Katie Sturino, SUNNY SIDE UP: A Novel

Summary

Totally Booked with Zibby — Katie Sturino, SUNNY SIDE UP: A Novel

Date: November 19, 2025
Host: Zibby Owens
Guest: Katie Sturino
Location: Live at The Whitby Hotel

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Episode Overview

This lively episode features author, entrepreneur, and body confidence advocate Katie Sturino discussing her debut novel, Sunny Side Up, with host Zibby Owens. The conversation is candid, humorous, and empowering, as Katie shares her inspiration for the book, unpacks its bold themes, and reflects on her journey as a business founder and influencer. The discussion flows from fiction, body positivity, and friendship to entrepreneurship, with both women championing self-acceptance and redefining traditional narratives around women’s lives, bodies, and happiness.

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Key Discussion Points & Insights

The Inspiration Behind SUNNY SIDE UP

[02:00]

• Katie wrote Sunny Side Up because she needed a book like it during her own divorce.
• She was frustrated by stories focusing on "revenge bodies" post-breakup, wanting a narrative where the heroine transforms her life in a bigger body and doesn’t mold herself to be seen as worthy.

"I wanted someone who actually didn't do any of that—she actually gains weight. She does all of this in a bigger body." — Katie Sturino [02:11]

Challenging Stereotypes About Women’s Bodies and Sex Lives

[03:24]

• The protagonist, Sunny, enjoys an adventurous sex life, defying stereotypes about plus-size women’s desirability.
• Katie wanted to offer an empowered narrative, not a "sad" or "discovery" journey toward self-image.

"I think it's also important to show a woman who is bigger and having, like, a really healthy, adventurous sex life...I wanted to put this empowered narrative out there." — Katie Sturino [03:24]

• One poignant scene explores the pain of sexual objectification:

“I always wanted to know what it would be like to be with a fat girl.”
Katie notes this is a real fear for many and wanted to show Sunny enduring, recovering, and moving forward.
[03:52-04:54]

"We have to be brave and we have to keep going out even after the big scary thing happens." — Katie Sturino [04:45]

The Role of Friendship

[05:00]

• Strong female friendships power the story—Katie wanted to highlight how women support each other through their lowest moments, not just in romance but professionally as well.

“Women are the ones who get you through it.” — Katie Sturino [05:02]

Entrepreneurship & Megababe

[05:40 – 08:13]

• Katie founded Megababe—personal care products addressing everyday, “taboo” body issues (thigh chafe, boob sweat, etc.), aiming to normalize topics people often feel ashamed about.
• The company began in her parents' garage. She credits their naivete and perseverance, learning on the job despite setbacks.

“It was my sister at 1am doing customer service...just doing our best. And thank God our message has resonated with people.” — Katie Sturino [07:30]

• Encourages women to innovate in product development:

“If you're a woman out there who is interested in making product and the science and the development of product, please go start a lab.” — Katie Sturino [07:11]

Business Parallels: Fiction & Reality

[08:24]

• In Sunny Side Up, Sunny starts a swimwear line after a demoralizing experience shopping for swimsuits.
• Katie simultaneously launched a real swimwear line with Kitty and Vibe in conjunction with the book, blurring lines between fiction and life.

“So I made the swimsuits from the book and launched them the same month that the book came out so that you could read the book, wear the suit, have a great summer, find some confidence and some laughs in Sunny.” — Katie Sturino [09:34]

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

Social Media Origin Story: From Dog Influencer to Body Confidence

[14:48 – 15:57]

• Katie broke into social media managing her rescue dog Toast, using her popularity to promote adoption and awareness around puppy mills.

“I got into social media through being a dog ager and Toast.” — Katie Sturino [15:59]

• A feature in a fashion magazine spotlighted her style, sparking her journey to help women find confidence in themselves and their wardrobe, ultimately launching “The 12ish Style.”

