The Art Life

Xandra and Grace wish you an artful season of giving! They discuss acts of service, the art of receiving, and celebrity arch-nemeses. A cliché for a reason: it’s the thought that counts.   A REQUEST: What’s the best gift you’ve received? We want to share your stories on a special upcoming episode of The Art Life. Email us: theartlife@heroinetraining.com   SHOW NOTES: Grace's post On Gift Giving Th...

Grace shares how art changed the way she relates to fitness. She and Xandra discuss caring for their bodies, 100 Days of Sweat, Wii Fitness, and favourite training montages. Stretch with us! SHOW NOTES: Noelle on Disney+ Grace speaking about femininity on the Courageous Self Love podcast Taylor Swift’s statement on performing her music at the AMAs Taylor Swift’s song ‘Beautiful Ghosts’ for the Mot...

Grace resumes her meditation practice, Xandra does a no-tech weekend experiment. In this lullaby of an episode, they discuss letting writing sit, how to skill-share with reciprocity, and showing up to support the arts. Stillness is part of the process.    SHOW NOTES: Affiliate link for Sarah von Bargen’s Bank Boost: heroinetraining.com/bankboost Harv Greenberg Photography  @harvgreenberg on Instag...

What is the value of art in a world so chaotic? Grace and Xandra respond to a request to define what it means to be an activist.  They offers action steps and starting points for anyone reading the news wondering ‘What can I do?’.  SHOW NOTES: depressed demon nightmare boys meme ‘Peril’ by Toni Morrison Illustrated Guide to Political Prisoners and Prisoners of War  by NYC Anarchist Black Cross Boo...

Dress up is passion for Grace, but also part of her profession as an actress. She and Xandra discuss connotations of the word ‘fashion’, perceptions of femininity, and kindness in Hollywood. What we wear tells a story. SHOW NOTES: Photographer Rosey Sin: @rosey.sin & @photographeruntitled Eve’s Hollywood by Eve Babitz Xandra's essays: 'Your Corner of the Sky' and 'What My High School Never Taught...

Xandra and Grace record in person at LeakyCon Boston. They discuss showing up to support other artists, the intimacy of daily life, and nerdy summer camp Book 7 release stories. Long-distance friendships provides space for being your best self.   SHOW DETAILS: Read more at http://theartlife.show Send letters to: The Art Life, c/o Grace Gordon, P.O. Box #4292, Valley Village, CA 91607 Email: theart...

Xandra and Grace are about to take flight to reunite in person.  They discuss the joys of wifi-free travel, define the in-transit attitude, and wonder about the science of airplane tears. The commute is a golden time for creativity. SHOW DETAILS: Read more at http://theartlife.show Send letters to: The Art Life, c/o Grace Gordon, P.O. Box #4292, Valley Village, CA 91607 Email: theartlife@heroinetr...

Do actors enjoy acting? Do podcasters enjoy podcasts? Do they HAVE to? Grace and Xandra balance being informed with staying inspired, their thoughts on mob movies, and why artists love reality tv.  Gaining confidence in our preferences is an art in itself. SHOW DETAILS: Read more at http://theartlife.show Send letters to: The Art Life, c/o Grace Gordon, P.O. Box #4292, Valley Village, CA 91607 Ema...

How do you wind down and wake up? Xandra and Grace discuss daily rituals, grounding practices, and the different times of day in which their creative energy shows up. They also swoon over bedtime stories, dream up a fictional day buffet, and navigate the frustrations of freelance work. SHOW DETAILS: Read more at http://theartlife.show Send letters to: The Art Life, c/o Grace Gordon, P.O. Box #4292...

Grace envisions Xandra as the heiress of a stationery empire (it’s almost true). This episode explores letter-writing as a personal art, note-sending styles, writing to incarcerated activists, and why there is a P.O. Box for this show.   SHOW DETAILS: Read more at http://theartlife.show Send letters to: The Art Life, c/o Grace Gordon, P.O. Box #4292, Valley Village, CA 91607 Email: theartlife@hero...

Grace shudders at the word ‘fun’. Xandra believes it to be essential. Is fun productive? Can you have fun and be taken seriously as an artist? They question societal expectations of fun, and explore their personal pleasures, with nods to The Princess Diaries series, the Twilight movies, Batman, and genuine academic joy. SHOW DETAILS: Read more at http://theartlife.show Send letters to: The Art Lif...

Grace has just returned from a week in the wilderness, in which she slept in a yurt. For Xandra and Grace, nature is a necessity, in calm and through fear. It puts ego in perspective, and provides peaceful retreat from the usual noise. They also discuss a desire to dress up, and how to be their feminine selves outdoors. SHOW DETAILS: Read more at http://theartlife.show Send letters to: The Art Lif...

Wandering is essential to Grace and Xandra’s art lives. They discuss making time for wandering with no agenda, how to balance technology with being present, and inviting others on wander-ful adventures. In wandering through this topic, they also surprise themselves with new definitions of ‘wander’ that emerge. SHOW DETAILS: Read more at http://theartlife.show Send letters to: The Art Life, c/o Gra...

What does it mean to be an Artist? What counts as Art? Grace and Xandra had very different perspectives on art as children. They discuss their identities as ‘artists', and how art brings us together. This episode celebrates how art can embody inclusivity and freedom. SHOW DETAILS: Read more at http://theartlife.show Send letters to: The Art Life, c/o Grace Gordon, P.O. Box #4292, Valley Village, C...

An epistolary introduction to The Art Life. Grace and Xandra tell their friendship origin story: Harry Potter, outfit appreciation, and Passion Planners included. They begin to redefine and reclaim ‘art' and ‘achievement’, and welcome you into the studio. SHOW DETAILS: Read more at http://theartlife.show Send letters to: The Art Life, c/o Grace Gordon, P.O. Box #4292, Valley Village, CA 91607 Emai...