Bookmarked by Reese's Book Club

Episode: "Bobbi Brown is Still Bobbi: What a Beauty Icon Learned Writing Her Memoir"

Host: Danielle Robay
Guest: Bobbi Brown
Date: January 6, 2026

Episode Overview

In this engaging New Year’s episode, Danielle Robay sits down with beauty icon and entrepreneur Bobbi Brown to discuss her new memoir, Still Bobbi. The conversation explores themes of authenticity, reinvention, resilience, and staying true to oneself. Bobbi shares personal stories behind her evolution, her writing process, family, and her approach to career and life’s challenges. The episode is filled with candid insights about embracing vulnerability, saying "no," and crafting a legacy—making it deeply relevant for anyone contemplating a new chapter or wrestling with self-doubt.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Announcing Reese's Book Club January Pick (03:08)

• Reese Witherspoon introduces the first ever sequel selection:
  • The First Time I Saw Him by Laura Dave, sequel to The Last Thing He Told Me.
    • Emphasizes strong female protagonists, power, and love.

2. Laura Dave on Sequel-Writing and Inspiration (04:30-16:22)

• Writing Rituals: Laura listens to a song on repeat while writing each book.
  • For the sequel, it was Taylor Swift’s "Cardigan" (06:47).
• Plot Details:
  • The sequel picks up five years after the original, exploring the idea that 'danger returns' to the main characters.
• Character Intelligence:
  • Laura discusses the importance of writing characters as smart as readers expect.

    “I really like the idea when characters are always as smart as we think they are, that we don't find out they were wrong to trust themselves.” – Laura Dave (10:22)

• Quotes as Inspiration:
  • Gloria Steinem’s quote about “watching women become the hero of their own lives” fueled Laura’s novels.

    “That motivated the entire storytelling of this book and the sequel.” – Laura Dave (12:37)

  • Laura emphasizes hope and love at the heart of suspense.

3. Bobbi Brown Interview: A Memoir Meant for Evolving (21:54)

Origin Story: Love of Stories & Reading (22:18)

• Bobbi treasures being read to as a child—highlighting the importance of oral storytelling and audiobooks.

Decision to Write a Memoir (24:08)

• Wrote Still Bobbi not as a capstone, but as a way to help and empower others.

  “I always thought memoirs were kind of when you’re done doing what you’re doing, and I’m just in the middle of it.” – Bobbi Brown (24:08)

• Goal: Show that she learned as she went; her journey was not a straight path.

The Title: "Still Bobbi" (25:01)

• Grounded in authenticity; despite her fame, she’s still the same “girl from Wilmette, Illinois.”

Writing Process & Family Involvement (27:53)

• Collaborated with a ghostwriter, Travis, shaping her memories out loud and printing edits because she can’t type.
• Involved her husband and family in reading, editing, and clearing sensitive content.

Vulnerability in Storytelling (30:28)

• Addresses difficult family topics: mental health, struggles in childhood.
• Therapy-like experience in revisiting and processing past traumas, distinguishing between outgrowing versus blocking painful memories.

The Love Story & Partnership (26:36, 44:48)

• Bobbi credits her husband as the missing piece in her life—partnership built on comfort, respect, and working together through life and business.

  “When I first met him, it was the piece of the puzzle I was missing and didn’t realize it.” – Bobbi Brown (26:36) “He’s smarter than I am, he’s tougher than I am...but he also says, ‘why not?’ Let’s go there. So, you know, it just works.” (45:27)

Navigating Success and Setbacks (35:21)

• Opens memoir reflecting on heartbreak and professional setbacks—wants readers to know that “shit happens” and it’s about how you deal with it.
• Learning to let go, accept what can’t be changed, and evolve.

The Art of Saying "No" and Reinvention (39:22)

• Early success meant saying yes to everything. Now values the empowerment in saying no.

  “Now, at this point in my career, saying no is really nice.” (41:21)

• Describes “having it all” as being able to do more than one thing, not about perfection.

