Episode Summary: "Savannah Guthrie" on Reclaiming with Monica Lewinsky

Podcast Information:

• Title: Reclaiming with Monica Lewinsky
• Host: Monica Lewinsky (Wondery)
• Guest: Savannah Guthrie
• Episode Release Date: July 1, 2025

Overview: In this deeply engaging episode of Reclaiming with Monica Lewinsky, Monica sits down with Savannah Guthrie, renowned co-host of the Today Show, to explore Savannah’s multifaceted life journey. Their conversation navigates through personal loss, career transitions, faith, and the ongoing process of reclaiming aspects of one’s identity and passions.

1. Building a Safe and Supportive Friendship

Monica begins by expressing heartfelt gratitude towards Savannah for her unwavering support during Monica’s own journey of reclaiming her public voice. She highlights Savannah’s unique ability to create a “safe space” during interviews, free from “gotcha questions” and filled with journalistic integrity.

Monica Lewinsky [00:20]:
“You’ve created this safe space… and so it's been really meaningful to me.”

Savannah reciprocates by sharing her initial admiration for Monica, which blossomed into a genuine friendship over the years. She recounts reaching out to Monica out of sheer admiration, not for professional gain, but driven by a desire to connect.

Savannah Guthrie [01:53]:
“I was so blown away by your intelligence, your grace, your thoughtfulness, your wisdom…”

2. Shared Moments and Bonding

The duo reminisces about their shared experiences, including attending a Vanity Fair Oscar party where both struggled in high heels and bonded over their mutual love for In-N-Out burgers. These anecdotes underscore the personal connection and camaraderie between them.

Monica Lewinsky [03:17]:
“Nine hours in heels will do that to you.”

Savannah Guthrie [03:26]:
“...I would have brought you an In N Out burger.”

3. Early Life and Personal Loss

Savannah delves into her early life, revealing that she was born in Australia and raised in Arizona. A pivotal moment in her adolescence was the sudden passing of her father when she was 16, an event that profoundly affected her worldview and sense of permanence.

Savannah Guthrie [06:43]:
“That is an earth shattering moment… you know, I know something about sadness. I know something about grief.”

She discusses how this loss has been a lifelong journey of grief and healing, shaping her empathy and approach as a journalist.

4. Career Path: From Journalism to Law and Back

Savannah outlines her academic and professional trajectory, starting with her internship on Capitol Hill, followed by a journalism degree from the University of Arizona. She worked in local news for nearly six years before making the unconventional decision to attend law school.

Savannah Guthrie [15:17]:
“I took the LSAT… it felt like a moment where a door opened.”

Her leap into law was fueled by the advice to “think big,” leading her to Georgetown University and eventually back to journalism after securing a role at Court TV—a perfect blend of her legal expertise and media skills.

5. Adopting the 'Think Big' Philosophy

A cornerstone of Savannah’s narrative is the 'think big' mentality, which empowered her to pursue ambitious career moves despite uncertainties and fears of failure.

Savannah Guthrie [20:49]:
“If you dream your biggest dream… think big can change over the years.”

Monica reflects on this philosophy, relating it to her own aspirations and fears of stepping out of her comfort zone.

6. Faith, Spirituality, and Grief

A significant portion of the conversation centers on Savannah’s exploration of faith. She discusses her books, Mostly What God Does and its sequel, which articulate her belief that “mostly what God does is love you.” Savannah shares how personal adversities, including the loss of her father, shaped her understanding of divine love versus judgment.

Savannah Guthrie [25:24]:
“Mostly what God does is love you… it's a simple concept. It's not always easy to believe.”

Monica connects this to her own fluctuating faith, sharing her journey from feeling abandoned by God to reclaiming a sense of spirituality grounded in love and universal energy.

7. Setting Boundaries in Personal Sharing

Monica brings up the disclaimer Savannah included in her books, noting that Savannah mentions personal topics without delving deeply into them. Savannah explains her intention to maintain boundaries, protecting her vulnerabilities while still providing enough insight to connect with readers.

Savannah Guthrie [31:14]:
“I don't want to give you the gory details, but I do want to share with you…”

She discusses the delicate balance between transparency and privacy, ensuring that her personal stories serve the book’s purpose without overexposing her own pain.

8. Interfaith Family and Children's Book

The discussion shifts to Savannah’s interfaith family dynamic. She emphasizes the importance of teaching her children about her Jewish faith while respecting her husband’s beliefs. This commitment to integrity in faith extends to her vision for a children’s book that introduces spiritual concepts to young minds in a simple and meaningful way.

Savannah Guthrie [37:23]:
“I'm trying to make God the fifth member of our little family…”

Monica relates this to her own experiences with Jewish traditions and the challenges of maintaining faith amidst personal struggles.

9. Integrity in Journalism and Handling Bias

Savannah addresses the critical topic of maintaining journalistic integrity. She outlines her approach to objective reporting, striving for accuracy, fairness, and precision without letting personal biases interfere with news delivery.

Savannah Guthrie [41:37]:
“I try to be straightforward, to be accurate, to be fair, to be precise.”

She reflects on the evolving media landscape, where personal biases are often perceived by audiences, and encourages listeners to introspectively consider their own biases when evaluating news sources.

10. Reclaiming Personal Passions

Towards the end of the episode, Savannah opens up about a personal passion she wishes to reclaim—singing. She shares memories of her younger years spent performing and expresses a desire to rediscover this joy despite the challenges posed by age and time.

Savannah Guthrie [46:25]:
“I used to sing a lot… If I do start singing again, I'll sound like Stevie Nicks if I'm lucky.”

Monica connects with this sentiment, recalling her own singing experiences, fostering a light-hearted and nostalgic moment between the two friends.

11. Conclusion and Reflections

The episode concludes with mutual appreciation, where Savannah praises Monica's interviewing skills, and Monica expresses how meaningful the conversation was.

Savannah Guthrie [48:42]:
“You’re an amazing interviewer, and it was so easy to be with you.”

Monica wraps up with acknowledgments and production credits, leaving listeners with a sense of the deep friendship and mutual respect between the two women.

Notable Quotes:

• Monica Lewinsky [10:21]:
  “Grief is not about loss. It’s actually about love, 100%.”

• Savannah Guthrie [37:23]:
  “I’m trying to make God the fifth member of our little family…”

Key Takeaways:

• Safe Spaces in Conversations: Creating environments free from judgment fosters genuine connections.
• Impact of Personal Loss: Early life tragedies can deeply shape one's empathy and professional paths.
• 'Think Big' Mentality: Aspiring to significant goals can lead to unexpected and fulfilling career transitions.
• Faith as a Journey: Personal adversities often drive deeper explorations of spirituality and belief.
• Setting Personal Boundaries: Balancing transparency with privacy is crucial in personal storytelling.
• Integrity in Journalism: Striving for objective reporting amidst a polarized media landscape is essential.
• Reclaiming Passions: Rediscovering lost hobbies contributes to personal fulfillment and identity.

This episode offers a profound and intimate glimpse into Savannah Guthrie’s life, her resilience through adversity, and her ongoing journey of reclaiming various facets of her identity and passions. Monica Lewinsky’s empathetic and respectful interviewing style allows Savannah to share her story authentically, providing listeners with valuable insights into the complexities of personal and professional reclamation.