Totally Booked with Zibby

Zibby interviews debut author Cynthia Weiner about A GORGEOUS EXCITEMENT, a dazzling, chillingly compelling coming-of-age story about 18-year-old Nina Jacobs’ summer of infinite possibility in 1980s Manhattan, inspired by the author’s teen years and real-life acquaintance with the Preppy Killer. Cynthia talks about her personal connection to the case, her experiences growing up in the preppy Upper East Side social scene, and how she wove themes of longing, identity, and vulnerability into her novel. She also delves into the impact of parental presence, the euphoria and danger of young love, and the pressures of fitting in. Purchase on Bookshop: https://bit.ly/4aXWcbEShare, 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 filmmaker and human rights activist Rabbi Raphael Shore chats with Zibby about WHO’S AFRAID OF THE BIG, BAD JEW, a bold, eye-opening exploration of the world’s oldest consistent form of hatred: antisemitism. Rabbi Shore shares his personal journey—from growing up in a secular Jewish family in Canada to discovering a profound connection to Judaism in Israel. He challenges conventional explanations of antisemitism, explores Hitler’s ideology, and flips the narrative to highlight the strength, mission, and enduring impact of the Jewish people.Purchase on Bookshop: https://bit.ly/4b3J8BxShare, 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.

Dr. Alexandra Sowa, a trailblazer in obesity medicine, joins Zibby to discuss her groundbreaking new book, THE OZEMPIC REVOLUTION, and the life-changing impact of GLP-1 medications on weight loss, metabolic health, and overall well-being. They dive into the history of these drugs, their growing list of medical applications, and the challenges of affordability and accessibility. Zibby shares her personal experience with the medication, and they explore the psychological shifts that come with appetite suppression, including how to redefine pleasure beyond food. Dr. Sowa also highlights the need to address systemic weight bias and rethink obesity as a biological—not willpower-based—condition.Purchase on Bookshop: https://bit.ly/3Xoe8qzShare, 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 MOVIE OUT NOW! Bridget Jones: Mad About the BoyHelen Fielding, British journalist, novelist, screenwriter, and creator of the beloved fictional character Bridget Jones, joins Zibby to celebrate the 25th anniversary edition of BRIDGET JONES’S DIARY, the #1 bestselling book that defined the 20th century. Helen shares the unexpected origins of Bridget—born from an anonymous newspaper column written simply to pay the bills—and how her honest, exaggerated take on single life struck a universal chord. She and Zibby discuss humor as a coping mechanism, the changing landscape of workplace sexism, and why Bridget’s self-deprecating charm continues to resonate across generations. Helen also teases the upcoming film adaptation of Bridget Jones: Mad About the Boy, touching on how Bridget navigates love, loss, and aging with her signature wit.Purchase on Bookshop:Bridget Jones's Diary: https://bit.ly/4jUmiQWMad About the Boy: https://bit.ly/4hVpCcQShare, 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.

Author Kareem Rosser joins Zibby to discuss (for the first time publicly) his unforgettable and heartrending new memoir, WHEN YOU’RE READY. Kareem talks about the love of his life, Lee Lee, revealing how their magnetic connection and shared love of horses and riding brought them closer despite their vastly different backgrounds. In a heartbreaking turn, Kareem recalls the devastating call he received in 2016 after Lee Lee suffered a catastrophic riding accident. He shares how his life shifted profoundly as he became Lee Lee’s unwavering support system and touches on his silent battle with grief, anxiety, and depression. Purchase on Bookshop: https://bit.ly/3EmYR2jShare, 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.

