Life of JEM

This is such an important touchstone of an episode! JEM interviews her twin sister, Writer Dr. Jacqueline Mantz Rodriguez (aka Jackie), whose epic book "Hey Miss: Unveiling Learning's Promise" (909 Books, 2026) will drop on April 6, 2026 (available for preorder now!). This is the last episode before JEM goes on an extended year hiatus!! In their fascinating conversation, Jackie & JEM talk about teaching as Jackie's life purpose, and about what happened when they met David Sedaris together. Then, they chat about sequencing & about a special troll named Emo who is in one of the stories in Jackie's book, and how empathy and hope led Jackie on a path from chaos to redemption and giving back, and much more!! Jackie reads from her beautiful & inspiring book! Available now for preorder!! Please order! And share!!

JEM is super excited to post this mini episode of Tomas Baiza whose book "Mexican Teeth: Stories and Artifacts from an Errant Chicanidad" won the Inlandia Institute's Eliud Martinez prize!! JEM was the judge and she can tell you that his voice is everything, and it cuts through! It's brilliant, compelling and all voice! Epic!! So listen in for a treat with his reading of the story "Thieves". 

Listen in to this special mini episode by Inland Empire poet Michelle Gonzalez who reads poetry for us from her just rereleased collection "Morning in the House by the Field". As I say in my blurb, "Michelle paints a much needed portrait of what it means to be a Mexican American Inland Empire girl..."  Go get her book and take a listen!!

JEM reads a piece from her recovery substack, a story inspired by X's song "Because I Do"! Check out her substack: https://lifeofjem.substack.com/p/because-i-do?r=7cq4g&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web&fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAc3J0YwZhcHBfaWQKNjYyODU2ODM3OQABHudOl0tQuBQ6nVgMKuAHlor4Sq0uq9MP1hS2psT4-E9JukBTGV5nmQX_EUUd_aem_-9aVT6BgBn4XhHOw0Txyqg&triedRedirect=true

JEM interviews David A. Romero, a writer with multiple books of poetry and prose. They talk about his first novel, the epic noir mystery thriller The Enemy Sleeps (El Martillo Press, 2026). Published to critical acclaim, The Enemy Sleeps is must read fiction and David reads from a chapter and he and JEM talk about the novel's genesis and how David used his novel to speak on issues of identity, colonialism, immigration and race. This is a must read novel that will both inspire and entertain you. So check out this beautifully wrought book that both entertains you and makes you think. Listen in to the podcast and get his book. Available everywhere books are sold!! 

Stephanie Barbé Hammer reads from her latest book, "The Warbler School Chronicles". In this unforgettable flash fiction series of eleven stories, the narrator attends an elite private girls’ school in New York City during the sixties making magical and memorable encounters. Go get her book available on Bamboo Dart Press (and where all books are sold). Dropping March 9th but listen in for a sneak sassy peek!!

JEM interviews Writer, Poet and Painter Lavina Blossom about her new book of poetry just published by Bamboo Dart Press titled "Here to be Remade". They talk about her process of creating this collection of poems by using books of poems taken from her bookshelf. They also talk about Lavina's paintings that are interspersed among the poems and the intersection between painting and poetry. It is an inspirational and enlightening conversation, so listen in and go get this book available everywhere (and on the bamboo dart website)! 

Tune in as JEM interviews Lucrecia Guerrero, author of numerous books including her most recent, an engrossing fiction, character driven book set in Ohio with a Latina protagonist. The book is "On The Mad River" published by Mouthfeel Press and it is a fantastic and thrilling read! They have an engrossing conversation on writing time specific fiction set in a geographically unique place and Lucrecia gives tips on how to write compelling characters and they talk about the challenges of writing and how to get your book to publication through perspiration and perseverance! So tune in! And go get her book!! Available everywhere books are sold!

JEM interviews one of her favorite writers, the acclaimed, prize winning author Toni Ann Johnson. JEM talks with Toni Ann about Toni Ann's most recent book, a brilliant and beautiful linked story collection titled But Where’s Home?, which was just published by Screen Door Press.
They have a fascinating, in-depth conversation on the line between memoir and auto fiction, and discuss the process of writing about familial characters and the ways in which this latest book is a reconciliation. 
Tune in and please go get Toni Ann Johnson's book which is available nationwide!  
 
This is a must listen episode which will inspire you both as a writer and a reader. 

JEM & Stevo Lution (aka Steve Lossing) have a chat of epic proportions about Stevo's latest book, a collaboration with the late great poet Johnny Bender, aka Brutus Chieftain, titled "The Gospel According to Bombastus" (Bamboo Dart Press, 2025). They chat about the book's genesis, about punk life in the 1980s, about sequencing and Bowie, about Poets in Distress & the venue called Pondwater. Listen in and find out how Stevo's political art sticker ended up on Jane Wiedlin's guitar! One of JEM's favorite conversations to date! Listen in and get The Gospel According to Bombastus now!!