Moms Don’t Have Time to Read Books
1,871 episodes - English - Latest episode: 27 days ago - ★★★★★ - 422 ratingsMoms Don’t Have Time to Read Books is the award-winning, daily, author interview podcast hosted by author, bookstore owner, publishing house CEO and "NYC's Most Powerful Book-fluencer" (Vulture) Zibby Owens. Zibby's recent novel Blank is a USA Today bestseller.
Zibby has interviewed 1,700+ of today's bestselling and debut authors, plus celebrities like actors, chefs, athletes, politicians, business leaders, and more. With her trademark wit, disarming style, warm demeanor, and that certain something that gets everyone to open up to her, Zibby really learns about her guests. And so will you! Looking for a past episode? Head to Zibby Media for transcripts and links!
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Episodes
Tia Williams, A LOVE SONG FOR RICKI WILDE
February 12, 2024 05:00 - 20 minutes - 28.3 MBZibby speaks with New York Times bestselling author Tia Williams about A LOVE SONG FOR RICKI WILDE, an enchanting, modern-day fairy tale set in Harlem, featuring a free-spirited florist and an enigmatic musician who are irreversibly linked through history, art, and magic. Tia reveals how the initial spark of inspiration struck her during a sleepless night and then delves into her creative process. She also discusses her novel’s themes of following one’s dreams and pursuing creative passions ...
Uché Blackstock, LEGACY: A Black Physician Reckons with Racism in Medicine
February 11, 2024 05:00 - 20 minutes - 27.7 MBZibby welcomes doctor and New York Times bestselling author Uché Blackstock to discuss LEGACY: A Black Physician Reckons with Racism in Medicine, a searing indictment of our healthcare system, a generational family memoir, and an urgent call to action. Uché shares stories of her upbringing, her mother’s influence, and her experiences as a Black woman navigating the medical field. She and Zibby delve into the topics of culturally responsive care, racial health disparities, and the impact of h...
Jennifer Weiner, THE BIGFOOT QUEEN
February 10, 2024 05:00 - 28 minutes - 39.6 MB#1 New York Times bestselling author Jennifer Weiner returns to the podcast to discuss THE BIGFOOT QUEEN, her charming middle-grade trilogy about friendship, adventure, and celebrating your true self. Jennifer reveals the project's origins and then describes her approach to crafting a story that resonates with young readers while addressing deeper societal issues. She delves into the complexities of adolescence, identity, authenticity, and relationships. Then, she gives us a glimpse of her u...
Elba Iris Pérez, THE THINGS WE DIDN'T KNOW
February 09, 2024 05:00 - 21 minutes - 29.3 MBDebut novelist Elba Iris Pérez joins Zibby to discuss THE THINGS WE DIDN’T KNOW, a lyrical and heartfelt coming-of-age story of a young girl’s childhood between 1950s Puerto Rico and a small Massachusetts factory town. Elba shares her inspiration for this novel, touching on the importance of cross-cultural narratives and the challenges of navigating multiple identities. She also discusses her rich cast of characters and the novel’s portrayal of familial relationships, mental illness, cultura...
Jenny Hollander, EVERYONE WHO CAN FORGIVE ME IS DEAD
February 08, 2024 05:00 - 24 minutes - 33.3 MBZibby interviews debut author Jenny Hollander about EVERYONE WHO CAN FORGIVE ME IS DEAD, a relentlessly twisty and bitingly sharp thriller (with smart, dark humor, long-buried secrets, and a chilling mystery) about a woman who is haunted by a harrowing event she witnessed at journalism school. Jenny delves into the themes of trauma, identity, and the media’s exploitation of the tragedy explored in the book. She also touches on her own experiences (as a British expat in NYC and as someone who...
Sagit Schwartz, SINCE SHE'S BEEN GONE
February 07, 2024 05:00 - 28 minutes - 39 MBZibby speaks to debut author and psychotherapist Sagit Schwartz about SINCE SHE’S BEEN GONE, an intense, masterfully plotted thriller about a clinical psychologist who is racing to uncover the truth about her mother’s death while struggling with her mental health. Sagit reflects on the emotional journey of writing this book, which is dedicated to her late mother, who passed away from cancer. She also shares her connection to the book’s focus on eating disorders and then discusses the themes ...
