Moms Don’t Have Time to Read Books™️

Actor, director, and writer Edward Burns joins Zibby to discuss A KID FROM MARLBORO ROAD, a poignant, bittersweet coming-of-age story set in the summer of 1980 about a boy on the cusp of adolescence navigating his parents’ troubled marriage, his mother’s depression, and the need to assert his independence while remaining close to her. Edward reveals that the story was inspired by his childhood memories, which he reminisced about with his mom during the pandemic, and then delves into the novel's themes of nostalgia, family structures, and evolving relationships. Finally, he talks about his work in independent filmmaking and shares his best advice for aspiring writers.Purchase on Bookshop: https://bit.ly/3TooRPrShare, rate, & review the podcast, and follow Zibby on Instagram @zibbyowens!

Zibby Books author alert! Zibby welcomes Ava Dellaira to discuss her powerful and provocative new novel, EXPOSURE. Ava delves into her protagonists, Noah, a Black high school senior, and Juliette, a white college freshman, who go home together after a night of drinking. Twelve years later, Juliette’s best friend Annie accuses Noah of raping Juliette—and the story breaks into multiple viewpoints and timelines, exploring themes of race, artistic ambition, grief, and the co-existence of conflicting truths. Ava shares how the start of the #MeToo movement, her personal grief, and motherhood shaped this story. She also talks about her background in photography, the loss of her mother, and her writing journey (including her popular YA novels!). Purchase on Bookshop: https://bit.ly/4ghH8b0Share, rate, & review the podcast, and follow Zibby on Instagram @zibbyowens!

Zibby speaks with award-winning author Rebecca Sanford about her heart-wrenching new drama, THE DISAPPEARED. Rebecca shares that the novel, a dual-timeline work of historical fiction, revolves around the 1970s Argentine military dictatorship and is inspired by the real-life "Grandmothers of the Plaza de Mayo," who searched for their missing children and grandchildren. Rebecca shares how her graduate studies in international relations led her to this dark period in history and reflects on the emotional impact of her research and writing process, as well as the continued importance of raising awareness of historical atrocities. The conversation touches on motherhood, memory, activism, and the resilience of women across generations. Purchase on Bookshop: https://bit.ly/3MzCCHdShare, rate, & review the podcast, and follow Zibby on Instagram @zibbyowens!

Zibby interviews psychology professor Dr. Tovah Klein about her accessible, wise, and compassionate new guide, RAISING RESILIENCE: How to Help Our Children Thrive in Times of Uncertainty. Dr. Klein explains how the pandemic reignited a desire to help parents navigate uncertainty, whether daily stressors or large-scale crises. She shares practical strategies from her book, from self-talk for stressed parents to sharing difficult truths in age-appropriate ways. Resilience, she notes, is built over time through everyday experiences and the security provided by loving relationships. The conversation highlights how parenting is not about perfection but about adapting, connecting, and continuously learning.Purchase on Bookshop: https://bit.ly/3MvuyHLShare, rate, & review the podcast, and follow Zibby on Instagram @zibbyowens!

Screenwriter, TV producer, and New York Times bestselling author Attica Locke chats with Zibby about GUIDE ME HOME, the stunning culmination of the award-winning Highway 59 trilogy, where Detective Darren comes out of retirement to investigate the case of a missing black college student from an all-white sorority. Attica reflects on her protagonist, Darren Matthews, a conflicted Black Texas Ranger, and his complicated relationship with his mother. She also talks about how her novels explore crime stories set in small East Texas towns and her fascination with ordinary people making bad decisions. Finally, she delves into how she balances novel writing with her work in television, the challenges of screenwriting, and how working on the Netflix series From Scratch changed her life.Purchase on Bookshop: https://bit.ly/3XvkjcOShare, rate, & review the podcast, and follow Zibby on Instagram @zibbyowens!

Zibby welcomes picture book author Josh Funk to discuss his popular series, Lady Pancake & Sir French Toast, with a special focus on the latest adventure, ATTACK OF THE SCONES. Josh shares the inspiration behind the series, which started as a simple story for his kids and evolved into a whimsical, action-packed world where breakfast foods have grand adventures. He explains how each book in the series tackles a different "fridge problem" and discusses the creative process behind the books, including how the characters and storylines have developed over time. (Tune in to hear from a very special nine-year-old guest!)Purchase on Bookshop: https://bit.ly/3Xago3EShare, rate, & review the podcast, and follow Zibby on Instagram @zibbyowens!

Zibby welcomes back award-winning author Chelsea Bieker to discuss MADWOMAN, a brilliant, urgent, heart-smashing, darkly comic, and absolutely unforgettable novel about motherhood, memory, generational violence, and the menace of an untold past. Chelsea shares the inspiration behind the book, which she wrote during the pandemic as she started to confront her own past. She delves into the intensity of motherhood, the societal pressures that mothers face, and the lengths women go to save themselves and others. She also discusses the long-term effects of domestic violence, a theme deeply rooted in her own childhood experiences. Finally, she shares her journey as a writer.Purchase on Bookshop: https://bit.ly/3Z2ReGwShare, rate, & review the podcast, and follow Zibby on Instagram @zibbyowens!

British journalist and internationally bestselling author Helen Russell returns to the podcast to discuss THE DANISH SECRET TO HAPPY KIDS, a refreshingly funny, witty, and heart-warming roadmap to raising kids the Viking way—and helping them be happier, healthier, and more independent. Helen shares the experience of moving from London to Denmark, initially just for a year and before she had children, and discovering the unique parenting methods that prioritize unstructured play, spending time in nature (regardless of the weather!), and genuine connection, aided by the supportive social systems in the Nordic countries. She reflects on how these practices have shaped her parenting journey and her own perspectives on happiness and well-being.Purchase on Bookshop: https://bit.ly/4g0Z9KHShare, rate, & review the podcast, and follow Zibby on Instagram @zibbyowens!

Award-winning journalist Bianca Bosker joins Zibby to discuss her instant New York Times bestseller, GET THE PICTURE, a gripping, hilarious, and gorgeously written exploration of the art world. Bianca delves into her journey through that world—from working as a security guard in a museum to selling art at high-profile galleries. She describes immersing herself in the lives of artists, gallerists, collectors, curators, and art dealers, which led to a book that is part user guide to the hidden logic of the art world and part personal quest to live a more expansive life. She reveals how art has completely changed how she sees and experiences life—the frozen food aisle, for example, is really an art installation!Purchase on Bookshop: https://bit.ly/3z9V4DcShare, rate, & review the podcast, and follow Zibby on Instagram @zibbyowens!