Gen X icon Ione Skye joins Zibby to discuss SAY EVERYTHING, her achingly vulnerable memoir about chasing fame, desire, and true love in the shadow of her famous, absent father. Ione opens up about coming of age in the 80s and 90s, her high-profile romances with the Red Hot Chili Peppers’ Anthony Kiedis and Beastie Boy Adam Horovitz, her struggles with identity and fidelity, and how she ultimately found love and stability. She and Zibby also talk about fame, parenting, aging, and personal growth, with Ione sharing candid reflections on the moments that shaped her.

Transcript:

Zibby: Welcome, Ione. Thank you so much for coming on Totally Booked with Zibby. I'm so excited to talk to you about your book. Yay. 

Ione: Thank you for having me. I'm excited to be here. 

Zibby: Okay. When did you decide to write a memoir and why did you decide to do it? 

Ione: Well, there was some interest in my life story in a short period of time, and people were sort of asking me stories about what it was like to, you know, be in the eighties and nineties and Hollywood, and questions about Anthony Keis and different things.

And so it got me thinking and also I, I realized my people don't know me because I'm sort of shy and ethereal, enigma, things like that. So I just really, truly wanted people to get to know my mind and get to know me. And it felt, I felt excited at the idea of writing my story. And I just thought of this project it feels like it's got a good, you know, support and flow to it all. I'll do it. And it did. And so I started almost three years ago. 

Zibby: Oh my gosh. Well, as I was saying earlier, I mean, I found it so hard to put down because it was this great mix of. You showing us who you are coming of age in this very unique way and then peppered with all the people like I grew up knowing anyway, and so it was the glamour mixed with like everything stripped away and like your innermost feelings on everything from like sexuality to parenting, parenting of you and then later parenting but were there things that you were like, I'm writing a memoir I have to make sure that people know this about me like this misconception.

This is a misconception or whatever. 

Ione: Well, one thing that my mother, what was she doing, how could she let me be with Anthony Kiedis when I was young, that I was happy to describe that she, although she saw him as a, you know, she felt like, oh, I feel bad for this person. It's clearly having a, you know, an addiction issue, but she would, she and my brother were both like physically sick to their stomachs and later in life. I apologized to her like I'm so sorry. That must have been a horrible few years Yes, but she there was nothing she could really do she wasn't gonna like throw me in a car and drive me back home so I don't know that what I wanted to clear up that she wasn't you know, uh, just letting it go by with, with that, but apart from that, I, apart from just in general feeling really good about people knowing me, I don't, that, that was about it.

That was about the only, um, specific thing. 

Zibby: So you take us through your relationships and your career and how it got started. Why don't you just tell listeners, let's pretend they don't know who you are, right? How you got your break it, so to speak, which I loved hearing that story and how it led to say anything and everything else.

Ione: Yeah, so I think partly I did I grew up in Los Angeles and not that you just get discovered sitting on a, you know, bus stop, but there are, it is peppered with people around. And my mother had some, you know, people in the music industry and the business. So, so there were people around like that, but I wasn't like, I got to act.

I wasn't one of those kids that just wanted to act when, you know, as a child, my brother was. So he was auditioning up a storm. I was in high school. He was, you know, three years older and, you know, senior. And he was auditioning for this movie River's Edge. And a friend of ours had taken a picture of us that was in the LA Weekly.

And I, my brother took this in because he was like, look, I'm in a, you know, he was a real, just, he got his own agent, he was just like promoting himself. And I think the casting director saw me and knew this, this sort of brunette, this sort of look of me was kind of, the style that this director liked because he had done other movies like Matt Dillon I think was in the first movie he did and you know that kind of brunetti kind of look whatever and my brother said you they want you to come in they're seeing everyone I was like what are you talking about so I described in the book so I got the job which was incredible and it was the lead and it was opposite Keanu Reeves and I thought well maybe that's it like I you know just I did this one movie and I'll go back to high school then I got an agent and got a job like, um, for this big miniseries, I think if it had petered out and was just like commercials and stuff because my mother wasn't like, you guys act, she was just sort of baffled by the whole thing.

But I think had it not been a momentum and the quality of the jobs were great, you know, especially the second job was going to Paris and this big, um, you know, fabulous miniseries that was sort of fun. Anyway, so that, then it just like, I had like four or five years where it was just non stop and the rest is history.

But it's like, you know, it's a lot to keep the career going, but it's also good. I don't know. Everybody has to keep something going. 

