In this moving episode, we speak with Leo —a gifted jazz vocalist whose voice glides effortlessly over hip hop beats, lush keys, and syncopated rhythms. Echoing the ingenuity of Stevie Wonder and the intimacy of João Gilberto.

An autistic, Black, trans artist, Leo speaks candidly about navigating identity, burnout, and grief while carving a path in the music industry. From early performances shaped by masking to a pandemic-era return to songwriting and the necessity of community, Leo’s story is one of honesty, emotional wisdom, and fierce creative resilience.

Join us as Leo reflects on the power of unmasking at work, reclaiming his creative voice, and nurturing his inner child. He shares the challenges and hopes surrounding his current creative work, and how reconnecting with collaboration and community has helped him rediscover his worth—both as an artist and as a person. 

💌 Episode extras, transcripts & events: rootedresilience.substack.com
🌱 Support the project: givebutter.com/rooted-resilience

Follow the Rooted Resilience project on Substack and Bluesky.