Kristin Hannah, THE WOMEN
February 06, 2024 05:00 - 27 minutes - 38.1 MB#1 New York Times bestselling author Kristin Hannah joins Zibby to discuss THE WOMEN, a novel of searing insight and lyric beauty about a young nurse whose life is changed by the Vietnam War. Kristin dives into the nuances of writing and publishing, touching on the impact of social media and the industry's unpredictability. Then, she discusses her newest novel, touching on the personal significance of the story, the extensive research that went into its creation, and the themes of love, loss...
Meg Kissinger, WHILE YOU WERE OUT: An Intimate Family Portrait of Mental Illness in an Era of Silence
February 05, 2024 05:00 - 25 minutes - 34.5 MBAward-winning journalist Meg Kissinger joins Zibby to discuss WHILE YOU WERE OUT, a searing and deeply personal memoir of a family besieged by mental illness, the systems that failed them, and the love that sustained them. Meg shares what it was like to grow up in a large family that was marked by joy but overshadowed by severe mental illness, including the tragic loss of two siblings to suicide. She also delves into the complexities of navigating the mental health system, grappling with que...
Elyssa Maxx Goodman, GLITTER AND CONCRETE: A Cultural History of Drag in New York City
February 04, 2024 05:00 - 21 minutes - 28.9 MBZibby speaks to journalist and drag historian Elyssa Maxx Goodman about GLITTER AND CONCRETE, an intimate, evocative history of drag in New York City with original interviews and glamorous color photos. Elyssa, inspired to write this book after the passing of the renowned drag queen Flawless Sabrina, describes her determination to preserve stories of drag artists for future generations. She and Zibby discuss the rich history of drag in NYC, its influence on American culture, and the importan...
Chris Cander, THE YOUNG OF OTHER ANIMALS
February 03, 2024 05:00 - 27 minutes - 38 MBZibby welcomes bestselling author and repeat MDHTTRB author Chris Cander to discuss THE YOUNG OF OTHER ANIMALS, a deeply suspenseful and profoundly moving novel about the dark secrets and the shared trauma that threaten to destroy an already shaky bond between a mother and a daughter. Chris describes her own experience of a violent attack in Spain at the age of nineteen and reflects on the process of fictionalizing her trauma for this novel. She and Zibby also discuss the novel’s narrative s...
Molly Roden Winter, MORE: A Memoir of Open Marriage
February 02, 2024 05:00 - 27 minutes - 37.8 MBZibby is joined by debut author Molly Roden Winter to discuss MORE, an electric, intimate, and unputdownable memoir of love, desire, motherhood, and self-fulfillment that follows a happily married mother as she explores sex and relationships outside her marriage. Molly describes the intimate details of her unconventional journey into an open marriage and then delves into how she has grappled with societal expectations and judgments, family commitments, personal desires, and honoring her most...
Alex Michaelides, THE FURY
February 01, 2024 05:00 - 20 minutes - 27.6 MB#1 New York Times bestselling author Alex Michaelides joins Zibby to discuss THE FURY, a masterfully paced thriller about a reclusive ex-movie star and her famous friends whose spontaneous trip to a private Greek island is upended by a murder. Alex and Zibby delve into the creative process behind this novel, including its unique narrative structure, the balance between structure and spontaneity, and the inspiration drawn from Greek mythology and Alex’s upbringing in Cyprus. He also describes...
Erica Keswin, THE RETENTION REVOLUTION: 7 Surprising (and Very Human!) Ways to Keep Employees Connected to Your Company
January 31, 2024 05:00 - 22 minutes - 31.2 MBZibby is joined by author and business strategist Erica Keswin to discuss THE RETENTION REVOLUTION, a game-changing playbook for businesses that rethinks the workplace and puts relationships at the center of it all. Erica describes what led her to a career in workplace strategy, and then delves into the importance of rituals, community, intentionality, and human connection in the workplace. She and Zibby also discuss worker retention strategies and the importance of genuine care in company l...
Donna Hemans, THE HOUSE OF PLAIN TRUTH: A Novel
January 30, 2024 05:00 - 25 minutes - 35 MBZibby Books author alert!! Zibby interviews award-winning author and repeat MDHTTRB guest Donna Hemans about THE HOUSE OF PLAIN TRUTH, a lush, evocative story about a fractured Jamaican family, a tapestry of family secrets that has been buried for decades, and a daughter determined to reclaim her home. Donna shares the personal history that inspired her novel—it involves her own family’s migration from Jamaica to Cuba and eventually to the United States. She also delves into her book's theme...
