Author Lotte Bowser joins Zibby to discuss BITTERSWEET, a raw, brave, and deeply moving memoir about true love, the darkness of grief, and finding your way back into the light. Lotte shares the story of her relationship with Ben—a profound love (and happy, adventurous life) that was cut short by his battle with cancer amid the COVID pandemic. She delves into their whirlwind romance, Ben’s diagnosis, the struggle of being his caregiver, and the grief, isolation, and healing that followed his...

Zibby chats with Nikki Schreiber, the editor and founder of the popular social media brand @humansofjudaism, about her new book, HUMANS OF JUDAISM—a heartwarming collection of stories filled with joy, bravery, community, perseverance, and unyielding hope. Nikki shares how her Instagram page began as a tribute to her father and evolved over ten years into a community that celebrates Jewish identity. She shares how the book expands on this with stories from familiar and unknown Jewish figures,...

Zibby is joined by #1 New York Times and USA Today bestselling author W. Bruce Cameron to discuss his charming and heartfelt new novel, MY THREE DOGS—his 36th published book! Bruce reveals how a car ride conversation with his now-wife Cathryn Michon (who was just on the podcast!) inspired A DOG’S PURPOSE, the first novel that launched him into the “dog book” niche and transformed his life. He describes how all his stories highlight the deep, emotional bonds humans share with their pets—and...

TODAY Show cohost and America’s favorite weatherman, Al Roker, and his daughter, Courtney Roker Laga, join Zibby to discuss AL ROKER’S RECIPES TO LIVE BY: Easy, Memory-Making Family Dishes for Every Occasion. The father-daughter duo discuss the joys (and challenges) of working together on this project and then delve into the sentimental value behind the recipes and the nostalgia tied to their favorite foods—like apple butter! Courtney highlights her experiences as a chef, recipe developer,...

Zibby is joined by the renowned founder of Well-Read Black Girl, Glory Edim, to discuss her inspiring memoir of family, community, resilience, and literature, GATHER ME: A Memoir in Praise of the Books That Saved Me. Glory reflects on the books that were a refuge and guiding force throughout her life, especially in her childhood when her mother struggled with depression. She also highlights the authors that shaped her development, influencing how she approaches relationships, love, and...

Actress and film producer Jennifer Love Hewitt chats with Zibby about INHERITING MAGIC, a heartfelt, candid chronicle of her grief and discovering she inherited her late mother’s “magic”—with family photos, recipes, holiday traditions, and foolproof strategies for adding magic to our everyday lives. Jennifer delves into the pain and surrealness of losing her mother while traveling and not being able to say goodbye. Then, she reveals how she makes everyday moments extraordinary for her...

Zibby is joined by New York Times bestselling author Charles Bock to discuss I WILL DO BETTER, a tender and searingly honest memoir about parenting his infant daughter in the wake of his wife’s untimely death. Charles shares the heartbreaking story of losing his wife Diana to leukemia just days before their daughter Lily’s third birthday. He reflects on becoming a single father, navigating his grief while raising his toddler, and deciding to write this memoir, capturing both the humor and the...

Zibby chats with author Marian Schembari about her warm, astutely observed, incandescently written, and unexpectedly hilarious memoir, A LITTLE LESS BROKEN: How an Autism Diagnosis Finally Made Me Whole. Marian shares how an autism diagnosis at age 34 changed her life and then talks about the concept of “masking,” how common neurodivergence is in our society, and how important it is to offer neurodivergent individuals support without judgment. She and Zibby bond over how drained they feel...

Zibby interviews New York Times bestselling author Eileen Goudge about ALL THEY NEED TO KNOW, a riveting, emotionally gripping novel about a woman who runs away from her abusive husband and reinvents herself in a peaceful California town—a tenuous sanctuary that brings her new friendships and romance. Eileen shares her own experience of being in an emotionally abusive relationship and the difficult transition of moving across the country with limited resources—all of which inspired this...

NSYNC superstar Lance Bass joins Zibby to discuss TRICK OR TREAT ON SCARY STREET, a quirky and surprising children’s book inspired by his love for Halloween. Lance shares how trick-or-treating was an adventurous, magical experience for him and his friends—and how spooked they were by a mysterious, dark house in the neighborhood! He shares the real motivation for this book—creating content that his kids will love!—and then delves into his plans for the season, from elaborate family costumes to...

Zibby chats with author Samantha Greene Woodruff about THE TRADE OFF, a captivating 1920s historical novel about an ambitious woman who fights for her place on Wall Street, inspired by the true story of a pioneering investment legend. Samantha delves into her protagonist, who, as a poor Jewish woman, faces societal barriers and has to support her brother as the “woman behind the man.” She touches on the siblings’ toxic relationship, the looming stock market crash, and the novel’s Jewish...

#1 bestselling author Sophie Kinsella joins Zibby to discuss WHAT DOES IT FEEL LIKE?, an extraordinary, unforgettable novel about a successful novelist who faces a devastating diagnosis and must learn to live and love anew—a story that is rooted in Sophie’s own battle with brain cancer and ensuing memory issues. Sophie opens up about her journey and shares how this book came to be—it involves slowly dictating notes into her phone when she couldn't even write. She talks about fiction as her...

