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Nurse Jake
This is the Chase Sapphire Lounge in Boston.
Zibby Owens
Logan, you got clam chowder in New
Gina Gershon
York, dirty martini over 1300 airport lounges
Zibby Owens
and one card that gets you in
Gina Gershon
Chase Sapphire Reserve now even more rewarding.
Zibby Owens
Learn more@chase.com Sapphire Reserve cards issued by
Gina Gershon
JPMorgan Chase bank and a member FDIC subject to credit approval.
Zibby Owens
Today's episode is sponsored by Nutrafol. Do you know that feeling when you're brushing your hair and somehow it just looks a little thinner than usual, maybe a little less full? And you're like, what is going on here? Well, Nutrafol supports hair health from within, helping you grow stronger, visibly thicker hair so that those moments happen less often where you're worried about your hair. Nutrafol is the number one dermatologist recommended hair growth supplement brand and it's the number one hair growth supplement brand personally used by dermatologists and by the way, personally by me? This is the brand that I trust. Adding Nutrafol to your daily routine is easy. Order online, no prescription needed, with automated deliveries and free shipping to keep you on track. Plus, with a Nutrafol subscription, you can save up to 20% and get added perks to support your hair health journey. So let your hair be one less thing to worry about. See Visibly thicker, stronger, faster growing hair in three to six months Nutrafol For a limited time, Nutrafol is offering our listeners $10 off your first month subscription and free shipping when you visit nutrafol.com and enter promo code ZIBBY Z I B b y that's nutrafol.com spelled n u t r-a f o l.com promo code ZIBBY enjoy. 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 zibbedia.com and follow me on Instagram. Iby Owens Gina Gershon is the author of Alpha How I Survived the Valley and Learned to Love My Boobs. Okay, I get uncomfortable saying curse words of any kind, but I'm making an exception for this title because I've been following Gina Gershon's career for many years. She actually at one point went to a spa when a girlfriend of mine was there years ago and she couldn't stop talking about Gina. This was, oh my gosh, maybe when I was in high school or something. Well, it couldn't have been that long ago. Anyway, I've been following Gina's career and was so excited to see the launch of this book. She posted about signing books at Zibby's bookshop which was amazing and so nice and I had to have her on. If you don't know her, she has been starring on stage, screen and television for over 40 years. She has recorded albums and toured across America, performed at Carnegie hall three times playing her Jews harp with Sting, Laurie Anderson, Joan Baez, and Gogol Bordello. She's the author of In Search of Cleo and she performed that as a one woman show with an accompanying album. She's just basically pretty awesome. Her film credits include Bound Showgirls, the Insider, Face off and the Player, among others and on TV they include the Assassin, Elsbeth, Curb youb Enthusiasm, Riverdale and Brooklyn 99 just to name a On Broadway she was in Sam Mendes's Cabaret, the Tony Award winning Boeing, Boeing and more. Enjoy. Welcome Gina. Thanks so much for coming on Totally Booked to talk about here. I'm like embarrassed you would say the name of your book. But anyway, How I Survived the Valley. There you go. And Learned to Love my Boobs. Anyway, amazing. Congratulations.
Gina Gershon
Wow.
Zibby Owens
The amount of times you escaped a near miss in this book of having something happen to you or getting abducted or, like, creepy men or creepy producers or lecherous Hugh Hefner people. I mean, it's really amazing. Every chapter I feel like I was like, oof, she dodged a bullet there, right?
Gina Gershon
I know. I kind of forgot about all these things. And as, like, stories started percolating in my head, specifically about the Valley, I was just like, wow, that was kind of a close call. Like, have. I think when I got out of it, then it was just pure survival and pure instincts, you know, just kind of like. And then. But reflecting back on everything and working on was. It was like, wow. I still had so much tension left in my body. I realized I was really scared and kind of freaked out. But, you know, I think when you're in those situations, you're just like, okay, get to point A to point B to point C, you know, as we do so many times.