Dr. Edith Shiro, THE UNEXPECTED GIFT OF TRAUMA: The Path to Posttraumatic Growth
January 29, 2024 05:00 - 25 minutes - 34.5 MBZibby welcomes renowned clinical psychologist Dr. Edith Shiro to discuss THE UNEXPECTED GIFT OF TRAUMA, a powerful, groundbreaking book that offers a five-stage framework for posttraumatic resilience, healing, and growth. Inspired by her grandparents, who were refugees and Holocaust survivors, Dr. Shiro discusses intergenerational trauma and multicultural experiences. She also describes her roadmap for navigating trauma, the transformative power of community support, and the importance of co...
Bess Kalb, BUFFALO FLUFFALO
January 28, 2024 05:00 - 23 minutes - 32.3 MBEmmy-nominated comedy writer Bess Kalb joins Zibby to discuss BUFFALO FLUFFALO, a delightful picture book about a silly buffalo who tries to fluff his way into being bigger than he really is. Inspired by her experiences as a mother and wanting to create something that resonates with her son, Bess wrote the book to encourage self-acceptance and make children laugh (oh, and to dismantle toxic masculinity as well!). She also talks about the role of comedy in her life and the adaptation of her a...
Ross Gay, THE BOOK OF (MORE) DELIGHTS: Essays
January 27, 2024 05:00 - 14 minutes - 20 MBZibby speaks to New York Times bestselling author Ross Gay about THE BOOK OF MORE DELIGHTS, a charming collection of miniature essays as quirky, engaging, and wryly humorous as his previous book of delights. Ross describes how his project of writing an essay every day for a year about things that delight him has evolved, and then he and Zibby chat about the joy found in daily assignments and the significance of the writing process in understanding questions about sorrow and joy. Finally, Ros...
Susannah Breslin, DATA BABY: My Life in a Psychological Experiment
January 26, 2024 05:00 - 24 minutes - 33 MBZibby welcomes journalist Susannah Breslin to discuss DATA BABY, a provocative and poignant memoir about her experiences as a “lab rat” in a lifelong psychological study and her pursuit to reclaim autonomy as an adult. Susannah describes the preschool experiment her parents enrolled her in, which followed over 120 kids for thirty years, aiming to predict their future based on early childhood observations. She reflects on her awareness of the study and her views on the stability of personalit...
Megan Nix, REMEDIES FOR SORROW: An Extraordinary Child, a Secret Kept from Pregnant Women, and a Mother's Pursuit of the Truth
January 25, 2024 05:00 - 26 minutes - 36.7 MBWriter Megan Nix joins Zibby to discuss REMEDIES FOR SORROW, a compulsively readable memoir and urgent call to action about a hidden risk to pregnant women: the congenital cytomegalovirus. Megan shares the story of discovering her daughter’s microcephaly at thirty-six weeks pregnant, and the subsequent challenges of raising a baby with CMV (against the dramatic landscape of Sitka, Alaska, where her husband is a salmon fisherman). The conversation delves into her advocacy work, the lack of aw...
Dr. Aliza Pressman, THE 5 PRINCIPLES OF PARENTING: Your Essential Guide to Raising Good Humans
January 24, 2024 05:00 - 27 minutes - 38.4 MBZibby speaks to psychologist, podcaster, and her friend (!!), Dr. Aliza Pressman, about THE 5 PRINCIPLES OF PARENTING, a powerful, data-backed parenting guide that is brimming with warmth and wisdom. Aliza elaborates on the five essential principles she distilled from decades of research (relationship, reflection, regulation, rules, and repair), emphasizing the importance of self-compassion and letting go of being the perfect parent. She provides fascinating insights into the science behind ...
Laurie Frankel, FAMILY FAMILY
January 23, 2024 05:00 - 27 minutes - 37.6 MBZibby speaks to New York Times bestselling author Laurie Frankel about FAMILY FAMILY, a propulsive, funny, and strikingly tender novel about a famous actress and adoptive mother who finds herself in trouble when she criticizes the new movie she’s in.. because of its negative portrayal of adoption. Laurie explains why she is motivated to challenge prevailing adoption narratives and why it is so important to represent all kinds of adoptive families. She and Zibby also talk about the book's soc...
