Bianna Golodryga and Yonit Levi, DON'T FEED THE LION

Summary

Totally Booked with Zibby Owens

Episode: Bianna Golodryga and Yonit Levy, DON'T FEED THE LION
Date: November 11, 2025

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Episode Overview

In this insightful episode of Totally Booked with Zibby, host Zibby Owens interviews journalists and co-authors Bianna Golodryga and Yonit Levy about their new middle-grade novel, Don't Feed the Lion. The conversation dives deep into the book’s timely themes of antisemitism, identity, and resilience, exploring the authors’ personal motivations and the urgent need for resources to help children and families discuss hate and prejudice in today’s world.

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Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Book Background and Inspiration

[04:14 – 07:42]

• Don't Feed the Lion centers on three kids in Chicago: Theo (13), his sister Annie (11), and new friend Gabe (13). A viral video of Theo’s soccer idol making an antisemitic remark sets off a chain of events that exposes the kids—and their families—to hatred and exclusion.
• The story illuminates how children are often left to grapple with hate on their own when adults fail to step up.
• Bianna Golodryga:
  “Gabe, like and Theo like so many 13 year olds, have a lot of interests in whether sports or family life. And all of that sort of comes to a head when Theo's favorite soccer star is seen in a viral video... making a very anti Semitic remark. And things start spiraling after that.” ([04:14])
• The book was prompted by the authors’ real-life experiences as mothers of children directly affected by the rise in antisemitism, particularly post-October 7th events.
• Yonit Levy:
  “We kind of wrote the book that we couldn't find that would be relevant for our children, but also I think for parents to sort of... navigate this turmoil.” ([05:55])

2. Portraying Adolescence & Identity

[09:10 – 11:26]

• The novel explores the intense emotions of adolescence, especially when facing both typical growing pains and serious issues like antisemitism.
• The authors highlight that young teens don’t want to stand out, making the experience of bigotry even more isolating.
• The character Gabe is also dealing with personal loss (his mother’s death, father’s military service) adding layers to the search for belonging.

3. Family & Intergenerational Strength

[11:26 – 12:46]

• The extended family, particularly the character of grandfather Ezra, is celebrated for grounding the story with humor and wisdom.
• Yonit Levy:
  “If there's one fight, it's over Ezra because we love him so much... Ezra is the inspiration for him, I have to say, is my mentor...” ([12:46])

4. Authors’ Journeys as Public Figures & Journalists

[14:04 – 21:02]

• Both authors discuss the challenges of covering traumatic news (e.g., war, antisemitic attacks) while managing their own personal and emotional responses as both professionals and parents.
• Bianna Golodryga:
  “We really have found solace in each other. It's like we're each other's therapy... It's unique that we have, you know, a perspective as just two Jewish journalists who are mothers.” ([18:29])
• Their collaboration on the book became a therapeutic process, channeling their fears and hopes into a resource for families.

5. Navigating Hate and Building Resilience in Families

[22:03 – 25:29]

• Both authors share how their children are experiencing and processing antisemitism in very different ways.
• They stress honest conversations at home and acknowledge children’s resilience.
• Yonit Levy:
  “You figure out that the way to deal with it is not to hide it, but to just say, this is what happened. This is the situation... I find that they are more resilient than we had expected.” ([24:37])

6. Calling Out Institutional Failings

[25:29 – 27:43]

• The novel honestly critiques school responses to hate incidents, paralleling real stories where administrative actions minimize or fail to address antisemitism.
• Zibby Owens:
  “You have the headmaster saying, it's just like an incident that happened at the school, which of course made the mom react with outrage... They put a sticker over it and they're like, it's not a big deal. The sticker's over it. And it's like, no, it is a big deal.” ([26:26])
• Bianna Golodryga:
  “You constantly feel gaslit and are told that something's not a big deal when in your gut. And this is when we really should be listening more to children, you know better.” ([27:24])

7. On Bravery and Public Jewish Identity

[27:43 – 30:39]

• The authors reflect on being called “brave” for speaking out, noting the sadness that such advocacy is seen as exceptional rather than necessary.
• Yonit Levy:
  “It's a children's book about anti Semitism. It's innocuous. There's nothing controversial about it. It's supposed to help kids and their parents and of course not only for the Jewish community.” ([28:21])
• Both authors acknowledge ongoing fears and pressures related to visibility and security, especially as immigrants and public figures.

