EP 004 · Season 1
Lisa Lisa: Breaking Barriers, Battling Breast Cancer, Still Standing
With Lisa Lisa
Lisa Lisa is a freestyle pioneer who brought New York's Latin sound to the radio. At 21, at the height of her career, she was diagnosed with breast cancer, and she toured through chemo while hiding it from an industry that had already made clear she was replaceable.
October 28, 2026
About this episode
Lisa Lisa is a freestyle pioneer who shaped mainstream music for over four decades. She brought New York's Latin sound to the radio. She made the hits that defined a generation.
But at 21, at the height of her career, she was diagnosed with breast cancer. And instead of stopping, she pushed through. She toured while undergoing chemo. She hid it from an industry that had already made clear she was replaceable.
She made it through. And now, with her memoir coming soon, she's telling the full story exactly as she lived it, and using her voice to help other women fight their own battles.
This is the story of someone who refused to be silent, and refused to quit.
Like Lisa, every woman has a story worth telling. This is hers.
Credits
- Hosted by Melinda Colaizzi
- Produced by Jesse Naus at Red Caiman Studios
- Video production by Shawn Jackson
- Production assistants Clay Strickland and Charlie Sensabaugh
- Copywriter Amanda Akari
- Music by Melinda and the Night Sky
Thanks to Gator for providing our set furniture.