Life of JEM on Art Above Everything with Writer Stephanie Elizondo Griest

JEM interviews Stephanie Elizondo Griest, an acclaimed writer, journalist, and professor, and the author of numerous books, the most recent being "Art Above Everything: One Woman's Global Exploration of the Joys and Torments of a Creative Life" (Beacon Press, 2025). 

Throughout her 20s and 30s, Stephanie Elizondo Griest could not help worrying if constantly prioritizing her writing over everything else--from postponing children to living nomadically to save on rent--was leading her to fulfillment or regret. After a break-up and serious health crisis in her early 40s, she decided to turn to other women artists for their perspectives on that perennial question: is art enough?

JEM's chat with Stephanie is an illuminating discussion about the price one pays to be a creative, but also the joys of writing and creating. Stephanie reads from her beautifully crafted book and JEM and Stephanie go deep and their thoughtful conversation will both sustain and inspire you. Listen in!