Allison Holker Boss, KEEP DANCING THROUGH: A Boss Family Groove
January 22, 2024 05:00 - 24 minutes - 33.3 MBZibby is joined by celebrity dancer and TV personality Allison Holker Boss to discuss her and her late husband Stephen “tWitch” Boss’s first picture book, KEEP DANCING THROUGH, a heartfelt celebration of family and positive affirmation. Allison emphasizes the importance of affirmations in her family and then delves into her decision to release this book during an incredibly difficult time, pointing out how proud her husband would be. She and Zibby reflect on resilience and the challenge of g...
Jessica Saunders, LOVE, ME
January 21, 2024 05:00 - 29 minutes - 40.7 MBDebut author Jessica Saunders joins Zibby to discuss LOVE, ME, a deliciously readable second-chance romance about Rachel Miller, a lawyer and married mom of two, whose life takes an unexpected turn when letters and photos of her and her high school boyfriend, now a famous actor, are published in a tabloid. Jessica reveals that the inspiration for this story came from a family member whose ex married someone famous. She also talks about her own background as a lawyer and her writing journey, ...
Stefanie Wilder-Taylor, DRUNK-ISH: A Memoir of Loving and Leaving Alcohol
January 20, 2024 05:00 - 36 minutes - 50.7 MBStefanie Wilder-Taylor, author, TV personality, and co-host of the popular podcast For Crying Out Loud, speaks to Zibby about DRUNK-ISH, the hilariously candid and refreshingly honest account of her break-up with alcohol. Stefanie shares what it was like to quit drinking fourteen years ago, after the shock of putting her family in danger and immediately reevaluating her relationship with alcohol. She also talks about mommy wine culture, the use of humor in her writing as a way to navigate un...
Jacqueline Alnes, THE FRUIT CURE: The Story of Extreme Wellness Turned Sour
January 19, 2024 05:00 - 30 minutes - 41.8 MBZibby is joined by writer and runner Jacqueline Alnes to discuss THE FRUIT CURE, a spellbinding and unforgettable journey through the world of fruitarianism and a powerful critique of our healthcare system and wellness culture. Jacqueline shares her college experience as a Division One runner and the abrupt onset of mysterious neurological symptoms that led her to explore unconventional wellness practices. She talks about her fascination with fruitarianism (have you heard of the 30 bananas a...
Michele Norris, OUR HIDDEN CONVERSATIONS: What Americans Really Think about Race and Identity
January 18, 2024 05:00 - 34 minutes - 47.8 MBPeabody Award-winning journalist Michele Norris joins Zibby to discuss OUR HIDDEN CONVERSATIONS, a transformative, candid, and unsettling book on race and identity in America, unearthed through her decade-long work at The Race Card Project, which asks people to distill their thoughts on race in just six words. Michele describes her book's unique, scrapbook-like feel (it has stories, essays, and photographs collected over three decades) and then explains how the six-word stories are just a st...
Jamie Lee Curtis, JUST ONE MORE SLEEP: All Good Things Come to Those Who Wait . . . and Wait . . . and Wait
January 17, 2024 05:00 - 29 minutes - 40.7 MBZibby interviews award-winning actress, New York Times bestselling author, and repeat MDHTTRB guest Jamie Lee Curtis about JUST ONE MORE SLEEP, an endearing picture book with bold and humorous artwork that explains why waiting can be wonderful—and can give you a reason to cheer all year round. Jamie talks about the significance of celebrations in the lives of children (and her own) and then reveals where this story came from (it involves the pandemic, her 5-year-old neighbor Betty, and a lot...
Lea Carpenter, ILIUM
January 16, 2024 05:00 - 36 minutes - 50.8 MBZibby welcomes back her very first MDHTTRB guest, Lea Carpenter, this time to discuss ILIUM, the spellbinding and unexpectedly poignant espionage story of a high-stakes CIA operation and the young woman who unwittingly becomes the perfect asset to complete it. Lea reveals where her title came from, and then discusses the fascinating aspects of her book, from espionage techniques and the complexities of “forever wars” to the theme of love. She also shares insights into her writing style, the ...