#1 New York Times bestselling author Jojo Moyes returns to the podcast to discuss WE ALL LIVE HERE, a warm and witty new novel about a woman and her unruly blended family. She and Zibby delve into the novel’s rich layers—from single mom Lisa's messy, heartfelt journey to the unique pain of teenage friendship fallout and the surprising love stories of older characters. Jojo shares her insights on writing humor in dark times, the evolving nature of family, and why laughter is essential for survival.Purchase on Bookshop: https://bit.ly/3Eusnn3Share, 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 Hollywood actor, producer, and debut novelist Josh Plasse about DUST, the first installment of his propulsive, action-packed fantasy saga. Josh shares how this book came to be, touching on how childhood memories—like collecting sea glass with his mother—inspired the magical elements of his world. He delves into the meticulous process of crafting DUST, from structuring it like a screenplay to developing his three main characters, each grappling with morality, power, and identity. He also talks about his love of fantasy, the unexpected connection that helped him break into publishing, the humbling editing process, and the pressures of comparing his work to others.Purchase on Bookshop: https://bit.ly/4jIqRxtShare, 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 Jessica Soffer about THIS IS A LOVE STORY, a beautiful, delicately radiant New York love story spanning 50 years that tenderly and suspensefully captures deep truths about life and marriage. Jessica delves into the novel’s layered perspectives, including the love story of Abe and Jane, their son Max’s struggles with intimacy, and the presence of Central Park as a silent witness to countless relationships. She shares the evolution of the book’s structure, the inspiration behind its fragmented, lyrical style, and how teaching writing has shaped her own craft. The conversation also touches on the power of place, the impact of great teachers, and life as a writer in Sag Harbor.Purchase on Bookshop: https://bit.ly/3EheVmmShare, 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 New York Times bestselling author Victoria Christopher Murray to discuss HARLEM RHAPSODY, a powerful, stunning novel that resurrects the memory of Jessie Redmond Fauset, the strong-willed literary editor who ignited the Harlem Renaissance. Victoria shares how Fauset discovered and mentored literary greats like Langston Hughes and Countee Cullen yet was largely forgotten by history. She describes Fauset’s career, struggles in publishing, and secret love affair with WEB Du Bois—and the extensive research that helped bring her story to life.Purchase on Bookshop: https://bit.ly/40G3V9sShare, 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 Allegra Goodman returns to the podcast to discuss ISOLA, a blazing, immersive castaway survival story through the eyes of Marguerite de la Rocque—based on the real story of a young French noblewoman who sails to the new world in 1544. Allegra shares the fascinating 22-year journey of writing this book—from discovering the story during a sleepless road trip with her four young children to finally finding her protagonist’s voice years later. She and Zibby delve into the challenges of writing historical fiction, the universal nature of survival and isolation, and how motherhood shaped Allegra's creative process.Purchase on Bookshop: https://bit.ly/4aHoYxiShare, 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 Books author alert! Bestselling British author Jane Costello joins Zibby to discuss her hilarious, relatable, and delightfully swoon-worthy rom-com meets mom-com, IT’S GETTING HOT IN HERE. Jane talks about her protagonist, Lisa Darling—a single mom navigating perimenopause, teenage drama, and an unexpected office romance. This leads to a discussion about the challenges and joys of midlife and the importance of finding love at any age. Jane also shares her journey from journalist to bestselling author, balancing motherhood with writing, and how her characters have grown alongside her readers.Purchase on Bookshop: https://bit.ly/3PVizEPShare, 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 author Brooke Bentley and audiobook narrator Julia Whelan to discuss SIDELINE CONFIDENTIAL, a powerful novel that explores the challenges women face in the male-dominated world of professional sports media, inspired by Brooke’s time as the first woman to travel with the Houston Texans. Julia, who narrates the audiobook, shares how they worked together to bring the story to life through her new company, Audiobrary, which champions fair compensation for narrators. The trio dives into the evolution of women’s roles in the NFL, the book’s unexpected connection to the Taylor Swift effect, and the importance of telling authentic stories that break free from traditional romance tropes.'Purchase on Bookshop: https://bit.ly/3EgBqYBShare, 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 cookbook author Adeena Sussman joins Zibby to discuss SHABBAT, a collection of good-for-the-soul recipes that embody the spirit and the pleasures of Shabbat—and an instant New York Times bestseller. Adeena shares how her love for cooking began in her childhood home, her path from journalism to recipe development, and her experiences co-authoring cookbooks—including moving in with Chrissy Teigen to collaborate on her bestselling books. She also reflects on the storytelling power of cookbooks, the meticulous process of recipe testing, and how living in Israel has shaped her approach to food and life.Purchase on Bookshop: https://bit.ly/3WHQR2bShare, 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 for the Streicker Center sponsored by Zibby Media!), award-winning actor, model, and New York Times bestselling author Brooke Shields chats with SiriusXM's Jessica Shaw about her new memoir, BROOKE SHIELDS IS NOT ALLOWED TO GET OLD, an intimate and empowering portrait of a woman embracing the prime of her life by bucking the narrative about women and aging. The two touch on outdated myths, refusing to recede into the shadows, and writing your own midlife story.Purchase on Bookshop: https://bit.ly/4hbsty9Share, 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.

