Julia E. Sweig is the Nelson and David Rockefeller senior fellow for Latin America studies and director for Latin America studies at the Council on Foreign Relations. Most recently she is the author of Cuba: What Everyone Needs to Know. Before taking the podium to discuss the book, Sweig told us a bit more about herself.

Q. What was the last thing that inspired you?

A. Juanes, the Colombian singer whose concert in Havana I was marginally involved with putting together. I was blown away by him in every way. He’s become a great friend.

Q. What comforts you?

A. Lox and bagels.

Q. When do you feel most creative?

A. Early in the morning.

Q. What is your favorite thing about Los Angeles?

A. The light.

Q. What is the best advice you have ever received?

A. It was from my Grandpa Sam, and I was about nine years old. He said to me — and I forget about what — “listen to everybody and then do what you want.”

Q. What is your greatest weakness?

A. It’s probably my biggest strength, too, which is that I overthink.

Q. What’s the last habit you tried to kick?

A. Overstuffing my suitcases when I travel.

Q. What do you wake up to in the mornings?

A. Black tea with two percent milk.

Q. What is your favorite word?

A. Ubiquitous.

Q. What teacher or professor changed your life?

A. Saul Landau, who was a professor at UC Santa Cruz in the early 1980s, and who is the first person who ever sent me to Cuba.

Q. Who is the one person living or dead you would most want to meet for dinner?

A. It would be two people: Franklin and Eleanor Roosevelt.

To read about Sweig’s discussion on Cuba, click here.

*Photo by Aaron Salcido.