cultural impact, famously performing bald at the 2005 Grammys during cancer treatment — a moment that inspired millions.

She’s continued to evolve with acclaimed projects like Memphis Rock & Soul, The Medicine Show, and One Way Out. Her powerful solo show My Window debuted Off-Broadway before opening on Broadway in 2023 to critical praise.

In 2020, she founded The Etheridge Foundation to advance research and compassionate solutions for opioid use disorder. Her 2024 docuseries and live album I’m Not Broken, recorded inside the Topeka Correctional Facility, showcases the profound healing power of music, storytelling, and

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Welcome to a very special Thanksgiving edition of The Stiletto Room, and by special, I mean my children hijacked my show. Yes, baby, this week I’m joined by Buddy, Wilson, and their brilliant (and brutally honest) friend Tallulah Sykes… and let me just say: the turkey is not the only thing getting roasted.

In true holiday spirit, we talk about everything, school trends (including the unholy nightmare known as “pepper yucky”), Shark Tank projects, hummingbird sanctuaries, bullying, politics, superpowers, and why Gen Alpha apparently speaks its own language. I try to keep control, but listen… These kids have more opinions than a Thanksgiving dinner table after dessert.

We get into phones, friendships, football, Broadway dreams, and gratitude, real gratitude. The kind you feel when you look at your kids, their giant hearts, and their growing sense of justice, and realize: yeah, the next generation might actually save us.

This episode is hilarious, chaotic, tender, and full of Thanksgiving heart. A perfect reminder that family, chosen or biological, is messy, loud, loving, and worth every second.

About Wilson, Buddy, and Tallulah

Wilson Ray and Buddy Lee LaPolt are Dina LaPolt’s 12-year-old twin boys. Wilson loves street art, making slime, and going to Sephora. Tallulah is his best friend. Buddy loves playing football and basketball and is a model represented by LA Models Jr. They love animals and all together have three dogs; Elsa, Doodles, and Gatsby.

Tallulah Sykes 11 years old. Born in New York and raised in Los Angeles. Tallulah loves performing, traveling, making slime, and walking her dog, Baxter.

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In this episode of The Stiletto Room, I sit down with one of my favorite people on the planet - Allison Statter, CEO & Founder of Blended Strategy Group and XOa Fragrance, and devoted boy mom. She is the daughter of my dear friends, legendary music executive Irving Azoff and powerhouse matriarch Shelli Azoff, and she is a true baller in her own right.

We get real about what it actually feels like to be stretched in a million directions as working mothers, entrepreneurs, and connectors in an industry that still doesn’t put nearly enough women in the top jobs. Allison talks about what it was like for her growing up Azoff, going on the road in the summers with the Eagles, and how listening in on her dad’s calls and watching her parents build community made the business feel like it was “in her DNA.”

Allison breaks down why authentic partnerships beat clout-chasing every time, how her intuition drives fast, decisive choices for brands, and the unglamorous truth about launching and sustaining a business — from Blended Strategy Group to her signature fragrance line, XOa. I share the wild story of my clair-sentient astrologer’s predictions, and we dive into energy, karma, and the power of trusting your gut.

This episode is a front-row seat to a conversation between two women who love hard, work hard, and refuse to apologize for being both: mothers, bosses, and believers in our own magic.

About Allison Statter

Allison Statter launched entertainment marketing agency Blended Strategy Group in 2015 with her business partner Sherry Jhawar. Allison is a forward-thinker with deep experience in talent management. She spent 10+ years at Azoff Music Management where she managed A-list talent such as Gwen Stefani, Jennifer Hudson, Adam Levine, Jewel and Mariah Carey to name a few. She also led the brand division negotiating major deals with top brands from American Express to L’Oréal, and Weight Watchers among many others. Allison created Blended Strategy to help brands develop integrated 360 marketing initiatives that focus on the unique intersection of brands & talent within pop culture. What started as a celebrity procurement and influencer marketing business now includes Marketing Communications, Social Media and Paid Growth services. BSG’s client roster includes top household names like Shake Shack, Schwarzkopf, OLLY Wellness, and the Radio City Rockettes to talent and founder-led brands like GXVE Beauty by Gwen Stefani, Rael Holistic Cycle Care and Jennifer Meyer Fine Jewelry. Allison currently resides in Los Angeles with her husband and 3 boys.

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What happens when you tell a little girl her voice is “weird”? She grows up to be Morgan Wade — one of the most powerful songwriters of her generation.

In this brutally honest and deeply moving episode of The Stiletto Room, Dina LaPolt sits down with country-rock phenom Morgan Wade to talk about everything — from growing up in small-town Virginia and discovering Elvis, to battling addiction, rebuilding her life, and rewriting the rules of country music.

Morgan opens up about getting sober at 22, the moment that changed everything in New York, and how fitness, discipline, and authenticity became her survival tools. She also talks about the story behind her latest record The Party Is Over (Revisited), her Guinness World Record pull-up goal, and the next chapter of her creative empire.

This is Morgan like you’ve never seen her — raw, grounded, and powerful as hell.