Zibby: Well, the way he wrote about your relationship with Keanu Reeves, like, this is why I feel like. you read the book and you're like, Oh, I kind of know her because you show us that you have a crush on him.

And you're like, I'm just going to show up and all the details, like here I am, and here I am in the bathroom. And like, then he's like, no, or, you know, all the little things because all of you and your middle school friends and feeling like on the outsides of some of those girls, and then feeling like you were interested, but then rejected, like not enough people talk about that.

Right. And that you could be so successful in some ways, but then the things that are most personal and private, you feel like a failure. 

Ione: I know, it's funny. It's all the things that people, most kids go through in high school, having crushes and, you know, how do I get them to like me back? But it just so happened to be Keanu Reeves.

But I think it's, well, that it wasn't that I wasn't aware of that, you know, like this is extra exciting because even though he wasn't famous by then, he definitely just seemed like this a magical person, but yeah, it was, um, it is funny to do all of that, but on a film set and sure. I mean, the feelings are, are still the same.

Even if it's, you're both starring in a movie together. 

Zibby: I love how you were like, no, we don't have to get out of the sleeping bag. Like, we're fine here. 

Ione: We're fine. 

Zibby: We're just gonna, we're just gonna chill. Thanks so much. 

Ione: I was like, I am taking this opportunity. But he was such a gentleman and so great.

Cause, you know, he just was so, he's so sweet. But I don't think I'm the only woman who's tried their hardest and he's rejected. 

Zibby: There's this other through line of sort of the search for the musician of your life. Your father abandoned you and your mother and your brother very early. Maybe abandoned is, well okay, should we go with, I mean, you know, opted to be with a different woman and family and then had subsequent kids and all that. And so it left a void for you. And then as you sort of reflected the end of the book about how you were trying to plug that hole with different musicians and your first in the line really was Anthony Kiedis, which you referenced who..

And then at the end, you still say like, when you think about your daughter, like the idea that you could watch that happen, I know you just said that about your mom, but you were so young, like, even he was young. You were both like,.. 

Ione: Oh, I know. 

Yeah. He was very young too. And, and when I say it was a different time, which I've said, it's not that it was okay.

It was just that, that it was sort of, that's what a lot of people in that scene, at least were like, I mean, some of the things that now are just, you know, not on the table. We know that now. So it was still like, you know, a little dodgy, but also doing it now is almost worse than ever doing things that, you know, aren't whatever, you know what I'm saying?

But yeah, it's, it's, it's true. I hope that my kids, well, there's, is more communication. I mean, my mom was pretty good at communication, but now more than ever. And so, and I'll, and I have talked to my kids like so much about everything, like consent and all these things that we know now, which is so good.

Zibby: But you have these scenes where you're alone in the apartment in Hollywood, like making house but by yourself and like a sketchy guy at the window and you just feel this sense of like I'm trying so hard to be a grown up, but like actually I'm not. 

Ione: And I don't really want to, but I had a kind of, I don't know, pride.

There was something, my mom's house wasn't that far away where I grew up and I loved it, but I, it was strange. I had, I don't, it felt like pride, like I can't go back, but I was so scared. It was a nice apartment, but L. A. Even in a nice neighborhood, it's safer in New York, I feel like. Yeah, it was really scary.

And I had like, you know, alarms on the windows, but then they would blow open and it would be like, you know, guest bedroom window open. And I was like, ah! It was like worse than almost not having the alarm. But, uh, and no one was there. It was just but yeah, it was really scary. But I had this nice I had this nice job at the same time, Say Anything, and I still had some of my friends that I was connected to.

Because when you're in that situation, you end up like hiding and feeling like almost embarrassed. So I was kind of like, my life was getting small. But when I would go to do Say Anything, it was such a confidence building. People were vibrant. They were happy. It, that's so great because finally when it snaps and you're like, what am I doing?

You know, I just realized, and also meeting Adam, who was so lovely and I was like, this is warm and wonderful, Anthony, you know, God bless him right now, not so warm and wonderful. So that was really good to finally snap out of it and then have all this, like so many people just like, I love you, let's hang out.

So that was good when that ended. 

Zibby: Well, you go from Anthony Kiedis, a tiny bit John Cusack scene, blah, blah, blah. And then Adam just falls head over heels in love with you. And it was so amazing. And for a while, you two were so happy. 

Ione: So happy. Yeah, that was wonderful. 

Zibby: And you show us like you can really be your own worst enemy in a way.

