Zosia Mamet Embraces Nepo Baby Status in Her New Memoir

Summary

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Bookmarked by Reese’s Book Club

Episode: Zosia Mamet Embraces Nepo Baby Status in Her New Memoir

Host: Danielle Robay
Guests: Zosia Mamet (author and actor), Rebecca Armitage (author, brief segment)
Date: December 2, 2025

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Episode Overview

This episode of Bookmarked by Reese’s Book Club dives into Zosia Mamet’s new essay collection, Does This Make Me Funny?. Zosia, famous for her role as Shoshanna on Girls, sits down with host Danielle Robay for a candid conversation about embracing her "Nepo baby" status, navigating loneliness, body image issues, and the creative process of writing memoir—while also celebrating the joys and turbulence of being a creative in the entertainment industry. The episode balances nostalgia for Girls with sharp literary insight, making it a must-listen for fans of messy, complicated female narratives.

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Key Segments & Timestamps

• [04:18–10:49] Reese's Book Club December Pick: The Heir Apparent by Rebecca Armitage – author interview
• [15:28] Conversation with Zosia Mamet begins
• [17:55–74:14] Main Zosia Mamet Interview: memoir themes, creative process, belonging, Nepo baby discourse, and rapid fire questions
• [75:06] Listener “Book Nook” comfort reading ritual, episode wrap-up

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Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Zosia Mamet's Memoir: Inspiration & Voice of a Generation?

[18:44–19:37]

• Zosia sees herself as a voice for "a very specific brand of anxious millennial girl with specific childhood trauma."
• She doesn't presume to represent an entire generation:

  “I would never deign to… give myself that moniker. I think it’s just like, you know, I’m the voice of like, maybe a very specific brand of anxious millennial girl with specific childhood trauma.” —Zosia Mamet (19:13)

2. Literary Influences & Approach to Memoir

[20:00–21:51]

• Zosia names Eve Babitz and David Sedaris as major inspirations, admiring their ability to balance heartbreak and humor, and to be raw without overwhelming the reader.
• She strove not to burden her readers with trauma:

  “I think they walk this really fine line of oftentimes sharing these very dark things about themselves, but never making it feel like too much.” —Zosia Mamet (20:06)

3. Navigating Vulnerability & Preventing Overwhelm

[21:51–22:54]

• Guided by her husband’s philosophy that storytelling exists to help people feel less alone.
• When material felt too dark, she reframed her intentions:

  “Any time it got too dark, I was like, oh, well, that won’t be helpful. I don’t think that will be helpful for someone.” —Zosia Mamet (21:59)

4. The “Nepo Baby” Opener

[24:46–25:26]

• Opening the memoir with a “Nepo baby” confession was Zosia’s husband’s advice—“beat them to the punch,” and take control of the narrative.
• She discusses the complexities and baggage associated with privilege in the arts, acknowledging its impact but also its emotional costs.

5. Loneliness, Otherness & the Drive for Connection

[25:56–33:05]

• Despite her artistic upbringing, Zosia always felt like an outsider—“like the milkman’s child.”

• Loneliness and feeling like she never quite fit in are major themes, motivating her artistic drive and love of reading.

• Creating art, especially acting, offered her belonging and connection she craved.

• Lena Dunham called her "Pippi Longstocking" for her self-sufficiency while shooting Girls.

  “It’s like when you experience true, true loneliness… you’re almost, like, afraid to touch it because… what if it goes away?” —Zosia Mamet (31:28)

6. Writing, Trauma, and Honesty

[41:18–44:55]

• Many essays stem from vivid memories of trauma or formative moments, which she describes as “fossilized” in her mind.
• She is careful to insert caveats when her memory is murky, positioning herself as a potentially unreliable narrator, but one trying to be as honest as possible.

7. Complicated Girl vs. Messy Woman

[45:20–47:13]

• Danielle suggests Zosia’s book fits the “Complicated Girl” rather than strictly “Messy Woman” canon.
• Zosia says some essays are written for younger iterations of herself, particularly those dealing with body image and adolescence.

8. Body Image, Adolescence, and Solace in Literature

[47:13–49:27]

• Zosia reflects on early experiences with body image—her first “dopamine hit” from feeling skinny at Abercrombie & Fitch—long before adult language or understanding intervened.
• She wishes more adults had spoken to her on her level, not in “recovery language.”

9. Creating Shoshanna & Identifying with Her

[54:06–55:38]

• Zosia is surprised to learn, via friends, that Shoshanna mirrors her own eighth-grade self—contrary to her belief they were completely different.
• Her process involved "going offline" to make room for the character—almost fugue-like immersion.

10. Escapism, Reading, and Recovery

[57:26–58:42]

• Pride and Prejudice was a source of refuge post-breakup—Zosia describes reading it as “brought me back to life a little bit.”

11. The Artist’s Dilemma: Chosen or Choosing

[63:06–68:46]

• Compares being an artist to having an illness you’re born with—it chooses you.

• The challenge is the romantic pull of art versus the brutal, unromantic business side.

• Art’s fulfillment requires an audience, and artists often feel incomplete without feedback and engagement.

  “There is never another walk of life… where the necessity to give all of yourself is so closely in relationship with the potential for true and utter rejection. And also so much bs…” —Zosia Mamet (63:47)

  “The circle of being an artist isn’t closed if you’re creating your art in a vacuum and no one is… consuming. It sort of doesn’t feel whole.” —Zosia Mamet (67:12)

12. Hopefulness vs. Pain

[71:08–72:16]

• Despite the pain in her memoir, Zosia is fundamentally hopeful, always searching for lessons in suffering:

  “How can I make that pain and trauma not pointless? Because otherwise it’s just too sad.” —Zosia Mamet (71:08)

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Notable Quotes

• On storytelling and honesty:

  “Storytelling exists to help people feel less alone.” —Zosia Mamet (21:59)

• On writing about privilege and being a Nepo baby:

  “What if you just beat them to the punch? What if you just say it first and then you kind of control the narrative?” —Zosia Mamet (24:46)

• On art and audience:

  “Part of being an artist requires an audience… The circle isn’t closed if you’re creating in a vacuum and no one is consuming.” —Zosia Mamet (67:12)

• On hope and suffering:

  “How can I make that pain and trauma not pointless? Because otherwise it’s just too sad.” —Zosia Mamet (71:08)

• On reading for comfort:

  “Pride and Prejudice is like… there was something about reading that book that… brought me back to life a little bit.” —Zosia Mamet (57:37)

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Audience and Community Engagement

• Zosia shares her “bookmarked” item of the week:

  “Still a kid with dreams” — sidewalk chalk art in New York (34:27)

• Encourages listeners to share their own comfort reading rituals in The Book Nook segment (75:06).

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Lightning Round ("Speed Read") Highlights

[72:28–74:14]

• Literary trope to ban: Enemies to lovers
• Trope to defend: The hero’s journey
• Recent read: End of Story (a thriller)
• Shoshanna would read: Whatever Gwyneth Paltrow’s latest book is
• Book most frequently gifted: The Heart’s Invisible Furies by John Boyne, Heroes of the Frontier by Dave Eggers, and more

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Other Noteworthy Moments

• Zosia describes her husband as a huge part of her learning to trust and unlearn loneliness (32:13)
• Childhood love of horses (“horse girl canon”): favorite books include Black Beauty, The Saddle Club series, and Year of the Horse by Courtney Maum (62:00)

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Episode Takeaways

• Zosia Mamet’s memoir is an honest exploration of identity, privilege, belonging, and the pains of artistic creation.
• She is open about her vulnerabilities—loneliness, body image, and the complexity of growing up with a famous family.
• Her rawness is balanced by humor and hope, and she maintains a clear-eyed perspective on both her privileges and her scars.
• The episode is deeply relatable for anyone who has felt “other,” who craves connection through storytelling, or who wrestles with their own complicated inheritance—artistic or otherwise.

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Transcript

[Danielle Robay]

This is an iHeart podcast.

[Zasha Mamet]

Guaranteed Human.

