The Person Who Believed In Me

Before Ava DuVernay became an Oscar-nominated director and groundbreaking force in Hollywood, she was a 32 year old publicist with a $50,000 film, no film school degree, and a dream she wasn't sure anyone would take seriously. Then Roger Ebert said yes. In this deeply personal conversation, the visionary filmmaker sits down with David Begnaud to share the story of the legendary film critic who believed in her when the world had no idea who she was. Ava opens up about the moment she cold-pitched Roger Ebert to review her debut film I Will Follow, a meditation on grief inspired by her aunt Denise. She had worked with him before as a publicist, always transactional, always professional. But this time it was different. This was her movie. She didn't tell him that at first. She just sent the pitch like she always did. He said yes. And then he wrote a review that changed everything. Ava talks about growing up in Compton with her aunt Denise, standing outside the Oscars as a little girl getting a thumbs up from Roger Ebert himself, and never imagining she'd one day be the filmmaker he championed. She shares what it felt like to be taken seriously by the critic of a generation, how his belief gave her the confidence to keep going, and why she spoke at his funeral years later. There's also a powerful reflection on what it means to open doors all the way, not just crack them, and why she believes your presence alone is an act of resistance. If you've ever felt unqualified, if you've ever been afraid to ask for help, or if you've ever wondered whether one person's attention could actually change the trajectory of your life, this episode will remind you that sometimes all it takes is someone willing to take you seriously. And sometimes, that's the greatest gift of all. Get more stories that remind you the world is still good. Sign up for our free newsletter: www.thedogoodcrew.com Thank you to Canva for believing in the power of storytelling and helping us bring this podcast to life: https://canva.com Chapters ☀️ Chapters 00:00:00 Intro: The Girl with the Thumbs Up and Roger Ebert 00:07:47 The Cold Pitch: Sending the Film to Roger Ebert 00:07:17 The Tweet That Changed Everything 00:11:02 The Review: When a Critic Sees Your Soul 00:15:33 I Will Follow: A Film About Aunt Denise 00:29:34 The Power of Being Taken Seriously 00:44:13 From Publicist to Filmmaker: Finding Your Calling at 30 00:41:28 Cinema as Memory: The Power to Rewrite and Heal 00:54:14 Opening Doors All the Way: The Philosophy of True Mentorship 00:58:47 Get On a Moving Train: What It Takes to Earn Help 01:00:54 Leading with Kindness While Demanding Excellence 00:37:39 Speaking at Roger Ebert's Funeral: The Full Circle Moment ABOUT THIS PODCAST: The Person Who Believed In Me is hosted by David Begnaud, founder and CEO of Do Good Crew and often called "America's storyteller." In each episode, David sits down with world-class guests to ask one simple question: Who believed in you before the world did? Big names. Honest stories. Relatable takeaways. Different paths — same question. David is also a CBS News contributor and host of the weekly segment Beg Knows America, which airs every Monday morning. Host: David Begnaud Guest: Ava DuVernay Executive Producers: Ellen Rocamora, Olivier Delfosse Associate Producer: Griffin Hamilton Booker: Sully Bloch Director of Photography: Foster Parks Director of Social: Mariah Maull Theme Music: Slipstream Post-Production: Longwave Digital CONNECT WITH US: The Person Who Believed In Me: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/believedpodcast

Before Barry Diller became one of the most powerful media moguls in history, he was a 32 year old television executive that everyone thought was too young, too inexperienced, and completely unqualified to run a major Hollywood studio. One man saw something different. In this deeply personal conversation, the legendary entertainment titan sits down with David Begnaud to share the story of Charlie Bluhdorn, the Austrian immigrant and industrialist who bet everything on him when no one else would. Barry Diller opens up about the moment Charlie Bluhdorn, the volatile and brilliant founder of Gulf+Western, made him chairman of Paramount Pictures at just 32 years old. Barry had never worked in the movie business. He had no connections. And for the first two years, Paramount was dead last among the six major studios. But Charlie never flinched. He had unbreachable faith. That faith gave Barry the space to fail, to figure it out, and eventually to lead Paramount from worst to first for seven straight years, producing Saturday Night Fever, Grease, and some of the most iconic films in cinema history. Barry talks about growing up feeling abandoned by his family, cementing himself shut emotionally, and learning to please others as a survival skill. He shares why he believes in creative conflict over polite debate, and why torturing the process is the only way to get from good to great. There's also a raw and honest reflection on being gay in Hollywood during the AIDS crisis, the guilt he carries for not being louder when it mattered, and how his wife Dionne became the miracle of his life after 50 years together. If you've ever doubted whether you were ready or whether one person's belief could actually change the trajectory of your entire life, this episode will remind you that sometimes the greatest gift someone can give you is faith when the world says no. And sometimes, that's all you need to become unstoppable. Get more stories that remind you the world is still good. Sign up for our free newsletter: www.thedogoodcrew.com Thank you to Canva for believing in the power of storytelling and helping us bring this podcast to life: https://canva.com Chapters ☀️ ABOUT THIS PODCAST: The Person Who Believed In Me is hosted by David Begnaud, founder and CEO of Do Good Crew and often called "America's storyteller." In each episode, David sits down with world-class guests to ask one simple question: Who believed in you before the world did? Big names. Honest stories. Relatable takeaways. Different paths — same question. David is also a CBS News contributor and host of the weekly segment Beg Knows America, which airs every Monday morning. Host: David Begnaud Guest: Barry Diller Executive Producers: Ellen Rocamora, Olivier Delfosse Associate Producer: Griffin Hamilton Booker: Sully Bloch Director of Photography: Foster Parks Theme Music: Slipstream Post-Production: Longwave Digital CONNECT WITH US: The Person Who Believed In Me: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/believedpodcast

