Moms Don’t Have Time to Read Books

Janny Scott, THE BENEFICIARY

Janny Scott is the author of the New York Times best-selling book A Singular Woman: The Untold Story of Barack Obama's Mother and most recently, The Beneficiary: Fortune, Misfortune and the Story of My Father. As a reporter for The New York Times from 1994 to 2008, Janny was a member of the reporting team that won the 2000 Pulitzer Prize for National Reporting. Janny’s latest book, The Beneficiary, was chosen as one of The New York Times 100 Notable Books of 2019 and one of NPR's Favorite Books of 2019. This family memoir explores three generations of Janny’s wealthy, aristocratic, Pennsylvania family and the effect this upbringing had on her and, primarily, her father. Jenny shared that her inspiration for the story was the combination of a literary urge to learn to write in a different way, combined with a deeply emotional feeling about her dad. Janny and I discussed her father’s journals and the role alcoholism has played in her family’s story. Janny shared her thoughts on family wealth and why it can often be a double-edged sword. Be sure to listen for the bit of family lore about The Philadelphia Story and Janny’s visits to a place she calls “The Bureau."

Ashley Prentice Norton, THE CHOCOLATE MONEY

Ashley Prentice Norton is the author of novels The Chocolate Money and If You Left. Ashley and I discussed both her books during this interview! The Chocolate Money (which I read years ago at a book club I was in!) follows a dysfunctional family dynamic (and is almost a memoir). If You Left deals with a privileged but damaged Manhattan wife whose marriage is threatened. Ashley bravely talked about her struggles with depression, enduring electric shock therapy and continuing to write throughout. We discussed the flawed notion that manic depression leads to a creative life and how to deal with the worries that constantly seems to be surrounding us. I loved hearing about Ashley's creative process and her feeling that "timed writing" is the best way to write.

Tara Schuster, BUY YOURSELF THE F*CKING LILLIES

Tara Schuster is the author of Buy Yourself the F*cking Lilies: And Other Rituals to Fix Your Life, from Someone Who's Been There. This humorous and honest book explores Tara's neglectful childhood and how she learned to reparent herself and reframe her thinking. I want to hire Tara to be my on-call reframer!! She has such great advice for finding gratitude and joy in every day. Tara and I discussed the 25th birthday call that forced her to change her life and her homemade curriculum of self-care. Tara shared what it looks like to nurture herself in the ways her parents never did and the moment she finally spoke honestly with her father about her childhood. Tara has some wonderful ideas on how to stat positive and mentally healthy during this moment. I loved the reminder that quarantine isn't supposed to be a productivity vacation! We should all just give ourselves a break. (As I am sure you can guess this episode does contain adult language!) FYI, Tara is currently the vice president of talent and development at Comedy Central and is the executive in charge of Light's Out with David Spade. She was formerly the executive in charge of the Emmy and Peabody Award-winning Key & Peele, Midnight, and numerous other shows. Her plays have been performed at the International Fringe Festival and her writing has been featured in The New Yorker and Forbes online. She is no joke.

Dibs Baer, LADY TIGERS IN THE CONCRETE JUNGLE

Dibs Baer is a former entertainment writer and editor who worked in the magazine industry for 15+ years. She has written and co-written six books including the New York Times bestseller I Didn't Come Here to Make Friends. Dibs' newest book, Lady Tigers in the Concrete Jungle: How Softball and Sisterhood Saved Lives in the South Bronx, centers on a junior high softball coach Chris Astacio and his journey to create not only a team but a safe space for his female students. It was so heartbreaking to hear about the realities these girls were facing growing up in one of the most dangerous, poverty-stricken neighborhoods in America. The story is hard to hear, but the intrepid spirit of their coach is beyond inspiring. Dibs and I chatted about her personal relationship with the women on the team and the lack of female-driven sports movies. (I mean, why IS that?) We discussed life after the implosion of the magazine industry and her experiences as a ghostwriter. So interesting! I loved Dibs' advice to just keep going and how it only takes one person to say yes!    

Casey Schwartz, ATTENTION: A LOVE STORY

Casey Schwartz is the author of Attention: A Love Story which is part memoir and part comprehensive journalistic exploration of our culture's flagging ability to pay attention. Casey writes about her struggle with Adderall, her parents, psychedelic science, and the four incredible writers who inspire her. Casey and I discussed the idea that Silicon Valley is literally hijacking us through our phones and why are we giving away our attention so casually. Casey shared her personal experience with the #MeToo movement and the rock bottom moment that ended up yielding the best possible outcome for her. I have a long-time personal connection with Casey's mom, author Marie Brenner, and I loved being able to share my memories with Casey. 

