Jenna Bush Hager opens up about life after Hoda, building something new, and why choosing the right partner changes everything.
In the premiere episode of Season 2 of the How She Does It podcast with Karen Finerman, Jenna Bush Hager shares the emotional, practical, and very public journey of becoming the anchor of Jenna & Friends, while simultaneously launching her own production company and publishing imprint, Thousand Voices.
On Moving Forward
When Hoda Kotb stepped away from TODAY’s fourth hour, Jenna Bush Hager suddenly found herself in an ever-changing co-hosting dynamic. “I’ve had 50 different people sitting next to me over the last six months,” she explains. “It’s been a major growth moment for our show, [and] for me personally [and] professionally. It allows for a level of spontaneity and openness. That is a real challenge to do on national television, but I’m up for it.”
The experience has also transformed her approach to leadership. Jenna leads with heart and humility, and she makes sure her team knows how much she appreciates them. “I hopefully lead with appreciation and gratitude,” she said. “I’m constantly telling people thank you for the work that they do, because many of the time, the producers are what make the show hum at all. Right now, the way I feel is wildly grateful for this team of people who have supported me through this.”
Founding Thousand Voices
While rebuilding the show, Jenna Bush Hager also quietly launched Thousand Voices, a publishing imprint and production company rooted in powerful, character-driven storytelling. Its first novel, Conform by Ariel Sullivan, is slated for release this fall, and the way she discovered it was pure serendipity.
It all started with a playdate between Jenna and Ariel’s son. While their kids were hanging out, Ariel told Jenna that she was writing a series and asked her to read the manuscript. “Because I’ve worked in publishing for so long, I was like, there is something here,” Jenna said. “One of my colleagues in LA loves Romantacy and Dystomance, and she read it in 24 hours. She called me and was like, ‘This is the best thing I’ve ever read in this category. It’s incredible.”
On Balance, Boundaries, and What Really Matters
As a bestselling author, TV host, and entrepreneur, not to mention mom of three, Jenna knows she can’t do it alone. She credits her husband, Henry, as the grounding force in her life and career.
“Part of the advice I give everybody is marry somebody that’s wanting to be a partner,” she said. With Henry taking the mornings and Jenna handling most evenings, their rhythm supports both their family and her demanding schedule. She’s also deeply aware of how rare that kind of support can be.
“I just feel so lucky… that I picked somebody that chose me, and I chose them, but understands what choosing me looks like,” she reflects. She also acknowledges that real partnership means embracing everything that comes with it, including nontraditional roles and responsibilities.
What We Can Learn From Jenna Bush Hager
In a moment of major professional change, Jenna Bush Hager didn’t step back; she stepped up. She’s redefining what it looks like to lead, create, and grow in real time, in front of an audience of millions. From choosing the right partner to trusting her gut on new projects, Jenna reminds us that success isn’t about having it all figured out; it’s about staying open, grounded, and grateful along the way.
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