On this episode of Wiser Than Me, Julia gets enlightened by 75-year-old food writer, magazine editor, and author Ruth Reichl. From her infamous New York Times review of Le Cirque to greenlighting a controversial David Foster Wallace article in Gourmet, Ruth is as gutsy as they come. Ruth talks to Julia about living with a mom who has bipolar disorder, processing grief through food, and why you should always do things that scare you. Plus, Julia asks her mom Judith what to cook when Ruth accepts an invitation for dinner.   Follow Wiser Than Me on Instagram and TikTok @wiserthanme and on Facebook at facebook.com/wiserthanmepodcast.    Keep up with Ruth Reichl on Instagram @ruth.reichl and on Twitter @ruthreichl.   Find out more about other shows on our network at @lemonadamedia on all social platforms.   Joining Lemonada Premium is a great way to support our show and get bonus content. Subscribe today at bit.ly/lemonadapremium.    Click this link for a list of all Wiser Than Me sponsors and discount codes: https://lemonadamedia.com/sponsors/.    For additional resources, information, and a transcript of the episode, visit lemonadamedia.com.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Ruth Reichl, an award-winning food writer and novelist, shares her journey from culinary journalism to fiction with a focus on her latest novel set in Paris. She discusses Stella, a young woman's transformative trip that leads to self-discovery amidst the backdrop of 1980s Parisian culture. Themes of identity, family, and the sensory joys of food are woven throughout, as Reichl reflects on her experiences as a food critic and the need to reassess America's food systems. The conversation celebrates creativity and the art of cooking as essential to life's pleasures.

Ruth Reichl, author of The Paris Novel, discusses indulging in life's simple pleasures in 1980s Paris, writing in honor of her late editor, and why she chose to set her story in the City of Light. The podcast explores themes of art, fashion, and the joy of food, with a focus on a character's transformative journey and the dream-like portrayal of Paris.