Making Space with Hoda Kotb

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.

Making Space with Hoda Kotb is back for Season 5! Join TODAY’s Hoda Kotb as she continues on a personal journey of self-discovery and learning. This season, she sits down with guests like former NFL quarterback Drew Brees, reggae musician Ziggy Marley, self-help author Brianna Wiest and her very own TODAY co-anchor Savannah Guthrie.

Catch the premiere episode of Season 5 with guest Savannah Guthrie, Wednesday, February 21st. Follow now

Rabbi Steve Leder, bestselling author and Senior Rabbi of Wilshire Boulevard Temple in Los Angeles, has learned and witnessed the many ways death teaches us how to live, and love, more deeply by showing us not only what is gone, but also the beauty of what remains. Rabbi Leder joins Hoda Kotb for an inspiring conversation about life, loss and the profound way in which the two intertwine. Rabbi Leder shares his belief that in the end, there is nothing that matters but love, and the simple message that will change the way you live - it’s never too late.

You can change your life. That’s the mantra motivational expert Mel Robbins lives by. And it’s the very reason millions of people around the globe, Hoda included, follow Mel and the advice she shares in her TEDx Talk and on her podcast. Mel believes that change is much easier than we imagine – we just have to stop thinking too much. 

In this invigorating, inspiring and very frank conversation from January 2023, Hoda Kotb sat down with Mel to talk about her famous 5-second rule, the truth about motivation and how to make big life changes. Hoda asks Mel the questions we all want answers to - How can we be better versions of ourselves? When can we expect results? And why should we make these changes? The answer to that last one is simple - because you deserve this.

Lynne Twist is a global visionary committed to alleviating poverty, ending world hunger, empowering the status of women and girls, supporting social justice and environmental sustainability. The scope of Lynne’s impact ranges from working with Mother Teresa in Calcutta, to working with refugees in camps in Ethiopia, exploring the threatened rainforests of the Amazon and guiding the philanthropy of some of the world’s wealthiest families. Lynne joins Hoda Kotb to discuss her impactful career, finding your calling and what it means to live a committed life.

Ally Love is the epitome of a multi-hyphenate. She’s a Peloton instructor, model, dancer, TODAY Show contributor, arena host of the Brooklyn Nets, CEO and founder of her female empowerment company, ‘Love Squad’... and so much more. She’s a one-woman hype-machine, on a mission to empower, inspire and uplift. Ally helps others approach their mental and physical well-being in a positive light, providing motivation and good energy every step of the way. Ally sat down with Hoda Kotb to share where she finds inspiration, from her faith, to her family and more.

Nicole Avant is a philanthropist, diplomat, filmmaker, actress and author. Her father, Clarence Avant, was a music legend and entertainment mogul, and her mother, Jacqueline Avant, was a legendary philanthropist. Nicole grew up around some of the most extraordinary artists of our time, including Bill Withers, Quincy Jones and Sidney Portier, and drew from her upbringing to create a noteworthy career of her own. But everything changed for Nicole in 2021, when her mother was fatally shot during a failed home invasion. Nicole channeled her grief, and turned her pain into fuel to write her beautiful memoir, “Think You’ll Be Happy”. She joins Hoda Kotb to share her journey, reflecting on managing her grief, finding forgiveness and moving ahead when the people who defined you and guided you are no longer physically here.

In this raw and revealing conversation from August 2021, Suleika Jaouad, New York Times bestselling author of “Between Two Kingdoms: A Memoir of a Life Interrupted” and her partner, music legend, Jon Batiste join Hoda Kotb to talk about Suleika’s cancer journey, and their life together, both the highs and the lows. At the time, Suleika was celebrating seven years cancer-free. Since then, her cancer returned for the second time.

Melissa Etheridge is one of rock music’s great icons. She burst onto the American rock scene as a singer-songwriter in 1988 with her self-titled debut album, and hasn’t left it since. Melissa has remained one of America’s favorite singer-songwriters for over three decades, with two Grammys and fifteen nominations, an Academy Award, five platinum albums, and more accolades marking her prolific career. The rockstar, mother, activist and trailblazer shares her story in her memoir “Talking to My Angels”, including her battle with breast cancer, the heartbreaking loss of her son and how music has gotten her through it all. Melissa sat down with Hoda Kotb to open up about it all, sharing the lessons she’s learned and how she continues to evolve, on stage and in life.

