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Every episode
Open Book with Jenna
30 episodes
Hoda Kotb on Life After TODAY, Embracing New Beginnings, and New Book ‘Jump and Find Joy’ (September 2025)
Aug 13, 2026 · 45 min
Jenna Bush Hager reunites with former TODAY co-anchor and friend, Hoda Kotb for a deeply moving conversation about embracing new life chapters, and the beauty of slowing down. Hoda opens up about her decision to leave TODAY, her new chapter focusing on family and her new venture Joy101. Plus, she shares her inspiration for her new book ‘Jump and Find Joy” and how she is finding joy in the everyday moments. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our co…
Alison Espach on ‘The Wedding People,’ Finding Humor in Grief and What’s Next
Aug 6, 2026 · 45 min
Jenna Bush Hager sits down with bestselling author Alison Espach to revisit her beloved novel The Wedding People, now in paperback. Alison opens up about the book’s unexpected success, finding humor in the midst of grief, her journey to becoming a novelist and how motherhood has shaped her life and writing. Plus, Alison shares some of her favorite books, and hints at the possibility of a The Wedding People sequel. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information abou…
Jenny Jackson on 'The Shampoo Effect,' Friendship & Why Great Books Make Us Uncomfortable
Jul 30, 2026 · 44 min
Jenny Jackson joins Open Book with Jenna to discuss balancing life as a bestselling novelist and Editorial Director of Fiction at Knopf. She opens up about The Shampoo Effect, writing through self-doubt, creative ambition, and why the best stories spark conversation. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
Virginia Evans on 'The Correspondent,' Jane Fonda & Why She Almost Quit Writing
Jul 23, 2026 · 37 min
Virginia Evans shares the emotional journey behind her bestselling debut, The Correspondent. In this heartfelt conversation with Jenna Bush Hager, she reflects on rejection, finding hope through storytelling, and why perseverance made this life-changing moment possible. Plus, she teases what's next—including the upcoming film adaptation starring Jane Fonda. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
Elin Hilderbrand & Jennifer Garner on Friendship, 'The Five-Star Weekend' & Bringing Nantucket to Life
Jul 16, 2026 · 37 min
Jennifer Garner and bestselling author Elin Hilderbrand join Jenna Bush Hager to celebrate The Five-Star Weekend and its journey from beloved novel to Peacock series. They discuss their instant creative connection, the enduring power of female friendships, adapting books for the screen, and why Nantucket is a character all its own. Plus, Elin shares details about her next novel, and the trio swaps some of their favorite recent reads. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com…
How Remarkably Bright Creatures Became a Netflix Movie
Jul 9, 2026 · 37 min
Author Shelby Van Pelt sits down with Jenna Bush Hager to celebrate the Netflix adaptation of Remarkably Bright Creatures. They discuss the magic of seeing Sally Field bring Tova to life, the challenge of adapting Marcellus the octopus for the screen, and the surprising journey from community writing classes to a worldwide bestseller. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
Anna McCallie on Love, Life Changes and How Insomnia Inspired 'Abby Offsides'
Jul 2, 2026 · 47 min
Anna McCallie joins Jenna Bush Hager on Open Book to discuss her debut novel Abby Offsides, a charming romantic comedy set in the world of professional football. Anna opens up about moving to London, finding inspiration in unexpected places, navigating rejection on her path to publication, and creating a heroine readers can't help but root for. Plus, she shares how a bedtime story she told herself became the book everyone is talking about. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswiz…
Kennedy Ryan on Motherhood, Finding Her Purpose at 40 and the Stories That Change Lives
Jun 25, 2026 · 36 min
Bestselling author Kennedy Ryan joins Jenna for a heartfelt conversation about finding her purpose later in life, writing romance novels that tackle real-world issues, and why every person deserves a love story filled with radical acceptance. Kennedy opens up about motherhood, faith, advocacy, her journey to becoming a bestselling author at 40, and the exciting adaptation of her beloved Skyland series for television. Plus, she shares how her readers have inspired her and how her books are helpin…
