Podcast Summary: Totally Booked with Zibby

Episode: Eli Rallo, DOES ANYONE ELSE FEEL THIS WAY?: Essays on Conquering the Quarter-Life Crisis
Host: Zibby Owens
Guest: Eli Rallo
Date: October 14, 2025
Duration: ~33 minutes (core content: 02:38–32:14)

Episode Overview

In this engaging episode, Zibby Owens interviews author and content creator Eli Rallo about her new essay collection, Does Anyone Else Feel This Way?: Essays on Conquering the Quarter-Life Crisis. Their conversation explores Eli's journey from student to internet personality to writer, the confusing and isolating realities of your twenties, her perspectives on social media responsibility, and practical advice for aspiring authors. Eli candidly discusses difficult topics like disordered eating and the search for self amid overwhelming pressure, with honesty and humor that resonates across generations.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. About Eli’s New Book and Its Origins

(03:58–05:48)

• Eli’s book is a collection of 12 essays:
  • “My love letter to the chaos, camaraderie, and craziness of being in your twenties, and the isolation you might experience.” (Eli, 04:19)
• Topics include friendships, self-relationship, career, social media, and societal pressure—especially on young women.
• The book’s genesis traces back to her former podcast ‘Miss Congeniality’ and a well-received episode about twenties’ anxieties.
• The interconnectedness of her media—writing, podcasting, social—shows her evolving, authentic self.

2. Eli’s Public Journey & Authenticity Online

(05:48–09:15)

• Eli started sharing online post-2020, after college and during grad school, and transitioned from a 9-to-5 job to full-time content creation.
• Her audience grew rapidly, especially with her personal essays on Substack and viral TikTok videos—leading to her first book opportunity.
• “At first, I really liked the idea of audience and community and that feedback loop and constant discourse cycle.” (Eli, 07:41)
• She continually balanced her writer and online creator personas, realizing that both support her truest self.

3. Dreams Beyond Writing—The Tina Fey Inspiration

(09:15–11:29)

• If she could snap her fingers for her entertainment career?
  • “I want to be Tina Fey.” (Eli, 09:22)
  • She admires Tina Fey’s refusal to be boxed in by any single medium: “She never let one medium limit her ... She just allowed herself to soar in so many different spaces.” (Eli, 09:36)
• Aspires to multi-modal storytelling, including theater, television, film, and books.
• Fan-girling: Briefly met Tina Fey but hasn’t yet meaningfully connected.

4. The Reality of the Quarter-Life Crisis

(11:29–16:37)

• Zibby reads a candid passage from Eli’s book about feeling lost in grad school.
• Eli describes age 22 as especially disorienting:
  • “Being 22 is like a death sentence ... you go from your hand being held … to now riding a bike without training wheels. No one’s ever taught you how to ride a bike. No one cares if you fall. Good luck.” (Eli, 12:39)
• Instagram-fueled illusions of perfect lives add to the pressure and isolation.
• The major lesson: There are no clear answers or moments when you’ll magically ‘feel like an adult.’
  • “Not even the adults feel like adults. It’s impossible to feel like adults because that would suggest ‘adult’ is a feeling.” (Eli, 14:13)
• Connection and honest conversations with peers are essential for overcoming these feelings.
• Critiques the cliché that your 20s are “the best time,” sharing how things only get better with age:
  • “I’m so glad to not be 22. I wanted to write this for people who are in those periods of life.” (Eli, 15:15)

5. On Social Media, Responsibility, and Medical Disclosure

(21:16–27:33)

• Eli discusses her struggles with disordered eating, referencing her past use of the “Lose It” app and eating disorder recovery.
• She is highly cautious about how she discusses food and health online:
  • “Having an experience of something does not make you just automatically an expert in it, especially when it’s something as precarious as eating disorders, which kill people.” (Eli, 24:32)
• Condemns proliferation of unverified medical advice—especially regarding trends like stopping birth control:
  • “Did we forget birth control is the largest feminist breakthrough of our time? … It just really scares me.” (Eli, 25:53)
• Encourages audiences to seek medical professionals, and uses her platform to promote responsible storytelling, not unchecked advice.

6. Advice for Aspiring Authors

(27:39–32:00)

• Eli reflects on her college days dreaming of being a writer, feeling left out as professionals visited her classes.
• Realization:
  • “There’s no one path. That’s frustrating, but it’s also freeing.” (Eli, 28:01)
• Concrete advice:
  • Network: Attend writing classes, book events, use online resources, build community.
  • Keep writing everywhere—Substack, journals, contests, unpaid internships if necessary.
  • “Just don’t stop. You just don’t know ... You don’t know who’s going to see something.” (Eli, 30:15)
• Cites advice from a New York Times editor:
  • “Write it like the New York Times is going to read it ... Treat every audition like you’re going to get the part.” (Eli, 30:40)
• Persistence over years pays off—what seemed “delusional” now makes sense in hindsight.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “I want to be Tina Fey.” (Eli, 09:22)
• “Not even the adults feel like adults.” (Eli, 14:13)
• “Having an experience of something does not make you just automatically an expert in it ... especially when it’s something as precarious as eating disorders, which kill people.” (Eli, 24:32)
• “There’s no one path. That’s frustrating, but it’s also freeing.” (Eli, 28:01)
• “Just don’t stop. You just don’t know ... You don’t know who’s going to see something.” (Eli, 30:15)

Timestamps for Key Segments

• Eli introduces her book and its themes: 04:19–05:48
• Eli’s journey to becoming a content creator and writer: 06:12–09:15
• Dream entertainment career and Tina Fey admiration: 09:22–11:29
• What being 22 really feels like; losing and recovering one's 'sparkle': 11:42–16:37
• Responsibility on social media, experiences with eating disorders: 23:02–27:33
• Advice for aspiring writers, persistence in the face of rejection: 27:39–32:00

Tone & Style

• Conversational, candid, compassionate, and witty
• Both Zibby and Eli keep the dialogue open and honest, often using humor to soften tough topics and always emphasizing empathy and solidarity.
• Eli’s frankness about her vulnerabilities and Zibby’s supportive, relatable remarks make the episode inviting for listeners across all ages—not just those in their twenties.

Useful for Listeners Who Haven’t Heard the Episode

This summary captures the episode’s spirit and main beats:

• It details Eli Rallo’s compelling journey and the book’s relevance for anyone navigating times of uncertainty and change.
• It addresses how the quarter-life crisis feels, the importance of connection and shared experiences, Eli’s cautious stance on sharing sensitive topics online, and actionable writing advice for creators at any age or stage.
• Quotes and timestamps guide listeners directly to discussed topics for deeper exploration.