Katie Couric Interview | The Tim Ferriss Show

Katie Couric is an award-winning journalist, New York Times bestselling author, and co-founder of the non-profit Stand Up to Cancer, which has raised more than $500 million to fund scientific research teams.
Katie launched her production company, Katie Couric Media, in 2015. Since then, the aptly named Katie Couric Podcast has featured conversations with some of the biggest names in politics, media, and popular culture.
Katie’s documentaries include Gender Revolution: A Journey with Katie Couric for National Geographic, Under the Gun, which aired on Epix, and Fed Up, which can be found on Netflix. Katie’s new six-part National Geographic series is called America Inside Out with Katie Couric, and I recommend you check it out.
Katie joined CBS as the first woman at the helm of an evening newscast after a 15-year run as co-anchor of NBC’s Today Show. Her awards include a duPont-Columbia, Peabody, two Edward R. Murrows, a Walter Cronkite, and multiple Emmys. Enjoy!
Follow Katie Couric on Instagram: katiecouric
SUBSCRIBE: bit.ly/1dSzTkW
About Tim Ferriss:
Tim Ferriss is one of Fast Company’s “Most Innovative Business People” and an early-stage tech investor/advisor in Uber, Facebook, Twitter, Shopify, Duolingo, Alibaba, and 50+ other companies. He is also the author of five #1 New York Times and Wall Street Journal bestsellers: The 4-Hour Workweek, The 4-Hour Body, The 4-Hour Chef, Tools of Titans and Tribe of Mentors. The Observer and other media have named him “the Oprah of audio” due to the influence of his podcast, The Tim Ferriss Show, which has exceeded 200 million downloads and been selected for “Best of iTunes” three years running.
Connect with Tim Ferriss:
Visit the Tim Ferriss PODCAST: bit.ly/2rYjUBr
Visit the Tim Ferriss BLOG: bit.ly/17jDHw3
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Follow Tim Ferriss on INSTAGRAM: bit.ly/2IfH37J
Follow Tim Ferriss on INSTAGRAM: bit.ly/2IfH37J
[00:00] Start
[01:24] Katie on her live, impromptu interview with then-president George H.W. Bush
[06:33] Katie’s moxie: intrinsic to her DNA or something she developed?
[08:19] Why do I lean more toward putting out evergreen over topical content?
[10:46] What interviews have made Katie nervous?
[13:36] How did Katie prepare for her interview with Sarah Palin?
[17:45] The importance of letting the silence do the work.
[18:41] How does Katie deal with her more pugnacious or combative subjects?
[20:21] What interviews are Katie most proud of?
[24:33] On grieving and preparing for the death of a terminally ill loved one.
[29:05] Why many potentially terminal ailments often go undiagnosed until it’s too late.
[33:17] Regrets Katie has about her late husband’s final days.
[34:26] Early cancer-screening advocacy and co-founding Stand Up To Cancer.
[37:43] Katie talks about the real heroes in the multi-fronted fight against cancer.
[41:22] How does Katie select her involvement in projects?
[44:00] What we can expect from her upcoming six-part Nat Geo series America Inside Out.
[46:12] On turning an inappropriate question into a teachable moment.
[51:57] What impact does Katie hope this series will have on viewers?
[56:34] What would Katie’s billboard say?
[59:08] Katie hits me with a “gotcha” question.
[59:40] Katie is intrigued to hear about BJ Miller and advocates getting his story out to more people.
[1:04:45] Pondering the insights a crystal ball might offer.
[1:05:57] Parting thoughts on the ethical challenges faced by social media and technology.

[@miljansimonovic]

This video format really adds an extra human touch to the interviews. Love it!

[@andrewfares5721]

Tim, You're a true inspiration for me! Thanks for being YOU!

[@Wander_and_flow]

Tim, my heart goes out to you. I’m watching this from our local Hospice House with my mother who is dying of colorectal cancer with very little time left. Katie hit the nail on the head, and I hope you were able to see or speak to your second father before he passed/passes. The armor has worked for a long time for me too, until I got hit in my soft spot. My mom is that soft spot, and it’s been a huge learning experience in mustering the courage to express those feelings to a person that might feel too deep to express. It’s been hugely rewarding to know she heard those things from me and that I know I won’t stay awake at night in the future wishing I’d been brave enough to say them. Thank you for covering cancer and grief in this amazing interview with Katie.

[@DrCharlesParker]

These interesting perspectives should become a mandatory video for those with any interview objectives - Your mutual considerations regarding the form and process - including the use of silence & 'afflicting the comfortable' - are so helpful in my own work, and much appreciated. Thanks, Tim and Katie.

[@KimParkerLPC]

I thought it was extremely well done. In the generation that knew about Katie Couric before the host, I thought you two were a powerful combination and I will watch the interview again. What a transparent and approachable show!

[@moritzschroder]

so cool to have followed tim's journey over the last 10 years! especially for someone like me, who works in the same field, this is hugely inspiring!

[@johnl1160]

Thank you Tim! Please keep doing what do. This is one of my fav of your podcasts.

