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Dana Perino discusses her latest book, “I Wish Someone Had Told Me … The Best Advice for Building a Great Career and a Meaningful Life.”
What motivated you to write this book?
After my mom read “Everything Will Be Okay — Life Lessons for Young Women from a Former Young Woman,” she remarked, “I wish someone had shared all of this with me.”
She began her career in the mid-1960s, an era when many women were entering the workforce. They laid the groundwork for us to explore various career paths today. (Thank you to those pioneers! We value your contributions.)
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Since leaving the White House and mentoring young professionals, I’ve noticed that while the questions remain consistent, the desire for guidance has only increased. I decided it was time to update my insights in a world reshaped by COVID and approaching AI trends, gathering invaluable advice from a diverse group of mentors and putting it all in one book.
Fox News’ Dana Perino shares insights about her upcoming book, releasing April 2025 from Fox News Books. (Fox News)
What sets this book apart from your earlier mentoring books?
“I Wish Someone Had Told Me” is a modern interpretation of advice I’ve compiled through my personal experiences. It features interviews with over 40 friends, family members, and colleagues—including my husband, Peter McMahon, my college roommate, Andrea Aragon, and country music artist Dierks Bentley, as well as several of my Fox News coworkers.
They generously shared their time and offered excellent suggestions. Their insights showcased the wisdom and hard-earned successes of those around me each day. The chapters cover how to choose a career path, effective strategies for promotions, balancing work and life, and reflecting on what truly matters before retirement—or if you choose not to retire at all, as my friend Stuart Varney discusses in a chapter.
Who is the target audience for this book? Who do you envision as your reader?
While my previous book focused on young women, this one is aimed at a broader audience and isn’t exclusively for women. I wanted to incorporate perspectives from various individuals to enrich the book. This compilation of diverse, insightful advice positions me as a more effective mentor.
Here’s who I believe could benefit from reading “I Wish Someone Had Told Me”:
* Driven young people seeking clarity on their career paths and industry choices
* Early-career individuals chasing promotions as they climb the corporate ladder
* Workers aiming to solidify their roles and achieve greater success in management or entrepreneurship
* New parents navigating the balance of work and family responsibilities
* Anyone feeling burnt out and contemplating a career change
* Managers in search of innovative ways to mentor and develop their teams, fostering talent recruitment
* Individuals seeking deeper meaning in life beyond their professional endeavors
Did you uncover any advice during your interviews that shifted your perspective?
I gained valuable insights, such as effective ways to cope with disappointment and rejection, the importance of maintaining curiosity, and how to keep a sense of humor instead of being overwhelmed by challenges.
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For instance, I particularly appreciated Martha MacCallum’s advice about only planning three months ahead while managing her television career and three young kids. It’s a practical strategy that everyone, even those without children (but with a pet!), can adopt.
This collection of advice has certainly enriched my ability to mentor others effectively.
Fox News’ Dana Perino of “America’s Newsroom.”
What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever received?
The realization that choosing to pursue love doesn’t limit your career. In 1997, when I met Peter on a flight (trust me, it happens!), I was anxious about how marrying him and moving to England would affect my professional journey—especially since he is 18 years older and had been divorced twice, and I had only known him for a few months. I let concerns about how others might perceive me cloud my judgment.
A family friend encouraged me to not pass up the chance to be loved. She said, “This might be your only opportunity.” She was absolutely right.
“Choosing to be loved helped make my career possible.”
That decision turned out to be the best of my life. Now, 28 years later, we’re still happily together, often reflecting on how close we came to never meeting. I almost missed that flight, and Peter nearly chose a different one. Sharing a seat on that plane was a gift we cherish.
The best way to honor this blessing is to share this wisdom—embracing love significantly contributed to my career success. Without him, my achievements wouldn’t hold the same meaning; sharing them with him has been essential.
Fox News’ Dana Perino has authored a new book of advice.
What do you wish someone had told you earlier in your life?
I wish I had known that worrying through my 20s was unnecessary—that, as an educated American woman, I had already won a significant advantage in life.
I see worry as a waste of energy, and my greatest hope for readers is that they find practical tips they can apply in their lives to maximize their time on this earth. Life passes quickly—and I would buy anyone’s minutes if I could.
Since that isn’t possible, I’m committed to making the most of the time I have with all of you.
Click here for more information about Dana Perino’s new book.