Special re-release: In support of authors who have lost their homes in the tragic LA fires, we will be resharing their podcast episodes.Zibby is joined by the star of Dirty Dancing and other hit films, Jennifer Grey, to talk about her debut memoir, OUT OF THE CORNER, which she says was one of the best experiences of her life. The two discuss how Jennifer came to terms with her anxiety as well as with her chronic pain, what it was like for her to recall long-buried memories, and how her relationship with her family has evolved throughout her life and career. Jennifer also shares some of the kind things her daughter told her after reading (and annotating) the book.Purchase on Bookshop: https://bit.ly/42vAzNAShare, 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.

Special re-release: In support of authors who have lost their homes in the tragic LA fires, we will be resharing their podcast episodes.Although Gina Yashere’s path to comedy wasn’t easy, writing her memoir, CACK-HANDED, in her own voice allowed her to work through some things she thought she had left behind. Now a legend in the comedy world, with a CBS sitcom that she created and stars in, Gina is reflecting on how she got to where she is. She shares what growing up as the daughter of two Nigerian immigrants in the U.K. was like in the 1980s, why she turned to comedy as a way to mitigate some of the racialized violence she experienced, and how writing this book helped her understand her mother in a brand-new way.Purchase on Bookshop: https://bit.ly/3E7L8fGShare, 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.

Special re-release: In support of authors who have lost their homes in the tragic LA fires, we will be resharing their podcast episodes.Laura Nicole Diamond joins to discuss her 2015 bestselling novel, SHELTER US, and how it changed her life. Laura tells Zibby about jumping from working as a civil rights lawyer to being a novelist, as well as what she did to hold herself to the commitment of writing it. Laura also shares how including a Guatemalan character in the novel led her family to foster a young Guatemalan refugee seeking asylum, what she learned from her experience volunteering with the houseless community in LA, and why she’s currently working on a memoir.Purchase on Bookshop: bit.ly/3x4z61bShare, 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.

Special re-release: In support of authors who have lost their homes in the tragic LA fires, we will be resharing their podcast episodes.Zibby speaks to Natasha Sizlo about ALL SIGNS POINT TO PARIS, a sparkling and adventurous memoir about her quest to find her astrological soulmate—a man born in Paris on November 2nd, 1968! Natasha talks about the difficult life events that prompted her journey, the amazing online community she grew while abroad, and how the experience strengthened her relationship with her sister (who also went to Paris!). She also talks about being the biggest cynic believer of astrology and spirits (are the voices in her head thoughts or ghosts!?) and hints at some yet-to-be-announced book updates—perhaps an adaptation?Purchase on Bookshop: https://bit.ly/4g9bD1OShare, 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 speaks with Tom Rosshirt about his poignant and transformational new book, CHASING PEACE: A Story of Breakdowns, Breakthroughs, and the Spiritual Power of Neuroscience. Tom shares his extraordinary journey from debilitating chronic illnesses, depression, and anxiety to healing through the latest practices in brain science. He explains how self-directed neuroplasticity—a daily practice of retraining the brain—helped him reorient his relationship with pain, fear, illness, and suppressed feelings. This one’s a must-listen for anyone seeking practical tools for living a fuller, healthier life!Purchase on Bookshop: https://bit.ly/40rEJ6zShare, 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 Nancy Reddy about THE GOOD MOTHER MYTH, an incisive, meticulously researched, and beautifully written book that blends science, cultural criticism, and memoir to challenge the unrealistic expectations placed on mothers and advocate for a more compassionate, community-driven approach to parenting. Nancy unpacks the damaging "supermom" ideal and explains why understanding motherhood as a shared, relational experience—rather than a solo performance—is key to parental well-being and children's development. Nancy offers wisdom on navigating early parenthood, letting go of perfectionism, and embracing the power of asking for help.Purchase on Bookshop: https://bit.ly/3CjBhCWShare, 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.

