I Jumped at the Chance to Interview Joan Lunden—Here’s What She Taught Me About Life (Exclusive)
Our conversation felt like chatting with a kindred spirit, and her words are sure to inspire you too!
I personally jumped at the chance to write this week’s cover story (get your copy of the magazine here!). My interview with Joan Lunden wasn’t going to be about headlines or sound bites—it was about what matters after decades in the spotlight. We bonded instantly over so many shared threads: decades in this ever-changing business, a deep love of storytelling, motherhood—and yes, twins.
Joan has two sets (I bow down) while I have one. Add in our shared enthusiasm for the University of Michigan (her son Jack recently went there to play football; I’m a proud alum). It felt like a chat between kindred spirits. Joan’s latest memoir JOAN: Life Beyond the Script is filled with stories— big, bold, behind-the-scenes moments from a remarkable career—but what struck me most were the stories she shared that aren’t all on the page.
For more than an hour, we talked about purpose: how it shifts, deepens and renews itself after decades of work, reinvention and resilience. As her daughter Jamie sat nearby and her goldendoodle Bentley hopped on and off the sofa at will, Joan spoke candidly about what it means to celebrate life at every age.
After her photo shoot—for which she shopped for her own clothes (way to keep it real, my friend!)—Joan welcomed me into her home office, where leaning towers of books, framed magazine covers, treasured photos and mementos from interviewing presidents, embedding with the military and connecting with Americans from all walks of life tell the story of a woman who never stopped saying, “Yes!”
Fun fact: Joan is a puzzle enthusiast—and always has one in progress on the puzzle table in the corner. At 75, Joan Lunden is still asking questions, still telling stories, still inspiring. Talking with her reminded me why I love this work—and why conversations about what truly matters are worth savoring.
This story first appeared in the March 9, 2026, issue of Woman’s World magazine.
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