Zibby Owens
Yeah. And you just get on your skateboard and you're like, okay, onto the next. Get away.
Gina Gershon
Unbelievable.
Zibby Owens
Unbelievable. Amazing.
Gina Gershon
Listen, I was really lucky that not, you know, like, really bad things happened to me. The.
Zibby Owens
The house with all those random guys in the neighborhood that you and your friend were, like, drugged. I mean, it's like, like, how does she get out of these things?
Gina Gershon
I know. I just had a very strong sense of instinct and survival and will. And I think, you know, it's also, you know, I think at that point when you grow up, it's like my brother and sister who were older, you know, there was like, they were terrorizing me at times, you know, like, just not in the crazy. I'd be like, taking my blanket and hiding things and. But, you know, when you're little, that stuff is. Really affects you. But I think, you know, it gives you a certain spidey sense of like, oh, over there. Something is brewing over there. Like, you know, check that out. And you know, on the streets of New York later on, like, all those times walking home and being like, wait, like, horrible person, two o' clock allowed me, I think, to navigate through a lot of things. You know, I mean, your sister.
Zibby Owens
You talk a lot about. About your family and your sister, like, drawing the line in your bedroom and being like, you will not cross that. This is my space. Like, I felt a little bad for you, I have to say.
Gina Gershon
I know. I mean, my sister now, she's like, yeah, you made me sound. I mean, I'm really close with my sister now. She's, you know, we talk literally all the time. I think she wanted more. I said, but Tracy, that's how you were to me when I was younger. So, you know, but at the same time, she really instilled a lot of values in me of like, don't lie to dad and you have to tell the truth. And, you know, stuff like that.
Zibby Owens
Now the scene in the car with your dad was really powerful when you're just like, yeah, I'm gonna do drugs again, FYI. And he just like takes a minute and it's like, okay, smoke pot at home. Like all that. Like, I was like, look at that parenting moment. Is that I'm supposed to respond as a parent? I don't know.
Gina Gershon
That was really good parent. Well, because the takeaway from that, he taught me about unconditional trust. Because the key line in that whole thing is like, there's nothing you could ever do that you'd ever have to lie to me about. So I appreciate you telling me that. That was the, the lesson in it. So he's like, and you know what? After that we just had a certain sense of trust. Like, I didn't want to lie to him. I'm like, you know what? I'll, I'll tell him things. And I think because of that then he respected me and treated me, you know, with that same sort of respect, you know, so it was an earned.
Zibby Owens
Who knew you actually wrote a parenting book?
Gina Gershon
See, there's one chapter. There's one chapter there.
Zibby Owens
A parenting pamphlet or something. Oh my gosh. You wrote towards the end when you were being cast in different roles and how you looked and all that. Can I just read this little section? Is that okay?
Gina Gershon
I haven't heard someone else read it.
Zibby Owens
Really? Oh, okay. You said. As soon as I graduated from nyu, I moved back to Los Angeles to start my career. This was the mid-80s, and as I began auditioning for film and TV roles, I was considered, quote, too ethnic for most parts. The lead roles were usually meant for blonde haired, blue eyed, American looking gals. I definitely didn't fit that bill. I would be cast as a Middle Eastern lady, a Colombian, an Italian, the devil, a dangerous, bad, mean girl. You know, anyone who had dark features. A girl once said to me that when I walk into a room, people assume I'm a bitch due to my arched eyebrows. I still don't totally understand that what I'm thinking, but maybe it's written in some casting manual. When asked about my ethnicity by a casting director, I would proudly tell the truth. I'm a Jew from the Valley that always got a Laugh followed by, no, really, what are you? When I would reply, no, really, I'm Jewish on both sides, I'd hear back, you don't look Jewish. You're too pretty to be Jewish. It was mildly insulting and definitely anti Semitic.
Gina Gershon
Disguise.
