Pulitzer Prize-winning investigative journalist and one of the very first authors on the podcast, Charles Duhigg, rejoins Zibby to discuss the New York Times bestseller SUPER COMMUNICATORS, a fascinating exploration of what makes conversations work, with stories, studies, and guidance that will transform the worst communicators into the very best. Charles explains what a super communicator is, emphasizing that it is not about charm or extroversion but rather a set of learnable skills—like asking...
May 15, 2024•29 min•Season 20Ep. 74
New York Times columnist, Pulitzer Prize winner, and bestselling author Nicholas D. Kristof joins Zibby to discuss his intimate and gripping new memoir, CHASING HOPE: A Reporter’s Life. Nick reveals how a brief stint in politics (running for governor of Oregon… and losing) unexpectedly gave him the gift of time, prompting this memoir. He shares anecdotes from his career in journalism, from editing the high school newspaper to reporting from conflict zones like Darfur. He discusses the challenges...
May 14, 2024•24 min•Season 20Ep. 73
Zibby welcomes Chantha Nguon to discuss SLOW NOODLES, a haunting and beautiful memoir about a Cambodian refugee who loses her country and family during Pol Pot’s genocide of the 1970s but finds hope by reclaiming the recipes she tasted in her mother’s kitchen. Chantha describes her experiences as a refugee, recounting the atrocities of the Khmer Rouge regime and the importance of preserving Cambodian culture, especially through food—from Namya fish soup to spicy green papaya pickles. She also sh...
May 13, 2024•14 min•Season 20Ep. 72
Zibby speaks to Sheila Yasmin Marikar about FRIENDS IN NAPA, an unputdownable dark comedy about six old friends who descend on Napa Valley for a luxurious weekend of fine wine and good times… until old tensions simmer to the surface, and one friend ends up dead. Sheila discusses her transition from journalism to fiction writing, her collaboration with Mindy Kaling’s Book Studio, the inspiration behind this White Lotus-esque satirical novel, and how she developed her fun cast of characters and se...
May 10, 2024•23 min•Season 20Ep. 71
New York Times bestselling author Allison Pataki joins Zibby (for the fourth time!!) to discuss FINDING MARGARET FULLER, a skillfully rendered and soul-stirring novel about the trailblazing 19th-century transcendentalist writer Margaret Fuller. Allison describes how Fuller remains relatively unknown today, despite her accomplishments: being the first woman to study at Harvard; writing foundational documents for the women’s rights movement; and being a central figure among renowned thinkers like ...
May 09, 2024•34 min•Season 20Ep. 70
Zibby is joined by Betty Cayouette, a former fashion videographer and the creator of the viral TikTok account Betty’s Book List, to discuss her sweet and heartfelt debut romance, ONE LAST SHOT. Betty delves into the plot and inspiration of her friends-to-lovers romance, which is set in Cinque Terre, Italy, and revolves around a supermodel and a photographer with a past marriage pact who meet again ten years later. She also describes her passion for reading (she read 160 books last year!) and wha...
May 08, 2024•25 min•Season 20Ep. 69
Tiffany Haddish (actor, producer, and the first Black female comedian to host Saturday Night Live !) joins Zibby to discuss her collection of humorous and heartfelt essays, I CURSE YOU WITH JOY. Tiffany reveals what readers can expect from this book: a rollercoaster of laughter and tears. She delves into her complex relationship with her father and opens up about her childhood trauma and subsequent healing, including a painful experience she chose to exclude from the book. She also shares her jo...
May 07, 2024•30 min•Season 20Ep. 68
In this special episode (an in-person recording), Zibby is joined by New York Times bestselling authors Noa Tishby, an actor and Israeli activist, and Emmanuel Acho, a sports analyst and former NFL linebacker, to discuss UNCOMFORTABLE CONVERSATIONS WITH A JEW. They share the impetus for this project and delve into the book's main topics: antisemitism; the Holocaust; power, money, and white privilege; Zionism and Israel; the Black and Jewish struggle; and even what is happening on college campuse...
May 06, 2024•29 min•Season 20Ep. 67
Zibby is joined by retired Canadian television host and passionate mental health advocate Sophie Grégoire Trudeau to discuss CLOSER TOGETHER, a deeply personal book that delves into the science behind brain health and our unique emotional signatures, while also providing tools for emotional leadership and self-awareness. Sophie reflects on her experiences with eating disorders, attachment theory, and processing emotions. She emphasizes the need for emotional connection in relationships and paren...
May 03, 2024•33 min•Season 20Ep. 66
In this special episode (a live recording at Zibby’s Asheville Retreat!!), Zibby interviews Pulitzer Prize-finalist Tommy Tomlinson about his new book, DOGLAND, and his previous memoir, THE ELEPHANT IN THE ROOM. First, Tommy shares insights into the connection between humans and dogs (through the lens of the Westminster Dog Show) and discusses themes of bonding and companionship. Then, he talks about his memoir, which tells the story of his life as an overweight man in America. He offers raw and...
