Totally Booked with Zibby

Latest Episodes:

Niki Russ Federman and Josh Russ Tupper, RUSS & DAUGHTERS: 100 Years of Appetizing Dec 17, 2025

Show notes

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 community. They also explore legacy, identity, immigration, and the delicate balance between preserving tradition while thoughtfully evolving a beloved New York institution.

Signed copies are available at Zibby's Bookshop x Minnie Rose (1019 Lexington Ave, on the corner of 73rd). Hurry before they sell out!

Purchase on Bookshop: https://bit.ly/454mwix

Share, rate, & review the podcast, and follow Zibby on Instagram @zibbyowens!

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A story for the messy middle. Zibby's essay collection Between Chapters is out now!

Love to listen? She narrated the audiobook.

Listen on Spotify here.

Listen on Apple here.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Iva-Marie Palmer, CHRISTMAS PEOPLE: A Novel Dec 16, 2025

Show notes

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, and the magic of unexpected creative breakthroughs.

Purchase on Bookshop: https://bit.ly/48PQYOm

Share, rate, & review the podcast, and follow Zibby on Instagram @zibbyowens!

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A story for the messy middle. Zibby's essay collection Between Chapters is out now!

Love to listen? She narrated the audiobook.

Listen on Spotify here.

Listen on Apple here.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Clint Bentley, Joel Edgerton, & Teddy Schwarzman, TRAIN DREAMS Dec 15, 2025

Show notes

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. From the challenges of translating a 116-page, time-jumping story for the screen to the emotional resonance of portraying an ordinary life with extraordinary dignity, this insightful discussion offers a rare behind-the-scenes look at filmmaking, storytelling, and collaboration.

Purchase on Bookshop: https://bit.ly/4q7EJnz

Share, rate, & review the podcast, and follow Zibby on Instagram @zibbyowens!

*********

A story for the messy middle. Zibby's essay collection Between Chapters is out now!

Love to listen? She narrated the audiobook.

Listen on Spotify here.

Listen on Apple here.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Sarah Scheerger, Brent & Jamie Camalich, DUDE. BE NICE Dec 12, 2025

Show notes

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 those stories into schools. Together, they discuss the evolution of their beloved character “Dude,” the power of empathy and teamwork, and the hope of expanding the brand into TV and beyond.

Purchase on Bookshop: https://bit.ly/4iNWbuG

Share, rate, & review the podcast, and follow Zibby on Instagram @zibbyowens!

*********

A story for the messy middle. Zibby's essay collection Between Chapters is out now!

Love to listen? She narrated the audiobook.

Listen on Spotify here.

Listen on Apple here.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Kati Morton, WHY DO I KEEP DOING THIS?: Unlearn the Habits Keeping You Stuck and Unhappy Dec 11, 2025

Show notes

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 and her journey to becoming a YouTube mental health educator.

Purchase on Bookshop: https://bit.ly/48Mf7FQ

Share, rate, & review the podcast, and follow Zibby on Instagram @zibbyowens!

*********

A story for the messy middle. Zibby's essay collection Between Chapters is out now!

Love to listen? She narrated the audiobook.

Listen on Spotify here.

Listen on Apple here.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Mandana Dayani: ON BEING JEWISH NOW: Two Years After 10/7 Dec 10, 2025

Show notes

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 forms courage and community can take.

Purchase on Bookshop: https://bit.ly/3MpEOV6

Share, rate, & review the podcast, and follow Zibby on Instagram @zibbyowens!

*********

A story for the messy middle. Zibby's essay collection Between Chapters is out now!

Love to listen? She narrated the audiobook.

Listen on Spotify here.

Listen on Apple here.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Abigail Pogrebin, IT TAKES TWO TO TORAH: An Orthodox Rabbi and Reform Journalist Discuss and Debate Their Way Through the Five Books of Moses Dec 10, 2025

Show notes

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, and the intimacy and complexity of being an identical twin.

Purchase on Bookshop: https://bit.ly/4q0RJLD

Share, rate, & review the podcast, and follow Zibby on Instagram @zibbyowens!

*********

A story for the messy middle. Zibby's essay collection Between Chapters is out now!

Love to listen? She narrated the audiobook.

Listen on Spotify here.

Listen on Apple here.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Rachel Caplin, THE SPOON AND THE SEA: A Novel Dec 09, 2025

Show notes

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!

*********

A story for the messy middle. Zibby's essay collection Between Chapters is out now!

Love to listen? She narrated the audiobook.

Listen on Spotify here.

Listen on Apple here.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Aria Mia Loberti, I AM INGRID: The Adventures of the World’s Greatest Guide Dog Dec 08, 2025

Show notes

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/48DwLvh

Share, rate, & review the podcast, and follow Zibby on Instagram @zibbyowens!

*********

A story for the messy middle. Zibby's essay collection Between Chapters is out now!

Love to listen? She narrated the audiobook.

Listen on Spotify here.

Listen on Apple here.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Emma Gannon, TABLE FOR ONE: A Modern Love Story Dec 05, 2025

Show notes

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/4iJ4B6K

Share, rate, & review the podcast, and follow Zibby on Instagram @zibbyowens!

*********

A story for the messy middle. Zibby's essay collection Between Chapters is out now!

Love to listen? She narrated the audiobook.

Listen on Spotify here.

Listen on Apple here.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.