8. Looking Ahead: Future Projects and Publishing Journey

[31:26 – 33:20]

• The authors joke about future collaborations—a possible prequel centered on Ezra—as well as taking inspiration from the podcast within their novel.
• Their publishing journey was “not easy,” moving toward self-publishing before being picked up by a publisher.
• Bianna Golodryga:
  “It came to the point where we just decided that we would self publish. And luckily, we had publisher in shining armor come in...” ([32:18])

9. Final Thoughts and Hopes

[33:20 – end]

• Zibby promises to read the book with her own children, expressing gratitude for the resource and wishing wide exposure for the novel in schools and families.

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Notable Quotes

• “We kind of wrote the book that we couldn't find that would be relevant for our children, but also I think for parents...”
  — Yonit Levy ([05:55])

• “We really have found solace in each other. It's like we're each other's therapy... It's unique that we have, you know, a perspective as just two Jewish journalists who are mothers.”
  — Bianna Golodryga ([18:29])

• “You figure out that the way to deal with it is not to hide it, but to just say, this is what happened... I find that they are more resilient than we had expected.”
  — Yonit Levy ([24:37])

• “You constantly feel gaslit and are told that something's not a big deal when... you know better.”
  — Bianna Golodryga ([27:24])

• “It's a children's book about anti Semitism. It's innocuous. There's nothing controversial about it.”
  — Yonit Levy ([28:21])

• “It came to the point where we just decided that we would self publish. And luckily, we had publisher in shining armor come in...”
  — Bianna Golodryga ([32:18])

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Timestamps for Key Segments

• Book premise and origins: [04:14]
• Personal motives/parental perspective: [05:55]
• Adolescence, identity struggles: [09:10]
• Family and inspiration for Ezra: [12:46]
• News careers and emotional toll: [18:29]
• Children’s resilience and family dialogues: [24:37]
• Experiences with institutional failures: [26:26]
• On bravery and visibility: [27:43]
• Publishing journey: [32:01]

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Tone & Takeaways

The conversation is open-hearted, candid, and infused with a sense of gravity about contemporary antisemitism, but also hopefulness about the role of family, literature, and dialogue. The authors’ deep friendship and personal stake in the subject shine through, as does their desire to contribute something meaningful to the current cultural landscape for both children and parents.

Don’t Feed the Lion is framed not only as a timely novel but as a bridge for urgent conversations—an empathetic, relatable resource during difficult times.

Transcript

[Zibby Owens]

Did I talk too much? Can I just let it go? I wish I would stop thinking so much.

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[Zibby Owens]

Hi, this is Zibby Owens and you're listening to Totally Booked with Zibby, formerly Moms don't have Time to Read Books. In my daily show, I interview today's latest best selling, buzziest or underrated authors and story creators whose work I think is worth your time. As a bookstore owner, publisher, author and obviously podcaster, I get a comprehensive look at everything that's coming out and spend my time curating the best books so you don't have to stay in the know. Get insider insights and connect with guests like I do every single day. For more information go to zibbymedia.com and follow me on Instagram Ibbeowens Bianna Golodriga and Yonit Levy are co authors of Don't Feed the Lion. Biana is an Emmy Award winning journalist based in New York. She anchors One World with Zane Asher and and Biana Golodriga weekdays at 11am on CNN International and CNN Max and is CNN's Senior Global Affairs Analyst. She has reported extensively on Hamas's October 7th attack on Israel, helped lead CNN's extensive Russian related coverage and regularly fills in as host of CNN signature programs including Amanpour and Fareed Zakaria gps. She lives in New York with her husband Peter Orszag and their children. Yonit Levy has been the anchor of Israel's top primetime news channel on Channel 12 for the past 22 years. That's Israel's most popular television station. Throughout her career, she has conducted interviews with top world leaders including President Joe Biden, President Barack Obama, President George W. Bush, Secretary Mike Pompeo, Secretary Hillary Clinton, as well as international icons such as Bill Gates, Lin Manuel Miranda and jon Stewart. In 2021, she started a weekly podcast, Unholy Two Jews on the News with Jonathan Friedland of the Guardian. The podcast discusses world affairs from a Jewish perspectives and has listeners in more than 120 countries. Levy is married and shares three children with her husband, Ido Rosenblum.

