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SPEAKER_1 (0:02)

You're listening to Math & Magic, a production of iHeart Podcasts.

Hoda Kotb (0:09)

By sitting with these people, I feel like I get to live multiple lives. I get to learn their life lessons. I get to hear what makes them tick. I get to hear what motivates them. How do they get out of bed on a bad day? You get multiple cracks at life because I get one path. And all of a sudden, you listen to someone, you're like, oh my God, I got to try that, or this sounds amazing.

Bob Pittman (0:34)

Hi, I'm Bob Pittman and welcome to Math & Magic. Today we have someone who everyone in America feels like they know as a good friend. She's an acclaimed journalist, TV pioneer, entrepreneur, and an expert on Joy, Hoda Kotb.

Probably best known from her days at NBC and the TODAY Show, she has a new podcast with us here at iHeart, Joy 101

Hoda was born in Oklahoma to Egyptian immigrant parents and grew up in West Virginia. She built her career literally step by step, starting at the absolute bottom rung of the ladder and working her way all the way to the top. She has lots to tell us about perseverance and hard work. She makes you smile just to be around her. She has amazing stories and insights. By the way, she was also a homecoming queen in high school. What a welcome.

Hoda Kotb (1:24)

Nice detail there, Bob. How are you?

Bob Pittman (1:27)

Well, come on. That's the glory days of high school. Before we dig in, I'm going to do you in 60 seconds. You ready? Ready. Okay, here we go.

Cats or dogs?

Hoda Kotb (1:36)

Dogs. Waffles.

Bob Pittman (1:38)

Early riser or night owl?

Hoda Kotb (1:39)

Early riser.

Bob Pittman (1:41)

City or country?

Hoda Kotb (1:42)

I'm going to say city.

Bob Pittman (1:43)

City or suburbs?

Hoda Kotb (1:45)

Suburbs.

Bob Pittman (1:46)

Protein or carbs?

Hoda Kotb (1:47)

I mean, I'm going carbs with some guilt.

Bob Pittman (1:50)

Sweet or savory?

Hoda Kotb (1:51)

Sweet.

Bob Pittman (1:52)

TikTok, Instagram or X?

Hoda Kotb (1:54)

Insta.

Bob Pittman (1:55)

Meditation or movement?

Hoda Kotb (1:57)

Meditation.

Bob Pittman (1:58)

Rock and roll or country?

Hoda Kotb (1:59)

Country.

Bob Pittman (2:00)

Coffee or tea?

Hoda Kotb (2:01)

Coffee.

Bob Pittman (2:02)

Books or movies?

Hoda Kotb (2:03)

Books.

Bob Pittman (2:04)

Today's show at 7 a.m. or 10 a.m.?

Hoda Kotb (2:06)

I'd say 10

Bob Pittman (2:07)

Call or text?

Hoda Kotb (2:09)

Call.

Bob Pittman (2:09)

TV or podcast?

Hoda Kotb (2:11)

Lately, podcasts.

Bob Pittman (2:12)

It's about to be a little harder. All-time favorite musical artist?

Hoda Kotb (2:15)

The Zac Brown Band.

Bob Pittman (2:16)

First job?

Hoda Kotb (2:17)

Delivering the Washington Post.

Bob Pittman (2:19)

Favorite all-time movie?

Hoda Kotb (2:20)

Shoshing Redemption.

Bob Pittman (2:22)

Favorite interview you've ever done?

Hoda Kotb (2:24)

Viola Davis.

Bob Pittman (2:25)

Most meaningful award in your career?

Hoda Kotb (2:27)

Mother of the Year.

Bob Pittman (2:28)

Childhood hero?

Hoda Kotb (2:29)

Oprah.

Bob Pittman (2:30)

Favorite place to visit in the world?

Hoda Kotb (2:31)

Mexico.

Bob Pittman (2:32)

Okay. Let's jump in.

Joy. What is it? Why do we need it? What does it do for us? And why is it so much a part of who you are?

Hoda Kotb (2:42)

Joy has been in us. I think it's just about unearthing it. I think it's in every baby, every kid. It's like when you're on the sled careening down a hill in that total, when you're just free or when you're on the swings. And I feel like what happens is we get older, is like Joy gets kind of pounded out of us as if it's a luxury.

Get serious, get your work done. Let's tend to things that are necessary and we'll get to Joy later. That's for vacations. And really we need it because, I mean, Bob, just to be functioning humans in this world. Like we're here to marvel. We're here to look around and see what's here and what's available. The idea that we are working ourselves to the bone from the minute we wake up, to the minute we tip over after we tuck our kids in, and then we do it again and again and again.

I can't imagine that's what life is. And joy is like, joy is like an inside job. It's like happiness is going to the club or going to the movies or being at a concert. Like that's all happy stuff and it's all based on something outside of you.

Circumstance or where you go or what you do. But joy is something that's inside. You open your eyes in the morning and you look around and you say, yeah, man, this is where I'm meant to be. This is who I'm supposed to be with. This is the place I'm supposed to be.