[Danielle Robay]

You know the magic of finding a book you can't put down, right? Well, TikTok takes that feeling to the next level. On TikTok, readers are discovering their favorite genres, sharing quotes that move them, and celebrating the characters they can't stop thinking about. With millions of voices in the community, it feels warm and welcoming. Every day, people are finding books that change the way they see the world and even shaping the next big trends in publishing. Today's episode is brought to you by Cotton. We spend a lot of time with stories, hours curled up with dynamic plots and characters who feel like friends. What if the story isn't just in your hands, but also in the world around you, in the fabric that's holding you close? Cotton is that timeless companion. Soft sheets for a lazy weekend morning with a book. Breezy dresses for afternoons spent reading in the backyard. It's the fabric that can be tossed in the wash without fuss. It's about ease, comfort and caring for yourself and the planet. Just like books we cherish, cotton weaves meaning into everyday moments. Next time you settle in for a chapter, slip into something. Cotton. Not just to read the story, but to feel it. Cotton the fabric of our lives. Learn more at thefabricofourlives.com@just roll they believe the kitchen is where joy lives with their refrigerated dough. There's no fussy proofing, no hours of waiting. Just big smells, big smiles and that first irresistible flak bite. They do the hard part so you could skip straight to the fun. Just Roll Puff pastry is made with non GMO high quality ingredients ready to roll with parchment paper straight from the fridge. No thawing, no stress. Just golden bakery worthy layers every single time. With Just Roll, every bake is simple. From savory show stopping appetizers to sweet dessert masterpieces, this is a fresh way to bake. Familiar but better. Find Just Roll puff pastry in the refrigerated section of your grocery store or visit JustRoll do to find a store near you.

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[Danielle Robay]

Holiday doorbuster.

[Zasha Mamet]

Deals are on at Lowe's today only.

[Danielle Robay]

Get select 1 quart point SETAs and select translucent plant saucers for $1 each.

[Zasha Mamet]

That means for a limited time, you.

[Danielle Robay]

Can decorate to get in the Christmas spirit for less. Shop in store to make sure you don't miss out on big savings all day.

[Zasha Mamet]

But hurry, these offers won't last long. Lowe's we help you save ballot 1128 in store only. Limit 16 per person.

[Danielle Robay]

Selection varies by location while supplies last Bookmarked by Reese's Book Club is presented by Apple Books. Hi, I'm Danielle Robe and welcome to Bookmarked by Reese's Book Club. We have two great conversations this week, so in a bit we're talking with Sasha Mamet, author and actor best known for, I mean, let's be honest, fan fave Girls character Shoshanna Shapiro.

[Zasha Mamet]

I love you so much. Like to the ends of the world and back so much. But sometimes I love you the way that, like, I feel sorry for a monkey. Like they're just, they need so much help and they're in such an ugly cage.

[Danielle Robay]

But first, it's the first Tuesday of the month, so you know what that means. It's time to introduce the latest Reese's Book Club pick, Reese Queen. Take it away. Happy holidays all you readers out there.

[Zasha Mamet]

Okay, I'm really excited about the book club pick in December. It is called the Heir Apparent by Rebecca Armitage. It's full of family drama, royal intrigue, and one woman deciding what she wants her future to be. It's got incredibly high stakes and an amazing love triangle in it. I think you're going to love it. It's the perfect book to cozy up with this month, so please enjoy the Heir Apparent by Rebecca Armitage.

[Danielle Robay]

Congratulations to Rebecca. There's so much that sounds enticing about this month's read, but what really hooked me, guys, is the real life parallels between Rebecca's fictional royal family and the actual royals. She's a journalist who's spent a lot of her career covering the British monarchy, so she knows her stuff. And before we dive into the heir apparent this month, it wouldn't be Reese's Book Club if we couldn't give you a little behind the scenes scoop straight from the author herself. Rebecca, welcome to the club.

[Rebecca Armitage]

Thank you so much. It is the honor of my life. I can't believe it.

[Danielle Robay]

Oh, it's so cool. And December 2nd is your pub day. Your very first one. Cue the confetti. Woo. Thank you. How are you celebrating? Champagne, cake, both? What's happening?

[Rebecca Armitage]

I think there's going to be a croissant breakfast and then I'm going to go to some bookstores and offer to sign their copies. And then we're going to have a launch party and there's going to be sparkling wine. And my father in law used to have a vineyard, so we'll be cracking into his back catalog.

[Danielle Robay]

Okay. This is fabulous. And so well planned out.

[Rebecca Armitage]

Yeah, of course.

[Danielle Robay]

Okay. Something I really love about Aries's book club pick is that it is a total surprise until it's released with that sticker on the COVID I have to know who you called first. Who was the first person you told about being Arisa's book club pick?

[Rebecca Armitage]

I told my husband in a sort of wordless, weird way because I got an email quite early in the morning from my American publisher, Reagan Arthur. And it said, congratulations, Reese Witherspoon has picked your book. And I thought, no, no, I'm hallucinating. That's not right. I've misread that email and it took, I think I read it about five times. And I was like, no, I must be wrong. I need a second opinion. So I went into my husband's office at home and just wordlessly handed him the phone and he said, oh, my God, you've been chosen for Reese's Book Club. And until he said that, I fully did not believe it.

[Danielle Robay]

This is your first novel and you spent years telling other people's stories as a journalist. Was there a passage or a scene where you thought, this is it. This is why I write?

[Rebecca Armitage]

Yes. It's going to sound kind of ghoulish, but there is an avalanche scene fairly early in the book. And at that point I really did not have confidence that I was going to be able to do this. Every day was really hard. But I got to that avalanche scene and I'd done all this research, watched so many YouTube clips of avalanches. And by the time I finished that scene, I thought, I really like what I've just written. I don't know if I'm going to finish this book, but I feel really proud of this passage, and it just gave me enough boot to keep going.

[Danielle Robay]

And your social media rollout for this book is so good. I saw that you posted a mood board, sort of like a montage on Instagram. So can you give us a little taste? If you're a fan of Blink, you'll love this book.

[Rebecca Armitage]

Yes, I would love to. So I think if you liked the crown, you will like this. If you liked succession, there's a dash of succession in there. If you like Taylor Jenkins Reid, I think you'll like this book. And there's just a tiny little sprinkling, which is everyone. And there's just the tiniest little dash of the Princess Diaries as well. So that might sound like a weird combination, but I promise it'll make sense once you've devoured it.

[Danielle Robay]

So, Rebecca, I love every book club, but in your average book club, you don't get to chat with the author before you dive into the book. So I have you here. I'm about to dive in. What should I keep in mind? What should we keep in mind as we read along?

[Rebecca Armitage]

I want to know if you like Lexi because she's a little bit complicated. You know, she's not the perfect heroine. She's got some flaws. So I want to know if you like her. Do they think Lexi made the right choice? Because I've heard from people who were really happy with the ending, and I've heard from people who wish she had done the opposite. So ask yourself what you hope will happen and then see how you feel at the end. And I want to know what you think about inherited power at the end. I think that's probably the thorniest question is, did it change your view or make you think differently about what happens when people are given power instead of.

[Danielle Robay]

Earning it or taking it?

[Rebecca Armitage]

Yes.

[Danielle Robay]

Well, this is a very royal book. So I have some fun royal questions for you. Who's your favorite royal to interview?

[Rebecca Armitage]

I've never interviewed a royal because they rarely put themselves forward. But my dream royal would be Princess Anne.

[Danielle Robay]

Who's the best dressed royal?

[Rebecca Armitage]

I really don't think anyone's topped Princess Diana. I think she remains all time.

[Danielle Robay]

Oh, my God, the cool 90s jeans and the cowboy boots and the T shirts. The coolest. Yeah. Who's the most underrated royal.

[Rebecca Armitage]

Look? I actually think Queen Camilla is underrated. Because I think she comes with a lot of baggage, but I think she by all accounts is the most fun person to hang out with. And I think she's done so much interesting charity work. She does sexual violence. So she's really picked interesting causes that I think have pushed the boundaries. So I think she's actually a really cool woman. But because of the legacy of the Diana Charles love triangle, she's often dismissed. But I think there's an interesting character.

[Danielle Robay]

There who's a royal that you'd want to have a drink with.

[Rebecca Armitage]

I'm going to go with Harry. I think he would be fun and I think he'd have good gossip and he just seems like he knows how to party.

