Making Space with Hoda Kotb

In the spirit of the holiday season and all the time we'll spend sharing meals with loved ones this month, Hoda Kotb is sharing something special with you. It's a podcast called Your Mama’s Kitchen, all about cuisine and culture, ingredients and identities, and the meals and memories that make us who we are. Host Michele Norris talks to guests like Michelle Obama, Glennon Doyle, José Andrés, and more about the complexities of family life and how our earliest culinary experiences shape our lives. And of course, each guest shares a recipe for a favorite dish from their youth so you can taste a bit of their story. In this episode, Al Roker shares his holiday traditions, new and old, plus tips on how to perfect his mama’s oxtail stew with dumplings. You can find more Your Mama’s Kitchen at https://lnk.to/yourmamaskitchen!makingspace

Mike McDaniel is the Head Coach of the Miami Dolphins, now in his third season at the helm. Together with his lifelong love of football, his unmatched drive and outside-the-box approach to coaching have brought him all the way to where he is now. Throughout his career, Coach McDaniel has overcome both personal and professional challenges, leaning on his belief that adversity is opportunity. This Thanksgiving, Coach McDaniel will lead the Dolphins as they take on the Green Bay Packers. Ahead of the start of the NFL season, Coach McDaniel sat down with Hoda Kotb to talk about his career, his approach to the game and the lessons he’s learned both on and off the field. 

Goldie Hawn is a Hollywood legend. And while she never set out to be a movie star, the Academy Award winning actress, producer and director has had a prolific career spanning more than five decades, with iconic roles in films like “Overboard”, “Private Benjamin” and “The First Wives Club”. And while Goldie is beloved for her work on-screen, she is also making an impact off-screen, with her charity MindUp, created with a mission to promote mental health and fitness for children, after facing her own struggles. Goldie sat down with Hoda Kotb to talk about her accidental rise to fame, her famous family and where she finds her purpose.

Gabby Bernstein is a spiritual teacher, motivational speaker and New York Times bestselling author. For nearly two decades, Gabby has been transforming lives, including her own. After facing her own struggles, Gabby strengthened her spiritual connection, turning her trauma into a limitless source of love and strength. She shares her methods and practices through her books, podcast and live events, inspiring others to heal from their past, and live in alignment with the Universe. Gabby sat down with Hoda Kotb to talk about her upcoming book, “Self Help”, sharing simple methods we can all use to turn fear into faith, connect to our power and manifest a life beyond our wildest dreams.

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. In this beautiful conversation from March 2024, Brianna sat down with 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”. 

Dr. Wendy Suzuki, a renowned neuroscientist and Dean of Arts and Sciences at NYU, shares insights on how exercise transforms the brain. She explains that even a short walk can reduce anxiety and improve memory. Wendy emphasizes the importance of brain health over mere physical appearance, linking movement to cognitive function and emotional well-being. Personal anecdotes illustrate her journey towards fostering deep family connections and achieving academic success, showcasing the profound impact of both exercise and expression in our lives.

For years, TODAY Contributor Jill Martin has been lighting up our TV screens with her optimism, her joy and her open heart. In June 2023, Jill’s life changed when she was diagnosed with stage 2 breast cancer, after she learned she had a BRCA gene mutation. Now, with a clean bill of health, Jill has a new perspective on life. She’s living her life with more intention than ever before, and realigning with her purpose. Jill sat down with Hoda Kotb to talk about her journey, and her mission to spread awareness, encourage genetic testing and help others.

Arthur C. Brooks is a bestselling author, acclaimed public speaker and professor at the Harvard School of Business, where he teaches courses on leadership and happiness. Earlier this year, Arthur 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. Arthur will join Hoda at the upcoming Making Space Wellness Weekend as a featured speaker. 

Hey Making Space fans! As a bonus, we’re giving you a special preview of Jenna Bush Hager’s new podcast, ‘Open Book with Jenna’.  In the podcast’s debut episode, Jenna sits down with “Late Show” host Stephen Colbert and his wife of over 30 years, Evie McGee Colbert.  Stephen and Evie recently partnered on a new cookbook, “Does this Taste Funny” and sat down with Jenna to share their favorite family recipes, funniest memories cooking together, and why humor is the key ingredient in their marriage. They also reveal who holds the title of ‘best chef’ and who they’d love to invite to one of their famous dinner parties.  To listen to the full conversation, just search ‘Open Book with Jenna’ wherever you’re listening to follow now, or click here: https://link.chtbl.com/obwj\_lw

Ina Garten is undoubtedly one of America’s most beloved cooks, known and adored for her approachable style and comforting, attainable recipes. And while Ina has a gift for making everything seem effortless, her many accomplishments have been the result of hard work, bold choices and of course, an exquisite attention to detail. Now, Ina is opening up like never before, in her new memoir, “Be Ready When the Luck Happens”, sharing her remarkable story for the very first time. Ina sat down with Hoda Kotb, reflecting on her difficult childhood, her trailblazing career, and of course, the love of her life, Jeffrey.