Podcast Summary: Totally Booked with Zibby – Episode Featuring Lake Bell on "All About Brains: A Book About People"
Release Date: April 15, 2025
In this heartfelt and insightful episode of Totally Booked with Zibby, host Zibby Owens engages in a profound conversation with acclaimed actress, filmmaker, and author Lake Bell. The focal point of their discussion is Lake's latest book, "All About Brains: A Book About People," which delves into the complexities of neurodiversity and the unique experiences of individuals with diverse neurological conditions.
Introduction to Lake Bell and Her Work
Zibby Owens warmly welcomes Lake Bell to the show, highlighting her multifaceted career as an actress, award-winning filmmaker, and author. Lake's credentials include her acclaimed films In a World and I Do Until I Don't, as well as her contribution to literature with the critically acclaimed audiobook "Inside My Obsession with How We Sound." Lake's dedication to supporting female peers in the entertainment industry through her role as a board member of Women in Film underscores her commitment to advocacy and empowerment.
Notable Quote:
Zibby Owens [02:20]: "Lake Bell is the author of All About Brains, a book about people. Congratulations."
Inspiration Behind "All About Brains"
Lake Bell opens up about the personal inspirations for her book, rooted deeply in her experiences as a mother to two children—Nova and Ozzie. Nova's diagnosis with epilepsy and Ozzie's burgeoning dyslexia have provided Lake with firsthand insights into neurodivergence and neurodiversity. These experiences have not only shaped her parenting approach but also fueled her passion to create a resource that demystifies and celebrates neurological differences.
Notable Quotes:
Lake Bell [05:29]: "This book is wholly inspired by the little children we're talking about right now, which are my daughter Nova and my son Ozzie."
Lake Bell [08:12]: "I have dyslexia and felt it in school... It really forced me to move slower in how I read, but it means I picture everything. So as a filmmaker... I'm writing it with pictures all over, like just robust, multi-dimensional."
Navigating Neurodiversity: Personal and Familial Insights
The discussion delves into the challenges and triumphs of navigating neurodiversity within the family unit. Lake shares poignant moments, such as witnessing Nova’s seizures and the emotional turmoil they brought. She emphasizes the importance of understanding seizures not as monstrous entities but as manageable events, which significantly reduces parental anxiety.
Notable Quotes:
Lake Bell [12:26]: "You feel utterly out of control. Once you understand that the seizure itself is not the monster that is hurting your child... your anxiety as a parent can kind of settle."
Lake Bell [16:32]: "I thank God I'm an actor. So the next time... she was looking at something... I was like, 'You are having sparkles in your brain right now. You're doing great.'"
Empowering Through Education and Advocacy
Lake Bell highlights the pivotal role of education in empowering children with neurodiversity. She recounts a significant moment during a Share Day when her daughter confidently explained her epilepsy to peers, fostering an environment of understanding and acceptance.
Notable Quote:
Lake Bell [28:31]: "It was an incredible peer-to-peer conversation... her friends were really understanding, asked good questions, and totally unafraid."
Lake advocates for early education on neurodiversity in schools to combat stigma and promote inclusivity. She envisions her book as a tool to educate not just children but also adults, fostering a more empathetic and informed society.
Notable Quote:
Lake Bell [34:54]: "I wanted to make sure that it felt like some bunnies are different. It's like, no, these are real kids with real conditions... Let's talk about it and acknowledge that there's a lot of super high-functioning and magical people who imbue the same diversities."
Parenting Strategies and Modeling Behavior
A significant theme of the conversation centers on parenting strategies that embrace and support neurodiversity. Lake emphasizes the importance of modeling reading and intellectual engagement, despite her own challenges with dyslexia. By demonstrating a love for books and continuous learning, she instills similar values in her children, encouraging them to embrace their unique strengths.
Notable Quote:
Lake Bell [32:06]: "I'm reading a book... I need my reading time so that they can just see it."
Zibby echoes this sentiment, underscoring the importance of parents being role models in fostering a love for reading and learning.
Impact and Future Endeavors
As the conversation wraps up, both hosts express their excitement about the potential impact of "All About Brains." Lake anticipates the book becoming a staple in schools and homes, aiding in the normalization and acceptance of neurological differences. She also hints at upcoming press events and engagements in New York City, further promoting her work and advocacy.
Notable Quote:
Zibby Owens [34:20]: "I think it's going to be great. I'm going to give this to all the kids in schools. Everybody should know and learn it early."
Conclusion
This episode of Totally Booked with Zibby offers a deep dive into the intersection of parenthood, creativity, and neurodiversity through Lake Bell's experiences and her new book. Listeners gain valuable insights into managing neurological conditions within the family, the importance of education and advocacy, and the power of modeling positive behaviors for children. Lake Bell’s candid storytelling and unwavering advocacy make "All About Brains: A Book About People" a must-read for anyone interested in understanding and embracing the diverse ways our brains work.
Connect with Lake Bell:
- Book: All About Brains: A Book About People
- Website: Lake Bell’s Official Site
- Instagram: @lakebell
Follow Zibby Owens:
- Website: zibbymedia.com
- Instagram: @zibbyowens
Note: This summary excludes promotional segments and advertisements to focus solely on the substantive content of the episode.