[Danielle Robay]

What's a royal scandal that you secretly cannot stop reading about?

[Rebecca Armitage]

You know, I really don't think we've ever got past the Diana Charles Camilla years. Like, I think that that is now a modern day fairy tale, really. Like, you think about the way everyone has an opinion and everyone remembers that. And it's just so complicated because you see everyone's point of view. Like, you feel for Diana, this young, young woman, and you feel for Charles, who was kind of pushed into a marriage he didn't want and did it out of duty instead of love. I just think it's the most complicated, epic love story that's ever been told.

[Danielle Robay]

Rebecca, I'm so excited to dive in and I can't wait to ask you a million questions in a few weeks when you come back.

[Rebecca Armitage]

Thank you so much.

[Danielle Robay]

Okay, it's your turn to jump in. So grab the heir apparent and read or listen with us all month long. I'm going to be reading along with you, so as you go, email me voice memos with all of your thoughts, your questions, your hot takes. I particularly want to know who you think the fictional characters are based on. So send me a voice memo or an [e-mail] and at month's end, we'll sit down with Rebecca again and dig into all the juicy details. Every reader knows the feeling that spark when you open a book and suddenly hours disappear. The way a story can pull you in so deeply it feels like it was written just for you. On TikTok. That spark doesn't stay contained, it spreads. A single quote can inspire millions. A passionate review can send readers racing to the shelves. And a quiet recommendation can grow into the next big cultural moment. Here, genres collide and new favorites emerge. Romances, thrillers, fantasies and memoirs. All shared with the kind of honesty that makes discovery personal. Because on TikTok, books aren't just read, they're lived, discussed, celebrated and passed along to the next person who needs them. It's more than reviews, it's connection, it's belonging. It's a global book club, always open, always growing. The TikTok book community is where the next story finds you and the conversation never ends. At Just Roll, they believe the kitchen is where joy lives with their refrigerated dough. There's no fussy proofing, no hours of waiting. Just big smells, big smiles and that first irresistible flaky bite. They do the hard part so you could skip straight to the fun. Just Roll Puff Pastry is made with non GMO high quality ingredients ready to roll with parchment paper straight from the fridge. No thawing, no stress, just golden bakery worthy layers every single time. With Just Roll, every bake is simple. From savory show stopping appetizers to sweet dessert masterpieces, this is a fresh way to bake. Familiar but better find. Just Roll Puff Pastry in the refrigerated section of your grocery store or visit justroll.com to find a store near you Today's episode is brought to you by Cotton. We spend a lot of time with stories. Hours curled up with dynamic plots and with characters who feel like friends. What if the story isn't just in your hands but also in the world around you? In the fabric that's holding you close, Cotton is that timeless companion. Soft sheets for lazy weekend mornings with a book. Breezy dresses for afternoons spent reading in the backyard. It's the fabric that can be tossed in the wash without fuss. It's about ease, comfort and caring for yourself and the planet. Just like the books we cherish, cotton weaves meaning into our everyday moments. Moments like following four adult daughters as they navigate love, loss and the legacy in the Most Fun We Ever had by Claire Lombardo, all while curled up in soft cotton. Joggers or Sinking into the island of Missing Trees by Elif Shafak. A story that spans generations. Forbidden love and a fig tree that remembers everything. Wrapped in a hand stitched quilt, each thread holding its own kind of memory. Next time you settle in for a chapter, slip into something cotton. Not just to read the story, but to feel it. Cotton the fabric of our lives. Learn more at thefabricofourlives.com the following ad.

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[Zasha Mamet]

You knew right away. He's perfect.

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[Danielle Robay]

Is the best place to read, listen to or discover the books you love without a subscription right on your iPhone. And now there's a very exciting heads up for listeners. Apple Books is the official audiobook and ebook home for Reese's Book Club, so it's easier than ever to explore each monthly book pick, plus author curated collections and more all in one place. Open the Apple Books app to explore a world of books and audiobooks. You can set goals and track your reading progress. Book get great recommendations for your next read or listen and enjoy it all on the go wherever you are. You can even share your books with up to five family members at no cost. Again, no subscription required. Visit Apple co reeseapplebooks to find out more. That's Apple co reeseapplebooks and read or listen to Reese's current Pick and browse past selections today on Apple Books. Okay, we're going to switch gears from put together princess vibes to the Messy Woman genre. You know, the kind of complex, flawed female characters who are navigating chaotic lives and kind of making some terrible choices along the way. Well, I'm thinking about Amy Dunne in Gone Girl or the Anonymous 20 something in my year of Rest and Relaxation. You kind of love them for their rebellion, right? But you're also kind of screaming at them through the pages. But what if the messy arc was part of our own story? It definitely was for me, and I think if you've been a 20 something in this world, it probably was for you too. And Zasha Mamet's new collection of essays, does this Make Me Funny? Might be a new nonfiction addition to the Messy Woman canon. The essays are super Raw and vulnerable, taking us into bad relationships, bad parties, body issues, awkward auditions, and creating her most famous character, Shoshana from Girls. And Zasha doesn't pull many punches. It's endearing. She knows that you'll be screaming at her younger self through the pages, and she even opens the book acknowledging her Nepo baby status. So if you're looking for a conversation that hits some girls nostalgia and takes you to vulnerable, creative places with a side of literary lusciousness, you're in the right place. Let's turn the page with Zasha Mamet. Sasha, welcome to the club.

[Zasha Mamet]

Thank you so much for having me. I'm so excited to be here.

[Danielle Robay]

Your head was bobbing like it was a real club. I was into it.

[Zasha Mamet]

I think I'm feeling the moves because I went to like an aerobics dance class this morning where it felt like I was in the club and now it just feels like I can't walk upstairs without crying because my legs hurt so much. It's like that specific area between where your butt and your. What is that? Your hamstrings, I guess, meet when you do a workout that makes you remember that exists. You're like, oh, oh, no. Oh, no.

[Danielle Robay]

Well, neither one of us understand science, apparently, so. I'm so happy we're doing a book club podcast.

[Zasha Mamet]

Yes.

[Danielle Robay]

I feel like we really have a lot to talk about. I think our readers, including me, hold so much affection for your characters. Shoshana included on Girls. And I opened your book and I was thinking, okay, this is an essay collection and you're kind of living out the dream of Lena Dunham's character Hannah on the show. I kept thinking like, I am the voice of a generation. Does this book make you the voice of our generation?

[Zasha Mamet]

Oh, my God. I mean, I would never deign to like, give myself that moniker. I think it's just like, you know, I'm the voice of like, maybe a very specific brand of like, anxious millennial girl with specific childhood trauma.

[Danielle Robay]

So you grew up in this very big theater family and you just shared your first nonfiction book. This is also in the essay realm. You've had a column for Glamour. Nonfiction really pulls you in, it seems. Did you pull inspiration from anyone specifically?

[Zasha Mamet]

Eve Babbitts was a really big influence on me.

[Danielle Robay]

What did you want to emulate about her?

[Zasha Mamet]

I really love that she has this ability to write about herself in a way that never feels arrogant or self centered and she is able to just break your heart and make you laugh within the same paragraph. And she always to me, just feels like she's just talking to you. Like, her stories just read to me, like you're hanging out with a good friend. I feel very similarly about David Sedaris. Like, there's just something that's so unabashed about the way that they both write. And I think they walk this really fine line of oftentimes sharing these very dark things about themselves, but never making it feel like too much. I've just always really admired that and been grateful for that because their writing feels so honest. But it doesn't feel like. I don't know what better adjective to use other than abusive. Like, you know, sometimes you read someone's story and you're just like, I don't even know how to metabolize this because it's so. It's so much. And I knew I didn't want to do that.

[Danielle Robay]

That's interesting, because how do you, as a writer, avoid that? Because I think you did avoid that. And you share some things that I think could fall into the realm of feeling really hard to metabolize. There's definitely trauma with a capital T.

[Rebecca Armitage]

In there.

[Danielle Robay]

Not a lowercase T. How did you avoid that?

