Naomi Watts on Change, Courage and Becoming Who She’s Meant to Be (November 2025)

Summary

Podcast Summary: Making Space with Hoda Kotb
Episode: Naomi Watts on Change, Courage and Becoming Who She’s Meant to Be
Release Date: March 25, 2026

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Episode Overview

In this intimate and uplifting conversation, Hoda Kotb sits down with acclaimed actress Naomi Watts to explore her journey of adapting to change, overcoming personal and professional challenges, and redefining success—especially as she faces the realities and stigma of aging in Hollywood. Watts opens up about her nomadic childhood, the early loss of her father, career struggles and breakthroughs, her advocacy for more open conversations around menopause, and her new ventures, including a beauty brand and a book. The episode is a celebration of resilience, evolving identity, and the power of women supporting women at every stage of life.

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Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. The “Season” Naomi Watts Is In Now

[02:36-03:37]

• Watts reflects on her current life stage, managing a multitude of responsibilities: launching new projects, sending her eldest to college, supporting aging parents, and maintaining her well-being.
• Quote: “We’re managing all kinds of things at this point, in our 50s... you have to accept that you need support.” (Naomi Watts, 02:44)

2. Learning Adaptability and Resilience

[04:22-06:13]

• Watts recounts her childhood moving across England and Australia, constantly adapting to new environments and cultures.
• She describes the challenges of fitting in, finding her people, and dealing with loneliness, especially after moving to Australia at 14.

Quote:
“I think it was a great learning in that I did know how to adapt to different environments” (Naomi Watts, 05:57)

3. Childhood Grief and Its Impact

[06:13-08:04]

• Losing her father at age 7, Watts says there were no instructions for processing grief; she simply learned as she went.
• She connects her experience of loss to the recurring themes of grief and identity in her film roles.
• Quote: “If I was to go through my IMDb list… you could probably see a common thread. There’s a lot of grief in the stories… Also, identity is a big theme that shows up throughout my work.” (Naomi Watts, 06:29)

4. Being Raised by Strong Women

[08:05-09:01]

• Raised mostly by her mother and grandmother, both described as “powerhouses.”
• Watts’ Australian grandmother instilled a strong work ethic, pushing her to “get up, give up, go, go, go, go, go.”
• Quote: “I’m naturally drawn to strong women... She was always like, making us work hard.” (Naomi Watts, 08:26)

5. Discovering a Love of Acting

[09:10-10:18]

• Watching her mother perform in “My Fair Lady” at age five, Watts was mesmerized by the world of make believe.
• The moment had a transformative impact on her aspirations.
• Quote: “I just remember feeling transported into this world of make believe. Like, oh, wow, that’s something... I just knew.” (Naomi Watts, 09:44)

6. Navigating Rejection and Hollywood’s Toughness

[10:18-11:36]

• Watts discusses the personal toll of repeated industry rejections and being labeled “not funny, not sexy, too old, too intense…”
• Her resilience was gradually built through necessity and a love for acting.
• Quote: “Anyone who’s entering this business, it feels personal sometimes... wounds to the heart.” (Naomi Watts, 10:35)

7. Career Breakthrough and Ageism

[11:36-12:40]

• Her major break came at 33 with Mulholland Drive, after years of being overlooked.
• Even after her breakthrough, Watts faced ageism—often told she was “too old.”
• Quote: “Making it better by opening up the conversation and saying, this is who I am. Can you deal with it? Because I’d like to still be here. Thanks.” (Naomi Watts, 12:18)

8. Destigmatizing Menopause and Women’s Health

[12:40-14:47]

• Watts becomes a vocal advocate for speaking openly about menopause and perimenopause.
• She shares the initial fear this might be “career suicide,” but instead found support and validation.
• Quote: “I had moments where I thought this could be a terrible idea. It could be career suicide. I could be branding myself as the old lady… But it turns out nobody poo pooed it in the end.” (Naomi Watts, 13:22 & 14:10)
• They discuss how half the population will go through menopause and the importance of open conversation.