About Morgan Wade

Virginia-born singer-songwriter Morgan Wade has carved out a reputation as one of country music’s most authentic and fearless voices. After breaking through with her debut album Reckless and earning nominations from the Academy of Country Music and Americana Music Association, Wade found herself longing for simplicity amid the chaos of fame and touring.

That search for clarity fuels her latest album, Obsessed—a raw, 14-track project written entirely by Wade and produced by her guitarist Clint Wells. Returning to her roots as a storyteller, the record captures themes of love, home, heartbreak, recovery, and self-reflection. From the driving opener “Total Control” to the soulful “2AM in London,” Wade balances the ache of distance with the pull of connection.

Highlights include “Moth to a Flame,” a testament to lasting love; “Juliet,” a reimagined tale of forbidden affection; and “Walked on Water,” a stirring duet with Kesha that showcases Wade’s emotional depth, lyrical honesty, and vocal power. Through Obsessed, she chronicles growth, vulnerability, and a reckoning with her past—emerging renewed, grounded, and unapologetically herself.

Wade’s evolution proves why she remains one of modern country’s most compelling artists, blending country, Americana, and rock influences into bold, honest storytelling that continues to resonate deeply with fans. Her music speaks to resilience, redemption, and the courage to face change head-on—a reflection of her personal journey toward balance, healing, and artistic freedom.

If you love the topics we unpack in the podcast, then you'll love Dina LaPolt's new motivational book, Street Smart: Succeeding in a Man's World. Order Now!
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What happens when the daughter of a rock legend decides to write her own story?

In this powerful and emotional episode of The Stiletto Room, I sit down with Jesse Money, daughter of the late, great Eddie Money — my former client and dear friend — to talk about love, loss, recovery, and finding her voice as an artist and woman.

We go deep: from life on the road with her dad and the family band, to how the Real Money TV show came to be, to the heartbreak of losing both her father and grandfather — and finding sobriety in the middle of it all. Jesse opens up about carrying her father’s legacy through her new music, her stunning new song “Legacy”, and the moment Eddie told her, “I’m leaving you with my legacy.”

This conversation is raw, real, and full of heart — about breaking cycles, honoring family, and finally stepping into your own light.

Jesse Money’s Bio:

Jesse Money is a singer/songwriter and the daughter of Rock legend Eddie Money. Jesse grew up in the music business, touring alongside her Dad and singing on stage with him since she was a little girl. Her vocal influences range from Etta James to Janis Joplin, Paul Rodgers, and many more, including of course her dad. Jesse's new music is an expression of her journey while going through the different stages of the grief that she experienced after losing her father. Each song on her EP expresses all of the emotions of loss that she went through, while also trying to break through her addiction to drugs and alcohol. Jesse hopes to reach others that are going through similar journeys by sharing her story . Her Rock/Pop sound is raw and soulful, while showcasing the pain and resilience through her songs.

Jesse continues to honor her father’s legacy by paying tribute to his music and performing his songs onstage alongside her brother Dez.

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What do you do when everyone tells you you’re crazy for leaving a cushy executive job to run a haunted hayride? If you’re Melissa Carbone, you go all in—and end up creating what becomes the largest Halloween-themed entertainment company in the world.

From building LA’s iconic Haunted Hayride out of her own front yard to securing the biggest Shark Tank deal in history with Mark Cuban, Melissa has redefined immersive entertainment. She now co-owns Thirteenth Floor Entertainment Group, runs attractions across 19 markets, and continues to innovate in live experiences.

In this episode of The Stiletto Room, Melissa opens up about her early days in Connecticut, the power of believing in yourself, being a gay woman breaking into a male-dominated industry, and how failure became her superpower. She also teases her next project—an unprecedented event coming to Los Angeles that will be the biggest of its kind.

This is a masterclass in risk-taking, resilience, and creativity.

Melissa Carbone Bio:

Melissa Carbone is an entrepreneur, best-selling author, and owner/producer at Thirteenth Floor Entertainment Group (TFEG), the largest themed entertainment company in the world. After a decade leading major markets for Clear Channel Media + Entertainment (now iHeart), Melissa founded Ten Thirty One Productions (TTO), the first company to create and produce live horror attractions. She made history on ABC’s Shark Tank with the show’s largest deal, partnering with Mark Cuban and later Live Nation. After selling TTO, she launched Tailgate Fest and Dirt Road Entertainment, while publishing her best-selling book “Ready, Fire, Aim: How I Turned a Hobby into an Empire.” TTO’s LA Haunted Hayride became one of the country’s top independent haunted attractions before Melissa sold the company to TFEG in 2018. Today, TFEG operates in 16 markets with more than 20 attractions, drawing millions of visitors annually to its immersive entertainment experiences. Her Tailgate Fest redefined the country music festival scene, featuring Toby Keith, Florida Georgia Line, Brett Eldredge, Nelly, and Hardy. During the pandemic, she partnered with LA County Parks to produce the first Drive-In Movie Series and launched Boat Cinema, a sellout hit that earned the 2022 “Best Experience” Award. Featured in Forbes, Fortune, Billboard, Rolling Stone, Entrepreneur, Inc., and Bloomberg, Melissa is recognized as a pioneer in immersive entertainment. She lives in Los Angeles with her dogs Macy, Gwen, and Gayle, and loves horror films, country music, and fitness.

