The Art Life

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The Art Life

Heroine Training

What if art were less about goals and more about living? The Art Life is a weekly podcast and emerging philosophy exploring what it means to be an artist.

1 hour 4 minutes

The Show Must Go On
EPISODE DESCRIPTION:
We’ve all heard it before: THE SHOW MUST GO ON! But how do you keep going when it feels like your vision is falling apart?
In Episode 88, Grace and Xandra discuss their year in projects, surviving Survivor, and what they’ve learned about creative resilience from their artist-mentors.
Trust your vision, no matter the scale! And don’t forget to ask yourself: Is it Fun?
SHOW NOTES:
- The Artist’s Way by Julia Cameron
- Madly, Deeply by Alan Rickman
- Taylor Swift Album Countdown Club
- We’re watching Survivor! And Australian Survivor!
- We love Mike White: powerhouse screenwriter, Survivor superfan, and returning contestant on Survivor Season 50.
- Ronen V’s 6 Course Gourmet Dinner on the L Train
- Fun Club is closed, but Xandra is running a Lord of the Rings Sorcerers Circle Next! Learn more: xandrathewitch.com
- Lunar Logbook: lunarlogbook.com
- Xandra’s Substack: xandrathewitch.substack.com
- Xandra’s Instagram: instagram.com/xandrathewitch
- Grace’s Instagram: instagram.com/gracegordonofficial
- Thirst Trap is available to watch free on Tubi
RELATED EPISODES:
- our Artist's Way series trailer
Share the link: http://theartlife.show
Send letters to: The Art Life, c/o Grace Gordon, P.O. Box #1193, Hollywood, CA 90078
Email: [email protected]
Support The Art Life by buying our recommended books from our Bookshop page: bookshop.org/shop/gracegordonofficial
The Art Life is on Instagram: @theartlifeshow
Our music is ‘The Stream’ by Rorie: http://roriemusic.com

Share the link: http://theartlife.show
Send letters to: The Art Life, c/o Grace Gordon, P.O. Box #1193, Hollywood, CA 90078
Email: [email protected]
Support The Art Life by buying our recommended books from our Bookshop page: bookshop.org/shop/gracegordonofficial
The Art Life is on Instagram: @theartlifeshow
Our music is ‘The Stream’ by Rorie: http://roriemusic.com
25 October 2025, 4:31 pm
1 hour 16 minutes

The Friends We Make Along The Way
EPISODE DESCRIPTION:
Do you ask your friends to support your art? Do you struggle with authentic self-promotion? In Episode 87, Grace and Xandra discuss strategies for sharing your work, involving your friends, and coping with post-project vulnerability. As your hosts recount their friendship origin story, they're reminded: the art life is the friends we make along the way.
SHOW NOTES:
- Order your Lunar Logbook today!
- Watch Thirst Trap free on Tubi or Mometu
- Won't Back Down: An Anthology of Pro-Choice Comics
- Will by Will Smith
- Ten Arguments for Deleting Your Social Media Accounts Right Now by Jaron Lanier
- While You Were Sleeping (new album by Jade Renee)
- Portal Leith (metaphysical shop in Edinburgh)
- Aysha Rose & The Cosmic Underworld
- With a special shout out to #87 Travis Kelce , who we honored through our Taylor Swift/Joe Alwyn/Travis Kelce tangent in our 87th episode, ha!
- Send your requests for new topics and interview guests: [email protected]
RELATED EPISODES:
Share the link: http://theartlife.show
Send letters to: The Art Life, c/o Grace Gordon, P.O. Box #1193, Hollywood, CA 90078
Email: [email protected]
Support The Art Life by buying our recommended books from our Bookshop page: bookshop.org/shop/gracegordonofficial
The Art Life is on Instagram: @theartlifeshow
Our music is ‘The Stream’ by Rorie: http://roriemusic.com
29 December 2024, 1:56 am
1 hour 2 minutes

