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Moms Don’t Have Time to Read Books™️
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.
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94. June Hersh, ICONIC NEW YORK JEWISH FOOD and FOOD, HOPE & RESILIENCE
25:42||Season 21, Ep. 94Zibby 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 present. She also describes her research visits to iconic Jewish delis, shares her love of pastrami sandwiches and knishes, and emphasizes how food tells stories and connects generations.Purchase on Bookshop:Iconic New York Jewish Food: https://bit.ly/3BJmpxiFood, Hope & Resilience: https://bit.ly/486JFRYShare, rate, & review the podcast, and follow Zibby on Instagram @zibbyowens!93. Alice Hoffman, WHEN WE FLEW AWAY: A Novel of Anne Frank Before the Diary
21:57||Season 21, Ep. 93Bestselling 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, even during dark times, and stresses the importance of remembering her story amid rising antisemitism. Finally, she shares the emotional experience of visiting Anne’s house and school, the impact of fairy-tale storytelling, and her creative process.Purchase on Bookshop: https://bit.ly/403h7qxShare, rate, & review the podcast, and follow Zibby on Instagram @zibbyowens!92. Sarah Sawyer, THE UNDERCURRENT: A Novel
25:41||Season 21, Ep. 92Zibby 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 also delves into her novel's themes of female relationships, different life paths, and the impact of motherhood on personal identity. Finally, she shares her best advice for aspiring writers.Purchase on Bookshop: https://bit.ly/3XWozAPShare, rate, & review the podcast, and follow Zibby on Instagram @zibbyowens!91. Haaretz journalist, Lee Yaron, 10/7: 100 HUMAN STORIES
36:28||Season 21, Ep. 91Acclaimed 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 toll of hearing such grief, and her overwhelming mission to reclaim narratives for those who have been silenced. Finally, she shares her views on Jewish resilience and her hope that young Israeli women will step into leadership positions to help shape a safer future.Purchase on Bookshop: https://bit.ly/3ZUhJyDShare, rate, & review the podcast, and follow Zibby on Instagram @zibbyowens!90. ON BEING JEWISH NOW: Reflections from Authors and Advocates
41:06||Season 21, Ep. 90On 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. You can now purchase the eBook and audiobook (already available!) and pre-order the paperback before its November 1st release.Purchase on Bookshop: https://bit.ly/3Y2gw5QShare, rate, & review the podcast, and follow Zibby on Instagram @zibbyowens!89. Longlisted for the Center for Fiction First Novel Prize! Betsy Lerner, SHRED SISTERS
29:24||Season 21, Ep. 89Zibby 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 end of the episode, she reveals what she is working on next and shares her best advice for aspiring writers.Purchase on Bookshop: https://bit.ly/4erBgdYShare, rate, & review the podcast, and follow Zibby on Instagram @zibbyowens!88. New York Times bestselling author!! Jean Hanff Korelitz, THE SEQUEL
25:26||Season 21, Ep. 88New 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 her morally complex characters. Finally, she touches on the pressures of being an author and the catharsis of writing about dark, transgressive behavior.Purchase on Bookshop: https://bit.ly/3zwnmIxShare, rate, & review the podcast, and follow Zibby on Instagram @zibbyowens!87. Grammy Award-winning saxophonist!! Kenny G, LIFE IN THE KEY OF G
26:49||Season 21, Ep. 87Zibby 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, his role as a father, and some pivotal moments in his life, from standing up to his mother in his 20s to recording what would become the best-selling Christmas album of all time.Purchase on Bookshop: https://bit.ly/4eKYTxQShare, rate, & review the podcast, and follow Zibby on Instagram @zibbyowens!86. A Zibby's Book Club pick!! Melody Maysonet, WHAT WE WISH FOR
24:36||Season 21, Ep. 86Award-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 of making Layla’s mom a sympathetic character and balancing her novel’s darkness with hope.Purchase on Bookshop: https://bit.ly/3XydQwlShare, rate, & review the podcast, and follow Zibby on Instagram @zibbyowens!