Joan Lunden is one of those TV personalities who is instantly recognizable. Having been in front of the camera for more than 30 years, it’s easy to see why that’s true.
In addition to arguably her most recognizable role as anchor of “Good Morning America,” interviewing the likes of presidents, Olympians and English royalty, along with many other notable personalities and ordinary people, she also traveled the world, reporting from dozens of countries.
And along the way, she began writing about her experiences, health, happiness and family. Now, at 70, Lunden has written about something we all face or hopefully, will face along the line: aging.
At 7 p.m., on Sunday, Oct. 25, Lunden will share some of her thoughts and reasons for writing the book during an interview with St. Louis’ own Kay Quinn, anchor for KSDK News, as part of a pre-festival event of the St. Louis Jewish Book Festival. This year’s fest will be presented via a virtual platform.
“Why Did I Come into This Room: A Candid Conversation about Aging” tackles phases of aging from a humorous, yet informative, perspective. No matter your age, the book provides helpful information to embrace – or prepare for – the inevitable.
Not only is Lunden an award-winning journalist and bestselling author, she is also a motivational speaker, an entrepreneur – and a mother of seven (including two sets of twins who were born via a surrogate)! She is currently a special correspondent on “The Today Show” and host of the CBS series “Your Health.”
In 2014, she was diagnosed with triple negative breast cancer, and underwent chemotherapy, surgery and radiation. She blogged throughout her cancer treatment and wrote “Had I Known,” documenting her battle with cancer.
She took time from her busy schedule to share some of her thoughts, experiences and motivations with Gazelle.
Q: During your broadcast career, what was your most “I can’t believe I’m here” moment? It was always incredibly exciting to be where news was being made, like the presidential inaugurations – I covered five of them. But I must confess, it was really exiting to come live to viewers of the royal wedding between Prince Charles and Lady Diana. The pageantry, the sound of the horse hooves on the cobblestone streets delivering all the royal guests by carriage to St. Paul’s Cathedral in London was such an amazing feeling of being a part of history
Q: What led you to delve into becoming an author since you originally started with broadcast journalism? In writing a book, you have the opportunity to share things more personally and to delve into subjects that you’re really passionate about. It’s an amazing sense of fulfillment when women tell me that they have my book on their bed stand and it’s helped them through different chapters of their lives.
Q: How have you been able to juggle the many facets of your career with seven children? I’ve sometimes wondered that myself. Seriously, as I’ve looked back on my careers, it seems almost impossible to have handled that juggling act. However, there are millions of women maneuvering that juggling act every day, and I guess that we’ve become great jugglers. I’ve always been an organized person, and this skill probably kept my head on my shoulders
Q: Based on your own experience, what would you tell women or couples who are considering surrogacy? I’ve always felt that it was the most selfless and compassionate choice a woman could make to help a couple have a child and build a family. My husband and I will be forever grateful. There are many ways to make a family now – adoption, or the miracle of modern fertility and of course, surrogacy. We had an amazing experience with our surrogate and continue to keep in touch. I recommend going through a well-respected agency or attorney that always deals with surrogacy so that the process is smooth.
Q: Your book, “Had I Known,” deals with your experience with breast cancer. How did that experience change your life overall and what is your goal in sharing your story? I think it is important that we share our stories so that others can lean and be better motivated to do self-checkups and get their exams. So many women find their own cancer. Know your own normal so that you’re able to be aware of any changes, and always be sure to check with a doctor. I made a decision soon after my diagnosis to share my story, taking the camera into every appointment. I’m so moved when I hear from someone that my videos took the scary out of it on their journey. I learned so much and have a deep passion for sharing that information with other women to help empower them to protect their own health.
Q: Your newest book, “Why Did I Come into This Room?” is about growing older. What are some things that you have discovered about aging? I discovered the importance of understanding how our bodies function and how and why they change as we age. I feel that better understanding this makes aging so much easier. All too often, women experience these changes alone, and it makes them feel like something is wrong with them. From hot flashes to leaky bladders, these changes shouldn’t be taboo subjects, for they happen to every woman. I wanted this book to be a conversation starter. I think it’s important to talk about our attitude toward aging. If we think we’re going to deteriorate, it can be a self-fulfilling prophecy. We live in a different world today where we can stay engaged and active and remain full of vitality throughout our later decades.
Q: What do you want people to take away from “Why Did I Come into This Room?” I knew I had to write this book with a healthy sense of humor if I was going to talk about all the annoying, embarrassing, and also worrisome things that occur during the aging process. Sometimes, you just have to laugh about these things, but it’s better if we can all laugh together. But it’s just as important to learn how we can better live with these aging symptoms. I wanted women to be more comfortable in talking about these things … and men, as well. I wanted them to have a better understanding of the women in their lives, and of course, have a good laugh, too.
Lunden has been a national spokesperson for organizations like The American Heart Association, The American Lung Association, The American Red Cross, Amgen’s Breakaway from Cancer, The American Academy of Pediatrics, The Colon Cancer Alliance, A Place for Mom and Mothers Against Drunk Driving. She has appeared on the cover of more than 60 magazines and book covers. Through her website at joanlunden.com and social media, she interacts daily with women about health, wellness, lifestyle tips and family.
Her previous books include “Had I Known,” “Chicken Soup for the Soul: Family Caregiving,” “Growing Up Healthy: Protecting Your Child From Diseases Now Through Adulthood,” “Wake-Up Calls,” “A Bend in the Road is Not the End of the Road,” “Joan Lunden’s Healthy Living,” “Joan Lunden’s Healthy Cooking,” “Mother’s Minutes,” “Your Newborn Baby” and “Good Morning, I’m Joan Lunden.” She also hosts the exercise video “Workout America.”
St. Louis Jewish Book Festival
The 42nd annual St. Louis Jewish Book Festival features filmmaker Barry Sonnenfeld as the keynote speaker on Sunday, Nov. 1. He will speak about his new book “Call Your Mother: Memoirs of a Neurotic Filmmaker.” Sonnenfeld is the director behind “The Addams Family” and “Men in Black” franchises, and “Get Shorty.”
More than 15 additional authors will present their latest titles at the festival, which traditionally draws about 10,000 spectators. This year, it will be presented online in a virtual home edition format featuring special guest interviewers and Q&A discussion with attendees.
Festival goers can purchase a fall virtual pass, which allows access to opening night and all Jewish Book Festival virtual events in 2020 for $95 per household. Passes are on sale now, and can be ordered by visiting stljewishbookfestival.org. Tickets to Opening Night with Barry Sonnenfeld are available for $30. Books can be purchased online at mainstreetbooks.net.
The J is an interactive, multi-generational gathering place that offers a variety of programs and services to both the St. Louis Jewish community and the community at large. Everyone is welcome.