[Zibby Owens (Host)]

Welcome everyone. Thanks so much for coming on Totally Booked to talk about Don't Feed the Lion. We have both co authors here today and I will let them introduce themselves for you.

[Bianna Golodriga]

Hi Zibby, I'm Bianna Golodriga.

[Yonit Levy]

Hi Zibi, I'm Yonit Levy.

[Zibby Owens (Host)]

Yay. Well, it's so nice to have you both here. And Yonit, are you in Israel now or.

[Yonit Levy]

Yes I am.

[Zibby Owens]

What time is it?

[Yonit Levy]

There are 5,600 miles between us.

[Zibby Owens (Host)]

Wow, Technology. Pretty awesome. Why don't you tell listeners what your book is about?

[Bianna Golodriga]

So Don't Feed the Lion is a novel about three intrepid kids, a brother and sister and an ally in Chicago. Theo is 13. His friend Gabe, who he meets in school, is also 13 and they're very curious younger sister. His very curious younger sister Annie is 11 years old and Gabe, like and Theo like so many 13 year olds, have a lot of interests in whether sports or family life. And all of that sort of comes to a head when Theo's favorite soccer star is seen in a viral video. He's a super athlete making a very anti Semitic remark. And things start spiraling after that. Gabe is new to the school, the two meet and when they're asked to write a project together on their cultural roots. And Annie is 11 years old. It's her birthday when the school starts and we see how the family and the dynamics from that one antisemitic remarks really begin to spiral when the adults in the room, the adults at school, don't step in the way they should and kids are left carrying the weight of how to address a situation like this.

[Zibby Owens (Host)]

Can't imagine where a story like this.

[Zibby Owens]

Might have come from.

[Zibby Owens (Host)]

Hardly any examples, hardly any examples in the public eye of people coming out and, you know, disappointing the Jewish people. But there you go.

[Yonit Levy]

It is definitely inspired by some true events, let's put it that way.

[Zibby Owens (Host)]

Okay. Do you have kids this age? Why write a middle grade story?

[Yonit Levy]

So we, for us it's very personal and we had this heartbreak after October 7th, obviously of the events on that day, but also the sort of tsunami of antisemitism. And Biana and I were talking every day we have kids at that age. Exactly. And we kind of found ourselves frustrated, saddened, surprised by the fact that there weren't any resources, anything that we could kind of turn to and know what to say on a fictional level, on a non fictional level. You know, suddenly my children in Tel Aviv were asking me, you know, why do people who don't know me hate me? And I kind of had to, you know, I was talking to Bianna, we were looking for answers and at the end of the day I think we kind of wrote the book that we couldn't find that would be relevant for our children, but also I think for parents to sort of have, you know, navigate this, this turmoil.

[Bianna Golodriga]

Yeah, Zibi, I think it's, it's safe to say, you know, we were thinking about writing or working together even prior to October 7th. We've known each other for many, many years and as you noted, sort of alluded to real life events mirroring what we're seeing play out in this book. You know, my 13 year old son was 11 at the time and wondering why celebrities from rap artists to athletes were publicly stating blatantly obvious, you know, anti Semitism and weren't paying the price for it. And others were quick to apologize for them when they wouldn't do it themselves. And when questions were asked about why do they hate us and when we made the outreach to schools about what are the resources for our kids found, there were none. And as Yonit said, we decided to fill that void because if it was happening in New York, it's clearly happening.