9. New Acting Projects and Women Supporting Women

[16:58-17:30]

• Watts is starring in All’s Fair, an ensemble TV drama about divorce lawyers, alongside a high-profile, all-female cast.
• She and Hoda discuss the surge of women in prominent, powerful industry roles and the strength that comes with experience.
• Quote: “Yeah, we’re doing incredible things... We’re driving the boat. We’re the ones in charge.” (Hoda Kotb, 17:51-17:56)

10. Love and “Late Blooming”

[18:28-19:09]

• Watts reflects on finding love later in life, embracing personal timelines that don’t match societal expectations.
• Quote: “It’s never too late, by the way. Never too late.” (Naomi Watts, 18:44)

11. Writing a Book about Menopause

[19:10-20:42]

• Watts describes her new book as “the handbook I wish I’d had,” written after years of confusion and frustration.
• It combines her story with conversations with experts and aims to be accessible, humorous, and informative.
• Quote: “Basically, it’s conversations with doctors, experts, and other women and me telling my own story infused with humor and facts.” (Naomi Watts, 19:50)

12. Fertility, Menopause, and Motherhood Journey

[20:48-21:52]

• Watts learned at 36 she was close to menopause and struggled with infertility, not a typical candidate for IVF.
• Eventually, she became pregnant, attributing it to perseverance and “two random eggs left over.”
• Quote: “I tried lots of different things. Ultimately... I had two random eggs left over. And, yeah, I just kept trying…” (Naomi Watts, 21:24)

13. Stripes Beauty—Empowering Women in Aging

[23:42-25:32]

• Watts launched Stripes Beauty to address midlife skin and health needs—advocating for products that respect and empower women rather than anti-aging promises.
• Focus is on community, education, and celebration of earned experience.
• Quote: “This woman should feel like she’s earned her stripes.” (Naomi Watts, 25:23)

14. Making Space for Yourself

[25:32-27:04]

• If given a day to herself, Watts would sleep in, enjoy coffee in bed, spend time with family, exercise, savor good food, walk in nature, and have dinner with friends.
• Prefers an early bedtime.
• Quote: “I love an early to bed, early rise.” (Naomi Watts, 27:04)

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “We’re managing all kinds of things at this point... but we do know how to navigate it. We need to accept that we need support.” – Naomi Watts [02:44]
• “If I was to go through my IMDb list… you could probably see a common thread. There’s a lot of grief… and also, identity is a big theme.” – Naomi Watts [06:29]
• “Anyone who’s entering this business, it feels personal sometimes... wounds to the heart.” – Naomi Watts [10:35]
• “I had moments where I thought this could be a terrible idea. It could be career suicide... But it turns out nobody poo pooed it in the end.” – Naomi Watts [13:22, 14:10]
• “It’s never too late, by the way. Never too late.” – Naomi Watts [18:44]
• “This woman should feel like she’s earned her stripes.” – Naomi Watts [25:23]
• “We’re driving the boat. We’re the ones in charge. I feel like we’ve come a long, long way.” – Hoda Kotb [17:51-17:56]
• “I love an early to bed, early rise.” – Naomi Watts [27:04]

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Timestamps for Important Segments

• [02:44] — Naomi Watts describes her current season of life
• [04:44] — How a nomadic childhood shaped her adaptability
• [06:13] — On losing her father and processing childhood grief
• [08:26] — Memories of her strong grandmother and work ethic
• [09:44] — Discovering love for acting watching her mother on stage
• [10:35] — Experiences with rejection and building resilience
• [11:39] — Career breakthrough with Mulholland Drive
• [12:18] — Facing and addressing Hollywood ageism
• [13:22] — Deciding to speak publicly about menopause
• [16:58] — New projects: All’s Fair and representation of strong women
• [18:44] — Reflections on finding love as a “late bloomer”
• [19:50] — Writing her book: a guide for menopause
• [21:24] — Fertility struggles and becoming a mother
• [23:44] — Launching Stripes Beauty and empowering aging women
• [25:58] — Naomi's ideal “making space for herself” day

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Thematic Takeaways

• Strength in Vulnerability: Watts draws confidence from being open about age, loss, and her body’s changes, revealing that true resilience comes from authenticity.
• Community of Women: The importance of women supporting one another—whether through family bonds, friendship, or industry collaboration—is a recurring theme.
• Changing the Narrative: By challenging ageism and secrecy around menopause, Watts reclaims the narrative for women in midlife and beyond.

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For more inspiring conversations about growth and making space for yourself, follow Making Space with Hoda Kotb on your podcast platform of choice.