Celebrated Harvard Business School professor and leading expert on the psychology of conversation, Alison Wood Brooks, chats with Zibby about TALK, a groundbreaking and immediately useful book that reveals the hidden architecture of our conversations and teaches us how to be better at them. Alison shares her personal and professional journey and then introduces her framework for better conversations—TALK: Topics, Asking, Levity, and Kindness. Zibby reflects on her own experiences with social anxiety and public speaking, and then they touch on parenting, teaching children social skills, and the transformative potential of thoughtful communication.Purchase on Bookshop: https://bit.ly/3CeZ5YLShare, 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.

Special re-release: In support of authors who have lost their homes in the tragic LA fires, we will be resharing their podcast episodes.Zibby chats with New York Times bestselling author Sarah Mlynowski, the creative force behind popular children’s and teen book series like WHATEVER AFTER and UPSIDE-DOWN MAGIC. Sarah shares her journey from adult chick lit to middle-grade magic, her meticulous writing strategy, and how she weaves humor, magic, relatable and empowering characters, and life lessons into her books. She also reflects on the impact of personal experiences on her work, how she balances writing and parenting, and her aspirations to explore different genres and mediums, like picture books and TV adaptations.Purchase on Bookshop:Upside-Down Magic: Book #1Whatever After: Book #1Share, 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.

Special re-release: In support of authors who have lost their homes in the tragic LA fires, we will be resharing their podcast episodes.Zibby interviews Harvard MBA, best-selling author, and “queen of unsolicited advice” Samantha Ettus about her 2016 self-improvement guide for working women, THE PIE LIFE: A Guilt-Free Recipe for Success and Satisfaction. Sam talks about the importance of nurturing every part of our lives (each of the “seven slices”), rejecting guilt and embracing messiness in motherhood, the myth of maternal instincts (dads can do everything moms can do!!), and her passion for empowering women and helping them achieve financial independence.Purchase on Bookshop: bit.ly/3tPZ2uvShare, 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 speaks with writer and former film editor Lisa Cheek about her heartfelt and quickwitted memoir, SIT, CINDERELLA, SIT: A Mostly True Memoir. Lisa shares her story, from her groundbreaking career in TV commercial editing to her extraordinary adventure flying to rural China and editing a film about the origins of the Cinderella story on the Tibetan border with a Mandarin-speaking crew—a job she took without knowing the language. She also touches on her nomadic upbringing, her father’s love of books, her pandemic pink hair transformation, her love for dogs, and the profound role kindness has played in her journey.Purchase on Bookshop: https://bit.ly/4fZvfoIShare, 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 author Sarah Hoover joins Zibby to discuss THE MOTHERLOAD, an unflinchingly honest and brutally funny motherhood memoir that turns the ecstatic narrative women have been fed on its head. Sarah reflects on her harrowing journey through postpartum depression, navigating identity shifts, new motherhood, marriage challenges, and a complex relationship with her own mother. She shares how the trauma of childbirth and her struggle to find herself in the New York art world inspired her to write a book she wished she’d had during her darkest moments. She also reflects on the joy she now feels in her relationship with her son and offers heartfelt advice for new moms.Purchase on Bookshop: https://bit.ly/4h95sMBShare, 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 New York Times million-copy bestselling author Alice Feeney to discuss her magnetic, jaw-dropping new thriller, BEAUTIFUL UGLY. Alice delves into the story, which follows struggling author Grady Green a year after his wife’s mysterious disappearance, and what happens when he travels to a tiny Scottish island to get his life back on track... and sees a woman who looks exactly like his missing wife. Alice describes her creative process and explores her novel’s themes of grief, love, identity, and revenge. She also reflects on the balance between fiction and personal experience.Purchase on Bookshop: https://bit.ly/4068ppKShare, 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 New York Times reporter Elizabeth Harris chats with Zibby about her witty, whip-smart, and compulsively readable debut, HOW TO SLEEP AT NIGHT. Elizabeth delves into the interconnected stories in the novel: a suburban mom struggling with lost ambition, a political reporter questioning her career, and a gay couple navigating political differences and addiction. She touches on the complexities of marriage and parenthood, the theme of love and family ties stretched thin by ambition, the balance of personal and professional ethics, and the evolving representation of LGBTQ+ experiences in literature.Purchase on Bookshop: https://bit.ly/426k36HShare, 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.

