Rachelle Unreich, A BRILLIANT LIFE: My Mother's Inspiring True Story of Surviving the Holocaust
Zibby speaks to journalist Rachelle Unreich about A BRILLIANT LIFE: My Mother’s Inspiring True Story of Surviving the Holocaust, a delicate and evocative family history built from the interviews she conducted with her 89-year-old mother, Mira, before she died of cancer. Rachelle shares what it was like to uncover both the horrors of the Holocaust and her mother’s incredible resilience and optimism. She highlights her mother’s unwavering faith in humanity and the lessons she imparted about finding hope in dark times. Finally, she reflects on the painstaking process of writing this book during the pandemic lockdown and then touches on the themes of intergenerational strength and mother-daughter bonds.
Jessica Gee, NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC BUCKET LIST FAMILY TRAVEL: Share the World with Your Kids on 50 Adventures of a Lifetime
Zibby speaks to Jessica Gee, mom in the mega-popular Bucket List Family, about NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC BUCKET LIST FAMILY TRAVEL, an indispensable and beautifully illustrated guide with fifty destination itineraries and countless expert tips for traveling with kids. Jessica shares the origins of her family’s adventures (it involves selling an app, making some money, and traveling instead of buying a house!). The discussion explores her and her husband's intentional approach to building their brand, incorporating content creation and sponsorships from the outset. She highlights the transformative experiences her kids have gained and how incredible it has been for all of them to embrace spontaneity and the value of other cultures.
Ross Gay, THE BOOK OF (MORE) DELIGHTS: Essays
Zibby 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, Ross reveals what he is working on now.
Natalie Franke, GUTSY: Learning to Live with Bold, Brave, and Boundless Courage
Zibby 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 conversation that serves as both a guide and an inspiration for embracing courage, confronting fears, and living a truly gutsy life.
Alyssa Ages, SECRETS OF GIANTS: A Journey to Uncover the True Meaning of Strength
Zibby 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 issues, and a miscarriage, and how strength training became a crucial part of her healing process. To end the interview, Alyssa shares her best advice for aspiring writers.
Charles Scribner III, SCRIBNERS: Five Generations in Publishing
Zibby welcomes Charles Scribner III to discuss his book and family history in publishing. Charles shares anecdotes about living in Zibby's childhood apartment, the origins of Scribner as a religious publishing house, and the fascinating evolution of the family business over 170 years. The conversation delves into memorable authors like Hemingway and Fitzgerald, the loyalty between Scribner and its writers, and what it was like to narrate his audiobook. Charles reflects on the changing landscape of publishing, emphasizing the enduring value of written words and the special experience of reading.
Bradley Tusk, OBVIOUS IN HINDSIGHT
Zibby interviews venture capitalist, political strategist, philanthropist, and writer Bradley Tusk about OBVIOUS IN HINDSIGHT, a funny, eye-opening political satire about a campaign to legalize flying cars in major American cities, featuring a flying car startup and its various opposition groups (including Uber, socialists, transit workers, and the Russian mob). Bradley provides a fascinating look into the real workings of politics and technology, drawing from his extensive experience in both fields. The interview also touches on Bradley's venture capital work, where he helps startups navigate regulatory challenges, his personal bookstore venture, P&T Knitwear, and his broad interest in reading, particularly contemporary fiction.
Richard Hurowitz, IN THE GARDEN OF THE RIGHTEOUS: The Heroes Who Risked Their Lives to Save Jews During the Holocaust
Zibby interviews Richard Hurowitz about IN THE GARDEN OF THE RIGHTEOUS: THE HEROES WHO RISKED THEIR LIVES TO SAVE JEWS DURING THE HOLOCAUST, a moving and powerfully illuminating tribute to ten non-Jewish individuals and groups who risked their lives to rescue Jews during World War II. Richard, who was inspired by a trip to the Holocaust Museum and subsequent research on the rescuers, discusses the rarity of such acts of heroism. He also shares insights into the characteristics and motivations of the rescuers, emphasizing the impact of early childhood experiences and the influence of religion and exposure to different cultures.
Caitlin Moran, WHAT ABOUT MEN?: A Feminist Answers the Question
Zibby interviews New York Times bestselling author Caitlin Moran about her thoughtful and provocative new book, WHAT ABOUT MEN: A FEMINIST ANSWERS THE QUESTION. Caitlin shares her insights on modern masculinity. The discussion delves into how young men often feel overlooked and the impact of influencers who promote outdated, misogynistic views. Ultimately, Caitlin emphasizes the need for more positive, progressive conversations about masculinity. The episode also touches on Caitlin's personal experiences, her thoughts on reading and writing, and her upcoming projects, including a humorous sci-fi novel. This podcast episode is ideal for listeners interested in gender dynamics, feminism, the creative process of writing, and fans of Caitlin Moran's work.
Cara Natterson, MD & Vanessa Kroll Bennett, THIS IS SO AWKWARD: Modern Puberty Explained
Zibby interviews Cara Natterson, MD, and Vanessa Kroll Bennett, authors of THIS IS SO AWKWARD: MODERN PUBERTY EXPLAINED. They discuss their motivation for writing the book, aiming to empower parents, teachers, and other adults in guiding kids through puberty. The book covers more than typical puberty topics, delving into sports, eating behaviors, and mental health. Zibby praises the book's comprehensive approach and its usefulness in her own parenting. Both authors emphasize the importance of open, judgment-free conversations with kids about puberty and its challenges. The interview concludes with their advice for co-authoring a book and the unique challenges and rewards it presents.