“That was my Oprah Aha moment—that I was not alone in my body insecurities.” — Katie Sturino [16:58]

Self-Acceptance as a Mission

[18:03]

"I'm here and it's working. I have a multi-prong attack. I do it with Megababe...and then Sunny was a great way to introduce a new way of helping women with self-acceptance through a fictional narrative." — Katie Sturino

On the Novel’s Humor and Voice

[18:40 – 19:02]

• Zibby praises the book’s comic voice; Katie beams at the compliment:

“It's just your voice...How can you not laugh?” — Zibby Owens [18:58]

The Realities of Writing & Publishing

[20:07 – 21:29]

• Katie describes the editing process as “like having a naked eyeball exam” and admits to moments of self-doubt, despite outside validation.

"The challenges that occurred were different than what I thought they would be...the editing process is so painful...you spend the next six months having people just shred it." — Katie Sturino [20:51]

Meeting Readers & Impact Stories

[21:43]

• Katie’s happiest moments come when readers tell her Sunny inspired them to date again or helped them through divorce.

“That is my joy.” — Katie Sturino [22:04]

On Choosing Not to Have Kids

[22:12 – 23:32]

• Katie is open and nonchalant about her (and her husband’s) decision not to have children, countering social assumptions and highlighting her joy in crafting an alternative path.

“I'm awesome at not having kids. Like, I live in multiple locations. I travel all the time. I got tons of dogs...there are some people who are sad without kids, and I feel for them, and I hope to be someone who shows an alternative to not having a traditional path.” — Katie Sturino [22:37]

Advice on Reinvention & Starting Out

[26:45 – 27:57]

• Stresses she is “just a person”—from Wisconsin, who moved to NYC and built success by picking one thing, pursuing it, and letting results snowball.

“I think you can do it. You just gotta pick one thing and go after it. And then once you can see that you can achieve that, things start to pile up and that good energy just starts to accrue.” — Katie Sturino [27:51]

The Heart of the Message

[27:57]

• Zibby sums up the resonant theme: “Life is worth living. It doesn’t matter what you look like, how you feel like you’re in it. And that’s the most important message of all.”

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Segment Highlights with Timestamps

• [02:00] Launching SUNNY SIDE UP and disrupting the "revenge body" trope.
• [03:47] The heartbreak and resilience of dating as a plus-size woman.
• [05:00] The unbreakable power of female friendship in tough times.
• [05:40] The founding story and mission behind Megababe.
• [08:24] Turning fictional swimwear into a real product and the business crossover.
• [14:48] How a dog influencer jump-started Katie’s digital content journey.
• [16:58] Realizing the universality of women's body insecurities.
• [18:03] Multi-prong approach to self-acceptance for women.
• [20:51] The writing and editing journey for a first-time novelist.
• [22:12] Embracing a childfree life and owning nontraditional choices.
• [26:45] Encouragement for women to “pick one thing,” start, and let momentum build.

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Episode Takeaways

• Empowerment comes from owning your story—in your body, your relationships, and your career.
• Vulnerability is powerful, both in fiction and in life. Don’t be afraid to share the messy parts.
• Friendship and community are essential, especially during challenging times.
• If you see a gap, fill it. Whether it's a business, a book, or a movement.
• Anyone can start: It’s about curiosity, persistence, and following what lights you up.

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Conclusion

Katie Sturino’s episode is an uplifting celebration of self-acceptance, entrepreneurship, humor, and the joy of rewriting one’s own story. Her journey—from dog influencer to CEO to novelist—offers both inspiration and practical wisdom for anyone looking to make a change or challenge society’s expectations. Above all, Sunny Side Up stands as a testament to finding happiness and adventure, no matter your size or life circumstances.

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Further Info

• Buy the Book: Sunny Side Up by Katie Sturino
• Shop Swimwear: Kitty and Vibe x Katie Sturino collaboration
• Products Mentioned: Megababe

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(Ads, sponsor breaks, and outros were omitted for a content-focused summary.)

