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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What does it really take to survive—and thrive—in the music industry? In this episode of The Stiletto Room, I sit down with two of the most brilliant (and brutally honest) hitmakers in the game: Bonnie McKee (the pen behind Teenage Dream, California Gurls, Roar) and Shane Stevens (the voice behind American Honey, Fancy Like, and countless Nashville gems).

We go way beyond the highlight reel. Bonnie opens up about losing her first record deal at 16, falling into addiction, and clawing her way back with one hit after another. Shane shares how George Michael and Mariah Carey inspired his songwriting dreams, how rejection almost ended his career, and how sobriety gave him back his purpose.

Together, we dive into:

• The real life of a songwriter (spoiler: it’s not all glitz and Grammys)
• Why failure and struggle are essential to becoming an artist
• How sobriety sharpened their creativity and saved their lives
• Full circle moments that prove the universe is always listening
• Why mentoring the next generation is the greatest legacy

Funny, raw, and unfiltered—this episode is as much about survival as it is about songwriting. If you’ve ever wondered what it really takes to make it in music, this is your masterclass.

About Bonnie McKee

Grammy-nominated songwriter and pop artist Bonnie McKee has shaped modern pop with massive hits like Katy Perry’s Diamond-certified “California Gurls” and “Roar.” She’s also penned songs for Britney Spears, Christina Aguilera, Kelly Clarkson, Ke$ha, Bebe Rexha, Jason Derulo, Kygo, and Adam Lambert. As a solo artist, Bonnie has toured nationally, performed at Coachella and the Hollywood Bowl, and released the cult-favorite Bombastic EP, with its title track featured in over 20 TV and film placements. In 2020, she wrote, produced, and starred in the award-winning short film April Kills the Vibe. Her 2024 album Hot City delivers bold, empowering anthems that celebrate individuality and self-expression.

About Shane Stevens

Shane Stevens is a Grammy-nominated songwriter whose work spans country and pop, with cuts by Carrie Underwood, Lady A, Walker Hayes, Meghan Trainor, Ariana Grande, Selena Gomez, Fifth Harmony, and more. His smash hit “Fancy Like” by Walker Hayes went 6x Platinum and earned a Grammy nomination, BMI award, and NSAI Song of the Year. Shane’s first No. 1, “American Honey” by Lady A, earned multiple industry awards and launched a career of chart-topping success. In February 2025, he released “I Can’t Quit,” a duet with Sara Evans. His songs reflect resilience, creativity, and a passion for storytelling shaped by his journey through Nashville, New York, and beyond.

Pre-order Street Smart: Succeeding in a Man's World
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