Elle inspires me to imagine a more beautiful future than the one I have in mind. She shows me what it is like to be intellectually curious, energetic, optimistic, and living in the moment. I’m glad to meet her.
Tell us about yourself and what's on top of your mind.
I write The Elysian, a newsletter thinking through the future of nation-states, companies, and humanity. I'm in the process of building a cooperative media ecosystem where I collaborate with other writers and designers on print magazines, podcasts, and video series imagining a better future.
I'm currently traveling the world with my husband as part of a midlife gap year, and it's been incredible to study projects in-person—I have a huge backlog of researched articles that need to be written!
How do you feel at this moment in life?
I feel incredible. I'm currently on a mid-life gap year which my husband and I have dreamed about for years. We're spending this time traveling the world and researching things I'm interested in for my work. We've already been through Portugal, Spain, France and Italy and we're spending the next month in the UK. It's truly been a dream come true!
What is the biggest lesson you’ve learned from your parents?
Probably play. My dad plays the piano and we always grew up dancing and singing and laughing around the house. Both of my parents have pursued many playful activities through their lives—including when my dad worked as a model, acted in community theater and when my mom was always up for a Backstreet Boys concert or a margarita night!
What have you experienced that has changed the way you live?
Not to be too much like everyone else but I absolutely love Marie Kondo and her ethos. My life is very pared down to only the things I love most, not just in possessions but also in the way I spend my time, the things I want to do, the places I want to go, and the people I want to spend time with. I don't like to have any excess clutter in my life. It's how I have the time and space for the things I love most: Writing, drawing, traveling, spending time with my nieces, hanging out with my sisters, and spending time with family.
How do you define happiness?
When I'm having fun.
Who is your favorite writer, and why?
Victor Hugo. His work is philosophical but also lyrical, and wow those characters and storylines. Les Miserables truly has everything. Also I relate to Jean Valjean.
Imagine this writer was standing right in front of you and you can ask one question, what would you ask?
I'm not sure he could tell me anything relevant to today, but I'd love to be a fly on the wall during his office hour sessions every afternoon. Did people really just stop by his house in the afternoons to talk to the author?
Thank you so much Elle for bringing the world to those of us who are following her footsteps online.
Don’t miss her conversation with Chris Best from last week.
This is the end of this interview series with these incredible writers.
I hope you enjoy these conversations as much as I do.
Once again, I’m grateful for the kindness of Linart, Kev, Rish, Harrison, and Elle. These connections are more than I could have ever asked for.
We will return to the bi-weekly schedule until the next interview series is ready.
See you then.
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Lovely notes to the end the series on!