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'...
Jan 03, 2025•32 min•Season 23Ep. 3
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, an...
Jan 02, 2025•25 min•Season 23Ep. 2
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 ! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information....
Jan 01, 2025•28 min•Season 23Ep. 1
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: bi...
Dec 31, 2024•27 min•Season 22Ep. 51
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/4gN2nRs Share, rate, & review the podcast, and follow Zibby on Instagram @zibbyowens ! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information....
Dec 30, 2024•31 min•Season 22Ep. 50
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/3CtApZN Share, rate, & review the podcast, and follow Zibby on Instagram @zibbyowens ! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information....
Dec 27, 2024•27 min•Season 22Ep. 49
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/3mkaHyP Share, rate, & review the podcast, and follow Zibby on Instagram @zibbyowens ! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Dec 26, 2024•23 min•Season 22Ep. 48
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/41Qle6z Share, rate, & review the podcast, and follow Zibby on Instagram @zibbyowens ! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information....
Dec 25, 2024•30 min•Season 22Ep. 47
Natalie Portman shared her children's book, Fables, with Zibby. They spoke about motherhood, literature, and more! Purchase on Bookshop: bit.ly/3pQ6MP3 Share, rate, & review the podcast, and follow Zibby on Instagram @zibbyowens ! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Dec 24, 2024•25 min•Season 22Ep. 46
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/3r84wmG Share, rate, & review the podcast, and follow Zibby on Instagram @zibbyowens ! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information....
Dec 23, 2024•27 min•Season 22Ep. 45
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/3P4wjgn Share, rate, & review the podcast, and follow Zibby on Instagram @zibbyowens ! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information....
Dec 20, 2024•29 min•Season 22Ep. 44
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/4fqvMQx Share, rate, & review the podcast, and follow Zibby on Instagram @zibbyowens ! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information....
Dec 19, 2024•26 min•Season 22Ep. 43
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 t...
Dec 18, 2024•30 min•Season 22Ep. 42
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, ...
Dec 17, 2024•26 min•Season 22Ep. 41
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/3OIvWsp Share, rate, & review the podcast, and follow Zibby on Instagr...
Dec 16, 2024•35 min•Season 22Ep. 40
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...
Dec 13, 2024•24 min•Season 22Ep. 39
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 reflect...
Dec 12, 2024•23 min•Season 22Ep. 38
In this special episode (a live event at the Streicker Center attended by more than 350 people!), Zibby joins authors Annabelle Gurwitch, Nicola Kraus, Lihi Lapid, and Talia Carner to discuss ON BEING JEWISH NOW, the inspiring collection of personal essays reflecting on Jewish identity in the aftermath of October 7th that they all contributed to. From motherhood and immigration to antisemitism and rediscovering Jewish heritage and resilience, each contributor shares stories from their essays and...
Dec 11, 2024•55 min•Season 22Ep. 37
Zibby welcomes life coach, inspirational speaker, and host of the mega-hit podcast Abundant Ever After, Cathy Heller, to discuss her powerful and transformative new book, ABUNDANT EVER AFTER: Tools for Creating a Life of Prosperity and Ease. Cathy shares her spiritual journey—from facing antisemitism in college to exploring spirituality in Israel and integrating mindfulness and Jewish mysticism into her life. Then, she outlines actionable steps for building a life of joy, connection, fulfillment...
Dec 10, 2024•30 min•Season 22Ep. 36
In this special episode (a live event at Zibby’s Bookshop!), film editor and bestselling author Lauren Ling Brown discusses her haunting and atmospheric debut (and Reese’s Book Club Pick!), SOCIETY OF LIES, with writer and editor Halley Sutton. The two delve into the novel’s themes of sisterhood, secret societies, and the dark side of privilege at elite universities. Lauren reveals how her own experiences shaped her protagonist, who grapples with belonging and morality. She also shares her creat...
Dec 09, 2024•20 min
Zibby is joined by New York Times bestselling author Shannon Messenger to discuss UNRAVELED, the newest installment (book number 9.5!) of her stunning, imaginative, award-winning middle-grade series, KEEPER OF THE LOST CITIES. Shannon delves into her creative journey, explaining how a college broadcast writing class helped her shift from artist to writer. She also reflects on the perseverance it took to find and build her readership, crediting the support of teachers, librarians, and fans across...
