Have A Seat with Manny Rodriguez and Guests

In this episode of Fact or Fiction, Rory Hunter, LMFT, LPCC breaks down the Pink Cloud — the euphoric phase of early recovery where sobriety feels effortless… until it doesn’t. We separate fact from fiction by exploring the neurobiology of addiction recovery, including dopamine rebound, serotonin repair, neuroplasticity, and why the Pink Cloud is real, temporary, and often followed by PAWS (Post-A...

In this episode of Fact or Fiction, Rory Hunter, LMFT, LPCC breaks down one of the most confusing and misunderstood phases of early recovery: the Pink Cloud. That euphoric rush where sobriety feels effortless, life feels bright, and everything finally makes sense — until it doesn’t. We explore the neuroscience of addiction recovery, unpacking how dopamine rebound, serotonin repair, and neuroplasti...

In this powerful episode of Have A Seat, Manny Rodriguez sits down with Scott Fowler, a former Broadway and film dancer whose career took him from working with the greats to losing himself to addiction — and then rebuilding a life rooted in sobriety, purpose, and mentorship. Scott shares his journey through early success, substance use, career collapse, intervention, and recovery, including the pi...

Is Dry January actually helpful — or just another wellness trend wrapped in shame? In this episode of Fact or Fiction, Rory Hunter, LMFT LPCC breaks down the truths and myths around Dry January, harm reduction, and what changing your relationship with alcohol can look like in the LGBTQ+ community. From unpacking why queer spaces have historically centered around drinking, to explaining how harm re...

Welcome to Have A Seat and our first conversation of the year: The Real Reset. Not the kind built on pressure, perfection, or pretending everything’s fine — but an honest reset, rooted in truth, accountability, community, and healing. In this episode, Manny Rodriguez reflects on what this space has always stood for: real conversations about addiction, mental health, and the lived experiences of LG...

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 unlike...

🌈 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, an...

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...

🌈 Welcome to "Have a Seat" – the podcast that dives deep into addiction, mental health, and the unique experiences of the LGBTQ+ community. Hosted by Manny Rodriguez, a veteran in LGBTQ+ advocacy, we explore topics that matter: from minority stress to family rejection, trauma, and navigating recovery. In this episode, Manny breaks down what makes LGBTQ+ addiction different with 6 powerful insight...

La Fuente Clinical Director Rory Hunter, LMFT and Manny Rodriguez discuss how sex positivity has helped many queer people feel proud of who they are and how they love. However, when this open embrace of sex mixes with drug use — especially crystal meth — that same freedom can become risky for people in recovery. Some may trade one addiction for another, replacing drugs with compulsive sex. This po...

In this episode of Have A Seat, we explore the complex intersection of chemsex, sex positivity, cross addiction, and recovery in the LGBTQ+ community. La Fuente Hollywood Treatment Center Clinical Director-Rory Hunter, LMFT delves into the addictive nature of chemsex and its impact on mental health, while highlighting the importance of embracing sex positivity to reduce stigma and promote healthie...

"Drag Race star Jason De Puy aka Salina EsTitties opens up about the struggles behind their success, including losing his mom to cancer, a partner’s relapse, and rebuilding after personal and professional turmoil. Discover how they overcame it all to reclaim their identity, health, and purpose—and how therapy and self-reflection were key to their inspiring transformation. Perfect for those seeking...

"Drag Race star Jason De Puy aka Salina EsTitties opens up about the struggles behind their success, including losing their mom to cancer, a partner’s relapse, and rebuilding after personal and professional turmoil. Discover how they overcame it all to reclaim their identity, health, and purpose—and how therapy and self-reflection were key to their inspiring transformation. Perfect for those seeki...

Discover the inspiring recovery journey of RuPaul’s Drag Race Season 15 alum Jason De Puy, aka Salina EsTitties, who hit rock bottom with drugs and alcohol before getting sober at just 21. In this powerful HAVE A SEAT interview manny Rodriguez Jason opens up about his path to sobriety, proving that recovery is possible at any age with hard work, determination, and a commitment to service. Whether...

Discover the inspiring recovery journey of RuPaul’s Drag Race Season 15 alum Jason De Puy, aka Salina EsTitties, who hit rock bottom with drugs and alcohol before getting sober at just 21. In this powerful interview, Jason opens up about his path to sobriety, proving that recovery is possible at any age with hard work, determination, and a commitment to service. Whether you're a fan of Drag Race,...

Understanding drug use in the Gay LGBTQ+ community involves challenging stereotypes and examining the diverse realities of substance use within this population. In this video, we explore the data on drugs of choice among LGBTQ+ individuals, dispelling the myth that methamphetamine dominates across the board. While 53% of clients in our program struggle with crystal meth use, alcohol use represents...

La Fuente Hollywood Treatment Center is proud to present: “Have A Seat” with Manny Rodriguez and Guests. “Have A Seat” is more than just a podcast—it’s a platform for deep exploration and intimate conversations. Together, we’ll delve into the unique ways the LGBTQ community is affected by addiction, mental health challenges, and the evolving political landscape. We’ll welcome leaders and experts f...

Success vs. Failure in LGBTQ Drug Rehab? There is a lack of outcome data in the addiction medicine field, combined with the lack of data on the LGBTQ+ community in general, it is unsurprisingly that there is no existing data set or metric yet available to compare our data too. Manny Rodriguez, Founder of La Fuente has been committed to providing more targeting services to LGBTQ individuals seeking...

Success vs. Failure in LGBTQ Drug Rehab? There is a lack of outcome data in the addiction medicine field, combined with the lack of data on the LGBTQ+ community in general, it is unsurprisingly that there is no existing data set or metric yet available to compare our data too. Manny Rodriguez, Founder of La Fuente has been committed to providing more targeting services to LGBTQ individuals seeking...

La Fuente is proud to present: “Have A Seat” with Manny Rodriguez and Guests. “Have A Seat” is more than just a podcast—it’s a platform for deep exploration and intimate conversations. Together, we’ll delve into the unique ways the LGBTQ community is affected by addiction, mental health challenges, and the evolving political landscape. We’ll welcome leaders and experts from within and beyond the L...