Valerie Bertinelli is on the move — literally — while she answers the phone. She’s tucked into a quiet corner of a busy airport, her voice warm but tinged with a mix of exhaustion and purpose that comes from a vulnerability-filled book tour. 

“I just wanted to make sure you can hear me,” she said, laughing over the background noise. “It’s been a lot.”

That “a lot” reflects the emotional weight of releasing her newest book, “Getting Naked,” which was released in March. The New York Times bestselling author’s book offers wisdom learned through divorce, menopause and pain, with a message of self-acceptance and embracing the past with compassion.

Changing Hands Bookstore will host Bertinelli for a Q&A and meet-and-greet at 7 p.m. Wednesday, March 18, at The Madison Center for the Arts, 5601 N. 16th Street, Phoenix. Her sister-in-law, Stacy, will moderate the talk. Tickets, all general admission, are available through Eventbrite. They include one pre-signed copy of “Getting Naked,” and the books will be distributed at the venue that night. Photo ops will follow the presentation.

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Bertinelli, who was married to Eddie Van Halen, starred in the 1970s sitcom “One Day at a Time.” In “Getting Naked,” Bertinelli, now in her mid-60s, sheds the fear of growing older, loving more deeply, and starting fresh. Drawing from her experiences with menopause, relationships, and family trauma, she writes about the insecurities that have haunted. She called the writing process liberating and unexpectedly heavy. “It’s like letting something go,” she said. “There’s a finality to it.”

Yet she also sees the beauty in it: people feel seen. “That’s why I put it out,” she said. “Because I know I’m not alone.”

This is a busy year for Bertinelli. On Feb. 24, she unveiled Valerie’s Place, a digital space housing a cooking show, community hub and intimate chat, where she connects with her audience — free from traditional TV limits. 

Valerie’s Place can be found at the App Store, Google Play and ValeriesPlace.com. A podcast and book club are rolling out soon.

“It’s so nice to be able to do the show I want to do,” she said. “It’s just me in my home, with my animals walking in and out of the kitchen, cooking for everybody.” 

She joyfully speaks about hosting live cooking sessions, starting a book group, and engaging in real-time conversations with fans. 

“It’s better than just getting questions and answering them later,” she said. “It’s an actual give-and-take.” 

She loves the connections she makes via social media as well — just without the land mines. “I’m open to constructive criticism,” she said. “But not people being rude just to be rude.”

The busy year continues on May 9 with the premiere of Lifetime’s “Love Again.” She plays Caroline, the wife of Henry (Henry Czerny), who is diagnosed with early-onset Alzheimer’s. As he slips away, she finds solace and support in an unexpected friendship with Leo (Eric McCormack). Bertinelli said she cried during the entire shoot. 

“It’s going to be a big tissue movie,” she says. “If you want a good cry, this is it.”

Stepping back into acting after four years was thrilling and terrifying. “It was nerve-wracking,” she admitted. “But to get in front of the camera again and feel that freedom and safety… it was exciting.” 

Like most of her projects, “Love Again” was a learning experience. 

“I’ve always known I’m a strong person,” she said. “I pick my ass up when I’ve fallen down. And I’ve fallen down so many times.” 

However, now she can say something kind about herself out loud. “That’s huge for me,” she said. “I’m grateful for my life.”