Growtherapy Announcer
It's.
Gina Gershon
That's absolutely true that that happened to me. And I think later on I talk about. Also I was talking about a script and the writing and the. And the producer, with no irony at all, he's like, oh, you're very smart. And I thought, well, I just, like, lost this job, which wasn't good. Like, oh, you're an actress. Like, stay in your lane. You're not supposed to be analytical about the whole thing. And it was like, and, oh, you're too. Yeah. Someone literally said, you're too pretty to be Jewish. And I was just like. I didn't quite know how to respond because, you know, you don't want to lose the job. But at the same time, I'm like, you know, my mom's really pretty. My aunt's really pretty. You know, I. I didn't quite understand how anti Semitic it was at the time, but I knew it was weird, you know.
Zibby Owens
Yeah, that's one of those times my husband would be like, thank you. Right. Because how do you respond?
Gina Gershon
That's what I said. It's like, oh, thank you. But I felt a little funny saying thank you. I think, yeah, it was assaulting my people, you know.
Zibby Owens
Yeah. Well, I loved hearing about. Well, I mostly love hearing about how you got through your childhood, because that was like, quite a ride. But then when we moved into your whole career and how you. How you got in and out of different parts and plays, and I really liked your scene with Robert Altman where you were just like, yeah, I'm here because I think you're awesome and I want to be in your movie. And he's like, okay, show up. And you had to miss one of your friends weddings, but you went for the party. Talk a little bit about that.
Gina Gershon
Yeah, well, I was new, you know, I just had gotten out of college and I had an agent, and I hear they were casting for, you know, an Altman movie. And I loved Robert Altman films. And I'm like, wait a second. The Player. Like, it's about studio executives, and I'm like, I'm perfect for that. Like, I, you know, I see those little D girls running around and. But they said the part was cast, and I just kept, you know, going, how am I not in this movie? Like, it just feels like the right Fit. And so I just kind of kept badgering her and she said, listen, it's cast. It's like done. They're going to be starting, you know, in a month or something. And she said, why don't you just go meet Scottie Bushnell, who was his then producer and casting person. And it's like for the next one. So then at least you know, they're a very close knit thing and blah, blah, blah. I was like, sure, you know, I'll meet anyone. And so as I was waiting in the office, for some reason, that's what. Remember when Joffers were in? They were like a fashion look. Yes.
Zibby Owens
I could never pull those off, but yes, I remember them well.
Gina Gershon
I don't think I pulled them off, but they look cute. Like they were good with a pair of boots and a white T shirt. I'm like, this is, this is respectful and kind of good. Like, I don't know, maybe it was the only thing I had clean. But for some reason I decided, well, this is what I'm wearing. It felt very American or something. And then I'm sitting there and then next thing I know the door is open and I'm waiting for the meeting. And then Altman just kind of walked by and I like, ooh, that's him. And then he kind of walked back and he noticed my Joffers and he's like, what, do you ride the horses? And I said, no, not really, but I play him. Not realizing he was a gambler, you know, went to the racetrack and then we just got in a huge conversation about, you know, Pinkai, like all these different jockeys and Santa Anita versus Hollywood park and blah, blah, blah. And after a while he's like, what are you doing here? Like, literally, why are you here? Because he's like, what is this weird horseback, you know, pony gambler? I said, well, actually I'm an actress. And that's when I came. I said, I really want to do one of your movies. And so I'm here to meet Scotty and. And I guess he decided he. I was okay because I, I knew how to bet on horses and. And he just said, have you ever done anything? And I just done a Rob a John sales film. I said, well, I've only really done this, you know, that something he might know. And he liked him. And next thing he's like, you're not improv. And I'm like, yeah. He's like, great, why don't we just do this and can you for two weeks and we'll make it up. I said, well, but my part's already cast. He's like, yeah, but we'll just make it up. He's like, you want her part? You're like the D girl who wants to be the executive. I was like, that's pretty cool. That's how that happened.
