Kristen Welker, the first Black journalist to host “Meet the Press,” the longest-running television program in history, reflected on her one-year anniversary as the show’s moderator, emphasizing her commitment to holding those in power accountable while amplifying diverse voices. She also shared insights into how the show is reaching new audiences, her approach to balancing work and family life, and her practices for self-care.
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00:00I have really started to realize that taking care of your own health is not being selfish.
00:04It is a necessary part of being a good mom, of being present for my kids, of being an
00:10effective moderator.
00:12And so I try to carve out time for myself every week to exercise, to get outside, to
00:17take a long walk.
00:19Sometimes I'm walking and I'm pushing a stroller with two kids in it, and those are the best
00:22kinds of walks.
00:24But to make sure that I am taking that pause so that I can recharge both mentally and physically.
00:30Hey Essence fam, I am News and Politics Editor Melissa Noel and we are back with another
00:38edition of Black Women in the News.
00:41And today I have the honor and pleasure of sitting with Kristen Welker, the host of Meet
00:47the Press.
00:48Kristen, it is absolutely a pleasure to have you join us today and to actually get to chat
00:54with you because we got to cover your historic debut on Meet the Press a year ago.
01:00And now we get to chat with you a year later.
01:02So we're excited.
01:03Well, Melissa, it's an honor to be with you all.
01:06Thank you so much.
01:07And I'm excited to chat with you as well.
01:09It's great to be with you.
01:10Ah, awesome.
01:11Awesome.
01:12So Black Women in the News has been a really, really great way for our audience to not only
01:18get to know a little bit more about the black women who are covering the news that we hear
01:25we see and we're consuming every day, but to get to know a little bit more about your
01:29journey.
01:30So I want to just take a minute and I think I'd be remiss if we don't talk about the historic
01:36debut that you made a year ago on Meet the Press, becoming the first black journalist
01:40to host the show, which is the longest running show on television.
01:45So reflecting on this milestone, how would you say you put your personal stamp on the
01:50program over the past year?
01:53What has it been like balancing the rich legacy of the show, but also the vision that you
01:58have for it?
02:00Well, Melissa, it's a really great question.
02:02It was an incredible honor to be given the opportunity to moderate Meet the Press.
02:09The second woman to moderate Meet the Press, Martha Roundtree, who actually created the
02:16show all of those years ago, was the first woman.
02:19So I really stand on her shoulders and the shoulders of all of the moderators before
02:24me.
02:25And my goal really every Sunday is to live up to the great legacy of Meet the Press,
02:29to hold those who are in power or who are seeking power accountable for their words,
02:34for their actions, to get answers on behalf of the American people.
02:38And the way that I've approached this role and the way that I've really tried to put
02:41my own stamp on it is to make sure that we are hearing from a wider range of voices,
02:47to make sure that no one is left out of this conversation.
02:50We've created a segment called Meet the Moment, which allows us to talk to people who impact
02:55our politics, but who aren't necessarily elected officials.
02:58So talking to Alison Felix about black maternal health, talking to Selma Blair about rights
03:05for those who are living with disabilities.
03:07And I think that expanding the conversation has been really my goal and focus.
03:13No, and I thank you for that.
03:14And you brought me right into the next point, which is just talking about bringing some
03:20of those voices who may not necessarily be elected officials, but they may be what audiences
03:26or people that the audience members see every day or may know quicker than they may know
03:32other elected officials or other people.
03:35So how have you seen that be impactful in terms of what the audience has said to see
03:41someone like an Alison Felix talking directly about maternal health and being able to bring
03:45another voice to it outside of, of course, elected officials who are either writing the
03:50laws or making some of those decisions?
03:52Well, I think that expanding our voices is part of our way of reaching a wider and also
03:58younger audience.
03:59And that is such an important part of our politics.
04:02Our young voices, our young voters play such a critical role.
04:06And these are issues that matter to them.
04:09So we just recently featured a Meet the Moment with JJ Velasquez, who was wrongfully convicted
04:15decades ago, and he was finally exonerated.
04:19And we got to report on that and share his powerful story.
04:22We also interviewed Dan Slepian, who is the Dateline producer, who helped to shine a light
04:27on the fact that he was wrongly convicted and just dealing with these issues, again,
04:32that impacts our politics, our culture, families all across the country.
04:36I really see that as the expanding role of Meet the Press.
04:39Yeah, thank you so much.
04:40And as you said, widening the audience, especially, you know, Gen Z being really vocal to what's
04:47online, they're telling us like it is and they're holding people's feet to the fire.