If you love the topics we unpack in the podcast, then you'll love Dina LaPolt's new motivational book, Street Smart: Succeeding in a Man's World. Order Now!
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You’ve seen the helmet, you’ve heard the music—but you’ve never heard deadmau5 like this. In this episode of The Stiletto Room, Joel Zimmerman (aka deadmau5) sits down with me for a rare, unfiltered conversation about his journey from taking apart TVs as a kid in Ontario to headlining festivals across the globe.

Joel opens up about teaching himself computer music before the Internet, creating his own opportunities, and how a fried mouse inside his PC became one of the most iconic names in electronic music. We dive into the business side, too— building his own in-house empire at mau5trap, and the constant reinvention required to stay relevant in a cutthroat industry.

This episode isn’t just for EDM fans—it’s for anyone who wants to understand what it takes to build a brand, protect it, and survive the low highs and lows of global fame.

About deadmau5
Joel Zimmerman, more commonly known as deadmau5 (pronounced “deadmouse”), is one of the world’s most respected electronic music producers of modern times. Enjoying international chart success with his 2x platinum-certified single Ghosts ‘n’ Stuff, as well as Professional Griefers, Sofi Needs a Ladder and I Remember, he has also released seven critically acclaimed albums.

The multiple JUNO Award-winning and GRAMMY®-nominated artist’s ability to push the boundaries of his talent grows at an equal rate to his fan base, which counts 15 million and more across his combined social media channels.

His latest music offerings include Pomegranate with The Neptunes, Bridged by a Lightwave with Kiesza, Channel 43 with Wolfgang Gartner, Hypnocurrency and Infraliminal (as REZZMAU5) with REZZ, When the Summer Dies with Lights, Hyperlandia featuring Foster the People, this is fine. with Portugal. The Man, XYZ, My Heart Has Teeth featuring Skylar Grey, Jupiter and his latest EP, some ep.
In 2022, deadmau5 teamed with longtime friend and collaborator Kaskade on the new music project Kx5, releasing the Top 40 smash and #1 dance music radio single Escape featuring Hayla, leading into the release of their 2023 GRAMMY-nominated debut self-titled album Kx5.

deadmau5’s 2019/20 U.S. cubev3 tour ranked in the Top 10 of Pollstar’s top tours globally. In 2022, he completed the We Are Friends North American tour and, as Kx5, headlined the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum in December, breaking records as the largest single-day concert event headlined by an electronic music artist ever in North America. Billboard confirmed Kx5 at the Coliseum as the biggest ticketed global headliner dance event of 2022.

If you love the topics we unpack in the podcast, then you'll love Dina LaPolt's new motivational book, Street Smart: Succeeding in a Man's World. Order Now!
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What happens when a Florida girl with zero connections hops off a plane at LAX convinced she’s “arrived”? If you’re Alexis Fisher, you turn that delusion into destiny.

From unpaid internships and 6:45 a.m. calls with Hollywood legends, to being one of the first to take YouTubers seriously at Maker Studios, Alexis saw the creator economy coming before anyone else. That leap of faith became Timeline Management, the company she founded from her apartment—and grew into a powerhouse representing talent across entertainment, music, and live touring.

In this episode of The Stiletto Room, Alexis and I talk about everything: the hustle it took to get into the room, how she turned influencers into global brands, why she partnered with Live Nation to revolutionize live touring, and what it means to juggle being a CEO, wife, and mom without losing yourself.

This is a story about guts, grit, and betting on yourself when no one else will.

About Alexis Fisher:

Alexis Fisher is a trailblazing entrepreneur, talent manager, and Founder & CEO of Timeline Management, a premier talent management firm in Beverly Hills, CA. With roots in public relations at R&CPMK and Disney’s Maker Studios, Alexis has built a career championing talent and driving results.

In 2015, Alexis saw opportunity in influencer marketing. She transitioned her roster of public relations clients to talent management, founding Timeline. Under her leadership, it grew into a top full-service management and branding firm representing Young Hollywood’s leading influencer talent.

With a 360-degree approach, Alexis expands clients’ reach across entertainment and beyond. Her expertise spans social media, endorsements, touring, appearances, products, and music. Timeline has facilitated record deals, branding partnerships, fashion lines, and licensing agreements—redefining how talent bridges digital and traditional spaces.

In 2024, Timeline Management was acquired by Live Nation Entertainment, marking a new era of growth. Alexis continues to lead the company, amplifying its influence in entertainment, touring, and partnerships.

As she shapes the future of entertainment, Alexis is launching new ventures—Timeline Touring and Timeline Rollout—keeping Timeline at the forefront of talent management and branding innovation.

Alexis has been featured on Variety’s Dealmakers Impact Report and spoken at major events, including Billboard’s Live Music Summit. A passionate advocate for women, she leads an all-female staff and represents a female talent

If you love the topics we unpack in the podcast, then you'll love Dina LaPolt's new motivational book, Street Smart: Succeeding in a Man's World. Order Now!
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