Location:
United States
Genres:
Arts & Culture Podcasts
Description:
”Life of JEM: writers on writing” is a podcast where Juanita E. Mantz (JEM), who is a writer herself, interviews many of her favorite writers. JEM loves interviewing and you’ll see why. Every show has a theme, but there’s always a focus on the craft of writing, as well as a love of the written word and JEM does a deep dive into many of her favorite books and authors. Check it out! You can listen in, but be sure to like JEM’s Facebook page for podcast extras! See https://www.facebook.com/LifeOfJem/ and her author page for live events https://juanitaemantz.com/
Language:
English
Website:
https://lifeofjem.podbean.com/
Episodes
A Life of JEM Special Bonus Episode by JEM
3/28/2025
JEM tells a story from her one woman show
about how she went from corporate law to
public defense and came home and finally
found her calling as a writer & lawyer.
Duration:00:15:44
Life of JEM special bonus episode on mental health
3/26/2025
A special episode. Its JEM! Telling a story she calls the depression chronicles
Duration:00:07:33
Life of JEM with special guest Writer Rose Bowen, author of Ink Blot Girl
3/19/2025
This episode is a treat! JEM interviews poet and author Rose Bowen, author of the recently released beautiful poetry collection "Ink Blot Girl". They talk about overcoming writer's block, & about valuing your voice and overcoming imposter syndrome. They also talk about inspiration and using art to highlight issues surrounding social justice and mental health. Rose also reads from her collection. This conversation is a must listen so listen in!
Duration:01:04:54
A special bonus episode: JEM and her puppies, a story
3/11/2025
Listen in to hear a story about JEM and her 3 new puppies: Merry, Pippin and Princess Leia!
Duration:00:07:23
Redemption: a true story by JEM told without notes inspired by the movie Sing Sing
2/25/2025
A special bonus mini episode. This is a true story about redemption told by JEM live without notes (she is still working through her one woman show and this may be part of it one day). It's inspired by the movie Sing Sing and it's about JEM's journey from USC Law to corporate lawyer to coming home. JEM is really proud of this one so listen in!
Duration:00:10:30
Life of JEM with special guest Barbara Marie Minney, author of A Woman in Progress
2/12/2025
JEM interviews Writer Barbara Marie Minney, author of multiple poetry collections, the most recent is a chapbook titled "A Woman in Progress". Barbara reads many of her gorgeous and powerful poems and she and JEM have an inspiring and illuminating conversation about craft, poetry as memoir and the importance of Barbara's poetic voice as a transgender woman. This discussion is a must listen.
Duration:01:02:14
A special bonus episode: a short story by JEM about her waitressing daze
2/5/2025
A special episode of JEM telling a story about her waitressing daze! This one is a doozy and has a lot to say about who JEM was and is. These special episodes are mini tales that JEM is working on for her one woman show in progress. She's not reading them. She's telling them extemporaneously. So listen in to get a taste of JEM's storytelling.
Duration:00:08:05
Life of JEM with Special Guest Ryane Nicole Granados, author of "The Aves"
2/2/2025
JEM interviews Writer Ryane Nicole Granados, author of the beautiful award winning YA novella "The Aves" (Leapfrog Press, 2024). Ryane reads from her lovely book and they have a deep, soul sustaining conversation about community, craft, the importance of writing as activism and the joys of writing about one's own neighborhood. Listen in. This discussion will move you and inspire you, lifting you up in these difficult times.
Duration:00:51:07
LIFE of JEM special episode: JEM tells a story without notes
1/23/2025
In this episode, JEM tells a short 3 minute story without notes about a road trip in a Winnebago. She is working on a one woman show so this is JEM's way of practicing and letting you into her process. She also talks about a "note" she received regarding performing from the universe. Tune in to this special episode!
Duration:00:05:16
Life of JEM with Special Guest David A. Romero
1/23/2025
Listen in to my interview with spoken word artist, poet, writer, & publisher, David A. Romero. A true multi-hyphenate, David reads from his new collection, "Diamond Bars 2". We talk about craft, performance, how to make it financially as a writer and performer, and about writing about home. This episode will inspire and rejuvenate you and remind us why we write.
