Totally Booked with Zibby

Alison Wood Brooks, O'Brien Associate Professor at Harvard Business School, is a leading authority on conversation science. She discusses the critical elements of meaningful dialogue, emphasizing the roles of kindness and humor. The conversation explores effective techniques like open-ended questions and personal anecdotes that strengthen interpersonal connections. Brooks highlights the importance of using names in conversations to foster closeness and advocates for teaching conversational skills in schools, promoting emotional intelligence in children.

Sarah Mlynowski, a New York Times bestselling author known for her beloved series like 'Whatever After' and 'Upside-Down Magic,' shares her fascinating journey from adult chick lit to children's literature. She discusses her disciplined writing strategy and the integration of humor and magic into her stories. Mlynowski emphasizes empowering young female characters in modern fairy tales and reflects on how her personal experiences influence her writing. She also explores balancing parenting with her creative ambitions and her aspirations to embrace new genres.

Samantha Ettus, a bestselling author and Harvard MBA, joins the discussion to share insights from her influential guide, THE PIE LIFE. She encourages women to nurture all areas of their lives while rejecting guilt, emphasizing that both moms and dads can equally share parenting responsibilities. Samantha tackles the evolving narrative of work-life balance and the importance of financial independence for women. Her personal experiences remind us to cherish joyful moments amid life's challenges and the power of community.

Lisa Cheek, a writer and film editor, dives into her transition from editing to penning her memoir, 'Sit, Cinderella, Sit.' She shares her transformative journey following her career in TV commercials, highlighting empowerment through companionship, especially from her dogs. The conversation reflects on her transient upbringing and its impact on identity, alongside her self-discovery during the COVID pandemic, marked by bold hair experiments. Cheek also discusses the joys and connections found in sharing personal stories and offers sage advice for aspiring authors.

Sarah Hoover, author of 'The Motherload,' shares her poignant journey through motherhood, grappling with identity crises and postpartum depression. She delves into the intricacies of mother-daughter dynamics while interweaving her experiences within the vibrant New York art scene. With humor, she confronts the emotional turbulence of pregnancy and the significance of honest storytelling in memoir writing. Hoover's reflections illuminate the universal struggles of motherhood, emphasizing the need for support and the transformative nature of sharing one's narrative.

In this captivating conversation, New York Times bestselling author Alice Feeney, a former BBC journalist, dives deep into her thrilling new novel, BEAUTIFUL UGLY. She unpacks the gripping tale of Grady Green, a man grappling with his wife's mysterious disappearance. Themes of grief, love, and identity are explored, as well as the delicate balance between personal experiences and fiction. Alice also shares insights on creative challenges, societal empowerment, and the emotional weight of her narratives, making for an enthralling listen.

Award-winning New York Times reporter Elizabeth Harris chats with Zibby about her witty, whip-smart, and compulsively readable debut, HOW TO SLEEP AT NIGHT. Elizabeth delves into the interconnected stories in the novel: a suburban mom struggling with lost ambition, a political reporter questioning her career, and a gay couple navigating political differences and addiction. She touches on the complexities of marriage and parenthood, the theme of love and family ties stretched thin by ambition, the balance of personal and professional ethics, and the evolving representation of LGBTQ+ experiences in literature.Purchase on Bookshop: https://bit.ly/426k36HShare, 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.

Theater director and debut author Sash Bischoff joins Zibby to discuss SWEET FURY, a wildly imaginative, subversive, and breathlessly fun literary thriller about a beloved actress who is cast in a feminist adaptation of a Fitzgerald classic, only to find herself the victim in a deadly game of revenge. Sash explains how her acting and directing background helped shape the novel’s complex narrative—and how her tight-knit writing group helped her, too! She also dives into her novel’s themes of fame, ambition, and the darker sides of human nature.Purchase on Bookshop: https://bit.ly/40cPxWcShare, 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.

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.

Fiona Davis, a New York Times bestselling author, explores her passion for historical fiction woven with real New York City landmarks. She discusses her unique Boston book club that celebrates her work through location tours. The conversation touches on the allure of modern celebrities like Kim Kardashian intersecting with history, and the meticulous research behind her narratives. Fiona shares insights into her creative process, from juggling multiple plotlines to overcoming writer's block, and reveals exciting plans for an upcoming book tour.