Zibby Owens on Building a Book Community, Publishing, and Staying Connected Through Stories

📺 Watch & Subscribe on YouTubeIn 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.]What We Explored This Episode00:00 Origins and Surprise Growth01:42 From Mom to Podcaster05:16 Building Skills and Speed07:04 Never Giving Up Writing08:57 Creating On Being Jewish Now13:07 Between Chapters and Substack Essays15:53 Ambition and Publishing Realities18:19 Retreats and In Person Community22:08 Hiring and Evolving the Team27:46 Reading for Joy and Book Picks31:34 Wrap Up and GratitudeMemorable Quotes“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.”Resources MentionedZibby MediaZibby's Bookshop Santa Monica, CAConnect with Zibby OwensWebsites - www.zibbymedia.com and www.zibbyowens.comInstagram - @zibbyowens, @zibbybookshop, @totallybookedwithzibby, @zibbypublishingConnect with PaigeWebsite - https://paigenolan.com/Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/paigenolanwriteFacebook - https://www.facebook.com/paigenolanwriterLinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/paige-nolan-0932751/🎙️Music by Boyd McDonnellCover art photography by Innis CaseyPodcast production & marketing by North Node Podcast Network