[Zibby Owens (Host)]

Around the country 100%. And I could not be more your shoes. I have a 10 and 12 year old now plus two 18 year olds. But the younger kids in particular, it's like, what do you say? How do you present this? How do you explain it when we're all trying to sort it out as well, not freak them out so much that they are too afraid to go and live but Provide them with enough information that they're protected and prepared. So your book is such a fabulous resource. I wish it had been out two years ago, but it's just as relevant today. I was hoping to read just one quote from it.

[Zibby Owens]

Is that okay?

[Wayfair/Quince Advertiser]

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[Zibby Owens (Host)]

Okay. This is. One of the kids is saying this. You have no idea what it's like. You don't have anyone drawing hate symbols on your locker or smashing your temple windows or telling you how to stand up for your people. You just act all innocent and honest and nice. But I'm not falling for it. And, yeah, I added for my grand finale because I couldn't stand the smell of my breath for another second. In case you're wondering, I didn't brush my teeth this morning. How do you like that? Then I growled at him like some raven dog and stormed off, leaving him and those uneaten garlic knots behind. So that frustration and the need to let people know, like, this is going on for us. And even if you're not acknowledging it, this is something in my reality that I want you to pay attention to because we're friends. Tell me a little bit about this and the scene and the frustration and all of that.

[Yonit Levy]

So this is Theo. Sorry, Vienna.

[Bianna Golodriga]

No, yeah, that's Theo. And that's, you know, Theo responding to Gabe, who, as we noted, is an ally here. And I think, you know, when we've all been in that. That age and that situation where you take things out on the people who really do end up caring about you the most, and Theo is going through a rollercoaster of emotions, just wants to be like everyone else. All of a sudden. The Friday night Shabbat dinners impede upon his time spent with some of his teammates that have started gathering on Friday nights because they're getting older. And his favorite soccer player makes this horrific anti Semitic remark. The response isn't what one would imagine it should be in any other circumstance. Finds himself with a swastika on his locker, and he vents to the one person who, as you'll find out in the book, really is among the most sympathetic, especially among his fears.

[Yonit Levy]

And all this is happening when he's 13 years old, right. And which is a difficult age to begin with. Everything is confusing. And, you know, and he is 13. Gabe is 13. His young sister, Theo's youngest sister, Annie, is 11. So they're going through life and having to deal with this. Some of the parents and adults in the book are confused and not, you know, I think, helping the situation. Some of the pressure that Theo is feeling to should he step up? Should he not step up? I think the main characters in the story are very, very brave, but they also lean on a family and a net of friends that love them very much. And you know, all of that is to say these are confusing times and you don't have to automatically know how to deal, but it is important to think through these things and rely on the people who love you and care about you. I hope that comes out from this book. It is story about what happens to this community and this family, dealing with anti Semitism, but also just generally about how do you stand up to hate, what do you do in these instances of prejudice? How do you deal when you're 13 and 11 and a lot is happening in your world apart from that? I think, I hope that we kind of manage to tap into that 100%.

[Zibby Owens (Host)]

And also Gabe has his own bag of issues. His mom has just passed away from complicated Covid, which is so sad. We learned this early on. His dad is in the military living with an aunt. I mean, he is also sort of uprooted, searching for roots, which is why this project is so perfectly timed. They're both sort of looking for identity, home, a sense of belonging. And really most 13 year olds are also looking for that without any extra things. I mean it is hard to be 13 even if nothing is going on in the world. So the fact that all of this, I mean, I feel like the reader can totally relate to Theo not wanting to draw attention to himself because 13 year olds don't really want anything drawn into. They don't want to stand out in any way. Their MO is to sort of fit in. I feel like that's like be part of the pack and have friends and all of that is so important for that socialization at that age. So I feel like you definitely nailed this period of time. I also love the extended family. I particularly love the grandfather. I think his name's Ezra. Right, Ezra. He's like my favorite character in the book. He is hilarious and I feel like I would say spot him on the street. I could like pick him out, talk a little bit about him and sort of the sad backstory there as well. But you know how he, how he plays into it and a grandparents influence today.