Laura Prepon, YOU AND I, AS MOTHERS

Laura Prepon, the actress and author of You and I, As Mothers, and I chatted live on my Instagram Live show last week (“Z-IGTV”). This podcast is a recording of our live conversation. Laura is not only an actor in the Netflix show Orange Is the New Black, but she directed, too. She was a cast member of That '70s Show from 1998 to 2006 and has appeared in Girl on the Train and many other films and TV shows. Laura is the New York Times bestselling author of the wellness book The Stash Plan. Her most recent book, You and I, As Mothers, is an emotional and raw first-person look at being a new mom.  I really enjoyed chatting with Laura about the shift of priority that comes with motherhood and why hearing, “Girl, it’s hard,” was the best advice she got. Laura discusses why postpartum anxiety can happen at any stage of motherhood and the dinner that inspired her to share her personal stories of loss. Laura, mom to a toddler and a 4-week-old baby, is simply amazing. We can all learn from her that mom fails are unavoidable. Great advice for this moment in time we are all living through! For more, watch our interview on @zibbyowens Instagram TV Live Episode 21.4.

Megan Angelo, FOLLOWERS

Megan Angelo is the debut author of Followers: A Novel. Her writing has appeared in The New York Times, where she helped launch comedy coverage, The Wall Street Journal, Glamour, Elle, and many other publications. This debut novel takes place in two different time periods. One storyline centers around two girls who hatch a scheme to become famous in the year 2015. The other revolves around a futuristic celebrity who spends the majority of her time in front of a camera in the year 2051. Megan and I chatted about the journal entry that sparked her interest in this topic and the research she pulled from her background as a celebrity journalist. Megan discussed her relationship with social media and her interest in how the internet has become something we can't seem to walk away from. I particularly loved Megan's very candid discussion of motherhood and the realities of writing while caring for three kids under five!

Therese Anne Fowler, A GOOD NEIGHBORHOOD

Therese Anne Fowler is the New York Times best-selling author of novels Z: A Novel of Zelda Fitzgerald, A Well-Behaved Woman, and her most recent novel A Good Neighborhood. This contemporary suburban drama centers on a conflict between two families, one black and one white, as they deal with a damaged historic oak tree in the black family's backyard. This book had such a twist of an ending but I won’t say a word. I enjoyed chatting with Therese about her personal connection to the material and why she felt writing this story was a call to activism in these troubled times. Therese and I discussed the research and homework that went into writing from the perspective of a different race and why she strayed from her historical fiction background. Be sure to catch Therese sharing the truly magical moment she knew she was a writer. Therese’s first book was a source of comfort during a critical time in my life and I had such a lovely full circle moment when we sat down to chat! You just never know where life will lead!

Bess Kalb, NOBODY WILL TELL YOU THIS BUT ME

Bess Kalb is the debut author of Nobody Will Tell You This But Me. She is an Emmy-nominated writer for Jimmy Kimmel Live and wrote for the Emmy Awards in 2012 and 2016 and the Academy Awards in 2017 and 2018. She regularly writes for The New Yorker's Daily Shouts and received a WGA Award in 2016. Nobody Will Tell You This But Me is a beautiful memoir written from the voice of her beloved grandmother. Bess began writing from her grandmother's perspective as a way to feel closer to her and process grief after her death. Bess and I chatted about the authenticity of writing from a loved one's voice and why she felt it was the best way to honor what she calls her grandmother's superhero origin story. I loved hearing about Bess's first experience as a six-year-old writer, something her mother still sweetly reminds her of, and her challenge to all of us to write from the perspective of someone we love. Make sure you catch the fascinating story of the Twitter side project Bess started to distract herself from a soul-crushing job and how this led to a career as a comedy writer! I loved having her as the featured author at my recent book club. To join the book club, check out the link in bio!! 

Katherine Schwarzenegger Pratt, THE GIFT OF FORGIVENESS

Katherine Schwarzenegger Pratt is the best-selling author of Rock What You've Got, the children's book Maverick and Me, and I Just Graduated ... Now What? Katherine is an animal advocate who serves as an ambassador for Best Friends Animal Society and the ASPCA. She is also married to actor Chris Pratt! Katherine's latest book, The Gift of Forgiveness: Inspiring Stories from Those Who Have Overcome the Unforgivable is a collection of twenty-two different interviews with inspiring people who have practiced and struggled with forgiveness in different ways. Katherine's goal is to inspire people to practice forgiveness and to see it not only as a way to move forward but as a gift to themselves. Katherine and I discussed several of the stories in the book and the personal experience that inspired this idea. I loved learning about the concept of practicing "conscious forgiveness" and the idea that forgiving is about giving yourself the gift of moving forward and taking back the power. This is such a timely listen as we all stay home, connect with loved ones and allow more space for personal reflection. 

Stephanie Danler, STRAY: A MEMOIR

I’m obsessed with Stephanie Danler’s brilliance. She's the author of the international bestseller Sweetbitter and the executive producer of the Sweetbitter series on Start (which Kyle and I started watching last weekend - so good!). Her latest book, Stray: A Memoir, is set to release in May of 2020 so you can pre-order it now. This forceful and emotional book explores Stephanie’s life as a child raised by an addicts and alcoholics, the damage she inherited, and the journey to move forward towards a different way of life. This book has gotten me out of my own head more than almost anything else lately because it’s just so immersive and beautifully written. Stephanie and I discussed her choice to start this book when her son was five months old, why she had to move several time zones away in order to find the focus to create, and the hardship of writing about such deeply rooted traumas. Stephanie shares her extremely stressful coronavirus experience and the idea that we are all grasping for the illusion of control at this moment in time. I loved Stephanie’s advice to just finish what you start and so much more. I couldn’t wait for her pub day to share this given all of our talk about what’s going on RIGHT NOW. I promise it will help you through.

