Whether it’s Jojo Siwa vs. Candice Cameron Bure or Kanye West vs Taylor Swift, there is a definite taste for celebrity feuds in popular culture. However, in a recent interview on the podcast, Prodigal Stories, former “Today” show anchor Kathie Lee Gifford reminisced about a better way to resolve feuds. Radio personality Howard Stern, known for making outrageous comments on his shows, began poking fun at Gifford in the 90s, disparaging her marriage, her career, and even calling her, “the world’s dumbest person.” In 1999, Stern even went on air and mocked a handwritten note that Gifford had sent him after he and his wife of 21 years separated. Stern was especially incensed at Gifford’s references to God in the letter, saying, “Come on, honey, get off the high horse and be human for once. It’s insincere. It’s ridiculous.” He went so far as to accuse the star’s Christian faith as being fake.

Gifford, for her part, was flummoxed about the hate she was receiving from Stern. In a 2014 appearance on the show, “Watch What Happens Live,” Gifford first discussed the feud. “I have never had anything against Howard. I had never met Howard until two years ago when he was getting ready to [appear as a judge on] America’s Got Talent,” Gifford told host Andy Cohen. She then went on to describe how hard staffers worked to keep she and Stern separated from each other at the NBC studios while he was there to promote “America’s Got Talent.” In her interview on “Prodigal Stories,” Gifford recalled how the Holy Spirit prompted her to make her way over to Stern to officially introduce herself. After some reassurances to her staff, the TV host made her way to through a crowd and called Stern’s attention. “I’m going, ‘Howard? Howard?’” she recalled.  “And finally he looks at me. I said, ‘Hi, I’m Kathie Lee. I think it’s about time that we said hello. I just want to wish you all the best on the new show, and that’s it. Just take care. Have a good day.’”

To Gifford, it was just her being obedient to the Holy Spirit. The move impressed Stern, however, and he called her twice to express his contrition. Gifford had missed Stern’s first call while she was on a flight and was surprised by the voicemail he left asking for forgiveness. She was at home when he called again and the two had a conversation where Stern asked for Gifford’s forgiveness. Gifford recalled responding, “Howard, I’m so happy for you. Any time you start asking people to forgive you is the beginning of happiness in your life… Of course I forgive you. But you’ve gotta know I forgave you 30 years ago, when you first started talking about me the way you did.” Things have been very civil between the two ever since, with Gifford revealing on her last episode of the “Today” show that Stern had sent her a bouquet of flowers. “How nice is that?” she reflected on her last show. “That man hated my guts for 30 years and I prayed for him every single day.” It not only goes to show the power of Christ’s forgiveness in facing enemies, but also recalls the truth of that old proverb, “Do I not destroy my enemies when I make them my friends?”