Hoda Kotb Reflects on Leaving Today: “I Miss the Instant Daily Connection”

Months after stepping away from her daily co-anchor role on Today, Hoda Kotb is opening up about the part of her former life that still tugs at her heart—the irreplaceable, everyday bond she shared with her colleagues.

Now 60, the beloved NBC broadcaster made the tough decision earlier this year to step back from the morning show to spend more time with her daughters, Haley, 8, and Hope, 6. Though she’s embraced a new chapter focused on family and launching her wellness brand, Joy 101, Kotb admits she’s still adjusting to the silence left behind by leaving the Today studio.

In a heartfelt interview with People, Kotb reflected on what she misses most: “I just had coffee with Savannah [Guthrie] a little more than a week ago and we sat across from each other and, in that one hour, we laughed, we cried, we held hands… And she asked me, ‘Tell me what it’s like on the other side.’ And I said, ‘I’ll tell you what I miss: I miss this.’”

She added, “I miss walking in a room and having an instant daily connection that you don’t have to put on a calendar. I saw Savannah and Jenna [Bush Hager] every day, without fail, and we shared our lives. It’s not the work part I miss most—it’s the bond. That’s what leaves an empty space.”

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A Quiet Morning and a Loud Realization

Kotb, who joined Today in 2008 and became a full-time co-anchor in 2018, stepped down from her daily post in early 2025 after nearly two decades with the network. Her decision came amid a deeply personal priority shift.

“On the very first day [after leaving], I was scribbling in my journal and feeling a little off,” she said. “There was a big, huge, full moon and it was so bright in my office, it was like a light was on. I still remember looking up and Haley scampered down the stairs and jumped in my lap. She looked at me and said, ‘You really are here.’ It was really, really beautiful.”

Though the slower pace of life has brought peace and purpose, it’s also highlighted the emotional gaps left by the professional world she stepped away from.

A Mother’s Mission

One of the most powerful motivators behind Kotb’s departure was her daughter Hope’s health. Earlier this week, Kotb shared publicly for the first time that Hope had been diagnosed with type 1 diabetes.

“It definitely weighed in,” she admitted, though she clarified it wasn’t the sole reason for her exit. “As anyone with a child who has Type 1 [knows], especially a little kid, you’re constantly watching, constantly monitoring, constantly checking. I was doing that all the time when I was at Today. You’re distracted.”

Kotb added, “You get a priority check in your life. I can be at work sweating about what’s happening to Hope, or I can be there and feel relief because I can see. And that’s what made the decision easier.”

Despite the gravity of her daughter’s diagnosis, Kotb emphasized how “normal” Hope’s life remains most of the time. “She’s fine for most of the day,” she said. “There are just moments where you have to watch her. Five minutes at breakfast, five minutes at lunch, five minutes at dinner, sometimes overnight. Add that up, that’s a half-hour. So for 23 and a half hours, she’s every other kid.”

A Future with Purpose

Though no longer seen every morning by millions of Americans, Kotb hasn’t left public life. She’s now channeling her energy into Joy 101, a new wellness initiative she’s described as “a retreat in your pocket.” The brand includes an interactive app, wellness courses, guided meditations, and events focused on building community, peace, and happiness.

In the coming months, Joy 101 will host virtual chats called “Hoda’s Happiness Hour” and plans to launch its first live event, Joy Fest, in the spring of 2026.

It’s a pivot that perfectly reflects Kotb’s evolution—one that doesn’t abandon her love for storytelling or connection but simply reshapes it in a way that fits her new life.

Still a Part of the NBC Family

Despite the shift, Kotb’s bond with her Today family remains as strong as ever. During her surprise return to the show last week, where she guest-hosted Today with Jenna & Friends and joined Savannah Guthrie and Craig Melvin for a segment, her appearance was met with joy and nostalgia.

The reunion was emotional, with Jenna Bush Hager tearfully sharing, “I miss you, and I’m so happy for you,” while Hoda responded with the sentiment that being next to Jenna “feels like breathing to me.”

Kotb has made it clear that if she were ever to return to daily television, it would only be at Today. “Do you think, if I ever came back to TV, do you know where the only place I would ever come back to is?” she said during her visit. “Right here.”

The Gift of Presence

More than anything, Kotb’s journey in 2025 has been about presence—choosing to be fully engaged as a mother, as a friend, and as a human being navigating a new phase of life.

And while she may miss the daily rituals and rhythms of morning television, her reflections—and her new mission—make it clear: this isn’t the end of Hoda Kotb’s story. It’s a new chapter with even deeper meaning.

As she put it so simply and movingly: “I just want to be here. Fully here.”