What if all of your life, the one thing you were greatest at, the thing you loved above all else, was the one thing that would require the most courage to pursue? John Ridley, novelist, producer, director and Academy-Award-winning screenwriter was raised in Milwaukee Wisconsin with his parents and two sisters. But rather than follow in the prescriptive footsteps of his physician father or special-education-teacher mother, John set out on his own path toward Hollywood, a road notorious for being full of false promises and pitfalls. But what if one day you'd achieved show businesses HIGHEST honor? Would you throw yourself harder into writing or producing your next Oscar-winning project? Or would you use your newfound clout to open doors for the young people who are following in YOUR footsteps? Maybe even those from the very same neighborhood in which you grew up? Finding NO Studios: Website: www.nostudios.com Twitter & Instagram: @nostudiosmke If you'd like to ask a question and be featured during the Dear Laura segment you can DM us on Instagram @theonlyoneintheroom or email us via the website www.theonlyonepod.com Also visit the website for the latest from our host Laura Cathcart Robbins such as live events, appearances, featured articles and more. Don't miss our bonus after show Scott Talks, where co-host and producer Scott Slaughter (aka Hon) briefly chops it up with our guest immediately after the interview. *If you know someone who might be feeling like they're the "Only One" be sure to share this or one of our other unique episodes with them. Also be sure to subscribe, comment and review us on iTunes!   Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices