"I think making mistakes is a really important part of parenting. It's actually good for our kids when we screw up because it's an opportunity for us to take responsibility." Melinda Wenner Moyer joined Zibby and former podcast guest Christina Hillsberg for a virtual event with the Strand Bookstore to discuss her first book, How to Raise Kids Who Aren't Assholes, and parenting at large. The three talked about why mothers carry so much guilt (as well as how they can start letting some of it go), the different ways anxiety manifests in kids and parents both seeking to do the right thing, and their top tips for raising well-adjusted kids. The three moms also acknowledge that it doesn't take years of research or hundreds of parenting books to be a good parent; all you truly need to do is be a good person.
Dr. Traci Baxley, SOCIAL JUSTICE PARENTING
Educator, parenting coach, and author of Social Justice Parenting Dr. Traci Baxley joins Zibby to talk about her work on and off the page. Traci and Zibby discuss how to talk about marginalization with children to start raising compassionate and active allies, the impact that radical love can have in a child's life, and why maternal activism is magical to Traci. She also shares her ROCKS System, which she refers to as the basis of social justice parenting as it combines kindness with reflection and social engagement.
Gillian Laub, FAMILY MATTERS
When photographer Gillian Laub completed her visual book Family Matters last Thanksgiving, she had no idea where her family would be today. Although Gillian had been photographing her family consistently since 1990, the 2016 Presidential Election and their subsequent support for Donald Trump changed the shape of her work and the dynamics of their tight-knit clan. Gillian shares what it was like navigating those four polarizing years, capturing her family's eclectic history and their role in her career, and why this Thanksgiving marks a new era of unity and healing.
Denise Kiernan, WE GATHER TOGETHER
Journalist, producer, and author Denise Kiernan joins Zibby to talk about her latest book, We Gather Together. Denise shares how she sought to weave together the history of Thanksgiving, a biography of the woman who helped make it a national holiday, and research on the benefits of actively practicing gratitude. The two also talk about what it was like to write about coming together during an era of social distancing, why she is developing We Gather Together into children's and middle-grade books to share with the whole family, and which Thanksgiving food Denise argues is the best. Have a happy and healthy Thanksgiving!!!
Melanie Kirkpatrick, THANKSGIVING
Zibby is joined by former Wall Street Journal editor Melanie Kirkpatrick to discuss her book, Thanksgiving. Melanie shares how her research for Thanksgiving led to her most recent work of non-fiction, Lady Editor, about the often-overlooked life story of Sarah Josepha Hale, the woman who helped make Thanksgiving a national holiday. Melanie and Zibby also talk about some of Sarah's efforts that are still relevant in our lives today, the surprising role religion played in the history of Thanksgiving, and why it is so important to learn the true history of this holiday. Have a happy and healthy Thanksgiving!!!
Kris Clink, SISSIE KLEIN IS COMPLETELY NORMAL
Zibby is joined by Kris Clink to talk about her sophomore novel, Sissie Klein Is Completely Normal, which dives into the life story of a minor character from her debut. Kris and Zibby talk about their respective podcasts, how Kris's friends have inspired her stories, and which book is coming next in her Lark Lovejoy series. Read Kris's article for Moms Don't Have Time to Write about how she knew it was time to pursue her dream of writing a book.
Carolyn Ferrell, DEAR MISS METROPOLITAN
"The thread that runs through all of my work is that I don't like when people are not heard or seen." Zibby is joined by short story writer, professor, and novelist Carolyn Ferrell to talk about her latest book, Dear Miss Metropolitan. The two talk about the real-life events that partially inspired this novel, how Carolyn handled her own mental health as she dove deeply into her character's twisted psychologies, and the mythical moment Carolyn realized she was going to be a writer.
Hillary Rodham Clinton and Louise Penny, STATE OF TERROR
Former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and author Louise Penny joined Zibby for an event with the Temple Emanu-El Streicker Center to discuss their New York Times bestselling political thriller, State of Terror, which centers around one of Secretary Clinton's greatest fears: the possibility that terrorists could get ahold of nuclear weapons. Secretary Clinton and Penny share how they met through Clinton's late best friend and bonded through Penny's grief after losing her husband. The duo also reveals what it took for them to hit their co-writing stride, which political powerhouse inspired their protagonist, how President Clinton was recovering after his recent hospitalization, and why it was important that the story focused on strong but imperfect women.
Kate MacDougall, LONDON'S NUMBER ONE DOG-WALKING AGENCY
Author of London's Number One Dog-Walking Agency Kate MacDougall joins Zibby to discuss not only her memoir but the real-life career change that inspired it. MacDougall shares how she always knew the story had the potential to become a book, what it was like to watch her now-husband fall in love with dogs over the course of their relationship, and which writers she has been turning to for inspiration as she finishes her debut novel.
Amy Mason Doan, LADY SUNSHINE
Amy Mason Doan joins Zibby to talk about her third novel, Lady Sunshine, which was inspired in part by a song off of the album, Mermaid Avenue. Amy shares why all of her books grapple with nostalgia and past friendships, how she used an oft-forgotten story about Woodie Guthrie to shape the premise of her story, and the unique place where she wrote the novel during the Covid-19 lockdown. Check out the playlist Amy crafted based on the novel here.
