Leslie Lee III, writer, educator, podcaster, cultural critic, and a fierce advocate for disability justice, died unexpectedly on November 10, 2025. He was 43 years old.

Born in Louisiana in the 1980s and raised with a deep love of literature, film, and culture, Leslie built a life marked by intellectual curiosity, sharp analysis, and an unwavering commitment to the well-being of others. His wide-ranging interests, spanning Asian cinema, Giallo films, the science fiction of Philip K. Dick, comic books, particulary Batman and the Joker, and leftist political commentary, made him a magnetic presence both online and in person. Friends and followers alike recall his uncanny talent for offering the perfect recommendation, whether it was an obscure movie, a forgotten short story, or a particularly incisive podcast episode. They also remember him for his generosity and kindness; going out of his way to help those in need.

Leslie spent much of his professional life as an English teacher, dedicating himself to middle school students with a blend of enthusiasm, patience, and humor that colleagues, families, and students found exceptional. He understood deeply the unique challenges and joys of teaching adolescents and brought warmth, authenticity, and unwavering belief in his students’ potential to the classroom.

A graduate of Louisiana State University, Leslie earned a degree in philosophy before working with FEMA in Louisiana. His love of Japanese culture—especially Japanese pro wrestling—led him to join the JET Programme in 2012, where he taught English and began a formative chapter of his life. While living in Japan, he met and married fellow teacher Kelly Ferris. The couple later settled in northern Virginia, where Leslie lived close to his mother, Bobbie Lee; his siblings Melanie, Celie, and Kevin; and his beloved nephew and niece, Chase and Chloe. He was also a devoted pet parent to Taco, Spike, and Jackson.

Leslie continued to develop his craft as a writer, earning a master’s degree in creative writing and journalism in 2021. His critical voice found a wide audience. From 2016 to 2025, he served as host and producer of the podcast Struggle Session, co-hosting with colleague and friend Jack Allison. Over nearly a decade, the show cultivated a passionate listenership and became a distinctive platform for cultural critique, political discussion, and media analysis. Leslie also contributed written work to outlets such as The Japan Times, Jacobin, and other publications, and appeared on programs including The Katie Halper Show.

In 2022, complications from Long COVID forced Leslie to leave teaching, a loss felt deeply by the school communities he served. Yet the illness did not silence his voice. Leslie continued to educate through his podcast, guest appearances, his prolific online engagement and interviews with figures such as Dr. Jonathan Howard and journalist Julia Doubleday, professor Cornel West, and pop icons such as Roger Waters, and Lucy Lawless. 

He became an essential voice chronicling the ongoing realities of COVID-19, the failures of public health policy, and the disproportionate burden placed on disabled and high-risk people.

His commentary from 2022 was grounded in lived experience and a deep commitment to disability justice. He spoke candidly about the dangers of repeated COVID reinfection, the abandonment of mitigation measures in schools, and the urgent need for collective care. His advocacy resonated widely with educators, disabled individuals, medical professionals, and countless people suffering with long COVID who were seeking clarity and compassion amid widespread misinformation.

Leslie’s legacy is defined by his fierce intellect, expansive empathy, cultural insight, and unshakeable dedication to protecting and uplifting others. He is survived by his spouse, Kelly Ferris; his mother, Bobbie Lee; his siblings Melanie, Celie, and Kevin; his nephew and niece, Chase and Chloe; and many friends, collaborators, listeners, and admirers around the world.

He is deeply mourned, and his impact endures.