Making Space with Hoda Kotb! New Season, New Guests & Life-Changing Conversations
Jun 23, 2026 · 1 min
Ready to take a deep breath and find some inspiration? A brand-new season of Making Space with Hoda Kotb is officially here. Every Wednesday, Hoda sits down for open, soul stirring conversations with people who have walked through fire and come out stronger. This season, she’s diving into what it really means to pivot, heal, and find your purpose. Expect raw, real-life wisdom on navigating big transitions and the unexpected moments of grace that connect us all. Featuring incredible guests like M…
Carley Fortune on Her Book-to-TV Journey, Summer Romance & the Success of Every Summer After
Jun 18, 2026 · 37 min
Bestselling author Carley Fortune joins Jenna to discuss her unexpected path from journalism to writing Every Summer After and some of the most talked-about books of the decade. Carley shares how place, nostalgia and great love stories shape her books. She also opens up about upcoming screen adaptations, romance tropes, BookTok, mental health and why it’s never too late to rediscover your passion. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection…
Author Emily Henry Gets Real About Success, Finding Inspiration & Her Next Book
Jun 11, 2026 · 49 min
After six bestselling books in six years, Emily Henry is finally slowing down, at least a little. The author joins Jenna for a heartfelt conversation about burnout, creativity, friendship, and the unexpected lessons she learned during a year away from her usual publishing schedule. Emily also shares updates on upcoming adaptations, teases her next novel, and reflects on the readers who have helped make her one of the biggest names in publishing today. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. Se…
Open Book with Jenna Returns! New Season, New Authors & Must-Read Summer Books
Jun 10, 2026 · 1 min
A brand-new season of Open Book with Jenna is here! Join Jenna Bush Hager every Thursday as she sits down with some of today's most beloved authors and storytellers for conversations about the books everyone is talking about. This season, we'll explore the hottest reads of the summer, the creative process behind unforgettable stories, the genres readers can't get enough of, and the movie and TV adaptations bringing favorite characters to life. Featuring guests like Emily Henry, Kennedy Ryan, Car…
“The Summer I Turned Pretty” Author Jenny Han On Representation, Coming of Age, & Building a Media Empire
Jun 4, 2026 · 39 min
Jenny Han is a literary powerhouse and New York Times bestselling author of the “To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before” series and “The Summer I Turned Pretty” series. She is also the creator and co-showrunner of The Summer I Turned Pretty television series. Jenny sat down with Jenna Bush Hager to chat about how she built a media empire that showcases diverse characters and young women coming into their own. She opens up about how she made the leap from writer to showrunner, what it’s been like to h…
Stephen Colbert and Wife Evie McGee Colbert On Food, Love, and Laughter (July 2025)
May 21, 2026 · 29 min
“The Late Show” host Stephen Colbert and his wife of more than 30 years, Evie McGee Colbert join Jenna Bush Hager to talk about their cookbook “Does This Taste Funny?,” their favorite family recipes, and the joy of cooking together. They also share stories from their thirty years of marriage, who’s the better chef, and why humor is the secret ingredient in their relationship. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal da…
Matt Rogers on “Las Culturistas” Podcast, Overcoming Setbacks, & Living Life Authentically (November 2024)
May 14, 2026 · 44 min
Jenna Bush Hager sits down with actor, comedian, and Jenna & Friends co-host, Matt Rogers. Rogers co-hosts the pop culture podcast "Las Culturistas” with Bowen Yang and stars in Netflix’s comedy series “No Good Deed.” He opens up about his journey from prom king to pop culture podcaster. He also shares how he redefined what success means to him after not getting hired on Saturday Night Live, and how writing his song “RockaFellaCenta” was a form of healing. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz compan…
Stanley Tucci Gives Us A Taste Of What He Ate In One Year (October 2024)
May 7, 2026 · 29 min