[Zasha Mamet]

I really just tried to tell a story, like, something that was very much a driving force for me when writing this book, when I started to feel unworthy or overwhelmed by how intimate I was getting. I steal this thing from my husband. Whenever people ask him, like, why he is an actor. He's like, well, the whole reason that we are storytellers that, like, storytelling exists is to help people feel less alone. I would just think about telling it in a way that would maybe help someone feel seen or give them something to latch onto. Any time it got too dark, I was like, oh, well, that won't be helpful. I don't think that will be helpful for someone. I don't think that that will be, like, additive.

[Danielle Robay]

I like having a prism or a structure or a lens whenever I dive into a project. And so I can, like, ask myself questions based on. Does this serve X, Y and Z? It sounds like you did that. Would you ever dive into fiction?

[Zasha Mamet]

I don't know. Fiction is hard. It seems so hard. It seems so hard. It's. I have.

[Danielle Robay]

We don't know how authors, like, plot it all out.

[Zasha Mamet]

I don't know how they do it. I just read Reese and Harlan's book. I devoured it. I read it in, like, a day and a half, and I just thought, I'm. I love to read thrillers, especially when I'm working, because I need something that's really going to, like, pull me in because my brain's so overwhelmed by words to begin with. But I'm always just like, how. How did you do? How did you do that? Like, it's just. It's so crazy to me the way specifically, like, thriller writers will weave these stories and these twists and these crazy plot points. I don't know if my brain has the ability to do that. I don't know.

[Danielle Robay]

I feel the same way. I also devoured the book. I was so mad. I. I started kind of late at like 9 or 10pm and I ended up being up until 2am and then I interviewed Harlan and Reese, and Harlan was like, yeah, that's what we were going for.

[Zasha Mamet]

Yeah, totally. I couldn't put it down. I was just like, I have to know.

[Danielle Robay]

So you open up in your book with a rundown of your family tree, and I knew that you had an artistic family. I did not realize that you stood on artistic legacy the way you did, both from your mom and your dad. And what was the decision to open with the Nepo baby confession, especially when that's such a hot button term nowadays.

[Zasha Mamet]

It was actually my husband's idea. I was sort of anxiety dumping to him one night about all of my fears about the book and what the reception might be and what people might say. And he was like, well, what if you just beat them to the punch? Like, what if you just say it first and then you kind of control the narrative to a certain extent? And I was like, yeah, really good idea. I'm gonna take that one. And I liked the idea that, yeah, if I put it out on the table, like, if I literally started the book with it, then I was kind of like calling myself out first.

[Danielle Robay]

When I read it, I thought, oh, this is interesting, because the term Nepo baby, we all look at it and think, oh, these people have so much privilege. And yet you made it clear that it comes with a whole other set of pain and problems that we probably don't understand. You wrote something that really hit me. You said sometimes you felt like you were left on the doorstep as a baby. What did you mean by that?

[Zasha Mamet]

It's funny. It's like I come from these artists, and I obviously feel a kinship to them in that way, but I just sort of always felt like an outsider. Like, even within my family, I just always sort of felt like. Like I just didn't really fit. And so I just often wondered if I was like the milkman's child or something.

[Danielle Robay]

There was like this through line of really deep seated loneliness in your book?

[Zasha Mamet]

Yeah, for sure. I think that feeling of otherness was this thing that just that I've had, like, since I can remember. I do come from this sort of intense family of very specific humans with, you know, specific large personalities. I was very much the one as a kid who was like, I wasn't like, getting in there. The first time my husband came to dinner at my dad's house, he was like, it's like the Hunger Games of wit. It's like you.

[Danielle Robay]

It's.

[Zasha Mamet]

The dinner table is literally. And I was like, yeah, it's always been like that. But. But I've never been someone who wants to get in the ring. I'm always just kind of sitting back and observing. And so I think, yeah, that kind of permeated a lot of my upbringing. And it's one of the reasons that I was so obsessed with reading because books were really some of my best friends. They were like those characters, those authors. Those words were the. They were the things that I interacted with the most.

[Danielle Robay]

I had a light bulb go off when I read your book because in a similar and different way, I have felt deep seated loneliness growing up. And there would be no reason for it. Like, I didn't grow up with artists who lived interior lives. You could never pinpoint why. I just had always felt it. And one time I was talking to a therapist and I was thinking about breaking up with someone, and she said, well, what's the fear? And I said, well, I'll be alone. I'll be in my bed staring at the ceiling with the lights off, just so alone. And the therapist was sort of a witch, in a good way. And she goes, huh, that's so interesting because you have dedicated your entire career to connection, which is the opposite of loneliness. And you said you felt belonging when you started working.

[Zasha Mamet]

And I was like, oh, wow.

[Danielle Robay]

And I'll be honest, when I went into your book, because you're so funny thinking I was going to laugh, and I did. There were parts that were very funny, but my heart really hurt for the little version of you. Do you feel like the people that have read this book so far have connected with that feeling of loneliness? Is there a chapter or a moment that is being reflected back to you?

[Zasha Mamet]

Not necessarily specifically. That's so interesting that your therapist said that to you. And it's fascinating, right? Because it's like, I think the same goes for acting or directing. This need to find connection and community and to like, meet on this very specific Playing field of Art and, like, how close that can make you feel to someone so quickly. I don't think that there's necessarily one chapter in particular that people are like that. That one. But I think it was something that was important for me to imbue the book with because it was such an overarching experience for so much of my life. And, like, even when I started working, it still kind of followed me. Like Lena when we first started shooting season one. Because I wasn't, like, particularly close with my family in the way that, like, everyone else was. And I moved to New York by myself, and I didn't have a good high school experience, so I didn't have, like, super close high school friends. Like, I didn't really have a support system. She used to call me Pippi Lawnstocking when I would tell them stories about my childhood. She was like, it's like, you raised yourself. It's like you were a forest child. And I was like, I mean, not. No. And so I think as I started to hunt down that support system, I was so to your point of, like, being afraid to break up with someone, it's like when you experience true, true loneliness, and then you come across someone or something that could potentially quell that, you're almost, like, afraid to touch it because you're like, but if I touch it and then it goes away.

[Danielle Robay]

I.

[Zasha Mamet]

What will I do? I will cease to exist. And it almost feels easier to just be like, I'm just not gonna touch it. Like, I just don't want to know how good it feels on the other side.

[Danielle Robay]

Absolutely. That's so well said.

[Zasha Mamet]

I really just wanted to try to express that as, like, intimately as I could in the book. To also be like, you're not alone in feeling alone. And that loneliness, there is an antidote to it. You just have to trust that there is, and you have to find it or be open to it finding you.

[Danielle Robay]

Yeah. Do you feel like you do not feel as lonely anymore?

[Zasha Mamet]

Yeah, very much not so. I mean, my husband was, like, a. Was a huge part of that. When I realized I was in love with him. I remember the day it happened, and we were doing this play together, and it was a Saturday, so we had a matinee and a night show, and we would, like, go take a nap in between. I remember we were laying in my bed in my first apartment in New York, and I suddenly was like, oh, no, I'm in love with him. And I started hysterically crying, and he was like, what is wrong? What is wrong? With you, this is, like, a lovely Saturday afternoon. But it was because I realized once I said those words out loud, I couldn't take them back. And once I admitted that, I was like, that makes me so vulnerable, because what if he leaves?

[Danielle Robay]

Yeah.

[Zasha Mamet]

And I think it took me a very long time to trust that he wasn't going to leave, and I started to trust that it was okay. But I don't know. Have you watched Platonic? That show with Rose Byrne and Seth Rogen? It's great. It's so funny. But there's this running joke in the latest season with one of the other characters who has this podcast, and her tagline is don't ask, don't get, which I think is. It sounds kind of silly at first, but it's so true. It's like, don't ask, don't get. That was a big learning curve for me. I was like, oh, yeah. If you are sort of like, in a corner just observing, being quiet, people maybe don't know that you need help or that you're sad or you're lonely or you're looking for connection. So you have to ask for it, and then you, like, open up the doors to getting it. But if you don't ask for it, you can't get it.

[Danielle Robay]

Every week, I ask our guest what they've bookmarked. So it can be a song, a quote, a poem, something that you texted your friends, something that you saved on Instagram. Zasha, what have you bookmarked this week?

