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
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.
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]
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.”
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.
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.
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.
Further Info
- Buy the Book: Sunny Side Up by Katie Sturino
- Shop Swimwear: Kitty and Vibe x Katie Sturino collaboration
- Products Mentioned: Megababe
(Ads, sponsor breaks, and outros were omitted for a content-focused summary.)