checking in with jo piazza
the check in #6
They say to never meet your heroes. But if yours is Jo Piazza, your life will become infinitely better for it.
Jo is one of my favorite authors (of 14 (!) books), podcast hosts, and people. She is wickedly funny, brilliant in a way that brings you along her curiosity ride, and generous in showing up for her friends and giving them a place to shine. I’ve been a fan of her Substack since she launched it, which is responsible for most of my TBR (and my current reads - Parks and Rec and The Windsor Affair) and prompted me to explore GLP-1s. I had the incredible experience of being her conversation partner for The Parisian Heist at my favorite indie bookshop, and filmed this quick interview with her before we took the stage.
Let’s check in with Jo, shall we?
smart reads + listens by jo
My Semi-Glutide “Journey” - this was the post that had me scheduling my own appointment at Modern Age to explore GLP-1s for myself, and to also write about my own experience. There’s a fine line between vulnerability and trauma dumping, and Jo threads it so beautifully.
Why We’re All Bingeing Parks and Rec Right Now - many of Jo’s episodes have me rushing to my Libby app to snag the book discussed in the episode. In the cast of this one, I straight up ordered it because her conversation with Jennifer Keishin Armstrong was that good. Books about successful TV shows are my favorite leadership/work culture books, and this was is truly excellent (and re-watching Parks is bringing me joy right now).
My Productivy Hacks and More on How I Write - how this woman publishes 1-2 books a year while running a media company, hosting a podcast, and raising 3 children is beyond me. This answered a LOT of my questions and got me to relax my perfectionist tendencies when it comes to writing.
Royals Were The Original Reality Television Stars - another excellent conversation, and another immediate book download (which I’m currently devouring right now). Parisian got me back into a historical fiction routine, and Melanie Benjamin has written so many of my favorites.
Is Perimenopause My Superpower? - life has been kicking my ass since I turned 40, but this piece was the perfect thing to read right before my 42nd birthday. “We are a generation of women who have stopped competing for the one seat at the table and started making cheese and butter and meat plates to share at the table.” Hell, yes.
some of jo’s favorite things
This is the aforementioned fancy candle she lights every morning, her go-to sweatpant jeans, and the most genius travel sweatshirt.
The Week Jr. magazine: my kids are obsessed, and sadly it is also a nice way for me to absorb news these days.
Danucera Cerabalm: I use it as face wash and a balm and it keeps my skin so moisturized on the plane.
Lola fuzzy blankets: we have three in our house.
It is finally heirloom tomato season, and I am making Nora Ephron's linguine alla cecca once a week
Thank you SO MUCH for the Parks shout-out and for buying the book! I truly believe everyone should read it as a leadership/work culture bible. Those people nailed it like no one else.
How fun! I wish I was in a room with both of you!