Dec 06, 2024•27 min•Season 22Ep. 34
Zibby interviews debut romance author Nora Dahlia about PICK-UP, a witty and sweetly satisfying enemies-to-lovers rom-com set around school drop-off culture. Nora shares the inspiration behind her book—an amusing lack of salacious gossip at her kids’ school—and then delves into her novel’s deeper themes, from maintaining individuality as a mother to navigating life’s messy middle stage, where aging parents, growing children, and personal desires collide. Nora also shares her creative process and...
Dec 05, 2024•28 min•Season 22Ep. 33
Zibby chats with bestselling author Pip Drysdale about THE CLOSE-UP, a gripping, sultry, and ultimately shocking novel about a struggling author who discovers the dark side of fame when a stalker begins reenacting violent scenes from her thriller. Pip delves into her creative process and the intense research that went into this project. She also reflects on her global upbringing, heartbreaks, and journey from acting and songwriting to becoming an author. Finally, she shares valuable insight into...
Dec 04, 2024•26 min•Season 22Ep. 32
Zibby Books author alert! Megan Tady returns to the podcast to discuss BLUEBIRD DAY, a delightfully heartwarming tale of an estranged mother-daughter Olympic skiing duo who finally face the bumps in their relationship when an avalanche in a Swiss village forces them together. Megan describes the real-life avalanche that inspired the story and then shares the pressures and joys of writing about competitive female athletes, complex family dynamics, and the themes of identity and ambition. She also...
Dec 03, 2024•26 min•Season 22Ep. 31
#1 New York Times bestselling author Liane Moriarty returns to the podcast to discuss HERE ONE MOMENT, a riveting, terrifically crafted novel about free will, destiny, love, and death that begins with a mysterious woman walking down a plane aisle mid-flight pronouncing how and when her fellow passengers will die. Liane delves into the philosophical and emotional depth of her novel. Then, she shares how personal experiences, including her battle with breast cancer and the loss of her father, infl...
Dec 02, 2024•26 min•Season 22Ep. 30
#1 New York Times bestselling author Leigh Bardugo chats with Zibby about THE FAMILIAR, a spellbinding, lush, richly imagined novel set in the Spanish Golden Age that follows Lucia, a servant with miraculous abilities who becomes entangled in the political and religious turmoil of King Philip II’s court. Leigh discusses how this story, inspired by her own Sephardic Jewish heritage, weaves themes of ambition, identity, and survival. She also talks about her journey as a writer, from finding solac...
Nov 29, 2024•27 min•Season 22Ep. 29
Victoria Jackson joins Zibby to discuss WE ALL WORRY, NOW WHAT?, a seminal guide to rising from endless worry to a life of empowered action. Victoria shares her journey from Hollywood makeup artist to cosmetics mogul and, later, to medical advocate following her daughter's rare autoimmune diagnosis. Then, she delves into her tumultuous life experiences, from surviving a childhood rape to overcoming her cancer diagnosis, sharing the practical strategies that helped her transform her anxiety and p...
Nov 28, 2024•30 min•Season 22Ep. 28
Zibby interviews TV exec and debut author Nayantara Roy about THE MAGNIFICENT RUINS, a wise, witty, and deeply moving novel about a young Indian American editor who inherits her estranged family’s sprawling mansion in India—and their long-buried secrets. Nayantara reflects on her novel’s nine-year evolution, the challenges of cutting a 600-page draft, and the joy of crafting a story that bridges Brooklyn and Calcutta. She also shares what it was like to tackle generational trauma and cultural no...
Nov 27, 2024•21 min•Season 22Ep. 27
New York Times bestselling author Marisha Pessl chats with Zibby about DARKLY, a wildly smart, edge-of-your-seart psychological YA thriller about a mysterious board game creator whose legacy intrigues a young fan, Arcadia Gannon. She and six other teenagers win coveted internships at Darkly… and so the mystery begins. Marisha shares her love of board games, her North Carolina upbringing, and her fascination with legend vs. reality, all of which inspired this novel. She also touches on her early ...
Nov 26, 2024•21 min•Season 22Ep. 26
Zibby is joined by French writer, philosopher, filmmaker, and humanitarian activist Bernard-Henri Lévy to discuss ISRAEL ALONE, a powerful analysis of the global response to October 7, the new virulent waves of antisemitism, and why Israel is waging an existential war against barbarism alone. Bernard-Henri shares his experience traveling to Israel immediately after the 10/7 attacks, witnessing the aftermath, and drawing inspiration from the resilience of Israeli communities. He also delves into ...
Nov 25, 2024•24 min•Season 22Ep. 25
