Totally Booked with Zibby

Totally Booked: LIVE! In this special episode of the podcast (in-person at the Whitby Hotel with a live audience!), Zibby chats with New York Times bestselling author Suzy Welch about BECOMING YOU, an inspiring and highly practical guide for identifying the career that is meant for you. Suzy shares how she developed her unique methodology, from her career in journalism to the loss of her husband and rediscovery of purpose as a professor at NYU Stern. She emphasizes how not everyone is meant to be a leader and the importance of knowing your aptitudes and values to make better career and life choices. She also shares the personal story of her public job loss after falling in love with Jack Welch, how she rebounded, and what she learned about resilience and self-worth.Purchase on Bookshop: https://bit.ly/4kq8zBkShare, rate, & review the podcast, and follow Zibby on Instagram @zibbyowens!** Check out the Z.I.P. membership program—Zibby’s Important People! As a Z.I.P., you’ll get exclusive essays, special author access, discounts at Zibby’s Bookshop, and more. Head to zibbyowens.com to subscribe or upgrade and become a Z.I.P. today!** Follow @totallybookedwithzibby on Instagram for more about today's episode. (Music by Morning Moon Music. Sound editing by TexturesSound. To inquire about advertising, please contact [email protected].) Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Zibby Publishing author alert! Zibby chats with Audrey Ingram about THE SUMMER WE RAN, a mesmerizing, smart, emotionally rich, and perfectly nostalgic story of first love, devastating secrets, shocking sabotage, political rivalry, and second chances. Audrey shares the inspiration behind Tess and Grant’s love story, the lush Virginia setting, and how her personal experiences with gardening, law, and even a serious health scare shaped her writing. From the intensity of teenage romance to the high stakes of a gubernatorial race, Zibby and Audrey dive into themes of class, resilience, and the power of storytelling to build empathy and connection.Purchase on Bookshop: https://bit.ly/4dEzIO8Share, rate, & review the podcast, and follow Zibby on Instagram @zibbyowens!** Check out the Z.I.P. membership program—Zibby’s Important People! As a Z.I.P., you’ll get exclusive essays, special author access, discounts at Zibby’s Bookshop, and more. Head to zibbyowens.com to subscribe or upgrade and become a Z.I.P. today!** Follow @totallybookedwithzibby on Instagram for more about today's episode. (Music by Morning Moon Music. Sound editing by TexturesSound. To inquire about advertising, please contact [email protected].) Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

New York Times bestselling author Chasten Buttigieg returns to the podcast, this time to discuss his charming, delightfully illustrated new picture book, PAPA’S COMING HOME. Chasten shares the sweet inspiration behind the story—a joyful, everyday celebration of family that reflects his own with his husband, Pete, and their two children. He talks about writing the book mid-flight, the hidden Easter eggs in the illustrations, and the emotional power of homecomings and hugs. The conversation weaves through parenting moments, the challenges and beauty of bedtime routines, and the power of unconditional love. Chasten also reflects on the impact of his YA memoir and the meaningful conversations it sparked across the country. Purchase on Bookshop: https://bit.ly/43vHd5lShare, rate, & review the podcast, and follow Zibby on Instagram @zibbyowens!** Check out the Z.I.P. membership program—Zibby’s Important People! As a Z.I.P., you’ll get exclusive essays, special author access, discounts at Zibby’s Bookshop, and more. Head to zibbyowens.com to subscribe or upgrade and become a Z.I.P. today!** Follow @totallybookedwithzibby on Instagram for more about today's episode. (Music by Morning Moon Music. Sound editing by TexturesSound. To inquire about advertising, please contact [email protected].) Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

New York Times bestselling author Chris Pavone returns to the podcast to discuss THE DOORMAN, a pulse-pounding, perceptive, sensationally good novel that explores class, privilege, race, sex, and murder through the eyes of a doorman in a luxury New York building. Chris shares the moving real-life inspiration behind the story—a beloved doorman named Johnny—and opens up about his writing process (including writing flap copy before even starting the novel). The two dive into questions of grief, humanity, and what makes a novel truly compelling.Purchase on Bookshop: https://bit.ly/3SXU77iShare, rate, & review the podcast, and follow Zibby on Instagram @zibbyowens!** Check out the Z.I.P. membership program—Zibby’s Important People! As a Z.I.P., you’ll get exclusive essays, special author access, discounts at Zibby’s Bookshop, and more. Head to zibbyowens.com to subscribe or upgrade and become a Z.I.P. today!** Follow @totallybookedwithzibby on Instagram for more about today's episode. (Music by Morning Moon Music. Sound editing by TexturesSound. To inquire about advertising, please contact [email protected].) Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Totally Booked: LIVE! In this special episode of the podcast (in-person at the Whitby Hotel with a live audience!), Zibby chats with journalist, content creator, and bestselling author Carrie Berk about MINDFIRE: Diary of an Anxious Twentysomething. Carrie opens up about her mental health journey, from experiencing intrusive thoughts as a child to managing panic attacks during COVID. She shares personal stories, practical coping strategies, and the importance of reframing anxiety, not to “cure” it, but to coexist with it. The two explore the healing power of writing, the realities behind curated content, and how storytelling can help others feel less alone.Purchase on Bookshop: https://bit.ly/4km6576Share, rate, & review the podcast, and follow Zibby on Instagram @zibbyowens!** Check out the Z.I.P. membership program—Zibby’s Important People! As a Z.I.P., you’ll get exclusive essays, special author access, discounts at Zibby’s Bookshop, and more. Head to zibbyowens.com to subscribe or upgrade and become a Z.I.P. today!** Follow @totallybookedwithzibby on Instagram for more about today's episode. (Music by Morning Moon Music. Sound editing by TexturesSound. To inquire about advertising, please contact [email protected].) Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Bestselling author Annabel Monaghan returns to the podcast to discuss her latest novel, IT’S A LOVE STORY, an adorable, poignant rom-com about a former teen star-turned-Hollywood producer navigating second chances, big lies, and a complicated love with a charming (and quiet) man. Annabel reveals how the story evolved over twelve drafts, why she’s drawn to messy characters, and what she’s learned from nearly 30 years of marriage about real love (“Love actually happens over breakfast…during our morning dog walk… in line at the DMV and in hospital rooms…”). The two also bond over big families, awkward Substack lives, and The Notebook.Purchase on Bookshop: https://bit.ly/4jnc5LoShare, rate, & review the podcast, and follow Zibby on Instagram @zibbyowens!** Check out the Z.I.P. membership program—Zibby’s Important People! As a Z.I.P., you’ll get exclusive essays, special author access, discounts at Zibby’s Bookshop, and more. Head to zibbyowens.com to subscribe or upgrade and become a Z.I.P. today!** Follow @totallybookedwithzibby on Instagram for more about today's episode. (Music by Morning Moon Music. Sound editing by TexturesSound. To inquire about advertising, please contact [email protected].) Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Totally Booked: LIVE! In this special episode of the podcast (in-person at the Whitby Hotel with a live audience!), Zibby welcomes editor Michele Filgate and contributors Joanna Rakoff and Kelly McMasters to discuss their moving and deeply relatable new essay collection, WHAT MY FATHER AND I DON’T TALK ABOUT. Michele shares how her viral essay inspired the original mother-themed anthology, and why a companion book about fathers felt essential. Joanna opens up about uncovering long-held family secrets and the mythologies we inherit, while Kelly reflects on intergenerational parenting, memory, and the unspoken ways love is shown.Purchase on Bookshop: https://bit.ly/4jn1U9EShare, rate, & review the podcast, and follow Zibby on Instagram @zibbyowens!** Check out the Z.I.P. membership program—Zibby’s Important People! As a Z.I.P., you’ll get exclusive essays, special author access, discounts at Zibby’s Bookshop, and more. Head to zibbyowens.com to subscribe or upgrade and become a Z.I.P. today!** Follow @totallybookedwithzibby on Instagram for more about today's episode. (Music by Morning Moon Music. Sound editing by TexturesSound. To inquire about advertising, please contact [email protected].) Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Totally Booked: LIVE! In this special episode of the podcast (in-person at the Whitby Hotel with a live audience!), Zibby chats with critically acclaimed author, MacArthur genius, two-time Pulitzer Prize finalist, and Tony Award-nominated playwright, Sarah Ruhl, about her tender and thoughtful essay collection, LESSONS FROM MY TEACHERS. Sarah reveals the figures—inside and outside the classroom—who shaped her life and work, from her eccentric actress mother to her legendary mentor Paula Vogel. She also talks about memory, grief, her writing process, unexpected health journeys, the healing power of literature, and the impact of honoring teachers while they're still with us.Purchase on Bookshop: https://bit.ly/3HbVuNgShare, rate, & review the podcast, and follow Zibby on Instagram @zibbyowens!** Check out the Z.I.P. membership program—Zibby’s Important People! As a Z.I.P., you’ll get exclusive essays, special author access, discounts at Zibby’s Bookshop, and more. Head to zibbyowens.com to subscribe or upgrade and become a Z.I.P. today!** Follow @totallybookedwithzibby on Instagram for more about today's episode. (Music by Morning Moon Music. Sound editing by TexturesSound. To inquire about advertising, please contact [email protected].) Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Totally Booked: LIVE! In this special episode of the podcast (in-person at the Whitby Hotel with a live audience!), Zibby chats with poet and New York Times bestselling author Jill Bialosky about her lyrical, profoundly moving new book, THE END IS THE BEGINNING. Told in reverse chronology, it traces the remarkable life of her mother, from her death during COVID back to her Depression-era childhood, exploring memory, identity, loss, and resilience. Jill opens up about losing her mother to Alzheimer’s, the pain of her sister’s suicide, the impact of an abusive stepfather, and the inherited strength passed through generations of women. With raw honesty, she shares how writing became a refuge—and a way to bring her mother back to life on the page.Purchase on Bookshop: https://bit.ly/4k3HrrzShare, rate, & review the podcast, and follow Zibby on Instagram @zibbyowens!** Check out the Z.I.P. membership program—Zibby’s Important People! As a Z.I.P., you’ll get exclusive essays, special author access, discounts at Zibby’s Bookshop, and more. Head to zibbyowens.com to subscribe or upgrade and become a Z.I.P. today!** Follow @totallybookedwithzibby on Instagram for more about today's episode. (Music by Morning Moon Music. Sound editing by TexturesSound. To inquire about advertising, please contact [email protected].) Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this very special episode (and live event at the Streicker Center), Zibby interviews a literary icon: the extraordinary Judy Blume. Judy shares deeply personal stories—including how she coped with anxiety as a young girl, her childhood secrets, her complex relationship with religion, her journey into writing, and her evolution from children’s literature to adult fiction. The discussion touches on love, marriage, motherhood, aging, tap dancing, the joys of running a bookstore, and what it means to live a creative, meaningful, and enduringly curious life. Finally, she reflects on her legacy, gratitude for her readers, and the seriousness of today’s book-banning climate.Share, rate, & review the podcast, and follow Zibby on Instagram @zibbyowens!** Check out the Z.I.P. membership program—Zibby’s Important People! As a Z.I.P., you’ll get exclusive essays, special author access, discounts at Zibby’s Bookshop, and more. Head to zibbyowens.com to subscribe or upgrade and become a Z.I.P. today!** Follow @totallybookedwithzibby on Instagram for more about today's episode. (Music by Morning Moon Music. Sound editing by TexturesSound. To inquire about advertising, please contact [email protected].) Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Zibby interviews Lori Gold about ROMANTIC FRICTION, an irreverent, hilarious, raucous romp through the publishing world. They dive into the behind-the-scenes realities of publishing, the anxiety and ambition that fuel the writing life, and the looming impact of AI on creativity. Lori shares the inspiration behind this story, which traces a bestselling romance author’s battle against an AI-generated rival, and opens up about her unexpected path from journalist to novelist. Finally, she shares what she’s working on next!Purchase on Bookshop: https://bit.ly/4ka3BITShare, rate, & review the podcast, and follow Zibby on Instagram @zibbyowens!** Check out the Z.I.P. membership program—Zibby’s Important People! As a Z.I.P., you’ll get exclusive essays, special author access, discounts at Zibby’s Bookshop, and more. Head to zibbyowens.com to subscribe or upgrade and become a Z.I.P. today!** Follow @totallybookedwithzibby on Instagram for more about today's episode. (Music by Morning Moon Music. Sound editing by TexturesSound. To inquire about advertising, please contact [email protected].) Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Award-winning actor and debut author Lili Taylor chats with Zibby about TURNING TO BIRDS, a collection of beautifully crafted, inquisitive, eye-opening essays about the search for peace in a cacophony of birds and discovering a world of meaning in small moments. The two dive into Lili’s deep love of birding—how it began well before the pandemic and became a way of seeing and being in the world. They explore the emotional and neurological power of paying attention, the art of listening, and the beauty of connecting with nature to feel more at home in ourselves and the world. Lili shares stories of rooftop bird rescues, birding in unexpected places, and her quiet but profound journey into authorship.Purchase on Bookshop: https://bit.ly/4kxqmWDShare, rate, & review the podcast, and follow Zibby on Instagram @zibbyowens!** Check out the Z.I.P. membership program—Zibby’s Important People! As a Z.I.P., you’ll get exclusive essays, special author access, discounts at Zibby’s Bookshop, and more. Head to zibbyowens.com to subscribe or upgrade and become a Z.I.P. today!** Follow @totallybookedwithzibby on Instagram for more about today's episode. (Music by Morning Moon Music. Sound editing by TexturesSound. To inquire about advertising, please contact [email protected].) Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Zibby interviews #1 New York Times bestselling author Nicola Kraus about THE BEST WE COULD HOPE FOR, a sweeping novel spanning from 1943 to 2014 about a broken family and the women who knit together the remains. Nicola explains how her book traces the ripple effects of choices, trauma, privilege, and parenting through several generations of one family, and then touches on themes of race, motherhood, sibling bonds, healing, and even the transformative power of EMDR therapy. Finally, she shares her writing journey, her memories of growing up on the Upper East Side, and how her personal experiences shaped this book’s emotional core.Purchase on Bookshop: https://bit.ly/4duegLCShare, rate, & review the podcast, and follow Zibby on Instagram @zibbyowens!** Check out the Z.I.P. membership program—Zibby’s Important People! As a Z.I.P., you’ll get exclusive essays, special author access, discounts at Zibby’s Bookshop, and more. Head to zibbyowens.com to subscribe or upgrade and become a Z.I.P. today!** Follow @totallybookedwithzibby on Instagram for more about today's episode. (Music by Morning Moon Music. Sound editing by TexturesSound. To inquire about advertising, please contact [email protected].) Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Award-winning business leader, investor, and speaker Daria Burke joins Zibby to discuss OF MY OWN MAKING, a lyrical, fearless memoir about facing the stark reality of your past and reclaiming the life you deserve. Daria opens up about her childhood with an absent father and a mother battling addiction, and then shares what it was like to discover a decades-old news photo of the car crash that killed her grandmother, reopening wounds she didn’t know were still raw. She also talks about her career in beauty and tech, the long journey to writing this memoir, the role of memory, and the radical act of telling your story on your own terms.Purchase on Bookshop: https://bit.ly/3F4xuelShare, rate, & review the podcast, and follow Zibby on Instagram @zibbyowens!** Check out the Z.I.P. membership program—Zibby’s Important People! As a Z.I.P., you’ll get exclusive essays, special author access, discounts at Zibby’s Bookshop, and more. Head to zibbyowens.com to subscribe or upgrade and become a Z.I.P. today!** Follow @totallybookedwithzibby on Instagram for more about today's episode. (Music by Morning Moon Music. Sound editing by TexturesSound. To inquire about advertising, please contact [email protected].) Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Zibby chats with bestselling author Bonnie Tsui about ON MUSCLE, a remarkable, mind-expanding exploration of the body, movement, and connection that will change how you think about muscle and how we move through the world. Bonnie shares how her relationship with her martial artist father inspired her to write this book, and then delves into how muscles shape our identity, our connections, and our shared humanity. She also recalls an intimate moment with her father-in-law, who has ALS, and shares insights from paraplegic yogi Matthew Sanford.Purchase on Bookshop: https://bit.ly/4dpYxNCShare, rate, & review the podcast, and follow Zibby on Instagram @zibbyowens!** Check out the Z.I.P. membership program—Zibby’s Important People! As a Z.I.P., you’ll get exclusive essays, special author access, discounts at Zibby’s Bookshop, and more. Head to zibbyowens.com to subscribe or upgrade and become a Z.I.P. today!** Follow @totallybookedwithzibby on Instagram for more about today's episode. (Music by Morning Moon Music. Sound editing by TexturesSound. To inquire about advertising, please contact [email protected].) Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Totally Booked: LIVE! In this special episode of the podcast (in-person at the Whitby Hotel with a live audience!), happiness expert and New York Times bestselling author, Gretchen Rubin, joins Zibby on stage to discuss her new book, SECRETS OF ADULTHOOD: Simple Truths for Our Complex Lives. Gretchen shares the personal stories and hard-earned wisdom behind her original aphorisms—short, punchy truths that reflect the everyday dilemmas of adult life. From perfectionism and procrastination to clutter, desire, and decision-making, Zibby and Gretchen explore what it really means to grow wiser with age. Their energizing, idea-filled conversation will leave you rethinking your habits—and maybe even labeling your next email "Confidential."Purchase on Bookshop: https://bit.ly/3H4ocPXShare, rate, & review the podcast, and follow Zibby on Instagram @zibbyowens!** Check out the Z.I.P. membership program—Zibby’s Important People! As a Z.I.P., you’ll get exclusive essays, special author access, discounts at Zibby’s Bookshop, and more. Head to zibbyowens.com to subscribe or upgrade and become a Z.I.P. today!** Follow @totallybookedwithzibby on Instagram for more about today's episode. (Music by Morning Moon Music. Sound editing by TexturesSound. To inquire about advertising, please contact [email protected].) Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Totally Booked: LIVE! In this special episode of the podcast (in-person at the Whitby Hotel with a live audience!), Zibby chats with Brian Kelly, better known as The Points Guy, about HOW TO WIN AT TRAVEL. Brian shares his journey from tech-savvy teen booking family vacations to building a travel empire that helps millions maximize their points and miles. Whether you're a frequent flyer or a credit card newbie, Brian’s insights—from choosing the right cards to turning miles into five-star travel—are packed with practical tips, fascinating anecdotes, and the infectious thrill of gaming the system.Purchase on Bookshop: https://bit.ly/3StwQKxShare, rate, & review the podcast, and follow Zibby on Instagram @zibbyowens!** Check out the Z.I.P. membership program—Zibby’s Important People! As a Z.I.P., you’ll get exclusive essays, special author access, discounts at Zibby’s Bookshop, and more. Head to zibbyowens.com to subscribe or upgrade and become a Z.I.P. today!** Follow @totallybookedwithzibby on Instagram for more about today's episode. (Music by Morning Moon Music. Sound editing by TexturesSound. To inquire about advertising, please contact [email protected].) Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Totally Booked: LIVE! In this special episode of the podcast (in-person at the Whitby Hotel with a live audience!), #1 New York Times bestselling author Jeanine Cummins joins Zibby on stage to discuss SPEAK TO ME OF HOME, a striking multigenerational story inspired by her own family’s complex Puerto Rican heritage. The conversation explores identity, belonging, intergenerational trauma, and the aftermath of the controversy surrounding AMERICAN DIRT. Jeanine opens up about the emotional journey that led to this novel, her grandmother's legacy, the pain of losing a language, and the nuances of being both white and Latina. Together, she and Zibby discuss the power of fiction to spark empathy and difficult conversations, the dangers of censorship, and how stories connect us all.Purchase on Bookshop: https://bit.ly/3Hc9HtiShare, rate, & review the podcast, and follow Zibby on Instagram @zibbyowens!** Check out the Z.I.P. membership program—Zibby’s Important People! As a Z.I.P., you’ll get exclusive essays, special author access, discounts at Zibby’s Bookshop, and more. Head to zibbyowens.com to subscribe or upgrade and become a Z.I.P. today!** Follow @totallybookedwithzibby on Instagram for more about today's episode. (Music by Morning Moon Music. Sound editing by TexturesSound. To inquire about advertising, please contact [email protected].) Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Zibby is joined by writer, activist, prison abolitionist, and mother of five, Keeonna Harris, to discuss her tender and triumphant new memoir, MAINLINE MAMA, which chronicles her journey as a young Black teen mom with a partner behind bars—from learning to navigate the exhausting American carceral system to transforming herself into an advocate for women like her. In fact, she describes her memoir as “a love letter to women, specifically Black girls and women who’ve been forced into relationships with the carceral system.” With raw honesty, she discusses the impact of sexual violence, finding strength through community and therapy, the importance of checking in with our kids’ hearts (not just their homework), and her ongoing work connecting incarceration to health disparities.Purchase on Bookshop: https://bit.ly/3SzOJqLShare, rate, & review the podcast, and follow Zibby on Instagram @zibbyowens!