Zibby Owens
It's amazing. Today's episode is sponsored by Whatnot. Okay, so Whatnot is a live shopping platform where you can get items across all different divisions from beauty, apparel, bags and more. But what I have found is it is the perfect place to get kids birthday gifts. There are needos for those of you who don't know. Neato's are these little plastic toys which are all the craze people go neato hunting anyway. They have Neatos and squishies and everything you can imagine for better prices than competitors. There are great deals and it is so fun to shop in this dynamic interactive platform. My steals included a Jelly cat Heart for $5.38 and Jelly Cat Toasty Marshmallows for $9.89, not to mention Anito for $6.26. I'm not surprised that Whatnot is the largest live shopping marketplace in the country because it's a trusted shopping experience in a real time format and There are over 10,000 fashion, beauty and bag sellers all over and you almost never pay full price, which of course is amazing. So let me tell you, I had the best time with my kids going on Whatnot and then there were things for me too, but it was more fun for them in my opinion. So download the Whatnot app today and get free shipping on your first order. Just search whatnot wh a t n o t whatnot in the App Store and start scoring amazing deals. Today's episode is sponsored by Wayfair. After the fire in the Palisades, we had to redo our entire outside area and we found the best stuff on Wayfair. We found adorable throw pillows that looked fabulous. We found one round carpet, one square carpet. We found coffee tables and all sorts of things that made our outside feel like home again. Wayfair is amazing because it has everything you could possibly need and it's so easy to find. Wayfair made it so simple for us to narrow it down to what we wanted for our style and budget. It also features reviews, filters, and visual tools that help us find the right fit. Every Style, Every Outdoor Space Whether your vibe is modern, coastal, farmhouse, or eclectic, Wayfair has the options you need to help you create an outdoor space that that's uniquely yours. And everything is in one place from outdoor seating and grills to storage, patio lighting and rugs and decor, which is what we got. Wayfair is your one stop shop for Home Plus. You can trust in the delivery, installation and assembly services are available for a truly seamless experience. It was so easy for us to order and receive all of our items. Plus over 20 million verified 5 star reviews helped me make the right call. Real customers, real feedback and real homes. You can also shop with Wayfair Verified, your shortcut to the good stuff. Their team of product specialists vets everything by hand using a 10 point quality inspection so you know you're getting a quality piece no matter your budget. Get prepped for patio season for way less head to Wayfair.com right now to shop all things home. That's W A Y-F A I R.com Wayfair Every style every home Wayfair Every style Every home.
Gina Gershon
This is the Chase Sapphire Lounge of Boston.
Zibby Owens
Logan. You got clam chowder in New York, dirty martini over 1300 airport lounges and one card that gets you in Chase Sapphire Reserve now even more rewarding. Learn more@chase.com SapphireServe cards issued by JPMorgan
Gina Gershon
Chase bank and a member FDIC subject to credit approval.
Zibby Owens
It's like the whole book. It could be called like chutzpah. Like the whole thing is like you just like getting what you want. You like manifest and you show up and somehow it like works out most of the time.
Gina Gershon
Do you feel like that most of the time? I clearly didn't tell the stories that things didn't work out if they didn't fall under the category of maneuvering or thinking fast or being in the flow. You know, if it didn't, like, the alpha pussy is really more of a, you know, know who you are, stay on your feet, don't let someone push you off or tell you what to do, what you don't want to do. And it's listening to your instincts a lot. So if it didn't fall under that category, I just, I don't know. I didn't write about it. Although I keep, I'm sure I keep thinking about like, oh, yeah, I should have put that story in there. I mean, good.
Zibby Owens
A good book is never done.
Gina Gershon
I guess. It's never done. I know. Like, oh, why didn't I talk about that? I think at some point I'm just like, oh my God here. Just like my publisher's like, you have to stop writing. I said, but let me just Fix this one little bit.
