Zócalo’s Founder and Publisher Gregory Rodriguez

I Still Don’t Know What I Want to Do When I Grow Up

Gregory Rodriguez is the founder and publisher of Zócalo Public Square. Before interviewing songwriter Randy Newman at the Getty Museum, he talked about how he likes his martinis, what he finds more important than happiness, and what he loves about L.A.

Q:

What’s your favorite condiment?


A:

It’s recent—I’ve somehow in my older age developed a love for mustard.


Q:

What’s the best advice you’ve ever received?


A:

It’s more important to thrive than to be happy.


Q:

What is your Achilles heel?


A:

People.


Q:

What would your theme song be?


A:

Wow. I’m listening to “You’ve Got a Friend in Me” right now, and I don’t think that’s my theme song.


Q:

What’s your drink of choice?


A:

A Ketel One martini straight up with a twist. Period.


Q:

What’s your good luck charm?


A:

My wife.


Q:

Where would we find you at 9:00 on a typical Friday night?


A:

There are no typical days in my life. Is that cheesy? That’s true.


Q:

As a kid, what did you want to be when you grew up?


A:

I still don’t know what I want to do when I grow up.


Q:

What was the most important year of your life?


A:

I don’t have a very good memory, but I do particularly like the way I seem to feel in a picture in first grade. I have this little blue shirt on, and I seem sort of happy and peaceful, so I’m going to say first grade.


Q:

What do you proselytize for?


A:

Openness and fairness and inclusion.


*Photo by Aaron Salcido.