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.

Theater director and debut author Sash Bischoff joins Zibby to discuss SWEET FURY, a wildly imaginative, subversive, and breathlessly fun literary thriller about a beloved actress who is cast in a feminist adaptation of a Fitzgerald classic, only to find herself the victim in a deadly game of revenge. Sash explains how her acting and directing background helped shape the novel’s complex narrative—and how her tight-knit writing group helped her, too! She also dives into her novel’s themes of fame, ambition, and the darker sides of human nature.Purchase on Bookshop: https://bit.ly/40cPxWcShare, 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 Fiona Davis returns to the podcast to discuss her utterly addictive new novel, THE STOLEN QUEEN, transporting us from New York’s most glamorous party to the labyrinth streets of Cairo. Fiona shares how a viral photo of Kim Kardashian inspired this story and then describes her fascinating research, from tours of the Met’s secret tunnels to interviews with security guards and Egyptologists. She also delves into her book’s themes of female friendships, mother-daughter relationships, and the ethics of artifact repatriation—and then teases her next project!Purchase on Bookshop: https://bit.ly/3W9Od52Share, 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 sociologist and bestselling author Martha Beck about her fascinating, groundbreaking new book, BEYOND ANXIETY: Curiosity, Creativity, and Finding Your Life’s Purpose. Martha shares her transformative tools, explaining how simple practices—like kind self-talk and “sense drenching”—can calm anxiety and unlock creativity. Together, they discuss the brain’s left-right balance, the science of flow state, and the life-changing power of creative expression. Filled with humor and practical advice, this episode is a must-listen for anyone seeking calm, joy, and meaning in a chaotic world.Purchase on Bookshop: https://bit.ly/407VymVShare, 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 award-winning journalist Jenny Anderson and the Brookings Institution’s global education expert Rebecca Winthrop to discuss THE DISENGAGED TEEN, a ground-breaking exploration of stressed-out teens who have lost their love of learning, and what to do to support their academic and emotional success. The authors discuss systemic issues in schooling, the impact of technology, the role of emotions in learning, and the science behind how kids learn. Then, they share strategies for parents and communities to foster curiosity and problem-solving skills!Purchase on Bookshop: https://bit.ly/4j93VHJShare, 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 Books author alert! Amy Wilson returns to the podcast to discuss HAPPY TO HELP: Adventures of a People Pleaser, a hilarious, insightful, transformative, and incredibly relatable collection of essays about how women are conditioned to be “happy to help”—and what happens when things don’t go that way. Amy reflects on her life as a people-pleaser, from her childhood as the eldest of six siblings to a career in acting to raising three children and managing health crises. She talks about how she, and so many women, have been conditioned to prioritize others' happiness and what it's been like to question that.Purchase on Bookshop: https://bit.ly/4201GAcShare, 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.

My husband Kyle and I discussed my Most Anticipated List of books coming out in 2025!! We talked casually in the car as I read through the draft of my list and shared details about select titles. I'll publish the list, which includes the books I talked about and more, on zibbyowens.substack.com soon -- so you don't have to write all of these down! But you heard it here first. Make sure you're signed up for my Substack to get the email when the full list comes out. (Didn't Kyle do a nice job?)I'd love to hear your feedback on the episode! DM me on Instagram @zibbyowens or email [email protected]. Hope you enjoyed this sneak peek into my list!! ** 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 New York Times bestselling author Olivia Campbell to discuss SISTERS IN SCIENCE, the extraordinary true story of four resilient women physicists who escaped Nazi Germany and made groundbreaking contributions to science. Olivia describes her fascinating research process and then shares the untold impact of systemic misogyny, anti-Semitism, and fascism on scientific progress. She and Zibby also discuss the parallels between past and present, the themes of resilience and loss, and the haunting “what ifs” of history.Purchase on Bookshop: https://bit.ly/3Pj3c8VShare, 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.

