Brianna Wiest on Her Inspiring Books & Messages of Hope

As a bonus for you, we’re sharing the trailer for Dateline: True Crime Weekly, an all-new weekly podcast series. Every Thursday Dateline correspondent Andrea Canning and her guests dive into the biggest crime stories of the week, bringing you the latest on trials and investigations around the country.  Listen now wherever you get your podcasts: https://link.chtbl.com/dtcw_fdlw

Selena Gomez has spent most of her life in the spotlight, as one of the world’s biggest popstars and actors. After facing physical and mental health challenges, Gomez is stepping into what she considers to be her true calling, mental health advocacy. She’s partnering with Surgeon General Dr. Vivek Murthy to change the conversation around mental health, and to help youth struggling with the same challenges she’s faced. Hoda Kotb sat down with Gomez and Dr. Murthy for a candid conversation about their mission, the importance of mental health advocacy and where Gomez is on her health journey today.

Tiffany Haddish is a comedian, actress, producer, writer, New York Times Bestselling author, Grammy winner and an absolute force, on and off the screen. Haddish catapulted to fame, starring in films like “Girls Trip”, and has kept us laughing with her signature brand of honesty, humor and heart. But Haddish’s success didn’t come overnight, and it wasn’t easy. In Haddish’s new memoir, “I Curse You with Joy”, she opens up about the high and low moments she’s faced, sharing her personal struggles and the journey to find herself. Haddish joined Hoda Kotb to talk about it all - the joy, the pain and the lessons she’s learned.

Sarah Jakes Roberts is redefining what it means to be a modern woman of faith. As a bestselling author, pastor, speaker, founder, entrepreneur, philanthropist, wife and mother, at her core, she is a leader, aiming to inspire thought, growth and change. She followed in the footsteps of her father, Bishop T.D. Jakes, to become a co-pastor at The Potter’s House Church in Dallas, using her voice to spread messages of compassion and love. Jakes’ most recent book ‘Power Moves: Ignite Your Confidence and Become a Force’ invites readers to reclaim and redefine their power, in order to live an authentic life. Through her sermons, books, podcasts and events, Jakes is inspiring positive and lasting change. Jakes sat down with Hoda Kotb to talk about faith, family and what it truly means to have power.

Carissa Moore is a World Champion surfer and Olympic gold medalist. Widely considered to be one of the female greatest surfers of all time, Moore is an inspiration both on and off the board. She burst into the world of professional surfing when she was a teenager, and by age 18, she became the youngest surfer to win a world title. She was crowned surfing’s first-ever female Olympic gold medalist, and has achieved legendary status as a dominant force in the sport. Earlier this year, Moore announced that she will step away from competitive surfing after she defends her title at the 2024 Paris Olympics. Moore sat down with Hoda Kotb to discuss her love affair with surfing, her Olympic journey and what lies ahead as she embraces her next chapter.

In honor of the fifth anniversary of TODAY with Hoda & Jenna¸Hoda is revisiting her conversation with co-host and friend Jenna Bush Hager from Season 1 of Making Space. As you’ll hear, Hoda and Jenna are friendly on air because they’re real friends off-air — and their friendship has only grown and deepened over the years. We are again inviting you into this intimate conversation, touching on everything from lessons learned by example during childhood to what it meant for Jenna to turn 40. Together, Hoda and Jenna talk about birth, love, loss and the importance of work ethic. Plus, a special look back at the highlights and moments that touch on what Hoda is finally making space for.

Drew Brees spent 20 years as an NFL quarterback, playing on the New Orleans Saints for 15 seasons. Brees is a leader on and off the field, and in 2010, he led the Saints to their first ever Super Bowl championship, helping to bring back the spirit of the city after the devastation of Hurricane Katrina. For Brees and wife Brittany, playing for the Saints was about more than football, it was a calling to be part of something greater. Brees sat down with Hoda Kotb to discuss his prolific career, life after football and their mutual love for New Orleans.

Chip Conley is a bestselling author and co-founder of the Modern Elder Academy, the world’s first “midlife wisdom school”. After an impressive career in the hospitality industry, first as the founder of Joie de Vivre Hospitality, then as Airbnb’s Head of Global Hospitality and Strategy, Conley is now leading a worldwide revolution to re-frame midlife. In his latest book “Learning to Love Midlife: 12 Reasons Why Life Gets Better with Age”, Conley is changing the narrative around midlife, helping people to navigate this often misunderstood lifestage. Conley joins Hoda Kotb for an inspiring conversation, sharing tips to navigate midlife with a renewed sense of purpose and possibility. 

Arthur Brooks is a bestselling author, acclaimed public speaker and professor at the Harvard School of Business, where he teaches courses on leadership and happiness. Brooks joined Hoda Kotb for a conversation on the art and science of getting happier, and how to build the life you want. The two discuss practices to increase happiness, how to get unstuck, how to parent and why happiness is not a destination, but a direction.

It’s hard to imagine Academy Award-winning actress Viola Davis survived the childhood she did. Bullied at a young age for being different, Davis now realizes the power — and the potency — of those differences. Davis sat down with Hoda Kotb in spring of 2022 for an intimate conversation on overcoming trauma and how to shape your own future, one leg of the relay race at a time.