Ione: Oh, yeah. I mean, I, there's two kind of thoughts. One, I was young and I should have been probably just. You know, college age dating and being myself and not married. And then the other, clearly, I was, you know, just looking for love and didn't feel like when he was gone. Intellectually, I knew we're coming back together, but emotionally, I just would have abandonment issues, I guess.

So, on one end, I feel, like, sad, and I at that point, I could not stop myself from, like, you know, whatever, just being a cheater at the time, which was so bad, and I, it was awful, and it made it very hard to let go of that relationship for some reason, it made it even more complicated, but yeah, he really was, but I'm so happy that he really we really protected each other, and we were both famous at the time, and it was really nice.

We were really good to each other. It was very, very sweet. Yeah. 

Zibby: Oh, that's amazing. 

Ione: I know. It's amazing I found a good marriage again, which is so amazing. 

Zibby: Yes. 

Ione: It's like after that, I was like, well, I guess I had my one shot. But I'm just happy that you can have a second chance. 

Zibby: So you, during your relationship to Adam, you explored what you first felt as a flutter during a sleepover situation when you were a kid and then decided, okay, maybe I am bisexual.

Let me explore this. 

Ione: Yeah. I mean, there was a very wonderful scene. 

Zibby: Don't you love this? I met you like, you know, a few minutes ago and we're talking about like, and tell me about this sexual encounter. 

Ione: It's funny. I'm happy to include it, but also I have that voice that's like. Oh, I guess, but I'm very happy to include it, to be honest.

But yeah, there was this really great scene in L. A. It was just a wonderful scene, like the L word. Some of those people were really based on some of the people who actually in the scene ended up like acting in the L word, too. But it was just a wonderful scene of great women. And I don't know, I was I've been in therapy on and off.

My whole life and I not I just was like always like where is this cut like we're I would try to figure out not in a way to like I have to cure myself, but just out of curiosity and what is this and trying to figure it out and I could never is that sorry there's so many gender study classes cuz like who know people cannot figure it out.

But yeah, that was had it not been you know, I guess it was a hard time in my life, but also a really nice time. But yeah, I have no idea what, uh, where that came from. 

Zibby: At least there wasn't social media then. 

Ione: That's true, I guess. Yeah. I mean, any picture you share now is up to you. That's true. That's true. I mean, some of the pictures might be really fun, but yeah, it's true.

When we were young, all actors together, like even hanging out with Drew, Winona, like there was, we would just be able to hang out and just not worry and just be yourself and dress how you wanted. And, you know, there were even less stylists. It was kind of a different time a little bit. Yeah. 

Zibby: And then, um, as we go through your life, I feel like this isn't a spoiler because you were still married to Ben. But then you eventually you end up in a marriage where you're so happy and you've been in this long term relationship for a long time and as you said, like in a really funny way, you're like still faithful. 

Ione: Yeah. I think partly when I had Kate, my first kid. 

Zibby: Oh, I skipped over David Netto. 

Ione: Oh yeah.

We'll go back. So I think what happened, why it all ended up nice is one, you know, you have a kid and just. You want something great for her. I did have a good, good taste with people. Like, Adam was amazing. I loved being married, believe it or not. When you read the book, it sounds like I'm all over the place, which I am, but I loved it.

So I knew I liked being married. I want a good situation for Kate. And I think all the work I had done on myself, I was like, I, I, if, if someone, it's actually interesting. I met. When I was pregnant with Kate, I was really nervous. I'm with David and I thought, how can I, is, you know, sometimes people have their first baby and they think, is my life over?

Am I going to, what's going to happen? Is it going to be interesting still? Like you just have these questions. And I met this couple, friends of David Netto's, who's Kate's father. And they seem like they didn't really know what they were doing, but they were good parents. They were still stylish and fun, but they were taking the kid was the priority.

And I just thought. This can be good and also I had to believe I could have a good marriage, and, and so I think being older, Kate, and just knowing, like, I like being married, so I don't know, I was set up for success, I guess, you know, because of all those things.

Zibby: I mean, really, people shouldn't have to wait, I feel like, until it's their next, like, we're all still developing so much.

How can we possibly be?

Ione: Yeah. 

Zibby: It's like a miracle, if any, young marriage works out. Oh, for sure. 

Ione: Yeah, I do feel lucky because, uh, I feel lucky that I was older. 

Zibby: Mm hmm. 