Transcript

[Katie Storino]

Ready to order?

[Siby Owens]

Yes.

[Katie Storino]

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[Capital One Saver Card Announcer]

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[Katie Storino]

Yes, chef. This is so nice.

[Capital One Saver Card Announcer]

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[Katie Storino]

Ooh, tiramisu.

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[Siby Owens]

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[Katie Storino]

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[Siby Owens]

Welcome to Totally Booked live at the Whitby Hotel. I am so excited to be interviewing a whole host of authors in person today. We have Katie Storino, and I am so thrilled to be talking to her about setting Sunny side Up, her novel. Welcome.

[Katie Storino]

Hello. Thank you so much for having me. And I'm so excited to meet you.

[Siby Owens]

Yeah, I'm so excited to meet you, too. Okay, Sunny side Up. Let's tell everybody a little bit about this book.

[Katie Storino]

This book is the book that I needed to read when I got a divorce. I really wanted something that was inspiring, that showed a woman who was able to transform her life kind of on her own without having to. Which. Which I read and saw so many movies when I was going through a divorce about women who went to the gym and, like, got a revenge body and then showed up. And then they were worthy to find that second chance at love. And I wanted someone who actually didn't do any of that she actually gains weight. She. She does all of this in a bigger body. And I. I didn't see any stories like that. Um, it's similar to what I went through personally. And so I wanted to provide a narrative that I would have enjoyed.

[Siby Owens]

So let's talk about some of these immediate rendezvous that you have early on. I have to say, in the first. What, I don't know, 40 pages, this character has gotten together with quite a few people.

[Katie Storino]

It's true.

[Siby Owens]

Who you might not expect.

[Katie Storino]

No, yes, I know. I really did this.

[Siby Owens]

Follow your journey.

[Katie Storino]

There were some parallels. My mom's not in the room, which she was in the room one time when I had to answer this question, and I just dodged the question.

[Siby Owens]

One of them was the construction worker who she saw out her window. Just saying.

[Katie Storino]

Just saying.

[Siby Owens]

It's that kind of thing.

[Katie Storino]

Yep, it's that kind of thing.

[Siby Owens]

It's that kind of thing.

[Katie Storino]

Well, I think it's also important to show a woman who is bigger and having, like, a really healthy, adventurous sex life, not, like a sad, weird, discovery sex life where she's like, I am beautiful. Like, after, like, you know, getting rejected so many times, I felt like I wanted to put this empowered narrative out there.

[Siby Owens]

You did, though, have this heartbreaking scene. Where. Can I talk about it?

[Katie Storino]

Yes, of course. Yeah.

[Siby Owens]

1. She gets together with one guy who afterwards said, I always wanted to know what it would be like to be with a fat girl.

[Katie Storino]

She says it in a more vulgar way. And that did not happen to me, thank God. But I think it was important to face the biggest fear that so many people have about exposing themselves in that way that you're gonna hear this. The negative comment that you have had or that someone else has put into your brain early on in your life, that that's what's going to be exposed when you make yourself vulnerable. So I wanted to show Sunny going through that and getting over it and moving on and continuing to date and continuing to put herself out there. Because I've spoken to so many people in my life who, after something like that happens, quite understandably, they shut down and they're like, this happened, and I can't go back out there. But we have to be brave and we have to keep going out even after the big scary thing happens.

[Siby Owens]

So true. Girlfriends play a huge role in the story. Talk about that. Tell us a little about your own good girlfriends.

[Katie Storino]

Yes. I think that in your lowest times in your life, women are the ones who get you through it. And that's what I wanted to showcase in this book I wanted to show three women going through some really hard times helping each other out, like hyping each other up. And not just like about their romantic lives but about their professional lives too. I feel like that was really important for me because I am an entrepreneur. I do surround myself with a lot of professional women who are working on their own businesses. And I felt like that was an important part of the story that I wanted to share.

[Siby Owens]

And let's talk about that. Tell us about Megababe.