Before 2 Chainz became a Grammy-winning hip hop icon, he was Tauheed Epps, a high-achieving student facing expulsion under a zero tolerance drug policy. One teacher's letter changed everything. In this raw and powerful conversation, the multi-platinum artist sits down with David Begnaud to share the person who believed in him when his future hung in the balance. 2 Chainz opens up about the moment in his senior year when he got into trouble, lost his basketball scholarship offers, and faced permanent expulsion from school. That's when Miss Love, his college prep geometry teacher, stepped in and wrote a letter to the school board with one simple plea: Don't throw this child's life away. Give him a second chance. 2 Chainz talks about growing up in a family where hustling was generational, how he broke that cycle for his own children, and why he believes the voice in his head is God. He shares street lessons that still guide him today, the mistakes that became his superpower, and why he's grateful for every closed door that led him here. There's also an unforgettable moment when David surprises him with a live call to Miss Love, and she reveals something even 2 Chainz didn't know about the impact he had on her. If you've ever felt like your past defined your future, or wondered whether one person's belief could really change everything, this episode will remind you that resilience isn't about avoiding the storm. It's about staying out of the graveyard and out of jail long enough to see another day. And sometimes, that's all you need. Chapters ☀️ Chapters 00:00:00 2 Chainz: A Story of Belief 00:01:14 The Letter That Changed Everything: Miss Love's Second Chance 00:03:14 Senior Year Trouble: When Everything Almost Fell Apart 00:07:04 The Night Before: When His Mother's Intuition Tried to Warn Him 00:09:43 Six Letters of Support and One That Stood Out 00:13:27 The Surprise Call: Reconnecting with Miss Love in Real Time 00:18:30 The Voice in My Head is God: Learning to Trust Intuition 00:21:52 Women as Superheroes: The Intuition 2Chainz Had to Learn 00:33:54 From Titty Boy to 2Chainz: The Origin of an Iconic Name 00:36:17 Environment vs Choice: What Really Determines Success 00:40:13 Street Lessons That Still Guide Him: Trust, Paranoia, and Survival 00:41:02 What You Have to Unlearn: From Cash to Credit 00:47:49 Breaking Generational Chains: From Bootleg to Legacy 00:55:10 Stay Out the Graveyard, Stay Out of Jail: Advice for the Youth 00:56:59 The Person Who Believed in Me: Miss Love ABOUT THIS PODCAST: The Person Who Believed In Me is hosted by David Begnaud, founder and CEO of Do Good Crew and often called "America's storyteller." In each episode, David sits down with world-class guests to ask one simple question: Who believed in you before the world did? Big names. Honest stories. Relatable takeaways. Different paths — same question. David is also a CBS News contributor and host of the weekly segment Beg Knows America, which airs every Monday morning. Get more stories that remind you the world is still good. Sign up for our free newsletter: www.thedogoodcrew.com Thank you to Canva for believing in the power of storytelling and helping us bring this podcast to life: https://canva.com Host: David Begnaud Guest: 2 Chainz Executive Producer: Olivier Delfosse Associate Producer: Jonah Johnson Booker: Sully Bloch Director of Social: Mariah Maull Director of Photography: Foster Parks Audio Engineers: Joseph Gabay, Will Whitley Post-Production: Longwave Digital Theme Music: Slipstream CONNECT WITH US: The Person Who Believed In Me: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/believedpodcast

