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Brand Wiz Craig Dubitsky Takes on Coffee

Keep at it! Author Anastasia Rubis shares her debut novel, ORIANA, which she published at 64. She reveals her 11-year journey of rejections, editing, graduate school, and what ultimately helped her cross the publishing line. In ORIANA, she explores the extraordinary life of journalist Oriana Fallaci.

In ORIANA, Stacey explores the extraordinary life of journalist Oriana Fallaci (description below), and in our conversation, she opens up about perseverance, chasing dreams no matter your age, and shares how Oriana’s fierce determination became a role model for her own tenacity. Whether you’re an aspiring writer, a historical fiction fan, or need a little nudge to follow your dreams, this episode is for you!

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 “A poignant and fascinating exploration of Oriana Fallaci’s remarkable life, Oriana is a deeply satisfying novel that examines the sacrifices and triumphs of a woman determined to make her mark on the world.” — Christina Baker Kline, #1 NYT bestselling author of Orphan Train:

“A captivating page-turner intertwining a love story, 20th-century historical events, and the journey of a glass ceiling cracker and remarkable journalist Oriana Fallaci. ”  — Lost in Jersey

“Inhaled this riveting page-turner on the fascinating trailblazing journalist Oriana Fallaci. Just one question: how did I not know about this incredible woman?” —Julia Martin, New Jersey Monthly

Get Oriana: A Novel of Oriana Fallaci by Anastasia Rubis
Book Description:
When a Hollywood producer comes to Oriana Fallaci at the end of her life to propose a movie, the story unfolds of her gutsy career rise as a journalist, her tragic love, and her greatest regret.

Oriana was born a rebel. She fought beside her father at age fourteen in Italy’s Resistance against the Nazis and overcame poverty, the lack of a university education, and relentless sexism in the newsroom. By 1973, when she moved to New York, Oriana Fallaci was hailed by Newsweek as the greatest interviewer of her day. She catapulted to fame for her bold and provocative interviews with Kissinger, Arafat, Meir, Robert Kennedy, Indira Gandhi, the Shah of Iran, and other world leaders—not to mention the most prominent celebrities and artists of her day.

That same year, she did what no journalist is supposed to do: she fell in love with one of her subjects, Alexander Panagoulis, the Greek poet and hero. She was 44, he was 34; they lived in different countries. It didn’t matter. Oriana had finally found what she longed for, a full life. But can a woman ever have it all, or does life always exact a price?

Oriana is the first biographical novel about the brilliant and fearless Italian journalist whom Christiane Amanpour has called her role model—and who holds a place alongside Mike Wallace and Barbara Walters as a master interviewer. It is the story of a trailblazer who broke through the glass ceiling of journalism, a woman who wasn’t afraid to speak truth to power, and who revolutionized her field all while struggling to carve out a space for love and family.

Episode Summary

Interview with Anastasia Rubis (Stacey)

Introduction

In this episode, hosts Janette and Rachel interview Anastasia Rubis, known as Stacey, the author of ORIANA, a novel about the renowned journalist Oriana Fallaci. The hosts discuss Stacey’s background, her writing journey, and the inspiration behind her debut novel.

Stacey’s Background

  • Early Life: Stacey was born and raised in Queens, New York, until the age of eight, after which her family moved to Englewood Cliffs, New Jersey. She is of Greek descent, being a first-generation American.
  • Education: She graduated from Brown University and later earned a master’s degree in English from Montclair State University.
  • Career Path: Before becoming a writer, Stacey worked in advertising and public relations while pursuing her passion for writing in her free time.

The Writing Journey

  • Initial Writing Experience: Stacey began writing in New York City, contributing to publications like the New York Observer and the New York Times. She faced challenges in the freelance writing world, where acceptance rates were low.
  • Move to Montclair: After living in Manhattan for 14 years, Stacey moved back to New Jersey to be closer to family and chose Montclair for its vibrant cultural scene. She credits her time at Montclair State University and local bookstores for reigniting her passion for writing.