The Art of Achieving Your Dreams
What's the most surprising thing about achieving your dreams? Is it "lonely at the top"? After a two year hiatus (and many creative milestones) hosts Xandra and Grace are BACK to celebrate their recent dream projects, and reunite The Art Life. We missed you, too!
SHOW NOTES:
- Thirst Trap is streaming on Mometu
- Lunar Logbook is fundraising on Kickstarter til 11/11/24
- Xandra's essay Why I Stopped Singing
- Xandra's Substack: xandrathewitch.substack.com
- Xandra's Taylor Swift readings on Tiktok: @xandrathewitch
RELATED EPISODES:
- Episode 1: This is The Art Life
- Episode 83: Is Art Therapy?
Grace Gordon is on Instagram @gracegordonofficial
Xandra Sunglim Burns is on Instagram @xandrathewitch

Share the link: http://theartlife.show
Send letters to: The Art Life, c/o Grace Gordon, P.O. Box #1193, Hollywood, CA 90078
Email: [email protected]
Support The Art Life by buying our recommended books from our Bookshop page: bookshop.org/shop/gracegordonofficial
The Art Life is on Instagram: @theartlifeshow
Our music is ‘The Stream’ by Rorie: http://roriemusic.com
24 October 2024, 7:00 am
52 minutes 22 seconds

Reinventing Your Art Life (with Xandra Sunglim Burns)
Are you ready to enter a new era of your art life? Will your audience accept your creative evolution? In Episode 85, Xandra returns to the show discuss her massive reinvention, breaking the "rules" of social media, and embracing the magic of change. The art life is being delusional... or is it? ;)
SHOW NOTES:
- Xandra the Witch (website)
- Xandra the Witch is on TikTok and Instagram
- Taylor Swift's TikTok is mostly cat videos
- Dita von Teese is also now on Patreon!
- Bohemian Rhapsody is streaming on Hulu
- The Art Life is now on Patreon!
- Send Grace your requests for new topics and interview guests: [email protected]
RELATED EPISODES:
- Episode 69: When It's Time to Go
- Episode 45: The Art of Endings
The Art Life is on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/theartlifeshow
Read more and subscribe to our newsletter at http://theartlife.show
Send letters to: The Art Life, c/o Grace Gordon, P.O. Box #1193, Hollywood, CA 90078
Email: [email protected]
Support The Art Life by buying our recommended books from our Bookshop page: bookshop.org/shop/gracegordonofficial
Grace Gordon is on Instagram: @gracegordonofficial
The Art Life is on Twitter & Instagram: @theartlifeshow
Our music is ‘The Stream’ by Rorie: http://roriemusic.com

Share the link: http://theartlife.show
Send letters to: The Art Life, c/o Grace Gordon, P.O. Box #1193, Hollywood, CA 90078
Email: [email protected]
Support The Art Life by buying our recommended books from our Bookshop page: bookshop.org/shop/gracegordonofficial
The Art Life is on Instagram: @theartlifeshow
Our music is ‘The Stream’ by Rorie: http://roriemusic.com
19 August 2022, 7:00 am
1 hour 3 minutes

The Heart Part is the Hard Part (with Cesar Cardona)
EPISODE DESCRIPTION:
Cesar Cardona (he/him) is a musician, actor, writer, and boxer. Today, he's celebrating the release of his debut album, THE HEART PART IS THE HARD PART. In Episode 84, Cesar and Grace discuss their years of collaborations and peer support, self-discipline for artists, finding new role models, and the spiritual journey that facilitated Cesar's album release. The art life is facing your shadow and opening your heart.
SHOW NOTES:
- Cesar's debut album The Heart Part is the Hard Part releases TODAY, August 5th 2022! Check it out on Spotify and Apple Music.
- Things to Bare - Music Video by The Clew
- The Clew is on Instagram and TikTok
- Cesar Cardona is on Instagram
- The Art Life is now on Patreon!
- Send Grace your requests for new topics and interview guests: [email protected]
RELATED EPISODES:
The Art Life is on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/theartlifeshow
Read more and subscribe to our newsletter at http://theartlife.show
Send letters to: The Art Life, c/o Grace Gordon, P.O. Box #1193, Hollywood, CA 90078
Email: [email protected]
Support The Art Life by buying our recommended books from our Bookshop page: bookshop.org/shop/gracegordonofficial
Grace Gordon is on Instagram: @gracegordonofficial
The Art Life is on Twitter & Instagram: @theartlifeshow
Our music is ‘The Stream’ by Rorie: http://roriemusic.com