Ione: Because, you know, I, Really the maturity to be able to look, you know, at what's going on and, and not just be like pulled by emotions and, you know, and, and also Ben is like, we're both very analytical.

We both love to work on ourselves. So, you know, it hasn't, you know, it's a marriage. So there's, you know, it's hard work, but we both are like really up for it, which is so nice. 

Zibby: I love that. Yeah. About six years younger, too, so I was very happy to see your husband is younger. You don't hear that so often.

Ione: I know, and he's, um he's always been like a little old man.

So he's smart, but I like, yeah, it's nice that he's a little younger just cause we can play tennis. And he runs around. I'm a little, yeah, he runs around better than me, but it'll be okay. It'll all work out. 

Zibby: Another sort of through line of the book. They reference slightly as your dad and you developed a relationship with him over time so much and it formed like a really nice arc of the book from starting in Ireland, essentially, and, you know, to getting back.

Yeah, it's beautiful. Anyway, talk a little bit about that. 

Ione: Yeah, I, I'll always think that it's not right to have children and not be with them. Like, I won't ever think there's any reason you should do that. Like, I feel like. You know what I mean, unless, whatever, there's some crazy situation. But I do feel sad for myself and upset at him still, but I also can't not want to get to know him better.

Like, when I left seeing him for the first time, I just wanted to know him more. So, holding all those feelings at once, like, I still Don't think it's right and I'm still confused and but I just love still getting to know him and I might see him in the spring unless for some reason I I think he'll be okay with the book and everything I haven't sent it to him, but I think he'll be just wondering I just gave it to you know, I'm not so close with him.

And so to be honest, I was like, I'll just Wait till it comes out, but I think he'll be all right. I think, but yeah, I do. I'm still curious about him. 

Zibby: There's a lot of, yeah. I mean, there's a lot of unknown when you have someone in the world who you haven't lived with like a regular parent. 

Ione: Yeah. And it's just fascinating too.

It's also a way to get to know. A part of yourself a little bit, like genetically and just, you know, it's, it's still fascinating to me. And there is some tenderness there and you know what I mean? 

Zibby: Yeah, of course. Well, you have like all these different arcs, right? We've got your dad, we have your relationships, and then there's your career, which is also really interesting because there aren't that many sort of, let's do a retrospective of my career in acting or whatever that really take us in and you take us into a lot of your projects and the films and what you got out of it and even acting tips and how you learn to be a better actress or actor or whatever. Talk a little bit about that because you've also done, you know, you've shifted your career and maintained it for, you know, this forever, you know, your whole life.

Ione: It's amazing to be able to have done that because it's, you know, being an artist, essentially it's, you know, goes up and down. But yeah, I, I, I always, because it was sort of accidentally happened to me, I, people have imposter syndrome anyway, so I definitely had that, but I realized I, I really loved it. I loved being on a film set, like people would come visit sometimes and say, oh, this is boring.

Like even Ben, who's a musician, finds it boring because there's a lot of sit around and wait. I don't find it boring. I can talk to the writers or I can, I don't know. I'm, I'm, I'm enamored by the whole thing. So I knew that and I love actors, so I don't know, so it's been, and I love all the different acting classes were so interesting to me, all the different methods, and so even though it sort of accidentally happened to me, I was I am an actor and I still kind of scratch my head and think that's so wild because I don't seem like there's an actor type and an actress type that I'm somehow don't fit the mold and I say in the book I'm not exactly someone who is like a Hollywood player but I've always wanted to be and I like it.

That I kind of am. So it's, it's not, I don't, I watch the Oscars and I always think, Oh, I don't like the Oscars. And then I watch them like, I love the Oscars. So I love it. I like the industry. I like the business. I mean, you know, the business business is business, but I like that side of it. I like my side of it.

So it's funny, but why I also like writing the book is people think I didn't want it, or I'm just too cool for it. And, uh, even though I do other things and I, I don't know, it's just something that I, that's something I kind of want to clear up whether I need to or not. Maybe it's okay to be all of those things.

You know? 

Zibby: Well, you're also, I mean, you're super artistic. You're a writer. You're a painter. 

Ione: I love writing. Those were my first, like, basically reading, you know, The Magician's Nephew or something and then just like writing exactly the same story in my, like I did love writing and, you know, writing poems, whatever, which a lot of people did back then.

But yeah, I love, um, painting is also drawing. Yeah, I'm very creative. 

Zibby: And do you find time to read now? 

