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Liane Moriarty, APPLES NEVER FALL

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Liane Moriarty, APPLES NEVER FALL

Bestselling author of Big Little Lies, Nine Perfect Strangers, and Truly Madly Deeply, Liane Moriarty (also now known as “the TV lady”) had planned to take a year off to write for herself instead of a deadline, but she ended up creating an entire novel from a single-sentence prompt her sister sent her. Liane joins Zibby to talk about how she came up with the three incredibly different yet intricately woven storylines in her latest book, Apples Never Fall, as well as when she realized tennis would play a huge role in the narrative. The two also talk about Liane's use of red herrings, empty nest-hood, and, of course, podcasts.

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Kristan Higgins, PACK UP THE MOON

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Kristan Higgins, PACK UP THE MOON

Kristan Higgins, the bestselling author of twenty-one books, joins Zibby to discuss her latest novel Pack Up the Moon. Kristan shares how her personal experience with grief has shaped her entire life —and, notably, her marriage— and inspired a number of her stories, including this one. She also tells Zibby about how she became a writer when she realized that her love for reading and romantic comedies could be coupled to tell the stories of normal people. Read Kristan's essay "Preparing for Widowhood" on Moms Don't Have Time to Write here.

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Kat Chow, SEEING GHOSTS

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Kat Chow, SEEING GHOSTS

Former NPR reporter and journalist Kat Chow had a fear of death growing up which only made the death of her mother hit harder. In her debut memoir, Seeing Ghosts, Kat attempts to preserve her mother and her idiosyncrasies while also recounting her family's grieving process. Kat and Zibby discuss the process of mourning and memorializing those who have passed on and how the collective grief from Covid has impacted them.

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Jessica DuLong, SAVED BY THE SEAWALL

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Jessica DuLong, SAVED BY THE SEAWALL

Zibby hosts a special podcast in honor of the 20th anniversary of the attacks on September 11th, 2001 with author, mariner, historian, and journalist Jessica DuLong. Jessica’s latest book, Saved at the Seawall, tells the story of the boat lift in the New York City harbor on 9/11 and beyond. Jessica shares what drove her to take action and assist on the water, as well as the individual narratives of so many others who put humanity first to help those in need in the immediate aftermath of the crashes. Jessica and Zibby also discuss their own grieving journeys and how we can apply the lessons learned back then to our divided world today.

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Bethany Crandell, SEE JANE SNAP

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Bethany Crandell, SEE JANE SNAP

Zibby is joined by Bethany Crandell to talk about her hilarious second adult novel, See Jane Snap, which began with just the title. Bethany shares what inspired her to start writing young adult novels and when she knew it was time to make the switch to adult fiction. She also tells Zibby how her own family's story offered inspiration for this book and where she sees her writing going next.

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Lọlá Ákínmádé Åkerström, IN EVERY MIRROR SHE'S BLACK

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Lọlá Ákínmádé Åkerström, IN EVERY MIRROR SHE'S BLACK

Debut novelist Lọlá Ákínmádé Åkerström joins Zibby to talk about the inspiration for her book, In Every Mirror She's Black. Although she received 70 rejections, Lọlá knew her story about three Black women from all walks of life in Sweden was necessary to share with the world and her determination has proven industry gatekeepers wrong. Lọlá also tells Zibby about her experiences working as a travel journalist and how living all around the world helped her shape her characters and her story.

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Sophie Brickman, BABY, UNPLUGGED

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Sophie Brickman, BABY, UNPLUGGED

Journalist Sophie Brickman joined Zibby to discuss her first book, Baby, Unplugged, and the way childcare technology can make parents more anxious than at ease. Sophie shares how her husband's love of technology led to them test out a variety of child-centered gadgets, and which among them were actually worth it. Sophie also tells Zibby about how her experience as a line cook in New York City led to her career in journalism and what inspired her to make the shift from food writing to researching parenthood.

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Lauren Groff, MATRIX

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Lauren Groff, MATRIX

Lauren Groff, the award-winning author of Florida, joins Zibby to talk about her latest novel, Matrix, which was inspired by the often overlooked medieval female poet, Marie de France. Lauren shares why she wanted to discuss contemporary issues through a historical lens, why her novels often go through four or five very different iterations, and the number one tactic she uses to get out of her own way when writing.

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Hayley Mills, FOREVER YOUNG

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Hayley Mills, FOREVER YOUNG

Zibby is joined by the iconic star of the original The Parent Trap, Hayley Mills, to discuss her time acting with Disney and the stories that are recounted in her new memoir, Forever Young. Hayley tells Zibby about how her screenwriter son showed her how to shape the narrative arc of her formative years, her experience exploring Walt Disney's archives and private possessions (which included her own hand-written letters), and the lessons she learned about her own family through reflecting on the past.

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Jan Grue, I LIVE A LIFE LIKE YOURS

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Jan Grue, I LIVE A LIFE LIKE YOURS

Norwegian author and professor Jan Grue joins Zibby to discuss his latest book, I Live a Life Like Yours, which was originally published in Norway in 2018. They talk about how Jan was inspired to write the book after reviewing medical and bureaucratic files on his childhood that painted a very different picture than his happy memories, and shares how he went about reconciling the two. Zibby and Jan's conversation also touches on the differences in how those with disabilities are treated in the U.S. and in Norway, as well as the importance of simply being kind to everyone you encounter.