May 02, 2024•29 min•Season 20Ep. 65
New York Times bestselling author Caroline Leavitt joins Zibby to discuss DAYS OF WONDER, a gripping drama about mothers and daughters, guilt and innocence, and the lengths we go for love. Caroline delves into her novel’s intricate storyline, which follows the afterlives of two young lovers torn apart by a crime, inspired by a real-life experience she had with a friend with a secretive past. She also discusses the themes of forgiveness, identity, and the search for truth. Finally, she shares per...
May 01, 2024•29 min•Season 20Ep. 64
Zibby interviews Pinky Cole, the founder of the wildly successful restaurant chain Slutty Vegan, about her honest and inspiring advice book, I HOPE YOU FAIL. Pinky shares the inspiration behind her unconventional guide, drawing from her own challenges and failures and her philosophy to view them as opportunities for growth. She opens up about her journey as an entrepreneur and overcoming countless obstacles (including lawsuits against her). She touches on the importance of friendship, resilience...
Apr 30, 2024•27 min•Season 20Ep. 63
Debut author Courtney Preiss joins Zibby to discuss WELCOME HOME, CAROLINE KLEIN, a warm, big-hearted, laugh-out-loud novel about a newly single young woman who reluctantly returns to her Jersey Shore hometown after her father has a bad fall—not to be his caretaker, but to replace him in his local men’s softball league. Courtney talks about her protagonist, Caroline, whose life unravels with the loss of her job, apartment, and boyfriend in rapid succession. She delves into themes of identity, lo...
Apr 25, 2024•22 min•Season 20Ep. 62
Zibby is joined by author Steve Almond to discuss his wonderfully wise, irreverent, and inspiring new book for writers, TRUTH IS THE ARROW, MERCY IS THE BOW. Steve touches on the technical aspects of storytelling (like plot and character development) and then delves into the roots of storytelling, inspiration, and the importance of confronting inner demons, vulnerabilities, and societal expectations in the writing process. He also shares anecdotes and advice for those experiencing writer’s block...
Apr 24, 2024•30 min•Season 20Ep. 61
Cartoonist and illustrator Denise Dorrance chats with Zibby about POLAR VORTEX, a poignant, heartbreaking, and darkly funny graphic memoir that perfectly captures the grief, nostalgia, and chaos of caring for an elderly, dementia-impaired parent in crisis. Denise recounts her experience of rushing back to Iowa from London to take care of her ailing mother and spending two chilling months with her—while a literal polar vortex loomed in the background. She also delves into the complexities of elde...
Apr 23, 2024•25 min•Season 20Ep. 60
Zibby chats with Korean American writer and comedian Suzanne Park about ONE LAST WORD, a smart and breezy romp brimming with pitch-perfect humor, endearing insights, and lovably relatable characters. They delve into the novel's plot, which revolves around a new app that lets you send messages to anyone you want after you die… and the craziness that ensues for the protagonist when someone with the same name dies and her messages get mistakenly released. They also discuss VC funding bias and workp...
Apr 18, 2024•27 min•Season 20Ep. 59
Author Lisa Grunwald joins Zibby to discuss THE EVOLUTION OF ANNABEL CRAIG, a sensitive and poignant novel about a young Southern woman who sets out on a journey of self-discovery after both her parents die, as the infamous 1925 Scopes Trial tests her faith and her marriage. Lisa delves into the significance of the Scopes “Monkey Trial” for her protagonist and for present-day society. She also touches on various aspects of writing historical fiction, from extensive research to authentic characte...
Apr 17, 2024•25 min•Season 20Ep. 58
Zibby speaks to author Lissa Soep about OTHER PEOPLE’S WORDS: Friendship, Loss, and the Conversations that Never End, an intimate, original, and profoundly generous look at the power of language to nurture our lives amid the wreckage of grief. Lisa shares the stories of her friends Christine and Jonnie, whose early and unexpected deaths deeply impacted her, and how she found solace in their words and memories. She and Zibby discuss the intricacies of friendship, the ways in which language keeps ...
Apr 16, 2024•27 min•Season 20Ep. 57
Award-winning author Nell Freudenberg joins Zibby to discuss THE LIMITS, a heart-wrenching and humane novel set in French Polynesia and New York City about three characters who undergo massive transformations when the pandemic hits. Nell reveals her fascination with the ocean and coral research (she even scuba-dived in Belize to authentically portray the underwater!) and then discusses her protagonist, a scientist torn between her love of science and her familial obligations. She also delves int...
Apr 11, 2024•21 min•Season 20Ep. 56
Zibby is joined by cooking school owner and author Jane Bertch to discuss THE FRENCH INGREDIENT, the inspiring and delicious memoir of an American woman navigating innumerable cultural differences to build a life in Paris and open her cooking school, La Cuisine Paris. Jane delves into the challenges of opening her business (and triumphing over French naysayers!) and navigating several other personal and professional obstacles while living abroad. She also discusses the importance of community, t...
