Work in Progress with Sophia Bush

Episode: Mika Brzezinski

Release Date: January 14, 2026
Podcast: Work in Progress with Sophia Bush (iHeartPodcasts)
Guest: Mika Brzezinski, co-host of Morning Joe

Episode Overview

This episode features a deep, honest conversation between Sophia Bush and veteran journalist Mika Brzezinski. Sophia and Mika discuss the journey of personal and professional growth, the importance of knowing your value (especially as women in high-pressure fields), lessons from immigrant upbringings, facing political uncertainty, and the necessity of maintaining integrity and open dialogue, even during times of national division. They also touch on Mika’s inspirational Know Your Value movement, her partnership with Joe Scarborough—both on-air and off—and the ongoing fight for women’s equality in the workplace and society.
The episode balances personal reflections, practical empowerment advice, and timely political commentary, all grounded in the idea that we are, indeed, "masterpieces and works in progress at the same time."

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Roots, Family Expectations, and the Importance of Slowing Down

[07:19 - 12:35]

• Sophia asks Mika what her 8- or 9-year-old self would recognize in her today.
• Mika explains she was wired to achieve, driven by her upbringing as a refugee’s daughter in an “all-hands-on-deck” family focused on gratitude, service, and building a life from nothing.
  • “There’s such a long runway in your life and career...rushing actually destroys the process and creates... you miss the moment.” (Mika Brzezinski, 08:06)
  • Lesson: The importance of slowing down and being mindful is central both for personal well-being and professional development.

2. The Fragility of Democracy & Intergenerational Anxiety

[12:35 - 17:13]

• Personal and national histories can forecast present challenges.
• Mika warns against thinking “it couldn’t happen here” in the US, drawing on her family’s experiences fleeing Nazi and Soviet repression.
• Discussion of generational differences:
  • Younger generations experience an “anxious baseline” due to 9/11, financial crises, shootings, and the pandemic.
  • Older generations caution forgetting history; younger people feel bombarded and desensitized.
  • “A young population that has its own set of anxieties...we’re speaking to a young generation that’s very anxious...that I think play into this very difficult landscape that we are in right now.” (Mika Brzezinski, 14:19)

3. Lessons from the Family Table to the Morning Joe Table

[17:13 - 18:54]

• Mika reflects on her unique household: her father, Zbigniew Brzezinski, was President Carter’s National Security Advisor; her mother a world-renowned sculptor.
• Her role as the mediator at the dinner table helped form her skills as a balanced broadcaster—“cracking a joke to cut the tension.”
• “Look at Morning Joe. Here I am. It’s perfect—the morning table discussions. We have feel like my family dinner table discussions.” (Mika Brzezinski, 18:45)

4. Women, Work, and Knowing Your Value

[24:03 - 34:34]

• Sophia and Mika explore challenges women face in negotiating workplace value, drawing from their own personal battles—including pay equity and contract negotiations.
• Mika: Despite her privileged upbringing, she struggled to speak up for herself, and "cut so many bad deals."
  • “No one is going to care more about you and your value...than you. No one’s going to articulate it better.” (Mika Brzezinski, 25:50)
  • Creation of "Know Your Value" to help women advocate for themselves in practical ways.
  • Mika emphasizes the need for women to lift each other up and create a “permission structure” to self-advocate.
• Sophia: Shares her own struggle—waiting 20 years in television before being paid equally to a male co-star, and the importance of women sharing information and strategies.
  • “The greatest compliment we give women is we say, ‘She’s so selfless.’ So she is without self.” (Sophia, 30:17)
• Both advocate for generosity in sharing knowledge and for active mentorship.

5. Backlash and the Fight for Women's Rights

[34:34 - 35:52]

• Sophia and Mika discuss the political backlash against women’s rights and recent setbacks.
• Mika speaks to concerns for her daughters’ future and expresses outrage that “they don’t have the rights that I grew up with. That’s crazy.” (35:37)

6. Partnership with Joe Scarborough – On Air & Off

[41:04 - 49:51]

• Mika explains what makes Joe such a great professional and personal partner: mutual support, respect, and his ability to build teams where everyone thrives.
• “He’s literally the most talented man on television...he’s always making sure that he puts the person he’s speaking with...above himself.” (Mika Brzezinski, 41:04)
• Both Mika and Joe join to discuss how they manage disagreements with straightforward honesty and deep trust.
  • “We balance each other out very well...In the past, we were both a bit more passive aggressive before we met each other...but when we met, we were just very straightforward.” (Joe Scarborough, 46:53)
• Humorous and human moment: Joe shares that Mika doesn’t sugarcoat feedback on his music, and that honesty strengthens their relationship.