Dr. Madeline Levine, READY OR NOT

New episode - and so needed right now! Madeline Levine, Ph.D., is a psychologist and the author of the New York Times best-selling books The Price of Privilege and Teach Your Children Well. Dr. Levine’s most recent book Ready Or Not: Preparing Our Kids to Thrive in an Uncertain and Rapidly Changing World could not be more timely or helpful given the current environment.

She explores how today’s parenting techniques and our educational system are failing to prepare children for their uncertain future, and what we can do to ensure our kids' adaptability, resilience, health, and happiness. (I know I need this during this current coronavirus time of uncertainty and panic.)

Dr. Levine is a wealth of knowledge on parenting. We chatted about her efforts to overcome the idea that a woman can’t beat the boys, how people behave in situations of uncertainty and the concept that to build self-esteem in your child you must let them learn to master things without breathing down their necks. We discussed how pressure, uncertainty, and social media have led to a rise in anxiety and how our 24-hour news cycle can leave us feeling like trauma victims. Dr. Levine explores concrete solutions and coping mechanisms we can use to correct that behavior. I think we could all use these strategies today.  

Kathleen West, MINOR DRAMAS & OTHER CATASTROPHES

Kathleen West is the debut author of Minor Dramas & Other Catastrophes. Kathleen uses her experience as both a parent and school teacher to write a pretty perfect novel for today's moms and dads! Kathleen’s story involves a helicopter theater mom who has lost her sense of boundaries, a progressive English teacher who comes under fire for her curriculum, and a social media scandal that ensnares them both. This conversation was the perfect mix of parenting wisdom, writing advice and encouragement! Kathleen and I chatted about the lessons she’s learned by walking the line between parent and teacher and the writing workshops she held with her students while editing the novel. Kathleen started writing this book as a new year's resolution and as a way to reclaim her writing identity. I really appreciated her advice to let yourself to write something terrible! (I’ve definitely taken it - ha!)

Special Re-Release: Carla Naumburg, HOW TO STOP LOSING YOUR SH*T WITH YOUR KIDS

Re-Release! Now is the time to listen to How to Stop Losing Your Sh*t with Your Kids author Carla Naumburg, Ph.D. share her tips! Is anyone else going a little bit nuts despite how much you love your kids, your parents, your loved ones?! Carla shares so many helpful strategies for dealing with yourself when you’re stressed out and how you manage your relationships better. While this is geared towards kids, it can apply to parents and spouses just as easily. One message?! Self-forgiveness, especially now! You can watch our interview from this week on IGTV (@zibbyowens) too as she discusses specific strategies for getting through the coronavirus without losing your sh*t at everyone in your home!!! 

 

Special Re-Release: Courtney Maum, TOUCH

Re-Release! Courtney Maum’s novel, TOUCH, is so timely that I just had to rerelease for you this weekend. This one was of my first podcasts ever so please forgive my beginner skills! Courtney and I discussed her novel which discusses a life without touch, similar to what we’re all going through on a macro level now. She interviewed professional huggers, imagined touch-free body suits and had a couple struggle in the midst of a world in which physical touch between humans becomes a commodity. Am I the only one who misses hugging people?! Courtney has since written a gorgeous, slim novel called Costalegr and a guide to book publishing called Before and After the Book Deal. And she has used her newsletter to assemble all the resources the literary community is assembling during this time (including mine - thanks, Courtney!!). Listen in or our prophetic conversation. It kind of makes you think, right???

Eilene Zimmerman, SMACKED

Eilene Zimmerman is the author of the memoir, Smacked: A Story of White-Collar Ambition, Addiction, and Tragedy. Eilene has been a journalist for three decades including a six-year stint as a columnist for The New York Times Sunday Business Section. This memoir is Eilene’s exploration of her ex-husband’s secret drug addiction/overdose, her own culpability, and an analysis of what's going on in the white-collar professional world in terms of unhappiness, depression, anxiety, and substance use. Eilene and I discussed the feeling of powerlessness when sharing children with an ex-spouse, what it is like to examine a relationship once you learn the whole truth, and the idea that we often try to fix problems in our childhood with our own marriages. I was so impressed by the amount of research Eileen put into this book! From traveling around the country talking to addiction psychologists and therapists, to posing questions about mental health, stress, and happiness on several online forums for lawyers to answer anonymously, this woman covered it all. Please listen!

Gene Luen Yang, DRAGON HOOPS

Gene Luen Yang is the author, illustrator, and cartoonist of American Born Chinese, the first graphic novel ever to be nominated for the National Book Award and the American Library Association's Printz Award, which he won. Gene also won an Eisner Award for best graphic album as well as several other awards. Gene's two-volume graphic novel, Boxers & Saints, was also nominated for a National Book Award and won the LA Times Book Prize. He's written and illustrated many other graphic novels like Secret Coders and the Avatar series. Gene’s latest book Dragon Hoops is a nonfiction graphic novel that follows the ups and downs of a varsity men's basketball team. My son is such a fan of Gene’s books that I just had to let him join me for the interview. It was such a special treat! Gene and I chatted about creating and selling his first comic book at age five, why reading diversely is a great way to develop your brain, his important role as National Ambassador for Young People's Literature and why Gene believes graphic novels belong in the classroom. Make sure to listen to the end of the episode to catch Gene’s fantastic advice for anyone feeling the need to create art, especially now.

