Next Question with Katie Couric

Maria Sharapova has won five Grand Slams since becoming a pro tennis player at just 14 years old— and she's faced her share of setbacks, too. Sharapova joins Katie at 92Y in New York City to discuss highlights from her new memoir, including emigrating from Russia at age 6, her rivalry with Serena Williams, and the urine test that took her off the court. Sharapova also opens up about her recent ban from tennis, calling it "one of the toughest things that an athlete can go through." Plus, what it was like to return.

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Danny Meyer is a legend in the food business. While he's best known for founding Shake Shack, the global burger empire, he actually got his start in fine dining. He was just 27 years old when he opened his first restaurant, the Union Square Cafe. Katie joins Danny there to talk (over tagliatelle) about the decision to eliminate tipping at many of his restaurants, the difference between service and hospitality, and why he was initially embarrassed to tell his family he wanted to go into the restaurant business. Plus, he shares his recommended order at Shake Shack.

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Rabbi Steve Leder, senior rabbi at the oldest synagogue in Los Angeles, sits down with Brian to discuss the subject of his new book: how suffering can be transformational. Rabbi Leder details the change he experienced following a car accident that briefly left him dependent on opioids and eating them "like they're candy." He also offers advice on how to help loved ones coping with trauma and why to avoid saying, "Let me know if you need anything." Plus, insights from Maimonides on the steps it takes to earn forgiveness.

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Marie Kondo brings her world-renowned tidying expertise to Katie's own closet, where—let’s just say—not everything is “sparking joy.” They discuss Marie’s early (and sometimes overzealous) forays into organizing and why the "KonMari Method" for cleaning up has turned into a global phenomenon. Plus, Marie explains how her young daughters have changed her approach to tidying and divulges the unnecessary object in her home that she refuses to give away. For bonus footage of Marie helping Katie confront her packed closet, head to Architectural Digest: bit.ly/KondoCouric

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As the chief official White House photographer for President Obama, Pete Souza spent eight years in the "room where it happens." He has the stories — and the pictures— to show for it: from playing cards with POTUS on Air Force One to photographing the Situation Room during the raid that killed Osama bin Laden. No one, with the possible exception of the First Lady, spent more time with Barack Obama during his presidency. Plus, Pete reflects on his formative years outside Washington, including a harrowing, snowy trek on horseback to document the fall of Kabul, Afghanistan.

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Surprise! Katie offers up a bonus takeover episode from The Longest Shortest Time, another podcast in the Stitcher network. Former Massachusetts Governor Jane Swift describes what it was like to be the first U.S. governor to give birth while in office. Plus, moms today share their own stories of discrimination in the workplace. This episode is the first in a four-part Longest Shortest Time series on working moms.

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Longtime political analyst Norm Ornstein joins Katie and Brian to reflect on the upcoming anniversary of Donald Trump’s election. They discuss the “seeds of Trumpism,” the changing Republican Party and the future of American civic life. Plus, Ornstein opens up about his late son’s struggle with mental illness and his push for mental health policy reform.

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Gretchen Carlson may have been fired last year from her job at Fox News, but it hasn't slowed her down one bit. After filing and settling a sexual harassment lawsuit against her former boss at Fox for a reported $20 million, Gretchen has transitioned from journalism to advocacy. She joins Katie and Brian to discuss her new book, the recent bombshell allegations against Hollywood mogul Harvey Weinstein, and her advice for others facing sexual harassment at work. Plus, she recalls what it was like to be crowned Miss America at age 22 and the nerve-racking prank that unexpectedly launched her career in television.

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Martha Stewart has dominated all things domestic for nearly 35 years. But what about the woman behind the empire? Katie and Brian pay a visit to Martha's pristine office for a candid conversation over some apple-cranberry crisp. Martha recalls what it was like growing up in New Jersey as one of six kids, getting her first book deal, serving time in prison and what it was like to work on a TV show with Donald Trump. Plus, she discusses her new cookbook and her collaboration with Snoop Dogg. Nothing is off-limits. It's a good thing.

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David Axelrod is a renowned Democratic political strategist, most notably for Barack Obama in 2008 and 2012. These days, he runs the nonpartisan Institute of Politics at the University of Chicago and hosts a hit podcast, The Axe Files, where he interviews major political figures. In this special crossover episode, Katie and Brian turn the tables on "Axe" and get his own story, including his early days in gritty Chicago journalism, his father's death from suicide, and his family's efforts on behalf of his daughter, Lauren, who has epilepsy. Plus, they discuss his former client, Hillary Clinton, and the future of the Democratic party.

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