Sarah Gelman, BEST BOOKS OF THE YEAR
Zibby is joined by Sarah Gelman (Editorial Director at Amazon Books) to discuss the ten best books of the year as selected by the @amazonbooks review team! Want to know which ones they picked?! Tune in!
Minna Dubin, MOM RAGE: The Everyday Crisis of Modern Motherhood
Guest host Julie Chavez interviews writer Minna Dubin about MOM RAGE, a frank, groundbreaking, feminist work of reportage about the hidden crisis of rage facing American mothers—and how we can fix it. Minna hopes her book will resonate with mothers and enlighten their partners, ultimately promoting broader dialogue on the emotional challenges of modern motherhood.
Einat Nathan on Israel and Parenting Today
This specially-recorded episode reveals an emotional and insightful conversation between Zibby and Einat Nathan. They discuss the harrowing experiences faced by families, particularly mothers and children, amid the conflicts in Israel. Einat, a parenting expert in Israel, recounts the real-life horror stories of families and how they're coping with the situation. The dialogue sheds light on human resilience, the critical role of empathy, and the universal desire to help and be helped during such dire circumstances. This episode provides a raw glimpse into the impact of war on everyday lives and the enduring human spirit in the face of adversity.
Michael Lewis, GOING INFINITE: The Rise and Fall of a New Tycoon
Zibby interviews Michael Lewis — his second time on the podcast — about his latest masterpiece of narrative nonfiction, Going Infinite: The Rise and Fall of a New Tycoon. This time, he followed crypto CEO Sam Bankman-Fried who, while still under age 30, became worth more than $20 billion, only to lose it all and stand trial — which started yesterday! Michael Lewis says the story was like a Shakespearean saga laid at his feet, and he just had to not mess it up. During the conversation, he shows Zibby the inside flap of the book jacket, his only time showing off the book’s secret! Listen to this newsworthy episode as the trial unfolds in real-time.
Elise Loehnen, ON OUR BEST BEHAVIOR: The Seven Deadly Sins and the Price Women Pay to Be Good
Zibby is joined by New York Times bestselling author Elise Loehnen to discuss On Our Best Behavior: The Seven Deadly Sins and the Price Women Pay to Be Good, a groundbreaking, stunning exploration of the ancient rules women unwittingly follow in order to be considered “good.” Elise explores how the deadly sins continue to circumscribe women’s behavior, including her own (for example: a fear of gluttony drives women to ignore their appetites). She also talks about her fascinating research, her podcast, and her hopes for this book.
Christine Yu, UP TO SPEED: The Groundbreaking Science of Women Athletes
Zibby interviews award-winning sports and health journalist Christine Yu about her important new book, Up to Speed: The Groundbreaking Science of Women Athletes. Christine describes how athletics are finally changing for women after decades of oversight and lack of research. She also discusses diet culture, body image, youth sports, sports bras, and menopause! Finally, she shares her best advice for aspiring authors.
Adam Gopnik, THE REAL WORK: On the Mystery of Mastery
Zibby interviews bestselling author Adam Gopnik about The Real Work: On the Mystery of Mastery, a spirited and profound collection of self-help essays that investigate how we learn and master a new skill–from boxing to drawing nude bodies. Adam discusses the bliss of accomplishment: pursuing a new hobby without needing to do it perfectly. He also reveals what he’d like to master next and his best advice for aspiring authors.
Paula Faris, YOU DON'T HAVE TO CARRY IT ALL: Ditch the Mom Guilt and Find a Better Way Forward
Guest host Julie Chavez interviews Emmy Award-winning journalist, speaker, and mom-of-three Paula Faris about her latest book, You Don’t Have to Carry It All: Ditch the Mom Guilt and Find a Better Way Forward. Paula discusses her research on working moms in America, pointing out the systems and outdated gender expectations that continue to make their lives so challenging. She also talks about CARRY Media, the organization she founded (after abruptly losing her TV job), to advocate for and celebrate working moms through load-lessening content and resources.
Aisha Harris, WANNABE: Reckonings with the Pop Culture That Shapes Me
Guest host Julie Chavez interviews cultural critic and co-host of NPR’s hit podcast Pop Culture Happy Hour, Aisha Harris, about Wannabe: Reckonings with the Pop Culture That Shapes Me, a brilliant collection of essays that feels like “hanging out with your smart, hilarious, pop-culture-obsessed friend.” Aisha talks about podcasting, classic TCM movies, Janet Jackson, motherhood, and obsessive celebrity fandoms. She also discusses the thriving Black artistry space, from Beyoncé to Jordan Peele, and why she thinks Black art isn’t fragile and should be held up to the same standards as any other creator’s art.
Elizabeth Passarella, IT WAS AN UGLY COUCH ANYWAY: And Other Thoughts on Moving Forward
Guest host Julie Chavez interviews writer and editor Elizabeth Passarella about It Was an Ugly Couch Anyway: And Other Thoughts on Moving Forward, a refreshingly honest and hilarious collection of essays about navigating change and staying sane during the unexpected twists. Elizabeth shares the story behind her iconic title (it isn’t the one she originally wanted!) and describes how tough it was to write during the pandemic when she didn't feel like herself. She also talks about her beloved New York City apartment, her faith, her questionable opinions (she despises kitchen islands, for example), her late father, and the big, ugly couch he left behind.