Totally Booked with Zibby

Zibby interviews author Rachel Caplin about THE SPOON AND THE SEA, a gorgeous, richly woven historical novel about memory, identity, motherhood, and the tangled threads of family across continents and generations. Rachel shares the extraordinary true family story that inspired the book and how writing helped her navigate profound grief after losing her grandmother. She also talks about her unlikely path to authorship from Australia to Israel, her experience navigating the publishing world as an Israeli debut author, and the community that rallied around her. Share, rate, & review the podcast, and follow Zibby on Instagram @zibbyowens!** Check out the Z.I.P. membership program—Zibby’s Important People! As a Z.I.P., you’ll get exclusive essays, special author access, discounts at Zibby’s Bookshop, and more. Head to zibbyowens.com to subscribe or upgrade and become a Z.I.P. today!** Follow @totallybookedwithzibby on Instagram for more about today's episode. (Music by Morning Moon Music. Sound editing by TexturesSound. To inquire about advertising, please contact allie.gallo@acast.com.) Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Recorded live at Zibby’s Bookshop in NYC, Zibby interviews actress, UNICEF Ambassador, and debut author Aria Mia Loberti about I AM INGRID, an adorable and inspiring new picture book based on her real guide dog, Ingrid. Aria discusses her unexpected path from academia to starring in Netflix’s acclaimed All the Light We Cannot See, the emotional evolution of her vision, the profound bond between guide dogs and their handlers, and how storytelling (on the page and on-screen) continues to shape her life.Purchase on Bookshop: https://bit.ly/48DwLvhShare, rate, & review the podcast, and follow Zibby on Instagram @zibbyowens!** Check out the Z.I.P. membership program—Zibby’s Important People! As a Z.I.P., you’ll get exclusive essays, special author access, discounts at Zibby’s Bookshop, and more. Head to zibbyowens.com to subscribe or upgrade and become a Z.I.P. today!** Follow @totallybookedwithzibby on Instagram for more about today's episode. (Music by Morning Moon Music. Sound editing by TexturesSound. To inquire about advertising, please contact allie.gallo@acast.com.) Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Recorded live at the CORE Club, Zibby interviews Sunday Times bestselling author Emma Gannon about her novel TABLE FOR ONE, a warm and witty story about what it means to be happily alone, not lonely. The two discuss Emma’s winding career path, from early blogging days to a hit Substack and bestselling books. Emma opens up about the joy and necessity of creative solitude, the real-life sparks behind her characters, and how burnout led her to rethink her life, work, and writing. She also shares an inside look at her upcoming memoir, A YEAR OF NOTHING, and her decision to publish it independently.Purchase on Bookshop: https://bit.ly/4iJ4B6KShare, rate, & review the podcast, and follow Zibby on Instagram @zibbyowens!** Check out the Z.I.P. membership program—Zibby’s Important People! As a Z.I.P., you’ll get exclusive essays, special author access, discounts at Zibby’s Bookshop, and more. Head to zibbyowens.com to subscribe or upgrade and become a Z.I.P. today!** Follow @totallybookedwithzibby on Instagram for more about today's episode. (Music by Morning Moon Music. Sound editing by TexturesSound. To inquire about advertising, please contact allie.gallo@acast.com.) Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Debut novelist Erin O. White joins Zibby to discuss her tender and beautifully crafted book, LIKE FAMILY (a Barnes & Noble Book Club and Sarah Selects pick!). The two discuss the novel’s intertwined families in upstate New York, its exploration of queer domestic life, desire in middle age, teenage turmoil, female friendship, and the quiet truths of long-term relationships. Erin also reflects on her writing process, the challenges of parenting teens, and her evolution from memoirist to novelist.Purchase on Bookshop: https://bit.ly/4axtBM4Share, rate, & review the podcast, and follow Zibby on Instagram @zibbyowens!** Check out the Z.I.P. membership program—Zibby’s Important People! As a Z.I.P., you’ll get exclusive essays, special author access, discounts at Zibby’s Bookshop, and more. Head to zibbyowens.com to subscribe or upgrade and become a Z.I.P. today!** Follow @totallybookedwithzibby on Instagram for more about today's episode. (Music by Morning Moon Music. Sound editing by TexturesSound. To inquire about advertising, please contact allie.gallo@acast.com.) Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Recorded live at the Whitby Hotel, guest host Alix Strauss leads a moving conversation with filmmaker Nim Shapira following a screening of his new feature documentary, TORN. Shapira discusses the origins of the film, the shock and grief that followed October 7th, and his desire to bridge divides in an increasingly polarized landscape. He shares personal stories from volunteering with families of hostages, the unraveling of social connections, and the deeper questions that guided the project—about empathy, dehumanization, and the complexity of truth. This intimate talkback offers a rare look into the making of Torn and the emotional and societal fractures it captures.Share, rate, & review the podcast, and follow Zibby on Instagram @zibbyowens!** Check out the Z.I.P. membership program—Zibby’s Important People! As a Z.I.P., you’ll get exclusive essays, special author access, discounts at Zibby’s Bookshop, and more. Head to zibbyowens.com to subscribe or upgrade and become a Z.I.P. today!** Follow @totallybookedwithzibby on Instagram for more about today's episode. (Music by Morning Moon Music. Sound editing by TexturesSound. To inquire about advertising, please contact allie.gallo@acast.com.) Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Zibby chats with award-winning author and poet Richard Michelson about his timely and beautifully illustrated new book, FANNY’S BIG IDEA: How Jewish Book Week Was Born. Richard shares the remarkable story of Fanny Goldstein, the pioneering librarian who founded Jewish Book Week and championed cultural understanding through books. He also shares research behind the project, the whirlwind process of bringing the book to publication in time for the 100th anniversary, and why Fanny’s message of empathy and representation matters now more than ever.Purchase on Bookshop: https://bit.ly/3YgkmZfShare, rate, & review the podcast, and follow Zibby on Instagram @zibbyowens!** Check out the Z.I.P. membership program—Zibby’s Important People! As a Z.I.P., you’ll get exclusive essays, special author access, discounts at Zibby’s Bookshop, and more. Head to zibbyowens.com to subscribe or upgrade and become a Z.I.P. today!** Follow @totallybookedwithzibby on Instagram for more about today's episode. (Music by Morning Moon Music. Sound editing by TexturesSound. To inquire about advertising, please contact allie.gallo@acast.com.) Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Zibby Publishing alert! Recorded live at Zibby’s Bookshop in NYC, Zibby interviews debut novelist Julie Doar about THE GALLAGHER PLACE, an atmospheric, expertly paced, and utterly chilling murder mystery set in New York’s Hudson Valley. Julie shares the inspiration behind the novel’s haunting disappearance, its exploration of family secrets, and the power of girlhood friendship. She also talks about her journey from Starbucks barista to middle school English teacher to published author, along with the years of quiet drafting and perseverance that brought her story to life.Purchase on Bookshop: https://bit.ly/4oErh9IShare, rate, & review the podcast, and follow Zibby on Instagram @zibbyowens!** Check out the Z.I.P. membership program—Zibby’s Important People! As a Z.I.P., you’ll get exclusive essays, special author access, discounts at Zibby’s Bookshop, and more. Head to zibbyowens.com to subscribe or upgrade and become a Z.I.P. today!** Follow @totallybookedwithzibby on Instagram for more about today's episode. (Music by Morning Moon Music. Sound editing by TexturesSound. To inquire about advertising, please contact allie.gallo@acast.com.) Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Dr. Ann-Louise Lockhart, a pediatric psychologist and parent coach, shares insights from her book that guides parents through the tumultuous teenage years. She explains why teens may seem like aliens, emphasizing the importance of curiosity over punishment. Learn how to communicate effectively without escalating conflicts and recognize underlying emotional needs. Ann-Louise also discusses the significance of teaching life skills and fostering independence while knowing when to seek professional help for deeper issues. Her personal stories of teenage rebellion add a relatable touch!

Kim and Penn Holderness, viral content creators and New York Times bestselling authors, discuss their new children's book about ADHD. They share how inspiration from families led them to create a kids' edition after their adult book's success. Penn opens up about his own undiagnosed ADHD and the book's potential impact on kids. The couple aims to help children feel seen and understood, while emphasizing the importance of representation. They also reflect on their writing process and how their son's ADHD diagnosis reshaped family conversations.

Kelly Cervantes, a bestselling author and advocate, shares her heartfelt journey in navigating life as the mother of her medically complex daughter, Adelaide. She discusses the profound grief following Adelaide's passing and her transition from a career in acting to full-time caregiving. The conversation highlights the transformative impact of friendships, the challenges of maintaining a marriage under crisis, and the process of reclaiming her identity through advocacy and writing. Cervantes's insights into motherhood and loss are both poignant and empowering.