04:52So to be able to meet that moment with them, I think has certainly been critical, especially
04:57in these political times.
04:59So as we're heading into the 2024 presidential election, what do you see as some of the biggest
05:05issues that will likely shape the outcome?
05:08And are there any emerging topics that or topics that you think that we're not necessarily
05:14paying enough attention to that may just turn out to be a deciding factor?
05:20As we as Americans head to the polls, we know early voting has already begun in some
05:25places. But just as these things get underway.
05:29Well, we have to think about the economy, that is the top issue for voters all across
05:33the country and voters who cut across all different groups.
05:39And it's really fascinating that that has been a constant.
05:43And so we are trying to keep that in focus when we have our conversations on Meet the
05:48Press every Sunday.
05:50But look, there are a number of other issues that have risen to the forefront.
05:53This is going to be the first presidential election, Melissa, after Roe v.
05:58Wade was overturned.
05:59Abortion is going to be on the ballot in 10 different states.
06:03We've seen it be an energizing factor in elections since Roe v.
06:07Wade was overturned. So we have to keep our focus on that as well.
06:10And then again, I go back to younger voters.
06:12What are issues they care about?
06:14Gun control, climate change.
06:17So really covering the range of issues for voters.
06:21Yeah, it definitely spans the wide range of issues.
06:25And definitely people want their voices heard.
06:30And we see how social media has really played a huge role in that.
06:35How have you been connecting with your viewers who are viewing Meet the Press and
06:40especially younger viewers right as the audience expands?
06:43How have you been connecting with them on social media online, kind of meeting those
06:48moments, you know, meeting people where they are?
06:50Being on social media is you're absolutely right about meeting our viewers and meeting
06:55voters, quite frankly, where they are.
06:56So we do have a really robust presence online where we try to make sure that we are
07:01getting the news out as quickly as possible from the program, but then going a step
07:07beyond that to make sure that we're delving deeper into some of these topic areas,
07:11making sure that that is being shared online as well and just making sure that we
07:17have that presence.
07:18And I'm so proud that after a year sitting in the chair, our online presence has grown.
07:24Our presence on YouTube has grown in the number of views that we are getting and
07:29viewers that we are getting in all of those spaces.
07:31And it's really an area that we have been focused on.
07:34And I think you're seeing, look, candidates and campaigns increasingly focused on it as
07:39well, because that is where our younger viewers in particular are getting their news.
07:45And I think that it's such an important part of informing the public.
07:49That is our goal every single week to make sure that we are getting critical information
07:54to our viewers, to voters all across this country so that they can make the best decision
07:58for themselves when they walk into the voting booth or when they vote early.
08:01Yeah. And there's we have so many ways we can do that, you know, as elections approach.
08:07We know that you're hosting you host the show that really you have political interviews
08:13we know can be intense sometimes, especially given the stakes of today's conversations.
08:20What would you say have been some of the most challenging moments you've had or how have
08:25you navigated some of those challenging moments in terms of interviewing politicians
08:31that, you know, you want to get the questions answered?
08:34You're trying to inform American people, but it can be difficult.
08:36How do how do you navigate those tough conversations and what advice can you give to our
08:43audience who whether they're trying to go into journalism or just just any other role,
08:47how to navigate difficult experiences on the job?
08:52The way that I navigate a challenging interview, and quite frankly, they all are, is to
08:56always go back to this fundamental question.
08:58Have I gotten an answer to the question that I just asked?
09:02Sometimes someone's answer requires a little bit of fact checking or that I fill in some
09:06context in between. So that really requires me to be read in on whatever topic I'm asking.
09:13If I don't know the topic, Melissa, 10 layers deep, I don't ask the question.
09:18And I think that's a really important principle to keep in mind.
09:21And I'm always asking myself, did I get an answer to the question?
09:25If not, I try to go back to the question to say, I didn't hear an answer to what I just
09:31asked. And I think that viewers appreciate that because they're following along.
09:36And when I talk to voters, Melissa, and this is one of the things that I'm proud of.
09:39Also, I have spent a lot of time on the trail talking to voters about the issues that
09:43matter to them. What did they want answers to?
09:47I try to keep their voices in my head and I try to get answers on behalf of them,
09:52because if they watch a program and they feel like, boy, I really didn't get the answers
09:57that she asked, then I haven't done my job.
10:01And so that is my guiding principle.
10:02That is my advice to any aspiring journalist.