Transcript

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[Hoda Kotb]

What happens when the world tells you you're too old and you decide not to listen? Well, my guest today has spent her life proving that voices of doubt do not define us. Naomi Watts is a powerhouse, but her journey was far from easy. Born into a creative family, her father an audio engineer for Pink Floyd, her mother a costume and set designer, she grew up reinventing herself again and again, adjusting to her family's nomadic life across England and Australia. Once in Hollywood, it took years to find her stride. And when success finally did arrive in her 30s with Mulholland Drive, it was followed almost immediately by ageism. Offscreen, she faced challenges just as profound. Infertility, perimenopause, and the pressure to stay silent. But Naomi turned her truth into courage, speaking out to inspire women and launching Stripes Beauty to change the conversation around aging. Now at 57, she's shining brighter than ever, married to her perfect match, thriving professionally, and showing the world that success and strength have no expiration date. I'm Hoda Kotb. Welcome to my podcast, Making Space. I'm so happy to be sitting with you today.

[Naomi Watts]

Thanks for having me, Hoda.

[Hoda Kotb]

Good to see you. So we've been through many seasons in life, different seasons. How would you describe the one you're in right now?

[Naomi Watts]

Oh, what a great question. It's a lot, I'm not gonna lie. We're managing all kinds of things at this point, in our 50s. And you know, I've just dropped my eldest off to college that was, you know, emotionally charged, scary for all, but it went. It couldn't have gone better, actually. And pressures in the workplace, meaning, you know, like, lots of responsibility, you know, you've taken on a lot. We've learned a lot in our. In our years, and that can be so wonderful, but it does come with pressure as well. And also, you know, parents are getting older, and there's just a lot. But we do know how to navigate it. We need to accept that. We need support.

[Hoda Kotb]

You've got a new acting project coming up. You've got all kinds of balls in the air. How do you.

[Naomi Watts]

Spinning plates. How do you work on it, as my husband calls it?

[Hoda Kotb]

How do you work on prioritizing, or how does that come to be?

[Naomi Watts]

Yeah, you have to compartmentalize. You know, when you're doing one thing, try to let the other things push them aside just for that moment. Make the time and space so that you can be focused and present. And it takes a lot. You need a team of people to help, you know, manage schedules and things like that. I'm lucky in that I love what I do. I really am, and I think you are, too. You know, we enjoy it, and there's good people around us, and we believe in what we're doing, and that's comforting.

[Hoda Kotb]

I was thinking about you, and I always look back to someone's childhood, someone who's very good at pivoting, adapting. And your childhood made total sense to me. When I read about it, I was like, okay, so you did have kind of a nomadic childhood.

[Naomi Watts]

Absolutely.

[Hoda Kotb]

Your dad worked with Pink Floyd and your mom was a costume designer. And what did that mean in terms of moving around?

[Naomi Watts]

It meant moving around different schools, different counties, all over England. And then a country swap. You know, we moved from England to Australia when I was 14 and my brother was 16, so absolutely needing to know how to reshape and adapt to new environments, new people.

[Hoda Kotb]

How did you do that? Cause as a teenager, or even as a. Especially as a little kid, and a teenager is even harder. What was your thing that you did so that you would fit into all these different environments?

[Naomi Watts]

No, it wasn't like a conscious thing. It just had to happen, you know, And I think I found my way into the. The right little section of people that I wanted to be around. But slowly, you know, I'd have to watch and learn how they. You know, what their rhythms were. But there were times where I felt very lonely and very much on the outside. And, you know, especially when I moved to Australia, that was a whole new thing. Like, I remember driving by the school that I was about to go to and seeing how the kids were dressed and, you know, having come from England where our skirts had to be below the knee and our socks were just under the knee, and, you know, it was. And then seeing these girls with, like, miniskirts and hairdos, what's going on here? It was a cultural shock. But, yeah, I think it was a great learning in that I did know how to adapt to different environments and

[Hoda Kotb]

to go through your life without your father. And my dad passed. I was in college, so I did have him for a lot of those kind of formative years. But for a little girl who I would imagine being seven, like, how did you process that? How did you.