Share the link: http://theartlife.show
Send letters to: The Art Life, c/o Grace Gordon, P.O. Box #1193, Hollywood, CA 90078
Email: [email protected]
Support The Art Life by buying our recommended books from our Bookshop page: bookshop.org/shop/gracegordonofficial
The Art Life is on Instagram: @theartlifeshow
Our music is ‘The Stream’ by Rorie: http://roriemusic.com
5 August 2022, 4:00 pm
1 hour 9 minutes

Is Art Therapy? (with Ameya Calvocoressi)
EPISODE DESCRIPTION:
"This is my therapy," we say while entering the theatre. "That was therapeutic," we exhale after dancing out our stress. We know that art is healing, but can it truly replace therapy? In Episode 83 Grace talks with therapist Ameya Calvocoressi about the ways art can heal us, and how therapy can help us create better art.
SHOW NOTES:
- Ameya's band Rotary Ghost is on Instagram
- The Art Life (David Lynch documentary) is currently streaming on HBO Max
- Narrative Humility
- Internal Family Systems Therapy by Richard C, Schwartz and Martha Sweezy
- Ghetto Klown (John Leguizamo's return to the stage)
- Ghetto Klown by John Leguizamo , Christas Cassano, and Shamus Beyale (graphic novel adaptation of the stage show)
- Rocket Fantastic: Poems by Gabrielle Calvocoressi (Ameya's sister)
- Send Grace your requests for new topics and interview guests: [email protected]
RELATED EPISODES:
Read more and subscribe to our newsletter at http://theartlife.show
Send letters to: The Art Life, c/o Grace Gordon, P.O. Box #1193, Hollywood, CA 90078
Email: [email protected]
Support The Art Life by buying our recommended books from our Bookshop page: bookshop.org/shop/gracegordonofficial
Grace Gordon is on Instagram: @gracegordonofficial
The Art Life is on Twitter & Instagram: @theartlifeshow
Our music is ‘The Stream’ by Rorie: http://roriemusic.com

Share the link: http://theartlife.show
Send letters to: The Art Life, c/o Grace Gordon, P.O. Box #1193, Hollywood, CA 90078
Email: [email protected]
Support The Art Life by buying our recommended books from our Bookshop page: bookshop.org/shop/gracegordonofficial
The Art Life is on Instagram: @theartlifeshow
Our music is ‘The Stream’ by Rorie: http://roriemusic.com
22 July 2022, 7:00 am
1 hour 5 minutes

Movement for Artists (with Athena Reddy)
EPISODE DESCRIPTION:
You are not a selfie. You are not an image in a Zoom meeting. You are a body in three-dimensional space, with sensations and needs that are important to attune to.
Athena Reddy (they/them) is an actor, writer, and movement artist. Today, Athena returns to the show to talk about teaching the philosophy of movement.
SHOW NOTES:
- The Body Abstract Blog
- The Body Abstract Newsletter
- Sign up for Athena's donation-based virtual classes
- Athena's Recommended Reading List (books about movement)
- Send Grace your requests for new topics and interview guests: [email protected]
RELATED EPISODES:
Read more and subscribe to our newsletter at http://theartlife.show
Send letters to: The Art Life, c/o Grace Gordon, P.O. Box #1193, Hollywood, CA 90078
Email: [email protected]
Support The Art Life by buying our recommended books from our Bookshop page: bookshop.org/shop/gracegordonofficial
Grace Gordon is on Instagram: @gracegordonofficial
The Art Life is on Twitter & Instagram: @theartlifeshow
Our music is ‘The Stream’ by Rorie: http://roriemusic.com

Share the link: http://theartlife.show
Send letters to: The Art Life, c/o Grace Gordon, P.O. Box #1193, Hollywood, CA 90078
Email: [email protected]
Support The Art Life by buying our recommended books from our Bookshop page: bookshop.org/shop/gracegordonofficial
The Art Life is on Instagram: @theartlifeshow
Our music is ‘The Stream’ by Rorie: http://roriemusic.com
24 June 2022, 7:00 am
58 minutes 8 seconds