Zibby Owens
And what made you write the book to begin with?
Gina Gershon
You know, I never really mean to write a book. I still don't consider myself a book writer. Although when I wrote Camp Creepy Time, that was my brother's idea and he just wouldn't write it. I kept saying, you should write this book. It's a really good book and I could make it into a movie. And then it was one of those passing it back and forth, back and forth until finally we both wrote it together. And the last book, In Search of Cleo, How I Found My Pussy and Lost My Mind, was literally the story about my last cat. But I was doing a one woman show showing my music, but using that as a kind of a clothing line to like hang the songs on because it all made sense. And then I got a book deal out of it. So I'm like. So this came about. I was with my friend who happens to be my book agent as well, David Kuhn. And, you know, we were a little tipsy one night and I did what I don't usually do. I. I started telling like these showgirl stories just because I think we were in a long line and we had to kill time. And I just. I don't know, I was a little tipsy. And the next day he's like, you know those stories you told me? He goes, you're literally sitting on a whole book. He's like, you know, you. I kept saying, I want to live upstate. He's like, you could get a place upstate, you know. He said, write this book. And I could really sell it for a lot of money and all that. And I just thought, I don't know, it's not really my thing. I'm not like a tell all sort of girl. And then Covid happened and everyone was in lockdown. He said, just start writing stories and just send them to me. I thought, I'll just write little essays. It'll be something fun to do. And it was making him laugh. And next thing I knew, he's like, great, I'm. I'm taking this out. I said, no, no, you're not. I said, I actually don't want to write this book. Because at the time there was a lot of stories in there. And I thought, I don't know. The world is so crazy. And I just thought, do I want to add. I don't want to add anything icky to the world. And I don't want to throw anyone under the bus. It's not really my style. I'm fairly Discreet. But then one thing led to the other and my mom wasn't well, and so I was spending a lot of time with her and I was doing a lot of therapy and so much stuff was coming out and I was discussing discovering so much with her. Then somehow the showgirl sing, that alpha story comes up because it really was that story. The forward really did happen, you know, when people kept checking out my chest and saying, oh, you're doing Showgirls. And I, I was so uncomfortable going, you know, why am I backing away and mumbling and saying stupid things? And then I thought about, you know, my cat training. I go into that and how, you know, with my little male cats, this little, you know, game we made up. And so I, I'd stare, stare, stare, they'd stare, stare, stare. And finally when I won that game, I became the alpha pussy. So my cat didn't wreak havoc and didn't turn me into his little victim that he could scratch and beat up and do anything he wants. So when I tried that on a human being, it. I found that that worked. I thought, God, you just gotta kind of look someone in the eye and say, hey, you know, I'm doing this, this, this, you gotta back off, you know. And they, they do. Usually. I'm certainly not talking about, like, killers or, you know, total sociopaths. In that case, just run. Don't be in that at all. And I noticed that there's. There was. I tell stories to certain friends of mine, like younger actresses or this girl who went to a spiritual retreat and they were younger, they're in their 30s, and they would tell me things and I'd be like, well, you got to look at the person in the eye and say, hey, man, you're making me uncomfortable. And you're like, oh, no, no, no, I can't. You know, we will tell the producer or we'll tell this person, or I told ol friends and it's like, yeah, but until you could look someone in the eye and speak your truth very nicely, you're always going to be having this tension that you have in your body right now. And I remember this one girl, she said, well, you know, you know how to do that because you're just so tough. And that, I think, is the line that turned into the alpha book. Because I thought I'm like, but I'm not. I. I was not. I had to become that way in order to navigate, you know, toxic situations or bullies or icky people. So I think that was maybe the seed of, oh, I Could write a whole bunch of these stories because I realized I had a lot of them. And people seem to like to. You know, I tell stories. You know, I was thinking, I'm not writing this. I'm more like a storyteller. And hopefully it's really fun. And if something slips in that's slightly meaningful to you, fantastic.