Sophie Cousens, THE GOOD PART
January 15, 2024 05:00 - 24 minutes - 34 MBZibby speaks to author Sophie Cousens about THE GOOD PART, an enchanting and moving modern-day 13 Going on 30 that Zibby “inhaled in two days.” Sophie delves into the inspiration behind this novel, which follows Lucy, a 26-year-old who, after making a wish, wakes up 16 years into the future—successful, married, and with children. She and Zibby discuss the themes of loneliness, female friendships, and growing up. Then, Sophie provides a glimpse into her writing process and shares what it was ...
Whitney Hanson, HARMONY
January 14, 2024 05:00 - 20 minutes - 28.6 MBGuest host Alisha Fernandez Miranda welcomes TikTok phenomenon Whitney Hanson to discuss HARMONY, an exquisite poetry collection that chronicles the loss of a loved one and the progression of grief and healing through the lens of music. Whitney describes her transition from writing music to poetry and then shares how losing her best friend at sixteen inspired this collection. She also talks about her social media journey, her goal of making poetry accessible to younger readers, her emotional...
Jonathan Conyers, I WASN'T SUPPOSED TO BE HERE: Finding My Voice, Finding My People, Finding My Way
January 13, 2024 05:00 - 30 minutes - 42.2 MBZibby speaks to Jonathan Conyers about I WASN’T SUPPOSED TO BE HERE, a courageous and heartwarming memoir about the unique cast of characters who made up his village and helped him rise from poverty, dysfunction, and the tyranny of low expectations. Jonathan opens up about his life trajectory, emphasizes the importance of building a supportive community, and expresses gratitude to those who played a pivotal role in his life. He also talks about his dedication to breaking stereotypes, the emo...
Tamika Christy, ROUX
January 12, 2024 05:00 - 21 minutes - 29.3 MBIn this special episode of the podcast (a live event at Zibby’s Bookshop!), Gabi Conti interviews award-winning author Tamika Christy about ROUX, a stunning and challenging novel about three generations of an African American family, and the traumas, secrets, and battles they endure. Tamika discusses her book’s themes, from family dynamics to healing, and then describes her writing process, mainly focusing on character development and maintaining authenticity. After sharing her thoughts on p...
Emma Noyes, GUY'S GIRL
January 11, 2024 05:00 - 26 minutes - 36.2 MBZibby welcomes Emma Noyes to discuss her adult debut, GUY’S GIRL, a raw and beautifully written story about twenty-somethings Ginny and Adrian as they navigate adulthood and an intoxicating, unexpected love, set against the backdrop of Ginny’s recovery from anorexia and bulimia while navigating life in New York City. Emma opens up about her personal experience with OCD and eating disorders, revealing that her own recovery inspired her novel. She and Zibby discuss the themes of friendship dyn...
Maria Hummel, GOLDENSEAL
January 10, 2024 05:00 - 20 minutes - 28.7 MBMaria Hummel joins Zibby to discuss GOLDENSEAL, an utterly inventive novel that burns with atmosphere, mystery, and resentment, as two estranged friends reunite to confront each other. Maria provides insights into her inspiration for the novel (it involves LA's art and hotel culture) and then discusses the themes she enjoyed exploring: aging, loneliness, friendship, and the impact of historical events. She also talks about her creative process, the emotional toll of writing about characters ...
Julie Chavez, EVERYONE BUT MYSELF: A Memoir
January 09, 2024 05:00 - 31 minutes - 42.9 MBZibby Books author alert!! Zibby interviews debut author Julie Chavez about EVERYONE BUT MYSELF, a fresh, tender-hearted, and bitingly funny memoir about a mother who is spread thin by the demands of modern family… and then, little by little, learns to put herself first. Julie describes her exciting journey to becoming a Zibby Books author and then shares her experiences navigating severe anxiety and depression, revealing how the pressure to be a good mother, wife, and professional made her ...
James Patterson, HOLMES, MARPLE & POE + WHAT REALLY HAPPENS IN VEGAS: True Stories of the People Who Make Vegas, Vegas + THE SECRET LIVES OF BOOKSELLERS AND LIBRARIANS: Their Stories Are Better Than the Bestsellers
January 08, 2024 05:00 - 24 minutes - 34 MBLiterary giant James Patterson joins Zibby (again!) to discuss three of his recent publications: two nonfiction books, THE SECRET LIVES OF BOOKSELLERS AND LIBRARIANS and WHAT REALLY HAPPENS IN VEGAS, and an unputdownable thriller, HOLMES, MARPLE, AND POE. James shares his admiration for booksellers and librarians, highlighting their sense of humor and their bravery in a time of book banning and violent incidents. He recounts anecdotes from all the interviews he conducted (including insights ...
