Episode Summary: "Brian Buckbee and Carol Ann Fitzgerald, WE SHOULD ALL BE BIRDS: A Memoir"

Release Date: August 7, 2025
Podcast: Totally Booked with Zibby
Host: Zibby Owens
Guests: Brian Buckbee and Carol Ann Fitzgerald
Book Discussed: We Should All Be Birds: A Memoir

Introduction to the Authors and Their Journey

Zibby Owens warmly welcomes listeners to the episode, introducing Brian Buckbee and Carol Ann Fitzgerald, the co-authors of We Should All Be Birds. Owens provides a brief background on both authors:

• Brian Buckbee resides in Missoula, Montana, co-founded the 406 Writers Workshop, and has had his stories published in esteemed journals such as The Sun, The Georgia Review, and Shenandoah.
• Carol Ann Fitzgerald is a former editor at The Sun and the Oxford American. Her work spans both fiction and nonfiction, featured in publications like Plowshares and The OA Book of Great Music Writing. She currently lives in Chapel Hill.

The Genesis of We Should All Be Birds

[04:05] Brian Buckbee:
Brian expresses his delight in joining the podcast to discuss their memoir. He outlines the inception of the book, detailing how a simple Facebook post about a special pigeon sparked a profound narrative.

Key Points:

• Initial Inspiration: Brian shared a Facebook post on National Bird Day about a pigeon that had become significant to him. Contrary to his expectations, the post garnered substantial attention, leading to more interactions and dictations despite his severe headaches caused by a medical condition.
• Transition to Writing: Encouraged by responses, Brian continued to dictate stories about his interactions with the pigeon, eventually exhausting himself but realizing the potential for a larger narrative.
• Collaboration with Carol Ann: Entering the collaboration phase after connecting with Carol Ann Fitzgerald, who initially hesitated but was inspired by the charming and poignant stories Brian shared about his pigeon, Two Step.

Notable Quote:
[04:21] Brian Buckbee:
"I put out my hands, and the bird jumped into my hands, and Brian took the bird home. And that is the bird who became Two Step."

Brian’s Personal Struggles and Connection with Two Step

[06:10] Carol Ann Fitzgerald:
Carol Ann delves deeper into Brian's relationship with Two Step, highlighting the emotional and therapeutic role the pigeon played in his life amidst his health challenges.

Key Points:

• Brian’s Illness: Brian suffers from a condition resembling chronic fatigue syndrome, causing intense pain and exhaustion, significantly impacting his daily life and passions, such as teaching and hockey.
• Emotional Impact: The bond with Two Step provided solace and purpose, allowing Brian to navigate his illness by caring for the injured pigeon.
• Writing as Therapy: Through storytelling, Brian found a meaningful way to cope with his pain, while Carol Ann assisted in structuring and refining his narratives into a cohesive memoir.

Notable Quote:
[09:38] Brian Buckbee:
"I think about what, you know, high school was hard for me. What would it have been like to try to suffer through high school with migraine?"

Themes of Isolation and Connection

[10:57] Brian Buckbee:
Brian reflects on his feelings of isolation exacerbated by his illness and how Two Step became a beacon of connection in an increasingly isolating world.

Key Points:

• Isolation Due to Illness: Chronic fatigue syndrome not only limited Brian’s physical capabilities but also intensified his sense of loneliness.
• Pigeons as Metaphors: Two Step symbolizes the overlooked and marginalized, drawing parallels to societal neglect of certain groups.
• Human Connection: The memoir underscores the importance of relationships and community support in overcoming personal struggles.

Notable Quote:
[14:46] Brian Buckbee:
"We should all be rats. Coming soon to a bookshelf near you. I think regardless of whether you are or are not a bird person or whatever, I think that the book makes everyone just more aware of the fact that we are sharing the world with creatures who have thoughts and feelings not necessarily our own."

Collaborative Efforts in Crafting the Memoir

[27:12] Brian Buckbee:
Brian speaks about the collaborative nature of creating the memoir, emphasizing the pivotal role Carol Ann and others played in bringing his story to fruition despite his limitations.

