Zibby speaks with cookbook author June Hersh about ICONIC NEW YORK JEWISH FOOD (a culinary journey through New York’s most crave-worthy foods through the lens of the Jewish immigrant experience) and FOOD, HOPE & RESILIENCE (a vital collection of over 100 Holocaust survival stories and the recipes they shared). June describes the connections between food, history, memory, philanthropy, and Jewish heritage in her books, highlighting how food acts as an unbreakable bond between the past and the...
Oct 11, 2024•26 min•Season 21Ep. 94
Bestselling author Alice Hoffman joins Zibby to discuss WHEN WE FLEW AWAY, a stunning, lyrical, heartwrenching children’s book exploring the little-known details of Anne Frank’s life before she went into hiding. Alice shares how she combined meticulous historical research with imagined thoughts to fill in the gaps in Anne’s relationships, particularly focusing on themes of sisterhood and the mother-daughter dynamic. Alice also reflects on the enduring hope and resilience Anne Frank represented, ...
Oct 10, 2024•22 min•Season 21Ep. 93
Zibby Books author alert! Zibby welcomes debut author Sarah Sawyer to discuss THE UNDERCURRENT, a stunning, achingly beautiful, and gripping suspense about an overwhelmed new mother who becomes obsessed with the unsolved disappearance of a young girl from her small Texas hometown—and unearths her own family’s dark secret. Sarah shares how her own experiences, particularly watching her daughter struggle with a thyroid disorder, inspired her reflections on the transformations women experience. She...
Oct 09, 2024•26 min•Season 21Ep. 92
Acclaimed Haaretz reporter Lee Yaron joins Zibby to discuss 10/7: 100 Human Stories, a radically passionate work of investigative journalism of the October 7th attacks through the stories of its victims and the communities they called home. Lee talks about the survivors she interviewed, everyday people from a wide range of communities—from elderly Holocaust survivors and peace workers to Ukrainian refugees and Israeli Arabs. She also describes the weight of carrying these stories, the emotional ...
Oct 08, 2024•36 min•Season 21Ep. 91
On the anniversary of October 7th, Zibby joins forces with Rebecca Minkoff to introduce ON BEING JEWISH NOW: Reflections from Authors and Advocates , an inspiring collection of 75 personal essays about what it means to be Jewish in the aftermath of October 7th. In this powerful and emotional episode, 40 contributors share lines from their essays. All profits from this project will be donated to Artists Against Antisemitism, a group founded by Jewish authors to fight the spread of antisemitism. Y...
Oct 07, 2024•41 min•Season 21Ep. 90
Zibby interviews celebrated author (and veteran literary agent and editor) Betsy Lerner about SHRED SISTERS, her wry, intimate, riveting, and bittersweet debut novel about family, mental illness, and sisterhood. Betsy calls the novel a “love letter to loneliness” while reflecting on her own experiences in New York during her twenties. She shares other personal connections to this story, from the loss of her mother to her own bipolar diagnosis to her complex relationships with her sisters. At the...
Oct 03, 2024•29 min•Season 21Ep. 89
New York Times bestselling author Jean Hanff Korelitz joins Zibby to discuss THE SEQUEL, a deliciously fun, witty, and suspenseful read that gives readers an antihero to root for while illuminating and satirizing the world of publishing. Jean delves into her book’s meta elements, its dark humor, and how it plays off the success of her previous novel, THE PLOT. She also reflects on the quirks of the literary world, from book signings to writers’ residencies, and analyzes the motivations behind he...
Oct 02, 2024•25 min•Season 21Ep. 88
Zibby interviews Kenny G—the incomparable musician with the straight sax, the flowing hair, and some of the most memorable melodies in history—about his indelible, fascinating, upbeat, and funny memoir, LIFE IN THE KEY OF G. Kenny shares the creative process behind his audiobook (which incorporates live saxophone performances to enhance the listening experience) and then describes the challenges of capturing his true, authentic voice in writing. He also reflects on his rigorous daily routine, hi...
Oct 01, 2024•27 min•Season 21Ep. 87
Award-winning author Melody Maysonet joins Zibby to discuss WHAT WE WISH FOR, a poignant, heartbreaking YA novel centered on Layla, a 15-year-old girl who finds herself living in a homeless shelter with her alcoholic mother—and hides the truth from her friends. Melody, who is now 18 years in recovery, opens up about her own experience with alcoholism and reflects on how her struggles and triumphs helped shape Layla’s story. She also talks about the therapeutic writing process and the challenge o...
Sep 26, 2024•25 min•Season 21Ep. 86
Zibby interviews Pulitzer Prize-winning and New York Times bestselling author Richard Powers about his magisterial new novel, PLAYGROUND, where four lives come together on the French Polynesian island of Makatea, where plans are being made to send floating, autonomous cities out onto the open sea. Richard delves into his characters, including two Chicagoans, a northside white kid named Todd and a southside Black kid named Rafi, who have a decades-long friendship shaped by shared trauma, intellec...