[Naomi Watts]

I mean, again, there was no, like, instructions of how to manage grief or how to adapt. It was just I learned on the way, and I didn't really know how to even talk about it, but it was defining, and it is very much a part of who I am. And if I was to, you know, go through my IMDb list of all of the films I've done, you could probably see a common thread there. And there's a lot of grief in the stories that I've been part of. And also, identity is a big theme that shows up throughout my work. So those are things that I need to understand better and cope with. But, yeah, as an older woman seeing grief more, you know, as an adult now, I feel for that little girl, you know, like, I can't believe how she had to deal with that.

[Hoda Kotb]

And I think there are moments, like, I remembered it was like Father's Day or Father Daughter somethings or whatever those moments were where everyone seemed to have somebody.

[Naomi Watts]

Yeah.

[Hoda Kotb]

And you look around and you realize you're trying to be tough. Like, that's okay, that's okay, that's okay. Like, trying to navigate those times and

[Naomi Watts]

not even really having any strong memories of my father, which kind of makes that you feel like, well, who am I if I don't know who I am and where I come from?

[Hoda Kotb]

Who raised you?

[Naomi Watts]

Mostly my mom and also my grandmother, my mom's mom, who has left a lasting impact on me. She's no longer with us. I lost, actually, both my grandmothers last year, but they had long, expansive lives. One lived to 101 and one to 90.

[Hoda Kotb]

Wow.

[Naomi Watts]

And my Australian grandmother was a powerhouse. She was the matriarch of the family. My mom has two sisters, so I'm naturally drawn to strong women. Always love, you know, powerful women. And she was always like making us work hard. We were not allowed to sit around and read a book. I mean, I wish she had let me enjoy reading a bit more. But you know, there were goats to feed and chickens to clean out and you know, all of these things that had to be done. The children and you know, we were told, get up, give up, go, go, go, go, go, go.

[Hoda Kotb]

So the work ethic, we get where it came from. Yeah. The love of acting, when did that start? When did you think to yourself, do you remember, like when you were younger?

[Naomi Watts]

Yeah, but I didn't know that it was a job that I could ever have. I remember seeing my mom on stage when I was about five years old. I was in the front row with my grandmother. And it was. We lived in a small town, it was called the Shoreham Players. That every festive season, Easter, they would have like little skits or the whole play. And my mom was in this play, it was My Fair Lady. And I just remember looking at her in these costumes, beautiful costumes and talking in a funny voice and a wig and gliding across the stage and I was waving, trying to get my mom's attention. And of course she's being a professional and staying focused, but I kept going. So I guess she realized she had to just put an end to those distractions and gave me a little wink and a hand gesture. And instantly in that moment, I just remember feeling transported into this world of make believe. Like, oh, wow, that's something. That's something that is beautiful and I want to be a part of it. I just knew.

[Hoda Kotb]

And the industry's got all that beauty and it also is full of rejections and not you. And you're not good enough.

[Naomi Watts]

Oh yeah, plenty.

[Hoda Kotb]

For a tender hearted kid who, you know, pursues this career. How did you develop any kind of a thick skin or how thick of a skin did it take?

[Naomi Watts]

Yeah, I still don't think my skin is thick enough. Rejection is really hard. But yeah, you have to know anyone who's entering into this business, it feels personal sometimes. And I got a whole litany of different notes along the way. Whether it was like, not funny, not sexy, too old, too intense, too this, too that. And you're like, ah, wounds to the heart. It was a lot, but I guess practice, you just had to keep going.

[Hoda Kotb]

Why did you go back?

[Naomi Watts]

Well, I guess I didn't know what else to do. I knew that I loved this and I have resilience. Having had that, that we just sort of spoke about. It does grow and you get A little bit used to it, but it's okay to be sensitive. This is. I'm in the world of feelings, you know, we need to know how to feel so that people can see their stories reflected through my telling.

[Hoda Kotb]

Your big break came when you were 33, is that right? Yes.

[Naomi Watts]

Mulholland Drive changed everything. It launched at the Cannes Film Festival. I got a crazy good review that made every agent come after me suddenly. Ones that said, thanks, but no thanks previously. And all the directors obviously saw the great directors, saw David Lynch's new film at the time, and it really just changed the course forever.

[Hoda Kotb]

You brought up earlier ageism, like, in the rejection list of things. How did that play in your life? And how did you just. What do you do about that? Like, what do you do about that kind of criticism?