Key Points:

• Carol Ann’s Support: Carol Ann’s dedication in editing and expanding Brian’s dictated stories was crucial in developing the book’s depth and narrative flow.
• Publishing Team: The support from their agent, Farley Chase, and the Tin House team facilitated the seamless collaboration necessary given Brian’s health challenges.
• Shared Vision: The authors highlight how their partnership transcended traditional author-editor relationships, fostering a mutual respect and shared commitment to the memoir’s success.

Notable Quote:
[29:28] Brian Buckbee:
"And so it's been just really great to be able to be this collaborative process, and I feel like the reader is part of it. They're in my head. I talk to them all the time."

Impact and Desired Outcomes of the Memoir

[22:39] Brian Buckbee:
Brian and Carol Ann discuss their aspirations for the memoir, aiming to provide comfort, inspiration, and a deeper understanding of personal struggles through their narrative.

Key Points:

• Emotional Resonance: The memoir is intended to make readers feel less alone in their experiences, whether dealing with physical pain, emotional turmoil, or loneliness.
• Awareness and Empathy: By sharing his story, Brian hopes to increase awareness about chronic illnesses and the importance of empathy towards both humans and animals.
• Inspiration and Hope: Carol Ann emphasizes the uplifting aspects of the book, portraying how Brian’s relationship with Two Step brought joy and meaning even in difficult times.

Notable Quote:
[24:10] Carol Ann Fitzgerald:
"I just felt like people around the world, anybody who reads this will benefit from this feeling like they're not completely alone and isolated in whatever they're going through, their grief, their physical pain, their loneliness."

Reflecting on Personal Growth and Lessons Learned

[27:31] Brian Buckbee:
Both authors reflect on the personal growth derived from the memoir writing process, highlighting themes of letting go, unconditional love, and the interconnectedness of all living beings.

Key Points:

• Letting Go: Brian discusses the emotional difficulty of releasing Two Step back into the wild, symbolizing broader themes of loss and acceptance.
• Unconditional Love: The bond between Brian and Two Step serves as a testament to the capacity for love and care, even towards creatures that society may undervalue.
• Interconnectedness: The memoir illustrates how caring for another being can lead to greater self-awareness and understanding of one’s place in the world.

Notable Quote:
[29:49] Carol Ann Fitzgerald:
"But really, you don't have to be a pigeon person to respond to this Two Step character. Brian would always say, you know, who wants to read a whole book that's just about one character? And I was like, it's not, you know, he was talking about himself and I was like, no, Two Step is like the main character. So there's two characters."

Concluding Thoughts and Final Reflections

[31:23] Brian Buckbee:
Zibby Owens commends the authors for their vulnerability and the heartfelt nature of their storytelling, emphasizing the memoir’s ability to resonate on multiple emotional levels.

Key Points:

• Emotional Depth: The memoir successfully conveys the complexities of dealing with chronic illness, the solace found in unexpected friendships, and the universal struggle with isolation.
• Authentic Storytelling: Brian’s openness about his fears, doubts, and inner life adds authenticity and relatability to the narrative.
• Collaborative Success: The seamless collaboration between Brian and Carol Ann serves as an inspiring example of overcoming personal limitations through collective effort and mutual support.

Notable Quote:
[31:44] Brian Buckbee:
"And so it's been just really great to be able to be this collaborative process, and I feel like the reader is part of it. They're in my head. I talk to them all the time."

Key Takeaways

• Resilience through Connection: We Should All Be Birds underscores the importance of connections—both human and non-human—in navigating personal hardships.
• Visibility of the Overlooked: The memoir brings attention to chronic illnesses and the often-overlooked suffering of marginalized communities, symbolized through Brian’s relationship with Two Step.
• Power of Storytelling: Through Brian’s dictated narratives and Carol Ann’s editorial prowess, the memoir exemplifies how storytelling can serve as a therapeutic outlet and a means to foster empathy and understanding.

For more information about Brian Buckbee and Carol Ann Fitzgerald’s memoir, visit zibbymedia.com or follow Zibby Owens on Instagram at @zibbyowens.