Ione: I make myself read because it does do something to your brain and feels good. So I love to read in the sun, but the sun's so bad for you, so I literally do like an egg frying. Like I'll read, and then I'll turn over and read, and then I'll go in the shade.

But I love reading in the sun. Yes, I make myself read because it's, it just, it just is different to, it hits differently, as the kids say. And 

Zibby: did you sort of study other memoirs and think of who you wanted to be like or not like? 

Ione: Yeah, I mean, I was like Carrie Fisher, please come inside my body so I can write funny.

I wanted to be as funny, but I was like, there's no way I'm going to be as funny. Yeah, I was, I was listening to, I listened to Barbara Streisand and, and that was just when I was, I moved to Sydney, Australia. So I had all this time. So I was happy it was so long. I listened to Al Pacino's. I read, yeah, I was reading, rereading like Carrie Fisher's books.

So I was trying to kind of absorb and study. And then a couple of friends who wrote like Flea, who's where I'm friendly with, I asked him for advice, but I was very careful who to ask for advice. Cause you know how it could be annoying if it's the wrong, like some people I gave the book to, I'm like, no notes.

I'm not asking unless there's something that you really want me to take out, but please don't give me any, like tips or notes, but yeah, I definitely was kind of going a little memoir crazy but I used to sadly I used to read so much as a kid my mom like literally once I could hit a book from me because she was like you have to like clean your room or something.

I was like you're hiding a book but yeah, I and now I wish she still reads like maybe it's a different generation, but she reads my mother all the time, but I wish I read more. 

Zibby: It's busy. That's why we have podcasts about books. 

Ione: Exactly. Exactly. 

Zibby: And you can pick which book you want. 

Ione: I mean, I love podcasts.

I like your podcasts. 

Zibby: So, yes. Amazing. You mentioned that you love giving advice to actors and actresses and creatives who are starting out. When you're doing that, like, do you talk about fame itself and how like, how do you feel about it? Overrated underrated annoying part of the part of the territory. 

Ione: I feel I've been so lucky I'm feeling more than ever my level of fame is I wish every famous person could have because I can go around the world and like do that side of it.

I wish everyone could have because I absolutely can I get noticed like just the right amount. So I feel like, oh, good people like me. But I mean, I would like a little, I'm hoping after the book, I have a little more action in my career. So I would like the fame to bump up a little more. So, you know, cause it's really how many seats are in the theater or nowadays.

How many people are watching whatever streamers shows, but yeah, I mean, I'm not, I would like more fame so I can have more options, but I think it's going to happen. And the careers are always like, I'm sort of philosophical, like it just always kind of comes back again. So yeah, I don't know what advice.

Other than if you really, you know, if you can stay long enough in it and you know, see if it happens. Cause, but people who, my friends who've tried acting and then stopped, they just were like, oh, I didn't really want to do it. So, you know, when you hear that, like if you can stomach all of it and you really want to do it, that's different to, um, thinking you have to do something.

I've had friends who like a friend whose father is a doctor, but really she, she became like a writer and she was going down the path of trying to be a doctor for her dad and you know those kinds of things like who are you doing it for but being an artist like i don't know if any parent even other artists most even actors are like no don't even if they do well you hear them say to their kids like I think Bob Dylan famously told his kid to open a deli or buy a deli because like you just are like this is not a great business.

I'm rambling but you know what I mean. You're not rambling. 

Zibby: No it's, I mean this, these are all the things. You know I think it's so interesting that for you fame can be a tool to getting what you want as opposed to like revelling in it. 

Ione: Right. 

Zibby: Like I was at a book signing once and there was somebody next to me who was like a famous actress who wrote a book or something.

And I was like, I think I should, I wish I were famous just so that I could then sell my book. 

Ione: Right. 

Zibby: Like then it would be easier to sell my book about something totally unrelated. 

Ione: Yeah, I think it's true. It's to get somewhere. But it is fun. Fun, you do hear, and I feel the same, other people wanting to delight the people they care about.

Like, that's always really fun. The people you admire, your friends who you admire, you're just like, ooh, they're, they loved my book or they loved my performance or, I don't know, that's always really fun. 

Zibby: And tell me about the process of writing this. You said it took three years. 

Ione: Yeah, it was good. The, the proposal was about, it took about a year and it was so thorough at the end.

So that was really great to hang a lot of things on. So that was wonderful because it was, that was really good. I loved it. I was, I really was hard working with it. I loved, you know, I just, I loved writing about myself. So I must be, I really have a huge ego. 