[Naomi Watts]

I think just own it, you know, call it what it is. We are all aging. It is a privilege, thankfully. You know, like I said, two grandmothers that lived such a long time just find out ways how to make it better. And I think making it better by opening up the conversation and saying, this is who I am. Can you deal with it? Because I'd like to still be here. Thanks.

[Hoda Kotb]

And by the way, 50% of the population is going through or will go through what we've all gone through or are going through.

[Naomi Watts]

Yeah, exactly.

[Hoda Kotb]

And so this became more than just a subject of discussion for you. You're, like, waving the flag. And I think someone had to do it. It was just like one of those things. I remember being on the set of the Today show dripping.

[Naomi Watts]

Oh, really?

[Hoda Kotb]

I was like, oh, my God.

[Naomi Watts]

And not being able to say and

[Hoda Kotb]

wanting to say, you know, what's going on here? But you're just like, give me a minute.

[Naomi Watts]

Yeah.

[Hoda Kotb]

You're just like, please go away. You're in the middle of talking about some serious stuff.

[Naomi Watts]

It's so dist. But all you can think about is like, is everybody else watching what's happening with me?

[Hoda Kotb]

Right. Am I dripping right here? So why did this become something that you decided to grab the horns on?

[Naomi Watts]

I felt like I had come into my industry pretty late, and I think I've been a late bloomer with almost everything, but I think I knew I loved what I do and I wanted to stick around. And what's wrong with it? It's just biology, just Nam. And like you said, half the population will go through it. If we're lucky enough to still be around, why can't we talk about it? And I had moments where I thought this could be a terrible idea. It could be career suicide. I could be branding myself as the old lady. Or maybe it'll be helpful to a few people and maybe it'll be helpful for me and maybe it'll elongate my career.

[Hoda Kotb]

Wow.

[Naomi Watts]

And it turns out nobody poo pooed it in the end.

[Hoda Kotb]

Isn't that funny?

[Naomi Watts]

People actually heralded it and because, yeah, the conversation needed to happen. It was the last one kind of left untouched, you know, and why shouldn't it be on the table with all the other awkward conversations right into the pile? Yeah, we need it. As women, we had to talk about our periods. We had to talk about fertility and breastfeeding and, you know, all of those things. Why can't we come together and figure out ways to better understand what is going on through, you know, this period of our lives?

[Hoda Kotb]

More with Naomi Watts after the break.

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Critics and audiences agree.

[Naomi Watts]

What the hell is this place?

[Movie Trailer Narrator]

Only three letters describe. They will kill you. Wtf? Splendid USA Today calls it bloody and bunkers.

[Naomi Watts]

Are you ready to die?

[Movie Trailer Narrator]

IGN declares it's a load. Electrifying action cinema and popcorn. Entertainment to the max.

[Naomi Watts]

How many of you are there?

[Movie Trailer Narrator]

It begs to be seen in a packed theater.

[Naomi Watts]

Please remember to clean up the blood.

[Ryan Reynolds]

Wow.

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[Hoda Kotb]

You've got a brand new project. It is called All's Fair. The cast is incredible. When I saw the list of everyone from Kim Kardashian to Sarah Paulson, Glenn

[Naomi Watts]

Close, Niecy Nash, Teyana Taylor, I mean, it's gotta be great, dynamic.

[Hoda Kotb]

What is this project?

[Naomi Watts]

This is about a team of women who are divorce lawyers. So you can imagine. Juicy.

[Hoda Kotb]

Is it? Comedy and drama. What is it?

[Naomi Watts]

Well, it's a bit of everything.

[Hoda Kotb]

Everything.

[Naomi Watts]

Yeah.

[Hoda Kotb]

Okay. It's gonna be a pop the popcorn kind of thing.

[Naomi Watts]

Women supporting women. But, you know, there's some bad behavior in there too.

[Hoda Kotb]

Well, there has to be. There has to be women. What does it feel like to be getting such cool roles? Like, I feel like I'm in the business of women who are. I'm 61. You're in your 50s. You know, Savannah's in her 50s, she's anchoring the show. Gayle turned 70, she's hosting CBS. Robin Roberts is in her 60s, she's hosting, like, look around.

[Naomi Watts]

Yeah, we're doing incredible things.