[@justinmiller7422]

Great interview. Very cool to see the master (Katie) throw some questions back at you. Love the video.. window light is blowing out the table

[@timberssam]

Really excellent interview. I didn't think I was going to like this one, but it's really one of your best. Thanks Time

[@RealEnglishSpeaker]

I love this interview! Thank you Tim! So so love your work. And Katie is a truly admirable American - thank god for her!

[@natecantalupo]

#timferriss - You inspire me so much man! Great work bringing great people onto your show. Can't wait to meet you someday. From the 4-Hour Workweek to your podcast & now KZbin show, you just keep doing amazing work that helps us all grow as people. Kudos brother! @timferriss

[@davespecht]

Amazing vulnerability in this interview!! You have a gift Tim.

[@robinfletcher6718]

well said

[@MRT_FLAG]

every Tim's interview is very motivational !

[@deokyeopkim7720]

Thank you for this Tim

[@h_jonez]

One of the most satisfying interviews I've seen recently...Idk why. Arlington VA represents.

[@SeanCLucas]

My favorite video interview you've published so far. Thanks.

[@teeinvests7272]

Great interview. Thank you

[@auto-did-act]

Thank you for deliberately keeping away from partisan politics as much as you did. I think this gave a very novel view of a remarkable journalist, regardless of her political ideology. Well done!

[@worldwidehandsome8326]

I love this Tim ferriss new set-up its the best i think

[@katiehenschell3562]

Love the video form of podcasts. Keep up the great work.

[@emmasparenburg8145]

Such a great interview! Loving the video format of the podcast too.

[@Staroy]

Great interview, the new intro was awesome too!

[@nellspop1]

awesome interview. I love Katie

[@fredseigneur]

Thanks for this interview and many thanks for all the information I've been exposed to, through all the other interviews, podcasts and your body of work. It's been very enlightening, congratulations. (b.t.w.: I checked out B J Miller, such an incredible mind, so thanks again ;-) )

[@modusponens1094]

Tim and Katie should do the hospice project they talk about together. That would be a fantastic idea for a documentary.

[@Murmurrr]

Loving the video podcast, it's the best version of this format. Sound is echoey tho.

[@Brofessorben1017]

Much Love Tim!

[@scottphardin]

Couric is a dim, dim light representative of the type of media I’ve learned to avoid at all costs.

[@ihsankamil6279]

Scott Hardin scared to venture outside your little bubble :)

[@scottphardin]

Steve L. 25 years of her vapidity was enough for me.

[@robinfletcher6718]

you mention "25 years of her 'vapidity'..." which implies that you've contributed at least 26 years of something non-vapid...And what would that be exactly???

[@auto-did-act]

This interview changed my mind about her. Changing our minds is a primary part of human intelligence

[@amberjane7889]

Love this show. Just wish the camera framing was a little closer. I feel like tighter shot would make it more personal. good stuff though!

[@Themanwhocameback2]

Great interview. Are they sipping beer?

[@michaelbaldeo5539]

great interview Tim from both interviewers lol. Good suggestion to take interviews to the interviewee's workplace.

[@violetflame704]

Amazing 🤗

[@no_school6367]

Do interview in video format

[@saja7366]

Interesting how Tim Ferriss never discussed this 'surrogate father' during his interview with BJ Miller, M.D. in 2018.

[@spencercharlotte297]

Hey Tim, I emailed you about this episode. Thanks for sharing! Spencer

[@AnitaGoaWellBeing]

I always love your interviews but I feel you lost the boat a bit on this one. I love Katie Couric and her guts. I wish you had asked questions about her becoming anchor at CBS, it was a BIG deal and all the flack she got; for her hair, the way she dressed, (showing her gorgeous sculpted legs); something a man anchor never has to deal with. And how it was for her working her way up in a very male dominated media world. That’s what I was hoping to hear and you didn’t touch much on it. Plus the woman’s movement and women in leadership roles etc etc etc. I forgive you of course 😉 but I felt your nerves overtook you here. It’s great to see you are human 🙏 She was so excited to be with you. This is meant as constructive feedback. I enjoy your work tremendously 👍✨

[@palomino5223]

"Don't believe everything you think" Don Miguel Ruiz...The Four Agreements and The Fifth Agreement.

[@octane2344]

Greatness is continually meeting the darkness and saying, "You don't own me."

[@robinfletcher6718]

well said!

[@JosephPembroke]

She's one of my idols. And yes, I'm sorry but she's fine wine.

[@ninjachannel007]

Katie Couric said "out of my ass'. Heh, heh.

[@Themanwhocameback2]

Yes. I thought her sentence was going to end, ".... out of thin air". Funny.

[@JZOINKL]

Tim if you tinted the windows we would be able to see the magnificent view of the city.

[@AslanRising]

Did you discuss the deceptive editing of her anti gun "documentary "?

[@Drstephenstokes]

I don't like Katie Couric, it's a viseral feeling I cannot justify, but I don't like her... not even a little bit.

