Joan: Life Beyond the Script

In this fearless and inspiring memoir, trailblazing journalist Joan Lunden pulls back the curtain on the defining moments that shaped her extraordinary life--from breaking barriers on national television to reshaping motherhood, survivorship, and aging on her own terms.

Since bursting onto the national morning news scene in 1980 as cohost of Good Morning America, Joan Lunden has been a catalyst for revolutionary societal changes. She didn’t just report the headlines; she made headlines for shattering the mold in a news industry dominated by older white men and rewrote the rules entirely. In a bold move that challenged workplace norms, Joan was one of the first to bring her newborn daughter to work so she could continue breastfeeding, showing the world that she could be a dedicated mom and a top-tier journalist at the same time.

In her 50s, after raising three grown daughters from her previous marriage, Joan and her husband, Jeff Konigsberg, welcomed two sets of twins via surrogate, proving women can embrace motherhood at any age.

Then, in her 60s, Joan discovered she had breast cancer. She bravely went public with her diagnosis, chronicling her journey and fearlessly posing bald on the cover of PEOPLE. Standing in her truth, she became an advocate for women to be better informed about the disease. She even lobbied Washington to require mammogram testing results be made available to all women, especially those with dense breast tissue. Her valiant efforts enabled early cancer detection and surely helped save countless lives.

During the later-life care of her mother, Glady, Joan advocated again--this time for senior citizens. She testified before Congress to expand the Family and Medical Leave Act to include senior care, imploring that caregiving isn’t just something we do at the start of life-- it happens at the end, as well.

At every turn, Joan has been willing to step out of her comfort zone while reinventing herself and the environment around her. JOAN: Life Beyond theScript shares the extraordinary transitions this journalist, television host, author, and advocate has undergone and how she has influenced our life transitions as well. By deeply reflecting on the most pivotal moments in her life and career, accepting the times when she faltered as much as when she was sure of herself, Lunden encourages us all to be open to change and the profound transformations it brings.

An award-winning journalist, bestselling author, television host, and motivational speaker, Joan Lunden is a true trailblazer who has been a trusted voice in American homes for 50 years. For nearly two decades, Lunden greeted viewers each morning on Good Morning America, making her the longest-running female host ever on early morning television. She has broken barriers, and her resilience, reinvention, and advocacy have inspired millions.

Recognized as an icon in broadcast journalism, Lunden continues to be one of America’s most trusted and admired public figures, making her a sought-after speaker at events across the country. As an ardent health and senior advocate, she has testified before the Food and Drug Administration for mandatory mammogram reporting and before the Congressional House Ways and Means Committee in support of expanding the Family and Medical Leave Act. She has also served as a visiting professor at Lehigh University’s College of Health, where she taught Population Health and the Media.

As a member of the sandwich generation, Lunden appeals to a wide demographic. She is a mother of seven, including two sets of twins, now in their early twenties. Like many Boomers, she has balanced a demanding career with caregiving for an aging parent, an experience that fuels her passion as an advocate for seniors.

One of the most visible women in America, Lunden has graced the covers of over sixty magazines and ten book covers. Her latest book, Why Did I Come into This Room: A Candid Conversation About Aging, became a New York Times Best Seller.

In June 2014, Lunden was diagnosed with triple-negative breast cancer. Ever the optimist, she turned her diagnosis into a mission to help others, becoming a powerful advocate for breast cancer awareness and chronicling her journey in her book, Had I Known: A Memoir of Survival.

Lunden has served as national spokesperson for organizations including the American Heart Association, Mothers Against Drunk Driving, American Lung Association, American Red Cross, American Academy of Pediatrics, and the Colon Cancer Alliance. She continues to connect with audiences daily through her social media platforms and her website, JoanLunden.com.

Joan Lunden is not only a trusted voice, she is an advocate, and an icon who continues to inspire generations with her strength, passion, and purpose.

Joan Lunden’s books include: Why Did I Come into This Room: A Candid Conversation About Aging; Had I Known: A Memoir of Survival; Chicken Soup for the Soul: Family Caregiving; Growing Up Healthy: Protecting Your Child from Diseases Now Through Adulthood; Wake-Up Calls: Making the Most Out of Every Day; A Bend in the Road Is Not the End of the Road; 10 Positive Principles for Dealing with Change; Joan Lunden’s Healthy Living: A Practical, Inspirational Guide to Creating Balance in Your Life; Joan Lunden’s Healthy Cooking; and Good Morning, I’m Joan Lunden.