Podcast Summary: Totally Booked with Zibby

Episode: The Perfect Graduation Gift — with Great Life Advice
Host: Zibby Owens
Guest: Christina Geist
Date: April 8, 2026

Main Theme & Purpose

This episode features Zibby Owens in conversation with Christina Geist, bestselling author and branding expert, about her newly re-released gift book Before You Fly: Life Lessons from Home. Originally self-published as a heartfelt gift to her college-bound daughter, the book compiles 50 succinct life lessons for kids about to leave the nest—and resonates broadly with anyone confronting big life transitions. Zibby and Christina explore the emotional landscape of parenting through change, the universal need for advice (and how to give it), and practical insight into creating meaningful graduation gifts.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. The Emotional Landscape of Parenting Young Adults

Timestamps: 03:57 – 06:27

• The conversation opens with Zibby and Christina reflecting on the journey from parenting young children to sending them out into the world.
• Christina shares the bittersweet reality facing parents as their children prepare to "fly away" and begin independent lives.

  "There’s something about this precipice of the nest… Even though it is actually what you’ve been preparing them for for 18 years, it still is just really, I think, difficult for us to accept…"
  – Christina Geist, 04:59

2. The Origin and Philosophy of Before You Fly

Timestamps: 06:46 – 09:40

• Christina explains that the book began as a personal project for her daughter’s graduation, prompted by late-night questions about whether she had imparted everything she wanted her kids to know.

• She began cataloguing advice in her phone—eventually whittling the list to 50 meaningful, concise lessons:

  "Kids don’t want to read a lecture, they certainly don’t want to hear one… I wanted the lessons to be memorable and distilled down into their simplest form."
  – Christina Geist, 09:25

• The book’s surprising popularity as a self-published title led to broader distribution through Andrews McMeel.

3. Sample Lessons & Their Broader Relevance

Timestamps: 09:40 – 16:02

• Zibby reads aloud several lessons, marveling at their applicability beyond just graduates.

  • Trust and Positivity:

    "I trust you unless you give me a reason not to."
    – Zibby Owens, 09:57

  • Navigating Relationships:

    "Even the best people you know are capable of making terrible choices."
    – Christina Geist, 12:54

  • On Recklessness:

    "Recklessness and regret go hand in hand."
    – Christina Geist, 10:16

• Christina highlights the inclusive design: the wisdom applies to kids and adults alike—covering relationships, self-care, and confronting inevitable change.

• The book includes blank pages for readers (and their families) to add their own advice:

  "My dad has a phrase where he says, ‘make it your own,’ and I do hope people do that."
  – Christina Geist, 12:12

4. Crafting a Positive Yet Realistic Message

Timestamps: 14:11 – 16:02

• Zibby notes the book’s optimistic spirit, despite tackling difficult life truths.
• Christina explains her intent to balance honesty with encouragement:

  "You could certainly see it as really scary, or you could see it like, ‘I know you’ve got this, you’re ready.’ … The first lesson in the book is: ‘Be nice to yourself.’"
  – Christina Geist, 15:20

5. Family Wisdom and The Gift of Many Perspectives

Timestamps: 20:00 – 21:42

• Zibby and Christina discuss including advice from various family members, noting the richness of different viewpoints.

• Christina shares one of her mother’s key lessons:

  "Don’t make any big decisions when you’re exhausted."
  – Christina Geist, 20:56

• The joy of including personal notes in the gifted book—making it both universal and intimate.

6. Design, Branding, and Book Creation

Timestamps: 24:09 – 27:24

• Christina describes her professional background in branding and design (Truegeist), and how it enabled an elegant, purposeful presentation of the book.

  "This project is a Truegeist project. Todd [True] is the illustrator of this book. I write the words and he makes it all look beautiful."
  – Christina Geist, 24:39

• The minimal illustration style makes the book universally appealing as a gift for sons or daughters.

7. Self-Publishing Insights

Timestamps: 27:24 – 28:45

• For aspiring authors, Christina recommends IngramSpark as an accessible self-publishing platform, and shares her positive experience collaborating with Andrews McMeel for the wide release.
• Encourages writers not to be intimidated by layout or design—"figure it out, you’re 100% capable" (a lesson from her own book!).

8. Graduation Gifts and Book Promotion

Timestamps: 28:45 – 31:21

• Christina shares her go-to graduation gift idea: a monogrammed duffel bag with the book tucked inside—a practical and personal gesture.

  "Everyone needs a duffel bag, right?"
  – Christina Geist, 31:18

• Book promotion is organic—she’ll travel "where invited" and keeps readers updated via Instagram (@christinasharkeygeist).

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• "You can’t prepare for pain."
  – Zibby Owens, 05:41

• "If I keep growing, keep changing, I won’t have regrets."
  – Christina Geist, 23:05

• "Use your words. They are your superpower."
  – Christina Geist, 31:43

• On the book as a universal gift:

  "We all love Dr. Seuss, but I don’t want to give ‘Oh, The Places You’ll Go’ to an 18 or 22 year old… I wanted the alternative."
  – Christina Geist, 29:39

Timestamps for Key Segments

• 03:57 – Christina reflects on being an "OG" podcast guest and the arc of parenting
• 04:59 – Discussing the emotional reality of kids leaving home
• 06:46 – The book’s origin story: late-night advice lists
• 09:40 – 11:42 – Sample lessons and their application for all ages
• 12:12 – Inviting families to add personal notes to the book
• 14:11 – 16:02 – Balancing honesty and encouragement in advice
• 20:00 – 21:42 – The value of multi-generational wisdom
• 24:09 – 27:24 – Creative partnership and book design process
• 27:24 – 28:45 – Christina’s publishing advice
• 28:45 – 31:21 – Graduation gift ideas and book touring
• 31:43 – Final lesson: "Use your words. They are your superpower."

Overall Tone & Final Thoughts

This warm, practical, and occasionally poignant conversation perfectly blends the anxieties and joys of parenting through life’s transitions with actionable ideas for meaningful communication and gifting. Christina's advice is accessible, honest, and laced with a quiet optimism—making her book a staple recommendation not just for graduates, but for anyone navigating change.

Find Christina Geist on Instagram: @christinasharkeygeist
Learn more about Zibby and her curated book picks: zibbymedia.com

If you’re seeking the perfect graduation gift or simply want sage advice delivered with heart, this episode (and the book it features) is not to be missed.