Brianna Wiest on Her Inspiring Books & Messages of Hope

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.

Keith Morrison is an award-winning correspondent for Dateline NBC, beloved journalist and host of several #1 podcasts. He’s made a speciality of true crime mysteries, and after more than five decades in the business, he’s gained status as a pop culture icon. Morrison joins Hoda Kotb to discuss his prolific career, his upcoming Dateline original podcast “Murder in the Hollywood Hills” and the loss of his stepson, actor Matthew Perry.

Bestselling author Brianna Wiest has touched millions of readers with her books and quotes featuring messages of empowerment, self-reflection and hope. She found healing and growth in the written word while overcoming personal struggles, and now, she hopes to help others through her writing. Wiest joins Hoda Kotb to discuss her own journey inward, the impact she hopes her words have and her latest book “The Pivot Year: 365 Days to Become the Person You Truly Want to Be”.

Ziggy Marley is a musician, producer, author, Grammy winner, activist, humanitarian and son of beloved musician Bob Marley. Growing up in the Marley household, it’s no surprise that his life has always been filled with music. Marley joins Hoda Kotb to discuss his father’s legacy, the side of his dad many didn’t know and his role as a producer on the recent film “Bob Marley: One Love”.

Savannah Guthrie joins Hoda Kotb to discuss her latest book, “Mostly What God Does: Reflections on Seeking and Finding His Love Everywhere”. Guthrie beautifully and vulnerably opens up about the role of faith in her life, the power of divine love and the inspiration behind this collection of essays. She shares personal stories of moments that have tested her faith, strengthened her belief and left her in awe. As Guthrie so beautifully puts it, mostly what God does is love… and you can feel the love in every word of this uplifting and inspiring conversation.