[Yonit Levy]

Yeah. So if there's any argument, I mean, I think that Bianna, our friendship is so sleeveless and has, you know, we don't have arguments at all. But if there's one fight, it's over Ezra, because we love him so much and it's like who of us loves which one of us loves him more? Ezra is the inspiration for him, I have to say, is my mentor. And I anchor the evening news here in Israel. My mentor was the chief military analyst and sort of this character that everyone in this country knew. He sadly passed away a few years ago. And that story about Ezra with the asthma inhaler and smoking at the same time, that is him. That is how he would. He was a character larger than life. And I think that we. And again, similar in biography. Ezra came from Iraq with his family to Israel. And then from that point on, the characters diverge. But I think he was the inspiration. He's kind of a larger than life character. His story, his love story with his wife, the grandmother in the story, Talia Kaplan is sort of the heart, I think, of what is going on. They kind of are the backbone of our story. Originally the title was I Think I Love youe. Talia Kaplan of the book itself, which is the song he wrote her when they first met. We changed it a little bit along the way. But yeah, he is the sort of, I think, the heart of the story, propelling it along.

[Zibby Owens (Host)]

Wow. And you just sort of mentioned that in passing. I anchor the evening news. Like that's a big deal. You're not just two moms who decided to write a book. You're both big deal. On TV reporter anchors with a whole history of excelling in this medium. What is it like being in front of audiences now, reporting on the news, having your own feelings about it, interviewing people? Like, talk about being in the public eye in this unique way at this time.

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Did I talk too much? Can't I just let it go? Thank you so much.

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[Bianna Golodriga]

I mean, I have to say, it's been very therapeutic with Yonit and me working together. This is our first book, our first novel. If someone had said, like, here's a rule book for how you're going to be able to do this, we probably wouldn't have started it because it would have been way too daunting. But this came about so seamlessly and organically. We've been working separately on, you know, thinking about projects and books that we could work on over the years, but this one really clicked. And, you know, let's be honest, this has been a very difficult time in covering the news around the world. Not just the war in Gaza, but, you know, October 7th itself, the war in Ukraine, changing political dynamic around the world. And we really have found solace in each other. It's like we're each other's therapy. And it's unique that we have, you know, a perspective as just two Jewish journalists who are mothers. You know, Yonit did spend her formative years in elementary school here in the States, but here she is, you know, telling Israelis about what's happening in the world. Here I am telling Americans and, you know, inter CNN International viewers about what's happening. And we've helped each other along the way. You know, there have been frustrations I've had that I've quickly expressed to her after my show is over. Sometimes we text each other on air while we're both on air. And, you know, this was a hard interview or I can't believe this headline. And. And I think, you know, for Yonit, it has been similar. So the fact that we've had each other, I don't know what I would have done without her. It would have been that much more difficult because it's hard to talk to anyone outside of this world, an industry sometimes about it.

[Yonit Levy]

I think something about being on daily news every evening for me, morning for Bianna. It's the same hours because of the time difference almost and having to hold, you know, yourself in front of everyone and to, you know, act like everything is okay when nothing is. And I think with each other, we could be so honest and we get each other because we do the same thing. And I thought about it, Zibby, that the original name of your podcast was Moms don't have time to read books, so moms definitely don't have time to write books. But we kind of, kind of managed to do that somewhere in the weird hours of the night. I kind of felt like there's such a distance physically between us. But you know, Biana is one of my closest friends and she said, and I think she's so accurate in this. It really was therapeutic for us to write this. I hope it will be helpful for people to read it as well in the way that we kind of poured all of our energy and our love into it. I hope that kind of shines through.

