Share
Moms Don’t Have Time to Read Books™️
Leigh Bardugo, THE FAMILIAR
Season 22, Ep. 29
•
#1 New York Times bestselling author Leigh Bardugo chats with Zibby about THE FAMILIAR, a spellbinding, lush, richly imagined novel set in the Spanish Golden Age that follows Lucia, a servant with miraculous abilities who becomes entangled in the political and religious turmoil of King Philip II’s court. Leigh discusses how this story, inspired by her own Sephardic Jewish heritage, weaves themes of ambition, identity, and survival. She also talks about her journey as a writer, from finding solace in science fiction as a child to overcoming personal and professional hurdles to pen her debut novel.
Purchase on Bookshop: https://bit.ly/49ctW43
Share, rate, & review the podcast, and follow Zibby on Instagram @zibbyowens!
More episodes
View all episodes
28. Victoria Jackson, WE ALL WORRY, NOW WHAT?
29:33||Season 22, Ep. 28Victoria Jackson joins Zibby to discuss WE ALL WORRY, NOW WHAT?, a seminal guide to rising from endless worry to a life of empowered action. Victoria shares her journey from Hollywood makeup artist to cosmetics mogul and, later, to medical advocate following her daughter's rare autoimmune diagnosis. Then, she delves into her tumultuous life experiences, from surviving a childhood rape to overcoming her cancer diagnosis, sharing the practical strategies that helped her transform her anxiety and panic into tools for resilience. Finally, she talks about her new bookstore, Godmothers, which she just opened in Montecito!Purchase on Bookshop: https://bit.ly/3ZnLFCmShare, rate, & review the podcast, and follow Zibby on Instagram @zibbyowens!27. Nayantara Roy, THE MAGNIFICENT RUINS
20:40||Season 22, Ep. 27Zibby interviews TV exec and debut author Nayantara Roy about THE MAGNIFICENT RUINS, a wise, witty, and deeply moving novel about a young Indian American editor who inherits her estranged family’s sprawling mansion in India—and their long-buried secrets. Nayantara reflects on her novel’s nine-year evolution, the challenges of cutting a 600-page draft, and the joy of crafting a story that bridges Brooklyn and Calcutta. She also shares what it was like to tackle generational trauma and cultural norms in her writing. Finally, she touches on her career in television and teases her next novel.Purchase on Bookshop: https://bit.ly/3YX5Ky5Share, rate, & review the podcast, and follow Zibby on Instagram @zibbyowens!26. Marisha Pessl, DARKLY
21:25||Season 22, Ep. 26New York Times bestselling author Marisha Pessl chats with Zibby about DARKLY, a wildly smart, edge-of-your-seart psychological YA thriller about a mysterious board game creator whose legacy intrigues a young fan, Arcadia Gannon. She and six other teenagers win coveted internships at Darkly… and so the mystery begins. Marisha shares her love of board games, her North Carolina upbringing, and her fascination with legend vs. reality, all of which inspired this novel. She also touches on her early struggles with writing and the discipline she has developed to balance writing with raising three daughters. Finally, she teases her next project.Purchase on Bookshop: https://bit.ly/4hXDLaeShare, rate, & review the podcast, and follow Zibby on Instagram @zibbyowens!25. Bernard-Henri Lévy, ISRAEL ALONE
23:44||Season 22, Ep. 25Zibby is joined by French writer, philosopher, filmmaker, and humanitarian activist Bernard-Henri Lévy to discuss ISRAEL ALONE, a powerful analysis of the global response to October 7, the new virulent waves of antisemitism, and why Israel is waging an existential war against barbarism alone. Bernard-Henri shares his experience traveling to Israel immediately after the 10/7 attacks, witnessing the aftermath, and drawing inspiration from the resilience of Israeli communities. He also delves into the global rise in antisemitism, Israel’s solitude in its fight against terrorism, and the broader implications for humanity when freedom is attacked.Purchase on Bookshop: https://bit.ly/4g0w3ufShare, rate, & review the podcast, and follow Zibby on Instagram @zibbyowens!24. Lauren Grodstein, WE MUST NOT THINK OF OURSELVES
28:20||Season 22, Ep. 24Read With Jenna Book Club Pick! New York Times bestselling author Lauren Grodstein chats with Zibby about WE MUST NOT THINK OF OURSELVES, a gripping story of love and sacrifice inspired by the real-life efforts of the Oneg Shabbat group, a clandestine archive project in the Warsaw Ghetto in WWII. Lauren recounts the harrowing history of the ghetto, Emanuel Ringelblum’s leadership in documenting Jewish life under Nazi oppression, and her inspiration to write this deeply personal and historical work during the pandemic. The conversation dives into the theme of resilience, Lauren’s fascination with family dynamics in her books, and the importance of preserving memory.Purchase on Bookshop: https://bit.ly/4hWPjdMShare, rate, & review the podcast, and follow Zibby on Instagram @zibbyowens!23. Meghan Riordan Jarvis, CAN ANYONE TELL ME?: Essential Questions about Grief and Loss
29:39||Season 22, Ep. 23Zibby is joined by leading grief expert and psychotherapist Meghan Riordan Jarvis, whose poignant and vulnerable memoir, END OF THE HOUR, was published by Zibby Books last year! This time, she discusses CAN ANYONE TELL ME?: Essential Questions about Grief and Loss, her essential and empowering guide for grievers and their support networks. The conversation delves into Meghan’s mission to demystify grief and provide actionable strategies to navigate it, from creating rituals to finding community.Purchase on Bookshop: https://bit.ly/3V0fTsCShare, rate, & review the podcast, and follow Zibby on Instagram @zibbyowens!22. Nikki May, THIS MOTHERLESS LAND
27:07||Season 22, Ep. 22Read With Jenna Book Club Pick! Award-winning author Nikki May returns to the podcast to discuss THIS MOTHERLESS LAND, a stunning reimagining of Jane Austen’s MANSFIELD PARK (and a masterful exploration of race, identity, privilege, and love) where two extraordinary cousins split between England and Nigeria come to terms with their shared family history. Nikki delves into the inspiration behind this novel, the challenges of writing a second book, and how the grief of losing her brother has shaped her writing. She also shares the books that have gotten her through hard times, the things she does that bring her joy, and the details of her next project!Purchase on Bookshop: https://bit.ly/3YVEvUzShare, rate, & review the podcast, and follow Zibby on Instagram @zibbyowens!What It’s Like to be a Marine Biologist, from Dan Heath
34:12|Sharing an episode of the podcast “What It’s Like to Be…” from New York Times bestselling business book author Dan Heath. In every episode, Dan interviews someone from a different profession: A cattle rancher, a FBI special agent, a professional Santa Claus. He asks what it’s like to do what they do. What does a couples therapist think when a friend asks for relationship advice? Is a Secret Service Agent supposed to pretend like they’re not there when they’re around the president? What does a hair stylist do when a client asks for a celebrity hairstyle that will never work for them? In the preview you’re about to hear, you’ll meet a marine biologist who studies manta rays. You’ll hear how drones have changed her work, what it’s like to get to know individual rays, and why people have such a romantic image of being a “Marine Biologist.” It’s the perfect show to listen to with your kids – it’s family safe but also gives them a preview of different careers – and the kinds of personalities that fit with the work. You can find more episodes of “What It’s Like to Be…” wherever you get your podcasts.