The Jamie Kern Lima Show

Success Leaves Clues! Incredible Women’s Stories & The Power of Yours w/ Norah O’Donnell Pt 2

February 24, 2026

Key Takeaways Copied to clipboard!

  • The fundamental role of journalism, as exemplified by Norah O'Donnell's work, is to serve as a constitutional check on power by rigorously reporting facts, even when facing contention or accusations of "fake news." 
  • Achieving the presidency requires an immense and palpable sense of self-belief and self-assuredness that Norah O'Donnell has observed as a common trait among all living presidents she has interviewed. 
  • Norah O'Donnell successfully negotiated equal pay for a major role at CBS by asserting her worth, illustrating the necessity for individuals, particularly women, to actively ask for what they deserve in negotiations. 
  • Revolutionary women, like Civil War surgeon Dr. Mary Edwards Walker, often faced denouncement and rejection for being the first, yet their grit inspires pushing through doubt. 
  • To advance, women must overcome internal and external barriers that teach them to hold back their power, though recent cultural shifts (like Taylor Swift and the *Barbie* movie) show growing acceptance of unapologetic female power. 
  • The country is ready for a woman president, but continued progress requires more women in elected office and a critical examination of how media and individuals cover women in power, checking for appearance-based bias. 

Segments

Journalistic Integrity and Censorship
Copied to clipboard!
(00:00:00)
  • Key Takeaway: Norah O’Donnell has never compromised her journalistic integrity by allowing interview subjects to dictate or edit content, and she would publicly disclose any such attempt.
  • Summary: Journalists adhere to strict standards and practices that protect their reputation across administrations. O’Donnell confirmed that she has never been asked to cut or edit an interview after it was conducted. She stated that if she were ever forced to compromise her integrity, she would speak publicly about it.
Journalism as a Check on Power
Copied to clipboard!
(00:17:41)
  • Key Takeaway: Freedom of the press, enshrined in the First Amendment, is a vital constitutional check on power designed to inform the electorate.
  • Summary: The press acts as a check on the powerful, a role established since the founding of America. While the relationship between the press and figures in power is often contentious, journalists continue to fight in court to maintain their ability to report facts. Great investigative reporting exposes abuse in government, the church, and military actions, leading to real change.
Navigating Media Fragmentation
Copied to clipboard!
(00:10:01)
  • Key Takeaway: The public often confuses the broad concept of “the media” with the strict standards and practices followed by professional journalists.
  • Summary: Journalism operates under strict standards and practices, unlike general social media commentary or opinion content. People often seek medical or health advice from charismatic internet personalities instead of qualified professionals. Journalists aim to build trust by carrying out their work in a way that prioritizes facts over affirmation.
Presidential Common Traits
Copied to clipboard!
(00:33:08)
  • Key Takeaway: All individuals who successfully run for President of the United States share an undeniable, almost palpable, full sense of confidence and self-assuredness in themselves and their ideals.
  • Summary: Campaigning for president is extremely difficult, requiring a certain type of person to endure the process. This common trait of firm self-belief is observable in person, described as something one can almost smell. This contrasts with some candidates who run but instantly lack that necessary level of conviction.
Asserting Worth in Negotiations
Copied to clipboard!
(01:01:17)
  • Key Takeaway: When negotiating career opportunities, one must ask for what they know they are worth, as demonstrated by Norah O’Donnell securing equal pay by demanding parity with a male counterpart.
  • Summary: O’Donnell was asked how she would manage a demanding role with three children, a question she recognized was inappropriate and illegal to ask men. She leveraged this moment to demand equal compensation to the highest-paid male anchor on the show, and she received it. Not asking for what you want when you know your worth can result in unequal outcomes.
The Power of Women’s Advocacy
Copied to clipboard!
(00:44:39)
  • Key Takeaway: The legislative achievements benefiting women, such as Title IX and the ability for women to open bank accounts, were the result of collaborative work by both Republican and Democratic women in Congress.
  • Summary: There needs to be more women in political office to ensure representative democracy. Historical examples show that women in Congress have driven crucial changes like parental leave laws and equal funding for sports. Cynicism and giving up prevent the necessary ideological battles that lead to positive change.
Inspiration from Historical Women
Copied to clipboard!
(01:06:41)
  • Key Takeaway: Revolutionary women like Dr. Mary Edwards Walker, the first Army surgeon during the Civil War, refused to surrender their earned honors and defied norms by wearing pants.
  • Summary: Dr. Mary Edwards Walker is the only woman in America to have received the Medal of Honor, which she refused to return when officials tried to revoke it. She famously wore pants while serving as a surgeon on the battlefield, stating she wore her own clothes, not men’s. These stories inspire listeners to push through doubt, whether self-imposed or external, by finding belief in historical figures or trusted sources.
Women’s Worthiness and Leadership
Copied to clipboard!
(01:08:02)
  • Key Takeaway: Achieving a world where women feel worthy, as explored in Jamie Kern Lima’s book Worthy, is key to teaching girls how to rule the world alongside men.
  • Summary: The concept of women feeling worthy daily could fundamentally change the world’s structure. Dee Dee Myers’ past work suggested teaching girls how to rule the world, which requires instilling worthiness and highlighting historical grit despite systemic disadvantages. Contemporary figures like Taylor Swift and the success of the Barbie movie demonstrate a shift toward embracing unapologetic female power.
Bias Against Women in Power
Copied to clipboard!
(01:11:14)
  • Key Takeaway: Bias against female candidates persists, often focusing on appearance, which necessitates checking biases in ourselves and the men and women around us.
  • Summary: Despite recent successes, the country’s readiness for a female president is still debated, though progress is being made through more women in elected office. Media coverage and public discourse frequently focus on female candidates’ appearance rather than qualifications, a bias Jamie Kern Lima observes even within her own family discussions. Supporting women in business, media, and politics requires actively checking and eliminating these ingrained biases.
Norah O’Donnell’s Motivation for Interview
Copied to clipboard!
(01:13:38)
  • Key Takeaway: Norah O’Donnell agreed to this first long-form podcast interview due to admiration for Jamie Kern Lima’s work in promoting positivity and worthiness.
  • Summary: Norah O’Donnell admires Jamie Kern Lima’s mission to change people for the better through positivity and limiting self-doubt. She notes that younger women seem to possess less self-doubt than her own generation, which gives her hope for the future. O’Donnell praises Kern Lima’s recent work, including the episode on menopause, for focusing on women’s health and community well-being.
Impact of ‘We the Women’ Book
Copied to clipboard!
(01:15:33)
  • Key Takeaway: Reading We the Women: The Hidden Heroes Who Shaped America provides a visceral, inspiring experience that strengthens readers against life’s difficulties.
  • Summary: Recording the audiobook for We the Women was an emotional experience, highlighting how tough women in history have had it, which makes current complaints seem trivial. The book is designed to be picked up whenever a boost is needed, offering stories of women who defied the odds. Reading the book is described as an experience that leaves one feeling stronger and ready to face challenges.
Closing Thoughts and Self-Worth
Copied to clipboard!
(01:18:35)
  • Key Takeaway: Self-worth dictates life trajectory, and building it through tools like the book Worthy is essential for achieving one’s destiny.
  • Summary: Listeners are urged to share the episode widely as it can impact and change lives, and to subscribe and leave reviews. Jamie Kern Lima emphasizes that people soar only to the level of their self-worth, making the book Worthy crucial for overcoming self-doubt and achieving one’s calling. Signing up for the free weekly newsletter at jamiekernlima.com provides ongoing inspiration, tools, joy, and love.