Jenna Bush Hager's Next Chapter: 5 Bold New Ventures Beyond The Today Show

Jenna Bush Hager, a familiar and beloved face on morning television, is not just contemplating her "next chapter"—she is actively building an entirely new empire that extends far beyond the *Today Show* desk. As of December 13, 2025, the journalist, author, and book club founder is navigating a significant professional evolution, balancing her high-profile NBC role with major new ventures in publishing, local television, and personal brand development. This new era sees her doubling down on her passion for literature while exploring new on-screen opportunities that hint at a future move away from New York City's demanding schedule.

The speculation about her eventual exit from *Today with Jenna & Hoda* has been a constant talking point among fans, but her recent announcements confirm she is laying the groundwork for a massive career expansion. Her latest projects are a clear signal that the former First Daughter is transitioning into a powerful media mogul, leveraging her influence to amplify new voices and explore more personal, community-focused content. The following is a deep dive into the five most significant and surprising moves defining her career's exciting new trajectory.

Jenna Bush Hager: A Comprehensive Biography and Career Profile

Jenna Welch Bush Hager is an American news personality, author, and journalist, best known as the daughter of the 43rd U.S. President, George W. Bush, and former First Lady Laura Bush. She was born on November 25, 1981, and is the fraternal twin sister of Barbara Pierce Bush.

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• Full Name: Jenna Welch Bush Hager (née Bush)
• Born: November 25, 1981 (Age 44 as of late 2025)
• Place of Birth: Dallas, Texas, U.S.
• Parents: George W. Bush and Laura Bush
• Spouse: Henry Chase Hager (m. 2008)
• Children: Mila, Poppy, and Hal
• Education: University of Texas at Austin (B.A. in English)
• Early Career: Worked as a teacher in Washington, D.C., and Baltimore.
• NBC News Career: Joined NBC News as a correspondent and contributor to the *Today Show* in 2009.
• Current Role: Co-host of the fourth hour of the *Today Show*, *Today with Jenna & Hoda*, since 2019, succeeding Kathie Lee Gifford.
• Literary Endeavors: Bestselling author of several books, including *Ana's Story: A Journey of Hope* and *Sisters First* (co-authored with Barbara Pierce Bush).
• Book Club: Founder of the highly influential "Read with Jenna" book club in 2019.

The Five Pillars of Jenna Bush Hager's New Media Empire

Jenna Bush Hager’s professional life is rapidly diversifying, moving from a primary focus on television hosting to a multifaceted role as a media executive, publisher, and local broadcast personality. This expansion showcases her desire for creative control and a deeper connection with her audience, solidifying her status as a major player in the literary and entertainment worlds.

1. Launching a New Publishing Imprint: Thousand Voices Media

Perhaps the most significant development in her "next chapter" is the launch of her own publishing imprint, Thousand Voices Media. This venture, which began development in early 2025, is a natural extension of her successful "Read with Jenna" book club, which has become a powerful force in the publishing industry.

The imprint is designed to champion diverse, compelling authors and stories, giving Bush Hager a direct hand in the creation and promotion of new literary works. The first novel under the Thousand Voices Media banner is slated for release in early 2025, marking her formal transition from literary curator to a full-fledged publishing executive. This project allows her to use her platform to elevate voices that resonate with her passionate reading community, further cementing her topical authority in the world of books.

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2. The Local Television Experiment: 'Jenna & Friends'

In a surprising and telling move, Jenna Bush Hager launched a new, locally-focused show called *Jenna & Friends*. The program is set to air weekdays at 10 a.m. on KPRC 2, the NBC affiliate in Houston, Texas.

This development is a strong indicator of her long-term personal goals. Bush Hager has often hinted at her dream of eventually returning to her home state of Austin, Texas, with her husband, Henry Hager, and their three children. While she continues her national duties on the *Today Show*, the launch of a Texas-based show suggests she is testing the waters for a more regional, family-friendly work schedule. This venture allows her to maintain an active on-screen presence while potentially preparing for a life outside of New York City's intense media environment.

3. Expanding Her Digital Footprint with 'Voices at the Table'

In addition to her publishing and broadcast projects, Bush Hager is expanding her direct-to-audience communication through a new digital platform. She announced the launch of her Substack newsletter, titled 'Voices at the Table,' which offers a more personal and unfiltered connection with her fans.

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This Substack provides a space for her to share her thoughts on literature, family life, and current events without the constraints of a major network broadcast. The move is part of a broader trend among high-profile media personalities to cultivate a dedicated, subscription-based audience, offering intimate content that complements her public persona. 'Voices at the Table' is a strategic play to build a resilient, personal brand independent of her NBC contract.

4. The Continued Dominance of 'Read with Jenna'

Far from slowing down, the "Read with Jenna" book club remains a cornerstone of her career, continuing to drive the national literary conversation. The book club has maintained a robust schedule, with new picks like Amity Gaige's *Heartwood* (April 2025) and Emma Nanami Strenner's *My Other Heart* (August 2025) being announced well into the new year.

The book club is also expanding its live event presence. In October 2025, she is hosting a major "girl's night out" event in New York City, which will include a live recording of her popular *Open Book With Jenna* podcast. This combination of publishing influence, podcasting, and live events demonstrates a powerful, multi-platform approach to her literary brand, making "Read with Jenna" one of the most influential book clubs in the country.

5. The 'Dream' Projects: From Law & Order to a Texas Commune

While her official career moves are strategic, Bush Hager often shares her more whimsical, aspirational "dream" projects on air, providing a fascinating glimpse into her personality and long-term desires. One humorous, yet often-repeated, dream is to secure a guest role on the NBC drama *Law & Order*, specifically to play a "dead person."

On a more personal note, she has also joked about a future "retirement" that involves moving into a commune-like setting with her family and "a lot of cats," a lighthearted remark about her desire for a simpler, community-focused life away from the New York spotlight. These "dream" projects, while not official career announcements, reveal her desire to explore different creative outlets and ultimately prioritize a return to her Texas roots and a more balanced family life, a key theme in her overall "next chapter" narrative.

What This Means for Her Future on the Today Show

The flurry of new projects—Thousand Voices Media, *Jenna & Friends*, and the Substack—naturally leads to speculation about the longevity of her role on the *Today Show*. While she has been open about her love for her co-host Hoda Kotb and her decade-plus tenure at NBC, she has also been candid about her desire to prioritize her family and move back to Texas.

Industry analysts suggest that by building a robust portfolio of independent ventures, she is creating a safety net and a viable, lucrative career path that does not depend solely on her daily television commitment. Her focus on publishing and her local Texas show indicates a strategic shift toward projects she can manage remotely or that align with a potential geographic relocation. For now, Jenna Bush Hager remains a central figure on the *Today Show*, but her "next chapter" is clearly being written with a view toward greater creative autonomy and a return to the Lone Star State.