Lunden: Sexism, Risks, and Life Off-Camera

Joan Lunden, known for her decades on "Good Morning America," shares her candid story in the memoir "Joan: Life Beyond the Script." The book explores the risks that defined her career, including a surprising stint as a Las Vegas showgirl. Lunden discusses the pervasive sexism she faced in her early career and the influence of her surgeon and pilot father, whose affirmations encouraged her adventurous spirit.

Her father's belief that she could achieve anything, a rarity for girls in the 1950s and 60s, profoundly impacted Lunden. She recounts becoming a household name in the early 1980s, influenced by women inspired by her decision to stay on air while pregnant and bring her baby to work. Lunden acknowledges she was unaware she was rewriting rules for women in broadcasting, focusing instead on navigating her path.

The memoir also touches on profound personal wisdom gained from extraordinary interviews. One impactful story involves a woman who learned to forgive the driver who caused her child's death, a lesson that helped Lunden navigate her own difficult divorce and move forward in life.