[Zibby Owens (Host)]

That's amazing. I feel like you can totally tell when co authors have their own unique, wonderful relationship as a baseline that aren't just thrown together sort of trying to get a project going. But you can, I don't know, it helps with unifying the voice or something. Is the book coming out both in Israel and the US or simultaneously?

[Yonit Levy]

It will come out first in the US and then when I am perfectly satisfied with the translation, it will process in Hebrew as well.

[Wayfair/Quince Advertiser]

I see.

[Yonit Levy]

Okay.

[Zibby Owens (Host)]

Interesting, interesting.

[Bianna Golodriga]

Apparently Don't Feed the Lion doesn't translate that well into Hebrew. So Yonit doesn't sound the same. So Yonit's working on that front too.

[Yonit Levy]

It will happen in the end.

[Wayfair/Quince Advertiser]

We're optimistic.

[Zibby Owens (Host)]

What do you tell your kids? I mean, I know we all are living in this time, but we have stories like this which show different viewpoints, which is so critical. But how have you just as moms navigated this time with your own families if you feel comfortable sharing?

[Bianna Golodriga]

I mean, you know, we always talk about nature versus nurture and how can, you know, two or three, however many kids are in a family, come from the same parents and be so different. And I think we see a little bit of that between Annie and Theo in this book. But it really is a reflection. I have two children of my own. I have two older step kids who are in their 20s. But for, for my husband and for me, we have our 13 year old son and our 9 year old daughter. And they couldn't be more different. Obviously since October 7th and the subsequent turmoil and the real panic about the rise in anti Semitism. Our daughter obviously is aware of it. She hasn't asked as many questions. But for our son, I mean this has really been a game changing, life changing experience for him in many ways. Maturing him sadly, I think faster than we had expected. We talk about sort of October 8th Jews and I think that's who our Son really has become. He's taken. He's always been interested in world news and global affairs and politics, but this just exponentially boomed for him. His interest, especially in the war and anti Semitism combating it. We had his bar mitzvah in Israel back in March. We spent time with Yonit there. Luckily it was during the ceasefire. But he's really. And this has been all organic on his own, embraced his Judaism in a way that's been beautiful to see and tragic in the same sense that I think for him, this was a very vulnerable period. And like you'll see in the book, Annie tackles anti Semitism in her own intrepid way and, you know, breaks some rules along the way. And for Theo, it's what I would say a lot of kids, and maybe even I would have been doing at the age of 13, trying to suppress everything, ignore everything, fit in. And for, you know, for my son, it's been a bit more of a, you know, independent streak that we've seen in him and really, really admire.

[Zibby Owens (Host)]

Amazing. How about you, Yonit?

[Yonit Levy]

I mean, it's a difficult thing because it's. Here it is intertwined with everything that has been going on in the country. So obviously a lot of conversations about that and, you know, particularly what comes to mind is the Bibas family after Shirin, Ariel and Kfir were officially pronounced dead and we. To tell our children, and even if you give it the, you know, the gloss over, it is still a terrible story.

[Bianna Golodriga]

But you.

[Yonit Levy]

You kind of figure out that the way to deal with it is not to hide it, but to just say, this is what happened. This is the situation. This is what is in the background, of course, adaptable to children of that age. But I find that they are more resilient than we. We had expected. And I think that the important thing here is to have that conversation as a family and to not, I think, be afraid. This is what the world is like right now. We hope it will be. Get better. It will get better. We are optimistic about that, but also kind of shed a light on the, you know, the good people and the people who are not only, you know, are shoulder to shoulder with you in fighting for a better world. And I think that they are, again, they surprised me in being so incredibly strong and less confused and less afraid than we are, I think, at times.