[Hoda Kotb]

We're running.

[Naomi Watts]

There's all this other stuff in the background.

[Hoda Kotb]

We're driving the boat. We're the ones in charge. I feel like we've come a long, long way. And I love that you're talking about that. This one subject of menopause and perimenopause. And over here you're like, I'm very busy. I've got another project cooking. There's a lot we can do.

[Naomi Watts]

Yeah, we are. We're experienced as well. Yeah. So don't think you can just get rid of us. You need us, by the way. The younger generation needs us.

[Hoda Kotb]

Yes.

[Naomi Watts]

So, yeah, it's absolutely about leaning into it, owning your story and. But yeah, it doesn't mean we don't need support.

[Hoda Kotb]

And you talk about being a late bloomer. You've had, you know, lots of varieties of loves in your life with your kids and your kid's father and Billy. Now this new season of love. How would you describe this season where you are in that aspect?

[Naomi Watts]

I feel really good. I feel kind of emotional at times about it because like I said, some things came on a different timeline than I imagined. But that's why I always say it's nice to have plans or Timelines. But you don't have to be so fixated on them. That's what I would say to the younger women out there. Have them, but then they can alter and, you know, shift. It's never too late, by the way. Never too late.

[Hoda Kotb]

That's the best line.

[Naomi Watts]

Yeah. And I just wrote a book.

[Hoda Kotb]

Tell me about this book. I mean, you've talked about it, but now this is next level.

[Naomi Watts]

Oh, thank you. Yeah, I thought about it for a long, long time, actually, in my early 40s, when I was flailing around, trying to figure out what was going on with my body. Had no one to talk to. Didn't even really know how to speak about my symptoms to my doctor. My doctor, you know, it was a really difficult time. And the Internet wasn't even that active back then. So I said to a friend of mine, I wish there was a book, like a handbook, some kind of guide that could walk you through it. And she was like, why don't you write it?

[Hoda Kotb]

You're doing that.

[Naomi Watts]

And I said, oh, no, don't be ridiculous. I'm not a writer. And that would be career suicide if I started telling everyone I'm in menopause that nobody will ever hire me. But I did keep thinking about it, and I did. Like I said, it took me a long time to find my way. It's the book I wish I'd had. And I finally got around to it when. After I turned 50, when I was allowed to be menopausal, because that's the average age. And, yeah, I said, yeah, I'm just gonna do it. And basically, it's conversations with doctors, experts, and other women and me telling my own story infused with humor and facts. So, you know, some of the books out there written by doctors are wildly informative, but this one is hopefully very palatable and an easy read. Right.

[Hoda Kotb]

Cause you wanna be able to, like, read other people's stories. Yes. When did menopause hit for you?

[Naomi Watts]

Well, I was 36 when I was told that I was close to menopause and it was the reason I wasn't getting pregnant. So it was a real shock. I mean, I was on the floor basically with, like, panic.

[Hoda Kotb]

Did your mom go through menopause?

[Naomi Watts]

I remembered when I left, I called my mom right away and said, what the hell? Why didn't you say more? But I did remember that she had told me that she went through menopause at 45. I didn't know that she had a multitude of symptoms. And a lot of years leading up to those, you know, like that they were spread out over a number of years.

[Hoda Kotb]

Yeah. And having children. What happened there?

[Naomi Watts]

So I tried lots of different things. Ultimately, I don't know what was the thing that got me pregnant. I guess I had two random eggs left over. And yeah, I just kept trying and I wasn't an IVF candidate, but it was a lot of suffering and a lot of fear going through that. And finally I, yeah, got pregnant and the second one came like that.

[Hoda Kotb]

Wow. More ahead with Naomi Watts. Stay with us.

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[Movie Trailer Narrator]

Critics and audiences agree.

[Naomi Watts]

What the hell is this place?

[Movie Trailer Narrator]

Only three letters describe THEY will kill you. Wtf?

[Naomi Watts]

Splendid.

[Movie Trailer Narrator]

USA Today calls it bloody and bonkers.

[Naomi Watts]

Are you ready to die?

[Movie Trailer Narrator]

IGN declares it's electrifying Action, cinema and popcorn entertainment to the max.

[Naomi Watts]

How many of you are there?

[Movie Trailer Narrator]

It begs to be seen in a packed theater.