  “Having it all means you can do more than one thing at a time.” (41:47)

• Story of a London woman whose own career reinvention was inspired by Bobbi’s book.

Practical Wisdom & Coaching Others (38:36)

• Hopes her book offers a toolkit for resilience, grit, and pushing forward despite failures.
• Stresses need for boundaries, self-care, and support networks—both in business and personal life.

Serendipity and Synchronicity (51:04)

• Landmark career moments came from chance encounters—meeting a lipstick manufacturer in an elevator, getting on the Today Show after an impromptu comment at a book event.

  “I always see possibilities where other people see obstacles.” (52:56)

Looking Forward & Legacy (53:28)

• Aspires for more unscheduled leisure time; dreams of messy, expressive painting.
• Wishes young Bobbi had known that “things are possible even if you don’t have what you think you should have.” (54:26)
• Encourages others to find their “superpower,” even if it’s unconventional.

Notable Quotes (with Timestamps)

• Laura Dave on character intelligence:

  “I really like the idea when characters are always as smart as we think they are, that we don't find out they were wrong to trust themselves.” (10:22)

• Laura Dave on memoir inspiration:

  “It's so important to watch women become the hero of their own lives.” (12:37, Gloria Steinem quote)

• Bobbi Brown on not being finished:

  “I always thought memoirs were kind of when you’re done doing what you’re doing, and I’m just in the middle of it." (24:08)

• On authenticity:

  “But then I go home to my kids, my husband, and...I’m still Bobby.” (25:11)

• On writing and closure:

  “Did I block out all this bad stuff, or did I just process it and move on? …I really do believe that I didn’t block it out. I felt it, but…I also was able to move on.” (30:28)

• On saying 'no' and boundaries:

  “Now, at this point in my career, saying no is really nice.” (41:21)
  “Having it all means you can do more than one thing at a time.” (41:47)

• On resilience after setbacks:

  “Years later…it was really important for me that people did not think I was angry, bitter, hurt…I learned how to process things. I learned how to let go…and I just evolved…” (37:10)

• On finding your power:

  “You don’t have to be a rule breaker, but you just need to be a rule maker.” (54:37)

Memorable Moments & Timestamps

• Reese Witherspoon’s announcement of first-ever sequel pick: (03:08)
• Bobbi on the misconception of “having it all": (41:47)
• Poignant story about her late mother-in-law and the wisdom of "life is sweet": (32:25)
• Family’s involvement in memoir process (hilarious and heartwarming): (29:08)
• The ‘elevator moment’ that sparked her cosmetics empire: (51:04)
• Describing her love of synchronicity and seeing possibility in every encounter: (52:56)
• Speed Read: Literary rapid-fire—Bobbi’s favorite business book, memoirs, and children’s books: (59:11–62:33)

Timestamps for Key Segments

• 03:08 — Reese's Book Club January pick announcement with Reese Witherspoon
• 04:30–16:22 — Interview with Laura Dave about her new book and creative process
• 21:54 — Main interview with Bobbi Brown begins
• 24:08 — Why Bobbi decided to write her memoir now
• 25:01–27:53 — The meaning behind "Still Bobbi" and writing process with ghostwriter
• 30:28–33:51 — Vulnerability in storytelling, writing about family, and emotional moments
• 35:21 — Opening the memoir with a professional setback
• 39:22–43:10 — The art and evolution of saying "no"
• 51:04–52:33 — Synchronicity: Elevator story and Today Show
• 53:28–57:34 — Looking ahead: legacy, future aspirations, and advice for young Bobbi
• 59:11–62:33 — Rapid-fire “Speed Read” segment with her favorite books

Closing Thoughts

This episode offers more than a glimpse into Bobbi Brown’s public persona—it reveals the core values that have driven her resilience, success, and reinvention. In discussing her memoir, Bobbi models what it means to stay true to oneself while navigating change—and reminds listeners that the next chapter is always possible, no matter where you’re starting from.

For listeners seeking inspiration, practical wisdom, and the affirmation that authenticity can be a superpower, Bobbi Brown’s message—and life—is the perfect companion for the new year.