[Zasha Mamet]

Oh, my God. Wait, actually, hold on. I was having lunch right before this with my manager, and we were. You know how people tag stuff on the streets, like the sidewalks of New York all the time? We were walking back from lunch, and she stopped and, like, grabbed my arm and pointed down to the sidewalk, and I took a photo of it, and it just says, someone in chalk wrote, still a kid with dreams. And I was like, I love that so much because it's true. And I thought that was a really good reminder. I thought that was a really good reminder to be like, yeah. I mean, I feel like often at the end of the day, we're all just still kids with dreams.

[Danielle Robay]

There's magic in books, the way one story can make you laugh, another can make you cry, and the right one can stay with you long after the last page on TikTok. That magic doesn't just stop when you turn the last page. It multiplies. Readers are swapping their favorite genres, highlighting lines that feel personal and sparking conversations that travel across the globe. One person's review can put a forgotten classic back on the bestseller list. One reader's reaction to a plot twist can connect with millions who felt the exact same way. And one recommendation can grow into you joining a fandom you never knew you needed. This isn't just talking books. It's the book community on TikTok, where stories live on long after the last chapter, where discovery never ends and where your next favorite book is always just a scroll away. At Just Roll, they believe the kitchen is where joy lives with their refrigerated dough. There's no fussy proofing, no hours of waiting. Just big smells, big smiles and that first irresistible flaky bite. It's tiny hands helping unroll the dough. It's laughing over a slightly wonky cinnamon swirl. It's pulling golden puffed layers out of the oven and hearing that perfect crispy crackle. They do the hard part so you could skip straight to the fun. Just Roll Puff Pastry is made with non GMO high quality ingredients ready to roll with parchment paper straight from the fridge. No thawing, no stress, just golden bakery worthy layers every single time. With Just Roll, Every Bake is simple. From savory show stopping appetizers to sweet dessert masterpieces, this is a fresh way to bake. Familiar but better find Just Roll Puff Pastry in the refrigerated section of your grocery store or visit justroll.com to find a store near you Today's episode is brought to you by Cotton. We spend a lot of time with stories, hours curled up with dynamic plots and with characters who feel like friends. What if the story isn't just in your hands but also in the world around you? In the fabric that's holding you close? Cotton is that timeless companion. Soft sheets for lazy weekend mornings with a book, breezy dresses for afternoons spent reading in the backyard. It's the fabric that can be tossed in the wash without fuss. It's about ease, comfort and caring for yourself and the planet. Just like the books we cherish, cotton weaves meaning into our everyday moments. Moments like following four adult daughters as they navigate love, loss and the legacy in the Most Fun We Ever had by Claire Lombardo, all while curled up in soft cotton joggers or sinking into the island of Missing Trees by Elif Shafak, a story that spans generations, forbidden love and a fig tree that remembers everything wrapped in a hand stitched quilt, each thread holding its own kind of memory. Next time you settle in for a chapter, slip into something cotton. Not just to read the story, but to feel it the fabric of our lives. Learn more at thefabricofourlives.com your pet is.

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[Danielle Robay]

Apple Books is the best place to read, listen to or discover the books you love without a subscription right on your iPhone. And now there's a very exciting heads up for listeners. Apple Books is the official audiobook and ebook home for Reese's Book Club, so it's easier than ever to explore each monthly book pick, plus author curated collections and more all in one place. Open the Apple Books app to explore a world of books and audiobooks. You can set goals and track your reading progress. Get great recommendations for your next read or listen and enjoy it all on the go wherever you are. You can even share your books with up to five family members at no cost. Again, no subscription required. Visit Apple co reeseapplebooks to find out more. That's Apple co reeseapplebooks and read or listen to Reese's current Pick and browse past selections today on Apple Books. At the end of the book you write. Having written a book is great, but the writing itself is torture, which I think is funny. I want a window into your process here. When you start these essays, do you start with a specific feeling or a specific scene or moment? Like, what's the seed for you?

[Zasha Mamet]

It depends. At times it was a feeling like this very specific sensation that I wanted to try to convey. And then there were other ones that there were memories or stories that came to me, but I was like, that's the scene that Will start it like the one I wrote about that really horrible relationship that I had. I had like a flashback of the headboard with the bullet hole in it. And I was like, yeah, that's. It's got to start somewhere around there.

[Danielle Robay]

Draws people in so quickly.

[Zasha Mamet]

Oftentimes there are just these very specific, like, divots in a memory that I think are either like the most joyous, the most traumatic, the. The most potent. And I just think that often a story wants to be told from that jumping off point. My dad used to say this thing to me all the time growing up when we would watch movies together. You have to burn the first reel. I forget how long a reel is, but I think it's like five minutes maybe. And he was always like, go back and watch the first five to 10 minutes of that movie. You don't need it. Start a scene already in it. Naturally. When we go to tell stories, we'll often circle back to something from the beginning, but we'll start a little down the road, like, organically, because that's often the point where things start to get juicy. And that was just where the stories wanted to start from a lot of the time in my brain.

[Danielle Robay]

That's such a great writing tip. Thank you for sharing that with us, for sure. I'm wondering how you're trusting your memories because some of these stories involve other people. Are you calling them and asking them how they remember things? Because some of these are from a while ago.

[Zasha Mamet]

Yeah. No, for the most part, I wrote about people I didn't like particularly. So I wouldn't say we have, like, a great continuing relationship. So I didn't. I didn't call to check in with them.

[Danielle Robay]

So. Good.

[Zasha Mamet]

Like, I. People ask me a lot if I kept journals because the stories are oftentimes from a very long time ago. But I think I realized when I was writing a lot of these essays that many of these experiences were like, pretty deeply traumatic ones or just formatively upsetting, I guess they were like, kind of fossilized in my brain. And I think it's because I really put them away after they happened. Like, what is the thing they say about memory? Every time you remember, you remember the memory of the memory. So the more you remember something, it continues to dilute in your mind because it becomes like that far removed from itself. And I think I really had not remembered these things very much throughout my life because I didn't want to buried them. Yeah. And then they kind of were like mummified almost, so they felt very potent and very vivid in my mind. And I made sure when I was writing to create caveats around things or moments within the stories I was telling that got murky. I would try to say, like, this part isn't as clear to me or like I don't remember this specific moment, but I remember before and after. I tried to like out myself as a potentially unreliable narrator, but yeah, everything felt very clear and colorful to me.

[Danielle Robay]

I kind of love that you don't tie everything up in this neat bow either. Like you, you do share what you've learned and you're healing and you're evolving, but you're very clear eyed and honest about it all. And you say that it's still hard. So I closed your book and I thought, okay, is this messy woman or is this complicated girl?

[Zasha Mamet]

And.

[Danielle Robay]

I landed on this is complicated girl more so. So tell me if you think I'm right or wrong on that. But my question to you is that I think writers, and I'm learning this more and more to be true from this podcast, is that writers often write books or characters or. Or themes that they'd wish they'd had in early iterations of themselves. Did you write this collection or this? Or an essay even in particular for young Zasha?

[Zasha Mamet]

That's really interesting. I hadn't actually thought about that. That makes a lot of sense. I'm sure my therapist would have something to say about that. But I do think so much of what I wrote that was revealing about things I had struggled with, or the dark parts or the ugly parts of me I wrote for maybe a current iteration of who I was when I was struggling thinking, like, if this book existed from someone else when I was young, it would have helped this sound self congratulatory and I don't mean it this way, but like it would have helped me to hear something so revealing and raw. Yeah. From someone else and just to literally be like, oh, wow, I'm not the only one going through this.

[Danielle Robay]

Is there an essay that you would tell your 11 year old self, like, read this one first or skip this one.

[Zasha Mamet]

My God. I mean, I don't know if this book is appropriate for 11. 11 year olds.

[Danielle Robay]

That's fair. That's really fair.

[Zasha Mamet]

I don't know why this popped into my head the other day, but I. I was cooking dinner and I had this memory of the first time I ever felt skinny. I was in a dressing room in Abercrombie and Fitch trying on jeans and I remember.

[Danielle Robay]

Needing. It's so millennial.

