Margaret Brennan opens up about ‘Face the Nation’ — and her experience with Irish dancing

She dances with political newsmakers each week on “Face the Nation,” but Margaret Brennan says it was more of a high-stepping jig that helped her prepare for her current high-pressure gig.

“I started Irish step dancing at age 5,” Brennan says. “A lot of the little girls in my Catholic school in Connecticut did Irish dancing, so it was pretty common.” Brennan was instantly hooked.

“I was a shy, young girl but I learned how to put a game face on, focus and be able to walk onto a stage to compete,” says Brennan, 40.

After more than a decade of dancing and having suffered several competition-related injuries, Brennan stopped the Irish stepping before entering college.

“‘Riverdance’ and world championships were above my ability level,” she says.

While she stepped away from the dance floor, Brennan is marking an anniversary in the political arena — she just celebrated her third year as “Face the Nation’s” moderator. Earlier this year, the CBS News journalist also launched a podcast, “Facing Forward.” And she’s striding into a new phase in her personal life: welcoming her second baby boy this spring with husband Yado Yakub.

ITK wanted to know more about this quick-footed Sunday morning show host, so we asked her to answer these questions.

Grew up in: Danbury, Conn.

College attended: University of Virginia

What did you want to be when you were a kid? It depends on the age. A ballerina, a doctor, a diplomat, and finally a journalist, like Christiane Amanpour.

Favorite hobby/activity: Reading to my toddler son. Right now he really enjoys “Just Me and My Little Brother” by Mercer Mayer.

Last movie I saw in a theater: Pre-COVID I went to a movie screening of “Bombshell.”

I have a fear of: Snakes and needles

Dream interview is: [Chinese President] Xi Jinping

Biggest pet peeve: Ideology/partisanship that is impervious to fact, empathy or context.

Favorite TV show: “Face the Nation”!

Biggest accomplishment: My biggest accomplishment is my family. Secondly, I would say the satisfaction that comes from feeling that we helped keep the public informed at a time of national crisis.

Most embarrassing moment: My most embarrassing moment would be… I’m not telling you!

Pets? Our rescue dog, Callie.

I’m happiest when: I’m at the beach in Sag Harbor, N.Y.