The Art of Editing (with Lorrie Kim)
EPISODE DESCRIPTION:
Lorrie Kim (she/her) is an author who loves editing. In Episode 81, she takes a break from book revisions to speak with Grace about sending useful writing feedback, beta reading, and how the “fan fiction economy” can foster better storytelling.
The art life is going word by word.
SHOW NOTES:
- Preorder the new edition of Snape: The Definitive Analysis by Lorrie Kim
- Visit Lorrie Kim's beautiful new website (designed by writer Mira T. Lee)
- Lorrie Kim is on Twitter
- But Mostly, I Just Remember Feeling Terror (Lorrie's guest blog post about feeling defensiveness when getting critique)
- Tree of Cats by Ellis Avery (with illustrations by Alison Bechdel!)
- Send Grace your requests for new topics and interview guests: [email protected]
RELATED EPISODES:
- Episode 18: Art & Barter
- Episode 45: The Art of Endings
- Episode 76: Finding Your Audience and Facing Your Fears (with Alan Lastufka)
Read more and subscribe to our newsletter at http://theartlife.show
Send letters to: The Art Life, c/o Grace Gordon, P.O. Box #1193, Hollywood, CA 90078
Email: [email protected]
Support The Art Life by buying our recommended books from our Bookshop page: bookshop.org/shop/gracegordonofficial
Grace Gordon is on Instagram: @gracegordonofficial
The Art Life is on Twitter & Instagram: @theartlifeshow
Our music is ‘The Stream’ by Rorie: http://roriemusic.com

Share the link: http://theartlife.show
Send letters to: The Art Life, c/o Grace Gordon, P.O. Box #1193, Hollywood, CA 90078
Email: [email protected]
Support The Art Life by buying our recommended books from our Bookshop page: bookshop.org/shop/gracegordonofficial
The Art Life is on Instagram: @theartlifeshow
Our music is ‘The Stream’ by Rorie: http://roriemusic.com
10 June 2022, 7:00 am
1 hour 3 minutes

Minimalism for Artists (with Xandra Robinson-Burns)
EPISODE DESCRIPTION:
A night owl and an early bird. An extrovert and an introvert. A maximalist and a minimalist. Grace and Xandra are opposites in many ways, and they’ve learned so much by celebrating those differences.
In Episode 80, Grace interviews Xandra about minimalism and its benefits for artists. Are you making room for what is most important?
SHOW NOTES:
- Sign up for Xandra's newsletter
- Xandra is on TikTok
- How to Do Nothing: Resisting the Attention Economy by Jenny Odell
- The Life Changing Magic of Tidying Up by Marie Kondo
- Steal Like an Artist and Show Your Work and Keep Going by Austin Kleon
- Minimalism: A Documentary about the Important Things, Tidying Up and Sparking Joy with Marie Kondo, the To All the Boys trilogy, and Gilmore Girls are all streaming on Netflix
- Crazy Rich Asians is streaming on HBO Max
- Episode 40: Digital Boundaries
- Send Grace your requests for new topics and interview guests: [email protected]
RELATED EPISODES:
Read more and subscribe to our newsletter at http://theartlife.show
Send letters to: The Art Life, c/o Grace Gordon, P.O. Box #1193, Hollywood, CA 90078
Email: [email protected]
Support The Art Life by buying our recommended books from our Bookshop page: bookshop.org/shop/gracegordonofficial
Grace Gordon is on Instagram: @gracegordonofficial
The Art Life is on Twitter & Instagram: @theartlifeshow
Our music is ‘The Stream’ by Rorie: http://roriemusic.com

Share the link: http://theartlife.show
Send letters to: The Art Life, c/o Grace Gordon, P.O. Box #1193, Hollywood, CA 90078
Email: [email protected]
Support The Art Life by buying our recommended books from our Bookshop page: bookshop.org/shop/gracegordonofficial
The Art Life is on Instagram: @theartlifeshow
Our music is ‘The Stream’ by Rorie: http://roriemusic.com
27 May 2022, 7:00 am
28 minutes 14 seconds

