S3 E8 Zibby Owens on Building a Book Community, Publishing, and Staying Connected Through Stories

In this episode of I’ll Meet You There, host Paige Nolan sits down with author, podcaster, publisher, bookstore owner, and literary community-builder Zibby Owens for a conversation about books, ambition, connection, and the many ways stories bring people together. Zibby shares how her lifelong love of reading gradually grew into a multifaceted business centered on books and community. What began during a season of personal transition — as a stay-at-home mom, aspiring author, and newly divorced woman trying to find her voice — eventually became a creative platform that includes podcasting, publishing, a bookshop, retreats, events, and a thriving literary community. Their conversation also explores Zibby’s own writing life, including her memoir Bookends, her novel Blank, and the deeply personal work of editing On Being Jewish Now. Zibby also previews her upcoming essay collection, Between Chapters, and shares a few upcoming reads she’s excited about. This episode is a thoughtful look at creativity, reinvention, entrepreneurship, and the power of staying connected through books, conversation, and shared stories. 🎤 AVAILABLE AS AUDIO: https://paigenolan.com/listen KEY TAKEAWAYS –––––––––––– 00:00 Origins and Surprise Growth 01:42 From Mom to Podcaster 05:16 Building Skills and Speed 07:04 Never Giving Up Writing 08:57 Creating On Being Jewish Now 13:07 Between Chapters and Substack Essays 15:53 Ambition and Publishing Realities 18:19 Retreats and In Person Community 22:08 Hiring and Evolving the Team 27:46 Reading for Joy and Book Picks 31:34 Wrap Up and Gratitude MEMORABLE QUOTES –––––––––––– “I’ve figured out the secret to the world, which is making what you have to do the thing you love to do the most.” “You’re never really alone, I feel like, with another book lover.” “When the world is changing so fast, you have to keep swimming. You can’t just stay or you’ll be washed away.” CONNECT WITH GUEST –––––––––––– Instagram: @zibbyowens, @zibbybookshop, @totallybookedwithzibby, @zibbypublishing, Websites: www.zibbymedia.com and www.zibbyowens.com ABOUT I'LL MEET YOU THERE –––––––––––– Life is not about knowing more – it’s about being present to your lived experience. We often believe the answers will come when we acquire more knowledge. However, there is a knowingness that can be found right where we are. When we trust the wisdom in life itself, the path forward is revealed. Maybe we are just here to share and experience the journey together. Join Paige Nolan each episode as she engages in heart-centered conversations exploring the highs and lows of living what matters. If you’re ready to connect more deeply with the beauty in everyday life, then this is the show for you! ABOUT PAIGE NOLAN –––––––––––– https://paigenolan.com/about/ SUBSCRIBE & FOLLOW: –––––––––––– Spotify: https://paigenolan.com/spotify Apple: https://paigenolan.com/apple CONNECT WITH PAIGE: –––––––––––– Website - https://paigenolan.com/ Instagram -   / paigenolanwrite   Facebook -   / paigenolanwriter   LinkedIn -   / paige-nolan-0932751   PRODUCTION CREDITS –––––––––––– Music by Boyd McDonnell - https://21southmusic.com/ Cover art photography by Innis Casey - https://www.inniscaseyphoto.com/ Podcast production & marketing by North Node Podcast Network - https://northnode.co/