Podcast Summary: Totally Booked with Zibby – Episode Featuring Tess Sanchez

Episode Title: WE'VE DECIDED TO GO IN A DIFFERENT DIRECTION: Essays
Release Date: April 2, 2025
Guest: Tess Sanchez, Author of We've Decided to Go in a Different Direction: Essays

1. Introduction

In this heartfelt episode of Totally Booked with Zibby, host Zibby Owens welcomes Tess Sanchez, a veteran casting director with two decades of experience in the entertainment industry. Tess discusses her debut book, We've Decided to Go in a Different Direction: Essays, which delves into her personal and professional challenges over a transformative two-year period.

2. Book Overview

Tess provides an overview of her book, describing it as a reflection on a tumultuous period where she faced unforeseen challenges that acted as "painful favors." These experiences, though initially difficult, served as pivotal moments leading to significant personal growth and career pivots.

Tess Sanchez [02:59]: "My book is about a two-year period in my life where I dealt with unexpected challenges that were hard but ultimately became interesting and good pivots."

3. Personal Journey and Challenges

Tess delves into her struggle with redefining her identity after her career, which had long been her primary source of fulfillment, took an unexpected turn. She shares how this shift forced her to reassess her relationships and personal life.

Tess Sanchez [03:38]: "...when [your career] goes away, it really did make me look at all the relationships in my life... like I'm a career woman and I have this big life aside outside of my family..."

4. Career and Identity

The conversation touches on Tess's beginnings in the industry at BCBG and her relentless drive to succeed. Zibby highlights Tess's proactive approach, such as interning and taking risks, which played a crucial role in her career advancement.

Zibby Owens [05:29]: "You have been very driven and you know what you want, and you're open to just throwing yourself in..."

5. Coping with Change and Loss

Tess candidly discusses the profound impact of her father's struggle with aphasia and Alzheimer's, emphasizing the emotional toll it took on her and her family. She explains how these experiences are portrayed in her book with honesty and vulnerability.

Tess Sanchez [19:58]: "Losing the ability to speak is just like so dark and such a death... it's devastating."

6. Writing Process and Editing

The duo explores Tess's journey in writing the book, from therapeutic journaling prompted by therapy to the evolution of her manuscript with the addition of humor as suggested by her editor. Tess shares anecdotes about incorporating personal experiences, including pitching unusual ideas like DMing Britney Spears to infuse her unique voice into the narrative.

Tess Sanchez [15:06]: "Writing your own story can be very therapeutic. Try not to judge it too much. Just try to do it."

7. Launch and Future Plans

Tess expresses her excitement about the book's release and the opportunity to engage with readers. She looks forward to touring, sharing her experiences, and connecting with audiences on a personal level.

Tess Sanchez [21:32]: "I'm most excited about the book being out in the world and people having it... just having exchanges."

8. Advice for Aspiring Authors

Concluding the discussion, Tess offers valuable advice to budding writers. She emphasizes the importance of writing for oneself, embracing vulnerability, and persisting through challenges without seeking external validation.

Tess Sanchez [22:46]: "Writing your own story... it's just about your journey and what you're doing."

9. Conclusion

Zibby wraps up the conversation by congratulating Tess on her upcoming launch and expressing enthusiasm for her future endeavors. The episode closes with warm exchanges and anticipation for Tess's book tour.

Zibby Owens [26:12]: "Thank you for listening to Totally Booked with Zibby... And buy the books."

Key Takeaways:

• Resilience Through Adversity: Tess's journey underscores the importance of facing unexpected challenges head-on and using them as catalysts for personal and professional growth.

• Identity Beyond Career: The episode highlights the necessity of defining oneself beyond professional roles, especially when those roles undergo significant changes.

• Therapeutic Writing: Tess illustrates how writing can serve as a powerful tool for self-discovery and healing during tumultuous times.

• Balancing Vulnerability and Humor: Integrating humor into personal narratives can provide a balanced and relatable perspective, making difficult topics more accessible to readers.

Notable Quotes:

• Tess Sanchez [02:59]: "My book is about a two-year period in my life where I dealt with unexpected challenges that were hard but ultimately became interesting and good pivots."

• Tess Sanchez [15:06]: "Writing your own story can be very therapeutic. Try not to judge it too much. Just try to do it."

• Tess Sanchez [19:57]: "They said, 'God, you've got to like figure out.' And I think I pushed back on that initially..."

• Tess Sanchez [22:46]: "Writing your own story... it's just about your journey and what you're doing."

Final Thoughts

This episode offers a profound look into Tess Sanchez's personal and professional life, providing listeners with inspiration and insight into overcoming adversity, redefining identity, and the cathartic process of writing. Tess's candidness and resilience serve as a testament to the human spirit's capacity to adapt and thrive amidst life's unpredictable challenges.