[Zasha Mamet]

It's so millennial. I mean, I probably haven't been in one since I was 12 and I remember needing a smaller size and I remember just feeling this like surge of relief and power. It was like my whole body. It's sort of like what falling in love felt like. I was just like, oh my God, this feels. It was like a dopamine hit. And I just had this flash of that moment and I hadn't thought about it in so long. And I was thinking about how young I was. Like, I meet 12 year olds now and I'm just like, oh my God, you are a child. And I think if I had had someone who could talk to me intelligently and from experience during that time period on the level that I was at, because I think a lot of what I struggled with was like having a lot of adults talk to me in like recovery language as opposed to just like talking to me. And it just felt like no one understood what I was going through. I wrote a chapter about going on a road trip with my husband and the lack of mirrors and how it literally felt like a detox. Maybe I would give 11 year old me that, that chapter.

[Danielle Robay]

There's magic in books. The way one story can make you laugh, another can make you cry, and the right one can stay with you long after the last page on TikTok. That magic doesn't just stop when you turn the last page, it multiplies. Readers are swapping their favorite genres, highlighting lines that feel personal and sparking conversations that travel across the globe. One person's review can put a forgotten classic back on the bestseller list. One reader's reaction to a plot twist can connect with millions who felt the exact same way. And one recommendation can grow into you joining a fandom you never knew you needed. This isn't just talking books. It's the book community on TikTok, where stories live on long after the last chapter. Where discovery never ends and where your next favorite book is always just a scroll away. At Just Roll, they believe the kitchen is where joy lives with their refrigerated dough. There's no fussy proofing, no hours of waiting, just big smells, big smiles and that first irresistible flaky bite. They do the hard part, so you could skip straight to the fun. Just Roll. Puff pastry is made with non GMO high quality ingredients ready to roll with parchment paper straight from the fridge. No thawing, no stress, just golden bakery worthy layers every single time. With Just Roll, every bake is simple. From savory showstopping appetizers to sweet dessert masterpieces. This is a fresh way to bake familiar but better find Just roll puff pastry in the refrigerated section of your grocery store or visit justroll.com to find a store near you. Today's episode is brought to you by Cotton we spend a lot of time with stories, hours curled up with dynamic plots and with characters who feel like friends. What if the story isn't just in your hands but also in the world around you, in the fabric that's holding you close? Cotton is that timeless companion. Soft sheets for lazy weekend mornings with a book. Breezy dresses for afternoons spent reading in the backyard. It's the fabric that can be tossed in the wash without fuss. It's about ease, comfort and caring for yourself and the planet. Just like the books we cherish, cotton weaves meaning into our everyday moments. Moments like following four adult daughters as they navigate love, loss and the legacy in the Most Fun We Ever had by Claire Lombardo, all while curled up in soft cotton joggers or sinking into the island of Missing Trees by Elif Shafak. A story that spans generations, forbidden love and a fig tree that remembers everything wrapped in a hand stitched quilt, each thread holding its own kind of memory. Next time you settle in for a chapter, slip into something cotton not just to read the story, but to feel it. Cotton the fabric of our lives. Learn [e-mail] protect your pet with insurance.

[Pets Best Insurance Announcer]

From Pets Best plans start from less than a dollar a day. Visit petsbest.pet insurance products offered and administered by Pets Best Insurance Services LLC are underwritten by American Pet Insurance Company or Independence American Insurance Company for terms and conditions, visit www.petsbest.com. policy products are underwritten by American Pet Insurance Company, Independence American Insurance Company or Ms. Transverse Insurance Company and administered by Pets Best Insurance Services LLC. $1 a day premium based on 2024 average new policyholder data for accident and illness plans.

[Danielle Robay]

Pets Age 0 to 10 Apple Books is the best place to read, listen to or discover the books you love without a subscription right on your iPhone. And now there's a very exciting heads up for listeners. Apple Books is the official audiobook and ebook home for Reese's Book Club, so it's easier than ever to explore each monthly book pick, plus author curated collections and more all in one place. Open the Apple Books app to explore a world of books and audiobooks. You can set goals and track your reading progress. Get great recommendations for your next read or listen and enjoy it all on the go. Wherever you are, you can even share your books with up to five family members at no cost. Again, no subscription required. Visit Apple Co reesapplebooks to find out more. That's Apple Co reeseapplebooks and read or listen to Reese's current Pick and browse past selections today on Apple Books. We had Allison Williams on the podcast a few episodes ago, and I was like, in real life, are you a Marnie? A show Shahana, who are you? And she was like, I feel like I'm a Marnie Rising. Which I thought was so funny. So are you a Shosh in real life or you Marnie Rising? Hannah, am I a Marnie?

[Zasha Mamet]

Am I Marnie Rising? I mean, I am kind of type A in many ways. Like, sometimes when I get on a cleaning kick, my husband has to stop me and be like, don't throw everything away in the drawer in my office. Because some of those things are actually important. I was talking to one of my dearest childhood friends the other day, who I've been friends with since eighth grade, and we were talking about this, actually, because she read the Shosh essay and she was like, it's so interesting to me that you say you're so different from her. She's like, she's kind of eighth grade. You.

[Danielle Robay]

Oh, wow.

[Zasha Mamet]

And I was like, wait, what? And she was like, yeah, you know, like, think about yourself in eighth grade. And I really sat with that for a while because I've been living with this narrative of, like, we are intrinsic opposites. I sort of thought maybe that she was like a past life version of me that was like, burned at the stake during the Salem witch trials. Like, that's where my mind went. She was like, no, she's just you in eighth grade.

[Danielle Robay]

So much more regular.

[Zasha Mamet]

So much more regular. Obviously not. Not where I go. I just have to make it more elaborate than that in my mind. But it's because you're a true writer. Maybe I. Maybe I am more of a Shosh than I think or thought. I don't know.

[Danielle Robay]

I always love Shosh, so I'm happy to hear that. You do? You do?

[Pets Best Insurance Announcer]

Yes.

[Zasha Mamet]

I mean, I love her so much.

[Danielle Robay]

That's so sweet.

[Zasha Mamet]

Yeah.

[Danielle Robay]

You wrote that Zasha went offline to make space for Shosh to take over for that period of time. I am really curious if you're open to sharing what going offline meant. Like, how did you make room for her? Did you feel like you actually left yourself in a way for a little bit?

[Zasha Mamet]

Yeah. I mean, I've always sort of been that person that will stare off into space. Like, I just did this movie with Annie Murphy, and she would. Sometimes I'd come to and she would be like, where'd you go? Like, just straight up in my face. She'd be like, what planet were you on? I'm like, I actually have no idea. Just like the veil comes down and I don't know where I go. Some iteration of that happens pretty much every time I'm working. Like, I go a little bit into a fugue state and sort of come to when they call cut because I think. I don't know, it's like we're like wired as act, or at least I am to sort of like, be as present as possible. So it feels a little like jumping into a pool. And that time between action and cut is like the moment you're under the water before you emerge, if you dive off a high diving board. And I think with her, it just felt like a more potent version of that.

[Danielle Robay]

This makes so much sense because I read that you like to read for escapism.

[Zasha Mamet]

Yeah.

[Danielle Robay]

And so you are literally jumping timelines. Like you are going. You're deep diving. Is it true that Pride and Prejudice is one of those books for you?

[Zasha Mamet]

Oh, yeah. Pride and Prejudice is like. I read it during a period of time in my life that was really rough. I read it right after that breakup that I wrote about where I just felt very like, not a part of the living world. You know, when you're so heartbroken and you sort of just feel like you're fuzzy, like your feet aren't touching the ground. It almost felt like I was living life kind of like down a hallway a little bit. And like the world was like this door that was open down here, and I could hear it and I could see it and I could smell it, but I couldn't get to it. And there was something about reading that book that felt both so other than anything I ever had or would experience, obviously, and yet so relatable on so many levels that it brought me back to life a little bit.

[Danielle Robay]

It's very cool. I saw online a few weeks ago somebody say that if you really want to become a great reader, read your favorite author's favorite authors. And I thought, oh, my God, duh. Like, why haven't I thought about that?

[Zasha Mamet]

That's so good. That's so good.

[Danielle Robay]

So I'm curious. I know you mentioned David Sedaris at the beginning, but I am curious. As an author, what are you reading that has changed the way you approach your own artistic practice? Whether it's Your writing, your acting. Like, what books have really shaped you.

