Episode 90: Chloé Simone - Big Easy to Big Apple

Chloé Simone is a writer, a spiritual coach, and a DJ based in New York City.

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(00:00) NYC move via Wall Street Journal job

(02:10) New York dreams and Great Migration lineage

(04:35) Loving literature; discovering writing talent

(06:40) Teen screenplays and filmmaker ambitions

(08:40) NOCCA arts high school film program

(11:10) “Witchy” New Orleans and strict Christian home

(14:40) Outsider identity, shellfish ban, protecting five girls

(17:35) Katrina evacuation, Alexandria year, return home

(21:45) College pivot: film to international studies

(24:15) Bret Stephens mentorship and WSJ application

(27:55) WSJ newsroom life and first published op-ed

(31:10) Realizing newsroom choreography isn’t for her

(33:10) Israel-Palestine thesis and three Enchantment principles

(36:20) Going solo: course creation, cold emails, podcasts

(39:05) First big client; 2020 BLM-driven boom

(41:55) Critiquing Kendi/DiAngelo; Baldwin and human depth

(44:35) 2025 downturn, social media exit, Substack shift

(46:50) Coming out, disowning, artist life, success vision