Zibby: No, not at all. 

Ione: But it was different. You know, I'd done creative writing in my life and memoir is so different.

So I was I was sort of reading about writing a little bit at the time and I, I really, really, really liked it. I just, um, and I wasn't thinking so much about being exposed. I was thinking about exposing. I didn't want to expose others too much, but for myself, I didn't feel fearful now that I'm doing all the press and it's come out.

Now I'm like, what have I done? No, I'm happy, but I'm now I'm a little more afraid, but I was able to kind of just, I must be good. I must like be thorough. So that was, it was really good. And the therapeutic part, they say, when you write a memoir, it's more happening now. And I think even maybe in like five years, I'll read it and learn more, but I almost feel like I'm too close to it.

But talking about it every time I walk away, I yeah. I think the pieces are coming together a little bit about my life. 

Zibby: Hmm. Well, you say, you know, for anyone who's introspective and likes to work on themselves and always improve and whatever. I think writing is such a tool for that. 

Ione: Yeah. 

Zibby: And what, whether the end product gets.

Distributed widely or stays in your computer like that process is not one of ego. I think it's one of understanding so you could be a better person to the world, right? 

Ione: Yes, for sure. Yeah, I think for sure yeah, and and being you know, I want to just be as happy as I can be but yes, I agree.

Zibby: Do you feel like you're happy now?

Ione: Yeah, I think i'm you know knowing yourself better helps and all of those things people Like, I've noticed certain things that are great. Like, you know, when people are like, this too shall pass. And when you're young, you're like, but I feel this right now. So that's great. I'm learning if I have an anxious night, and I wake up a couple times nowadays, you know, in my twenties and thirties, oh my god, I have something tomorrow, and now I'm up, and like, I was so like anxious and overthinking. And now I'm like, I'll be fine. Cause you know, you're fine, you know, even if this happens. So I don't know. And being, getting older is interesting because yes, I care less and I'm being more bold in my acting, but also aging is not easy. Like last year was probably the first year that I started feeling like, oh no, like my face, but at the same time you realize, wow, I'm so grateful that I'm healthy because, you know, you finally get old, you know, you're just like, you see other people who are, you know, not doing well or feeling well. So anyway, it's, it's that simultaneous thing of like wisdom and then dealing with getting a little older.

Zibby: Yeah. Maybe. Maybe it was wired this way, like, we have to care a little bit less as we age, otherwise it would just be really depressing or something. Yeah, it's nice that we care less at the right time. 

Ione: Yes, exactly. Yes, that's so true. 

Zibby: Okay, last question for anyone out there who is thinking of writing a memoir.

Is there anything you learned from the whole process? 

Ione: Well, just support. I had a friend, this actress, Jenna Malone, who, she's really great. And she said, why don't you write it yourself and put it out yourself and I was like, I don't. So actually a friend of mine has this great life story and it's wonderful.

And I was like, just try get the agent. Like I would just recommend doing it kind of by the book. Cause that's how. I felt comfortable. I think it's great. I've made short films on my own with just me and my friends. But this I would say, definitely get some help people telling you because I'm not in this business.

And for me, I want it. I love like Patti Smith and like, but I wanted it to be like straightforward. So fine. You know, also you have to decide like, are you going to do a more straightforward memoir? Or, so that's another thing kind of deciding, because I thought, oh, I want it to be really, really creative.

And then I just thought, no, this is memoir. I want it to be beautifully written, but like a memoir. So I put in some poetic stuff because I can't help it. But yeah, what else just did? Yeah, it's. It's, it's, some people had written them, told me, uh, two people I know that it was, the way they said, this is an amazing experience, it was sort of like before having kids when people give you a look like, get ready, this is an amazing, and you don't know what it is until you're there.

I just thought, oh wow, they had a big experience, but I don't know. And so now having done it, I'm like, oh, that's what they're talking about. And I can't tell you exactly what that is, but now I understand the look in their eye. It's a big experience. Yeah but good. Really good. 

Zibby: Well, I'm glad you took the time for this big experience in your life, which is totally entertaining and sort of thought provoking for the reader.

I feel like your own life could be its own movie, so, you know, if you're ever short of projects, you could just go for that. Recreation 2.0. So anyway, thank you for this. And thanks for writing it, putting yourself out there, and undoubtedly helping a lot of people along their journeys too. 

Ione: Yay. Thank you for having me.

Zibby: My pleasure.