Oprah & Will Guidara, The Remarkable Power of Giving People More Than They Expect

The Oprah Podcast

Harpo

Society & Culture

4.2 • 1.5K Ratings

🗓️ 4 November 2025

⏱️ 51 minutes

🔗️ Recording | iTunes | RSS

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Summary

Oprah talks with world-renowned restaurateur Will Guidara about his New York Times bestselling book, Unreasonable Hospitality that has sold over 1 million copies. Will’s abiding belief is that focusing on providing excellent service to others can transform not only your business, but your entire life. Recorded with a live audience in New York City, this episode also features Will’s longtime friend and mentor, Chef Daniel Boulud of New York’s legendary restaurant Daniel. Presented by Walmart, this podcast is an invitation to use your unique gifts and talent to elevate the lives of those around you. You can find Will’s book, Unreasonable Hospitality, at Walmart.com. Will’s upcoming book Unreasonable Hospitality: The Field Guide is also available for preorder. BUY THE BOOK! Unreasonable Hospitality: The Remarkable Power of Giving People More Than They Expect, published by Optimism Press and written by Will Guidara, is available wherever books are sold. Unreasonable Hospitality: The Field Guide is available for preorder. Unreasonable Hospitality: https://www.walmart.com/ip/Unreasonable-Hospitality-The-Remarkable-Power-of-Giving-People-More-Than-They-Expect-Hardcover-9780593418574/319309554 00:00:00 - Welcome Will Guidara, author of ‘Unreasonable Hospitality’ 00:03:35 - Handling last place at the World’s 50 Best Restaurants 00:07:45 - Setting the goal to become No. 1 00:08:45 - Will’s first fine dining experience 00:13:46 - The impact we have on others 00:16:30 - Living with intention 00:18:09 - The nobility of service 00:20:50 - Meeting Chef Daniel Boulud 00:23:00 - Taking his father to Daniel’s after his mother’s passing 00:25:19 - Chef Daniel Boulud 00:27:45 - What Chef Boulud learned from Will 00:31:30 - Examples of unreasonable hospitality 00:35:20 - Caring for difficult people 00:36:45 - The charitable assumption 00:41:20 - Mindsets and practices 00:43:40 - Oprah and Will have this in common 00:45:00 - The best gift Will ever received SHOP THE SET Better Homes & Garden Ezra Accent Chair: https://www.walmart.com/ip/Better-Homes-Gardens-Ezra-Accent-Chair-Olive-Green/6832971398?classType=VARIANT&athbdg=L1300&from=/search&wmlspartner=wlpa&cn=FY25-ENTP-PMAX_cnv_dps_dsn_dis_ad_entp_e_n&adid=22222222297_0000000000_21407473164&veh=sem&vtcWeb=eviaA8Ad89fe38QBUyb9gE&expiryTime=1756505947449&c=mWebSmartBanner Better Homes & Garden Miller Drum End Table: https://www.walmart.com/ip/Better-Homes-Gardens-Essentials-End-Table-Walnut/13665865382 Follow Oprah Winfrey on Social: https://www.instagram.com/oprahpodcast/ https://www.facebook.com/oprahwinfrey/ Listen to the full podcast: https://open.spotify.com/show/0tEVrfNp92a7lbjDe6GMLI https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-oprah-podcast/id1782960381 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Transcript

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0:00.0	This episode of the Oprah podcast is presented by Walmart.
0:04.4	I ran outside of the hot dog cart, bought a hot dog, ran back into the kitchen,
0:08.7	then came the hard part, convincing my chef to serve it.
0:13.3	And then before their final savory course,
0:15.6	I brought out what we in New York called a dirty water dog to the table.
0:20.1	And they freaked out.
0:30.2	Hi there.
0:31.0	It's great to be with you all here on the Oprah podcast.
0:33.9	We are stepping out of my tea house for a little change of pace. We're in New York City.
0:42.5	New York City. With an audience of our listeners, it is so fun to be with you all. I'm so glad
0:52.6	you're enjoying the podcast.
0:56.2	People stop me on the street and tell me about it.
0:57.5	I talk to a lot of people.
1:02.7	And sometimes when I interview really smart or successful people,
1:06.0	I will ask them this question,
1:08.7	what is the book that you think everybody should be reading?
1:12.0	A book that we can actually learn from because I still love learning new things and sharing the lessons that I learned with all of you all. So
1:17.0	when I asked that question recently, the same book kept coming up. Your book, Will.
1:26.0	Thank you. Your book. Thank you.
1:30.8	So I did a podcast recently with Melody Hapson, and I said, what is the book?
1:34.3	And she said, well, have you read Unreasonable Hospitality?
1:36.9	I said, no, I haven't read it.
	...

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