[Bianna Golodriga]

Yeah. Zibi, if I can just say one of the takeaways here. And again, we've seen this explosion in antisemitism, but let's be honest, it's been with us for millennia. And Even the past 10 years or so, it's been a real problem. And sadly, it's sort of been swept under the rug. It's something that no one felt really comfortable addressing in ways that other social injustices I feel that we really have tackled head on, and rightly so, as a single society. So many things that you'll see in the book, and many of the events, as shocking as they may be, are based on true realities that, you know, my own family faced and, you know, my. My stepchildren faced in school way before October 7th. And the lack of accountability from adults, the lack of these types of conversations with kids was just inexcusable and I think has helped light the fire to this recent wave of anti Semitism, because we shouldn't be surprised by it.

[Zibby Owens (Host)]

I mean, in your book, you have the headmaster saying, it's just like an incident that happened at the school, which of course made the mom react with outrage. And you have the coach who's like, whatever, just get back in the kitchen.

[Yonit Levy]

Potentially offensive.

[Zibby Owens (Host)]

Potentially offensive. Sorry. Thank you. And, you know, they put a sticker over it and they're like, it's not a big deal. The sticker's over it. And it's like, no, it is a big deal. It's behind the sticker. It's there in Sharpie, and we can't ignore it. And it's not just a sign, It's a hate symbol. So I feel like the school and administration in the book, that dynamic is something so relatable. I feel like that's what so many families are encountering because, you know, even from dei, not including Jewish families, and then all of a sudden having literally no resources in a school to go to, like, where. Who do you talk to? How do you affect change? Anyway, I felt like that particular piece really, really nailed that.

[Bianna Golodriga]

Yeah. And sadly, that's also based on a real event and instance. So not so long ago, it's just one of these things where you constantly feel gaslit and are told that something's not a big deal when in your gut. And this is when we really should be listening more to children, you know better.

[Zibby Owens (Host)]

Do you two feel brave? I'm sure people call, say, you're brave for writing this book. You're brave for speaking out. You're brave for being publicly Jewish. I feel like people are saying that to anybody who is willing to be public in these times, as opposed to hiding, which, you know, historically has been the de facto survival mechanism, but now so many are Empowered to speak out? Do you feel afraid? Do you feel brave? Like, how are you feeling? You have this book coming out in a really anti Semitic climate. Publishing world, bookstores, I mean, it's all over. How do you feel about it and how do you get through any sort of negative emotions?

[Yonit Levy]

Such a good question. I have to say that we were so much in the process of writing it and getting it published, which was also a story in itself, I think. And now that it's coming, we're sort of so happy. And I was talking to my sister in law and the first thing she said was, you know, this might be, you know, people might attack you for putting this book out. And I said, you know, it kind of was taken aback at first. I mean, of course she's right. But I was like, but it's a children's book about anti Semitism. It's innocuous. There's nothing controversial about it. It's supposed to help kids and their parents and of course not only for the Jewish community. And she said, no, but, you know, this is very, you know, it's high volume. You're out in the world with this. I just hope that the story resonates beyond all of that, but I can't say if I feel brave or not. I'm really glad that this is, is going to be out in the world and people will read it. That's, that's the truth.

[Bianna Golodriga]

And the number of people who have reached out and said, thank you for writing this or thank you for answering some of the same questions, you know, they're trying to answer some of the same questions our kids are asking. It's a sad state that you are labeled as brave. And because that wasn't our intent, it was literally addressing an issue that was so blatantly, you know, unavoidable at that point. And we knew it was only going to get worse. Sadly, we were right about that. But, you know, there's a lot of pride to take in our culture as well and our heritage. You ask about our kids, you know, my nine year old's all of a sudden wearing a Star of David again on her own. So that to me is sort of an act of bravery too for someone just choosing to put on a Star of David in this, you know, heightened environment. But yeah, it's, yeah, what about security? It's just questions and issues that we have to think about that others don't. And you know, sadly, that's always been, you know, our reality. I, you know, I love this country. I moved here As a political refugee because of my Judaism from the Soviet Union, and it's the best country in the world. But the fact that, you know, going back to my childhood earliest memories in Texas, always having security at every Jewish establishment and being, you know, afraid when you don't see security guards outside of synagogue, that's not something many other communities can. Can relate to, nor should they. I mean, we can never normalize that.

