Podcast Summary: Totally Booked with Zibby – Episode Featuring Bonnie Reichert

Episode Title: Bonny Reichert, HOW TO SHARE AN EGG: A True Story of Hunger, Love, and Plenty
Release Date: February 19, 2025
Host: Zibby Owens
Guest: Bonnie Reichert, National Magazine Award-winning journalist and author

1. Introduction and Background

Zibby Owens kicks off the episode by introducing Bonnie Reichert, the author of How to Share an Egg: A True Story of Hunger, Love, and Plenty. Bonnie is recognized for her award-winning journalism, having served as an editor at Today's Parent and Chatelaine, and contributing regularly to The Globe and Mail. At 40, Bonnie embarked on a transformative journey by quitting her journalism career to pursue culinary school—a pivotal decision that became the foundation of her debut memoir.

2. Overview of How to Share an Egg

Bonnie Reichert describes her book as "a memoir wrapped around a family story" that delves into her upbringing under the shadow of her father's Holocaust survival. She explains how food became her medium to explore and narrate this deep-seated family history.

Bonnie Reichert [02:17]: "The book is, I call it, a memoir wrapped around a family story and really I grew up in the shadow of this dark family history."

3. Integrating Multiple Narratives

The conversation highlights how Bonnie intertwines various aspects of her life—her culinary journey, her father's Holocaust experiences, and her personal growth—into a cohesive narrative. Zibby appreciates the seamless blending of these themes, noting that life often doesn't confine itself to a single storyline.

Zibby Owens [02:58]: "You have some foodie, like, terrible chef moments, and then you have, you know, coming of age career story and the Holocaust story and your love life, like your family, your marriage... all woven together."

Bonnie acknowledges this integration, recognizing her memoir encompasses multiple genres: Holocaust memoir, food memoir, and mental health memoir.

Bonnie Reichert [03:24]: "It's a Holocaust memoir, it's a food memoir, and it's a mental health memoir."

4. The Symbolism of Food in Storytelling

A poignant moment in the discussion revolves around the symbolic significance of food in Bonnie's narrative. She recounts her efforts to recreate her father's cherished cholent—a traditional stew—and the challenges she faced in capturing its essence.

Bonnie Reichert [04:27]: "I don't keep Sabbath, so it had nothing to do with that. But I made it at home... after a couple of tries, my father said it was perfect."

Zibby draws a parallel between the meticulous process of making cholent and the intricate process of writing a memoir.

Zibby Owens [06:44]: "It feels like it's a symbol of the book itself. Getting closer and closer to the truth... until all the ingredients sort of line up to tell the story."

5. Navigating Family History and Personal Challenges

The episode delves deep into Bonnie's internal struggle with her family's Holocaust history. Despite her father's wishes for her to document their legacy positively, Bonnie initially resisted confronting these painful memories, seeking solace and identity in the culinary world instead.

Bonnie Reichert [08:00]: "My dad wanted me to write this story of survival and resilience... I became very scared and I became very avoidant about anything to do with the Holocaust."

Her transformative trip to Warsaw with her father becomes a turning point, where experiencing her roots firsthand compels her to intertwine her personal journey with her family's history.

6. Coping with Loss and Family Dynamics

Bonnie opens up about the heartbreaking experience of witnessing her mother's aggressive dementia. She discusses the emotional toll it took on her and her family, and how writing about it provided a therapeutic outlet.

Bonnie Reichert [14:10]: "It was a balance... to watch her lose herself like that was so painful."

Zibby emphasizes the universal nature of these struggles, highlighting how Bonnie's candidness helps readers feel seen in their own "ordinary struggles."

Zibby Owens [15:35]: "When you have struggles and read about it in a book, that's like making the reader feel seen."

7. The Demanding Culinary Journey

Bonnie reflects on her rigorous culinary program, describing it as both challenging and rewarding. She speaks about the personal growth and newfound appreciation for her Eastern European culinary roots that emerged from this experience.

Bonnie Reichert [17:44]: "I would do it again because I came out and I was a better cook... I wasn't so big on Eastern European food. But when I came out, I thought, well, all food is equal."

She also shares a relatable anecdote connecting with David Chang's experiences, reinforcing her acceptance and pride in her cultural culinary heritage.

8. Life Post-Publication and Future Endeavors

When asked about life after publishing her memoir, Bonnie expresses contentment with her father's well-being and the fulfillment she finds in her achievements. She reveals her eagerness to embark on another writing project, contemplating an autobiographical novel that blends fiction with her life experiences.

Bonnie Reichert [20:27]: "I learned something about myself, which is that I can do this... I am dying to get into another book."

9. Advice for Aspiring Writers

Bonnie offers heartfelt advice to budding writers, emphasizing the importance of embracing the urge to write and finding personal strategies to overcome self-doubt. She advocates for early morning writing sessions to capture creativity before the internal critic awakens.

Bonnie Reichert [21:04]: "People, if you have the urge to write, lean into that urge."

Acknowledging the challenges of balancing writing with personal responsibilities, especially motherhood, she encourages persistence and self-belief.

Bonnie Reichert [21:35]: "Take the time. It feels selfish... but I was actually making something that matters."

10. Addressing Identity and Acceptance

The discussion touches on Bonnie's identity as a Jewish author and her experiences post-October 7. She shares her initial fears but expresses relief over the positive reception her book has received across diverse communities, highlighting the universal themes that resonate beyond specific cultural narratives.

Bonnie Reichert [23:12]: "The book has been so nicely received. Not just in the Jewish world... it was really important to me that all kinds of people could connect to the book."

Zibby acknowledges the broader industry shift towards greater acceptance and support, celebrating Bonnie's success.

Conclusion

The episode concludes with Zibby praising Bonnie's multifaceted storytelling that interweaves culture, food, history, and personal resilience. She highlights the book's ability to transport listeners to new places and evoke deep emotional connections.

Zibby Owens [24:19]: "I learned so much about culture and food and environment, and I got to go on these trips with you to places I hadn't been myself..."

Bonnie reciprocates the appreciation, expressing gratitude for the engaging conversation.

Notable Quotes with Timestamps:

• Bonnie Reichert [02:17]: "The book is, I call it, a memoir wrapped around a family story..."

• Zibby Owens [02:58]: "You have some foodie, like, terrible chef moments... all woven together."

• Bonnie Reichert [03:24]: "It's a Holocaust memoir, it's a food memoir, and it's a mental health memoir."

• Bonnie Reichert [04:27]: Discussing the cholent recipe and its significance.

• Zibby Owens [06:44]: "It feels like it's a symbol of the book itself."

• Bonnie Reichert [08:00]: "My dad wanted me to write this story of survival and resilience..."

• Bonnie Reichert [14:10]: "It was a balance... to watch her lose herself like that was so painful."

• Bonnie Reichert [17:44]: "I would do it again because I came out and I was a better cook..."

• Bonnie Reichert [20:27]: "I learned something about myself, which is that I can do this..."

• Bonnie Reichert [21:04]: "People, if you have the urge to write, lean into that urge."

• Bonnie Reichert [23:12]: "The book has been so nicely received. Not just in the Jewish world..."

Final Thoughts

This episode of Totally Booked with Zibby offers a profound exploration of how personal history, cultural identity, and passion for food can converge to create a compelling and healing narrative. Bonnie Reichert's journey from journalist to memoirist serves as an inspiring testament to the power of storytelling and the therapeutic potential of embracing one's roots.