Patrice Karst, THE INVISIBLE STRING

Patrice Karst is the author of The Invisible String, a beautiful story about the connection we share with our loved ones even when they’re not physically with us, and many other books that help people cope with loss and separation from loved ones, even pets. There’s no better time for this Patrice's books than now!!! Her stories have sold over half a million copies and have touched the lives of so many people. In our chat, Patrice touched on the heartwarming true story that led to her writing the book, the word-of-mouth phenomenon the made her book the go-to book for children needing connection, how she took her painful childhood as the daughter of two mentally ill parents and converted it to joy, and the idea that we are all capable of moving forward from childhood pain. Patrice was kind enough to share several beautiful stories of how this book series has helped children dealing with devastating circumstances, loss, and separation anxiety. I promise this episode will bring a smile to your face and give you a way to stay connected to those you miss. Don’t we all need this now?! (I miss everyone!!)

Jen Gotch, THE UPSIDE OF BEING DOWN

Jen Gotch is the founder and chief creative officer of Ban.do, the multimillion-dollar lifestyle brand. She is also a fellow podcaster and former host of the show "Jen Gotch is Okay, Sometimes." Jen is a mental health advocate, reluctantly as you'll find out, and the author of the book The Upside of Being Down: How Mental Health Struggles Led to My Greatest Successes in Work and Life. This accessible self-help memoir dives into Jen’s personal history with mental health issues, building her brand, and ways to implement better life practices! Jen and I covered so much during our conversation including how society glamorizes being busy and Jen’s personal family history. Jen's passion for creating a brand that invokes her personal message is so inspirational and I was moved by her hope that this book will help others feel less alone. I loved Jen’s tip to schedule fun into your calendar and make it non-negotiable! I think we could all use that advice right now! (For listeners with kids at home, this episode does include adult language.)

Janice Kaplan, THE GENIUS OF WOMEN

Janice Kaplan is the author of The Genius of Women: From Overlooked to Changing the World. This multilayered book tells stories of extraordinary women throughout history and weaves them into a larger narrative regarding the social expectations and biases women still face today. Janice is incredibly intelligent (although she won’t admit she’s a genius!!). I loved chatting with her about why most Americans believe geniuses are men, the idea that society is to blame for the tendency to self-deprecate, and the childhood memory that pushed Janice to keep researching and writing this book. She includes wonderful insights on how to stop buying into stereotypes and understand our full potential! 

Abby Sher, MISS YOU LOVE YOU HATE YOU BYE

Abby Sher is a performer and author of many books including her latest, Miss You Love You Hate You Bye. She even wrote a “Modern Love” essay in the New York Times that was adapted into an episode of the Modern Love television series. Abby’s young adult novel tackles the tough subjects of eating disorders, self-harm, and finding the courage to help a friend who can't stop hurting herself. During this extremely personal and emotional conversation, Abby and I discussed her hesitation to write about this topic and the reason she finally gave in. Abby opened up about her own struggles with anorexia, OCD, personal loss, rehab and the intervention that was "disguised" as her 30th birthday party. Make sure to tune in to hear Abby's unique story, which begins with journaling as a form of therapy and eventually leads to her professional writing career which includes these books: Kissing Snowflakes, All the Ways the World Can End, Breaking Free: True Stories of Girls Who Escaped Modern Slavery, Amen, Amen, Amen: Memoir of a Girl Who Couldn't Stop Praying, and her latest.

Chris Bohjalian, THE RED LOTUS

Chris Bohjalian is the New York Times best-selling author of 21 books including The Flight Attendant, The Guest Room, and Midwives, which was a #1 New York Times bestseller and a selection of Oprah's Book Club. Midwives, along with Secrets of Eden and Past the Bleachers, have been made into movies and The Flight Attendant is in development as a limited series. Chris’s most recent novel, The Red Lotus, is a ticking clock thriller about a New York City ER doctor whose boyfriend disappears while they are biking through Vietnam, leaving her with unanswered questions and danger at every turn. It was truly amazing talking to Chris about his latest book which now seems more timely than ever. I couldn’t believe the amount of research, interviewing, and homework that Chris does before he even starts to write. We chatted about his deep dive into the world of ER doctors (again, particularly timely now), his confession that he does his best thinking while biking, and that his favorite voice-over artist for his audiobooks is his daughter! I loved Chris's advice that life is short and precious and we should approach it that way. We need his thought leadership now more than ever. Thanks, Chris! 