Artivism
EPISODE DESCRIPTION:
What is "artivism", and how can we practice it in our daily lives? In Episode 79, Grace explores the intersection of artmaking and activism, and shares ideas for creating art in service of social justice movements. Raise questions, channel your rage, and inspire action in your art life.
SHOW NOTES:
- Free Joy Powell T-Shirts (t-shirt fundraiser Grace is running)
- Free Joy Powell (general information)
- La Petite Mort (ecosexual short film for Earth Day)
- Artivism Toolkit from Beautiful Trouble
- Want to write to political prisoners? You can learn their stories and reach out in solidarity here.
- Documentaries mentioned: Attica (on Showtime) and In the Absence of Light (on HBO)
- Ava DuVernay's series When They See Us is on Netflix
- The Dead Provide a Home For Us Living (zine by Kristian Brevik)
- The Sun and Her Stars: Salka Viertel and Hitler's Exiles in the Golden Age of Hollywood by Donna Rifkind
- Send Grace your requests for new topics and interview guests: [email protected]
RELATED EPISODES:
Read more and subscribe to our newsletter at http://theartlife.show
Send letters to: The Art Life, c/o Grace Gordon, P.O. Box #1193, Hollywood, CA 90078
Email: [email protected]
Support The Art Life by buying our recommended books from our Bookshop page: bookshop.org/shop/gracegordonofficial
Grace Gordon is on Instagram: @gracegordonofficial
The Art Life is on Twitter & Instagram: @theartlifeshow
Our music is ‘The Stream’ by Rorie: http://roriemusic.com

Share the link: http://theartlife.show
Send letters to: The Art Life, c/o Grace Gordon, P.O. Box #1193, Hollywood, CA 90078
Email: [email protected]
Support The Art Life by buying our recommended books from our Bookshop page: bookshop.org/shop/gracegordonofficial
The Art Life is on Instagram: @theartlifeshow
Our music is ‘The Stream’ by Rorie: http://roriemusic.com
13 May 2022, 7:00 am
58 minutes 2 seconds

Cashing In vs. Selling Out (with Valerie Lohman)
EPISODE DESCRIPTION:
How will you know when you're ready to make a living off your art? Can you take commercial and influencer gigs without sacrificing your values? In Episode 78, Valerie Rose Lohman (she/they) joins Grace to talk money, imposter syndrome, and financial integrity. The art life is cashing in without selling out.
SHOW NOTES:
- Valerie is on TikTok
- Valerie is on Instagram
- Valerie's single Kill 4 U Die 4 U is out now!
- Book a voiceover coaching session with Valerie
- Valerie is currrently crowdfunding for JOURNEY TO THE HEART, a new interactive fantasy podcast musical! Check out the campaign on indiegogo.
- Send Grace your requests for new topics and interview guests: [email protected]
RELATED EPISODES:
- E39: Crafting a Business with Erika Lyremark
  E67: How to Help Your Artist Friends (with Athena Reddy and Nick Grant)
- E26: Patreon for Artists
Read more and subscribe to our newsletter at http://theartlife.show
Send letters to: The Art Life, c/o Grace Gordon, P.O. Box #4292, Valley Village, CA 91617
Email: [email protected]
Support The Art Life by buying our recommended books from our Bookshop page: bookshop.org/shop/gracegordonofficial
Grace Gordon is on Instagram: @gracegordonofficial
The Art Life is on Twitter & Instagram: @theartlifeshow
Our music is ‘The Stream’ by Rorie: http://roriemusic.com

Share the link: http://theartlife.show
Send letters to: The Art Life, c/o Grace Gordon, P.O. Box #1193, Hollywood, CA 90078
Email: [email protected]
Support The Art Life by buying our recommended books from our Bookshop page: bookshop.org/shop/gracegordonofficial
The Art Life is on Instagram: @theartlifeshow
Our music is ‘The Stream’ by Rorie: http://roriemusic.com
22 April 2022, 7:00 am
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