Award-winning filmmaker Julie Rubio joins Ciara Gogan for an honest conversation about the hidden history of artist Tamara de Lempicka, the power of documentary filmmaking, and finding the courage to tell stories that have been overlooked. Julie shares how personal hardship shaped her empathy and resilience, how a film-set crisis unexpectedly pushed her into directing, and why she kept fighting to bring The True Story of Tamara de Lempicka and the Art of Survival to audiences. Years of archival research uncovered new evidence about Lempicka’s identity and heritage, challenging the familiar myths around the Art Deco artist and revealing a story of survival, creativity, and self-determination. The conversation also explores how researching Lempicka helped Julie better understand and embrace her own bisexuality, why representation matters, and how women filmmakers navigate persistent barriers in the industry. Julie reflects on protecting your peace, using art to foster empathy, speaking up for others, and finding joy in the middle of difficult times.

Connect with Julie & Ciara:

Julie's full bio: https://www.julierubiofilms.com/about

"The True Story of Tamara De Lempicka & the Art of Survival": https://www.tamaradoc.com/

Follow the documentary on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tamaradelempickadoc/

Follow the documentary on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61590479550049

Connect with Ciara on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ciaragogan13/

Follow Stumbling Through Growth on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/stumblingthroughgrowth/

Work with Ciara (Coaching) - https://calendly.com/ciara-upliftinclusion/uplift-30-minute-call

Ciara's Inclusion Coaching & Consulting - Uplift Inclusion: https://www.upliftinclusion.com/

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Thanks so much! Ciara xo

In this episode:

• Julie’s passion for overlooked stories and the people behind them
• Growing up with a mother experiencing mental illness—and learning empathy, independence, and compassion
• Why asking “What happened to you?” can be more powerful than asking “What’s wrong with you?”
• The lesson that you don’t have to know everything before you begin
• The archival research behind The True Story of Tamara de Lempicka and the Art of Survival
• How Julie’s documentary challenges misconceptions about Tamara de Lempicka
• The realities of independent filmmaking, including funding barriers and discrimination
• How Lempicka’s story helped Julie embrace her bisexuality
• Representation, identity, and the importance of seeing yourself reflected in art
• Why stories, community, and collective action can help create a more equitable world