Sep 25, 2024•30 min•Season 21Ep. 85
New York Times bestselling author Nicholas Sparks joins Zibby to discuss his uplifting, heart-tugging new book, COUNTING MIRACLES. Set in North Carolina, the story follows military man Tanner, who embarks on a healing journey and crosses paths with a single mom and an older man—both of whom will change his life. Nicholas shares how he blends multiple genres—romance, mystery, and elements of the supernatural—while exploring deeper themes of love, grief, and redemption. He also talks about the cha...
Sep 24, 2024•27 min•Season 21Ep. 84
Beloved actor Josh Gad (star of the animated hit movie FROZEN) joins Zibby to discuss PICTUREFACE LIZZY, a hilarious, energetic, and relatable picture book about a girl who won’t rest until she gets the latest cool toy: PictureFace Lizzy! Josh shares his unexpected writing journey—it all started during the pandemic when he read to kids on his social media platforms almost daily! He explains how his book addresses the impact of technology on children, particularly social media, and draws from per...
Sep 20, 2024•34 min•Season 21Ep. 83
Zibby interviews iconic trailblazer and legendary journalist Connie Chung about CONNIE, a witty, sharply written, scintillating memoir about her storied career as the first Asian woman to break into an overwhelmingly white, male-dominated TV news industry. Connie opens up about her family’s dramatic escape from war-torn China, her upbringing as a first-generation Chinese-American (and the youngest of 10 siblings!), and now, her role as caretaker. Then, she delves into her arduous, half-century c...
Sep 19, 2024•31 min•Season 21Ep. 82
#1 New York Times bestselling author Laura Dave chats with Zibby about THE NIGHT WE LOST HIM, a soulful, evocative, page-turning suspense about the mysterious death of Liam Noone, who falls off a cliff near his home, and the three estranged children from different marriages who come together to uncover the truth behind his death, unraveling a 50-year family secret. Laura shares the inspiration behind the characters and setting, including her fascination with neuroarchitecture and boutique hotels...
Sep 18, 2024•24 min•Season 21Ep. 81
Comedy writer Lynsday Rush (the poet behind @maryoliversdrunkcousin!) joins Zibby to discuss A BIT MUCH, her tender, smart, and utterly hilarious debut poetry collection—a joyful exploration of the female experience through big feelings and hard-won wisdom. Lyndsay shares how her Instagram poetry took off during COVID, leading to viral posts, a growing following, and eventually a book deal—all while pregnant! She and Zibby discuss some of their favorite poems, unpacking deeper themes of body ima...
Sep 17, 2024•28 min•Season 21Ep. 80
Leading expert and fierce advocate Dr. Karen Tang joins Zibby to discuss her inclusive and essential new resource, IT’S NOT HYSTERIA: Everything You Need to Know About Your Reproductive Health (but Were Never Told). Dr. Tang delves into the gaps in healthcare where women’s pain and concerns are often dismissed—which her book aims to address. She also reflects on her journey into gynecology, her passion for educating, and how she unexpectedly found fame on TikTok, where her videos debunking myths...
Sep 16, 2024•31 min•Season 21Ep. 79
Zibby chats with bestselling author, speaker, and astrologer Ophira Edut (one-half of the renowned, identical AstroTwins!) about THE ASTROLOGY ADVANTAGE, a delightful, illuminating, actionable guide to using astrology as a tool for personal and professional success. Ophira describes the I*AM Method she developed with her sister, which uses your birth chart to define your archetype in the workplace and in relationships: the innovator, the authority, and the maven. She also reflects on her career ...
Sep 13, 2024•29 min•Season 21Ep. 78
Zibby interviews author Jessica Elisheva Emerson about OLIVE DAYS, a stunning, smoldering debut novel about a young mother in an Orthodox Jewish community of LA whose quest for authenticity erupts in a passionate affair following a night of wife-swapping. Jessica delves into her novel’s theme of duty vs. desire and her protagonist's struggle with faith, intimacy, identity, and a crumbling marriage. She also shares her deep research into Orthodox Jewish customs, her writing process, and how curre...
Sep 12, 2024•27 min•Season 21Ep. 77
Actor, director, and writer Edward Burns joins Zibby to discuss A KID FROM MARLBORO ROAD, a poignant, bittersweet coming-of-age story set in the summer of 1980 about a boy on the cusp of adolescence navigating his parents’ troubled marriage, his mother’s depression, and the need to assert his independence while remaining close to her. Edward reveals that the story was inspired by his childhood memories, which he reminisced about with his mom during the pandemic, and then delves into the novel's ...
Sep 11, 2024•30 min•Season 21Ep. 76
Zibby Books author alert! Zibby welcomes Ava Dellaira to discuss her powerful and provocative new novel, EXPOSURE. Ava delves into her protagonists, Noah, a Black high school senior, and Juliette, a white college freshman, who go home together after a night of drinking. Twelve years later, Juliette’s best friend Annie accuses Noah of raping Juliette—and the story breaks into multiple viewpoints and timelines, exploring themes of race, artistic ambition, grief, and the co-existence of conflicting...
