Noshing With Deb Miller – July 3, 2025

This week on "Ira’s Everything Bagel," Ira sits down with Deb Miller, author of "Forget the Fairy Tale and Find Your Happiness," for an inspiring and thought-provoking conversation. Deb opens up about how her memoir—born during the isolation of the pandemic—grew into a powerful message encouraging women to break free from the scripted “fairy tale” and instead craft a life built on authenticity, choice, and joy. She shares how the book became a deeply personal legacy project, something more enduring than a box of old photographs for her grandchildren—an emotional roadmap for navigating life with courage and intention. Deb dives into the parallels between modern self-discovery and the classic Disney transformation—except, in her version, the goal isn’t a prince, but purpose. With all three of her adult children involved since the beginning, the memoir also serves as a “love letter” to her family. She reflects on her “apple pie” childhood, the challenges that followed, and the surprises of discovering a multigenerational audience that resonates with her message. From confronting the vulnerability of telling her story to forming a panel on the science and storytelling of happiness, Deb reveals why the journey to fulfillment is less about ideology and more about self-knowledge—and why joy, even in small doses, can change everything. (Also Watch Full Podcast Video)