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In this episode of I’ll Meet You There, host Paige Nolan sits down with author, podcaster, publisher, bookstore owner, and literary community-builder Zibby Owens for a conversation about books, ambition, connection, and the many ways stories bring people together.

Zibby shares how her lifelong love of reading gradually grew into a multifaceted business centered on books and community. What began during a season of personal transition — as a stay-at-home mom, aspiring author, and newly divorced woman trying to find her voice — eventually became a creative platform that includes podcasting, publishing, a bookshop, retreats, events, and a thriving literary community.

Their conversation also explores Zibby’s own writing life, including her memoir Bookends, her novel Blank, and the deeply personal work of editing On Being Jewish Now. Zibby also previews her upcoming essay collection, Between Chapters, and shares a few upcoming reads she’s excited about. This episode is a thoughtful look at creativity, reinvention, entrepreneurship, and the power of staying connected through books, conversation, and shared stories.]

00:00 Origins and Surprise Growth

01:42 From Mom to Podcaster

05:16 Building Skills and Speed

07:04 Never Giving Up Writing

08:57 Creating On Being Jewish Now

13:07 Between Chapters and Substack Essays

15:53 Ambition and Publishing Realities

18:19 Retreats and In Person Community

22:08 Hiring and Evolving the Team

27:46 Reading for Joy and Book Picks

31:34 Wrap Up and Gratitude

“I’ve figured out the secret to the world, which is making what you have to do the thing you love to do the most.”

“You’re never really alone, I feel like, with another book lover.”

“When the world is changing so fast, you have to keep swimming. You can’t just stay or you’ll be washed away.”

“I have a master class in life, in creativity and resilience and all these things. I’m so lucky.”

Zibby Media

Zibby's Bookshop Santa Monica, CA

Websites - www.zibbymedia.com and www.zibbyowens.com

Instagram - @zibbyowens, @zibbybookshop, @totallybookedwithzibby, @zibbypublishing

Website - https://paigenolan.com/

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/paigenolanwrite

Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/paigenolanwriter

LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/paige-nolan-0932751/

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Music by Boyd McDonnell

Cover art photography by Innis Casey

Podcast production & marketing by North Node Podcast Network