[Zibby Owens (Host)]

Sometimes I'm like, can I just wake up and this could all be a bad dream? Can we just, like, go back to ignoring and pretending like everything is actually fine and that it all ended with the Holocaust, which, of course, is a total lie and it's been going on forever, but, you know, suspension of disbelief. But anyway, do you have plans to have a soccer podcast like the one in the book?

[Bianna Golodriga]

Yoni's already got a successful podcast, but you know what?

[Zibby Owens (Host)]

I am a soccer mom. I feel like you need to put.

[Yonit Levy]

Two and two together.

[Zibby Owens (Host)]

You should do a call for podcasters and try to get boys to. Or girls, anybody to apply. I know there were two boys in the book, which is why I said boys. But you should do it, like, want to be a podcaster. Want to have a soccer podcast and try to put something out. That would be so fun.

[Yonit Levy]

That's our next mission for sure.

[Zibby Owens (Host)]

Next mission. Are you going to do another book together?

[Yonit Levy]

That's definitely. Yes.

[Bianna Golodriga]

Yes. And by the way, we were so in love with. And we're so glad that you. I was worried you were going to ask who our favorite character was, because it just changes by the day. But of course, you know, Ezra sort of tops it all, and the family patriarch. And we were talking about perhaps, you know, a prequel where Ezra and Talia meet their love story, Ezra on the road as a musician. But yes, this was, you know, it's hard to beat this experience, but I think we're hooked.

[Zibby Owens (Host)]

And what is like, the short version of the publishing journey?

[Yonit Levy]

Oh, wow.

[Bianna Golodriga]

Not an easy one. Okay.

[Zibby Owens (Host)]

That is a very short version.

[Yonit Levy]

You're talking to Dune News people. It's like, we can do it in two words. So, yeah, not easy.

[Zibby Owens (Host)]

Okay.

[Zibby Owens]

Not easy.

[Bianna Golodriga]

We were a bit naive in this approach and, you know, had this idea reached out to publishers, you know, just at the end of 23, so just a few months after October 7th. And yeah, it was. It came to the point where we just decided that we would self publish. And luckily, we had publisher in shining armor come in to our rescue in Arcadia and Michael Linton. And, you know, as. As, you know, it's A it's a hustle. It's a shameless. You know, you'll tell anyone. And everyone. And people were listening and someone finally raised their hand. So we're very grateful.

[Zibby Owens (Host)]

Well, I'm grateful too. It is fabulous. I read out loud books with my kids still, which I love. This will be next up after we finish. We're in the front Desk series. I don't know. Have you read those by Kelly Yang? Anyway, whatever. After we finish Front Desk, we're gonna move to Don't Feed the Lion. And then we're honored, very excited.

[Bianna Golodriga]

Let us know what they think.

[Zibby Owens (Host)]

I will let you know.

[Yonit Levy]

Or a good audience.

[Zibby Owens (Host)]

Yes, exactly. Congratulations. Really exciting. I hope you end up going to lots and lots of schools and presenting this book and getting it into everybody's hands. So congrats and I'm here to help in any way that I can. So very excited for you. For you both.

[Yonit Levy]

Thank you so much, Zibby.

[Bianna Golodriga]

Really appreciate it.

[Yonit Levy]

Really do.

[Zibby Owens (Host)]

All right, take care. Thank you.

[Yonit Levy]

Thank you so much.

[Bianna Golodriga]

Bye bye.

[Zibby Owens]

Thank you for listening to Totally Booked with Zibby, formerly Moms don't have time to read books. If you loved the show, tell a friend, leave a review. Follow me on Instagram Ippy Owens and Spread the word. Thanks so much. Oh, and buy the books.

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