[@hissendaud653]

Youre Guest Shes a Strong Personal

[@uncarvedwarrior]

Wow! I always liked her when I was a child, but never listened to her really get into her own thoughts. Much more skeptical of her now. Muslims v/whites? Um... Comparing a religious group (social created and that someone can leave) to my race (an immutable characteristic) is not clumsy speech, it is what this skilled journalist meant. What narrative is she pushing? ...I just took a little stroll on google. Wow! Did not know about her gun control documentary where she maliciously edited the responses of US citizens, who were fighting to maintain the rights of all of us to defend ourselves. She framed these Americans she was interviewing to appear ignorant while removing their arguments. Audio recording by the subjects of that interview reveal a reality not reflected in her jou... *clears throat* story telling. freebeacon.com/issues/audio-shows-katie-couric-gun-documentary-deceptively-edited-interview-pro-gun-activists/ Sad.

[@Themanwhocameback2]

I see, now you hate her.

[@uncarvedwarrior]

@@Themanwhocameback2 interesting. What else do you see?

[@CalebBrandalise]

Shiiiiieeeeet great choice tim! Katie, you're outstanding :)

[@anitasseo]

Hello! .. I'm sorry Ms Kouric, but I don't think that there are that many prejudices w/ the Muslim religion. I think the Muslim religion is the biased one; mysoginist etc etc. With all due respect. I think it's pretty backwards. Of course we have to respect those who follow it, but.. Let's not be so politically correct, for once... Let's really find out and have the guts to say it as it is...

[@anitasseo]

Very interesting interview BTW; thanks.

[@robinfletcher6718]

You don't think that ...in your words "there are that many prejudices w/ the Muslim religion"...but in the next sentence, you write that "I think the Muslim religion is the biased one; mysoginist etc etc.". OK....But, YOU'RE not the one who is judgemental .....? Sure about that ??

[@anitasseo]

Please, read again. Have a nice day

[@benjaminkaarst]

Hey Tim, what are you drinking?

[@palomino5223]

A Beginner's Guide To The End: Practical Advice For Living Life And Facing Death," and he started a new project, the Center for Dying and Living. He is coauthor of the above book. B.J. Miller...

[@brandonsterlingon6130]

I'm sorry, this was a really great interview up until Ms. Couric stated she believed that people need to vote and not be so apathetic, educate themselves on the issues and get involved. OK, fine. But then almost in the same breath belittle people who DO VOTE but not for the selected clowns of the two party circus!? What kind of mind f$#& BS was that?!?! I mean really, you can't have it both ways. Totally a Fanny Dooley moment on the Tim Ferris show.

[@mcfly10146]

yes great episode besides that blip, a large portion of the population may have other things more pressing, and may not even watch the news anymore. Apathy is an understandable reaction to recent polititics.

[@cheriew2512]

Coyote Prophet Trump supporter??

[@brandonsterlingon6130]

Miss Williams Stupid?

[@robinfletcher6718]

I heard the very same thing and took NO offense. In fact, I was inspired by her words, seeing no divide between folks that did vote or didn't vote - I was just glad that she spoke up on the topic - do we not all need a reminder to show up? I'd much rather have leaders who admonish us for not voting than leaders who torture us for our beliefs (eg AKA dictators) - so shut the hell up, stop being a victim, and show up.

[@cttofl1815]

Oh it’s so offensive that she wants you to exercise your right to vote for a qualified candidate who demonstrates knowledge and ideas on policy along with an apparent desire to serve instead of some ignorant, uneducated person with a passion for entertainment who can work a crowd and give you a tag line while bulldozing their actual job. Oh, so OFFENSIVE go cry about what Katie said cause it’s not fairrr, and hurts your sensitive and constantly offended nature.

[@addonisi4901]

lyin katie. #neverforget

[@chrisp2481]

Pretty boring interview. gotta move on.

[@aidan7738]

what is that pee-like substance they are always drinking?

[@ButterChrome888]

woah

[@oodles86]

0:27 Trump impress

[@slimetime2227]

A very Anti American woman in your show? Really... thus us telling.

[@JohnDoe-ef3nv]

anti american? lol..

[@slimetime2227]

Yes, very anti American!

[@robinfletcher6718]

wow, ...Anti American...??? Curious if your comment comes from actual knowledge of this country's roots, OR, your fear ...of the world, of foreigners, or anyone different from you, of anyone who disagrees with you, .... ???

[@slimetime2227]

Robin Fletcher... it’s obvious you know how un-American she is... and if I was to guess you are right there with her. Do you support allowing people to burn the American flag? Do you support kneeling during ANY kind of Pro American songs? Do you support the rights of people that are not even American over actual Americans? Do you base your decisions on politics versus right and wrong? Are your decision based on what or who you want to be against or are they based on what you want to stand for? That is the big question... many people want to be against something or someone versus focusing on standing for something worth standing for! I am a combat vet Marine and I know what I stand for and it’s not anti American Politics so they can be against someone or some party! Have a real backbone and stand up for American or get the Flip out of my Country!

[@JohnDoe-ef3nv]

People have a right to express their views. Are you against free speech? THat's very un-american of you.