Apr 10, 2024•24 min•Season 20Ep. 55
James Rhee, a high school teacher, Harvard Law graduate, private equity investor, and the unexpected Chairman and CEO of Ashley Stewart, joins Zibby to discuss RED HELICOPTER—A PARABLE FOR OUR TIMES: Lead Change With Kindness (Plus a Little Math), a brilliant business handbook that elevates kindness, joy, and goodwill. James shares what he learned from his Korean immigrant parents and from the black women he worked with. He reflects on the challenges faced by Ashley Stewart, weaving in themes of...
Apr 09, 2024•28 min•Season 20Ep. 54
Neely Tubati Alexander returns to the podcast, this time to discuss IN A NOT SO PERFECT WORLD, a delightful Carribbean-set romp about a quirky video-game designer and the hot next-door neighbor who invites her on a luxurious vacation… to pose as his new girlfriend. Neely talks about the romance genre (and all the fun tropes!), her creative process (and the challenges of crafting dialogue and picking the perfect word!), the evolving landscape of publishing, and the impact of TikTok on book sales....
Apr 07, 2024•23 min•Season 20Ep. 53
Great American novelist Julia Alvarez, bestselling author of HOW THE GARCÍA GIRLS LOST THEIR ACCENTS, joins Zibby to discuss her luminescent and lyrical new novel, THE CEMETERY OF UNTOLD STORIES. Julia describes her book as a journey through an older writer’s mind as she grapples with the end of her career and all the untold stories within her. She shares some of the inspirations behind the story—from her own ritual of burying manuscripts to the cultural influences of her Dominican heritage. She...
Apr 06, 2024•24 min•Season 20Ep. 52
Award-winning writer Carys Davies joins Zibby to discuss CLEAR, a stunning, exquisite novel about an impoverished Scottish minister who is dispatched to a remote island to “clear” the last remaining inhabitant… who has no intention of leaving. Carys reveals how a chance encounter with an extinct language dictionary ignited the spark for CLEAR over a decade ago and then discusses the profound impact of early photography, the extinction of the Norn language, and the socio-political landscape of 19...
Apr 05, 2024•19 min•Season 20Ep. 51
Bestselling author Jo Piazza chats with Zibby about The SICILIAN INHERITANCE, an utterly immersive, multigenerational mystery about a long-awaited trip to Sicily, a disputed inheritance, and a family secret that some will kill to protect. Jo talks about the real-life murder of her great-great-grandmother, Lorenza Marsala, which inspired this story, and then delves into her meticulous research process, from unraveling family secrets to immersing herself in Sicilian culture. She also talks about t...
Apr 04, 2024•30 min•Season 20Ep. 50
Award-winning actress Phillipa Soo (best known for the role of Eliza in HAMILTON) and her sister-in-law and co-author Maris Pasquale Doran join Zibby to discuss PIPER CHEN SINGS, an empowering and heartwarming children’s book about a girl who turns performance jitters into confidence when singing a solo at her school concert. Maris, who draws from her career in psychotherapy, and Phillipa talk about their own experiences with stage fright and anxiety and connect them to the book’s main topics: b...
Apr 03, 2024•29 min•Season 20Ep. 49
Zibby Books author alert!! Zibby speaks with debut author (and resident doctor!) Elle Evans about WEDDING ISSUES, a laugh-out-loud, feel-good story about a charismatic law student who is the maid of honor for two brides competing for the same magazine cover: her best friend and her cousin. Elle describes her unique path to writing and what it’s like to juggle it with a demanding medical career. Then, she reveals some of the inspiration behind this novel, touching on some of her wedding mishaps (...
Apr 02, 2024•28 min•Season 20Ep. 48
Zibby is joined by debut author (and Manager of Books at Reese’s Book Club!) Gretchen Schreiber to discuss ELLIE HAYCOCK IS TOTALLY NORMAL, a big-hearted novel best described as The Breakfast Club meets Five Feet Apart . Gretchen opens up about her medical journey and upbringing around Ronald McDonald Houses and then delves into her book's themes: navigating illness, family relationships, and the impact of social media on personal privacy. Finally, she talks about her exciting role at Reese’s Bo...
Apr 01, 2024•27 min•Season 20Ep. 47
Beloved writer, teacher, bibliophile, and Thurber Prize semifinalist Shannon Reed joins Zibby to talk about her whip-smart, hilarious collection, WHY WE READ: On Bookworms, Libraries, and Just One More Page Before Lights Out. Shannon describes her lifelong passion for reading, starting with her grandmother teaching her how to do it when she was just two. She also talks about the impact of her hearing impairment on her love of reading and the challenge of finding time to read (ha!). Finally, she ...
Mar 31, 2024•21 min•Season 20Ep. 46
Author Susan Lieu joins Zibby to discuss her stunning, devastating, and intimate memoir (and Zibby’s April Book Club Pick!), THE MANICURIST’S DAUGHTER. Susan describes her childhood as the daughter of Vietnamese refugees in California. Then she talks about her savvy and charismatic mother, who, after setting up two successful nail salons, died from a botched tummy tuck when Susan was only eleven. Susan describes her long journey to understand her mother's untimely, traumatizing death—from memory...
Mar 30, 2024•31 min•Season 20Ep. 45
