When my co-host, Chanel Jones set out to write her debut book through mom's eyes,

her goal was to expand the way we think about motherhood by telling the stories of women

behind some of the most influential figures in our culture. The result is a

powerful, deeply human collection that reframes parenting, legacy, and identity through a literary

lens. Over the course of seven years, Chanel interviewed the mothers of icons like Lady Gaga,

Stefan Curry, and Matthew McConaughey, building a body of work that brings fresh voices

into focus. With the book's release on April 14th, she weaves these conversations with

their own deeply personal story, including navigating grief after the loss of her husband,

Uche, adding a profound emotional depth to the project.

In today's conversation, we explore vulnerability, resilience, and the stories that shape us,

both as parents and as people.

I hope you'll enjoy my conversation with my dear friend and colleague, Chanel Jones.

I'm Jenna Bush-Hager, and this is my podcast, Open Book.

Chanel, we are on the eve of a project that has been almost a decade in the making.

That's true.

Seven years of sitting with mothers talking about all of their best practices, learning from their spirits.

Like, could you, seven years ago, could you imagine this day?

No. I remember when I came up with the idea and we decided to maybe ask Libby, our boss,

and I said, I would just do it on, like, digital. Like, you know, it doesn't have to be on television. It's just a passion project of mine. And they said, okay. And then I said, I would just do it on, like, digital. Like, you know, it doesn't have to be on television.

It's just a passion project of mine.

And they said, okay.

And then I said, okay, well, I would need a producer. And so I went and asked a producer if she would just come with me on the side. So we just did it quietly. It wasn't part of the fabric of the Today Show by any means. But once I sat down on Sonia Curry's couch,

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