[Naomi Watts]

Please remember to clean up the blood. Wow.

[Movie Trailer Narrator]

They will kill you. Now playing only in theaters. Rated R Under 17 not admitted without parent.

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[Hoda Kotb]

Tell me about stripes, which is your other baby.

[Naomi Watts]

This was the other piece that I've been thinking about a lot because my first really aggravating symptoms or not. First night sweats were the first, but like one that really became a problem for me because of work, being on camera. I had irritable skin, itchy, dry, angry skin and the products that I was using before were no longer working for me. In fact, they were agitating me. So I needed to start looking into ingredients. I became very closely involved with my friend's business called Onda Beauty and started learning about clean beauty and all these fantastic brands. But what I noticed after a couple of Years there was that everyone was still promising, you know, we can get rid of your wrinkles. You know, it was all about anti aging. And I felt like there's a real gap in the market for, you know, women who want to not look 25 again. We don't want to be over promised to either. We don't want to suffer falls, and we want to see ourselves in the best way that we possibly can. So I wanted to create something that was targeting my symptoms, which was deeply dehydrated, and have this woman at this age feel like she's dignified, she can be celebrated, she can feel empowered with education and community, of course. And so I remember during COVID I cold pitched the brand idea, the vision to a biotech company and said, this is what I'd like to do. This woman should feel like she's earned her stripes.

[Hoda Kotb]

Oh, I love that. I love it. I love it. Okay, so my podcast is called Making Space. So if you had a day, that was all for you. Okay. Cause I know you don't have many of these, but there's a day, Naomi, that there was not one thing on your calendar. Everything got deleted. You wake up when you want, you go to sleep when you want, and you fill the hours in between the way you like. No one's gonna tell you anything. How would you feel that day?

[Naomi Watts]

Gosh. Only one.

[Hoda Kotb]

You only get one.

[Naomi Watts]

That's right. Definitely would try to sleep in.

[Hoda Kotb]

Yes.

[Naomi Watts]

And you know, most of the times when I want to sleep in and I've got that opportunity, it doesn't happen.

[Hoda Kotb]

True.

[Naomi Watts]

But I can stay in bed. Coffee in bed, just start at a slower pace. And with my husband, knowing that my children. I love it when they're asleep in the house as well and knowing where they are, having a good breakfast, I love to exercise. I really enjoy the feeling. Not just for what it does to your body, but your mind, obviously, as well. Walking outside, nature. I love that. Playing some music, maybe a little dance, good food.

[Hoda Kotb]

Love it.

[Naomi Watts]

And maybe at the end of the day, a celebration with. Well, it doesn't have to be celebration, just a nice dinner with friends. I like to cook with friends as well. I like to go out to restaurants too. So that's it.

[Hoda Kotb]

Would you go to bed early or.

[Naomi Watts]

I love an early to bed early rise that early to.

[Hoda Kotb]

I'm with you. I'm with you. Naomi, thank you so much. I really appreciate it.

[Naomi Watts]

I appreciate it. Thank you for having me.

[Hoda Kotb]

I love this book. Dare I say it?

[Naomi Watts]

Yeah. New York Times bestseller, if I may. Flex as well.

[Hoda Kotb]

Oh, yeah. Flex away. I love it. I love it. Thank you, Naomi.

[Naomi Watts]

Thank you, Hoda. Thanks for having me.

[Hoda Kotb]

Hey, guys, thank you so much for listening and for coming on this journey with me. If you like what you heard, and I hope that you do, please give Making Space a five star rating and review on Apple Podcasts. And make sure you tell your friends. Follow us on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you're listening right now. Making Space with Hoda Kotb is produced by Allison Berger, Alexa Casavecchia and Mitch Rissmiller, along with Kate Saunders. Our associate audio engineer is Juliana Masterilli. Our audio engineer is Joe Ploure. Original music by John Estes. Bryson Barnes is our head of audio production. Missy Dunlop Parsons is our executive producer. Libby Least is the executive vice president of Today and Lifestyle. Oh, no, my coffee. Brawny here.

[Naomi Watts]

New brawny 3 ply is now more absorbent.

[Hoda Kotb]

Wow.

[Wayfair Announcer]

Got a clean shirt.

[Naomi Watts]

Do you wear plaid? Some of the strongest.