Totally Booked with Zibby – “Thank You and Announcement from Zibby”

Host: Zibby Owens
Date: April 3, 2026
Episode Purpose:
A heartfelt solo episode where Zibby Owens reflects on eight years of podcasting, announces changes to the show’s format, expresses gratitude to listeners and authors, and shares updates about the Totally Booked community and upcoming events.

Episode Overview

This special episode departs from the regular interview format as Zibby marks the 8th anniversary of her podcast. She announces an upcoming shift to three themed episodes per week (down from five), explains the reasoning behind the change, and thanks her loyal listeners and the many authors who’ve joined her on the show. Zibby also shares personal reflections on how producing the podcast has shaped her life and community, and gives a preview of future Totally Booked live events across the country.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Podcast Format Changes

• Fewer Episodes, Thematic Organization
  • Zibby announces that starting soon, the podcast will move to three episodes per week instead of five.
    • "[00:59] I'm changing the format of the show a bit to three episodes a week from five episodes a week, but I'm going to continue interview[ing] the same amount of authors to expose you to basically the same amount of books..."
  • Shows will be grouped by theme, so listeners can select episodes that fit their interests or mood—such as grief, graduation, or "books that make you tremble."
    • "So if you are having a day where you want to focus on grief, you can listen to a grief episode or graduation or, you know, books that make you tremble, things like that." [01:13]
  • New formats will include solo episodes, panel discussions, or highlight reels.

2. Continuing the Mission

• Curating Books to Enrich Lives
  • Zibby reiterates her commitment to introducing listeners to books that she believes can "help shape your life and inform you and give you all the inside scoop on the books coming out in the literary world." [01:39]
  • She emphasizes nonfiction books' value, using Tara Nerula’s new book on resilience as an example of content that helps listeners "live better lives." [01:52]

3. Milestone Reflection: Eight Years of Podcasting

• Personal Growth and Connection

  • Zibby marks her show's 8th anniversary, reflecting on her physical setup and the journey.
    • "It's been almost exactly eight years since I first sat literally in the same spot in the same chair, my elbow on the same desk with the same microphone, and have been doing this podcast religiously for eight years now." [02:05]
  • She expresses gratitude toward longtime listeners and authors, recognizing the show's profound impact on her life and sense of purpose.
    • "You have given my life a level of meaning and purpose that I am so grateful for. I have learned so much, I have grown, so much. I have built because of this show. And I have changed. My very DNA has changed as a result of the 2,300 plus conversations that I've had sitting here." [02:37]

• A Personal Masterclass

  • Zibby likens her podcast interviews to “the biggest masterclass ever,” and jokes that loyal listeners should get a medal if they've heard all episodes. [03:02]

4. Listener and Author Appreciation

• Profound Gratitude
  • Zibby acknowledges the unique privilege of speaking to authors right after reading their books, and thanks listeners for making the podcast possible:
    • "Getting to talk to you [authors] right after I read your book is the best feeling." [03:30]
    • "It's because of you listeners listening that I get to keep doing this and have it be a show instead of just me on the phone." [03:34]
  • She shares stories of meeting listeners at live events and how hearing from real people (beyond just statistics) is deeply meaningful.
    • "When you tell me you've listened, it really makes my day. And it makes me know that those numbers are actual people with feelings who are hopefully feeling good because of what I've put out into the world, which for me makes me feel amazing." [04:07]

5. Preview of Upcoming Events and Goals

• Totally Booked Live Shows

  • Zibby announces in-person events for the Totally Booked community:
    • Upcoming live shows: July 25th (Chicago), October 4th (LA), October 25th (NY), January (Naples, FL)
      • "We have a lot of coming up, totally booked lives in the works. We have, I think July 25th in Chicago. We have October 4th in LA. We'll have October, I think Sunday the 25th in New York and January 20-something in Naples, Florida." [05:09]
  • She encourages listeners to attend, bring friends, and help the community grow.

• Vision for the Podcast Community

  • Zibby wants to keep building a space where literary connection and "scaling the feeling" of close connection and learning is central.
    • "There are no easy answers in life. This is a crazy time of life, a crazy world we're living in. And yet that feeling, when you connect closely with somebody and learn something and share something, I'm trying to scale that feeling. And you listening, you are a huge part of that." [05:41]

6. Final Thanks and Encouragement

• A Shared Journey
  • Zibby invites listeners to give themselves credit:
    • "Whatever you are doing right now, take a minute, pat yourself on the back. You took the time out to listen and thereby making the author's life better and my life better. And that's pretty awesome." [06:14]
  • She closes by reiterating her gratitude and hopes for ongoing connection as the show evolves.
    • "After eight years, I am just enormously, enormously grateful to all of you for listening. I hope you continue to do so." [06:34]

Memorable Quotes

• "My very DNA has changed as a result of the 2,300 plus conversations that I've had sitting here." — Zibby Owens [02:37]
• "It's such a huge accomplishment, what you all have done, and getting to talk to you right after I read your book is the best feeling." — Zibby Owens [03:30]
• "When you tell me you've listened, it really makes my day. And it makes me know that those numbers are actual people with feelings who are hopefully feeling good because of what I've put out into the world, which for me makes me feel amazing." — Zibby Owens [04:07]
• "There are no easy answers in life. This is a crazy time of life, a crazy world we're living in. ... And you listening, you are a huge part of that." — Zibby Owens [05:41]

Key Timestamps

• 00:59 – Zibby makes her announcement about moving to three episodes per week
• 01:13 – Thematic grouping of episodes explained
• 02:05 – Zibby reflects on eight years of podcasting
• 02:37 – On personal transformation from interviewing authors
• 03:30 – Privilege of talking with authors and listener appreciation
• 04:07 – On the joy of meeting listeners and the show's real-world impact
• 05:09 – Upcoming Totally Booked live events across the country
• 05:41 – Scaling the feeling of connection through literary community
• 06:14 – Pat yourself on the back—listeners’ impact
• 06:34 – Closing thanks to all listeners

Tone and Style

Zibby’s warm, appreciative, and conversational style shines throughout the episode. She is candid with her reflections, effusive in her gratitude, and energetic about upcoming changes—making this a heartfelt and community-focused special message to her audience.

For More:
Visit zibbymedia.com, follow @totallybookedwithzibby on Instagram, and check out upcoming Totally Booked Live event dates.