Matthew Barzun, THE POWER OF GIVING AWAY POWER
Former Ambassador to the United Kingdom and Sweden Matthew Barzun joins Zibby to talk about his latest book, The Power of Giving Away Power, and how the best leaders are often the ones who don't lord their power over others. Matthew shares how his experience with the 2008 Obama presidential campaign and his interactions with Queen Elizabeth sparked his research, as well as how their leadership style often inspires their supporters to be more willing to volunteer than accept payment for their efforts.
Dr. Inger Burnett-Zeigler, NOBODY KNOWS THE TROUBLE I'VE SEEN
Clinical psychologist Dr. Inger Burnett-Zeigler joins Zibby to discuss her new book, Nobody Knows the Trouble I've Seen, which grew from her 2018 New York Times article, "The Strong and Stressed Black Woman." Inger and Zibby talk about the different ways in which Black women are sharing their experiences through both fiction and non-fiction, the effects of intergenerational trauma, and how Inger's grandmother not only inspired her to write this book but to also claim all of the goodness the world has to offer.
Kaira Rouda, THE NEXT WIFE & SOMEBODY'S HOME
Bestselling author Kaira Rouda joins Zibby to talk about two of her novels, The Next Wife and Somebody's Home, both of which she wrote during the pandemic lockdown. Kaira shares how she took the advice she gave to other women in her career prior to writing and became the novelist she always wanted to be, what inspired her to make the shift to domestic thrillers, and what advice she gives to her children about their own writing.
Zelmira Crespi & Maria Luisa Montt, HAPPY MOM, HAPPY KID
"We wanted to give you that final nudge and the permission to understand that you are not alone." Zibby is joined by Zelmira Crespi and Maria Montt, co-authors of Happy Mom, Happy Kid. The three talk about their experiences as working moms, the research Zelmira and Maria conducted for this book, and what they found to be the best solution for striking the healthiest work-life balance. Zelmira and Maria also share their most impactful finding: kids just want to be around happy parents, regardless of how that happiness is achieved.
Joshua Henkin, MORNINGSIDE HEIGHTS
Joshua Henkin joins Zibby to discuss his latest novel, Morningside Heights, which took him eight years and three thousand pages to write. Joshua shares how the story was inspired by his own family's experience with Alzheimer's and his childhood growing up on the Upper West Side. The two also talk about Joshua's MFA program, how growing up in an academic family shaped his career trajectory, and why he wanted to tell this story over the span of so many years.
John Freeman, THE PENGUIN BOOK OF THE MODERN AMERICAN SHORT STORY
John Freeman, editor, anthologist, and creator of the literary annual Freeman's, joins Zibby to discuss how he put together The Penguin Book of the Modern American Short Story, as well as his esteemed career in the publishing industry. The two talk about what makes a strong short story, why those who work in publishing are some of the most hopeful people, and how collaboration is one of the greatest joys of literature.
Einat Nathan, MY EVERYTHING
"I want every parent to just take a deep breath. We give so much weight to our speeches and to the words that we say. We neglect the small atoms of the family atmosphere and the way we share our imperfections with them." Israeli parenting expert and author Einat Nathan joins Zibby to talk about her bestselling memoir, My Everything. Einat shares how even though she is known for helping other parents, her own parenting experience has been far from perfect, and the ways in which she has shifted her thinking to accept her children and herself exactly as they are.
Laura Lynne Jackson, SIGNS
"Your life is greater than you can imagine. You are more loved and supported than you can imagine." Zibby is joined by author and medium Laura Lynne Jackson to talk about her latest book, Signs, which shows readers how they can communicate with those who have passed on. Laura Lynne shares what her daily experience is like with so many spirit guides trying to channel messages through her, how they helped her to make the move from teaching to writing books full time, and what she plans to work on next. In addition, Zibby gets a message from a special visitor on the other side.
Daisy Hernández, THE KISSING BUG
New York Times journalist and author of the memoir A Cup of Water Under My Bed, Daisy Hernández, joins Zibby to talk about her latest book, The Kissing Bug, which was inspired by her own family's story. After watching her aunt endure a painful yet unnamed disease for decades, Daisy spent seven years researching and uncovering the facts of the invisible Chagas disease. She shares how weaving together investigative reporting with her own memories was not only important for her personal grieving process but essential to so many readers who have been touched by this under-discussed illness.
Jamise Harper & Jane Mount, BIBLIOPHILE: DIVERSE SPINES
When illustrator Jane Mount DM'd bookstagrammer Jamise Harper, Jamise thought she had messaged the wrong person. But now a year later, the two are ready to share their new book, Bibliophile: Diverse Spines, with the world. Coupling Jamise's book expertise and reading community, Diverse Spines, with Jane's acclaimed artwork, the book invites all kinds of readers to find their next pick— and to have fun doing so.