Lester Holt is returning to the podcast world with a new Dateline series focused on life after tragedy. Before & After with Lester Holt will premiere September 14th with an interview featuring Colin Kaepernick.
What We Know: NBC News announced Holt will host the six-episode Dateline podcast, Before & After with Lester Holt, beginning September 14th. The series will feature deeply personal conversations with people whose lives changed through violence, survival, loss, injustice, or unexpected circumstances. Kaepernick will headline the premiere, while Holt will also interview Jeremy Renner, Rebecca Scofield, Gabby Giffords, Adrianne Haslet, and others. Additionally, a preview of the Kaepernick interview will arrive on NBCNews.com before the premiere. Dateline Premium subscribers can access the series early beginning September 7.
What’s At Stake: The new series gives Holt another opportunity to build on his growing presence in the podcast space. His previous original series, The Last Appeal, became a chart-topping podcast last year. Meanwhile, Dateline has established a significant audio audience, with its original podcasts generating more than 43 million downloads in 2026. As a result, NBC News has a sizable audience to introduce Holt’s latest project.
What Remains Unclear: NBC News hasn’t detailed whether Before & After with Lester Holt will continue beyond its initial six episodes. The network also hasn’t disclosed additional guests beyond the announced lineup. Furthermore, details about how NBC News will promote the series across its television and digital platforms remain unclear.
What It Means: Holt’s latest podcast expands the Dateline brand beyond traditional true-crime storytelling. Instead, the series will emphasize personal recovery and the experiences that follow life-altering events. That approach could help NBC News reach listeners seeking a more conversational format from one of its most recognizable journalists.
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