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Moms Don’t Have Time to Read Books™️
Dr. Lucy Kalanithi, WHEN BREATH BECOMES AIR (10th Anniversary)
I reread (and listened to) one of my favorite books, When Breath Becomes Air, before speaking to late author Dr. Paul Kalanithi’s widow, Lucy. The book was as moving, thought-provoking, and immersive now as it was when I first inhaled it. It’s no surprise that the book spent 68 weeks on the New York Times nonfiction list and was nominated for a Pulitzer Prize. Dr. Paul Kalinithi was obsessed with life and death, philosophy, literature, and science, delving deep into the why of it all, before falling terminally ill with cancer himself, dying at age 37. He left his book, for which Lucy wrote the epilogue and Abraham Verghese wrote the foreword, but he also left his family. I spoke to Lucy about life after Paul, how she toured on his behalf, her relationships and career post-loss, and her daughter. The world lost such a brilliant, special soul. This book is a must-read.
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22. Ann Tashi Slater on Life’s Permanence
23:24||Season 27, Ep. 22Ann Tashi Slater and I spoke about life, meaning, the role of literature, travel, family, and more, inspired by her book Traveling in Bardo: The Art of Living in an Impermanent World. (Special thanks to past podcast guest Lauren Grodstein for the introduction!)
21. Jacqueline Friedland, BREATHING UNDER WATER: A Novel
20:36||Season 27, Ep. 21Jackie Friedland, a contributor to my anthology On Being Jewish Now and past podcast guest, returns with her latest novel, Breathing Under Water! A poignant story about life around the pool, an unfair accusation, an autistic main character, and a community shaken, this book will make you think and feel. Jackie and I discussed parenting, coaching, writing, and more.
20. Eva zu Beck, THE WILDER WAY: A Memoir of Adventure, Freedom, and an Uncharted Life
20:23||Season 27, Ep. 20Eva Zu Beck seems like an unlikely solo pioneer in the wilds of Pakistan, but her fearlessness has taken her around the world with just a van, a dog, and a camera. What does it take to live like that? To call off an engagement and a way of life and, instead, bring millions of others on international adventures with her? She shares her self-destructive behaviors, her doubts, and her inner monologue as she becomes a global adventurer.
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.