[Katie Storino]

Mega Babe. Do you guys know Mega Babe out there? Anyone with some light claps? Okay, so Mega Babe is my brand of personal care products. We make talc free boob sweat powder. We make thigh chafe stick. That was the first product we launched. We make products. Hemorrhoid cream called butt stuff. We make products that typically address tab. I'm putting inputting Taboo in quotes because they're not taboo. They're just issues that happen to normal bodies that we've been made to feel ashamed or embarrassed about. So I started MegaBabe eight years ago with my sister and my best friend from camp. And where'd you go to camp Minikani. Okay. It's not like, it's not like what? You don't know. I don't know.

[Siby Owens]

I don't know.

[Katie Storino]

And I, I really, I love Megababe. We sell at Target, we sell at Ulta, we sell at Walmart. This is a, this is a project that started in my parents garage and it's been eight years and I can't believe that we're, we're here.

[Siby Owens]

That's so amazing.

[Katie Storino]

Yeah.

[Siby Owens]

So weren't you, or let me rephrase, were you afraid to take on a big project like this? I wouldn't know the first thing about sourcing materials and non talc powder and packaging of the.

[Katie Storino]

For Megababe. For Megababe, we were blissfully naive about everything. Everything from how to make product to what happens when your manufacturer puts the wrong thing in your product and you have to pay for it all. Like it's a very specific example. But things like that happen pretty much all the time. And you can't believe that this is how this industry operates. But it does operate like that. If you're a woman out there who is interested in making product and the science and the development of product, please go start, please go start a lab. Cause there are not enough out there and most of them are run. It's a very dated industry. So please go innovate. But I think we just started basically at Google University. And we were like, who makes this? Okay, so this. I called this person. They don't make. You have to get a hot fill for that type of product. So who does that? So we just. We just learned as we went. And for four years, we had no employees. So it was my sister at 1am doing customer service. It was like, Kate, like, designing packaging with, like, no idea, you know, and no history of doing it, but just doing our best. And thank God our message has resonated with people.

[Siby Owens]

That's amazing. Congratulations.

[Katie Storino]

Yeah, thank you. Thank you.

[Siby Owens]

Sunny in the book, also has started a business. She does talk a little bit about her company and writing about that.

[Katie Storino]

So she starts a swimwear line because she is frustrated by the swimsuits that she finds when she goes to. Well, the book starts. I'm not spoiling anything, because the book starts in Bergdorf Goodman. She is in this fitting room. She's trying on a suit she thinks is in her size, but it's way too small. And she has a breakdown, which I think probably every person in this room has.

[Siby Owens]

Raise your hand if you've ever had a breakdown. Okay. Everyone's raising their hand.

[Katie Storino]

Okay, sir, you're lying. And I think that that is such a relatable moment. But instead of, again, shutting down and being like, you know what? I'm not gonna go on this trip. I don't have a swimsuit. I'm not gonna go. Sunny takes matters into her own hands, and she makes a suit at the tailor. And then she decides, you know what? I can't be the only person who has this problem. And her friends. Again, we're back to those really supportive women friends. They're like, sunny, you should start a line. So she does. And then me, not Sunny, decides that, you know what? I love these swimsuits. I'm talking about, Let me make the swimsuits. So I launched. This is hard to explain. And this was a new thing. And I think we're gonna see more of this in books, being able to shop what you read about. But it was a really interesting experiment. So I made the swimsuits from the book and launched them the same month that the book came out so that you could read the book, wear the suit, have a great summer, find some confidence and some laughs in Sunny. But that was really hard. And it was confusing messaging because it's not something typical that you see. It's not like. It's like you're used to seeing merchandise from a movie or, you know, like, toys that match the thing that you're seeing on the screen, but we're not used to shopping from a book yet. But the suit, I mean the swimsuits did really well. People loved them. People bought them. But it was an interesting thing to see.

[Siby Owens]

Where can we buy the swimsuit?