Get ready for the new year! Listen to guru, coach, and #1 New York Times bestselling author Gabby Bernstein as she helps us through anything using a technique that she found to be extremely useful herself!! Thanks, Gabby!Purchase on Bookshop: https://bit.ly/3VX6UJh. Share, rate, and 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.

Special holiday re-release! Broadway superstar Kristin Chenoweth joins Zibby to talk about her picture book, WHAT WILL I DO WITH MY LOVE TODAY?, which was inspired in part by her beloved dog, Thunder. The two discuss why Kristin decided to incorporate heavy themes like loss, adoption, and perseverancel, as well as how the pandemic played a role in the story. Kristin also shares her favorite passage and the responsibility artists have to put their work out into the world.Purchase on Bookshop: bit.ly/3Kczb6EShare, 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.

Do you watch "Abbott Elementary?!" Have you heard of it?! Maybe you watch the Golden Globes and have seen her accepting awards? Zibby interviewed Quinta Brunson BEFORE the show about her memoir. Listen in to learn all about Quinta!Purchase on Bookshop: https://bit.ly/4gN2nRsShare, 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 honor of the new movie version of "Wicked," here's a replay of Zibby's conversation with the first actress to inhabit the witch's costume on Broadway, Idina Menzel!! Her sister, Cara Mentzel, contributed an essay to On Being Jewish Now, Zibby's anthology.Purchase on Bookshop: bit.ly/3CtApZNShare, 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.

Sutton Foster has been all the rage on Broadway! Listen to her conversation with Zibby from several years ago about her hobbies, her career, and more!Purchase on Bookshop: bit.ly/3mkaHyPShare, 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.

One of the best things that happened in all of Covid? Zibby got to interview Alicia Keys about her memoir, More Myself. If you haven't listened, now's the time!Purchase on Bookshop: bit.ly/41Qle6zShare, 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.

Natalie Portman shared her children's book, Fables, with Zibby. They spoke about motherhood, literature, and more!Purchase on Bookshop: bit.ly/3pQ6MP3Share, 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.

One of her most exciting episodes ever! Zibby spoke to Matthew McConaughey about his memoir Greenlights, his children's book, and his career. She was basically sweating the whole time and tried not to show it.Purchase on Bookshop: https://bit.ly/3r84wmGShare, 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.

Tovah Feldshuh, the legendary actress currently starring in the hit Netflix series "Nobody Wants This" talked to Zibby about her relationship with her mother, fame, and more.Purchase on Bookshop: https://bit.ly/3P4wjgnShare, 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.

Julie Silverstein and Tami Schlossberg Pruwer spoke with Zibby about inspiring Jewish women throughout history and their beautiful book Chutzpah Girls applies to today! Purchase on Bookshop: https://bit.ly/4fqvMQxShare, 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.

On Sunday, December 15th, a crowd of 50 people gathered at Zibby's Bookshop to listen to an intimate conversation between Elisa Albert and Zibby Owens. They discussed Elisa's book HUMAN BLUES, her writing process, Zibby's anthology ON BEING JEWISH NOW, and the controversy at the Albany Book Festival about which Elisa wrote a powerful essay entitled, "An Invitation to the Anti-Zionists: You refused to sit on a literary panel with me. I invite you to my Shabbes table instead, so we can actually talk to each other and face her fears."Spoiler: no one accepted her invitation.Bio:Elisa Albert is the author of the novels Human Blues, After Birth, The Book of Dahlia, the story collection How This Night is Different, and the essay collection The Snarling Girl. Her work has been published in n+1, Tin House, Bennington Review, The New York Times, Michigan Quarterly Review, The Literary Review, Philip Roth Studies, Paris Review, Los Angeles Review of Books, Longreads, The Cut, Time Magazine, Post Road, Gulf Coast, Commentary, Salon, Tablet, Washington Square, The Rumpus, The Believer and in many anthologies. She has taught creative writing at Columbia University’s School of the Arts, The College of Saint Rose, Bennington College, Texas State University, University of Maine, and the Fine Arts Work Center in Provincetown. A Pushcart Prize nominee, finalist for the Sami Rohr Prize and Paterson Fiction Prize, winner of the Moment Magazine debut fiction prize, and Literary Death Match champion, Albert has served as Writer-in-Residence at the Netherlands Institute for Advanced Study in Holland and at the Hanse-Wissenschaftkolleg in Germany.** 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.