The Creation of ORIANA

  • Inspiration: Stacey’s interest in Oriana Fallaci began when she discovered Fallaci’s novel A Man while on vacation in Greece. This led her to explore Fallaci’s life and work, which she found compelling and inspiring.
  • Writing Process: The journey to publish Oriana took 11 years, during which Stacey faced numerous challenges, including working with multiple agents and navigating the publishing landscape during the COVID-19 pandemic.
  • Publishing Journey: After parting ways with her second agent, Stacey took control of her manuscript and submitted it to small publishers. She eventually found a publisher who appreciated the Italian aspects of her story, leading to the book’s publication.

Themes and Impact

  • Role Models: Stacey emphasizes the importance of having role models and support systems in the writing community. She highlights the need for stories about strong women and the impact they can have on readers.
  • Cultural Significance: The hosts discuss how Oriana Fallaci is a well-known figure in Europe but remains relatively unknown in America, raising questions about the visibility of women’s stories in literature and media.

Conclusion

  • Final Thoughts: Stacey encourages aspiring writers to persevere and not give up on their dreams. She shares her belief that age and environment play significant roles in a writer’s journey.
  • Recommendations: The episode concludes with Stacey recommending local spots in New Jersey, particularly along the Hudson River, and expressing her gratitude for the opportunity to share her story.

Closing Remarks

The hosts thank Stacey for her insights and encourage listeners to read Oriana, highlighting the importance of supporting local authors and bookstores, specifically the Watchung Bookstore in Montclair, NJ.

Join us for our 100th episode as we welcome back brand genius and proud New Jerseyan Craig Dubitsky, the mastermind behind iconic brands like  method, hello, and eos. Craig spills the beans on his latest venture with Hollywood’s Robert Downey Jr.

Dubitsky and Downey Jr. have teamed up to bring something fresh to the coffee world with happy®. This brand blends innovative recyclable design, award-winning coffee taste, and an impactful approach to philanthropy by partnering with the National Alliance on Mental Illness as a formal stakeholder because being happy is not a 24/7 thing. We all need help extra sometimes.

Tune in to discover how Iron Man’s super-taster abilities perfected happy’s blends, and how Dubitsky continues to improve everyday staples with quality, design, and affordability—making us all a little happier!

Craig-isms

  • “Brew and Improved”
  • Beautility – Beauty plus Utility
  • FONT – Fear of Not Trying
  • Don’t just sustain the environment, improve it!

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Transcript

AI Summary

100th Episode Celebration

Introduction

Hosts, Janette and Rachel, celebrate their 100th episode and introduce their guest, Craig Dubitsky, a brand wiz known for creating popular brands like hello®, method®, eos®, and now happy®.

Craig Dubitsky’s New Launch: happy®

Craig discusses his latest venture, happy®, which includes a coffee line launched in partnership with Robert Downey Jr. and the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI). The hosts mention tasting the coffee and describe it as smooth and enjoyable.

Craig’s Background and Journey to Coffee

Craig shares his background, revealing that he was never a coffee drinker until recently. He recounts how he was approached by a major retailer to help with coffee-related ideas, leading him to explore the coffee industry. His initial lack of interest in coffee stemmed from a childhood experience that left him with a negative association.

The Role of Robert Downey Jr.

Craig explains how he connected with Robert Downey Jr. through a mutual acquaintance. Their initial conversation lasted over three hours, during which they bonded over music and personal stories. Downey’s expertise as a “super taster” played a crucial role in developing the coffee blends for Happy.

The Importance of Packaging

The hosts and Craig discuss the unique packaging of happy® coffee, which is designed to be environmentally friendly and aesthetically pleasing. Craig emphasizes the importance of using recyclable materials and creating packaging that consumers would want to keep.

Partnership with NAMI

Craig highlights the partnership with NAMI, explaining that it goes beyond a simple donation model. Instead, NAMI has a stake in the company, allowing for a deeper collaboration. The goal is to raise awareness about mental health and provide resources through the coffee brand.

Mental Health Awareness

The conversation shifts to the importance of mental health, with Craig sharing alarming statistics about the rise of mental health issues and suicides among teens and adults. He emphasizes the need for open conversations about mental health and the resources available through NAMI.

Conclusion

The hosts express their gratitude to Craig for joining them on their 100th episode and for sharing his insights. They encourage listeners to engage with the happy® brand and its mission.

Related Episodes

Check out our first interview with Craig Dubitsky to hear about his New Jersey childhood and how he got started in his mega successful career.

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