** Check out the Z.I.P. membership program—Zibby’s Important People! As a Z.I.P., you’ll get exclusive essays, special author access, discounts at Zibby’s Bookshop, and more. Head to zibbyowens.com to subscribe or upgrade and become a Z.I.P. today!** Follow @totallybookedwithzibby on Instagram for more about today's episode. (Music by Morning Moon Music. Sound editing by TexturesSound. To inquire about advertising, please contact [email protected].) Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Emmy-winning comedian Samantha Bee chats with Zibby about her hilarious self-penned one-woman show and Audible original, HOW TO SURVIVE MENOPAUSE. The two talk all things menopause, aging, and the daily indignities that accompany both. They bond over frozen shoulders, impossible bras, night sweats, and the absurd lack of public conversation and research around women’s health in midlife—and applaud the Gen X women who are finally breaking the silence. Samantha also reflects on her unexpected path to comedy and television.Share, rate, & review the podcast, and follow Zibby on Instagram @zibbyowens!** Check out the Z.I.P. membership program—Zibby’s Important People! As a Z.I.P., you’ll get exclusive essays, special author access, discounts at Zibby’s Bookshop, and more. Head to zibbyowens.com to subscribe or upgrade and become a Z.I.P. today!** Follow @totallybookedwithzibby on Instagram for more about today's episode. (Music by Morning Moon Music. Sound editing by TexturesSound. To inquire about advertising, please contact [email protected].) Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Zibby chats with author and historian Evan Friss about his New York Times bestseller, THE BOOKSHOP, an affectionate and immersive history of the American bookstore and an absolute delight for all bibliophiles. Evan, who was inspired to write this book by his wife’s job at Three Lives & Company, talks about evolution of the bookshop in the United States, the stories behind the most beloved indie stores, like RJ Julia, the passionate people who bring these spaces to life, and the critical importance of the bookstore as a sacred community space. He also compares bookstores to endangered species and urges us to find ways to ensure their legacy and survival.Purchase on Bookshop: https://bit.ly/455ioj2Share, rate, & review the podcast, and follow Zibby on Instagram @zibbyowens!** Check out the Z.I.P. membership program—Zibby’s Important People! As a Z.I.P., you’ll get exclusive essays, special author access, discounts at Zibby’s Bookshop, and more. Head to zibbyowens.com to subscribe or upgrade and become a Z.I.P. today!** Follow @totallybookedwithzibby on Instagram for more about today's episode. (Music by Morning Moon Music. Sound editing by TexturesSound. To inquire about advertising, please contact [email protected].) Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Totally Booked: LIVE! In this special episode of the podcast (in-person at the Whitby Hotel with a live audience!), former Disney CEO Michael Eisner joins Zibby to discuss and celebrate the 20th anniversary edition of CAMP: Life, Leadership, and Why You Never Stop Paddling. Michael reflects on his life-shaping experiences as a camper and counselor at Keewadyn, a Vermont camp that four generations of his family have attended for 100 years. He delves into the lessons of teamwork, resilience, leadership, and creativity learned in the wilderness that echoed throughout his remarkable career at ABC, Paramount, Disney, and beyond. Purchase on Bookshop: https://bit.ly/3Ze29fRShare, rate, & review the podcast, and follow Zibby on Instagram @zibbyowens!** Check out the Z.I.P. membership program—Zibby’s Important People! As a Z.I.P., you’ll get exclusive essays, special author access, discounts at Zibby’s Bookshop, and more. Head to zibbyowens.com to subscribe or upgrade and become a Z.I.P. today!** Follow @totallybookedwithzibby on Instagram for more about today's episode. (Music by Morning Moon Music. Sound editing by TexturesSound. To inquire about advertising, please contact [email protected].) Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Zibby and a special guest host (her younger daughter!) welcome beloved middle grade author Jennifer Blecher to discuss her books CAMP FAMOUS and its sequel SUDDENLY FAMOUS. They talk about the magic of summer camp and creative ways to bring books to life beyond the page, brainstorming everything from filming DIY YouTube shorts to launching grassroots marketing at sleepaway camps. Jennifer also shares behind-the-scenes stories of her own camp days, how her daughters inspire her writing, her journey into self-publishing, and the joys and challenges of writing for kids.Purchase on Bookshop:Camp Famous: https://bit.ly/3EZF5usShare, rate, & review the podcast, and follow Zibby on Instagram @zibbyowens!** Check out the Z.I.P. membership program—Zibby’s Important People! As a Z.I.P., you’ll get exclusive essays, special author access, discounts at Zibby’s Bookshop, and more. Head to zibbyowens.com to subscribe or upgrade and become a Z.I.P. today!** Follow @totallybookedwithzibby on Instagram for more about today's episode. (Music by Morning Moon Music. Sound editing by TexturesSound. To inquire about advertising, please contact [email protected].) Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Zibby chats with poet, essayist, fiction writer, and assistant professor of English, Iheoma Nwachukwu, about his brilliant, ravishing, ruthless short story collection, JAPA AND OTHER STORIES, a finalist for the PEN/Robert W. Bingham Prize for Debut Short Story Collection! Iheoma explains the meaning of “japa,” a Yoruba word central to the book, as it follows young Nigerian immigrants yearning for a new life in strange new territories and struggling to anchor themselves in their new homes, much like Iheoma’s experience in the United States. He reflects on his extraordinary journey, from his early life in Nigeria (studying biochemistry with dreams of becoming a doctor), to discovering his true passion for writing and moving to the US to pursue an MFA.Purchase on Bookshop: https://bit.ly/44nnsPDShare, rate, & review the podcast, and follow Zibby on Instagram @zibbyowens!** Check out the Z.I.P. membership program—Zibby’s Important People! As a Z.I.P., you’ll get exclusive essays, special author access, discounts at Zibby’s Bookshop, and more. Head to zibbyowens.com to subscribe or upgrade and become a Z.I.P. today!** Follow @totallybookedwithzibby on Instagram for more about today's episode. (Music by Morning Moon Music. Sound editing by TexturesSound. To inquire about advertising, please contact [email protected].) Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

TV writer turned novelist Jordan Roter joins Zibby to discuss MOMS LIKE US, a sharp, funny murder mystery set in the cutthroat (and neck-lifted) world of elite Los Angeles private school moms. Jordan shares how a frustrating back-to-school night and real-life glamping trip inspired this story; why she wrote it as a novel instead of a TV show; and the complicated, messy truths behind modern motherhood, competition, and community. She and Zibby dive into the book’s Big Little Lies-meets-Glass Onion vibes, the challenges of writing multiple points of view, and what it’s like to fictionalize familiar spaces without offending the carpool line…Purchase on Bookshop: https://bit.ly/3Z5dNcRShare, rate, & review the podcast, and follow Zibby on Instagram @zibbyowens!** Check out the Z.I.P. membership program—Zibby’s Important People! As a Z.I.P., you’ll get exclusive essays, special author access, discounts at Zibby’s Bookshop, and more. Head to zibbyowens.com to subscribe or upgrade and become a Z.I.P. today!** Follow @totallybookedwithzibby on Instagram for more about today's episode. (Music by Morning Moon Music. Sound editing by TexturesSound. To inquire about advertising, please contact [email protected].) Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