7. Journalism, Integrity, and Navigating Controversies

[51:54 - 66:04]

• Sophia and Mika explore the very public criticism Mika and Joe received for meeting with former President Trump, highlighting the tension between journalistic duty and public perception.
  • “I don’t think the solution is not talking. So that’ll never be a Morning Joe solution—to cut off yourself from people who are in power.” (Mika Brzezinski, 52:21)
  • Mika expresses frustration at Americans underestimating Trump’s intentions for retribution, economic policy, and authoritarianism.
• Sophia voices gratitude for “real, true journalists” remaining present, no matter the politics.
• Both lament the lack of seriousness with which many take threats to democracy and agree on the need to stay unafraid and vocal.
  • “No one’s coming, Sophia. No one’s coming...If he senses you’re afraid, you’re done.” (Mika Brzezinski, 61:04 / 67:02)
  • “I’m not going to be afraid to use my voice... It is a daily set of decisions.” (Mika Brzezinski, 65:15)
• Mika draws direct connections between her political convictions and her advocacy for women: both require courage and integrity.

8. Looking Ahead: Voting, Respecting Differences, and Community

[68:17 - 72:36]

• Mika emphasizes concern over election security and urges listeners to “plan their vote.”
  • “It is our last, best hope at expressing ourselves.” (Mika Brzezinski, 69:40)
• Both highlight the importance of not closing off dialogue with people who disagree politically, and to avoid judgment in favor of open-mindedness and listening.
  • “The way we come together...the way that we perhaps spark positive change is, you know, have an open mind... Try and understand each other, really listen.” (Mika Brzezinski, 70:36)

9. Mika’s Work in Progress: International Women’s Summit

[73:07 - 76:42]

• Mika shares her pride in the 3050 Summit in Abu Dhabi for International Women’s Day, a global, cross-cultural, multi-generational mentoring summit.
  • “Every year, it enriches...I have found that every year, there are several blow-my-mind stories of what happens there.” (Mika Brzezinski, 73:16)
• Stories highlight the tangible impact of connecting women globally, from major keynote speakers to grassroots entrepreneurs building networks and gaining investment.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Mika:
  • "There's such a long runway in your life and career... rushing actually destroys the process and... you miss the moment." (08:06)
  • “No one is going to care more about you and your value...than you.” (25:50)
  • “I will never be afraid. I will never do it.” (61:20)
  • “If he senses you’re afraid, you’re done.” (67:02)
  • On Know Your Value events: "It honestly looked like a light bulb was going off in the women’s minds in the audiences around me." (27:18)
  • On women’s rights setbacks: “They don’t have the rights that I grew up with. That’s crazy.” (35:37)
  • “You don’t have to agree. Just listen, hear each other out. That will help. We don’t have to fight, but... not talking is just as bad as fighting.” (70:36)
• Sophia:
  • "The greatest compliment we give women is we say, ‘She’s so selfless.’ So she is without self." (30:17)
  • "We have to have real, true journalists there, everywhere, all the time. You know, thank you for doing your job no matter what." (59:32)

Important Timestamps

| Timestamp | Segment & Topic | |---|---| | 07:19–12:35 | Roots, Immigrant Family, "Slow Down," Living Mindfully | | 13:14–17:13 | Intergenerational Anxiety, History, The Modern American Psyche | | 17:13–18:54 | Family Dinners, Early Mediation Skills, Transition to Broadcast | | 24:03–34:34 | Workplace Negotiations, Inspiration for Know Your Value, Peer Empowerment | | 41:04–49:51 | Partnership with Joe Scarborough, On-air/Off-air Dynamics, Managing Disagreements | | 51:54–66:04 | Journalism & Power, Mar-a-Lago Meeting, Integrity, Democracy at Risk | | 68:17–72:36 | The Midterms, Need for Voting, Listening Across Divides | | 73:07–76:42 | International Women’s Summit, Global Mentorship, Networking Stories |

Final Thoughts

This rich and nuanced episode celebrates resilience, authenticity, and the shared work of building a more equitable, compassionate world both in daily professional battles and wider societal challenges. Mika Brzezinski emerges as a thoughtful, passionate advocate for women, integrity in journalism, and democracy, reminding listeners that progress is the product of courage, communication, and a readiness to stand up, every single day, for what matters.