"Nobody but nobody can make it out here alone." In this powerful conversation, Oprah Winfrey shares how one teacher's attention saved her life during her darkest years and why being "seen" is the greatest gift one human can give another. Most people know Oprah as a voice of wisdom, but she wasn't always the woman we see today. In this premiere episode of "The Person Who Believed In Me," she sits down with Emmy-winning journalist David Begnaud to share the origin of her resilience - the lonely, introverted 13-year-old sitting in a chaotic cafeteria with a book, and the teacher named Mr. Abrams who saw something in her that she hadn't yet seen in herself. The conversation gets honest about the gap between who the world says you are and who you know you can be. Oprah opens up about overcoming the trauma of her youth and the moment she realized her past didn't have to define her future. If you've ever felt invisible or questioned whether you belonged, this conversation will remind you that one person's belief can change everything. It's a reminder that nobody makes it out here alone - and that you might be that person for someone else. Chapters ☀️ Chapters 00:00:00 Intro 00:04:05 Discovering a rare photo of Mr Abrams 00:06:04 Finding resilient girls with the it factor 00:09:34 The lunchroom conversations that changed everything 00:12:07 Nobody Makes It Alone: Oprah Reads Maya Angelou's Poem 00:14:07 The Deep Power of Being Truly Seen 00:16:30 Before Oprah Believed in Herself: The Truth She Was Hiding 00:19:34 "I See Something in You and I Know You Can Do Better" 00:25:55 The Contest That Changed Everything: The Barbara Walters Moment 00:36:18 When Did Oprah Truly Begin to Believe in Herself? 00:44:35 "What Are You Running From?" The Teacher Who Changed David's Life ABOUT THIS PODCAST: The Person Who Believed In Me is hosted by David Begnaud, founder and CEO of Do Good Crew and often called “America’s storyteller.” In each episode, David sits down with world-class guests to ask one simple question: Who believed in you before the world did? Big names. Honest stories. Relatable takeaways. Different paths — same question. David is also a CBS News contributor and host of the weekly segment Beg Knows America, which airs every Monday morning. Host: David Begnaud Guest: Oprah Winfrey Executive Producers: Ellen Rocamora, Olivier Delfosse Associate Producers: Griffen Hamilton, Jonah Johnson Booker: Sully Bloch Director of Social: Mariah Maull Director of Photography: Foster Parks Theme Music: Slipstream Get more stories that remind you the world is still good: www.thedogoodcrew.com Thank you to Canva for believing in the power of storytelling and helping us bring this podcast to life: https://canva.com CONNECT WITH US: The Person Who Believed In Me: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/believedpodcast David Begnaud: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/davidbegnaud/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@davidbegnaud Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DavidBegnaud/ Threads: https://www.threads.net/@davidbegnaud X: https://x.com/davidbegnaud Do Good Crew: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dogood/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@dogoodstory Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/dogoodstory Oprah Winfrey: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/oprah/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@oprah Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/oprahwinfrey YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@Oprah

The Person Who Believed In Me is a heartfelt podcast that celebrates the unsung heroes behind some of the world's biggest names. Hosted by Emmy Award-winning journalist David Begnaud, this series shines a spotlight on the everyday people who saw potential, offered unwavering support, and changed the trajectory of extraordinary lives. In this trailer, you'll hear from an incredible lineup of guests including Oprah Winfrey, Charlie Puth, Nick Cannon, Barry Diller, Sherry Lansing, Jason Ballard, and 2 Chainz - each sharing powerful glimpses into the people who believed in them before the world knew their names. These weren't just words of encouragement from afar. This was presence. Sacrifice. Dedication. From the music teacher who recognized raw talent, to the parent who refused to let their child settle, to the mentor who saw past society's limitations - these believers changed everything. Every episode features a big-name guest, but the true star is always the ordinary person who saw something extraordinary and chose to nurture it. Join David Begnaud as he explores the profound impact one person's belief can have on another's destiny. Get ready for intimate conversations, emotional revelations, and inspiring stories that remind us all of the power of believing in someone. Host: David Begnaud Created By: David Begnaud A Do Good Crew Production Executive Producer: Ellen Rocamora For Do Good Crew: Executive Producers Olivier Delfosse, David Begnaud, Associate Producer Griffen Hamilton, Editor Jonah Johnson, Booker Sully Bloch Director Of Photography: Foster Parks Music Composed By: Slipstream Post-Production: Longwave Digital

The Person Who Believed In Me is a heartfelt podcast that celebrates the unsung heroes behind some of the world's biggest names. Hosted by Emmy Award-winning journalist David Begnaud, this series shines a spotlight on the everyday people who saw potential, offered unwavering support, and changed the trajectory of extraordinary lives. In this trailer, you'll hear from an incredible lineup of guests including Oprah Winfrey, Charlie Puth, Nick Cannon, Barry Diller, Sherry Lansing, Jason Ballard, and 2 Chainz - each sharing powerful glimpses into the people who believed in them before the world knew their names. These weren't just words of encouragement from afar. This was presence. Sacrifice. Dedication. From the music teacher who recognized raw talent, to the parent who refused to let their child settle, to the mentor who saw past society's limitations - these believers changed everything. Every episode features a big-name guest, but the true star is always the ordinary person who saw something extraordinary and chose to nurture it. Join David Begnaud as he explores the profound impact one person's belief can have on another's destiny. Get ready for intimate conversations, emotional revelations, and inspiring stories that remind us all of the power of believing in someone.