[Zasha Mamet]

I love Sedaris. I love Eve Babbitts. I really love Stephanie Danler's writing. She wrote Sweet Bitter. She wrote Stray. I remember talking to her about writing and how I was like, I just. I don't really know what my way in is. And she was like, it can be whatever you want it to be. And I was like, but aren't the rules? And she was like, there are no rules. Like, they are what you make them. And reading her writing with that in mind felt very freeing in the way that, like, reading Babbitts, reading Sedaris felt. I wouldn't even deign to emulate him. But John Boyne is. I just finished his latest book, the Elements. He wrote, like, one of my favorite books of all time, the Heart's Invisible Furies. And he just has this ability to, like, just rip your heart out of your chest in the most exquisite, beautiful way. And the characters that he writes are just so, like, fully formed, so three dimensional, so deeply human in this way that I was literally on the plane finishing his book the other day, and I was. I was just like, oh, my God, like, out loud at one of his sentences. I was like, how do you do that?

[Danielle Robay]

Are you and your husband the type of people that are on vacation reading in silence together, or do you. Are you, like, you're reading alone in your everyday and vacation is where you know you'll do something else?

[Zasha Mamet]

Oh, no. I'm reading on vacation too. Like, I love a beach read. He is a reader, but I'm very much a shoot from the hip, like, consume it as quickly as I can person. And he's a real ruminator. He'll often read books very slowly because he really wants to make sure he's, like, metabolizing what he's taking in. And that's just not. That's not how I roll.

[Danielle Robay]

Me neither. I have a shoot from the hip question. I try and ask one unhinged question every episode. My unhinged question for you is that reading your work found out that you were a horse girl.

[Zasha Mamet]

Yeah.

[Danielle Robay]

And within the horse girl canon, which is now vast.

[Rebecca Armitage]

Sure.

[Danielle Robay]

On Instagram, on TikTok. In the book world, who are your favorite books or characters?

[Zasha Mamet]

Oh, my God, that's so hard. Obviously, I was, like, obsessed with Black Beauty when I was little. I read all of the Saddle Club books growing up. I wouldn't necessarily recommend those to readers now unless you have a small child. They're not like, great literature. But I loved Them. Oh, there's an amazing book that I think is both a horse girl book and also just like a human and specifically woman book. Like, just like what it is to be alive and be a woman or be a human and have a hard time with the living, breathing world. It's called the Year of the Horse by this. I've heard of this, Courtney Maugham, and it's exceptional. It's. It's.

[Danielle Robay]

I've heard of this. A lot of people love this book.

[Zasha Mamet]

It's really, really beautiful. I highly recommend it.

[Danielle Robay]

Thank you for that. Speaking of living, breathing hard time, you said that show business is like a toxic boyfriend. And I think for a lot of people, being an artist and making a living, being an artist feels like such a dream. And you are an artist. You are married to an artist. You are from a big family of artists, and you're breathing so heavily as I'm asking this question. So what I am truly curious about from your perspective is what makes you breathe heavily? Why is it like a toxic boyfriend? What do we not understand?

[Zasha Mamet]

So I equated recently being an artist, specifically. I mean, I think being an artist, period. But I think being an artist in Hollywood also to having an illness that you're born with. Like, it's. It's not something that you chose and it's not something that you can get rid of. So your life becomes about figuring out how to manage it as comfortably as possible. And there are times when that's easier and times when that's harder. But I think there is never another walk of life. I mean, I guess maybe there is. I'm open to debate on this, but I don't think that there exists another walk of life where the necessity to give all of yourself is so closely in relationship with the potential for, like, true and utter rejection. And also so much bs. Like, being an artist is such a romantic endeavor, and the business of art is so without romance. And those two things are constantly in conflict with one another. And it is a very challenging existence because you are basically, like, living a dichotomy. It's like those things that people have on their desks with the balls. You know, it's like you pull one ball and it hits the balls and the other ball. It's like there's this constant push, pull of yes, like, where is my boundary? Where do my morals lie? Like, what am I willing to do to create art? Do I even like creating art anymore? If this is what I have to do to create it, yes, I love it. But wait, what Is the. What is. You know, it's just like. And I think the goalpost is constantly moving. The rules are constantly changing or just sort of don't exist. And it's a very complicated existence that I think people see as a very straightforward one. It's not an easy life. I would never choose another one, ever. I would do it again 10,000 times.

[Danielle Robay]

But it chose you.

[Zasha Mamet]

It chose. It chose me. And it. And it comes. The highs will never be higher, and the lows are, like, devastating. They are bone crushing.

[Danielle Robay]

Because it's so personal.

[Zasha Mamet]

It's so personal, and it's so. It's also like, I think something that people who aren't artists don't necessarily understand. I'm sure conceptually they do, but, like, on a cellular level is that part of being an artist requires an audience. And so, like, there's this compulsion, there's this, like, need, I think, that we feel as artists to express and share of our art, which we can do. But the back half of that holistic experience involves people consuming what we've created. And so I think the hardest part and part of why so many artists are so lonely is because without success, which is part of the reason I was like, all day long, I'd push that button. It's like the circle of being an artist isn't closed. If you're creating your art in a vacuum and no one is hiring you, listening to your music, reading your books, looking at your paintings, watching you dance, whatever form of art you're expressing, if someone isn't consuming, sort of doesn't feel whole. And I think that's the part that is so hard and is so heartbreaking and makes this life a really challenging one.

[Danielle Robay]

I think that was one of the best explanations I've heard. I loved when you said that it is making artists full of romance in the business is so without romance. I think that cuts to the core of it. The title of your book is a question. It's does this make me funny? Question mark. And I love the epilogue of your book. It sort of shares that. It's like your attempt to answer that question, in my opinion. No. Does that not resonate?

[Zasha Mamet]

Yeah. No. No, for sure.

[Danielle Robay]

What is the question that you're hoping readers walk away asking themselves?

[Zasha Mamet]

Oh, that's a good question. So you mentioned talking in therapy, so I'm assuming you know what it's like to be in therapy. And sometimes I don't know if you've experienced this, but sometimes I find the most, like, powerful sessions are often the ones where you Go in and you're like, I don't really have anything to talk about today. Like, maybe I don't really want to do that. I'm fine. This week was actually good and I feel like sometimes those are the ones where you uncover something and you're like, oh, my God. And I think I have consumed things before where I went in with like no expectations or no real idea that they would evoke anything, like, particular in me. And they have somehow like lit a match on something and a flame is ignited and I'm like, oh, my goodness. I didn't even realize I needed to look at that or I needed to think about that or I felt that way. I hope that in the same way, if this makes sense, readers walk away from this book with the question that most needs asking.

[Danielle Robay]

I really like that because everybody's going to take something different from it. It's interesting to me, Sasha, that your book, like, it really shares a lot of pain. But talking to you today, you're a very hopeful person.

[Zasha Mamet]

That's nice. That's. Thank you for saying that. That makes me feel good. I think because I've had a lot of trauma and I've experienced a lot of pain in my life, I always try to kind of look at those experiences under the microscope and be like, okay, whoa. Like, I guess to sound a little woo woo. It's like, what? What was that here to teach me? Like, what can I take from that? How can I. How can I make that pain and trauma not pointless? Because otherwise it's just too sad.

[Danielle Robay]

I was at one point, when I was in a sad place in my life, someone said to me, huh? Don't waste your suffering. Oh.

[Rebecca Armitage]

Oh, my God.

[Zasha Mamet]

That just gave me goosebumps. Yes. Yeah.

[Danielle Robay]

And it's that, right? Yeah. Like you're cracked open at this moment. What can you take from it? That's so good. I think that was resonant in your book. You have not wasted one bit of suffering.

[Zasha Mamet]

I'm happy you think that. Thank you.

[Danielle Robay]

Okay, the last thing is called speed read and we're going to see how many rapid fire literary questions you can get through. I feel like you're going to be really good at this game.

[Zasha Mamet]

Oh, my God.

[Danielle Robay]

No.

[Zasha Mamet]

I'm scared now.