Zibby interviews filmmaker, actor, animal advocate, and bestselling author Cathryn Michon about her comforting, heartfelt, richly illustrated gift book for people grieving the loss of a pet, I’M STILL HERE: A Dog’s Purpose Forever. Cathryn delves into her emotional, ten-year writing journey, sharing how her own dog, Tucker, and her husband, W. Bruce Cameron, inspired her to bring this book to life. She and Zibby also talk about faith, signs from lost loved ones, and the lessons dogs teach us...

In this special episode (a live event at the Streicker Center!), world-renowned soprano and arts/health advocate Renée Fleming chats with Zibby about MUSIC AND MIND, a groundbreaking collection of essays about the powerful impacts of music on health and the human experience. The conversation covers the scientific effects of music on the brain and emotional healing, as well as the transcendent power of shared musical experiences. Renée also talks about her journey as a performer, the enriching...

Zibby is joined by chart-topping, Grammy Award-winning, multi-platinum recording artist Joanna “JoJo” Levesque to discuss her instant New York Times bestselling, breathtakingly candid new memoir, OVER THE INFLUENCE. JoJo reflects on her 20-year journey in the music industry, delving into her relationships, her mother’s struggles with mental health, the toll of losing her father, and how she overcame industry pressures and found her voice. She also reflects on her writing journey, the role of...

Zibby interviews author Lynda Cohen Loigman about her charming, quirky, and utterly satisfying second-chance love story, THE LOVE ELIXIR OF AUGUSTA STERN. Lynda talks about her protagonist, 79-year-old Augusta Stern, who relocates to a Florida retirement community and runs into the man who broke her heart 60 years prior. She also describes her novel’s flashbacks to the 1920s, where we learn about Augusta’s family pharmacy and her great-aunt Esther’s unconventional remedies. This leads to a...

Zibby speaks with cookbook author June Hersh about ICONIC NEW YORK JEWISH FOOD (a culinary journey through New York’s most crave-worthy foods through the lens of the Jewish immigrant experience) and FOOD, HOPE & RESILIENCE (a vital collection of over 100 Holocaust survival stories and the recipes they shared). June describes the connections between food, history, memory, philanthropy, and Jewish heritage in her books, highlighting how food acts as an unbreakable bond between the past and...

Bestselling author Alice Hoffman joins Zibby to discuss WHEN WE FLEW AWAY, a stunning, lyrical, heartwrenching children’s book exploring the little-known details of Anne Frank’s life before she went into hiding. Alice shares how she combined meticulous historical research with imagined thoughts to fill in the gaps in Anne’s relationships, particularly focusing on themes of sisterhood and the mother-daughter dynamic. Alice also reflects on the enduring hope and resilience Anne Frank...

Zibby Books author alert! Zibby welcomes debut author Sarah Sawyer to discuss THE UNDERCURRENT, a stunning, achingly beautiful, and gripping suspense about an overwhelmed new mother who becomes obsessed with the unsolved disappearance of a young girl from her small Texas hometown—and unearths her own family’s dark secret. Sarah shares how her own experiences, particularly watching her daughter struggle with a thyroid disorder, inspired her reflections on the transformations women experience....

Acclaimed Haaretz reporter Lee Yaron joins Zibby to discuss 10/7: 100 Human Stories, a radically passionate work of investigative journalism of the October 7th attacks through the stories of its victims and the communities they called home. Lee talks about the survivors she interviewed, everyday people from a wide range of communities—from elderly Holocaust survivors and peace workers to Ukrainian refugees and Israeli Arabs. She also describes the weight of carrying these stories, the...

On the anniversary of October 7th, Zibby joins forces with Rebecca Minkoff to introduce ON BEING JEWISH NOW: Reflections from Authors and Advocates, an inspiring collection of 75 personal essays about what it means to be Jewish in the aftermath of October 7th. In this powerful and emotional episode, 40 contributors share lines from their essays. All profits from this project will be donated to Artists Against Antisemitism, a group founded by Jewish authors to fight the spread of antisemitism....

Zibby interviews celebrated author (and veteran literary agent and editor) Betsy Lerner about SHRED SISTERS, her wry, intimate, riveting, and bittersweet debut novel about family, mental illness, and sisterhood. Betsy calls the novel a “love letter to loneliness” while reflecting on her own experiences in New York during her twenties. She shares other personal connections to this story, from the loss of her mother to her own bipolar diagnosis to her complex relationships with her sisters. At...

New York Times bestselling author Jean Hanff Korelitz joins Zibby to discuss THE SEQUEL, a deliciously fun, witty, and suspenseful read that gives readers an antihero to root for while illuminating and satirizing the world of publishing. Jean delves into her book’s meta elements, its dark humor, and how it plays off the success of her previous novel, THE PLOT. She also reflects on the quirks of the literary world, from book signings to writers’ residencies, and analyzes the motivations behind...

Zibby interviews Kenny G—the incomparable musician with the straight sax, the flowing hair, and some of the most memorable melodies in history—about his indelible, fascinating, upbeat, and funny memoir, LIFE IN THE KEY OF G. Kenny shares the creative process behind his audiobook (which incorporates live saxophone performances to enhance the listening experience) and then describes the challenges of capturing his true, authentic voice in writing. He also reflects on his rigorous daily routine,...