Stanley Tucci is an award winning actor, author, and dad. He’s appeared in roles such as The Devil Wears Prada, The Hunger Games, and The Lovely Bones. His latest role includes, food lover, social media star, and one of America's favorite home chefs. His latest novel ‘What I Ate in One Year’ chronicles a year’s worth of meals and allows him to reflect back on a year with family and friends. Stanley sat down with Jenna Bush Hager to share his love of food and how a viral instagram post catapulted…
‘Devil Wears Prada 2’ Cast Talk Iconic Sequel | Open Book with Jenna Bush Hager
Apr 29, 2026 · 29 min
‘Open Book with Jenna’ host Jenna Bush Hager sits down with the iconic cast of The Devil Wears Prada , Meryl Streep, Anne Hathaway, Emily Blunt and Stanley Tucci, for an extended conversation about their highly anticipated sequel, The Devil Wears Prada 2. The cast reflects on the film’s lasting legacy, why now felt like the right time to return, and how the story evolves in a world shaped by technology, media changes and shifting power dynamics. They also share what it was like reuniting after t…
Kristin Hannah on Telling the Forgotten Stories of Women (September 2025)
Apr 23, 2026 · 44 min
Kristin Hannah is the bestselling author of more than 20 novels, including The Nightingale, The Four Winds and The Women, and has built her career around telling the often overlooked stories of women in history. In this conversation from September 2025, Hannah sits down with Jenna to reflect on the books that shaped her, the path that led her from practicing law to becoming a novelist and the deep research behind her historical fiction. Plus, she opens up about why The Women took more than 20 ye…
Sheinelle Jones Opens Up About Motherhood, Loss & Her Book 7 Years in the Making
Apr 16, 2026 · 40 min
In this heartfelt Open Book conversation, Sheinelle Jones opens up to Jenna Bush Hager about her deeply personal journey behind her book, “Through Mom’s Eyes", a passion project years in the making. From lessons learned interviewing inspiring mothers to navigating grief, single motherhood, and discovering new strength, Sheinelle shares powerful reflections on love, loss, and resilience with a few lighthearted parenting moments mixed in. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.c…
Kate DiCamillo on Imagination, Resilience and the Stories That Stay With Us (November 2023)
Apr 9, 2026 · 47 min
Kate DiCamillo, Kate DiCamillo podcast, Kate DiCamillo interview, children’s author, children’s books, Because of Winn-Dixie, The Tale of Despereaux, Mercy Watson, Orris and Timble, Orris and Timble Star Stories, bestselling children’s author, Newbery Medal winner, kids books, family reading, children’s literature, author resilience, overcoming rejection, imagination and storytelling, books for young readers, beloved authors, reading for kids, classic children’s books, stories for all ages, auth…
TODAY Presents: The Parent Chat with Dylan Dreyer – Ashley Graham
Apr 2, 2026 · 7 min
Hey Open Book with Jenna fans! As a bonus, we’re giving you a special preview clip of our new podcast series, The Parent Chat with Dylan Dreyer. In this episode, Dylan sits down with model and entrepreneur Ashley Graham for an honest, hilarious conversation about what it's really like to raise three boys. Both boy moms get honest about the everyday chaos and the real work behind raising kind, emotionally intelligent men. From teaching manners and talking through big feelings, to modeling the beh…
Heather McMahan on Laughter, Loss and Finding Her Voice (April 2025)
Apr 2, 2026 · 44 min
Heather McMahan is a beloved comedian, actress and podcast host who’s currently performing across the country on The Bamboozled Tour. In this conversation from April 2025, McMahan sits down with Jenna to reflect on her rise from performing at her junior prom to headlining national tours, how Joan Rivers influenced her career and how social media helped take her career to the next level. Plus, she opens up about the loss of her father and how humor became a form of healing. Hosted by Simplecast,…
Introducing: The Parent Chat with Dylan Dreyer
Mar 26, 2026 · 1 min
Hey Open Book with Jenna fans! As a bonus for you, we’re sharing the trailer for The Parent Chat with Dylan Dreyer – an all-new podcast series from TODAY. You know her as TODAY’s candid third hour host. But Dylan Dreyer is also a mom of 3 boys in New York City, trying to figure out the big stuff: how to raise kind, confident, resilient kids and keep her sanity along the way. And like every parent, sometimes she needs…HELP! On The Parent Chat, Dylan calls in reinforcements – from parenting expert…