Zibby Owens
I feel like you could continue this one on as a. As a one, one man show, right? You could just, like, tell all these. I'm sure it would be even funnier. Well, you probably did the audiobook, which I haven't listened to, right?
Gina Gershon
I did the audiobook. It's hard because I want to, of course, make it funny. And the audiobook I started listening to and I thought, oh, my God, I can't. I can never listen to myself anyway. But, like, the Valley stuff, I found myself, like, kind of like going in that sort of voice. I'm like, why wasn't there anyone saying, don't know, you don't have to, like, act Valley anymore. But that's just me. I. I hope it's funny. A lot of people, I. I like it that it's meant to make people laugh and.
Zibby Owens
No, no, it still is. I'm just saying you could. You could imbue, like, there could be even more life to it. Not that it's not. Anyway, whatever. I'm also up.
Gina Gershon
We'll see. We'll. We'll see.
Zibby Owens
You know, you never know. And I'm so sorry, by the way, at the end of your book to hear about your loss, and that was just so sad and, oh, my gosh, how are you? How are you doing with that? And has writing about it helped?
Gina Gershon
You know, it's now three and a half years ago, really. You know, it never gets easier when you lose your mom. It's like a thing. It's a real thing. My sister just called me yesterday. She's like, I'm really missing mom today. I said, I know. Like, every now and then you're like, are you here? Or. You know, it's the one part of the book that wasn't meant to be in there because I thought, oh, funny stories, funny stories. Little essays, little antidotes, you know, and it was the only thing that was kind of happening real time in my life. And that whole, you know, president of the Girls League, you know, that whole story that I found out during that time and then when. And it just. It really moved me. And I realized at some point I started the whole thing off, you know, being in the womb as a Setup to, like, how I'm kind of used to being on my own, and it's good study for being in showbiz. And. And then all of a sudden, I realized, oh, my God, I start with that I could tell this story, because the more I thought about it, I was like, wow, she really was an alpha. And the only reason I'm happy she's not alive now is because she would just be so stressed out and so horrified of everything going on in the world right now, you know, and when you're older, you just watch the news all day. And I just. I. I'm glad she's not seeing it, because she was already freaking out, you know, but she's like, I remember when I had a fight to get my name on the credit card, and she was making money, she had her own company. So it was kind of a beautiful, like, side tribute. But I almost took that out. I'm like, oh, it's so emotional.
Zibby Owens
I'm so glad you left it in. It was really. You know, because after going through your whole life with you, to see that happen, like, we're all just so rooting for you, and then it. We feel that so deeply. I'm so happy you put it in. I'm sad it happened, but, I mean.
Gina Gershon
And I have the only thing I have to say, you know, and I. I really stress to people. They're like, oh, it's a how to book. I'm like, it is definitely not a how to book. And it's not, you know, this is the guide to whatever. It's. It's not an advice book. It's just my particular story is how I got from point A to point B to point C and how I navigated through it. But the only advice I ever have for anyone, really, is to get to know your parents. And I think it's really important to. No matter what you are, you know, because I think it'll. Ultimately, it'll eventually add to your being free as a human being and as an adult, and even better yet, if you know what their relationship was to their mom and dad, because that will explain a lot. And you go from anger to kind of compassion to then all of a sudden, it's an interesting thing at the end of a parent's life or the mother's, anyway, in my. You know, you almost switch roles. You do become the parent a little bit. But I think our job, you know, I really feel like there's a need to, like, release ourselves from our DNA of the. The layers of trauma of Our family, whatever it is. And in this case, I felt very lucky because then I felt like I got to release her of her own shadows that she wasn't even aware of, that I'm acting out. But once she was like, wow, I haven't thought about this and had a big release. It was like a double whammy and was so beautiful. And I really felt happy about that. So, you know, I always stress to people even. Especially if they don't have a good relationship. It's like, it's important because there's a healing, even if it's not for them, for you. You know, I think I stand behind that.