[Katie Storino]

Oh, right. Maybe you're now seeing why it was hard to get the message out of the time you made them. I made them with Kitty and Vibe. They're a small woman owned brand. Everything is ethically made. She is very conscious of the way that swimsuits fit. So she has like two different size bottoms and she's, she's like an amazing entrepreneur. So I made them with her.

[Siby Owens]

That's so cool. Yeah, I love that.

[Katie Storino]

We still and we sold that in most of the suits. So that's, it's great.

[Siby Owens]

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[Katie Storino]

Ready to order?

[Siby Owens]

Yes.

[Katie Storino]

We're earning unlimited 3% cash back on dining and entertainment with a Capital One Saver Card. So let's just get one of everything. Everything.

[Capital One Saver Card Announcer]

Fire everything. The Capital One Saver card is at table 27, and they're earning unlimited 3% cash back.

[Katie Storino]

Yes, chef.

[Siby Owens]

This is so nice.

[Capital One Saver Card Announcer]

Had a feeling you'd want 3% cash back on dessert.

[Katie Storino]

Ooh, tiramisu.

[Capital One Saver Card Announcer]

Earn unlimited 3% cash back on dining and entertainment with the Capital One Saver Card. Capital One, what's in your wallet?

[Siby Owens]

Terms apply. See capitalone.com for details. Yeah, Tell me a little bit about how you became, like, a content creator.

[Katie Storino]

I became a content creator because I started managing my dog in tooth, which no one wants to talk about or cares about. Cause it's been so long, but, like, it's all I want to talk about. What kind of dog she is a King Charles spaniel. And she ate toast. Did anyone follow or remember Toast? Three piece? Yes. Okay. Yes, that's me. Yes. Okay. You're remembering Toast, right? Toast was huge. Yeah. So Toast was. So I worked in public relations, and I decided that Toast is a special dog, and she was a rescue. She could Teach people about rescue and about puppy mills and why you shouldn't buy dogs. And she also was just a star. She would let me, like, dress her up. She was a model for Karen Walker Eyewear. She got married on Real Housewives of New York stuff. Yes. Does anyone remember a dog wedding? There it is. That was me. Watch me on there. I bend over, you can fully see my thong. My family won't let me forget that. So I got into social media through being a dog ager and Toast.

[Siby Owens]

Like a dog ager.

[Katie Storino]

Yes. Kris Jenner of Dogs. See how much more fun it is to be in the dog game? Yeah. Okay. Okay. Yes. But. So that's how I got into it. But essentially on a photo shoot that I was doing with Toast for NARS Cosmetics, someone at a fashion publication was like, you have good style. And I was like, oh, well, we should do a story about how I wear shorts for summer. Because there were just not many stories about curvy girls wearing anything in 2014. And so we did that feature. And then in that article, I read comments from women who were like, I've never seen my body featured on a fashion publication. I didn't think I could wear shorts. And now I'm looking at you, and we're the same size, and I can wear shorts because you look great. And I realized, like, that was my Oprah Aha moment. That I was not alone in my body insecurities. And I also wasn't like, a crazy freak for having a size 12 body, which I had felt and thought my whole life. And not helped by the fact that I moved to New York and work in fashion. And everyone here has a very specific ideal for bodies. So I said, wow, okay, if these people were happy to see me and I'm feeling this way, what if I keep going in this direction? So I started the 12ish style. And I just started as a way to help women who were bigger, curvier find clothes, Go to the men's department, find this blazer. These shoes come in your size. Like, so it was essentially, I started as a shopping platform, and then women who were size 4, size 8, were messaging me saying, you just gave me the content, the confidence to wear a tank top. And I was like, no, no, no. You're a size 6. You should always be able to wear a tank top, where I'm the one who should question it. And that's when I realized that all women hate their bodies for no reason and that I was going to make it my life's work to make Women feel more confident and comfortable in their bodies.

[Siby Owens]

That's a big undertaking.