Katherine Vaz, ABOVE THE SALT
January 07, 2024 05:00 - 25 minutes - 34.7 MBZibby welcomes Portuguese-American author Katherine Vaz to discuss ABOVE THE SALT, an irresistible and sweeping love story that follows two Portuguese refugees who flee religious violence and reignite their budding romance in Civil War America. Katherine shares the fascinating backstory of her novel, which is based on the true story of religious persecution in Portugal’s Madeira island, and then delves into her writing process and the importance of balancing poetic language with a compelling...
Nikki Vargas, CALL YOU WHEN I LAND: A Memoir
January 06, 2024 05:00 - 28 minutes - 39.4 MBZibby speaks to Colombian immigrant and travel journalist Nikki Vargas about her soul-stirring travel memoir, CALL YOU WHEN I LAND, which whisks readers through the countries that brought her self-discovery, new love, and the inspiration to launch the first international feminist travel magazine, Unearth Women. Nikki reveals the beginning of her journey (as a runaway bride, screaming into the jungles of Argentina) and then describes her path to travel writing and the unique 3-part structure ...
Rachel Renée Russell, DORK DIARIES 15: Tales from a Not-So-Posh Paris Adventure
January 05, 2024 05:00 - 28 minutes - 38.6 MBZibby interviews Rachel Renée Russell, the #1 New York Times bestselling author of DORK DIARIES, and Nikki Russell, her daughter and illustrator. Rachel and Nikki reveal the inspiration behind their latest book, DORK DIARIES 15: Tales from a Not-So-Posh Paris Adventure (it involves a pandemic-impacted trip…), and then discuss their creative process, the enduring popularity of their characters, the unexpected success of the franchise, and the positive impact they’ve had on young readers. Ulti...
Jamie Varon, MAIN CHARACTER ENERGY
January 04, 2024 05:00 - 29 minutes - 40.3 MBDebut novelist Jamie Varon joins Zibby to discuss her dazzling, heart-warming, and smartly crafted rom-com, MAIN CHARACTER ENERGY. Jamie talks about her protagonist, Poppy, who is an aspiring novelist. When her beloved aunt dies, she leaves Poppy a trip to a stunning villa (and secretive writers’ residency) in the French Riviera and a challenge to finish her novel in six months. Poppy has to confront her writer’s block, family drama, complicated romances, and self-doubt. Jamie also describes...
Miriam Landis, LAUREN IN THE LIMELIGHT
January 03, 2024 05:00 - 27 minutes - 38.1 MBZibby welcomes professional ballerina and faculty member at the Pacific Northwest Ballet, Miriam Landis, to discuss LAUREN IN THE LIMELIGHT, a heart-warming middle-grade novel that revolves around three young dancers in a small-town ballet school in Mercer Island as they navigate the challenges of ballet, including the significant milestone of going on pointe. Miriam shares insights into her writing process during the pandemic, her decision to start her own publishing house, Rhododendron Pre...
John Sargent, TURNING PAGES: The Adventures and Misadventures of a Publisher
January 02, 2024 05:00 - 30 minutes - 41.9 MBZibby interviews forty-year publishing veteran John Sargent about his addictively entertaining and profoundly moving new memoir, TURNING PAGES: The Adventures and Misadventures of a Publisher. John talks about the inspiration behind this memoir (it involves a great-grandfather who wrote a very similar book) and his initial hesitation to infuse personal details into the narrative. He and Zibby also discuss the unpredictability of the publishing industry, the impact of trends and publicity, an...
Angela Brown, OLIVIA STRAUSS IS RUNNING OUT OF TIME
January 01, 2024 05:00 - 30 minutes - 42.4 MBZibby’s Book Club alert! Debut author Angela Brown joins Zibby to discuss OLIVIA STRAUSS IS RUNNING OUT OF TIME, a bighearted and dazzling comedy of errors about an everyday suburban mom on the verge of turning 40… and what happens when her best friend takes her to a trendy wellness clinic with a state-of-the-art genetic test that can predict the exact date of one’s death! Angela talks about the inspiration behind the story, her exploration of middle age (which, Zibby says, needs a rebrand!)...
