Episode Details

Photo by Andre Baranowski

Darin sits down with writer, journalist, and Esquire editor Jeff Gordinier to talk about the blues—how to face them, move through them, and maybe, just maybe, how to feel a little better by week’s end. Jeff shares five deeply personal practices that have helped him stay grounded through life’s ups and downs—from long walks and deep sleep to seeing friends IRL and reading poetry like prayer. If you’re feeling a little off lately, this episode is your gentle reminder to slow down, pay attention, and take care.

A message from the Independent Hospitality Coalition for those being affected by ICE raids in Los Angeles:

Attention restaurant owners, be prepared. Thank you to everyone who has shared information that has allowed us to plan.As if restaurant owners and hospitality workers did not have enough to worry about. Our kitchens are what they are because of are immigrant community. ICE is plucking people from our community in the name of law and order, we know the truth.History will remember this moment.

[00:00:00] Darin Hello and welcome to Five Rules for the Good Life. I'm your host, Darin Bresnitz. I'm so excited to be joined by my friend and colleague, Jeff Gordinier. You may know him from his work in Esquire, writing about some of America's best restaurants. He's also an author, poet, and all around great guy. Today, he shares his five rules for curing the blues, or at least getting halfway there. He talks about finding the right balance of exercise. Sleep and connecting with friends. It's a really great and inspiring conversation.

Please note that the content of our conversation is provided for general information only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. If you or anyone is suffering from depression or any type of harmful thoughts, please call the suicide and crisis lifeline, which can be reached at 988.

Let's get into the rules.

Jeff, it is always a pleasure to see you, especially on the week where you were nominated for a James Beard Award for your writing. How you feeling?

[00:01:08] Jeff It's very gratifying, Darin. Thank you for asking about that. The Beard Nomination is for a story that truly is an example of collaboration and listening. A piece about rice and history, and it had a dual byline, but with whom I wrote it and reported it is George McCallman. And George is an old friend of mine of 30 years. And it was just a beautiful process to go to South Carolina and interview people together. You know what's an interesting aspect of this, Darin? I was just down in Laguna Beach visiting my parents. I was staying overnight in this guest room where I live. Back in 1991, 1992, when I could not find a job.

[00:01:42] Darin When you first got into the business of getting started, did you realize all the ups and downs and the emotions that were gonna come with dedicating your life to this?

[00:01:50] Jeff I was sending out my resume and my clips, and I would get this steady stream of rejection letters from newspapers and magazines around the country. I just hit some real lows, you know? And I thought, this is never gonna work out. I'll never find work as a writer. And revisiting that space, Darin and going back in that room, at the same time, I finally got a James Beard Foundation Award nomination. I mean, it was just fascinating. It was fascinating to contemplate that, the power of not giving up. And there were also certain practices that I undertook in 1991, personally, to combat the blues. That's really where it started for me, this five-step p