Podcast Episode Summary: "Lihi Lapid, A Woman of Valor and On Her Own: A Novel"

Podcast Information:

• Title: Totally Booked with Zibby
• Host: Zibby Owens
• Episode Title: Lihi Lapid, A WOMAN OF VALOR and ON HER OWN: A Novel
• Release Date: April 21, 2025

Introduction

In this poignant episode of Totally Booked with Zibby, host Zibby Owens welcomes Lihi Lapid, a bestselling Israeli author, photojournalist, columnist, and activist. Lihi, wife of former Israeli Prime Minister Yair Lapid, shares her heartfelt journey through motherhood, writing, and activism, focusing primarily on her impactful works, Woman of Valor and her latest novel, On Her Own.

Discussion of Woman of Valor

Zibby opens the conversation by expressing her deep connection to Lihi's first book, Woman of Valor, describing it as "the best book I think I've ever read about marriage and resentment and parenting with children" ([04:24] Zibby Owens). This sets the stage for an in-depth exploration of the book's themes and personal significance.

Lihi recounts the origins of Woman of Valor, emphasizing the book’s personal nature and its unexpected success in Israel. She explains how the book became a catalyst for societal change by being the first time a prominent figure in Israel openly discussed parenting a child with special needs:

"It was the first time someone very famous talked about being a parent for kids with special needs. So it was a really, very, very different." ([04:41] Lihi Lapid)

She delves into the emotional struggles of motherhood, particularly when dealing with her daughter Yael's severe autism. Lihi shares the profound impact of societal expectations and personal sacrifices:

"We are growing up and they tell us all the time we can do whatever we want to do, we can be whatever we want to be. And I'm not so sure it's always the truth." ([05:32] Lihi Lapid)

A particularly moving moment occurs when Lihi discusses the publication of a deeply personal paragraph in her book, despite initial fears of exposing too much:

"I prayed that I will have a deaf child because other possibilities were so much more frightening... Yael taught us a huge lesson about love and about family." ([10:45] Lihi Lapid)

Emotional Resonance and Familial Bonds

Zibby reflects on a heart-wrenching scene from the book where Lihi confronts her father's lack of acknowledgment for her as a mother:

"Why me? Why did this happen to me? Why did this happen to my daughter?" ([13:33] Zibby Owens)

Lihi responds by highlighting the delicate balance between self-sacrifice and self-preservation in parenting:

"The line between giving all of ourselves to our family and keeping some of ourselves to ourselves is a line that we need to balance all the time." ([15:41] Lihi Lapid)

She further discusses the strain that raising a child with disabilities can place on marital relationships and the importance of maintaining a healthy partnership for the well-being of the entire family.

Transition to On Her Own: A Novel

Shifting focus to her latest work, On Her Own: A Novel, Lihi shares the inspiration behind the story, which intertwines personal experiences with broader societal issues. She describes the novel's central characters, Nina and Carmela, and their journey of connection and healing:

"If you don't write them, they will stay in the stairwell in Tel Aviv." ([28:36] Lihi Lapid)

Lihi elaborates on the novel's exploration of family dynamics, the challenges of maintaining connections across distances, and the emotional toll of military service in Israel.

Cultural Context and Impact

Lihi provides cultural insights into the Israeli experience, particularly the profound emotional impact of military service on families:

"For Israelis, a soldier is not a war machine... it's our son that got to the age of 18 and needs to go and defend his country." ([35:16] Lihi Lapid)

She discusses the thematic elements of her novel that reflect the collective grief and resilience of Israeli families, especially in the context of recent conflicts.

Personal Reflections and Future Endeavors

As the conversation draws to a close, Zibby praises Lihi's vulnerability and ability to give voice to deeply personal and universal experiences:

"Your thoughts on the subject are so profound and so relatable... Something that's deep down and resonates." ([35:52] Zibby Owens)

Lihi expresses gratitude for the platform to share her stories and emphasizes the strengthening bonds within the Jewish community during challenging times:

"The bond between Jews in Israel and Jews in America and around the world became so much stronger." ([37:55] Lihi Lapid)

Conclusion

This episode offers a deeply emotional and insightful look into Lihi Lapid's life and work. Through her candid discussions, listeners gain a profound understanding of the complexities of motherhood, the power of storytelling, and the resilience required to navigate personal and societal challenges. Zibby Owens skillfully guides the conversation, allowing Lihi's powerful narratives to shine and resonate with a broad audience.

Notable Quotes:

• Zibby Owens ([04:24]): "I started by reading Woman of Valor and it made me cry. Loved it so much."
• Lihi Lapid ([04:41]): "It was the first time someone very famous talked about being a parent for kids with special needs."
• Lihi Lapid ([10:45]): "Yael taught us a huge lesson about love and about family."
• Zibby Owens ([13:33]): "You tried so hard... sometimes all the trying gets in the way of the bigger picture."
• Lihi Lapid ([15:41]): "The line between giving all of ourselves to our family and keeping some of ourselves to ourselves is a line that we need to balance all the time."
• Lihi Lapid ([35:16]): "For Israelis, a soldier is not a war machine... it's our son that got to the age of 18 and needs to go and defend his country."

Final Thoughts

Listeners are encouraged to delve into Lihi Lapid's works to experience the depth and emotional gravity she brings to themes of family, sacrifice, and resilience. This episode not only highlights Lihi's literary contributions but also underscores the universal struggles and triumphs that resonate across cultures and personal experiences.