Sunday Sitdown with Willie Geist

Episode: Leslie Odom, Jr. on ‘Hamilton’ Broadway Comeback, Fatherhood and Finding Joy

Date: September 28, 2025
Host: Willie Geist

Episode Overview

This special episode finds Willie Geist sitting down with Leslie Odom, Jr. inside the Richard Rodgers Theatre, marking both the 10th anniversary of “Hamilton” and Odom’s celebrated return as Aaron Burr. In a warm, nostalgic, and insightful conversation, Geist and Odom reflect on the original run, the transformation in Odom’s career and life, and the emotional resonance of returning to a Broadway phenomenon. Odom opens up about artistic evolution, fatherhood, joy, personal growth, and the enduring cultural impact of “Hamilton.”

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Returning to ‘Hamilton’: Full Circle (04:17 – 06:44, 08:23 – 10:41)

• Odom describes the experience as an “odyssey,” sharing joy in performing with a new cast and revisiting the material at a new stage in life.
  • “I'm having a wonderful little odyssey up here with this new cast of people, revisiting this material at this time in my life. I'm having a great time.” (04:17)
• Coming back to Broadway evokes memories of his younger self, especially the 17-year-old who moved to New York to pursue theater.
  • “That 17-year-old kid... He had a pure heart... he made a way for me to do this. He studied, he prepared, he loved this thing.” (05:08)
• Geist notes the standing ovations, the emotional impact, and the changed relationship with the audience—now seasoned fans who know every lyric.

2. Growth and Change: Comparing 2015 to 2025 (08:11 – 10:41; 14:27 – 15:46)

• Odom reflects on how the pressures of being in a new, unproven show have given way to a “healing cherry on a delicious cake” of gratitude, joy, and celebration.
  • “The pressure is washed away, the worry, the fear... all of those questions now, 10 years later, have been answered, and they've been answered affirmatively.” (08:23)
  • “This celebratory party, this healing cherry on a delicious cake that I've been eating little bites of for the last 10 years.” (10:22)
• Notable Quote:
  • “The only thing that’s left is love... The pressure is washed away.” — Leslie Odom, Jr. (08:23)
• Finding new meaning and depth in the performance, aided by experience, self-acceptance, and greater capacity for joy.
• Physical and emotional preparation has also evolved:
  • “It’s not the same body. I have access to parts of my instrument that I just didn’t have before... There’s a kind of warm-up and cool-down I have to do that I wasn’t so concerned about 10 years ago.” (14:34)

3. The Homecoming: Cast, Ghosts, and Legacy (17:54 – 23:00)

• Returning to the same theater but with a new cast, Odom describes the stage as haunted by “ghosts”—both characters and beloved original cast members.
  • “There’s ghosts everywhere you look... I think that the experience has deepened for me and that there are just more ghosts here.” (18:23)
• Staying connected to his former castmates, even if they haven’t yet seen him back on stage:
  • “None of them have been yet. A lot of them are going to... we’ve never lost touch. We’re in touch all the time.” (21:53)

4. The Role of Host and Teacher: Odom’s Sense of Purpose (23:00 – 27:06)

• Odom articulates how he views the role of Aaron Burr (and his general approach to performance) as “hosting” the experience for the audience.
  • “If you are in front of me, if you are in my space, I just care deeply about the experience that you have, that you feel seen, that you feel valued, that you feel listened to.” (25:07)
  • “I host this evening, it’s my responsibility to introduce you to my friend, Alexander Hamilton...” (25:38)
• He draws a parallel between his work and a hotelier’s hospitality, revealing that before “Hamilton,” he considered entering the hospitality business.
  • “I went to hotels. I was applying to work in the hospitality industry... I care about the guest experience.” (24:35)

5. ‘Hamilton’s’ Relevance in 2025: America Then and Now (27:06 – 32:09)

• Discussing changes in American culture and the Constitution since the premiere, Odom observes that some lines resonate differently today.
  • “We definitely feel there are some lines that hit differently than hit 10 years ago.” (27:42)
• The core message of inclusivity and collective American identity endures:
  • “It just struck me about how this... show is about all of us. It is about the idea of America, and so there’s no one that isn’t welcome here. And we ponder it together... we look at the things we’ve done right, the things we can do better.” (28:28)
• Insight: Healing oneself makes a stronger contribution to the nation as a whole.
  • “As time goes on, maybe the best thing you can do for the experiment is to heal yourself... what is in one is in the whole.” (31:35)