Natalie Franke, GUTSY: Learning to Live with Bold, Brave, and Boundless Courage
December 31, 2023 05:00 - 29 minutes - 40.5 MBZibby interviews author and entrepreneur Natalie Franke about her refreshing, encouraging, and practical guidebook, GUTSY: Learning to Live with Bold, Brave, and Boundless Courage. Natalie addresses the ingrained habit of downplaying achievements (using words like “just,” for example) and then discusses the fears that hold individuals back from pursuing their dreams. She delves into the neuroscience of fear and offers practical advice for combating it. Listeners are treated to an insightful ...
Alyssa Ages, SECRETS OF GIANTS: A Journey to Uncover the True Meaning of Strength
December 30, 2023 05:00 - 23 minutes - 31.6 MBZibby speaks to endurance athlete and journalist Alyssa Ages about SECRETS OF GIANTS, an enthusiastically researched and authentically lived exploration of the weight-lifting world, and why pushing our physical limits is so impactful. Alyssa describes how she went from considering herself non-athletic to eventually participating in marathons and triathlons and ultimately discovering the world of strongman competitions. The conversation delves into her experiences with failure, body image iss...
Beth O'Leary, THE WAKE-UP CALL
December 29, 2023 05:00 - 25 minutes - 34.3 MBBestselling author Beth O’Leary joins Zibby to discuss THE WAKE-UP CALL, an utterly delicious rom-com about Izzy and Lucas, two receptionists at a beautiful but rundown hotel in England, who find a collection of old wedding rings and compete to return them to their owners, hoping that the rewards might help them save the hotel. (This is challenging because they hate each other!) Beth describes the inspiration behind this story (it involves a fascination with rings) and her writing trajectory...
Anna Pitoniak, THE HELSINKI AFFAIR
December 28, 2023 05:00 - 28 minutes - 38.9 MBZibby speaks to repeat MDHTTRB guest Anna Pitoniak about THE HELSINKI AFFAIR, an intricate and unputdownable female-centric spy thriller about an ambitious, young CIA officer who is given a Russian conspiracy to untangle, only to discover that her father, an ex-CIA officer, is mysteriously linked to it, forcing her to choose between him and her country. Anna describes the challenges and joys of writing in the spy thriller genre with a strong female protagonist. She also talks about character...
Alix Strauss, THE JOY OF FUNERALS: A Novel in Stories
December 27, 2023 05:00 - 28 minutes - 39.5 MBZibby interviews lifestyle journalist and award-winning author Alix Strauss about the 20th Anniversary Edition of THE JOY OF FUNERALS, a powerful collection that is written with raw wit, mordant humor, and a uniquely penetrating voice as it spotlights loss, grief, and loneliness. Alix talks about her unique book party at a funeral home, her decision to reissue her book after two decades, and the changing societal attitudes towards funerals, death, and grief. She also shares insights into the...
Dr. Uma Naidoo, CALM YOUR MIND WITH FOOD: A Revolutionary Guide to Controlling Your Anxiety
December 26, 2023 05:00 - 28 minutes - 39.1 MBZibby speaks to bestselling author, nutritional psychiatrist, and repeat MDHTTRB guest Uma Naidoo, MD, about CALM YOUR MIND WITH FOOD, a groundbreaking guide that draws on the latest science on the connection between diet and anxiety and shows us how to effectively use nutrition as essential tools for calming the mind. Dr. Naidoo shares her personal experience using food to manage anxiety (particularly as she overcame cancer and dealt with the unexpected success of her first book during the ...
Christine Coulson, ONE WOMAN SHOW
December 25, 2023 05:00 - 24 minutes - 34.3 MBAuthor Christine Coulson joins Zibby to discuss ONE WOMAN SHOW, a sly, stylish, and incredibly innovative novel–remarkably told through museum wall labels–about a 20th-century woman who transforms herself from a precious object into an unforgettable protagonist. Christine, drawing inspiration from her 25-year tenure at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, discusses the unique structure of her book, which mirrors museum labels. The conversation touches on the challenges of writing within constrain...