Hoda Kotb was co-anchor of the morning Today show on NBC News from 2018 to 2025. In 2025 she published an uplifting book titled Jump and Find Joy: Embracing change in every season of life. There is a preview at Google Books. This book is divided into five parts, each with chapters starting on the pages shown:
Part 1: A Jumping-off Point 1
Moved to Make a Change 3
Your First Leap Won’t Be Your Last 14
Think Before You Jump 20
It May Not Be Broken, But It May Not Be Working 26
Don’t Be Afraid to Change Your Story 37
Helpful Tips and Tools 44
Part 2: Leap of Faith 47
A Second Chance to Make a First Impression 49
I Never Want to Wonder What If? 57
Surrendering Control 71
Those Four Fabulous Words 75
Don’t Hog Your Journey 82
Baring It All 91
Letting Love In 98
Making Space for a Leap of Faith 102
Helpful Tips and Tools 113
Part 3: Hop, Skip, and a Jump 115
Today’s the Day 119
Sink or Swim 123
Sweet Soul 129
Finally, Yes 132
Take a Deep Breath 141
Face-to-Face 147
Share the Load 150
Forward 159
Helpful Tips and Tools 165
Part 4: Jump in with Both Feet 167
Finding My Spark
Finding Time for Transformation 180
The Pandemic Push 196
Lead with Love 199
Get Growing 209
Helpful Tips and Tools 220
Part 5: Jump for Joy 221
Room to Grow 223
Turning Sixty and Turning the Page 237
Breaking Up Is Hard to Do 247
With Love 253
My Next Big Jump 255
The Day After Today 262
Walking the Walk 265
Helpful Tips and Tools 268
Conclusion 271
There are a total of 32 biographical Jumpstarts, including Anne Lamott, Bette Midler, Chip Conley, Ally Love, Thomas Rhett, Mel Robbins, etc. She has three Helpful Tips and Tools on page 113:
“ 1] Treat books I’ve already read – and loved – as a touchstone when I’m feeling a bit lost. The Book of Awakening by Mark Nepo is one of my favorites. It includes bite-size nuggets of wisdom you can read each morning to set a positive tone for the day. I find that a good read offers another voice, which is helpful when the one in our head is driving us crazy. (If I need some title ideas, I’ll search the go-to books of people I admire. What are they reading?)
2] I’ve discovered the power of sixty minutes. When my brain is spinning and my body is dragging, I’ll shut myself down for an hour. I close the door to my office, turn off all of my devices, and just sit quietly. I need to recharge! Sometimes it takes the entire time just to feel an ounce of peace, but I never regret it. Carving out that time for yourself is the juice you need to keep pushing forward.
3] Get curious. As you move toward the new direction you’ve chosen listen and learn. What can the people who’ve already arrived where you want to be teach you? I love to explore podcasts, TED talks, and commencement addresses for the motivation and information I need. Just search the curated list of topics, for example, ‘Find me a TED talk about opening a bakery.’ So fun!”
And there are more Helpful Tips and Tools on page 165:
“Even little hops and jumps require encouragement. Go, me! I love listening to music for so many reasons, but I’ll always turn to it when I need a quick boost. After all, a song is only about three minutes long! Here are some of my favorites.
(How about making a playlist just for jumping? ‘Songs That Launch Me Higher.’)
I find this song so reassuring and uplifting. It reminds us that no matter what happens, the world and you are going to be just fine.
2] ‘May You Find a Light’ – The Brilliance
The music in this song is so ethereal and soothing, and the lyrics transport you to a place where you feel safe and grounded. You’re home.
3] ‘Rainbow Connection’ – Paul Williams and Kenneth Ascher
What’s more comforting than Kermit the Frog singing? His message is for dreamers and lovers and anyone with hope in their heart: wishes do come true when we believe in ourselves! (I love this song , too, because anything with rainbows reminds me of my Hopey.)”
An image of a girl jumping for joy was adapted from OpenClipArt.
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