Sep 10, 2024•29 min•Season 21Ep. 75
Zibby speaks with award-winning author Rebecca Sanford about her heart-wrenching new drama, THE DISAPPEARED. Rebecca shares that the novel, a dual-timeline work of historical fiction, revolves around the 1970s Argentine military dictatorship and is inspired by the real-life "Grandmothers of the Plaza de Mayo," who searched for their missing children and grandchildren. Rebecca shares how her graduate studies in international relations led her to this dark period in history and reflects on the emo...
Sep 09, 2024•22 min•Season 21Ep. 74
Zibby interviews psychology professor Dr. Tovah Klein about her accessible, wise, and compassionate new guide, RAISING RESILIENCE: How to Help Our Children Thrive in Times of Uncertainty. Dr. Klein explains how the pandemic reignited a desire to help parents navigate uncertainty, whether daily stressors or large-scale crises. She shares practical strategies from her book, from self-talk for stressed parents to sharing difficult truths in age-appropriate ways. Resilience, she notes, is built over...
Sep 06, 2024•28 min•Season 21Ep. 73
Screenwriter, TV producer, and New York Times bestselling author Attica Locke chats with Zibby about GUIDE ME HOME, the stunning culmination of the award-winning Highway 59 trilogy, where Detective Darren comes out of retirement to investigate the case of a missing black college student from an all-white sorority. Attica reflects on her protagonist, Darren Matthews, a conflicted Black Texas Ranger, and his complicated relationship with his mother. She also talks about how her novels explore crim...
Sep 05, 2024•27 min•Season 21Ep. 72
Zibby welcomes picture book author Josh Funk to discuss his popular series, Lady Pancake & Sir French Toast, with a special focus on the latest adventure, ATTACK OF THE SCONES. Josh shares the inspiration behind the series, which started as a simple story for his kids and evolved into a whimsical, action-packed world where breakfast foods have grand adventures. He explains how each book in the series tackles a different "fridge problem" and discusses the creative process behind the books, in...
Sep 04, 2024•30 min•Season 21Ep. 71
Zibby welcomes back award-winning author Chelsea Bieker to discuss MADWOMAN, a brilliant, urgent, heart-smashing, darkly comic, and absolutely unforgettable novel about motherhood, memory, generational violence, and the menace of an untold past. Chelsea shares the inspiration behind the book, which she wrote during the pandemic as she started to confront her own past. She delves into the intensity of motherhood, the societal pressures that mothers face, and the lengths women go to save themselve...
Sep 03, 2024•28 min•Season 21Ep. 70
British journalist and internationally bestselling author Helen Russell returns to the podcast to discuss THE DANISH SECRET TO HAPPY KIDS, a refreshingly funny, witty, and heart-warming roadmap to raising kids the Viking way—and helping them be happier, healthier, and more independent. Helen shares the experience of moving from London to Denmark, initially just for a year and before she had children, and discovering the unique parenting methods that prioritize unstructured play, spending time in...
Sep 02, 2024•22 min•Season 21Ep. 69
Award-winning journalist Bianca Bosker joins Zibby to discuss her instant New York Times bestseller, GET THE PICTURE, a gripping, hilarious, and gorgeously written exploration of the art world. Bianca delves into her journey through that world—from working as a security guard in a museum to selling art at high-profile galleries. She describes immersing herself in the lives of artists, gallerists, collectors, curators, and art dealers, which led to a book that is part user guide to the hidden log...
Aug 30, 2024•26 min•Season 21Ep. 68
Zibby chats with bestselling author Sara Goodman Confino about BEHIND EVERY GOOD MAN, a deliciously entertaining 1960s political rom-com about a DC suburban wife who catches her husband cheating with his secretary… and decides to run the political campaign of his (very handsome) opponent in a Senate race. Sarah highlights the research and her personal connections to the novel, including insights from her elderly relatives who vividly remember the era. She also reflects on the evolution of her ch...
Aug 29, 2024•29 min•Season 21Ep. 67
In this bonus episode (a live event at the Nantucket Atheneum!), beloved #1 New York Times bestselling author Elin Hilderbrand interviews Zibby about her bestselling debut novel BLANK. Zibby describes her journey in the literary world, from this podcast’s humble beginnings to breaking into publishing and opening a bookstore—always with a desire to treat authors like rockstars. She also delves into her trajectory as a writer, reflecting on the rejections she faced at the beginning, the personal l...
Aug 28, 2024•42 min•Season 21Ep. 66
Zibby interviews renowned rock climber Beth Rodden about A LIGHT THROUGH THE CRACKS, an intense, breathtaking memoir about Beth's harrowing experience of being kidnapped at twenty years old on a climbing excursion in Kyrgyzstan, her journey through trauma, and her transformation into motherhood. Beth describes the challenge of revisiting her worst memories and shares how climbing helped her cope with the physical and mental trauma. She and Zibby also explore her relationship with fear, her recov...
Aug 28, 2024•22 min•Season 21Ep. 65
