The Monday Media Diet with Emma Grace Moon

On Andrea Elliott, Beauty Sick, and Billie Holiday

Emma Grace Moon (EGM) runs a PR agency and recently swapped the states for Paris. We’re happy to have her with us this week.

Tell us about yourself.

I'm Emma, the founder of Praize—a PR agency that’s transforming the discipline into a revenue-driving channel for DTC brands—making the traditionally "fluffy" world of publicity actually work for today's challenging market. After working in-house at various consumer brands and at VaynerX, I launched Praize in 2021 when I spotted a need for more measurable strategies.

About a year ago, I swapped New York's hustle for Paris's charm, chasing a more balanced lifestyle and a touch of romance. Outside of work, you'll find me redesigning my apartment for the 100th time, hanging out at the public library, taking long runs along the Seine, or discovering hidden restaurant gems with friends (that I sometimes selfishly keep to myself).

Describe your media diet.

It's had a complete makeover since moving to Paris. In NYC, I was the classic digital addict—phone welded to my hand, checking emails while ordering my coffee, and jumping at every news alert like it was personally addressed to me.

But Paris has beautifully corrupted my always-on mentality. Now I check email with the casual frequency of someone who actually enjoys life (shocking, I know). I've developed a list of thoughtful newsletters and Substacks that give me depth instead of just digital noise. And social media has become my plaything rather than something that's controlling me.

I feel really liberated with the media now. Maybe it's the distance from America, or perhaps it's just impossible to frantically scroll when you walk through Luxembourg on a Saturday afternoon. I think the history and depth that Paris has, has influenced me to look up a bit more. Either way, I've escaped the hamster wheel of constant consumption and found something more controlled and intentional.

I still feel incredibly informed, just without the digital anxiety. Media is much more enjoyable for me when consumed in ways that make me feel good.

What’s the last great book you read?

The last great book I read was Invisible Child by Andrea Elliott. It’s a beautifully written nonfiction book that follows the life of a young girl growing up in poverty in New York City. The book masterfully blends personal storytelling with a critical examination of systemic issues, leaving a lasting impression on how poverty and inequality shape lives.

What are you reading now?

Currently reading Beauty Sick by psychology professor Renee Engeln. It explores how our cultural obsession with appearance harms women psychologically and physically (super fun stuff). She combines scientific research with personal stories to show how beauty standards impact women's mental health, academic performance, and career advancement. I’m a few chapters in and it’s great so far.

What’s your reading strategy when you pick up a print copy of your favorite publication?

Since living in Paris the only time I get my hands on proper English-language print is when I make my way back to NYC—and you better believe I stuff my suitcase with New Yorkers like they're contraband goods. I speak and understand French to some capacity, but there's something about reading cultural commentary in your native tongue that hits differently and I'm not at the level of French to understand contextual commentary and deep discussions.

For my daily fix, I've curated a collection of 3-5 newsletters that I methodically work through each in what I grandly call my 'digital download'—my one structured moment of media consumption before the day.

Who should everyone be reading that they’re not?

Gene Knudsen Hoffman. I recently discovered her work and philosophy while researching conflict resolution approaches for my newsletter. Hoffman was a remarkable Quaker peace activist who pioneered what she called "compassionate listening" – an approach that fundamentally changed how I think about both personal and professional conflicts. I find her refreshing to read, with her focus on truly hearing the "enemy" as a human being with legitimate fears and concerns. In today's polarized world, where everyone's shouting, Hoffman's gentle but revolutionary methods feel relevant and inspiring to me.

What is the best non-famous app you love on your phone?

I've been a big fan of Motion AI. I'm still in the phase of figuring out how to utilize AI to get myself off my phone or computer as much as possible these days. Motion AI automates my scheduling and task management. It helps me optimize my calendar by adjusting tasks and meetings based on priorities and deadlines, but without me touching it. It's helped me immensely with scheduling my day faster so I can focus on things that matter most to me (reading, going for walks with my boyfriend, going for runs in the morning, etc.). So if I decide to go for a longer run and start the day later than I thought, it will automatically reshuffle my projects to make sure I focus on the top priority items. I feel my relationship with work and my schedule has improved a lot from it.

Plane or train?

Train 100%. Once you get used to 2-hours to London and 4-hours to Amsterdam, you never look back.

What is one place everyone should visit?

Ghent, Belgium is one of the most underrated cities I’ve been to. It’s on no travel guides that I’ve seen and it’s truly a GEM of a city. Go get some cherished objects at Deneef & Goemaere, sit outside with a glass of orange wine at Hey Frankie, get some soup for lunch at Soup’r, and get dinner at Elders.

Tell us the story of a rabbit hole you fell deep into.

Billie Holiday's life story became an unexpected rabbit hole for me recently. It started when I picked up "Chasing the Scream" by Johann Hari, which I thought was primarily about drug policy. The first few chapters focused intensely on Billie Holiday, and I found myself completely captivated.

Her upbringing was so intense and complicated. I started seeking out any biography or story about her I could find. What began as casual interest turned into a weeks-long deep dive into her entire life.

In this age of constant noise and rapid-fire media consumption, it's rare to pause and truly explore the background of an artist you casually listen to. I'd heard Billie Holiday's music plenty of times, but understanding her struggles with addiction, racism, and the targeted government persecution she faced completely transformed how I now experience her vocals in "Strange Fruit" or "God Bless the Child."

This rabbit hole didn't stop with Holiday—it's inspired me to read more about other category-defining artists. I've developed a deeper respect for music and the emotions and history embedded within it. (EGM)