[Danielle Robay]

You're going to be great. Okay, okay. Three, two. What's one literary trope you would ban forever?

[Zasha Mamet]

Oh, my God. Enemies to lovers.

[Danielle Robay]

What's one that you'll defend with your life?

[Zasha Mamet]

Ooh, the hero's journey.

[Rebecca Armitage]

Yes.

[Danielle Robay]

That's so you. Just a kid with A dream. Okay, what's at the top of your TBR pile?

[Zasha Mamet]

A brand new thriller called End of Story. Because I need something quick and fun.

[Danielle Robay]

What's at the top of Shosh's TBR pile?

[Zasha Mamet]

Oh, my God, that's such a good question. What's the latest book that Gwyneth Paltrow wrote?

[Danielle Robay]

Oh, whichever one.

[Zasha Mamet]

Whichever one that is.

[Danielle Robay]

Great call. What's your favorite messy woman, complicated girl character. Whoa.

[Zasha Mamet]

Like in. In literature?

[Danielle Robay]

Yeah.

[Zasha Mamet]

She's Come Undone, A book you'd love.

[Danielle Robay]

To adapt for the screen.

[Zasha Mamet]

Oh. Oh, my God, that one's so tough. I mean, probably Sex and Rage by Eve Babitz.

[Danielle Robay]

What's the first book you stayed up all night to finish?

[Zasha Mamet]

I think a Little Princess.

[Danielle Robay]

And lastly, what's the book that you gift most often?

[Zasha Mamet]

Ooh, potentially one of John Boyne's books. Probably Hart's Invisible Furies. I also gift Dave Eggers Heroes of the Frontier a lot, which is another one of my favorites. I probably gift Eve Babbitts a lot. And then I also love to give John Darien's sticker book to people because it's like. It's like stickers, but adult version.

[Danielle Robay]

I haven't heard of that. That's so cute.

[Zasha Mamet]

Oh, it's really great.

[Danielle Robay]

Okay, thank you for that, Sasha. You are truly a joy to talk to. Thank you for your time. Thank you.

[Zasha Mamet]

This was so fun.

[Danielle Robay]

Okay, friends, before we wrap today's episode, I'm bringing back our monthly comfort segment from Cotton. Called the Book Nook, It's where we explore the rituals that make reading feel just right. And as you know, cotton is at the heart of so many of life's everyday comforts. Whether that's your favorite cozy spot, sweater, a worn in scarf, or the sheets you just slip into after a long day, cotton helps us feel grounded and at ease, which makes it the perfect companion for a good book wherever you read it. So let's hear from another bookmark listener sharing their ideal reading setup.

[Zasha Mamet]

Hi, my name is Sarah and I'm from Dallas, Texas. And my ideal reading setup is on a patio at my favorite coffee shop. I like being outside in good weather, maybe the early morning. I don't wake up early often, but when I do, it just feels so peaceful. Probably getting an iced oat cappuccino, maybe a little pastry. And while I'm being transported to this other world through my book, I can also kind of take breaks and people watch and get a sense of my fellow coffee shop folk.

[Danielle Robay]

Sarah, I love this. There's something so special about those rare quiet mornings. You know, the light just starting to shift, the first sip of coffee, a book in hand. I can picture you wrapped up in a soft cotton cardigan, feeling that gentle breeze as the world wakes up around you. And I love how your ritual balances escape and connection. You're in another world through your story, but still part of the hum of the city. It's such a perfect example of how comfort can be both cozy and alive, grounded in the simple textures of everyday life. So, my friends, keep your ideal reading setups coming. What are you wearing? What's around you? Are you reading by sunlight or lamplight under a cotton throw or your coziest fall sweater? Take me right into your perfect reading ritual. Leave me a voicemail at 5012913379 or tell me this. Where do you get lost in a book? What textures surround you? Soft sheets? A cozy throw? Maybe your favorite cotton hoodie? Send your story to bookmarkedesbookclub.com and thanks to Cotton for bringing this segment to life and reminding us that comfort and style can go hand in hand. Don't forget to check the tag for cotton. And if you want to learn more, head to the fabric of our lives.com Foreign. If you want a little bit more from us, come hang with us on socials. We're at Reese's Book Club on Instagram serving up books, vibes and behind the scenes magic. And I'm Danielle Robay. R O B A Y Come say hi and DM me. And if you want to go 90s on us, you can call us. Okay, so our phone line is open, so call us now at 501-291-3379. That's 501-291-3379. Share your literary hot takes, your book recommendations. Ooh, please share those and questions about the monthly pick or just let us know what you think about the episode you just heard. And who knows, you might just hear yourself in our next episode. So don't be shy, give us a ring. And of course, make sure to follow bookmarked by Reese's Book Club on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your shows. Until then, see you in the next chapter. Bookmarked is a production of Hello Sunshine and iHeart podcasts. It's executive produced by Reese Witherspoon and me. Danielle Robay. Production is by Acast Creative Studios. Our producers are Maddie Foley, Brittany Martinez and Sarah Schlied. Our production assistant is Avery Loftus, Jenny Kaplan and Emily Rutter are the executive producers for Acast Creative Studios. Maureen Polo and Reese Witherspoon are the executive producers for hello Sunshine. Olga Kaminwa, Sarah Kernerman, Kristin Perla and Ashley Rapoport are associate producers for Reese's Book Club. Ally Perry and Lauren Hanson are the executive producers for iHeart podcasts. There's something special about sharing a story, and on TikTok, those stories are what connects us. One person's evening reading recommendation can spark the next big fandom. One highlighted quote can make millions of readers feel understood, and one book can ignite conversations that stretch across the world. That's why every day TikTok is more than just book recommendations. It's connection, belonging and discovery, all in a space designed to feel welcoming. If you're looking for your next read and a community to share it with, you'll find it on TikTok. Today's episode is brought to you by Cotton we spend a lot of time with stories, hours curled up with dynamic plots and characters who feel like friends. What if the story isn't just in your hands but also in the world around you? In the fabric that's holding you close? Cotton is that timeless companion. Soft sheets for a lazy weekend morning with a book. Breezy dresses for afternoons spent reading in the backyard. It's the fabric that can be tossed in the wash without fuss. It's about ease, comfort and caring for yourself and the planet. Just like books we cherish, cotton weaves meaning into everyday moments. Next time you settle in for a chapter, slip into something. Cotton. Not just to read the story, but to feel it. Cotton the fabric of our lives. Learn more at thefabricofourlives.com@just roll they believe the kitchen is where joy lives with their refrigerated dough. There's no fussy proofing, no hours of waiting. Just big smells, big smiles and that first irresistible flaky bite. It's tiny hands helping unroll the dough. It's laughing over a slightly wonky cinnamon swirl. It's pulling golden puffed layers out of the oven and hearing that perfect crispy crackle. They do the hard part so you could skip straight to the fun. Just Roll Puff pastry is made with non GMO high quality ingredients ready to roll with parchment paper straight from the fridge. No thawing, no stress. Just golden bakery worthy layers every single time. With Just Roll, every bake is simple. From savory show stopping appetizers to sweet dessert masterpieces, this is a fresh way to bake. Familiar but better find. Just Roll puff pastry in the refrigerated section of your grocery store or visit justroll.com to find a store near you. Apple Books is the best way to read or listen to the books you love without a subscription right on your iPhone and a heads up for listeners. Apple Books is the official audiobook and ebook home for Reese's Book Club so you can discover every exciting pick, plus author curated collections and more all in one place. Open the Apple Books app to explore a world of books and audiobooks. You can set and track your reading goals and get great recommendations for your next read or listen. Again, no subscription required. Visit Apple Co Reese that's R E E S e Applebooks to find out more. Being a small business owner isn't just a career, it's a calling. Chase for Business knows how much heart and effort go into building something of your own. Manage all your business finances, from banking to payments to credit cards, all in one place with our digital tools. Plus access online resources designed to help your business thrive. Learn [e-mail] business chase for Business make more of what's yours the Chase Mobile app is available for select mobile devices. Message and data rates may apply J. P Morgan Chase Bank NA Member FDIC Copyright 2025J. P Morgan Chase & Co. This is an iHeart.

[Zasha Mamet]

Podcast. Guaranteed Human.