'The Rickoning' with Grace O’Neill

Not long ago, I sat down with Grace O’Neill in her Kitchen in London, and we recorded a chat. Grace is a writer. The former editor of Elle Australia. The co-host of After Work Drinks. And one of the most important people in my life.

We met during lockdown—Grace and Zach in Apartment B, Matteo and I in Apartment D. The pandemic turned us, and our neighbour Lena (Apartment C), from strangers into family.

Grace and I have spent hours walking through Holland Park, talking about the messy reality of being an artist—fantasising about a life where we simply make art, go to bed early, and occasionally go somewhere fabulous.

Now, Grace is stepping into a new chapter, launching her Substack, embracing motherhood, and writing her first novel. 

In our chat, we talk about the vulnerability of making things and sharing them. The temptation to jump ahead, to seek validation, to chase the third thing. And why, really, we should all just move to Paris.

We also talk about Rick Rubin—a lot. The Creative Act is, to us, the bible. We discuss how there was life before that book and life after, and why we’re so obsessed with it.

Every time I speak to G, I feel seen, inspired, and so grateful.

I loved this chat. I hope you do too.

Links:

Grace's Substack 'So Darling': https://graceoneill.substack.com

The One Word Journal: https://www.myword.is/book

Between The Lines Newsletter: https://jessicayolandakaye.substack.com/