10:05When you ask a question, make sure that you understand the context of the question that
10:10you're asking and be patient.
10:13Don't be afraid to go back two or three times to say, let me try again and try to get an
10:19answer to the original question that I just asked, because I do think that viewers really
10:24appreciate that because they know that you're getting answers on behalf of them.
10:27Thank you so much for that. That fundamental principle, right?
10:30You can always go back to it, get that question answered or try to at least in different ways
10:36that you can. So I want to kind of take a little turn here.
10:40We know that you grew up in Philadelphia and Pennsylvania, of course, is a huge
10:47battleground state this time around for the elections.
10:50But just Pennsylvania and the role that it's played in democracy, America's democracy in
10:55general. How does your Philly upbringing, how has it informed and influenced the way that
11:01you do your storytelling as well as what you bring to the show?
11:07Well, I think it inspired me to become a journalist in the first place, because Philadelphia
11:11is in many ways the birthplace of our democracy and has played such a critical role in our
11:18democracy moving forward.
11:19My mom was very involved in politics when I grew up.
11:23She ran for city council.
11:24And so I got to watch that from the side of someone who was cheering for a candidate, but
11:30also got to watch how the media treated her as a black politician.
11:36And I understood the importance at a young age.
11:38I was in high school when she first ran for city council of getting her.
11:41And so that was one of the experiences as a kid growing up in Philly that really inspired
11:47me, the power of politics, the power of political journalism to play a role in our
11:54democracy. And so I've really carried those principles forward as a journalist now on the
11:59national stage.
12:01And I have loved being a kid from Philadelphia who now gets to be a journalist watching
12:09what has happened with Pennsylvania.
12:10By the way, I spent five years reporting in Pennsylvania, including during the 2008
12:16election. So I got to interview the late Senator John McCain, then Senators Obama and
12:22Hillary Clinton as a local reporter.
12:25And I that was an incredibly important moment for Pennsylvania as well.
12:29And so here we are again in twenty twenty four.
12:31Pennsylvania is going to be key.
12:33I think it is a razor tight race in Pennsylvania.
12:37There's a lot of focus. The candidates are there.
12:39Former President Barack Obama is going to start his campaigning.
12:42Yeah. Harris in Pennsylvania.
12:44I think it all underscores just how critical of a battleground state Pennsylvania is.
12:49I so appreciate that context there.
12:51And just hearing a little bit more about your journey.
12:54And I know your mom must be so proud of you for sure.
12:59And I think if you're just taking a little time to not only talk about your journey there,
13:05but also just how critical a state like Pennsylvania is and how just important it is for us
13:11to be engaged and informed as we not only move into this election, but just in general.
13:18Absolutely. And I have to say, I give so much credit to my parents.
13:23They are proud and they're so supportive, Melissa.
13:26They still watch every single live shot, every single broadcast.
13:31Sometimes my mom has some commentary, some constructive criticism.
13:36She wouldn't be mom without that.
13:38Absolutely. But they are my role models because the lesson that they passed along to me when I was growing up is that you have to be engaged in your community.
13:48And that is one of my guiding principles as a journalist.
13:53And so they still live in Pennsylvania.
13:55They are two of my most important focus group members because I'm always asking them what's happening on the ground in Pennsylvania.
14:04They keep me informed there.
14:06But obviously we have spent so much time focused on Pennsylvania and not just the polling there, but the mood of the people.
14:13And Pennsylvania was one of the states that I traveled to to conduct a real focus group with voters to get their sense of what they care about in this election.
14:22And so it is a state that we will be returning to from now until Election Day.
14:27And of course, there are so many battleground states that we're focused on as we get closer to the election.
14:32For sure. And now talking about your we talked about your parents, but now I want to talk about you a little bit.
14:39You know, you're in this high profile role at Meet the Press, but you are also a new mom.
14:43And so I'd like to know, how have you managed to find a balance between the demands of such an important program and just your professional life in general and your family life?
14:58Well, when I accepted the role as moderator, I made a promise to myself to give this role 150 percent, to give it all of me.
15:06And of course, I have to give my kids 200 percent.
15:10And the way that I do that is that when I am at home, I put my phone down.
15:14I am focused on them.
15:16I don't do any work until bedtime and until everyone is tucked in and everyone has had a wonderful dinner.
15:23And then I focus on my work as moderator of Meet the Press.
15:27And Melissa, I have to tell you, that means a lot of late nights.
