Sunny Hostin is an Emmy-nominated co-host of ABC’s long-running daytime talk series, The View. Born and raised in the South Bronx, Sunny overcame adversity and became the first in her family to attend college and later became a trial attorney for the U.S. Department of Justice. She is now a married mother of two with a book out this fall, her memoir, I Am These Truths.
Sunny didn’t ever think she would be a federal prosecutor or write a memoir or be a national talk show host, because growing up in the projects, she says, you don’t dare to dream. It was a struggle—there were days when they didn’t have enough food to eat, and days when they didn’t have heat and hot water. But after she saw her uncle stabbed, she knew she wanted change. She knew she wanted to be somebody. She knew she wanted a better life.
A big thing in terms of success, Sunny says: People should not forget where they came from, and certainly should never forget there are those who can be just as successful—they just need a helping hand. Sunny had teachers telling her what was possible and mentors showing her other ways, and she tries to be that voice for other people now: You really can do it.
Listen to the full episode to hear Sunny’s story and learn how she untethered herself from her that story to chase after what was possible.
A few lessons from Sunny…
- The most important day is when you find out who you won’t be and what you’re really meant to do.
- Do what you have to do to make ends meet, but also to diversify, dream and feed the hustle because you never know where it might take you.
- Some people believe in luck, Sunny believes in the result of preparation meeting opportunity. Be prepared. Seek opportunity and then seize it.
Click here to listen to Sunny’s episode now!
SUCCESS Stories is no longer releasing new episodes on the SUCCESS Podcast Network, but you can still listen to the full conversation below.
