Totally Booked with Zibby

In this special episode of the podcast, Zibby interviews acclaimed producer/director Paul Feig at a press junket for THE HOUSEMAID, the highly acclaimed film adaptation of Frieda McFadden’s bestselling novel. The two dive deep into what makes a great book-to-screen adaptation, the art of misdirecting an audience, and the power of music, production design, and point of view. Paul also shares behind-the-scenes insights into shaping T...

Live from the Miami Book Fair, Zibby hosts a special panel celebrating three Read With Jenna authors: Emma Knight (THE LIFE CYCLE OF THE COMMON OCTOPUS), Ariel Sullivan (CONFORM), and Jessica Soffer (THIS IS A LOVE STORY). In front of a live audience, the writers discuss craft, love and relationships, beauty and art, motherhood, ambition, and the personal stories behind their novels—from dystopian romance to lifelong love stories a...

In this special, year-end episode of the podcast, Zibby chats with Sarah Gelman, Editorial Director for Books at Amazon, about Amazon’s Best Books of the Year! Together, they dive into the thinking behind the list, highlight standout fiction and nonfiction picks, and discuss buzzy discoveries, sleeper hits, and genre-spanning favorites. With behind-the-scenes insights into how the list is curated (before sales even begin) and a pee...

Recorded live at Zibby’s Bookshop in NYC, Zibby interviews fourth-generation Russ & Daughters co-owners and cousins Niki Russ Federman and Josh Tupper Russ about their gorgeous new cookbook, RUSS & DAUGHTERS: 100 Years of Appetizing. The two discuss the beautifully curated book, the meaning and history of the “appetizing” tradition, and their personal journeys back to a family business rooted in Jewish food, culture, and co...

Zibby chats with author Iva-Marie Palmer about her adult debut, CHRISTMAS PEOPLE, an entertaining, witty, and sexy holiday rom com. Iva-Marie delves into holiday nostalgia, the chaos behind picture-perfect traditions, and the inspiration behind Jill, the delightfully reluctant “Lady Scrooge” heroine who finds herself trapped in a Hallmark-esque alternate reality. Iva-Marie also opens up about family, loss, writing across age groups...

In this special episode of the podcast, recorded live at Zibby’s Bookshop in LA, three extraordinary guests celebrate the acclaimed new film Train Dreams: writer-director Clint Bentley, actor Joel Edgerton, and Black Bear CEO (and Zibby’s brother!) Teddy Schwarzman. The conversation dives into the art of adaptation, the creative journey behind Train Dreams, and the deeply human themes at the heart of Denis Johnson’s beloved novella...

Zibby chats with children’s book co-authors Sarah Scheerger and Brent Camalich about DUDE. BE NICE, a gorgeously illustrated tale of good intentions and not-so-good outcomes, born from the viral kindness movement behind the Dude Be Nice platform. Brett shares how he left corporate America to spotlight everyday unsung heroes through uplifting videos that have been viewed more than 80 million times, while Sarah reflects on bringing t...

Leading health advocate and licensed marriage and family therapist Kati Morton joins Zibby to discuss her powerful new guide, WHY DO I KEEP DOING THIS?: Unlearn the Habits Keeping You Stuck and Unhappy. Kati talks about people-pleasing, toxic empathy, the illusion of control, the emotional roots of our self-protective behaviors, and what real healing looks like. She also shares the deeply personal experiences that shaped her work a...

Guest host Stacy Igel interviews business leader, activist, and I Am a Voter co-founder Mandana Dayani in front of a live audience at the Whitby Hotel. Mandana opens up about her family’s escape from Iran, the resilience that shaped her leadership, her work combating misinformation, and the creation of the Calanet Foundation. She also discusses empowering student activists, navigating advocacy in a polarized world, and the many for...

Zibby welcomes journalist and award-winning author Abigail Pogrebin to discuss her celebrated body of work, from MY JEWISH YEAR and STARS OF DAVID to her memoir on twinhood, ONE AND THE SAME. Abigail reflects on her path from Emmy-nominated TV producer to writer, moderator, and thoughtful chronicler of Jewish life. She and Zibby dive into Jewish rituals, identity, modern observance, the meaning of tradition in an asynchronous world...

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...

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 ho...

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 l...

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 challeng...

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 c...

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 i...

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 baris...

Pediatric psychologist, parent coach, and author Dr. Ann-Louise Lockhart joins Zibby to discuss her wise and encouraging new book, LOVE THE TEEN YOU HAVE: A Practical Guide to Transforming Conflict into Connection. Drawing on two decades of clinical practice and her experience raising teens, Dr. Lockhart shares practical tools for understanding adolescent behavior, building executive functioning skills, navigating big emotions, and...

Recorded live at Zibby’s Bookshop pop-up in NYC, guest host and author Emma Rosenblum interviews viral content creators and New York Times bestselling authors Kim and Penn Holderness about their joyful new picture book, ALL YOU CAN BE WITH ADHD. They share the inspiration behind writing a kids’ edition after the success of their adult book, reflect on the families and young readers who motivated them, and talk about the importance ...