Nate Berkus on Creating a Home That Tells Your Story (December 2025)
Mar 26, 2026 · 50 min
Nate Berkus is one of the most recognizable names in interior design, known for creating homes that feel timeless, personal and full of story. In this conversation from December 2025, Berkus sits down with Jenna to discuss his book Foundations: Timeless Design That Feels Personal, reflecting on how his love of design began in childhood, the career path that took him from launching his own firm to national television, and the principles that help turn a house into a home. Plus, he shares how to c…
Malala Yousafzai on Healing, Hope and Finding Her Way (October 2025)
Mar 19, 2026 · 36 min
Malala Yousafzai is a Nobel Peace Prize winner, a global advocate for girls’ education and the youngest person ever to receive the Nobel Peace Prize. In this conversation from October 2025, Yousafzai sits down with Jenna to discuss her memoir Finding My Way, reflecting on her years at Oxford, her mental health, finding love and rebuilding her life after the Taliban attack. Plus, she opens up about her evolving relationship with her mother and why her fight to ensure every girl has access to educ…
Judy Blume on Inspiring Generations of Readers and Building Her Legacy (May 2025)
Mar 12, 2026 · 37 min
Judy Blume is one of the most beloved and influential authors of the last century, whose books, including Are You There God? It’s Me, Margaret., Forever, Tales of a Fourth Grade Nothing and Summer Sisters, have helped generations of readers navigate growing up. In this conversation from May 2025, Blume sits down with Jenna at Books & Books in Key West, the nonprofit independent bookstore she co-founded, to reflect on a career that spans 29 books, more than 92 million copies sold and translations…
Colleen Hoover on ‘It Ends with Us,’ Her Health Journey and What Comes Next
Mar 5, 2026 · 33 min
After self-publishing her first novel in 2012, Colleen Hoover has become one of the most widely read authors in the world, selling more than 75 million copies of her New York Times bestselling novels including It Ends with Us, Reminders of Him and Verity. Hoover joins Jenna Bush Hager to talk about the success and controversy surrounding the It Ends with Us film adaptation, why she stepped back from writing for a period of time and how a recent cancer diagnosis changed her perspective on health,…
Jay Ellis on Creativity, Belonging, and the Stories That Shape Us (October 2025)
Feb 26, 2026 · 40 min
Jay Ellis is an actor, producer, and author who earned a NAACP Image Award nomination for his role in Peacock’s All Her Fault. In this conversation from October 2025, Ellis sits down with Jenna Bush Hager to talk about his memoir Did Everyone Have an Imaginary Friend (or Just Me)?, growing up as an only child in a military family that moved from base to base, and creating an imaginary friend who helped him navigate loneliness and self discovery. Plus, he opens up about his path from aspiring bas…
Ann Patchett on Nashville, Parnassus Books, and the Joy of Reading (October 2024)
Feb 19, 2026 · 42 min
Ann Patchett is an award-winning author whose work has helped shape modern literary culture, both through her novels and her commitment to independent bookstores. In this conversation from October 2024, Patchett sits down with Jenna Bush Hager live at the Read with Jenna Book Festival in Nashville to discuss building a life rooted in community, why she co-founded Parnassus Books, and the personal story that sparked her lifelong love of books. (Event sponsored by Nashville Music City, Venue spons…
'Heated Rivalry' Author Rachel Reid on What to Expect from 'Unrivaled' and If She Knows How Shane and Ilya’s Story Ends
Feb 12, 2026 · 33 min
Rachel Reid is the New York Times bestselling author behind Heated Rivalry, the novel whose television adaptation introduced her Game Changers book series to millions of new fans. Reid sits down with Jenna Bush Hager to talk about how the explosive success of Heated Rivalry has transformed her life, what it was like receiving a life-changing DM from filmmaker Jacob Tierney just days after her Parkinson’s diagnosis, and the pressure of continuing to expand the Game Changers series with millions w…
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