Zibby Owens
Well, that's really, really valuable advice and something that so many people need to hear because life can get so busy and you're just like, I'm doing this and doing that, and y have to stop. Like, what's really important, what's going to be important later. Right.
Gina Gershon
Or if you know something, you know, as adults, you know, I think it's such a cop out. Well, that's just the way I am, you know, like, you know, my family's like that and I'm like that. It's like, it's such a cop out, you know, I don't want to be a prisoner to anything. Like, especially invisible ties that have nothing to do with me, yet they are dictating my life on some level. So I. I just always want to figure out what it is so I could be free of it. That. I mean, I don't know if that comes across in the book or not, but that's always my impetus, I think.
Zibby Owens
No, I love that. I really love it. Gina, thank you so much. I've loved talking. I could obviously, I wanted. I could keep talking all day. You have so much more in here. But. But thank you.
Gina Gershon
I love your store so much. You know, I live. When I lived in la, I lived in Santa Monica. I lived. I lived on Montana. No, just off of Montana. And then I lived in Rustic Canyon. So that whole section. So I've always. Your books are so great.
Zibby Owens
Aw, thank you. Well, you're always welcome and come on in. Okay. All right. Thanks so much.
Gina Gershon
See you later.
Zibby Owens
Okay, bye.
Gina Gershon
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, Iby Owens and Spread the Word. Thanks so much. Oh, and buy the books.
Gina Gershon
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Episode: Celebrity Spotlight: Gina Gershon
Date: April 16, 2026
Host: Zibby Owens
Guest: Gina Gershon, author of Alpha Pussy: How I Survived the Valley and Learned to Love My Boobs
In this engaging episode, Zibby Owens welcomes prolific actress, musician, and author Gina Gershon to discuss her latest memoir, Alpha Pussy: How I Survived the Valley and Learned to Love My Boobs. The conversation weaves through Gershon’s childhood in the San Fernando Valley, her early brushes with danger, her navigation of Hollywood’s challenges as a young woman of non-traditional “Hollywood” looks, and ultimately, her reflections on family, resilience, and self-acceptance.
Throughout, Gershon and Owens share laughter, moments of vulnerability, and insights into both writing and personal growth, making this episode a dynamic look at both the entertainment industry and the forging of female identity.
Reflections on Risky Childhood Moments
Gershon recalls nearly being abducted and facing predatory men — both in Hollywood and in childhood — but always escaping through a mix of survival instincts and luck.
"I know. I kind of forgot about all these things. ... specifically about the Valley, I was just like, wow, that was kind of a close call." (05:33, Gina)
Early Development of Intuition
Gershon attributes her “spidey sense” of danger to both her family environment (playful sibling rivalry, strict morality) and growing up in a world where girls had to be constantly vigilant.
"You know, it gives you a certain spidey sense ... Something is brewing over there. ... That allowed me, I think, to navigate through a lot of things." (06:34, Gina)
Sibling Influence
Gershon’s older sister instilled both strict boundaries and strong values, shaping Gina’s worldview.
"My sister now ... we talk literally all the time. ... But at the same time, she really instilled a lot of values in me ... And, you know, stuff like that." (07:37, Gina)
A Defining Parenting Moment
Gershon shares a striking anecdote about her father’s response to teenage drug use, emphasizing unconditional trust:
“The key line in that whole thing is like, ‘there’s nothing you could ever do that you’d ever have to lie to me about.’ ... So after that we just had a certain sense of trust.” (08:17, Gina)
Zibby notes the accidental parenting wisdom:
"Who knew you actually wrote a parenting book?" (08:49, Zibby)
Too “Ethnic” for Hollywood
Gershon reads from her memoir about being considered “too ethnic” or “too pretty to be Jewish”— confronting both sexism and antisemitism in casting.