Duration:01:07:41
On Writing Through the Dark: JEM with Writer Yolanda Nava
11/26/2024
This episode is JEM and Writer, journalist and Chicana icon Yolanda Nava, author of the memoir, "Writing Through The Dark". JEM and Yolanda have an intimate and insightful conversation about Yolanda's memoir and about her journey after her descent into sudden blindness in her sixties. This is a must listen to episode. Find her book on Amazon now and get a copy!
Duration:00:47:16
Bonus:The Plague Remedy Podcast Trailer!
11/7/2024
Check out another podcast on writing! I'll be on his show soon. Stephen Sacco has on a wide range of writers covering a host of literary topics! Check it out! It's epic!!
Duration:00:02:21
Life of JEM: the Trailer!
11/4/2024
Listen in to what Life of JEM is all about!!
Duration:00:01:08
On Writing Horror Fiction: JEM with Christian Livermore, Kate Maruyama and Ryan Peña (the Halloween episode!)
10/28/2024
A special Halloween reading by three amazing horror writers, Christian Livermore, Kate Maruyama and Ryan Peña and a conversation with them moderated by JEM about what makes horror writing sing along with valuable tips for those burgeoning writers out there. Boo!!
Duration:01:13:32
On Writing for the Dispossessed: JEM with Writer Désirée Zamorano
9/27/2024
JEM and Writer Désirée Zamorano discuss her latest novel "Dispossessed" and how important it is to tell these stories about dispossession and disenfranchisement, and how she crafted her beautiful soul sustaining book. It's a must listen in conversation!
Duration:01:05:47
On Inspiration with James Ducat
5/27/2024
This episode is JEM and Writer James Ducat, author of the blackout poetry collection, "A Field of Nopes" (Bamboo Dart Press, 2024). JEM and James have a fascinating conversation about his book and about inspiration, their writing process, music, & how one balances it all. It's a very cool and engaging conversation. Tune in!
Duration:01:03:10
On Writing Memoir and Poetry with Carla Sameth
4/15/2024
This episode is JEM and Writer Carla Sameth, author of the luminous poetry collection, "Secondary Inspections" (Nymeria Publishing, 2024) and the beautiful memoir "One Day On The Gold Line" (reissued by Golden Foothills Press, 2022). JEM and Carla have a deep conversation about writing memoir & the transition to poetry. It's an insightful conversation filled with a discussion of craft. Tune in!
Duration:01:07:39
On Writing About "Home" with Elsa Valmidiano
4/5/2024
This episode is JEM and Writer (and lawyer) Elsa Valmidiano, author of the beautiful hybrid book "The Beginning of Leaving" published by Querencia Press (see https://www.querenciapress.com/the-beginning-of-leaving-by-elsa-valmidiano). JEM and Elsa are great friends who have a lot in common and they have a deep conversation about how to write about "home" and family, and they talk about the challenges one faces in writing a hybrid book, as well as about the "Motherland", agency and more!
Duration:01:06:38
On Writing for Social Change: JEM with Writer James Coats
3/25/2024
This episode is JEM and Writer James Coats, author of the powerful poetry book "Midnight & Mad Dreams". JEM and James talk about how he uses poetry to illustrate racism and oppression in an attempt to change the world. They also talk about the "business" of writing and how to be a good literary citizen. And you'll hear a beautiful reading by James. Listen in!
Duration:01:07:07
On Poetry and Social Justice: JEM with Writer Xóchitl-Julisa Bermejo
3/19/2024
This episode is JEM and Writer Xóchitl-Julisa Bermejo, author of the beautiful poetry book "Incantation: Love Poems for Battle Sites" (Mouthfeel Press). JEM and Xóchitl chat about how Xóchitl's writing merges poetry and social justice and how these gorgeously crafted poems bear witness and you'll hear a reading by Xóchitl. They also talk about the importance of community and Xóchitl's leadership as a co-creator and director of the nonprofit organization Women Who Submit! Listen in!! And get Xóchitl's book (if you listen in, you'll find out how to win a copy!).
Duration:01:06:37