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Moms Don’t Have Time to Read Books™️
Alix Strauss, THE JOY OF FUNERALS: A Novel in Stories
Zibby 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 unique structure of her book (it has eight short stories and a novella) and then describes her career transition from acting to writing (it might have something to do with a psychic reading…). In the end, she shares valuable advice for aspiring writers, emphasizing the importance of self-investment.
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19. Stephanie Wittels Wachs, LAST DAY: How to Stop Losing Our Loved Ones to the Opioid Crisis
28:56||Season 27, Ep. 19I’m insanely impressed by Stephanie Wittels Wachs, not just because she’s the co-founder and CEO of Lemonada Media, an award-winning podcast network with a mission to "make life suck less,” but because of her ability to use humor and wit to get through loss. She lost her brother, writer-producer-comedian Harris Wittels, to the opioid crisis and has now written multiple books on the topic. This raw exploration of grief is also a manual for anyone else struggling with how to help an addicted loved one. Our conversation ranged from entrepreneurship and what it takes to start something new to her profound struggles in the aftermath of sibling loss.
18. Alyssa Rosenheck, WHITE. BLONDE. JEW.: A Call to End Extremism, Speak Up, and Reclaim Center
22:50||Season 27, Ep. 18I first met Alyssa Rosenheck at a coffee shop in Nashville, TN, with my husband, Kyle. She was a notable architectural photographer whose book was being sold at the Draper James boutique, which I’d just visited, and she offered to show us the town. I didn’t know then that she was also Jewish, which, in the pre-October 7th days, wasn’t necessarily something that would come up in conversation. And yet, after October 7th, Alyssa became a vocal proponent of the Jewish people, leading political and societal change efforts in her community. She contributed to my anthology On Being Jewish Now. Her next book, White. Blonde. Jew., is coming out and has been met with controversy in her community; her launch event was canceled. I’ll be hosting Alyssa at Totally Booked: Live in New York on Sunday, October 25th. Listen to our candid conversation (recorded before the cancellation).
17. Caroline Hallemann, THE KENNEDYS AND THE WINDSORS: The Story of Two Dynasties, One Born, One Made
23:29||Season 27, Ep. 17Anyone else a bit obsessed with the royal family? (I have a girl crush on Princess Catherine.) Caroline Hallemann, digital director of Town & Country magazine, delves deep into the overlapping histories of the British Royal Family and our own U.S. royals: the Kennedys. We discussed fandom, coincidence, leadership, and more.
16. Ashley Kahn, DAYS OF MIRACLE AND WONDER: Paul Simon and the Trials and Triumphs of Graceland
18:34||Season 27, Ep. 16Ashley Kahn was sitting on a terrace in Italy as we talked about his love letter to Paul Simon and the album Graceland, Days of Miracle and Wonder. I couldn’t help getting distracted by the fabulous view (an inner sigh as I sat inside at my desk on a beautiful day) but then I realized that his view — his perspective — was something I could internalize and share. Ashley’s deep dive into the history of the hit album Graceland — one of my favorites! — made me rethink music history. Our talk was as interesting to me as the beats of the songs and lingered long after the mic turned off, just like Paul Simon’s music.
15. Cinelle Barnes, A WAY HOME: A Memoir of Losing Yourself, and the Beauty of Returning
18:07||Season 27, Ep. 15Cinelle Barnes was nervous. This was her first interview about her book after her brain injury which, having read the book, I completely understood. Cinelle shared openly about what her life has been like in the before and after, the accommodations she needs to function at 100%, her new lease on life, and how she pivoted an existing book project (this!) into what became a powerful, memorable story of overcoming and persevering.
14. Chris Young, THE WOUND IS WHERE THE LIGHT ENTERS: A Memoir of Resilience
28:40||Season 27, Ep. 14Chris Young was beyond impressive! I loved talking to him about his experience in prison, how he turned to books and philosophy, his views on overcoming obstacles, resilience, and fate, and how he sees the world. Chris is incredibly inspiring. Prediction: he’ll hold office later in life. Just saying. Listen to us discuss his powerful story and how it can inspire everyone to lead more authentic, meaningful lives.
13. Dr. Lucy McBride, BEYOND THE PRESCRIPTION: A Doctor's Guide to Taking Charge of Your Health
29:07||Season 27, Ep. 13I feel like Dr. Lucy McBride and I could’ve grown up as friends. She’s so relatable despite her brilliance that taking her advice feels like a no-brainer. Hear from her as she shares the medical “stuff” you need to know and feel inspired to get the care you need. Lucy will be part of Totally Booked: Live on October 25th. Get your tickets now!
12. Dara Levan, SHAKEN TO THE CORE
18:57||Season 27, Ep. 12Dara Levan is a contributor to my anthology On Being Jewish Now: Reflections from Authors and Advocates, who is the first person to show up for friends and colleagues alike. In her latest novel Shaken to the Core, she portrays a loss in vivid detail, family dynamics, loss, and more.
11. David K. Israel, THE LOST MOZART
22:49||Season 27, Ep. 11David K. Israel, one of the contributors to my anthology On Being Jewish Now: Reflections from Authors and Advocates, has a quirky, dry sense of humor that permeates his latest release, The Lost Mozart. A composer, David shared fun details about his entry into the world of symphonies and sounds, how it felt to lose his home in the Palisades where we were neighbors, and the creativity involved in music versus writing.