What happens when religion collides with shame, addiction, and redemption? In this episode, Manny Rodriguez sits down with actor, artist and author Sean Hemeon, who grew up gay in a Mormon household and was asked by his mother if he had AIDS when he came out to her. Sean spiraled into drug addiction and federal trafficking. He shares his journey from the depths of addiction to sobriety, his unlikely role working with the feds, the powerful healing of his relationship with his mother and his thriving life. This conversation explores LGBTQ+ identity, addiction recovery, family reconciliation, and the resilience of the human spirit.

www.seanhemeon.com

Instagram: sean_hemeon

🌈 From Prison to Purpose to Pageant Winner | Have A Seat Podcast 🌈

In this episode, host Manny Rodriguez sits down with Anil Patel—better known as Chanelta—to share his remarkable journey from incarceration to being crowned as an Ms. Sobriety World. Once a promising top university graduate, Anil’s path took an unexpected turn that led him to prison. But through resilience, addiction recovery, and a commitment to serving others, he transformed his story into one of purpose and triumph.

This conversation dives into mental health, the challenges of LGBTQ+ visibility, and how finding meaning in service can turn adversity into strength.

✨ Don’t forget to like, share, and subscribe for more powerful stories on LGBTQ+ recovery, resilience, and community.

#LGBTQ #AddictionRecovery #MentalHealth #Resilience #RedemptionStory #HaveASeatPodcast #PageantWinner

Calling on Our LGBTQ+ Allies – In this powerful episode of Have a Seat, host Manny Rodriguez delivers a direct challenge to the mental health and addiction treatment community: Where are you when LGBTQ+ lives are under attack? From the elimination of the National LGBTQ+ Suicide Prevention Hotline to the rising wave of anti-trans policies, Manny calls out the silence of providers who once actively sought to serve this community. He reflects on the history of “LGBTQ tracks” in treatment programs, the trainings and advocacy that built bridges, and the pressing need for allies to speak out—loudly and now. This episode is a rallying cry for ethical responsibility, solidarity, and real action in defense of LGBTQ+ lives.

The Trevor Project

https://www.thetrevorproject.org/get-help/

Please reach out to The Trevor Project for help and support

@ivehaditpodcast Full episode with attack on LGBTQ+

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sW3GdAD7mkk

We love Jennifer and Angie

www.lafuentehollywod.com