Hoda Kotb Launches Joy 101

Hoda Kotb launched a wellness community and platform to introduce a more joyful and balanced life.

In New York on May 28, 2025  Hoda Kotb, beloved journalist, New York Times bestselling author, and former TODAY SHOW anchor—officially launched Joy 101, a wellness platform and community designed to help all people live more joyful, grounded, and purposeful lives.

Joy 101 is a mini-universe for people to explore—online courses, practices, and events, plus in-person retreats, spontaneous “surprise and delight” moments, and more, all with Hoda leading the way. The app gently guides users from where they are to where they want to be, introducing them to the very practices and wisdom that changed Kotb’s life—like breath work; meditation; movement; gratitude, and sleep hacks that actually work.  

As guests entered Current at Pier 49 within Chelsea pier, they were met with a lenticular photo moment wall. As they entered the event, the wall debuted the Joy 101 logo over a sunrise, as they left the event the wall transformed into a sunset. Press lined our step and repeat as the celebrity guests made their way down the red carpet in front of our dimensional backdrop. Inside the marina-side venue, the event featured curated food, drinks, custom florals matching the color gradients, a live DJ, and screens that displayed custom content introducing guests to the app, its advisors, and content. Bay windows looked out over the Hudson River sunset, consistent with the app’s branding. Guests could also enjoy a unique photo moment rooted in joy, where they threw confetti and received a fun moving GIF of the confetti falling around them. The event culminated in a stage presentation by Hoda, and a special music performance by Rachel Platten. 

We built a custom LED-trimmed stage featuring the brand’s gradient, branding, and a custom lighting rig for the space. Hoda welcomed her guests, introduced her advisors, and passionately explained the app to everyone. Hoda then brought her Emmy and Grammy Award-winning friend Rachel Platten to the stage. The two talked about Joy and then Rachel sat down at the piano and played for the crowd. There wasn’t a dry eye in the room as Rachel played and spoke about her own personal life-changing experiences with Hoda and finding a more joyful and balanced life, even walking everyone through a breathing exercise. The evening ended with Hoda joining Rachel at the piano where the two sang “Fight Song” together with the crowd.    

“You know when you find something so special, so life-changing that you just have to share it? That’s me, and that’s Joy 101,” said founder Hoda Kotb. “It’s a place to pass on the light, the lessons and the healing I’ve been lucky enough to receive from the very best in wellness. Think of it as an introduction into a more joyful, balanced, beautiful life. Let’s goooooo!” 

The event marked the launch of the platform and the public invitation to join the journey to wellness. It begins with the Joy101 app, which is available now for pre-order and will officially launch on June 11th —a personalized joyride featuring daily content from the nation’s top experts, curated by Hoda and tailored to each user. Joy 101 offers deep-dive courses on subjects like purpose, happiness, and curiosity, taught by professors whose classes are some of the most sought-after on college campuses. Hoda has learned from the best in wellness—and now she’s linked arms with them. The Joy Collective includes:

  • Arthur Brooks, Phd. – Expert on happiness and renowned author, Harvard Professor
  • Emma Grede – Founder, entrepreneur, and host of Aspire with Emma Grede podcast
  • Joanna Gaines – Co-founder of Magnolia and visionary designer
  • Maria Shriver – Journalist, advocate, and champion for women
  • Cathy Engelbert – Commissioner of the WNBA and leadership pioneer
  • Dr. Wendy Suzuki – Neuroscientist and dean of NYU’s College of Arts and Science