Moms Don’t Have Time to Read Books

Zibby is joined by boxing coach, stand-up comedian, and debut author Harold Rogers to discuss Tropicália, a sizzling and fearless story of a Rio de Janeiro family and the chaos that ensues in the days before a New Year’s Eve party in Copacabana Beach. Harold describes his childhood living between Ohio and Rio, the theme of loss and coping with absence in his novel, how much of his own life is portrayed in his story, and what his MFA and publishing journeys were like. He also shares what he enjoys reading and his best advice for aspiring writers. Purchase on Bookshop: https://bit.ly/3PxGSbvShare, rate, & review the podcast, and follow Zibby on Instagram @zibbyowens!

Zibby speaks to creative writing professor and author Jane Wong about Meet Me Tonight in Atlantic City, an incandescent, blazing memoir that she describes as a lovesong to her mother and to growing up in a low income, working-class Chinese American immigrant family. Jane talks about her family’s immigration story and fractured American Dream; her father’s gambling addiction; her beautiful, lyrical writing style (she’s a poet!); and her recent trip to Atlantic City–a powerful, emotional return. She also describes her writing process and her recent book tour, from Seattle to New York City’s Chinatown, with her mother by her side. Purchase on Bookshop: https://bit.ly/3rEZONoShare, rate, & review the podcast, and follow Zibby on Instagram @zibbyowens!

Zibby (and Zibby Books author Alisha Fernandez Miranda) interview New York Times bestselling author and beloved Peloton instructor Cody Rigsby about XOXO, Cody: An Opinionated Homosexual’s Guide to Self-Love, Relationships, and Tactful Pettiness, an inspiring memoir that chronicles his journey from a childhood of poverty in the South to fitness stardom in New York City. Cody talks about being his mother’s caregiver at a young age, losing his best friend to addiction, practicing self-love and honesty in his life (and in this book), and what success means to him. (The episode ends with a hilarious game of literary smash or pass.)Purchase on Bookshop: https://bit.ly/46Lk535Share, rate, & review the podcast, and follow Zibby on Instagram @zibbyowens!

Zibby interviews author Beth Nguyen about Owner of a Lonely Heart, a powerful memoir of a mother-daughter relationship fragmented by the Vietnam War and resettlement. Beth shares her immigration and refugee story, revealing that her mother did not flee to the United States with the rest of their family and has, since then, spent less than 24 hours with her. Beth also talks about motherhood, baking, writing to make sense of her feelings, teaching MFA students at the University of Wisconsin, the three books she is currently reading, and why she has a giant Keanu Reeves pillow.Purchase on Bookshop: https://bit.ly/3EW4zFGShare, rate, & review the podcast, and follow Zibby on Instagram @zibbyowens!

Zibby is joined by author and journalist Dina Gachman to discuss her compassionate and compelling new essay collection, So Sorry for Your Loss: How I Learned to Live with Grief, and Other Grave Concerns. Dina describes the grief she felt after losing her mother and sister only two years apart and what it was like to put her experience on paper. She also talks about her sister’s alcoholism, her go-to grief books, and her writing journey (from blogging for a lamp store to ghostwriting celebrity books). Finally, she shares her best advice for aspiring writers. Purchase on Bookshop: https://bit.ly/467MDUaShare, rate, & review the podcast, and follow Zibby on Instagram @zibbyowens!

Brandon J. Wolf, a passionate LGBTQ+ activist and survivor of the Pulse nightclub shooting, speaks to Zibby about his raw, daring, and breathtakingly honest debut, A Place for Us: A Memoir. Brandon shares his story, from being a queer, mixed-race kid in a conservative town and losing his mother to finding community in Florida and experiencing the 2016 tragedy that killed his friends. He also shares what community and safe space means to him, the difficulty of revisiting his worst memories, his family’s response to his story, and his new role as an activist. Purchase on Bookshop: https://bit.ly/46seUVgShare, rate, & review the podcast, and follow Zibby on Instagram @zibbyowens!

Zibby interviews author Andrew Ridker about Hope, a hilarious, heartfelt, and impeccably written novel about a year of crisis for a seemingly perfect, affluent Jewish family of four. Andrew talks about his book's relatable family dynamics and humor; the inspiration behind the story; the college poetry class that started his writing career; and the topic of his next novel. He also shares his best advice for aspiring writers (it involves having a little bit of delusional faith in yourself!). Purchase on Bookshop: https://bit.ly/48vM5ckShare, rate, & review the podcast, and follow Zibby on Instagram @zibbyowens!

American journalist Damien Cave joins Zibby to discuss his impactful and gripping new parenting book, Parenting Like an Australian: One Family’s Quest to Fight Fear and Dive into a Better, Braver Life. Damien discusses the parts of Australian parenting he has adopted–from letting his kids take risks to trusting his community to help. He also describes his international career in journalism, his complicated relationship with his mom, and his best advice for aspiring writers. Purchase on Bookshop: https://bit.ly/3PrHiA4Share, rate, & review the podcast, and follow Zibby on Instagram @zibbyowens!

Zibby interviews New York Times bestselling author Steph Catudal about Everything All at Once, a heart-wrenching, sincere, and lyrical memoir about her experience with grief. Steph describes what it was like to lose her father to lung cancer at fourteen and then endure her husband’s battle with the same disease during COVID. She also talks about how writing has always helped her process her emotions and explains how her vulnerable social media posts evolved into this beautiful memoir. Purchase on Bookshop: https://bit.ly/461GSY6Share, rate, & review the podcast, and follow Zibby on Instagram @zibbyowens!