Episode Summary: Totally Booked with Zibby – Featuring Josie Balka's I HOPE YOU REMEMBER: Poems on Loving, Longing, and Living

Release Date: June 7, 2025

Introduction

In this heartfelt episode of Totally Booked with Zibby, host Zibby Owens welcomes Josie Balka, a celebrated broadcaster, voiceover artist, and poet. The conversation delves deep into Josie's New York Times bestselling poetry collection, I HOPE YOU REMEMBER: Poems on Loving, Longing, and Living. Listeners are invited to explore the emotional landscapes Josie navigates through her evocative verses.

Guest Background

Josie Balka brings a rich background to the conversation, holding a diploma in radio, television, and film from Niagara College. Her extensive work with major North American media companies as an on-air personality has honed her ability to connect with audiences. Born and raised in Toronto, Josie currently resides in Calgary, Canada. Her journey into poetry intertwines with her personal and professional experiences, adding depth to her writing.

Overview of I HOPE YOU REMEMBER

Zibby introduces Josie’s poetry book, highlighting its immediate success by landing on the New York Times bestseller list within its first week of release. Josie describes her collection as an "all over the map of being alive," encapsulating themes such as love, friendship, lost love, toxic relationships, and body image issues. She breaks down the book into three chapters: Loving, Longing, and Living, each reflecting a spectrum of human emotions.

Josie Balka [05:09]: "It's an all over the map of being alive kind of poetry book."

Themes and Emotional Insights

The discussion delves into the profound emotional resonance of Josie's work. Josie shares how her poetry served as a lifeline during the LA fires, stating:

Josie Balka [04:34]: "It was all I could read. That was the only thing I read."

Zibby expresses admiration for the emotional depth Josie brings, citing her ability to transform perceived negatives into positive reflections. For instance, Josie reflects on aging pets:

Josie Balka [06:15]: "The things that annoy you are the things you're gonna miss the most."

This perspective underscores a recurring motif in Josie’s work: appreciating the present and finding beauty in imperfection.

Creative Process and Studio Setup

Josie opens up about her creative process, emphasizing spontaneity and authenticity. She explains how her poems often emerge organically from daily experiences and emotions, sometimes inspired by simple prompts captured on her phone.

Josie Balka [28:25]: "I'll usually write it and then come down and record it right away."

Zibby is fascinated by Josie’s dedicated setup for her creative endeavors. Josie describes her soundproof closet studio, complete with soundproofing panels purchased from Amazon and equipment rented from Long McQuade. This space facilitates her voiceover work and poetry recordings, demonstrating her commitment to her craft.

Josie Balka [24:35]: "It's my basement, an actual house now, which has given me the space to set up."

Personal Reflections and Perspectives

A significant portion of the episode is dedicated to Josie's contemplations on life and mortality. She shares a poignant poem read by Zibby, which Josie reveals was inspired by thoughts of mortality and the lasting impact one leaves behind.

Josie Balka [13:56]: "It's the root cause of countless moments of insurmountable grief for the people who love you the most."

Josie explains that these reflections stem from personal experiences and conversations with friends who have faced loss. This introspection allows her to channel raw emotions into her poetry, making her work universally relatable.

Josie Balka [16:11]: "I think about death a lot. I think about all the things that I already regret not doing and not saying."

Future Projects and Plans

When asked about future endeavors, Josie hints at the possibility of a second poetry collection, aiming to delve deeper into specific themes that resonate with her personal growth and experiences. While not confirming concrete plans, she expresses enthusiasm for continuing her literary journey.

Josie Balka [27:32]: "If I were to do a second book, it would be a little more zoned into a topic that is important to me."

Conclusion

The episode concludes with mutual expressions of admiration and gratitude. Zibby commends Josie for her impactful writing and the vulnerability she brings to her art. Josie reciprocates the appreciation, acknowledging how Zibby's work helped her through challenging times.

Josie Balka [31:20]: "It means so much coming from you. You're an icon in the book world."

Listeners are left with a profound appreciation for Josie Balka's I HOPE YOU REMEMBER, her therapeutic approach to poetry, and the seamless blend of personal narrative with universal themes that define her work.

Notable Quotes

• Josie Balka [05:09]: "It's an all over the map of being alive kind of poetry book."
• Josie Balka [06:15]: "The things that annoy you are the things you're gonna miss the most."
• Josie Balka [13:56]: "It's the root cause of countless moments of insurmountable grief for the people who love you the most."
• Josie Balka [28:25]: "I'll usually write it and then come down and record it right away."
• Josie Balka [31:20]: "It means so much coming from you. You're an icon in the book world."

Final Thoughts

This episode of Totally Booked with Zibby provides a captivating glimpse into Josie Balka's poetic mind and the emotional depth of her work. Her ability to articulate complex feelings with simplicity and sincerity offers listeners both solace and inspiration. Whether you are a poetry enthusiast or someone seeking connection through words, Josie Balka’s insights are both enriching and uplifting.

For more information, visit zibbymedia.com and follow Zibby Owens on Instagram @zibbyowens.