Today we’d like to introduce you to Lesley-Anne Stone.
Hi Lesley-Anne, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I graduated from Ithaca College with a degree in theatre, which laid the foundation for a career in storytelling, communication, and audience connection. My path led me into the Broadway industry, where I began my professional journey in New York City working in marketing and advertising for live entertainment.
I moved to Los Angeles in 2005. Over the years, I worked with some of the biggest names, venues, and brands in the business through several top-tier agencies. It was high-paced, dynamic work that I loved. After my first son, Sam, was born, I decided to open my own consultancy—leveraging my experience in marketing while building a business that allowed for more flexibility in my new role as a parent.
Then, everything changed. Just after Sam’s first birthday, he was diagnosed with multiple, severe, life-threatening food allergies. He was allergic to peanuts, tree nuts, milk, eggs, sesame seed, and mustard seed, in addition to 13 different environmental allergens. It was a scary time filled with the overwhelming responsibility of protecting him daily from potential danger.
Our journey took a hopeful turn when we were introduced to Dr. Randhawa and the Tolerance Induction Program at the Food Allergy Institute in Long Beach. We began treatment when Sam was three, and after two years, he graduated from the program. Today, he lives a life of full food freedom—he eats whatever he wants, whenever he wants. He is now approaching seven years in food allergy remission.
This experience transformed both my personal life and my professional trajectory. I began speaking publicly about our journey and was invited by Dr. Randhawa to participate in the keynote speech at the Food Freedom Conference—on three separate occasions. I found this opportunity deeply meaningful.
The idea for starting a podcast was actually planted in 2021, during one of the hardest seasons of my life. That year, my mother was diagnosed with Glioblastoma, an aggressive terminal form of brain cancer. As I focused all my energy on caring for her and making the most of our precious remaining time together, she said something to me that I’ll never forget: “You should have a podcast.” At the time, I couldn’t process the idea—I was too focused on her care and the magnitude of what we were going through. But I filed her words away in my mind, not knowing how much they would guide me later.
Last summer, I was a guest on Dr. Randhawa’s podcast Disruptive RX. After we recorded, Dr. Randhawa said, “You should have one of these!” And in that moment, everything took off. The idea my mother had planted years earlier resurfaced with clarity and purpose.
Shortly after, I launched “Resilience and Hope: A Food Allergy Podcast” in partnership with the Food Allergy Institute and their in-house digital media producer, Samuel Parker Smith. The show shares my personal journey with my son Sam from his diagnosis, through treatment, and life in remission. The podcast features individuals who were instrumental in supporting us along the way. I also highlight the voices of other food allergy parents, creating space for them to share their stories. The podcast is available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and YouTube.
I love talking to people, finding common ground, and creating meaningful conversations. It’s one of the reasons I love hosting the podcast. Every conversation brings new insight and reminds us that we’re not alone. That’s what I want this podcast to be: a source of support, perspective, and hope for families walking a similar path.
I’ll never forget a Zoom session that I participated in last year where I was speaking to a group of parents from the Food Allergy Institute. One mother, clearly exhausted and overwhelmed, voiced how isolating and misunderstood her experience felt. Her vulnerability stuck with me. I think of her often and want this podcast to be for people like her—a light in what can feel like a very dark and lonely tunnel.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
The road hasn’t been smooth, but it’s been transformative, filled with hope, perseverance, and growth.
The Tolerance Induction Program at the Food Allergy Institute was a major hurdle. It’s a precision medicine program, meaning Sam’s treatment plan was custom-tailored to him. We went to Long Beach every 6 to 8 weeks for food challenges, gradually working through each of his allergies, until he was able to eat 75 peanuts in about an hour without reacting.
Sam was a toddler during his two years of treatment. He had to eat certain foods, in certain quantities, every day to prepare him for the next food challenge. Getting him to eat specific amounts of food multiple times a day was extremely difficult. Sometimes we hid food in frosting, other times we had three-hour breakfasts to wait him out. The process required constant patience.
Raising a food allergy child is a daily challenge. Simple things like going to a birthday party, sending Sam to school, or having guests over required meticulous planning. Travel was another huge complication. We had to carefully research the area, find safe food options, and pack meals or snacks Sam could eat. Plane travel added an extra layer of stress. We had to board first, wipe down our area, and bring plane seat covers to minimize any potential cross-contamination.
Advocating for Sam through his food allergies unexpectedly prepared me to care for my mother during her battle with Glioblastoma. Both experiences taught me the importance of advocating not only for the patient but also for myself. Raising Sam through his food allergy journey forced me to ask for help, to speak up, and to ensure we had the right care and support. Those same skills were essential as I navigated my mother’s illness. Both taught me that having a strong support system is key, and I learned that I couldn’t do it alone.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
Everything I’ve done in my career has led me to this podcast. I studied theatre at Ithaca College, which gave me a strong foundation in storytelling and presence. Then I spent years in advertising, marketing, and branding—learning how to shape a message, connect with audiences, and, just as importantly, how to sell and grow a business. I’ve also spoken at conferences and universities across the country, which really sparked my love for sharing ideas, learning from others and creating meaningful conversations.
We’d love to hear about how you think about risk taking?
I don’t consider myself a risk-taker. I make decisions carefully—grounded in research, thorough evaluation, and input from trusted people in my life.
I’ve been fortunate to have incredible mentors whose guidance shaped how I approach uncertainty. My father was also a tremendous role model—his morals, life lessons, and logic continue to influence my thinking. And with my husband’s unwavering support, I feel secure in every decision. I won’t make a move without him; his presence gives me the confidence to move forward.
While I take a cautious approach, I also believe deeply in intuition. In a world full of noise, it’s not always easy to hear that inner voice—but when I do, it’s often the truest guide.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://linktr.ee/resilienceandhopepodcast
- Instagram: @resilienceandhopepodcast
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lesleyannestone/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@resilienceandhopepodcast
- Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@resilienceandhopepodcast
Image Credits
All photos are by Samuel Parker Smith,