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YZ Chin, EDGE CASE

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YZ Chin, EDGE CASE

"It's distressing to realize that you're changing. You can see yourself changing in the eyes of the people closest to you." Zibby is joined by YZ Chin to discuss her first novel, Edge Case. While the book is not autobiographical, YZ explains which elements of her own immigration journey inspired parts of the story and shared how obtaining her green card allowed her to finally pursue her dream of writing a novel. The two also talk about how the book portrays issues like mental illness and gender dynamics in the workplace with honesty and compassion.

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Amy Koppelman, A MOUTHFUL OF AIR

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Amy Koppelman, A MOUTHFUL OF AIR

"No one tells you how scary it is to become a mom. You're responsible for a whole other life." Amy Koppelman joined Zibby for an IG Live to talk about her book, A Mouthful of Air, which is being re-released to celebrate the premiere of its film adaptation, which Amy wrote the screenplay for and directed. They talk about why so many women suffer during the postpartum period in silence, how Amy wanted the book to help start a conversation about maternal mental health eighteen years ago, and the experience of adapting a very personal book for the screen with Amanda Seyfried.

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James Whiteside, CENTER CENTER

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James Whiteside, CENTER CENTER

Principal dancer and choreographer of the American Ballet Theatre James Whiteside joins Zibby to discuss his almost-memoir, Center Center, which James always knew he was meant to write. The two talk about his eclectic late mother and the impact she had on James and his siblings, as well as his plans for the future now that he is living his childhood dream.

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Dr. Samantha Boardman, EVERYDAY VITALITY

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Dr. Samantha Boardman, EVERYDAY VITALITY

"The most vital things we do —the best antidote to stress— are actually doing things for someone else." Psychiatrist Samantha Boardman, MD, joins Zibby to talk about the patient who inspired her to pursue positive psychology and the lessons she learned on that journey, which culminated in her new book, Everyday Vitality. Samantha shares the easiest ways we can all start reviving our own vitality (hint: we can't do it alone) and tells Zibby about the ways she has applied her practice in her own life, proving positive growth and change are possible for everyone.

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Cindy C. Muchnick & Justin Muchnick, THE PARENT COMPASS and THE BOARDING SCHOOL SURVIVAL GUIDE

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Cindy C. Muchnick & Justin Muchnick, THE PARENT COMPASS and THE BOARDING SCHOOL SURVIVAL GUIDE

Zibby is joined by mother-son duo Cindy C. Muchnick and Justin Muchnick to talk about their respective books, The Parent Compass: Navigating Your Teen's Wellness and Academic Journey in Today's Competitive World and The Boarding School Survival Guide. Zibby sought Justin's book when her own son went off to boarding school, as it features personal accounts from twenty-six students about what they wished they had known before enrolling. Cindy's book serves as a nice companion for parents learning how to be supportive without overmanaging their children.

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Taylor Jenkins Reid, MALIBU RISING

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Taylor Jenkins Reid, MALIBU RISING

"We live our inner life, and then we live the life that we show people. Sometimes, we're just putting on the performance." Zibby is joined by bestselling author Taylor Jenkins Reid to talk about her latest novel, Malibu Rising, which features the children of one of her former characters —from both The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo and Daisy Jones and the Six— over the course of one day. The two discuss why Taylor finds fame and families so interesting to write about, how her screenwriter husband is always her first reader, and the ways in which both Taylor and Zibby manage societal pressures as working mothers.

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Eleanor Henderson, EVERYTHING I HAVE IS YOURS

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Eleanor Henderson, EVERYTHING I HAVE IS YOURS

"One of the things that I was working through in my life and in this book was recognizing that I couldn't keep somebody else alive. That was hard to accept." Zibby is joined by Eleanor Henderson, author of the visceral memoir, Everything I Have Is Yours, to talk about the painful reality of caring for a loved one who's suffering from an undiagnosable condition. Eleanor shares the ways in which her fiction writing prepared her to discuss her personal life and why she loves reading books that break her heart.

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Mona Awad, ALL'S WELL

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Mona Awad, ALL'S WELL

Mona Awad joins Zibby to discuss her latest novel, All's Well. The pair talk about Mona's own experience with chronic pain and how she found solace from it in Shakespeare's plays, much like the book's protagonist. Mona also recounts her rocky educational journey and why she credits fairytales with helping her find her way to creative writing.

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Simon Rich, NEW TEETH

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Simon Rich, NEW TEETH

Zibby is joined by author and screenwriter Simon Rich to discuss his latest book of comedic short stories, New Teeth. One of the youngest writers to be hired on Saturday Night Live, Simon shares how his writing has become much more optimistic since becoming a father, where he finds inspiration for his absurdist fiction, and why his primary goal for the future is so simple.

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Sara Arnell, THERE WILL BE LOBSTER

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Sara Arnell, THERE WILL BE LOBSTER

Sara Arnell joins Zibby to discuss her debut book, There Will Be Lobster, which documents her midlife crisis and what she learned in the throes of it. Sara and Zibby talk about the resistance many feel to recognizing they are middle-aged. Sara also shares the serious tolls this era took on her mental health, how her children got involved with shaping and sharing the story, and why she hopes this book will be a guide for others who are uncomfortable with middle age.

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