Weekly Highlights for Book Lovers

My Podcast's 8th Birthday + Changes

Apr 06, 2026

Recording my very first podcast introduction in 2018

You guys. Exactly eight year ago today, on April 6, 2018, I released my very first podcast interview. It was with author — and HBS classmate and friend — Lea Carpenter. (You can listen to that early episode here.)

I remember it like it was yesterday. I’d just gotten the hang of my microphone and GarageBand on Apple. I’d Googled “easiest podcast platform ever” and found Podbean which I stayed on until my CAA agent Josh Lindgren got me a deal, years later, with Acast.

From the moment Lea and I started chatting based on the typed questions I’d sent her ahead of time (I did that for guests for the first four years), I was hooked. I got to know her in a whole new way. Time stopped. Nothing distracted me.

As she walked out of my apartment, she said, “Soon, you’ll have a stack of books waiting outside your door. Wait until the book publicists find out.”

“Don’t be silly,” I responded.

Did I know what I was doing? Not really. All I’d done to prepare was listen to many other podcasts to find out what worked and what didn’t. What were the best podcasts doing right? How could I make my show uniquely mine? I picked the books I wanted to learn more about and authors I wanted to get to know better. Now, exactly eight years later, I’ve done 2,300+ episodes (several guest-hosted along the way). I’ve loved every minute. And it has changed my life in every way.

What if I hadn’t tried it?

There were so many podcasts back then, I didn’t know how to or if I would break in. Now, I feel like it’s even harder. Every celebrity has a podcast. Back then, hardly any did. It’s hard to compete with, say, Amy Poehler. And yet, there’s an audience out there for everything. Luckily, there’s still an audience for mine. You! (Keep listening, please!)

I started with one episode per week and couldn’t imagine going to two. Then, during Covid, I moved to daily and released seven episodes a week until last year. Now, on the advice of basically everyone, I’m going down to three per week. (Here’s my very short explanation episode!) But to get around this constraint, I’m doing some episodes with multiple authors linked by theme. I’m so grateful to every single author who has come on my show, some many times. I’m so grateful to everyone who has listened.

Where do I want the show to be in another eight years? I want to keep meeting and learning from extremely talented authors. I want to discover new books and put them on the map. I want to move the needle for authors who come on. I want my audience to grow.

But even if everything stays exactly the same, I’ll be immensely grateful. I’ve interviewed every author on my original wishlist, a goal that felt completely unattainable, a list I made just for fun. Anna Quindlen? Ann Patchett? Michael Lewis? Yes! I’ve spoken to most celebrities and authors I idolized as a kid. (Justine Bateman from Family Ties? Yes.) I’ve accomplished what I set out to do. But I love it. Every minute. It brings me so much joy, every conversation. I have an insatiable curiosity when it comes to learning about other people and inhaling stories.

Will you come with me on the next iteration? I sure hope so. Thanks again!

Totally Booked with Zibby

We’ve moved to three times a week!

Tuesday: Zibby Publishing’s Start at the End by International Bestseller Emma Grey

Australian author Emma Grey’s The Last Love Note kicked off Emma’s journey with our publishing house. I read the PDF on a flight when her agent pitched it for my podcast — and fell in love. We acquired the U.S. rights and published it to much acclaim including as picks of Book of the Month Club and Target Book Club. Then came Pictures of You, an intense story about coercive control, which was also a breakout hit. Emma’s third U.S. novel Start at the End comes out today! It’s about love, loyalty, second chances, artistic ambition, family and what ifs. Join Emma on tour and learn more here!

Wednesday: The Perfect Graduation Gift — with Great Life Advice

Christina Geist, bestselling children’s book author and brand guru, wrote Before You Fly Away: Life Lessons from Home, a beautifully illustrated gift book. It’s chockfull of short thoughts and sayings that Christina put together to help her kids out in the world. But really, it’s going to help all our kids. And, perhaps, us, too. Stay tuned on my Instagram for a giveaway this week!

Thursday: Bookstore Owner + NYT Bestselling Author Jenny Lawson on How to Be Okay When Nothing is Okay

Founder of Nowhere Bookshop is anywhere but nowhere. She’s a guru. Jenny Lawson has written book after book about her mental health, obstacles, tips and tricks, using her sense of humor and relatable voice. How to Be Okay When Nothing is Okay is my favorite of all her books to date. I dog-earred so many pages with actual, actionable advice. Plus I love following her on social (thebloggess). Let me know if this book makes you feel better. I know I did.