Malcolm Hansen, THEY COME IN ALL COLORS

Malcolm Hansen is the winner of the BCALA (Black Caucus American Library Association) Literary Award for a first novelist and was nominated for a 2019 NAACP Image Award. His debut novel They Come In All Colors is a mea culpa style story of a 15-year-old boy who poisons his friend and then explains the circumstances leading up to his choices. Malcom and I spoke about his using writing as a form of therapy, how growing up overseas and being raised by an interracial activist couple shaped his view of the world including being adopted. We even spoke delicately about his relationship with his birth mother. I really enjoyed talking to Malcom about the idea that fiction puts the reader in another person's shoes, plus I won’t ever forget Malcolm’s story of a typewriter, a motorcycle and his dusty road to Ecuador. It's so inspiring! And just a heads up, this episode does include some adult language. Be inspired by Malcolm Hansen like I was! 

Stephanie Wrobel, DARLING ROSE GOLD

Stephanie Wrobel is the author of debut novel Darling Rose Gold, a mother-daughter story of obsession, reconciliation, and revenge. It was fascinating to chat with Stephanie about her research into Munchausen by proxy, her advice to authors to treat the business side of publishing as part of their job, her choice to apply to grad school that changed everything, the idea that an author needs life experience to tackle tricky subjects and how Stephanie's struggle to find her footing in a new city gave her the guts to quit her job and write a novel.

Anne Bogel, DON'T OVERTHINK IT

Anne Bogel is the famous podcast host of "What Should I Read Next?" and "One Great Book.” She’s also the creator of the blog Modern Mrs. Darcy and the author of Reading People and I'd Rather Be Reading. Her latest book, Don't Overthink It, is already a bestseller!!! Her book is part memoir/part guide to stop second-guessing yourself and make decisions that bring joy to your life. Anne and I have so many things in common from our passion for connecting books with readers to having a house full of 4 kids. I honestly could have kept talking with her for hours! Anne and I chatted about her being a recovering perfectionist, how she visualizes her workload as a Ferris wheel, the concept of giving decisions the amount of energy they deserve and the idea that loving books is like sharing a common language. Be sure to catch Anne's hilarious dinner party story that will keep you laughing!!

Coronavirus update: My thoughts, my live event at 2 pm and more

Hi everyone! In this super short episode, I talk briefly about my thoughts and feelings about this crazy time of life and how the coronavirus has affected the book world - and me.

I discuss the live Instagram and live Facebook I'll be doing today (Sunday, March 15th) at 2:00 pm EST with giveaways, author chats, book suggestions and other ways you can help the literary community. Please watch! 

If you haven't already, please check out my storefront on bookshop.org of 150 books coming out in March and April that are affected by the coronavirus -- the authors' tours are cancelled and publicity is harder to come by. Help them out!

 

Jenny Lee, ANNA K: A LOVE STORY

Jenny Lee is a TV writer, producer and author of the YA novel Anna K: A Love Story, a modern-day adaptation of Leo Tolstoy's Anna Karenina. HBO Max acquired the rights for Anna K and Jenny Lee will be adapting and writing this story for the screen. How cool is that?! Jenny and I chatted about the year she took dating off the table and how it changed her productivity, her strict Korean upbringing, the sweet tribute to her husband and their relationship throughout the book, and the crazy experience of being in a Hollywood bidding war! This interview was such a full-circle moment for me and you'll just have to listen to hear why! 

Cécile David-Weill, PARENTS UNDER THE INFLUENCE

Cécile David-Weill is a French-American and the author of two novels Crush (under the name Cecile De La Baume) and The Suitors. She studied literature at La Sorbonne in Paris and was a regular contributor to the French magazine Le Point with a column entitled "Letters From New York."Cécile latest book, Parents Under the Influence: Words of Wisdom from a Former Bad Mother, is part memoir and part researched guide to parenting. Cécile and I discussed the personal parenting struggles that led her to tackle this material, the idea that often we parent with our childhood suffering in the forefront of our minds instead of our children, the cheat sheets she includes at the end of the book to give parents a quick peek at the basic principles, and the idea that there is no one perfect way to parent. I really enjoyed speaking with Cécile whose delightful French accent made me feel like I was strolling with a friend down the Seine. Not that I’ve actually done that, but a girl can dream.

Jan Eliasberg, HANNAH'S WAR

Jan Eliasberg is the award-winning screenwriter, director and debut author of Hannah's War. This literary spy thriller follows a female Jewish physicist and her work on the atomic bomb during WWII. Jan referred to writing this book as the best creative experience of her life and I can see why! I loved chatting with Jan about the historic New York Times article that sparked her imagination, the exciting task of exploring a male-dominated world from a woman’s point of view, her personal family connection to the source material and her deep need to write a novel after experiencing success in film and television. Jan has written and directed dramatic pilots for CBS, NBC, and ABC and directed episodes of Wiseguy, 21 Jump Street, 13 Reasons Why, Parenthood, Blue Bloods, NCIS: Los Angeles, and many others. As a screenwriter, Jan has written films driven by strong female leads including Fly Girls with Nicole Kidman @nicolekidman and Cameron Diaz @camerondiaz and she was the first woman to direct Miami Vice. Her debut feature film was Past Midnight starring Paul Giamatti and the late Natasha Richardson. Jan graduated from Wesleyan University and has two MFAs, one from the Yale School of Drama and Directing, and one from Warren Wilson in fiction. We did an event this week together about women geniuses with Janice Kaplan and Shoshanna Gruss which was fantastic! 