6. Letting Go, Moving Forward, and Artistic Process (34:41 – 41:07)

• Emphasizes the ephemeral nature of theater—the beauty of letting go—and his lack of fear about what comes next.
  • “It is a thing that we are letting go the whole time that we have it... I am not afraid again to let it go.” (35:24)
• Discusses career achievements since the original run: more Tony nominations, an Oscar nomination, bestselling albums and books, and fatherhood.
  • “The world really embraced us... It had things about it that were new and made a difference.” (36:46)
• Recognizes “Hamilton’s” revolutionary impact (“its own little revolution”), educating and inspiring audiences of all ages.
  • “It changed the way people thought... about what they thought was possible.” (36:49)
  • “It really opened the door to a lot of people to go read more and study and be invested and interested.” (37:46)

7. Reflecting on Fame, Impact, and the “Holy Mystery” (41:07 – 43:23)

• On the phenomenon of “Hamilton”, Odom avoids explaining it mechanically—“it’s a holy mystery.”
  • “There’d be Hamiltons up and down the street... It is, it’s divine. It was inspired and we’ve been blessed for 10 years and it’s still going.” (43:07)

8. Personal Roots and Evolving Rituals (43:23 – 47:05)

• Looks back fondly at his younger self’s dreams (“He just wanted a place among them”) and marvels at how much more he’s achieved.
  • “He knew that these were his people... and he just wanted a place among them.” (43:53)
• Compares his backstage rituals from “rolling in hot” to now arriving early and using the Hypervolt massager—playful banter about aging.
  • “I used to get dressed five minutes before... Now I get here... warming it up, checking notes, massaging the knees.” (44:45)
• Strong intention as foundation for success:
  • “A strong intention, buried in the foundation of the work... putting the idea of freedom... buried in the foundation.” (47:05)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On returning to the stage:
  • “On that night, I just imagined [my 17-year-old self] looking to his left and his right and behind and he just would have asked, are they clapping for you? ...They're clapping for you.” — Leslie Odom, Jr. (05:08)
• On joy and making space for feeling:
  • “Joy is a hard thing to take too... Some people... can't find the place even for the joy. And this is a lot... I have more room in my life for joy now.” (19:46)
• On healing and collective progress:
  • “As time goes on, maybe the best thing you can do for the experiment is to heal yourself... what is in one is in the whole.” (31:35)
• On “Hamilton’s” success:
  • “There’d be Hamiltons up and down the street, but there’s not. It is, it’s divine. It was inspired and we’ve been blessed for 10 years and it’s still going.” (43:07)
• On founding ideals:
  • “Words build worlds... These are founding documents that made this nation. Every night we come here, we read from a document that Lin Manuel gave us.” (47:05)

Timeline of Important Segments

• 00:50 – 03:26 – Willie Geist sets the stage, recounts Leslie Odom's first appearance as the show’s inaugural guest.
• 03:26 – 04:17 – Reunion inside the Richard Rodgers Theatre; setting up the tone of nostalgia and continuity.
• 04:17 – 10:41 – Odom reflects on returning to “Hamilton” and the changes in self and performance over ten years.
• 14:27 – 15:46 – The physical demands of returning; new rituals and wisdom with age.
• 17:54 – 23:00 – Homecoming with a new cast; the presence of “ghosts” and legacies.
• 23:00 – 27:06 – Odom’s reflection on being a “host,” his sense of purpose, and hospitality toward the audience.
• 27:06 – 32:09 – “Hamilton’s” place in contemporary America, inclusivity, and communal healing.
• 34:41 – 41:07 – Letting go, theater’s fleeting beauty, and post-Hamilton career achievements.
• 41:07 – 43:23 – On “Hamilton’s” phenomenon as a holy mystery.
• 43:23 – 47:05 – Early dreams, evolving backstage routines, and the importance of strong foundational intention.

Tone and Style

The conversation is characterized by heartfelt connection, mutual admiration, playful humor, and philosophical depth. Odom’s warmth, humility, and generosity of spirit shine throughout, matched by Geist’s genuine curiosity and appreciation.

Concluding Thoughts

Willie Geist closes with gratitude and congratulations, underscoring Leslie Odom’s continued good fortune and legacy. Odom’s journey—personal and professional—mirrors the broader themes of “Hamilton”: growth, community, legacy, and striving to live up to one’s ideals.

Final Toast:
“Ten more. Here’s to ten more.” (49:31)

For fans of “Hamilton,” Broadway, or thoughtful artist interviews, this episode offers a generous, insightful window into art, identity, and living with intention.