Natalia Mehlman Petrzela and Zibby discussed Natalia's recent New York Times op-ed centered on antisemitism. She shared details about her own experiences, the meaning of "intersectionality," and what it's like to be on the faculty at an academic institution today. Bio:Natalia is the author of CLASSROOM WARS: Language, Sex, and the Making of Modern Political Culture (Oxford University Press, 2015), and FIT NATION: The Gains and Pains of America’s Exercise Obsession (University of Chicago Press, 2023). She is co-producer and host of the acclaimed podcast WELCOME TO YOUR FANTASY, from Pineapple Street Studios/Gimlet and the co-host of PAST PRESENT podcast. She is a columnist for MSNBC Opinion, a frequent media guest expert, public speaker, and contributor to outlets including the New York Times, the Washington Post, CNN, and the Atlantic.Natalia is a Carnegie Corporation Fellow in 2024-25, a National Endowment for the Humanities Public Scholar in 2025-26, and is currently working on two new books, a short history of the school culture wars, and a history of the Hamptons, with historian Neil J. Young. She is the executive producer of a new BBC podcast coming in Summer 2024, and of a documentary series based on FIT NATION, in development with TIME Studios. Natalia’s career began as a public school teacher, and she is currently Lead Historian on the Jewish American Hidden Voices curriculum for New York City’s Department of Education, launching in June 2025.Natalia is Professor of History at The New School, co-founder of the wellness education program Healthclass 2.0, and a Premiere Leader of the mind-body practice intenSati. Her work has been supported by the Spencer, Whiting, Rockefeller, and Mellon Foundations, the Carnegie Corporation, and the National Endowment for the Humanities. She holds a B.A. from Columbia and a Ph.D. from Stanford and lives with her husband and two children in New York City.** 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.

Special holiday re-release! Zibby speaks to award-winning author David Sedaris about THE BEST OF ME, a wickedly funny and memorable collection of stories about life’s surprises. David talks about owning who you are as a writer and explains why “publishing isn’t writing.” He also tells Zibby why he doesn’t read internet comments and discloses how he expresses love (hint: it involves Christmas!)Purchase on Bookshop: bit.ly/3OIvWspShare, 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 award-winning middle-grade author, cartoonist, and children’s TV creator Alan Silberberg and New York Times bestselling children’s author and cartoonist Terri Libenson to discuss FESTIVAL OF LIGHTS, the beautiful and moving anthology they both contributed to that is an ode to the magic of Hanukkah and what it means to be Jewish. While Alan’s story explores Jewish mysticism, Terri’s story blends doodles and text in her signature style to examine the impact of our actions and family legacy. The three also delve into the broader themes of Jewish identity, cultural connection, and navigating a post-October 7th world.Purchase on Bookshop: https://bit.ly/4fdiczLShare, 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 Taylor Hahn about A HOME FOR THE HOLIDAYS, a moving, charming, and tenderhearted Christmas romance that follows wedding singer Mel as she navigates complicated grief, secrets, found family, and newfound hope after her mother’s sudden passing. Taylor, who also lost her mother unexpectedly, shares how writing this book was a transformative and healing process and then delves into complex mother-daughter relationships, the nuances of grief, and the layers of identity reflected in her book. She also touches on her dual life as a lawyer and a writer, her pivot to creative expression, and the mix of personal milestones—including her pregnancy—that coincided with profound loss.Purchase on Bookshop: https://bit.ly/4gwkv2DShare, 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.