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Hope & Life After Tragedy: What life what like after 9/11/01 with Inez Ribustello | Can I Laugh On Your Shoulder? Podcast EP. 336

Hope & Life After Tragedy: What life what like after 9/11/01 with Inez Ribustello | Can I Laugh On Your Shoulder? Podcast EP. 336

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  • Hope & Life After Tragedy: What life what like after 9/11/01 with Inez Ribustello | Can I Laugh On Your Shoulder? Podcast EP. 336
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My guest this week is Inez Ribustello, a mother, wife, author, entrepreneur and beer and wine lover.

Inez got her start in the world of food and wine after moving to New York City from her home state of North Carolina. Her wine career took a huge leap forward when she became an Assistant Cellar Master at Windows on the World in One World Trade Center. In a very short time, she was promoted to Beverage Director.

After losing her job and her work family in the terrorist attacks on 9/11, Inez moved back to her hometown with her fiancé Stephen. Together they opened their own restaurant, wine bar and retail store called On the Square.

Inez’ next big venture was Tarboro Brewing Company, a microbrewery that began operating in 2016. Almost a year later, she and her husband opened a satellite taproom in a neighboring town. Stephen and Inez have two children.

In September of 2021, Inez self-published her memoir Life After Windows, a book she wrote chronicling her journey from North Carolina to Manhattan.

5:31 – Inez 101

  • Most people in Tarboro call her “Ine” (pronounced eye-knee)
  • After getting a part-time job at a wine shop during culinary school, Inez realized she liked to drink more than she liked to cook.
  • After 9/11, she went back to North Carolina and opened a small restaurant.

10:59 – Moving to New York City

  • Inez didn’t have big plans for her life and wanted to get engaged in college. The man she loved moved to New York City, so she did, too.
  • She didn’t expect to fall in love with New York and fall out of love with the man she followed.

15:10 – Windows on the World

  • Inez was determined to work at Windows on the World, a restaurant at the top of the World Trade Center.
  • Inez read an article about the restaurant and the sommelier and decided she wanted to work there.

18:54 – Sept. 11, 2001

  • Inez went home to North Carolina to be in her sister’s wedding in September 2001.
  • She told all her co-workers goodbye before leaving work for what would be the last time.
  • Inez watched 9/11 unfold on TV and tried calling everyone she knew.

25:06 – The aftermath

  • When Inez saw where the plane hit the tower, she thought it would be a mess to clean up. She was in a state of shock and didn’t understand what was happening.
  • The hardest thing for her was the intense rage and anger that she had never experienced before.
  • Inez was so mad at God for what happened.

44:06 – Writing her memoir

  • A publisher she spoke with said no one would care about her or her book.
  • A woman encouraged Inez to write her book and publish it on the 20th anniversary of 9/11.

56:20 – Get to know you

  • The last thing that made her laugh? Her son in high school is hysterical.
  • The last thing that made her cry? Talking with a friend.

FEATURED QUOTES

I realized I liked to drink more than I liked to cook. No one ever told me you could make a career in wine.

The whole season after 9/11 was just such a lonely, brutal time.

The hardest thing for me was the intense rage and overwhelming anger that I had not experienced as a person because that’s not who I am. That lasted a really long time.

I was so mad at God, just furious [after Sept. 11].

I wasn’t a victim [of Sept. 11], but I lost people and I lost a place.

https://www.inezribustello.com/

https://www.inezribustello.com/book/#continue-reading

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Our girl graduated fifth grade today and sang the National Anthem 🥹 And yes, I was a blubbery mess. I’m so grateful God saw fit for me to be her mama. We are so proud of the amazing young woman she’s becoming. #lillstillhomemovies

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Our girl graduated fifth grade today and sang the National Anthem 🥹 And yes, I was a blubbery mess. I’m so grateful God saw fit for me to be her mama. We are so proud of the amazing young woman she’s becoming. #lillstillhomemovies

📣UNSHAKEABLE WOMEN’S CONFERENCE!📣

LOCAL FRIENDS! I’d love to see you and your sisters / daughters / friends / moms / grandmas at the first UNSHAKABLE women’s conference THIS SATURDAY June 7th at @stmarkscommunitychurch in Burlington, NC.

There’s going to be incredible worship by @jamismithworship - teaching by myself, @dr.renerochester and @heatherthompsonday and so much more. Tickets are only $35! You can get your tickets NOW!

#unshakeableconference

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📣UNSHAKEABLE WOMEN’S CONFERENCE!📣

LOCAL FRIENDS! I’d love to see you and your sisters / daughters / friends / moms / grandmas at the first UNSHAKABLE women’s conference THIS SATURDAY June 7th at @stmarkscommunitychurch in Burlington, NC. 

There’s going to be incredible worship by @jamismithworship - teaching by myself, @dr.renerochester and @heatherthompsonday and so much more. Tickets are only $35! You can get your tickets NOW! 

#unshakeableconference

🇺🇸 ❤️ remembering her and all those who gave their lives in service to their country.

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🇺🇸 ❤️ remembering her and all those who gave their lives in service to their country.

Spam texts are like a box of chocolates… I just start replying with Forrest Gump quotes ‘til they leave me alone. #spamtexts #lifeislikeaboxofchocolates

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Spam texts are like a box of chocolates… I just start replying with Forrest Gump quotes ‘til they leave me alone. #spamtexts #lifeislikeaboxofchocolates

He is risen indeed! ✝️

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He is risen indeed! ✝️

It’s wild out here in these pollen streets. #thepollening 🤧

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It’s wild out here in these pollen streets. #thepollening 🤧

🎊 ONE WHOLE YEAR 🎉

My debut memoir, “If I Don’t Laugh, I’ll Cry” has been out in the world for one whole year today. Writing this book was hard and holy work, and it’s been such a joy to see how many of you have laughed, cried, and laughed till you cried.

Thank you for the support of this book. ❤️

If you’ve read it, would you do me a *huge* favor and leave a review on Amazon and Goodreads? And would you share the book with a friend or on social media? It would mean the world to me.

And if you haven’t picked up a copy or downloaded the audiobook yet, what are you waiting for? 😉

#ifidontlaughillcry #iidlic #nelsonbooks

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🎊 ONE WHOLE YEAR 🎉 

My debut memoir, “If I Don’t Laugh, I’ll Cry” has been out in the world for one whole year today. Writing this book was hard and holy work, and it’s been such a joy to see how many of you have laughed, cried, and laughed till you cried. 

Thank you for the support of this book. ❤️

If you’ve read it, would you do me a *huge* favor and leave a review on Amazon and Goodreads? And would you share the book with a friend or on social media? It would mean the world to me. 

And if you haven’t picked up a copy or downloaded the audiobook yet, what are you waiting for? 😉 

#ifidontlaughillcry #iidlic #nelsonbooks

Nine is fine! Happy birthday to the sweetest, kindest, funniest, smartest, best basketball playing boy we know! We love you, buddy roe!

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Nine is fine! Happy birthday to the sweetest, kindest, funniest, smartest, best basketball playing boy we know! We love you, buddy roe!

13 years of being married to the best man I know. Life with you is more than I ever could have dreamed. I love you, J. 🤍 #happyanniversary

📷 @katelynjames

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13 years of being married to the best man I know. Life with you is more than I ever could have dreamed. I love you, J. 🤍 #happyanniversary 

📷 @katelynjames

And the people of God said… AMEN!

#leviticus #allfatisthelords #biblerecap #biblehumor

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And the people of God said… AMEN! 

#leviticus #allfatisthelords #biblerecap #biblehumor
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