Life Stories Interviews

David Brooks opens up about the importance of vulnerability, attempting to lose ego, commitment, and reliability as a writer. He explores how American culture has changed over the past 60 years and why trust's been lost in our institutions and each other.

Retired Golf champion Gary Player reflects on his life of legacy, sharing his journey from a childhood of hardship in South Africa, to a professional athlete inducted in the World Golf Hall of Fame. He shares how he has coped with adversity, determination, and loss to live a life of love and gratitude. “Golf, Grace and Giving Back” is part of The Thread Documentary series by Life Stories, a nonpro...

Cellist Yo-Yo Ma chronicles his life as a musician, from traveling the country and performing as a child prodigy, to becoming a 19-time Grammy Winner. Ma shares his passion for anthropology and nature, which has led to Our Common Nature, his initiative to re-connect nature with culture, and his title of United Nations Messenger of Peace.

Former CEO of American Express Ken Chenault reflects on his life and career, sharing moments of adversity and lessons from his childhood that have shaped his approach to business: prioritize people first, then profit. Chenault discusses growing up amidst the Civil Rights movement, leading a company in the wake of 9/11, and inspiring the next generation of leaders.

Legal scholar Laurence Tribe reflects on his career as a Harvard Law professor teaching U.S. Constitutional Law. Tribe shares stories from when today’s political leaders were his students, including Ted Cruz and Barack Obama, and explains how different interpretations of the Constitution have informed many landmark cases of the Supreme Court.

Conservationist Murray Fisher shares his life and career of protecting New York waterways and ecosystems. He discusses where his deep love for nature originated from, the importance of youth engagement, and the ongoing success of his ecological restoration and conservation projects, which include the Billion Oyster Project and Plan it Wild.

Actress, director, and documentarian Lee Grant reflects on her storied career in Hollywood, from emerging on Broadway in the 1950s and overcoming the Hollywood blacklist, to starting a career as a documentary filmmaker highlighting social issues.

Maria Elena Salinas shares her journey as a Latina journalist, navigating cultural identity, media representation, and the fight for minority empowerment. Reflecting on her time as a reporter, anchor, and host for Noticiero Univision, Salinas discusses the power of truth in a changing media landscape, the importance of Hispanic pride, and the ongoing struggle for diverse voices in media.

Actor, singer, dancer, and three-time Tony Award winner Billy Porter candidly reflects on the experiences that shaped him into a powerful voice among the queer and Black communities. From coming out as gay in a deeply religious community, to breaking through stereotypes and typecasting to perform on Broadway, he shares how he lives with unapologetic pride.

In this exclusive Life Stories interview, historian and author Jeff Shesol explores John Glenn Jr.’s legacy and his historic Friendship 7 flight. From his small-town upbringing in Ohio to becoming a national hero during the Cold War, Shesol highlights the pivotal roles that Glenn and John F. Kennedy played in transforming America's standing in the space race against the Soviet Union.

In this exclusive interview, Crown Prince Reza Pahlavi reflects on a life shaped by revolution, responsibility, and resilience. Born into Iran’s royal family, he shares intimate stories of his upbringing, his father’s approach to leadership, and the fall of the Pahlavi dynasty during the 1979 Iranian Revolution. Forced into exile as a teenager, Pahlavi recounts his journey of adapting to a new lif...

Frank Langella reflects on his remarkable career while offering acting tips: from preparing for roles like Richard Nixon and Dracula to the importance of vulnerability in performance.

David Ferrucci shares how his love of programming has shaped his career in computer science and his philosophy on artificial intelligence: from leading IBM’s Watson to victory on Jeopardy!, to transforming the future of human-machine learning.

Suleika Jaouad reflects on how surviving cancer and finding love with Jon Batiste shaped her life, career, and perspective: from healing through art and transforming pain into purpose, to inspiring a global audience with her writing.

Loretta Ross reveals how she transformed her trauma into an activist movement: from surviving a difficult childhood to becoming a leading voice in reproductive justice. She also discusses advice for the next generation of women's leaders.

Fab 5 Freddy reflects on how his upbringing and early experiences in the NYC graffiti scene shaped his hip hop, street art, and activism: from developing the film Wild Style to launching B noble.

Kris Tompkins, co-founder and President of Tompkins Conservation, shares how her upbringing, career as the former CEO of Patagonia Inc., and love story with her late husband Doug Tompkins, founder of The North Face, shaped her mission to combat the climate crisis—from building a sustainable business model at Patagonia to spearheading rewilding projects across South America.

Actor Noah Wyle shares how his upbringing and role as ER's Dr. John Carter shaped his life, career, and activism off-screen: from overcoming imposter syndrome and working with Doctors Without Borders during the Kosovo War, to leveraging his platform for social justice.

Elizabeth Daley reflects on her journey to becoming the longest-serving dean of the USC School of Cinematic Arts. She also discusses the power of film education and its future: from shaping Hollywood legends to navigating digital media in filmmaking.

Wyatt Cenac discusses his path from a comedy enthusiast to becoming The Daily Show’s first Black writer and correspondent. He reflects on finding his creative voice, and the challenges he's navigated along the way.

Abigail Disney reflects on how the Disney family legacy, including her grandfather Roy O. Disney, has shaped her work and activism: from rebuilding communities through storytelling to using her platform to advocate for better corporate responsibility.

Pulitzer Prize-winning author Viet Thanh Nguyen reflects on his childhood as a refugee in America, his writing career, and family: from the trauma of displacement to the healing found in fatherhood and literature. Nguyen shares how these experiences have shaped his life and work, from his novel The Sympathizer to his commentary on war, cultural identity, and American life.

Writer, Journalist and Political Commentator, Molly Jong-Fast, discusses her upbringing and career: from the impact of her mother, Erica Jong, and her involvement in Second Wave Feminism; to her grandfather Howard Fast’s links to McCarthyism. Jong-Fast shares how these familial figures have shaped her life and her work, from her journalistic output to her commentary on Trumpism in America.

Hotelier, thought leader and New York Times Bestseller, Chip Conley, muses on the course of his life and how it has impacted his diverse career. Be it establishing his own boutique hotel chain aged 26; developing Airbnb to the corporation we recognize today; or creating the Modern Elder Academy, tune in to discover how Chip’s experiences have shaped him.

Renowned Chef and Restaurateur, Wolfgang Puck sheds light on his upbringing and exceptional career within the hospitality sector. From honing his craft in multiple Michelin star restaurants, to opening his first restaurant, Spago, Puck shares his passion for food and the positive impact it can have on others.