Kate Elizabeth Russell, MY DARK VANESSA

Kate Elizabeth Russell is the debut author of My Dark Vanessa, the story of a young woman coming to terms with the sexual relationship she had with her teacher and the consequences of it that she continues to face in her adult life. Kate started writing this haunting novel in her teens as a way of making sense of our culture's sexualization of teenage girls. Kate discussed her novel coinciding with the @metoomvmt, her views on rewriting the narrative of victimhood and consent, her book giving a voice to victims that feel hesitant to share their story, and the importance of creating fiction that allows room for engagement and disagreement. This woman is so eloquent! Kate earned an MFA from Indiana University and a PhD from the University of Kansas. Her fiction and nonfiction has appeared in Necessary Fiction, Quarterly West, Mid-American Review, Hayden's Ferry Review, and other journals. You’ll never forget these characters!!

Glory Edim, WELL-READ BLACK GIRL

Glory Edim is the founder of Well-Read Black Girl, a Brooklyn-based book club and online community that celebrates the uniqueness of black literature and sisterhood. Glory originally started this platform on social media as a way to discuss black women writers, non-binary writers and writers of color and to create conversations about what it means to be a black woman in the world. As her platform grew, Glory organized the first-ever Well-Read Black Girl literary festival and became the editor of the anthology Well-Read Black Girl: Finding Stories, Discovering Ourselves. Glory is a role model of mine!! I loved chatting with her about the importance of bringing black authors to all readers, her love of independent booksellers, the value of in-person contact and discussion and the tee-shirt that started it all. Glory’s advice on the importance of having patience with yourself when you are trying something new struck such a chord with me and I hope you feel as inspired by her as I do! Glory has a background in startups and creative institutions including Kickstarter, the Webby Awards, and the New York Foundation for the Arts. She received the 2017 Innovator's Award from the Los Angeles Book Prizes for her work as a literature advocate. She serves on the board of New York City's Housing Works. And basically, she’s just awesome. 

Brenda Janowitz, THE GRACE KELLY DRESS

Brenda Janowitz is Pop Sugar's book correspondent and the author of six novels. Her latest, The Grace Kelly Dress, tells the story of an heirloom wedding gown and three generations of women whose lives are influenced and changed by the dress. Brenda and I could have talked all day!! Brenda and I discussed — among other things —  her Pinterest board for the cover design, her wedding obsession, how waiting in line at CVS informs her character development, not being so hard on herself, her son who was born at 31 weeks, and her husband’s shirt. Her bio: Brenda’s work has appeared in the “Modern Love” column of The New York Times, The Washington Post, Redbook, The New York Post, Publisher's Weekly, and many other publications. She is a graduate of Cornell University and Hofstra Law School, and worked as a lawyer and federal clerk before becoming a writer. Be sure to listen in on this one!! 

Caitlin Mullen, PLEASE SEE US

Caitlin Mullen is the debut author of Please See Us, a thriller involving the discovery of two murdered women and a high school drop out who starts having disturbing, violent, powerful visions. Caitlin and I had such an interesting conversation about the true crime from her childhood that inspired this thriller, her childhood as a bookish, quiet kid, her summer job at a casino spa, her “A Beautiful Mind" writing process, what she learned working at Word bookstore and how she feels about going back there to have her launch party!! We also chatted about her creative use of tarot cards while writing and her 4-month-old baby!

Laura Zigman, SEPARATION ANXIETY

Laura Zigman is the author of Separation Anxiety, her first novel in over a decade which will surely follow the success of Animal Husbandry, Dating Big Bird, Piece of Work and Her. This book is about a couple that can’t afford to get divorced, a son who is growing up, and the emotional support the family dog gives the main character, Judy, (a 50-year-old) especially when worn in a sling. Which Laura may or may not have tried herself - listen to find out! We talked about so much including how she came back after her long break from the book world, why she’s always early, how she ended up moving back to her hometown, her breast cancer, why she enjoys ghost-writing, how Craig’s List helped her write, why she isn’t the easiest person to live with, and how she feels about the invisibility that comes with aging. Watch us talk live on May 5th at the Steicker Center at Temple Emanu-El!! 

Dr. Jewell Parker Rhodes, BLACK BROTHER, BLACK BROTHER

Dr. Jewell Parker Rhodes is the award-winning and best-selling author of many books including Ninth Ward, which was the winner of the Coretta Scott King honor; Sugar, winner of the Jane Adams’ Children’s Book Award; and New York Times bestsellers Ghost Boys, an IndieBound best seller, a number-one Kids’ Indie Next pick, and ALA 2019 Children's Notable List pick, and winner of the Walter Award, EB White Read Aloud Award, and Children's Choice Book Award.  Dr. Rhodes’ most recent book Black Brother, Black Brother centers on a family of two biracial boys, and their different experiences of race, prejudice and bias and how you one coach and the sport of fencing changed everything. This woman is amazing and I so enjoyed chatting with @jewellparkerrhodes about her passion and purpose. We spoke about how she writes about diversity for a middle school audience, the childhood trauma that led to writing, and her brilliant idea to start a family book club! Dr. Rhodes is also the author of The American Book Award-winning Douglass' Women, two writing guides and the memoir Porch Stories: A Grandmother's Guide to Happiness. Her adult literary awards include the American Book Award, the National Endowment of the Arts Award in Fiction, the Black Caucus of the American Library Award for Literary Excellence, and the PEN Oakland/Josephine Miles Award for Outstanding Writing. When she's not writing, Dr. Rhodes teaches writing at Arizona State University where she is the founding artistic director and chair of the Virginia G. Piper Center for Creative Writing. Dr. Rhodes received a BA in drama criticism, an MA in English, and a doctorate in arts in English, creative writing, from Carnegie Mellon University. I mean, seriously!