Erin Andrews is a fixture on the NFL sidelines. She’s been a sportscaster for more than two decades, and is a legend in the sports industry. But like the rest of us, not every season has felt like a winning one for Erin. She’s learned that some test your strength, your endurance and your drive to keep going. Erin opened up to Hoda Kotb about the road to becoming one of sports tv’s brightest stars, her cervical cancer diagnosis, her battle with infertility and her journey to motherhood. Erin continues to inspire on and off the field, as she celebrates the busiest and best season of her life yet.

Rainn Wilson is an Emmy nominated actor, writer, producer, New York Times bestselling author and… spiritual explorer. You may know him for playing the role of “Dwight Schrute”, the annoying but lovable salesman on NBC’s hit series “The Office”, but there is so much more to Rainn than the characters he plays on screen. In his latest book “Soul Boom”, Rainn is calling for a spiritual revolution as part of his personal journey. He sat down with Hoda Kotb to discuss embracing his spirituality, finding balance and living in a state of awe, curiosity and gratitude.

If you think you know Maria Menounos, think again. As a reporter, host, actor, producer, New York Times bestselling author and podcast host, she has been a light on our tv screens for more than 20 years. Her life has been quite a ride, with both highs and lows, and at each turn, she’s exhibited incredible strength, grace and unshakeable faith. Maria joins Hoda Kotb to discuss her health journey, her battle with pancreatic cancer, her road to motherhood and how she’s using what she’s learned to help others heal.

Making Space with Hoda Kotb is back for Season 4! Join TODAY show’s Hoda Kotb as she continues on a personal journey of self-discovery and learning. This season, she sits down with guests actor & author Rainn Wilson, entertainment journalist & podcast host Maria Menounos, music legend Melissa Etheridge, sportscaster Erin Andrews and more. 

The first two episodes of Season 4 premiere Wednesday, November 15. Follow now 

In this bonus episode of Making Space, Eva Longoria opens up to Hoda about her heritage, why philanthropy holds such a special place in her heart and landing the role that would change everything for her. The two connect on the significance of motherhood, inspiring the next generation, and diligently working towards this moment.

After settling into married life five years ago, releasing a memoir during the pandemic, then welcoming daughter Malti, Priyanka Chopra Jonas is ready to get back to the role she knows best — kicking butt on the small screen. She’s entering this “new season” of her life as a working wife and mom, starring as a spy in Prime Video’s new thriller action drama Citadel and in the romantic comedy Love Again, co-starring Celine Dion (with a fun cameo from her husband Nick Jonas).

In this episode,  Hoda Kotb interviewed Priyanka virtually — Hoda from 30 Rock, Priyanka from Mumbai — for Hoda’s first-ever TODAY.com cover story interview.  As you’ll hear - Priyanka is honest, deeply reflective, and beautifully open to this next phase of life. She opens up about Malti’s 100-day stay in the NICU, sharing how Nick Jonas was her strength when she needed it and how she had to be her daughter’s strength when she needed it most.  This is a conversation between Hoda Kotb and Priyanka Chopra Jonas for TODAY’s spring cover story. For more go to http://www.today.com/specials/priyanka-chopra-jonas-today-cover-story/index.html.

Inspired by MAKING SPACE the podcast, TODAY with Hoda & Jenna dedicated an entire hour to wellness. In this special episode MAKING SPACE FOR YOU, experts help you make the most of life by focusing on mind, body, and soul.  Best-selling author Nedra Glover Tawwab offers tips on living a drama-free life, Dr. Christian Gonzalez touches on healing through nutrition and Mangit Devgun shares practices for restoring the mind and body.

Plus, Hoda reflects on what she’s learned from Making Space guests over the last three seasons and Jenna shares her personal journey with wellness.

If you look solely at the success of her body of work, you’d never guess Oscar-nominated actress Rosie Perez is dealing with the effects of her painful childhood. But over the course of her career and life, Rosie has chosen to focus on the good. In this final episode of the season, Rosie reflects on her own strength and resilience, and she looks back fondly at those who believed in her. Raw and honest, Rosie is making space for healing. She always knew she’d make it, after hearing her conversation with Hoda, you’ll see why.

Almost 30 years ago, when she was a local journalist at WWL in New Orleans, Hoda Kotb met another TV reporter by the name of Karen Swensen. The connection was instantaneous, and they’ve been best friends ever since. Together, they’ve navigated some of life’s most challenging moments, like illness and loss, and they’ve also celebrated each other’s joyful moments. As their lives have evolved, so too has their friendship. In this very special episode, Hoda and Karen reflect back on life, love, motherhood, and friendship. Life’s about change — and, together, they’re embracing it.