“He was our true north,” says Marianne Leone of her son Jesse; “He was the best thing that ever happened to us.” An actress, screenwriter, and essayist, Leone shares her deeply personal journey of navigating profound loss and finding solace and purpose through writing and rescuing dogs. In this heartfelt conversation, Lesley Jane Seymour delves into Leone's story of losing her son Jesse at 17 and how she reinvented herself through art and advocacy. Discover how Leone's experiences with grief, love, and recovery led her to write her latest memoir, "Five Dog Epiphany," which beautifully intertwines her life with the joy and healing brought by her rescue dogs. This episode is a testament to resilience and the transformative power of creativity and compassion.

Bio: Marianne Leone is an accomplished actress, screenwriter, and essayist whose work has appeared in prestigious publications like the Boston Globe and Lithub. She is the author of two memoirs, "Jesse" and "Ma Speaks Up." Leone had a recurring role on HBO's "The Sopranos" and has appeared in films by directors such as Martin Scorsese and David O. Russell. She lives outside of Boston with her husband and continues to inspire through her writing and advocacy.

Timestamps

(03:50) - Introducing Marianne Leone

(07:04) - She stopped acting after she had her son ten weeks early

(09:29) - Jesse was diagnosed with cerebral palsy at age three

(13:20) - How dogs can help nonverbal individuals

(16:40) - Why rescuing dogs isn't easy - but is worth it

(19:42) - Where animals fit into Leone's family

(21:51) - How dogs are responsive in our lives

(22:18) - How signs from the universe impacted her grief

(26:13) -Seeing hawks and a fox: symbolism through animals

(29:45) - Marianne Leone's book about her son Jesse is called Five Dog Epiphany

Key Points:

- Art and writing can serve as powerful tools for healing and transformation.

- Rescuing animals can bring unexpected joy and help in the grieving process.

- Personal loss can lead to advocacy and a deeper understanding of life's purpose.

- Spiritual signs and connections can provide comfort and guidance during tough times.

Links and Resources:

Preorder "Five Dog Epiphany" by Marianne Leone

Support independent bookstores

Visit Covey Club

If you found this episode inspiring, please follow the podcast and leave a review on Apple Podcasts. For more resources and community support, join us at CoveyClub.com. Until next time, keep reinventing!