I had the absolute joy of attending a keynote with Hoda Kotb, and wow—what an incredible storyteller and human being. Her talk was filled with laughter, heart, and wisdom from her remarkable journey. Here are some of the biggest takeaways that stayed with me.

1. You Only Need One Person to Believe in You

When Hoda was starting out in journalism, she faced 27 rejections before one person—Stan Sandroni in Greenville, Mississippi—gave her a chance. That single “yes” changed everything. Her advice? You only need one person to love you!
And a bonus tip: Always bring a blazer to work—because you never know when opportunity will strike. (In her case, the main anchor got sick, and suddenly she was on air!)

2. Life Can Change in an Instant

After being diagnosed with breast cancer, Hoda learned how fragile and precious life really is. A chance encounter on a plane with a stranger helped her reframe her diagnosis.
He told her: “Don’t hog your journey—it’s not just for you.”
That conversation helped her realize that her story could help others. She says it gave her the courage to embrace change—including leaving her marriage—and start truly living.

3. A Stranger Can Change the Course of Your Life

That same plane conversation became one of her guiding principles: A stranger can change your life. Sometimes wisdom and perspective show up when we least expect them.

4. Magic Happens When It’s Real

When Hoda began cohosting with Kathie Lee Gifford, she was the responsible one—always with notes in hand. One day, Kathie Lee told her to throw them out.
Hoda panicked, but the result was pure magic. “Magic happens when it’s real.”

5. Teachers Are Everywhere

Hoda shared stories of people who inspired her deeply:

• Viola Davis, who grew up in poverty and turned her pain into purpose. “Where you start has no impact on where you finish.”

• Shania Twain, who rose from hardship and loss to inspire millions through her music.

• Sara Blakely, who founded Spanx from her apartment with $5,000 and a lot of hustle. Her mantra: “Show up.”

• Sheryl Lee Ralph, who won her first Emmy at 61—proof that it really does get greater later.

• Even Abraham Lincoln, who faced failure after failure but always got back up: “It was a slip, not a fall.”

6. Find Your Purpose

Hoda told a powerful story about Ken Behring, a man who had everything—money, cars, even an NFL team—but felt empty. Then he helped deliver wheelchairs to people in Bosnia, and one man told him, “I want to memorize your face so I can recognize you in heaven.”
That’s when he found true purpose. Hoda’s message: Joy comes from purpose, not possessions.

7. It Gets Greater Later

Hoda didn’t win her first Emmy until her 50s—and she didn’t become a mom until then either. Inspired by seeing Sandra Bullock adopt later in life, she decided to speak her dream out loud.
Not long after, she got the call: “She’s here.” That was her daughter, Haley.
Her lesson: Your blessings are still arriving—right on time.

8. Time to Find Another Tree

When Maria Shriver asked her to list what really mattered, it made Hoda rethink what she wanted next. Watching her daughter climb a tree, she realized it was time to do the same—to find another tree.
It’s never too late to start again.

9. The Joy of Being a Beginner

Hoda shared how exploring meditation, breathwork, and wellness opened up a new world for her. She’s now channeling that energy into a new wellness app called “Joy 101.”
Her takeaway: It’s so much fun to be a beginner again.

10. The Thing About Wednesdays

To close, Hoda talked about a conversation with singer Walker Hayes. Life, she said, is full of exclamation points—births, weddings, milestones—but most of it is just “Wednesdays.”
Ordinary, simple, beautiful Wednesdays.
Hayes turned that idea into a song called “Wednesdays,” which she played for the audience. Because in the end, those ordinary days are the ones that make up a beautiful life.

Final Thoughts

Hoda’s keynote was a reminder that life’s biggest lessons often come from the smallest moments—from strangers, setbacks, and quiet Wednesdays. Her story is living proof that joy, love, and purpose can bloom at any stage of life.