[Katie Storino]

Yes, I'm here and it's working. Yes. Yeah. I'm doing. I have a multiple. A multi prong attack. I do it with Megababe. So I'm normalizing the things that you feel uncomfortable about. Ooh, my thighs touch. Ooh, I have like boob sweat. Like I'm normalizing those things for people. I show up on the Internet in my underwear and show my body and talk about things and show myself unposed or show myself I'm just very vulnerable physically on the Internet. And then Sunny was a great way to introduce a new way of helping women with ex with self acceptance through a fictional narrative.

[Siby Owens]

And by the way, this is one of the funniest books. I must have laughed like 20 times. I started listening to it on audio, which is also fantastic. And I highly recommend it. And I was like walking to a kid's play date and I must. I just like kept laughing to myself with the headphones. I felt.

[Katie Storino]

Very big compliment.

[Siby Owens]

Thank you. Anyway, it was quite funny.

[Katie Storino]

Thank you.

[Siby Owens]

It's just your voice.

[Katie Storino]

Thank you.

[Siby Owens]

It's very voice driven. It's. How can you not laugh?

[Katie Storino]

Thank you. I really appreciate that.

[Siby Owens]

Yeah. So how did you attack writing a novel on top of everything else?

[Katie Storino]

I have wanted to write that book for a very long time. And I wrote a self help book called Body Talk. And that was kind of a test run to see if I could sell books. And thankfully there was a great reaction to that. So I was able to pitch Sonny. And after all the years that I have wanted to write the book, nothing has come on the market that I was like, no one's done it yet in the way that I wanted to do it. So I was happy that that space was still there. And then I scheduled it in the way I schedule all my stuff in with Miss Mary Kathryn back there. She helps me run my life and get things done. I'm grateful to have a huge team of 11 at Megababe to keep like the company going I have. It's basically support and help. That's how I was able to do it.

[Siby Owens]

And had you always wanted to write fiction or is that just something that you're like, I have to get this story, so I'm gonna learn how to write fiction?

[Katie Storino]

I think that I love telling stories and I think that I've always been a very, I don't know, narrative driven person. So probably in my brain. Yes. But it's not like I went to school for it. Or that I'm writing in my spare time, short stories or anything like that. But I'm a natural born storyteller, so this is a big, big moment for me.

[Siby Owens]

That's awesome. So now do you wanna write more books? More fiction? More novels, I should say.

[Katie Storino]

Well, I will say it's much harder than you think to write a book.

[Siby Owens]

Does anyone think it would be easy?

[Katie Storino]

I don't know. I did. Not easy, but the challenges that occurred were different than the challenges than what I thought they would be.

[Siby Owens]

What were they?

[Katie Storino]

I think the editing process is, like, having, like, a naked eyeball exam. Like, it's, like, so painful, and you just have, like, sitting through it. And they're like, no, we want you to do it again. And you gotta keep going back into your work. And then you're like, is this even good? Is this even good? Is this even good? Starts to become a real thing in your brain. And then.

[Siby Owens]

That's a good book title.

[Katie Storino]

Is this even good? Yeah, you can take it.

[Siby Owens]

It's okay.

[Katie Storino]

Thanks. Okay. You were hurting her first. Yeah. She gave me a point.

[Siby Owens]

Just put me in the acknowledgments.

[Katie Storino]

That was fine. Okay. And so I think that was one of the challenges that I really didn't expect.

[Siby Owens]

Interesting.

[Katie Storino]

Because you want to. I think that this is what all writers do. You write this thing and you're like, it's perfect. And then you spend the next six months having people just shred it. Yeah.

[Siby Owens]

So what was it like then? Going out and meeting the readers and all.

[Katie Storino]

That was awesome. That's my favorite part of everything, is connecting with people and talking about how Sunny affected them. Or people read it and they're like, I'm going through a divorce. I really needed this. I set up a dating profile. Because of this book or just like, I gave it to. To my sister. She's going through this. So that is my joy. Yeah.

