Podcast Summary: Joy Episode Featuring Kathie Lee Gifford
Podcast Information:
- Title: Joy, a Podcast
- Host: Craig Ferguson
- Produced by: iHeartPodcasts
- Episode: Kathie Lee Gifford
- Release Date: January 7, 2025
Introduction
In this heartfelt episode of Joy, host Craig Ferguson engages in a profound and candid conversation with Kathie Lee Gifford, a beloved American television personality and singer. The discussion delves deep into the essence of joy, exploring how personal faith, overcoming adversity, and maintaining meaningful relationships contribute to a fulfilling life.
Faith and Personal Journey
Kathie Lee Gifford opens up about her spiritual journey, highlighting the pivotal moments that shaped her faith. She recounts a childhood dream where she "looked up and there was Jesus sitting on a cloud" (17:15), which solidified her belief in a personal relationship with God rather than adherence to organized religion.
Craig Ferguson probes into Kathie Lee's unwavering faith, especially during challenging times. She shares the profound impact of her late husband Frank Gifford's battle with Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy (CTE):
"There was total peace in me. There was no anxiety in me. There was total peace in me. There was no anxiety in me." (31:40)
Kathie Lee emphasizes that her faith in God provided her with strength and joy amidst grief and loss.
Overcoming Adversity through Faith
The conversation takes a poignant turn as Kathie Lee discusses the passing of her husband Frank Gifford. She describes the moment Frank weighed himself on a scale, maintaining his favorite weight despite suffering from CTE:
"I heard him get on his scale, which he did every day, and it said, 'You, weight is 178 pounds.' And I remember thinking, oh, it's gonna be a good day." (07:46)
Kathie Lee attributes her ability to find joy and peace during Frank's final moments to her deep-rooted faith:
"I hear that prayer you sent up there about, 'Lord, help us not to be naughty.' I think that in a hurtful way. Yeah. I just think I... Mean, I'd love." (02:30)
Views on Cancel Culture and Open Dialogue
Kathie Lee expresses her thoughts on cancel culture, advocating for open conversations and understanding diverse perspectives. She believes that respectful disagreement and honest discussions are essential for personal growth and societal harmony:
"We have people who are fallen from grace. God's grace is forever. But they chose to walk away from God Almighty and try to be God. That's never gonna work out in anybody's life." (56:05)
Craig and Kathie Lee discuss the generational differences in attitudes towards cancel culture, with Kathie Lee emphasizing the importance of forgiveness and prayer in overcoming societal conflicts.
Integrating Faith with Everyday Life
Kathie Lee shares her initiative to launch a skin care line inspired by biblical botanicals, merging her faith with entrepreneurial endeavors:
"If it were 2000 years ago for the greatest seductress of all time, Cleopatra, why would it not work for me and for you?" (16:37)
She explains how studying ancient scriptures informed the creation of her products, highlighting the harmony between faith-based knowledge and modern science.
Forgiveness and Reconciliation
A significant portion of the episode focuses on Kathie Lee's remarkable capacity to forgive. She recounts her interactions with Howard Stern, who had previously criticized her:
"He was speechless. And I put my hand out to him and said, 'Hi, Kathie Lee. I think it's about time we meet, don't you think?'" (61:20)
Kathie Lee narrates how she prayed for Howard Stern despite his harsh remarks and later received his sincere apology. Her immediate forgiveness underscores her belief in the transformative power of compassion and faith:
"The way I was able to forgive Frank was that the minute I knew it was true. Cause I believed him when he said it didn't happen. I had no reason not to, because my husband stood by me through the sweatshop stuff." (57:18)
Balancing Faith and Science
Kathie Lee passionately discusses the compatibility of faith and science, dispelling the notion that they are inherently conflicting. She articulates how understanding the mathematical perfection of the universe aligns with her belief in a sovereign God:
"Science lives exactly alongside faith. When you know what the faith is based on and what it really says there is, it's perfect." (51:31)
Craig Ferguson and Kathie Lee explore how scientific knowledge can deepen one's spiritual understanding, reinforcing the idea that both realms offer complementary insights into the nature of existence.
The Essence of Joy
Throughout the episode, the central theme revolves around the concept of joy. Kathie Lee defines joy as a non-negotiable attribute derived from a deep relationship with God:
"My joy is non negotiable. I'll know... when you and I were doing our movie together, then came new... He said, 'Your joy. Don't let anybody mess with your joy, Kathy.'" (53:29)
She emphasizes that true joy stems from recognizing one's identity as a child of the living God, fostering resilience and positivity even in the face of life's tribulations.
Conclusion
In this inspiring episode of Joy, Kathie Lee Gifford exemplifies how unwavering faith, coupled with forgiveness and a positive outlook, can cultivate lasting joy. Her stories of overcoming personal and professional challenges serve as a testament to the power of spiritual strength and compassionate living. Craig Ferguson's thoughtful questions and Kathie Lee's candid responses offer listeners valuable insights into finding joy amidst life's complexities.
Notable Quotes with Timestamps
-
Kathie Lee Gifford:
- "I went to bed last night with the biggest smile on my face... I get to see my... my Howard. Yeah. My Craig tomorrow." (01:29)
- "There was total peace in me. There was no anxiety in me." (31:40)
- "The joy of the Lord is your strength." (53:09)
- "My joy is non negotiable... I'll know, when you and I were doing our movie together..." (53:29)
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Craig Ferguson:
Timestamp Guide:
- 01:29: Introduction of Kathie Lee Gifford
- 02:30: Discussing prayer and feeling peace
- 07:46: Recalling Frank Gifford's daily routine
- 16:37: Introduction of skin care line
- 17:15: Childhood dream of Jesus
- 28:16: Views on cancel culture
- 31:40: Finding peace during Frank's passing
- 41:43: Discussing forgiveness and Crawford's questions
- 51:31: Balancing faith and science
- 53:09: Mantra about joy
- 53:29: Emphasizing non-negotiable joy
- 56:00: Overcoming lies and betrayal
- 57:18: Immediate forgiveness of Frank
- 61:20: Interaction with Howard Stern
This episode of Joy offers a compelling exploration of how personal faith and the pursuit of happiness intertwine, providing listeners with both inspiration and practical insights into cultivating joy in their own lives.