Meng Jin, LITTLE GODS

Meng Jin is the debut author of Little Gods, a novel set in China about migrations through time, place, and class and the ways in which we are known and unknown to others and ourselves. From the beginning scene of a pregnant woman in the chaos of the Tiananmem Square riots, I was immediately drawn in by Meng’s beautifully lyrical writing style. Meng and I chatted about her personal connection to the source material, her fascination with mother-daughter relationships, altars and other-worldly influences, and the journey to find her perfect process for writing. Meng is a Kundiman Fellow and a graduate of Harvard University and Hunter College.

Joanna Guest, FOLDED WISDOM

Joanna Guest is the author of Folded Wisdom: Notes from Dad on Life, Love, and Growing Up,
a beautifully illustrated collection of morning notes written by her father. Joanna shared the the story of how the notes began, the lessons we can all learn from her Dad’s sweet wisdom, and what pushed her to leave a career in politics to write this book. This episode will certainly inspires you to grab a pen and paper and write a note to someone you love!

 

Alexandra Silber, WHITE HOT GRIEF PARADE

Grammy-nominated actor and singer Alexandra Silber is the author of White Hot Grief Parade. This unique memoir details the six months surrounding the death of Alexandra’s father and her experience with grief at an early age. Alexandra and I chatted about her need to create a grief resource for young adults, writing books in between scenes in a Broadway dressing room, and what it truly means to stand back up after an emotionally traumatic experience. Grab your tissues; this one is a tearjerker. Alexandra has appeared on stage internationally and regionally from the West End of London to esteemed venues like Carnegie Hall, The Kennedy Center, and on Broadway. Her most recent role on Broadway was as Tzeitel in Fiddler on the Roof which inspired her first novel After Anatevka: A Novel Inspired by "Fiddler on the Roof". 

Suzanne Falter, THE EXTREMELY BUSY WOMAN'S GUIDE TO SELF-CARE

Suzanne Falter is the author of The Extremely Busy Woman's Guide to Self-Care, a how-to tale that helps women slow down and tune in. During this emotional conversation, Suzanne and I chatted about the first steps to self care, the painful loss of her daughter, and the journal she discovered that inspired her to start writing this book and living her best life. Suzanne is an author, speaker, novelist, and host of the "Self-Care for Extremely Busy Women" podcast. She is the author of nonfiction books The Joy of Letting Go, How Much Joy Can You Stand?, Surrendering to Joy and the LGBT fiction series' Transformed and Oaktown Girls. Her work has appeared in The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, Self, Fitness, and other publications.

Dolly Alderton, EVERYTHING I KNOW ABOUT LOVE

Dolly Alderton is the author of The Sunday Times best-selling memoir Everything I Know About Love. This coming-of age-story told in very short chapters chronicles Dolly’s 20s and the various dysfunctions and disasters that manifest through her love life. I really enjoyed chatting with Dolly about growing up in the UK but longing for American culture, her previous struggles with an eating disorder, and the many amazing creative projects she is working on. This woman seriously does it all! Make sure you catch Dolly’s truly fantastic advice to writers at the end of our discussion! Dolly has been a freelance journalist for The Sunday Times, Marie Claire, Glamour, Cosmopolitan, Elle, GQ, and many other publications and she wrote a dating column in The Sunday Times Style section. Dolly is the cohost and co-creator  of "The High Low," Britain’s leading women’s podcast, and the podcast miniseries called "Love Stories." She has two scripts in development, including the TV adaptation of this book. Dolly has been featured in Forbes’ 2018 "30 Under 30," The Elle List, and many more. Listen to her back story! 

Sara Shepard, PRETTY LITTLE LIARS

Sara Shepard is the #1 New York Times best-selling author of Pretty Little Liars, The Lying Game, The Perfectionists, The Elizas and The Heiresses. Her latest book, Reputation centers on a very prestigious university, an Internet security hack and what happens when everyone's secrets are on display for all to read. Sara and I chatted about why she always includes a murder in her books, the party she crashed that led to a writing career, and the truly crazy experience when Pretty Little Liars became a television series on Freeform!

