In today’s episode, I sat down with Anastasia Rubis—who goes by Stacy—to dive into her debut novel, Oriana. In the book, Stacy chronicles the life of pioneering Italian journalist Oriana Fallaci, whose fearless interviews with world leaders like Henry Kissinger, Gaddafi, and Golda Meir made her a trailblazer in journalism. I loved hearing Stacy read a compelling excerpt that perfectly captures Fallaci’s confrontational style with Kissinger.

We explored everything from Fallaci’s unique approach to journalism and the challenges of balancing love and a demanding career, to how her childhood during World War II shaped her bravery. Stacy also shared her own journey of writing and publishing Oriana, her passion for bringing unsung female heroes to the forefront, and even compared Fallaci’s challenges with those faced by contemporaries like Barbara Walters.

The episode wraps up with Stacy touching on her upcoming projects and the importance of persevering in the face of rejection. Tune in for an inspiring conversation about courage, creativity, and the power of storytelling.

00:00 Introduction and Greetings

01:56 Notable Interviews and Inauguration Day

02:48

08:08 Oriana's Fearless Interview Style

12:30 Challenges and Triumphs of Oriana's Career

19:29 Oriana's Revolutionary Reporting Style

23:46 Discovering Oriana Falaci

28:01 Writing and Publishing the Novel

29:33 The Struggles of Publishing

30:32 Advice for Aspiring Writers

33:06 Oriana's Love Story

37:41 Researching the Book

39:33 The Book's Structure

45:13 Future Projects and Historical Fiction

47:09 The Legacy of Female Pioneers

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