15:30Last night I was up well past midnight doing my research, preparing for this Sunday's show.
15:36But it is worth it.
15:37And I feel so invigorated every day because I feel so blessed for the life that I have, for the two beautiful children that I have, Margo and John Zachary.
15:49John Zachary just turned four months.
15:51Margo is three years old and she has this amazing personality that is developing.
15:57And I feel happy every day being with them and watching them grow and also knowing that I get to work on this extraordinary program that does have this incredible legacy.
16:08And in them, I am always reminded of my purpose, which is to make sure that I am educating not just the, you know, my generation,
16:20the older generation, but the next generation.
16:23And so it is really, I think, being a mom and a working mom is just a way to focus what my principles are, what my priorities are, which is to help educate this great country.
16:35Oh, thank you so much for that.
16:37I think that will resonate with a lot of the working moms in our audience who are like, how can I, how do I, how can I get this all done?
16:45But every day is different, of course.
16:47But I just thank you for sharing that with us.
16:51I wanted to know, to round out this conversation here, a couple more questions.
16:56How do you recharge?
16:58We know, especially a political show, it's high stakes, high pressure, a lot is going on.
17:04So what do you do to recharge and just, you know, reset for Kristen?
17:11The best way to recharge is to spend time with my family.
17:14In fact, this Sunday, when I finish the show, we're going to go pick out a pumpkin and everyone's really excited about that.
17:22And I unplug and I stay focused on our family activities and what we are doing.
17:29And I also try to make sure I'm getting time outside and that I am taking care of my own health.
17:35Melissa, that is so important.
17:38I have really started to realize that taking care of your own health is not being selfish.
17:42It is a necessary part of being a good mom, of being present for my kids, of being an effective moderator.
17:50And so I try to carve out time for myself every week to exercise, to get outside, to take a long walk.
17:56Sometimes I'm walking and I'm pushing a stroller with two kids in it.
17:59And those are the best kinds of walks.
18:02But to make sure that I am taking that pause so that I can recharge both mentally and physically.
18:08Oh, I absolutely appreciate that.
18:10As you said, it's so simple, but sometimes we're so busy we don't even think about it.
18:14Absolutely.
18:16Take a minute to just go outside, get fresh air, take a walk.
18:20Some days it's like, did I eat lunch?
18:23Did I go outside today?
18:24And so that reminder is critical.
18:27And I appreciate you for sharing that.
18:30And so the last question I just have for you is, this again is Black Women in the News.
18:36And part of what we do here is ensuring that the next generation of Black women who are interested in news, who are watching you, know that they can do it too.
18:47So the question I have here is, what would you say to an aspiring storyteller?
18:54Because maybe they want to be a journalist.
18:56Maybe they're going to do something a little different, but their voices are important.
18:59What would you say to them if they're struggling right now?
19:03They're not sure how to find their way.
19:05What would your advice be to them about just continuing along the path?
19:10My advice to aspiring Black journalists is believe in yourself, never give up.
19:17Look to the past to know that you are capable of doing anything you set your mind to.
19:23If you put the work in, I look at some of those who inspired me.
19:27Carol Simpson, Gwen Ifill, who took me to dinner when I first got to Washington, gave me great advice and really helped me to find my footing when I first arrived here in this incredibly competitive environment.
19:45They continue to inspire me.
19:47Of course, Gwen Ifill, we mourn the fact that she's no longer with us.
19:52And I would say to those who are aspiring to be journalists to look around you.
19:58Who inspires you?
19:59Don't be afraid to reach out for help, for advice, for guidance.
20:04You're going to have tough days.
20:06You're going to have days when it feels like, boy, I don't know if I can do this job.
20:10I have had plenty of those days.
20:12We all have.
20:14We all have.
20:15But the key is believing in yourself and knowing that you can do it.
20:19And to our more senior journalists, I would say it is so important that we don't let young journalists, Black journalists, journalists of color, women journalists fall through the cracks.
20:30Make sure that you are paying it forward, that you are taking time for that lunch or that dinner so that you can give advice, so that you can pass your information along to the next generation.
20:41Because ultimately, that is our responsibility.
20:44And that is what being a great journalist is really about.
20:48Oh, I so appreciate that.
20:50And with that, I just want to say thank you so much again, Kristen Welker, the host of Meet the Press.
20:57We so appreciate your time and for joining us on this edition of Black Women in the News.
21:03Melissa, thank you so much.
21:05It's such a great conversation.
21:07Wonderful to be with you.
21:08I really loved it.