Sarah Hurwitz, HERE ALL ALONG

Sarah Hurwitz is the former head speechwriter for First Lady Michelle Obama and senior speechwriter for President Barack Obama. She was also the chief speechwriter for Hillary Clinton on her 2008 presidential campaign. Sarah’s book, Here All Along: Finding Meaning, Spirituality, and a Deeper Connection to Life--in Judaism (After Finally Choosing to Look There) is her account of exploring Judaism as an adult and sharing what it offers for our modern lives. Sarah and I chatted about the role of meditation and mindfulness in Jewish culture and Sarah’s unique writing and editing tricks. I loved getting the inside scoop of her life as a speechwriter! Sarah is a graduate of Harvard College and Harvard Law School and has been featured on The Today Show, NPR, and in The Washington Post, The Boston Globe, and People.com. She was named one of the Forward's fifty Jews who impacted American life in 2016 and 2019. 

Andi Buchanan, THE BEGINNING OF EVERYTHING

New York Times best-selling author Andrea Buchanan is the author of ten books including The Daring Book for Girls and Mother Shock. In her latest memoir, The Beginning of Everything: The Year I Lost My Mind and Found Myself, Andi recounts her year of experiencing a profound health crisis and the struggle to find her way back to her former self. Andi and I discussed the loss of control that comes with illness, Andi’s unique approach to writing after this traumatic experience, and the idea that often you must just "be where you’re at" instead of starting from the beginning. I was particularly moved by Andi’s love of piano and the daily practice she used as a way to heal. 

Lee Matalone, HOME MAKING

Lee Matalone is the author of debut novel Home Making, a story of three characters united in a quest to find a sense of identity, home, and belonging. I really enjoyed chatting with Lee about her personal connection to the source material, the path from shorter pieces to a novel, and Lee’s idea that our homes say so much about who we are and what we value. Lee’s writing has been featured in LitHub, The Rumpus, The Offing, and Denver Quarterly. Listen in! 

Shonda Moralis, BREATHE MAMA BREATHE

Shonda Moralis is the author of Breathe, Mama, Breathe: 5-Minute Mindfulness for Busy Moms. As a self-proclaimed recovering perfectionist and people-pleaser, Shonda’s book explores mindfulness breaks and their power to create more connection, calm, and contentment for moms. I so enjoyed chatting with Shonda, and her college-age daughter, about her path to meditation, finding the space, even if it’s in a closet, for that much-needed mom break and her inspiring concepts for practicing mindfulness. You will just have to listen to the episode to find out what a "three-breath hug" and a "SNAP break" are all about! Shonda holds a master's in social work, is a psychotherapist in private practice and is also the author of Breathe, Empower, Achieve: 5-Minute Mindfulness for Women Who Do It All.

 

Zibby's Essay: "Making Time for Love This Valentine's Day"

Happy Valentine's Day! I wrote this essay, "Making Time for Love This Valentine's Day" for SheHustleCollective.com. Don't mind me when I start crying at the end of the episode after I read it! It's about how I'm trying to do so much professionally that I've somehow neglected the people I love the most. Yes, I prioritize my kids, but what about my husband? My friends?! I feel like a giant failure. Can anyone relate? Hope you listen and enjoy this.... and I hope it encourages you to hug the people you love in your life a little closer today. There's not enough time in life these days, but love is the most timeless thing there is. 

Gigi Levangie, BEEN THERE, MARRIED THAT

Gigi Levangie is the author of Been There, Married That, a funny take on a ruthless Hollywood divorce. She also wrote The Starter Wife and Maneater, which were both adapted into award-winning miniseries. She was a screenwriter for “Stepmom” starring Julia Roberts. Gigi and I talked about everything from marriage and divorce, LA vs. NY, the advice she gives friends on whether or not to stay in their marriages, and how to deal with divorce and blended families. Gigi is absolutely hilarious and finds the humor in just about everything. I loved every minute of it. 

Siena & Mark Siegel, TO DANCE

I chatted with husband-and-wife team, Siena Cherson Siegel (author) and Mark Siegel (illustrator) of the graphic novel TO DANCE. This autobiographical book chronicles a ten-year period of Siena’s life as she falls in love with ballet and moves to New York to train at the School of American Ballet. This inspiring couple shared what it was like to create together, the journey to merge their passions, and insights into the rise in popularity of the graphic novel. Mark Siegel should know - he's the author and illustrator of several book/graphic novels himself including Oskar and the Eight Blessings and is the founder and editorial director of First Second, an award-winning graphic novel imprint. Siena is a former dancer from Puerto Rico who trained at the School of American Ballet and later worked in their education department. Their unique story is inspiring, heartwarming and important!

Dan Peres, AS NEEDED FOR PAIN

Dan Peres is the author of As Needed For Pain: A Memoir of Addiction. This story explores Dan’s struggle with a massive addiction to opiates while working as editor-in-chief of Details magazine. Dan and I discussed hiding addiction in plain sight, his road to sobriety, the role of magic in his life, eating issues, fatherhood, the magazine world, and his path to recovery. 

Alice Berman, I EAT MEN LIKE AIR

Alice Berman is the author of the Audible Originals book I Eat Men Like Air. This murder mystery takes place as seven twentysomethings gather to celebrate their friend's upcoming wedding. I just could not stop listening! I loved chatting with Alice about her love of true crime, the importance of cultivating friendships with other authors and the process of bringing a story to life with Audible. Alice’s other work, Lost Boys and Technicolor Girls, is in development with ABC to become a series with Freeform. Plus Alice is a crucial member of my team as head of partnerships!