[Siby Owens]

And now you're remarried.

[Katie Storino]

I am. I saw on Instagram, yes, I'm remarried.

[Siby Owens]

And you publicly are saying you don't want to have kids.

[Katie Storino]

I am publicly saying I don't want to have kids.

[Siby Owens]

Why? Why are you saying it?

[Katie Storino]

Well, it's not for me. I think I have nieces and nephew. I have a nephew and two nieces. I don't know how to say this.

[Siby Owens]

That's okay. I'm not taking offense.

[Katie Storino]

That's okay. It's just.

[Siby Owens]

I can feel it.

[Katie Storino]

No, no. It's just. It's a lot of work, and I'm already doing a lot of stuff, and I know that, like, people are like, but what about when you're older? And I'm like, I know enough. Sorry. I know enough people who have bad relationships with their parents to know that you're not guaranteed someone sitting in the nursing home with you. So, like. So I'm just saying you can't have kids so that they'll take care of you later. And then when they're younger, they're so cute. But there's so much work, and I am a. I'm choosing to do other things. But you know what? Thank you. I'm awesome at not having kids. Like, I'm awesome at it. Like, I live in multiple locations. I travel all the time. I got tons of dogs. I'm gonna get more dogs. So I'm just saying there are some people who are sad without kids, and I feel for them, and I hope to be someone who shows an alternative to not having a traditional path.

[Siby Owens]

So where does this desire to help other people live better lives come from?

[Katie Storino]

Don't know just what it is. It's just what lights me up. Like, that's the thing. And it's like, when I worked in public relations, the thing I found most joy in was helping women tell their stories through their business. So it's just, like, what I like to do.

[Siby Owens]

So what are you most excited about now that's coming up?

[Katie Storino]

Well, Sunny hopefully will get made into something on screen.

[Siby Owens]

Yeah, we'll see.

[Katie Storino]

I don't know. Let's put it out there. It's being looked at right now. I don't think I'm supposed to talk about any of this, but. Yeah, but Harpo has it, and they're looking at it for a movie. Whoa. So that would be really great. I really don't think I'm supposed to talk about that. Look at MK's face. She's literally, like, holding her head, and then I.

[Siby Owens]

What else can you not say?

[Katie Storino]

I know. This is so fun. You know what I'm really working on? I'm working on some things for next summer for Megababe that I'm very excited about. And I'm taking my mom on a safari in two weeks.

[Siby Owens]

Wow.

[Katie Storino]

Yeah. My mom's a big traveler. Safari was something I've always wanted to do, but I really didn't think it was very ethical. But we found a great company called Elsewhere, and they're gonna. They show you how to do things without, like, exploiting the local landscape.

[Siby Owens]

So are you gonna help? If she's ever in a nursing home.

[Katie Storino]

She can live with me. Yeah. Yeah. Only One clap for she can live with me. Okay. They're like, yeah.

[Siby Owens]

Oh my gosh. Amazing. Is there a way really that women or everyone can feel better in their bodies if they've had a lifetime of feeling bad about it? Is there a way to change the narrative for real?

[Katie Storino]

Yes. For real? Yes. You're looking at it. You really are looking at it. Because now, no matter what size my body is, I'm good. And I didn't used to be good and I wasn't good for about 35 years. So I am proof that you can change your mind about yourself. I think you have to want to. And I don't think it's easy and I don't think every day is perfect. But I think if you decide, I don't want to live the rest of my life looking in the mirror and hating what I see, you can, you can change it.

[Siby Owens]

And how do you feel about all the new weight loss drugs?

[Katie Storino]

I feel that they are medicine, they are a tool for people. And I feel that it's taken over our media and it's taken over the public narrative. And I think that that's a shame because they're a drug that is helping a lot of people who need it and it's being abused by a lot of people who don't. And that's kind of what the headline is for that drug.