What could be steamier than a summer of fashion, frolicking, and fun in the Hamptons?! When one influencer is cancelled, she moves out east for the summer, only to find out her neighbor is the journalist is the one who canceled her! And wait until you read what comes next. Want to see Tinx and Zibby in conversation?! Here's the video on YouTube! Purchase on Bookshop: https://bit.ly/3GSCEdGShare, rate, & review the podcast, and follow Zibby on Instagram @zibbyowens!** Check out the Z.I.P. membership program—Zibby’s Important People! As a Z.I.P., you’ll get exclusive essays, special author access, discounts at Zibby’s Bookshop, and more. Head to zibbyowens.com to subscribe or upgrade and become a Z.I.P. today!** Follow @totallybookedwithzibby on Instagram for more about today's episode. (Music by Morning Moon Music. Sound editing by TexturesSound. To inquire about advertising, please contact [email protected].) Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this special episode (a live event at the Streicker Center!), Zibby is joined by #1 New York Times bestselling author Jennifer Weiner to discuss THE GRIFFIN SISTERS’ GREATEST HITS, a deeply moving family saga set against the glitz and chaos of early 2000s pop stardom. In front of an enthusiastic audience, the two discuss the novel’s themes of fame, secrets, sisterhood, and the price of talent, delving into the dark side of celebrity culture. Jennifer also reflects thoughtfully on music, body image, motherhood, neurodiversity, women’s experiences, and her Jewish identity. Purchase on Bookshop: https://bit.ly/44PHlPuShare, rate, & review the podcast, and follow Zibby on Instagram @zibbyowens!** Check out the Z.I.P. membership program—Zibby’s Important People! As a Z.I.P., you’ll get exclusive essays, special author access, discounts at Zibby’s Bookshop, and more. Head to zibbyowens.com to subscribe or upgrade and become a Z.I.P. today!** Follow @totallybookedwithzibby on Instagram for more about today's episode. (Music by Morning Moon Music. Sound editing by TexturesSound. To inquire about advertising, please contact [email protected].) Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Totally Booked: LIVE! In this special episode of the podcast (in-person at the Whitby Hotel with a live audience!), Zibby is joined by award-winning artist, designer, and host of the podcast Design Matters, Debbie Millman, to discuss LOVE LETTER TO A GARDEN, her beautifully illustrated gem of a book with recipes by her wife, Roxane Gay. Together, they explore Debbie’s unlikely journey into gardening and how it became a powerful metaphor for healing, growth, peace, and transformation. She also shares the personal stories that shaped her creative life, touching on moments of love, loss, resilience, and joy.Purchase on Bookshop: https://bit.ly/4di1Si5Share, rate, & review the podcast, and follow Zibby on Instagram @zibbyowens!** Check out the Z.I.P. membership program—Zibby’s Important People! As a Z.I.P., you’ll get exclusive essays, special author access, discounts at Zibby’s Bookshop, and more. Head to zibbyowens.com to subscribe or upgrade and become a Z.I.P. today!** Follow @totallybookedwithzibby on Instagram for more about today's episode. (Music by Morning Moon Music. Sound editing by TexturesSound. To inquire about advertising, please contact [email protected].) Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Zibby is joined by licensed psychologist and dyslexia expert Dr. Lisa Rappaport to discuss PARENTING DYSLEXIA, a compassionate guide to help parents and others support dyslexic learners of all ages. Lisa shares her journey, from nearly dropping out of high school due to undiagnosed dyslexia to earning a PhD. Together, they reflect on the emotional toll of learning struggles, the shame that can surround them, and the transformative power of support, humor, and perseverance. With candid stories and actionable advice, this one’s a must-listen for parents navigating similar challenges!Purchase on Bookshop: https://bit.ly/4lVR8K2Share, rate, & review the podcast, and follow Zibby on Instagram @zibbyowens!** Check out the Z.I.P. membership program—Zibby’s Important People! As a Z.I.P., you’ll get exclusive essays, special author access, discounts at Zibby’s Bookshop, and more. Head to zibbyowens.com to subscribe or upgrade and become a Z.I.P. today!** Follow @totallybookedwithzibby on Instagram for more about today's episode. (Music by Morning Moon Music. Sound editing by TexturesSound. To inquire about advertising, please contact [email protected].) Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

New York Times bestselling author, veteran film critic, and New Yorker staff writer David Denby chats with Zibby about EMINENT JEWS, which profiles Leonard Bernstein, Mel Brooks, Betty Friedan, and Norman Mailer. The conversation spans from Denby’s early years under the mentorship of Pauline Kael to his decades-long career at The New Yorker, before diving into the cultural impact and complex legacies of the book’s four iconic Jewish figures. Along the way, they discuss the evolution of Jewish identity in American media, the legacy of Bernstein as portrayed in Bradley Cooper’s Maestro, Mel Brooks’ fearless comedy, and what it means to reclaim the word "Jew."Purchase on Bookshop: https://bit.ly/42QJ84lShare, rate, & review the podcast, and follow Zibby on Instagram @zibbyowens!** Check out the Z.I.P. membership program—Zibby’s Important People! As a Z.I.P., you’ll get exclusive essays, special author access, discounts at Zibby’s Bookshop, and more. Head to zibbyowens.com to subscribe or upgrade and become a Z.I.P. today!** Follow @totallybookedwithzibby on Instagram for more about today's episode. (Music by Morning Moon Music. Sound editing by TexturesSound. To inquire about advertising, please contact [email protected].) Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Zibby chats with professor and award-winning journalist Lisa A. Phillips about her new book, FIRST LOVE: Guiding Teens Through Relationships and Heartbreak. Lisa delves into how parents can support their teens through first crushes, breakups, and young love, emphasizing the importance of validating teens’ feelings and offering practical strategies to help them heal, from setting social media boundaries to finding healthy distractions. She also touches on the science behind heartbreak and the addictive nature of romantic love.Purchase on Bookshop: https://bit.ly/4lPVUbXShare, rate, & review the podcast, and follow Zibby on Instagram @zibbyowens!** Check out the Z.I.P. membership program—Zibby’s Important People! As a Z.I.P., you’ll get exclusive essays, special author access, discounts at Zibby’s Bookshop, and more. Head to zibbyowens.com to subscribe or upgrade and become a Z.I.P. today!** Follow @totallybookedwithzibby on Instagram for more about today's episode. (Music by Morning Moon Music. Sound editing by TexturesSound. To inquire about advertising, please contact [email protected].) Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Writer, entrepreneur, and founder of Latched Mama, Melissa Wirt, joins Zibby to discuss I WAS TOLD THERE’D BE A VILLAGE, a wise, honest, and heartening roadmap for finding and building your village—and transforming oppressive, solitary motherhood into a connected and joyful experience. Melissa shares the deeply personal story behind her book, from building a thriving online community for moms to confronting her own loneliness while raising six children on a farm. Together, they discuss the science of connection, the silent epidemic of maternal isolation, and practical frameworks like the “Three E’s” of engineering connection. Purchase on Bookshop: https://bit.ly/4cM4btcShare, rate, & review the podcast, and follow Zibby on Instagram @zibbyowens!** Check out the Z.I.P. membership program—Zibby’s Important People! As a Z.I.P., you’ll get exclusive essays, special author access, discounts at Zibby’s Bookshop, and more. Head to zibbyowens.com to subscribe or upgrade and become a Z.I.P. today!** Follow @totallybookedwithzibby on Instagram for more about today's episode. (Music by Morning Moon Music. Sound editing by TexturesSound. To inquire about advertising, please contact [email protected].) Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Zibby interviews award-winning poet and psychiatrist Owen Lewis about A PRAYER OF SIX WINGS, a masterful, moving, and timely collection written in the wake of the October 7th attacks in Israel. Owen reflects on the heartbreak of watching global antisemitism resurge, the personal anguish of having family in Israel, and the urgent need to record this moment through poetry. He and Zibby talk about how, interwoven with headlines, personal stories, and lyrical snapshots of grief and resilience, Owen’s poems bear witness to a year of trauma and hope.Purchase on Bookshop: https://bit.ly/4lN9AV6Share, rate, & review the podcast, and follow Zibby on Instagram @zibbyowens!** Check out the Z.I.P. membership program—Zibby’s Important People! As a Z.I.P., you’ll get exclusive essays, special author access, discounts at Zibby’s Bookshop, and more. Head to zibbyowens.com to subscribe or upgrade and become a Z.I.P. today!** Follow @totallybookedwithzibby on Instagram for more about today's episode. (Music by Morning Moon Music. Sound editing by TexturesSound. To inquire about advertising, please contact [email protected].) Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

New York Times bestselling author Casey Sherman joins Zibby to discuss BLOOD IN THE WATER, a gripping, cinematic, jaw-dropping crime tale of greed, wealth, suspicion, and revenge, perfect for anyone who was fascinated by the Murdaugh murders. Casey delves into the twisted, real-life story of Nathan Carman, a man accused of murdering his mother and grandfather for a $50 million inheritance. He unravels the shocking layers of the years-long investigation, including a mysterious disappearance at sea and a wealthy family with secrets. They also explore the emotional heart of true crime storytelling, Casey’s personal connection to violence through the Boston Strangler case, and his upcoming Hollywood adaptations.Purchase on Bookshop: https://bit.ly/4jJBmQpShare, rate, & review the podcast, and follow Zibby on Instagram @zibbyowens!** Check out the Z.I.P. membership program—Zibby’s Important People! As a Z.I.P., you’ll get exclusive essays, special author access, discounts at Zibby’s Bookshop, and more. Head to zibbyowens.com to subscribe or upgrade and become a Z.I.P. today!** Follow @totallybookedwithzibby on Instagram for more about today's episode. (Music by Morning Moon Music. Sound editing by TexturesSound. To inquire about advertising, please contact [email protected].) Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Zibby chats with indie bookstore owner and host of the popular From the Front Porch podcast, Annie B. Jones, about her earnest, graceful, and beautifully written new book, ORDINARY TIME: Lessons Learned While Staying Put. Annie shares her journey from journalist to beloved bookseller in Thomasville, GA, and describes the unexpected beauty she’s found in staying rooted and building a quiet life, challenging the idea that loud lives matter most. Then, she delves into her reflections on small-town life, motherhood, friendship, introversion, and the transformative power of books.Purchase on Bookshop: https://bit.ly/4jEs8oCShare, rate, & review the podcast, and follow Zibby on Instagram @zibbyowens!** Check out the Z.I.P. membership program—Zibby’s Important People! As a Z.I.P., you’ll get exclusive essays, special author access, discounts at Zibby’s Bookshop, and more. Head to zibbyowens.com to subscribe or upgrade and become a Z.I.P. today!** Follow @totallybookedwithzibby on Instagram for more about today's episode. (Music by Morning Moon Music. Sound editing by TexturesSound. To inquire about advertising, please contact [email protected].) Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Bestselling French author Anne Berest returns to the podcast to discuss GABRIËLE, an atmospheric and exuberant novel about love, sex, art, revolution, and the life of her great-grandmother Gabriële Buffet-Picabia—muse and revolutionary partner to artist Francis Picabia. Anne discusses the legacy of creativity and pain in her lineage, the invisible labor of women who shape art behind the scenes, the fun she had co-writing with her sister, and the impact of being embraced by American readers. She also touches on her other book, THE POSTCARD, which began with an anonymous postcard listing the names of her Jewish relatives murdered during WWII, sparking an investigation into her family’s history and inherited trauma. You can listen to that episode, too! Purchase on Bookshop: https://bit.ly/3Elq1HnShare, rate, & review the podcast, and follow Zibby on Instagram @zibbyowens!** Check out the Z.I.P. membership program—Zibby’s Important People! As a Z.I.P., you’ll get exclusive essays, special author access, discounts at Zibby’s Bookshop, and more. Head to zibbyowens.com to subscribe or upgrade and become a Z.I.P. today!** Follow @totallybookedwithzibby on Instagram for more about today's episode. (Music by Morning Moon Music. Sound editing by TexturesSound. To inquire about advertising, please contact [email protected].) Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Zibby interviews bestselling Israeli author, photojournalist, columnist, and activist Lihi Lapid about her latest novel, ON HER OWN (a tense and immersive psychological read about two families in crisis), and her earlier book, WOMAN OF VALOR, which will soon be published for the first time in the U.S. by our company, Zibby Publishing, with a new title, I WANTED TO BE WONDERFUL! This powerful memoir about motherhood, identity, sacrifice, and raising a daughter with severe autism left a lingering effect on Zibby, leading her to acquire it for her publishing house. Lihi talks about her journey from news photographer to writer, her experience as a mother in the public eye (she is married to the former Prime Minister of Israel), and the courage it took to publish such a vulnerable and honest book. The idea to acquire it came up in this episode and now it's coming out October 21st!!! Purchase on Bookshop:Woman of Valor: https://bit.ly/3EbtOqMOn Her Own: https://bit.ly/4jfeuZaShare, rate, & review the podcast, and follow Zibby on Instagram @zibbyowens!** Check out the Z.I.P. membership program—Zibby’s Important People! As a Z.I.P., you’ll get exclusive essays, special author access, discounts at Zibby’s Bookshop, and more. Head to zibbyowens.com to subscribe or upgrade and become a Z.I.P. today!** Follow @totallybookedwithzibby on Instagram for more about today's episode. (Music by Morning Moon Music. Sound editing by TexturesSound. To inquire about advertising, please contact [email protected].) Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Jackie Goldschneider, star of The Real Housewives of New Jersey, chats with Zibby about THE WEIGHT OF BEAUTIFUL, the courageously candid memoir about her decades-long battle with anorexia and public journey to recovery. Jackie shares the origins of her disordered eating—from generational food trauma to cultural diet obsessions—and the emotional toll it took on her family, body, and joy. She and Zibby both reflect on their experiences with food, body image, and painful pressures of perfection. Finally, Jackie reveals what she’s working on next!Purchase on Bookshop: https://bit.ly/4jfPEbSShare, rate, & review the podcast, and follow Zibby on Instagram @zibbyowens!** Check out the Z.I.P. membership program—Zibby’s Important People! As a Z.I.P., you’ll get exclusive essays, special author access, discounts at Zibby’s Bookshop, and more. Head to zibbyowens.com to subscribe or upgrade and become a Z.I.P. today!** Follow @totallybookedwithzibby on Instagram for more about today's episode. (Music by Morning Moon Music. Sound editing by TexturesSound. To inquire about advertising, please contact [email protected].) Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Zibby chats with Vanity Fair and New York Times contributor E. A. Hanks about her sparkling, heartfelt, poetic new memoir, THE 10: A Memoir of Family and the Open Road, which follows her solo, cross-country journey across the American southwest. E. A. Hanks shares the inspiration behind the road trip and then delves into her complex relationship with her mother, whose journals and poetry become part of the emotional terrain of the book. She also talks about grief, identity, navigating trauma, and the ongoing effects of her unconventional childhood.Purchase on Bookshop: https://bit.ly/42xPNjvShare, rate, & review the podcast, and follow Zibby on Instagram @zibbyowens!** Check out the Z.I.P. membership program—Zibby’s Important People! As a Z.I.P., you’ll get exclusive essays, special author access, discounts at Zibby’s Bookshop, and more. Head to zibbyowens.com to subscribe or upgrade and become a Z.I.P. today!** Follow @totallybookedwithzibby on Instagram for more about today's episode. (Music by Morning Moon Music. Sound editing by TexturesSound. To inquire about advertising, please contact [email protected].) Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Beloved parenting expert, clinical psychologist, and #1 New York Times bestselling author Dr. Becky Kennedy chats with Zibby about her highly anticipated debut picture book, THAT’S MY TRUCK!, which tackles one of the most common parenting challenges: hitting. Dr. Becky shares the inspiration behind the book, the psychology of hitting, and the power of addressing kids’ behavior with empathy rather than punishment. She also shares her shift away from traditional parenting methods and the Good Inside philosophy she developed, which focuses on skills over punishment and has become a popular parenting movement.Purchase on Bookshop: https://bit.ly/4jbHr8vShare, rate, & review the podcast, and follow Zibby on Instagram @zibbyowens!** Check out the Z.I.P. membership program—Zibby’s Important People! As a Z.I.P., you’ll get exclusive essays, special author access, discounts at Zibby’s Bookshop, and more. Head to zibbyowens.com to subscribe or upgrade and become a Z.I.P. today!** Follow @totallybookedwithzibby on Instagram for more about today's episode. (Music by Morning Moon Music. Sound editing by TexturesSound. To inquire about advertising, please contact [email protected].) Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Acclaimed actress, screenwriter, and director Lake Bell joins Zibby to discuss her debut picture book, ALL ABOUT BRAINS, a joyfully whimsical exploration of all the ways people and their brains are different. Inspired by her own children, Nova and Ozzy, and their experiences with neurodivergence (including epilepsy, ADHD, and dyslexia), Lake shares the emotional journey that led her to write this empowering book. She and Zibby connect over shared parenting challenges and the importance of reframing diagnoses as superpowers. Lake also dives into her own struggles with dyslexia and how it shaped her creative process as a filmmaker and writer.Purchase on Bookshop: https://bit.ly/4j3w02BShare, rate, & review the podcast, and follow Zibby on Instagram @zibbyowens!** Check out the Z.I.P. membership program—Zibby’s Important People! As a Z.I.P., you’ll get exclusive essays, special author access, discounts at Zibby’s Bookshop, and more. Head to zibbyowens.com to subscribe or upgrade and become a Z.I.P. today!** Follow @totallybookedwithzibby on Instagram for more about today's episode. (Music by Morning Moon Music. Sound editing by TexturesSound. To inquire about advertising, please contact [email protected].) Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Writer and poet Judith Viorst, who is now in her nineties, joins Zibby to discuss MAKING THE BEST OF WHAT’S LEFT: When You’re Too Old to Get the Chairs Reupholstered, a funny and poignant reflection on aging, widowhood, and the lessons she’s learned since losing her husband of over sixty years. With her trademark wit, wisdom, and unflinching eye for the agonies and absurdities of ordinary family life, Judith talks about life’s later chapter (the “Final Fifth”), touching on grief, community, and rediscovering identity beyond being a wife. She also reads from her devastatingly tender poem, “Stop Being Dead.”Purchase on Bookshop: https://bit.ly/3Ej0z5eShare, rate, & review the podcast, and follow Zibby on Instagram @zibbyowens!** Check out the Z.I.P. membership program—Zibby’s Important People! As a Z.I.P., you’ll get exclusive essays, special author access, discounts at Zibby’s Bookshop, and more. Head to zibbyowens.com to subscribe or upgrade and become a Z.I.P. today!** Follow @totallybookedwithzibby on Instagram for more about today's episode. (Music by Morning Moon Music. Sound editing by TexturesSound. To inquire about advertising, please contact [email protected].) Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Dara Horn, winner of three National Jewish Book Awards and Kirkus Prize finalist, joins Zibby to discuss her irreverent, moving, and hilariously deadpan graphic novel for young readers, ONE LITTLE GOAT. Dara explains how she uses a talking scapegoat and a never-ending Seder to bring ancient stories to life for readers of all ages. She shares her childhood obsession with the passage of time and her deep connection to the Jewish tradition, and then dives into her acclaimed book, PEOPLE LOVE DEAD JEWS, touching on the shared themes between the two books: memory, Jewish identity, and how history lives on in us.Purchase on Bookshop:One Little Goat: https://bit.ly/4lrcajoPeople Love Dead Jews: https://bit.ly/42st4WkShare, rate, & review the podcast, and follow Zibby on Instagram @zibbyowens!** Check out the Z.I.P. membership program—Zibby’s Important People! As a Z.I.P., you’ll get exclusive essays, special author access, discounts at Zibby’s Bookshop, and more. Head to zibbyowens.com to subscribe or upgrade and become a Z.I.P. today!** Follow @totallybookedwithzibby on Instagram for more about today's episode. (Music by Morning Moon Music. Sound editing by TexturesSound. To inquire about advertising, please contact [email protected].) Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Zibby interviews NBC News correspondent and anchor Vicky Nguyen about her funny, nostalgic, and poignant new memoir, BOAT BABY. Vicky describes her family’s daring escape from communist Vietnam and her unlikely journey from refugee to reporter, sharing personal stories of resilience, identity, and family. She recounts unbelievable moments—like recognizing her uncle’s murderer while dining in a San Jose restaurant—and reflects on how she has navigated marriage, career, and motherhood. The conversation also touches on fate, trauma, and triumph, including a quiet Me Too moment.Purchase on Bookshop: https://bit.ly/42CD8wYShare, rate, & review the podcast, and follow Zibby on Instagram @zibbyowens!** Check out the Z.I.P. membership program—Zibby’s Important People! As a Z.I.P., you’ll get exclusive essays, special author access, discounts at Zibby’s Bookshop, and more. Head to zibbyowens.com to subscribe or upgrade and become a Z.I.P. today!** Follow @totallybookedwithzibby on Instagram for more about today's episode. (Music by Morning Moon Music. Sound editing by TexturesSound. To inquire about advertising, please contact [email protected].) Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