“Someone literally said, ‘You're too pretty to be Jewish.’ ... I didn’t quite know how to respond ... I didn’t quite understand how antisemitic it was at the time, but I knew it was weird.” (10:04, Gina)
Gendered Industry Limitations
Recounting a producer telling her, “Oh, you’re very smart,” (implying she should stick to acting and not be analytical), Gershon explains how women in Hollywood were penalized for exceeding expectations.
Getting Her First Major Movie Role
Gershon tells a story of how she maneuvered herself into Robert Altman’s The Player, simply by being persistent and ready for a conversation about horse-racing, which piqued Altman’s interest.
"He's like, 'what are you doing here?' ... I said, 'well, actually, I'm an actress. ... I really want to do one of your movies' ... Next thing he's like, you're not improv? ... We'll make it up." (11:40–14:28, Gina)
Defining “Alpha Pussy”
Gershon explains her book’s title as a metaphor for standing one’s ground, trusting instincts, and mastering survival—learned both from cat-training and from navigating predatory people.
“It’s really more of a, you know, know who you are, stay on your feet, don’t let someone push you off ... And it's listening to your instincts a lot.” (18:21, Gina)
Origin of the Memoir
Gershon shares that the book was prompted by her agent after a night of story-sharing, and intensified by COVID lockdown and quality time with her mother.
“He said, ‘write this book. I can really sell it ... ’ and I just thought ... it’s not really my thing. ... But then COVID happened ... and my mom wasn’t well ... I was discovering so much with her.” (19:15, Gina)
Transforming Adversity into Insight
Gershon hopes her stories serve not as advice, but as empowering illustrations.
“The only advice I ever have for anyone ... is to get to know your parents. ... No matter what you are, it’ll eventually add to your being free as a human being and as an adult.” (26:14, Gina)
Losing Her Mother
The book, intended to be a collection of funny stories, becomes deeply moving at the end, with Gershon memorializing her mother as the ultimate “alpha”—highlighting the importance of generational healing.
"It never gets easier when you lose your mom. ... It was the only thing ... happening in real time ... it really moved me ... she really was an alpha." (24:28, Gina)
Metaphor for Freedom
Gershon discusses the need to break free from generational trauma:
“I don’t want to be a prisoner to anything ... especially invisible ties that have nothing to do with me, yet they are dictating my life on some level.” (28:09, Gina)
On dodging danger:
“I just had a very strong sense of instinct and survival and will … it gives you a certain spidey sense.” (06:34, Gina Gershon)
On anti-Semitic casting experiences:
“You’re too pretty to be Jewish. … I didn’t quite understand how anti-Semitic it was at the time, but I knew it was weird, you know.” (10:04, Gina Gershon)
On persistence paying off in Hollywood:
“I just kept badgering [my agent]...and then Altman walked by...and next thing he’s like, ‘Why don’t we just do this?’” (11:40–14:28, Gina Gershon)
On the book not being a how-to guide:
“It is definitely not a how-to book … it’s just my particular story.” (26:14, Gina Gershon)
On family, healing, and advice:
“The only advice I ever have for anyone really is to get to know your parents … it’ll add to your being free as a human being.” (26:14–27:57, Gina Gershon)
The conversation is candid, witty, and at times poignant—full of lively exchanges (lots of laughter), but also deep honesty about adversity and healing. Gershon’s stories offer snapshots of a woman repeatedly navigating sexism, danger, and antisemitism, always surviving through wit, intuition, and a willingness to be bold and true to herself.
Owens’s questions prompt moments of both wisdom and levity, making this episode a must-listen for anyone interested in the intersection of show business, memoir, and the search for self-acceptance.
Recommended for:
Listeners curious about celebrity memoirs, Hollywood in the 80s and 90s, female empowerment, Jewish identity, or the therapeutic power of storytelling.
Note: All timestamps refer to the podcast’s main content, excluding advertisements and sponsor messages.