[Siby Owens]

Okay, so if you had advice for a woman who wants to rewrite her narrative, start a company, like, do all the things that probably feel really impossible to the person sitting at home and listening to you do all these things like, oh my gosh, how does someone get started?

[Katie Storino]

I'm just a person. Like, I think that that is, that's good to know is that I'm just a person that I'm from Wisconsin. Like, I have lived in New York for, I don't know, 22 years. And I guess that that's what, that's a good point to make because I think most people feel that you have to have been born into something or like, you know, you come from a cosmetic giant family and then you're, oh, that's how she launched that company. But I think anything is possible. And I think that you just have to pick the thing that's gonna bring you the joy and the that what lights you up. And that might not even be what you wanna do professionally. So keep that in mind. Because I used to think I wanted to own an ice cream shop, but the day to day logistics of owning an ice cream shop really suck. So I did not Want to do that?

[Siby Owens]

My cousin owns an ice cream shop.

[Katie Storino]

Cool. Which one?

[Siby Owens]

It's called Scoop Deville in Philly.

[Katie Storino]

Are they in the store a lot?

[Siby Owens]

He's in the store a lot.

[Katie Storino]

In the store a lot. Yeah. So that is. That was my problem with that. But I guess that's what I'm saying is I think you can do it. You just gotta pick one thing and go after it. And then once you can see that you can achieve that, things start to pile up and that good energy just starts to accrue.

[Siby Owens]

Well, I think it's amazing that you've done so many things across a wide spectrum from beauty products to a fabulous book like this to get people into gear. And remember that life is worth living. It doesn't matter what you look like, how you feel like you're in it. And that's the most important message of all. Thank you so congrats. Thank you so much.

[Katie Storino]

Thank you.

[Siby Owens]

Thank you for listening to Totally booked with Siby, formerly Moms don't have time to read books. If you loved the show, tell a friend, leave a review. Follow me on Instagram ibbeowens and spread the word. Thanks so much. Oh, and buy the books.

[Katie Storino]

Ready to order?

[Siby Owens]

Yes.

[Katie Storino]

We're earning unlimited 3% cash back on dining and entertainment with a Capital One Saver Card. So let's just get one of everything. Everything.

[Capital One Saver Card Announcer]

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[Katie Storino]

Yes, chef. This is so nice.

[Capital One Saver Card Announcer]

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[Katie Storino]

Ooh, tiramisu.

[Capital One Saver Card Announcer]

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[Siby Owens]

Terms apply. See capitalone.com for details.

[Paige Desorbo]

Hey, let me let you in on a little secret. I've turned staying into bed into an art form. It's just my place. It's my shopping sanctuary. And honestly, the perfect place to hang out with all of my favorite people. So join me and some of the most interesting people I know for shopping, some laughs, and maybe a few secrets, all from the comfort of my bed. And the best part, you can watch from your bed. All new episodes of my show, In Bed with Paige Desorbo air Mondays at 8pm Eastern Standard Time on Amazon Live. Just open prime video on your TV and search Amazon Live to cozy up in bed. In bed with me, Paige Dosorbo. Because why get out of bed if you don't have to? Hey, guys, it's Paige from giggly squad. And if you're anything like me, holiday shopping has officially started. And you know where I'm going. Ulta Beauty. They have the cutest gift sets right now, like the Sol de Janeiro, Shea, Rosa and Cheer Perfume Mist Trio. It smells so good. I've been misting it everywhere. On me, on the street, on my pillow. It's a whole vibe. I'm obsessed, obsessed with the Tarte Kindness Cafe Collector set. It's packed with everyday makeup must haves and it's honestly too cute to wrap. And if you need a cozy little self care moment, the Moroccan Oil Hand Care Essentials kit is luxe, hydrating and smells delicious. Don't worry if you can't decide right now. An Ulta Beauty gift card is the perfect gift for everyone. So whether you're gifting your bestie or yourself, make the season yours and head to Ulta Beauty. Today. Ulta Beauty gifting happens here.