New York Times bestselling Irish author Colum McCann joins Zibby to discuss TWIST, an urgent and utterly compelling novel about a journalist reporting on the underwater cables that carry the world’s information—tiny fiber-optic tubes that carry words, images, memes, voices… Colum unpacks the mind-bending reality that 95% of our global communications travel through fragile cables at the bottom of the ocean. He shares the real-life inspiration behind his maritime thriller, blending geopolitics, underwater espionage, and the deeply personal story of a man in recovery. The two explore themes of repair—both technological and emotional—and the fragile threads that connect us all.Purchase on Bookshop: https://bit.ly/4clSR6SShare, rate, & review the podcast, and follow Zibby on Instagram @zibbyowens!** Check out the Z.I.P. membership program—Zibby’s Important People! As a Z.I.P., you’ll get exclusive essays, special author access, discounts at Zibby’s Bookshop, and more. Head to zibbyowens.com to subscribe or upgrade and become a Z.I.P. today!** Follow @totallybookedwithzibby on Instagram for more about today's episode. (Music by Morning Moon Music. Sound editing by TexturesSound. To inquire about advertising, please contact [email protected].) Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Zibby interviews content creator, speaker, and bestselling author Jessica N. Turner about I THOUGHT IT WOULD BE BETTER THAN THIS, a manifesto of hope that will empower you to transform your circumstances and move forward with intention and purpose. Jessica shares the inspiration behind this book—navigating the unexpected end of her 16-year marriage after her husband came out as gay and learning to grieve, heal, and rediscover herself. She and Zibby reflect on friendship, resilience, body image, and the power of self-love, and Jessica offers practical, compassionate advice for anyone navigating an unexpected turn.Purchase on Bookshop: https://bit.ly/4jk6l5gShare, rate, & review the podcast, and follow Zibby on Instagram @zibbyowens!** Check out the Z.I.P. membership program—Zibby’s Important People! As a Z.I.P., you’ll get exclusive essays, special author access, discounts at Zibby’s Bookshop, and more. Head to zibbyowens.com to subscribe or upgrade and become a Z.I.P. today!** Follow @totallybookedwithzibby on Instagram for more about today's episode. (Music by Morning Moon Music. Sound editing by TexturesSound. To inquire about advertising, please contact [email protected].) Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Disability advocate, eating disorder recovery coach, and debut author Jayne Mattingly chats with Zibby about THIS IS BODY GRIEF, a groundbreaking guide to mourning and accepting one’s ever-changing body. Jayne shares her experience of becoming disabled after a rare neurological diagnosis, navigating 19 brain and spine surgeries and a total hysterectomy, and grappling with the emotional toll of losing the body she once knew. Together, they explore the concept of “body grief”—a universal experience that touches those facing illness, aging, disability, eating disorders, and more. Purchase on Bookshop: https://bit.ly/3RGs23HShare, rate, & review the podcast, and follow Zibby on Instagram @zibbyowens!** Check out the Z.I.P. membership program—Zibby’s Important People! As a Z.I.P., you’ll get exclusive essays, special author access, discounts at Zibby’s Bookshop, and more. Head to zibbyowens.com to subscribe or upgrade and become a Z.I.P. today!** Follow @totallybookedwithzibby on Instagram for more about today's episode. (Music by Morning Moon Music. Sound editing by TexturesSound. To inquire about advertising, please contact [email protected].) Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Zibby welcomes back author Jacqueline Friedland to discuss COUNTING BACKWARDS, a bold, gripping, and timely dual-timeline novel about how women’s bodies have been used against them in American society, both past and present. The book follows a young attorney who takes on a pro bono immigration case, only to uncover a shocking pattern of medical abuse at a detention center. Jaqueline shares the real-life inspirations behind the story, including her background as a lawyer and her deep fascination with the history of eugenics. The conversation also dives into the novel’s exploration of marriage, infertility, trauma, and personal resilience.Purchase on Bookshop: bit.ly/3G47YWsShare, rate, & review the podcast, and follow Zibby on Instagram @zibbyowens!** Check out the Z.I.P. membership program—Zibby’s Important People! As a Z.I.P., you’ll get exclusive essays, special author access, discounts at Zibby’s Bookshop, and more. Head to zibbyowens.com to subscribe or upgrade and become a Z.I.P. today!** Follow @totallybookedwithzibby on Instagram for more about today's episode. (Music by Morning Moon Music. Sound editing by TexturesSound. To inquire about advertising, please contact [email protected].) Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Debut novelist Meredith Turits joins Zibby to discuss JUST WANT YOU HERE, a riveting, honest, and incisive novel about love, lust, self-discovery, and the complications of youth. Meredith reveals the inspiration behind her protagonist, Ari, who navigates heartbreak, an impulsive move to Boston, and a complicated entanglement with her boss and his wife. She also reflects on her unexpected career path (she was the founding editor of Bustle!), her ten-year journey to publication, and the novel that almost was.Purchase on Bookshop: https://bit.ly/3RCjT09Share, rate, & review the podcast, and follow Zibby on Instagram @zibbyowens!** Check out the Z.I.P. membership program—Zibby’s Important People! As a Z.I.P., you’ll get exclusive essays, special author access, discounts at Zibby’s Bookshop, and more. Head to zibbyowens.com to subscribe or upgrade and become a Z.I.P. today!** Follow @totallybookedwithzibby on Instagram for more about today's episode. (Music by Morning Moon Music. Sound editing by TexturesSound. To inquire about advertising, please contact [email protected].) Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Zibby chats with former casting executive Tess Sanchez (who is married to actor and past podcast guest Max Greenfield!) about WE’VE DECIDED TO GO IN A DIFFERENT DIRECTION, a moving and witty essay collection about career upheaval, identity, and resilience. Tess reflects on a pivotal two-year period in her life that was filled with unexpected setbacks. She opens up about the shock of losing a career that had defined her for two decades, the struggle to reframe her sense of self beyond work, and the unexpected humor that emerged from this moment of crisis. She also touches on her experience navigating her father’s aphasia and Alzheimer’s diagnosis—and how grief and humor often exist side by side.Purchase on Bookshop: https://bit.ly/3FQRSiVShare, rate, & review the podcast, and follow Zibby on Instagram @zibbyowens!** Check out the Z.I.P. membership program—Zibby’s Important People! As a Z.I.P., you’ll get exclusive essays, special author access, discounts at Zibby’s Bookshop, and more. Head to zibbyowens.com to subscribe or upgrade and become a Z.I.P. today!** Follow @totallybookedwithzibby on Instagram for more about today's episode. (Music by Morning Moon Music. Sound editing by TexturesSound. To inquire about advertising, please contact [email protected].) Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.